The holidays are a time of togetherness; about spending time with family and those who mean the most to us. But for many seniors who have experienced loss, the holidays, whatever they may be, can become a time of loneliness.  It is, however, possible to prevent the holiday blues and the emotional distress that begins to signify the holidays for many seniors:

• Don’t expect too much – if big family get togethers haven’t been a big part of holidays recently, don’t expect them or you’ll only face disappointment

• Don’t do things that are too stressful – holidays are meant to be a time of enjoyment, so if there are certain tasks that surround the holidays that stress you out, avoid them!

• Volunteer – surround yourself with others in the community by volunteering and giving back

• Don’t isolate yourself – when holidays aren’t the way they used to be, seniors might become isolated; join in on activities in the community, get together with friends and make sure you don’t have to be alone

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle – to keep your spirits up, take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well and limit  alcohol consumption

Sources:

1. 4Therapy

2. About.com

Art might just seem like a fun hobby for many, but for seniors with Alzheimer’s it can have extensive benefits that can truly change their lives in the following ways:

1. Communication – seniors with Alzheimer’s often struggle to communicate verbally; art gives them a method to communicate non-verbally, expressing their feelings in a way that can act as an emotional release

2. Improved memory and concentration – Alzheimer’s doesn’t eliminate memories, it just limits the pathways that seniors have to access them.  Art can help seniors to access some of these memories, and it generally taps into the skills and abilities that seniors still have, rather than focusing upon what they’re lacking

3. Better sense of well-being – seniors with Alzheimer’s can be difficult when dealing with their caregivers due to lingering frustrations that come with the disease. Art has calming effects which can benefit not only the well-being of the senior, but also the caregiver through increased cooperation

4. Forms a bond – by allowing the senior with Alzheimer’s to tap into elements of themselves and show their abilities, caregivers and family members are reminded that there’s someone that’s still in there

1. AARP

2. USA Today

Do you use a webcam to keep in touch with your grandchildren that live far away? If so, we’d like to hear your favorite moments and memories that have made you feel closer to your loved ones despite the distance.

Webcams make it possible to catch all of those little moments that you might miss otherwise. Having that visual connection makes it feel like you’re right next to each other having a conversation, rather than being at the other end of the phone line, or simply typing words in an email. Here are some tips for getting started with a webcam to communicate with your grandchildren if you aren’t doing it already:

1. Get the webcam – many laptops that are sold today come with webcams, even a few computer monitors also have webcams built in. If your computer doesn’t have a webcam, you can buy one for as little as $20

2. Set it up – most webcams will come with software and drivers you can install to get it setup. Follow the instructions and put the webcam itself so it comfortably focuses on your face

3. Find a way to chat – to connect with grandchildren, you will need to both use the same type of program that supports webcam chat. Instant messengers like MSN and AOL have webcam chat, or other programs like Skype offer it as well. Choose one that will also be safe for your grandchild to use

Sources:

1. CowboyFrank

2. All Business

Seniors are always on the hunt for things that can help conserve their memories and enhance their overall cognitive function and I would be willing to bet if you’re not one of them today, you’re looking for secrets that will help you in the future. Well, I’ve got good news for you – something that you’re doing already out of enjoyment and convenience will help improve your mind..and I’ll give you a hint, if you’re reading this, you’re doing it right now! Did you figure it out? Because the big secret is using the internet and the number one benefit comes from reading through search engine results after you’ve looked for a specific resource as it involves complex cognitive processes. Surfing the internet generally does have its benefits as well, so if you get online to check your email, social network, or do your shopping, you’re also on the road to making sure those are moments that you’ll remember. And that’s something you can take literally!

In the past, the aging process was seen as a regular decline of the body and mind, but perceptions are changing, and today’s seniors are seen as being more like a fine wine; they just get better with age. Although not everyone has jumped onboard with this ideology, the mainstream media is beginning to embrace the beauty of age. The face of Mango’s 2008/2009 Fall/Winter collection was 65 year old Lauren Hutton, an actress and model who has also appeared on the cover of Vogue. This campaign shows that like the size 0 teens or twenty-somethings that typically appear on the pages of fashion magazines and even the fashion runways, that older adults can be just as beautiful and intriguing, and also showing that the trendier fashion lines can be great for people of all ages.

Age is beauty, and as ideologies about what it means to get older continue to shift, hopefully society will continue to embrace aging as a positive thing!

Via: Trendhunter.com

There is no feeling worse than sitting at home wondering what’s become of your elderly loved one who suffers from Alzheimer’s and has wandered away. Every time the phone rings, for hours on end, you begin to wonder if someone is calling because they have found the senior injured, or even worse, deceased from an accident or injury during their journey while lost and confused. But for some, the prevention of this situation is not enough to consider using a tracking device to help keep track of older adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Some people believe it takes away the privacy and independence of a senior; others know that it does that while offering protection and safety which both should come first.

Despite the controversy of senior tracking devices, there is quite a market out there for them, with more refined technology constantly under development. The latest is a pair of shoes with a tracking device that submits location details back to a computer. The Ambulatory Tracking Shoes are set to go on sale in the spring, and a portion of the costs might be covered by Medicare.

Where do you stand in the argument about senior tracking technology? Share with us what you think about these tracking shoes.

Via: Washington Post

For seniors who live independently with medical issues that require management, there is an increased risk that they will put their health at stake while missing doses of medication, or doubling up on them accidentally. Of course, this is an issue that can occur amongst people of any age, but seniors do tend to have a cocktail of medications that they need to take daily which can increase the chances of improper use. As seniors can also struggle with memory issues, the risk of poor medication habits is increased even more. A new system can help seniors manage their medications, and in turn, their health more effectively:

uBox Smart Pill Box Features:

• Storage - 14 chambers for pill dispensing for 2 weeks worth of medication or multiple types of prescriptions

• Alert system – seniors who find themselves unable to remember when it’s time to take their medications are alerted with flashing lights and a buzzer

• Protection against duplication – so seniors do not accidentally take the same medication again, seniors cannot get the device to open unless it’s time to take a pill

1. MIT News

2. TrendHunter

Image: web.mit.edu

It seems like we’ve all encountered a home bound senior at some time in our lives. The thing is, when we’re younger, we often think that seniors are remaining isolated by choice when specific health limitations aren’t keeping them confined to their San Diego homes. But it becomes clear that with the aging process, when mobility becomes more limited, there is a greater challenge involved with stepping outside just to run simple errands. Since so many seniors find it difficult to get around, new technologies are being developed to improve their quality of life that is affected by mobility.

About the ICIO Personal Transporter for Seniors:

• It has a convertible design

• Seniors can choose to use the personal transporter as a traditional 3 wheeled walker

• During periods when they’d like to move at a faster pace, they can stand on an attachable support and activate the electric function

• The device is suitable for seniors as their level of physical mobility changes, since it also converts into a mobile scooter with a seat

• With the personal transporter, seniors can venture out for exercise and convert the device if they get tired, giving them the security that they won’t be stranded

Sources:

1. TrendHunter

2. The Design Blog

3. TrendHunter

Many gyms and fitness centers across the United States offer exercise classes with seniors in mind. Well, today’s seniors don’t want to see themselves as getting older, and while they are cautious, they want to continue to push themselves to the limit physically to remain in top health late into their lives. A San Diego area fitness center is creating classes that have today’s seniors in mind, paying enough heed to safety, while still allowing older adults to feel young and vibrant. At the San Marcos Senior Center free fitness classes are offered which include pilates, Jazzercise, Latin dancing, yoga and traditional aerobics classes.

This senior’s center is focused upon offering classes that are suitable both for baby boomers, who might still be in the workforce, and the 65+ group who want to preserve their youth for as long as possible through a healthy lifestyle. Unlike many classes geared towards seniors, these fitness programs are also offered during the evenings and weekends to accommodate a working schedule, and their fitness programs give participants of all ages a great workout. Today’s seniors are a different group than the seniors of the past – age is now just a number and doesn’t define physical abilities, and slowly but surely, senior fitness programs are adapting to this new perspective regarding older adulthood.

Seniors can learn more about the programs offered by the San Marcos Senior Center in California by calling 760-744-5535.

Via: North County Times