3 Guidelines To Feeling Great In Your Golden Years

September has become the ‘second New Year’ as many people turn over a new leaf after summer vacation. Making beneficial life changes is also a key focus of Healthy Aging Month that encourages folks over 50 to positively embrace growing older. The aging experts at Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Connecticut offer the top three ways seniors can stay sharp, safe and independent with solid planning.

“Physical, cognitive and environmental factors have the greatest impact on quality of life as we age,” said Ron D’Aquila, RN, President and Co-Founder of ALS. “Preventative measures can delay or avoid illness, injury and premature decline.”

D’Aquila suggests following a healthy eating plan that adheres to any necessary dietary restrictions. Reduce or eliminate sugar intake which causes inflammation. Choose snacks that are high in protein like yogurt, cheese, and nuts. Iron-rich foods such as spinach, beans, dried fruit and meats will deliver more oxygen to cells to increase energy and help avoid iron deficiency.

“If grocery shopping becomes difficult, many stores offer home delivery service,” notes D’Aquila. “A personal caregiver can also accompany an elderly person to the store or take care of the shopping altogether, plus help with proper meal preparation for good nutrition. We have clients who utilize our services simply as a convenience."

In addition to an annual physical, D’Aquila urges regular exams to maintain sight, hearing and oral health. Research shows that poor oral health can exacerbate chronic health problems that may seem unrelated such as diabetes and heart disease. Many medications can cause dry mouth and trigger increased risk for tooth decay. To stay hydrated, drink tap water as it has fluoride for added protection. Dehydration can also cause confusion and a lack of energy.

Aging increases the risks for developing eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. People aged 50 or older should have a dilated eye exam every year or as recommended by their eye care professional to detect eye diseases in their early stages.

Untreated hearing loss is linked to impaired memory and dementia, anxiety, avoidance of social situations and increased risk to personal safety. Schedule a hearing test at the first signs of hearing trouble.

D’Aquila recommends at least three hours of exercise each week to maintain functional fitness. Specific exercises that can improve balance and leg strength are heel, toe and leg lifts. Additionally, practice walking heel to toe, standing up from a sitting position without using hands and do wall push-ups.

“Most of us need motivation to reach our fitness goals regardless of our age,” notes D’Aquila. “Not only will our caregivers ensure exercises are completed correctly and safely, they often challenge their clients to a friendly competition and many times the seniors win!”
Exercise improves emotional and cognitive health as well. Other activities to boost brain power are skill games, puzzles, and new learning opportunities.
“Our caregivers understand the value of keeping the brain active through lively game playing, crafts and socialization,” said D’Aquila. “Not only does the game playing and outside activities have cognitive benefits, but also emotional benefits. Socializing and interacting may help in preventing sadness or depression.”
Environmental safety issues can be addressed through the use of constantly evolving technological devices. D’Aquila describes a few of the next-generation products now offered by ALS:

• The Nest IQ indoor and outdoor video surveillance solution has unique familiar face recognition technology that knows who should be in the home and who should not. The easy-to-use app can monitor in real time and receive a photo alert of a person 50 feet away. The Nest Hello Doorbell allows a full view of the doorstep.

• Safe T Sensor™ is engineered to help prevent microwave ­fires by interrupting power to the microwave at the first sign of smoke. Unattended and improper use of microwave ovens cause more than 7,000 home structure ­fires every year. Microwaves are also responsible for more emergency room injury visits than any other cooking device.
• SmartRange is the ideal cooking ­fire safety solution for all glass top electric ranges. SmartRange monitors changes in the range’s cooking temperature. If it detects a cooking ­fire risk, it will signal a pre-alarm. If the pre-alarm is left unattended, it will automatically shut off the range.
• Walabot HOME is the first and only automated fall alert system developed specifically for the bathroom, where 80% of falls take place. It is also the only fall detection device that does not require any wearable necklace or bracelet. It is automatically activated without pushing a button. Walabot HOME starts by learning a home’s particular bathroom, then continuously monitors for situations that indicate a fall using the world’s most advanced radio frequency sensors.
• Solo and Smart Watch are part of a new line of Mobile Help Emergency Response Systems that offer multiple customization options. Solo products are discreet wearables such as necklace pendants and wristlet pendants that allow clients to live everyday lives without a cumbersome device around their neck. They reduce embarrassment and increase mobility. Smart Watch is an all-in-one smart watch that allows users to call for medical assistance along with keeping up with their daily health needs, and can even tell them the weather. Both the Solo and Smart Watch are trackable devices via GPS.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Meriden, Clinton and Fairfield has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Their unique CarePlus program blends personal care with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.