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Spring is in the Air... Time to Head Outdoors

Although it may feel like warmer weather will never come, it is right around the corner. With warmer weather, comes the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and get exercise. It is important for both the mind and body to be outside and away from the comforts of your own home, as long winters can make it feel like you have been stuck inside for months on end. According to a study completed in 2010, time spent outdoors make people feel “more alive”. This study illustrated that spending time outdoors can lead to an increased sense of energy; which is vitally important for both the mental and physical health of an elderly individual. According to the study done by Richard Ryan, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester, "Nature is fuel for the soul. Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature." It is evident that spending time outdoors is critical to a full ...

Keeping Elderly Minds Sharp and Active

To stay in line with the last post; as important as it is to eat healthy, it is just as important for elderly adults to stay socially and mentally active! It is almost a cliché to think about an elderly person sitting in their recliner every day watching their “Soaps”, “Murder She Wrote” or their court room shows for hours on end. This is sometimes what people think of when it comes to the daily activities of an elderly person living independently at home. This would obviously not be healthy and by no means does this happen all of the time. However, it would be easy for someone to get into this habit as it almost gives them an escape from reality and allows them to form “bonds” with characters in the shows. It is critical for them to find other activities to stay happy and healthy and there are many other daily activities that they can do alone or with another person to keep their mind sharp and social skills intact. It is important for elderly individuals to keep their brains...

Tips for Eating Well as You Age

March is recognized by many as National Nutrition Month, which gives me the perfect platform to discuss the importance of a healthy diet, especially when it comes to seniors. I went to school for Sport Management and during my studies I took many classes that revolved around nutrition and it taught me how important it is to a healthy and happy life. This got me thinking about the importance of nutrition for the elder population, as it can have a drastic impact on one’s overall health and quality of life. There are numerous benefits of healthy eating for seniors and they include: increased mental acuteness, improved immune system, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems.  Not only does eating healthy have positive physical effects, but it can also be the key to staying emotionally balanced. Good nutrients help keep muscles, bones and organs strong through the end, while vitamin rich food helps boost immunity and f...

New Home Care Technology to Keep an Eye On

There seems to be an obvious disconnect between the older generations and technology, as they were never brought up with it as a part of their everyday life. Technology plays a key role in most aspects of our life and has recently become a critical part of the Home Care world. This new technology can have incredible benefits for aging adults who are trying to live life in their own home. There are several new technological advancements that will ultimately help make elderly people’s lives better and safer and here are just a few that I thought offer the most benefits. 1.        CareInnovations Health Harmony: This technology system platform simplifies patient monitoring by enabling patients, care providers, and family caregivers to collaborate for better care in the home within normal daily routines. It connects patients, care givers and families through an easy-to-use interface where they can share health data, educational information and best practi...
Is Home Care the Right Fit? People typically reach a point in life where they either don’t know what to do or feel like they are stuck between two incredibly difficult options, when it comes to what the best choice for an aging loved one would be. Do you put them in an assisted-living facility where they have care 24/7, but risk making them unhappy as they will be living in an unfamiliar and potentially uncomfortable environment? Or do you look to see if there is a different option available that causes less stress and change? Regardless of what decision is made, seeing a family member or loved one age can be a difficult process as there are so many different things to think about and balance. You always want what is best and safest for your loved one, but sometimes it seems like the easiest option would be to put them in a assisted-living facility so they can get around the clock care. However, there is an alternative option out there that minimizes change in one’s life and that ...