Want To Keep Your Brain Sharp? Take Care Of Your Eyes And Ears

By age 40, about 1 in 10 adults will experience some hearing loss. It happens so slowly and gradually, says audiologist Dina Rollins. “You don’t realize what you’re missing.” And even as it worsens, many people are in denial.

By the time someone is convinced they have a hearing problem, age-related memory loss may have already set in. But there’s good news. Restoring hearing with hearing aids can help slow down cognitive decline.

Consider these findings: Researchers tracked about 2,000 older adults in the U.S. both before and after they started using hearing aids. The adults were participants in a big, national study called the Health and Retirement Study.

“We found the rate of cognitive decline was slowed by 75 percent following the adoption of hearing aids,” says Asri Maharani, a researcher at the University of Manchester in the division of neuroscience and experimental psychology and an author of the paper. “It is a surprising result,” Maharani says. The study was publishedthis spring in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

To assess cognition over time, researchers performed a battery of face-to-face tests with participants. This was done every two years from 1996 to 2014. One test to assess memory required participants to recall a list of 10 words, both immediately after the words were read aloud and then again after the participants had been distracted by other tasks.

“We weren’t expecting that hearing aid use would eliminate cognitive decline. That’s just not going to happen” because age-related decline is inevitable, explains Piers Dawes, an experimental psychologist and another author of the study. “But the reduction in the rate of change is quite substantial. It’s a very intriguing finding.”

To put the findings in context, consider that the slower rate of decline equates to remembering less than one more word on the 10-word recall test. So it’s a small but measurable effect. And it adds to the evidence that hearing loss and cognitive decline are strongly linked.

It makes sense, says Rollins. Consider what people are getting when their hearing is restored: “Stimulating your ears stimulates the nerves that stimulate your brain.”

When you get hearing aids, “we’re giving your ears back what they’re missing, and giving your brain what it needs to make sense of what you’re hearing,” Rollins explains. And this can help you stay more stimulated and socially engaged. Rollins was not involved in the study. She’s in practice in Silver Spring, Md.

Rollins says people who have hearing loss might decline faster than those with normal hearing due to the loss of social stimulation. “Social isolation is a huge part of hearing loss, and people will notice their loved ones withdrawing from conversation, or not going to family or social functions like they used to.”

Rollins fits a lot of people with hearing aids, and sometimes they come in only after their loved ones insist on it. “No one wants to wear a hearing aid,” Rollins says. “Typically, there’s convincing that needs to be done.” There’s still a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids. People think: “I don’t want to look old!” But Rollins says the technology has improved a lot in recent years. And often, hearing aids are a lot less noticeable and are covered up by hair.

Cost is another obstacle. With a price tag of $4,500 and upwards for high-end aids, they’re not cheap. Less expensive options are available, but insurance plans typically don’t cover the full cost. Some plans offer no benefit for hearing aids, and, in general, Medicare does not cover the cost, either.

But when people decide to get fitted with hearing aids, this step can improve quality of life. This is the case with Rollins’ patient Lucien Johnson, 92, who was fitted with hearing aids a few weeks back.

“I was tired of screaming,” his wife, Carrie Johnson, tells us. And it was frustrating for Lucien as well.

“Sometimes she thought I was ignoring her,” Lucien says. But, really, he just didn’t hear her speaking.

The Johnsons say they’re communicating better now. Lucien went in to see Rollins for an adjustment recently. “I need some fine-tuning,” he told her. “But so far, so good.”

Another common condition as we age is the deterioration of vision, often because of cataracts.

New evidence shows that restoring vision by having cataract surgery can also slow cognitive decline. A companion study carried out by the same researchers and published in the journal PLOS One this month evaluated the outcomes of about 2,000 older adults who had cataract surgery. They were all participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which is carried out similarly to the U.S. Health and Retirement Survey. Participants are given periodic cognitive assessments.

“We found the rate of cognitive decline was slowed by 50 percent following cataract surgery,” explains Maharani. As with the outcome in the hearing aid study, restoring good vision can’t eliminate cognitive decline, but this study suggests it can significantly slow the process.

So many factors influence healthy aging, including lifestyle habits such as diet and physical activity. But Maharani and her co-authors say it’s important to know that steps to correct vision and hearing loss can play into the equation as well.

Activities for Dementia Patients

Connecting with others is at the core of being human – and it’s something that doesn’t change when a person has dementia. We’re often asked what are good activities for dementia patients. It’s important to know that there are many ways you can continue to form connections and strengthen bonds with your loved one during this time.

12 Ways To Make A Connection

People with dementia often return to long-term memories of childhood. Their minds seem to only recall their younger years, and this is often where connections can be made. The next time you visit with your loved one, try one or more of the following activities to create a connection with them:

One

Create a Memory Bag

Fill the bag with items reminiscent of their late teens/early twenties. Scented products work well for this, as scents are strongly tied to memory. Try including soap, perfumes and aftershave, or holiday scents like gingerbread, pine and peppermint.

Two

Look Through Photo Albums

Photo albums with pictures from their childhood or young adulthood are best for this. Old periodicals are another good option, particularly those that include many photos such as Life or Time magazines.

Three

Read Out Loud

If your loved one has a favorite book, read it out loud to them and let them hold the book and feel the pages. Encourage them to enjoy the distinctive “old book smell.” Reading aloud works especially well with poetry, as the cadence of the words are familiar and calming.

Four

Listen to a Playlist of Favorite Music

Download songs or set up radio to stream that features music from their teenage years. Many internet radio stations include everything from classic rock to big band sounds, their favorite music should be easy to find.

Five

Sing Old Songs

If they grew up going to church, sing old hymns with them. If it’s around the holidays, sing holiday carols or other special songs. Class sing-a-longs and music classes were much more common in schools prior to the electronic age. You might be surprised at what songs your loved ones know and remember from elementary school.

Six

Watch Old Movies and TV Shows

Did your parents grow up watching westerns like Gunsmoke or family dramas such as My Three Sons? Perhaps they were more interested in musicals like “The King and I” or “Singing in the Rain.” You can find many favorite movies and shows from the 40s, 50s and 60s on Netflix or other streaming services.

Seven

Go on a Nature Walk

Use nature to integrate sensory experiences into conversation. Listen to birdsong, touch the wet grass, smell the roses and feel the sunshine on your shoulders. Ask what their favorite outdoor activities were during their youth and try to safely recreate similar scenarios if possible.

Eight

Look Through Old Cookbooks

In the past, women spent a great deal of their teenage years learning to cook and young adult years cooking for their families. Discuss origins and variations on old family recipes, or better yet, cook with those old family recipes and share the results with your loved ones.

Nine

Enjoy Favorite Treats

Look for candy or other indulgences that were commonplace when your loved one was young. Many companies specialize in nostalgic candy where you can buy old favorites like horehound candy and soft peppermint sticks. Even simple things, like an orange, can be a treat to someone who remembers when you only had them during holidays.

Ten

Visit and Connect with Animals

People who grew up on farms may enjoy an outing to a petting zoo or family farm where they can touch and talk to horses and other farm animals. Ask questions about animals, old pets, or what it was like to grow up on a farm. This is a great activity to involve grandchildren in, since many kids today are not familiar with farms.

Eleven

Reminisce Over Childhood Toys

Nothing elicits childhood memories like familiar old toys. Erector sets, kewpie dolls, sock monkeys and marbles were some of the most popular toys during the 40s and 50s. There are many websites dedicated to antique toys. If you have any old toys available, bring them when you visit, ask questions about how they were played with, or, in the case of construction toys, build something together.

Twelve

Bring Back Old Skills

Did your loved one quilt, crochet or knit? Put a homemade quilt or skein of yarn in their hands and let them feel the weight of the quilt and the scratchiness of the yarn. You may be surprised to find that your loved one can still crochet or knit a little bit, even though they have serious memory or cognitive deficits. Often, the muscles remember what the brain has forgotten.

Your loved one may be different than the person you have always known, but they still long for connection and companionship. You can encourage that connection by using these activities to enrich both of your lives.

Update: January 2018

Home Health Care vs. Non Medical In-Home Care

They sound similar—but they provide very different services. Here’s an overview regarding the differences between the two:

What is Home Health Care?

Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). Usually, the person providing care can only provide what’s been prescribed by a doctor.

These types of services include occupational therapy; wound care; pain management; IV therapy and injections; or mobility training for those who have had their mobility impaired.

Home health care is generally covered by Medicare. However, it won’t cover all aspects of home health care, such as medications administered in the home, or anything that falls under non-medical in-home care—sometimes there is an overlap in services.

Medicare also won’t pay for full-time care; only home health care delivered on a part-time basis qualifies for Medicare coverage. The program covers up to 35 hours per week of care.

There are other limitations to home health care coverage as well. For instance, the patient must be home bound—although they can be mobile using a wheelchair or other mobility device. Home bound essentially means they can not leave to go see a doctor or receive other necessary medical care. The home health care agency must be certified and approved by Medicare, and all services must be prescribed by a doctor under a “plan of care.”

In addition, while Medicare will cover an unlimited number of visits as infrequently as every two months, if you or your loved one needs daily care, Medicare will only cover it if there is a predictable end in sight. If the patient’s condition is chronic and long-lasting, and if care is needed on an ongoing, indefinite basis, it may not be covered.

What is Non Medical In-Home Care?

Non-medical home care (also known as Custodial care in some states) is a service that helps those in need by assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) in order to continue living life from the comfort of his or her own home. Home care is a model that can include both professional and informal support networks such as family, neighbors, and friends. This type of care is not covered by Medicare.

Non medical in-home care usually refers to in-home assistance with ADLs—including bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, cooking meals, using the restroom, transferring; management of medication, transportation, and companionship.

Some agencies and professionals offer both types of services, and there may be some instances where a single person might provide both medical care in the home and assistance with daily activities. However, Medicare does not cover non-medical in-home care, even when it is provided by the same agency or the same individual who provides the home health care.

Most home health care agencies and providers of non-medical in-home care are referred by hospitals and doctors. However, you can hire one on your own. If you choose to do the hiring yourself, make sure to do your research and double check that the agency is Medicare-approved.

Originally written for Senior Planning by Cheryl Culbertson; published with permission. Cheryl Culbertson is the Owner/Founder of Elder Options of Texas. Elder Options of Texas is an online directory for Texas seniors, baby boomers, children with aging parents, and caregivers. Their Lifestyle Articles section focuses on important issues facing families today.

Traveling with Dementia

By Sharon Hall, Parentgiving contributor

I am a family caregiver to my mother, who is 94, has dementia and lives with us. I am also a caregiver to my 64-year-old husband who has frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), the leading cause of dementia under the age of 60.

We have always enjoyed traveling. Before my husband’s diagnosis, I took Mom on several bucket trips: One to Chicago (we live near Atlanta, Ga.), one to Florida and one three-week trip to New England and New York City. We attended a Broadway play and toured the city by wheelchair for six hours, seeing every sight. We also went to Maine and Vermont.

Most people think that traveling is out of the question when you travel with someone who has dementia. That is far from the truth. Since my husband’s diagnosis, we try to travel every few months. We always use a home through Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway, which makes our stay comfortable. We even travel with our two black labs now and then. Anything is possible with good planning. If you plan properly, you can have a great trip and make wonderful memories. Keep in mind the following as you make your plans:

Airplane travel
If you are traveling within the U.S. or flying out of the U.S., you can use TSA Cares. They will have a special TSA agent meet you in the terminal, take you through security without waiting and get you to the gate. You should call them at least 72 hours in advance to ask any questions, give them your itinerary, and make arrangements for meeting the TSA agent. Visit the TSA Cares website for updated contact information and hours.

When you board the plane, make the flight attendants aware that you are traveling with someone with dementia. Place them next to the window and bring an iPad or an MP3 player with headphones to keep them entertained on the flight.

You might want to use an airport wheelchair in larger airports. You can get these outside at the check-in area. Always carry medicines on the flight with you. Also, if you are sharing your space with someone else, inform them of your family member’s dementia in the event of something being said that might be inappropriate.

Auto travel
I would suggest not making a trip or a day longer than six hours. This would include taking time out to have lunch out of the car. When stopping to eat, stop in a place you know they like. Have them tell you what they want before entering the restaurant. Fast food restaurants with large hanging menus with lots of choices are too overwhelming.

If bathroom issues are a problem, try using the incontinent supplies that look like underwear in case of accidents, even if they’re not incontinent. Sometimes rest areas are far apart.

Listening to favorite music and enabling child locks can make the trip less stressful.

Overnight accommodations
Always try to get a room in a quiet area. If you’re staying for more than one night, consider using Airbnb or VRBO for a house or apartment. This is more home-like and you can make your own breakfast and maintain a more normal routine. The cost is usually comparable to most hotels in most locations.

Carry night lights so the room is not dark when trying to find the bathroom at night. If you can’t sleep with light, bring a night mask.

Engage the night lock on the door so they don’t leave the room trying to find the bathroom. If you’re worried that they’ll wander, this affordable and easy to use personal safety alarm can give you peace of mind. Bring waterproof pads for the bed and a folding shower chair or ask for a handicap room (these are rarely guaranteed).

Eating out, grocery shopping and other public places
When going out to eat, go online and check out the menu. Ask your caree to pick out what they want before you get there. Do all the ordering. When out in public, if something happens to create an issue, carry cards with you saying that your caree has dementia and to please be patient. If you are not their advocate, who will be? Do not be embarrassed by behavior, it is not their choice to act out, it is their brain causing the issue. You can’t expect someone with dementia to act normally. People must be made aware of how dementia affects people. How many times have you been in a restaurant and had screaming kids around you? If it is an outburst, simply say, “Sorry, dementia”, and go about calming them.

Grocery stores can be overwhelming with all the aisles, all the choices and people pushing carts. I always have my husband push the cart, but I have a hold on the front end and guide the cart. When going through check out, I stay at the front of the cart to unload. He can then see me and watch me instead of getting away from me if he were in front.

Caregiving can feel like it takes so much from us. With proper planning, we can make sure that we keep traveling as long as possible.

About the Author

Sharon cares for her mom and her husband, diagnosed with FTD in the fall of 2015, and moderates the FTD chat on CareGiving.com which happens every Monday at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 5 p.m. MT, 4 p.m. PT).

Long Term Care Insurance: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Long term care could be one of the biggest age-related challenges we face. Take a moment to ask yourself: Do you have a long term care plan? If your plan involves other family members or friends, have you spoken to them about it? Chances are you may not be prepared to handle the costs of long term care needs should you get sick or be unable to stay in your home. That’s where long term care insurance comes in. Here are the answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about this type of insurance.

1. “What exactly is long term care insurance?”
Like other types of insurance, long term care insurance helps you guard against risk. It allows you to help protect your assets and help reimburse the expenses of long term care services when you are no longer able to care for yourself. Typically, long term care insurance can be used to help pay for home care, facility care or adult daycare. It may also include therapies and special equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs.

2. “Does my health insurance cover long term care?”
Read your health insurance plan carefully. Most traditional health insurance plans will not cover long term care expenses because long term care is not considered to be medical care. Your medical plan may provide limited, if any, coverage for long term care services.

3. “Are there government programs available to provide for this care?”
Many mistakenly believe that Medicare or Medicaid will pay for extended long term care needs. They usually will not. Generally, Medicare may cover some nursing home care, but only for a limited time. It was not intended to pay for extended long term care. Medicaid will only cover long term care costs after a person “spends down” or depletes his or her assets to qualify for assistance. Those who live in facilities today, or receive help in their own homes for an extended period of time, typically pay out of pocket. For many, the best solution to the prospect of high long term care costs may be long term care insurance.

4. “Who needs long term care?”
When most of us think of long term care, we probably think of it primarily for the elderly. But you may be surprised to learn that people of all ages need long term care. A health crisis can occur at any age—you can suddenly need long term care if you have a serious accident, develop an illness or get a disabling disease. Some common reasons young people may need long term care are strokes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis and accidents.

5. “Doesn’t my retirement plan provide for long term care services and costs?”
Long term care insurance is an alternative to saving your assets for possible long term care needs. You can use your assets for the things you originally planned for such as education, inheritance, charitable gifts or travel. It’s all about having choices.

6. “How can I be sure to get the type of care I want?”
By making choices today, you are giving yourself more options for tomorrow. When you are paying for long term care services, either out-of-pocket or through long term care insurance reimbursement, you are in control. With comprehensive long term care insurance, you have access to multiple facilities. As a “private pay” patient who pays with your own money or with long term care insurance, you will have the freedom to participate in choosing the type and location of care that best meets your own personal needs. You may wish to remain in your own home or attend an adult daycare center. Either way, you have a voice.

7. “Can’t I handle my spouse’s long term care needs myself?”
If your spouse or partner needs long term care, you may not always be able to provide it. Consider the responsibilities of a caregiver. You may have to give up work either temporarily or permanently. Would this put a financial burden on your household? As a caregiver, would you be able to handle the emotional and physical stress of dealing with situations you have not been trained or prepared for? And if you were to unable to care for your spouse or partner who depends on you, who would provide that care and would there be enough money to pay for it?

Also consider what would happen if you needed care. Have you determined whether your spouse or partner or other family member would be able to provide for you? Have you talked about this responsibility with them? Would they be able to give up their job to help you if need be and would it cause a financial burden for them to take care of you? Long term care insurance provides the funds to access care services when family members are unable to be the caregivers.

8. “When is the right time to buy long term care insurance?”
Purchasing long term care insurance at a younger age has several advantages. For instance, premiums are typically lower and your health is usually better. Keep in mind that you need to be reasonably healthy to qualify for long term care insurance.

9. “How do I know if I can afford long term care insurance?”
As a general rule, the premium should not affect your standard of living. You should be able to comfortably afford it without having it become a financial burden. A long term care insurance agent can help determine if the purchase of long term care insurance is appropriate in relation to your financial resources.

10. “What does long term care insurance cost?”
The cost of long term care insurance can vary. Your age, health, amount of protection, benefits and features are all major factors. The costs of long term care insurance may be small when compared to the actual costs of long term care services.

Family Caregiving and Your Marriage

Marriage is tough enough. Add in a family member who needs care, and it’s the beginning of the perfect storm. When the married couple work and/or have children, well you might have a tsunami brewing. And taking care of your relationship before the rushing, overwhelming water hits is vital!

Many of us have to work at our marriage on a daily basis. We make the decision to love our spouse through the ups and downs and twists and turns. As a person who doesn’t enjoy roller coasters, this can make some days very difficult depending on what is being thrown at us.

What if you are asked or rather, what if it becomes apparent that a family member needs to be cared for? They no longer can live on their own. They need assistance with medication and meals. How do we decide the best way to address these concerns (and others) as a couple? And, is our marriage strong enough to communicate our true feelings? Our needs? Our worries? Our fears? Can we listen objectively to our spouse and their feelings? Their needs? Their worries and fears?

The caregiving responsibility for a family member’s welfare is significant, especially as they transition into life’s final stages.

But the marriage relationship is also significant and must be tended to as a priority or the result could have lasting consequences.

Often it may feel that you’re putting one person ahead of the other, but it doesn’t have to be this way. What bridges the gap between the two is communication. The art of speaking and listening becomes crucial when making any major life decision and particularly when it affects several people’s lives. The second vital tool is preparation — prepare before the storm.

Here are some tips for effective communication that you can use before and during times when you face a family caregiving situation, or when your marriage is in need of a clearer communication channel:

Five Speaking & Listening Tips for Effective Communication
1) Before responding, think of H.E.A.L.:

  • H—Is what I will say be helpful or hurtful?;
  • E—Express your feelings in a gentle way and use the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) or share a mutual memory;
  • A—If you don’t understand, ask a question and keep asking until YOUR partner believes you understand;
  • L—Listen and listen more. Say “tell me more” if you need more information.

2) Writing your feelings in a letter may be more beneficial than a verbal conversation. If you write a letter, use sentences that start with “I.” For example, “I believe that moving your mother in with us will strain our relationship.” Avoid using the words “we” and “you” as you can only express YOUR feelings. Always read the letter twice. Once for knowledge and once with your heart.
Go to a neutral location like a coffee shop. Sit across from each other. Prevent distractions by sitting on comfy chairs/couches, avoid watching TV or checking email/Facebook. Turn off all distractions. Hold hands.

3) Start your conversation with this exercise: Name three qualities of your spouse that you admire.
Share a memory of the family member that you’re discussing, especially if your spouse doesn’t know them very well.
Remember, we received two ears and one mouth. If you don’t know what to say, then keep listening! If you’re new to caregiving and aren’t sure where to start, check out our Parentgiving Checklists which cover some of the most common caregiver concerns.

About The Author Lisa
Lisa, a Certified Caregiving Consultant and Certified Caregiving Educator, helps others keep their marriage on track when a caregiving situation enters the family. She cares for her mom, who lives with her family, as well as her son, who has Type 1 diabetes, and her daughter, who has Fibromyalgia. Lisa moderates a chat on CareGiving.com on the last Friday of every month at 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT, 1 p.m. PT) for those who care for a family member with diabetes.

Immune Boosting Tips for Seniors Part 3

A weakened immune system is a common side effect of the aging process. 

With flu and cold season upon us, it is important for seniors to take steps to strengthen their immune systems. Age compromises the immune system, and when you have a weakened immune system, something as simple as the flu can be very dangerous. That’s why, in our last blog, our in home care professionals in Raleigh went over a few tips to help you boost your immune system. Today, our experts will be finishing up our blog series with these last few immune boosting tips for seniors:

#6. Get plenty of sleep. 

Sleep is a must if you want to boost your immune system. In fact, sleep is one of the best and easiest ways to boost your immune system naturally. Not only will sleep help to prevent you from getting sick in the first place, if you do get sick, sleep can help you to recover more effectively.

#7. Drink lots of water. 

As we age, we sense thirst less and less, which is why it is very important for seniors to drink plenty of liquids. Aim for 8-9 glasses of water, coffee or tea every single day to lower your chance of getting the flu or a cold.

#8. Wash your hands frequently and properly.

Washing your hands frequently and properly is the best thing you can do to prevent the spread of disease, but it will also help to keep you healthy. When you wash your hands, make sure you lather your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

Immune Boosting Tips for Seniors Part 2

Age affects our bodies in many ways, including weakening our immune systems. 

While it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your immune system strong when you are young, it becomes even more important as you age. In fact, respiratory infections, including pneumonia and influenza, are the leading causes of death for people over the age of 65, so, as a senior, keeping your immune system strong is absolutely essential. Check out our latest blog to learn about the immune boosting tips that our in home care experts in Durham have already gone over. Keep reading to learn more:

#3. Reduce stress in your life. 

Stress can affect your health negatively in so many ways, and it can even suppress your immune system. Take steps to reduce stress in your life. Take a yoga class, learn a new hobby or simply take a few minutes to just sit and relax — all of these things can help you reduce stress.

#4. Make exercise a priority. 

Exercise will not only keep you strong and reduce your risk of falling, it will also minimize your stress! Even a small amount of moderate exercise, like going for a short walk, can make a huge difference in your health and strengthen your immune system.

#5. Look on the bright side.

A positive attitude can go a long way, and it can even boost the feel-good hormones in the brain, called endorphins. Even if you aren’t feeling overly positive or chipper, smile! When you smile, it actually tricks your body into thinking that you are happy!

Learn about more ways to boost your immune system by staying tuned for our next blog.

Immune Boosting Tips for Seniors

The older we get, the more susceptible we are to disease, infections and even cancer. 

The last thing anyone wants is to get sick, and in order to avoid illness, you need to take steps to make your immune system strong. Studies have found that the aging process reduces the response of the immune system, and that is why it’s so important for seniors to do what they can to boost their immune systems. At LiveWell, we are dedicated to helping you stay happy and healthy throughout your golden years, and that’s why our home care experts in Chapel Hill have come up with the following list of immune boosting tips for seniors:

#1. Get your flu vaccine. 

The flu can be incredibly dangerous for someone with a weak immune system, and one of the best ways to avoid the flu is by getting vaccinated. Flu shots are recommended by the CDC, and they have been shown to be very effective. However, it is important to consult your doctor before getting the flu shot.

#2. Eat a nutrient-rich diet. 

Seniors don’t often eat as much as people who are younger, which means that they aren’t likely to eat as much variety or get as many nutrients. Vegetables and fruits that are high in Vitamins E and C, zinc and beta-carotene are essential for your health, so you should make it a point to include them in your diet. It’s also important to consume plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats.

Would you like to learn about more immune boosting tips for seniors? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.

 

How Assisted Livings Improve Quality of Life Part 3

Did you know that living in an assisted living in Raleigh can actually improve your quality of life? 

Many people think that moving into an assisted living is the end of freedom and independence, but if you have had a chance to read our latest blog, then you already know that assisted livings can actually improve your quality of life. The following is a list of the last few ways that an assisted living can improve your quality of life:

#6. You’ll have all of your nutrition needs taken care of. 

At each and every one of our LiveWell assisted living communities, you will find healthy and mouth-watering meals. Every meal we serve is prepared by a licensed dietician, and we utilize real, whole foods for all meals. We can also accommodate for any special dietary needs you may have. Living in an assisted living community means that you won’t have to worry about going to the grocery store or taking the time to prepare all of your meals, and it also means that all of your nutritional needs will be met in a tasty, satisfying way.

#7. You won’t have to worry about housekeeping.

The golden years can seem a lot less golden when you have to think about dusting, mopping, sweeping, vacuuming and all of the other chores that are required to keep your home in great shape. Luckily, when you live in an assisted living community, you won’t have to worry about the housekeeping, instead you can focus on learning new things, making new friends and enjoying your golden years to the fullest.