There are millions of people in the world who live in debt, and seniors are among them. Seniors will often find themselves using credit cards and borrowing money to pay for expenses. This debt can cause a lot of stress, so seniors need to learn how to reduce debt and lower monthly payments. The following list can be beneficial.
1. Keep a list of what is owed. This should include the creditors, the amount, the current interest rate and the minimum payment. This will allow seniors to see just how deep in debt they are.
2. Take all high-interest debt and transfer it to a lower-interest loan. Take the credit card with the lowest interest rate and transfer debt to that card. This will help to reduce monthly payments.
3. Ask credit card companies for a card with a lower rate. Some credit card companies will take an existing rate and drop it to a lower percentage which can be very helpful when seniors are trying to reduce their debt.
4. Avoid borrowing money. If lifestyle changes have to be made to cut down on spending, this would be advised. Consider all expenses during the month and then decide what is absolutely necessary and what is not. Cut out the extras, saving a lot of money that can be used to pay down debt.
Many seniors suffer from sleep deprivation because they are unable to fall asleep at night. The tips that are provided in the list below can help seniors make some minor changes that will provide for better sleep. These tips are simple and can make a world of difference for a non-sleeping senior.
1. Do not drink coffee or tea before going to bed. Some doctors suggest stopping drinking caffeine by 2 in the afternoon so it has time to leave the body.
2. Do not eat a heavy meal before going to bed. Some foods can help seniors sleep, such as whole wheat pasta, fresh vegetables and chicken breast. Late night snackers should choose cottage cheese with fruit slices.
3. Avoid wine before retiring for the night. Have a glass of wine at dinner, but no later.
4. Take baths earlier in the day. While some people may become relaxed after a bath, it will raise the body temperature and make it difficult to sleep.
5. Gentle stretching may help seniors sleep better. Avoid excessive exercising before bed, but yoga can help relax the body and the mind.
6. Keep the room dark and cool. Dim lights around the house a few hours before bedtime, using the least amount of light as possible.
7. Shut off cell phones and computers at least an hour before bed. This will help seniors unwind and let the day end.
Deciding on a nursing home is an important decision that many caregivers will have to make. When this time comes, there are a lot of things that must be considered. The decision should always be made in the best interest of the senior. Many people will make the mistake of choosing a nursing home because it provides convenience for the family and the caregiver. Below are some points that should be considered when making this choice.
1. Always ask to talk to the nurses’ aides. These are the people that will be spending the most time with the senior.
2. Most nursing homes will deny this request because there is such a high turnover rate of aides. There are very few nursing homes that staff aides for any length of time.
3. More than 70 percent of aides and nursing assistants will change jobs within the year.
4. When talking to aides and assistants, always ask how long they have been doing this kind of work and how long they have been at this nursing home.
5. When you are able to find a home that has a low turnover rate and a reliable staff, this may be a good choice.
6. The key is to look for a nursing home that has a constant staff. When a senior is in a nursing home, they should be able to rely on people and having the same aides for a long period of time is very beneficial.
It is not always for seniors to get a good night’s sleep. This could be for many reasons, but there are many seniors who have extreme difficulty falling asleep at night. By following the tips that are provided in the list below, seniors will be able to sleep better and wake up feeling rejuvenated. Sleep is an important part of senior health, so it is essential that seniors get some good sleep at night.
1. Do not drink coffee or tea before going to bed. Some doctors suggest stopping drinking caffeine by 2 in the afternoon so it has time to leave the body.
2. Do not eat a heavy meal before going to bed. Some foods can help seniors sleep, such as whole wheat pasta, fresh vegetables and chicken breast. Late night snackers should choose cottage cheese with fruit slices.
3. Avoid wine before retiring for the night. Have a glass of wine at dinner, but no later.
4. Take baths earlier in the day. While some people may become relaxed after a bath, it will raise the body temperature and make it difficult to sleep.
5. Gentle stretching may help seniors sleep better. Avoid excessive exercising before bed, but yoga can help relax the body and the mind.
6. Keep the room dark and cool. Dim lights around the house a few hours before bedtime, using the least amount of light as possible.
7. Shut off cell phones and computers at least an hour before bed. This will help seniors unwind and let the day end
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Source: CNN
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Practicing sun safety during the summer is very important for seniors. The elderly have sensitive skin that can burn quickly. Every time a senior gets a sunburn, they will increase their chances of developing skin cancer. Below is a list of tips that can help seniors protect themselves and still be able to enjoy the summer.
1. Try to avoid exposure to the sun between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. This is when the UV rays are the strongest.
2. Always use a sunscreen on all areas of the body that will be exposed to the sun.
3. Seniors should wear light and airy clothing that will protect their skin from the sun. This can be difficult during the heat of the summer, but seniors need to keep their arms and legs covered as much as possible.
4. Wear a hat when in direct sunlight. This will help to protect the face, neck, head and ears.
5. Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays can be beneficial.
6. During the midday hours, seniors should try to stay in the shade as much as possible if they will be outside for any length of time.
It is very common for seniors to continue driving. Many of these seniors lead an active lifestyle, so they are always out and about. Being active is a great way to maintain health, but seniors do need to take precautions when driving in bad weather. Many seniors will get tense and nervous when the weather is poor. To help battle this, the list below offers some great driving safety tips.
1. Make sure to allow enough time to reach the destination. If the weather is bad and the visibility is poor, seniors should try to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier than they normally would.
2. Always maintain the vehicle. Making sure the car is in good condition is one way to make sure seniors stay safe while driving in poor weather conditions.
3. When buying a newer car, consider options that will increase safety, such as all-wheel drive and traction control.
4. Be sure to keep an emergency kit in the car. These kits can help seniors who have car trouble during bad weather. Most kits will have blankets that will help seniors stay warm and comfortable until help arrives.
5. Always drive with the headlights on.
6. Stay in the middle lane on the highway. Most roads are built higher in the middle, allowing water to runoff to the other lanes.
7. Avoid pools of water. There could be potholes beneath.
Millions of people are affected with Alzheimer’s and unfortunately, at this time, there is no cure for the disease. However, researchers are hopeful that they are on the right track. New drugs have been effective when taken by patients with the disease. The following information is in regards to the research that is being conducted as well as some general information on the disease.
1. More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.
2. As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.
3. Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.
4. Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.
5. Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.
6. Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.
7. Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.
The more active seniors are, the healthier they will remain. It has been proven that active seniors tend to have fewer health problems. Staying mobile and active is an important part of maintaining general health. While it may be difficult for some seniors to start an exercise program, some of the tips that are provided below can help.
1. Seniors need to set goals for exercise and stick to them. They should start with small goals, such as exercising a few times a week. The goals should be realistic and achievable.
2. Make a purchase! Buying a new bathroom scale can help seniors monitor their weight. Many newer scales will also display the body fat percentage. Seniors should set goals to reduce body fat. Seniors should also use the scale to keep track of their results from exercise. Most scales will have a built in memory, so seniors can monitor weight loss and gain.
3. Do not think of exercise as a chore. It can actually be a social event if done in groups. Get together with other seniors for a walk. Socialization is linked with many health benefits, so seniors who combine exercise with a social activity will reap many benefits.
4. Seniors do not have to engage in rigorous exercise routines. They should set short-term goals that are realistic. Most seniors will benefit from just 2 ½ hours of exercise each week.
Seniors who live at home and have poor vision may be at a high risk of experiencing an injury. Many seniors fall in their home because they have poor vision and their home is not safe. To help with this [problem, the list below includes some helpful tips that can make the home safe for seniors with vision problems.
1. Make sure all rooms are well lit.
2. Try to use task lighting, such as desk lamps, to make everyday activities simpler for seniors.
3. Always use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. This will help seniors be able to navigate through the house in the dark.
4. Make stairways safer. This can be done by placing a piece of brightly colored tape along the edges of each stair.
5. Paint door frames a contrasting color from that of the walls so they stand out.
6. Eliminate as much clutter as possible to reduce the chance of falling. Clutter is one of the main causes of falls in the home.
7. Try to position televisions so that the sun does not shine directly on the screen.
8. Seniors who take medications should always use pill organizers. This will help to ensure they are taking the right medication at the right time.
Seniors need to be aware that there are many con artists waiting to take advantage of them. It is very common for seniors to be faced with offers that are supposed to financially help them during retirement. Unfortunately, many of these offers are scams that take money and never offer a service. This is a growing problem in society and more information is provided below.
1. Seniors who are isolated or have disabilities are often the target of these schemes.
2. One out of every five retiree over the age of 65 has been a victim of a financial scam. More than 7.3 million seniors have been taken advantage of each year.
3. Older people are targets because they are more willing to invest in something that is supposed to help them through their retirement years. The elderly are also much more trusting than the younger generation.
4. Many of the people doing the scamming are retirees as well. This is how they know who to choose for a target. Elderly con artists are more common than most people believe.
5. Veterans are also a target. There are many groups who offer to help a former soldier. While many of the programs do actually exist, these seniors are being told they must liquidate all of their assets to become eligible for benefits, which is not true at all.
