Exercise is one of the best ways to improve heart health. Many seniors are now implementing simple exercises into their daily lives. These exercises improve the health of the heart and can also have emotional benefits. Most seniors find that their mood is increased after exercise. The benefits of exercise are endless. The following list contains some important tips for all seniors who are starting an exercise program.

Before starting any exercise program, Home Care New Braunfels wants to remind all seniors to check with their doctor first to make sure that the exercises they’re doing are safe.

1. Make sure all exercises are paced. You do not want to go too fast or over-do it. Give your muscles time to relax between exercises.

2. Individuals who have heart failure should always exercise in a controlled climate. Do not exercise outside in the extreme heat or cold.

3. During all exercises, make sure to have water nearby. Staying hydrated is one of the most important factors of a healthy exercise regime.

4. If you become fatigued, stop the exercise. Do not exercise if you have not been feeling well or if you experience any shortness of breath.

5. Pain can be an indicator of other health problems. If you experience any pain, stop the exercise, especially if the pain is in the chest.

6. After all exercises, check your pulse 15 minutes after you have stopped. Your pulse rate should be lower than 120.

Source: webmd.com

Image Source: sxc.hu

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

What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.

1.) How should this outbreak be handled?

2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?

Please comment below with your opinions!

Image Source:
-New York Times

Most seniors and their families have heard of Meals on Wheels, but many don’t understand specifically what it does or exactly who is eligible to receive assistance from the program. As one of the original food delivery services for seniors, Meals on Wheels makes sure that all seniors receive nutritious healthy meals at home when their medical status prevents them from preparing their meals themselves.

The Meals on Wheels meal delivery program for seniors is available in most major cities across the US and Canada. Many will deliver hot or cold meals to senior’s homes to ensure that their physical and medical limitations don’t prevent them from eating well. Many of these programs do accept suggested donation amounts for their meal services for seniors, but will continue to operate and provide meals whether or not seniors’ income levels enable them to contribute. For those who are not medically bound to their homes, Meals on Wheels also provides regular meals to seniors at a community setting, like community center, or community living facility for older adults.

Those seniors who live independently at home still struggle to manage the responsibilities of daily living, can continue to rely on meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels, but should also consider receiving assistance from a professional caregiving organization like Home Instead Senior Care, to help out with the non-medical responsibilities of home care.
Source:  Meals on Wheels (Wikipedia)

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

Eating healthy on a budget at any age can be easily accomplished; a limited income doesn’t have to limit the variety of foods that you consume at any age. While junk foods many seem convenient, they are not budget friendly for seniors. Instead, seniors should work with their families or caregivers to plan their meals for the week, choosing ingredients which are rich in nutrients and vitamins like lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

When the elderly go to the grocery store, they should ensure that a grocery list is in hand based on their healthy meal plans. Buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season is a great way to save money, while ensuring they maintain a well-balanced diet; when their favorite produce is more expensive and not in season, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are an economic way to get the nutrients needed in every senior diet.

Seniors and their caregivers can also shop for inexpensive non-perishable items that are convenient for quick meal preparation; including beans and lentils, brown rice, pasta, frozen or canned sources of proteins like lean meats and fish, and many condiments which can make even the most economic meal taste gourmet and flavorful.

When preparing meals, seniors can also make extra portions which can be frozen and heated up for fast and wallet-friendly meals. Older adults eating on a budget don’t need to sacrifice health or taste; by planning meals in advance, and making economic healthy food choices; seniors can have it all.

Source:  Eating Healthy on a Budget Author Rebecca Pratt

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

Every year when March rolls around, so does National Nutrition Month which is sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. National Nutrition Month focuses on encouraging the media and ADA to inform the public about healthy living through nutrition education and the importance of fitness.  National Nutrition Month is meant to educate people of all ages about how making simple healthy food choices, according to the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, can improve health and well-being when combined with physical activity.

While National Nutrition Month doesn’t focus upon educating people about nutrition and fitness for any specific age group; seniors in particular need to pay attention to their diet and lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy weight, keep their immune system strong and help prevent the onset of illnesses and chronic diseases.

As spring approaches, there’s no better time than now to start incorporating healthy eating and regular physical activity. You may not be worried about getting back your bikini body to hit the beaches as you were in your 20’s; but health is about much more than just appearance; it’s about living. National Nutrition Month is just the beginning; aging doesn’t mean your life stops, so seniors get out there, get active and make healthy lifestyle changes that really will change your life.

Sources: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/nutrition_4920_ENU_HTML.htm
http://www.dietitians.ca/public/content/eat_well_live_well/english/nutritionmonth/index.asp
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=256&topic_id=1348

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

There is a great debate surrounding long-term care insurance; at what age to apply? While most insurance carriers recommend that you purchase long term health care insurance around age 50; Consumer Reports thinks it should only be necessary to purchase LTC insurance around age 65.

There are many factors to determine when the right age to purchase long-term care insurance is; seniors should look at their family history of medical problems and chronic illnesses since insurance premiums may be higher or seniors ineligible if they apply once health problems are already present. It is never recommended to apply for long-term care insurance after age 65, because often at that stage in life, seniors are beginning to demonstrate health problems which could cause them to fail the mandatory medical assessments required during the LTC insurance application process.

While the right age to apply for LTC insurance may remain up for debate; senior care experts agree that all aging Americans should invest in long-term care benefit policies to cover their long-term health care and custodial care needs; which 74% of seniors over 65 do require at some stage in their lives. Without long-term care insurance, seniors are often stuck funding elderly care services that they can’t afford, especially with limited assistance available from Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare only provides insurance coverage for some categories of medical long-term care, but never provides assistance with custodial care; and Medicaid long-term care insurance gives limited options regarding the long-term care facilities and types of care they receive.

Before purchasing into any LTC policy, seniors should research their options thoroughly to ensure that they select a plan that is suitable for both their budget and their long-term care insurance requirements; for federal government employees, there is federal long-term care insurance available.

Seniors nearing the age of 65 should start securing their future in long-term care by looking into insurance options available to them.

Sources: http://www.ltcfeds.com/whyFLTCIP/index.html
http://www.medicare.gov/LongTermCare/static/Home.asp
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/a9insurance.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/long_term_care_insurance.htm

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

On a recent episode of ABC’s “What Would You Do”, the TV show setup a scenario to determine how bystanders would react to an elderly driver exhibiting signs that he shouldn’t get behind the wheel of a car. The aging driver, an actor, aged 92, approaches people on the street asking for help getting out of his parking spot (his car is parallel parked on the street) since his son who was supposed to meet him has failed to appear. Three of the four people featured in this first segment of the episode, which tests what people would do when faced with an elderly driver with impaired abilities, help the senior into his car. The bystanders help the senior driver with starting his ignition and putting his car in reverse; only to direct him from the spot to have him run down the motorcycle parked in the spot behind.

Watch “Driving While Disoriented”

What would you do when faced with the same situation? While statistics show, that apart from drivers under 25, drivers over 70 are involved in the most driving related accidents; family members in particular are very reluctant to take away a senior’s main source of independence. And while some states do mandate stricter licensing standards for drivers who have reached old age, very little mandatory testing is in place to ensure that older adults can drive without impairment so the decision of when to take away the keys is often left up to the family to determine.

If you’re starting to wonder whether it might be time to take away a senior’s right to drive, look at the following factors to determine if they might be a hazard behind the wheel:

• Does a loss of hearing acuity affect their ability to respond to sirens or honking horns?
• Has the old driver’s sight been tested? Do they have trouble seeing lines on the road, especially during night driving?
• Is the senior driver physically able to control the vehicle safely? Do they have any conditions, like arthritis, which might affect their reflexes?
• Do they take any medications that could affect their driving abilities? Do any medicines interact to make driving unsafe?

Sources: http://www.abcnews.go.com/whatwouldyoudo - February 17 (Driving While Disoriented) Episode
http://www.troubledwith.com/Relationships/A000000656.cfm?topic=relationships%3A%20caring%20for%20elderly%20parents

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

While there’s no guarantee that cancer won’t touch the life of someone you love or your own life, no matter what your age, the secrets to cancer prevention relate to diet, lifestyle and knowledge. Follow these simple tips for the prevention of cancer to reduce your chances of experiencing the life altering disease.

1. No Smoking – avoid cigarette smoke at all costs; both first and second hand smoke increase your risk of contracting many types of cancers that relate to cigarette smoking, and makes you more susceptible to cancers that are not caused by the unhealthy habit.

2. Be Aware of Affects of the Sun – Many seniors believe that after years of sun exposure, they no longer require protection from the sun. Proper sun protection at any age is important for cancer prevention. Children, older and younger adults should wear sunscreen during time spent in the sun, protective eyewear (UV sunglasses), and head coverings like hats. It’s also important that individuals remain aware of any changes to their skin, like moles or other marks, and discuss any changes to skin conditions with a doctor immediately.

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle & Weight – a healthy lifestyle for cancer prevention includes eating a well-balanced diet rich with fresh fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly. Fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants, like those green, red or orange in color can help regenerate damaged cells for cancer prevention. Smoked and cured meats which are high in fat also increase the risk of cancer and should be avoided. Since obesity greatly increases the risk of cancer, regular exercise which is appropriate for your age and physical abilities, especially if you’re an older adult; should be incorporated into your routine.

4. Limit Alcohol Intake – consumption of alcohol not only increases the risk of certain types of cancer, it contributes to overall poor health and obesity in adults. Alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum, since men who consume 2 or more alcoholic drinks a day are at a greater risk for cancer, as are women who have 1 or more alcoholic drinks per day.

5. Know Your Families History – Knowledge plays a major role in cancer prevention. Understanding your family history with cancer can help your doctor make decisions relating to testing and screening for cancer. Many types of cancer are genetic, so it’s important to understand your family risk so you can make informed healthcare decisions.

http://cancer.about.com/od/causes/tp/topreventcancer.htm
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_1.asp?sitearea=PED&level=1

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

According to US Resolution 252, passed by the US Senate, February is officially designated National Prevention Month in the United States.  As one of the most devastating diseases, that impact the lives of approximately 550,000 Americans each year, including many older adults, the government clearly grasps the importance of promoting postive ways to enhance wellness and ultimately prevent cancer.

Sponsored by the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) the National Cancer Prevention Month resolution promotes making small lifestyle changes which can prevent cancer, in senior citizens and the rest of the population, by up to 70%.  Since diet and lifestyle play such a major role in cancer prevention, February is as good a time as any for people to understand what they can do to prevent the onset of or fatality from cancer and begin implementing exercise, smoking cessation, and well-balanced diets into their regular routines. 

The AICR recommends preparing daily meals that are 2/3 plant based foods, and 1/3 animal protein, since dietary fats will be reduced from your diet, which can help to maintain a healthy weight; a critical component in cancer prevention since 20% of all cancers relate to obesity.  Seniors should also engage in regular weekly physical exercise to help increase blood flow and control weight gain which can contribute to the onset of cancer, they should pick a routine that incorporates stretching, balance and strength training and that is suitable for their physical limitations.

National Cancer Prevention Month also aims to make people more aware of the screening techniques available that can lead to prevention, proper diagnosis and treatment of the various types of cancer.  During the month of February health institutions are encouraged to distribute information about cancer prevention to seniors and people of all ages and information is available on the AICR website regarding information sessions on cancer prevention.

Sources:
http://www.cancerwise.org/february_2004/display.cfm?id=B6EO5740-1F9C-4DC2-ADD57C9020
7F413D&color=blue&method=displayfull&color=blue
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/health-obsevances/2007/02/february-is-national-cancer-prevention.html

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

Thirty-three percent of current seniors have accidents each year. The annual number of hip fractures alone is 350,000. But, Baby Boomers are healthier and more active than previous generations. More than 70 percent report good mental and physical health, but precisely because they are more active. Boomers have more accidents than previous generations. Biking, running, skiing and other activities send Boomers to the emergency room far more frequently than previous generations.
And despite the overall good health of their generation, 30 percent of Boomers are already suffering from debilitating health issues that are usually associated with old age, such as Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis.

Arthritis is the most common condition that affects seniors. Another emerging area of concern is obesity. In 2002, 30 percent of Boomers were reported as obese. That number is expected to grow to 42 percent by 2025. Obesity makes daily activities much more difficult and increases the likelihood of other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.

Most Common Conditions Impacting Senior:

10% General Dementia
3% Parkinson’s Disease
12% Orthopedic Condition
12% Depression
12% Alzheimer’s Disease
30% Multiple Sclerosis
12% Arthiritis
23% Other

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