Create a possible timeline

The first thing you should do is put together a possible and planned timeline. Think about where you are now, how long you expect to live there, and any changes that you need to make if you want to live there for longer.

A clear understanding of the various options

As with most things in modern life, there are so many options for elderly or senior living. The best starting point is to be clear as to what all the various terms and concepts mean in practice. What is assisted living, in-home care, and community home care, and what are the differences between these? Visit places, do virtual tours of the various options, and develop a clear understanding. This is the key question to your background research because, without this knowledge, it will be impossible to create an options list and find the specific type and combination of care that will work for you or your loved ones.

A budget

Based on the options list and your timeline, you should be able to determine how much the care you have chosen will cost you. Once you know this, it is useful to measure your available funds against the choices you have made and either start increasing your savings or reduce some of your expectations for your senior living and care.

Current and future needs

Knowing what your current as well as future needs are likely to be is important for elderly planning. Most of the needs you have at the moment will change and adapt over time, and as such, you shouldn’t plan your elderly living based on what you do currently. There may be some downsizing possible as the more active hobbies and past times slow or cease, and it’s also advised to do a thorough healthcare plan, noting known chronic illness, chances of chronic illness, and any family medical history.

Hopes and dreams

All plans for life in older age must be filled with hopes and dreams. Having a view or preference for the future will allow you to build dreams and hopes into your planning. Think clearly about what it is you want from life, and elderly living in particular, and then plan accordingly. This is one of the reasons that the plan should be referred to and updated from time to time, changing as you do.

Some of this may not be the easiest thing to think about, and it is advised to do this planning as early as possible to find the right place. It could be some of the most important planning that you will ever do.

Ruchi Singh

Experienced digital marketer with a knack for devising and executing strategies that skyrocket online presence. Proficient in SEO, PPC, content creation, and analytics. Let’s collaborate and amplify your brand’s digital footprint. Connect now for a digital transformation journey!

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The post 5 Things to Include in Your Plan for Elderly Living appeared first on Health2med.

While processing speeds inevitably slow down through aging, these things shouldn’t impact your lifestyle if you have taken care of your brain health. By partaking in independent activities, continuing to learn new things, and maintaining a strong memory, you can keep your brain happy and healthy long-term.

In this post, we’re going to discuss the early signs of cognitive decline and how you can change your environment and lifestyle to promote a happy and healthy brain – ultimately reducing the risk of developing dementia, or at least limiting the impact it has on your life.

Risk factors related to cognitive decline

As mentioned above, both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the likelihood of developing dementia. And while there’s no way to completely eliminate the chances of genetic risk, a lot can be done to reduce the impact of environmental factors. Addressing this as early as possible can significantly extend your independence, too.

Early signs of dementia

Early diagnosis of dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), is the best way to reduce the impact the condition has on your life. In fact, early detection gives you the opportunity to make changes to improve cognitive function. Recognizing the signs early can increase the chances of you living a full and independent life long into the golden years.

Early signs include:

1. Reduced problem-solving abilities
2. Visual and perceptual deficits
3. Low mood and mental health issues such as Depression
4. Gait slowing while multitasking
5. Physical performance and psychomotor skills slowing

Mitigating dementia impact: prevention is key

Of course, prevention and awareness are much easier to control than maintaining cognitive function after diagnosis. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can avoid, prevent or reduce the chances of cognitive decline every day. Poor diet, badly managed diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption can all dramatically increase the chances of decline, with the opposite reducing the risk. But all of this can go amiss with a low level of education on the topic and a lack of physical activity.

Seniors need to take responsibility for their own health and evaluate how they can improve their environmental factors. Adding a 15-minute walk into the day or reducing alcohol intake could be a quick and easy to implement change that significantly reduces the chances of developing the condition.

Brain stimulating activities can also help to improve or maintain cognitive function. Crossword puzzles, quizzes, or even cooking can keep the brain active for longer. All of this combined can keep you on the path of healthy aging.

Below are several environmental factors that can prevent developing the condition or reduce the impact dementia has on your life. Using the following tips, you can continue to live a fulfilling, happy and healthy life.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy diet is important at any age but particularly important as we get older. A Mediterranean diet can often be the best option for seniors, as it is rich in nutrients. Some may find it easier to follow the advice provided by DASH, the Mediterranean and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension.

Another part of the healthy lifestyle is to develop a good sleeping pattern.

Mental stimulation

Brain training games or learning a new skill can keep the brain stimulated. Rather than sitting back and just watching the TV all day, seniors that find things to challenge them can benefit from a healthy mind for longer. Even just doing the crossword at the back of the paper each day can help.

Daily exercise

Exercise can help to improve or maintain mobility, reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety and stress, and keep the brain and heart healthy. Seniors should look into taking up aerobic exercise classes or practicing yoga and tai chi.

Staying social

In old age, we can often become isolated at home. Engaging with peers and community groups can keep your brain healthy and functioning. Joining a book club or a rambling society can combine stimulating the brain with the socializing aspect that so many seniors miss out on.

Reflection

Belmont Village Fort Lauderdale recently collaborated with the Mather Institute and the University of California San Diego School of Medicine on a study that found that seniors who took part in gratitude and value-based activities experienced more resilience and wisdom as well as reduced stress levels.

Taking time to sit back and think about those little things you’re grateful for or writing down five positives from the day can really help with keeping a positive mindset and attitude.

Purpose

Retirement doesn’t mean the end of feeling like you have a purpose. Keeping the stories from a rich life alive can help maintain memory and cognitive function. Share your stories with others over a coffee or in the local community, and share your expertise, too. You could even volunteer your skills to help others in the local area.

Different stages of MCI and severe dementia

As mentioned above, early diagnosis or prevention can be significantly beneficial; however, these early signs could also simply be symptoms of aging. Ailments linked to aging can be plotted onto a spectrum, and depending on which stage a person is at, there are different focuses. For example, those with memory loss or impairment linked to MCI can benefit from mental stimulation and the tips above. Meanwhile, those suffering from more severe dementia are more likely to require additional support and care – for example, in an assisted living community or other long-term care options.

Final thoughts

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to addressing dementia – either prior or after diagnosis. As there are so many potential contributing factors, it also means there are many pathways a person can take to better or prevent the condition. If you’re concerned, it’s worth discussing this with relatives and seeking professional help from your physician. With a support network on your side, you can create checkpoints and goals to improve or maintain cognitive function so that even if the condition develops, it’ll have a reduced impact on your lifestyle.

Working to stay healthy, exercise more regularly, and keep the brain active, can do wonders to prevent the condition altogether. But an early diagnosis can ensure that seniors continue to live their life to the fullest. For those already at the point of needing extra support, it is worth researching potential care options and other measures that can be taken to prevent the condition from worsening.

Ruchi Singh

Experienced digital marketer with a knack for devising and executing strategies that skyrocket online presence. Proficient in SEO, PPC, content creation, and analytics. Let’s collaborate and amplify your brand’s digital footprint. Connect now for a digital transformation journey!

health2med.com

The post Recognizing and Preventing Cognitive Decline appeared first on Health2med.

Light Up Your Outdoor Space

Lighting up your outdoor space can help deter burglars and it can also help prevent your family from tripping and falling in the dark. Set up motion-activated outdoor lights around prominent areas outside your house. Place lights around the perimeter of your home, at your entryway and also around your porch. Vandals and thieves hate the spotlight. By illuminating these areas, you can stop unwanted strangers from lingering around your property.

Invest in Smart Tech

In addition to motion-activated lights in your outdoor space, invest in smart light bulbs inside the home too. They can be programmed to light up your property at scheduled intervals and can give the impression of someone being at home at all times. Besides smart light bulbs, smart locks are a great way to secure your home. They can be connected with voice assistants and will allow you access into the home without a set of keys. In addition, smart smoke detectors are designed to send you notifications to your smartphone as soon as smoke is detected. This can give you peace of mind when no one is at home. It can also alert you to a fire in the middle of the night while you are asleep and unaware.

Stock Up on First Aid Supplies

Every home should have a basic first aid kit filled with the essentials at the very least. A first aid kit should be kept in a secure, dry place that is out of reach of young children. First aid kit refill supplies should include items that can help you deal with minor injuries and accidents in the home. Make sure your first aid kit is always fully stocked, that way you will always be prepared for emergencies.

Secure Entry Doors

All entry doors to your home should be made of solid material and designed for security. Secure entry doors can protect your home from opportunistic invaders, and they should always feature protected hinges for extra security. For reinforced protection, install a deadbolt and strike plate to your door. The mail slot is often the weak spot on an entry door as potential burglars can reach into this slot and open the door from the outside. Make sure you double check the size and position of this slot to prevent thieves from entering the home. In addition, make sure the locks on your doors are personal to you and your family. When moving to a new place, swap all the locks to ensure strangers cannot enter with a duplicate set of keys.

Ruchi Singh

Experienced digital marketer with a knack for devising and executing strategies that skyrocket online presence. Proficient in SEO, PPC, content creation, and analytics. Let’s collaborate and amplify your brand’s digital footprint. Connect now for a digital transformation journey!

health2med.com

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