Due to changes in cognitive function, seniors may find that it takes them a little bit longer to decide how to respond to a situation when having to react while behind the wheel of the car. Even a few extra seconds that it can take to process what’s going on and to decide how to react can make the difference between driving away safely and an accident that can be potentially serious or fatal. While seniors may have decreased reaction time behind the wheel, there are a few simple ways that they can ensure that every time they get behind the wheel, they do everything they can to ensure that they are safe!

• Leave 4 seconds between you and cars ahead – leaving added space between cars will ensure that seniors have enough time to stop or turn when necessary, even if it takes them a second longer to decide how to react
• Avoid left turns – sometimes turning left at a light when crossing oncoming traffic can be intimidating to seniors, especially when they struggle with their decision-making skills. So instead, seniors can turn right and turn around
• Eliminate distractions – turn off the radio, cell phone and any other things that could cause distraction
• Plan your route – knowing your route ahead of time will help you to avoid making last minute decisions
• Avoid busy times – avoid driving in rush hour or down streets with heavy traffic

Sources:

1. AAASeniors

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Poor blood circulation affects many New Braunfels seniors as they age, often characterized by swelling of the hands or feet. However, beyond the swelling that can come with poor blood circulation, there are a number of other symptoms that seniors might not recognize as being characteristic of an issue with circulation. Seniors who experience any of the following signs or symptoms, should speak to a doctor near their New Braunfels home in order to ascertain if poor blood circulation could be an issue that they’re experiencing.

The Effects of Poor Blood Circulation:

• Effects upon the brain – poor blood circulation can impact the brain causing fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and frequent and unexplained headaches
• Effects upon the heart – poor blood circulation can have an impact on the heart, causing inability to perform simple aerobic activities like climbing stairs without breathlessness; high blood pressure and cholesterol, and chest pain can be other symptoms
• Effects upon the liver – symptoms of poor blood circulation in the liver can include lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss, and changes in skin tone
• Effects upon the kidneys – poor circulation to the kidneys are typically the result when there is swelling of the hands, feet and ankles. Other symptoms can include fatigue, altered heart rate and rise in blood pressure
• Effects upon the limbs – with poor circulation, cramps in the limbs, numbness and varicose veins can appear as symptoms

Sources:

1. Ezine Articles
2. Suote101

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

I’ve been a caregiver in New Braunfels for more than 15 years; during this time, I’ve cared for seniors in all stages of diseases and aging afflictions. My job has always been incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a challenge. Right now, I’m experiencing the greatest challenge of my career with my current care recipient who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. The physical effects of the disease, I can deal with, but it’s the emotional effects that are more challenging. My care recipient has kind of given up hope; believing that if he’s meant to be confined to a wheelchair and he’s not going to fight it. I’m of the nature, that there’s nothing that’s final, even if there isn’t a cure. I’ve read that exercise is one of the best ways to lift the spirits of a senior with MS and to help improve their mobility. I have the support of the family, and have already spoken to his physician about activities that are safe and those that should be avoided.

In order to start him off with an exercise program, we’re starting slowly; just exercising a few minutes at a time and beginning with activities that aren’t too strenuous. We don’t try physical activity outside when it’s hot, because my care recipient is sensitive to the heat, and I make sure he always drinks water and lets me know when he’s feeling overexerted, sick or in pain. MS may be a diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to be seen as a life sentence. With simple exercise techniques, it is possible to get seniors with Multiple Sclerosis mobile and ready to fight the effects of their disease.

Sources:

1. Science Daily
2. MS Society
3. WebMD

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

More than 10 million Americans in the United States alone suffer from osteoporosis, and even more face problems due to low bone density. These issues that often come with aging can directly result in accidents, breaks and other injuries which can be challenging for seniors to recover from. Seniors might avoid physical activity for fear that they will injure themselves due to their osteoporosis, but in fact, exercise can actually prevent problems and improve osteoporosis overall!

Since bone is live tissue, it can be strengthened along with muscle, and in order to do that, exercise is the solution. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends two main types of exercises:

• Weight bearing exercises that cause the bones and muscles to work against gravity. Walking, jogging, dancing, walking up and down stairs, and sports can all help improve osteoporosis
• Resistance training can build muscles as well as bones, and can be completed with free weights or exercise machines

Seniors with osteoporosis shouldn’t hesitate to adopt a healthier lifestyle, but they should begin by consulting a doctor to ensure that their health will not be put at risk as a result of their chosen activities.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. MayoClinic

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

It should come as no surprise to seniors that exercise can keep them healthy and act as a natural cure for many illnesses and ailments that come with age, but it’s rare for seniors to understand exactly how important it is, and how exercise actually works to lower blood pressure. With a greater understanding of how and why, seniors can prevent the silent killer from taking their lives. So how does exercise lower blood pressure in seniors? It increases the strength of the heart, making blood pump through the artery with less effort; which in turn puts less pressure on the arteries, lowering blood pressure.

Anytime a senior has received a diagnosis of high blood pressure from a medical professional, it’s important that they begin making drastic changes in their lifestyle if they want to stick around long enough to see their grandchildren get married, or be there to witness the birth of a first great-grandchild, because hypertension can kill. With only 30 minutes most days of the week of aerobic activity, that increases heart and breathing rates, seniors can reduce their blood pressure. The activities they do remain completely up to them; whether they like to walk, swim, or even incorporate short bursts of activity by taking the stairs rather than the elevator or parking farther from a store, they can work towards the goal of reducing their blood pressure.

Act fast seniors; if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s time to make changes before it takes your life.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Exercise can have endless benefits to seniors who do it wisely. It has proven benefits to enhancing their minds, preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia; can boost the immune system; and prevent depression and generally improve well-being. However, in order to receive these benefits and avoid additional risk, seniors need to take note of the following tips:

• Remember that age shouldn’t limit them - in reality, a fit 70 year old can be stronger and in better health than a senior who is sedentary
• To avoid injury seniors need to choose activities that are well-suited to their physical abilities; and if they are concerned can talk to a doctor and a fitness expert who has experience working with seniors
• overexertion can have negative health repercussions, seniors who pay close attention to the signs and symptoms generated from their bodies and know when to take it easy will likely avoid the health  risks
• Seniors should choose activities that they enjoy – this can be through trial and error – but generally, any physical activity is beneficial. By varying their routine and sticking with the exercises they enjoy, they will be more likely to keep it up

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness
2. MedicineNet

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

After watching Dancing with the Stars with my elderly care recipient for a number of seasons, I decided that it was time for us to get off the couch and into our own dancing shoes. When I mentioned the idea to my 77 year old New Braunfels senior, she was very excited to follow in the footsteps of older stars like Cloris Leachman and Priscilla Presley who had appeared on the TV show. Since I really didn’t have much dancing experience, and wasn’t comfortable introducing her to moves and techniques that might not be safe for a person of her age and physical condition, I decided to look up classes offered in New Braunfels to introduce seniors to ballroom dancing. Surprisingly, I found that there were many options available in the community, offered by recreation centers and even senior development organizations. I chose a place close to home that had an instructor that not only had years of dance training herself, but had also worked teaching seniors for a number of years, so she was familiar with the particular needs of older adults considering their health and physical abilities.

My care recipient and I decided that we would take the classes together, so we could practice at home and feel better informed when we sat down to watch the next season of Dancing with the Stars. During the first lesson, we were introduced to basic warm up techniques and stretches; the instructor also provided a series of warning signs for us to look out for that might indicate that activity was too physically trying. She said that particularly for seniors, shortness of breath, excessive perspiration or unusual muscle or joint pain can indicate a greater problem; so if anyone in the class has these experiences, they should speak up immediately. This gave me confidence that we were in a safe environment that would address my senior’s specific needs and limitations.

Within weeks we were dancing the cha cha and the samba, having a great time and strengthening our bond by engaging in an activity that we found mutually enjoyable.

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Global Action on Aging

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Q – At 75 years old, my dad has been talking about getting a computer for his home. He claims to be one of the old veterans of the times before technology and has been opposed to bringing modern conveniences like a computer or digital television into his New Braunfels home. But after his doctor explained how a computer can help him learn more about his diabetes and how to manage it through the senior years; he’s been encouraged to embrace the computer and internet. Since he’s always been a bit of a technophobe, is it too late for him to learn how to use a computer?

A – Despite the stigma, it’s never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks; however, that’s not to say that learning how to use a computer will be easy for your dad. In order to introduce him to the features and use of a computer and the internet, you will need a great deal of patience; or better yet, you will need to find a New Braunfels learning center that offers lessons in basic computers skills to seniors. Local colleges, community centers or other senior resource centers provide introductory classes that can introduce seniors to the very basics of computer use; including turning it on and off, opening documents, and using a mouse. More advanced courses can teach seniors about word processing, navigating and completing searches on the internet and sending and receiving emails.

Sources:

1. UINTA Education Center
2. Suite 101

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Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.

Due to some of the limitations that can come with aging, many New Braunfels seniors are reluctant to really allow themselves to get out there with their grandchildren and take on new experiences. With Elderhostel, senior-friendly travel options are available for those who want to see the world with their grandchildren by their side. The Greece: Intergenerational Hands on History travel program by Elderhostel is aimed to allow grandparents and their younger grandchildren, between the ages of 13 and 15 experience the wealth of history and archeology that Greece is distinctive for. Whether the interest in the country is due to family history, information learned in school by the grandchild, or a shared interest in My Big Fat Greek Wedding; families can bond over shared learning about the religious and cultural history of the country.

For those grandparents and grandchildren who don’t want to travel internationally, there are programs available from Elderhostel that take place in the US. Intergenerational programs such as Fur, Fins and Feathers, which takes place in Michigan and is appropriate for grandchildren aged 9-12; and the Rockies Intergenerational in Utah for grandchildren aged 6 and older and active grandparents.

Always wanted to take a vacation with your grandchild or grandparent, don’t waste anytime, because who knows if you’ll get the opportunity again!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Elderhostel

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Call 830-624-8380.