If your senior loved one has dementia, certain triggers may agitate or irritate him or her. These triggers may not seem significant, but sometimes they can greatly affect your loved one. Controlling the following environmental factors may calm down your aging parent. 1. Environmental Hallucinations Seniors with dementia often see things in the environment that aren’t actually there. Your loved…
Taking a break from meat-filled meals is a great way to lower cholesterol levels, manage weight, and reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. However, this doesn’t mean seniors need to eat foods with less than adequate nutrition or flavor. Many vegetarian recipes offer a delicious alternative to meat while ensuring plenty of nutrients. Here are a few enticing vegetarian…
Music is both an art and a unique tool caregivers can use to enrich the lives of senior loved ones diagnosed with dementia. Numerous studies have shown music can boost the mood, behavior, and health of seniors with dementia and can even increase their cognitive function. Music therapy can relieve caregiver stress as well. If your aging loved one is…
More than 50 million Americans don’t get enough sleep. For seniors, this can be fatal because lack of sleep disrupts the body’s functions. Motor movements, hormone production, and brain function can be strained to critical levels. A good night’s sleep can keep the mind sharp, lower the risk of high blood pressure, reduce chronic fatigue, keep skin youthful, and even prevent weight gain.…
Using the Internet keeps seniors stimulated and can make daily life less challenging. However, there are many risks associated with being online, such as financial scams and hacking. With a little monitoring, you can protect your elderly parent's safety while he or she is using web-enabled devices. Below are some tips that can keep seniors safe when using the Internet.…
There’s no question that providing at-home care for an elderly parent is stressful. Yet when we focus so intently on the needs of another, we often fail to recognize how this stress is manifesting itself in our lives. Here are a handful of key signs of caregiver stress that can affect both mental and physical health. Feeling Overwhelmed or Constantly Worried…
Although many people assume women most often care for elderly parents, an increasing number of men are providing assistance to meet the needs of their aging loved ones. In fact, some studies report nearly 40 percent of family caregivers are men, a large increase over the past decade. While not all men find caregiving difficult, some say the process is…
Not only is peanut butter a delicious snack, but it also has great health benefits for people of all ages. Here are four ways peanut butter can boost senior health. 1. Prevents Heart Disease People who eat plenty of nuts and nut products, including peanut butter, aren’t as likely to develop heart disease as those who don’t eat nuts. Several…
There are a number of natural treatments available for seniors with Parkinson’s that may provide relief from symptoms and boost overall health. As with any natural treatment, be wary of “wonder cures” for the disease. The goal with these treatments is to lessen the effects of the disease, not eliminate it. If you provide care for a senior loved one…
Exercise is one of the most effective ways for seniors to maintain their health. Families can encourage their elderly loved ones to overcome barriers to exercise and become more active. Here are a few ways to motivate seniors to start a regular plan of physical activity. Keep a Positive Perspective Research the health benefits of exercise, and bring up the…