Leslie Newlife

Pneumonia in Seniors: Prevention and Treatments

There are many benefits that come with getting older, and there are also factors to be aware of when it comes to our health and wellness.

As we age our body’s natural defenses become less reliable and as a result, seniors are more susceptible to infection – including pneumonia.  Pneumonia is an infection that affects one or both lungs and can range from mild to severe.

The additional steps that older adults take to protect their health can have long-lasting physical and mental effects. And staying healthy is the best way for seniors to continue living the highest quality of life.

Why Pneumonia is More Common in Seniors

Changes to the lungs as we age: Because of changes to the respiratory system that happen with age, seniors can’t always effectively clear secretions as well from their lungs. Those secretions can go down into bronchial tubes, causing the infection.

Weakened immune systems: A senior’s immune system has a harder time fighting off infection. And, some health issues can an even greater negative effect on a senior’s ability to fight off an infection – issues like an organ or bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy (treatment for cancer), or long-term steroid use.

Senior health conditions: Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, chemotherapy, and HIV put seniors at a higher risk for pneumonia, as well as cystic fibrosis, asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and bronchiectasis. Surgery can also expose seniors to infections that can lead to pneumonia.

Signs of Pneumonia

Symptoms can include coughing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, green or yellow sputum that comes up during coughing, fatigue, and the sudden worsening of a cold or the flu.

Pneumonia Treatments

Typically, a physician will do a chest X-ray and/or blood test to determine if a senior has pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia, it is usually treated with antibiotics. If the infection is viral, an anti-viral medicine may be prescribed. In addition to medication, doctors may give the patient fluids, oxygen, pain relief and medical support. They also may recommend to try a portable oxygen concentrator.

Reducing the Risk of Pneumonia in Seniors

Seniors should discuss pneumonia prevention with their physician to determine the best plan. Some options to help reduce the risk of pneumonia include:

  • Get vaccinated. All people over age 65 should get an annual flu shot, as well as a pneumococcal vaccine, a one-time shot that protects against the pneumococcus, or pneumonia bacteria.
  • Practice good hygiene: Wash hands regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Don’t Smoke or Take Steps to Quit: Smoking negatively impacts just about everything in our bodies, but the lungs obviously receive a significant amount of damage. Those who smoke are at a greater overall risk of pneumonia because the lungs’ defense mechanisms become compromised.
  • Practice a Healthy Lifestyle: Seniors should follow a physician-approved diet and exercise regimen. This will help bolster their immune system and reduce the risk of pneumonia.

By Martha Swats, Owner/Administrator, Comfort Keepers

About Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers is a leader in providing in-home care consisting of such services as companionship, transportation, housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, mobility assistance, nursing services, and a host of additional items all meant to keep seniors living independently worry free in the comfort of their homes. Comfort Keepers have been serving New Hampshire residents since 2005. Let us help you stay independent. Please call 603-536-6060 or visit our website at nhcomfortkeepers.com for more information.

References

American Thoracic Society. “Top 20 Pneumonia Facts.”

Mayo Clinic. “Pneumonia -Symptoms and Causes.”

Web MD. “What is Bacterial Pneumonia.”

Aging.com. “What Causes Pneumonia in the Elderly?”

American Lung Association. “Lung Health and Diseases: Learn About Pneumonia.”

Everyday Health. “Pneumonia 101: What You Need to Know.”

Don’t Tarnish Your Golden Age with Debt

What is considered the retirement ideal?

Living your best “golden years” is perceived as being completely free of work, and having the money and health to do exactly what you want exactly when you want.

That can mean being on-the-go traveling the world, or mirroring my parents, happily ensconced in The Villages in Florida, acting like kids at Disney World, staying up late watching movies, and scheduling tee times for noon!

But if you’re worried about how the gap between your retirement dreams and your reality has widened, you’re not alone. Senior debt has been increasing over the past two decades.

We’ll look into the reasons why, and we’ll point out the signs of financial decline so you can catch it early. Then we’ll share ways you can avoid a crippling amount of debt as well as get back on track, including getting a car insurance quote without a credit check.

Seniors and Debt

Older adults have more debt than prior generations. In fact, a large debt burden is the new normal. A Congressional Research Service report in 2019 found the percentage of elderly households with any type of debt increased from 38% in 1989 to 61% in 2016. The amount of debt owed jumped from approximately $7,500 to over $31,000.

Let’s look at the major factors behind these alarming statistics, which previous generations didn’t have to contend with. 

Causes of Senior Debt

Increasing costs combined with diminishing liquidity have given rise to a host of reasons that debt for older adults has become such a problem:

Medical care: Costs have soared just as employers have been trying to cut their costs by shifting toward high-deductible health insurance plans.

Corporate culture: There has been a shift from defined benefits retirement plans (pensions) to defined contribution plans (401k).

Student loans: Skyrocketing education costs have led to older Americans co-signing loans to help their kids and grandkids attend college. And many of them didn’t fully realize that when the borrower struggled to make payments, they were responsible for paying the loan.

Auto loans: Car prices have risen and buying them has been made more appealing with more affordable auto loan rates having longer terms. But while you have lower monthly payments, you’re paying considerably more over the life of your loan.

Mortgages: The recent series of economic downturns, changes in income, and the factors above have contributed to older Americans holding on to their mortgages longer. But some seniors also continue to carry mortgage debt based on the advice of financial planners, for the tax incentives, and for the opportunity to get a home equity line of credit.

Credit card debt: With the cost of living rising at a faster rate than income, compounded by soaring costs they’re dealing with in other areas, seniors have mirrored younger generations by turning to credit cards to make ends meet.

Pandemic: There has been a 50% increase in the number of baby boomers who’ve retired since COVID-19 gripped the globe. Job loss, wage reduction, illness, and the discouraging job-search process for older workers are factors that have caused many near-retirees to prematurely retire.

Signs of Financial Trouble

If you want to stop the negative effects of having debt as early as possible, it helps to know the signs.

It’s time to take action on making some major changes if:

  • You’re only making minimum monthly payments on your credit cards.
  • You’ve started using one credit card to pay off another credit card.
  • You’re putting off needed car repairs, home maintenance, and medical appointments.
  • Your savings account balance is dropping.
  • Your emergency savings fund is shrinking.
  • You dread getting the mail because you’ve started getting collection notices and past-due bills.
  • You’re refusing to answer calls you suspect are from creditors.

How Seniors Can Avoid and Rebound From Debt

Now that we’ve identified problem areas, let’s review the large number of solutions to deal with or settle debt and avoid adding to it.

Ask for Help With Finances

If working on your finances to avoid debt or to dig yourself out of debt feels too overwhelming a task to take on yourself, don’t be afraid to lean on others.

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign that you’re strong enough to admit you need assistance and resourceful enough to carry through on it. No one has all of the answers, and collaboration can lead to a better chance of success.

If you’re not comfortable sharing financial issues with family, then seek a financial professional. They can provide you with the starting tools you need to handle your debts, and their objectivity and experience will guide you to debt-reducing options that will work the best for your lifestyle and goals.

Focus on Specific Types of Debt

Prioritizing your debts will help reduce your overall debt burden. Paying off most personal debt loans can be done with hard work and determination.

Your types of debt matter. Mortgages, auto loans, and student loans tend to be lower interest, so they’re of a lower concern than other types of debt.

The debt you want to prioritize is credit lines, which carry significantly higher interest rates.

If credit card debt is what’s eating most of your cash, call each of your credit card companies — starting with the card that has the highest interest rate — and negotiate a lower rate. This way you’ll be paying more on the principal.

If you have several credit cards, look into refinancing, either to a low-interest credit card or through a personal loan.

Other ways to help pay down debt include selling your home and downsizing to a smaller home, selling other assets, and generating passive income. You can also take advantage of multifamily bridge loans to efficiently manage your debts.

Prepare for Retirement

Approaching your golden years with your eyes wide open will help keep them golden. Having a preparation checklist for retirement will lessen the chance of financial surprises. 

It’s never too early to plan for your retirement. Some tips to keep in mind:

  • Have 80% of your annual salary for your retirement per year.
  • Aim to save 15% of your salary for retirement. If that’s not doable, start with a percentage you can manage, then increase that by 1% every year until you reach 15%.
  • Take full advantage of your 401(k) by contributing the maximum percentage allowed or at least the percentage of any employer-matched contribution.
  • Look into refinancing your mortgage as a way to ease the burden on your retirement nest egg, help pay for rising medical costs, or take mortgage payments off of your retirement budget sooner.
  • Create a budget focused on living below your means and stick to it.
  • Maintain a good credit score as well as a debt-to-income ratio of 30% or less to secure better interest rates and pay less on interest long term.

Tips for Reducing Expenses

With many Americans having a hard time living within their means, how do you live below your means?

Here are a few cost-cutting measures you can pursue:

Create a Budget and Stick to it

Just as keeping track of when you exercise and what you eat can help you achieve fitness and weight goals, keeping close tabs on money coming in and how it’s going out can help you achieve your financial goals.

You’ll most likely be shocked by the amount of your discretionary outlays. This will help you make decisions on what you can curtail or reduce altogether, such as little-used subscriptions and memberships.

Comparison Shop for Insurance

You can save hundreds of dollars on your auto and home insurance by checking out free online quotes from other insurers. I did it recently and I’m saving $700 a year.

If you find your debt has impacted your credit score, your auto insurance rate won’t be affected if you live in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, or Washington, which do not allow credit score as a factor in determining your rate.

For those in other states, you can offset the rise in a premium due to a low credit score by not only comparison shopping, but also opting for pay-per-mile insurance, especially if you’re a good driver who doesn’t drive a lot, or taking advantage of senior discounts, as well as dozens of other discounts.

The best auto insurance for seniors can be found at The Hartford/AARP, Geico, and State Farm. And the best home insurance companies for seniors are The Hartford/AARP, Allstate, and Amica Mutual. 

Research and Negotiate for All Your Spending

Don’t stop with credit cards and insurance. Research all of the companies providing you with services for specials and discounts, so you’re armed with information when you call to negotiate a lower rate.

I saved 66% on my SiriusXM bill by noting my reduction in driving and then receiving a loyalty discount and a multi-car discount. And I’m saving $40 a month on my T-Mobile bill by pursuing their 55 plan.  

While the ideal retirement of having all your debt in the rear-view mirror doesn’t work out that way for most of us, we hope we’ve given you enough actionable tips that you can at least better enjoy your ride into retirement thanks to a lighter debt load.

 

About The Author: Karen Condor writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com. She is a finance and insurance expert who enjoys helping people of all ages plan ahead for their retirement.

The Best Exercises to Help to Your Prostate

We all know that regular exercise is one of the best ways to look after our health and ensure that we stay as fit as possible. Although general exercise and workouts are always good, there are also routines that we can implement that have specific benefits – for example, you might do weight lifting if you want to gain muscle or swimming if you want to improve your stamina. If you have had problems with your prostate or want to try and avoid issues in the future then you should consider how to lower the prostate-specific antigen level – and some exercises can help with this.

Try Kegel Exercises

There are easy exercises that you can do if you have experienced issues with your prostate such as prostate cancer. They help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and therefore the control your urine flow. This helps to manage incontinence, which can be one of the long term side effects of having issues with your prostate. Your pelvic floor muscles, like many of the muscles in our body work on a use it or lose it basis and as such, to strengthen them back up you just need to get into the habit of using them again. The best way to do this is to stop yourself urinating for a few seconds each time you go –  you only have to hold it for a short time and then you can go again. After a while, you’ll find it much easier to do this and find that you can hold your urine for much longer – and this is a sign of a strong set of pelvic floor muscles.

Up Your Levels of Physical Activity

If you are able to then you should up your physical activity and try to be active every single day – it is recommended that you try to undertake around 30 minutes of exercise each day. Don’t worry if you don’t feel up to doing that all at once – even 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day can make a big difference. Start off by walking and as you build up your fitness and strength you can try jogging and running, as you start to feel more confident.

Although it is recommended that you avoid anything like cycling which means you’re sitting down for long periods of time any other exercise that gets you moving and breaking a sweat is a good thing – swimming, dancing and even going to the gym all work. You just need to find the right set of exercises that work for you.

There doesn’t have to be a specific exercise routine that you undertake or a set of exercises that you must do. The important thing is to be more active and increase your overall fitness. Statistics by Harvard University show that you have a 61% lower chance of dying from prostate cancer if you did at least 3 hours of exercise a week. That should be motivation enough to get your trainers on and start moving your body more.

Tips for Moving Into a Retirement Community

Moving anywhere requires copious amounts of time and planning, but moving your adult parent into a retirement community is a whole other ordeal. Here are tips for moving into a retirement community with your adult parent.

Use a List

Moving involves coordinating dozens of tasks and tying up loose ends. Transferring utilities, packing up belonging, arranging transportation—all these tasks and more pile up if you’re not careful. Don’t let these duties overwhelm you. Take all your jumbled thoughts and frustrated feelings and make a list. Writing down your ideas and responsibilities will keep your move organized and help everything go smoothly.

When you move your adult parent into an assisted living facility, they’ll need all the help you can give. Make sure you draft a moving list they can reference at any time. This way, you can all work and make decisions together.

Sort, Declutter, and Donate

One of the most time-consuming and stressful parts of a move is organizing all of one’s belongings into boxes for storage and transport. To tackle this, you should sort, declutter, and donate items far before the moving date arrives. Start working through your parent’s home and sort out clothes, décor, tools, food, and more. Declutter the home as much as possible and donate any items your parent doesn’t wish to keep.

Organize the Move In Advance

It’s easy to let moving day sneak up on you. Avoid this tendency to procrastinate and schedule all your services well in advance. If you plan to use a full-service moving company, you should work with them to arrange all packing, shipping, and unloading plans, so everything is in place for the move.

Remember these tips for moving into a retirement community as you make all the arrangements. If you still have a hard time communicating with your parent about moving, help them get the ball rolling by planning a few steps ahead. Sometimes, the best way to support your adult parent is with a gentle push in the right direction.

Assisted Living Facility – How to Find the Perfect Community

Moving older adults to assisted living can be challenging for many families. In fact, the decision of making the transition is tough enough, but once that is resolved, the next step is to find an assisted living community that will suit their needs and preferences.

In general, assisted living refers to a residential type facility for the elderly who need help with some of the activities of daily living such as cooking, bathing and traveling to appointments. Such facilities offer all of these services including round-the-clock medical care and supervision of a nursing home.

That’s why it is important to choose the perfect community where your loved ones will be well cared for and will fit their lifestyle and personality.

So, while you are checking out the services and offerings of various assisted living facilities, here are a few things you need to watch out for to make the process easier. 

Keep it close to home

The location of the assisted living facility plays a major role in making your decision. Most patients choose to remain in the local area and be close to their family, so they will get to see them more often.

For example, one of the best states in the country that offers excellent living conditions for older adults is Colorado. In fact, if you are living in the Denver area, the senior living Denver Colorado-based community would be an excellent choice for your loved one. Not only will you be able to see your older adult whenever you want, but it will also be beneficial for your older adult’s quality of life as they get older.

Meet the staff

One of the most important things to look for in an assisted living facility is a highly trained staff. You want the people who work there to be professional caregivers and treat their patients with the same level of love, attention and dedication as you do. 

That’s why it is recommended that you meet the staff and talk about the services they give their patients. This will be an excellent opportunity to see how they interact with residents as well as their levels of compassion for older adults.

Read reviews

If you are searching for assisted living online, then you should definitely look for reviews to help you narrow down the best community in your area. Reading online reviews can be very useful in learning about any past or current experiences of patients who have stayed there.

In general, such reviews include information about everything from the quality of the staff to the food served at dinner. These are some things you won’t probably hear about during your guided tour with the head of the staff. At the end of the day, you want to choose a community that will be safe and enjoyable for your loved one.

Ask about activities and amenities

Another crucial thing that will help you in the process of finding the perfect assisted living facility are the actual services they are offering. While some communities provide their residents with the basics such as housekeeping, medication management support, exercise and wellness programs and lots of social activities, others provide tailored services based on their patients’ specific health needs.

So, choosing a community that offers a combination of all would be an excellent choice. This way you will know your loved ones will be well cared for and their time spent there will be fulfilled.

Consider your budget

Another defining factor when choosing the perfect assisted living facility is cost. You want to find a community that your loved ones will like living in, but that is also affordable. For example, many residents are paying for their stay through personal finances such as their savings, long-term care insurance, veteran’s benefits or similar resources.

Also, keep in mind that there may be extra expenses to help move them into the community. You may need to hire professional movers who will bring all essentials your loved ones need to make their stay feel as homely as possible.

Final thoughts

There is no doubt that moving your loved ones to an assisted living facility is not an easy task. However, by choosing the best community for them, you are helping them keep up with their daily activities and lifestyles as they will be well cared for and supervised by highly trained caregivers.

So, in order to make the right decision, make sure you refer back to our free guide that summarizes the key information and highlights the most helpful checklist items.

How Pet Friendly Assisted Living Can Help

Assisted living is a great way for someone to remain independent but still have a level of support there when it is needed. There are different types of assisted living available and each of them will offer its own choice of care packages. It is best to research the assisted living options near to you and see what they offer so you can decide which is best suited to your needs.

One of the things many people mention about assisted living is that they sometimes feel they miss companionship, especially in the evenings. By moving into pet friendly assisted living, you can have a pet to keep you company! Of course, it isn’t just about having a bit of company; they can help in many other ways too.

 Provide Emotional Support

A pet may not be able to talk back; however, they are great listeners. Being able to chat to your pet about your worries can help to lift some of the burden and stress someone is feeling. They help remove some of the loneliness and in turn, reduce stress levels.

You Can Meet New People

Taking your dog for a walk or sitting with your cat in the garden gives people an excuse to talk to you. People love animals and will be curious about your pet – it’s a great conversation opener and can help you to meet new people. Having a friendly neighbor or two in the assisting living accommodation is always a good thing.

Help You Stay Active

No matter the age you are at, staying active is the best way to stay fit. Having a dog or other pet that needs walking ensures that you are committed to getting out of the house each day. A daily walk helps to improve your heart health, makes you feel good and can help support you with staying at a healthy weight. It can be easy to promise yourself that you’ll go for a walk tomorrow but when a pet needs a daily walk you are forced to get out and about each day.

Keeping Healthy

There are many ailments that an older person can be more susceptible to, so keeping happy and active is important. For example, high PSA levels which can lead to issues with the prostate can be linked to stress, so having a pet to help alleviate stress levels could be helpful. The chances of a man developing something like prostatitis are increased when he suffers from high-stress levels. You can read up here on how high can PSA levels go with prostatitis, however the best thing to do is make sure your stress levels are as low as possible and research shows pets can help!

 A Daily Routine

When you are retired and the pace of life slows down, it can be hard to find a reason to get up and do things. However, a pet means that you have a daily structure and a routine once again. Having everyday tasks to carry out can help an older person maintain their sense of purpose, which is great for their overall wellbeing.

The good news is that there are lots of pets that can benefit an older person living in pet friendly assisted living. If the commitment of walking a dog each day is too much then a cat or even a bird could be just the right company they need. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to pets, but living in pet friendly assisted living accommodation gives you peace of mind that whatever pet you choose, they’ll be able to call the place home too.

Signs You Need to Professionally Clean Your Property

As you get older, cleaning your house or apartment can become quite a daunting task. No longer can you be expected to get up on a ladder to dust the tops of cabinets or move furniture so you can vacuum underneath them. However, it can be quite hard to accept that you may need some help with something as simple as cleaning. Even so, there are definite signs that a person may be struggling with the harder cleaning tasks, but those can sometimes be hard to recognize. To help with that recognition, here are signs you need to professionally clean your property.

Messes Continue To Build Up

Do you notice that despite your best efforts to keep the house clean, messes continue to build up? This is a significant sign of needing a professional cleaning service. Cleaning, especially in bigger households and rentals, is an unending task that builds up if you put it on the back burner for a while. For that reason, if you find yourself unable to keep up with the total task of cleaning, hiring a professional cleaner might be the best option for you.

Never Have Motivation or Energy

If you find that you have no energy to clean your house by the end of the day, this may be the time to hire a professional cleaner. Simply put, if you work all day and are tired by the end, you deserve to have a cleaner. There is no need to make yourself even more exhausted, much less spend all night cleaning, which will only make you even more tired the next day.

Embarrassed To Have Company Over

The most obvious sign you need a professional cleaner is that you are embarrassed to have company over. For the most part, this is a sign that you are aware of your inability to thoroughly clean your living space, making it easier for you to accept that you will need a cleaner soon. If you are tired of doing a mad rush to clean before guests come over, hiring a cleaner may be the perfect solution for you.

Whatever the reason may be, hiring a professional cleaner can make your life a lot easier. If you decide to hire one, you will be able to spend a lot more time doing the things you love, having more people over, and not having to stress about the messes piling up. We hope this article has made it easy to identify the signs of needing to professionally clean your property and that it has given insight into the benefits that hiring a professional cleaner can provide.

Staying Healthy Post Hip Replacement (+How to Avoid Surgery)

Hip replacement surgeries can be a complex procedure with an extended period of recovery, so it’s important to understand the basics and have appropriate health insurance coverage.

Surgical procedures are just one of the many reasons why you need health insurance. The proper health insurance coverage ensures that you have optimal medical care and acts as a safety net in case of any medical emergencies. 

Health insurance coverage enables important preventive care that can help catch health issues earlier. Health insurance keeps your medical costs lower and helps protect you from financial catastrophe in case of an unexpected serious illness or emergency. It helps keep costs lower for all insured people.

This article will answer questions about hip replacement surgeries, the best insurance coverage for this kind of procedure, and positive lifestyle changes for a faster recovery.

The Basics of Hip Replacement Surgery

A hip replacement is necessary to repair damage to the hip joint, also known as the acetabulofemoral joint. The hip joint is formed by the meeting of the head of the femur (the large thigh bone) and the cavity in the pelvis known as the acetabulum. 

The hip is the second most mobile joint in the body and is a stable joint due to the large bones, large muscle groups, and the strong ligaments that surround the joint. The hip joint is important in standing, walking, running, climbing stairs, exercising the lower body, and many other daily activities. 

When sudden trauma or joint damage causes pain and interferes with mobility, it may be time to look into a hip replacement. A hip replacement procedure involves replacing the hip joint with a synthetic or artificial joint. This can be made from metal or plastic materials. 

Health Insurance Coverage for Hip Replacements

The best health insurance coverage for hip replacement surgeries should be a traditional insurance plan, which can either be offered as employer-sponsored or private coverage. A catastrophic or high-deductible plan may help cover some of the costs but could result in expensive medical bills. 

Employer-sponsored coverage means the employer pays part of the employee’s insurance premium costs and can include PPOs and HMOs. If you don’t have employer-sponsored coverage, you can purchase an individual or private insurance plan. 

If you do not have health insurance, any medical visits including surgery could result in large out-of-pocket medical bills. With all of the many options for health insurance coverage, there should be no reason you are without this important safety net. 

Causes of Hip Replacements

As we get older, we tend to lose bone mass and our joints become less resilient. Our bone mineral density decreases, we are more likely to experience osteoporosis (which can impact all aspects of life, including term life insurance rates), and some changes occur in the joint structure to make older adults more likely to need hip surgery. 

Cartilage is an important structural feature that helps protect the bones that meet at the hip joint. Cartilage can wear down as we get older and causes the bones in the joint to rub together, which can be painful. There is also less synovial fluid to lubricate joints as we age, which can create pain and inflammation. 

The hormone estrogen helps protect bones, but estrogen levels drop after women go through menopause, which can impact bone health. Women who have gone through menopause are more likely to develop osteoporosis (porous bones) and more likely to experience a fracture. 

A sudden fall can be traumatic and lead to a hip fracture. A hip replacement may be recommended to repair a hip fracture after an accident or fall.

When other treatments have not provided the necessary relief, it may be time to think about hip replacement surgery. When medication and therapy do not relieve pain and inflammation, a surgical procedure may be recommended. 

Preventing Hip Replacements

The best things to do to prevent hip replacement surgeries are to stay active and eat a healthy diet with plenty of protein, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and other nutrients. Avoid smoking and overconsumption of alcohol.

It’s important to participate in weight-bearing activities like walking and weight training. Add balance activities to your routine to improve your balance and stability. What’s the difference between resistance bands and free weights? Learn more here.

If you do not consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet from dairy or other foods, you may be encouraged to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. 

Fall prevention strategies are also important. Use caution with certain environmental factors such as slippery surfaces, rugs, stairs, and objects on the floor. Clean up the clutter in your home to avoid tripping or slipping while walking through your home.

Hip Replacement Recovery

It can take anywhere from six weeks to six months to recover from hip replacement surgery. Many patients will see a great improvement in their daily activities within six weeks and most will be fully recovered by six months. 

Hospital stays depend on the severity of your hip replacement. Most patients can expect to stay just a few days. If your procedure was more complex or if there were any complications, this may prolong your hospital stay. You will likely work with a physical therapist or occupational therapist in the hospital, which will continue once you are home. 

Prepare your home before you leave for the hospital so it is ready for you to return post-surgery. Clear clutter, move throw rugs, install a shower chair, and place items you need most often (remote, books, keys, phone) by a comfortable chair. 

Use assistive devices like a walker, scooter, or cane when recommended. It’s also important to follow your healthcare provider’s advice and take all medications as prescribed. Manage swelling and inflammation according to your healthcare provider’s recommendations. 

Have a friend or family member available to come check on you. It can be helpful to have someone bring you groceries or help you with basic daily tasks while you are recovering. 

The Best Ways to Stay Healthy and Age Well

Staying active and participating in weight-bearing activities are two excellent ways to keep your bones strong. You should include walking, jogging, dancing, and weight training activities in your weekly exercise routine. Balance activities improve your stability and help prevent falls. 

Eat a healthy diet with a focus on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of nutrient-rich foods. Dairy products and many vegetables are a good source of calcium, which is important for strong bones. 

Socializing and managing stress are two other important ways to stay hip. Social connections and stress management strategies help improve your emotional and mental health, which can affect physical health. 

To keep bones strong, avoid tobacco and smoking. Those who use tobacco tend to have weaker bones. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate amounts because overconsumption of alcohol can have a negative effect on bone health. 

A hip replacement surgery doesn’t have to get you down for long. With some modifications to your environment and lifestyle, it can be easy to stay hip post hip replacement. 

 

About The Author : Melissa Morris writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, TheTruthAboutInsurance.com. She has a master of science degree in exercise science, is an ACSM

11 Home Safety Tips for Elderly People

Staying at home as you age is possible, but it requires some caution and preparation. Whether you are aging yourself or simply looking to keep elderly loved ones safe, you should keep several things in mind when thinking about home safety. Here are 11 home safety tips for elderly people, from shower chairs to senior clothing:

Conduct a home safety audit.

Go through your house and make a note of every possible hazard or obstacle. If a throw rug might trip you up, put it on the list. If a round door knob is hard to turn, put it on the list. If the water temperature is too hot and might scald you, put it on the list. Once you’ve finished your “audit,” figure out how you will address each item on the list to make your home as safe as possible.

Decide if your house is worth the effort.

Based on your audit, decide if your home is well set up for you to age in place, or if you might be better served either moving to a new home or even a senior living facility. Some homes, especially older houses, simply aren’t suitable for aging in place due to the extensive renovations required to make it safe.

Determine if you’re a good candidate for aging in place.

Sometimes, it’s not your home that is the complicating factor for aging in place. If you have certain physical or mental conditions that make it difficult to live on your own, then you might actually find it safer to move into an assisted living facility instead of struggling on at home. Have an honest conversation with your loved ones about your prognosis and how you are coping with living at home so far.

Keep the floors clear.

Trip and fall hazards are one of the biggest concerns for home safety. Remove any loose rugs and move any extension cords that might trip you up. Apply non-slip wax to hardwood floors to reduce slickness. If you have pets that constantly get underfoot, consider giving them to a family member and visiting them regularly instead of keeping them at your house 24/7. Always wear non-slips shoes, such as Velcro shoes for women, even when inside to prevent falls.

Widen doorways and remove thresholds.

This is more of an extensive home renovation, but it can really make a difference for people who use wheelchairs and walkers. Making doorways wider allows them to pass through easily without having to wedge their walker or wheelchair through the door. Removing thresholds also eliminates the need to “step over” into the next room, a move that can lead to tripping and falling.

Update the bathroom.

Install grab bars near the toilet and shower to provide support, and also consider placing a shower chair in the shower as well. Use rubber bath mats and add non-slip floor tape to the shower or tub as well as the floor to increase traction. Replace the toilet seat with a raised toilet seat, sometimes also called a high profile toilet seat. If you have a tub, you might want to consider getting it renovated and replacing it with a walk-in shower instead.

Assess the kitchen.

Move any appliances and utensils that you regularly use to chest height so you don’t have to bend over or get up on a step stool to reach them. Choose light but sturdy pots and pans that are easy to move, and utensils with wide, rubbery grips for stability. If you use a lot of appliances with heat, consider getting models with automatic shutoff so you can’t accidentally leave them on. Regularly clean out the fridge and pantry so you don’t eat expired food.

Put up more lights.

Test the lights in every room to make sure that you can clearly see the floor. If you cannot, then add more lights or swap in brighter bulbs. You might need to look into solutions beyond just overhead lighting — for instance, there are puck lights specifically designed to illuminate stairways, including motion-sensitive models. Promptly replace any bulbs when they burn out and keep spares on hand. Make sure that you have nightlights in all the hallways, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms.

Make the stairs safe.

Stairs in particular create a tripping and falling hazard. You may need to consider installing a stairlift for indoor stairs, or replacing outdoor stairs with a gently sloped ramp. If you can still navigate the stairs, then get rid of any loose runners and replace them with non-skid treads. You might also need to paint the tops of the stairs different colors or otherwise find a way to differentiate the change in height, especially if your vision is impaired.

Remember regular safety tips.

Seniors need working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors just like everybody else. You might also want to look into getting a home security system if you don’t have one already, especially if you spend a lot of time alone at the house. You might also want to look into getting a senior medical alert system so that if an emergency does happen, help will be on the way quickly.

Don’t forget other fixes.

Not every fix involves home renovations. For instance, wearing adaptive clothing with easy-to-work closures makes it easier for seniors to keep dressing themselves even when they can no longer work buttons or zippers. Keep an eye out for other solutions like this and you might be surprised how much they can improve your quality of life.

With home safety tips in mind, you or your loved one will be able to age in place. It will take some prep work, but you can make many different homes safe for elderly people.

The Explosion of Online Therapy During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought suffering, pain, and death in its wake, but it also brought depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health issues. In the effort to mitigate the virus transmissions and decrease the amount of hospitalizations and deaths that occurred, people were told to stay at home and isolate themselves. This has been very bad for mental health. While some toiled in their sorrow, others were finally motivated to do something about it. Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen a huge rise in people going to therapy and online therapy has been the method of choice.

The Demand for Therapy Rose During the Pandemic

While the numbers of people who have entered therapy during the pandemic is almost impossible to determine for obvious reasons—many people want to keep it to themselves for example—the impact is measurable. Other data, numbers, and statistics can be used to determine just how much people have begun to seek assistance for their trauma, unhappiness, chemical imbalances, and more. For example, the company known as Vibrant Emotional Health said that their Disaster Distress Hotline saw an increase in calls that reached 338 percent.

The rise in demand is clear. The American Psychological Association polled 1,800 psychologists and 74 percent of them said that they were seeing more patients with anxiety disorders compared to before the pandemic. 60 percent said that they were seeing more patients with depressive disorders and nearly 30 percent said they were seeing more patients overall. The demand is so high that therapists are struggling to meet it.

Online Therapy is More Accessible than Traditional Therapy

One of the reasons that the numbers of people who are going to therapy have increased is because online therapy has become much more accessible. Online therapists are widely available on many platforms. You can see private therapists through a conference software or use a service that connects the patient with a therapist that fits them.

There are many different options and methods to utilize. Private messaging, phone chats, video sessions, and more can be provided by an online therapy service. These companies provide the means to see a therapist wherever you are. You don’t have to be in the same city or state as your therapist. The limitations have decreased and people everywhere are feeling more secure to see a therapist because they never have to leave their house. They don’t have to wait in a waiting room and can be completely confident with the fact that they are even seeing a therapist at all. Therapy has never been easier.

The “Stigma” Around Therapy is Going Away

For generations, therapy was stigmatized. People thought that you had something wrong for you to go to therapy. That was never the case but now people are accepting this truth. There is less stigma. Now, people of all ages are going to therapy for the first time. Older people who have needed therapy for years are now just getting the assistance that they need. With therapy services much more widely available, accessible, and accepted, people of all ages are getting therapy. It is a great way for younger and older people to stay healthy and happy.

Will the Trend Continue?

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is getting under control in some parts of the country, only time will tell if people will continue going to therapy. While some of the woes were created by the isolation, restrictions, and heartbreak that the virus has caused, other issues were simply revealed. One thing is clear, we have a mental health crisis in the United States and people of all kinds need to get the help that they require. Just because we are getting a handle on the pandemic doesn’t mean that people are cured of their problems, depression, anxiety, addictions, and other mental health disorders.

Since the pandemic began, many people have begun therapy for the first time. It is a sign that the times are tough but it also shows that people are willing to do what’s necessary to get better and have a nice life. Many people have had trouble finding a therapist during this time. As others leave therapy and these people get treated, it will lead to a lot of changes that can improve their personal lives and the society as a whole.