It’s that time of year when families get together and talk about all the good times they’ve had over the years. This Thanksgiving, we will all most likely gather around the table and take a collective trip down memory lane. Sometimes, there are instances where you try to recall a memory but you just can’t grasp it from your recollection. While this type of occurrence may seem a rare occasion for most, for those dealing with dementia it is a recurring event that can be frustrating and painful. And as these lapses progress, it can be difficult for a family
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Archives for Healthy Living
How Can Essential Oils Benefit Seniors?
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes as well as for their purported spiritual and emotionally uplifting properties. Recent research now shows that essential oils used as aromatherapy or during massage can combat physical and mental stressors in senior citizens, as well as improve the symptoms of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. We spoke to Dr. Tom McNulty of Highland Park’s Back and Body Health Center to find out more. Dr. McNulty is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a digestive health specialist, a certified acupuncturist, and an Active Release Techniques Practitioner. He is also certified
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Stay Healthy This Fall Season
As the leaves begin to turn vibrant colors and the evenings get shorter, it’s easy to feel that Fall chill in the air. Every year as the season changes and the temperature drops, it can be easy to fall into habits that can leave you susceptible to illness. Here at Freedom Home Care we have compiled a list of a few tips that can keep you healthy this fall season. Take Care of Yourself Far too many of us aren’t maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s staying on top of your diet or finding time to exercise, it is important
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How to Make Halloween Healthier
In the days and weeks leading up to Halloween, the stores are filled with pumpkins, costumes, and of course candy- lots and lots of candy. What originally started as all Hallows Eve has now turned into a day of tricks and treats. While many will spend this day snacking on bite sized chocolates and sugar filled sweets, there are plenty of options to make this Halloween just as fun without all the added calories and sugar crashes later on. Here at Freedom Home Care we have complied a few healthy alternatives to the traditional candy fare that will still delight
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Freedom Home Care Sponsors Fitness Classes for Seniors
We at Freedom Home Care enjoy being regularly involved in our community, and one way we do so is by sponsoring some fun and exciting senior fitness classes, such as… Sit and Be Fit: One of the most popular classes offered to residents, this class provides residents with a combination of strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination based exercises. Part of the class is done seated, while the other half of class is done standing. However, for those who are unable to stand for the exercises, modifications are given. Chair Yoga: Very light class offered to residents interested in learning basic yoga while also improving their flexibility. The instructor takes the class through meditation techniques, breathing strategies, and seated yoga routines. This class is meant to leave the participants feeling calm and relaxed.
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Exercise and Physical Activity Have Similar Positive Effects in Seniors
As we get older, our bodies still require movement, whether we like it or not. There are plenty of ways exercise and participate in physical activity that will help improve our health and livelihood, especially for seniors. Surprisingly, there are differences between exercise and physical activity. Knowing what those differences are and how each can benefit your health can help people over the age of 60 maximize their potential when it comes to staying active. Physical activity can include things like walking, jogging, biking, hiking, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or gardening. Exercise is considered to be a specifically planned, structured, and repetitive
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Tips To Outdoor Fun for Good Senior Health
Rita Altman, Senior Vice President of Memory Care services for Sunrise Senior Living in Pennsylvania, recently wrote for Huffington Post a list of recommendations on how to keep summertime activities safe and enjoyable for those living with memory loss, and how to achieve the best senior health during these hot months. Citing research suggesting that singing and playing music contributes to memory retention, Altman recommends playing “music from summers past” at family gatherings. And when it comes to physical activities, Rita says that those living with dementia can – and should – participate, but most activities will need a little
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Falling Down: Prevention Tips
Trips and falls can lead to serious injuries, hip fractures, and head traumas in older adults – Freedom Home Care wants to help you take steps to prevent them. Each year, one in every three adults ages 65 and older slip and fall in the U.S. According to Physical Therapist Alice Bell, seniors who have fallen once are the most at risk of falling again. There are a number of factors that contribute to falls experienced by seniors, and any kind of fall can be especially dangerous for people with Osteoporosis. Known to many as the silent disease, Osteoporosis causes
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Memory Tests Could Indicate Alzheimer’s Years in Advance
Surprisingly, many people don’t realize that one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s are low scores on memory tests. It could be a mental aptitude test taken prior to being hired for a job, or maybe even a reading comprehension test for a college course. According to recent studies, consistent, incorrect answers or mistakes made on tests like these are a good indicator of progressive brain disease. What’s even more important is that the results of these memory tests could serve as a warning sign up to 18 years before the disease is even diagnosed. Currently, there’s no definitive way
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Talking To College Students Is Good for Older Adults
It is perhaps a well-known fact that storytelling and sharing from one generation to another is good for everyone, young and old. But a new study has put it to the test, and has found that it is especially good for older adults on multiple levels – mentally, emotionally, and physically. The study focused on writing workshops for older adults living at home and in retirement communities. These workshops were conducted in group settings where adults were prompted to write “life reviews,” a form of memoir and personal writing. Thirty-nine seniors were randomly assigned to two distinct groups: one group
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