Staying Put at Home: Senior Health
It seems like everyone these days has advice about how seniors can stay in great health. With all this information floating around, it can be hard to know who is on the right track and who hasn’t done their homework. To make sure you don’t have to waste your day chasing health tips and facts, Bliss Tubs has combed the internet to find the most accurate information about senior health and condensed it to concise, easy-to-read suggestions.
6 Great Hobbies for Senior Health
March 28, 2016
There are many proven benefits to seniors having hobbies, including improved memory, lower stress, a stronger immune system and a better night’s sleep. Having a hobby has also been linked to a lower risk of heart attack. If you’ve retired or your kids have moved out of your home, you finally have the opportunity to pursue your passions. However, there are a lot of activities out there, so knowing your options can give you more time to stay happy and occupied. For this post, Staying Put at Home looks into a few recreations that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Read More
Staying Active With Friends, Family and Your Community
February 29, 2016
As we get older, it’s common to lead a more solitary life. In fact, over 11 million men and women above the age of 65 who do not live in a care facility live alone. Furthermore, the rate of loneliness has gone up in the United States, with 40 percent of seniors saying they feel lonely. If you are Aging in Place, then you might not have the community of an assisted living facility to rely on. Isolation may not only make you feel lonely, but it can also affect your health, as those who identified as lonely were 59 percent more likely to have functional decline in daily activities compared to their non-lonely peers. In this post, Staying Put at Home considers what you can do to stay up-to-date with your friends and social network while also forming new friendships within your community. Read More
What You Need to Know About Medical Alert Devices
May 19, 2015
Having the security of a medical alert device or personal emergency response system (PERS) in your home can help you feel more confident about Aging in Place, as you’ll have somebody available in case of emergency. In a 2005 survey, 75.6% of participants said they felt more secure with a medical alert device. This week, Staying Put at Home looks at what a medical alert device is and what you need to know before getting one. Read More
Staying Safe at Home: Avoiding Overmedication
March 30, 2015
The average 75 year old takes more than 10 prescription drugs. The use of four or more medications is known as polypharmacy. When using multiple medications, seniors run the risk of overmedicating, which can lead to falls, kidney failure and heart attacks. From 2007 to 2009, there were an estimated 99,628 emergency hospitalizations annually for adverse drug events in individuals 65 years and older. Not properly adhering to medication regimens is also a major cause of nursing home placement of frail older adults. Elder care attorney and gerontologist Susan B Geffen mentions in her Raising UP Your Parents seminar that polypharmacy can lead to dizziness and falls. This week, Staying Put at Home will look at what you can do to make sure you stick to your prescription schedule and avoid overmedication. Read More
Aging in Place Essentials: Part 4 – Maintaining & Modifying Your Home: Who Can Help?
March 10, 2015
As you have gotten older, many of your household tasks may have become much harder and more dangerous than they once were. Now, you don’t have to do it alone. In Part 4 of our Aging in Place series, we will look at how you can maintain and modify your home with a little help from Aging in Place Villages, occupational therapists and certified aging in place specialists (CAPS). Read More
Senior-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions That Are Worth the Effort
January 7, 2015
Why is the New Year a time of festivity? What makes this occasion one that billions of people celebrate? Though a select few may think of January as just another month on the calendar, many more consider the New Year a new beginning and the chance to realize their life goals. And seniors are no exception. Read More
Where Do You Store Your Medications?
December 17, 2014
Older age doesn’t necessarily mean poor health. Yet some medical conditions, including heart disease, arthritis and type 2 diabetes, tend to disproportionately affect the senior population. If you too have been diagnosed with narrowed arteries, inflamed joints or poor insulin production, odds are you are taking one or more medications to control it. While those prescriptions can prove integral to maintaining a high quality of life, improper medication storage could lead to life-threatening complications. Read More
Osteoporosis: What Seniors Need to Know
November 19, 2014
Osteoporosis. It is this fear that prompts healthcare providers to constantly caution senior patients about fall hazards such as slippery bath tiles and loose rugs. Though many conditions can diminish motor coordination and increase fall risks, osteoporosis can turn a slip and fall accident into a life-threatening event. Understanding this disease, which affects approximately 40 million people in the United States, is the first step in stopping it. Read More
Senior Living: What Are Your Options?
September 15, 2014
The United States is home to more than 75 million baby boomers. If you’re among them, odds are you’ve thought about how your needs might change over the coming years. AARP reports that many seniors want to stay put at home, and with safe houses and healthy lifestyle habits, they can age in place for decades. A time may come, though, when outside care is necessary for health and safety reasons. Read More
Senior Isolation: How to Stay Connected
September 4, 2014
Communication technologies now make it possible to instantly connect with anyone around the globe with just a keystroke or mouse click. But even as ways to connect with others is rapidly increasing, the social wellbeing of many seniors is dramatically decreasing. AARP reports that social isolation, which is frequently linked to feeble health and premature death, is a common concern among older individuals. If you feel isolated from others, know that you have options. Whether it’s signing up for a painting class or signing up for Facebook, you can cultivate new relationships and stay in touch with loved ones no matter your location or physical limitations. Read More
How to Talk to Your Doctor
August 27, 2014
Your doctor plays a crucial role in your health. Especially when older age brings concerns such as Alzheimer’s or arthritis, your primary physician often becomes the nucleus around which your medical care revolves. Yet as seniors cope with more health conditions and doctors contend with growing patient loads, many people feel frustrated with their physicians. To make sure that you get the care you need—and deserve—consider these tips for your next appointment or checkup. Read More