Monday, February 11, 2013
'Losing our body is like losing our best friend,' said Larry Prescott, who runs a local assisted living and dementia care community. He tells caregivers that exercise needs to be adapted to a senior's needs.
As people age they tend to stay at home and get less exercise through daily activities, such as trips to the grocery store, said Larry Prescott, executive director of Grand Villa. "The fear of falling, pain from arthritis and neuropathy of the feet, and not recouping as quickly from illnesses often keep people from exercising," Prescott said. Exercise needs to be adapted to the individual's needs. "Person-centered exercise takes the time to determine individual needs. It is completely focused on our residents and what is going to make their life enriched," Prescott said. "Losing our body is like losing our best friend. It can be very depressing and can inhibit motivation to do anything," Prescott said. The key is having the right exercise…
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Gardening, chair-exercises, and balloon volleyball are a few of the exercise options available for seniors.
The New Year is a time when many people start thinking about getting fit and exercising and it’s no different for seniors. As seniors age, remaining active becomes increasingly important. Senior living communities and caregivers should consider looking beyond traditional physical therapy options to keep seniors engaged and active. Seniors are most receptive to physical therapy when caregivers and their therapists develop individualized plans that fit both their lifestyle and interests. Research shows that it is difficult to motivate seniors to begin to exercise if it hasn’t previously been a priority. Integrating modified, low-impact activities, like yoga, into seniors’ exercise plans increases the likelihood that they will …
Monday, October 22, 2012
An analysis of the latest U.S. Census Data indicates there has been a huge increase in the number of people 50-plus getting a divorce.
On any given day you can walk into the law office of William D. Slicker, P.A., 4554 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, and see one or more seniors, from young Baby Boomers in their early 50s, to those in their 60s or 70s, waiting for professional law help by this local attorney. Given the fact that Slicker is an elder law attorney this makes a lot of sense. Many come for his legal advice on wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and other issues commonly facing seniors. But not all of these individuals are there for these services. They are there because they need Slicker’s help in getting a divorce. According to a recent research study done by Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the divorce rate among Baby …
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Here's a list of factors to consider when selecting a senior care community.
Naturally, adult children and caregivers want to find an assisted living facility that is best suited for their parents and their individual needs. Choosing a community can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but there are ways to make an informed choice. I recommend that all caregivers and family members take a proactive approach, visiting out a number of communities and asking important questions of the professionals at each facility. This makes the evaluation process easier and ensures an informed decision that is right for your loved one. Begin your search process by identifying the communities you will be considering and developing your list of questions and then visiting the communities in person. Following is a list of …
Saturday, July 7, 2012
In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. It is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.
First signs One of the first signs of dementia is mental changes. Forgetfulness is the best examples of this. It can start with not being able to remember the right word to describe something or forgetting a name or how to use a household appliance. As it progresses, the person will have increased difficulty making choices or decisions. If a person exhibits personality changes, it may be a sign of dementia. This can include someone who has become overly friendly and flirtatious or can be at the other end of the spectrum and appear apathetic and introverted. Someone with dementia may also have mood swings or anger easily. Behavioral and personality changes tend to go hand-in-hand. A person with dementia may be restless, is easily …
Monday, May 28, 2012
Dogs may be more than just man’s best friend. The animals may also help the sick heal more quickly.
A study of heart failure patients at the University of California Los Angeles showed those who were visited by a therapy dog while in recovery saw their heart pressure drop by 10 percent, epinephrine (a hormone the body makes when under stress) levels drop 17 percent and anxiety levels were lowered by 24 percent. Project PUP, a local therapy dog organization, has been bringing dogs to hospitals, hospice facilities and senior living communities for more than 25 years. The animals provide companionship and perform tricks to lift the spirits of the residents. Pets have long been recognized for their unique ability to offer comfort and companionship in times of stress, but many studies have shown that the benefits of interacting with a loving …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's partnership with SafetyNet by LoJack is aimed to give some peace of mind to caregivers worried about loved ones wandering off. The system involves wearing a small ankle or wrist transmitter.
Adults and children with special needs are getting special attention from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Deputies are partnering with SafetyNet by LoJack to better respond to calls for service of missing adults and children with special needs who wander from home. The aim is to more easily address cases of missing people, including silver alerts. Citizens enrolled in SafetyNet wear a small LoJack SafetyNet personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies the local SafetyNet agency, and a trained emergency team will respond. "Caring for a loved one who wanders is a considerable responsibility,” notes the company’s Web site. “…
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Under the new county ordinance, gas stations are required to provide assistance to disabled customers upon request.
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Sunday, April 1, 2012
From Hillsborough County Government Online: Disabled drivers officially get some assistance at the pump in Hillsborough County, as the County Gas Ordinance goes live on Sunday, April 1. While County Ordinance 11-23, Gas Pumping Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, went into effect on January 1, 2012, enforcement was delayed 90 days to allow gas station owners the time necessary to comply as appropriate. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires gas stations, including those offering self-service, to provide equal access for their customers with disabilities. For self-service gas stations, the ADA requires gas stations to provide refueling assistance upon the request of a customer with a disability if there is more than one …
Thursday, March 22, 2012
There are steps we can take to help ensure healthy vision later in life.
According to Prevent Blindness America, the risk of severe eye problems increases significantly with age. Vision impairment is common for most people over 65. Robin Quigg is a certified ophthalmic technician with The Eye Institute of West Florida who spoke at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center. She encouraged seniors to get a "comprehensive dilated eye exam every year." Quigg addressed the leading causes of blindness in seniors: Here is some of what she shared regarding each of these diseases: • Cataracts - "Most people in their 60s have some degree of cataracts, although they might not realize it," Quigg said. She explained cataracts just come with age. A cataract is a clouding of the eye lens that affects vision. Common symptoms are…
Monday, August 29, 2011
Taking breaks and attending to their own needs can help these dedicated men and women stay at their most effective.
Caregivers are heroes — they care for our community’s most vulnerable. They care for our youngest and eldest generations, provide care and support to the sick and dying, and assist those with substance abuse or mental health disorders and developmental or physical disabilities. These are the family members, friends, professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteers there for us during the most difficult and trying times of our lives. Although caregivers are heroes, they are not superheroes. They are prone to sickness, depression, sleep deprivation and neglecting other physical, emotional and spiritual needs for themselves. They give of themselves but too often forget to give back to themselves to stay physically and mentally healthy. Self …
Angela Wilkins
10:55 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The best exercise is the one you'll do regularly more ›