Healthy eating and nutrition for the elderly is greatly impacted by several factors, one of them being a change in body composition. During the later years in life, the body will lose bone and muscle and gain fat because the hormones aren’t very active anymore

There are many factors which hinder an elderly person’s health. The information below will help you to lead a healthy life – no matter how old you may be

Water Water in the body decreases with age, so many older folks will become dehydrated very easily. Sometimes they won’t feel thirsty, while other times it’s too much work to pour a glass a water. With this in mind, it’s recommended that they drink at least 1 ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of weight.

Protein At this stage in life, protein is very important. Protein is needed to support a healthy immune system and prevent the wasting of muscle. Since energy needs are less, older folks should eat high quality protein such as eggs, lean meats, poulty, and fish

Carbs and fiber Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the entire body. You can find carbs in bread, cereals, pasta, and other grain products. A diet that’s high in fiber and water will help to prevent constipation as well

Fat Fat intake for the elderly should be limited, not eliminated. You can limit fat by choosing lean meats, low fat dairy products, and food preperation methods that don’t include frying

Iron For the elderly, iron deficiency can be seen with those who aren’t eating much. Good sources for iron include lean red meats or breakfast cereals

Zinc Zinc intake is normally with the elderly, and to make matters worse, it’s not absorbed very well either. Meat, poultry, and fish should be a part of your diet to help you meet the requirements for zinc

Calcium Calcium is one ingredient that most elderly folks simply aren’t getting enough of. Most believe that milk upsets their stomach, and therefore they will avoid it. They should be getting around 1,500 mg of calcium a day, and nonfat powdered milk can be used in recipes as a substitute for milk. Other foods such as yogurt, low fat cheese, and broccoli can also help you meet the requirements for calcium

Vitamin B12 In order to absorb the benefits of B12, the intrinsic facotr must be produced by the stomach. Most elderly people suffer from a deficiency in B12 because they have a condition known as atrophic gastritis. This condition causes inflammation of the stomach, bacterial overgrowth, and the intrinsic factor. Without the intrinsic factor, this vitamin can be absorbed.

Each one of the above nutrients are needed to keep an aged body in good health. Elderly individuals should try to stay active and strive for a well balanced diet. Even though the aged body isn’t the same as it used to be, proper care and the right nutrients can help the elderly enjoy a healthy and long life.

About the Author

I just make some blogs that may be useful for you. That is about the Health Nutrition, Individual Health Insurance, and For Back Pain. If you are interested you can visit my blog and get all the information about the topics. Thanks You.

If you are thinking of moving into a home, building one that you can retire in, or wondering how you can make your elderly parent’s home easier to live in – there are some things to look for to make living as a Senior Adult or a person with a disability easier. Here is a list of 21 proven helpful ideas and tips.

1. Rocker style light switches and lots of ways to turn lights on/off from different locations – commonly known as 2-way or 3-way. Plenty of natural lighting, overhead lights and electrical outlets. Ideally, electrical outlets should be higher off the floor than code says and many more in number, this makes placing of lights easier, cords are less likely to be in the way too. In large spaces, consider in-floor outlets which will eliminate cords and allow for furniture placement options. This also is very handy if you have a small bedroom and someone needs a hospital bed in a living or dining room area.

2. All doors – going inside/outside and doorways into rooms should be at least 36″ for wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc. use. You need to have 18″ wall space free of clutter on the latch side of the doorway (in & out of room) so if you are in a wheelchair you can get close enough to the handle to easily open/close the door. Watch out not to block the space with furniture. Look into pocket doors – you gain footage and ease

3. Plenty of phone jacks so phones can be throughout the house, as you age, it takes longer to get to the phone. This also is safer in case of emergency situations

4. Railings up/down stairs both sides, railings in the bathroom for balance getting up/down on the toilet and in/out of showers/tub

5. Think about a security system that include an emergency button that has a wrist or neck chain you can wear or put in your pocket. These are very affordable and can even be used outside within many feet of the home

6. Hang a tennis ball on a string from the ceiling in the garage to hit your windshield at the right parking spot. Makes life easier. Make sure that if you have electric garage door openers, that if the power goes out, a “short” and not physically strong person can open the door to get the car out. Think about an on-demand generator….takes care of so many obstacles and dangers

7. Have drawers for all of your under cabinets in the kitchen, makes finding things easy, less lifting and actually uses space more efficiently

8. Washer/Dryer on floor near bedroom as this is where most laundry is generated

9. Make sure house is one floor, or if two-story, has a staircase extra wide so a stair-chair climber can be installed. They now have home elevators at affordable prices that work like a bank air tube and thus they even work when there is no power coming downstairs

10. Windows should be able to be cleaned from inside the house, both sides.

11. Really spend time looking at the bathroom and how you can make it usable if you broke your leg, if you had severe arthritis or if you were weak. Tub/shower/faucets/sprayers/slipping/room for equipment and mobility equipment.

12. Door knobs and faucet knobs should be lever type.

13. Maintenance free as much as you can, inside and outside of the home.

14. Is the home located near important resources such as grocery store, doctor/medical, pharmacy, friends, and church/clubs/activities? Consider this in case you can’t drive at night or very far or if you couldn’t drive at all. How far to fire/rescue/police services to

15. Open space vs. a house with many tiny rooms is best for flexibility as you age. Consider how far you have to walk in the home just to do daily living activities

16. Think about a doggie or cat door, if appropriate and the animal will be safe. It could go into a fenced in area, they can be closed off at night and they make living much easier

17. Re-think flooring. Does it have to be washed often, is it slippery, can a wheelchair go on it easily, and is it easy to care for and maintenance.

18. Stairs whether they are inside or outside the house can quickly become large obstacles, consider placement, width & rise, how often need to use, number, etc. for your future being to access areas of your home, getting in/out of your home and being safe

19. Higher toilets are available and they make it easier to get up/down. There are now combo shower/tubs you walk into and they keep coming down in price too

20. Having paved driveways and walkways is very helpful for safety, use of devices if necessary and in a snow climate, melt faster. Consider fire escape plans too, we just don’t move as quickly or as easily as we age or when you have limitation

21. If you can just look at a home through aging eyes or have someone with a disability or who is a Senior Adult look at things for you, you can have a much happier, safer and easier life in your home. Vocational Rehabilitation, which is in every state and usually located in the Department of Labor or Human Services, has at least one person fully trained in accessibility. (They are responsible for the Americans with Disabilities Act) and would be able to answer questions about your home in the sense of what can be done to make things easier

Some disability organizations may have a trained person in accommodations/adaptations too, or contact The Practical Expert for Tonia who is well trained in this area and who also lives it.

If you belong to a club, think about having it reviewed for suggestions of making it easier to access. This helps Senior Adults, people with disabilities and even people with a temporary injury (such as a person with a broken leg) to attend things like school graduations, belonging to civic organizations, for volunteering at places and going to many types of activities. Many accommodations/adaptations have no cost or little cost that can make a huge impact in people utilizing the place. Example, # of handicap spots at a school and how far to walk to the gym, etc.

Keeping your eye on how life can be more accessible and safer for senior adults, elderly parents and people with injuries or disabilities, means it is easier and safer for everyone, not just for today but for the future too.

About the Author

Tonia Boterf – The Practical Expert(TM) is there to lend you a hand with some of life’s tougher challenges. Through coaching, articles, books, and other resources, we provide you with the information and the tools you need to help you live your life fully. Try a free trial coaching session today!

Her doctor had told the family that her dementia was progressing and made the suggestion that she move to a smaller care home where she would have more one-on-one attention.

During my evaluation with “Mom”, I noticed that she was overly emotional and confused. The family and I realized that it was possible that her medications may not have been appropriately monitored or that she might need an adjustment, but I also pointed out that due to her emotional and mental state at the time of my visit, the family should have her checked out for a urinary tract infection and dehydration. I explained that it is believed that there is a connection to sudden symptoms of dementia or an increase in dementia symptoms and urinary tract infections. They were surprised at my suggestion, but also relieved that there could be an explanation other than a sudden progression of her dementia.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections and women tend to get UTIs more frequently than men. UTIs are infections of the urinary system, which consist of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. They can be very serious and sometimes life threatening.

It can be difficult to determine if an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient has a UTI because they may not be able to fully verbalize how they feel. They may not understand or be able to express pain, feeling the need to urinate frequently, etc. An infection can cause an imbalance in the substances and salts in the blood and reduce the production of a hormone that contributes to the formation of red blood cells. UTIs in the elderly or people with Alzheimer’s/dementias cannot only profoundly affect their physical health, but also severely impact their behavior such as disorganized thinking, disorientation to time and place, apathy or increased agitation.

Dr. Rajesh Tamp, Director of Psychiatry for Masonicare, feels that the connection between dementias and UTIs is not a widely understood as it needs to be and that people with urinary tract infections are often misdiagnosed as just a sign of dementia.

A significant difference is that confusion or changes in behavior brought on by an infection will come about much more quickly than confusion resulting from dementia.

So, if an older person shows sudden signs of confusion or behavioral changes, it may not be connected to their dementia. The key here is to remember that even if an elderly person has Alzheimer’s or dementia and is exhibiting sudden changes in physical, mental or emotional health, it would be advised to have them examined for a urinary tract infection. With treatment, their symptoms should ease and perhaps reverse altogether.

About the Author

Becky Feola is a Scottsdale resident and an assisted living relocation expert. She provides personal, full-service assisted living relocation services to families and individuals throughout the Valley through her company, Assisted Living Advantage. Feola has also been in those shoes, finding care for her husband throughout a long illness. Visit www.assistedlivingadvantage.com

It’s 3 a.m. I can’t sleep in a pleasant sort of way. My body is tired but my mind is racing. Did I complete everything I set out to accomplish before I head back to the airport? For three days I’ve been working on the move non-stop, and I’m pretty sure my job here is done, at least for the time being.

Several days ago, I flew to Florida to help Mom and Bill pack up their belongings. I went through drawers, closets, attics, and cabinets, sorting and discarding along the way. The goal was to pack household goods and clothing that they will take with them to their new home. Twenty boxes later, Mom and I drove to the UPS Store to have their items shipped to me in Chicago. Who knew AAA would kick in with a discount? Nice surprise. I also sent the boxes to my home office and that qualified me for yet another discount (business versus residential). The money is going to start flying out the window and every dime counts.

What didn’t get shipped to Chicago was placed on the back patio for the moving sale. Bedroom furniture, tables and chairs, sofas and recliners, millions of vases and knick-knacks and Tupperware, dishes and glasses, pots and pans, and unidentifiable items will be sold for a song or given away.

I want to cry so badly and I keep holding it in. If I lose it, Mom will, too. I am being stoic for her. It is so hard for me to see all of her once-beloved belongings spread out on make-shift plywood tables ready for strangers to buy at the sale. Each item tells a story of the stages of her life. Many are familiar items from my childhood that she has kept in her possession – until now. She no longer has a need for them. I must be strong and accept this.

In the meantime, Bill has done very little to help with the move. He does not want to move, and yet he has zero friends and family in Florida. I secretly wonder if Bill will figure out a way to get out of this relocation situation. If he does, it won’t be the first time that someone I knew sabotaged a move.

Last night, Mom and I sat outside on the back patio, amidst all her stuff that is on display for the moving sale, and I listened as she told me how much she will miss seeing the palm trees sway in the wind. She is very sad, and I will never forget this precious conversation and these past three days as long as I live.

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Here is what has been seen and heard this week at some of our favorite eldercare and caregiving  blogs:

Sandwich Generation Senior Parents Love Old Time Radio …

by Kaye Swain – Old-time TV. My senior parents grew up on it and my mom continues to enjoy the programs from back in the 40s and 50s. I still have fond memories of Our Miss Brooks and Father Knows Best. …

Reduce Risk of Dementia, Alzheimer’s with Healthy Eyesight

It’s all crystal clear: a new study from the University of Michigan suggests that good vision can help prevent the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s.

5 Ways To Prevent Caregiver Stress– personaltrainerreport.com

Too much stress can take its toll on physical, mental, and emotional health. Relationships can suffer, and this just adds to the mountain of stress you’re already dealing with. Here are some ways to combat Caregiver Stress and tips to …

Don’t Forget yourself When Caring for Someone With a Mood Disorder …

Caregivers especially, are prone to thinking of themselves as an afterthought, if at all. Neglecting yourself over time can result in adverse consequences for the caregiver, including burnout, shame, increased stress, and anger, …

Caregiver Health Insurance

As Congress debates the healthcare overhaul legislation, Caregiverlist decided to find out if professional caregivers receive healthcare benefits, as oftentimes companies require caregivers to be full-time employees to qualify. …

Who Moved My Dentures? Essential Information for Boomers on …

Caregivers are known to care for others before they take care of their own needs. In fact, as I tell people in my keynotes, a high majority of caregivers die before the ones they take care of so t aking care of yourself must be your …

Caregiving.com: Helping You Help Family and Friends

The National Alliance for Caregiving is seeking family caregivers of Veterans for a new study. This study will provide an opportunity for caregivers of Veterans to be heard and improve services for caregivers and Veterans now and in the …

That concludes this edition. !  Submit your blog article to the next edition of EldercareABC carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

As the author of The Complete Eldercare Planner and online elder care columnist geared toward people who are caring for aging parents, I’ve been asked some interesting questions. The depth of where our caregiving journeys will lead us never ceases to amaze me. This blog offers insights into the complex elder care process.

Question: My family and I believe my mother to be schizophrenic.  She has a cyclic pattern that is very disruptive for the whole family.  She can not keep employment, housing, or an automobile because of her disruptive behavior.  Presently she has no where to stay and my husband and I invited her to stay with us on the condition that she went to see a therapist.  She exploded and told us that we no longer existed to her and that she would go and stay in a homeless shelter.  I know that she won’t do that because she is afraid to live by herself.  I would like to become her legal guardian to get her some help.  We both live in Louisiana – she is in Baton Rouge and we are in New Orleans.

Answer: For starters, contact the Elderly Protective Services (EPS) and describe your situation. This agency protects adults who cannot physically or mentally protect themselves. To pursue a legal guardianship, contact the Public Guardian office and seek advice on how to proceed. Another source of assistance will be the state area agency on aging.

No matter what route you decide, think twice about taking your mother into your own home. If she is as disruptive as you describe, your family will suffer dearly. The professionals at the local agency on agency can help you with housing alternatives.

Question: I moved in with my father four months ago. I moved a whole house full of my, my husband and my child’s things from Montana to California because he said we could stay with him. There never was any set amount we were supposed to pay him, but we have given him what we can afford (over six hundred so far) Now he wants us to leave but we have no money saved yet. What are my rights?

Answer: For a variety of reasons, it’s hard for any of us to return to a parent’s home. I’m sorry things did not work out between you and your father.  That being said, your father is under no legal obligation to keep his word regarding housing you and your family. You are an adult, and his job of raising you and being a parent is complete.

The problem you describe is not an eldercare issue, but an unfortunate family situation, and it appears as though your father regrets allowing you to move into his home in the first place.  My hope is that you can talk things out – rationally — and that he’ll give you the time you need to pack up and make plans to live elsewhere. Your job is to get moving as quickly as you can. This is not a healthy situation for you and your entire family.   For the past four months, your father has taken you in. Move on, and thank him for all he has done.

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by Derrick Grant

Caregivers looking after someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia should know that not all day services are the same. Adult Day services is a competitive business that often has a low-profit margin and a fast consumer turnover rate, so agencies offering the service will often cast a wide net in hopes of serving as many clients as possible. This makes smart business sense on the part of the agency, but caregivers should proceed with caution. The needs of one individual may differ from the needs of another, and there are times when the needs conflict.
Having worked as the Director of Adult Day Services for an Alzheimer’s specific center, I can tell you firsthand that the day service needs of a person with dementia are not the same as those for a person with straight physical limitations or mental retardation. One of our biggest sources of referrals were actually other non-Alzheimer’s specific adult day centers that were servicing people with dementia and found the individuals’ needs could no longer be met at their facility. We welcomed the opportunity to serve these individuals, but it was often my opinion that the individual would have been served better had he/she come to our center in the first place.
This is not to discredit the work of our day service competition, but when an individual with Alzheimer’s Disease is admitted for day services, it’s typically still early enough in the disease process for the individual to become acquainted with the staff and building, to build relationships, and for the staff to get to know the individual; as the disease progresses, the ability to develop such relationships decreases. If the individual came to our center after leaving another center, he/she was likely to experience confusion and discomfort. Had the individual come to our center in the first place, the relationship would have been established and as the disease progressed, staff would know the individual’s preferences prior to his/her inability to communicate them, and the individual would have at least some familiarity with the environment.
A day service center that caters to Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias should have the following characteristics:

• activity programs specific to this population
• staff with Alzheimer’s experience and training
• secure environment (door alarms, ankle bracelets, etc. to prevent wandering)
• building design conducive to dementia
• medical monitoring services (as opposed to strictly social services)

The advice in this post depends on the notion that multiple day service centers exist near the caregiver’s home. It’s entirely possible that this is not the case, and that the caregiver may have to settle for day services at a non-Alzheimer’s specific facility. There is nothing wrong with this idea. Most day services do incorporate some type of dementia services for their client pool, and are often more than open to adjusting services to meet individual needs. If you are unsure how your loved one will do at such a center, ask for a free visit and leave your loved one there for a day. Any decent facility will offer the first visit for free as a trial run.
****
Derrick Grant is the author of ElderGuru.com, offering insight and information on aging services. He has worked as a Licensed Social Worker in a nursing home, as the Social Services Manager at an Area Agency on Aging, as the Director of Adult Day Services, and most recently as a government Policy Analyst and Policy Writer.

Rebounding is performed on a mini-trampoline. Bouncing is a fun exercise with many health benefits. Because the trampoline is designed to give with each jump, it is a low-impact exercise, gentle on the knees, hips, feet, and spine.

Rebounding utilizes three forces gravity, acceleration, and deceleration to provide its health benefits. As you jump on the mini-trampoline, your body experiences weightlessness at the top of the jump, acceleration as you descend, and enhanced gravity as you land on the trampoline. The effect of these three forces is to stimulate the body in ways that conventional exercises can’t.

Rebounding oxygenates the blood. This exercise is shown to be 68% more effective in oxygenating the blood than other exercises. This is important for the elderly, who spend much of their time sitting. A few minutes rebounding brings oxygen back to the brain and body. It also gets the circulation going, moving blood to the vital organs and extremities and helping the body process food and eliminate waste.

What’s more, rebounding stimulates the lymphatic system, the system that is instrumental in removing toxins from the body. The elderly have special needs when it comes to toxin removal because of illnesses and the medications they may be taking. Rebounding will also increase white blood cell counts, thus working as a shield against new disease and illnesses. The shock-absorbing springs of the mini-trampoline allow for 87% shock-free movement. This means that it is gentle on both the muscles and the bones. At the same time, the exercise provided by rebounding builds muscle mass and strengthens the bones. These are especially important considerations for people looking to maintain muscle and bone strength as they age.

Because rebounding is such an efficient exercise, 68% more effective than other exercises, rebounding just 5 minutes a day can help restore and maintain health. This means even those with major health problems or limited mobility can gain the benefits of rebounding. The mini-trampolines can be fit with special safety rails to prevent falls. Because the mini trampolines are built low to the ground, all they require is one short step to climb aboard.

Research has shown that regular exercise is not only beneficial for the body but for the mind as well. Exercise brings oxygen to the brain, keeping us alert and sharp. Because rebounding is so efficient in providing oxygen to the blood, it is a great way to stimulate the mind. Exercise also makes us feel better about ourselves, leading to greater satisfaction throughout our lives and into our elder years.

The health benefits of rebounding are unparalleled. It is easy to do for people of any age. What’s more, it’s fun! Bounce your way to fitness, vitality, and long life.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=381261&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

* About Juliet White

For more information on rebounding or to order a needak rebounder visit iRebounder at: http://www.irebounder.com Or call 1-800-644-045