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. [...]

Patience and methodical communication can help deal with hearing loss   Hearing loss is a common part of aging. Approximately one in three people between 65 and 74 years of age and almost half of seniors older than 75 suffer from impaired hearing.   Communicating with a loved one with hearing losscan be difficult and frustrating for both parties involved. Though there are devices available to help an individual hear, it is important for both the senior and those in their inner circle to learn and develop strategies that make communicating easier and more effective. Here are some tips for starting this process:   The first step in communicating with a senior who has hearing loss is getting their attention   If you’re attempting to [...]

The financial benefits of in-home care   Anyone who’s needed healthcare since the passage of the Affordable Care Act can attest to the fact that it remains expensive. Increasing hospital and pharmaceutical fees have caused insurers to increase their rates by 105% since the bill was initiated. Because taxpayer dollars offset premium costs for those who can’t afford insurance, the rocketing costs of healthcare affect us all.   As we grow older, especially in circumstances where extensive care is necessary, hospital costs can be financially crippling – even with insurance. In these cases, in-home care can provide significant financial relief for individuals, insurance companies, and the country as whole. How home healthcare is saving more than just lives   A study published by the American [...]

Seniors with sleep problems: Bringing your body in line with your needs   For most of us, sleep tends to become a little more elusive with each lap of the Earth around the sun. But the notion that we should simply accept sleep problems as a natural part of the aging process is only partially true. While hormonal changes make us more prone to insomnia, they shouldn’t deter a good night’s rest.   According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), “Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night.” Unfortunately, seniors commonly experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or falling back asleep after waking prematurely. How to fight off age-related insomnia   The causes of senior [...]