Researchers may have found a new way to detect dementia even before it affects the memory. A study was recently conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota over a 3.5 year period which involved more than 1,400 mentally healthy adults – each about 79 years of age. Each participant was given a test that involved smelling six food-related and six non-food related scents. The results showed that those with the decreasing ability to identify smells over time were more likely to experience Alzheimer’s and other memory problems. During that time, 250 participants experienced mild cognitive impairment, while 64 people out
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Archives for signs of aging
Exercise and Physical Activity Have Similar Positive Effects in Seniors
As we get older, our bodies still require movement, whether we like it or not. There are plenty of ways exercise and participate in physical activity that will help improve our health and livelihood, especially for seniors. Surprisingly, there are differences between exercise and physical activity. Knowing what those differences are and how each can benefit your health can help people over the age of 60 maximize their potential when it comes to staying active. Physical activity can include things like walking, jogging, biking, hiking, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or gardening. Exercise is considered to be a specifically planned, structured, and repetitive
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Memory Tests Could Indicate Alzheimer’s Years in Advance
Surprisingly, many people don’t realize that one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s are low scores on memory tests. It could be a mental aptitude test taken prior to being hired for a job, or maybe even a reading comprehension test for a college course. According to recent studies, consistent, incorrect answers or mistakes made on tests like these are a good indicator of progressive brain disease. What’s even more important is that the results of these memory tests could serve as a warning sign up to 18 years before the disease is even diagnosed. Currently, there’s no definitive way
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Studies Show that Playing Music May Help Improve and Protect Your Hearing
There are two types of cells in our ears that are sensitive to sound. The first is the inner hair, which signals the brain when there are vibrations that activate the movement of the cilia (or tiny hairs in the ear). These cilia are specially coded to be highly sensitive to the different sounds we are capable of identifying. The second type of cells simply intensify those sounds within our ear to generate a stronger stimuli for the inner hairs. As we age and subject our ears to various intensities of sound, our ears adjust accordingly. For example, after listening
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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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When Should Seniors Give Up the Keys?
Balancing independence and safety can be difficult, especially when it comes to a senior’s driving ability. Illinois is one of the few states that have fairly strict laws regarding seniors renewing their driver’s licenses; Persons over 80 years of age must renew annually and retake the road test. It is arguably the most stringent state as far as senior driving laws. But some are able to pass these exams even though they may not be safe on the road. What should a family member do in that case? If you suspect that your elderly family member may be a danger
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Study Finds Genes from Mom Affect Aging
Want to know why you’re aging so well? You can look to your mother for the answer. Recent studies have shown that the genes that moms contribute to their children directly affect how well the child will age. If the mom happens to pass on certain mutations, then the child will age more quickly. But whether or not your mother passed along good genes or bad, there are some ways to help yourself age well: Sleep. When you sleep, your body has the chance to restore itself. It also forms new connections and memories in the brain. So if you
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Step Your Way into Heart Health
As we age, heart health becomes more important. One out of four people will eventually die of heart disease. So it is important to keep it strong and pumping well. And to do so is easy in theory. We need to eat right, exercise more, and continue to do those things for the rest of our lives. We begin well, with having salad for lunch, dutifully pedaling the exercise bicycle, and drinking only water. But then we begin to slip back into our old habits. Before we know it, we’re sitting on the couch watching T.V. while eating ice cream!
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Bucking the trend that memory loss is a part of aging
If someone told you that memory loss wasn’t a normal part of aging, you’d probably think that they were full of bologna. The reality, however, is that while memory loss might not technically be a normal part of growing old, it is a common side effect. And that’s because many adults have spent a lifetime of not getting enough sleep or exercise. Stress and unhealthy diets just compound the problem. In the following video, Dr. Mark Hyman says that memory loss is not only avoidable, but it’s also reversible. The editors of the UltraWellness YouTube Channel explain that the video
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10 supplements to consider to improve eye health
Last month, the folks here at Freedom Home Care dedicated a few blogs to macular degeneration, a vision condition that affects more than 15 million Americans. We explained what the condition entails and methods to slow its progress and we offered a video that helps sufferers measure the degree of severity that they’re experiencing. To continue on the theme of healthy vision, we tracked down 10 effective nutritional supplements that have the potential to improve eyesight. The following list comes from the editors at NewsMax.com: 1. Vitamin A: Vitamin A is required in large doses to ensure proper functioning of the
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