There is a conception out there that most older adults shouldn’t be behind the wheel. While I’d like to say that that’s a myth in its entirety, there is some truth behind those thoughts since certain skills which have an impact upon driving can change as people age. That’s not to say that seniors automatically need to give up their keys. But they do need to look long and hard about how their physical changes might affect their ability to operate a car safely, and put more effort into ensuring that they and other drivers on the road remain safe when they get behind the wheel.

Here are a few ways that old age affects driving skills:

• Sensing behind the wheel changes, with regards to vision and hearing. 85% to 90% of safe driving relies upon the eyes and the eyes change in a number of ways, including diminished light entering the eyes, declining focus, increases sensitivity to glare, difficulty perceiving color, diminished depth perception and narrowed peripheral vision. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, and it can affect a driver’s ability to take in their surroundings
• Deciding – once the senses take in information, the brain needs to process what to do with it. In older adults, it takes longer to process information, which can decrease the reaction time needed to respond to situations on the road
• Reacting – this can be affected by a few things. While seniors might know that they need to respond, their level of physical fitness or mobility or their medications might inhibit them from physically responding when behind the wheel of a car

Sources:

1. AAASeniors

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Q - I care for a gentleman in his 70’s who suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and after the recent loss of his wife, struggles to keep up with simple day-to-day tasks like maintaining the house and preparing meals for himself. While my job is to make sure that his house is up kept and he has healthy meals available to him every night, I’ve never been one to only do the bare minimum of what my job requires me; so I’ve tried to improve his health in any other ways possible. We’ve recently begun on an exercise program, as recommended by his doctor, which includes a combination of cardiovascular activities and resistance training. The main goal here, has not been just to improve his physical health, it’s also been to introduce an activity to help reduce stress at a time when he is obviously feeling overwhelmed and anxious about what the future has in store for him. Recently, when we were out for a walk around a park that’s near his Pasadena home, he mentioned that he finds our physical fitness routine is actually causing him more stress and anxiety. That’s not the point at all, so what am I doing wrong?

A – While your heart’s definitely in the right place, and exercise is definitely a great way to reduce stress; it is possible for seniors to feel more anxiety if the right approach is not used when beginning a new physical fitness routine. Here are a few ways for you to increase his enjoyment of his fitness routine, so it does help him to manage and reduce is stress as well as improve his overall health.

• Always choose activities that are enjoyable, otherwise seniors will grow to resent being physically active
• Avoid activities that are competitive to avoid creating natural tension. Seniors don’t need to do activities solo, but they should make sure that they avoid competitive sports and other physical activities that make them feel like they want to win
• Aerobic and anaerobic exercises can both help reduce stress. Seniors should incorporate 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise into their routines 3-5 days per week, and also try resistance training
• Don’t begin any activity without clearance from a doctor or assistance from a fitness professional. Seniors who worry that by completing physical activities incorrectly they will injure themselves, or are concerned about the affects upon their health can make sure these stressors are avoided

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Mayo Clinic

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Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Q – My dad has always loved to play golf, but has recently given it up out of frustration; he says that as he’s getting older his golf swing is getting worse, and for the sake of his pride he’s steering clear of the Pasadena golf courses he used to frequent. Since he’s given up golf, my dad’s becoming more isolated, and he just doesn’t have the same quality of life anymore. Is there anything he can try to improve his golf swing, so he’ll feel more confident about playing again?

A – It can be frustrating as you get older and skills that require physical elements begin to decline due to the aging process. It’s likely your dad’s golf swing isn’t what it once was because his strength and muscle mass is declining with age. This might be normal, but he doesn’t have to accept it and stay off of the greens; your dad can use simple techniques to try and improve his golf swing which might actually surprise you. Golf is about strength and flexibility, so, in order for your dad to improve his swing he needs to focus on his shoulders, arms and wrists. Physical activities like swimming and yoga can be beneficial because they work on strength and flexibility, and activities that make seniors use their hands like knitting or crocheting can improve manual dexterity and range of motion of the hands and wrists.

Encourage your dad to keep up his hobby, these tips should help him improve his swing, but the enjoyment of golf should come from the experience, not the score!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

After a stroke, my mom lost her ability to speak. At first when she came home from a stay in a Pasadena hospital, the family was uncertain of how to communicate with her. As her primary caregiver, I felt it awkward being in a room with her all of a sudden, because it felt like she wasn’t there, so I would provide for her care and then go about my own business until there was something I needed to do for her again. Then one day it dawned on me; my mom might no longer be able to communicate with me…but the same person she had always been was still in there somewhere, and I was acting like she no longer existed.

We may no longer have been able to hold a conversation, but I would talk to my mom even if she couldn’t answer; walking her through things I was doing, or even telling her about the things that her grandchildren who no longer lived in Pasadena had been up to. I could see that she could still hear me, because her face would light up, in particular when I would update her on the life of a family member. My mom might no longer be able to talk to me about what she’s feeling; but she’s still in there, and she’s still her, regardless of whether or not her personality is able to come out.

Sources:

1. Aging Care

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Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Often as seniors get older, they begin to notice small changes in their abilities to complete day-to-day tasks. While previously, it might have been no large feat to push a vacuum around the house, now suddenly this is a task that is physically exhausting. Some seniors may find it trying to walk up a flight of stairs or carry the groceries. Many of these seniors suffer in silence, because they believe that these affects are just part of aging. While that may be true to some degree, they are not changes that need to be tolerated.

Often seniors who find themselves faced with these physical changes, are dealing with sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass in the skeletal system which has a major impact on their overall ability to function. By suffering in silence about the physical changes that often accompany this condition, seniors might just be killing themselves; putting them at greater risks for potentially life threatening accidents or falls.

To prevent the effects of sarcopenia, all seniors need to do is get active to improve their overall strength and balance, while building muscle. Resistance training can help seniors to improve bone density and muscle loss, through lifting light weights a few times per week. Cardiovascular activities like walking or swimming, and stretching will also help out a stop to this deadly and silent killer.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Ezine Articles

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Q – I’ve heard that college education is offered free to senior citizens; is this true and if so, is everyone eligible?

A – It has become common practice for Pasadena colleges and those nationwide to offer classes to seniors at reduced rates or for free. To look at the specific eligibility requirements for each senior, you will need to contact each institution separately; most require that seniors fall into the age group of 65 and older, but others may have different standards. Seniors may not be eligible to receive a complete degree or accreditation, but most colleges allow them to audit specified college courses for no cost. This means that they are not formally tested on the content learned in the course, but they can sit in on the lectures, read the courseware, and participate in class discussions.

Another option for seniors looking for funding to receive an education is to seek out a scholarship; colleges and organizations may offer endorsements that could fund all or part of a college program. Education is becoming more and more accessible to seniors, and often, they don’t even have to pay a cent!

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Suite101
3. North East Texas Community College

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Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

This year with your grandfather’s birthday approaching, show him just how much he is loved and appreciated in the family by throwing him a party in Pasadena that’s all about him. Invite his closest friends and family and choose a fun birthday theme that will really make his day both special and memorable. Coming up with a theme for an older gentleman’s birthday party can be a challenge, so here are a few ideas for you to work with:

• Plan a sportman’s birthday – many men enjoy the relaxation that comes from getting out into the wilderness to hunt, fish or hike. To make your grandfather’s day extra special, plan a day out on the lake with his closest friends to fish, and then go back to his home and have a nice, rustic meal. To stick with the theme, decorate the home and cake as well
• Make it a color-themed party – making a birthday party all about your grandfather can be as simple as decorating for a party in his favorite color and carrying that color theme through to the cake and even the rest of the food
• Make a theme surround to grandpa’s favorite music – whether he’s into country, jazz or another type of music; decorate and have the guests dress up according to theme. Play music from his favorite performers throughout the party, or hire a local entertainer to play live music

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Love to Know

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Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Learning about new technology can be a challenge for many Pasadena seniors, however, learning to use the computer and internet can have extensive benefits; improving a senior’s lifestyle and their overall health.

• It can make them feel connected to news and younger generations – understanding computer and internet use allows them to understand what other people are talking about
• It increases their access to places limited by mobility – online shopping allows seniors to shop at a wide variety of places which would otherwise be too difficult
• They can keep in touch with family – if seniors have family around the world, it can be a challenge to connect by phone, so email is a great way to communicate. It also helps seniors to communicate if they struggle with their hearing
• They can pay bills online – like with shopping, it can be a challenge for seniors to get out and go from place to place, especially if they no longer drive
• There are social opportunities – seniors can connect with others in their demographic online in chat rooms and forums
• Seniors can find a match – those who are widowed or separated from their spouses may find that meeting a spouse later in life can be one of the best ways to date and find a potential compatible partner

Sources:

1. UINTA Education Center
2. Suite 101

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Are you a caregiver or relative of an older adult who is watching a loved one put their dreams of travel on hold because they fear that they have gotten too old to do it? While this may be the case with some vacations organized by travel groups, when you know where to find a senior-friendly vacation; no matter what the age of a senior, they too can travel around the US and Canada in comfort!

Not knowing a reputable senior-friendly tour group can make it difficult to reassure seniors that you have vacation options that they will enjoy, while ensuring that their unique age-related needs are accommodated throughout their travels. With Elderhostel, when you’re looking for a way to get a senior to step away from the comfort zone of their Pasadena home and receive an educational travel experience, it should be easy to convince seniors that this is the best option out there for them. Elderhostel is a non-profit organization that offers affordable travel experiences for seniors, and it considers the unique challenges that many older adults struggle with when away from home. Each of their travel programs are categorized based on the level of physical fitness required; ranging from Level 1 – Level 6, seniors will be required to do as little as carry their own bags and as much as engage in daily physically involved activities.

In addition to addressing the physical limitations of seniors, Elderhostel promises to offer unique transportation services when required, and accommodate dietary needs on a case-by-case business. Although this is a group that specializes in senior travel, those who want a little bit of companionship can bring travel partners of all ages; so once you’ve helped your elderly relative or care recipient plan their vacation, it’s time to take a break by accompanying them on their unique travel journey!

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Elderhostel

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.