Barrier Free Architecturals
September 26, 2011

Staying Healthy into Old Age

It’s no secret that seniors are living longer lives. Back in April for example, we wrote about a study that appeared in the Washington Post which found evidence that Americans are living longer, healthier lives.

Experts speculate that some of the leading causes of the improved health and quality of life of the elderly are technological advancements and greater lifestyle education and awareness.  This study has great implications for the general population. In addition to the improved quality of life that the elderly now enjoy, a healthier aging population may also translate into reduced health care costs and hospital wait room times.

Another factor that can be attributed to this is the fact that there is much more awareness about disability and the challenges associated with old age. Reach Canada, for example, has made great strides in raising awareness about disabled Canadians.  The organization, which was established to provide legal advice and counseling to people suffering from physical disabilities, mental health issues, learning disabilities, AIDS, chronic pain and developmental delays, among other things.

Other organizations – like the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) – a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a society where older Canadians are leading active lifestyles that contribute to their well-being have also made strides in keeping older adults healthy.

Retirement is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. People are becoming more and more aware of this and, because of that, have started to pay attention to the financial issues that some retired individuals can be faced with. It’s important that aging adults learn how to save and budget their money so that they can live a fun-filled and fulfilling life after retirement.

Echo Press recently published some great tips on how to budget and save money after retirement. It’s important to be financially dependent well into old age. After all, financial security does lead to a better sense of well-being.

Thanks to innovations in health care, as well as societal shifts towards advocacy for older adults, it looks like more and more people are living longer, happier lives!

Active Living Coalition for Older Adults Logo. Image Credit: ALCOA.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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September 21, 2011

Volunteering Opportunities For Older Adults

Volunteer MBC Logo. Image Credit: Volunteer MBC.

Volunteer MBC is a program that has been providing adults aged 55 years and older with opportunities to learn about getting involved in the community since the beginning of this year. The centre has been hard at work connecting seniors groups and organizations in the Peel Region to their Older Adult Volunteer Program. In addition to its outreach efforts at a variety of senior’s centres, Volunteer MBC also coordinates volunteer fairs.

Volunteer MBC is a volunteer organization that services Mississauga, Brampton, and the Town of Caledon. It provides training and support for volunteers and community service agencies and works with the corporate sector to engage the community with volunteering. Additionally, the organization has teamed up with the Caledon Public Library to host an open house next month on Monday, October 17 at the Albion-Bolton Community Centre in Bolton from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The open house will provide an opportunity for older adults to connect with local charities and learn about how they can get involved.

“As the Boomer population continues to rise in our community, there is a tremendous opportunity to promote and support volunteer engagement for older adults,” Carine Strong, Executive Director of Volunteer MBC said in a press release. MBC offers seminars on how older adults can get involved in volunteer efforts older adult volunteering while they providing support to community service organizations.

Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience, especially for older adults, many of whom struggle with social isolation due to lack of social activities. The physical and social activities help to improve mobility and independence to some degree.

Volunteer MBC’s Older Adult Volunteer Program is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Mississauga, the Brampton & Area Community Foundation and through funding by the New Horizons Seniors Program.

For more information about Volunteer MBC and to browse the organization’s online volunteer database, visit www.volunteermbc.org. For more information or questions regarding the Older Adult Volunteer Program, contact olderadult@volunteermbc.org or call (905)238-2622, ext. 229.

Filed under Mobility Issues and News
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September 11, 2011

Older Adults and Salt Intake

Salt. Image Credit: Health Medical Blog.

While it’s important for people of all ages to watch what they eat, older adults have special dietary concerns that should be paid special attention to. A new study, recently published in Neurobiology of Aging, has determined that high-sodium diets combined with low physical activity can raise serious health issues for adults aged 65 and older.

A decline in cognitive function and an increased risk of developing heart disease are among the risks.

“Our results show it’s a combination of high salt intake and low physical activity which declined cognitive function,” Study lead Dr. Alexandra Flocco from Toronto’s Baycrest Hospitals’ Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied and Evaluative Research Unit told the Toronto Sun. “The message is if you’re not active, make sure you cut back on your salt intake.”

The study analyzed 1,262 healthy older adults between the ages of 67 and 84, tracking their nutritional intake (and sodium consumption) as well as their physical activity for a period of three years. The daily average intake among participants varied greatly, from 2,263 to a staggering 8,098 milligrams. Health Canada recommends people aged 14 years and older consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt each day. The American Heart Association recommends that people living with high blood pressure limit their intake to 1,500 miligrams per day, which is less than ¾ of a tablespoon of salt.

Nearing the completion of the study, the participants were given an exam that measured their cognitive decline. Scored showed that participants with the lowest average daily salt intake suffered less cognitive decline and instances of heart disease than their counterparts who ingested a higher daily salt intake.
Sodium is an essential nutrient but it should not be over-consumed. Canned and pickled foods are incredibly high in sodium, as are certain salad dressings, cheeses and sauces. It’s important to check the nutritional information on food packaging before buying.

Low-sodium recipes are readily available online at Canadian Living, the Mayo Clinic and All Recipes.

Filed under Home Safety Tips, Home safety tips for the elderly
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September 7, 2011

Falls in Older Adults are Common and Preventable

Preventing Falls. Image Source: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

A recent study published on the Family Practice News website suggests that falls are the main cause of debilitating injury and mobility issues in older adults. This is particularly true for senior citizens aged 75 and older, as well as for older adults who have balance issues, difficulty getting out of a seated position, or who have fallen within the prior year, which can increase the risk of a future fall by four times.

According to the article, approximately 30% of U.S. adults in the 65 plus age range will experience a fall within the next year. This number rises sharply for adults aged 80 and up – 50% of whom are expected to experience a fall within the next twelve months time.

How to Reduce the Risk of Falling

Regular checkups, a balanced diet and an exercise regimen that includes balance training (such as moderate weight lifting, yoga, swimming or tai chi) can help combat balance-related issues and complications. Strength training is also incredibly important, as muscle weakness is shown to quadruple the risk of falling.

A Cochrane Review of controlled trials with 55,303 participants outlines 111 exercises and interventions that can greatly reduce the risk of falling. These exercises consist of strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance training.

The review also suggests that wearing hip protectors can provide some significant benefit to older adults who are in institutional care but will have little benefit for those who are still living independently.

Older adults who may be at risk of falling can have a falls evaluation conducted by a physician. Part of this process includes a cardiovascular examination, medication review, neurological examination, as well as an assessment of cognitive impairment. A physician will assess a patient’s gait and look for balance and mobility issues, in addition to muscle weakness, visual impairment and home hazards (steep stairs, loose railings, etc) that might facilitate a fall. Click here to read the entire article from Family Practice News.

Filed under Health and Mobility Tips, Home safety tips for the elderly, Mobility Issues and News
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