It sounds simple enough: severely limit your caloric intake and you will live longer. But does it work? Scientists decided to test this theory that has been touted by health experts for years to see if they had really found a “longevity diet”. Using rhesus monkeys, which are very genetically similar to humans, they fed some only 70% of a normal diet. The remainder they let eat freely. And, although the restricted monkeys had better cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the monkeys basically had the same life expectancy. This is different from earlier monkey research that seemed to suggest that calorie
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Monthly Archives August 2013
3 Ways To Overcome Social Isolation
As more baby boomers enter their senior years, they are beginning to make choices as to how they want to live. Many seniors choose to remain at home to maintain independence, but social isolation can become an unintended side effect. Here are some ways to overcome it: Volunteer. Getting active in your community is a great way to stay social while helping others. Having trouble finding ways to help? Offer to help keep up the gardens for the local park district. Answer phones for your PBS telethon. You can even read newspapers to the blind over the radio. Have some
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3 Reasons to Dance The Night Away
Do you love to dance? Are you a whiz at disco? Are your jazz moves legendary? If so, you’re on your way to some healthy senior years. Everyone knows that physical activity is essential for a healthy life, but it seems that dancing has some added health benefits. Doctors and researchers are finding new reasons every year to get down and boogie. Here are a few specific reasons to tie on your dancin’ shoes. It fights dementia. Studies show that if a senior dances (or, in the case of the study, waltzes) at least twice a week, he is much
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Would You Live Forever?
With science and technology advancing every day, it’s not hard to think that in fifty years from now people may be living well into their hundredth years. According to a survey, many people think that in less than 40 years the average life expectancy could be 120 or older. But the question is, do people really want to live that long? It really comes down to quality of life. Those who believe that they will have a good quality of life in their advanced years are all for medical advancements to increase life expectancy. Those who fear having a declining
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Caring for a Senior Can Be a Balancing Act
When caring for an elderly family member, it can be difficult to find a good balance of time. On one hand, you want to give the family member all of the care that he needs and deserves. On the other hand, you want to have time to live your own life. It is a difficult balancing act that is often never discussed. Here are some ways that you can begin to achieve the beginning of balance. 1. Ask for help from family. If you are spending much of your time caring for the senior, recruit other family members to help. Whether
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Can You Get Sued For Not Visiting Your Family?
Did you know that 20 states in the U.S. have laws requiring adult children to care for their family members who need help? Well, since the 1970’s most states have ignored that this law is on the books. Many states repealed it since Medicare and Social Security ensured care for the elderly. But now, the law is being dusted off and used to collect money to pay for the care of elderly family members. Since 1994, there have been lawsuits by nursing homes in Pennsylvania and South Dakota insisting that adult children pay up for their parents’ medical bills. One
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Can Chocolate Boost Your Brain Power?
After always hearing about how foods like spinach and avocados are great for your health, it’s fun to think about a chocolate treat as a brain boosting food. Consistently, chocolate has shown to increase brain and heart health – buy why? Scientists have been stumped about this for a while, but one piece of the puzzle may have finally emerged in the form of flavanols. These antioxidants protect cells from damaging free radicals and can be found in chocolate, wine, and berries. Scientists put these flavanols to the test to see what they can do for a senior’s brain. What
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How to Avoid Senior Depression
Depression is all too common amongst the elderly population. If a senior’s body is declining and independence is waning, it is no wonder. However, many doctors take little time to discuss mental health with seniors. The average time a doctor talks with an elderly patient about their mental health is two minutes, and over half of seniors report that the doctors never brought the subject up. So it is becoming clear that the caregivers must be vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of serious depression. Here are a few signs that an elderly person may need to
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Leading Elderly Parents By Example
No one likes to see their elderly parents with unhealthy habits such as eating too much junk food or smoking cigarettes. Their children most likely worry that those habits will lead to chronic health conditions. However, no one likes to be told to eat better or put down the cigarettes. Oftentimes the discussion between an adult and their elderly parent turns negative and ends in frustration. So how does a child encourage his or her elderly parents pick up healthier habits? The best way is to lead by example. When the parent sees you making simple healthy choices, it may encourage
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Caring for Someone with Alzheimers
Nearly one third of the United States adult population has identified themselves as a caregiver. And a large portion of those caregivers are helping someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease can be very difficult not only for the senior, but also for the caregiver. As it is a long-term disease, the care can last from two years to easily two decades. During that time, the caregiver often feels overwhelmed and isolated caring for someone with such a complex and difficult condition. Here are some ways to ease some of that anxiety: Educate yourself. The stress of caring for someone with
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