Enjoy our blog and keep up to date on McLean and the latest news in senior living.
As we get older, it’s common to notice changes in our balance. Muscle strength declines, joints get stiffer, reflexes slow down, and our vision and inner ear—the systems that help us stay upright—become less sharp. But here’s the good news: balance is a skill, and like any skill, it can improve with practice.
Winter in New England means snow and ice. And we know that winter weather can lead to winter falls. Older adults are especially susceptible to these falls; in fact, the CDC website states that “Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.— making falls the leading cause of injury…in this age group.”
What can you do to help prevent winter falls? Consider these tips so that this winter will be a safe one*:
Just about everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are good for us – and that they look good too! But fruits’ and vegetables’ vibrant colors contribute to more than just a pretty plate.
The wind whistling through the trees. A cat purring. A grandchild’s laughter. Our hearing allows you to experience wonderful sounds – as well as sounds that keep you safe, like the cars behind you as you’re on a walk or an alarm buzzing.
However, as we age, many people experience a degree of hearing loss. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that an estimated 65% of adults age 71 and older have at least some degree of hearing loss.
The wind whistling through the trees. A cat purring. A grandchild’s laughter. Our hearing allows you to experience wonderful sounds – as well as sounds that keep you safe, like the cars behind you as you’re on a walk or an alarm buzzing.
However, as we age, many people experience a degree of hearing loss. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that an estimated 65% of adults age 71 and older have at least some degree of hearing loss.
While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, emerging research suggests that lifestyle modifications and holistic approaches to wellness can complement conventional treatment and promote well-being in individuals living with Parkinson’s.
Focusing on holistic wellness can address a broad spectrum of factors, including physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of health.
March is National Nutrition Month – but it’s always the right time to focus on the role of nutrition in maintaining good health, specifically heart health, which is a major cause of illness among seniors.
Most of us have heard that stretching is beneficial, but questions often arise about different methods of stretching and how often it should be done. What are the current concepts in muscle-stretching methods? These tips from Physical Therapist Jenny Braddock, Director of Rehabilitation at McLean, give us a closer look at stretching.
There may be a time when you or your loved ones need to leave home quickly, due to a weather-related event or medical emergency. At times like this, seniors are often the most vulnerable. Seniors may rely on caregivers or have special medical needs, limited mobility, and/or vision and hearing impairments that can make a crisis situation even more worrisome.
Are you or your loved one having a harder time at home? Perhaps there is a worsening chronic health condition. It could be that routine daily activities like grooming, housekeeping, cooking, and especially driving have become a concern. Maybe it’s simply getting around, socialization, or safety that’s an issue. Or perhaps the caregiver is showing signs of caregiver fatigue…