Dr. Mauk\'s Boomer Blog

Each week, Dr. Mauk shares thoughts relevant to Baby Boomers that are aimed to educate and amuse.

Guest Blog: Types of Best Exercises for Senior Citizens

As we age, it’s natural to feel a bit more sluggish or out of shape. That’s why it’s important for seniors to stay active and practice healthy habits. Exercise is an excellent way to keep your body and mind in good shape, and there are several types of exercises that are perfect for seniors.

From low-impact activities like yoga and Tai Chi to more intensive activities like strength training and aerobic exercise, there are a variety of exercises that seniors can do to stay fit and healthy. Whether you’re looking to stay active and maintain your current fitness level or improve your strength, balance, and flexibility, there are exercises for every senior. In this article, we’ll discuss types of exercises for senior citizens to stay fit and healthy.

What are the Benefits of Exercise for Senior Citizens?

There are many benefits of exercise for senior citizens. First, exercise will help you manage your weight and stay fit. Exercise can even help you lose weight if you’re not currently trying to lose weight. Exercise will also lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other chronic diseases.

Regular exercise can also help improve your mood, memory and mental function, and sleep quality. Exercise can also benefit your joints and bones by increasing flexibility and preventing injury. Exercise is a great way to stay connected to others and cultivate new friendships.

If you’re currently not exercising, you could be putting your health in danger. Some of the benefits that exercise can provide include improved energy levels, stronger muscles, increased flexibility, stronger bones, improved cardiovascular health, increased self-confidence, reduced stress levels, and improved overall mental health.

Low-Impact Exercises

Low-impact exercises are great for seniors who are out of shape or have joint issues. Many online exercise programs are available for different needs. Low-impact exercises are gentle on the body, making them appropriate for seniors who are new to exercising. Low-impact exercises often use a chair or a mat, and can be done either indoors or outdoors.

Low-impact exercises include chair yoga, tai chi, aquatic exercises, gentle stretching, and walking. Many low-impact exercises are also social and can be done with a group of people. This can be a great way to meet new friends and make connections.

If you’re new to exercising, low-impact exercises are a great place to start. These exercises don’t place as much stress on your muscles, joints, or bones. This makes them appropriate for seniors who are just getting back into exercise.

Endurance Exercises

Endurance exercises are designed to increase your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular health. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors, but are best done outside in the fresh air. Endurance exercises include walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, swimming, rowing, and stair climbing.

These exercises can be done with a group of people, or you can do them by yourself. Outdoor endurance exercises are a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful weather. If you’re looking for an easy way to get your heart rate up, then endurance exercises is the way to go.

These exercises use large muscle groups, which mean that you’ll get a lot of benefits from just one workout. You’ll increase your heart rate, strengthen your muscles, and improve your overall health.

Strength Training Exercises

Strength training exercises target specific muscle groups to increase muscle strength and tone. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors and are an excellent way to improve your overall health. Strength training exercises include squats, lunges, overhead presses, and leg curls.

These exercises can be done with free weights or resistance bands. Strength training exercises are great for strengthening your muscles and improving overall fitness. Strength training exercises can also help prevent injury. If you’re already exercising, adding in some strength training exercises each week can enhance your fitness level. Strength training exercises are a great way to keep your muscles strong and healthy as you get older.

Balance Exercises

Balance exercises are designed to improve your balance, stability, and coordination. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors, and can be done with a group of people or by yourself. Balance exercises include standing on one foot, walking on a balance board, yoga poses, and tai chi movements.

These exercises are easy to do and can be done by seniors of all abilities. Balance exercises are a great way to keep your body and mind healthy as you age. These exercises can also benefit people who suffer from various health issues.

If you have trouble with your balance, you may have poor proprioception. Proprioception refers to your body’s ability to sense its position in space. Improving your proprioception can help you to avoid falls, trips, and injuries.

Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises are often done at the end of a workout or before bed. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors and can be done either with a group of people or by yourself. Stretching exercises can include simple yoga poses, tai chi movements, and gentle stretching exercises.

Yoga poses are particularly useful for seniors, as many yoga poses are designed to be done while seated. Stretching exercises are a great way to improve your flexibility and reduce muscle tension after exercising. Stretching exercises can also help improve your posture.

Flexibility Exercises

Flexibility exercises are designed to increase your flexibility and improve your range of motion. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors, and can be done with a group of people or by yourself.

Flexibility exercises include yoga poses, seated stretching, and tai chi movements. These exercises can be done with very little equipment, making them easy to do. Flexibility exercises are a great way to loosen your muscles and improve your flexibility. If you’re currently not exercising, you could be putting your health in danger.

Some of the benefits that exercise can provide include improved energy levels, stronger muscles, increased flexibility, stronger bones, improved cardiovascular health, increased self-confidence, reduced stress levels, and improved overall mental health.

Core Exercises

Core exercises are designed to strengthen your core muscles. These exercises can be done indoors or outdoors and can be done with a group of people or by yourself. Core exercises include planks, crunches, and leg lifts. These exercises can be done with very little equipment, making them easy to do. Core exercises are a great way to strengthen your core muscles.

Conclusion

Exercise is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for seniors. It can improve your physical and mental health, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. And don’t worry if you’re not currently exercising.

You can start at any time, no matter how old you are or what shape you’re in. There are plenty of exercises that are easy to do and safe for seniors, which means that anyone can get started today. So don’t let another day pass without exercising. Pick one of these exercises and get moving!. And remember, it’s never too late to start exercising.

By Jim|2022-12-29T12:42:29-05:00December 29th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Post: “Hitting a wall” – Why it is the biggest risk of marathon caring.

Running a marathon is one of the toughest things that you can do. Doing the full 26.2 miles requires grit, determination and a bit of luck. Luck in the sense that it reaches a point along the marathon whereby your will to run is gone and all you can do is hope that your body doesn’t give in. You require a lot of energy to run a marathon but the fact that it is a competitive event makes it difficult for stop and snack up. You, therefore, have to do with the food reserves stored in your body. The problem with this, however, is that the body can only store a limited amount of food reserves. This reserve is depleted way before you complete the marathon and it is at this point that the “wall” appears.

The wall.

To provide you with the energy to run, food is broken down to supply you with this energy. The primary food item that broken down to generate energy is carbohydrates since it requires very little oxygen to do so. When you are running, you let in very little oxygen into the blood stream and that is why carbohydrates are broken down first. The body can hold about 2000 calories of carbohydrates at any given time and this reserve can only last up to the 20^th mile. From this point, the body turns to the fat deposits in the body for energy generation. Breaking down fats to produce energy generates a lot of waste products and this contaminates your interior. It also requires a lot of oxygen but since you are not taking in enough air, the body resorts to burning your muscles to generate the needed oxygen. This has the effect of making you feel like you are pulling a heavy load with your feet. Since your body is concentrating on generating energy, your focus shifts from running to this activity. You, therefore, find it difficult to concentrate on running and those who are not of strong will find it easy to give up.

Marathon caring and ‘The Wall”.

Aging brings with it a lot of challenges and at some stage in life, we would be expected to take care of our loved ones. It could be our parents, grandparents or other family members. Most would think that it will only be for a short period of time but the truth is that it usually stretches several years and this is what makes it a marathon. Taking care of another person is very challenging and it will overwhelm even those claiming to be strong willed. It requires that you feed, clothe as well as clean up the person under your care. You are in charge of their medication as well and this means that you have to monitor their pills to make sure they never run out. See how overwhelming that can be?

When compared to a marathon, all these responsibilities represent the various stages of a marathon. It is easier at the beginning since you are all psyched up and full of energy. It gets difficult with time as your ‘energy reserves’ are depleted and your enthusiasm fades. At this point, it is only a matter of time before you ‘hit the wall’.

The wall of a marathon caregiver.

The wall to a marathon caregiver represents that point when you see your dependent as a burden. This is that point when you are no longer excited to see those in your care. The wall is a very difficult point since it could see you neglect those in your care.

Keeping the wall at bay.

There are a few things that you can do to keep the way at bay. The first thing is to understand the course and this entails understanding your dependents better. If they have any illnesses, get to understand them as this will make it easy for you to manage them. Learn how to take care of old people and you can do that by checking out care homes near me. This will make you a better care giver and better equipment to avoid the wall.

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By Dan Easton|2022-12-20T19:53:55-05:00December 23rd, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: 10 Signs Your Aging Loved One Needs Support at Home

It can be difficult to see your parent or relative age. At one time, he could do anything. Now, it seems as though age has gotten the best of him. If you’ve seen changes in your loved one due to age, he may need extra help at home. The following are some of the most common signs of someone who is in need of a nurse or senior caregiver.

#1: Unkempt Home
If there has been a drastic change in the way that your loved one keeps his home that may be a sign he lacks the energy or physical ability to pick up and clean. Extra support at home can ensure that your loved one lives in a healthy, safe environment.

#2: Missed Medications
Forgetfulness is common in older individuals. Missing medications can lead to withdrawal and the return of symptoms of medical problems. It can lead to more serious problems as well – stroke, heart attack, etc. Help at home can remind your loved one to take medications as prescribed.

#3: Missed or Canceled Medical Appointments
Forgetfulness and the inability to drive to appointments can lead to failing health. A senior care worker can provide transportation and encouragement to attend all medical appointments.

#4: Body Odor
Just as cleaning and picking up the home can be physically demanding, taking a shower or bath is too. With someone in the home, your loved one can get the assistance needed to get into the shower and out of it to keep him clean and feeling refreshed.

#5: Sudden Change in Weight
Medical problems can cause lost pounds, but not being able to cook healthy meals can be the reason as well. Since it can be difficult to cook when feeling tired or lacking energy, someone in the home can make sure that he has meals ready or set up a meal program that gets food delivered on a schedule.

#6: Problems with Mobility
Balance and walking can be hard as people age, and this can lead to falls causing serious injuries. Help with completing daily tasks can reduce the risk of falls.

#7: Confusion or Uncertainty
This can cause a lot of distress for your loved one. Have someone there to lend an ear or explain something that doesn’t make much sense can calm the anxiety of your loved one to improve his quality of life.

#8: Depression
Losing interests in hobbies or activities he used to enjoy could be a sign of depression that can lead to many other problems. Having a caregiver provide support and encouragement can help your loved one feel better or get the mental health he needs.

#9: Mail Piling Up or Unpaid Bills
It can be easy to forget to pay a bill from time to time, but if it becomes a habit, it might be a good idea to have someone help with going through mail and managing bills. This is one of the services that senior care workers provide in addition to helping with other daily tasks.

#10: Diagnosis of an Age-Related Medical Problem
Alzheimer’s or dementia can cause a loved one to forget or engage in risky behaviors. Having someone by your loved one’s side most of the day can help minimize the risk of him hurting himself.

Your parent or relative may have taken care of you for many years. Now, it’s your turn to care for him. Home care can help you do that. Look into the many options available if your loved one exhibits any of these symptoms.

About the Author:
Kendall Van Blarcom is a licensed marriage and family therapist providing personal consulting to seniors who need someone to talk with to improve the quality of their lives. More information can be found about personal consulting at http://www.kvanb.com.

By Jim|2022-12-20T19:53:29-05:00December 21st, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

5 Reasons Exercise is the Best Treatment for Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is a form of brain injury that can result in paralysis on one side of the body. In neurological rehabilitation, exercise is considered the cornerstone of recovery from stroke. One of the most common forms caused by trauma to the head or neck can be addressed through rehabilitation exercises. You will improve your power and functioning by working your muscles and enhancing coordination with physical therapy exercises.

1. Exercise Releases Brain-Protecting Chemicals

Exercise triggers the release of the brain-protecting chemical called endorphins. Endorphins make you feel happy and pain-free while helping you deal with the stress of being hemiplegic. Exercise also has the power to boost your levels of serotonin and dopamine, two essential neurotransmitters needed to combat depression.

Exercise can also relieve anxiety, helping you to get a good night’s sleep and cope with negative emotions. Exercise also releases neurotrophins, which are the chemicals that promote the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain. Neurotrophins are needed to combat cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia.

2. Exercise Builds Muscle and Strength

Exercising even while in a wheelchair can help you improve your strength and build the endurance necessary to move around more on your own. However, you might feel that the things you can do have been severely limited, but you can still challenge your muscles and build strength.

You can increase your upper-body strength by pushing yourself to hold items for longer periods or by trying to keep a grip on things such as a pen or a cup for a longer period. Or you can increase your endurance by holding your legs in place for a few minutes or pushing yourself to work with your legs for longer.

Exercising can also help you improve your posture, which can help you to reduce pain and decrease your risk of developing future complications. Exercising can be challenging in a wheelchair and may require creativity, but it is certainly possible. There are several ways to incorporate exercising while in a wheelchair, such as leg lifts, arm exercises, or using a special treadmill-type device.

3. Exercise Will Help You Regain Mobility

If you have been diagnosed with hemiplegia, you will most likely start your rehab process in a wheelchair. Although you may feel like you have been permanently relegated to a wheelchair, exercise can help you regain functional mobility when the time comes to transition out of it.

If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your leg muscles may have atrophied (weakened). This lack of muscle strength and endurance can lead to the need for a wheelchair ramp or stair lift in the future, as well as compression stockings, shoe inserts, or knee-high compression socks for poor leg circulation. Exercise can help you build up your leg muscles, which can help you avoid these items and regain your mobility.

4. Exercise Makes You Stronger and Quicker When You Do Get Up and Move

When you first start exercising, you may feel like you are pushing yourself to the limit. However, as you keep exercising, you will see that your strength builds up and that you can do more each time. This will give you confidence that even though you may be in a wheelchair now, you can still do things and will be able to be independent and move around on your own when the time comes.

Exercising can also help you to develop your gross motor skills. We use these physical skills daily, such as walking, running, and playing sports. These are also the skills most often impacted when someone has hemiplegia.

If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your gross motor skills have deteriorated. Exercising can help you regain these skills so that when the time comes to get out of the wheelchair, you will be able to do so quickly and easily.

5. Exercise Improves Balance

As you exercise, your muscles become stronger, which can help to improve your balance if you have hemiplegia on one side. There are many exercises that you can do to help improve your credit. You can try standing on one leg while you are sitting in a chair or while you are lying down. You can also try exercises focusing on your balance, such as yoga, tai chi, or even walking.

When you have hemiplegia, getting the proper amount of exercise is important. This will help you to maintain flexibility and mobility in your body, reduce pain, and feel more confident about getting out of a wheelchair and living your life fully.

By Jim|2022-12-07T15:21:48-05:00December 8th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Online Educational Programs for Mental Health

Mental illness affects nearly one in five adults, and the stigma surrounding mental health makes it even harder for those who need help to get it. Fortunately, online education gives people access to knowledge no matter where they live or how much free time they have. These best online mental health programs are a great way to learn about mental illnesses, their symptoms, and how to recover if you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis.

These courses will help you develop a strong understanding of the importance of mental wellness while also providing valuable information on how to recognize the warning signs of an impending crisis and what to do if someone you know is showing early signs of depression or another type of mental illness, just like when you catch diabetes on the early stage is can be treated or your doctor can explain how type 2 diabetes can be reversed just because of early diagnosis.

What is a Mental Health Program?

A mental health program can be either a short course or a degree program. Some of the main topics that you might learn are signs of mental illness, how to help someone who is suffering, and how to seek help if you need it. Mental health programs can also be helpful to people who work in the mental health field and want to stay updated on the latest research.

Mental health programs are useful for many different people, but they aren’t the same as mental health therapy. Some online mental health programs do include a section on therapy, but the main focus is on the facts and information related to mental illness for example you want to lose weight and instead of going to a dietician you get an online weight loss diet chart. If you want to learn how to help yourself or someone else through therapy, you might want to look into online therapy programs instead.

Mental Health Counseling Certificate Course

This mental health counseling course from Walden University is designed for people who want to become a licensed mental health counselor. It takes about two years to complete on a part-time basis and includes both online and campus-based learning. The coursework starts out with an introduction to the field before diving into psychology concepts, theories, and research.

Students will also study ethics and cultural considerations, as well as their own personal issues and the ways in which these affect their work. The course culminates in a supervised field experience where students will apply their skills in a real-world setting. This course is accredited by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Walden also has a variety of other online counseling programs that are not designed to lead to licensure.

Mental Health First Aid Certification Course

This online mental health first aid course from Mental Health First Aid USA teaches people how to recognize when someone may be suffering from a mental health condition and how to help them get the proper treatment. The course covers signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, as well as substance use disorders.

It also discusses how to create a safe environment for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This is a good course for anyone who wants to understand more about mental health but does not want to become a therapist. The certificate for this course is recognized by employers, schools, and other organizations, so it’s a great credential to add to your resume.

Depression and Anxiety Online Course

This course from Anna Marie University focuses on treating depression and anxiety. It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This course is also a great option for people who want to understand their own struggles with mental health better.

This course is designed to help students understand their own triggers, as well as how to manage their symptoms and create a healthy lifestyle. It has interactive exercises and other activities that make it more engaging than many online courses. The course is self-paced, so you can work through it at your own speed.

It also comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk. This depression and anxiety online course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.

Bipolar Disorder Counseling Course

This online bipolar disorder counseling course from GRACE University teaches students how to help people with bipolar disorder. This course also teaches students about their own triggers, so they can better manage their own bipolar disorder. The course features video lectures, a library of course materials, and a forum where students can discuss the course content with others.

It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This online bipolar disorder counseling course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.

Conclusion

Mental health is a crucial component of overall health. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize the importance of mental health until they or someone they know is in crisis. Online mental health programs are a great way to learn more about mental health and the signs and symptoms of mental illness. These programs also provide essential information about how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

By Jim|2022-12-06T12:38:06-05:00December 6th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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