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How to Stay Sane and Healthy as a Caregiver Spouse

Being a caregiver can be challenging for many. Add in being a caregiver for a spouse and there is a different kind of wrinkle. The affection for a loved one who may be suffering from dementia, Parkinson’s or another ailment can be at times frustrating however being a spouse gives a sense of loving responsibility. Educating oneself about the diagnosis or recognizing that one may be in for a ride on an emotional rollercoaster can help alleviate some tension. This author has provided these and other insightful tips and advice for being a caregiver for a spouse and making the period more bearable for not only the caregiver spouse but the patient spouse as well.

Key Takeaways:

  • You will need to recognize that there may be no cure, but that you can choose your own response to the situation
  • It’s vital to build a circle of support for yourself and loved one, for the well being of all involved
  • There is no right or wrong way to do things, and while it may be out of your control, you will be doing the best for your loved one

“Certainly educate yourself and your family members about the illness and prognosis. But recognize that each family member will process the situation differently and in their own time.”

Read more: http://www.transitionagingparents.com/how-to-stay-sane-and-healthy-as-a-caregiver-spouse/

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How to Help Your Aging Parent Get Proper Nutrition

As a person ages, it’s not abnormal for them to eat much less. This can occur because the individual is less active or simply because they are no longer willing or able to properly prepare food. While a lower overall caloric intake may be appropriate, an aging parent still needs proper nutrition. There are ways that you can support your loved one in this effort. Try making them a healthy smoothie when you are visiting. Boil some nutrient-rich eggs and put them in their refrigerator to eat all week. Or make them a big batch of soup, portion it out, and freeze it for future meals.

Key Takeaways:

  • improper nutrition in seniors happens for a variety of reasons such as appetite changes, taste changes, affordability, and ability to prepare foods
  • Choose foods that are bright in colors, preferably no pre prepped if possible
  • take the time to chop up foods and prep them for meals to be assembled later.

“Malnutrition is common in seniors, which can affect their risk for diseases and their ability to fight disease. Some things caregivers can do to help aging parents maintain a healthy diet is collaborate with them on ways to get in the proper nutrients or ensure they have simple meals and snacks ready to go.”

Read more: https://senior.com/blogs/seniornews-com/how-to-help-your-aging-parent-get-proper-nutrition

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9 Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum

Believe it or not, there are some significant benefits to chewing gum. In fact, according to a St. Lawrence University study, subjects that chewed gum exhibited better overall cognitive function than non-gum chewers. Also, gum chewing has been shown to decrease our stress hormone cortisol, helping to ease feelings of anxiety. Medical studies have shown that reaching for a stick of gum over a snack helps to curb cravings and reduces over-eating. If you’re constipated, gum chewing acts as a natural laxative by improving production of our gastric juices. So don’t hesitate next time you find yourself reaching for a stick of gum.

Key Takeaways:

  • According to a 2011 study, there are some significant health benefits associated with chewing gum.
  • Medical studies actually show that chewing gum in between meals reduces snacking and can help suppress one’s appetite.
  • Believe it or not, gum chewing acts as a natural laxative by stimulating the production of one’s gastric juices.

“If you’re slammed with a case of the midday munchies, popping in some gum over that bag of chips may be beneficial to your weight-loss regimen.”

Read more: https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/benefits-of-chewing-gum/

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Is the bold claim that a nutrient drink can slow Alzheimer’s true?

Alzheimer’s is a condition without a cure that leads to detrimental results for the affected person. But, new studies suggest that a nutrient drink sold at supermarkets and health food stores can slow down the signs and symptoms of this condition. These are bold claims, and one that shows you cannot always believe the things that you read on the internet. New research from various organizations prove their is no accuracy to back these claims against this medical condition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Souvenaid, a nutritional supplement beverage that contains the active ingredient Fortasyn Connect, is marketed in the U.K. specifically for the management of early Alzheimer’s.
  • According to a recent trial published in The Lancet Neurology, Souvenaid may help to slow down the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • While the findings on Souvenaid are interesting, the lack of scientific evidence in some of the study’s endpoints means more research is needed before reaching a definitive conclusion.

“It’s a bold claim: the brain regrows vital neuronal connections after a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease sips a daily nutrient drink. Cognitive decline slows down. But that’s not what the latest study found.”

Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319950.php

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Dividing Caregiver Costs Without Causing Family Uproar

Mature women talkingDo you recall how challenging it could be when you were young to learn the lesson of sharing with your brothers and sisters? While the incredible importance of taking into consideration other people’s feelings, and also being fair, was impressed upon us early on, it may still be a challenging goal to minimize sibling squabbles regarding complicated decisions we struggle with in adulthood – such as how to fairly divide caregiver costs and requirements for our aging parents. Read more

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How a Healthy Gut Microbiome Could Add Years to Your Life

According to a study conducted by Chinese and Canadian researchers, there’s a connection between your gut microbiome and leading a longer and healthier life. In fact, there is a direct link between the presence of healthy bacteria in the intestines and the health of the individual. Principal investigator Dr. Greg Gloor points out that if you are an extremely healthy 90-year-old, your microbiota is very similar to that of a 30-year-old. To improve your overall gut health, eat probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt or kefir, or take probiotic supplements regularly.

Key Takeaways:

  • According to Chinese and Canadian researchers, a balanced gut biome is linked to living a longer and healthier life.
  • If you are an extremely healthy 90-year-old, chances are very good that your gut microbiota looks very similar to that of a 30-year-old.
  • To improve your overall gut microbiome, eat fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir, or take probiotic supplements regularly.

“If you’re taking supplements, make sure to keep them in the fridge. “You wouldn’t eat yogurt that wasn’t refrigerated, so the same rule applies,” Zuckerbrot says. “Many are naturally sensitive to heat, so in order to keep the cultures alive they need to be kept cool or refrigerated. Those sold at room temperature likely don’t contain active strains of the bacterial cultures.””

Read more: https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/healthy-gut-microbiome-longevity/

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7 Reasons Your Heart Attack Risk Is Highest in the Winter

Although it may seem surprising or even unbelievable, scientific research has consistently found links between colder weather and increases in heart attacks. A number of factors explain why cold weather renders the human heart more vulnerable to failure. Some of the most important explanations include the fact that blood vessels respond to cold by constricting; snow can force individuals into high intensity physical activities; eating habits tend to be much worse during the coldest months; the flu tends to spread during these months; and, finally, levels of stress and loneliness tend to dramatically increase during the colder seasons of the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • In cold climates, blood vessels within the human body constrict as a natural response, but this also raises the risk of heart problems
  • The more frigid months of the year tend to coincide with decreases in healthy and controlled eating
  • The chilly months are linked to significant upticks in the degrees of loneliness and stress experienced by individuals

“It doesn’t seem like the outside temps should affect your ticker, but research shows a link between cold weather and heart attack risk.”

Read more: https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/heart-attack-risk-in-winter/

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Anosognosia – Is Mom Denying She Has Dementia?

Senior man sitting on sofa“How can you say I have Alzheimer’s disease? There is nothing wrong with me!”

If you’ve ever heard a senior loved one with dementia frustratingly express this or perhaps a very similar sentiment, you might have believed the person was just in denial and not willing to accept a difficult diagnosis. The simple truth is, however, that oftentimes people who have dementia and other conditions are experiencing anosognosia – an unawareness of their impairment. Read more

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Senior Diabetes Prevention: 7 Tips to Reduce Your Risk

More than one quarter of all senior citizens suffer from diabetes, a disease that grows increasingly dangerous as the body grows older. The most prevalent diabetic condition is Type 2 diabetes, which also happens to be the type that can be prevented through lifestyle and behavioral changes. In order to avoid this serious disease, individuals can monitor the quantity and quality of their meals, engage in physical activity, choose to drink water over sugary beverages, avoid smoking, and routinely visit the doctor for physical exams and checkups.

Key Takeaways:

  • It is very important for senior citizens to not only monitor what their diet consists of, but also how much they are consuming
  • Sugary beverages are major risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes, so it is always better to forgo the unhealthy drinks and choose water instead
  • Senior citizens should be in the habit of routinely visiting their doctors for physical exams and checkups for a number of reasons, including to ensure that diabetes has not developed

“Having diabetes can lead to serious complications over time, including heart disease, kidney damage and vision loss – but in many cases, the damage is preventable.”

Read more: https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2017/11/senior-diabetes-prevention-tips-to-reduce-your-risk/

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Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, the situation can grow especially dire for elderly people if they are not well prepared to handle such an event in advance. Therefore, loved ones and caretakers of senior citizens should take time to prep the senior individual on emergency response protocols. Some important steps to take include making sure that any important documents are copied, waterproofed, and located in easily retrievable areas; copying house keys; going over emergency contacts; writing down medication lists; talking to care facilities about plans for evacuation (if applicable); uploading photographs and paperwork to computers; preparing insurance related documentation; and scanning important documents and papers, among others. These steps do not take much time or effort to complete, but they can make a world of difference should an emergency situation arise.

Key Takeaways:

  • Important documents should be uploaded to digital storage, copied, waterproofed, and kept in easily accessed locations
  • The elderly individual should be aware of who their emergency contacts will be, and a list of contacts and their information should be kept in a safe and easily reached place
  • If an elderly loved one resides in a care facility, take time to speak with the care staff about their plans for evacuation in the event of an emergency

“With a few minutes of your time and their help, your elder can be prepared for any kind of emergency, reducing your worry and their exposure.”

Read more: https://senior.com/blogs/seniornews-com/preparing-for-a-natural-disaster-as-a-caregiver