HealthBeat This month’s feature topics are
Senior Living/ Alzheimers & Yoga
HealthBeat September: Senior Living/Alzheimers & Yoga
How To Stay Flexible As You Age
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en and women may begin to feel less flexible as they get older. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, that loss of flexibility is because muscles lose both strength and elasticity as the body ages. elongated stretches can be held for 30 seconds. Avoid stretching muscles that are sore or injured, and discontinue a stretch if you feel pain or discomfort.
Include Yoga In Your Exercise Regimen
Practitioners of yoga typically love how this unique discipline that exercises the body while relaxing the mind improves their flexibility. Many yoga poses are designed to improve the strength and flexibility of muscles, and some physicians may even recommend yoga to aging patients. Yoga DVDs or streaming sessions can be great, but beginners may want to visit yoga studios or sign up for classes at their gyms so instructors can personally ensure they are doing each pose correctly. As their flexibility improves, men and women can try more difficult poses and classes if they so desire. A lack of flexibility can make men and women more vulnerable to certain types of injuries, including muscle strains and tears. While people might not be able to maintain the flexibility they enjoyed in their twenties, there are ways for them to combat age-related loss of flexibility.
Stretch Frequently
Stretching is a great way to combat age-related loss of flexibility. Stretch major muscle groups, such as hamstrings and shoulder muscles, several times per week. When practicing static stretching, the goal is to gradually elongate the muscle being stretched before holding the elongated position, and ultimately allowing the muscle to return to resting position. As flexibility improves,
Get In The Pool
Swimming is another activity that can help aging men and women improve their flexibility. Strength-training exercises are an important component of a wellbalanced exercise regimen, but such workouts tend to focus on one or two muscle groups at a time. That means other muscle groups may be inactive and tighten up as a result. Swimming works the entire body, which helps all muscle groups stay loose and flexible. One or two swimming sessions per week can contribute to great gains in overall flexibility, especially for men and women who remember to stretch when they get out of the pool. Flexibility may decrease as men and women age, but there are various ways to combat the natural loss of flexibility.
HealthBeat September: Senior Living/Alzheimers & Yoga
The Benefits Of Yoga n a questionnaire administered
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every five years as part of the National Health Interview Survey, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the National Center of Health Statistics found that the number of people practicing yoga increased dramatically between 2002 and 2012, when approximately 21 million adults acknowledged practicing yoga.
The almost meteoric rise in popularity of yoga can likely be traced to many factors, including a growing awareness among the general public regarding the impact a healthy lifestyle can have on both short- and long-term health. “The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome,” explained Natalie Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. The American Osteopathic Association notes the benefits of yoga extend even further than relieving chronic pain. According to the AOA, yoga can help men, women and even children increase their flexibility as well as help them build stronger, more toned muscles. Additional benefits of yoga include weight reduction, improved cardiovascular and circulatory health and improved energy and vitality. But the benefits of yoga extend beyond the physical to the mental. The American Psychological Association notes that several studies have shown that yoga can help strengthen social attachments, reduce stress and relieve anxiety, depression and insomnia. For example, a 2012 study from researchers at the University of
Turn up the
California, Los Angeles, found that a particular type of yoga that included brief, daily meditation reduced the stress levels of caregivers tasked with caring for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. One of the more attractive aspects of yoga is that it requires little or no financial commitment on the part of the people who practice it. Unlike fitness centers that typically require members to commit to yearly contracts or even potentially costly month-to-month memberships, many yoga studies do not require long-term commitments, instead asking that customers pay a small amount each time they visit if they are hesitant to commit to memberships. In addition, yoga requires just a mat and some appropriate clothing, ideally clothing that’s conducive to flexibility but not so loose that it will prevent you from performing certain poses. Before including yoga in your exercise regimen, speak with your physician. Once you get the green light, look for a beginner’s course, explaining to your instructor that you are just starting out. Many yoga studios offer introductory classes that help men and women acclimate their bodies to yoga and the various poses it entails before moving on to more challenging poses.
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HealthBeat September: Senior Living/Alzheimers & Yoga
How to Pick Alzheimer’s Care
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ore than five million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to double in the next 25 years. In fact, every 67 seconds a new case is diagnosed.
Sandstone Senior Living is celebrating National Assisted Living Week September 9-15, 2018. We invite members of the community to visit us for coffee and a tour to learn more about our facility, residents, staff and our high-quality, person-centered care. Sandstone Senior Living is proud to announce we are now offering the widest array of care levels available in South Dakota! Since new ownership in 2017, we’ve expanded the typical assisted living amenities to help care for seniors as their needs change. Jeremy Schultes and Connie Pierce, each 20 year veterans of caring for seniors, have teamed to provide unparalleled care for our residents. An updated facility, delicious meals, friendly staff, and quality amenities provide a comfortable atmosphere for residents and guests.
Keep us in mind when the time comes that a friend or family member’s needs change and they need a pleasant place to provide them the help they desire!
(605) 642-4910 2010 Windmill Drive | Spearfish sandstoneseniorliving.com
Hearing the news that you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia is a devastating, radically life altering experience. And your first step upon diagnosis should be considering where to find the finest level of professional care available. A good provider will not only administer phenomenal medical care, but will do so with a special focus on treating patients with dignity and respect as they face the most frightening time in their lives. The best care facilities are dedicated to treating Alzheimer’s and dementia. The staff in these facilities will have been trained to handle a number of medical problems with special consideration to mental difficulties associated with these diseases. Inquire about the staff requirements at each center, as well as online or continuing education opportunities. The care facility should conduct evaluations to determine where your loved one falls in the Alzheimer’s spectrum -- beginning, middle or end stage. The care they give will fit the personal needs of the individual. After the initial assessment, the facility should be assessed on a regular basis, as individual needs can change according to the symptoms experienced. People in the beginning stages of the disease might still maintain limited independence while others in end-stage dementia need around-the-clock care and attention. The center should be able to adapt to the changing needs.
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How is the living environment at the facility? Are the rooms clean and comfortable? Are there quiet areas for reading? Do outdoor activities inspire activity? Patients need to feel comfortable and safe. The best facilities offer cozy atmospheres where your loved one can feel at ease. Professionals who care for Alzheimer and dementia patients know the support of family and friends can have a huge impact. You should have ample opportunities for family visits, activities and outings that include family and friends. When choosing a residential facility, tour the entire center. Ask to see a model resident room, and if permitted, ask to speak to some residents or family members. Does the center have group activities, special outings and other services? Quality centers provide supervised picnics, fitness and craft classes, religious events and even field trips to enhance the care of the residents. Active people stay healthier longer. The facility should not feel like a locked hospital ward or a boot camp, but should have security and protective measures in place. Your loved one should be treated with dignity and respect. When you find the right care for your loved one, you can be assured of their safety, health and happiness. And you can enjoy peace of mind knowing they are safe and well cared for.