Infographic: Great Tips to Lower Your Salt Intake
Most of us consume too much salt because we have a taste for it! But experts say we can retrain our taste buds to crave substantially less dietary sodium. Check out these ways to do just that.
March 04, 2021Right at Home #Health LivingGet Up and Get Out … Into Nature
Many older adults have been holing up indoors for almost a year now to avoid exposure to COVID-19. This has led to an epidemic of loneliness—and to what experts call “nature deprivation.” Fortunately, we needn’t take a trip to the wilderness to reap the benefits of spending time in greenery.
February 18, 2021Right at Home #Health LivingInfographic: Avoiding Age-Related Weight Gain
Maintaining a healthy weight can help you remain active and independent in your later years. Check out this infographic for some tips to avoid “senior weight creep.”
January 12, 2021Right at Home #Health Living5 Tips for Healthy Weight Management in Wake of Pandemic
If you put on a few pounds last year, we have some tips to help you manage your weight even during a pandemic.
January 04, 2021Hilary Young #Health LivingSenior Hunger: A Growing Public Health Issue
Many seniors don’t have adequate access to nutritious food. Learn about the impact of food insecurity and get information to help.
December 17, 2020Hilary Young #Health LivingHow Older Adults Can Overcome Loneliness
Don’t let loneliness get the best of you. If you’re feeling socially isolated or in need of social activity, we have some ideas!
December 15, 2020Hilary Young #Health LivingIt’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
Common health conditions as we age can make driving difficult or even driving. Learn how you can talk to you aging loved ones about their driving or the need to give it up.
December 08, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingInfographic: Staying Active This Winter
As winter approaches, getting enough exercise can be challenging. Check out this infographic for ideas for physical activity at this time.
December 02, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingThe Many Brain Health Benefits of Music
Research shows music offers many health benefits and can be a great tool for caregivers.
November 10, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingGratitude Is Good for Our Health
This year many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving differently than in previous years. With large family gatherings cancelled, families are likely to spend the day on video chats rather than on cooking an elaborate feast. And yet, it’s more important than ever to take time for gratitude.
November 03, 2020Right at Home #Health Living5 Tips for Older Adults to Stay Safe and Warm in Winter
Preparing for winter weather now can help get you and your aging loved ones through the colder months.
October 20, 2020Hilary Young #Health LivingHelp Seniors Beat Depression During the Pandemic
October is Depression Awareness Month. This year, depression has been an especially important focus as we deal with dramatic changes to our lives caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 13, 2020Right at Home #Health Living10 Tips to Help Seniors Lower Their Fall Risk
Many older adults are at risk of falling. These falls can be life-changing and even life-threatening. Get the steps to reduce your fall risk.
August 27, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingHome Safety Tips From an Occupational Therapist
As we age, home safety becomes top of mind. An Occupational Therapist offers practical tips to help keep you safe at home.
August 25, 2020Hilary Young #Health LivingEight Tips for a Better Doctor Appointment
In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, physicians, patients and family caregivers are partners in care, working together to best manage health conditions and make decisions about treatments. Here are ways to make the most of a doctor visit.
August 04, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingDon’t Forget Preventive Care
Taking extra health precautions such as handwashing, wearing a mask and socially distancing to avoid COVID-19 is important, but don’t forget these preventive care steps.
July 30, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingTips for Seniors to Stay Safe in Severe Weather
What are the best ways for seniors to stay safe during severe weather occurrences? We’ve rounded up some helpful tips from Right at Home caregivers who have lived through a disaster to help you remain calm and prepared should a weather emergency occur in your area.
July 21, 2020Hilary Young #Health LivingTen Ways to Reduce Stress Today
We’re always told to reduce stress in our lives. Stress raises our risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, digestive disease, sleep problems and a host of other health conditions. But can you recall a more stressful time than we’ve been experiencing as we weather the COVID-19 crisis? For many, it’s more challenging than ever to manage tension. Here are some things we can do—and not do—to lower our stress at this time.
July 02, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingWhat Are the Health Concerns of Older Women?
May 10-16, 2020, is Women's Health Week, and the entire month of May is Older Americans Month. What a great time to focus on the special health issues of senior women!
April 29, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingHealthy Eating During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
The general rule of thumb is to put off your grocery shopping trip for as long as possible. If you can, order what you need online and arrange no-contact delivery; alternatively, enlist a friend, family member or neighbor to help. Go to the store during special hours for seniors if none of these options work for you. Wear a mask, stay socially distanced and remember to wash your hands afterwards!
April 09, 2020Michele Fan #Health LivingAvoid Loneliness During Social Distancing
At the recommendations of medical experts, and in many places by government mandate, we are practicing social distancing to help halt the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Every day, we are seeing our opportunities to interact with others dwindle. Humans are wired for close contact, and studies have shown that maintaining connections, whether with acquaintances or immediate family members, combats stress and anxiety, and may lower health risks such as heart attack and hypertension.
March 26, 2020Right at Home #Health LivingCoronavirus and Seniors
If you are concerned about keeping your senior loved ones safe, there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
March 16, 2020Right at Home #Health Living10 Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Health
As we age, the number of nephrons in our kidneys decreases as does the amount of kidney tissue, our blood vessels become thicker, and the blood flow slows down. All of these factors contribute to a gradual decline in our kidney function.
March 12, 2020Michele Fan #Health Living #Health/MedicalNutrition Tips for Seniors
The saying goes, “You are what you eat.” Because nutrition plays such a big role in overall health, it’s important to make sure your senior loved one’s diet is balanced and healthy, and takes into account their lifestyle and any medical conditions. We’ve put together a few tips to help keep meals delicious, not daunting.
February 27, 2020Right at Home #Health Living10 Ways to Help a Senior Loved One Manage Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk of infection. It can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes. It raises the risk of dementia, incontinence and falls. It reduces both the quality and length of life. Fortunately, diabetes can be managed. We've come up with 10 ways to help a senior loved one manage diabetes.
February 22, 2020Right at Home #Health/Medical #Health LivingPrevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “About 1 in 5 heart attacks is silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.” To help prevent cardiovascular disease nationwide, February is designated as American Heart Month. A federally established annual event since 1964, American Heart Month is an important reminder to work with friends, family and senior loved ones to keep everyone’s heart healthy.
February 04, 2020Beth Lueders #Health LivingHow to Detect Undernutrition in Seniors
“About 80% to 90% of the clients we see are in some way at risk of malnutrition for a variety of reasons,” Teresi says. “The nutrition component to the care we provide is a significant value to all of our clients and their families. And our caregivers love it, too! Research has shown that eating with someone else improves nutritional status, so we encourage our caregivers to sit down and eat with clients, either at home or at a restaurant. It’s a really nice experience for both parties.”
December 17, 2019Hilary Young #Health LivingSenior Care: Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Winter
Older adults with compromised health, such as breathing problems, heart disease or anemia, are more likely to fall ill from carbon monoxide exposure. Because the symptoms of CO poisoning may be similar to other illnesses including the flu and food poisoning, the condition can be hard to detect.
December 05, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingCelebrating Thanksgiving Safely With Senior Loved Ones
The family is coming for Thanksgiving and mouths are already watering just thinking about Grandma’s pumpkin pie. But did you know that during the Thanksgiving holiday, an increased number of older adults go to the emergency room? Some ER physicians see up to a 20% rise in elderly patients during the holidays.
November 05, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingAlleviating Holiday Stress for Family Caregivers
Family and friends love to gather for the holidays, but for families who care for an ill or aging loved one, the holidays can bring on extra stress. If just the idea of getting out of the house or inviting guests into your home elicits sweaty palms and sleepless nights, read on for some holiday breathe-deep help.
October 30, 2019Beth Lueders #Health Living10 Common Causes for Hospital Readmissions
While this isn’t a complete list, it will help you play an active role to ensure your recovery at home is successful so you can avoid another hospital stay.
October 24, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingNational Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian cancer sneaks up on women because in its early stages, the symptoms aren’t intense and present vaguely, and there is no dependable screening test for the cancer. The American Cancer Society notes that ovarian cancer is the deadliest of cancers affecting the female reproductive system and the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women overall. Ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated 22,500 American women in 2019.
September 03, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingSilverSneakers® Program Helps Seniors Improve Health, Fitness and Social Connections
Do you want to swim laps today at one fitness center, then join friends later for a stretch class at a different exercise facility? And all at no charge? You can if you are one of millions of senior Americans who are staying active and improving their health through SilverSneakers®.
August 27, 2019Beth Lueders #Health Living10 Diabetic Desserts for a Hot Day
How does pineapple mini-fruit pizza sound to you?
August 15, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingCommon Ornamental Garden Herbs With Medicinal Benefits
Many cultures around the world still use plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, with great success. If you tend a garden or have planter boxes that can grow common ornamental garden herbs, you can use the herbs to cure your ailments, as well.
July 16, 2019Hilary Young #Health Living5 Quick, Nutritious Meals for Hot Summer Days
Selecting quick, nutritious meals for hot summer days is not always easy for elders who are more sensitive to heat exhaustion and dehydration when the temperatures rise. Loss of appetite, poor sleep and wilting energy are common for older adults in hot weather, so can certain foods and drinks help cool the body?
June 18, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingIs Beer Good or Bad for Your Health?
Although National Beer Day (April 7) promises to be a good time, it allows for the question of whether or not beer is good or bad for our health. There have been a variety of contradictory studies on the effects of alcohol on human health, and the results are, at times, confusing.
April 04, 2019Hilary Young #Health LivingSpring Cleaning for Seniors With the KonMari Method
Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo took the world by storm with her Netflix show "Tidying up with Marie Kondo." Can we apply the "KonMarie method" in spring cleaning for seniors?
April 02, 2019Beth Lueders #Health LivingFour Different Ways You Can Donate Blood
“Many people think they need to know their blood type beforehand, but a lot of people learn their blood type upon donation,” says Samantha Pollard, External Communications Manager for the American Red Cross. “There is also no age limit for donating blood. Many of our best and most regular donors are over the age of 65!”
March 19, 2019Hilary Young #Health Living #Community Involvement5 Myths About Frozen Foods
Although frozen foods have a much longer expiration date than fresh foods, they do, in fact, have a limited shelf life. The concern is not so much food safety, but rather quality control.
March 14, 2019Hilary Young #Health LivingAre Canned Foods Healthy?
February is Canned Food Month, created in 1987 as a way to clear up misconceptions about canned food, including whether or not it is good for you. Is canned food actually healthy and safe? Let’s look at what is fact and what is fiction.
February 26, 2019Hilary Young #Health Living5 “Health” Foods That Really Are Bad for You
Many of these health food favorites are labeled “low fat,” “high energy” or “fresh,” but these promotional promises often fall short of true nutritional value. Here are five popular unhealthy health foods to watch out for well beyond the holiday season.
December 27, 2018Beth Lueders #Health LivingStream Family-Friendly Movies This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time for family, presents, indulgent food and, of course, movies! After all, what’s a better way to spend a snowy December afternoon or evening than snuggled up with your family on the couch watching holiday movies?
December 18, 2018Hilary Young #Health LivingWhat Is Naturopathy or Naturopathic Medicine?
“We’re all going to get older, but your brain and body can function so much better when you take care of yourself from day to day. When our clients take better care of themselves and we help them with their care, what a big difference that makes in their health,” says Patty Hietpas, who has a doctorate in naturopathy and is certified as a naturopath, a non-physician practitioner who can help direct individuals in holistic health choices.
December 13, 2018Beth Lueders #Health LivingOlder Driver Safety Awareness Week
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) sponsors Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which aims to help keep seniors more active, healthy and safe when they are behind the wheel. By keeping seniors on the road, rates of isolation, loneliness and depression can be reduced.
December 06, 2018Hilary Young #Aging #Health LivingKeeping Older Loved Ones Warm in Winter
Prevention of cold exposure to seniors takes precautionary measures before winter sets in and ongoing observation by family members, caregivers and those familiar with the older loved one’s health and living environment.
December 04, 2018Beth Lueders #Aging #Health Living5 Popular Books to Read This Holiday Season
The holiday season is here! Whether you are spending time with family, traveling, or having a “staycation,” the holidays are always a good time to catch up on some reading. We have sourced five popular books on Goodreads in 2018, including both fiction and nonfiction.
November 27, 2018Michele Fan #Health LivingTips for a Safe, Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday
As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones, here are a few things to consider.
November 20, 2018Michele Fan #Health LivingRespiratory Health Awareness for Seniors and Caregivers
“Many people don’t realize how crucial respiratory health is when it comes to aging well,” says Bill Osborne, Flight Respiratory Therapist at Atrium Health. “But keeping your lungs healthy can improve your quality of life and help you live longer.”
October 23, 2018Hilary Young #Health/Medical #Health LivingPumpkin Health Benefits and Easy Recipes
Studies suggest that pumpkins can reduce the risk of cancer, regulate blood pressure, reduce blood sugar and help maintain colon health. Pumpkins are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C; their seeds are high in antioxidants, magnesium, zinc and fatty acids.
October 11, 2018Michele Fan #Health Living