Between the expensive serums, elaborate routines, and completely contradictory beauty rules, its easy to feel that aging well will either drain your wallet or your sanity. But preventing premature skin aging shouldn't have to be so stressful. In fact, there are plenty of inexpensive and natural ways to keep your skin looking young. But first, lets talk science (were physicians, we cant help ourselves).There are two types of aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is just the fancy medical term for the natural aging process. With time, we all lose some fullness and gain some lines on our faces. For the most part, this is out of our control and in the hands of our genes. Extrinsic aging on the other hand, is caused by our environment and lifestyle choices. This is where adopting strong skin-care habits can really make a difference. Here are some simple anti-aging tips you can start following today.SPF All Day, Every DayProtecting your skin from the sun is the single most important thing you can do to prevent premature aging. Use a broad-spectrum, waterproof, SPF 30+ sunscreen for the best protection. Apply it every day to any skin that isnt covered by clothing, and dont forget your hands and chest. Beyond keeping wrinkles and discoloration at bay, minimizing UV exposure is key in preventing skin cancer like melanoma.Rock Your ShadesEvery time you squint at the sun, you contract the underlying muscles. Repeated contractions over years are what causes permanent lines around your eyes. Getting in the habit of wearing sunglasses while outside or driving can reduce fine lines.Up Your H20 IntakeProper hydration helps the skin stay plump and increases elasticity, which is important for preventing irritation and blemishes. Without enough water, wrinkles might look more prominent, and your skin can appear duller. Beyond the surface level stuff, water helps digestion, circulation, and detoxification, which all benefits your skin. Aim for about 11.5 cups a day.Get Serious About SleepSleep allows our skin cells to regenerate and prevents under-eye circles. Your sleep position can also play a role in aging. Sleeping on one side alone can cause wrinkles on that side. If you can, sleep on your back to help prevent fine lines.Ditch the Drinks, Skip the SmokesCigarettes have a vasoconstricting effect, meaning they choke off blood circulation, causing dull complexion and speeding up the skins aging process. The repetitive facial motion of smoking can also cause wrinkles around the mouth. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can lead to sallow, creepy skin over time. Do your skin a favor and be mindful of your alcohol and cigarette intake.Exercise OftenRegular exercise improves circulation and increases blood flow. Better blood flow means your skin gets more oxygen and nutrients, keeping it nourished and vital. Blood flow also helps our skin cells get rid of waste. You can think of exercise as cleansing your skin from the inside, out.Screen your Screen TimeThe repetitive motion of looking down at our phones or computers can cause rings or wrinkles on our necks. The same goes for eye wrinkles from squinting at our screens. Keeping screens at eye level and paying attention to proper posture can help.

After the kids are gone and it no longer makes sense to have the big house for just two people, the next stage in life for seniors can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Downsizing can be a daunting task when decades have been spent accumulating belongings in the same place. It can also be an emotional one when it comes time to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.In this article, we will give you our best 6 tips to make sure downsizing is as productive and stress-free as possible while still honoring the phases of life that have come before.Tip #1: Start in Neutral ZonesThe hardest part of any overwhelming task is knowing where to start. In this kind of circumstance, its best to start with the items in your home that are the most neutral, the items that have little to no sentimental value. Starting with the kitchen or garage before tackling the bedrooms or studies will help you build momentum to keep going to the next room once you see how much you can streamline without pausing to reflect.Tip #2: Have Your New Home in MindWhether you take pictures of your new living space or you have a floor plan with you, know exactly what rooms youll need to furnish and how much space youll have when deciding what to get rid of and what to keep. This will also help you keep an eye to the future as you think about what things you have that youd like to see fill your new space.Tip #3: Decide What Matters MostBefore you begin to pack the boxes, sit down and make a list of the things you own that matter to you the most. Family photographs, heirlooms, jewelry, and other items should be identified as your non-negotiables from the very beginning. Keeping to that list as you start weeding through the things you didnt even know you had will help you keep perspective on whats important and whats just stuff.Tip #4: Pack the NecessitiesPacking everything you own often means you forget to keep handy the things youll need right away. Make a special box of things youll need that first night in your new space such as your toothbrush, hairbrush, and a clean change of clothes.Tip #5: Avoid Throwing Things AwayA lot of the things you decide to leave behind may still have a lot of life left in them. Instead of tossing these kinds of items to sit in a landfill, try to find a new home for as much as you can. Ask friends and family if they know any young people setting up their first apartment or donate to a local charity store. It will help the sting of getting rid of something if you know its going to a good place.Tip #6: Start Early and Take Your TimeThis process works best when it isnt done at the last minute. Having a plan in place and sticking to it to ensure you arent making quick decisions will help ease the stress that downsizing can cause.If you or a loved one is interested in taking this next exciting step to move into a senior living community, Golden Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care is the best place to start. Download our free Family Guide to Funding Senior Care & Housing today to discover what steps you need to take before packing the moving boxes.

Learn more about home-based servicesHome-based services from the Good Samaritan Society provide a comprehensive, holistic approach to your well-being, all from the comfort and security of your home. Our services vary by location but most include both medical and non-medical options for people of all ages, so you or your family member can get the care and assistance they need, while enjoying the freedom, comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes and communities.Home-based services encompass a wide range of offerings from medical care and rehabilitation therapies to assistance with everyday household activities and shopping.Whether you're recovering from an accident, illness or new diagnosis, or you just need help with the responsibilities of taking care of a friend or family member, home-based services may be the right solution for you and your family.

Its a startling fact: Twenty percent of the more than two million Medicare recipients who are sent home from the hospital, are readmitted within a month often with more severe health complications, according to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Ive seen many families go through this. While its not uncommon for older adults to continue to their healing in a rehabilitation facility for a time after a hospital stay, they often return home before they are fully recovered. They arent quite ready or strong enough to manage the range of complicated care needs they have during recovery. This leaves families scrambling trying to manage multiple medications, wound care, mobility issues, and household chores, while their loved ones recover. During this time, between hospital discharge and full recovery, older adults are more vulnerable and at higher risk for falls, medication mix-ups, infections, and other complications that can lead to rehospitalization and even death. But with some solid planning and the support of a coordinated care team including professional caregivers, family caregivers, discharge planners, and home health nurses and other care specialists, you can minimize the dangers for your loved one and make an easier transition home, says Sara Russell, RN, a senior care specialist and a caregiver trainer and educator.A smooth transition from hospital to home is essential, particularly for older adults with chronic conditions and complex care needs, according to a review in the American Journal of Nursing. It can ease stress, support healing, and recovery, and make everyone more comfortable. Thats a big reason many families choose to work with our qualified caregivers as they move their loved one home from the hospital. Our caregivers are trained through the Home Care 100 Advanced Caregiver Training Program in safe transfers, medication reminders, meal preparation, and other specific and complex care needs often required by patients after a hospital or rehab stay. We regularly drive and accompany our clients to medical appointments and can take detailed notes of the meeting for family members who cannot attend. This ensures that your loved makes their follow up visits which are key to recovery. Could a professional caregiver be helpful to your loved ones recovery? Its something worth considering as part of the discharge planning process.How to Plan for Hospital DischargeDischarge planning might begin soon after your loved one is admitted to the hospital. Hospital planners will sit down with you, your loved one, and other family members to begin talking about the kind of care that youll need to provide at home as your family member continues to heal. Theyll discuss things like follow-up care, home health care, which includes visits from a registered nurse or physical therapist to check on the patient, pain and wound care management strategies, and any home modifications that will be needed such as bringing a hospital bed, installing grab bars, picking up area rugs to support the senior. At this point, many families decide to hire a professional caregiver to help them manage the long-list of complicated care requirements older adults often have when they first arrive home from the hospital or rehab facility. Our caregivers can provide short-term support while your family member recovers. Then, as he becomes stronger and more independent, we can reduce or eliminate those care hours altogether to accommodate his changing needs. What else should you talk with discharge planners about? Ask about mobility support, so you know how to help your loved one transfer from bed to bathroom or chairs without risking injury to the both of you. And, medications, prescription schedules, potential side effects, follow-up appointments, and anything else that will influence your loved ones recovery and health. The answers to these and other questions will help you put things in place ahead of time to make the transition home less stressful for everyone.Questions to Ask Discharge Planners of Hospital Social Workers:When will my loved one be discharged home?How will he be transported there?Will he be able to get and out of the car on his own?What problems should I expect?Who do I call during the day and after hours if problems or concerns arise?How will care and treatment continue after discharge?Will home health providers nurses, therapists, etc. be coming to the house to provide care?What medications will he be on and what are some side effects can we expect from the medication?Will we need any medical equipment at home such as a walker, hospital bed, commode, oxygen tank?How will I get that equipment and who will install it in the home?Will my loved one need help bathing, dressing, eating, drinking, showering, toileting or with any other tasks of daily living?Is there any special care or treatment I need to learn how to deliver such as providing wound care, insulin shots, or other care?These are key questions I suggest families ask when meeting with doctors and hospital discharge planners. Feel free to print out our handy checklist of these and other questions to ask your discharge planner.Transitioning Home:In most cases, some modifications of the home should be completed even before your loved one is released. And this is another way a professional caregiver can help. We work with families to help prepare the home for easy access and will set up the patients room to fit their preferences and abilities. Well make sure the things he most needs and enjoys eyeglasses, hearing aids, phones, newspapers, television remotes are in close proximity. Moving key objects closer is another risk reduction strategy used to prevent seniors from reaching and potentially falling out of the bed or chair. Think of us as your safety net here to help your loved one avoid hospital readmission by making the transition home easier, safer, and a whole lot less stressful for you and your family. When you do arrive home, youre loved one will probably begin working with home health providers like nurses, therapists, and dieticians. Those visits will begin almost right away. You can also expect to have a number of follow up appointments at therapy and medical offices. You and your loved one will need to decide how he will get there and what kind of help youll need to move safely in and out of the car.Our caregivers often transport clients to medical appointments and regularly work in collaboration with home health providers. A professional caregiver can serve as a bridge between family members, medical providers, therapists, and pharmacists, Russell says. And, also help you establish a supportive daily routine that aids recovery and eases stress and helps your loved one avoid complications.