Downsizing can be emotionally overwhelming. It can be especially hard for seniors moving to a retirement or assisted living community who may be leaving a home where they raised their family and accumulated a lifetime of memories. However, there are upsides to downsizing and it can be both liberating and rewarding if you follow these tips:   Love the people and not the stuff The first positive is that consolidating things allows you to start focusing on what’s most important to us. It can create “mental space” and free you to appreciate experiences and people rather than inanimate objects that really are just that – objects. The real value of things is usually associated with the memories around them so write down what made those [...]

Age-related changes mean unique hair care needs   As with just about everything, hair changes with age. Over time, the fibers in your hair thin and fall out, especially if it’s been dyed or color treated over the years. Pigment cells stop producing and hormones that once stimulated hair fibers weaken. Fortunately, there are methods that can help maintain you or an elderly loved one’s hair to keep it looking and feeling healthy. Elder hair care can also mean less hair care   Interestingly enough, a key to maintaining the health of aging hair is to clean it less. It’s still important to maintain a daily hygiene routine, but skipping a hair wash every day or two can provide benefits outside of reducing the regular [...]

How healthy eating may help alleviate depression   As people get older, most of the common health issues they experience are fairly noticeable. If, for example, someone is in pain or discomfort, this will be evident, and hopefully a test or examination will reveal the problem. But one ailment that affects many older people is something that isn’t always obvious and won’t show up on any test: depression.   It is estimated that as much as five percent of the elderly population is affected by depression, and there are many reasons for this. Medical conditions such as dementia can lead to depression. There have also been links between depression and certain medications. But whatever the cause, it is vital that it is identified and addressed [...]

These tips can help an aging individual stay independent   Aging isn’t an easy process – both for a senior and any caregiving family members. As a caregiver, it’s difficult to watch a parent or loved one progress in years and have the roles become reversed. The last thing either of you want is for an individual to lose their independence. But one thing is for certain – you and your loved ones are not alone in this challenge.   According to the Census Bureau, once all of the baby boomers are 65 years or older (by 2029), they will make up more than 20 percent of the total US population. And by 2056, the population 65 years and over is projected to become larger [...]

The symptoms of metabolic syndrome are subtle – here’s what to look out for   The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 34% of the US population suffers from a condition they’re probably unaware of: metabolic syndrome. In general, the risk of the condition increases with age, from being overweight, and for those already battling pre-diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome.   While it’s considered a “silent killer,” recognizing the risk factors can help bring the condition under control before it becomes serious. 5 primary risk factors for metabolic syndrome   Metabolic syndrome is a combination of a minimum of three risk factors generally (though not exclusively) associated with obesity. The condition is typically asymptomatic as a whole; however, the main [...]

Healthy eating for seniors isn’t all that different from healthy eating – it’s just more important   As we age, our bodies change significantly and chronic conditions and nutritional deficiencies become more prevalent. Senior metabolisms slow down and the body becomes less efficient at absorbing key nutrients. In addition, the ability to taste some foods declines and other foods can become more difficult to chew or digest.   No two seniors are alike, and each individual may have certain specific dietary needs. But whether your loved one is living in a facility, at your home, or on their own, there are certain nutrients that become even more essential to include in a diet as we age. Below are a few key ingredients that will help [...]

These six tips can create a happier and healthier home   We live in a world of stuff. Everywhere we go, we’re surrounded by it. Living minimally is certainly not the strong suit of most Americans. And this is perhaps most evident in older generations.   The longer we live, the more stuff we accumulate, of course. We’re constantly acquiring things and holding on to them, even when they’re past the point of use. For some people, clutter transforms into a more serious issue; studies show that hoarding is a growing problem.   But even if an older person isn’t a hoarder, too much stuff can still cause problems. Clutter is one of the leading causes of falls in a home. It may also lead [...]

Learn how we’ve made FirstLantic into a superior home healthcare company   For almost 20 years, FirstLantic has been a fixture in the South Florida community. Our goal from the beginning was to create a company founded on several core principles, including caring for our patients with compassion and dignity, and hiring passionate people with high character. Our origin story   FirstLantic was founded by two healthcare veterans: Bart Delsing and Jack Maloney. Before they joined forces, each worked for different companies. Bart was President of the Interim Healthcare, Inc. franchise in the Hollywood/Miami area. When the franchise was sold back to Interim, he was appointed the South Florida Area Manager. His duties consisted of running the day-to-day operations of three Medicaid/Medicare branches, a medical [...]

Many seniors obtain general wellness from yoga – here’s why   Some people simply don’t feel right until they’ve practiced yoga for the day, which might explain its 5,000 year relevance. Today, modern medicine has uncovered surprising benefits of this ancient discipline, including stress relief and decelerated aging. In fact, yoga is an excellent way of improving overall wellness in seniors, even for those with physical limitations. 7 age- and stress-defying benefits of yoga   Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit word referring to methodologies for maximizing a person’s potential. In the Bhagavad Gita, the word covers a broad range of definitions including, for example, “clear, discerning, totally voluntary, dynamic participation in one’s life,” and, “selfless, cleansing, freeing, balancing, inspiring, and joyfully performed actions.”   When [...]

The importance of warmth, patience, and ongoing emotional memory   Dementia is an inclusive term for a number of conditions which can affect the brain and body. It can manifest in one of ten different forms. The most common (and generally known) form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease, from which more than 5 million Americans suffer. Alzheimer's also has the perception of exclusively being an “old person's disease,” when in reality, one does not need to be elderly to suffer from it. Five percent of the overall number of sufferers are affected by the early onset of dementia.   The skills for caring for a loved one affected by this condition are something many more of us will have to learn in the coming years. [...]