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

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

As elderly patients continue to age, it is normal for them to slow down. Their body does not react or move as quickly as it used to. This is a normal process, but it can also mean there is cause for concern. If a patient displays a significant slowing in their walking speed, it may indicate that they are at a high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have focused on the link between walking speed and cardiovascular death. Some of the findings are pointed out below.

1. A slow walking speed in an elderly patient is associated with the increased risk of death due to cardiovascular issues.

2. Any decreased motor performance can be viewed as a risk factor.

3. Elderly patients should try to stay as active as possible. Introducing a walking exercise into a daily regime could reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

4. Walking speed can be used to predict future health issues. This may not be possible if the patient has broken a hip in the past 2 years, has a debilitating disease or dementia

Source: www.bmj.com

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

If you ask many baby boomers or seniors about their plans for retirement, you’re likely to get the same answer: what’s retirement? While in the past, seniors found ways to bide their time until the age 65 threshold which would allow them to retire; today’s older adults look at things a little bit differently. Many older adults prefer to remain in the workforce, rather than being idle in their later years; others need to keep working at least part time for financial reasons. Regardless of the reasons that seniors are choosing to work, the realities are, it’s something that they’re doing, and it might come as a big surprise, but studies have shown this is beneficial to senior health.

While you might think that remaining in the workforce would pose undue stress on seniors, it allows them to maintain a sense of purpose, a regular income, and keeps them active. Seniors don’t need to continue to work full-time to receive these benefits, working part-time, temporarily or from home offers the same. Keep working seniors, and you’ll find that your body and mind will thank you in the following ways:

Benefits of Work on Senior Health:

• With a transition period from full-time work into retirement with part-time work, temporary work or work at home, seniors find it’s less of a shock to their mental health. Seniors who immediately retire from full-time work can find that feelings of loss of purpose can cause anxiety and depression

• Seniors who remain in the workforce longer, even part-time are more functional, and often have greater mobility while remaining active members of society

• Instances of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke are some of the common medical problems that are reduced in working seniors

Via: Home Instead Senior care

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

I’m a physiotherapist in New Braunfesls and day after day I treat seniors who are recovering from muscle, joint and bone injuries, or that have other conditions such as arthritis that can effect their day-to-day functioning. I always ask my patients about their exercise routines now that they’re coping with physical limitations or with an injury, and now, I’m no longer surprised when seniors tell me that the reason they avoid exercise is because they’re worried about doing greater damage by remaining active.

Ok, fair assessment – but way off. Seniors aren’t doing themselves any favors by calling it quits on physical activity entirely. Although they should be cautious, it’s about making smart choices when choosing physical activities to try. My top recommendation is always to try water aerobics, because for seniors and their physical fitness level, it has the following benefits:

• Provides support – although some level of resistance is provided when exercising in the water, approximately 80%-90% of muscle and joint injuries are prevented when in the water because it supports most of a senior’s weight and reduces impact
• Fast results – believe it or not, seniors can receive faster results, building muscular tone and strength in water, versus on land because of the resistance provided by the water
• Improves cardiovascular health – water aerobics are a great cardiovascular activity to help seniors remain fit and healthy, however, studies also show that the heart rate is maintained at a lower rate so it is less likely that a senior will harm their health
• Better temperature conditions – exercising outside can expose seniors to a variety of elements which can result in heat stroke and other complications. When exercising in the water, seniors remain in a cool, climate controlled environment, especially when at an indoor pool

Sources:

1. I Love India
2. Associated Content
3. Suite101

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

Q – My elderly mother, who lives alone in New Braunfels, neglects her nutrition because she says food doesn’t taste like it used to, and since my father passed away she doesn’t bother to cook for herself. I worry about her health with all the processed convenient foods she eats. Can you suggest a healthy, tasty recipe that would be easy for her to make that would encourage her to cook at home?

A – Here’s a great recipe that your mother will be able to make quickly and easily, and it has such a great taste she’ll surely be convinced that cooking at home is worthwhile. It also tastes so wonderful that she needn’t cook it just for one; if she invites over some guests they’re sure to think she’s been slaving away in the kitchen all day even though the recipe only requires about 10 minutes preparation time, and 30-35 minutes in the oven.

Lemon Dill Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup sour cream

1 TSP chopped fresh dill

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425? F. degrees.

Mix all ingredients except chicken.

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread 1/4 of the lemon dill sauce over the bottom of pan.

Arrange chicken breasts on top of sauce in a single layer.

Pour remaining sauce over chicken and spread evenly.

Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until chicken is done.

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.

Detecting Illnesses

This past winter, my mom contracted pneumonia, which put her in the hospital for a number of weeks and kept her from enjoying life for many more months during her recovery.  While she was very fortunate to make a full recovery, it is something that could have been prevented if we were better informed.

It all started with what we thought was a simple cold; my mom developed a cough, minor fever, and was nasally congested. She also complained of fatigue and was spending more time in bed, but we also attributed this to another regular symptom of a simple virus. After the symptoms continued to persist for what seemed like weeks, I suggested that my mom go to the doctor so she could be checked over. But she wouldn’t think of it, saying that it would be making a big deal over nothing, especially with the high financial costs involved.

Things continued to go downhill however, as her cough continued to get worse and worse; eventually resulting in labored breathing and even higher levels of exhaustion. Finally, she gave in and I took her to see her doctor. The diagnosis was that it had been the flu that turned into bronchitis, and later into a minor case of pneumonia. At that point, while the doctor said it wasn’t too serious; they like to take precautions when it comes to their senior patients so she was placed in the hospital for treatment and supervision.

This was definitely an eye opening experience for my mother, and she knows now that no matter how minor the symptoms may appear, it’s safer to get the “all clear” from a doctor, before deciding it was nothing to worry about.

Illness happens, but now that we have more information, I know that the family will be able to make better choices when it comes to my mom’s health.

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/is-it-cold-flu
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/073.html

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Providing the most trusted elderly home care in America today! Call us at 830-624-8380.

Healthy ways to boost mental acuity:

One of the major changes that occurs as individuals approach their senior years, is a decline in concentration and overall mental acuity; it can affect memory, problem-solving, and even communication. Unfortunately, these changes are a natural part of aging, and while they can’t be prevented, it is possible to slow the process of deterioration and enhance cognition.

In order to boost your mental acuity as you age, it’s not necessary to make any major lifestyle changes; simply eating healthy, with a diet rich of fruits and necessary minerals, will bring on the desired results.

One of the most beneficial minerals may already be found in your diet; glucose is a major source of energy which results in increased levels of concentration. It is, however, important to note that glucose and processed sugars are not one of the same, and will not have the same outcomes. Processed sugars should be avoided, because while they will provide the illusion of a temporary boost, the result will be a “sugar crash” which will actually reduce your cognitive abilities. In order to get the desired results from glucose, choose fresh fruits and juices, as well as other healthy foods and minerals that will aid in the gradual release of glucose from the blood stream.

Incorporating water into your regular diet boosts energy; fiber filled foods in the morning and exposure to sunlight will also have similar effects. Potassium, as found in bananas, helps process the glucose in your bloodstream; and peppermint keeps your mind active and alert. A healthy amount of daily exercise also has proven effects when it comes to maintaining mental acuity during the aging process.

Home Instead Senior Care San Marcos, New Braunfels, Schertz, Canyon Lake, Seguin. Providing the most trusted elderly home care in America today! Call us for senior home care optoins at 830-624-8380.

30 Minute Meals- Spice it up for your senior!

Stop watering down food for seniors,” says Rachael Ray, star of the Food Network®’s “30 Minute Meals” show and author of a series of recipe cookbooks. “There’s no excuse for making food dull, lifeless and boring,” the popular food host advises family caregivers. Ray said that adult children often assume their loved ones need bland food.  “What they really want is good flavor.  Cook to impress, cook to be excited or, at the very least, cook to share,” Ray said. 

Here’s how Ray recommends adding flavor to a senior’s diet without compromising good health:

* Add low-sodium, no-salt stock to a sauce to make it taste like it has been simmering all day.  Likewise, cook rice in chicken or vegetable stock rather than water, and replace cream with stock when making mashed potatoes for a flavorful, low-fat alternative.

* Fresh herbs are a no-fat addition, and readily available in grocery stores to brighten the flavor of salads, dressing and sauces.

* Purchase better cuts of meat for better flavor and less fat.  Seniors shouldn’t sacrifice quality, Ray said, even if they’re on a budget. Stock up on fresh meats and vegetables when they’re on sale, then divide and freeze them. 

More fun tips and recipes to come in our “cooking for seniors” series this week!

Home care New Braunfels.

Elders and seniors in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Seguin, and San Marcos want to be healthy. Home Instead Senior Care offers more tips for aging seniors to age gracefully - Call us if you need personal assistance at home in New Braunfels at (830) 624-8380.

DIET AND EXERCISE FOR HEALTHY LIVING

Many seniors, especially those who live on their own, may have difficulty with meal preparation, grocery shopping and deciding upon what ingredients to use in a meal.  As a result, it is not surprising that many seniors are not receiving adequate nutrition:  

• 50% rely on pre-prepared frozen, packaged or takeout meals
• 64% make mealtime more enjoyable by dining with a distraction such as reading, watching television, or working

Many seniors also use the age old excuse for avoiding exercise and not eating properly; “too much to do, and not enough time to do it!”  While exercise can become more difficult as an individual ages, due to changes in balance, and an increased risk of injury, it remains just as important that a senior receives an adequate amount of physical activity in order to maintain their overall health, balance, flexibility, muscle strength and reduce frailty.

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/exercisefitnes1/a/seniorfitnessbo.htm