5 Ways Seniors Can Exercise Their Body and Brain Together

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on October 27, 2016

Exercise is extremely important for seniors, but some may not realize the benefits of certain physical activities also extend to mental wellbeing. Anchorage home care experts discuss 5 ways your elderly loved one can exercise his or her brain and body simultaneously. 1. Go Bird Watching Watching birds is an excellent hobby that can challenge seniors mentally and physically without overwhelming them. Spending time outside to track or photograph birds can provide your loved one with vitamin D while slightly bringing his or her heart rate up. Identifying the birds constantly stimulates the brain and can create new neural pathways to fight diseases like Alzheimer’s. 2. Start a Garden According to the CDC, gardening for 2 to 3 hours a week…

5 Oral Hygiene Concerns for Aging Adults

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on October 20, 2016

As seniors age, it becomes increasingly important to take good care of their teeth and gums, which sometimes takes a little extra effort in the oral hygiene department. Anchorage, AK, home care experts discuss 5 of the top oral hygiene concerns for people over 65 and offer tips on how to alleviate each condition. 1. Tooth Discoloration Even with excellent dental care, enamel can still easily become damaged over the years, which is why many older adults develop mild exterior discoloration. These stains can make a senior’s teeth appear to be a light shade of brown, gray, or yellow. The easiest way your aging loved one can prevent discoloration is by limiting his or her consumption of darker foods like…

4 Upcoming Events Anchorage Seniors Will Want to Attend

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on October 13, 2016

Anchorage seniors looking for exciting things to do in their free time will be pleased to learn there are some fun events happening in the area in the coming weeks and months. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care Anchorage, families trust, suggests these 4 upcoming local events. 1. Noel Bazaar This quaint holiday fair will be held at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center at 1300 East 19th Avenue on December 3rd at 10am. During this fair, your senior loved one can check out over 60 talented vendors, mingle and make new friends his or her age, enjoy delicious food, and do some fun caroling, which can boost his or her self-confidence. Your loved one…

Learn All About the 4 Oldest People Currently Living in Alaska

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on October 6, 2016

There are many factors that can contribute to living a long, healthy life, from genetics to adopting certain lifestyle choices. In the state of Alaska, there are currently a few people aged 100 and older, and Anchorage, AK, home care experts want to share stories about 4 of these centenarians that are sure to inspire other seniors to live their lives to the fullest. 1. Clara Anderson One of the oldest living Alaskans is Clara Anderson, who celebrated her 111th birthday this year. This active supercentenarian lives in Homer and does lunchtime piano performances for the South Peninsula Long-Term Care unit. Clara formerly taught math and language classes, and she continues to keep her mind occupied by practicing music and reading…

5 Ways Seniors Can Manage Their Health After Cancer

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on September 29, 2016

Surviving cancer is an accomplishment any senior should be proud of. However, some cancers can still return even years after treatment, which makes it important to take steps to reduce the risk of recurrence. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of home care Anchorage families can trust on, suggests a few preventive measures seniors can take to remain healthy and stave off cancer recurrence. 1. Limit Red Meat Consumption Red processed meats such as ham and sausage have always been tied to a higher risk of colon cancer, but recent studies show these foods might play a role in cancer recurrence as well. A series of studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology have found connections between…

4 Alternative Ways to Treat Alzheimer’s Symptoms

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on September 22, 2016

Certain medications have proven effective in alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. However, seniors with this condition may also benefit from taking a more natural approach to their treatment. Though the research being conducted on these alternative Alzheimer’s remedies is still inconclusive, the results show great promise. The Anchorage, AK, Alzheimer’s care professionals at Home Care Assistance discuss 4 of these treatments and their possible effects on Alzheimer’s. 1. Coconut Oil Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, which the body breaks down into proteins called ketone bodies. These proteins are similar to those found in Ketasyn, a medicine that has been shown in limited studies to boost memory and slow cognitive decline. It is important to note coconut oil has never…

4 Walking Trails Anchorage Seniors Will Enjoy

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on September 15, 2016

All aging adults should set aside time for regular exercise, and walking is one of the simplest ways to get a little physical activity without putting too much strain on the body. If your senior loved one enjoys walking, he or she will find plenty of gorgeous trails in the Anchorage, AK, area. Anchorage home care experts list 4 of the best local walking trails your loved one can visit. 1. Rendezvous Peak Rendezvous Peak is an easy to moderate trail many Anchorage seniors love. It is adjacent to the Arctic Valley ski area, beginning at the end of Arctic Valley Road. Walking this trail can help increase balance and muscle strength, and your loved one can take his or her…

Herbs and Spices: Health Benefits for Seniors

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on September 8, 2016

Herbs and spices can be a wonderful way to give a flavor boost to food, and many of them also offer significant health benefits for seniors. The Anchorage respite care experts at Home Care Assistance discuss some common herbs and spices you may want to add to your elderly loved one’s meals. Cinnamon This spice is naturally antibacterial and has been shown to boost cardiac health and lower cholesterol. It can also reduce inflammation in the joints and reduce blood sugar levels. Some seniors claim it is helpful in appetite control as well. Garlic Since ancient times, this relative of the onion was eaten for increasing overall health. Today, scientists say it can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and…

Everything You Should Know About Mild Cognitive Impairment

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on August 25, 2016

Slight changes in memory and thinking skills are to be expected when entering the senior years. Though some seniors eventually develop dementia or Alzheimer’s, it isn’t always an immediate leap from normal changes in cognition to these more serious conditions. A condition known as mild cognitive impairment sometimes acts as an intermediate stage between the two. To offer you a better understanding of mild cognitive impairment, Anchorage home care experts share some facts about the condition and offer tips on how to help your aging loved one prevent its progression. What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment? Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed but aren’t severe enough to interrupt daily life. The condition is broken…

Why Is Journaling Helpful for Family Caregivers?

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on August 18, 2016

When caring for a senior loved one, it’s vital to stay organized. Without some sort of system in place, you run the risk of making mistakes that could negatively impact your loved one’s health. Many family caregivers find it helpful to keep a journal because it gives them a concrete way to help their loved ones remain healthy, happy, and comfortable at home, and these are just a few reasons why. Track Key Details, Most live-in and part-time caregivers in Anchorage are going to have quite a bit on their minds, and it doesn’t take much to lose track of the key pieces of information your loved one’s doctor should know about. Taking a few moments to jot down your…

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