Increased Life Expectancies

The life expectancy of seniors is on the rise. Since more and more seniors are living healthy lifestyles, they are living longer. The following list contains some facts about the increase of life expectancy in the senior population. Around the world, people are living many years longer than their ancestors.

1. Improving living conditions can help lengthen life. If seniors live in a clean and safe environment, they are more apt to be healthier.

2. The improvement in general health is largely due to public health efforts that aim to prevent disease and improve the living conditions of seniors.

3. There has been a drastic increase in life expectancies over the past 170 years. In fact, the life span has increased at an astounding rate of 2.5 years each decade. This is equivalent to 6 hours each day.

4. As people age, their chances of death increase. However, if an individual were to reach the age of 110, their chances of death do not increase anymore. Instead, it holds steady at a 50% chance.

5. As people begin to live longer, it causes changes in the way younger adults think. If they believe they will live a long life, they should begin to take care of themselves better. This is the hope for the younger generations. It is important to remain as fit, healthy and active as possible, no matter what your age is.

Source:  http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2010/03/aging.html

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Body Acceptance Benefits for Seniors

Body acceptance is very difficult for many people, even seniors. As we age, things begin to sag and droop, making it very difficult for seniors to feel attractive. They simply need to be able to accept their body for what it is. The main focus for seniors should be staying fit, maintaining health and being happy. The following list can help seniors accept their bodies.

1. Everybody wants to be a supermodel, but for most seniors, this will never be a dream that comes true. To overcome this, seniors need to learn how to love their body. This is done by noting the positive and not dwelling on the negative.

2. Keep in mind that being different from another person is what makes us all unique. If everyone were a model and had perfect features, there would be no personal satisfaction or gain when a goal is reached.

3. Losing weight may help get your body trim again, but it is not the most important thing in life. Never compromise general health for vanity.

4. Looking good comes from feeling good. If you are comfortable with the person you are on the inside, chances are you will have a better chance of accepting the physical aspects as well.

Source: http://www.fromfat2fit.com/articles/a2.html

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Allergies and Intolerance – Facts for Seniors

Many seniors battle with daily life with food allergies. When a senior has a food allergy, they must be very cautious when eating any foods they do not prepare themselves. A food allergy could be life-threatening. In addition to food allergies, a lot of seniors have intolerances. The reactions are not as severe, but seniors still need to be aware of what they are ingesting. The following list contains some facts on allergies and intolerances for seniors.

1. Food allergies are more common in children, but they do affect seniors as well. Family history plays an important role. Seniors should be aware of any other family members who have allergies or intolerances.

2. Food allergies can be mild or severe. Seniors need to know how they react to specific foods and be prepared for the worst possible reaction at all times.

3. The most common allergies include those to milk, peanuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy and tree nuts.

4. The best way to cope with food allergies and intolerances is to avoid the foods that trigger a reaction. Most seniors will be tested by a doctor to determine what foods cause a reaction and how severe that reaction may be.

5. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what is in the foods they eat. Since some food allergies are to common ingredients, this is very important when managing allergies.

6. When preparing food at home, always read the labels. Even if you are familiar with an ingredient in a recipe, it may contain traces of an allergen.

7. Make everyone informed of your allergies and intolerances. This includes family members, caretakers and friends.

Source: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=5539

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Senior Weight Loss – Easy Tips

The list below contains some great tips for any senior who wishes to lose a few pounds. Losing weight is never easy and many seniors have a difficult time maintaining a healthy weight. By employing some of the tips below, seniors can get exercise and lose some weight without having to go through daily exercise regimes or strict diets.

1. After eating a meal, push yourself away from the dining table. Do not stay for seconds!

2. Instead of sitting for that second helping, bag it and take it for a lunch the following day.

3. After supper, close the kitchen. Try to avoid late night snacks.

4. Use stairs whenever possible. This will help improve circulation and is a great form of exercise.

5. While walking, when the donut shop comes into view, keep walking!

6. Eating out can bring about many impulses. It is important to avoid supersizing any meal.

7. When dining out, take your leftover meal home. Do not feel as though you have to eat everything on the plate.

8. Instead of using the remote to the television, get up to change the channel. This will add a bit more exercise to the day.

9. When shopping, do not go on an empty stomach. Also make sure to leave unhealthy foods on the shelf.

10. Rely on your will power. It may be difficult to change old habits, but these tips can help lose weight quickly.

Source: http://www.fromfat2fit.com/articles/a10.html

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Alzheimer’s Research Could Lead to Prevention

Many American families are touched by Alzheimer’s, and unfortunately it is a cognitive disease that doesn’t truly lend much hope to families that things will change or improve and that’s because there just isn’t a cure, nor is there prevention. However, new research does provide a glimmer of hope that in the upcoming years, perhaps some of the effects of Alzheimer’s could be reduced or stopped entirely.

• There is a brain plaque that is detectable in the brain long before any cognitive decline begins to surface

• The plaque referred to as amyloid –beta has been discovered to cause damage when present in certain areas of the hippocampus

• Previously, it was known that the plaque was present in seniors with Alzheimer’s, but it was unknown if it was toxic or if its presence was coincidental

• The presence of the plaque can cause neurons to die, which can be related to cognitive decline

• Since there’s no way to redevelop neurons that have already died, further research is necessary to see if there is a way to prevent the build up of this plaque earlier before it causes irreversible damage

Via: Herald Sun

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Strong Memories Mean Independence for Seniors

Seniors who struggle with memory loss in older adulthood can often find that caring for themselves day-to-day begins to become a struggle for the first time in their lives. For some of these seniors, this can mean having to rely upon others or move out of their home for care assistance. However, if seniors put an effort into maintaining their strong memories it can allow them to live with independence at home, even if some care assistance is required.

1. Take in your surroundings – it happens at every stage of life; when someone talks to you but you’re not really focused so you don’t actually recall what they said, or miss many of the important details. That a prime example of how focusing is important. With age, it’s even more essential, because a conscious effort needs to be made in order to help seniors retain memories. When seniors put something away, they should make a conscious effort to mentally note “I put my keys on the counter”. That will help with recall, particularly for important daily events

2. Talk through it – actually saying something you want to remember outloud can benefit seniors. Talking about it improves memory alone, but in addition to that; pausing to talk can remind seniors to really stop and focus

3. Have a place for everything – there is nothing wrong with forming habits, especially when it comes to day-to-day functions that allow seniors to thrive independently. They should have a spot for their keys, for their medications and for other crucial items so they don’t even need to rely upon executive recall to find those items and remember to follow through on important tasks

Via: Harvard Health

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Bakersfield Home Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Cancer prevention is an important topic for seniors. With the right information and annual screenings, seniors may be able to prevent the development of certain types of cancer. Not every cancer can be avoided, but by following some of the tips provided below, seniors may be able to avoid a type of cancer that could affect them.

1. Have routine screenings. This is important for senior women. Having annual screenings for breast and cervical cancer can help reduce the risk of developing cancer. It will also allow for early detection if cancer does develop which increases the chances of survival.

2. Seniors should try to avoid using tobacco and alcohol. By avoiding these things, cancer can be avoided. Seniors should also use caution when exposed to ultraviolet rays. This will help prevent skin cancer.

3. Eating a well-balanced diet can also help prevent cancer. By adding fresh fruits and vegetables to a daily diet, seniors will get the necessary nutrients needed to battle cancer.

4. There are various vaccines available that will prevent certain types of cancer. These include the human papilloma virus vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine.

5. The more information seniors have on cancer, the better they will be able to avoid it. Screenings, vaccines and healthy lifestyles are essential.

Source: cdc.gov

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Bakersfield Non-Medical Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

As we get older, we realize that health is very important. Many seniors are now searching for ways to improve their over-all health. The Healthy Aging Program offers some great resources for any senior who wishes to improve their quality of life. Below is a list that contains some of the benefits of the program and how seniors can utilize resources.

1. One of the main goals of the program is to promote the health of aging adults. This is done by increasing the community’s ability to identify and implement various strategies and programs.

2. The program strives to improve the quality of life for seniors.

3. Preventative services, caregiving services and mental health services are all part of this unique senior program.

4. The program only employs professionals who are trained in aging issues. These professionals can offer a wide array of services. Seniors who are interested in improving their health and living a longer life can greatly benefit from taking advantage of the Healthy Aging Program.

5. In 2005, the Healthy Aging Program expanded and now includes the Healthy Alzheimer’s disease segment. Now seniors with the disease can get extra assistance they require at home.

6. The Healthy Aging program can also offer financial planning. The program tries to help seniors by slowing the growth of health care costs.

Source: cdc.gov

Image: oregon.gov

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.