With the New Year, most of the older generations want to stay healthy, hoping to live longer lives because of it. Losing weight can be one of the best things a senior can do towards living a longer, more enjoyable life. However, losing weight is easier said than done for seniors. The process can be much more uncomplicated with these simple tips towards a new senior physique in 2010.

• Change Old Eating Habits—Two may be better than one in this instance. Try and eat with your senior, switching out high calorie foods for healthier dinner staples such as salads with vegetables and lean proteins.

• Record What You Eat—Sometimes writing it all down will give seniors or their caregivers some perspective on their eating habits. By recording what you eat, a senior can easily reduce calories just by visualizing those foods causing the most damage to a slim trim.

• Exercise Together—While reducing calories can help lose weight, seniors must go one step farther and exercise to see results. Take long walks daily with your senior, working together to reach fitness goals. If a senior goes it alone, they may be less likely to stick to that daily walk.

• Meditate—As strange as it may seem, negative thoughts about your body and weight can ruin any fitness efforts. Find a quiet place in your home for 5 minutes a day, and just focus on breathing. This simple act will help clear the mind from critical thoughts about your body, allowing for a greater appreciation of the physical self.

Source: aarp.org

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

There’s been a long-standing belief that seniors should give up their car keys in older adulthood. While true for some, it should not be a rule for all – particularly when driving really signifies independence. New research shows that now more than ever, seniors are making smart decisions when it comes to their safety behind the wheel, and they don’t pose as big a risk as it was once thought.

• As baby boomers age, there are more older drivers on the road

• Older drivers today seem to keep their licenses longer and are more comfortable traveling longer distances

• The number of fatal crashes involving older adults have declined, which has been a focus since seniors with health conditions, and that are physically more fragile can mean an accident has much more severe effects

• Older adults rarely pose a risk to other drivers on the road; when crashes do occur, often the only risk they pose is to themselves

• Today’s older adults are better recognizing their impairments, such as limited mobility and how that might impact their ability to drive. They adjust their driving habits accordingly

Via: ScienceDaily

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

With the on-set of age, naivety and vulnerability become ever increasing among seniors, making them perfect targets for investment scams. According to Metlife Mature Market Institute, senior financial abuse costs American seniors $2.6 billion dollars annually. However, you or your senior does not need to become another victim.

• If it sounds too good to be true it probably is— One of the best questions a senior can ask is simply about the investment itself, questioning if the broker or product is registered with the state or national regulatory authorities. Be cautious of broker claims that their certificates of deposit (CDs) earn above average interest rates. Many companies trying to scam seniors will say the pay will yield much higher rates of return than normal.

• Be extremely skeptical of salespeople—Scammers target seniors by going door-to-door or pestering them with phone calls.

• Research, research, research—Check the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s list found at www.sec.gov/investor/oiepauselist.htm of unregistered entities with consumer complaints. Also, make sure you do not agree to an investment without consulting family and friends.

• If you have been scammed, all is not lost—Financial crimes against seniors often go under reported, with seniors feeling ashamed or they do not know where to report the company. To file a complaint against a broker or firm, visit www.finra.org/complaint. Read about a seller’s background, at www.SaveandInvest.org or call 888-295-7422. For more on brokers or firms, call 800-289-9999 or log onto www.finra.org/brokercheck.

Source: ConsumerAffairs.com

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Scratching your head trying to come up with ideas for gifts for an elderly relative? Whether you’re shopping for your grandparent, mother, father, great aunt or another member of your family, here are some gift ideas they’re sure to appreciate:

• Items that allow them to pamper themselves – seniors on a budget are not likely to splurge on things they consider non-essentials. Buy them candles, soaps and body lotions that allow them to feel pampered at home. Gift cards to restaurants or spas are added luxuries

• Gift baskets – gift baskets with a combination of items, including some of the above, as well as seasonal foods, books, and craft supplies that they will enjoy and make use of are all great things to include! Gift baskets can be bought pre-fabricated or can be created at home

• The gift of companionship – seniors will most appreciate the company of their loved ones. If this is not possible, senior care services can be gifted for companionship and assistance at home

• Take an elderly loved one out for the day – a trip out for lunch around the holidays to see a movie or a musical event can be a very enjoyable way for them to spend a day and it will be memorable!

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

It might not sound right, but it is; working seniors are healthier than those that retire immediately when they hit that age. Despite the stress of work, despite the physical responsibility, seniors who work part-time, temporarily or from home to help transition them from a full-time job to complete retirement have proven health benefits. This is great news for all of those seniors who don’t feel they’re ready to retire or can’t due to financial elements!

Benefits of Work on Senior Health:

• With a transition period from full-time work into retirement with part-time work, temporary work or work at home, seniors find it’s less of a shock to their mental health. Seniors who immediately retire from full-time work can find that feelings of loss of purpose can cause anxiety and depression

• Seniors who remain in the workforce longer, even part-time are more functional, and often have greater mobility while remaining active members of society

• Instances of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke are some of the common medical problems that are reduced in working seniors

Via: Home Instead Senior care

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314.9873.

Gardening is an ideal way for seniors to relax, and feel like they’ve regained control over an aspect of their lives at a time when there’s so much uncertainty. Planting fresh fruits or vegetables can also be rewarding as fresh produce can be turned into nutritious dinner ingredients. Think about container gardening if you’re a senior who doesn’t have access to a traditional garden plot, and use these tips:

1. Get the right sized container – purchase containers or consider saving things from your recycling. All you need to do is punch a few holes in the bottom of the container to make it suitable for planting. Most vegetables require larger containers, although you might be able to use a recycled container the size of a large yogurt container for herbs, leaf lettuce, spinach and radishes

2. Use a good quality soil – purchase a high-quality potting soil or top soil in order to keep your container garden free of weeds.

3. Following planting instructions – if you’re planting vegetable plants or others which are already grown, place a little bit of soil at the bottom of the pot, remove the plant from its existing container and fill in any remaining space with the potting soil. When planting seeds, fill the pot completely with soil and follow directions for spacing

4. Care for as directed – put your pots in an area that will be the right temperature and have exposure to sunlight as directed. Water according to instructions.

Via: AFB Senior Site