Author: hallenmedia

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…

Most people love having a furry companion by their side, to come home to and to love unconditionally. Studies have even found that owning a dog or another pet can have a number of health benefits. This is especially true for seniors. Here are some of the great things that pets can do for the mental and physical health of seniors… Provide you with company For a senior who lives alone, owning a pet can provides some much need companionship. This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness among seniors, which also has a positive effect in terms of reducing the chances of depression. Owning a pet can even increase human interaction because other people are drawn to pets. You might find yourself talking to other dog owners while you’re out…

Our bodies have different needs at different stages of our lives, but looking after your body should always be a priority, no matter what age you are. As we get older, it’s common for our appetites to decrease, making it more likely that we don’t eat enough of the right foods. Other problems can afflict some seniors, such as difficulty swallowing or chewing their food, a loss of taste or smell, or symptoms related to dementia that make it more difficult to maintain a regular eating schedule. But eating enough and eating the right kinds of food is important for both your physical and your mental health. If you think that you or a senior loved one needs to change up what they eat for better nutrition, then read on…

Retirement gives you a new level of freedom. You no longer have to stick with your usual routine of getting up early and going to work 5 days a week. So, what should you do with yourself? Some people find themselves initially feeling bored and a little lost when they retire. If you’re planning for retirement or are a recent retiree, here are some ideas of things you can do with your newfound free time. Pick up a new hobby Is there something that’s always interested you but you’ve never found the time for? Well now is the time to do it! You might want to learn a new language or learn how to play an instrument. Take up gardening, fishing, or photography. Join a local club or class to…

Are you or a loved one ready for the move into assisted living? If you’re still considering your options, it helps to understand a bit more about what each type of care will provide you with. To help you get started, here are 7 things you should know about assisted living. You can live by yourself Assisted living residents have different levels of independence depending on their care needs, but you absolutely can still live on your own with your own private space. Private apartments and studios are the standard types of accommodation in most assisted living communities. You’ll make lots of new friends Although you may be moving further away from friends and family, assisted living is the perfect environment for socializing and making new friends. There are lots…

  It’s not always easy to tell when someone needs help, especially if they choose to hide their poor physical and mental health from those around them. Your parents may wish to retain their independence as they age, but it is important to keep a close eye on how they are doing, especially if a parent lives alone. Here are some signs to look out for that might indicate that an aging parent needs help, even if they’re not ready to admit it. Poor housekeeping If your parent(s) normally run a tight ship, keeping everything in order around the house, then changes in this may be easy to spot. For example, if mail is piled up and bills are left unpaid, if expired food is left in the fridge, and…

We should look after our heart at any age, but our risk of serious conditions such as heart disease increases in our senior years, so this period of our life is especially important to start thinking about ways you can take better care of your heart. Even if you’re in good health now, focusing on your heart health makes good sense, helping you prevent problems rather than having to react to treat problems further down the line. Here are some simple changes you can make to look after your heart in your senior years. Stay active Regular exercise helps to make your heart more efficient at pumping blood and delivering oxygen. It also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can both be risk factors for heart conditions.…

We often tend to associate low self-esteem issues with teenagers and young adults, when we’re still trying to figure out our identity and where we belong in the world and with everyone around us. As we age, we generally become more comfortable with ourselves and don’t feel the need to change anything to fit in. In fact, evidence shows that people in general are at their most confident when they are middle-aged. However, it also shows a decline in self-esteem as we age into our senior years. The importance of self-esteem Self-esteem essentially refers to how you regard yourself – how much you value yourself or how much personal worth you believe you have. It can impact a lot in our day-to-day life, even if we don’t realize it. Our…

When your parents or just one parent reaches a point where they need care, one option is for them to move in with an adult child and their family. This can help seniors avoid moving into senior living if they are not ready to take that step, while ensuring that they have some regular care and support as opposed to living on their own. The level of care they need will determine how much of an impact this has on your life, whether you need to be a full-time carer for them or you can still continue with your everyday job and responsibilities. Either way, living with your parent for the first time in decades can be a challenge for both of you. Let’s look at some tips to help…

If you or a loved one are deciding between aging in place and moving into senior living, it’s important that everyone involves has an understanding of all the factors. This is especially important if that person’s situation has changed, such as if they’ve been diagnosed with an illness or have suffered from an injury or a condition that impacts their mobility. When deciding what level of care is needed, think about the chores that need doing around the house. Coming up with a list of these home and maintenance tasks will help you assess whether they are manageable for the person living there or if an in-home carer is needed, or something more comprehensive such as assisted living. Similarly, if you’re considering providing part-time care for a senior relative, this…