March is National Nutrition Month and what we have prepared for you are some yummy, refreshing recipes of smoothies! You might think, why don’t I just eat a fruit salad instead? You most definitely can, but with seniors in mind, smoothies are a quick and easy way to get vital nutrients and is also easy to swallow (less chewing)! The blog, Better Me For Life states that the biggest difference between eating whole foods and blending them is how fast they can be digested by your body. Whole foods have their fibers left more intact from chewing than when blended. Fiber plays an important role in slowing down the digestion of food and regulating blood sugar. This means when we blend our food, we don’t destroy the fiber, but instead break it down, making it pre-digested. This means that our bodies can digest the food and essentially absorb the nutrients faster! We picked 4 good-tasting recipes that have health benefits with seniors in mind, but these are actually great for the entire family to enjoy! (These recipes work well with any type of blender. ) Green Smoothie For Vitamin CWhen you usually think of healthy homemade smoothies, does the image of a green drink come to mind? We’ve found one that Green smoothies can sometimes turn smoothie beginners away because of the colour. The recipe recommends blending the leafy vegetables with water first to liquify it, hence the green colour, before actually adding fruit. The fruits nectar and sweet taste help mask the earthier taste of the green veggies. Recipe serves 2:
The Oldish website says spinach and romaine lettuce are more neutral tasting and are good options for those who are newer to green smoothies. Tracy Russell is an expert in holistic health and has a blog with lots of recipes! Sweet Peach Smoothie For NiacinYum! Peaches are juicy and sweet and packed with lots of nutrients. This includes: the dietary fiber, low carbohydrate, abundant vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and niacin, as well as minerals, such as, potassium, copper, manganese, and phosphorous. Niacin is also known as Vitamin B3. It may aid in lowering cholesterol, ease arthritis and boost brain function alongside other benefits. This recipe serves 3:
See full instructions here. Blueberry Almond Smoothie For NutritionBlueberries are the superstar of this smoothie! This superfruit has been shown to benefit our heart, brain and digestive health! The Journal of Neuroscience published a study showing that blueberries actually may support in staving off age-related declines in peoples’ neural and motor skills. Other studies showcased the fruit also being a great antioxidant and immune booster (high levels of Vitamin C, A etc). Seniors might often times suffer from heartburn. Almonds have high calcium content and a brand like Almondie’s almond butter uses skinless almonds, meaning they’re acid-free, which makes the almond butter act as a natural antacid. Whether you have it before or after a meal, it can neutralize stomach acid and provide relief for indigestion! The recipe for this nutrient-packed smoothie serves 2:
For full recipe instructions, please see Minimalist Baker’s blog. Cranberry Yogurt Smoothie For Urinary HealthWe’re talking about food and health, and one hard to detect danger that seniors often experience and face are urinary tract infections (UTIs). It’s easily treatable, however, sometimes symptoms of UTIs amongst seniors isn’t the same as younger people. Instead, it might be confusion and delirium, which often mimics dementia. This smoothie is good to soothe UTI’s. A common home remedy for UTI’s are cranberries, which is the main ingredient in this yummy smoothie! To pack it with a healthy punch, we’re also using blueberries to increase flavanols, which prevent bacteria growth in the urinary tracts. The dashes of cinnamon and apple cider vinegar added will also add more antibacterial benefits. This recipe serves 1:
Check out the full recipe by All Nutribullet Recipes! Some of these recipes have more servings than one. You can choose to share it with a family member or friend, or save it for another meal or snack! They are usually good for 24 hours kept in the fridge. Just a friendly reminder that if the colour turns brown from oxidation or the smell turns funny, don’t consume it. Did you know that Nurse Next Door caregivers can accompany you on grocery trips and even whip up these smoothie recipes? Meal prep and accompaniment is just a little of what we can do!
The post Nutritious & Tasty Smoothies For Seniors appeared first on Nurse Next Door Senior Home Care Services. from https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/smoothies-for-seniors/
0 Comments
The late stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult for the patient, family, and caregivers. It’s important to know the symptoms, understand the progression of the disease, and provide thorough care. As always, it is best to speak with a medical professional before taking action, but knowing what to expect can help you be prepared.
How Long Does Late Stage Alzheimer's Last?Unfortunately, there is no clear answer for Alzheimer's disease and life span. Factors that come into play are the types of Alzheimer’s a person is diagnosed with and their age, overall health, and ability to perform daily tasks. Some studies show the average life expectancy to be about 8.3 years when diagnosed at age 65, but this should only be used as a ballpark figure. After all, some patients can live 20 years or more after they begin showing symptoms. The life expectancy of late stage alzheimer's disease can last from a few weeks to a several years.Late Stage Alzheimer's SymptomsWhile the early signs of Alzheimer's disease involve such things as forgetting recent events or misplacing certain items, Alzheimer's symptoms in later stages may include the following:
Late Stage Alzheimer's and SleepingSleep disturbances are not uncommon among older adults, but they tend to be more frequent among those with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that people with dementia tend to be awake for longer periods of time and will often wander, call out, and be unable to lie still. Furthermore, many people with Alzheimer’s will take naps during the day and may experience sundowning. Sundowning is increased agitation during the late afternoon and early evening. Those with Alzheimer’s also experience intense disorientation due to sleep. This can include misinterpreting what they see due to reduced lighting, increased shadows, and the inability to distinguish dreams from reality. It’s always best to seek help from a medical professional regarding sleep issues, but here are a few things you can do to help out:
Weight Loss and Late Stage Alzheimer’sMany people experience weight loss during late stage Alzheimer’s disease due to difficulties chewing, swallowing, and performing basic motor functions. To support a person with Alzheimer’s you can help out by doing the following:
Alzheimer’s Seizures in Later Stages?According to research from the Baylor College School of Medicine, up to 26% of those with Alzheimer’s will experience some form of seizure. Seizures can be difficult to diagnose among Alzheimer’s patients since the symptoms often mimic the disease, itself. An Alzheimer’s patient may require input from an epileptologist for an official diagnosis. Speak to a doctor if you see any of the following symptoms:
from https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/late-stage-alzheimers-disease-what-to-expect/
Stretching can help improve posture, promote flexibility, and reduce pain. Get on the move with these stretching exercises for seniors.
Stretching for SeniorsStretches for elderly adults can involve a few health risks, and you should always take the proper precautions beforehand. Here are a few guidelines to follow before starting any new exercise.
Gentle Stretches for SeniorsHere are a few simple stretching exercises for seniors.Lower Body
Upper Body
Seated Stretches for SeniorsFor some older adults, it can be best to perform stretches while in a seated position. Here are a few seated stretching exercises for seniors.
from https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/stretching-exercises-for-seniors-and-elderly-adults/
For most of your life, nosebleeds are nothing to worry about. However, when compared to young adults, sometimes nosebleeds in the elderly could be a symptom of something more severe. The good news is that most of the time, a nosebleed is still just a nosebleed. The bad news is that frequent nosebleeds in older adults could indicate arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disease, coagulation disorders, and half a dozen or more other serious conditions. Even if the underlying cause is as simple as dry air, regular nosebleeds may lead to anemia, so it’s not a longterm problem you can ignore.
What causes nosebleeds in the elderly?For nosebleeds that aren’t a symptom of another health problem, the most common causes of nosebleeds in elderly adults are actually related to natural aging. In many cases, these types of nosebleeds are avoidable, or alleviation is possible. In a literal sense, our skin often gets thinner with age. Thin skin is easier to damage, so habitual nose picking with lengthy nails can become a recipe for bleeding. Similar damage occurs when forcefully clearing the nose. Even blowing too hard into a tissue may tear sensitive mucous membranes. Besides the possibility of tearing, those tissues can become dried out by changes in temperature and humidity. Dried skin may crack and bleed, and with thinner skin, each of these problems can occur more frequently. But what causes severe nosebleeds in elderly adults? Unfortunately, the answer could be anything from head trauma from a fall to heart disease. Head trauma is usually recognizable. In the case of heart disease, an older adult with hardened arteries may bleed from deeper in the nose, which means more blood drains during a nosebleed. Excessive nosebleeds in elderly adults have so many possible causes, your physician is the only one who can determine if nosebleeds are something more.Treatment for nosebleeds in elderly adultsWell-trimmed nails, a humidifier, and being gentler on the nose can help reduce the rate of nosebleeds. Quitting smoking is a good idea for many reasons, but in this case, it’s a good idea because smoke can dry the nose. To be proactive, you can apply a saline nasal product or petroleum jelly to help moisturize the inside of the nose. To stop a nosebleed, start by pinching the soft cartilage of the nose. Breathe through the mouth while leaning forward because it helps drain blood to the nose, instead of the throat. And instead of laying down, remain upright to reduce blood pressure on the vessels of the nose. That will discourage bleeding. You can further discourage bleeding by placing an icepack across the bridge of the nose. If you don’t have an icepack on hand, a bag of frozen veggies works as a substitute. Following these steps, nosebleeds in older adults should last no longer than 15 minutes.When to seek help for nosebleedsSevere nosebleeds in the elderly can sometimes require treatment. With heavy bleeding, or bleeding that doesn’t stop in 20 minutes, consider seeking urgent care, particularly if your loved one is taking a blood-thinning medication, or another anticoagulant which may interfere with clotting. For older adults who have experienced frequent nosebleeds, be on the lookout for shortness of breath, heart palpitations, paleness, and other symptoms of anemia. These are indications you should seek emergency care.Just a nosebleedMost nosebleeds aren’t anything to worry about. In most instances, helping your loved ones suffer from fewer nosebleeds will be as simple as following the steps outlined above. However, it’s always important to identify the cause of frequent nosebleeds in elderly adults. Whether it’s low humidity or something more severe, regularly losing blood will eventually lead to serious health repercussions.from https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/nosebleeds-in-the-elderly/ Seniors and Sex is a Hot Topic! Many younger people assume that sex has an expiration date because they can’t imagine older people messing up the sheets. But they do! They may be having more sex than the younger generation. After all, they have more time, not to mention, ahem…experience. Sex is still a taboo subject but seniors are not only having it, but they are also quite happy to talk about it too. Research from the University of Manchester demonstrated that senior couples are having sex well into their 70’s and 80’s. And a whopping 97% of the 7000 survey participants uncovered what lies beneath the covers and shared their views. So, what lies between the sheets of sexy seniors?
So why might a couple shut down their sex life once they qualify for their senior discount card? Research reports that at least half of people’s sex life sizzle had extinguished due to a sexual health dysfunction. But did you know that sex is actually a great remedy for better health? Take Sally, a 76-year old who presented to my clinical practice because of vaginal dryness and painful sex which led to low sexual desire. She and her husband John had always enjoyed a wonderful sex life, but dryness put a real damper on things. Use it or lose it comes into play here. I recommended any one of a number of treatments, from hormone-free personal moisturizers to low dose localized estrogen therapy and/or a new novel hormone-free laser therapy. Sally started on localized estrogen which helped her within a month. She didn’t like the messiness of the cream so she opted for laser therapy which restored her vagina to its younger self. Edwin was a 69-year-old widower. After grieving the loss of his wife, he met a lovely woman at Mah Jong. They hit it off in every way except in the bedroom. Unable to attain and/or maintain an erection adequate for penetrative, Edwin was experiencing erectile dysfunction. He was embarrassed about this and didn’t know where to turn for help. It’s important for men to seek help for erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction may be the “canary in the coal mine” as it is often the first sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or hypertension. It is easily treated. There are a number of treatment options from diet and exercise to medications, vacuum devices, injections and urethral pellets. A combination of weight loss and medication meant things were looking up once again for Edwin and his new partner! So, stay at home and snuggle up to the one you love. Or love the one you’re with! Emotional well-being is an important benefit of sexual intimacy through love, touch and play. Staying connected to another human being may mean that you live a longer, happier and healthier life. Check out some tips on how to enjoy intimacy as you age.
She is a Registered Nurse, a Nurse Continence and Sexual Health Educator. Her TEDx talk on the No Sex Marriage has received over 17 million views. She is also the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Initiative Network, an organization to raise awareness about women’s reproductive, bladder, vaginal and sexual health. She is the author of the book, Sex & Health: Why One Can’t Come Without the Other. Maureen is the recipient of the 2009 VCH Nursing Excellence Award, a 2013 YWCA Women of Distinction finalist and the 2016 Vancouver Board of Trade Community Catalyst Award. Her website is Back To The Bedroom. Her blog is 50 Shades of Pink. The post Seniors and Sex: What Lies Beneath the Sheets appeared first on Nurse Next Door Senior Home Care Services. from https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/senior-sex/
Shopping for groceries can be a hassle for some seniors due to the physical and mental demands. Today, we will go over some shopping service options to make your grocery store trip easier.
Physical Difficulties of Grocery Shopping for the ElderlyGrocery shopping for elderly adults can be difficult due to the following physical activities.
Shopping Services for the ElderlyA grocery shopping service for seniors can be affordable and stress-free. Here are a few resources to make grocery shopping for seniors into an easy activity.
Shopping Tips for the ElderlyIt’s important to take care of yourself while shopping. Here are some elderly shopping suggestions.
from https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/grocery-shopping-for-elderly-adults-a-senior-shopping-service-you-may-need/ Celebrating Black History Month: Solomon Carter Fuller and Alzheimers Disease [Infographic]2/27/2019
There’s a good chance you’ve never hear of the perineal area of your body. It’s not something that is talked about much, but proper perineal hygiene is important to help maintain an older adult’s overall good health. Here is what you should know.
What is the Perineal Area?The perineal region is a diamond shaped area that is found between the tail bone and the pubic arch. In women this is the area between the anus and vulva. In men it is the area between the scrotum and anus.What is Perineal Care?Perineal care is needed mostly for those who are bedridden and dealing with incontinence, or who have an indwelling catheter. It is important to wash this area properly as doing so allows you to deter the breakdown of sensitive skin. In addition, your loved one will be able to avoid itching, odor, burning, and infections.How Should the Perineal Area be Washed?There are several steps to proper perineal care for elderly adults.
The Importance of Perineal CarePerineal care is important, but so is your loved one’s dignity. Understanding the process, and why it is necessary, will go a long way to making the whole procedure less stressful. With a little conversation, and maybe a little humor to lighten the mood, you can help keep your loved one properly taken care of, comfortable, and healthy.from https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/perineal-care-for-elderly-adults/ Theoiaovsd
The post appeared first on Nurse Next Door Senior Home Care Services. from https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/4585/ Aging is a natural process we all experience, every single second. With increased age comes inevitable changes in both the mind and body. While these changes may affect your sex life, they don’t have to put an end to intimacy. Keep reading for some tips on how to incorporate and embrace the aging process and continue enjoying sex for years to come. Seize your SeniorityMuch like a fine wine, your intimacy skills get better with age. Although your body may not be in the shape it once was, your confidence is at its peak, and what could be more attractive than that? You may even find the older you become, the less self-conscious you feel, which will leave room to explore new and exciting areas of intimacy. It’s said that with age comes experience. The better you know your body and what will make for the most pleasurable outcome. Plus, sexual activity has lots of benefits for seniors! Communication is KeyOften times, old age might be accompanied by difficulty of hearing, but it’s necessary to keep open lines of communication if you’re looking to maintain an active sex life! Feeling a wide mix of emotion is completely normal and it’s likely your spouse or partner is also experiencing similar feelings. Talking about these feelings and your wants and desires for an intimate relationship will help you to discover each of your likes and dislikes. You may be pleasantly surprised to find you’re both interested in trying something new and you can have lots of fun discovering exactly what that is together. Ask for HelpWhether it’s due to a daily medication or simply your body going through changes, as we age our body parts operate differently than they once did. The good news is, this is completely normal and there are a number of ways to combat issues such as erectile dysfunction and low libido. For example, incorporating exercise into your daily routine has been found to increase sex drive. Who knew working up a sweat on the treadmill could lead to heating things up in the bedroom? Here are 6 safe and easy exercises for seniors. Stress can also play a role in low sexual desire so you may want to consider incorporating meditation or breathing exercises into your day to day routine. Check out some activities that encourage relaxation! You may also want to talk with a healthcare professional who may suggest generic viagra for men suffering from erectile dysfunction, or a medication called Addyi, used to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in women. Maintain the SparkIn order to keep things alive in the bedroom, you must be willing to put in work outside of it. It’s not easy for couples of any age to keep that spark alive, but it is crucial in order to maintain a long-lasting relationship. Writing each other love notes, a romantic dinner in or out, or simply taking time out of each day to remind your partner how important they are to you, are all easy, attainable ways to keep the romance alive. These feelings of love will translate over to your intimate relationship and allow you to build a bond that is strong and long-lasting. While growing older is an inevitable fact of life, it does not mean your desires or intimacy have to end. Whether you’ve been with your partner for years or are back on the dating scene, embrace your age and experience for what it has taught you and don’t be afraid to learn a few new tricks along the way!
The post How To Enjoy Intimacy As You Age appeared first on Nurse Next Door Senior Home Care Services. from https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/enjoy-intimacy-as-you-age/ |