Be Kind to Your Mind

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, especially in regions like Fort Collins. With the leaves changing colors and the crisp, cool air, fall is a perfect season for seniors to enjoy the outdoors. As the vibrant colors of fall sweep across the landscape, many seniors look forward to enjoying the crisp air and beautiful scenery. However, the changing season also brings unique challenges that require extra caution, especially for older adults. From slippery leaves to unpredictable weather, its wise to take a few precautions to ensure that outdoor activities remain safe and enjoyable throughout the fall. Dressing AppropriatelyWhen it comes to fall outings, dressing in layers is key. Layers allow you to add or remove clothing as the temperature changes throughout the day. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin. Add a middle layer for insulation, like a fleece jacket, and finish with a waterproof outer layer to protect against wind and rain. Choose fabrics like wool or synthetic materials that help regulate body temperature and wick moisture away. For footwear, select sturdy, non-slip shoes or boots to navigate uneven terrain safely. Shoes with good arch support and solid footing are essential.Staying HydratedEven when it's cooler outside, staying hydrated is extremely important. Dehydration can sneak up on you in any season. Bring a reusable water bottle and take regular sips during your outing. Look out for symptoms of dehydration like dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness, and fatigue. Include hydrating foods like oranges, cucumbers, and watermelon in your diet. Herbal teas and broths are also excellent choices for staying hydrated.Being Aware of Changing Weather ConditionsFall weather can be unpredictable, so it's essential to be prepared for sudden changes. Always review the weather forecast before heading out. Pay attention to temperature changes and possible rain. Carry a lightweight raincoat, a warm hat, and gloves. These items can easily be packed into a small bag. If the weather worsens suddenly, seek shelter or head back indoors promptly. It's always better to play it safe.Enjoying Nature SafelyEnjoying nature can be both safe and fun with a little planning. Choose well-marked trails or parks with smooth paths. Some areas offer accessible trails specifically designed for seniors and those with mobility issues. Always let someone know your itinerary and expected return time. This ensures that someone is aware of your whereabouts. If you require a cane, walker, or other mobility aids, make sure to bring them along. These tools can provide additional support and stability.The Benefits of Outdoor Activities for SeniorsOutdoor activities during the fall season offer seniors a wealth of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. The crisp, cool air and vibrant foliage provide an invigorating backdrop for exercise, promoting cardiovascular health and physical fitness. Additionally, spending time outside can boost mood and reduce stress, thanks to the natural light and scenic beauty of autumn. Activities like walking in the park or gardening can improve mobility and strength while offering a sense of relaxation and connection with nature. Outdoor activities can also provide opportunities for social interaction. Join a walking group or attend community events to stay engaged and connected. Embracing falls outdoor opportunities supports overall health and enriches the quality of life for seniors.Stay Safe While Enjoying the FallAs the beautiful fall season unfolds, take advantage of the many opportunities for outdoor activities while keeping safety a top priority. Remember to dress in layers, stay hydrated, watch the weather, and communicate your plans. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy all that autumn has to offer safely and healthily.Do you need assistance getting out to enjoy the fall weather or more help at home? Contact Senior Helpers Greeley for personalized assistance and support. We serve Greeley, Wellington, Windsor, Estes Park, and Longmont. Enjoy the fall season safely and make the most of this time to connect with nature and each other.

It's common for our vision to change with age. For many seniors, these changes can lead to significant vision loss, making everyday tasks challenging. Family members and caregivers can provide vital support that helps seniors cope with these challenges.Encouraging Open CommunicationTalking about vision loss can be uncomfortable, but it must be addressed openly. Start by gently asking the senior about any changes they've noticed in their eyesight. Let them share their experiences and fears.  Listen actively. Pay attention to what they are saying without interrupting. In addition, validate their feelings. Let them know that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated about their vision loss.Providing Emotional SupportVision loss can be emotionally overwhelming. It's normal for someone to feel stressed or depressed about losing their sight. Recognizing these feelings and offering empathy is essential. Show understanding. Explain that their emotions are a normal reaction to vision loss and let them know that you're listening. If needed, encourage professional help. Suggesting counseling can sometimes help seniors manage their feelings better.By being there emotionally, you can help alleviate some of the mental stress associated with vision loss.Helping Seniors Engage in Meaningful ActivitiesStaying engaged in hobbies and activities can greatly enhance a senior's quality of life. However, activities must be adapted to accommodate vision loss. Look for ways to adapt to current hobbies. For instance, if they enjoy reading, consider audiobooks or large-print books.As your loved one's vision changes, try to introduce new, vision-friendly activities. Gardening, music, or board games designed for low-vision individuals can be fulfilling. Use technology and assistive devices as needed. Devices like talking clocks, magnifiers, and screen readers can help them continue to enjoy activities they love.Resources for Support Groups and Counseling ServicesFinding support outside of family can also make a big difference. Local and national resources are available for seniors coping with vision loss. Organizations such as the American Foundation for the Blind and VisionAware provide online support and resources.Local support groups can also be incredibly valuable. These groups can offer a sense of community and shared experiences, making it easier for seniors to cope.The Importance of Self-Care for CaregiversCaring for a senior with vision loss can be demanding. Recognizing caregiver burnout and taking steps to care for oneself is vital. Watch for burnout signs. Emotional exhaustion, frustration, and feeling overwhelmed are common signs. Regular exercise, hobbies, and time with friends can help maintain your emotional and physical health.Don't hesitate to ask for help or hire professional respite care when needed! Taking care of your own health ensures you can continue to provide the best support for your loved one.Professional Care for Seniors with Vision LossSupporting seniors with vision loss involves open communication, emotional support, and helping them stay engaged in meaningful activities. Remember to utilize support groups and counseling services, which can make a significant difference. As a caregiver, make sure to prioritize your own self-care, too.For personalized support and services in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Wellington, and Longmont, contact Senior Helpers Greeley. Our home care services can provide vital support for seniors with vision loss and their families.

By the time you read this, the reported deaths from COVID-19 and its variants in the U.S. will be close to 900,000. As staggering as that statistic is, its 400,000 short of the number of Americans killed by Heart Disease in the same time period. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of most racial and ethnic groups.Lets not allow the topic to overwhelm the fact theres a miracle inside your chest. Weighing about as much as a grapefruit, the heart is a powerful pump that drives five to six quarts of blood to every microscopic part of your body every second. And if it fails for even a second, the body is very unforgiving. Even though its the one piece of machinery driven by the brain, we tend to treat the heart like a kitchen appliance that we take for granted. Rarely serviced, rarely cleaned, and overworked until it burns out. Although heart bypass and transplant have become routine since the pioneering operations in the 1960s, its not like replacing the coffee maker you neglected too long. One Thing at a TimeThe better way to treat your heart with the respect it deserves is to start with changing just small habits. That way, youll avoid the relapse from trying to change everything at once and falling back to unhealthy heart habits inside of a month. The most obvious: if youre a smoker or heavy drinker, work on that first. Imagine a small team of remodelers arriving at your heart to do a makeover. The first thing theyre going to say is, Well, we cant do anything with the plumbing until we clear the smoke. Look for Help During Heart MonthQuitting smoking and reducing alcohol is never easy, but this is probably as good a time as any during the year to start a cessation program with help. February is American Heart Month, so youre likely to be reminded frequently of heart health and offered tips on modifying your routine to help your heart and prolong a happy life. If you only look to one place, trust the American Heart Association  www.heart.org. Prediabetes and Heart DiseaseWhats your blood sugar level? If you dont know, you should find out from your doctor if youre not already monitoring it yourself. You could be pre-diabetic without knowing it or showing any symptoms. Theres a good chance you could avoid becoming diabetic and reverse your pre-diabetic blood sugar to normal with relatively little change to your diet and a slight increase inyour activity. Diabetes has long been linked to heart disease, but recent studies suggest that reversing prediabetes is also linked to fewer heart attacks and strokes. [Reversing Prediabetes linked to fewer heart attacks, strokes, heart.org, Jan. 26, 2021.]While youre at it, get your cholesterol tested and routinely monitor your blood pressure.If youre worried you might be at risk for heart disease, ask your doctor to perform a simple cholesterol test to let you know if youre at risk and should adjust your diet. Home blood pressure monitors are not expensive, theyre digital, and theyre easy to use. Blood pressure stations are common in supermarkets now, and you can also check your weight and pulse. Womens Heart HealthWhy the emphasis on womens heart health? The American Heart Association tells us that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year about one woman every minute. They devote an entire website to womens heart health: Go Red for Women (www.goredforwomen.org). Here are just a few of the common misconceptions about womens heart health:Myth: Heart disease is for men, and cancer is the real threat for womenFact: Heart disease is a killer that strikes more women than men and is more deadly than all cancer forms combined. While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease is the cause of one out of every three deaths.Myth: Heart disease is for old peopleFact: Heart disease affects women of all ages. For younger women, the combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease risks by 20 percent. Heart defects are more common than you might think: 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of congenital heart defect and at least nine of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. Even if you live a completely healthy lifestyle, being born with an underlying heart condition can be a risk factor.Myth: I run marathons no way I could be at risk.Fact: Factors like cholesterol, eating habits, and smoking can counterbalance your other healthy habits. You can be thin and have high cholesterol. The American Heart Association says to start getting your cholesterol checked at age 20. Earlier, if your family has a history of heart disease. Age and Heart HealthMany things, like wine and most people, grow better with age. The heart, however, takes more tending than a glass of fine wine. Avoid things that weaken your heart beyond the normal aging process. These are the usual suspects: smoking and tobacco use, lack of exercise, diet, alcohol, overeating, and stress. Some preexisting conditions you cant control: irregular heartbeat, congenital (inherited) heart defects, sleep apnea (although this may be a product of obesity or alcohol consumption).Viruses and MyocarditisMyocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle mostly caused by a virus, including COVID-19, and can lead to left-sided heart failure. The left ventricle of the heart is the part that pumps oxygen-rich blood back to the body. This valve tends to stiffen with age. Thats one of the many reasons why age combined with a preexisting condition puts you at greater risk of death from COVID-19. Even survivors of the novel coronavirus infection can sustain permanent heart damage. All people must protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by observing precautions, not just because of its immediate lethality but also because of its impact on the heart, known and unknown. How to Start with Your HeartThe factors involved in heart health and the onset of heart disease are many, varied, and complicated. But the common preventions (listed here, from the Mayo Clinic) are simple. You probably already know them by heart, so to speak:Not smokingControlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetesStaying physically activeEating healthy foodsMaintaining a healthy weightReducing and managing stress Those may seem like six significant challenges, especially if you take on all six. But you should notice something else about them. Almost every one of them can affect the other five. So, if you pick one, youll find it easier to take on the next one. People who quit smoking usually discover that they have more energy within the first week, and exercise becomes easier. A little exercise and switching out one unhealthy food will help with weight, stress, blood pressure, and diabetes. Easy does it, especially if youre 65 and older. Youve spent a whole life learning one way. You can take your time. Learn to enjoy your healthier heart. But start today.First, Get a Checkup!Most of the questions this article has raised in your mind (Whats my blood sugar level? Whats my blood pressure? I used to smoke am I at risk?) can all be answered in a single doctors visit with simple lab work done a few days before. Schedule it now, before you start a program of exercise and diet. And schedule a regular exam per your doctors recommendation. Relieving the stress of not knowing will be a good start on your way to a healthier heart.