Top outdoor activities for seniors
Try these ideas:Walking: Walking can benefit seniors physically and socially. Walking helps keep seniors fit and healthy, and it can also boost their social circle as it's a great activity to do with friends. Sports: Sports like swimming, golf and tennis are great activities for seniors. It allows seniors to be active and allows them to spend time with friends. Fishing: Fishing is a great outdoor activity for seniors.
How to exercise if you have a chronic health condition
By Mayo Clinic News NetworkIf you have a chronic disease -- such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or back or joint pain -- exercise can have important health benefits. If you have a chronic condition, regular exercise can help you manage symptoms and improve your health. Abdominal and back muscle exercises (core-strengthening exercises) help reduce symptoms by strengthening the muscles around your spine. Exercise can reduce pain, help maintain muscle strength in affected joints and reduce joint stiffness. You might also ask your doctor to recommend an exercise program for people who have your condition, perhaps through a local hospital, clinic or health club.
Aqua exercises: Gentle on bones, joints, muscles
By Mayo Clinic News NetworkDone correctly, water workouts can give you gains similar to those on land, including aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and better balance. When youโre submersed up to your neck, the water cancels out about 90 percent of your body weight, significantly reducing stress on your weight-bearing joints, bones and muscles. You may want to start with water walking. Once you're comfortable walking in waist-high water, try walking in deeper water. Water workouts can help you reach your fitness goals without pain or injury.
Family Care Partners hosts senior-focused health fair, food giveaway
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ One of the largest independently operated primary care groups in Jacksonville, Family Care Partners, hosted a health fair and food giveaway for the communityโs seniors Saturday. Fair organizers, Lynn Brady of Heartland Hospice and Andy Stansfield of Family Care Partners anticipated around 300 local seniors and their caregivers to attend the event. โThe last time we hosted an event back in November, we had just over 350 people lined up practically before we opened the door,โ Stansfield said. Seniors who went the event had the opportunity to get several routine, but necessary, health screenings, and attend educational seminars. Several other community resources and companies that support the Jacksonville community were on hand at the event including Feeding Northeast Florida, who donated the food for the free grocery giveaway.
Alzheimer's: 7 tips for medical visits
By Mayo Clinic News NetworkPeople who have Alzheimer's disease need regular medical care to address a range of health and behavioral issues. To get the most out of your loved one's medical appointments, consider these seven tips. Schedule wiselyPlan appointments for your loved one's best time of day and, if possible, when the doctor's office is least crowded. Also take note of your loved one's medications, even over-the-counter medications and supplements. Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health, memory or mood?
Alzheimer's: Smoothing the transition on moving day
If your loved one will be moving to a care facility, make frequent visits at different times of day before the move. Provide details on your loved one's medical and mental health history, including a detailed medication list. Familiar belongings can trigger feelings of connectedness and ownership, as well as boost your loved one's sense of security. If you can, handle the move during your loved one's best time of day โ whether it's in the morning or the afternoon. Make sure you have someone to support you on moving day.
Ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in the morning
By Mayo ClinicRheumatoid arthritis symptoms are often worse in the morning. These symptoms can last a few hours, or you may have them all day. Stiffness and pain can get in the way of your morning routine. Reduce morning stiffness by starting your day with stretching and flexibility exercises. To make dressing, grooming and preparing for your day easier and less painful, try these tips, too.
Strategies to prevent heart disease
This increases your blood pressure and heart rate by forcing your heart to work harder to supply enough oxygen. When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe. Even so-called "social smoking" โ smoking only while at a bar or restaurant with friends โ is dangerous and increases the risk of heart disease. Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease but also may help prevent cancer and improve diabetes. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease โ high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Long-term care: Early planning pays off
Choosing the right long-term care facilitySelecting a long-term care facility can be overwhelming. Ask a long-term care ombudsman โ on official who investigates complaints against long-term care facilities โ about the strengths and weaknesses of specific facilities. If you don't expect personal savings to cover the cost of long-term care, you might be able to finance long-term care through long-term care insurance. In exchange for monthly premiums, long-term care insurance covers nursing home care or other long-term care services. Discussing long-term care with a loved oneIf you're researching long-term care options for a parent or other loved one, include your loved one in the process as much as possible.