Many seniors dutifully take vitamins and other supplements to keep themselves healthy and make up for lacking nutrition.  But what exactly are those pills made of?  And are they doing your body any good? Recent studies have identified various herbal supplement ingredients and their effectiveness.  As many people know, the FDA doesn’t regulate many supplements. Because of this, many pills do not need to state exactly what is in their product. It becomes unclear if what they claim is in the supplements is actually accurate. And that’s exactly what the researchers found. Using a system of identifying the supplements’ DNA,
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Sarah Dessen said, “Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.” But it seems that music not only unites people with each other, but also with their own minds. As we mentioned in an earlier blog post, researchers began a singing lab with seniors who have moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.  The seniors were brought together three times a week to share the music of their youth.  Half of the participants were lead in singing songs from their young adulthood while the other half listened. While the
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As more baby boomers enter their retirement years, many are pushing for change.  Instead of being quietly pushed into a nursing home, seniors are demanding more and better ways of living.  So, what exactly does the future hold for this growing population of seniors? 1. More seniors will live at home.  It has become clear for some time that today’s seniors prefer to remain at home or in retirement communities.  And their health doesn’t have to prevent them from living where they want.  As quality home caregivers, like Freedom Home Care, are readily available and affordable, relying on nursing homes is a
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As the season of fall takes full effect, let’s think about another kind of fall.  The kind we want to prevent; the kind that can cause injuries to seniors. Falling does not only cause physical harm but can be very expensive as doctor bills begin to arrive.  Seniors want to stay as safe as possible, doing what they can to prevent slips and falls.  But some of the suggestions people make to seniors to help prevent falls is simply not true.  Here are two things that, despite the hype, do NOT prevent falls. 1. Supplements.  Seniors are sometimes told to take
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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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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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Seniors today are more health conscious than ever. They know that staying active and flexible can keep them moving much longer. But sometimes they don’t know how to begin a safe exercise regimen. Of course, personal training or fitness classes are always an option to get started, but some seniors prefer exercising on their own schedule. If this is you, consider taking up yoga.  Yoga doesn’t have to be contorting yourself into crazy one-legged positions.  There are simple poses that seniors can use to reap all of the health benefits. And the benefits are numerous.  In fact, not only does
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A recent 2013 Senior Report found that 7.6% of Illinois seniors, age 65 and above, smoke on a regular basis. We all know that smoking is bad for our health.  We also know that it is incredibly difficult to quit, especially when you have been doing it for several years.  Did you know that it takes someone on average nine times of trying to quit before they finally do?  No wonder it’s so easy to get discouraged. But, don’t give up.  Here are some tips to help you finally kick the habit. 1. Plan ahead.  Those who quit without a plan are much more likely
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Although many seniors think of dogs as the ideal pet, perhaps getting a cat would be a better idea.  As stated in an earlier article, dogs require quite a bit of space and daily exercise to remain healthy.  They must go outside regularly and be allowed to play.  While cats also love to play, they don’t require the same amount of space or exercise that most dogs do. Cats may be a better suited option for a senior who is looking for a companion. There are numerous health benefits that individuals can receive by adopting a feline friend. For example,
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One-third of Americans have some sort of vision-impairing eye disease by the age of 65.  And many don’t even know it.  They simply think that their eyes are worsening because of old age. But a senior can improve his or her chances of keeping their vision clear by getting an eye exam every year and working with their doctor.  The earlier eye diseases are caught, the more likely that the eventual effects may be slowed or even stopped. The four most common conditions that affect senior eye health are cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease.  Each of
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