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Gift-Wrapping Tips to Help Seniors

We give and receive gifts year-round. As we age and arthritis starts to creep into the fingers, though, unwrapping a paper-wrapped gift with tape all over it becomes more difficult. I became aware of this, earlier on, with my grandparents and parents. And now, it's becoming a reality for me as well. So, today, I'm presenting a few tips that may help you or the seniors in your life. image courtesy of freestocks via Unsplash Gifts wrapped with paper are easier to unwrap if less tape is used, allowing enough room for the finger to slip into the overlap and tear the paper. Place gift inside a decorative box with gift tissue or confetti to conceal the gift under the lid. No tape required! Place gift inside a decorative bag with gift tissue over the gift to hide it. No tape required! We all like to surprise the recipient of our gifts, but there are easier presentations than taped up paper. This is not only easier for the senior for unwrapping purposes, but it's also easier for t
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Slowing Memory Loss

Memory loss is one thing I think we're all fearful of as we get older . We do need to remember that forgetfulness and memory loss are 2 totally different things. It's forgetful to not be able to find your car keys. It's memory loss when you can't remember your child's name or how to get to the grocery store you go to every week. Early on, I discussed other changes  in behavior that occur with memory loss as well. So, you might want to read or re-read that after you finish reading this post. Any form of dementia may cause memory loss as well as different behaviors. Doctors agree that early treatment is the best way to slow memory loss. I have met people who are in their 80s who are still very sharp. That's how I want to be. Do you? Below are a few things to get you started on a happy memory journey. Keep up social activities. There are many senior groups that encourage outings and gatherings among senior communities. Neighbors are always nearby. If neighbors don&
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Type 2 Diabetes in Aging Population

Type 2 diabetes is common in anyone with insulin resistance. And it's more prevalent in the aging population . Our bodies become resistant to insulin with type 2 diabetes, and it can't be treated the same way as type 1 diabetes. So, make sure the measures you take for type 2 diabetes are correct.  First of all, many products labeled as "diabetes friendly" is for type 1 diabetes. So, be sure to read all labels to make sure it meets the standards for type 2 diabetes regulations, because each type of diabetes uses sugar differently. In other words, what's good for a person with type 1 diabetes can be harmful to someone with type 2 diabetes. So, when in doubt, you can eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits, veggies, and meats (not processed meats). Drink water instead of sugar-ladened drinks. It's good to begin this healthy habit when you start seeing your midsection expand. That is the first sign of insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes. So, not only c
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Elderly Fall Prevention

One of the best things we can do as we age is to figure out how to prevent falling accidents. As seniors, movement is our best friend. That's why I introduced you to exercises for seniors early on. Exercise isn't the only moving we can do, of course. But it is the right kind of movement to keep our muscles strong - especially our leg muscles. Even if you don't exercise, get up and walk around the house often to keep your leg muscles strong. I'm always thrilled when I meet 80 plus-year-old women who are still getting along well with their balance and walking. However, lack of balance and strength aren't the only things that cause us to fall. We also need vitamin D for our bones. I don't like milk, which is what comes to the minds of most people at the mention of this crucial vitamin. but there are several other ways to get natural vitamin D . The best way is to spend quality time outdoors in the sunshine. Just a few minutes (10 - 15 minutes) a day is all you ne
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Setting Appointments for Seniors

Appointments If you're in charge of appointments for a senior or you're a senior who needs someone to be in charge of your appointments, then timing appointments appropriately for both parties needs to be considered. Below are important things to remember in order to have as balanced a life as possible. Calendar Synchronization Required First, a senior has many types of appointments - doctor's appointments (eyes, dental, and medical), hair appointments, home improvement appointments, in-home physical therapy appointments, possibly veterinary appointments for their pets, etc. There is no avoiding appointments in life no matter your age. And this doubles or triples if you are the caretaker for one or two seniors. So, having synchronized calendars is a big help. All appointments for the seniors and the caretaker need to be placed on the calendars of everyone involved. The caregiver should always have a calendar with her - either a phone calendar or a pocket calendar that has
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Exercises for Seniors

Is your doctor telling you or your seniors to move more? Does the simple thought of exercise exhaust you? Do you think you're too busy for exercise? Or are you or your senior 'too tired' to exercise?  I'm a 'young' senior, whose metabolism isn't working as well as it used to. So, like you, I need to make some lifestyle changes to help my body burn calories and feel healthier. But I select healthy changes that will follow me into and through my older senior days. Because motion/exercise actually makes us feel less tired, I have found some seniors on YouTube that make exercising fun. Yes, I said fun. If your doctor is persistent about you getting more exercise, ask her if the videos at the following YouTube links are okay for you to use. First, I have found that  K.O.M. (Keep On Moving) has fun senior exercise videos as does Silver Sneakers , the popular program that is popular throughout senior centers across the United States. Most of these videos are reas
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Change in Behaviors

Change in behaviors is usually observed as many people grow older . Staying active is one thing many doctors prescribe to their patients to help with motor and cognitive skills. Now that I'm a senior myself, I'm as active as I ever was. I don't let the aches and pains keep me in bed. Instead, they're the reason I get up every morning. Lying in bed and relying on medication to help with arthritis or other health issue isn't the answer. I totally understand how pain can make you want to stay in bed. But I have seen firsthand what this does to a person.  First of all, staying in bed means you aren't in motion. So, mobility issues arise quickly from this. And when one is immobile, aches and pains will dominate that person's body. No amount of medication will help. Moving is the best way to ward off aches and pains from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other discomforts. So, when those main muscles stop functioning properly because of the lack of mobility, organ prob
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