elderly

Guest Blog: Dental Care Tips for the Elderly

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research revealed in a survey conducted from 1999 to 2004 that periodontal disease (gum disease) is prevalent among seniors aged 65 and older.

Seniors who are smokers are at a higher risk of developing severe gum problems. The research is proof that proper dental care is vital at any age, but especially during the senior years when oral health is most sensitive.

To prevent periodontal disease and other problems that might require emergency dental care, you or your senior family member should follow certain oral health practices.

 Tips for Elderly Dental Care

 Brush your teeth and floss regularly

It is recommended that you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day. Be sure to do the brushing for at least two minutes, and be gentle. If you brush too hard, you might hurt your gums.

Flossing at least once a day is also an important dental care practice. Proper use of dental floss will help remove hard-to-reach food particles wedged between the teeth’ spaces.

Take in Calcium is an essential nutrient that contributes to bone and teeth health. A person who does not have enough calcium can develop osteoporosis, leading to teeth loss when the jaw bone is affected. It is vital, therefore, for seniors to include calcium-rich food in their diet.

According to the American Dental Association, seniors need an average calcium intake of 1,000 milligrams per day. You can get significant amounts of this nutrient from dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli.

Besides calcium, it would help if you also had enough vitamin D in your diet as it is essential for the proper absorption of calcium-rich food.

 Minimize sugar intake

Stay away from sweets that are rich in starch or starchy ingredients as this will destroy your teeth. If you eat or drink anything sweet, be sure to brush your teeth and floss afterward.

 Stop smoking

As mentioned earlier, seniors who smoke are more prone to periodontal disease than non-smokers. Quitting may be challenging, but it’s well worth it because staying away from all forms of tobacco will protect you from gum disease and other dental problems.

Besides following the tips above, it would be best to visit your dentist every six months.

About the Author

Dr. Gary Salwin leads the Glendale Dental Group, Arizona. He and his team treat dental emergencies and perform a whole range of dental services. He has been practicing dentistry for more than 36 years.

 

 

By |2023-01-09T11:14:25-05:00January 19th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: Dental Care Tips for the Elderly

Guest Blog: Top 5 Indoor Games for Senior Citizens to Play

Playing games with older relatives is a great way to keep older family members.

  • Engaged
  • Alarm
  • Concentrate

Also, while building muscles, it showed them a good time!

For the elderly, playing fun, low-impact brain games may be a good way to stay sharp and alert at all times. Research has shown that older adults who often stimulate their brains through active, educational activities tend to score higher on memory and cognitive tests than those who do not participate in sports.

Clear the board game on the top of the cabinet and use it. Indoor games may be one of the best ways to keep the elderly mentally healthy and active. It does more than providing entertainment. Chess is an amazing game to play, and the best chess learning rules seem simple and easy to learn, but the skills involved are huge and bring many health and psychological benefits. It can make your mind young, active, and entertaining at the same time.

We have compiled 5 top memory games for adults: Here are five indoor activities for the elderly, which are sure to make you spend a pleasant day.

  • Complete a Puzzle
  • Play Board and Card Games
  • Chess and Checkers
  • Card Games
  • Sudoku

Complete a Puzzle:

Word games for the elderly, such as crossword puzzles, can help maintain a memory. The challenge of the puzzle helps the brain to form and maintain connections. Crosswords involve the left and right sides of the brain. Older adults’ word games also require logical reasoning. Crossword puzzles can also help,

  • Older people learn new words
  • Recall vocabulary

Playing crosswords can promote,

  • Relaxation, which can have a healing
  • Calming effect, especially during a busy week
  •  Older people don’t have to complete the crossword puzzles alone! For families, this is a fun activity that can be done together, or it can be a bond for a group of older adults.

Play Board and Card Games:

Card games are a great way to think spontaneously, entertain and get along with others, and many games can be used by any number of players, from two to ten or more. Many seniors grew up playing card games, so be sure to ask them what games they like. Some seniors may prefer active and considerate games, such as bridge games or poker games. For others, playing simpler games such as,

  • Blackjack
  • War may be more fun

You can study other card games such as Uno that go beyond traditional game rules.

Chess and Checkers:

Chess is an amazing game. These rules seem simple and easy to understand, but the skills involved are huge. For decades, playing chess has been easy, and you can never really stop learning the subtleties of the game. Chess is about strategy, problem-solving, and footstep thinking. It is a great game for older people to participate and stay mentally active while having fun at the same time. Checkers is an improved version of the game, with fewer pieces and simpler rules, and a good choice. Is it better? The manufacturer’s chessboards and chessboards come in many different shapes and styles, including larger versions designed specifically for seniors with weaker vision and motor skills.

Card Games

Card games are a great way to think spontaneously, entertain and get along with others, and many games can be used by any number of players, from two to ten or more. Many seniors grew up playing card games, so be sure to ask them what games they like. Some seniors may prefer active and considerate games, such as bridge games or poker games. For others, playing simpler games (such as blackjack or war) may be more fun. Or, you can study other card games such as Uno that go beyond traditional game rules.

Sudoku

Sudoku is a popular pencil puzzle. It requires you to use problem-solving skills in a fun and easy-to-learn way. Sudoku can be used on almost any digital platform and traditional paper. Besides, you can play it online. Sudoku requires logic and memory skills, which can push the brain to establish connections. Strategic thinking can also help you improve your concentration and ability to make decisions in a short period. Besides, when you complete the puzzle correctly, there will be a sense of pride and achievement. Sudoku is not the only game that can help older people build memory.

 

 

By |2022-10-26T10:19:20-05:00November 17th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: Top 5 Indoor Games for Senior Citizens to Play

8 Fun Activities for Seniors with Mobility Issues

Do mobility issues have your aging parent down in the dumps? Losing the ability to get around independently can definitely strike a blow to confidence and wellbeing levels. Mobility issues don’t need to stifle a senior’s sense of purpose or enjoyment of life though. Don’t miss these 8 fun activity ideas for seniors with mobility issues:

Board games – bring on the board games and give your loved one a cognitive boost. Everything from cards to Scrabble to Monopoly, Dominos, and Checkers is a great place to start. Stock up on gently used board games from local re-stores like Goodwill and invite friends and family to join in on the fun.

Puzzles – putting puzzles together stimulates critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as engages spatial awareness and concentration. Don’t reserve your fun to jigsaw puzzles either; games like Sudoku and Jenga have similar brain-boosting effects too!

Cooking – maybe standing at the stove to stir a big pot isn’t feasible, but mixing a green salad at a lower table is. Or helping scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet. Cooking with your aging parent not only gives them something fun to do but helps them feel like a productive contributor in the home too.

Chair exercises – routine workouts are critical for all older adults, even people who are limited to canes, walkers or wheelchairs. Physical fitness helps prevent unwanted weight gain and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Guides to chair exercises and exercises for those recovering from injuries like fractured hips can be found online.

Art project – get the creative juices flowing and find an art project geared towards your loved one’s interests. Perhaps it is painting on a canvas, collaging, knitting, coloring, making jewelry, or even simply framing family photos – the act of creating something can is truly invigorating.

Planting – potting plants is easy and accessible when your loved one can sit in a chair at a table. Mixing soil, placing plants inside pots, and even snipping dead leaves or picking herbs are monthly activities that your loved one can do with minor assistance.

Reading – Nothing beats a good book. If your loved one is unable to hold a book or see words on a page, audiobooks are a great alternative (and can be borrowed for free at your local library).

Video chatting – for seniors with mobility limitations, social isolation is a very prevalent and dangerous reality. Technology makes it easy, however, to connect with friends and family near and far via free services like Skype, Google Hangouts or Facetime. You simply need a smartphone or webcam with speakers for your computer.

By |2022-09-29T15:17:19-05:00October 19th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on 8 Fun Activities for Seniors with Mobility Issues

Guest Blog: How to Make a Difference in the Lives of Seniors in Your Community

From the loneliness and isolation that many seniors face to the physical impairments or disabilities that may limit their ability to perform some daily tasks on their own, many aging adults could benefit from the assistance of other members in their community. If you’re interested in helping seniors living in your neighborhood, the following resources will familiarize you with the different challenges that many aging adults face, as well as some of the things you can do to help out.

The Challenges of Growing Older

There is a saying that growing older is not for sissies, and in a sense that is very true. It stems, of course, from the fact that the strength and vibrance of our bodies and minds can wane over the years. Being aware of the challenges older people face can help you recognize opportunities and define your responses to them.

  • Explore this comprehensive guide to issues facing seniors
  • Seniors who are growing older without partners or family close by face unique struggles
  • Growing older means coming to grips with one’s mortality; be sensitive to the spiritual needs seniors experience
  • Among their challenges, basic needs like performing household tasks and meal preparation can be difficult for seniors
  • Falling is a major health concern for seniors, even in their own homes

What You Can Do to Help

Sometimes finding opportunities isn’t the hardest part of assisting seniors; sometimes it’s finding practical solutions. Seniors face problems big and small that you can solve, though. Thankfully, most of those solutions are surprisingly straightforward, and really just require a little bit of thinking outside the box. Explore these simple strategies for some of the concerns you might realize are part of an older adult’s life.

  • Isolation is a common health issue for seniors but there are practical solutions
  • Being homebound is an issue for many seniors
  • Teaching technology to seniors is a great way to connect them with others and help them feel engaged, even if they are homebound
  • An Echo Dot is an affordable device for seniors that allows them to perform a variety of practical tasks
  • Most seniors can get comfortable with smart speakers like Alexa pretty quickly with a few pointers, and they reap many benefits
  • Taking quick, easy and healthy meals to seniors helps to ensure they receive proper nutrition
  • Another idea is to set up a senior with grocery delivery for fresh meals
  • Senior Care Central offers individualized care solutions for seniors

If your family is interested in giving back to seniors in your community, this guide will help you to get started. By sharing your time, helping a senior neighbor with housework, and cooking meals for aging adults in your community, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of local seniors.

By |2022-09-29T15:16:41-05:00October 15th, 2022|News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: How to Make a Difference in the Lives of Seniors in Your Community

The Importance of Social Interaction for Seniors

Social engagement offers senior individuals the chance to live longer. It provides several essential health benefits, such as a potential decreased risk of dementia and a wide range of physical issues, such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and cardiovascular activity.

Aside from the many readily apparent factors that significantly impact general health, like lifestyle choices, past injuries, and lack of access to healthcare, isolation is one such factor. As people age, their mobility declines, and their peers and older relatives pass away, the risk of loneliness increases. It is obvious how this will undoubtedly affect the elder’s emotions, but it may be less obvious how this will affect the elder’s physical health. The senior’s general health can be enhanced, and the cost of care may be decreased by addressing isolation and assisting the older adult in discovering additional avenues for social connection. Companion Care for Seniors delivers seniors with the essential social link. Without interaction with others, elders may begin to feel lonely and unhappy, which may lead to the emergence of mental health problems and a deterioration of their physical health. Senior in-home companions ensure that your loved ones engage in healthy activities and social contacts.

Numerous health advantages, including a lower incidence of depression and a longer life expectancy, have been linked to entire social life. Even higher benefits might result from social interaction with a variety of people. Older persons were more likely to engage in more physical activity, have more good moods, and experience fewer negative emotions if they connected with people outside their typical social circle of family and close friends.

It’s essential to Interact with Others.

The importance of social connection for your health and well-being is more significant than you would realise. It can aid in enhancing your immune system and extending life expectancy and fostering social relationships with those nearby.

For older persons, socialization is essential since it has many positive effects on their mental and physical health. Most people socialise with their immediate family or close acquaintances. Sadly, many older adults are lonely or have lost their friends and family, and this isolation can harm them.

You can benefit from social connection when kind people, including those surrounding you.

The feeling of belonging

People want to feel as though their lives matter and have a purpose. For older people, belonging is essential. Health issues could arise if this sensation is missing. Seniors who sense their lives are meaningless are likelier to suffer from impaired mental and physical fitness. Lower cognitive performance can result from a lack of meaning; however, socialising can lessen these dangers. Older persons have a sense of belonging when they are part of a social community. These relationships foster a sense of network and lower the chance of cognitive decline.

Maintain active

While staying physically active is essential as you age, older folks may lack the motivation to do so. The desire to exercise might be boosted by social interaction.

Seniors are more likely to exercise when socializing with people outside their immediate family. In addition to its many health advantages, exercise can help you age well by enhancing your capacity for learning, reasoning, and judgement. In addition to improving sleep, training can assist older persons in lowering their risk of anxiety and sadness.

less anxiety

Seniors who don’t engage in regular social engagement are more prone to stress and poor mental health. There are some behaviors that stress might upset you, with:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • vascular problems
  • issues with the digestive system.

A robust support network can aid in preventing and reducing stress. Socialization reduces anxiety, boosting your confidence in your capacity to handle stress. Older folks who are socialised and in healthy relationships have a purpose and significance in their lives.

Improved Sense of satisfaction

Spending time with friends and family improves happiness and quality of life and opens one up to new ideas and viewpoints. Spending time developing connections makes older persons happier and reduces their risk of developing sadness and anxiety.

Friendships and relationships are crucial; studies show that socially active seniors have higher life satisfaction.

Lower Chance of Mental Decline

Alzheimer’s disease, which causes significant cognitive deterioration in millions of Americans, is prevalent. Socialization can reduce your chances of mental decline despite no cure.

Your cognitive performance can be positively affected by solid friendships. When older people interact with one another and keep their companies, their episodic memory, or capacity to recall specific memories in-depth, is preserved. In a study, socially engaged elders and significantly younger participants showed comparable episodic memories.

Enhanced Cognitive Performance

Did you know that social interaction can help your brain develop? Making new friends can increase memory recall and shield the brain from disorders that cause brain deterioration.

Older people benefit from social interaction. These interactions inspire seniors to keep learning and active minds to stave off mental decline.

Wrapping up:

This article will explain how crucial social attraction is for elders because, Without interaction with others, elders may begin to feel lonely and unhappy. The senior’s general health can be enhanced, and the cost of care may be decreased by addressing isolation.

 

By |2022-08-26T10:08:23-05:00August 26th, 2022|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on The Importance of Social Interaction for Seniors
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