Useful Exercises for Older Adults with Arthritis

Many older adults with arthritis do not exercise thinking that it will make their condition worse. However, it actually helps increase strength & flexibility, reduce joint pain, & combat fatigue. Of course, the thought of walking around the block or taking a dip into the swimming pool might seem a bit too overwhelming when your stiff joints are already bogging you down. But, you do not need to swim like an Olympic competitor or run a marathon to manage your joint pain. Just a few low-impact exercises everyday can help strengthen your joints & improve flexibility. On the other hand, not exercising can result in muscle loss & weight gain, aggravating the arthritis pain.

Some of the exercises that are known to benefit seniors with arthritis are:

• Water Aerobics

Water-based exercises are ideal for older adults with arthritis because of many reasons. For example, the resistance of the water helps in building muscles while the buoyancy reduces the impact on joints. Water aerobics give the most benefit when you exercise in a heated pool as the warmth helps in relieving pain.

• Yoga

Due to its relaxing nature & low-impact movements, Yoga is one of the most recommended forms of exercise for the elderly with arthritis. Besides managing arthritis symptoms, it also helps in reducing stress.

• Light Weight Lifting

Although lifting weights may seem intimidating to the elderly, it can actually help them strengthen their muscles & joints. However, it is important to choose the right dumbbells so you do not end up getting hurt. It is best to weight lift under the guidance of a trained fitness professional who can suggest you the right dumbbells according to your physical ability.

• Stretches

For an improved range of motion, stretches are one of the most effective forms of exercise. Besides helping you maintain normal joint function, stretches are highly relaxing and promote better sleep.

If you need someone who can be your ideal partner during your workout sessions and help you with daily chores at the same time, contact Always Best Care today! As one of the leading providers of senior home care services in East Bay, we have the best caregivers to meet your needs. Call @ (925) 210-0323 to book your free care consultation!

Heart Healthy Habits for the Elderly

While it is normal to experience some change in your heart health as you age, getting older does not necessarily mean that you cannot have a healthy heart. There are many lifestyle and dietary changes that can help the elderly to prevent heart diseases. Some of the heart healthy habits for seniors are listed below:

• Stay active

The ability of your body to effectively pump oxygen to your heart declines as you get older. Therefore, it is important that you exercise regularly. If exercising at home does not feel motivating, you can consider joining an exercise program. Regular exercise can help improve your heart function while managing weight, blood pressure, and stress.

• Eat a well-balanced diet

A heart-healthy diet is important as you age. However, it does not mean that you have to completely avoid your favorite foods. You can have a healthy heart by simply limiting trans fats, saturated fats, refined sugar, and salt. Include foods in your diet that are good for your heart, such as berries, salmon, olive oil, nuts, etc.

• Quit smoking

Well, this can be tough for some, but definitely not impossible. Smoking is a major cause of many heart related diseases; hence it is important to quit it as soon as possible. There are many resources that can help you stop smoking. You can also consider consulting a doctor & ask for help.

• Listen to your body

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Do not ignore the possible signs of trouble, such as:

• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Leg swelling
• Unexplained fatigue
• Sudden change in exercise tolerance
• Dizziness
• Confusion

These symptoms may not just be the consequences of aging, but a warning sign of a health problem. If you aren’t able to take care of your health and other needs, it is best to hire a reliable caregiver. To find the best In home caregivers in East Bay, contact Always Best Care @ (925) 210-0323!

Healthy Meal Planning Tips for Seniors

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As people age, maintaining a healthy diet becomes challenging since changes occur in appetite, tastes, and food preferences. Flavors that were once perceived likable, no longer taste good due to the explicit changes in smell and taste, causing the seniors to eat high-calorie prepared dinners or even worse - not eating at all. It is important to get your loved one to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, however this process isn't as easy as it seems. Given below are some tips that can help ensure that your senior loved one eats properly, and stays fit & healthy:

• Plan together:

Take out time for planning your senior loved one’s meals with them ahead of time - usually one week in advance. You can consider preparing grocery lists, going for grocery shopping with them, and also keeping them involved in meal preparation.

• Cook Smart:

Another great way of engaging your older adult is by cooking meals together and ensuring that the senior's plate looks like a rainbow. You can consider including numerous bright colored foods in their diet, the ones that provide them with all the essential nutrients they require. Also, if you are thinking of purchasing packaged foods, opt for the ones that are low in sodium, fats, and sugar.

• Keep snacks handy:

One of the best ways of having tasty yet healthy food is keeping fresh fruits and vegetables prepared at all times. Keep the fruits out and in a location that's easy to reach such as a kitchen table top, keep quick preparation foods such as meat handy since these are easy to prepare and contain high nutritional values.

• Consider health supplements:

Sometimes, fruits and vegetables aren't enough to provide your body the nutrients it needs, thereby you should consider giving your loved one some essential health supplements like vitamins and minerals for ensuring their overall well-being.

Some seniors prefer to manage their meals themselves; the others consider taking the help of their family members or caregivers. If you feel that your loved one isn’t able to care for themselves, reach out to Always Best Care for the best senior care services in Contra Costa County. Their caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, and trained for providing the safest and highest level of care to the elderly. Call @ (925) 210-0323 to learn more.

8 Reasons That Make Assisted Living a Great Option for Older Adults

Increasing awareness about the advantages of assisted living facilities for seniors has resulted in a healthy competition among these facilities. If you are still new to this concept, here are a few reasons why assisted living facilities are good for older adults:

1. Maintaining independence and freedom
The staff at an assisted living facility aims at making things easier for your loved one without compromising on their independence and freedom.

2. Finding a home to suit your loved one’s individual requirements
With plenty of options available, you can choose an assisted living facility that you think will satisfy all the requirements of your loved one.

3. Safety and security
Most of the assisted living facilities have features installed that are very likely to prevent wandering falls and other incidents from happening.

4. Getting rid of household chores
Your loved one can spend his time doing the things he loves instead of wasting it doing daily chores.

5. Easy access to experts whenever needed
Most of the assisted living facilities have medical experts in house to take care of your loved older adults in case of an emergency.

6. An active social life
At such assisted living facilities, your loved ones get to meet a lot of like-minded individuals and so, get to make new friends.

7. Strengthened family relationships
The chances of you getting hurt by their actions or words reduce significantly resulting in strengthened bonds.

8. Transportation services
Your loved ones will not have to think twice when they want to visit a place. The assisted care facility makes sure that your beloved seniors travel with convenience.

Always Best care is known to be the best elder care services provider in East Bay, CA. You can visit their center to know more about the services they offer. You can get in touch with them at (925) 210-0323.

Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

The winter season can be one of the most wonderful times of the year, with beautiful lights, snow, & cozy fireplaces burning bright in every household. However, while you’re enjoying these amazing views, you may also found yourself in a bit of discomfort if you are a senior living alone or have limited mobility. Despite the fact that colder months can be particularly challenging for the elderly, there are some winter safety tips to make sure that they stay safe this season.

• Bundle Up:

Seniors must always dress in layers during the winter. 2 or 3 thin layers of clothing can keep them warmer than a single thin layer of clothing. Seniors should also make sure not to leave the house without a heavy coat or jacket, gloves, warm socks, boots, a scarf, or a hat. Dressing in layers is even advisable indoors.

• Shovel the walkways:

When it is snowing outside, one of the biggest dangers for the elderly is falling. To decrease the chances of falls while you are walking to your car or check the mail, do make sure the walkways are shoveled. Since removing the snow can be a lot of physical work, you can ask friends or family members for help.

• Be prepared for power outages:

Winter storms often lead to power outages. So, make sure that you do have flashlights as well as a battery-powered radio in such emergencies. Apart from that, it is advisable to stock enough non-perishable foods which can be consumed cold on hand.

The elderly can also benefit from senior home care services in East Bay. Always Best Care is one of the senior care organizations with well-trained and experienced caregivers who can provide older adults with the right level of care and support they need especially during the winter season. For more information, please call @ (925) 210-0323!

Tips That Can Help You Take Better Care Of Your Loved One

Find Support – Early in your care giving journey it’s important that you find a support group filled with individuals in similar circumstances. Even a little support will prove to be valuable as your journey unfolds. You may find extra comfort in having a friend who has been down a similar road with their aging parent or spouse.

Know Your Limits – Everyone has limits. It’s important to identify your boundaries ahead of time, before you or your loved one suffers. A good place to start is identifying your physical limitations (do you need the help of in home care?) in caring for your aging loved one. If you get injured while caring for your aging loved one your life will become even more hectic.

Accept Help – Once you have identified your limits, it’s time to find help. If you know there are certain duties that would be better performed by a professional or even friend, facilitate getting help. Just because you are physically capable of completing all of these tasks does not mean that it’s healthy.

Involve Your Loved One in Making Decisions – As a caregiver; you may feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. When possible, involve your aging loved ones in decisions regarding their care, daily schedule and future. This will allow you to conserve your energy to focus on decisions only you can make while allowing your aging loved one to feel as though they are still in charge of their life.

Do Something Fun Every Day – Whether it’s going for a bike ride, long walk, taking a bubble bath, reading a book or having a cup of coffee on your front porch, it’s important that you do something you enjoy every day.

Always Best Care constantly works towards making home care in Contra Costa County accessible and affordable for all. You can know more about the services we offer by calling us on (925) 210-0323.

5 Reasons Why Exercise Is a Must for Older Adults

You must have come across a hundred things that happen to your body when you do not exercise on a regular basis. However, here is a list of 5 ways in which your body reacts when you make exercise a way of life  

1.Improved Mood

Exercising releases endorphins that help seniors feel happier and more relaxed. Many people also report feeling better about their appearance when they exercise regularly, boosting their confidence and improving self-esteem. A positive outlook helps seniors enjoy this phase of life.  

2. Speedy Recovery

Seniors who remain active are able to recover more quickly from illness and injury. All seniors should be encouraged to exercise as a preventative measure to protect against muscle weakness which often leads to falls.

3. Socialization

Older adults who live alone are very likely to feel isolated. This leads to depression and a general downhill trend. There are a number of programs like water aerobics and gentle yoga that are great ways for seniors to meet others and socialize with those who have common interests they may not have otherwise known.  

4. Sharp Mind

The fact that exercises boost an individual’s thinking capacity has been proved on several occasions. A recent study suggests that even briefly exercising for 20 minutes facilitates information processing and memory functions.  

5. Increased Energy

Regular exercise is known to increase energy levels even among people suffering from chronic medical conditions associated with fatigue, like cancer and heart disease.
 

There are a number of home care service providers who offer senior home care services in East Bay and Always Best Care certainly is counted among the most preferred ones. Our experienced professionals make your elderly adults feel like family. You can know more about the services we offer by reaching out to us at (925) 210-0323!

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight Later in Life

In our later years, our metabolism rate slows down, and our body is unable to burn calories as fast it used to. This results in weight gain and several other health issues. To avoid that, it is important to either intake fewer calories or burn the extra off. Although it may seem a little challenging for many to maintain a healthy weight as your body is slowing down, staying fit and healthy isn’t hard if you eat right and exercise regularly.

To maintain a healthy weight, seniors can do the following:

• Do more physical activities daily. They may not be as high impact as when you were younger, but simply walking more or doing more around the house helps. It will keep your heart healthy and lower the risk of heart disease – even if you are underweight or overweight. You may also feel hungrier when you are more active.
•  If you want to gain weight, stick to healthy snacks every day, but avoid low-calorie snacks.
• Keep a diary of what you eat and how much you eat. This will help you know the portions you need for your body to be the weight you wish. It also helps show you if your diet has the right balance of all the four food groups so that you get proper nutrition.  
•  Consume low fat and oily foods to avoid excessive weight.  
• Consult your doctor if you feel you are unable to gain or lose weight to reach a healthy weight. 
• When dining out, make healthier choices. A sandwich comes with fries? Try a salad, soup or veggies as a substitute. If there are big portions, most restaurants allow you to take home left overs. Split your meal in half and have the rest for lunch the next day.
• Yes, this was already mentioned. But, to strengthen the point, regular physical activity is extremely good for seniors in most health conditions. Older adults above 65 years of age should be physically active as per their ability and health condition. Even those mobility challenged or in a wheelchair can often do a lot of stretching and move around while seated.

If you need Elder Care Assistance in East Bay, get in touch with Always Best Care. Their caregivers are properly trained, thoroughly screened, and insured to provide the highest and safest level of senior care. Always Best Care also has good relationships with senior resources, hospitals, and senior communities throughout the area. To learn more about them, call (925) 210-0323.

Importance of a Diet Plan in the Life of a Senior

As one grows older, the body weakens, and it becomes prone to diseases like cancer, arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and many more. A healthy diet does not guarantee to keep you protected from these diseases but can cut down the risks by boosting the immunity system in the elderly. We tend to become so occupied that we often neglect the importance of a steady, healthy diet plan. Fast foods have replaced multiple meals in our routine, and that is why awareness needs to be promoted.

  

While a healthy diet is important for individuals within all age groups, for older adults, it has a more vital role to play. Once we attain our maximum bone density, the backward process starts, with the density of our bones decrease gradually over the years. This often leads to diseases like osteoporosis in seniors. Including food items, like dairy products that are rich sources of vitamin D and calcium, to your meals help in keeping bones intact. In addition, a few cardiovascular activities throughout the day help strengthen our bones. Coronary heart diseases can also be avoided by switching to a healthier lifestyle. Limiting fat intake of your beloved seniors can prolong their lives as saturated fats after a certain age become harder to digest and are more likely to accumulate in the blood vessels, hindering the flow of the blood. 

Again, a healthy diet plan does not guarantee health but makes a major contribution towards the mental and physical well being of an older adult. Senior Home Care Services in East Bay, CA, for the aging members of your family is something that should never be taken for granted. Always Best Care can assist you with creating a diet plan for your loved one while taking into consideration their condition and necessities to fortify their health! Get in touch with them today at (925) 210-0323.

How Can You Help a Senior with Bipolar Disorder?

Is your loved one suffering from bipolar disorder? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health disorder that many people, regardless of age, suffer from. This brain disorder can cause changes in individual’s mood, emotions, and behavior randomly. Your loved one may feel overly happy now while sad and depressed a few minutes later. Taking care of a senior family member suffering from a bipolar disorder can become challenging and frustrating for you.

If you have a senior family member at home who is Bipolar, here are some tips that can help. 

• Learn about the disorder – In order to provide the best care and support to your aging parent, it is important for you to have a clear understanding of the disorder, including the common signs and symptoms. The more you know about the disorder, the better you will be able to understand your senior family member’s needs and requirements.  

• Get professional help – It is advisable to get professional help as soon as the disorder is diagnosed. The right treatment and support from professionals, as well as the family members, can help in treating the disorder well. Their doctor will most likely prescribe medication to manage the symptoms of the bipolar disorder. Just make sure that your senior family member takes the prescribed dosage on time.

• Be patient – Recovery may take time and they may not completely return to how they were before. You need to be patient with their changing behavior and the needs of your aging loved one. Open and effective communication can help you in providing the proper care. Talk to your senior family member, learn their concerns, feeling, and needs soyou will be able to provide the required support and assistance as they need it. 

However, if you are unable to look after the needs of your aging loved one suffering from this disorder, consider hiring professional help in the form of caregivers. An experienced in-home care provider will look after your senior family member’s safety in your absence and ensure proper medication management. 

When looking for In-Home Caregivers in Contra Costa County, contact Always Best Care. For more information, call (925) 210-0323 today.

Seniors: Ideas on How to Cope with Insomnia

Insomnia affects everyone, no matter what age; however, it’s quite common among seniors for a variety of reasons including a change in their circadian rhythm, and shifts in their normal sleep patterns. Insomnia can be frustrating, irritating, and also rob you of enjoying the next day because you are not functioning to your full capacity.

Here are some tips on how you can beat insomnia, and get that good night’s sleep that you crave.

• Try not to take naps during the daytime. If at all possible, avoid taking naps during the day, however, if you must, consider the 20-30 minute power nap, and don’t take it past three o’clock in the afternoon. If you take a nap too close to bedtime, you’ll likely end up back where you started, sleepless and staring at the ceiling.

• Eat dinner several hours before bedtime. If you eat too close to bedtime, your body just might keep you up because it is preoccupied with digesting spicy or fatty foods. This can lead to uncomfortable heartburn, which, at best, offers a fitful night’s sleep.

• Exercise daily. When you exercise, you are doing your body a world of good, and tiring it out at the same time. When you expel energy, you also give yourself energy for the day and also create a means to fall asleep easily at night.

• Keep a normal sleep schedule. This could be, for example, go to bed at 10pm, and then wake up at 6am. If you follow a schedule like this for yourself every day, you are more likely to fall asleep when you need to, and wake up refreshed.

• Prep your bedroom for good sleep. Is the temperature comfortable? Is the light blocked? Are your pillows, blankets, and sheets comfortable and clean? Do you need white noise like a fan or white noise machine to help you fall asleep? If so, get one. 

• Limit caffeine intake close to bedtime. When you’ve had a bad night’s sleep, it’s tempting to drink lots of coffee the next day, but don’t drink it too close to bedtime or the stimulant will backfire on you.

If you are a senior living in the East Bay area, and would like some information regarding senior home care services in East Bay, or other elder care options in Contra Costa County, call the Always Best Care East Bay location at (925) 210-0323 to set up a free consultation. They look forward to hearing from you!