As we age, many daily tasks become more difficult. What used to be easy movements can cause injuries. The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms, so it is important to make the necessary changes to keep it a safe place for all. Several things can be done to make the kitchen safer, easier to use, and more efficient. This can help keep you or your loved ones safely at home while minimizing risks around the house.
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Note: This post has been updated May 17, 2021.
Even though the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, the U.S. vaccination process is cause for decreased transmission rates nationwide. Nearly one-third of the U.S. population, above the age of sixteen, are fully vaccinated, with an average of two million tests administered daily. In the last two weeks, daily reported cases of infection are down 29.7%. There are currently three FDA unapproved vaccines under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are both classified as mRNA vaccines. Unlike other vaccines, this type does not inject the virus into an individual. Instead, mRNA vaccines create a protein that triggers an immune response to produce antibodies. Obtaining antibodies for COVID-19 protects individuals from getting infected when they come in contact with the virus.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, over 4 million adults suffer from chronic migraines. Migraines are defined as severe throbbing pain, typically on one side or area of the brain, with additional symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound. However, this description seems to only scratch the surface of something that can be so debilitating.
Migraines aren't just painful; they're also dangerous, as they cause visual impairment, muscle weakness, and fainting. Dealing with migraines can be an uphill battle, especially for older adults, but that doesn't mean that they're impossible to overcome. Conquering your migraines will become simple if you follow the steps listed below.
Once a year, plant pollen floats through the air, and seasonal allergies make their attack on humanity. With watery eyes, scratchy throats, and runny noses, allergies can be miserable! Some people grow out of their seasonal allergies when they reach adulthood, but others experience worsening symptoms as they age. Before we get into solutions, let's dive into the cause.
The common symptoms of seasonal allergies include dry eyes, sore throat, runny nose, and headache, among others. When allergens and irritants enter our nasal passages, our bodies' immune systems try to eliminate the potential threat by releasing histamines. These histamines cause common seasonal allergy symptoms like sore throat, blocked nose, watery eyes, and excessive mucus.
While allergy pills may alleviate allergy symptoms, they're not the answer to everything. Antihistamines often cause severe drowsiness and other various side effects, which make them dangerous to take regularly. Luckily, there are other ways that older adults can deal with seasonal allergies without taking medication.
The days of retirement are the golden years of your life. You finally have the time and freedom to do anything you want. Remember that age is just a number, and you're only as old as you feel. You may have loved your job, and the change of routine can seem difficult at first. You might feel lost and bored right after retirement, but that state of mind shouldn't last once you realize all the possibilities. This is your time to relax and truly enjoy life to the fullest.
In May of 2020, a 20-year-old man was caught on video brutally beating a 75-year-old man at the Westwood Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Detroit, Michigan. The suspect, who was also a patient at the time, was shown repeatedly punching and cussing at the victim. Although no staff members were involved in this incident, it raises concern that the staff was unaware of the incident until they saw the video.
In June of 2017, Janet Yu discovered that her 90-year-old mother was a victim of financial abuse by her financial planner at Royal Mutual Funds Inc., an RBC subsidiary and a mutual funds dealer. The unauthorized transfer of funds resulted in over $120,000. These unauthorized transfers supposedly went unnoticed because they were processed using Yu’s client card number and the assigned online banking password.
The above are only two examples of elder abuse, a growing problem in today’s society that can cost seniors their security, dignity, and even their lives in extreme cases. Elder abuse can include financial abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. It is important to understand that abuse can occur anywhere, including in the home or a senior living facility. Often, abusers are someone that a person trusts, such as family members, friends, or caregivers. Sixty percent of elder abusers are family members, while 24.3% of elder abusers are senior living facility caregivers.
Pain is the body’s way of communicating to us that something is unbalanced. Yet, the places we often experience pain are not necessarily at the location of the movement limitation.
Let’s consider the body and muscles as an elaborate system. When one area of the body is stuck short and tight, it is plausible that this area of tightness can tug, pull, or restrict movement, which inhibits proper functioning in other parts of the body.
Somatics explains that muscles become habituated tight and short in response to repetitive strain, injury, and stress. Muscles essentially fail to function properly - which means they stop fully contracting and stop fully releasing. This is known as Sensory Motor Amnesia - loss of the brain’s voluntary control over the muscles.
As we age, the reproduction and repair of cells slow. As a result, we often experience slower growth of both hair and nails. To maintain healthy hair, there are a few things to do that will encourage the repair of the cells and develop new and healthy cells to replace the damaged ones. Follow these suggestions to maintain healthy hair at any age!
Research has shown that older adults who spend a reasonable amount of time outside daily tend to be healthier, both physically and mentally. Nothing rejuvenates the body like spending time outside in fresh air.
Let's take a look at some of the benefits of outdoor activities for older adults.
For some retirees, the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life from the sidelines is a welcome respite. For others, retirement doesn't mean the end of the career path. In fact, it may be the start of a brand new journey! If you're an active senior looking for ways to improve your overall quality of life and health and embark on a new adventure, options abound for both professional and personal enrichment and fulfillment.