Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

Dogs are lovable and loyal creatures. They have an instinctive tendency to create an incredible bond with human beings. A dog unconditionally loves their caretaker and helps in relieving the physical and mental complications. There are several dog breeds that are considered highly suitable for older adults due to their wonderful natures.

This post will discuss a few top dog breeds best for older adults, along with their characteristics and relevant traits.

Fun Fact: According to a research study conducted by Harvard Health Publishing- Harvard Medical School, dogs have calming effects on their owners and help in dealing with blood pressure and cholesterol issues. The study showed that dog owners had surprisingly lower levels of cholesterol and harmful lipids as compared to those who hadn't spent time with dogs.

TOP DOG BREEDS FOR THE OLDER ADULTS

Slip, trip, and fall hazards are things to think of at all ages. With small children, we spend lots of time 'baby-proofing the house and making sure that floors are picked up. So why don't we spend the same kind of time managing and maintaining our adult spaces?

Much of this is because we become 'experts' at designing our spaces in such a way that we don't have a lot of hazards to avoid. We know where things are. The problem with this mentality is that we really don't. As adults, we're tough enough that bumping into things a little bit, stubbing our toes, or any number of smaller bruises collected throughout the day are no big deal. However, for small children, these things can be potentially lethal, not to mention injury-prone.

The harsh reality is that we all make mistakes and have accidents. The older we get, those accidents can be increasingly more hazardous. A simple bump on the shin in your 20s may leave a bruise, but as we get on in years, those bruises become more colorful and can turn into more painful injuries. Getting rid of the coffee table and buying more plush sofas is an easy way to address this issue in the living room. Other indoor spaces can be kept free of slip, trip, or fall hazards more easily than something like your outdoor space.

Taking time out in nature is a wonderful way to relax and reconnect with the things we love. Therefore, a comfortable and safe outdoor space is a must. Unfortunately, our outdoor spaces are the hardest to manage due to the exposure to the elements and the propensity for things to move around outside. Maybe you had the family over for a barbecue, or you were entertaining friends and enjoying a cool evening. Either way, the patio furniture is often not exactly where you remember it. As fall comes, so too do leaves begin coating your deck. For these reasons, we've put together a few reminders on what to look out for to help avoid these extra dangers.

Receiving a massage helps achieve great health benefits and minimal risk. It comes with astonishing advantages that are typically unexpected from something so simple. Great research has shown that massages are even more practical and beneficial to seniors than previously understood. 

Massage therapy for seniors has seemingly endless benefits. From relieving muscle tension in the body to alleviating pain, it's a great solution to age-linked conditions. Whether you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, or arthritis, there is a benefit for everyone. And as such, the following are some benefits of getting a massage for older adults.

Pet therapy has become a popular treatment method for people of all ages for matters related to mental, emotional, and even physical health. It involves interacting with animals for the benefit of helping a person affected by depression, anxiety, dementia, and many other mental or physical health conditions. The type of therapy can vary widely depending on the requirements of the person seeking therapy. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits, the various types of pet therapy, and more.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Research has shown us those pet owners are generally less likely to feel lonely. They visit the doctor less often, take less medication, get over illnesses faster, and cope better with stress. One study even discovered that spending only 10 minutes with a pet can start reducing stress hormone levels.

For people of all ages, pets can give emotional, physical, and mental benefits, specifically for seniors at an increased risk for loneliness and isolation.

Obesity in the U.S. is an increasingly prevalent problem. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated 42.4% of the population were considered obese during 2017-2018. This compares to 30.5% in 1999-2000. As a result, Americans are increasingly obsessed with finding ways to shed pounds.

My own battle of the bulge started early. Our family moved from Texas to Minnesota in February when I was 8. Before then, my siblings and I were active outside much of the year. However, upon moving to Minnesota in the depths of winter, we huddled around the TV eating Oreos.

My first realization of being overweight was when my clothing size began to include the word "husky," and one of my school friends nicknamed me "Tubby." It was the start of a lifetime weight control journey.

Over the years, I tried several diet plans. I was an early adherent of the low-carbohydrate Atkins diet. I remember feeling it was a bit leary about testing my urine to see if I was in the fat-burning ketosis state. I also tried fasting and grapefruit-centered diet, among others. Alas, my experience was typical. Any weight that came off eventually came back on.

In my 20's, I joined the running craze and eventually completed five marathons over the next two decades. Yet, despite the higher exercise level, I was still weighing in 20 to 30 pounds over the "ideal" weight for my age and height.

However, through trial and error over the years, I discovered some helpful techniques and ideas that have helped me lose and maintain a good weight. While I'm not perfect at following these guidelines, I've been reasonably successful in keeping the pounds off when I stick to them.

Choosing to move to an assisted living, skilled nursing, or memory care setting is one of the most significant decisions of a lifetime. Therefore, it makes sense to carefully consider all the options. One of the most effective tools in evaluating alternatives is the facility tour.

Before the Tour

Charles Duhigg, an award-winning New York Times business writer, wrote the best-selling book The Power of Habit. It offers an enthralling argument: the secret to consistently exercising, losing weight, raising outstanding children, being more productive, establishing revolutionary enterprises and social movements, and attaining success can all be boiled down to developing excellent habits.

In this article, we will discuss small habit changes that you can make to improve your fitness. These changes do not have to be significant, and you can easily integrate them into your daily life.

10 Small Habits to Improve Your Fitness

Linda Malys Yore is an influencer with a blog called “Linda On The Run”, where she writes and inspires others about travel, fitness, vegan cooking, and health. After starting her blog in 2018, she began using Instagram and Facebook as additional platforms to share her stories. Today, Linda has 73,000 followers on Instagram. Experience Beyond Measure correspondent Mike Lawson recently interviewed Linda about her transition from retirement to an influencer.

Anyone who has been in a 'relationship' with another person has experienced an effect known as the honeymoon phase. The honeymoon phase is often referred to in terms of romantic relationships, but it applies to all relationships. However, for the purpose of this article, I'll keep it in the realm of the romantic.

Most people would agree that there is nothing like falling in love. The first time you saw him/her. Your first date. Your first kiss. Your first fight and the subsequent make-up after that. These milestones are exciting and can often be quite turbulent. Question marks keep the spark alive. Does he love me? Will she like these? Should I, or shouldn't I? These questions and many more rarely garner any answers without time invested into the relationship. The trouble is when all your questions seem to be answered, where then does the relationship go?

In every relationship, there is a cooling period. For many, it happens once you've gotten married, moved in together, or had children. But, problems with the house, the dog, the kids help to keep relationships interesting. When all the distractions are gone, it's just you and your partner you've been with for 30, maybe even 40+ years, and all the kids have moved on, how do you keep the love alive? The following list will attempt to provide inspiration to make your time together more enjoyable, more meaningful, and keep the spark alive.

Put That Spark Back Into Your Marriage

Traveling can be a great way to keep in touch with your grandparenting duties. Whether you are an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, here are a few tips on how to prepare for a trip with the grandkids, especially if they are little ones that are seven years or younger. The most important thing to remember is that you are always in charge. Also, these younger kids may challenge and test your patience. Just remember that you love them and that they really can't help it sometimes! By following the tips in this article, you can create a trip that is fun and safe for everyone.

Try These Tips to Have a Great Vacation With Your Grandchildren!