Author: hallenmedia

A Guide to Bone Health for Seniors A common side effect that comes with aging is the loss of bone density. This leaves us with weaker bones that are more susceptible to fracture. In severe cases of bone loss, the condition osteoporosis is developed. The bones of patients with osteoporosis are particularly weak and brittle, so falls can be very dangerous. Osteoporosis patients typically have poor posture as well, due to their bones’ reduced ability to support the body. A healthy lifestyle can slow done the rate of bone loss and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Here are a few key areas to focus on… Calcium – Calcium is an essential mineral throughout our entire life. It is used for developing and strengthening teeth and bones. Our body gets…

Do you know a tech-phobic senior that’s insisting on retaining their independence by living alone? It’s time to break down the technological barriers and introduce them to the smart devices that can help them navigate their home more easily and maintain their independence for longer. Smart home assistant The first step is to buy a smart home hub or smart assistant, like the Amazon Echo. This can help you with a number of tasks when you call its name – Alexa. Home assistants can also connect to other smart devices so that you control everything you need from one central hub. It’s easy to use since its entirely voice-activated. On its own, here are a few handy things Alexa can help you with: Play music from the device – pause…

Staying personally and emotionally connected with loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is so important. Especially as the disease progresses, they may not always remember who you are or the memories you’ve shared together, but you can still have special moments going forward, ensuring that your loved one still knows that they are cared about and loved. And gift-giving is a common way to show that we care. So, through the challenges of dementia, let’s look at what kind of gifts you can give to celebrate your relationship, whether that’s with a parent, a spouse, a friend, or another family member. Their favorite media Music, in particular, is great for triggering memories, so gifting your loved one a CD, record, or even something like an iPod with their…

No matter what stage of your life you’re in, a good night’s sleep is always important. And we may face sleep problems at any age, from stressed-out college students to teething babies, not to mention the parents of those teething babies! Sleep problems are commonplace among seniors, too. Let’s look at some common sleep problems faced by seniors and the importance of a good night’s sleep. Factors that disrupt sleep among seniors We naturally become lighter sleepers in our old age due to a decrease in melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate our sleep-wake cycle. This means we experience less ‘deep sleep’ and are more likely to wake up during the night. This can also explain why seniors typically wake up earlier and go to sleep earlier than they…

When you’re looking for an assisted living community for a senior family member, it’s important that you select carefully to make sure they’ll be happy and well looked after when they need to be. We’ve already looked at some key things you should do when choosing a nursing home or assisted living, now let’s look at some of the things you shouldn’t do. These are mistakes that are commonly made by families when choosing assisted living. Be aware of them so that you don’t make the same mistakes, helping you make a more informed decision and saving you time in the process. Not involving them in the decision When you look up assisted living communities online or visit them in person, it’s easy to automatically consider your own tastes rather…

We all start to get a bit more forgetful as we get older. Even in our younger adult years, we’re all prone to walking into a room and completely forgetting why we went in there. This is common and may get worse as we age, but it’s normally nothing to worry about. So, when we start to reach our more senior years, how can we tell the difference between normal memory loss and more serious problems like dementia? If you’re caring for an elderly relative or loved one, this blog will help you with assessing their memory when you suspect a problem. Knowing the difference To help you identify whether your elderly relative’s memory problems are a concern or not, you should be aware of the difference between normal and…

Alzheimer’s disease causes brain cells to die, so the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. This article has suggestions that may help you understand and cope with changes in personality and behavior in a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Common Changes in Personality and BehaviorCommon personality and behavior changes you may see include: Getting upset, worried, and angry more easilyActing depressed or not interested in thingsHiding things or believing other people are hiding thingsImagining things that aren’t thereWandering away from homePacing a lotShowing unusual sexual behaviorHitting you or other peopleMisunderstanding what he or she sees or hearsYou also may notice that the person stops caring about how he or she looks, stops bathing, and wants to wear the same clothes every day. Other Factors That…

Some people joke about living in a nursing home as they begin to age, but there comes a time when this becomes less of a funny comment and more of a serious option to consider. Not everyone who is elderly needs to live in a nursing home. However, there are certain situations when this is the best possible option for the aging individual and their loved ones. The thing is you have to know when is it time to put a loved one in a nursing home. Putting one of your parents or grandparents in this situation too soon can cause tension on your relationship or make them feel less independent than they actually are. On the other hand, waiting too long can raise serious health and safety concerns, among…

We all start to get a bit more forgetful as we get older. Even in our younger adult years, we’re all prone to walking into a room and completely forgetting why we went in there. This is common and may get worse as we age, but it’s normally nothing to worry about. So, when we start to reach our more senior years, how can we tell the difference between normal memory loss and more serious problems like dementia? If you’re caring for an elderly relative or loved one, this blog will help you with assessing their memory when you suspect a problem. Knowing the difference  To help you identify whether your elderly relative’s memory problems are a concern or not, you should be aware of the difference between normal and…

Symptoms Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include: Cognitive changes Memory loss, which is usually noticed by someone elseDifficulty communicating or finding wordsDifficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while drivingDifficulty reasoning or problem-solvingDifficulty handling complex tasksDifficulty with planning and organizingDifficulty with coordination and motor functionsConfusion and disorientation Psychological changes Personality changesDepressionAnxietyInappropriate behaviorParanoiaAgitationHallucinations When to see a doctor See a doctor if you or a loved one has memory problems or other dementia symptoms. Some treatable medical conditions can cause dementia symptoms, so it's important to determine the cause.