While hip fractures are still common injuries among seniors, studies have indicated that fewer seniors are experiencing fractures. There is no particular reason for this and many researchers have different ideas about why the number of hip fracture patients is on the decline. No matter what the reason is, this is good news to many seniors. Some additional information on fractures and the decline are provided in the list below.
1. When a senior breaks a hip, they have a one in four chance of spending a year or more in a nursing home after the injury. The break will also cause serious threats to mobility, possibly preventing the patient from walking.
2. There is no explanation on why the rate of hip fractures is dropping, but it is doing so in large numbers. Hip fractures are much more common among older women, but the decline in the cases of fractures has reduced in men over 85 and women over 75.
3. Some believe this is because older people are healthier and much more functional, which can help prevent falls. Older people are also developing stronger bones that have helped prevent hip fractures.
Sleeping is important to seniors. Every senior will need a long night of rest to maintain their health. Unfortunately, most seniors experience sleep difficulties, including the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. The list below contains seven useful tips that can help seniors sleep better.
1. Do not drink coffee or tea before going to bed. Some doctors suggest stopping drinking caffeine by 2 in the afternoon so it has time to leave the body.
2. Do not eat a heavy meal before going to bed. Some foods can help seniors sleep, such as whole wheat pasta, fresh vegetables and chicken breast. Late night snackers should choose cottage cheese with fruit slices.
3. Avoid wine before retiring for the night. Have a glass of wine at dinner, but no later.
4. Take baths earlier in the day. While some people may become relaxed after a bath, it will raise the body temperature and make it difficult to sleep.
5. Gentle stretching may help seniors sleep better. Avoid excessive exercising before bed, but yoga can help relax the body and the mind.
6. Keep the room dark and cool. Dim lights around the house a few hours before bedtime, using the least amount of light as possible.
7. Shut off cell phones and computers at least an hour before bed. This will help seniors unwind and let the day end.
Finding the right nursing home can be a challenge since there are so many to choose from. When making this important decision, there are some key things to look for. Below is a list that contains some important information on how to judge a nursing home. This is a very important decision and will have a huge effect on the rest of the life of a senior.
1. Always ask to talk to the nurses’ aides. These are the people that will be spending the most time with the senior.
2. Most nursing homes will deny this request because there is such a high turnover rate of aides. There are very few nursing homes that staff aides for any length of time.
3. More than 70 percent of aides and nursing assistants will change jobs within the year.
4. When talking to aides and assistants, always ask how long they have been doing this kind of work and how long they have been at this nursing home.
5. When you are able to find a home that has a low turnover rate and a reliable staff, this may be a good choice.
6. The key is to look for a nursing home that has a constant staff. When a senior is in a nursing home, they should be able to rely on people and having the same aides for a long period of time is very beneficial.
Seniors who make use of internet blogging can get many benefits from spending some time on the internet. There are some interesting and humorous blogs out there that have been written by seniors. These blogs will usually contain information on a topic that is of interest to many other seniors, so those who read and respond to the blog can interact with others and learn from other senior experiences.
1. Blogging can be a great thing for seniors. It allows them to express their thoughts and feelings and it is a great way to reach out to other seniors. Many seniors even develop friends through blogs by getting responses to a topic they have posted and discussed.
2. Some of the most common blogs by seniors include information on health issues and conditions. These can be a wealth of information, especially for seniors who are dealing with the same health problems.
3. Some of the blogs are geared towards seniors who have recently retired. Here, seniors can meet others who are at the same point in their lives and discuss different things that happen when one retires.
4. More seniors are becoming involved with blogs on the internet. The Ageless Project is a web page that contains a collection of blogs by seniors. This is a great way to express views and share some experiences that could make a difference in the lives of other seniors.
Source: http://jenett.org/ageless/
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Seniors are often affected by low vision. This can create many problems in daily life, especially if the senior still lives at home. There have been many cases of senior injuries occurring because the home was not set up for a person with low vision. To make the home safer, there are some simple changes that can be made.
1. Make sure all rooms are well lit.
2. Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.
3. Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.
4. Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.
5. Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.
6. Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.
7. Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.
8. Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.
Many seniors are still on the road. They remain driving to keep their independence. However, this may pose a threat to their own safety and that of others. When seniors drive in the rain, they increase the chances of having an accident. Some seniors will get very nervous when they have to drive in bad weather. The following list provides some useful tips to help seniors deal with driving in poor weather conditions.
1. Make sure to allow enough time to reach the destination. If the weather is bad and the visibility is poor, seniors should try to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier than they normally would.
2. Always maintain the vehicle. Making sure the car is in good condition is one way to make sure seniors stay safe while driving in poor weather conditions.
3. When buying a newer car, consider options that will increase safety, such as all-wheel drive and traction control.
4. Be sure to keep an emergency kit in the car. These kits can help seniors who have car trouble during bad weather. Most kits will have blankets that will help seniors stay warm and comfortable until help arrives.
5. Always drive with the headlights on.
6. Stay in the middle lane on the highway. Most roads are built higher in the middle, allowing water to runoff to the other lanes.
7. Avoid pools of water. There could be potholes beneath.
Much research is being done on Alzheimer’s disease. This disease affects thousands of seniors. Some researchers feel that we may not be doing enough to push research along. Finding a cure for this disabling disease is the ultimate goal. This is the most common form of dementia in older adults. The list below contains some additional information on how researchers hope to solve the puzzle of Alzheimer’s
1. More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.
2. As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.
3. Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.
4. Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.
5. Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.
6. Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.
7. Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.
When seniors move around and remain active, they will typically have fewer health problems. Being active can provide seniors with many benefits. Not only will they be improving their health, but exercise is a great way to socialize as well. Below is a list that contains some tips that can help seniors get moving and be active.
1. Seniors need to set goals for exercise and stick to them. They should start with small goals, such as exercising a few times a week. The goals should be realistic and achievable.
2. Make a purchase! Buying a new bathroom scale can help seniors monitor their weight. Many newer scales will also display the body fat percentage. Seniors should set goals to reduce body fat. Seniors should also use the scale to keep track of their results from exercise. Most scales will have a built in memory, so seniors can monitor weight loss and gain.
3. Do not think of exercise as a chore. It can actually be a social event if done in groups. Get together with other seniors for a walk. Socialization is linked with many health benefits, so seniors who combine exercise with a social activity will reap many benefits.
4. Seniors do not have to engage in rigorous exercise routines. They should set short-term goals that are realistic. Most seniors will benefit from just 2 ½ hours of exercise each week.
