Why is it, that with every new development in medicine or lifestyle that is said to improve some aspect of aging; there’s always backlash and controversy from other experts who claim to have differing views on the subject. With so much controversial information floating around, it can be very challenging for Chicago seniors and their families to determine just what they need to do in order to provide for their health.

There’s always two sides to every story, and with exercise and bone density, there are valid points that are on both sides of the argument, which include the following pros and cons.

Pros

• Resistance training and weight bearing exercises can improve bone density by as much as 3%
• Physical activity has additional benefits to overall health and mobility
• Improved bone density can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injury, specifically as related to osteoporosis

Cons

• There is a risk of injury that comes with resistance activities, including sprains and even spinal problems
• Seniors who are unaware of proper weight lifting techniques increase their risk of injury
• Once resistance training stops, any improvements made by the physical activities can result in a return to previous bone density conditions

In the end, it’s up to you to make your own informed decisions about how to care for your own health, and decide what you want to believe. So where do you stand when it comes to exercise and resistance training? Tell us if you feel the risks are worth the potential benefits, or if they’re enough to make you steer clear of another hand-weight or resistance belt for the rest of your senior life?

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

A recent study led by Johns Hopkins and Utah State University researchers suggests that a particularly close relationship with caregivers may give people with Alzheimer’s disease a marked edge over those without one.  The benefits appear to result in retaining mind and brain function over time.

The research focused on how caregivers affect the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease.  Most other studies have looked at the well-being of caregivers.  Of the 167 pairs of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers studied, patients with close spouses declined the slowest overall.

Knowing that you make such an important difference in the life of your loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease is good for all family members to know.  However, caring for an elderly loved one can be stressful. Please make an effort to get a break once in a while.  Can you call a trusted family member or friend to sit with your husband?

Why not consider professional respite care.  Home Instead Senior Care employs CAREGivers who can serve as a helper to family caregivers who need even a few hours a week away from home.  Many CAREGivers are trained to work with seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Why not call today?

Source: Hopkins Medicine

Image Source: Home Instead Senior Care

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

There is a misconception that strength training is just for the types who want to build muscle mass and create a physique like a body builder, or become overly strong. While some older men believe that weight training is right for them, fewer San Jose women who have not yet been informed about the benefits of resistance training for their demographic practice it into older adulthood. But, resistance training is especially important for senior women, and can contribute to a longer healthier life by bringing the following benefits:

• Increases bone density
• Improves muscular strength and endurance
• Improves sensitivity to insulin, preventing diabetes
• Helps with cholesterol control by increasing HDL [good] cholesterol and decreasing LDL [bad] cholesterol
• Can improve emotional well-being
• Decreases intra-abdominal adipose tissue in healthy older women
• Helps to control potential fat gain and associated complications

Sources:
1. Suite101

image source: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Chicago Fitness for Seniors

If you are a senior and wanting to track the miles you walk the and minutes spent exercising, we want to tell you about a site that AARP sponsors! Go to www.getfitonroute66.com.  It’s a great program that lets you track how many minutes or miles you walk (or run) each day. You can record the time and move in one of four vehicles along the famous route. Try driving around in a Corvette! Or choose a Caymen!

In addition to tracking your fitness.. by miles, by visiting the website, you also get information about the town you are passing through. And it gives a link to the town’s website! You can compete with friends and family walking the route. So, Chicago seniors, check it out!

Also check out the exercise classes offered in the Regional and Satellite Centers as well as in Community Sites located throughout the city. The cost is a membership contribution of $16 for 6 months or $30 for a year. Even if participants are unable to contribute, they are still welcome in the program at any time.

City of Chicago

Image Source: www.mhs.net

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

In many cultures, it’s common for aging parents to move in with their children to be taken care of; in a kind of cyclical way that allows children to return the favor by providing a life for their parents, just as their parents did for them during childhood. But until recently, many cultures did not embrace this trend, and suddenly this is a trend that is growing. Today, approximately 43% of adult caregivers in Chicago and across the United States live with an older parent or relative; and in the past two years, this is a trend that has increased by approximately 60%.

Although President Obama and Joe Biden both have older generations of family members living in their homes, American families that are choosing to move their seniors into their homes are certainly not doing just to follow in their footsteps. So why is it that multigenerational homes are a growing trend?

• Families are sharing in caregiving duties and looking out for each other. Whether it’s because a senior in the family needs assistance, because a grandparent is providing care for grandchildren, or because the family is anticipating future needs, families are more focused than ever on providing for each other

• When seniors experience loss or struggle with the emotional effects of a devastating diagnosis, they can use the support of their family so that they don’t become isolated

• The economy is affecting seniors and their families, making it hard to cover basic costs of living. By coming together, seniors and families can share the financial burden of living to ensure that all of their needs are met

Via: Home Instead Senior Care https://www.homeinstead.com/Lists/doclistlib/Attachments/257/Too_Close_For_Comfort_Booklet.pdf

fotosearch.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Q – My dad has been an avid golfer throughout his life. He regularly goes to many of the Chicago golf courses around his home, and even travels to other destinations for golf-related vacations. I do worry though, that as he gets older; he’s going to end up injuring himself. It’s something he loves, and I don’t want to encourage him to stop, because it’s also keeping him physically active, but is there anything he can do to make his safety more of a priority when he hits the golf course?

A – Naturally, as seniors age activities can potentially put more strain on the body. Golf is a great way for your dad to remain active and get outside, but he should exercise more caution when hitting the links than he may have when he was younger and in better physical health. Warming up with stretching before a golf game, and even after the game is important; and he should focus in particular upon the arms, shoulder and upper body. Your dad should also make sure he has the equipment that’s right for him; his clubs should be the right weight and size, so they don’t cause any unnecessary strain. He should also be cognizant of any pain that develops, and if it happens regularly after a golf game, he may need to talk to a golf professional about tips to adjust his swing. Any prolonged injuries should also be checked out by a doctor so no permanent damage is caused.

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

While it may be a perception that seniors living in Chicago have no reason to worry and cope with stresses that can be detrimental to their health, the reality is that with retirement there can come a great deal of emotional stress that can lead many American seniors to worry their way into an early grave. Sure, it may seem like retirement is all about margaritas on the beach, and leisurely visits with grandchildren and family; but even seniors who have left behind the stresses of direct family responsibility and careers have a great deal to worry about.

Seniors lead lives filled with the unexpected; with fixed incomes their financial stability is often uncertain; they worry about finding the finances to fund their medical needs; and they’re constantly coping with change, like the loss of a close friend or spouse which can turn their world upside-down and trigger stress. With all of these worries on their mind at all times, seniors can suffer from chronic stress and chronic worry which can ultimately lead to health problems.

In order to cope with these anxieties and manage their stress so it doesn’t have a detrimental impact on their health, seniors should choose activities that are physical in nature to help reduce tension and keep blood pressure low. The elderly can also cope with stress by engaging in activities that they enjoy; simply spending time with family, or doing an activity that puts a smile on their face can ensure that stress is coped with appropriately.

Sources:

1. SeniorJournal.com

2. Associated Content

3. The American Institute of Stress

Image Source: www.bt.cdc.gov

Most seniors, whether they struggle with their weight, or they’re strictly sedentary due to mobility issues, have heard that exercise is important. But for so many seniors, simple every day tasks prove to be such a challenge and cause so much physical exertion that actually adding exercise into their daily life can seem near impossible. But all of these people that are telling them they need to exercise, aren’t just blowing smoke; they know how hard it can be for many seniors to exercise, but they also know just how exercise can benefit and improve the aging process.

Whether Chicago seniors choose to engage in cardiovascular activity, or try resistance training to get active, there are a number of ways that exercise will improve their health and the aging process in general:

• Increases muscle mass that is loss, and regains strength
• Burns additional calories and prevents weight gain which happens with aging due to a decrease in the metabolism
• Less body fat is stored, since more is burned off or turned to muscle in active seniors
• Risk of heart attack declines in active seniors because cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory health and fitness are improved
• Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and improves carbohydrate metabolism, helping the body better process blood sugar and reducing the risk of diabetes
• Exercise increases the level of good cholesterol
• New bone growth is facilitated with exercise, preventing the effects of low bone density and osteoporosis
• Blood pressure naturally decreases with exercise

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Q – My dad has always been a huge outdoorsman, when he was younger he enjoyed heading out into the wilderness for days, canoeing, backpacking, and stopping to camp whenever the need struck. He lives in Chicago, but loves to travel around North America to get different experiences. As he’s living on a more limited budget now, having retired and funding his medical costs, he’s looking for more affordable ways to pursue his favorite hobby. He’s also mentioned that he’d like to find other people in his demographic to try hiking with; are there any organizations that offer affordable hiking trips for seniors?

A – If your dad is looking for an opportunity that will allow him to venture out into the great outdoors, that’s also affordable, then it’s worth looking into Volunteer Vacations offered by the American Hiking Society. This organization is always looking for people like your dad that want to experience new places, by visiting hiking destinations around the nation. It’s also perfect for someone on a budget since costs are $275 or $245 for a member of the American Hiking Society. The only catch, which is what makes the trips so affordable, is that the group that’s on the trip must work to restore hiking trails, cabins and other key spots that need improvement at their hiking destination. A Volunteer Vacation like this allows seniors to get the best of both worlds – having the chance to visit new hiking destinations for an affordable price, and giving back to improve conditions for fellow hikers. Of course, there are also social aspects on a trip like this, so it might help your dad connect with other senior hikers from Chicago.

Sources:

1. Associated Content
2. Suite 101

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

The Silver Sneakers program allows seniors to exercise at Chicago fitness centers without incurring the costs that can come with engaging in an expensive exercise program. Seniors under this program can attend seminars on health, will receive a consultation from a Senior Fitness Advisor, and can attend any of the fitness classes designed just for seniors as often as they’d like. All classes are designed for seniors of every fitness level, so they’re group classes appropriate for everyone. When joining Silver Sneakers, seniors can choose from attending the following senior fitness classes:

• Muscular Strength and Range of Motion – the goal of this program is to increase senior’s proficiency with normal daily activities. Each of the exercises can be done sitting or standing, and equipment used includes weights, elastic tubing, and an exercise ball
• Cardio Circuit Class Description – non-aerobic choreography is alternated with hand-held weights and other exercise equipment
• Silver Splash – an aqua fit style exercise program designed especially for seniors
• Yogastretch Class – incorporates simple yoga poses from sitting and standing. A chair can be used for added support, and seniors are taught restorative breathing and relaxation techniques

Sources:

1. Silver Sneakers
2. Suite101

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.