Often, when people think of their health and mood, the associations that come with these words relate to one’s diet, exercise regimen and stress level. To alter their state, people try all kinds of treatments and lifestyle changes to better themselves. One type of alternative therapy that is often overlooked is aromatherapy. What Is Aromatherapy? Defined by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy as “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit,” the use of essential oils’ is growing. Everyone from
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Archives for Healthy Living
A Healthy Heart is a Happy Heart
The month of love isn’t just about caring for your Valentine, but for caring about yourself and your heart. While February 14 is often the highlight for retailers around town, in the realm of health, February is important because it is the federally designated American Heart Month. Around each hospital and home care agency alike, instruction and attention is focused on heart health throughout the month—ever since February 1964, when cardiovascular disease was the cause of more than half of the deaths in the U.S. Today it’s still responsible for about one in four deaths, but the good
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Senior Flu Prevention Tips
Influenza A and B are the usual suspects for the flu each year. And according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), between 54 to 70 percent of people age 65 and older who contract the virus are hospitalized annually. Statistics also show that seniors are more likely to suffer from flu complications than younger people. And with the record breaking cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing here in the U.S., now more than ever, it’s important to take the proper precautions to keep your senior safe and in optimal health. If you’re not sure exactly how to help your loved
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How To Make Thanksgiving Easier on Senior Relatives
As the season of gratitude nears and we plan festive gatherings, it’s of utmost importance to give special attention to the seniors in our families. Everything from meal preparation and house accommodation to family conversation plays a key part in how their holiday goes. Even a small thought or chat about these things with elderly family members can go a long way. It’s not something to stress about this season, just to pay attention to. Use and share these tips and make Thanksgiving easier for senior relatives, and yourself too! Make Plans That Make Sense Don’t get caught up in
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Mediterranean Diet For Memory
What’s good for the heart is good for the brain. According to the chief of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard University, JoAnn Manson, “the two are strongly connected.” Manson is referring to findings that say a Mediterranean diet can help prevent age-related cognitive decline. A recent study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal reports that eating meals which include whole grains, fish, vegetables, olive oil, and nuts is an essential part of maintaining brain health. A clinical trial was conducted in Spain comparing the brain health of seniors in their 60s and 70s.
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A Social Life Leads to Longevity
As a senior, your social health is just as important as your physical health. Experts say that seniors should seek to stay connected with friends and family members every day. Many people don’t realize it, but a lack of social interaction can lead to a number of health risks. But a quality social life can have the same effect on your overall health as a good workout. As more baby boomers near the golden years, the number of seniors living alone increases. According to statistics, older adults without children is on the rise, leaving fewer family members to care for them. As a result, social isolation
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Health Benefits of Laughter for Seniors
They say that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter has been scientifically proven to offer a number of restorative effects in our lives and today Freedom Home Care will celebrate all of its benefits on National Tell a Joke Day. People have been sharing jokes since the 1900s – and perhaps even earlier in some Sumerian cultures. Historians have traced a 1000-year-old double entendre, found in the Codex Exoniensis, back to Britain. What may have started out as innuendo, has grown in form and meaning. Today, jokes can be told in many different ways – from irony, sarcasm, and satire
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Why Staying Social is Important for Seniors
They say with age comes wisdom, but what they don’t tell you is that there will also be a whole new set of challenges to face in the later years of being an adult.
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Improve Brain Fitness
Over our lifetime, the human brain has the capacity to grow. This is no different when we get older. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to grow, change and adapt. The brain can do amazing things like responding to mental and physical activities, alter itself in response to damage and be influenced by the things that we do. With exercise, it grows stronger, similar to how a muscle grows from working out. Scientists also say that what we do affects the way it works. Fortunately, this is good news as researchers try to come up with ways to improve brain health,
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Summer Health Tips for Seniors
Summer is just around the corner and it seems like the temperature intensifies with every passing year.
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