August 10, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Elderly mental stimulation, San Jose older adults, Senior health
Walt
Whitman was a poet known for his poetic reflections of nature, he would
take daily walks to get in touch with his natural surroundings and find
inspiration. He was definitely onto something that meant more than
simply creating his form of art, and San Jose seniors and older adults
worldwide can benefit from following his example in order to improve
their health, both body and mind.
Here's how seniors can benefit their health, body and mind, by getting in touch with nature:
• Attention and memory spans improve by 20% after a 50 to 55 minute walk in a natural setting
• Sights in nature cause reflection and mental stimulation
• In nature, your mind can focus on stimulus rather than tuning out
other surroundings in the environment when it's ov'erwhelming in a busy
city environment
• Being in an environmental surrounding provides the brain with "active rest"
• Getting out into nature generally involves some form of physical
activity and weight bearing activities like walking can help with
osteoporosis and muscle strength
• Body weight, body fat and cholesterol is lowered when San Jose
seniors get active by hiking or walking outdoors reducing the risk of
stroke, and heart conditions
• The boomer generation has a strong sentimental to the outdoors based
on Woodstock and other events, so it can take them back to fond
memories of their youth
Sources:
1. AARP
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August 7, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: San Jose elderly concerns, Senior physical fitness, Yoga benefits
When
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my late 60's, my doctor
recommended that I give yoga a try in order to improve my overall
health and physical fitness. Despite the suggestion, I steered clear
for a number of years, because I had reservations about it being the
right activity for me, especially because of my age and physical
limitations. After putting it off for a while, I had another visit to
my San Jose doctor and admitted that I hadn't tried yoga when he asked
me about how things were going. In order to address my reservations, he
gave me a list of the most common myths about yoga for seniors, and
from there I was confident that yoga would be safe for me, and I really
couldn't come up with anymore excuses not to try!
• Fiction: yoga isn't suitable for seniors. Fact: yoga benefits
seniors in a large number of ways, and some of the founding yoga
masters that practice are older adults - one is even 90!
• Fiction: yoga requires a high level of flexibility. Fact: yoga can be
adapted for people of all ages, and physical fitness levels
• Fiction: yoga will result in injury for older adult. Fact: when under
the supervision of a yoga instructor who typically works with older
adults, seniors will receive only benefits to their muscular strength
and overall physical fitness
• Fiction: seniors with existing medical conditions shouldn't try yoga.
Fact: yoga can actually help seniors to manage and improve
cardiovascular health, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, Type
2 Diabetes and more
Sources:
1. AARP
August 5, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Aging health concerns, Elderly lifestyle, San Jose senior Alzheimer's
For
decades, researchers have been blaming lifestyle and genetics for the
onset of potentially fatal diseases such as Alzheimer's or diabetes,
but recently there's been some indication that there are in fact
environmental causes to blame.
In many seniors, death rates increased in seniors with Alzheimer's
and diabetes have had increased exposure to nitrates, nitrites and
nitrosamines, which can cause damage to DNA and insulin resistance. So
what are the culprits? Pesticides, and processed foods contain these
potentially damaging substances that now seem to play a role in sending
San Jose seniors to an early grave.
With access to the potential repercussions of exposure to these
substances, generations can look to the future and try to avoid them -
but for San Jose seniors who have gone through their lives unknowing of
the potential repercussions, this information comes too little too late.
Sources:
1. Medical News Today
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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August 3, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Elder Home Care in San Jose, San Jose CAREGiver's Corner |
Tagged: Family caregiver, Older adults, San Jose seniors
When
my family decided to move my mother into our San Jose home, we knew it
would bring changes to the household and that it would probably be
stressful since we hadn't lived under the same roof since I was 18
years old. After talking about the fact that grandma was coming to live
with us with my young children, my 4 year old daughter came to me in
asked, "Is Grandma going to be like our new mother?" Although I
explained to my children that nothing would change in terms of the
roles in our family, I had to take a big step back and wonder if this
would in fact be true. I could foresee some serious problems in the
future with my mom overstepping her boundaries in our household, so I
talked to a San Jose doctor who treats seniors primarily. He presented
the following tips, which we certainly kept in mind when bringing my
mom and our children's grandma into the home to ensure that we didn't
have any tension. I'd recommend these tips to anyone, although I will
give you one warning - some tension will still occur despite your best
efforts, but I've been told and keep telling myself that this is normal
when there's too many adults living newly under the same roof!
• All members of the family should be allowed to voice their
thoughts - even after a decision has been made to move in mom or dad,
every member of the family, including children should be allowed to
speak their minds and make suggestions on how to make the living
arrangements work for everyone
• Define roles and set expectations - all family members living under
the same roof should have their roles defined in advance and should
know what to expect of the changes that will be occurring
• Ask for help - when adult caregivers live with their elderly care
recipients, they can feel like they're overwhelmed with responsibility
that they can never get away from; ask other siblings or family members
to step in to provide respite care or help around the house
• Focus on family - establish family rituals that bridge the
generational gap between all of the family members. Plan a movie night,
or a family dinner so that everyone can bond over a shared enjoyable
experience
Via: Home Instead Senior Care
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 31, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Language specialist, Progressive expressive aphasia, San Jose seniors
When
my dad lost his ability to speak due to progressive expressive aphasia,
the whole family went through a period of mourning. Although he was
there in person, it felt like the person that we had known and loved
for nearly 80 years was gone. It took a lot to remember in the early
days, that despite his inability to communicate, my dad was still in
there somewhere, and over time we began to realize just how hard it
must be for him to have thoughts and feelings that he's unable to
express. We consulted a specialist that deals with language loss that
comes with aphasia and apraxia in San Jose, and were provided a number
of suggestions that would allow us to help my dad communicate and
express himself, even without language. We didn't ignore the problem,
and by making an effort, we were able to ensure that my dad still felt
like an important part of the family.
Here are the suggestions that we were provided, and I'd suggest that
anyone wondering how to deal with the language loss of a loved one give
them a try.
• Make sure they always have a way to communicate and make their own
decisions; ask yes or no questions, or write down potential answers for
a question posed to help them make their decision
• Always speak to your loved one in a direct and natural way - never
assume that they can't understand or that there's no one in there
• Speak clearly to improve understanding, use expressive body language, draw pictures or write down key words
• Seek help from professionals in Skilled Conversation techniques for
seniors with expressive aphasia or apraxia, and talk to a San Jose
doctor about additional therapy options to help improve a senior's
communication skills without language
Sources:
1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About
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July 29, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Aging concerns, Elderly cardiovascular health, San Jose senior women
As
we age, most of us maintain our cardiovascular health through walking,
biking, doing an aerobics class or engaging in another activity that
gets our heart pumping and burns calories. But very few older women in
San Jose continue or begin a strength training routine, because they
believe it's strictly about building muscle mass and tone, and not
necessarily relevant to good health.
Strength training can have a large number of benefits to older San
Jose women, that aren't just about building muscle mass or creating a
toned physique.
Benefits of Strength Training:
• Increases bone density
• Improves muscular strength and endurance
• Improves sensitivity to insulin, preventing diabetes
• Helps with cholesterol control by increasing HDL [good] cholesterol and decreasing LDL [bad] cholesterol
• Can improve emotional well-being
• Decreases intra-abdominal adipose tissue in healthy older women
• Helps to control potential fat gain and associated complications
Sources:
1. Suite101
mage Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 27, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Aging concerns, San Jose exercise risks, Senior health
In
the San Jose clinic where I work, we constantly receive questions about
common senior aging issues like osteoporosis and bone density loss.
Recently, one of the most common queries we received is if the
recommendations of resistance training to improve bone density truly
are beneficial. Some articles have been published that indicate that
perhaps these types of exercises can cause more harm than they help.
While our doctors can provide seniors with more specific advice, in the
end, it's up to seniors to make their own decisions; considering both
the risks and benefits of any activity that they are considering
trying. So, in order to help seniors make these decisions, we provide
them both the pros and cons of resistance training and bone density,
which includes the following:
Pros
• Resistance training and weight bearing exercises can improve bone density by as much as 3%
• Physical activity has additional benefits to overall health and mobility
• Improved bone density can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injury, specifically as related to osteoporosis
Cons
• There is a risk of injury that comes with resistance activities, including sprains and even spinal problems
• Seniors who are unaware of proper weight lifting techniques increase their risk of injury
• Once resistance training stops, any improvements made by the physical
activities can result in a return to previous bone density conditions
Sources:
1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 24, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Older adults, San Jose activities, Senior golf
If
you're a retired San Jose senior, you've either played golf or know
someone who does regularly, because it's one of the most popular
activities for men and women once they have retired. It's ideal,
because it combines cardiovascular activity with strength training, and
allows seniors to adjust their game based on their own fitness level,
either by walking the golf course or taking a cart.
As with any activity, while golf may be an ideal sport, seniors do
need to exercise caution in order to prevent injury since golf can put
physical strain on the wrist, shoulder, the hips and other parts of the
body. Plus, when walking over uneven or hilly terrain at the golf
course there is always the potential that seniors could fall or injure
themselves.
There's no such thing as being too old to golf, and as long as some
simple safety tips are kept in mind, seniors can benefit from getting
out in the fresh air and remaining active.
• Always warm up - seniors need to stretch before beginning a golf
game, with special focus upon the arms, shoulders and upper body
• Adjust if your technique is causing pain - seniors who find that
their golf swing results in pain in different areas of their body can
talk to a golf professional about adjusting their swing
• Invest in the right equipment - while it may seem most economical to
borrow clubs from someone who is no longer using them, clubs need to be
the right weight and size for seniors otherwise they can cause strain
and injury. Clothing is also important, proper, good fitting shoes that
provide support can prevent injuries
• Seek medical help for pain - treat injuries immediately with ice or a
hot compress in order to reduce swelling or pain, and if the injury
remains, see a doctor and rest the area
Sources:
1. Suite101
2. About
mage Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 23, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Choosing the Best Care Option in San Jose and Los Gatos, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Choosing senior care, Elderly doctor
Finding
the right doctor can play a major role in providing for a senior's
health, while location and ease of accessibility may seem like a major
factor in determining which physician to see; many other things come
into play which seniors might not think about. 
1. Does your insurance or health plan cover your physician choice?
Often doctors need to be plan-approved or affiliated with a specific
group in order to be covered by health and insurance plans.
2. What kind of doctor do you need? Consider whether a general
practitioner to manage your overall health is what you require, or if
you need a specialist to address a specific aging health issues.
3. Can your doctor practice at your local hospital? In case of
senior medical emergency, you may need your doctor to treat you at the
hospital of your choice. Ensure the doctor you choose has the authority
to do so.
4. Have you checked out his/her reputation - if possible, choose a
doctor who comes highly recommended by friends, family or other people
in your network who have seen the doctor. You want someone who will
listen to your concerns, is respectful and answers questions.
5. Check their qualifications - all general practitioners must be
board certified, having completed a medical residency. Specialists must
have additional training.
Use Administrators in Medicine to learn of any disciplinary actions
taken against the doctor of your choice, as well as the Federation of
State Medical Boards and the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory to
grasp the history of your chosen medical professionals.
Sources:
1. Seniors for living
2. MedicineNet.com
Image Source: CCN.com
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July 22, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Activities in Saratoga and San Jose, Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Active Elders, Exercise for aging adults, San Jose senior lifestyle
After
age 20, our bodies automatically begin packing on the pounds if diet
and exercise aren't used to control the calories that we consume. Since
our metabolisms slow down, what previously would have been burned off
naturally, can be instead stored as fat and excess weight, and every
decade that we live past 20, it's possible for our metabolisms to slow
more and more resulting in weight gain. It's no secret that excess
weight at any age can cause serious health complications like
cardiovascular complications like high blood pressure and even heart
attack.
If you're a San Jose senior who notices a substantial weight gain
year after year, don't accept it as part of the aging process, because
that mentality will send you to an early grave. Instead, get off the
couch, get out of bed, and start getting active. As little as 30
minutes of physical activity a few times per week can improve overall
health, burn calories that would otherwise be turned into fat cells,
and improve a senior's quality of life.
Sources:
1. Suite101
2. About
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July 20, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: Aging issues, San Jose seniors, Varicose veins
Often
seniors struggle with problems in their legs as they get older, and
varicose veins are one common problem that can result from poor
circulation in the legs. However, seniors often attribute varicose
veins to other physical problems, because they might not be able to see
the inflamed vein visually, depending upon where it's located.
Although a doctor's opinion should always be sought anytime a San
Jose senior believes that they have a potential medical issue, here are
some of the common symptoms of varicose veins:
• Enlarged blue or purple veins, often in the legs
• Leg swelling
• Swollen feet
• Swollen ankles
• Weak leg muscles
• Leg muscle cramps, especially at night
• Poor leg circulation
• Poor leg healing (bruising, scrapes and other issues remain longer)
• Itchy skin on the legs and ankles
• Leg ulcers
• Aches in legs when standing still
If you believe that the above-mentioned symptoms indicate that you
might have varicose veins, make an appointment with your primary care
physician in order to discuss treatment options and to make an accurate
diagnosis
Sources:
1. Wrong Diagnosis
Image: pro.corbis.com
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July 17, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Elder Home Care in San Jose, Family Caregiver Help |
Tagged: Edler care planning, Help for family caregivers, home care stragtegies
Q. I have noticed some signs that my elderly mother is struggling to
live independently in her own home. While I have some ideas about home
care, I do come from a large family in Saratoga and feel it's important
that I involve my siblings and immediate family in the decision making.
What's the best way to go about this?
A - Ask your immediate family to get together in the San Jose area
so that you can all discuss your concerns about your mother's health
and care. If not all siblings live close by, you can set-up a
conference call so that everyone can be involved in discussing your
mother's care requirements. For the first meeting, don't involve your
mother, so you can talk openly about your concerns without upsetting
her. Discussing elder care requirements for a loved one, can be
stressful, so keep the following tips in mind when planning your first
family senior home care meeting.
1. Establish a goal for each meeting - the first meeting might be
about discussing concerns, and making suggestions for how to proceed
with home care
2. Invite only close relatives - invite your close siblings or other
family members you feel must be involved, but try to keep numbers under
7 people
3. Allow each family member the chance to speak without interrupting
4. Share resources - each family member can bring information about
your mother's specific conditions or local resources that may be able
to help
5. Have a moderator - invite a 3rd, impartial party like a counselor
or Geriatric Care Manager to help keep the meeting on track if you feel
there will be disputes about your mother's care amongst family
Sources:
1. Elder Care Online
2. Suite101
Image Source: Corbis.com
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July 14, 2009 |
Posted by: Carebuzz |
Posted in: Senior Health and Nutrition in San Jose |
Tagged: aging myths, growing older, misconceptions of elderly, senior concerns
According
to a report by US News and World Report, many common ailments and
changes that we naturally affiliate with the aging process, are not in
fact normal for everyone and many common aging myths don't hold as much
truth as we like to assume.
1. Extra
weight cuts your life short - studies show that carrying a few extra
pounds (up to 30lbs) in you senior years may not result in a shortened
lifespan after all, provided you are not obese with a BMI over 30. At
age 75 an extra 30 lbs can actually be protective of the immune system,
staving off other illnesses; proving that carrying a little extra
weight isn't always bad, as we've been taught to think.
2. Everyone must prepare for senility - we've all heard the
expression - old and senile - when discussing older adulthood, but
senility doesn't happen to everyone contrary to the stereotype. Some
cognitive decline may occur, but it typically doesn't compromise a
senior's ability to live independently.
3. San Jose and Los Gatos seniors shouldn't exercise the- belief is
that seniors wont ha've the energy to exercise, or that it can be
harmful. However, seniors who exercise have a lower occurrence of heart
problems, and less fatigue.
4. All hearing loss requires a hearing aid - only 35% of seniors
require hearing aids; although many seniors do experience some form of
hearing loss, many maintain perfect hearing into their later years.
5. Seniors are cranky - while some seniors may experience
personality changes due to Alzheimer's or dementia, or may experience
bouts of depression due to their declining health, research proves that
our personalities don't change after age 30. The cranky seniors you
know have probably always been that way.
Sources:
1 US News & World Report
Image Source: ultraorange.net
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