As people grow old, they may feel more and more isolated. Pets can be a good remedy to that loneliness. Comforting and uplifting, pets provide a unique type of companionship.
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Losing weight as an elderly individual is an attainable goal. Weight management is an important part of living a healthful and active lifestyle. Small lifestyle decisions throughout your day have a domino type effect and eventually build up to unwanted weight gain. Poor sleep, consuming junk food, and medical issues are just a few aspects that may cause you to put on a few extra pounds. Weight reduction aids in reducing joint pain. It promotes better sleep cycles which leads to improved moods and mental health. Additionally, a lower weight helps with more blood circulation throughout your body, allowing the organs in your body to function properly. Oftentimes, we need that little nudge to motivate us and inspire a change within ourselves.
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You may have heard “keeping up with the Joneses”, but where does that phrase originate, and how does “keeping up” appearances affect us as we get older?
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Scammers are persuasive, it can be challenging to not doubt their words. They will call, email, and make various attempts to do so in order to gain your personal information or money. For instance, a scammer may contact you pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over alleged unpaid taxes. For additional information on other types of scams, see our page on the most common scams. Here's what to do if you believe you are a victim of a scam.
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Many lifestyle changes come with age. There comes a time when an elder person may need to change their living situation because they need help with their day-to-day activities. Some may opt for admission into retirement homes or assisted living housing. While the change can be stressful, there are numerous benefits to assisted living.
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Unrealistic beauty standards dominate modern-day media and our society. From placing objectively beautiful celebrities in the limelight to advertising the newest beauty technologies, desirable looks run the world. Usurpingly, physical changes that come with age are not particularly welcomed by the Western perspective.
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Close your eyes and take a deep breath in. Feel the air rush into your lungs as your chest rises with the influx of oxygen. Pay close attention to the sensations you feel with the breath you just took. Breathing is both voluntary and involuntary. As humans, we have the ability to breathe without actually having to consciously think about it. Mindful breathing, on the other hand, is when you focus on each breath that you inhale and exhale.
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Over the years, the media has slowly shifted the perspective on mental illness into a more accepting light. Current films no longer tend to seem as dramatized and overwhelming. Although many films still stigmatized mental illnesses, here are 5 films that portrayed individuals with mental illness in a humane way.
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By 2030, it is projected that 8.7 million Americans will be over the age of 85, and most will no longer be able to drive. Historically, most older non-drivers tend to stay at home because they do not have alternative transportation options. So, how can older non-drivers be supported today?
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As we age, our brain’s ability to function deteriorates. This leaves the brain more vulnerable to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Thankfully there are ways to prevent and help those experiencing this. In fact, a recent study from the University of Wisconsin found that people who engage in physical activity break down more glucose in the brain reducing the risks of Alzheimer's.
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Starting therapy can be a challenge for anyone; starting therapy as an older adult is a whole other story. With one in four adults suffering from mental health disorders in the United States, therapy is more important than ever for combatting this statistic. Therefore, no one should disregard therapy on the basis of age: it is never too late.
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Your role in life changes as situations, circumstances, and conditions around you change. A common notion of a parent-child relationship consists of a parent nurturing and caring for their developing offspring. The role of a parent and a child seem to shift dramatically as the parent's body and mind grow older as their age increases.
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We have all been there, it's a Wednesday morning and you're getting ready for work. You tell yourself it will be a busy day and just as you stroll by a mirror, you stop and do something you haven't done in a long time. You take a good look at that person in the mirror. Who is she? Why does she look so tired? And how did she get so old?
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Have you ever experienced terrible menstrual cramps? Often feeling down in the dumps due to premenstrual syndrome? Ever wished these symptoms could go away forever? In fact, they do! Here’s all you need to know about menopause.
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Diabetes is a condition that affects individuals of all ages. However, due to hormonal changes and the decrease in capability to regulate bodily functions normally associated with aging, the elderly are generally more frequently diagnosed and easily affected by diabetes and related complications. In the U.S., it is estimated that around 33% of individuals aged 65 or older have diabetes, while many others live undiagnosed but are plagued with diabetic symptoms.
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Like normal organ donation, brain donation is a gift just as important to the future of medicine.
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Age can alter the human body in many ways, both good and bad. But some of the more drastic consequences of these changes are the increased risks of developing various heart conditions or diseases, which are some of the most frequently seen conditions and the number one cause of death in the older adult community.
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A frequently overlooked form of extreme weather that could result in severe consequences is heat. According to the National Weather Service, an average of 138 people were killed due to excessive heat in the United States every year from 1990 to 2019, allowing extreme heat to become the weather-related hazard with the highest mortality rate in America.
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Within the older adult community, depression is one of the most widespread disorders. Yet, it often goes undiagnosed and therefore untreated. In addition to symptoms and signs of depression that may hinder the normal functioning of daily life, individuals diagnosed with depression also experience a higher risk of developing other physical and mental illnesses.
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While about 58% of the elderly population believe depressed spells are normal signs of aging, this is not the case. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common mood disorder that results in serious complications. It is a medical condition that interferes with daily life and normal functioning, with symptoms that affect how one may feel and think, as well as alter sleeping and eating habits.
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