With Spring around the corner, albeit a little further than we like at the moment, it's still good to think about getting back outside and being active!  I know I've been already dreaming of this, so today we bring you a guest blogger who's main focus are seniors and wellness.  

5Tricks to Stay Active at Retirement

 written by  Andy, Patient Handling Australia

Whowould not want retirement? It means freedom. No more morning rush hours, reportdeadlines, work pressures and taunting faces of superiors. Another good thingis that retired people nowadays live longer and stay active. Retiring is notanymore about rocking chairs or watching TV. People already know the importanceof staying physically active in health and wellness. It is fortunate to haveplenty of ways to stay active at retirement. The following are just five of them.

1.      Have an Active Hobby

Mindyour health by engaging in an active hobby that you are interested about andcould keep you physically and mentally moving. Either you go for a sport thatyou have been passionate about or join a photography class or group naturewalks. The activities you enjoy would take away boredom. Doing so would be goodfor your health and because it is something that you love doing, it would beeasy. Then you shall have longer years to pursue your passion.

2.      Go Outdoors

Ifyou have just been an office body all those working years, it is great toexplore the outdoors this time. You will feel great inner joy. Find a nearbyfitness or nature trail during the morning to walk in for exercise whileenjoying the tranquility and beauty of nature. Watch the sun come up and savorfresh air. Outdoor recreational activities can be fun like hiking, tennis orminiature golf. You may also start a backyard garden. Watching your plants growwould be very inspiring and fulfilling.

3.      Travel

Theremust be places that you dream of visiting. Now is the opportune time asretirement is a chance to see the world. Visit a favorite place each year.Travel hubs that will keep you moving are better. Join “adventure” vacationsthat let you try kayaking or canoeing. Visit the beaches for a swim and walkalong the shorelines. Have a spa vacation or maybe a fitness retreat where youcan do exercise, join yoga classes, eat nutritious food and get pampered.

4.      Hang Out with Active People

Beclose friends with active people and plan outings. Having the same outlook, youmay agree and enjoy bowling, croquet and golf together. Even playing insomebody else’ back yard can already be fun. Being with active and positivepeople is encouraging and motivating to keep up with staying fit and healthy.

5.      Volunteer

Picka cause you are passionate about and volunteer to be of service to that cause.For example, you may volunteer walking dogs of the humane society at yourlocality or help at an animal shelter. If you can do carpentry works or aregood at handling nails and a hammer, utilize them by building or repairing somehomes through Global Village or Habitat for Humanity. Volunteering for a causenot only is being active in the community but also mind-challenging and helpingothers. It is good for both the body and spirit.

Andyis an active blogger in the senior and aged care community, where hecontributed numerous articles. Aside from blogging, Andy distributes rollators and walking frames as well as a wide range of aged care products.

Maybe it's denial when dementia "sneaks up" on a loved one or maybe it just takes a turn for the worst, very quickly.  Either way, should you find yourself here, know you are not alone and yes, it is very difficult to decide what and how to do -- especially when you aren't the only one deciding!  This AAPR article suggests hiring someone who's trained to navigate these waters and I think it's worth the money, at the very least a one hour session.  You can learn a lot in an hour.  

Here's the best way to find someone to help your family navigate thorny caregiving issues

by: Sheryl Nance-Nash, from: AARP

When an aged parent needs long-term care or nears the end of life, adult siblings often argue about how to handle a loved one's care. Now, a new profession is emerging to help tamp down the tempers: the elder care mediator.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

SOURCE

I wanted to share this because it has got to be a common feeling among Caregivers.  It's totally normal, but that fact doesn't help with feeling better.  This article does; read it for some advise on managing those emotions...  

Learn strategies for dealing with difficult feelings

by Barry J. Jacobs, AARP

I have a confession to make: I resent driving my 82-year-old mother to visit her husband, my demented stepfather, at the smelly, crowded and unpleasant nursing home where he now is confined. On the 20-minute ride there, I grip the steering wheel and silently seethe. I'm irritable while she and I try to have a comprehensible conversation with him. I can't wait to get out of there.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

SOURCE

Unsure of what type of environment would best suit your loved one?  The Mayo Clinic can help...

It's best to talk about long term care early — before the need for medical or personal care is imminent. Here's help understanding, choosing and financing long term care.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Long term care is a general term used to describe various home and community-based services for adults who need help taking care of themselves.

If you're considering long term care options for yourself, a parent or another loved one, start the research and discussions early.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

SOURCE

I thought this Reuters article was interesting.  We'd love to hear from caregivers who have been through this situation...  Did you feel like there was a gap in communication?

End-of-life talks lacking between doctors, patients

By Genevra Pittman

(Reuters Health) - Although many older patients in Canada have thought about end-of-life care and discussed it with family members, a new study suggests fewer have spoken with doctors and had their wishes noted accurately in their medical record.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

SOURCE

Staying fit while aging can be tricky, but so essential for a longer, happier life.  The key is figuring out the best way to stay active for your body.  I wanted to share what the Mayo Clinic  provides for those who suffer from osteoporosis & ways to stay active while being good to your bones.

If you have osteoporosis, you might mistakenly think exercise will lead to fracture. In fact, though, using your muscles helps protect your bones.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability in older women. So if you have osteoporosis, how can you reduce your risk of the spinal problems and broken bones that can result in loss of mobility and independence?

The answer: Exercise.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

SOURCE

Here's an article worth sharing from The Week:  a look at the extensive costs of dementia...

A new study says the U.S. could be spending $511 billion on dementia by 2040

 By Keith Wagstaff | April 4, 2013

 Dementia costs the United States $109 billion in direct care, according to a new study published by the New England Journal of Medicine. To put that in perspective, caring for heart disease costs about $102 billion and cancer $77 billion.

To continue reading their article click HERE

 SOURCE

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Psoriasis can affect anyone, but presents particular health challenges for seniors.[/caption]

With the turmoil and sporadic weather our country continues to face, it is imperative to find a home for your loved one that has an evacuation plan in place.  The AARP provides a solid guideline with this article...

 An Evacuation Plan at Your Parent’s Nursing Home: 9 Questions to Ask

by Sally Abrahms

Media images of nursing home residents being evacuated after an explosion this week at a nearby fertility plant in West, Texas, raise an important issue. That is, if your loved one is, or may some day be, in a nursing home, do you know what its evacuation and emergency plans are?

Continue reading the article HERE

SOURCE

The symptoms of PTSD and dementia may be linked, according to recent studies.

Our very own expert, Kerry Quirin has an opinion on this....

"When looking for senior living, sometimes clients will ask if the rate can be reduced. Communities will run specials from time to time, so it just depends. But, clients will also ask if the level of care charge can be taken down or negotiated. At  this point, I would advise a client to see a community that is willing to negotiate that fee as a red flag. The level of care fee directly affects staffing ratios. You do not want to take that fee down because it will affect the staffing. Room rent is one thing, but staff is everything. Level of care charges should never be negotiated and it is a red flag if they are."

The idea of assisted living is something thatmight be a little bit frightening for elderly adults and the children that aretaking care of them. However, for many seniors, an assisted living facility isactually one of the most beneficial and nurturing environments out there.That’s because assisted living facilities are designedwith senior’s health and happiness in mind. Giving up thehome a senior has likely lived in is definitely scary, and the idea of asking aparent to move can be as well, but in the long run, there are many reasons whyassisted living is actually healthier for elderly adults.Optimal HealthCare Even if your parent has the best doctors inthe world outside of an assisted living facility, the health care that’sprovided for seniors in quality facilities is better for one reason – it’salways there when your parent needs it.It might be tough to think about, but asparent’s age, health problems tend to creep up. In emergency situations, youwant your parent to be able to receivethe care that they need right away.You also want your parent to be aroundtrained staff members who can spot health problems, allowing your parent to getthe care they need even before something goes wrong.NutritionMany seniors are no longer able to cook forthemselves for physical or safety reasons, which can lead to a lack of healthy,freshly prepared food in their life. Unfortunately, even if you prepare mealsfor your parent on a regular basis, it’s just not possible for most familymembers to prepare three meals per day and healthy snacks for seniors.However, that’s something that assisted livingfacilities can do. Quality facilities alsohave trained professionals on staff that understand the type of nutrition thatseniors need in order to stay healthy and live as active of a lifestylethat they can.In assisted living facilities, seniors alsoget to eat meals with other people their own age. Social interaction duringmeals is something many seniors miss, and that can be harmful. After all,social interaction actually helps aid in the food digestion, and on anemotional level, eating with other people has been something humans have donepretty much since the beginning of time!Friends andCompanionsWhile family members that care for elderlyparents in their homes certainly spend quality time with them, there’s reallyno replacement for friendship and companionship with adults their own age.Adults of the same age share common experiences and values, and simply beingaround people who have lived through the same things and have similarviewpoints makes a huge difference in an elderly adults life.When seniors move into assisted livingfacilities that’s one of the biggest features. Seniors can eat meals, do activities and simply haveconversations with people their own age, many of which will likely become dearfriends and companions in a very short time.The idea of assisted living can befrightening for seniors and their kids, but taking time to explore thepossibilities can show you how truly beneficial it can be. Seniors can livehappier, healthier lives in assisted facilities.If you think assisted living is right foryour parent or parents don’t be afraid to talkabout the idea.Thank you Virginia for your wonderful guest post!Virginia Cunningham is a freelance writer in Southern California. She has experienced having to discuss assisted living with others before, and knows what a great option it is. As a health writer, she contributes to the Presidio Home Care blog.