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6 Types of Drugs Older Adults Should Avoid or Limit

Date: August 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Government are Warning About a Drug Being Pushed on the Elderly

Medication is such an important aspect to our health, especially for seniors. They can also be extremely dangerous to health as well. Medication errors are one of the top reasons that seniors are sent to the hospital. Here are 6 types of drugs older adults should avoid.

6 Types of Drugs Older Adults Should Avoid

Why Medication Can Be So Hard to Prescribe

 

Prescribing medications for people who are 65 and older can be hard. They can cause more side effects in older people than in younger. As your body gets older, it takes in medication differently.

It’s even harder because now there are only 7,500 physicians in America that specialize in older adults. This statistic is by the American Geriatrics Society. There are 46 million Americans that are seniors. This equates to around 6,100 patients per doctor.

This will only get worse. The senior population is going to grow more and more.

6 Types of Drugs Older Adults Should Avoid

 

There are 6 classes of medications that can be a problem for older adults.

1. Benzodiazepines:

These are often over prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders. Some drugs in this class are diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alpraxolam (Xanax), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium.) These medications can cause confusion and increase the risk of falling.

2. Non-Benzodiazepines:

These are prescribed for insomnia. Look out for Zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta.) These are highly addictive and can cause odd sleep behaviors like sleepwalking.

3. Anticholinergics:

Drugs in this class are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), acetaminophen with diphenhydramine (Tylenol PM), and some muscle relaxers that have diphenhydramine (an antihistamine.) These can cause confusion, constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, or urine retention in older adults. Too much exposure to these drugs can lead to dementia.

4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:

These drugs are not recommended for long term use. Ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleeve), aspirin, and other drugs in this class are tough on kidneys. They also increase the possibility of stomach bleeding. If you need help managing pain for arthritis, try Tylenol, physical therapy, acupuncture, aquatic therapy, or acupressure.

5. Antipsychotics:

These drugs are used to help treat serious mental heath conditions. The problem is that they are often overprescribed for mild agitation, anxiety, or depression. If you have to take them, start with the lowest dosage.

6. Old drugs:

Barbiturates aren’t really prescribed anymore, but these sedatives are still available and highly addictive both physically and psychologically.

Blood pressure medications can also cause fatigue or lead to falls.

Remember to never hide anything from your doctor and keep a updated medication and allergy list.

Read more about these drugs here.

Weight Loss in the Elderly Could Hurt Bone Strength

Date: August 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Weight Loss in the Elderly Could Hurt Bone Strength

We talk about a lot about health and how to stay healthy here. Weight loss is usually a good thing and a way to stay healthy. But, now researchers claim that it could reduce bone density, bone architecture, and elderly bone strength.

Weight Loss in the Elderly Could Hurt Bone Strength

The Study About Elderly Bone Strength

 

The study was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. It included 769 women and 595 men with an average age of 70.

The study says that the huge changes to the skeleton in bodies that lost a lot of weight were clinically significant. This translated into an almost 3 times higher risk of fracture for those who lost 5% or more weight over 40 years.

Long term and recent weight loss were found to be connected with lower cortical density and thickness. There was also higher cortical porosity and lower trabecular density.

“We showed that men and women with both shorter term weight loss over 4-6 years and longer term weight loss over 40 years had more micro-architectural deterioration of their bones than persons who did not lose weight,” says principal investigator Douglas P. Kiel from the Hebrew Seniorlife Institute for Aging Research, US.

Further work needs to be done to see if these bone deficits can be prevented through interventions or therapy.

Read more here.

7 Exercises That People Over 50 Shouldn’t Do

Date: August 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
7 Exercises That People Over 50 Shouldn't Do

As we get older, we have to update how we work out and exercise. If you do the same things that you did at 30 when you’re 50, it’s going to hurt. Our bodies change as we get older. Here are seven exercises that people over 50 shouldn’t do.

7 Exercises That People Over 50 Shouldn't Do

7 Exercises That People Over 50 Shouldn’t Do

There are some exercises that you should just skip altogether.

1. Leg Extension Machine

This type of exercise involves extending the legs up out in front of you with resistance in front of your ankles while in a seated position. It focuses the quadriceps in the front of the thighs.

This can put unnecessary stress over the knee cap, causing wear and tear.

Instead, do multidirectional lunges or squats with close attention to form.

2. Back Extension on a Roman Chair

The Roman chair back-strengthening exercise involves bending forward from the waist with your thighs supported. You use your lower back muscles to pull yourself back up.

If you have any lower back problems, it can be painful.

Try planks or quadrupeds for core strength.

3. Pull Downs or Pull Ups Behind the Head

These exercises work the back and biceps. It involves pulling a bar behind the head. You need to lean down and pull a bar behind your neck. In pull ups, you lift yourself up to a stationary position, and the bar is also behind your neck.

It puts an unnecessary amount of stress on the front of your shoulder, which could lead to injuries.

Try instead to do pull ups and pull downs in front of your head instead of behind.

4. Plyometric Exercises

Also known as jump training, this involves explosive movement like box jumps and depth jumps. These have been popularized by CrossFit.

These are great for adding strength and power, but it can be dangerous if not done correctly. It can put a lot of stress on body parts and joints.

You can still do these types of exercises, stick to doing it once a week. Also, make sure to be under the watchful eye of a professional.

5. Overhead Presses

Lifting weights straight overhead like in a military press or dumbbell press puts a lot of stress across the shoulders and rotator cuff tendons.

Rotator cuff injuries are the most common after age 60.

Instead, try lateral shoulder raises or front raises.

6. Heavy Weights

Lifting weights is a great way to build strength, but it can be more dangerous as we get older. There’s no reason to go for the heavy weights.

You should aim for a weight where you can get ten reps, where the last couple reps are challenging.

7. Sprinting

While it’s a good idea to increase your workout intensity periodically, it can put you at a bigger risk of injury.

The faster you go, the bigger the risk that you can get injured.

It’s best to take it slow and steady. Also, make sure to warm up first.

Read more here.

8 Must Haves for a Healthy Pantry

Date: August 5, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
8 Must Haves for a Healthy Pantry

Eating healthy is so important. We’ve discussed this over and over again. It’s a lot easier to do this when you have a pantry with healthy ingredients. Here are 8 musts haves for a healthy pantry.

8 Must Haves for a Healthy Pantry

8 Must Haves for a Healthy Pantry

 

These are 8 basic staples that should help you eat and stay healthy.

1.  Low Salt Stock

The secret to great Vietnamese pho, or any soup for that matter, is a good stock. But stock is also a great way to reheat cooked grains or steam fresh vegetables without fat.

Stock boosts the flavors in sauces. If you don’t have time to cook, use good quality low salt canned vegetable, chicken, or beef broths.

2. Olive Oil

The unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils like olive oil or canola are good for you and your heart.

Try to keep at least one type of vegetable oil around to be used in the kitchen. You can saute with it, make vinaigrettes, or drizzle it over toast.

3. Vinegar

A splash of an acid ingredient, like vinegar or lemon juice, added at the end of cooking can help perk up or balance out flavors in a dish.

You would be surprised at the health benefits vinegar has.

4. Mustard

Mustard is a super healthy condiment. It’s fat free, low calorie, and has huge flavor punch that gives it almost unlimited versatility in the kitchen.

Grainy mustard is the best.

5. Whole Grains

If the bran or germ aren’t removed through milling and processing, grains are much better sources of fiber and nutrients needed for good health.

You can use whole grains that cook quickly like bulgur or roll oats, or you could try precooked packages.

6. Fresh Onions

Not only are onions are healthy for you, but they’re one of those vegetables that are dubbed an aromatic. This means that onions give off great aromas and flavors when cooked in oil.

7. Dried Beans or Lentils

Beans, no matter what kind, are the cheapest and healthiest staples that will be in your pantry.

Studies show that beans can reduce the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. They are also protein and fiber rich.

8. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are good protein and fiber rich snacks. They are also good for ingredients. They can be used to thicken sauces, they add flavor and a touch of luxury to pilafs, stir-fries, and desserts.

Read more here.

Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors

Date: August 5, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors

Even though we know the benefits of exercise, it can be hard for seniors to participate. Especially if the seniors have mobility problems. In exercising programs, everything starts with stretching your muscles. A recent paper in The Journal of Physiology proved that stretching improves muscles in seniors.

Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors

The Power of Stretching

 

Many people may not realize how stretching can help our bodies. We think it’s simple way to loosen up our bodies. But to those with weak muscles or mobility issues, stretching is the only exercise they can do, and not get any injuries

Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors

 

Researchers from Florida State University, Kansas State University, and University of Electro-communications in Tokyo found that regular muscular stretching increased blood flow to muscles of the lower leg. This was done 5 times a week, for a month.

In addition, it was discovered that regular stretching improves the function of arteries in the lower leg. It also increased the number of capillaries within stretched muscles.

To get these results, they placed splints on the lower limbs of aged rats, so the calf muscles were stretched. The splints were on for 30 minutes a day, for 5 days, during a month.

They compared blood flow, arterial function, and the number of capillaries in the muscles of the stretched limb to the other unstretched limb.

What Does This Mean for Seniors?

 

What this study shows is that even seniors who have problems walking or have muscle pain are able to do exercise that benefits them. It can be a slow, low stress regiment and will still see results. This could even help seniors who have peripheral artery disease, or foot or leg problems related to conditions like diabetes, be able to use stretching to regain ability to walk.

Read more here.

Do Eating Disorders Affect the Elderly?

Date: August 5, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Different Ways to Stimulate a Senior's Appetite

When we think of eating disorders, we usually think of younger people. But this disorder is not exclusive to younger people. Eating disorders affect the elderly too, though it’s not often detected.

Do Eating Disorders Affect the Elderly?

Do Eating Disorders Affect the Elderly?

 

Sometimes people think that with age comes the freedom from self image. That’s just not the case. That kind of pressure for having a certain type of body has been around for a long time.

Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. They are psychiatric illnesses marked by extreme feelings and behaviors around weight and food. It can have life threatening physical and mental consequences.

As mentioned before, they often appear during adolescence, but that doesn’t mean seniors are safe from it. A survey found that 13% of women age 50 and older experienced eating disorder symptoms over the past 5 years.

More than 70% were trying to lose weight, 62% felt their weight or shape was negatively affecting their lives.

Like body changes during adolescence, a lot of common changes that come with getting older can spike eating disorders symptoms. Changes like increased caregiving responsibilities, retirement, deaths, and moving are some of the most common.

All these changes causes a need for control that eating disorders seem like they provide.

Why Eating Disorders Are Hard to Detect

 

With seniors, eating disorders are hard to notice because they could be related to other age related conditions. Things like taste bud decline, dementia, and lack of access to food can cause eating problems without being part of an eating disorder.

Also, few people who work with older adults have the training or awareness to think about eating disorders affecting the elderly. They don’t think that this could cause weakness, dizziness, or dehydration.

It’s always assumed that it’s part of getting older.

Treating Eating Disorders in the Elderly

 

It’s critical to find eating disorders in older people because treating them is a lot different than treating teens. It’s also a lot different than treating age related eating problems. Though the consequences are the same: weak immune system, poor recovery from wounds, anxiety, cognitive impairment, weakened muscles and bones, and increasing fall risk.

Read more here.

6 Lessons We Can Learn From Mister Rogers

Date: July 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
6 Lessons We Can Learn From Mister Rogers

Mister Rogers is an icon, no question about it. You can’t say “Hi neighbor!” without thinking about him. By the time Fred Rogers died in 2003, he created almost 900 episodes of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. There are 6 lessons we can learn from Mister Rogers, no matter how old we are.

6 Lessons We Can Learn From Mister Rogers

6 Lessons We Can Learn From Mister Rogers

 

Even though the show was for kids, there is a lot that we can learn as adults. Maybe it will even remind us of certain things we’ve forgotten.

1. Routine and Responsibility are the Bedrock of Your Day

Every day, Mister Rogers came home on his show and did the same things. He sang a peppy song, put on his cardigan, and changed out of his dress shoes. Then he fed his fish and talked to us. He always spoke warmly and smiled at us.

Routines are comforting to children, but it can also help adults. Something we do every day and that we care about it can get us through tough times. A sense of responsibility for ourselves and others can do the same.

Feed your pets, call or text lonely friends, offer a ride to a neighbor, hug someone. Show off your inner Mister Rogers.

2. It Feels Good to Make Something, Even if You Aren’t Very Good at it.

Like another icon popular for his warmth, Bob Ross, Mister Rogers believes in making something even if you make mistakes. It’s not about the end result, it’s about how it feels good to do something.

So try something you’ve always wanted, even if you know you might not be good at it.

3. Put On Your Sneakers

There is nothing like changing into comfortable clothes after a long day. Even if you can wear casual clothes at work, it can still be helpful to change.

It gives more of a seperation between work and home.

4. The Land of Make Believe is Still Here

We know that practicing mindfulness and mediation is good for you, but where do you go when you mediate?

Have you used your imagination recently? Have you tried to make your world a little more magical?

Whenever you need to take a break from the world, go into your own land of make believe.

5. Look for the Helpers

The Fred Rogers Company has published a nice body of parenting resources, including an interview with Rogers talking about how to help children get through tragic events.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”—Fred Rogers

It’s a nice thought to keep in mind when times are tough for you. Remember there are people around you who want to help you. Also, make sure you become the helper for someone else.

6. Be a Good Neighbor

Through all the characters on Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, we were taught lessons about how to treat each other through times of misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

Right now, we live in a time where there are a lot of hurt feelings. It’s a good reminder that we never know what is going on in someone else’s life. It’s always good to have empathy.

Read more here.

Is Mental Illness in Seniors Hard to Spot?

Date: July 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Caregivers Are the New Working Moms

The Institute of Medicine, not the National Academy of Medicine, issued a report in 2012 saying that 14 to 20% of US adults over 65 have one or more mental health or substance use conditions. That’s around 8 million people. At the same time, there are a lot of studies saying that mental illness in seniors is often under-recognized and under-diagnosed. Is it really that hard to spot?

Is Mental Illness in Seniors Hard to Spot?

Mental Illness in Seniors

 

It’s been found that compared to younger adults, seniors are less likely to be asked by their primary if they feel tense or anxious. Therefore, they are less likely to be referred to a mental health professional.

A recent study of seniors getting home health services found that 23% screened positive for depression. Less than 40% of those people were actually getting treated for it.

Knowing for Sure Can Be Hard

 

There are a few reasons why it’s hard to see mental illness in seniors. Through a telephone survey, it was found that older adults are less likely to feel they need mental health care than young adults. They are less likely to talk about it with their primary.

Agism and stigma about mental health also play a part in this. Many seniors and their family members think depression is something that comes with age. With all the medical appointments that seniors need, a primary may feel like there isn’t a good time to bring up mental health concerns unless the patient does first.

There’s also the fact that some symptoms of depression, like poor sleep, low appetite, memory, and concentration problems, are signs of getting older. It’s hard to tell what symptom is coming from where. Never mind the fact that they may be taking medication, and the side effects are affecting them in these ways.

Treatment Does Help

 

It’s so frustrating that it’s hard to see mental illness in seniors because treatment helps them. With the right treatment, quality of life, and function skyrockets upwards.

Read more here.

7 Ways to Start the Senior Living Talk

Date: July 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
5 End of Life Lessons

Talking to an aging loved one about their living situation is hard. It can cause a lot of negative feelings to come out. Your beloved senior may think that you are trying to kick them out of their home. There are a few ways you can start the senior living talk so that no one gets hurt.

7 Ways to Start the Senior Living Talk

7 Ways to Start the Senior Living Talk

 

The key to any tough conversation is to listen as well as communicating. Both sides have to do this so that a conversation can actually happen.

1. Understand the Situation

A significant life change in your living situation can affect anyone despite their age. It’s one of the most stressful situations someone can go through, so keep your loved one’s stress levels in mind.

2. Be Realistic

This is not a one-time discussion. It’s really a series of them. You should know that your loved one will probably not agree the first time and that one conversation will not give you a solution.

3. Avoid “You” Statements

Any statement starting with “you” can feel like you are attacking your loved one. Instead, focus on “I” statements. An example could be “I worry about your safety.”

4. Be an Active Listener

Do not take over the conversation. Make sure to ask open-ended questions and actually listen when your loved one responds. If you need to, ask them to explain so you can understand what they are saying.

5. Encourage a Natural Dialogue

This means don’t force the talk. It will be awkward to talk about your senior’s future living plans, so take breaks. Go for a walk, do a puzzle, drink some tea. This will make it feel more natural when you do talk.

6. Give Good Examples

If your senior hasn’t considered moving out of their home, they probably don’t want to discuss different options. You should give specific and detailed examples of why other options like at-home care or an assisted community works.

This could make your reasons easier to understand. So share your specific concerns.

7. Bring in Experts

Experts can help make your case. You can bring in research or someone from the senior living field to talk to your parents. You can even bring other family members in the conversation so that your senior knows how many people care about their safety.

Read more here.

6 Ways to Deal with Chronic Pain

Date: July 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
There Isn't Enough Help for Seniors

Chronic pain is a reality that many seniors face daily. Our bodies get more fragile as we age. Chronic pain makes living daily life hard and can cause seniors to become homebodies. Here are 6 ways to deal with chronic pain.

6 Ways to Deal with Chronic Pain

6 Ways to Deal with Chronic Pain

 

Seniors should stay moving as long as possible. Here are a few ways you can help them handle their pain.

1. Maintaining an Active Lifestyle

Living a slow and barely moving lifestyle is one of the primary causes of chronic pain. Our bodies need to be moving to stay fit. If our bodies don’t move, then our muscles start to disappear.

So moving is important to stay healthy.

2. Taking Medication

When prescribed by a doctor, medication is really helpful at treating the symptoms of chronic illness. Anti-inflammatory drugs can treat muscular issues that cause pain. Aspirin can treat the pain.

If these drugs aren’t powerful enough, the doctor may prescribe opiates. Though they have many side effects that could turn into a problem.

3. TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, TENS, is a popular treatment for chronic pain caused by muscular issues. A TENS unit is a small electrical device with 2 electrodes.

A low voltage current passes through the skin and into the muscle tissue. This creates impulses that are detected by the central nervous system.

The current stimulates the nerves, reducing pain to a manageable level.

4. Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

A chiropractor is a great way to treat pain without any drugs being involved. Inflammation and muscle tension can cause your bones to move out of place. This can make it hard to move and cause pain.

Chiropractors can manually move the bones back into place, helping with the pain.

Massage therapists can help with the tense muscles by forcing them to relax. They do this by stretching out the muscles so that the knots in them come undone.

These are only temporary treatments though.

5. Assisted Living

Chronic pain can get to the point where basic care is too difficult. Nutrition and hygiene are essential to slowing the aging process. Having a live in caregiver or an assisted living community can help seniors immensely.

Assisted living communities or a live in caregiver can help with basic care and keep seniors social.

6. Reduce Stress

Stress can cause flare ups with chronic pain. Our body reacts to stress with increased blood pressure and muscle tension. This increases pain. This is a cycle that’s hard to break.

Doing things that make you happy and reduce your stress can help a lot. You would be surprised at how sitting in the sun and being with friends can make you feel better.

Read more here.