For more information about the author, click to view their website: Visiting Angels-Mobile
Mocktails to Replace Your Favorite Drink
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying an alcoholic beverage once in a while, but excessive alcohol use is detrimental to your health. According to the American Addiction Center and a 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 1 million adults 65 and older reported substance abuse in the last year. Of those substances older adults abused, alcohol was at the top, with 10.7 percent of seniors reporting binge drinking in the previous month.
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health concerns, especially for older adults. However, resources and help are available to those who need assistance changing their drinking habits. Sometimes understanding how alcohol affects the body and finding nonalcoholic replacements can be an excellent start to transforming your relationship with alcohol.
The dangers of excessive alcohol use
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking includes binge and heavy drinking. Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive drinking, is when you consume four to five drinks on a single occasion. Heavy drinking is when you drink eight or more drinks per week.
Even if you’re not regularly drinking excessively, alcohol can lead to health concerns in people of all ages.
Mocktail Recipes
Sometimes it’s challenging to stop drinking because it becomes a regular part of your day or evening. If you enjoy a ritualistic aspect of drinking, you can keep a nightly cocktail in your routine by replacing it with an alcohol-free mocktail. These mocktail recipes are easy to make and great options for family gatherings or other social events when you might feel uncomfortable without a drink in your hand.
Mango Mule
Muddle a cucumber slice and ½ oz of simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add 1.5 oz of mango puree and 1.5oz of fresh lime juice to the shaker. Fill the rest of the shaker with ice and shake until well blended. Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass and top off with 2 to 3oz ginger beer. Garnish the drink with fresh mint and a cucumber slice.
Cranberry Spritzer
Place 1-2 ice cubes into a short cocktail glass. Add 1.5oz of cranberry juice and 3oz sparkling water or cranberry-flavored seltzer water. Stir the mix and top off with a teaspoon of honey. You can also add a few orange slices to the rim of the glass for garnish
Cucumber Gimlet
Muddle a few slices of cucumber and a teaspoon of sugar in a cocktail shaker. Next, add 1.5oz of fresh lime juice and 1oz of simple syrup to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake. Strain the lime juice and simple syrup mixer into your favorite glass, and top with 3oz club soda. Garnish with a lime or a cucumber slice, and enjoy.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
Need help in the kitchen making a mocktail recipe? Or maybe you need additional assistance at home with tasks like housekeeping, meal prep, and medication reminders. Whatever your nonmedical needs are, Visiting Angels is here to help. Our Mobile office works with seniors in Mobile and the surrounding area. If you’d like to learn more about our services or wish to schedule a complimentary consultation, send us a message or call 251.345.4100.
As we grow older, many daily activities that were once simple can become more difficult, including preparing healthy meals. For seniors, proper nutrition is essential to maintain energy, supporting the immune system, managing chronic conditions, and staying independent. Thats why meal preparation isnt just a convenience, its a lifeline.Key Benefits of Meal Preparation for Seniors1. Ensures Balanced, Nutritious MealsHaving meals prepared in advance ensures that seniors are eating regularly and get the essential nutrients their bodies need. It prevents reliance on unhealthy processed foods or skipping meals altogether.2. Supports Chronic Condition ManagementMany seniors live with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Proper meal planning allows for dietary restrictions to be met, helping control symptoms and reduce complications.3. Reduces the Risk of MalnutritionMalnutrition is a silent threat among older adults, especially those living alone. Meal preparation helps safeguard against this by promoting consistent, nourishing eating habits.4. Promotes Independence and DignitySeniors who struggle with cooking may feel frustrated or dependent. Having meals planned and readywhether through caregiver support or meal delivery servicesallows them to eat well without feeling like a burden.5. Encourages Social EngagementWhen meal prep includes shared cooking or mealtimes, it creates opportunities for connection. Eating with a companion improves mood, reduces loneliness, and often encourages better eating habits.6. Saves Energy and Prevents AccidentsShopping, standing at the stove, lifting pots, or cutting ingredients can be physically taxing and even dangerous. Meal preparation helps minimize fatigue and reduces the risk of falls or burns in the kitchen. Meal Preparation OptionsThere are several ways to incorporate meal prep into a seniors routine: Family or caregiver assistance for shopping, cooking, and portioning meals Meal delivery services that offer senior-friendly, diet-conscious options Community programs such as Meals on Wheels Group cooking sessions at senior centers that combine nutrition with social interaction Freezer meal prepping once a week or month to ensure ready-made meals are always available Meal preparation is about more than just food, its about health, safety, and quality of life. For seniors, having access to nutritious, well-planned meals means more energy, better health, fewer hospital visits, and the ability to stay independent longer.
As we age, our bodies and minds go through a variety of changes, many of which can increase the likelihood of falling. For older adults, falls are not just a minor mishap; they can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and a lower quality of life. Understanding why seniors are more vulnerable to falls is the first step in creating safer environments and developing effective prevention strategies.The Aging Body and Increased Fall RiskSeveral age-related factors contribute to an increased risk of falls among seniors. These include physical, sensory, and cognitive changes that often occur gradually but can have a significant impact.1. Decreased Muscle Strength and FlexibilityWith age, muscles naturally weaken, and joints may become stiffer. This can reduce balance, coordination, and reaction time, making it harder to prevent a fall when tripping or slipping.2. Poor Balance and Gait ChangesChanges in the way a person walksoften due to arthritis, neurological conditions, or previous injuriescan lead to an unsteady gait. Seniors may shuffle their feet, walk slower, or have trouble lifting their legs, all of which increase fall risk.3. Vision DeclineVision plays a critical role in balance and spatial awareness. Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration make it difficult to judge distances, see steps clearly, or identify hazards in dim lighting.4. Hearing LossHearing is connected to balance. Inner ear problems or age-related hearing loss can lead to vertigo or dizziness, making it harder for seniors to stay upright.5. Chronic Health ConditionsMany seniors live with chronic diseases such as: Diabetes (which can cause nerve damage and numbness in the feet) Heart disease (leading to dizziness or fatigue) Parkinsons disease or Alzheimers (affecting movement, memory, and decision-making) These conditions can impair coordination and increase confusion, both of which heighten fall risk.6. Medication Side EffectsOlder adults often take multiple medications, which can interact and cause side effects such as dizziness, low blood pressure, drowsiness, or blurred visionall potential contributors to falls.7. Cognitive ImpairmentSeniors with dementia or other cognitive disorders may have poor judgment, forget to use walkers or canes, or become disoriented, all of which increase their chances of falling.8. Low Physical Activity LevelsWhen seniors become less active, muscles weaken and balance deteriorates. A sedentary lifestyle can quickly lead to frailty, making even routine movements more hazardous. What Can Be Done?Awareness is the first step. By understanding why seniors are more prone to falls, families, caregivers, and seniors themselves can take proactive steps such as: Regular balance and strength exercises Home safety modifications Routine vision and hearing checks Medication reviews with a doctor Use of mobility aids as needed Falling doesnt have to be a normal part of aging. By recognizing the reasons behind increased fall risk in seniors, we can create supportive environments that promote confidence, mobility, and independence. With the right strategies in place, seniors can continue living full, active, and safe.
These 4 Simple Actions May Deliver Big Payoffs for Mens HealthIts been 12 months since the last Mens Health Month. Have you seen your doctor?June is a great time to make an appointment for a physical with your primary care provider, and its also an ideal month to educate yourself about some of the issues that impact mens health. For example, did you know that men tend to die five years earlier, on average, than women? Or that men face higher risks for health conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease and HIV? And theyre also at risk for sex-specific cancers, including prostate cancer and testicular cancer (learn about those facts and more via the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion).There are many simple actions men can take to benefit their health, this month and every month. Here are four ways to get started.Tip 1If you dont have a primary care doctor, select one. Establishing a relationship with a doctor is important. That person can help you feel better when youre sick, and they can offer advice on how to feel and stay your healthiest. And yet, according to a survey by the Cleveland Clinic, many men arent taking actions to stay healthy. Nearly two in five Gen Z men dont have a primary care provider (PCP). And when it comes to annual physicals, just 32% of millennials and Gen Z men get them, compared to 61% of Gen X and Baby Boomers. A primary care doctor can test your cholesterol and blood pressure, keep you up-to-date on immunizations and advise you on which screenings you need. A PCP visit is like a one-stop shop for your health!Tip 2If youre worried about your mental health, talk to a professional. Its tough to ask for help, and the statistics show that men, in particular, struggle when it comes to addressing their mental health challenges. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly one in 10 men experience some sort of anxiety or depression, but fewer than half seek treatment. If you find that youre feeling unhappy or irritable, and youre avoiding or not getting pleasure from activities you usually enjoy, talk to your doctor or connect with a therapist and share the way youre feeling. They may be able to help.Tip 3Strengthen your support system. Research shows that social connections are important for your mental and physical health; in fact, people with strong social connections may actually live longer. Prioritize connecting with old friends and open your mind to ways to meet new ones. Itll be good for all involved!Tip 4Practice good health habits. There are everyday actions you can take that are known to be good for your health. Those include regular exercise (aim for 30 minutes of movement, five times a week); eating a healthy diet filled with lean proteins, whole grains and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables; finding outlets to manage your stress, such as yoga or deep breathing; getting enough sleep; quitting tobacco; and moderating how much alcohol you drink (the US guidelines recommend two drinks a day or less for men and one a day or less for women).Making healthy choices isnt hard, but you may need to adjust to some changes in your routine. Before long, those healthy choices may make you feel good enough that you wouldnt want to choose any other way.Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama located in Mobile at 251-344-2115.
Welcome to Visiting Angels of Daphne! We are an essential personal in home care agency serving families in Mobile and the surrounding communities. Our services are flexible, affordable, and comprehensive. When you choose Visiting Angels for your senior care services, you will be matched with a professional, compassionate, and reliable caregiver.Senior home care services from Visiting Angels Daphne Area will provide assistance for those coping with the effects of aging. We also provide assistance to those with chronic care conditions including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, COPD, congestive heart failure, Alzheimers, and cancer. Our team of professional caregivers includes home health aides and Certified Nurses Assistants with experience to provide your loved one with a superior level of care. Call our Daphne-area office today to learn more about our home care services. We look forward to hearing from you!Our list of in-home care services include:Meal PreparationLight HousekeepingErrandsShoppingWalksMedication RemindersAffordable Hourly RatesHourly Care 24/7 Multiple Shift CareTemporary or Long Term CareWeekends & HolidaysRespite Care for Family CaregiversRewarding Companionship
Welcome to Visiting Angels of Gulf Shores! We are an essential personal in home care agency serving families in Mobile and the surrounding communities.Our services are flexible, affordable, and comprehensive. When you choose Visiting Angels for your senior care services, you will be matched with a professional, compassionate, and reliable caregiver.Senior home care services from Visiting Angels Daphne Area will provide assistance for those coping with the effects of aging. We also provide assistance to those with chronic care conditions including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, COPD, congestive heart failure, Alzheimers, and cancer.Our team of professional caregivers includes home health aides and Certified Nurses Assistants with experience to provide your loved one with a superior level of care. Call our Daphne-area office today to learn more about our home care services. We look forward to hearing from you!Our list of in-home care services include:Meal PreparationLight HousekeepingErrandsShoppingWalksMedication RemindersAffordable Hourly RatesHourly Care 24/7Multiple Shift CareTemporary or Long Term CareWeekends & HolidaysRespite Care for Family CaregiversRewarding Companionship
Welcome to Visiting Angels of Mobile! We are an essential personal in home care agency serving families in Mobile and the surrounding communities.Our services are flexible, affordable, and comprehensive. When you choose Visiting Angels for your senior care services, you will be matched with a professional, compassionate, and reliable caregiver.Senior home care services from Visiting Angels Daphne Area will provide assistance for those coping with the effects of aging. We also provide assistance to those with chronic care conditions including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, COPD, congestive heart failure, Alzheimers, and cancer.Our team of professional caregivers includes home health aides and Certified Nurses Assistants with experience to provide your loved one with a superior level of care. Call our Daphne-area office today to learn more about our home care services. We look forward to hearing from you!Our list of in-home care services include:Meal PreparationLight HousekeepingErrandsShoppingWalksMedication RemindersAffordable Hourly RatesHourly Care 24/7Multiple Shift CareTemporary or Long Term CareWeekends & HolidaysRespite Care for Family CaregiversRewarding Companionship