Are you trying to stay healthy as a senior? Many seniors are concerned that exercising might hurt or injure them, but if done correctly can be very beneficial. Exercising, even as a senior, can help you lead a healthy lifestyle and prevent joint damage and other issues as you age. Always consult your personal physician before starting an exercise program and be aware of and work within your limitations.

The key is knowing the right exercises and doing them correctly and in proper form. With the proper exercises and form, you can not only avoid injury to yourself and joints, but also maintain or increase your balance, strength, and mobility. So today we would like to give some examples of easy exercises seniors can do to get started.

Sit-to-Stand

Standing up without using your hands is a simple exercise that almost anyone can do. Doing sit-to-stands help build mobility and are great for personal fitness. This exercise can even be used to gauge whether someone is healthy enough to live alone or needs additional care.

To do a sit-to-stand, stand in front of a chair or similar surface with your feet in line with your shoulders and your arms held out straight, bracing your core. From there you slowly bend your knees and push your hips back onto the chair, pause and then press through your feet to stand back up again. This is one rep. Avoid using your hands or swinging for momentum. Aim for two or three sets of 10 reps a day.

Tandem Stance

This exercise is commonly used to test someone’s balance, making it a great way to improve balance and lower your risk of falling. This is also a simple and short exercise to do, making it great for people who might be busy or low on time. To make it harder you can also add weights or not use a wall to start.

Stand with your feet together and brace your core. Then while holding on to a wall or sturdy structure, such as the back of a chair, step one foot ahead with the heel pressing against your back foot’s toes, forming a straight line. Hold the position for 30 seconds or more before switching feet and repeat.

Farmer’s Walk

Walking is something you should be doing every day; this exercise helps build strength with a simple form. This exercise will help make any activity easier and build your upper body and core. You can also add more weight to your arms to build up grip strength as well.

Stand with feet hip-width apart and have a weight in each hand at your sides, your palms should be facing your body. Brace your core and slowly walk forward. Do this for 30 seconds or more than repeat in the opposite direction.

Single-Leg Stand

The Single-Leg Stand is another simple but vital exercise to help build core strength, balance, and improve your ability to do everyday tasks such as climbing stairs. This can also be done daily in no time at all.

Stand with your feet together and brace your core. From there, hold on to a wall or similar structure, lift one foot into the air and keep yourself from leaning to one side. Hold for 30 seconds or more before switching feet and repeat.

Wall Push-Ups

Push-ups are a staple of the exercise world, but some seniors might find it hard to get off the floor after doing afterwards. Wall Push-Ups are a great alternative and build upper body strength and your arms.

Stand in front of a wall and place your hands up against the wall directly in front of your shoulders. From there, keep your body straight and bend your elbows to lean into the wall, stop with your face close to the wall and straighten your arms to push your body from the wall. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10 reps.

And there you have it! Some simple, but great low impact exercises seniors can benefit from to promote a healthy lifestyle. If limitations do not permit you to do every exercise, simply select those suitable for you. If you do not have balance or mobility problems, a regular exercise routine will keep you active for years to come. If you are just starting to exercise, you’ll find that over time your body will become stronger, you will be less prone to injury, and you will be more mobile. Why not get started today and be on your way to leading a healthy lifestyle. Contact Us for more tips or additional information.

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One of the common health issues many seniors are suffering from is arthritis. In fact, it is estimated that 50 percent of the 65-and-older population has some form of arthritis. It is also the top cause for disability in America. In addition, seniors are not the only group of people impacted by arthritis; it affects people of all ages, even children.

The symptoms of arthritis:

1. Joint inflammation
2. Restricted movement
3. Pain
4. Stiffness
5. Red or warm skin
6. Weakness

We say “some form” because there are several types of arthritis. These include: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The pain from all types of arthritis can be helped by medication, rest and exercise. Most commonly, arthritis in seniors affects the hips, knees, spine or hands.

The medications that help arthritis most are anti-inflammatory ones. These are available over the counter (Advil, Aleve, etc.) or by prescription (corticosteroids). These can help reduce the swelling that arthritis often causes.

Exercise can be extremely beneficial for those suffering from arthritis. These exercises include: strength training exercises to help build muscle strength (weight training), endurance exercises (bicycle riding), aerobic exercises (brisk walking, jogging or swimming) and range-of-motion exercises (yoga or stretching).

Newer studies are proving that a healthy diet can also help improve arthritis symptoms.

For example, Omega 3 fatty acid has been proven to reduce inflammation. The best source of Omega 3 comes from cold-water fish, such as tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring, scallops and more. For those that are not fish-eaters, taking a fish oil supplement will also help decrease the pain of arthritis.  If you would like to stay away from animal products, you can also find Omega 3 in chia seeds or flax seeds.

Whole grains are also important for those struggling with arthritis. This is because fiber lowers the levels of C-reactive proteins, which lowers inflammation in your body. Good sources of whole grains include: quinoa, oats, wheat and brown rice.

Protein can also decrease inflammation. Perhaps the best source of protein for inflammation is beans, which ideally should be consumed twice each week.

Seniors suffering from arthritis may also want to join an arthritis support group. Support groups offer a unique way for people to get tips from other people facing the same challenges.

If you’re a senior finding it difficult to cope with arthritis, or you know a family member that is, Nurses Guild may be able to help.  Our staff has extensive experience with helping seniors with arthritis stay comfortable in their home.  Contact us today!

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Not many groups of people know more about grief and bereavement than seniors. They have lost many family members and friends throughout the years. Many are even grieving the loss of a spouse.

Grief can cause depression, loss of appetite, sleep problems, decreased memory or concentration, guilt, anger and more. It can even have an impact on the immune system, decreasing seniors’ tolerance to the flu, colds and more.

There are many things seniors, or anyone experience grief, can do to try to feel better.

1. Spend time with your friends and family members.

One of the best things you can for yourself during this time is to seek companionship. Talk to your friends or family members, or just spend quiet time together going for a walk or playing a game of cards. Or venture out with someone and take a drive to a relaxing place, such as the beach or a park.

2. Take care of yourself.

While grieving, people often put their needs on the back burner. It is important to eat regularly, sleep enough and get daily exercise.

3. Keep your mind busy.

Take up a hobby, read a book or volunteer.  Many people find that staying busy is one of the best ways to cope with grief.

4. Join a bereavement support group.

Spending time with people who are going through the same thing you are can be tremendously helpful.  There are bereavement support groups in almost every city.  If you can’t find one, ask your doctor if he can point you in the right direction.

5. Seek therapy.

If you are finding it difficult to get through the day (or night), don’t hesitate to find a grief therapist. Talking to a professional counselor can help you get through the rough moments, and a counselor can often offer tips of how to deal with the grief and sadness you may be experiencing.

Remember although it feels like you are all alone, you aren’t. There are many people who have experienced the same feeling you are feeling. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to reach out for help!

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I am sure no one can relate to this article better than my Mother-In-Law.  As a business owner and career focused woman, with a busy family life as well, she understands the challenges of taking care of her elderly parents who live on the other side of the city from her.  Finding time in her busy schedule can be challenging; taking them to doctor’s appointments, to the grocery store, assisting with cleaning and maintaining their home, making sure their bills are being paid, and the list goes on and on.

She is not alone.  Over 65 million people in this country understand the challenges of taking care of their own family, balancing a career, and finding time to care for someone who is aging, disabled, or sick.  And it isn’t just finding time… taking care of an ailing family member can be a very emotional time in one’s life.  It can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, which can burnout the caregiver.

Fortunately, there is an option that is less expensive than putting the elderly in Assisted Living or a Nursing Home.  It is called Home Health Care.  Let’s review some of the benefits of Home Health Care.

1. Medical Care can be delivered at home.

Skilled Medical Care is never far away.  Supervised certified and licensed nurses can visit, and if needed, bring a variety of necessary medical equipment to the home. This helps ensure that your loved one’s medical needs are being met.

2. Helping with management of medications.

Elderly, disabled, or sick patients often have multiple prescriptions that can be very confusing to manage.  Home Health Care providers will help make sure your loved ones are taking the correct medications at the right time.

3. Assistance with household chores.

Aging adults often struggle with what used to be simple tasks, such as laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and dishes.  Home Health Care workers are always glad to assist with these chores to help keep their home safe and healthy.

4. Assistance with daily activities.

Helping senior citizens with simple daily activities such as shaving, bathing, and grooming is routine for professional home health care providers, and helps give your loved ones a good quality of life.  This helps your loved one not only stay clean and healthy, but also makes them feel good knowing they can keep up with their appearances.

5. Available when you’re not.

Home health care professionals can be there for your loved ones when you can’t.  Maybe you have an out of town business trip or would like to take that vacation you are way overdue for. You can, and sleep well while you’re there, knowing someone is caring for your loved ones.

One of the most critical and important things to consider when weighing your options is cost.  On average, according to the National Association of Home Care, the cost of a nursing facility is $544 per day.  The average cost of home health care is only $132 per visit, which in most cases is only a few times a week, depending on your needs of course.

The Nurses Guild Home Health Agency is a family oriented home health care agency committed to treating clients like a part of our family simply because, we care!  We provide a variety of home health services to ensure your loved ones receive proper and complete medical care.

Please call us for a free Home Health Care consultation. We are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to serve your needs.

Broward: 954-596-9806 | Palm Beach: 561-826-8937

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As we age, we tend to slow down.  During the winter months it is so easy for seniors to stay in their homes and not venture out as much as they normally would. To keep your senior sharp, social, and active, try some of these activities.  They may be something that your senior has never tried, but no matter our age, anyone can enjoy a new activity.

1.  Bingo!

It may seem like such a cliché thing to even mention (we’ve all heard of Grandma going to Bingo night, it’s even mentioned many times in movies) but this is a great way for seniors to keep their mind sharp as well as socialize.  They may meet people that would never normally meet, and will enjoy matching the letters and numbers on their cards.

This can also be a great opportunity for caregivers as well.  See if there’s a way you can volunteer at your local Bingo night and you and your senior can go together!

2. Walking

If the weather isn’t too frightful, a walk in the fresh air may be just what the doctor ordered.  It’s so easy to become a hermit during the winter months, but going out for some fresh air can really make a world of difference both physically and mentally. Just make sure your senior is safe and warm when doing so.

3. Go Swimming

Most people don’t even think of swimming during the winter months, but no matter where you live, there is bound to be an indoor pool near you.

Swimming is one of the best exercising activities for seniors.  The water is relaxing and activity is always low impact, not to mention very effective.

4. Begin or Join a Book Club

Joining or starting a book club is a great way for your senior to stay social and keep their mind sharp. They’ll be exercising their mind by reading and will really enjoy the in-depth conversations over their favorite parts of the books.
If you, as a caregiver, would like to get involved, join in on the fun!  If you choose not to participate in the book reading, you can still show support by hosting or helping your loved one with refreshments and making sure the guests are comfortable.

5. Pick up some indoor gardening

Believe it or not, there are several benefits to gardening and tending to plants.  Whether you’re growing vegetables and herbs, or just a few common house plants, tending to plants can be really enjoyable for your senior.  It’s calming, gives a great sense or nurturing and responsibility, and if your senior is growing vegetables or herbs can even lead to eating a little healthier.

6. Host a game night

Break out the chess board, Scrabble, or even Monopoly and have your senior invite over their friends for a game night!  Healthy completion between friends is always fun and great mental stimulation.

Of course you, as a caregiver, can always join in and even help out with hosting the guests.

You and your senior don’t have to go into hibernation this winter.  Enjoy some of these activities to keep them active and social.

If you need any assistance this winter caring for your senior, please don’t hesitate to call Nurses Guild.  We can match you with a qualified care giver that will help with all of your senior’s needs.

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The cold and flu season is here again. Unfortunately, seniors and their caregivers have a very high chance of becoming ill.

Senior citizens tend to have weaker immune systems. Furthermore, on the grounds that a senior and their caregivers are very close, they’re bound to share illnesses.

All things considered, there are several things you can do to decrease the odds that you or your senior will become ill. Essentially, the objective is to support the immune system and diminish introduction to germs.

Here are 8 of our best tips for avoiding cold and the flu this season.

1. Wash or disinfect your hands frequently

As often as possible washing hands with a regular soft soap or antibacterial soap is an effective method to fight against the spread of cold and flu germs. Make sure to clean under the nails, backs of hands, and between your fingers, all the way up to your wrists.

On the occasions you don’t have access to soap and water, make sure you have hand sanitizer on hand. This may also be a convenient alternative for seniors with limited mobility.

2. Keep a clean house

We’re all busy this time of year, but attempting to keep a clean house and sanitizing surfaces is an effective way to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses. Utilize disinfectant products when cleaning, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Don’t forget to sanitize your doorknobs, light switches, and kitchen and restroom counters.

One thing that is also overlooked is sterilizing cleaning wipes and clothes when you are done cleaning.  They can be a breeding ground for germs that can make you and your senior sick.

3. Disinfect your cell phones

Our cells phones have become such a part of everyday life, that we often don’t realize how often we touch these devices.  Therefore, they tend to be one of the dirtiest things we touch every day.

Sanitizing your cell phone may just keep you from catching the flu this year.  Simply clean with a sanitizing wipe or rubbing alcohol, but be careful to not get your phone too wet as many phones are still not yet waterproof.

4. Avoid individuals who seem fatigued or ill

This can go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway…. if someone seems run down or feeling ill, stay away!  This goes for both the caregiver and the senior.

In situations where you don’t have a choice and have to be around someone that may be ill, keep your distance and limit contact such as shaking hands or embracing.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

We regularly touch our faces without even thinking, which is a typical path for cold and flu viruses to enter the body. To decrease the risk of becoming ill, try to be more conscious of when you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.

6. Drink a lot of fluids

Drinking a lot of fluids, particularly filtered water or hot tea, enables the nasal passages (one of your body’s first lines of defense) to stay moist and trap germs before they can enter the body.

7. Add Vitamin C and Vitamin D to your daily regiment

Several studies have found that some Vitamin C and Vitamin D can decrease your risk of coming down with a cold or flu by boosting your immune system.

8. Exercise frequently

Moderate exercise supports the immune system and could decrease the risk of catching a cold.

If you are a caregiver, you may not have that much free time to exercise, and your senior may not have the endurance they once did, but don’t let that stop you.  Any measure of exercise will in any case give your immune systems an extra boost.

If you are a caregiver and are trying to keep both you and your loved one well this cold and flu season, please give these tips a try.  They are both simple and effective if utilized regularly.

In the chance you do become ill and need help caring for your senior, please do not hesitate to give Nurses Guild a call.  We can provide care to your senior while you rest and recover.

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1. Medicaid

If your elderly loved one has little to no savings and limited financial resources, you can always turn to the Medicare-covered in-home health care. You should, however, brace for a rigorous application process with limited scope of care. The period of care is also dependent on your state of residence with most states only covering short-term care.

2. Long-Term Life insurance

Your family member’s long-term life insurance policy can also come in handy in paying for home care where the need for such assistance finds you cash-strapped. Most life insurance policies offer an additional long-term care benefit, which typically allow you to spend 2% of the policy’s face value on home health care, hospice or respite care, assisted living, etc. To take advantage, you simply have to cash in the policy and then use the permitted amount for nursing home care. In most instances, you’ll discover that long-term care typically covers care that isn’t covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or other health insurance. In addition, premiums paid on long-term care insurance may be eligible for an income tax deduction. Please ask your dedicated tax professional for details.

3. Annuities

The Nurses Guild Home Care Agency, hire only experienced medical professionals and specialize in providing quality home healthcare. They’ll work with you to develop a realistic treatment plan that takes your budget into consideration. Ideally, annuities work like a fixed deposit account that pays a fixed amount of monthly income for the remainder of your loved one’s days, depending on the terms of the agreement. Therefore, if you are having a problem raising funds to hire a home care service provider, check to see if they offer an annuity.

4. Pooling Care with Family Members

Pooling resources among family members can go a long way in reducing the burden of care on one person. For instance, if your loved one needs nursing care, you can come up with an agreement where everyone in the family makes a contribution toward your senior’s healthcare costs. Alternatively, some of your family members can even take turns providing non-specialized care like cleaning and helping with household chores while hiring the Nurses Guild on a part-time or temporary basis.

In conclusion, taking care of elderly seniors doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Enroll eligible seniors in the Medicaid programs, cash out an existing life insurance policy that allows for long-term care, or enlist the assistance of family members to contribute towards the cost of your loved one’s care. Most importantly, contact the Medicare-certified Nurses Guild Home Health Agency for full-time, part-time or temporary home health care assistance at an affordable cost.

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It’s your worst nightmare, you’re at an important business meeting and the police

show up at your office to tell you that they need to speak to you. Your mom went to the grocery store and then got lost. She is now wandering around the neighborhood and refuses to get into their squad car. The police need you to come with them so that the three of you can talk her into leaving the scene. You leave work immediately and head to the location where your mother is situated. On your way there, you begin wondering if your mom has dementia or Alzheimer’s. You think back to the warning signs and feel nauseated when you think back to the fact that she has been acting weird for the past five months. She has become more forgetful and fell all the time. She alternates between happiness, depression, anger, calmness, and irritability. Most days she refuses to eat and has lost a lot of weight. She also sees and talks to deceased friends and relatives. She also seems very confused, at times and at other times she is quite lucid. You’re worried, but don’t know what to do. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you are not alone. Millions of individuals are faced with the prospect of caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, and they wonder what they should do.

First and foremost, get your mom to the doctor and get a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a blanket diagnosis that includes a myriad of symptoms including loss of reasoning skills and memory. Alzheimer’s can fall under dementia. The good news is that there are new medications that can help slow the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. By having an adequate treatment plan in place, your mom will be better equipped to deal with her diagnosis.

Once you have a firm diagnosis, the next step is to decide as to how you’ll oversee her medical care. By including your mom in your decision-making progress as to whether you move her to an assisted living home or hire someone to help at her own home, she’ll be more likely to agree to the treatment.

Keep in mind that keeping your loved one at home offers excellent benefits to the family as well as the patient. For instance, most individuals prefer to stay in their own home because they are familiar with their surroundings. Their homes are their places of refuge, and they are comfortable at home and feel secure. They even seem less disoriented at home.

By staying at home, individuals feel as if they have more control over their lives, which helps prevent problems with anxiety and agitation. They don’t have to follow the rules of a facility.

Additionally, when individuals are at home, they can maintain positive relationships with people whom they love. Relationships with family, friends, and neighbors are not interrupted, and they can still see those individuals that are close to them. Moving your loved one to a facility puts physical barriers between the loved one and his/her social network. Often their friends and family members are much farther away and may not be able to visit as often as they did before which can lead to intense feelings of loneliness.

Staying at home has been shown to slow the progress of the disease, especially if the person remains active. An at-home care arrangement sometimes requires the intervention of caretakers, whether they are family members or professionals such as The Nurses Guild.

Finally, Alzheimer’s patients or those with dementia who stay at home for as long as possible, live longer on the average. According to the Boston Globe, “People who are moved to a nursing facility are two to three times more likely to die than those who are kept at home. The longer they stay at home, the less likely they are to transition when moved to a facility.”

But what if you cannot take care of your loved one? Help is available. Home health agencies, such as The Nurses Guild, can provide a wide variety of services, from housecleaning and cooking to personal care, such as bathing and dressing, as well as professional medical care. These trained caretakers provide protection, companionship, and assistance in walking. They monitor medications and encourage activities. They keep the home environment safe to prevent falls.

In conclusion, keeping your loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia at home has many benefits. If you decide to keep them at home, consider hiring a professional organization like The Nurses Guild today.

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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 people in the US will develop Shingles, and there’s an estimated 1 million cases each year. Seniors citizens, especially those aged 50 and older, are at a greater risk of developing the disease if they had Chickenpox in the past. If you, or your loved one, are at risk of developing this disease, here are some things you need to know about treatment and home health care options if you or your loved one develop this disease.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The infection occurs in people who have had chickenpox. The virus remains in the body after the chickenpox is gone and has a high risk of reactivation in senior citizens. Once it flares up, it affects the nerves and causes a highly contagious rash.

Symptoms 

Older adults tend to have a weaker immune system due to age. This makes them more vulnerable to developing the infection after having chickenpox. The following are some common symptoms when the virus reactivates in seniors:

• Itching, tingling, and pain where a rash later develops
• A painful rash on one side of the body or face
• Scabbing of the rash within 7-14 days
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Nausea

Treatment

This disease causes long-term pain from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) which can last for weeks or months. Pain may be relieved with analgesic pain medication. The condition can be treated with antiviral drugs such as famciclovir, acyclovir, or valacyclovir. They are known to reduce the severity of the illness and its duration. Treatment should be taken as soon as possible after the rash appears.

Getting Home Healthcare for a Senior Citizen

Persistent pain caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can significantly reduce the quality of life of seniors. The Nurses Guild Home Health Agency can provide trained nurses or home health aides to help your loved one heal and recover from Shingles in the comfort of their home. Just call 954-596-9806 or 561-826-8337 for more information.

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As the old saying goes, “a body in motion will stay in motion.” This notion rings accurate on so many levels, and we must do everything possible to stay in good general health so that we can continue to live our best possible lives. As an individual gets older, many people believe that they should slow down and avoid any exercise. This is faulty thinking because individuals, especially seniors, need to stay active by exercising their minds, bodies, and souls. Of course, they can’t train like Olympic athletes, but they should be participating in some mentally stimulating activities (like puzzles and games) and should engage in a healthy exercise program that incorporates aerobic exercise and strength training.

Muscle loss is a common issue in seniors and is typically referred to as age-related sarcopenia or muscle atrophy. Age-related sarcopenia is the reduction of skeletal muscle tissue that occurs when someone gets older. Muscle atrophy occurs when muscles waste away and typically occurs when muscles aren’t used, after a disease or an injury. Both conditions can lead to lower self-esteem, independence and an overall functional decline in health. For instance, someone who has less muscle strength may be more prone to falls and injuries like hip fractures.

Statistics demonstrate that individuals over 65 years of age typically receive more than 300,000 hip fractures a year and women tend to fall more than men. Tai Chi exercises can help reduce these statistics by assisting seniors to gain and maintain their overall strength. For instance, Tai Chi encourages circling hand exercises, weighted-ball exercises, weight-shifting exercising, balance exercises and more.

Another form of exercise that can benefit seniors is light dumbbell exercises. For instance, arm curls strengthen biceps and dumbbells can be used for a wide variety of triceps work. Bodyweight squats work great for increasing the hips and legs, which will drastically decrease the likelihood of a fall by 40 percent. In addition to added levels of strength, these exercises will help to thicken the body’s bone density. Other options include chair yoga and the use of light hand weights.

Experienced home nursing care agencies can help prevent muscle atrophy and age-related sarcopenia.  They can also help seniors recoup from injuries sustained from falls and debilitating illnesses. With a physician’s guidance, home health care professionals can help seniors formulate a workable exercise plan that includes aerobics and strength building. One organization that epitomizes the notion of exceptional home nursing care is the Nurses Guild. At the Nurses Guild, their primary goal is to help seniors maintain their independence. Additionally, their trained professionals at the Nurses Guild can help your senior implement a program that will slow down muscle loss and maintain overall strength and vitality.

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