As we get older, we find that it is much harder to recover from injuries. The body loses some of its resiliency and becomes slower at rebuilding tissue. At the same time, hand-eye coordination and overall dexterity also diminish, improving the chances of having an accident. Among the senior set, some of the more common [...]
Advice for Seniors
According to a 2010 study, more than 50% of seniors are reluctant to ask for help because they believe it represents neediness. Many seniors perceive that seeking help, or accepting help -- even from loved ones -- could ultimately land them in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the study says.
While we at firstSTREET believe it's crucial to seek help from family, friends, and caregivers when you need it -- especially when it's a matter of health or safety -- we do understand how important it is to remain independent and self-sufficient.
Our goal with this blog is to offer helpful and practical advice for seniors on an array of issues from health to technology and everywhere in between. This blog is not a substitute for seeking help when you need it, but rather a resource you can turn to for information and advice on the topics you care about.
We'll be sharing advice for seniors, as well as caregivers, on a daily basis. If you have any questions or if there's a topic you'd like us to cover, please feel free to get in touch via email or on our Facebook page.
Aging in Place: Seniors and Boomers Want to Stay Home
As we age, the specter of living in a nursing home looms larger and larger. And as time goes by, it becomes harder and harder to manage day-to-day life without assistance. Despite this, the vast majority of seniors don’t want assisted living. They want to remain in their own homes as long as possible — [...]
Stay Heart-Healthy in Heart-Attack Season
The cold of winter can endanger our heart health. Some physicians actually refer to this time of year as “heart attack season.” Some estimates indicate that 53% more heart attacks happen in the winter than during the summer months. WebMD notes that the American Heart Association observed the rate of heart disease-related deaths increases sharply [...]
Winterize Your Skin
We protect our automobiles and homes from the onset of colder weather, but we often neglect ourselves. The winter elements — cold temperatures, strong winds, and lower humidity — are especially damaging and drying to skin. Without proper daily care, skin stays dry as well as flaky, and can even become itchy and inflamed. Dr. [...]
Flu Immunizations: It’s Never Too Late for Protection
Although flu season typically starts in mid-October, physicians say it’s never too late to be vaccinated — particularly for those at greatest risk for suffering from complications from the flu. Flu season begins in the fall and can last through the spring. Doctors recommend being vaccinated before the onset of flu season, but if you [...]
Avoiding Winter Hazards
Winter is a time of celebration, but it is also a season for snow, ice, and other health hazards that can prove perilous for those seniors unprepared. There is a litany of potential health dangers associated with the winter months and inclement weather that can affect people of all ages. These events can be dangerous — even fatal — [...]
Winter Driving Preparation Key in Inclement Weather
Preparing for the unexpected when driving is always a challenge even for the experienced motorist, more so when inclement winter weather becomes a factor. Driving is one important indicator to older Americans who wish to remain independent. “In our fast-paced, modern world, driving is not only a privilege, it’s a necessity for millions of Americans, [...]
Protect Yourself From Vision Loss
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but daily doses of aspirin could lead to late stage macular degeneration, according to a new study published in Ophtalmology. Aspirin could double the risk of developing loss of vision for seniors, many of whom take regular doses for both pain relief and heart disease. Researchers [...]
Fighting Back Against Back Pain
Back pain can be mildly annoying or completely incapacitating. Over the course of a lifetime, 60-90% of people experience significant bouts of it. My Senior Health Care notes a number of risk factors that can contribute to back pain or sciatica, including: – Repetitive lifting by bending forward from the waist and twisting the body [...]
A Matter of Gravity: Preventing Falls
As we get older, fall prevention becomes a much more serious concern. As our bodies recover more slowly from injuries and sickness, falls can often inflict injuries ranging from the inconvenient to the outright deadly. This makes it vitally important that caregivers become acquainted with ways to minimize the danger. Not only is there a wide [...]
