Always Best Care Morris and Essex Counties

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, depression affects about 350 million people of all ages across the world. Seniors have been shown to be the most vulnerable to depression. Several things can lead to depression in older adults, such as: Loss of spouse Declining abilities Medical conditions …and many more.   Depression often leads to anxiety, fear, sadness and many other conditions, in which family members may find it difficult to deal with.     Below are some effectual tips for family members to deal with older adults suffering from depression. Treat sleeping problems: Most seniors are prone to sleeping problems, which is known to increase depression. To prevent sleep problems, help them maintain a regular sleep schedule, evening caffeine and avoid any daytime naps by engaging them into other activities. Try to promote a sense of purpose and encouraging social interaction: To keep loneliness...

Our elders, those over 60 years old, may raise their life expectancy by staying physically and mentally active and exercising on a regular basis. Exercising has so many benefits; it can help build endurance, maintain balance and strength and prevent falls.In addition, regular exercise can lessen the chances of developing arthritis, cognitive decline and chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes.  Here are few exercises older adults should practice on a regular basis: Wall push-ups: Wall push-ups are great for increasing strength of the upper part of the body, such as shoulders and chest. Wall push ups are most suitable for older adults as it can be done almost everywhere and at any time. There’s no requirement for any equipment or the expense of a gym. Toe taps: This can be done by si tting on a chair and keeping your feet on the floor. You just have to raise your toes high enough that you can sense the muscles along your shin. This helps in strengthenin...

Dementia can have a huge emotional, psychological,social, and physical impact on seniors and their loved ones. It is a series of losses and adjusting to them can be really challenging. Dementia may lead to loss of self-esteem, confidence, social connections, and even the ability to manage everyday tasks. Here are some tips for seniors to protect their brain functions and avoid or manage this harrowing condition: Exercise your mind: Cerebral cardio, mental toning, mind expanding yoga, solving puzzles and other mental exercises can help the brain function properly and boost memory, which can further reduce dementia.   Smart food choices: Eat brain boosting foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, whole grains, berries, nuts, fish, olive oil and many others. Smart food choices will help maintain brain health. Stay connected: Stay connected with your loved ones, friends and family members. Do not avoid meeting new people. Stay active out in the community or even on soc...

Stress management for older adults is extremely important for their overall health. Aging already affects the immune system and their mental state, but stress increases these negative effects and by decreasing these responses, they are more prone to colds, the flu, pneumonia and other illnesses. But fortunately, there are ways to reduce stress and maintain better health. Here are some tips to help seniors manage stress: Find a new hobby and make time for it. Adopting a new hobby will take your mind away from what ever has been causing you to stress out. You can even involve your friends so that you both can enjoy the hobby and help forget your worries. Laughing with friends has been known to physically reduce stress effects on the body. Try to practice meditation on regular basis. At first, you may find it difficult.Just practice it daily for a while and you may begin to enjoy it. Plus, you will most likely notice several positive changes in your life. Try to stay active as m...

Are you planning to adopt a pet for an aging loved one? These days, most seniors prefer to live at home, but this can also mean they are often alone and loneliness can affect their physical and mental health. Many families decide to adopt a pet for their seniors for the following reasons. Pets provide companionship and can help to reduce stress. Loving an animal can keep loneliness at bay. Taking care of pets gives a sense of purpose. At a time when they may have a hard time completely caring for themselves, a pet depending on them can keep them alert and active. Some pets promote physical exercise through daily walks. Choosing a pet can be a challenging task. Many people don’t know what kind of pet is right for seniors. Here are some options that you can consider. Cat – Cats are friendly in nature, but also independent. If you are looking for an animal that provides companionship, but do not require much care, cats are a good choice. Keep in mind that cats can cause a ...

A healthy heart is the key to overall fitness, especially as people age. The heart is a muscle and when it’s in good condition, it will help all other parts of the body work in synch including blood flow.   However, what was appropriate exercise for someone when they’re 20 may not be appropriate when they are 60. Seniors should choose heart healthy exercises that focus on well-rounded approach as opposed to strength training. Here are the best heart healthy exercises for seniors: Walking. All that is required to improve heart health is five thirty-minute walks a week. Walking doesn’t require too much physical strain or stress and is great for the heart and for the lungs, and other muscles. It can be done during any season – winter birds can walk in a mall or find their local senior center to walk through. Plus, it’s great for senior socialization – just grab a friend and get to it! Swimming. This low-impact exercise is near perfect for seniors. The water provides soo...

Varicose veins affect around 35% of the American population. They are caused when damaged veins have difficulty sending blood from the legs and to the heart. Also called venous insufficiency, there have been many myths surrounding this issue, most of them untrue. They are caused when you sit and cross your legs. This simply isn’t true. What causes varicose veins is pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, heredity, excessive weight gain, obesity, etc. It is also more common in older females than younger males, though any gender and age can get them. Exercising only makes them worse. Not true. Exercise is too good a health improver to pass up. If you are having problems with varicose veins (especially in the calves) aching or becoming sore, make sure to do flexibility exercises for that area. Spider veins are the same as varicose veins. Not true. Varicose veins are located within the fat that is between muscle and skin, whereas spider veins are dilated surface-level veins. Spider ve...