The summer months offer a prime opportunity to enjoy more time spent outdoors, increase physical activity, and take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are more plentiful this time of year. This should provide all the motivation you need to refresh habits, especially healthier eating. For our aging senior population, a healthy diet can have a profound impact on their overall health and quality of life. Keep reading for simple, common-sense tips for eating healthier during the summer.

Shop the Perimeter

Healthy eating begins by making healthy food options easy and accessible. This starts in the grocery store or market! When you plan your meals and menus, be intentional about packing your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. The fresher the better! Here’s a helpful tip. Fresh produce is most often displayed around the perimeter of a grocery store. The processed and canned foods are what you find in all the aisles in between. Focus the bulk of your shopping on items you find in the fresh produce section, dairy and milk aisles, and meat sections. When you load the majority of your cart with items you find in the perimeter, you can be confident your meals will focus on fresh.

Choose In-Season Options

A quick internet search or talking with a knowledgeable friend will yield a wealth of information as to what foods are in season throughout the year. Research foods that are in-season during the summer months in your local region and explore recipes that focus on these foods. During the summer this is most often fruits like watermelon and berries or vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini. And the list goes on and on! Find local farmers’ markets near you and explore the options available. If it’s in abundance, you can bet that it’s in season!

Keep It Simple

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. The most sustainable diets are ones that are simple and even a bit routine. Find the fruits and vegetables you enjoy and incorporate these into most meals. It’s okay to eat similar things in a routine – in fact, the healthiest diets are fairly routine! But don’t assume that simple needs to be boring either. An easy-to-prepare meal can be delicious and rich in flavor even if it doesn’t require a whole lot of time or ingredients. Spices are a great way to make the same ingredients taste different for different meals. Get inspired by internet recipes that use different spices to create new flavors. The sky is the limit!

Do It Together

And finally, we are all better at sticking to good habits when we do it together. If you live with someone, make a commitment to eating healthier together. You can share in shopping and cooking responsibilities which will lighten the task and make it a communal activity. Focus on celebrating your food choices! Every meal can feel like a special occasion when you make the preparation and experience shared with someone else. Best of all, when the meal supplies your body with important vitamins and nutrients, you will feel better and grow healthier together.

Are you making a commitment to eating healthier this summer? Think of how making changes to your own habits can inspire those around you to do the same. Summer is the perfect season to get started!

The bedroom is one of the most essential spaces in a home. It should be a sanctuary where you come to rest and relax. This is why it’s so important to intentionally arrange and decorate your bedroom to create a space where you want to retreat and a place that offers you both safety and security. For senior adults, a functional bedroom means a space that’s easy to access and maneuver. As physical abilities change, the bedroom should be able to accommodate them and still allow for restful sleep. Keep reading for tips for arranging and furnishing a bedroom, particularly for aging adults or those with disabilities.

Focus on how it will be used throughout the day.

When you begin to redesign a bedroom space for anyone, the best way to begin is with a conversation about how the space is really being used throughout the day. Sure, a bedroom is mainly where we come to rest each night, but there are also times throughout the day where it plays an important role. Learn from your client or loved one how they currently use their bedroom space as well as how they would use it if it were fully functional for them. There may be current limitations preventing them from using the space how they desire, so you will want to uncover this information as well. What area of the room do they use to get dressed? Do they use the room for an afternoon nap or reading? How do they feel about the function and flow of their current bedroom layout? All of these answers will give you great guidance toward creating the perfect bedroom.

Create clear pathways.

Once you know how the room is being used, you want to map out clear pathways that allow for these activities to take place safely and easily. This means ensuring it’s an easy walk, clear of clutter, to get to and from the bed as well as the dresser, bathroom, or anywhere else in the room that’s used frequently. A smart idea is to create “zones” within a room that serve specific functions. There can be a sleeping zone, dressing zone, reading zone, and maybe an area for hobbies. Again, it all comes back to understanding how the person residing in the bedroom hopes to use it on a regular basis.

Make it easy to keep clean and organized.

As you create pathways and zones within a bedroom space, you’ll find it’s very important to have solutions in place that help to keep the room clean and organized. The bed should be simple, but comfortable. Limit the number or decorative pillows and blankets and focus on the items that are truly being used for sleeping. Clothing should be easily accessible so it’s not a daunting task to get dressed or place clothes in the laundry. And if there’s an area where you or your loved one rest and read throughout the day, make sure this space also has storage for books, blankets, and hobby items. The goal is to create a seamless process for taking care of the room, so it remains tidy and free of clutter. This creates a peaceful and safe space.

Personalize the space.

And finally, in an effort to create a bedroom that is free of clutter and easy to use, you don’t want to make it feel too sterile or void of items that make it feel like home. Think of who will be using the space. What is their favorite color? Is there a print or pattern they love or that reminds them of a good memory? Use these ideas to inspire the space. Hang photos on the wall rather than placing them on dressers to limit clutter, but still allow for décor that personalizes the space. The use of colors, prints, and photos are excellent ways to customize a space while keeping it simple and functional.

If you’re helping an aging loved one age gracefully in their home, it’s important to focus on creating spaces that accommodate their changing physical needs. The bedroom is one of the best places to start. We hope you found this advice useful!

Have a question or comment to share? We’d love to hear from you!

 

 

Life is lived in seasons, and for some of us, there is a season of isolation and loneliness we must overcome. It can be a very dark and overwhelming feeling with uncertainty as to where to reach out for help. So often, those afflicted by loneliness and isolation get progressively worse over time and need the help of other people to identify the problem and connect them with the right resources.

Is there someone in your life you worry may be sinking into isolation or loneliness? Keep reading to learn some of the common signs. Should any of this sound familiar, please don’t delay in reaching out to medical professionals and experienced resources who can provide advice and assistance. Everyone deserves a life where they feel loved, connected, and appreciated!

Lack of Communication

Be aware of any changes in your loved one’s communication. Do they seem distant? Are they withdrawing? It may seem counterintuitive that someone who is lonely would decrease in their desire to communicate, but this is a sign of depression and mental and emotional distress.

Difficulty Concentrating

Loneliness and isolation can cause a change in cognitive ability, making it difficult to concentrate on basic tasks like keeping a conversation, doing household tasks, and taking care of hygiene. When the mind is weighted down with the feelings caused by isolation and loneliness, focusing on other things becomes all the more challenging.

Changes in Appearance and Hygiene

Emotional stress can take on an outward presence. Be aware of any changes in the way your loved one looks, speaks, moves about, and cares for themselves. Most often it will be signs of rapid aging due to stress and a decreased quality of life. Should it be something more than the isolation that is causing these changes, it’s still something that must be addressed promptly.

Decreased Interest in Food, Socializing, and Hobbies

Were there hobbies and activities your loved one used to enjoy but now have given them up? Sadness from isolation can cause people to lose interest in things they once loved. A decreased appetite is also a key sign that something more is going on with their mental or physical health.

Memory Loss

Much like a lack of concentration, depression, isolation, and loneliness can make it hard to focus on anything else, causing memory problems. If you find your loved one is easily forgetting recent memories or struggling to maintain a schedule without prompting, this could be a sign there is something more going on.

Varying Moods

And finally, as you visit and check in with your loved one, take note of their mood. We all have “off” days, but if you find this is becoming more and more frequent, there could be more going on. When isolation and loneliness cause us to become disconnected from the world around us, moods become less predictable and controllable. Sadness, anger, and frustration may quickly take over a situation when the person feels out of control and overwhelmed.

Take Action to Get Help

Are you or someone you know showing these signs and symptoms of loneliness? If so, take action promptly. The sooner you can identify the problem and seek resources and support to address what may be causing the isolation and loneliness, the better the outcome. No one should live a life feeling alone and void of meaningful engagement with others. Talk to a medical professional, seek advice from trained counselors, and help those you love to overcome this serious situation.

For so many people, summer is their favorite season. It brings warmer weather, a more relaxed schedule, vacations, and more time spent with family and friends. It can feel like the world is coming alive after a long, cold winter. But it can also bring very hot temperatures, dangerous sun exposure, bugs, and other elements of which you must be aware, especially if you are an older adult.

Keep reading to learn some fun activities you can incorporate into your schedule this summer. These will help you take advantage of the best parts of the season, while being mindful of staying cool, hydrated, and protected from harmful elements.

Choose a theme for your entertainment.

Do you enjoy reading books, browsing through magazines, or watching television? You can continue to enjoy all of these activities with a summer theme! Choose entertainment that references the summer season, sea life, traveling, topical locations, or anything else that reminds you of these warmer months. Best of all, you will expand your horizon to learn something new about history, wildlife, or geography.

Try new summer-inspired recipes.

Summer offers so many new foods in season and the ability to grill and BBQ. Get inspired by searching for new recipes online that bring in the flavors of summer like fresh fruits and vegetables, cool treats, and much more. Pick out a menu that makes you excited and invite family and friends to join in the preparation and taste-testing. Good food is made even better when it is shared!

Take it outside.

You’ll want to be mindful of temperatures and sun exposure, but the evenings or early mornings are great times to enjoy the outdoors before the heat of the day. Begin a new summer routine where you enjoy your morning reading and coffee on the porch or from a park. In the evenings, close out your day with some intentional time spent in nature. Even just 15 minutes of this fresh air, blue skies, and relaxing sounds will leave you feeling connected to the season and grateful for its unique qualities.

Plan something to look forward to.

Maybe a big trip this summer isn’t in the cards. You can still plan something that will build excitement for the season! Can you take a day trip somewhere? Is there a family gathering, picnic, graduation party, or other celebration coming up? What about hosting someone at your home? All of these will add a bit of “sunshine” to your normal routine that you can look forward to. Be intentional about where you want to spend your time this summer and invest in relationships and experiences. That’s what life is all about!

How do you plan to make the most of the summer season? We hope these ideas bring inspiration to everyone, especially our senior friends!

Spring gives us every reason to want to refresh areas of our lives, homes, habits, and health. We can see so much new life in nature, feel the warmer weather, and look forward to the sunny months ahead. This is why spring is also a great time to add some fresh variety to your nutrition.

Try new snack ideas are also a great activity to enjoy with friends and family. It’s fun to discover a new recipe together, which also keeps you mentally sharp and uses fine motor skills. No matter your personal taste, dietary restrictions, or physical limitations, there are so many types of snack ideas out there that are sure to get you inspired. Pinterest is a great place to start. Keep reading for some healthy, tasty spring snacks that are easy to try!

Flower Pretzel Bites

Who doesn’t love a sweet and salty combo? This snack is easy to make and comes mostly prepared for you. All you have to do is assemble and heat. Start with your choice of small pretzels – anything with a shape or circle works best. Next, grab a bag of spring-colored chocolate candies, like M&Ms. You can get creative with your design and color combination to create a beautiful springtime snack that is as pretty as it is delicious. Click the link above to learn how to get started.

Spring Chex Mix

Sticking with the sweet and salty kick, this recipe puts a springtime twist on a tried-and-true favorite. Best of all, it can be fully customized to what you like! Mix a variety of small pretzels, crackers, and nuts with dried fruit and candies to create the perfect snack you can have out whenever guests come and visit. You can also easily package this snack to give out as small gifts to neighbors and friends. No baking required! Click above to see the recipe.

Fruit Pizza Crackers

Fruit pizza crackers can be made in infinitely different ways, all based on your personal preference and the ingredients you already have on hand. Check your pantry and fridge and decide what type of “pizza” you want to try today. The fine chopping and placement of fruit on the crackers is great for chefs young and old, to help refine their skills. It’s also a great activity to enjoy while sharing stories and memories! Click the link above to learn how to make this fun spring snack.

Lemon Raspberry Bars

What’s more spring than lemon and raspberry? This treat takes a little over an hour to prepare, making it a great activity when family visits. Gather everyone in the kitchen and assign duties! Best of all, you can experiment with new varieties, replacing the lemon and raspberry with alternatives like chocolate and peanut butter, strawberry and vanilla, or blueberry and lemon. You might just stumble upon a new favorite that becomes your family’s go-to recipe. Click the link above to see how this treat is made.

Fruit Salsa

Who doesn’t love salsa! Now, this great snack is made into a sweet treat by swapping in fruit. Similar to the fruit pizza, you can use what you already have on hand and try new varieties each time to make this recipe. What makes fruit salsa so fun is how small the fruit is chopped, so it’s unique from a traditional fruit salad. You can use graham crackers instead of chips or eat it with yogurt. It’s completely up to you! Click the link above to learn more.

Carrot Cake Bites (Gluten Free)

With just five ingredients you can make delicious carrot cake balls that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Best of all they are gluten-free and vegan, in case you or your loved one has dietary restrictions. No baking is required. Once you have all the ingredients mixed, it’s a great stress-relieving and finger strengthening activity to roll the balls. Simply freeze and enjoy! Click the link above for the full recipe and instructions.

What snack idea is your favorite? Do you have another recipe to share? Let’s get the ideas flowing – leave a comment below!