It’s finally beginning to feel like springtime.  The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the trees are budding.  And, if you’re one of the 36 million Americans with seasonal allergies, your nose is running, your eyes are burning, and your sinuses are screaming. This year is shaping up to be one of the worst springs for allergy sufferers in years, particularly those allergic to mold and tree pollen in this area.  The particularly harsh winter pushed spring back, only allowing a growing mold problem coupled with a sudden explosion of many types of pollen.  And, unfortunately, the “Pollen
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Seniors today have a great amount of stress in their lives.  From uncertain financial futures to health issues, seniors can become consumed with worry.  Unfortunately, this constant stress can be accompanied by high blood pressure, headaches, and depression. But there is an easy, free way to combat stress and all of its negative effects. Laughter. Each chortle, giggle, or guffaw can bring a myriad of health benefits.  Not only does laughing decrease stress, it gives you a work out.  Anyone who has laughed until it hurt knows that laughing exercises many muscles throughout your torso.  It also gives your heart,
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This Heart Month, we are all a little more aware of ways we can help our heart stay healthy.  And one of the best ways, according to the American Heart Association, is by eating the right foods. Have you ever heard, “You are what you eat”?  Well, it may be truer than you know.  Just by eating the right foods, you can reduce the risk of heart conditions, and all of the medications and doctor visits that follow. But before you can make any big diet-change plans, you need to know what you are eating now.  The best way to
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February is the month when people decorate their windows with red hearts and spend time with their special someone.  It is also a time to thing about taking care of your heart. That’s because February is Heart Health Month. Heart Month is designed to bring awareness to a condition that takes more women’s lives each year than all types of cancer combined:  heart disease.  Heart disease strikes one in three women and often goes unnoticed until it is too late.  So each year the American Heart Association puts forward several programs to bring heart disease into the national conversation. As
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Do you know a happy and stress-free senior?  Chances are that he or she is a social butterfly.  A Gallup poll shows that happiness and stress reduction are clearly linked to socialization. How do you stop a senior from getting too socially isolated and perhaps depressed?  Here are some easy tips to help keep a senior social: Arrange transportation.  If a senior is unable to drive, then she may not be able to be as social as she likes.  Arrange transportation through family and friends, or find a service to drive her to events and outings. Schedule guests at mealtime. 
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Pets can be very important to seniors’ mental and physical health.  Caring for a dog or cat can lower blood pressure, decrease the chance of depression, and generally increase a sense of well-being. However, some seniors have trouble providing the best care for their pets because of health or financial issues.  Luckily, Freedom Home Care is able to provide assistance to seniors by helping take care of their pets. Care assistance.  Caring for pets can be more than a senior can physically handle.  Dogs in particular need regular exercise, and a senior may not be able to walk the dog as much
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Temperatures have been frigid and a polar vortex just made it through the area – and it’s only the beginning of winter!  As we age, our bodies are no longer able to regulate internal temperatures as well, making seniors the most susceptible to hypothermia of any age group. With the help of the Daily Tribune, we have put together some great ways to stay warm this winter: 1. Check your thermostat.  Even though the cost to heat your house may increase, safety should be your main concern.  Set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees. 2. Winterize your house.  Consider enlisting some help
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Making healthy resolutions is an important part of the New Year.  We strive to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose those few pounds we gained over the holidays.  But maybe we should try a different approach for 2014.  Instead, try making resolutions to help not just your physical health, but your mental health as well. Resolutions for a Healthy Mind: 1. Get more sleep.  It is recommended that most adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night.  Getting less can lead to increased appetite, anxiety, and memory loss.  Try turning in early and catching some extra zzz’s to stay
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Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve leading to vision impairment and can be especially prevalent in seniors.  As people age, the fluid in their eye begins to move more slowly creating increased pressure that can damage the delicate nerves.  Luckily, there are some easy ways to help prevent glaucoma. Get regular eye exams.  Seniors should get an eye exam at least every year if not every six months.  The optometrist will dilate the senior’s eyes to specifically check for glaucoma. Exercise.  High blood pressure can be related to high pressure within the eye.  Exercise is
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It’s January which means the holidays have come and gone.  It is also a great time to understand hypothyroidism and whether or not medication is right for you. Maybe you enjoyed the culinary delights of Christmas or drank a few extra glasses of champagne at New Years, and now you have gained a few extra pounds.  But the holiday foods may not be to blame.  The extra weight may indicate something much more serious.  It could be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism commonly affects senior women, and the symptoms can be so subtle that sufferers ignore them or attribute them
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