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Approximately 7 million Americans over the age of 65 experience some form of depression. Depending on the severity of the depression, doctors often prescribe antidepressants to help alleviate the symptoms. However, depression is not the only reason a doctor might prescribe antidepressants for your elderly loved one. The Anchorage home care experts at Home Care Assistance have put together a list of other possible uses researchers have discovered for antidepressant medication. Helping a Senior Quit Smoking If your loved one smokes, quitting can boost his or her health and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and age-related macular degeneration. Certain antidepressants may be able to help your loved one quit smoking. Zyban or Wellbutrin (bupropion) have been found to interfere…

Having a dog, cat, or other animal in your life can be rewarding for a variety of reasons. However, the benefits gained can be even more significant for your aging loved one. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care Anchorage families can trust, wants to share the emotional, physical, and mental benefits pet therapy can offer the elderly. Emotional Emotional disorders such as depression are common in the elderly. Recent studies have revealed over 50 percent of all seniors over the age of 65 will experience depression or a major depressive disorder. When interacting with therapy animals, your loved one’s body will release a variety of important endorphins like oxytocin that can actually combat these emotional…

Loss of bladder control is an unpleasant, yet common issue among the aging demographic. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies seniors can use to combat this issue, and the Anchorage home care experts at Home Care Assistance want to share some your loved one can try. Best of all, as with many other natural treatments, the remedies that follow are designed to address incontinence at its source. Kegel Exercises Kegel exercises are simple activities your loved one can do even while using the toilet. They involve the controlled flex and release of the muscles used to stop the flow of urine. Strength is often lost in the pelvic area over time, particularly among women who have had one or…

High blood pressure is a common condition that, if left untreated, can lead to cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. As a leading provider of elderly care in Anchorage, we at Home Care Assistance encourage seniors to take measures to keep their blood pressure down before it causes more serious issues. Luckily, there are some simple ways to accomplish this. 1. Reduce Sodium Intake A healthy diet that is low in sodium is a simple way to help lower blood pressure. Most people should limit salt to less than 2,800 milligrams per day, but seniors with high blood pressure may need to lower their sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams per day. 2. Make Healthy…

Seniors are now living longer and in much better health than ever before. Though receiving high-quality Anchorage home care can have a significant effect on this, there are also other factors at play. Here are just a few reasons and ways your elderly loved one can live a healthier and longer life. Healthier Lifestyles Seniors who practice healthy habits have the best chance of living a longer life. Eating healthy, taking vitamins, walking regularly, avoiding smoking, and drinking infrequently are lifestyle changes your loved one can make to raise his or her chances of living a long and fulfilling life. To prevent your loved one from becoming overwhelmed by too many lifestyle changes at once, encourage him or her to set…