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Adult Family Homes Vancouver, WA: Challenge Your Brain
Experts say if you want to keep your brain sharp, you need to use it. Here are some easy ways to keep your brain nimble in Adult Family Homes of Vancouver, WA. Some of these ideas are simple, some will take more planning, but all are worth the effort. Take a walk, by yourself, with a friend, or your dog. Walking for just 20 minutes a day can lower blood sugar. Play video games. Wii and Nintendo DS offer many games and brain teasers that can help build new neural connections, increase reaction time and boost memory skills. Try something that is a stretch for you. Learn a skill in an area that you don’t think of as a strength for you. If you are more comfortable with numbers, learn to draw. If language is your strength, try some logic puzzles. When you’re listening to someone telling a story, really pay attention to the details. Get a mental picture of […]
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Maintain A Healthy Brain In Adult Family Homes Vancouver, WA
The foods you eat can play a big role in how your brain ages through the years. Here are some easy and healthy suggestions for improving your odds of maintaining healthy brain function into your later years. Before you reach for that candy bar, consider eating some almonds and blueberries instead. They can lower blood sugar and provide omega-3s and antioxidants to keep your brain healthy. Another good nut to eat is walnuts. You can put them on your salad, or use walnut oil in your salad dressing. Walnuts are also rich in omega-3s, which can decrease brain inflammation, a precursor to many cognitive problems. It also keeps oxygen-rich blood flowing to your brain. There are some types of tea that are recommended for maintaining brain function. Gotu Kola tea, made from an ayurvedic herb, and used for centuries in India, helps regulate dopamine, the brain chemical that increases pleasurable feelings and has been shown to improve memory and focus. […]
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Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA: Help With Downsizing
Collections of all kinds can bring joy to the owner. They can also take on a life of their own, and grow to larger proportions than you ever imagined. When it comes time to move out of your beloved home, or to downsize your home and belongings, selling your collectibles may be one of your options. Â A Caring Heart senior advisers Vancouver, WA have some tips for getting the most for your treasures. The two big factors in selling collectibles are determining the right price and finding a buyer for your collection. Here are some suggested resources to use in deciding what you will sell your collectibles for. First, try the kovels.com website or get the “Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide” at the library. Check Ebay and other online dealers for current prices. You can also pay for an appraisal if you think your items are worth more than a little. Look for an appraiser who is an […]
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Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA: Call Us
Just like most of the rest of the country, much of the senior population uses cell phones in their daily lives. It is estimated that nearly 70% of Americans 65 and older now own a cell phone. That is just a little less than the 75.5% of the overall population that owns cell phones. This percentage will continue to increase as the baby boom generation ages. One of the main characteristics seniors appreciate in a cell phone is simplicity of use. A phone with more bells and whistles is not usually going to be the phone of choice for a senior. Because the seniors of today did not grow up with cell phones, they are not usually as comfortable with the technology as the seniors of tomorrow will be. The top cell phone features that seniors usually look for are the display and the buttons. Since many seniors have diminished vision the display needs to be easy to read, which […]
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A Facebook Study From Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA
A recent study done at the University of Arizona was designed to test whether teaching older adults to use Facebook could a) help improve their cognitive functioning, and b) enable them to feel more socially connected. The participants ranged in age from 68 to 91. After eight weeks the study group that learned to use Facebook scored 25% higher than their pre-study scores for cognitive function and also on their social variables, which included loneliness levels and amount of social support. The improvement may be due to participating in the social nature of Facebook, or due to the mental activity of learning something new, or a combination of these two factors. There is a body of research that shows that older people who stay cognitively active, learning new skills and using their intellect, will score higher on cognitive tests than those who don’t keep their minds active. Another group of studies shows that those who stay socially engaged, are less […]
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New Computer Options For Senior Housing Vancouver, WA
Senior citizens are using computers more than ever before. Many seniors in senior housing Vancouver, WA use computers on a regular basis. It makes sense that seniors would find computer technology not only useful, but also enjoyable. The most common reason seniors give for using computers is keeping in touch with family and friends: a full 93% of seniors gave this as their top reason for using their computer. The next two most popular reasons for internet use among seniors are making purchases online and accessing information. Because computer use by seniors is growing, there are some new options in computers. Some new computers have been designed especially to be easier for people in the senior age group to use. Here are some examples. For seniors with little or no previous experience with computers, Telikin has come out with a new touch-screen computer. It’s ready to use right out of the box and comes pre-loaded with simplified software for email, […]
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When It’s Time To Make The Move To Senior Housing Vancouver, WA
Families often wonder when it is the right time to start the process of moving an aging parent or grandparent into some kind of senior housing Vancouver WA.  If you have a loved one who is living alone, these are some of the signs that it may be time to open the dialogue about moving to an assisted living facility. A parent is talking about the possibility of a future move. This may signal that he or she is recognizing that they have a limitation of some kind, or that they see a need for more help. They may be more open to the idea of moving than you thought. They have some difficulty walking or are becoming unsteady on their feet. Falls can lead to serious injuries. Falls that occur when an elder lives alone can become a life-threatening situation. A parent is having changes in appetite or showing signs of weight loss. If they are not eating […]
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Senior Housing Vancouver, WA: Opening the Conversation
When you are feeling concerned about your parents continuing to live in their home, the best way to address your concerns is just to start talking. Just jump in. It may feel uncomfortable to you or to them, or both, to talk about senior housing. It may bring up scenarios you’d rather not think about. But getting these issues out into the open and getting your parents’ perspective will make your life less stressful later. Begin by explaining that you need to have an honest discussion and that your loved ones’ input is valuable to you.Here are some suggested questions that can get the conversation started. If the time comes that you are no longer feeling safe living alone in your house, what would you like me to do for you? If I noticed that you weren’t eating well and you were having trouble preparing meals for yourself, what would you like me to do to help? If your eyesight […]
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The Benefits Of Exercise In Senior Housing Vancouver, WA
Adding even minimal amounts of exercise to your routine while living in senior housing in Vancouver, WA, can have both immediate and long term benefits for senior citizens. Any increase in physical activity can result in improved strength, balance, sleep patterns, mobility, appearance and mood. You will impact your long term health by adding exercise to your daily routine as well. Risks for conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis will decrease. Statistically, you will be likely to have fewer hospitalizations, require fewer medications, and live a longer, more independent life. Increasing your physical activity will also enable you to more fully participate in the activities you now enjoy. Exercising your pet, playing with your grandchildren, gardening, traveling, and even routine activities will become easier. Before beginning any new exercise regimen, be sure to consult your doctor to see if there are any reasons you shouldn’t perform certain types of exercise, or to detect any hidden […]
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Many Elder Care Facilities In Vancouver, WA Welcome Pets
As seniors prepare to move from their homes into various types of elder care facilities Vancouver, WA, one of the big questions that comes up is “Are pets allowed?” In many homes pets are an important member of the family, and this becomes a huge part of the decision when choosing a new living situation. The good news is that more and more senior living communities now allow pets. Pets are important to the mental and physical health of seniors according to the National Institute of Health. Pets provide companionship, unconditional love, encourage physical activity and provide routine for seniors. After determining if your potential senior living community allows pets, there are more questions to ask: are there restrictions on the breed, or about size? Are there behavioral rules? Are there additional costs associated with having a pet? Some of the common expectations you will find at elder care facilities include that dogs need to be walked regularly and cats […]
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Caring For Aging Skin25 Feb 2016
You may notice the following changes as your skin ages. It becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less smooth than it used to. Veins and bones become more prominent through the skin. Scratches, cuts and […]
Short Term Options2 Feb 2016
Many seniors who are looking for senior housing don’t know about short term stay options that are available at many senior living communities. There are a few different reasons you or your loved one might […]