Posts by Freedom Home Care

The Best Exercises for High Blood Pressure

Seniors with high blood pressure are often told by their physician that exercise is a great way to manage it.  But, what is the best exercise?  Should it be something that gets the blood pumping, or should it be something that calms the circulatory system, like yoga? On top of that, once a person reaches a certain age, physical activities become more difficult or simply impossible. Here are some solutions to get you exercising and lowering your blood pressure, but without overexerting yourself: 1. Aerobic Exercise.  One of the most dangerous parts of having high blood pressure is the chance of
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Understanding the Senior Housing Crisis

As our nation’s largest demographic group, the baby boomers, head into their senior years, some may encounter housing difficulties. Modern seniors are often choosing to “age in place” by staying at home rather than moving to a nursing facility. Those who remain at home see enormous financial and health benefits. Living at home tends to be less expensive and provides better care than living in an assisted care facility. Freedom Home Care is a major advocate for seniors “aging in place.” However, baby boomers may find difficulty finding acceptable places to live. As the number of seniors increases, the demand
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Two Surprising New Osteoporosis Studies

The word osteoporosis directly translates to ‘porous bones.’ Osteoporosis happens when a person’s bones lose protein and calcium. Over time, the bones start to deteriorate and become weak. They can break easily, which means any amount of physical activity can be dangerous and extremely painful. Osteoporosis is a fairly common problem in the senior community.  Not only does it take a personal toll in the form of injuries, but it also takes a financial toll with medical bills and lost work time. Scientists continue to research this condition that resulted in over 9 million fractures worldwide last year.  And now
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How to Achieve Your Personal Best

What do you think of when you hear the term “personal best”?  Do you think of athletes in perfect shape and pushing their bodies to the extreme? Well, the National Senior Games Association wants to redefine the term for seniors.  NSGA’s new definition of someone’s “personal best” is perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and being a role model for others.  With that definition, personal best is something anyone at any age can achieve. So how can you achieve your personal best?. Start moving.  One common obstacle to overcome is getting started with working out.  Think small.  If you already like walking, begin walking at least
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3 Tips to Stay Safe Online

The Internet can be a wonderful source for information and social interaction for all ages, including seniors.  As more seniors become comfortable online, they can become complacent and victims to scams. With the help of Kyforward.com, we put together some helpful tips to keep you and your personal information safe on the internet. Here is some valuable advice to note next time you go on the internet: 1. Look for the “s”.  Before typing your personal information such as credit card numbers into any website, make sure that you see “https://”.  That little “s” before the colon means that you are on
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Should You Take Supplements for Dementia?

As seniors search for ways to reduce the symptoms of dementia, many turn to alternative therapies or dietary supplements.  Some companies and practitioners promote herbal remedies and dietary supplements to enhance memory or slow the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. So, are they a valuable resource or a waste of time? It’s really hard to say.  While some may be valid candidates for treatment, there are some real concerns about using supplements instead of, or in addition to, medical treatment. Safety.  These supplements are not usually regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  This means that they are not checked
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Senior Population Growing Rapidly

Many people around the country are hitting that mark of becoming a senior. According to NBC News, it is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more people over 60 than people under the age of 15 around the world.  And while it’s wonderful that medical advances are helping seniors live longer than ever, the imbalance between ages may mean more hardships for the seniors. For example, it may mean that seniors will have to work longer to support themselves.  Particularly with the struggling economy, many seniors do not have enough retirement to fall back on and their
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3 Simple Ways to Lower Your Stress

We know that stress is bad for the cardiovascular system, but now studies show that it also affects the brain.  Women who experience great amounts of stress have a higher chance of developing dementia later in life.  It indicated that stress can give someone up to a 21% higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. But how do we keep stress levels down?  Of course, there’s exercise, meditation, and yoga, but you can also relieve some stress by eating the right foods.  Here are some foods that can keep you feeling calm. Eat More Avocados.  This delicious fruit is loaded with
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3 Fun Activities for Seniors to Celebrate Autumn

It’s official:  Autumn has arrived.  The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the cafes have rolled out their pumpkin-flavored drinks.  Now that it’s a little cooler, you may be looking for fun activities to do with family and friends.  With the help of Sunrise Senior Living, we have put together a few activities that seniors can do with their families. Visit an orchard.  Apple orchards are hopping with activity this time of year.  Wander through the trees selecting your own apples, or simply go and purchase a bag of those already picked.  Sample some cider and smell the
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The Secret Key to Longevity

In 1921, psychologist Lewis Termin wanted to find out more about longevity and what it takes for humans to live longer. So he gathered 1,500 boys and girls with exceptional IQ’s to join his aging project.  He and his associates kept an eye on these children throughout their lives to see if they could determine what exactly caused longevity.  The study arrived at some very interesting observations about what helps someone achieve a long life.  Here are a few noteworthy things they learned: Be conscientious.  If you stick to your to-do lists and arrive at your appointments on time, you
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