With stores putting out holiday decorations well before Halloween, it is hard to avoid the hype surrounding the holiday season.For most people, it is an anticipated time of year with traditions, memories and family gatherings. But for older residents, these same reasons may result in the blues, making the holidays a challenging time. Sometimes beloved traditions and family gatherings become out of reach as we age and may be isolated from friends and families. Holidays may remind us of the passing of time, who is missing in our lives and who is not nearby. The loss of holiday traditions and gatherings often changes the way we feel about the holidays. Sometimes reminiscing on traditions that have gone can fuel feelings of loneliness.An AARP study found that 31% of respondents felt lonely during the holiday season. Additionally, another 41% worried about a family member or friend feeling lonesome. Whats more, more than 12 million Americans over age 65 live alone, according to the American Psychological Association. As children grow up and move away, neighborhoods change, and friends pass, the opportunities for close connections sometimes become limited. Financial constraints and loss of independence and mobility can change looking forward to the holidays to dreading them. To help avoid the holiday blues, here are some steps you can take to restore holiday joy.      Find new ways to connect, such as video chat and email. Write letters, cards and call. You do not have to wait for family members to reach out. Take initiative. Connecting with others is one of the best ways to relieve loneliness.      It is heathy to feel sadness about missing family and friends. It is important to acknowledge your feelings.       Volunteer and help others. If you are able, you can help with daily tasks that may seem overwhelming or share a meal.       If you are feeling lonely, maybe your neighbor is, too. Being available for someone else is good medicine.      Be kind to yourself. Continue your wellness routines and healthy habits.      Rethink how you do things this season. Joy is not limited to the last two months of the year! Every day can be treated as a holiday!      Consider trying a new activity or hobby or teach someone something you are good at.      Limit screen time. A constant diet of bad news creates anxiety.       Resolve to make the best of the holidays but adjust your expectations and adopt realistic goals. While the holidays may look different over time, they can still be meaningful. The most important thing to make someone feel special this season is to simply spend time with them. If you cannot participate in person, FaceTime or Zoom also work.Here are other ways you can help others (and yourself) find joy in the holidays and help banish the holiday blues:      Share your traditions with others and enjoy theirs. Reflect about past holidays as you unpack cherished decorations. Listen to the stories of others and ask about special pieces.       Make a conscious effort to be available for those who might be feeling isolated. Plan a regular call or visit or reach out with a video call or old-fashioned letter.       For anyone who might be struggling with holiday loneliness, provide a comfortable space for them to talk. Save judgments or problem solving and simply have a genuine conversation.      As you plan your celebrations, look for ways to be inclusive. Extending an invitation may not be enough to make others feel included. Being with a crowd of strangers who have little in common can still feel very lonely.      Being recognized and honored goes a long way in combating loneliness. Be open to asking about and including favorite memories such as treasured decorations, traditional treats and meaningful music.      Religious organizations often offer extra social and/or spiritual support. Just talking with someone can go a long way.      Bring or send familiar treats that represent holiday customs for elders to enjoy and share. Often, holiday blues are temporary. However, if symptoms last for more than two weeks, they can indicate clinical anxiety or depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), socially isolated older adults are at higher risk for depression.It may be time to seek help if you or someone you love is experiencing any of these common symptoms of depression:      Feeling so down you cannot shake it off      Too little or too much sleep, or interruptions through the night      Changes in appetite; eating more or less than usual      Difficulty concentrating      Lack of interest in the things that typically make you happy      Irritability      Lack of interest in socializing or engaging with others. Plan to look for and spread cheer this season, but if the holiday blues linger well beyond the season, discuss your symptoms with your primary care provider.ABOUT THE AUTHOR Courtney L. Whitt, Ph.D. is Director of Behavioral Health at Healthcare Network, which offers behavioral health services as a routine part of comprehensive care and traditional counseling services. Healthcare Network provides quality primary care services for children and adults in locations throughout Collier County. To learn more or make an appointment, please call 239.658.3000 or visit HealthcareSWFL.org.

Music is a pleasurable, powerful presence in many peoples lives. A good song can lift your mood, rekindle a memory and make your day better. Seniors and music are an especially important combination, as all can benefit, from those who are healthy and active to those with cognitive challenges.Music therapy is also a way to meet your senior needs for movement and connection in a satisfying way.>> Read 3 Surprising Benefits Music Can Have On Your LifeFind out more about the benefits of listening to music, some of common music therapy techniques and ways for seniors to find their favorite music.What is Music Therapy for Seniors?A music therapy session for seniors can be formal or informal and can include anything from listening to music, composing a song, engaging in music or song improvisation or just drumming or clapping along. Music therapy is delivered in two main ways: active or receptive. Here is how they work:Active Music Therapy This method is interactive, with playing instruments, dancing or singing. This encourages movement and stimulation that can be beneficial for physical health.Receptive Music Therapy This method encourages mindful listening to music, with specially selected music, whether live or recorded. The music selected for seniors will often reflect their culture, generation and experiences, both personal and shared.How Can Music Help Senior Health?A 2022 study cited by the National Institutes of Health indicates that music can improve the quality of life and can increase creativity and social interaction in seniors. For seniors with chronic health issues and depression, music can improve your health.Here are some of the beneficial side effects of music for seniors:Calm  Songs with distinct instruments, lyrics, rhythms and themes can help seniors relax. Songs can slow your heart rate and lower the level of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. Communication  Seniors who can no longer verbally communicate can hum or move their hands along to the music. That can encourage them to express their feelings and communicate joy when it is otherwise difficult to do so.Memory  Music can encourage seniors to memorize patterns, rhythms and words. Familiar songs can also trigger pleasurable memories of beloved people and places. Mood  Energetic, joyful music can lift people out of depression, helping them cope with fear, hopelessness and loneliness. Music can help occupy the minds of the depressed, helping them relax and de-stress.Movement  Music and movement is important for seniors. Some music classes can encourage movement and exercise. This can range from clapping to moving to dancing. Even those who are sedentary can join in with movement.Socialization  Music breaks down barriers and can fight back against social anxiety. With music, either as an organized activity or hobby, seniors can come together and find comfort and joy together.>> Read The Best Healthy Hobbies for SeniorsWhere Seniors Can Find MusicThere are many ways to access music that you can enjoy, from checking out CDs or DVDs from the library to purchasing from music stores, thrift stores or used media stores.Streaming apps can be the easiest way to find music that will interest seniors, with curated playlists already available, and with some opportunity to create new playlists.Here are some of the most popular streaming music sources, which will work on a computer, tablet, smartphone or even a smart television.Amazon Music Amazon Music has hundreds of free playlists and podcasts, and features stations of ad-free music for subscribers. Amazon offers Free, Prime and Unlimited editions, levels, with various features at each level. Apple MusicApple Music features curated playlists and links to radio stations. Apple Music, like most streaming services, leans heavily on current artists and music, but nostalgic playlists are available with a little searching. Apple Music offers one month free then charges afterward.IdagioIdagio is the only streaming service exclusively for classical music. Idagio offers a free level for listening, along with a subscription service without ads and a second level that will let you access live and archived concerts. iHeart iHeart used to only feature radio stations, but now includes other streaming music lists and podcasts. The service is free, but contains ads.PandoraPandora asks you what you like and then builds playlists around that. The lists get more customized as you listen. You can also find lists built around artists and music styles. Pandora has free and paid levels, which offer ad-free listening and the ability to further customize playlists.SiriusXMSiriusXM used to be a satellite streaming service for automobiles, but now is available as an app, playable on phones, computers and smart TVs. It features dozens of stations themed to genres, artists and decades. Non-music stations are also featured, all for a subscription fee.SpotifySpotify features music and podcasts of all styles. You can listen to playlists put together by Spotify, by other listeners, or playlists they can put together yourself. Spotify offers a free level, with ads, and a subscription without ads.YouTube MusicYouTube Music has custom playlists and others put together by other listeners. Oldies playlists can be found with a little searching. YouTube Music starts out free but then charges per month.

Tips for Improving Muscle Tone for SeniorsApril Fools Day has come and gone. But theres nothing funny about what a year of lockdown has done to our physical shape. Many of us have gained weight, but for older adults theres been another issue: not just weight gain, but loss of muscle tone.Loss of muscle tone (or, medically speaking, muscle mass) in seniors will show up differently depending on the person. If youre active, you may notice you get winded much more quickly than you did in years past. Or you may notice your parent now finds it harder to do even the simplest things, such as pushing the chair away from the table or rising from their seat. So although in spirit were all ready to spring back to all our previous activities, our bodies might not be ready.Still, with spring in full bloom, now is a perfect time to get moving again. At Five Star Senior Living, with vaccinations continuing and reopening efforts under way, residents are now taking advantage of weekly reconditioning classes to get back in shape so they can return to the activities they love. But a word of caution: After so many months of reduced physical activity, its important to reengage with exercise gradually and not overdo.I tell my clients, Youre a different person now, says Jessica Lime, a personal trainer with Ageility, Five Star Senior Livings rehabilitation and fitness training partner. Compared to a year ago, Jessica warns, Were not as flexible as we were and our bodies are probably not as efficient, causing us to fatigue quickly.With that in mindand whether your plan is to start going for longer walks, jogging, running, cycling, taking yoga or some other spring shape-up regimenhere are some tips from the experts at Ageility.How to make reconditioning and regaining muscle tone as rewarding as possible for you:Be honest with yourself. Look back over the year and admit if you developed what John Wheeler, a physical therapist and Ageilitys fitness director, calls COVID habits. Did you sit in front of the TV and snack away? Stop exercising because your gym closed or you just didnt feel like it? Be honest, but dont despair. And dont feel guilty. You were definitely not alone!Write it down. Put your goals on paper. Make small, attainable goals, Jessica advises. As you work toward your goals, note your progress. Did you go from ten touch-toes to twenty? One-mile walk to two? Great! Write it down. The point is to celebrate little victories that motivate you to keep on going, Jessica adds.Heres another great tip to help reach your goals. Come up with a motivational word for the week, says Jessica, words like energized, stronger or grandkids. Post that word on your refrigerator door. Then use that word in a sentence each day, says Jessica, noting that doing so makes the wordand your goalmore real. And more likely.Ease into it. Dont overdo. Consider starting with gentle chair exercises such as sitting and stretching to your toes. Try this: Sit up straight in a chair, feet firmly on the floor, and gently roll your head clockwise in a circle several times. Keep your shoulders down. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Gently switch directions, rolling your head counterclockwise for a few circles.Listen to your body. Your body is very good at telling you when its had enough. Heed one of the golden rules of physical therapy and if you feel pain, stop. Better, Jessica says, to increase exercise activity slowly, steadily and in moderation. Muscle soreness, not pain, is normal. If you experience muscle soreness, let your muscles rest two or three days before resuming your routine.Kathryn Cunningham, Fitness Programming and Training Specialist at Ageility, adds, For people who have been inactive, nothing is going to feel as fluid as it was. Be mindful if youre feeling stiff or lack flexibility. Especially if youve had surgery or rehab and havent seen a health professional in a while, consider getting a reevaluation from your physician or physical therapist.Remember to hydrate. Always keep a bottle of water nearby when you work out, Jessica says. Hydration is key and often overlooked. In fact, the human body loses water all day long, and perspiration and breathing harder during exercise only accelerate that loss. According to the Cleveland Clinic, losing even 1.5% of your bodys fluids can lead to dehydration, with symptoms ranging from a simple headache to life-threatening heat stroke.Dont bounce! Stretching to touch ones toes is a great, simple exercise to build flexibilitybut if you bounce your fingertips while trying to touch the tips of your toes, you can do more damage than good. Better to stretch down as far as you comfortably can and hold, then stand back up, Jessica says, adding that bouncing can actually damage muscle tissue.Give it time. Both Jessica and Kathryn stress that a new you doesnt happen overnight. A good reconditioning protocol can take two to three months to yield results. Thats actually a fraction of the time weve all spent in lockdown. Undoing all that stiffness and lack of energy in just 60 days after a year of shelter-in-place can seem like a bargain.And the payoffs are worth it! You drop a pant size. You can look forward to joining a walking club again. You can lift your grandchild when you see them. All because you set some goals, eased into an exercise routine, took precautions, listened to your body, and didnt rush things. Sounds like a good deal.Throughout April, all Five Star locations are offering reconditioning classes, created by Ageility, to help our residents get their bodies back in action again. Do you know someone who could benefit from a lifestyle that includes regular reconditioning?Find a Five Star Senior Living community near youOr find an Ageility clinic and ask about personal fitness services with an Ageility trainer

Caring for senior loved ones with dementia can be both rewarding and extremely exhausting. While we strive to do everything we can for them and want to be a part of their care as much as possible, it can start to take a toll on us. That is where home care for people with dementia can help. Having an in-home caregiver can help provide relief for family members and friends while at the same time providing personalized care and support for dementia patients within the comfort of their own homes. Professional home care workers, such as those with Visiting Angels Punta Gorda, can come into the home as much or as little as you like to help your senior loved one. They can supplement the care that family members offer, or family members can supplement the care they give. Home care workers also can help with specific tasks or all of the day-to-day tasks your senior needs.Here are some ways home care can help your senior loved one with dementia and also help family members on this care journey.Everyday NeedsProfessionals with home care agencies can help dementia patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, getting dressed and undressed each morning and night, grooming, using the toilet, eating and more. Often dementia patients resist showers. Home care workers skilled in working with memory loss patients can help them at least clean up each day. By helping with these tasks, they can help ensure their safety, health and hygiene are cared for. Home care workers can help them feel more like themselves throughout the day with brushed hair and teeth, clean clothes and a clean environment.SafetyWhile in-home caregivers are present in the home, they will help ensure your senior loved one suffering from dementia is safe. They can help ensure they dont wander from the home or leave the stove burner on after cooking something. If family members cannot always be there, home care workers can alert them to anything that might be a safety hazard, such as a loose rug, wobbly banister or door that your senior loved one keeps unlocking and trying to leave from. If your senior loved one needs more stability during their bathing, caregivers can let the family know they might need to install grab bars. They also can provide a steady hand for seniors and avoid any dangerous areas, such as cords, that could cause potential tripping hazards. Dementia patients may not remember to let their families know what they need or even be aware that it is a concern, so home care workers can provide an extra level of safety protection for them. CompanionshipHaving a homecare worker present can offer seniors with dementia constant companionship. People suffering from dementia often can become isolated or feel lonely, which can worsen their symptoms. Some symptoms of dementia include aggressiveness and/or crabbiness. Dementia patients have been known to push their family members away or to act hostile. A home care worker can provide companionship and support for senior citizens, especially when family members feel like retreating or that they need a break. They can listen to their stories, ask them questions and engage the patient in meaningful social activities to improve their emotional well-being.Relieving the familyThere is no doubt that caring for a loved one with dementia brings with it a ton of emotions and lots of stress. It also can place family members in situations they are not comfortable with. If children feel uncomfortable doing some of the caregiving for their parents, such as bathing or toileting, a home care worker can do the essentials so family members can simply spend time with them. They also can help with some of the more frustrating tasks so that family members dont lose patience and so that clients do not take out their frustration on their family members. Homecare workers also can provide respite care, which means family members can leave the home or caregiving duties for a short period of time. They can go out to coffee with a friend to refresh, have a nice dinner out without worrying about hurrying back to help their loved one, or they can even just take a peaceful nap at home with the help of respite care. Respite care can also provide short-term relief for a weekend away or an extended vacation.We Can HelpIf you are looking for help caring for your senior this spring and every season of the year, our professionals at Visiting Angels Punta Gorda are here to help. We provide a variety of home care services, including companion care, fall prevention and more. Our expert team of caregivers serves clients in Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and surrounding areas. To learn more about our services, call us at 941-347-8288, or contact us online.