Changes in sleep patterns, or what specialists call “sleep architecture”, occur as we age, and this may contribute to sleep problems in seniors and elders. 44% of older persons experience one or more of the nighttime symptoms of insomnia at least a few nights per week.
Fun Low-Impact Exercises for Canada’s Seniors
Canada’s seniors need strengthening exercise 2 to 3 days per week, and 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. There are numerous low-impact exercises for seniors that can help their health and well-being in crucial areas: endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.
Arthritis in Seniors: Using Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs
The effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in seniors includes medications that slow the progression of joint damage and deformity. These drugs are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and they are a vital part of an overall treatment plan.
Osteoporosis in Seniors: The Roles of Calcium and Vitamin D, and Recommended Foods
Osteoporosis in seniors is a common disease in which bones become brittle, leading to a higher risk of breaks than in normal bone. Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, causing a loss of bone thickness (bone density or mass).
Diabetes Myths: Separating Facts from Fiction
When it comes to diabetes in seniors and elders, there are many myths that get in the way of the hard facts. Here are some of the more common myths about diabetes ─ and the facts that follow may surprise you.
Controlling Sweet and Salty Cravings in Seniors
As we get older, the fewer taste buds we have and the less sensitive they become. In our prime, we have between 10,000 and 15,000 taste buds. By age 70, many seniors have lost two out of three, so the sense of taste declines – and foods begin to taste more bland.As we get older, the fewer taste buds we have and the less sensitive they become. In our prime, we have between 10,000 and 15,000 taste buds. By age 70, many seniors have lost two out of three, so the sense of taste declines – and foods begin to taste more bland.
Anxiety Disorders in Canada’s Seniors
Late-life anxiety disorders are twice as prevalent as dementia among older adults, and four to eight times more prevalent than major depressive disorders. According to the National Institutes of Health, anywhere from 3 to 14 percent of older adults experience anxiety disorders in a given year. These disorders all involve excessive, irrational fear and can worsen if they are untreated.
Helping Canada’s Seniors Cope with the Loss of a Spouse
Bereavement can have a devastating impact on the immune systems of seniors, and may explain why many older spouses soon die after the loss of their loved ones. Deep depression and an overwhelming feeling of helplessness are often a part of the grieving process, as well. It is, therefore, good to help the grieving loved one to cope during this difficult time.
Seniors and Sundowning: What It Is and How to Cope with It
Sundowning is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, most often affecting people who have mid- and late-stage dementia. Confusion and agitation worsen in the late afternoon and evening when the sun goes down, and symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day. Sundowning is also called “late-day confusion.”
Senior Recovery after a Heart Attack
What you can expect when your senior loved one returns home after a heart attack depends on its severity and the actual damage to the heart. Seniors over 65 may need eight weeks or more to fully recover, and are more prone to complications than younger patients. If your elder loved one has had a heart attack, it’s essential to understand the changes necessary for a successful recovery.