Issue 37

Movement Wellness Caregivers And One More Thing

The Benefits of Yoga and Pilates for Older Adults

This article from the Keeping Strong website in the UK highlights all the ways we can benefit from a yoga and/or pilates practice. From improved balance, flexibility, strength and joint health to enhancing our mental well-being, these practices can be invaluable to us as we age. There are many levels we can participate in no matter our age or any physical limitations, though it is wise to consult our health care professional depending on our individual situation. In addition to this article and the links it contains with more information, there are many videos on YouTube for seniors as well.

Dental Health for Senior Citizens

This article from Consumer Reports offers some basic information about oral health and how important it is for our overall well-being and health. One area I was not familiar with was staying hydrated and avoiding dry mouth and how important this is. Of course, regular dental checkups are important for early detection of issues.

Healthspan vs. Lifespan

More and more is written about this subject all the time. Healthspan is the period of our life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. The emphasis is not just on the length of our life but the quality of life during our later years. As the article suggests, regular exercise, a healthy diet and practicing preventive healthcare all contribute to healthspan. This allows us to live, as the theme of Stay Healthy Stay Home suggests, on our own terms, in our own homes.

Affordable Home Care

Even those fortunate enough to have family members and friends to serve as caregivers, there are times when it is necessary to find and hire caregivers from an agency. This is often not a viable solution as many agencies struggle to find workers, According the the Bureau of Statistics, the average hourly wage in 2022 for a home care agency employee was $14.51 which obviously contributes to this problem. In some areas there are community-based programs to help make home care more affordable but not enough of them to resolve this issue. This extensive article by the New York Times along with the Kaiser Family Foundation gives us a clear picture of this serious situation.

Planning Tips for Caregivers and Their Families

Some valuable advice here from the National Institute on Aging to help families plan for all eventualities as our loved ones age.

Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Offering recipes is something new for me, but I tried this recently and really enjoyed it and it is healthy as well. Adapt as you like, adding, eliminating spices, etc. Great for the cold winter days ahead.

As always, SHSH earns no income and has no affiliation with any organizations named in any articles.

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