Monthly Archives October 2013

Senior Population Growing Rapidly

Many people around the country are hitting that mark of becoming a senior. According to NBC News, it is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more people over 60 than people under the age of 15 around the world.  And while it’s wonderful that medical advances are helping seniors live longer than ever, the imbalance between ages may mean more hardships for the seniors. For example, it may mean that seniors will have to work longer to support themselves.  Particularly with the struggling economy, many seniors do not have enough retirement to fall back on and their
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3 Simple Ways to Lower Your Stress

We know that stress is bad for the cardiovascular system, but now studies show that it also affects the brain.  Women who experience great amounts of stress have a higher chance of developing dementia later in life.  It indicated that stress can give someone up to a 21% higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. But how do we keep stress levels down?  Of course, there’s exercise, meditation, and yoga, but you can also relieve some stress by eating the right foods.  Here are some foods that can keep you feeling calm. Eat More Avocados.  This delicious fruit is loaded with
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3 Fun Activities for Seniors to Celebrate Autumn

It’s official:  Autumn has arrived.  The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the cafes have rolled out their pumpkin-flavored drinks.  Now that it’s a little cooler, you may be looking for fun activities to do with family and friends.  With the help of Sunrise Senior Living, we have put together a few activities that seniors can do with their families. Visit an orchard.  Apple orchards are hopping with activity this time of year.  Wander through the trees selecting your own apples, or simply go and purchase a bag of those already picked.  Sample some cider and smell the
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The Secret Key to Longevity

In 1921, psychologist Lewis Termin wanted to find out more about longevity and what it takes for humans to live longer. So he gathered 1,500 boys and girls with exceptional IQ’s to join his aging project.  He and his associates kept an eye on these children throughout their lives to see if they could determine what exactly caused longevity.  The study arrived at some very interesting observations about what helps someone achieve a long life.  Here are a few noteworthy things they learned: Be conscientious.  If you stick to your to-do lists and arrive at your appointments on time, you
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Research Finds Seniors Living at Home to be Happiest

What do seniors value most in long-term care?  The quality of a caregiver, comfort of their own home, or something entirely different? That’s what some researchers wanted to know.  So they interviewed many seniors to ask their opinions about the topic. The Scan Foundation recently put together the data to figure out who is happiest and why. This is what they found out. What Seniors Care Most About In Long-Term Care: A Great Caregiver.  One of the most important elements of senior satisfaction was having a good caregiver.  The best caregivers were considered good at what they do, reliable, and trustworthy. 
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How to Protect Seniors from Identity Theft

Seniors are becoming the target of more identity theft every year.  In 2012, seniors made over 52,000 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission about their identities being stolen.  The thieves prey on those who have good credit, little debt, and leave themselves unprotected.  Unfortunately, many seniors fit that bill. One of the most common scams is calling seniors to see who will give up their personal information.  If they get it, the thieves will open credit cards in that senior’s name or access bank accounts. Here’s what to watch out for: If… you get a phone call.  A woman says
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Is a Caregiver the Best Option for Your Loved One?

Families may be unsure if hiring a caregiver to assist their elderly loved one with dementia is the best option.  Will this caregiver be able to connect with the senior?  Will she or he give them the same level of nurturing care that a family member would?  How will the elderly loved one react? These are just some of the many questions families face when struggling to find the best care for their loved one dealing with dementia. It can be a very emotional and difficult time. Freedom Home Care understands every single one of these questions and feelings. We
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Simple Renovations for a Senior’s Home

When a senior lives in their home and wants to maintain independence, sometimes critical renovations go untouched. The home can become dangerous and put them at risk of falling. If you have a parent or loved one unable to make home renovations, make sure these essential updates have been considered. One of the most dangerous places for a senior is the bathroom because it is a confined space with oftentimes wet surfaces or floors. Here are some updates you can do to make the bathroom a safer place for them: 1.  Brighten it up.  Replace any broken light bulbs.  Consider
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Modern Senior Weddings Get Lavish and Expensive

When we think of fairy tale weddings, we may think of the young, blushing bride and the handsome groom standing while saying their loving vows. But now, seniors are having even bigger and more lavish weddings than their younger counterparts. Finding love at any age is worth celebrating, and seniors nowadays are going all out.  It may have seemed strange ten or twelve years ago, but now the over-65 couples are spending big bucks to make sure their big day is one to remember. Seniors made up 8 percent of last year’s 53 billion dollar wedding business.  And it’s no wonder.  When older adults marry, they
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Shop Smart for Life Insurance

Life insurance can be complicated and expensive, leaving many seniors, or their family members, wondering if they’ve made the right choices.  But we know that life insurance can save families from spending their money when a family member passes away.  So how do seniors find inexpensive life insurance that will still cover all of the expenses?  Here are some tips: 1. Don’t buy too much.  Often our life insurance needs change over time.  As you no longer have a house to pay off or children to get through college, you need less insurance.  Before you go shopping, know exactly how much
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