As you age, you should strive to keep your body in shape by exercising, eating well and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. And while these are great ways to remain young at heart, you shouldn’t forget about your social life. Studies have shown that interacting with others will sharpen your mind, increase your self-worth and enhance your physical and mental health. In fact, a UCLA study determined that having vibrant, strong social connections has a bigger impact on your health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure – and is just as important as food and shelter. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNhk3owF7RQ

So now that you realize that staying connected should be a vital part of your life, how should you go about staying socially active? Here are just a few ideas: 

• Volunteer – There are several options available if you want to donate your time to a good cause. You can help out at a local hospital or nursing home; volunteer at the pre-school your grandchildren attend; or, if you are physically able, even help coach a youth sports team. 
• Join a club – Is there a better way to stay socially active than to meet regularly with people who have similar interests? You can become active with a book club, garden club or a group that plays golf on a regular basis. 
• Visit the gym – This option will enhance both your physical and mental well-being. In addition to improving your overall health, you’ll also get to interact with others. 
• Go back to class – Learning something new at the local community college or adult education center will certainly keep your brain active, and you’ll get to spend time with people of all ages and backgrounds. You can learn about writing, art, cooking or any other subject that interests you. 
• Learn something new – If you are one of those senior citizens who hasn’t yet discovered computers, email, smartphones, Facebook or the internet, now might be the time to find out what social media is all about. Once you realize what you’ve been missing, you’ll be able to connect with friends and loved ones either in person or from the comfort of your own home. 

As long as you stay socially active in your senior years, it’s not that important which avenue you choose. Studies have shown that interacting with other people on a regular basis helps prevent an array of mental health issues that range from depression to poor cognitive function to Alzheimer’s disease. Spending time with other people also tends to lower your blood pressure and even reduce your risk of physical issues such as cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, arthritis and even some cancers. 

Just as important, if you are socially active, you have a built-in support system that consists of people who probably have some of the same health issues you are dealing with. In addition, you’ll learn more about how to stay healthy and enjoy life because you’ll share information with the people you see on a regular basis. 

Are you interested in learning more about how social activities help promote physical and mental health for senior citizens? Contact Nye Health Services, which provides a wide range of services to maximize the health and wellness of older adults. For more information, please contact Nye Health Services at (402) 753-1400.

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Hot weather can be uncomfortable for people of all ages. For senior citizens, intense heat and stifling humidity have the potential to be downright dangerous. According the Environmental Protection Agency, since 1999, people aged 65+ are several times more likely to die from heat-related cardiovascular disease than the general population. 

Here are a few tips to ensure you stay happy, healthy and hydrated when the temperatures rise. 

Make Sure You Drink Enough Liquids  

Consume plenty of cool water, juice and other liquids that don’t contain caffeine or alcohol. Older people are more likely to become dehydrated than their younger counterparts, and they sometimes have trouble adjusting to changes in temperature. If you’re planning a long car trip, remember to take along a cooler filled with cold water. And don’t count on your body to tell you when it’s thirsty. Especially in the summertime, you should drink at least six to eight cups of water a day. 

Prepare Your Home

It’s important to use your air conditioner if you have one, even if you’re concerned about cost. Keep curtains and blinds closed to keep the sunlight out, and try to spend more time on the first floor of your home, as heat rises. If you don’t have an air conditioner or there is a power outage, make sure to spend the hottest part of the day in a public place – such as a library, mall or movie theater – or at the home of a loved one with air conditioning.   

Limit Your Outdoor Activities  

Check the weather report, and don’t spend more than a few hours a day in the sun if an unusually hot day is expected. If you start to feel uncomfortably warm, find a cool place indoors to take a break. If you must complete more strenuous activities, such as gardening, yard work or exercise, do so early in the morning. 

Cool Down

After you’ve been outdoors, it’s vital to cool back down as quickly as possible. Wash yourself with a cold washcloth, or take a room temperature shower or bath. If you want to cool down even faster, grab ice packs or frozen veggies wrapped in a towel and place them on the back of your neck, wrists and face. 

Use Sunscreen  

Keep it with you at all times when you are planning to be outdoors, and re-apply it regularly, per the instructions on the bottle.  

Ask Your Doctor  

Check with your physician about the medications you are taking. Some drugs make people more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Also, avoid taking salt tablets, which dehydrate, unless your doctor tells you to keep doing so.  

Wear the Right Clothes  

If you’re going to be outside for a while, it’s best to dress in loose, light-colored clothing, which will help reflect the heat from the sun. Wearing a hat is an excellent idea as well, to help shade your face and avoid sunburn, and a good pair of sunglasses is a must. 

Don’t Forget the Bug Spray  

Seniors are especially prone to diseases carried by insects, such as the West Nile virus and encephalitis. If you’re going to be outside for a while, a reliable mosquito repellent is a good investment.  

Know Your Neighbors and Keep in Touch  

Let your friends and family members know if you plan to be outside on a warm day, and ask them to check on you occasionally. This is especially important if you live alone or don’t have air conditioning. 

Most Importantly, Know the Warning Signs  

Hyperthermia, an unusually high body temperature, can lead to heatstroke, a dangerous condition, especially for older people. Seek medical attention right away if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms:  

• Rising body temperature; 
• Dry, flushed skin; 
• Heavy breathing or a rapid pulse; 
• Lack of sweating when it’s hot outside; 
• Fainting; 
• Nausea or vomiting; and/or 
• A change in behavior, such as acting confused, agitated or grouchy. 

Do you need more information about how to best protect you or a loved one from the high temperatures and humidity this summer? Contact Nye Health Services, which provides a wide range of services to maximize the health and wellness of older adults. For more information, please contact Nye Health Services at (402) 753-1400. 

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Many older adults live wonderful, healthy, and independent lives. At times, the natural aging process can cause unforeseen changes that affect their independent lifestyle. You may be noticing changes in your loved one’s ability to complete daily tasks.  An indication that a loved may be struggling may include things such as, dishes in the sink, an unmade bed, piles of dirty laundry, unpaid bills, changes in physical appearance, bathing infrequencies, mobility difficulties, keeping up with home maintenance and more.  

To address these changes with your loved one, oftentimes the responsibility to provide care falls on a family member or may include seeking out services for in-home care or even deciding to move your loved one to a campus that provides assisted living or skilled nursing care. Addressing these changes can leave caregivers full of questions on how to provide their loved one with the appropriate amount of care that falls within their budget.  

Home Care services may be the best option to address increasing care needs while allowing your loved one to remain living safely and independently in their home or community.  Home Care services provide support to each person differently based on their needs. Some people may only require occasional assistance, while others require more supervision or assistance with things they do every day. Supervision or assistance may be for a short length of time, such as a week or two after returning home following a surgery or lengthy hospital stay or can be on a routinely scheduled basis. 

Home Care is provided by caregivers who are trained to understand the specific kind of care your loved one needs. Home Care services can assist older adults with activities of daily living, or just offer some friendly companionship. Some of the services provided by Home Care include: 

• Personal Care Services:Personal Care services provide assistance in activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, using the bathroom, eating, walking and self-care so that an individual may remain safely in their home. 
• Homemaker Services:Homemaker services provide assistance with household tasks such as light housework, meal preparation, shopping or use of the telephone so that an individual can continue to live independently in a safe and healthy home. 
• Companion Services: Companion services provide assistance with non-medical care, socialization, basic supervision and light housekeeping — secondary to companion services — to maintain an individual’s safety and well-being in their home. 

If you or a loved one is interested or in need of in-home services, consider Nye Home Health Care.  Nye Home Health Care offers various levels of care and service and here to help your loved one live a safe, happy and healthy life at home.  For more information, please contact us at 402-753-1401

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For many of us, driving our own car is a key aspect of maintaining our independence. Driving is how we stay connected, by seeing the people we want to see and getting to the places we want to go. But, as we age, it is normal for our driving abilities to change. Changes in our physical, mental, and sensory abilities can challenge our ability to drive safely.

In honor of National Occupational Therapy month in April, we asked our Occupational Therapists to provide tips to consider to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe on the road through the aging process.

1.  See your Doctor Regularly

Regular check-ups are key to staying in the best health to drive. The better your physical and mental health, the longer you will be able to drive safely. Follow the recommendation of your physician, and have your sight and hearing tested regularly. Also, be sure to talk with your doctor about any possible side effects or interactions of the medication(s) you are taking as these could have an impact on your ability to drive safely.

2.  Take a Driving Assessment

A driving assessment is a great way to assess your skill and safety level and can often be completed by an Occupational Therapist. When completing a driving evaluation, which reviews all aspects of your driving, an Occupational Therapist’s goal is to determine and address areas of concern to improve or maintain your ability to drive for as long as possible. Occupational therapists can suggest vehicle adaptations and equipment to address your specific needs, such as broader mirrors, seat boosters, hand controls, scooter lift, etc.

3.  Stay Healthy

Staying physically active improves your strength and flexibility. In turn, physical activity can improve driver safety by making it easier to turn the steering wheel, look over your shoulder and make other movements while driving and parking.  Walking is a great choice to include in your physical activity daily routine. Did you know that the ability to walk one has been shown to have a significant impact on one’s ability to drive.? Keep walking, keep fit!

4.  Understand Your Limitations

It is not an uncommon practice for adults to modify their driving habits as they age. Therefore, if a driving situation makes you uncomfortable, avoid it. Choose to drive only on familiar streets, during daylight hours, when traffic is light, when you are well rested and with as few distractions as possible. If you have to go somewhere when the conditions aren’t favorable, consider asking for assistance with transportation from your family, friends or neighbors. Finally, avoid putting yourself or others in danger and make adjustments to your driving techniques or ask for assistance.

Following these simple recommendations can assist in maintaining your independence, ensure you stay connected to the things you enjoy and help keep you safe.  Be conscious of changes in your ability to drive safely, recognize and avoid the dangers these changes may cause and most of all Be Safe Out There!

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