Senior Health Archives - Charter Home Health

Physical Therapy for Seniors: Helping Older Adults Remain Active

By Kunle Abodunde|2022-01-20T23:50:40-05:00January 21st, 2022|Senior Health|

Physical Therapy for Seniors: Helping Older Adults Remain Active We recommend helping the older adults in your life become more physically active (with doctor’s approval and exercise plan), and to engage the services of a physical therapist when warranted to improve quality of life and health. Physical therapy is a great option for seniors who: Are recovering from an accident, injury, or surgery, such as a fall or hip replacement. Physical therapy is a crucial component in recovery following hospitalization, helping seniors regain balance, flexibility, range of motion, strength, and endurance while reducing pain. Have experienced a stroke. Physical therapy can [...]

Joy and Self-Care Are the Keys to Healthy Aging

By Kunle Abodunde|2022-01-04T11:33:26-05:00January 20th, 2022|Senior Health|

It’s taken nearly 80 years and a slew of scientific studies to come up with the end result: wealth and a good genetic makeup really have little to do with our level of joy. The Harvard Study of Adult Development began in 1938, delving into the lives of such high-profile participants as John F. Kennedy and Ben Bradlee. Over the years, it’s been expanded to include inner-city residents as well as offspring from the original Harvard elite, and the results were surprising, to say the least. It was determined that the best predictors of a long and happy life were not [...]

Top Ways for Seniors to Maintain Bladder Health

By Kunle Abodunde|2022-01-20T23:37:30-05:00January 16th, 2022|Senior Health|

Top Ways for Seniors to Maintain Bladder Health It’s the size of a pear, can hold up to two cups of fluid, and will let you know in no uncertain terms when it needs your attention. It also changes as we grow older, making it all the more important to take care of this vital organ. The bladder is stretchy and elastic in our younger years, but toughens with aging. Bladder muscles also can weaken with age, which can lead to urinary problems that wreak havoc on a senior’s quality of life, such as: Infections: UTIs (urinary tract infections), kidney infections, [...]

Try These Simple Steps to Boost Senior Health and Wellness

By Kunle Abodunde|2022-01-04T11:26:48-05:00January 13th, 2022|Senior Health|

Many people have left their New Year’s resolutions by the wayside by the end of January, but who says resolutions should only be made at the start of the year? There’s no time like the present to commit to a new habit or goal, especially for those looking to improve senior health and wellbeing. We’ve got six suggestions you can implement today. Pick one to start, or jump right into all of them to achieve the most senior health benefits: Schedule a physical. Rather than waiting for a sickness or injury to call the doctor, an annual check-up is a great [...]

The Quest for Age-Friendly Senior Health Care

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-11-30T11:18:37-05:00December 15th, 2021|Senior Health|

If your young son or daughter developed an illness, who would you call? It’s a no-brainer; many parents have the number programmed on their phone for the pediatrician they’ve carefully selected to oversee the health care needs of their children. Due to their specialized training, working with a trustworthy pediatrician ensures the best possible care. Similarly, choosing a health care provider for senior loved ones who specializes in senior medical care needs is just as essential. However, sadly, the health care system as a whole has not placed a great focus on the unique health care needs of seniors. Dr. Carla [...]

Talking About COPD Effectively

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-11-03T15:16:15-04:00November 29th, 2021|Family Caregivers, Senior Health|

It began with your inner circle, those closest to you, and has gradually been spreading outward to good friends and acquaintances. Revealing your COPD diagnosis and knowing how to respond to the various questions that arise about it may be uncomfortable – for you, and for those you are speaking with as well. Interestingly, you may find that the biggest challenges come in talking about COPD with your primary caregiving partner – the individual who is closest to you. The caregiver/care receiver relationship can bring up a number of emotions. The person on the receiving end of care may feel insecure [...]

Be the Best Family Caregiver for Someone with a New Diagnosis

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-11-22T20:08:58-05:00November 4th, 2021|Family Caregivers, Senior Health|

It may have been suspected or perhaps broadsided you out of nowhere. Mom has just received the official diagnosis for a progressive disease that is going to make independent life difficult. While there are numerous unknowns, one thing is for sure: she is adamant about remaining at home – meaning you will have some decisions to make about how to provide for the care she’ll need. Welcome to the world of family caregiving! If you’re feeling a bit stressed with what to expect next in your new role as family caregiver, these recommendations can certainly help. Learn as much as you [...]

Living Longer with Purpose – The Connection Between the Two

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-10-01T12:49:04-04:00October 26th, 2021|Aging at Home, Family Caregivers, Quality of Life, Senior Health, Senior Issues|

What inspires you to get up out of bed every day? The answer is different for every one of us, of course, however, there is one commonality: it may help you with living a longer life. Research is showing us that having a sense of purpose is an integral factor in longevity, something shown in Japan – the country with the highest life expectancy on earth. Remarkably, there is no word for our definition of “retirement” in the Japanese language. Instead, there is a concentration on maintaining purpose and meaning beyond a person’s working years and defining themselves according to their [...]

Learn the Facts Behind Common Hospice Myths

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-10-01T12:43:22-04:00October 14th, 2021|Alzheimer's, Caregiver Wellness, Dementia Care, Hospice, Quality of Life, Senior Health, Senior Issues|

If you knew that a much better quality of life could be achieved for a loved one, you wouldn’t hesitate to explore that option. Yet one of the most beneficial types of care – hospice care – is one that family members shy away from, because of a number of hospice myths. Hospice is meant to assist someone with a life-limiting illness to find respite from pain and other difficult symptoms, while receiving comfort, spiritual, and emotional support. Hospice care is available 24 hours a day, both for the individual needing care in addition to members of the family. And, for [...]

Alzheimer’s and Sleep Problems: How to Help

By Kunle Abodunde|2021-10-01T12:39:03-04:00October 8th, 2021|Aging at Home, Alzheimer's, Dementia Care, Senior Health, Senior Mental Health, Sleep Disorders|

If it feels like a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s and sleep problems has totally rewritten the rules on how and when to sleep, you are not dreaming. For reasons that are not yet completely understood, many people with dementia experience changes to their circadian rhythm, leading to drowsy days and sleepless nights. The advancement of the disease is one contributing factor. Damage to brain cells causes increased weakness, making daily tasks and activities exhausting. Medication side effects from regularly-prescribed dementia treatments can further exacerbate the problem. Why a Good Night’s Sleep Is Crucial for a Senior with Dementia Decreased sleep [...]