Supporting Seniors During Flu Season: Tips and Resources

Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape: Schedule Regular Eye Exams: One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses. Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays:  Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage.  Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens:  In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Eat a Balanced Diet: Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Practice Good Eye Hygiene: Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage. Stay Hydrated:  Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated. Get Plenty of Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow! 

How to Prevent & Treat Joint Pain Most of us never think about our joints until they start to hurt. As we age, we lose strength and flexibility in our tendons and ligaments. As our joints get tighter, it may become harder to move. The cartilage between our bones of the joints also starts to break down; this leads to inflammation and osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder. Taking care of your joints can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Five Tips to Keep Your Joints Healthy  1.      Stay at a healthy weight. Carrying extra body weight puts strain on thejoints, especially the knees. On the flip side, being underweight can lead to a lackof muscle, which helps keep your joints strong and stable. Aim for a healthy weightbased on your height and body type. 2.      Exercise every day and make sure to warm up before and cool down after.You may think it's better to limit exercise if your joints are hurting, but regularmovement and exercise is one of the best ways to prevent and help joint pain.Exercise strengthens the muscles around joints, helping to take pressure off them.If you have joint pain, stick to low-impact activities like biking, swimming,and walking. The more you move, the more likely youll keep moving without painand stiffness as you age. It's also important to stretch before and after you exercise to loweryour risk of straining joints and muscles. Just five minutes of stretching beforeexercise to warm up your joints and five minutes after to cool down will helpprevent workout injuries. 3.      Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. A Mediterranean diet richin fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats reduces joint pain. Addthese other anti-inflammatory foods to your grocery list:         Tomatoes         Olive oil         Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, and collards         Nuts like almonds and walnuts         Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines         Fruits, like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges 4.      Make sure you're drinking enough water. Your bodys cartilage thatcushions your joints is made up of 80% water. When you get dehydrated, yourbody starts pulling water from other sources, including cartilage. This leads to jointpain and a greater risk of injury. 5.      If you smoke, it's time to quit! Smoking is a risk factor for everything, fromheart and lung problems to cancer and joint pain. Smoking increases inflammationthroughout the body. This makes it harder for your body to heal if you injure yourjoints. To quit smoking, seek support and a treatment plan from your Primary CareProvider. His or her phone number is on the back of your Viva Medicare ID card.  Contact Viva Health to find out more about Medicare Plans in the Alabama area.  Call 800-633-8472 to find out more!

Helen, a vibrant 78-year-old who thrives in the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season, hosts gatherings and participates in longstanding family traditions. Come January, the sudden silence of her home, now void of guests and decorations, can feel overwhelming. This abrupt shift from constant social interaction to minimal contact is one of the main reasons seniors feel lonely after the holidays. This situation is, sadly, very common, says Meshelle McKendry of Right at Home of Glenwood Springs. The winter holidays bring a flurry of activity and companionship that can brighten seniors lives, whether they live alone or in a senior living community. But once the decorations are packed away and families return to their routines, a stark quiet can settle in, leaving many seniors feeling isolated. The contrast can be jarring, says McKendry. Why Post-Holiday Loneliness Occurs Social interaction drops off: During the holidays, older adults often experience an increase in social contactvisits from family and friends, holiday parties, and community events. Once the festivities end, the sudden drop in social interaction can feel particularly stark, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): The winter months bring shorter days and longer nights, whichespecially where winters are coldcan lead to seasonal affective disorder or winter blues, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and sadness. Physical challenges: Cold weather can also limit an older adults mobility, making it difficult for them to leave home and engage with others. Reflection and remembrance: The holidays can also be a time of reflection, where older adults may reminisce about past holidays and loved ones or friends who are no longer present. Even during the holidays, notes McKendry these memories can contribute to feelings of loneliness. Coping Strategies for Seniors Compare Helens story to that of David, a retired teacher who lives in a senior community. His family lives across the country, and visits are infrequent. Although he sometimes does not see his family during the winter holidays, David has found new sources of purpose and community throughout the year. He volunteers at the local library and participates in the community garden, activities that keep him connected and engaged all year long. For older adults, maintaining a regular schedule of social contacts like that can be incredibly beneficial, says McKendry Engaging in regular activities, even simple ones like joining a book club, attending a craft workshop, or simply having a scheduled weekly phone call with family, can make a big difference. Here are more tips:         Use technology. Technology can help bridge the gap, especially for family members who live far away. Video calls, social media, and even online games can provide interactive ways to stay connected.         Schedule regular activities. Many senior centers and communities offer regular programming. If you have hobbies that you typically do independently, like reading, crafts, or gardening, consider inviting a friend to enjoy them with you.         Look for volunteer work. Volunteering can be an excellent way for seniors to feel connected and purposeful, which are key to combating loneliness. McKendry suggests people start with their personal knowledge or interests. For example, avid readers could consider volunteering at a local library.         Consider getting professional help for mental health. Be honest with yourself about your mental health. You could start by asking your primary health care provider for advice or a referral. Unchecked loneliness and isolation can ultimately affect your physical health and well-being. How Family and Friends Can Help Older Adults 1.      Make regular visits or stay in touch. Make a concerted effort to visit or communicate regularly with the senior in your life. Something as simple as a daily text or phone call can make a big difference.2.      Plan post-holiday visits. Consider scheduling a visit in January or February, which can give your older loved one something to anticipate after the holidays wind down.3.      Involve them in planning. Encourage your older loved one to help plan that post-holiday visit or other gatherings or events. Planning can help fill their hours and get them talking with you or others.4.      Watch for signs of depression. Signs of depression or severe loneliness could include changes in appetite, sleep, or general disinterest in life, says McKendry. 5.      Early intervention is key in managing these issues.6.      Talk to your older loved one about in-home caregivers. Right at Home offers companion care, in which our caregivers provide important social interaction while also helping with tasks at home or elsewhere. Understanding the reasons behind post-holiday loneliness and taking proactive steps to counteract it can help ensure that seniors feel connected, valued, and cared for all year round. By weaving a safety net of family, friends, activities, and professional support, we can help diminish the quiet that comes after the festive season and foster a year full of meaningful connections. About Right at Home of Grand Junction  We have two locations to serve Western Colorado.2777 Crossroads Blvd, Ste. 3 Grand Junction, CO 81506 ||||| 214 8th Street, Ste 215 Glenwood Springs, CO 81501 Our office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, LLC, serving the communities of Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties.  For more information, contact Right at Home by Calling 970-697-1331  | Email: Care@gjhomecare.com | Web Address: www.gjhomecare.com