Category: In Home Care

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.

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.

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.

 

You are never too old to start practicing yoga.

Yoga has a reputation for being something exclusively for young people, but luckily, that isn’t actually the case. Yoga is a wonderful thing for people of all ages, including older people. You can learn about some of the benefits that we have already talked about by reading our latest blog. Today, our in home care experts in Raleigh will be going over the last few benefits of yoga for seniors:

#7. Strong Bones

In one study, half of the participants with osteoporosis practiced yoga for two years and half did not. The participants who practiced yoga not only avoided the bone loss that the other participants experienced, they even had an increase in bone density.

#8. Diabetes Management

Keeping blood sugar levels low can feel like a constant struggle for people who have diabetes. But luckily, yoga can help reduce blood sugar levels. One study found that, after forty days of practicing yoga, participants with diabetes found notable improvements in their disease.

#9. Sharp Mind

A big part of yoga is concentration. When you practice blocking out the world and concentrating on your breathing and the movement of your body, it keeps you centered and focused.

#10. Low Strain Exercise

Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise for people who are intimidated or can’t handle a more vigorous workout. When practiced properly, yoga puts very little (if any) strain on the body. However, as with any form of exercise, you should consult your physician before you try it.

 

Yoga is great for people of all ages!

The misconception that only young people can practice yoga is far too common. Not only can older people practice yoga, but it can actually benefit them in many ways! In our latest post, our in home care experts in Chapel Hill went over a few of the benefits of yoga for seniors. Keep reading to learn about more ways you can benefit from yoga:

#4. A Reduction in Stress

Stress can not only have negative emotional impacts, it can also have negative physical impacts as well. Just because you no longer work or care for a house full of kids doesn’t mean that you no longer have stress, and yoga is a great well to cope with that stress as you age. Yoga helps to calm the mind and reduces the impacts of stress on your body.

#5. Healthy Heart

Research has shown that people with mild to moderate high blood pressure could reverse it with a regular yoga practice. Another study has shown that not only does yoga lower blood pressure, it can also lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol.

#6. Fall Prevention

As we age, we start to lose our range of motion, which contributes to a higher fall risk. However, yoga improves flexibility, which in turn, improves range of motion. Balance is also a huge part of yoga, and the ability to balance can really decrease your risk for a fall.

We have just a few more benefits to go over with you. So if you would like to learn more, please stay tuned for our next blog!

Is your loved one lonely?

Social isolation and loneliness are strikingly common, and they will only increase as our older population continues to grow. Although many older adults would prefer to live at home, one study found that around 43% of seniors who live at home were socially isolated. As you can see, loneliness and isolation are major problem for older adults in the United States, and unfortunately they can lead to mood disorders, like depression, that have been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy aging is about keeping the body and the mind healthy, and that’s why our in home care professionals in Chapel Hill have come up with these tips to help your loved one become more social:

#1. Make transportation readily available for your loved one.

One of the biggest reasons why seniors tend to be so isolated is that many of them don’t drive anymore. Without transportation, it’s incredibly difficult to get out and about. Make sure that your older loved one has plenty of people to contact for a ride, and if they are well enough, it is a good idea to teach them how to use public transportation.

#2. Find group activities your loved one will enjoy.

Whether your loved one loves to play bridge or go birding, you can bet that there is a community group that they will enjoy. Not only will this get your loved one out of the house, but he or she will also have the opportunity to make friends with other seniors who have similar interests and hobbies.

 

 

Falls are a major problem, but they aren’t inevitable!

Although it is all too common for older people to fall, there are certain steps that you can take to minimize your risk. One great way to minimize your risk for falling is by improving your balance. In our last blog, our in home care providers in Raleigh went over a few exercises that can help you balance. Keep reading to learn about more easy exercises that can improve your balance:

#4. Heel to Toe Walk

Practice walking in a straight line by placing the heel of one foot directly ahead of the toes of the other foot. Hold your arms up and out to the side and pick a spot on the wall or in the distance to focus on as you breathe and walk slowly across the imaginary line.

#5. Reaching for It

Place a light, easy-to-grip item on an elevated surface, like a table or a chair. Stand with your right side parallel to the item with your feet hips-width apart.  Keep both feet planted firmly into the floor and then bend at your waist while you reach for the item. Practice the exercise on the other side, and then repeat both sides up 10 times.

For all of the exercises that we’ve gone over, it is important to stabilize your spine by activating your abdominal muscles. If you are looking for more exercises to help improve your balance, consider taking a Tai Chi or yoga class designed for seniors. Regular exercise, like going on walks or working in the garden, can also help to build muscle, which can also improve your balance.

Falls are a huge problem for older adults in the United States.

Have you had a chance to read our Durham in home care professional’s latest blog? If you have, then you already know that millions of older adults fall each and every year. Although there are many reasons why people fall, improved balance can decrease your risk for falling. That’s why we have come up with this list of exercises to help improve your balance:

#1. Single Leg Balance

Start by standing with your feet directly under your hips. Lift your right leg, bend your knee and hold it to the side of your body for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise with your left leg.

#2. Heel to Toe

Start by standing with your feet hips-width apart. First, rock back on your heels and lift up your toes, then rock forward until you are standing on the tips of your toes. Repeat this exercise 10 times to start, and once you feel comfortable with it, increase to 30 repetitions.

#3. Wand Balancing

Select your “wand”, this can be a cane, yard stick, umbrella or even a wooden spoon with a long handle. Start by sitting tall in an armless chair. Hold your dominant hand out flat with your palm facing up, then balance your “wand” on your hand. Once you get used to balancing with your dominant hand, try balancing with the other hand or with both hands at the same time!

Keep in mind that any of the standing exercises we mentioned should be completed near a wall or a sturdy chair that you can lean on for support. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn about more exercises that can help to improve your balance.

 

Millions of older adults fall every year in the United States.

Falls are a major problem for older adults (people who are 65 or older). In fact, 1 out of every 3 older people will fall every year, and once you fall, your chance of falling again doubles. Falls are a major concern, especially for older people who live at home by themselves. Falls cause broken bones, head injuries and anxiety, and more than 700,000 older adults are hospitalized each year because of fall-related injuries. Falls are incredibly common, but some older adults are more likely to fall than others. Certain health conditions make you more likely to fall.

Health conditions that put you at a higher risk for falling:

• Weakness in the lower body
• Deficiency of Vitamin D
• Problems with vision
• Poor footwear
• Painful feet
• Difficulties ambulating or balancing

Health conditions aren’t the only thing that put you at a higher risk for falling. Certain medications, like sedatives, antidepressants and tranquilizers, can increase your risk for falling. There are even several over-the-counter medications that could affect your balance, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before you start taking anything new. Home hazards, like uneven or broken steps, throw rugs, clutter and a lack of handrails in the bathroom, also cause many falls every year.

As you can see, there are many things that can cause falls, and most falls are a result of a combination of them. In our next blog, our in home care providers in Chapel Hill will be talking about a few exercises you can do to improve your balance, so stay tuned!

 

In our latest blog, we started giving you a few reasons why home care may be a great option for your loved one. So far, we’ve talked about how in home care in Durham can help to reduce stress and how your loved one will be provided with more individualized attention. Today, we will be going over a few more of the benefits of in home care:

#3. More Cost Effective

Many people think that in home care is an expensive option, because you are hiring someone that is dedicated to taking care of your loved one. However, the opposite is actually true. In home care requires no room and board expenses. You are also paying for just a single staff member, whereas a facility is filled with a plethora of different staff members from all different departments, including maintenance, housekeeping, culinary, etc.

#4. Faster Recovery Time

Studies have shown that patients who receive in home care tend to heal faster and more effectively. A big part of this is probably the reduced stress from being at home, as we mentioned in our last blog.

#5. Companionship

Aging can be a very lonely thing, especially since many people have such busy schedules that it is nearly impossible to make time to spend with their older loved ones. Companionship is one of the most important benefits of home care. Not only does this companionship improve your loved one’s physiological well-being, but it also gives the caregiver an opportunity to monitor them more closely. When you know someone well, it is much easier to notice small behavioral and physical changes that could be early signs of number of health issues.