Things You Should Know About Senior Arthritis

 Arthritis is the leading cause of disability amongst adults in the United States. The condition is more common in elderly people over the age of 65. To elaborate on the term “arthritis,” it basically describes a disease that leads to painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. In total, there are over 100 types of arthritis, each having its own symptoms, causes and treatments. However, this blog aims to discuss the most common kinds of arthritis for older adults- osteoarthritis (OA), gout, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Osteoarthritis (OA) - Symptoms include pain or aching, stiffness, swelling of joints, and reduced flexibility. Medications can help relieve your pain. The option of surgery to replace joints is also there, only if the damage by OA is severe.

Gout- Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, redness, and heat. Men who are obese with health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, poor kidney function are more at risk to experience this kind of arthritis. Cure mainly includes changing one’s diet and physical activity with medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – Symptoms include weight loss and fatigue, pain and stiffness in more than one joint, swelling in more than one joint, and fever. This kind mostly occurs in women who are over the age of 60. The risk factors include obesity and smoking (exposure to smokers). The disease is mainly managed with medications, and by working on diet, exercise, and sleep.

Best exercises for older adults with arthritis:

Do whatever exercise gives you happiness, however, it is best to discuss your exercise plan with your doctor if you have a chronic condition like arthritis. Exercises like swimming, yoga, resistance band workouts, and walking are some of the best bets, which, with time, can significantly reduce pain and increase flexibility and strength.

The condition affects one and all, from seniors to children, teenagers, and young adults. If left untreated, the condition can interfere with one’s usual day-to-day activities. This highlights the importance of consulting a doctor the moment you notice arthritis symptoms to prevent the condition from worsening.

In order to treat arthritis effectively, the first step is proper diagnosis as there are so many types; it’s best to consult with a rheumatologist to find out if you have arthritis, and if so, what kind, and work out a treatment plan to follow; although arthritis isn’t curable, healthy lifestyle habits including exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, reducing the stress in your life, and getting adequate sleep can help you better cope with the symptoms of the condition; last, but not the least consult your doctor in order to find the safest and most effective treatment.

If you have a loved one dealing with arthritis and is in need of home health care services, Charlotte NC, get in touch with Aroga Home Care Services and see how we’ve changed the world of living with assistance. We match home care professionals with clients that need care.

For more details check out: https://www.arogahomecare.com/

Keep Alzheimer’s At Bay By Including These Foods In Your Diet

 Time and again we’ve heard that diet plays a huge role in maintaining our physical health. For example, consuming fast or junk food in excess can increase our bad LDL cholesterol, lead to diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and generally make us feel lethargic. It’s not just our physical health, diet & nutrition and our brain & neurological health as well are closely connected. Eating unhealthy foods can lead to an increased risk of certain neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, there are certain foods eating which might actually reduce these risks and keep the brain healthy. This blog aims to discuss those super foods for your brain health.

Studies have linked eating certain foods or following a certain eating pattern like the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of dementia. A Mediterranean diet includes fish, olive oil, avocados, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and red wine in moderation (while laying emphasis on limiting your intake of red meat, processed products and baked goods) - all brain-healthy stuff. Eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly are integral to preventing Alzheimer’s in yourself and your loved ones.

Here are the top foods to prevent Alzheimer’s and stay healthy as you age:

Leafy greens- Leafy greens including kale, collard greens, spinach, and Swiss chard contain high concentrations of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can help manage stress and reduce depression, while also boosting cognition. They’re a great source of B vitamins, folate, and iron that have been linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

Berries- All types of berries including raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries are great sources of powerful antioxidants that can help maintain good brain health and even improve cognition. Besides antioxidants, berries are also packed with a wealth of vitamins that your body requires to keep neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s at bay.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids- Olive oil, flax seeds, nuts, china seeds, fattier fish, like salmon and trout, are high in brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have proven the efficacy of omega-3s in fighting and preventing dementia. Omega-3s also improve overall brain health, reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Other valuable foods include

1.   Cinnamon

2.   Turmeric

3.   Beans

4.   Nuts

5.   Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts)

6.   Whole grains (quinoa, oats, brown rice, barley, whole grain bread, whole grain cereals, whole grain pasta)

Remember eating healthy and exercising regularly is an integral part of elder care, Charlotte. It’s advisable that you learn more about things that can increase your or your loved one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s and do what you can to lower that risk.

For more details check out: https://www.arogahomecare.com/

 

Steps For Seniors To Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Without Medications

 

High blood pressure (HBP) is a fairly common health issue in the US, and is a major heart disease risk factor. HBP is also referred to as hypertension, which occurs when blood regularly flows through the veins at a high rate of pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes called ‘the silent killer’ as it often has no noticeable signs or symptoms- an individual might not even realize that he/she has HBP until a health check-up. There’s no question about medication being almost always an option to keep your BP in a healthy range as it shoots up, however, this blog aims to discuss many natural ways to lower your BP without the help of a prescription medication.

These are basically lifestyle changes, making which can help older adults control blood pressure naturally:

Eat Healthy Meals- Leafy greens, including spinach and arugula, and legumes, like soy, kidney, navy, garbanzo, and pinto beans, are rich source of potassium, magnesium, folate, and fiber, should be an integral part of your diet, which can play a critical role in  controlling high blood pressure. The DASH eating plan, which is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is what experts generally recommend for patients trying to manage their blood pressure naturally.

Increase Intake of Potassium- Make banana a part of your morning breakfast that contains blood-pressure-reducing potassium in abundance. Eating a banana every day is one of the easiest ways to decrease your BP.

Reduce Sodium Intake- Sodium occurs naturally in many foods, but most processed food contains added sodium, which can contribute to HBP. Opt for food items with low or no sodium to reduce overall intake, and also steer clear of fast foods and processed foods. Listen to your loved one’s doctor with regards to how much salt and sodium they should be eating each day.

Exercise- Your senior loved one will see noticeable results (in terms of decrease in their blood pressure) in just a matter of a few weeks by performing 30-60 minutes of physical exercise most days of the week. Doctor’s advice must be followed before starting a new exercise program.

Other measures:

1.   Limit alcohol intake

2.   Avoid caffeine

3.   Avoid tobacco and secondhand smoke

4.   Reduce stress (try relaxation breathing or meditation)

5.   Maintain a healthy weight

If your older adult needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Aroga Home Care Services- a leading firm for elder care consulting in Charlotte, where we take the time to understand your unique needs and request, and match you with high quality professional care providers who you and your loved one feel comfortable with.

For more Details check out: https://www.arogahomecare.com/

 

Seniors Should Follow These Tips To Prevent A Stroke

 Age is by far the most important risk factor for stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke (meaning having a family history). Stroke is not only the third leading cause of death, but also is one of the leading causes of serious, long-term disability in the United States. For every decade a person lives after the age of 55, the rate of stroke more than doubles in both men and women. At the same time, you’d be glad to know that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by working with a health care professional to reduce your risk.

Caring for an older adult can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in comprehensive home care Union County, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Family caregivers can turn to Aroga Home Care Services for the help they need, where we have years of experience in matching home care professionals with clients that need care.

The most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from stroke is to understand its risk factors and the steps you can take to manage them. There are both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. While age, gender, race and family history are risk factors that you cannot control, risk factors like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, alcohol and tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries- accumulation of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls), physical inactivity- are well within your means to manage and reduce your chances of suffering a stroke.

Following these tips can help your older adult prevent a stroke:

Eat healthy- Seniors must aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less, since seniors who are obese are twice as likely to have a stroke than a healthy senior. Your diet must comprise plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

Quit smoking- Smoking can reduce your ability to circulate blood, which aggravates high blood pressure and other circulation problems. Smoking can increase the amount of plaque accumulation and blood clots in the arteries. A drop in oxygen level in your loved one’s blood can cause their heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to a stroke.

Identify atrial fibrillation- AFib is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that must be diagnosed by a doctor, since it can lead to blood clots and can significantly increase your risk for a stroke. Early recognition of this issue and early treatment are necessary to prevent a life-threatening stroke.

Other tips:

1.   Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range

2.   Monitor your cholesterol

3.   Control blood sugar

4.   Exercise regularly

5.   Drink in moderation

When it comes to making changes to your diet or activity levels, or modifying the prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking- make sure to do so in consultation with your healthcare provider.

For more info, check out: https://www.arogahomecare.com