By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Loneliness is a common problem to be found within the elderly population as social contact tends to decrease with age due to mobility and health problems as well as shrinking social circles caused by friends & family moving or passing away. These instances of social isolation tend to grow more prominent during major life transitions such as the death of family members, retirement, financial instability, surgeries or other bouts of sickness, as well as losing the ability to drive.
Chronic loneliness can have a particularly marked impact on seniors physical & mental well-being as well as their overall life expectancy. In particular the stress of loneliness and social isolation has been linked to increased risks of developing anxiety & depression, obesity, weakened immune system, cognitive decline & memory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's & dementia, as well as an overall greater risk of premature death. In counterpoint, people who engaged in productive social activities tended to have longer life spans, improved physical & cognitive function, better moods, and an overall sense of purpose. While certain age related changes in one's physical condition such as hearing loss or low vision can be compensated with relatively minor adjustments, others will require a bit more effort to overcome. Hearing loss is one of the most common types of disabilities within the elderly and can be very isolating as its makes communicating more difficult. Left untreated, it's a condition that has been linked to cognitive decline and increased risk for developing Alzheimers or dementia, thus the use of hearing aids (as well as any necessary visual aids) is emphatically recommended for anyone who may need them.
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By Susan Ashby
When looking for activities for seniors, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. The first is whether this is an activity that you want to do with them, or you are looking for something they can do when you’re not there. If you are providing in-home care, you may be looking for both types of activities.
Before introducing a new activity, make a realistic evaluation of your senior’s abilities.
The activity you choose to introduce should have a chance of success, so don’t overlook one of these obstacles. Aging in Place by Room - Part 27 - Dining Room Flooring, Lighting, & Meal Serving Equipment10/24/2019
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Besides the general layout and furniture contained within the dining room, the specific type of flooring and lighting present can also be optimized for properly aging in place and accessibility. In addition, there are a variety of utensils, tools, and other ableware meant for use during meals (whether they are served within the dining room or elsewhere) that can be very beneficial for a senior or someone with health conditions or physical disabilities.
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesLewy Body Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia, also called cortical or diffused Lewy body disease, is the third most common type of dementia accounting for between 5 - 10% of all cases. Lewy Bodies are spherical masses of protein that are found abnormally developing inside nerve cells, often displacing other components within the cell. They are also often found within the patients of other brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.
Many people with this type of dementia also have bodily symptoms such as hunched postured, rigid muscles, as well as trouble walking or otherwise moving. Due to the presence of the Lewy Bodies as well as the various overlapping symptoms, it's believed that Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease Dementia may all be caused by abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of festivals, parties, and various other gatherings and events within the Maryland region that are focused on celebrating the upcoming Halloween holiday. Both family friendly (including the family pet) and more adult oriented (murder mystery dinner parties & other venues that serve alcohol) events have been covered with a particular focus on festivities that aren't too frightful or physically taxing.
Those with more limited mobility or severe health issues should check for accessibility and appropriateness ahead of time, particularly when it comes to the availability of walking tours. Otherwise, senior (and children) discounts are also available at a variety of the events.
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the Series
Part 2 - Lewy Body, Frontotemporal Dementia, and General & Maryland Specific Resources
What is Dementia
Dementia is not one specific disease, but instead is a general term used to describe severe physical changes within the brain that cause memory loss, degradation in language, mental acuity, decision making, as well as changes in behavior and personality that end up impacting the ability to perform normal everyday actions.
All types of dementia are progressive over time which means that the functioning of the brain will continue to degenerate throughout the patient's life.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
As opposed to more multifunctional rooms such as the kitchen or living room, the dining room tends to be devoted entirely to meal serving (especially for larger groups) as well as functioning as a place for storage and decorative display.
While this room tends to go more and more unused as people age (to the point that many dining rooms are converted into more essential and accessible rooms such as a first floor bedroom or become open extensions to the kitchen or living room), many seniors still like to have a space within their home dedicated to sit down meals.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of festivals, markets, and other events & activities taking place within the Maryland region during this fall season. The focus is on senior and family friendly gatherings and outings that have easy accessibility and are suitable for those with more limited mobility or other health concerns.
While most events have an autumnal theme based around harvests, in-season foods, leaf viewing, fall flora and fauna, and other seasonal happenings, events with a more general or different focus (such as the yearly Renaissance Festival or Baltimore Light City exhibits) that take place during this time of year have also been included. Please remember to check beforehand for accessibility and availability of seating, shade, suitable drinks & food, and other potential requirements in all locations for those seniors who may have more severely limited mobility or those with special health conditions and requirements.
By Krista Harper
The older you are, the less likely you are to enjoy quality sleep. Sleeping problems are very common among older adults, and people over the age of 70 often experience frequent sleep disturbances due to medications, chronic pain, a need to urinate, and more. There are several things seniors and the elderly can try to achieve better sleep naturally. Here are a few tips that can help you fall asleep and get more quality rest during the night.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
To finish up the section on aging in place & universal design for the kitchen, here are a selection of small items, aids, and ableware that will make using the kitchen more easy & accessible. The focus here is on items that will be particularly useful when it comes to using the kitchen for eating, meal preparation, and clean-up while having a variety of health conditions that are common with aging (such as arthritis, hand tremors, limb weakness etc).
As these kitchen ware are generally smaller & less expensive to obtain than appliances or other modifications done in advance, they can more easily be bought as needed from a variety of stores that specialize in daily living & adaptive aids (as well as certain styles & brands being more widely available). |
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