Beating the Retirement Blues
Most people have their own visions of life after retirement. Some plan on taking trips, taking up an old hobby or spending more time with family and friends. However, things don’t always turn out as expected.
Retirees often find themselves feeling like they’re losing their sense of purpose and end up experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Also known as the retirement blues, these feelings can be pretty difficult to cope with and their management requires a considerable amount of time and energy.
Here are some tips that can help you deal with post-retirement blues.
Reducing Joint Pain in the Winters - Senior Care
According to studies by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 15 million U.S. citizens reported arthritis related severe joint pain in 2015. Decreasing temperatures can be devastating for individuals suffering from joint pain, as persistent pain tends to worsen in low temperatures.
Muscle Building After 60: Paving The Path For Healthy Aging
As we age, our body’s functions deteriorate at several levels. We may be faced with changes in our musculoskeletal or cardiovascular health, we may experience restricted mobility. While these are all experiences that we can try to prepare for mentally and with our habits, what most seniors do not prepare for is age-related muscle loss, also known as sacropenia.
Sacropenia can start as early as 30 years in some cases and can cause a decrease of up to 5% muscle mass each decade.
Symptoms and Causes
Sacropenia may result in a reduction of the body’s ability to convert protein into energy. This may also lead to a decrease in muscle size and a loss of muscle fibers. The loss in energy may induce weakness, a decreased in stamina and may lead to a reduction in physical activity. Those suffering from sacropenia may also experience low levels of hormones, difficulty in maintaining balance and climbing stairs.
Sacropenia has the potential to greatly impact and impair a person’s functionality. Hence, it is crucial that a regular fitness regimen be in place to help you recover from the loss of muscle mass. Here are a few recommendations.
Ensuring Proper Nutritional Intake
As we age, our body’s daily calorie requirement lowers but we still need several other nutritional needs to account for. A balanced diet that includes lean protein, nuts, greens such as broccoli and spinach as well as food that is plentiful in calcium is a pre-requisite of a healthy diet for seniors. It is also crucial to take multivitamins daily and ensure that you are hydrated sufficiently.
Increase Reps, Not Weights
Increasing weights may lead to overexertion. Rely instead, on increasing the number of reps per exercise so that each muscle group is worked sufficiently to retain its mass. Break away from the typical pattern of 10 reps per set and work each muscle until you begin to feel fatigue.
Recovery Time Is Important!
According to research, it is more difficult for us to recover our muscles after a workout when we are older, as opposed to when we are younger. This means that older adults may subject themselves to the risks of overtraining, increasing their chances of overexertion and injury. It is therefore recommended that the workouts be spaced with rest days in between. Another way to ensure that you give yourself enough time to recover is by alternating between strength training and cardio workouts.
Looking for a senior living facility that helps seniors age healthily? Reach out to AvantGarde.
AvantGarde is a senior living facility and retirement community in Tarzana, CA that provides services in assisted living, elder care and memory care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
Book a tour at the AvantGarde facility, by calling (818) 881-0055 or visit their website for an online tour!
Risks of Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a challenging condition for the individual dealing with it and their loved ones and caretaker(s). Caring for someone with this debilitating condition requires precise care, and if handled incorrectly, can be risky for both the patient and the caregiver.Read more
How To Help a Senior Memory Care Patient With Alzheimer’s Live Well
Did you know that Alzheimer's affects 5.7 million people in the US and this number is set to increase to 14 million by 2050? Moreover, Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country.
Finding out that someone you love has Alzheimer's can be a traumatic experience. In order to care for them and ensure they live the best possible quality of life, here is what you should do:
Educate yourself
Understanding the causes and effects of the disease is imperative. The more you educate yourself on Alzheimer's, you will be in a position to understand how the disease affects them and how you can assist them.
Preserve your relationship with your loved one
Focus on your relationship with your loved one. People suffering from Alzheimer's need love, companionship and support. Communicate with them and plan out different activities for them to perform.
A recent study shows canine companionship can be beneficial for those with Alzheimer's. It can improve symptoms of anxiety or depression among patients.
Stay calm
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can change daily. Naturally, taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s can be frustrating.
Be patient and keep your calm. Avoid venting out your frustrations on your loved one. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s requires a lot of mental and physical stamina.
It is important to take care of your own health and well-being, enabling you to get through difficult times.
Explore support groups
Taking care of someone with any form of dementia is a full-time job. If you not able to give your best, you may want to move your loved one to a memory care facility.
Memory care facilities are designed for seniors suffering from memory-related issues.
Under the supervision of trained, experienced staff, seniors receive comprehensive support and assistance to perform daily tasks, such as bathing, medicine reminders, and more, and maintain a decent lifestyle.
At AvantGarde Senior Living & Memory Care, we understand that each senior has unique needs. Our living arrangements are designed to cater to their needs and ensure they receive topnotch levels of care and personal assistance.
Our memory care facility is suitable for those suffering from Alzheimer’s in Tarzana, California. Our team of knowledgeable, trained professionals are equipped with innovative techniques, memory cues, verbal and non-verbal communications to help residents live with dignity. In addition, they are compassionate, courteous and are dedicated to delivering the best care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or any other memory loss condition.