It’s hard enough getting old, what with all of the creeping ailments—diabetes, COPD, dementia, heart disease—that come along with age. Now add a novel coronavirus to the mix. There are more than 91,000 COVID-19 cases and 3,100 deaths as of writing, but the virus doesn’t hit all demographics equally hard—and seniors are the most vulnerable.
By Jeffrey Kluger
(CNN) – Amid a coronavirus outbreak in the United States, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging older people and people with severe chronic medical conditions to “stay at home as much as possible.”
You’re a little laughing baby covered in spaghetti and marinara sauce.
There’s a meatball in your hair, noodles stuck to your cheeks, and blotches of crushed tomatoes all over your bare chest. Whoever you are, whatever your background is, you’ve probably got an old picture that looks like this, because Americans love pasta.
If you’re an older adult looking to establish an exercise routine, you should, ideally, be able to incorporate 150 minutes of moderate endurance activity into your week. This can include walking, swimming, cycling, and a little bit of time every day to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.
Research shows that just having the fear that they might fall causes older adults to minimize physical activity which leads to more atrophy of muscles and greater risk of falls. As a result, an older adult may require home health care to help them live successfully in their home.
Utilizing light weights and low impact exercise like walking or swimming are great ways to maintain muscle strength and mobility.
Every now and then we come across an article that hits close to home. This is one of those articles. My mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital just before Christmas. It took nearly 5 days to ultimately determine the cause of her illness but while she was there and since her release, my mother-in-law was prescribed numerous medications these were over and above her normal prescribed medications. I asked my father-in-law, who is responsible to determining if all of the drugs work together? If any have detrimental side effects? Do any counteract with each other?
Delaying Treatment of Advanced Forms of the Common Eye Disease Can Increase Risk of Permanent Blindness and Injury.
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, founder of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, says there are four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.
There should be a fifth on the list: Those who don’t realize they have begun the caregiver journey – and their ranks are growing daily.
As we all know most falls happen at home and for seniors nearly 40% will have a fall. The impact of falling is traumatic and life changing. In addition to the expense of going to the hospital for treatment many other events can happen. You might be forced to live in an Assisted Living Facility, possibly hire a Home Health Aide, or move into a nursing home. None of these situations are ideal as we want our seniors to stay at home.
The 4 R’s of coping are Reorganize, Rethink, Relax, and Release. These four coping mechanisms help with the realities that come with being an independent senior.
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