Loss of a spouse

Losing a spouse is difficult for anyone, but for an elderly individual who has spent decades with the deceased, the loss felt may be more intense. Though it’s wonderful to rejoice in the fact that a couple had so many years together, the death of one member of that pair will still be one of the most difficult events the surviving spouse will ever have to face.

Effects of Grief

Grief weighs heavily upon the elderly and can manifest in many ways, from intense sadness to serious emotional responses. Especially traumatic grief may include:

• Difficulty accepting the death
• Intrusive images of the deceased and the death itself
• Avoidance of social situations
• Inability to carry on with daily functions or tasks
• Guilt over the inability to “save” the loved one

Everyone reacts to loss in a different way, but any severe reactions should be consistently monitored by loved ones. If the elderly person continually speaks of death, begins giving away his/her personal belongings, and speaks of being useless or worthless, a consultation with a medical professional should be scheduled to avoid possible suicide attempts brought on by serious depression.

Adopting

For many elderly, adjusting to a new role in life without their partner is the most difficult part of losing a loved one. They may feel a lost sense of purpose, especially if they had been spending time caring for an ailing partner. Once the partner passes away, they must find a new purpose in life and fill the void that was once occupied with the responsibilities of a caregiver.

For many, it is difficult to be “single” again. The remaining spouse may find themselves being left out of couples’ activities. In addition, the deceased spouse may have been the social organizer, leaving the remaining spouse without the necessary tools for social interaction.

The remaining spouse may experience the loss of practical support. Often, one spouse will traditionally handle certain tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, handling finances or completing home repairs, and the surviving spouse may feel overwhelmed with these new responsibilities. They are great books and articles on how to coupe with the lost of a love one.

The Golden Years

Joy of life
Growing old doesn’t happen overnight. Because the process is gradual, many people aren’t prepared mentally, physically, emotionally and financially for their golden years.

As you age, you tend to be less active and use up less energy. The rate your body burns up food also tends to slow down. That’s why it’s easier to gain weight. Watch your diet and cut down on food that is high in fat and sugar. Enjoy cream cakes, chocolate, candy, ice-cream and other creamy desserts only occasionally. Get the nutrients you need by eating a variety of food. Include sufficient food that is high in dietary fibre like fresh fruits and vegetables. They help to prevent constipation and are loaded with nutrients essential for health. Cut down on eating highly processed and preserved food as they can be very high in salt and fat.

Staying physically fit will not only make you feel and sleep better, it will also keep you involved in fun activities and help you retain your independence. Physical activity also helps to prevent disease such as heart ailments.

Low-impact Exercise like swimming, walking and cycling are suitable for the elderly. As a guide, older adults should aim to exercise more frequently (5 to 7 times per week) with a shorter duration of activity (20 to 40 minutes each time). This helps to maintain your stamina and flexibility.

Take care of your body by getting regular medical check-ups. Aches and pains are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. An illness won’t go away unless it is treated so the sooner you see a doctor, the better. Early treatment helps cure or manage disease.

Don’t be shy about getting help for physical impairments that often accompany old age such as loss of vision, hearing or bladder control (incontinence). A hearing aid is an asset not a liability. Cataracts and incontinence can also be treated for a better quality of life.

Plan Now, Play Later
The retirement age is around 60 but is expected to go up to 67 within the next 10 years. Saving now means being financially independent later. Increase your nest egg by investing in one of the approved investment schemes. Keep working. When you retire, find something else to do part-time or get involved in a community organisation as a volunteer. Meeting people professionally and socially will keep your mind active. Family and friends will be your best support network so nourish those relationships. Make new friends who enjoy the same hobbies as you.

Be Happy
A big part of feeling good is looking good. When you go out, think about what clothes you’ll wear and pay attention to your personal appearance. Smile. You will feel better and brighten up the day of those around you.

How To Find Love In The Cyber World

Elderly online dating is becoming more popular as computers become a mainstream household tool for seniors. Seniors are seeking new partners and want to build new relationships.

It’s no wonder that online dating sites are seeing large increases in the number of elderly who are signing up for their services. What are they looking for?

• Friendly relationships
• Similar interests
• Good health
• Financial security

Seniors can find it difficult to meet new people. They normally have to depend on friends, relatives or a caregiver to introduce them to someone. Or they may meet someone at church, a volunteer job or at an event they are attending. The online dating sites give them more options.Most seniors aren’t looking for long term commitment or a substitute caregiver. They’re simply looking for someone who shares the same interests.  A person they’d like to go to dinner with or see a movie together. The other person’s health is a big concern when looking for someone to date. Their financial situation is normally a secondary concern.

Transportation is another tricky issue. They don’t want their caregiver dropping them off at the movies like a couple of teenagers. Cabs can get pricey and it’s hard to pick up your date on a bus. That’s why some seniors at online dating sites are just looking for a pen pal.

The rules that apply to every one else apply to seniors as well. Remind them not to reveal too much personal information about themselves at first. Home addresses, telephone numbers and schedules are best kept private.

A reputable online dating site may be a good option for a tech savvy parent. All they need is a computer and an internet connection. There are a few of the online dating sites that are geared especially to seniors or they may opt to sign up for a more mainstream site such as Match.com or eHarmony.

Falls in the Elderly

Falls can be dangerous  for older adults, resulting in injury, permanent disability or even death. Preventive action can reduce the risk of falling and associated injury.

Sustaining an injury due to a fall can be life changing for older and senior adults. Depending on the severity of the fall, an injury can take months to heal and even result in permanent disability. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), “Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults 73 and older and the second leading cause of death from ages 60-72.” Even with statistics such as these, a majority of injuries and deaths related to falling are preventable.

Preventing Falls Inside the Home

Approximately one third of all falls that result in injury and death are the result of falling inside the home. Reasons an individual may fall in the home are:

• Tripping over items left on the floor
• Curled edges on carpeting, area rugs and other unsecured flooring
• Lack of railings or supports around stairs
• Lack of support in slippery areas such as the bathroom or bathtub
• Low lighting

Preventing Falls Outside the Home

The outdoors pose additional risks that can result in a fall – often associated with weather conditions. Even though these conditions are uncontrollable, there are several steps that can be taken to prevent falls in the elderly.

• Maintain areas around the home, removing debris, tripping and other environmental hazards. Older and senior adults should ask for assistance to prevent or reduce the chance of injury when completing these tasks if needed.
• Ask for assistance during cold and winter months. Ice, snow and mud can all become potential falling hazards.
• Replace low or inadequate lighting
• Take time to complete tasks, focus on one task at a time and avoid rushing

Senior Fitness and Decreased Risk of Falling

Exercise can be beneficial for anyone at any age, but is particularly important for aging adults and seniors. The belief that starting an exercise program can increase the probability for injury and falling is a myth. Senior fitness programs can provide a number of benefits, such as:

• Increased strength and muscle tone
• Prevention and reversal of sarcopenia, a medical condition associated with aging resulting in muscle loss and deterioration
• Improved balance and flexibility, decreasing the risk and probability of a fall
• Increase in bone density

Before starting any exercise program, a physician should be consulted to asses current health conditions, existing health problems, appropriate exercise programs and other concerns.

Depression

Depression can be caused by:

• Changes within the family
• chronic pain and illness
• Difficulty getting around
• Frustration with memory loss
• Loss of a spouse or close friend
• Trouble adapting to a life change such as moving from a home to a retirement facility

Depression can also be a sign of a medical problem. It can be a reaction to the illness, or caused by the disease itself. It may be complicated by brain disorders that occur with age, such as Alzheimer’s disease . Depression is also a side effect of many drugs commonly prescribed for the elderly.

Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem that is often not diagnosed and frequently undertreated. Many older people will not admit to the signs and symptoms of depression, for fear that they will be seen as weak or crazy. Some older people may be aware of their depression, but believe that nothing can be done about it.

Symptoms

Symptoms of depression may not be easy to identify in older adults. Their symptoms are often ignored, or confused with other ailments common in the elderly, such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Heart disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke
• Thyroid disorders

Symptoms of depression include:

• Abnormal thoughts about death
• Abnormal thoughts, excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Aches and pains
• Change in appetite (usually a loss of appetite)
• Change in weight
  • Unintentional weight loss (most common)
  • Weight gain
• Depressed or irritable mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue (tiredness or weariness)
• Feelings of worthlessness or sadness

Treatment:

Sometimes relieving loneliness through group outings, volunteer work, or having regular visitors can help with depression.

Treating the medical conditions that cause depression, or stopping certain medications can relieve the symptoms of depression.

Talking through problems (psychotherapy) with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other therapist is also an effective treatment. In cases of moderate-to-severe depression, people may get the best results by combining psychotherapy with antidepressant medications.

Short-term (about 12 weeks) group-based physical exercise programs involving walking or other forms of aerobic exercise can reduce depression in older adults.

Antidepressant drug therapy has been shown to increase the quality of life in depressed elderly people. These medications are carefully monitored for side effects. Doctors usually prescribe lower doses of antidepressants for older people, and increase the dose more slowly than in younger adults.

Prevention:

Preventing depression depends on the factors involved. Social supports that help people deal with loss, mobility changes, and other depression triggers can be helpful. In many cases, there is no way to prevent depression.

Some older patients may be screened for depression, especially if their condition changes.

For more Information on depression and other mental health problem vist the American Mental Health Channel

Staying Fit

Physical Activity is Essential to Healthy Aging
As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others.

Not doing any physical activity can be bad for you, no matter your age or health condition. Keep in mind, some physical activity is better than none at all. Your health benefits will also increase with the more physical activity that you do.

An inactive lifestyle can cause older people to lose ground in four areas that are important for staying healthy and independent: strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. But research suggests that exercise and physical activity can help older people maintain or partly restore these four areas.

If you make exercise a regular part of your daily routine, it will have a positive impact on your quality of life as you get older.

Here are some fitness tips to help our community get the most out of the program:

• Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a long time. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them.
• Don’t hold your breath during strength exercises. That could cause changes in your blood pressure. It may seem strange at first, but you should breathe out as you lift something, and breathe in as you relax.
• Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging.
• Unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, be sure to drink plenty when you are doing activities. Many older adults don’t feel thirsty even if their body needs fluids.
• Always bend forward from the hips, not the waist. If you keep your back straight, you’re probably bending the right way. If your back “humps,” that’s probably wrong, especially if you are suffering from Kyphosis (forward rounding of your upper back).
• Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Try walking and light arm pumping first.

Exercise should not cause pain or make you feel really tired. You might feel some soreness, a little discomfort, or a bit weary, but you should not feel pain. In fact, in many ways, being active will probably make you feel better. For more information on tips and benefit of physical activity visit Helpguide.org.

Tips for safe online shopping

The season of giving, sharing, forgiving, and loving is definitely around. Christmas is just a month a way. Despite what young people sometimes think, many seniors are more than capable of embracing technology some seniors even use their computers to shop onlinefor Christmas gifts for their loved ones!  Nowadays you can buy just about anything over the Internet – and, you can buy it cheap and have it delivered right to your door or to someone else if you prefer.

So, the advantages of online shopping are obvious but you do need to be careful here about how secure it is to shop online. Credit card fraudsters are more than happy to clone cards and steal identities if they can get hold of them over the Internet. So, if you’re an online shopping newbie, then take a look at our tips and you shouldn’t have any problems:

1. Shop from established sites – you generally won’t have problems if you shop from big name online stores. If you want to buy from a website you haven’t heard of before then check out their security policy on the site. It’s also real important to check if you can contact the site if you have problems. Don’t buy from a site that doesn’t let you see an address and a telephone number.
2. Look for the security lock – when you get to the shopping cart area of a website you should be looking for two security signs. First, take a look in your browser window in the area where you type in a web address. A secure site will have ‘https:’ at the front of the web address. If it has just got ‘http:’ then it probably isn’t secure. Second, look at the bottom right hand side of your browser screen – if the site is secure you’ll see an icon of a closed padlock or key. If they aren’t there, or if they are open, then the site may not be secure to shop on.
3. Choose a secure password – a lot of people get hit on password fraud because they choose passwords that are easy to remember like their names and dates of birth. The best password to choose will combine letters and numbers and they won’t make any sense at all to anybody but you! Do remember though to write your passwords down somewhere where you can find them!

If you follow these tips then you should find online shopping a breeze! And, for more online shopping tip check this article forn MSN Money. Happy shopping!

Recommendation of some safe online sites: Amazon.com, Ebay, Overstock.com

Alzheimer’s and Gender

According to a French study, the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease differ between sexes. Critical factors include stroke in men and depression in women.

On the study of 6892 adults aged 65 and older which is conducted by Dr. Karen Ritchie at La Colombiere Hospital, 42 percent have cognitive impairmen

In all, 6.5 percent developed dementia over the next for yearswhile 37 percent returned to normal.

The progression was more likely among those who are depressed and those who are taking in anticholinergic drugs that influence chemical signaling in the brain. The results showed risk factors between sexes too.

Men who have mild cognitive impairment would probably be overweight, diabetic or had a stroke. Those who had stroke were 3 times more likely to progress into dementia. Women with cognitive impairment on the other hand should be more poorer in their general health, may be disabled, have insomnia or have a poor support network. Stroke is not a risk factor to women.

You can find more information on the study in a news article  “Alzheimer’s Disease Risks Gender Specific” publish in the  Science Daily.

Why Do We Get Old?…

Unlike what you might see on TV infomercials, the key to a good old age has not been formulated into a pill, facial mask, or machine. Nor is it the sheer good fortune of having parents and grandparents who live long lives.

According to a terrific book called Aging Well, much of how well you age depends on choices you make. The arguments George Vaillant, M.D., makes in his book are based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a 50 plus year study of how a group of more than 800 people fared as they aged.

What Vaillant realized after studying his data was that factors within your control not your genes or your inheritance are the best predictors of whether you will grow old, and how happy you will be.

Some of his recommendations:

• Don’t smoke (in addition to wrinkles and gray hair, it causes disease)
• Avoid alcohol addiction
• Develop good coping skills (learn to make lemonade out of lemons)
• Keep a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain strong social ties (including a stable marriage)
• Keep learning

A key thing to keep in mind is that even after we’ve reached that magical reproductive stage that is so important from the evolutionary perspective, as individual human beings we still have a long way to go. Adulthood, Vaillant says, takes us through many stages. People change. And the ones who are the happiest aren’t necessarily the richest or the wrinkle free.

They’re the ones who accept the changes, keep on giving, keep connected to friends and family, and perhaps most important, keep feeding their minds.

Just writing this is making me hungry for more knowledge. Learning something new might not prevent gray hair, but it will keep me from losing my head over it.

Play an online games to stimulate your mind

Know the signs of a stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability.

Up to 80% of strokes are preventable; you can prevent a stroke!

Stroke occurs when a few of the brain’s tissues die because of lack of blood and oxygen. Two major causes of this is a blood clot from a different part of the circulatory system in one of the arteries that service the brain and the other is a rupture of the brain blood vessel usually termed as hemorrhagic stroke. Stroke is actually the third amongst the diseases that kill adults age 65 and above. It is just behind heart attack and cancer.

Stroke usually occurs suddenly and rapidly. When stroke strikes, there is a sudden lack of vision or hearing, dizziness, having double visions, unusual movements, inability to control emotions and problems with speech or recognition. IF you are feeling this then you may have to go to a doctor as fast as possible.

Use the F.A.S.T method to recognize stroke (by The American Stroke Association):

F = Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = ARMS.  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = SPEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or
strange?

T = TIME.  If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

Knowing this symptoms are important because sooner, you may encounter it or any of your loved ones may be affected!