As our bodies begin to age, it’s even more important to maintain healthy habits to remain your fittest both mentally and physically, especially if you are not receiving professional in-home care services. While it may seem daunting to start these habits now, gradual changes could prove to be very beneficial in the long run. Here are some simple activities Freedom Home Care came up with to incorporate into your everyday routine to help improve your mental and physical health. Add Some Fiber To Your Diet Fiber helps lower cholesterol and fight heart disease. High fiber foods like oats, barley, beans
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Archives for Healthy Living
Exercises That Help Improve Arthritis in Seniors
It’s a little known fact that exercise can actually help improve the lives of people who suffer from arthritis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention aerobic activity can help lessen the effects of joint pain and stiffness, while improving flexibility, mobility, mood, general health and well-being. As more and more Americans over the age of 65 are diagnosed with the condition, FHC, a Chicago Home Care Service, created a list below to help raise the awareness about the benefits of exercise in arthritic patients. For many with the condition it’s difficult to even imagine swimming and biking with joint pain
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Tips for Choosing the Right Walking Cane
Choosing the right cane requires a little more planning than most people can imagine. Before investing in a cane or walker, seniors should first identify the reason they need walking support, if they need it to support their full weight and the appropriate type, size, and fit of the device. Canes and walkers provide different levels of support for the person using them. They can be beneficial to seniors with pain, weakness and problems balancing on their own. They’re also helpful in avoiding falls and providing extra support when needed. And according to Lori Ramage, physical therapist and the Joint Club
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Equipment Free Exercises For Seniors
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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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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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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Spring Cleaning Tips for You and Your Senior
With spring comes budding trees and plants, blooming flowers and changing temperatures. It’s also a time when people begin to organize and de-clutter clutter the space around them. What you may not consider is how much caring for your senior involves a routine spring cleaning of their apartments or home in order to help them stay organized, as well. Oftentimes old photographs, papers and mementos have a habit of accumulating and collecting dust in the basement or attic. But before you begin the process of straightening and systematizing the memories of your loved one, it might be good to sit
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Mind Games
Workout Your Cranium It is inevitable to stop the aging process and with aging comes memory loss. More and more of forgetful moments begin to occur and it can be alarming. However, there may be options when it comes to delaying this process and keeping the brain young. “A 60 year-old brain is two to three times slower than a 20 year-old brain,” according to an article on memory loss by Web-MD. They also added that by the time you reach the age of 80, your brain may function five to eight times slower. We are not saying that memory
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Ways to Stay Active in the Winter
It may seem like a challenge to find fun, indoor activities during the winter months. But doing a little research, Freedom Home Care found a number of ways seniors can stay busy and active inside when the temperatures begin to fall outside. Get Creative Some of the best creativity happens when the there’s nothing standing in the way between you and your craft. It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to indulge in the arts. Pick up a few artsy materials from the local craft store, invite a few friends over, and start a small arts
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