Winter – also known as cold and flu season – can leave you more prone to falling ill in the cold months. There are over 200 different cold viruses, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults average two to three colds each year. Both the common cold and the flu are contagious, but cold symptoms…
Enriched Housing
The holiday season can be an especially difficult time to grieve the loss of a loved one. Your sense of loss can be magnified during family gatherings, holiday traditions and meaningful events. The need for support is the greatest during the holidays. Focus on good memories and take comfort with family and friends. There are a number of ways you…
Decorating can ease the transition into enhanced housing. Helping someone move into enhanced housing can be an emotionally fraught experience. Collaborating with loved ones to decorate their new living quarters in a way that helps protect their physical safety and boost their emotional outlook can assist them in their transition, says Julia Bailey, a senior associate and interior design project…
Calcium and vitamin D are two of the most important nutrients for bone health, but vitamin D deficiency is common among seniors. Because seniors typically drink less milk and spend fewer hours outside, they often aren’t getting all the vitamin D they need. For most people, sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D, as sunlight converts cholesterol to…
Cold weather forces many seniors inside during the winter months, but you don’t have to limit your activities until spring. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. That’s just 30 minutes, five days a week. Ives Hill offers a wide range of physical and mental activities and varied programs and events…
Research has shown that a more plant-based diet may help prevent, treat, or reverse heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. While you may not want to give up steak and chicken for good, you can still adopt a plant-based diet while consuming modest amounts of fish and lean meat. People who averaged eight-plus servings of fruits and…
Pets not only can improve the lives of seniors, but they also have a positive impact on their health too. People of all ages benefit from having a pet, but this is especially true for seniors. Walking a dog not only provides an opportunity for exercise, but also the chance to socialize thanks to increased interactions with neighbors. Studies show…
Do you think that crossword puzzles and word search games are nothing more than mild entertainment that help pass the time? Think again. Those affordable and easy-to-find games are likely one of the keys to staying mentally sharp as you age, at least that’s what numerous studies have shown. Brain games, as well as other mentally stimulating leisure activities play…
As we age, it becomes more likely that additional medicines are being used which can increase the chance of harmful drug effects or interactions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges older adults to use caution when taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Physical changes as you age can affect the way medicines are handled by your body. Ives Hill offers…