Exercise is ideal for maintaining good health, losing weight, and staying in shape. But as we age, our body begin to lose muscle mass. Sarcopenia or the loss of muscle, is the responsible for fractures, falls, low bone mineral density and insulin resistance. For seniors, strength training is not only key to fighting these deficiencies, but it’s also an effective way to build muscle, burn calories, and increase stamina and agility. In one study, a group of people in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s developed a strength training routine. Soon after, they noticed improvement in bone density, faster metabolism, greater
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Three Reasons Your Senior Loved One Needs a Pet
The benefits of owning a pet are worth their weight in gold. From lowered anxiety to boosted immunity, people young and old often reap the rewards of having man’s best friend by their side. And for seniors, research shows that many people actually experience better changes in their overall health from being exposed to animals. In fact, doctors say that whether you’re receiving in home care services or post-surgery home care, there are a number of physiological and psychological benefits that come from spending time with a pet. Here are a few that Freedom Home Care came up with. Increased
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Summer Activities for Seniors
There are tons of ways to stay active and keep fit this summer. And just as every senior has a different personality, their hobbies and interests vary, as well. Summer is the perfect time to indulge in some of the things your loved one likes to do. So Freedom Home Care wanted to come up with a list of fun, safe activities you and your loved can actually enjoy doing together. Go Fishing It’s always beautiful out this time of year. It’s even better if you live near a river, lake or some place else that allows you to
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Thoughtful Ways to Celebrate This Father’s Day
Father’s Day is June 19th – which got us thinking here at Freedom Home Care, “What is the role of a father” anyway? A father’s role is more significant than most people actually realize. Sure, Dads are great at coaching little league softball games and scaring away ‘Monsters’ in the middle of the night. But they also play a deeper, more significant part in our lives. Fathers are not only the financial supporters and disciplinarians of their children, they are also central to a child’s emotional, cognitive and language development. It’s been proven that they are strong contributors to the
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Best Tablets For Seniors
The popularity of laptops and tablets have increased over the past few years. Tablets have become particularly beneficial not only because of their maneuverability and ease of use, but because they provide a better overall user experience than a smartphone or traditional PC. For seniors, a tablet offers a wide screen that can be adjusted for better viewing, as well as Bluetooth for greater sound. They’re usually lighter than a laptop and can be carried along wherever your senior goes. In addition to their tangible attributes, tablets allow older users to easily access health records and medical information, while staying
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Care Agency
Enlisting the help of others to help care for your senior can be a daunting process. And if you opt for more personalized care that meets your loved one’s daily needs, helps them retain a sense of independence, and allows them to remain in a familiar environment, in-home care may be the choice for you. There a number of things to consider when searching for a home health care provider – like if the agency is licensed and reputable, if the caregivers are trained and qualified, and what has their track record for care been in the past. After
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7 Essential Vaccines that Help Protect Your Senior
According to the Center for Disease Control, about 1 million people contract Shingles every year – with 60 percent of those being age 60 years and older. Of all of the seniors who develop flu-like symptoms each year, about 65 percent are hospitalized as a result. Combined, both pneumonia and the flu together are rated the 7th leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. The risk of older loved ones suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease due to influenza is 20 percent higher without vaccination, in addition to a 50 percent greater likelihood of loss of life.
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Apps That Help Seniors Communicate with Family
Applications (apps) have already begun to change the way the world works, thinks and communicates. Today, there’s an app for just about anything you can think of. And the future of technology sees desktop computing being slowly uprooted by apps that provide users with the capability to access everything they need right from their smart phones or tablets. But how are older Americans fitting into a market that is constantly evolving, and one that is catering to users who are presumably more technologically savvy? Freedom Home Care sees more apps being created in stripped down, simplified format to accommodate the
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Yoga Benefits for Seniors
Alternative therapy is important, especially for seniors; however, when most seniors think of Yoga, “oiling the joints” is probably one of the last things that comes to mind. But that’s how 91-year-old Bernice Bates describes an ancient Indian tradition that has been around since at least the Stone Ages. Since the beginning, Yoga has been utilized to help improve the human condition, while incorporating a meditative and spiritual core – principles that still remain intact today. There are numerous benefits to practicing Yoga, like healing aches and pains, increasing blood flow, boosting immunity, and improving overall health. Bates has been
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Nursing Homes vs. Home Care
For many families, the decision whether to place older loved ones in a nursing home or to allow them to “age in place,” can be a difficult one. Everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, eating and drinking can become more and more problematic for seniors with declining health and mobility. The goal of any nursing home or home care provider should be to ensure that its patients are receiving high quality, compassionate, personalized care. When deciding whether or not a nursing home or in-home care is the best option for your loved one, Freedom Home Care invites you to consider these
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