Benefits of Socialization for Seniors

Seniors tend to feel lonelier in comparison to the younger generation. There are several reasons for their loneliness, such as loss of a spouse, separation from companions, physical constraints to get out and meet people, and health issues. In this situation, it becomes crucial for older adults to make an effort to socialize and stay connected with others.

According to experts, older adults who can retain social connections experience a better quality of life than those who are isolated.

Some more benefits of socialization for seniors are described below:

• Feeling of Belongingness When you meet people who have similar interests to yours, it gives you a feeling that you belong somewhere. This need for belongingness is more intense in those who have lost their partner or a close friend. Doing something meaningful with others also helps to develop new bonds of friendship.        

• Improve Mental Health:Where isolation leads to depression and creates the feelings of despair and worthlessness, socialization helps seniors feel loved or cared about by those with whom they interact. Doing something good and rewarding in the company of other people helps to develop a positive outlook on life and keeps their mental state in a healthy condition.     

• Enhance Self-Esteem: Seniors can often feel humiliated when young family members do not pay attention to their advice or suggestions due to the generation gap. If older adults contribute something towards the welfare of society or participate in activities with others, they feel confident and respected. Positive interactions with friends and neighbors can also help to develop positive attitudes in them.      

• Improve Physical Health:  While interacting with others and doing activities of interest in a group, our bodies release health-promoting chemicals that boost the immune system, which further keeps away diseases. Socialization also promotes a healthy lifestyle in older adults.    

If you are looking for Home Care Assistance In Birmingham for your aging family member, consult the experts of Always Best Care. Their caregivers are thoroughly screened and trained to provide the safest and highest level of care to seniors. Talk to their experts at (205) 874-9730 to find out how they can assist you.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute and Chronic Cough in Old Age

A chronic cough is one of the most common issues that needs to be assessed and treated in seniors. If we understand the underlying reasons and symptoms of a cough and the reason behind it, it is often easy to cure or treat.

When the passages between the nose and mouth to the lungs are irritated by the substances entering through the inhalation of air, the body tries to get rid of them through a cough. A cough is when the air in the lungs is forced to expel under high pressure.

Signs and Symptoms of an Acute and Chronic Cough

Acute Cough
Coughs mainly occur due to infectious and noninfectious causes. Viral upper respiratory infections or common colds, acute bronchitis, sinus infections and pneumonia cause an acute cough. These are often curable or treatable.

1. Infectious cause
Symptoms that point to an infection are body aches, sinus pressure, chills, fever, vomiting, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, postnasal drip, headache, night sweats, phlegm, and sputum.

2. Noninfectious cause  
Noninfectious coughs occur when a person is exposed to certain irritants or chemicals in the environment. It can often be improved with inhalers or allergy medications.

Chronic Cough
It is not easy to find the major signs and symptoms of a chronic cough. Many seniors get this type of cough due to environmental allergy or prior smoking habits. It can be treated to a great extent by medication and quitting the habit of smoking.

Chronic coughs or noninfectious coughs can also occur due to chronic lung diseases like emphysema, asthma or chronic bronchitis.  
   
If your aging loved one is suffering from any type of cough, take them to an experienced specialist who can correctly diagnose and treat an acute or chronic cough. 

If your loved one needs Elderly Assistance, get in touch with Birmingham’s leading senior care agency – Always Best Care. They provide all the senior care and non-medical services your loved one may need to lead a healthy life. For a free consultation, call (205) 874-9730.

How to Help Older Adults Build an Active Social Life

For seniors, having an active social life can be difficult. This is often because as they grow older, they are likely to lose connections with their friends, family members and loved ones by staying home more often. This can result in social isolation, which may lead to stress, depression, and other mental health problems. So, how can you help your aging loved one build an active social life after their retirement?

• Hobbies – One of the best ways to enjoy an active social life is to participate in different social activities or by taking up new hobbies. Encourage your loved one to pursue hobbies that they used to enjoy the most. You can look for local hobby classes in your area where your loved one will also get a chance to meet new people who have the same interests.

• Encourage fitness programs – You can encourage your loved one to join a fitness club or senior exercise program.  This will not only help them stay physically fit but also give them a chance to engage and socialize with other seniors before and after the program.

• Charity – Many seniors love to do good for others. So, you can find somewhere your loved one can utilize his/her free time by contributing to different charities and organizations. In addition, volunteering can also help seniors build a good social life. Even if they do not find people their age, they still get a chance to meet new people while helping out others for a good cause. 

There are a number of ways that can help seniors stay socially active and connected. However, if your loved one is living alone and you are looking for a reliable companionship, then you can consider hiring an experienced care provider.

A caregiver will provide the much-needed companionship services and also encourage them to participate in different social and cultural programs in your area. So, if you are looking for an In Home Senior Care Provider In Birmingham, contact Always Best Care. They have a team of highly trained, bonded, and insured caregivers who provide compassionate senior care services.

For more information, call them at (205) 874-9730.

Acupuncture for Seniors – What are the Health Benefits?

Acupuncture is a type of ancient treatment that is known for treating a myriad of diseases. It is perfect for older adults who have aches, pains or any health problem. There are a number of benefits that your aging parent can avail from regular acupuncture and some of them are mentioned below.

• Relives chronic back pain – Regular acupuncture therapy can help relieve chronic back pain. Studies show that seniors with back pain saw greater improvement with regular acupuncture therapy than those who took medication.

• Soothes indigestion – It is common for the older adults to face indigestion after eating spicy and fatty foods. Rather than taking any kind of over the counter drug, you can encourage your loved one to try regular acupuncture sessions. It is a natural treatment for indigestion.

• Reduces headaches – If your aging loved one suffers from frequent headaches, acupuncture can be the right treatment option. Regular therapy sessions can greatly reduce chronic headaches. 

So, if your aging parent is dealing with any chronic pain, indigestion or just want to feel a bit more healthy and active, then acupuncture is an ideal option. With just a few therapy sessions, your aging loved one will experience a difference and be more likely to enjoy their twilight years more peacefully and comfortably. However, it is important for seniors to attend regular sessions to see the results quickly.

If your senior family member lives alone, going for regular acupuncture treatment can be difficult.  If this is the case, you can always consider hiring professional help in the form of caregivers. An experienced care provider will accompany your loved one for regular therapy sessions and ensure that they stay safe. 

If you are looking for an In-Home Senior Care Provider In Birmingham, contact Always Best Care. They have a team of trained and experienced caregivers to provide your senior loved one the right level of care and support. 

For more information, call them at (205) 874-9730.

Does You Aging Parent Live Alone? Here’s How You Can Help Them Stay Safe

Did you know that around 12 million Americans age 65 and older are living alone? Unfortunately, living alone can be unsafe for many older adults, especially if they are suffering from chronic health conditions. In addition, seniors who live alone often start to face a number of challenges in their daily routine. It is important for them to stay safe, even if there is no one to provide them support and care on a daily basis.

Have you wondered how can you help your senior family member stay safe when they are living independently? Here are a few things to help them that you can consider.  

Maintaining their health – Seniors living alone are at greater risk of suffering from slip, trip, falls and other related injuries. They are more likely to become a victim of theft, abuse or crimes. In order tohelp them stay safe, it is important for seniors to maintain an overall good health. Regular exercise and following healthy eating habits can be very helpful. They should also be fully aware of their financial situation and be careful on who they share personal information with.

Stay connected – Living alone can increase the risk of isolation and certain mental health conditions, meaning that socialization is important for seniors for their overall mental health. Encourage your aging loved one to stay connected with friends, family members and the outside world for an improved social life. Seniors can participate in different social and cultural programs where they will get a chance to engage and socialize with people of similar interests. There are many places to also volunteer to stay active, such as a local trusted charity or house of worship.

Hire professional help – If you feel that your senior family member is unable to look after their own safety and needs, consider hiring professional help in the form of caregivers. An experienced care provider will look after your aging parent’s safety in your absence and help them maintain their physical and mental health through diet, exercise and socializing.

If you are planning to hire a caregiver for your senior family member, contact Always Best Care today. They have a team of caring and dedicated professionals who provide the best In-Home Senior Care Services In Birmingham.

For any further information, call (205) 874-9730.