Author: hallenmedia

Looking after both your mental health and physical health is important at all ages, including in your senior years. It’s great to find things that contribute positively to both at once, such as exercise and spending time in nature. As we get older and less mobile, it can be easy to tend toward staying at home more, but keeping ourselves cooped up can be detrimental to both physical and mental health. The benefits of spending time in nature Getting out of the house and into the fresh air can feel refreshing and even reinvigorating, and the benefits are backed by research. Spending time outdoors and in nature on a regular basis can help to reduce negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, and anger. It can boost your mood and even…

If we’ve always been able to hear and see well, then we often take these and other senses for granted throughout our life. But lots of everyday things can damage our sight and hearing, especially when those things affect us repeatedly over time. We’ve already provided some tips about how you can look after your eyes and your sight as you age, so let’s also look at some ways to protect your ears and your hearing. Why it’s important to look after your hearing Statistics show that almost 25% of adults aged 65-74 in the US have some form of disabling hearing loss, and this figure jumps to 50% for adults over 75. While hearing problems can be caused by certain conditions that become more common as we age, a…

One of the best things about getting older is seeing your children grow up and start their own families. Most people report that being a grandparent is even better than becoming a parent because you get to do fun things with them and shower them with love and gifts without all of the sleepless nights and overwhelming responsibility. If you’re babysitting for the day or are just spending some quality time with your grandkids, then here are some activities you could do together. Baking Lots of people have stories about how they learned to bake from their grandmas, so give this experience to your grandkids. Baking is a fun activity that promises tasty, sweet treats at the end of it. They’ll love helping you measure and stir the ingredients, as…

Moving home can be an incredibly stressful experience. Unfortunately, we often need to move home when it comes to our senior years. Many people move into a retirement home or an assisted living community, while others simply need to move into a house that is more accessible and easier to manage. Some might even move in with their adult children or other family members for additional support. Enlist help Whether you hire professional movers or just ask friends and family members to help you out, moving home will be a lot easier with some extra pairs of hands. Since moving house might also be a difficult time for your parents emotionally, being surrounded by supportive friends and family members on the day can also make them feel better and remind…

It can be hard to spot the difference between normal memory problems that come with aging and those associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. But what if it’s neither of these options? If you or a family member are demonstrating memory loss but you’ve ruled out Alzheimer’s, there may be other causes that need treating.  Let’s look at some other causes of memory loss when you know it’s not Alzheimer’s Disease. Side effects of medications Memory loss is a potential side effect of certain medications. Check the packaging for reported side effects to see if this might be the case. If it is, see your doctor about changing to a different type of medication.  Drug or alcohol abuse Abusing drugs and/or alcohol takes its toll on the body throughout your life. The…

After spending decades or even close to a lifetime together, it can be heartbreaking to watch your partner’s condition deteriorate in your senior years. This is the reality facing lots of seniors following their loved one’s diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurodegenerative conditions. If you or someone you know is in this position, then read on for some helpful resources and coping strategies. Learn about the disease and symptoms Once you learn about your spouse’s dementia diagnosis, it’s a good idea to learn what you can about it to inform and prepare yourself. Understanding the diagnosis can help you better support your spouse while also preparing you for what is to come in terms of the progression of the disease. Talk to and include your spouse Talking to…

If we’ve always been able to hear and see well, then we often take these and other senses for granted throughout our life. But lots of everyday things can damage our sight and hearing, especially when those things affect us repeatedly over time. We’ve already provided some tips about how you can look after your eyes and your sight as you age, so let’s also look at some ways to protect your ears and your hearing. Why it’s important to look after your hearing Statistics show that almost 25% of adults aged 65-74 in the US have some form of disabling hearing loss, and this figure jumps to 50% for adults over 75. While hearing problems can be caused by certain conditions that become more common as we age, a…

If we’ve always been able to hear and see well, then we often take these and other senses for granted throughout our life. But lots of everyday things can damage our sight and hearing, especially when those things affect us repeatedly over time. We’ve already provided some tips about how you can look after your eyes and your sight as you age, so let’s also look at some ways to protect your ears and your hearing. Why it’s important to look after your hearing Statistics show that almost 25% of adults aged 65-74 in the US have some form of disabling hearing loss, and this figure jumps to 50% for adults over 75. While hearing problems can be caused by certain conditions that become more common as we age, a…

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…