How to Stop Your Skin from Drying Out in Late Fall

Many adults across the country enjoy alcoholic beverages in moderation. But as you age, your body goes through changes that affect how you metabolize alcohol, how you experience its effects, and the risk it poses to your overall health. According to studies, 3 in 10 drinks at levels that put them at risk for alcoholism, liver diseases, and other health issues caused by alcohol, and nearly 20% of this group are adults aged 60 and older. How do you think about your drinking? Do your habits place you at low or increased risk for problems? Find out below.How Alcohol Affects the Aging BodyAnalyzing how alcohol affects people, doctors use several factors including age, gender, and size. Many people are surprised to learn that what counts as one drink varies from person to person and from drink to drink. Each of the drinks below counts as a single drink:12 fl oz. of regular beer8-9 fl oz. of malt liquor5 fl oz. of wine (a standard bottle of wine contains 5 standard drinks)1.5 fl oz. of 80-proof spirits such as vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, or tequila (a fifth of liquor contains 17 standard drinks)The general rule of thumb is, the more muscle mass a person has, the more likely they are to feel stronger effects from alcohol. This is because your body stores much of its water content in your muscles, and the effects of alcohol are slowed and dispersed by the water in your body. As you age, your body begins to naturally lose muscle mass. When you lose muscle mass, you lose the same water content that slows and minimizes the effects of alcohol. This means older adults are more likely to feel the effects of alcohol stronger than younger adults. This can lead to dizziness, confusion, and loss of coordination, which in turn leads to a higher risk of falls, accidents, fractures, and car crashes. Alcohol is a factor in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and murders; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal crashes and falls.Increased Health Risks and SensitivityEven drinking within the limits of your body, adults 65 and older who drink are at a much higher risk of health problems associated with alcohol. As you get older, your heart, liver, and brain functions begin to slow and become less efficient. These three internal organs affect how you process alcohol and can be seriously damaged by overuse. Older adults who drink are more at risk for:Heart diseaseLiver diseaseStrokeDigestive problemsCertain types of cancerCognitive declineAdditionally, older adults who have or have experienced conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, memory loss, ulcers, or mood disorders may find their condition worsened by excess alcohol consumption. People who have blood disorders such as high blood pressure or heart conditions or are prone to them may have a harder time getting them diagnosed and treated due to changes in the heart and blood vessels. This could not only increase your risk of stroke or heart attack but heighten the chances that the typical pain and symptoms that could alert you to your condition might be dulled or not felt at all.Many people are shocked to find out that prescription medicine can affect the effects of alcohol, and vice versa. Medications can have harmful interactions with alcohol, exacerbating side effects or reducing the effectiveness of the medication. Many of these prescriptions are given to people over the age of 65, and they may not know the effects alcohol has on them. These medicines include:Antihistamines and allergy medicationsPrescription painkillers or benzodiazepinesDiabetes medicationArthritis medicationBlood pressure medicationAnticoagulantsAnticonvulsantsSleep medications and other hypnoticsPsychiatric medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medicationIf you take any of these medications, consult your primary care doctor or specialist before consuming alcohol.Understanding Your Risk Factor and Knowing When to Get HelpWhether or not you may be predisposed to any of the conditions listed above is based on your risk factor, which is calculated by the number of drinks you consume in a day or week. To understand your risk factor, you have to calculate whether your low risk or high risk. Low risk doesnt mean no risk. Even if you stay within the daily and weekly limits, you can still have problems if you drink too fast, have a health problem, or are over age 65.Low risk for men is no more than 4 drinks in a day, or 14 drinks a weekLow risk for women is no more than 3 drinks a day or 7 drinks a weekIncreased risk for men is more than 4 drinks a day and more than 15 drinks in a weekIncreased risk for women is more than 3 drinks a day and more than 7 drinks a weekAnyone in the increased risk category may be at an increased risk for alcohol dependency. In older adults, these conditions may be harder to spot as conditions such as memory loss or balance problems are often associated with age rather than addiction. Social and emotional withdrawal and loneliness or depressive disorders also put older adults at a high risk for alcohol dependence. Symptoms of alcohol dependency include:Increased tolerance to alcoholInability to limit the amount of alcohol you intakeCognitive decline or brain fogNeglect of responsibilities, personal hygiene, and social relationshipsParticipating in risky drinking behaviors such as drinking and drivingStrong, unavoidable cravings for alcoholExperiencing withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, nausea, or vomiting when you dont consume alcoholUnsuccessful attempts to cut down your drinking in your pastIf you or a loved one has any of the signs and symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor about getting help for your dependency. For help on identifying and treating addiction or dependency, start here.

Pickleball, the highly addictive sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, is friendlier on the body than most other sports. However, like any other sport, there is a risk of injury that comes along with playing the game.Its estimated that pickleball-related injuries cost Americans nearly $400 million in healthcare last year.To avoid injuries on the pickleball court, follow these tips from Dr. Justin McCoy, a sports medicine specialist with Intermountain Health in Grand Junction, Colorado.Stretch and warm up your bodyPrior to pickleball play, spend 10 minutes getting your body ready. Spend five minutes warming up (try a brisk walk) and then five minutes stretching.Be aware of your playing areaNot all pickleball courts are created equal. Be aware of obstacles and avoid back pedaling during play.Never play on a wet courtWet pickleball courts are slick and can lead to dangerous falls. To test a court surface, press your toe down firmly and make a twisting motion. If you see water rise or move, the court is unsafe for play.Wear proper court shoesInvest in footwear that is designed for court sports and will support your feet. Sneakers and running shoes do not provide the right kind of support for the side-to-side motions in pickleball.Know your limitsDont try to make plays that are beyond your abilities. Age, experience, physical condition, and athletic ability will impact the level of your game.Stay hydratedA balance of food, water, and electrolytes and appropriate snacks are needed to prevent dehydration. Dehydration symptoms include dizziness, weakness, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, and fainting.Learn from a proYes, there are professional pickleball coaches. A pickleball coach can help you maintain good form, fundamentals, and habits, which will help you avoid injuries on the pickleball court. Dr. McCoy says the most important piece of advice he can give picklers is to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Take time away from the court if you need to rest or recover. By not listening to your body, you could get an injury that will keep sidelined you for an even longer period. 

As we age, staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly important. One way to do this is by walking more. In fact, research suggests that taking just 500 extra steps per day can have a significant impact on senior health.Health Benefits of WalkingWalking is a low-impact form of exercise that can have numerous health benefits, especially for older adults. It can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, walking can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.The Benefits of 500 Extra StepsTaking just 500 extra steps per day may not seem like much, but it can have a significant impact on senior health. Research suggests that taking an extra 500 steps per day can lead to a decrease in the risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. In addition, it can lead to improved mental health, better sleep, and increased energy levels.A study conducted by the American Heart Association found that for people ages 70 and older who walked an additional 500 steps per day, or an additional quarter mile of walking, experienced a 14% lower risk of heart disease, stroke or heart failure. Also, compared to adults who took less than 2,000 steps per day, adults who took about 4,500 steps per day had a 77% lower observed risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event.Strategies for Walking MoreTaking an extra 500 steps per day may sound like a daunting task, but there are many strategies that can help seniors achieve this goal. Here are a few tips: Take multiple short walks throughout the day: This can help add up to 500 extra steps without requiring a lot of time commitment. Use a pedometer or fitness tracker: Tracking steps can help seniors stay motivated and monitor their progress. Find a walking partner: Walking with a friend or family member can make it more enjoyable and provide social interaction. Set achievable goals: Start small and gradually increase the number of steps taken each day. Choose scenic routes: Walking in a park or nature trail can make it more enjoyable and provide additional health benefits. In conclusion, taking 500 extra steps per day can have a significant impact on senior health, and its an achievable goal for most people. Walking can help improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of chronic conditions, and improve mental health and overall well-being. By incorporating walking into their daily routine, seniors can help maintain their independence and enjoy a higher quality of life.Senior LIFE can help you with your goalsAt Senior LIFE, our goals align with the goals of many seniors to stay in the comfort of their homes, and out of a nursing home. We work with seniors and their caregivers to help seniors maintain independence by providing medical and supportive services including physician and nursing services, medication management, in-home care, and so more more! For a full list of services, please visit us online at: Senior LIFE ServicesSenior LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) is state and federally funded Medicare and Medicaid Program that provides long-term care for seniors, 55 years of age or older, so that they can remain living at home and out of a nursing facility.Senior LIFE Services are provided at NO COST to those on Medicaid who live in the community.To speak with a Senior LIFE representative about the program, and to learn if you or a family member may be eligible, please contact us via our website or email us at info@SeniorLIFEPA.com