According to the AAA 85% to 90% of safe driving relies upon the eyes and the eyes change in a number of ways with age which can compromise a senior’s ability to remain safe behind the wheel. With age there is diminished light entering the eyes, declining focus, increases sensitivity to glare, difficulty perceiving color, diminished depth perception and narrowed peripheral vision. Seniors who struggle with their eyesight, but still have clearance to drive from the driver’s licensing office in Phoenix don’t need to hang up their keys, but in order to remain safe they do need to consider the following tips to ensure they aren’t a hazard to themselves or others when they drive their car.

• Get eye exams at least every 2 years – with detection many common eye issues can be slowed or treated before the affect vision too seriously
• Drive during the day – seniors who have issues with night driving or glare should limit their driving to daytime
• Turn your head frequently – this can help expand more limited peripheral vision when driving
• Keep car clean – the windshield, wipers and mirrors should all be kept clean so they don’t further obstruct vision
• Install a larger rearview mirror – for seniors with more limited visibility, a larger mirror will increase where and how they can see
• Adjust mirrors properly – adjusting mirrors properly will improve range of vision

Sources:

1. AAASeniors

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

I work at a fitness center in Phoenix where I deal with a number of elderly residents looking to improve their level of physical activity in order to benefit both their bodies and their minds. Often my elderly clients tell me that they’ve tried to increase their activity level before, but they’ve found that rather than reducing their stress level, this has actually caused them more anxiety and grief; they also worry that a new fitness routine that I introduce to them will have the same results. I can assure my clients that they will receive the ultimate stress-relieving benefits from a routine that will not cause any additional worry, because I focus in on activities that I know they find enjoyable. Even working out in a gym environment, I don’t force them to use the treadmill because of the physical benefits; I encourage them to use a cardio machine that they enjoy during their visits so they feel motivated to come back, do it again, and stick with their routine. Even for some, who don’t enjoy working out in our Phoenix fitness center, I create a routine that gets them outdoors and doing things that are active and entertaining for them. I also show them proper techniques and encourage them to speak to their doctor about how the routine I’m introducing to them could impact their health, so they’re not worrying constantly that there could be negative repercussions. When working with younger demographics, I also introduce an element of competition, but with seniors who have enough stress to deal with, the focus is not about competing with anyone else; not even themselves, it’s about enjoying the experience and remaining active so they can reduce the stress that often comes with aging!

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Mayo Clinic

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

For many Phoenix seniors who have been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for many years, it can seem like an easier solution to just accept the symptoms of the disease and succumb to them, even if it means living a life of limited mobility and isolation. While there is no cure for this condition, it is possible for seniors to improve their overall quality of life with some simple exercise techniques that can increase their mobility and help to lift their spirits.

A doctor or physiotherapist can provide advice on the types of exercise that are appropriate for a senior with MS, based on the specific symptoms of their condition and they can also tell seniors which activities to avoid. But generally while exercising there are some simple tips seniors with Multiple Sclerosis should follow in order to ensure that their health and safety is always the top priority.

• Warm up before the exercise with stretching and gradually increasing the intensity and cool down after
• Increase the intensity and duration of the activity slowly. Seniors who plan on exercising for 30 minutes at a time should start with 10 minute intervals and working themselves up to a longer workout time
• Make sure the workout environment is free of hazards like slippery floors, things to trip over or rugs that will slide
• Since many seniors with MS struggle with balance, they should work out near a grab bar or other safety equipment that can provide support
• Anything that doesn’t feel right shouldn’t be continued, whether it’s pain or feeling sick is a sign that it’s time to stop and rest
• Choose activities that are enjoyable and that don’t put too much stress on the body

Sources:

1. Science Daily
2. MS Society
3. WebMD

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

As we age, sometime certain skills and abilities can be lost as a result of strokes, Alzheimer’s and other potentially crippling diseases. Unfortunately for many older adults in Phoenix and across America, the skills that they lose are their ability to communicate, which can make it difficult for families to know how to deal with them, and can result in isolating the senior who has already gone through so much. With effective communication techniques, families and caregivers can ensure that they go the extra mile to communicate with their loved ones. Here’s what you can do to make sure that you don’t isolate your senior just because they can no longer communicate with you verbally.

• Pay attention to their body language in order to determine how they’re feeling, especially when interacting with them
• Don’t ignore them; just because they can’t speak back, doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to them
• In order to make them feel included, talk to them about anything – your day, things happening in your family, and about what’s happening around you; just like you would in normal conversation
• Use touch in order to bridge the gap; to help you communicate a point or just as a way to give affection

Sources:

1. Aging Care

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

Exercise is an important part of every Phoenix seniors life, or at least it should be. Exercise manages to impact virtually every aspect of their health, providing great benefits. Although many of the benefits depend upon the specific health and physical fitness level of a senior; there is one common aging issue that can be helped with exercise, regardless of health and age. Scaropenia is a common condition that effects almost all older adults. Essentially, it is the loss of muscle mass in skeletal muscles, which occurs by 1% every year after age 60, and doubles each decade after that. Loss of muscle can result in seniors declining endurance, instability, and physical weakness. Exercise can greatly reduce their muscle loss through cardiovascular activities and resistance training which involves lifting light weights at least a few times a week. Stretching activities like yoga can also have benefits to seniors dealing with Scaropenia, so that they remain physically active and able to go about their day-to-day routines.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Ezine Articles

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

If exercise has not been a part of your weekly routine during your senior years, or at any point in your life, it can be a challenge to get started; however, it is never too late to introduce exercise into your life and improve your health no matter what your age. It’s not about what you do, it’s about finding activities that you enjoy that get you active and off the couch in your Phoenix home and incorporating them into your regular routine so you enjoy yourself and stick to the exercise program.

Of course, health needs to remain a primary concern when beginning any exercise program; so the first thing you need to do before beginning an exercise program as an older adult is to clear your intended activities with a doctor. They can advise you of any specific safety concerns there may be as a result of the exercise, and provide you with advice on remaining safe and healthy when exercising within your specific limitations.

It’s also essential that you remain aware of the signs of overexertion and pay attention to what your body is telling you, so you know when to stop before the exercise activities harm your health.

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness
2. Family Doctor

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

Have you ever sat down to watch a season of Dancing with the Stars and thought “wow, I’d really like to be able to do a salsa or a tango just like that”? If you’ve thought about taking up ballroom dancing, but your age or health has been holding you back; then think again, because ballroom dancing has proven benefits to your health. Seniors aged 75 and older who ballroom dance even once a week have lower occurrences of Alzheimer’s and dementia, increased flexibility and better cardiovascular health.

No matter what your age, you can take up ballroom dancing if you’re careful; it’s important not to overexert yourself, and you should be aware of signs that the activity is putting too much strain on your body. But when exercising caution, not only will you have a great time, you will dance your way to better health!

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Global Action on Aging

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228

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Q – I care for a Phoenix elderly gentleman who is interested in learning about computer use. He recently received a computer from his family as a gift, but isn’t familiar with the technology so he’s asked me if I can help him. Of course, I am fairly computer literate, but I’m not sure how teaching him a skill like this would affect our relationship. As a caregiver, am I the right person to teach my senior about computer use?

A – Admittedly, teaching a senior about something they are completely unfamiliar with can be a challenge, and it can potentially put a strain on your relationship, especially if they don’t pick up what they are being taught quickly. Seniors might become frustrated when they are not picking things up as fast as they’d like to, and they can become even more frustrating when they are aware that computer skills are something that most people have. If you can be patient, and are willing and able to repeat and walk seniors through things that you’re teaching over and over again without allowing the senior’s frustration to effect you, then you might just be the right person to teach them about the basics of computer use. It’s all about the relationship you have already and your specific personalities; if you are too concerned about how engaging in this activity together might hurt your relationship, then you might be better off finding a local community center or another organization that provides lessons to seniors, and then you can help them practice what they’ve learned after someone else has already introduced them. Many senior development programs, which can include computer learning, and actually provide for free or very inexpensively; plus they can be a great way to help seniors get out there and socialize with others in their demographic.

Sources:

1. UINTA Education Center
2. Suite 101

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Elderhostel has a number of programs for seniors with varying interests and levels of physical fitness. These travel programs can get them away from their Phoenix homes in the company of their peers with similar interests and experience wildlife like nothing that can be found on American soil. While they do cater to the specific needs of older adults, some travel programs like Birding the Hotspots of Costa Rica are better suited for those that are more physically active and ready to experience everything that the tour has to offer. This is a great travel program for seniors to do with their caregivers or family members who also have an appreciation for their natural surroundings.

The Costa Rica birding program by Elderhostel is a two-week tour of popular bird watching spots in Costa Rica. The senior members of the tour group stay in comfortable bungalows and are provided transportation to each visited location, as well as meals. Seniors on this tour should be physically active and mobile for this Level 6 travel program which requires that seniors walk daily on potentially uneven and rugged terrain.

When packing for a travel tour like this one offered by Elderhostel, seniors should make sure to pack comfortable shoes, and loose clothing appropriate for the hot Costa Rican temperatures.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Elderhostel

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Scrapbooking is a great way for seniors to preserve their memories and look back over times spent with family and friends. At a time when they face so much change in their lives, and may face challenges with their memories, it’s important for seniors to encourage activities like scrapbooking that allow them to look back over happier times and create tributes to cherished moments that they can look at and share with the important people around them. Scrapbooking requires few materials, and most can be selected by the senior to create a personal touch to fit with the themes and moods of each of their scrapbooks created. Most scrapbooking materials can be picked up from Phoenix craft stores, or even at the craft section in the big discount department stores like Walmart sell scrapbook materials. To get started, seniors need to choose the scrapbook album for themselves. They come in a variety of sizes and styles which seniors can choose from. Seniors will also want to select stock paper and printed paper to use to mat photographs and back the scrapbook pages; and additional embellishments like stickers are also available to add an additional element of design. Of course, seniors will also need basic materials like scissors, pens, and adhesive for the creative process as well!

Sources:

1. Ezine Articles
2. Scrapbook, Scrapbook

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Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.