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While most of the conversations related to vaccines this year have been focused on names like Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, it’s important not to overlook others. Because an essential part of successful aging is disease prevention, it’s vital to know which vaccines you need and how often.
As autumn makes its return, one unwelcome visitor that often arrives with it is the influenza virus. While many of us think of the flu as a few unpleasant days of illness, the truth is it can be much more serious for seniors. Complications such as pneumonia are common in seniors. Older adults account for as much as 85 percent of flu-related deaths and up to 70 percent of hospitalizations.
After a long winter likely spent indoors, getting outside can give the spirit a boost. Gardening is an activity older adults can safely enjoy even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, gardening doesn’t require a large plot of land to reap the mental and physical health benefits.
As concerns about COVID-19 persist, respiratory health and how to protect your respiratory system should be a priority. From pneumonia to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, there are a variety of illnesses beyond the coronavirus that can impact your health.
February is National Heart Month. Each year organizations like the National Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dedicate the month to sharing resources and tools. It’s an opportunity to help people learn more about cardiac diseases, including controllable risk factors.
If you’re the caregiver for a senior family member, you know every detail of their health, needs, and preferences. From when they take their medications to how they like their eggs to their allergies and health conditions, you’ve got it all down to a science.
Being active and engaged in life with opportunities to grow and learn is important at every age. Many seniors say that participating in life enrichment activities is one of the primary reasons they decided to move to a senior living community. While programs and events might seem like a luxury, they really are a necessity. And while COVID-19 is still a threat, it is important to find ways to be active and engaged yet still remain healthy.
Many of the factors that promote healthy aging are commonly known—exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per night. These habits are important at every stage of life. For the seniors, however, friendships have a particularly important influence on healthy aging. As relationships evolve over time, having a strong, supportive circle of friends can help you live a longer, healthier life.