There’s nothing better than hearing that something you love to do can actually improve your health. As a San Antonio senior, you might already have a hobby that’s based in the arts. You probably love to write, knit, paint, quilt or play a musical instrument, and the good news is that your favorite activity does more than give you an enjoyable way to pass the time! Here’s how art can improve aging and your life as a whole:

1. Skill doesn’t matter – seniors may feel because they have no artistic talent specifically, they cannot receive the benefits from art. However, studies have shown that regardless of specific skills levels, practicing all forms of art can benefit social abilities as well as physical and mental health

2. Culture and community through art – the establishment of art programs in various communities can have specific cultural meaning to seniors and can also help establish culture in community settings

3. Arts help younger generations look at seniors differently – studies have shown that when art comes into play in senior care residences, staff and other members of younger demographics find themselves more appreciative of seniors and it can increase the personal connection

4. Art can lead to aging in place – art can give seniors a greater sense of independence and increase functioning, allowing them to remain in their homes for increased periods of time

5. Art as expression – all forms of art help seniors express themselves in some way and it helps them demonstrate and build their own sense of identity and independence

Image: kansassampler.org

Via: Arts and Aging

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

No matter what your age, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams, and if that’s to see the word or establish yourself in a different lifestyle overseas, there’s no better time than your retirement. Here are some tips for when you decide to get away from San Antonio to a more exotic, international destination.

1. Consider the cost of living – the cost of living varies from country to country and city to city, so make sure you do your research and choose one that has a cost of living that is lower and well-suited to your retirement budget

2. Find out the regulations for living in a country where you’re not a citizen – in countries like Mexico, retired seniors can receive residency permits that can be renewed annually; or for those with their own homes there, with a monthly pension of $1000 a permanent residency status can be granted

3. Think about your health – the climate and environment of various places abroad can have an impact on your health. Also look at the type of health care system in the countries you’re considering retiring to; some developing countries do not have the same standards as those we’re used to in the US while others have even more comprehensive health care systems

4. Choose your lifestyle – depending on what you’re looking for from your retirement, different destinations can meet your requirements. If you dream of senior years on a beach, Mexico, Spain or Italy might be a good choice; but if you want a historical experience look at Greece or England

Via: Retirement Story

image: heritagecommonssl.com

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Stretching is one of those things that many people leave out of their workout because of lack of time, or simply because they don’t think it’s necessary. For seniors, stretching is crucial to prevent injury and accidents that can alter their lifestyle; so if you’re an older adult, don’t give up on your exercise routine, just implement these 5 ways to exercise safely as a senior:

1. Stretch after a workout when muscles are warm and flexible, and stretching is not going to result in pulling anything or cause an injury before the fitness routine even begins

2. Stretch during physical activity if any part of the body begins to feel tight. By stopping to stretch it out seniors can prevent the likelihood of injury

3. Never stretch before warming up. Stretching cold muscles can result in injury, so be sure to warm up for 5 or 10 minutes with light exercise before stretching. This will give seniors the optimal benefit from exercise and reduce the chance of sprains, strains and muscle pulls

4. Breathe through a stretch. Inhale in preparation and exhale during the stretch while the muscle begins to lengthen and stretch

5. When stretching hold it for 5 seconds, release for 5 seconds and then start again so there is no strain and the stretch really has a chance to penetrate the muscles

Via: Real Age

Image: imrdevin7.blogspot.com

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Family gatherings don’t always end up going the way we wish they would, because often different generations don’t have much interaction together. With these intergenerational activities to bring families together, grandchildren and grandparents can find common  ground and enjoy their time together.

1. Take a field trip – take your senior care recipient out on a day trip, and even invite other caregivers and their seniors to come along. Travel to a museum, go see a movie, or visit a nice park. Keep the whole day to 6 hours or less, so it’s not sure long that the seniors still enjoy themselves. A nice day like this can help seniors and their caregivers bond.

2. Throw an intergenerational party – get all generations of family together for a nice meal and a casual day of games that everyone can enjoy. Serve foods that are good for even the pickiest eaters

3. Document family history – when all generations are together, use a tape recorder or create a scrapbook of family history. Let the older generations lead and have the rest of the family add on

4. Get creative – art is a great way to bridge the generational gap. Purchase some simple supplies and create a mural, or do a group craft together suitable for all ages

5. Garden – setting up a garden and getting all the family involved, creates a bonding experience which can be enjoyed over family meals when the fresh garden produce is cooked and consumed!

Via: Suite101

Image: dailymail.co.uk

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

You can feel out of control during your elder years, as the status of your health and cognitive functions can change without notice and you experience loss around you. Here are some simple ways that you can regain that control, and make a difference in your life that will increase your appreciation and enjoyment of life.

1. Take a class – learning lasts a lifetime, so take advantage of the opportunities that you have in front of you in older adulthood. Take a college extension class or see what classes are offered at a local community center. You can take anything that interests you, whether it’s active, crafty or intellectual

2. Be social and seek support – don’t withdrawal from social activities like so many seniors have the tendency to do; no matter what’s going on in your life stay in touch with friends and family members with social activities, and get support from groups with any issues you’re dealing with

3. Live and laugh – they say laughter is the best medicine for a good reason, make sure that you do things that you enjoy that make you laugh and smile. Laughter is a great way to cope with grief, overcome stress, and gain a better appreciation of life!

4. Safety first – take the opportunity to look at how you can improve your safety so an accident doesn’t put a damper on your chosen lifestyle. Should you still be driving? Can you avoid busy driving periods or roads? Are there improvements you can make to your house? Are you aware of common frauds targeting seniors, and do you know how to protect yourself from them?

Via: Associated Content

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

It’s easy to think that seniors who struggle with Alzheimer’s or dementia don’t need any enjoyment in their lives because they won’t remember anyways – but in order to improve their quality of life, caregivers and family members can’t forget that these seniors are people to. Coming up with activity ideas that are enjoyable for seniors can be a challenge, so here are a few suggestions to start you off:

1. Reintroduce old favorites – reintroducing seniors to games and activities that they once enjoyed can activate old memories and nostalgia, and they are generally enjoyable. Try tic tac toe, checkers, cards, or large piece jigsaw puzzles.

2. Bond over magazines – looking through magazines like Reminisce or Good Old Days are a great way to share stories; or simply pick up any publication a senior enjoys  for an entertaining way to pass the time and create conversation

3. Reminisce with photos – get out the family photo albums to remind seniors of cherished memories or family members. This is also a great way to start sharing stories and memories of great times with loved ones

4. Get online – for a senior who loves to learn, get online and browse travel destinations, look up information about activities or facts that interest the senior, or simply use it to look at pictures. If your senior is feeling really adventurous, you can even get them signed up on Facebook or Twitter

5. Share a treat – a great activity can be as simple as going to a local bakery or ice cream shop to bond over a sweet treat. Or, it can be made at home and enjoyed there

6. Get outside – don’t underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine for a senior, get out there!

Via: Suite101

jupiterimages.com

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

No matter what your age, you need to reward your body and treat it with respect by focusing on your health. This of course, becomes even more important as you age and need your health to fend off disease, illness and injury. Look after your body, and reward it with health in the following 5 ways:

1. Pick heart healthy foods – choose foods with strong anti-inflammatory affects that can help improve the health of your heart like fruits and vegetables, garlic, olive oil and fish. Steer clear of foods that can block the arteries like fried items or ones drenched in saturated fats

2. Drink water regularly – stay hydrated, it will help you to keep your energy level up, and help with the digestive process. Water can also help fend off hunger and prevent bad breath

3. Don’t forget your vagus – the vagus is a nerve that updates your brain about what’s happening with the rest of your body. A vagus that’s not kept healthy can result in issues with immunity and that can lead to viruses and illnesses. Try meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises to keep the vagus healthy!

4. Take Asprin – one terrific thing you can do for your health barely takes any effort at all. Pop an Asprin daily with half a glass of warm water and help lower inflammation throughout the body and prevent colon cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.

5. Use mind maps – it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out when you have a goal in front of you. Instead of making a limited To Do List, use a mind map. Put your goal in the middle of a  piece of paper and draw lines branching out from it with other ideas about how you can reach that goal. This method allows you to be more open-minded

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

If you want to live a long life and be healthy into your older senior years, include vegetables in your daily diet. Here are some tricks that can help you get your recommended dose of vegetables daily:

1. Check out a farmer’s market where all seasonal fruits and vegetables are priced less. You might get inspired to try something new.

2. Mix color – try to ensure that you incorporate fruits and vegetables from every color group into your meals everyday to get the ultimate nutritional and health benefits.

3. Try cooking creatively – if your elder does not enjoy certain textures or tastes, blend them into a soup or stew so the nutritional benefits are not missed.

4. Try smoothies or juice – increase the servings of fruits and vegetables by blending them into smoothies or juices.

5. Buy frozen – they offer the same nutritional benefits. Blend into a smoothie or add to your cereal (after thawed).

6. Add fruit – breakfast is the perfect meal to add some fruit.

7. Maintain good habits when eating out – order at least one serving of fruits or vegetables.

8. Be open to salad – don’t stick to traditional salad ingredients. Start with deep green lettuce and add any vegetables you have on hand that seem appealing. Drizzle with lemon instead of dressing for a vitamin C boost.

9. Stir fry – a great way to include a variety of vegetables. Start with a bed of rice, flavor with garlic or ginger, and add vegetables.

10. Analyze your meal – notice if you favor one color group over another - make a point to add more of the others to your shopping list.

Via: Body and Health

Image: buylocalfood.org

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

It’s almost flu season and with so much fear surrounding the Swine Flu, some seniors are concerned about leaving the house. There are many myths surrounding this illness which make it seem even more serious than it actually is. To help you understand the true details about the illness, here are some of the truths about  Swine Flu:

1. Since the H1N1 virus derives in pigs, it can come from pork – Swine Flu cannot be transmitted from eating pork, although it does often occur in those who are in contact with infected living livestock. The current outbreak, however, is coming primarily from human-to-human transmission

2. Symptoms of Swine Flu different from the seasonal flu – the symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to the seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue

3. There is no effective treatment for Swine Flu – Tamiflu and Relenza are medications that have been used to effectively treat H1N1

4. There aren’t enough flu drugs to treat the pandemic – the federal government has in fact stockpiled enough flu drugs to treat 50 million Americans with Swine Flu, and some states actually have additional stock

5. The 1970’s Swine Flu shot offers protection today – as diseases adapt and change, it becomes more unlikely that a previous vaccination will offer prevention for the H1N1 virus of today

6. Flu drugs can prevent the Swine Flu – it’s not recommended that the flu drugs used to treat the swine flu are taken for prevention. There is however, a vaccine under development

7. Seniors are most at risk – healthy seniors actually are not believed to be the demographic most at risk for the Swine Flu. The vaccine that will be available will first be offered to individuals aged 25 to 65 as they are most at risk

8. The spread of Swine Flu can’t be stopped – it’s not yet known how contagious Swine Flu is, however, like any illness, the spread of it can be prevented through frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and disinfecting surfaces that might carry germs

Via: Loyola Medicine

Image: jazdb2b.wordpress.com

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.

Although Social Security premiums cannot legally be lowered, seniors will find themselves with shrinking social security checks over the next couple of years. For the first time in decades, there won’t be a cost of living adjustment on Social Security for the next 2 years, and since these payments won’t increase, seniors will find themselves with less money to survive on since premiums for Medicare Prescription Drug programs will increase marginally. With smaller social security checks, seniors will need to be more budget conscious than ever, and here are some money saving tips:

1. Set a budget: know how much money you have available to spend on a weekly basis, and keep a record of your spending so you ensure that you’re never overspending. Pay in cash, and then deposit any remaining money at the end of the week into a savings account

2. Smart shopping – create a shopping list and buy only what you need. Plan meals around items that are in season, and try out generic brand products over name brands for the savings

3. Think all unnecessary purchases over – instead of buying things you don’t need impulsively, wait 24 hours and think it over. More often than not, you will find that the temptation passes

4. Discounts – clip coupons or shop at stores that offer more discounts. Also be aware of places that offer discounts to senior citizens, like movie theaters, museums, and even grocery and retail stores

Sources:

1. MSNBC

2. Associated Content

Image: stltoday.com

Home Care San Antonio provides senior care in San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Springs, Castroville, Pearsall, and Pleasanton. For more help, please call Home Instead Senior Care San Antonio at 210-614-1132.