Preventing Arthritis

21st of June, 2017

Preventing Arthritis:

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints which causes stiffness, pain and limited range of motion. Arthritis is more likely to inflict people of older ages, from normal wear and tear of the joints. Genetics, excess wear

and tear, injury and the natural aging process can both increase the risk for arthritis. While arthritis can be painful, it is not life threatening. Here are some tips to prevent arthritis from afflicting you:

1. Keeping your weight at a healthy number can definitely reduce the likelihood of arthritis. When the body carries around excess weight, it puts extra stress on the skeletal system, joints, and muscles. keeping excess weight off will reduce stress on your joints and prevent deterioration.

2. Keeping a healthy diet and eating plenty of fish can help you keep your bones healthy. The healthy omega-3 fats in fish, help you keep a strong skeletal system, keep excess weight off and provide your body with much-needed nutrients.

3. Engage in low-impact exercise, which will help strengthen your muscles, keep the excess weight off the bones and joints. The best, low impact exercise is biking, swimming, yoga, pilates, walking.

4. Prevent injury during any activity by wearing the appropriate protective devices, cushioned shoes, and other safety gear. Preventing injury is the best way to diminish the likelihood of arthritis in people of all ages and genders.

5.  Keep your Vitamin D levels high by engaging in outdoor activities with sun exposure. Yes, you can take vitamins to ensure you have proper levels of Vitamin D. However, Vitamin D from the sun cannot be replaced by a pill and is necessary for proper calcium absorption and strong bones.

6. Stay Hydrated by drinking plenty of non-sugary water throughout the day. The cartilage in our joints largely consists of water and drinking water is necessary to replenish it. Not only that, drinking water helps keep off excess weight and helps the body function better overall.

Use these tips daily, check in with your doctor regularly and help prevent arthritis!

Geriatric Living Facilities

24th of May, 2017


Geriatric Living Facilities:

When deciding where to place your aging parent, the decisions one is faced with can be tough. It is difficult to know the different between various types of facilities. Here are some ways for you to be able to differentiate and to place your parent in the proper facility for them.

1. Independent Living Facilities are facilities where the elderly residents have good to moderate health and are able to care for themselves. In this type of facility, residents have their own private apartments and require no additional supervision. There is often a common gathering area for all the residents to meet and maintain their social life. These types of facilities are often referred to as Retirement Communities.

2. Assisted Living Facilities are facilities where the elderly residents need regular supervision but can maintain moderate independence as well. The residents at these facilities need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Assisted Living Facilities can offer housekeeping services, medication management services, laundry, transportation and assistance going to doctor appointments. Occasionally, doctors make visits to these facilities so the residents don't have to travel. Entertainment, excursions and trips are frequently provided to residents who want to participate.

3.  Nursing Homes are facilities that provide 24/7 medical care to the elderly with poor health and mobility. This is the primary choice for those that cannot take care of themselves at all and need around-the-clock supervision. Nursing Homes provide skilled nursing care and high security rooms for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Considering the rates for these facilities can range
anywhere between 6k-15k per month, in-home care can provide a personal and more cost affective touch.