Leslie Newlife

Eye Health During Coronavirus – Why Seniors Need to Be Extra Careful

The novel coronavirus has brought about a state of panic around the globe with its threatening consequences, such as a severe respiratory infection that may lead to death. It is dangerous because it can be easily transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Therefore, I feel I must share every piece of relevant information and advice that I have received from the team of eye specialists at our clinic. Read on.

How is coronavirus related to eyes?

Mucous membranes line many structures of our bodies, including eyelids. And it is the mucous membranes that are most susceptible to the virus. At our eye clinic in Fresno, CA, we have come across cases where patients reported ocular symptoms, including viral conjunctivitis with slightly red and weepy eyes. And though the occurrence is low, it shouldn’t be ignored.

Our team – Dr. Poulsen, Dr. Salahuddin, Dr. Hiyama, and Dr. Scott – agrees that getting infected because of hand-to-eye contact is unlikely. The chances of contraction through respiratory droplets reaching eyes are much higher.

Let’s take a look at Wang Guangfa’s (a Peking University respiratory specialist) case as an example. He contracted COVID-19 after he came in contact with patients. And the first sign of infection in his body was inflammation and redness in his left eye. He thinks that it was because he was not wearing protective eye wear that he contracted the virus through his left eye. Considering this case and several others, it can’t be denied that protective eye wear is as important as masks.

How coronavirus affects older adults?

I have attended every session the doctors at our clinic conducted to educate people on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus. And the one thing that was common in every session was how people above the age of 50 are more likely to get acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19. The reason is that older people have a weaker immune system. Moreover, underlying conditions such as lung disease, kidney diseases, diabetes, etc. are common in the older population. And these problems affect the ability of their bodies to fight the virus. Hence, they should be extra vigilant.

They’re also more likely to spread the infection to their eyes. Hence, protecting their eyes as they age becomes more crucial.

Tips for Older Adults to Stay Protected from Coronavirus

Wash Hands Frequently – Wash your hands rigorously and frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and tap water. You can also use a hand sanitizer that has 60% alcohol concentration.

Practice Respiratory Etiquette –When you sneeze, cover your mouth with either a tissue or your elbow. Always wear a mask when stepping out, especially if you feel sick.

Avoid Large Gatherings – Avoid crowded settings such as malls, supermarkets, conferences, etc. Stay indoors and practice social isolation as much as possible because you cannot identify infected people if they do not show any symptoms yet.

Maintain Social Distance –If you have to get out to buy essentials, maintain a distance of at least 3-6 feet, especially is someone seems to be sick. Apparently,that’s how far the virus can spread. See if you have have someone get your groceries for you.

Avoid Direct Contact with Public Surfaces –Shopping carts, elevator buttons, door handles, etc. may have been touched by hundreds of people before you. So, use a clean tissue when touching them. You can also sanitize them with disinfecting wipes to be more careful. You can also wear gloves when possible.

Avoid Traveling –Traveling in confined spaces with hundreds of other people can be dangerous during the pandemic. So, avoid it unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you must travel, stay prepared with alcohol wipes, masks, hand sanitizer, and protective eye wear.

Protecting Your Eyes – Important Tips

Here are some eye protection tips from our doctors:

  1. Wear eyeglasses every time you step out since they act as a barrier that can prevent airborne respiratory droplets from entering your eyes. This does not ensure 100% protection, but it’s always better to be proactive. Safety goggles are more effective, so ensure that you wear them when you come in contact with an infected person.
  2. People wearing contact lenses are more at risk since they tend to touch their eyes frequently because of irritation. So, if you use contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses for a while. This will reduce irritation due to contact lens, and you won’t find yourself touching your eyes a lot.

Take every precaution to protect yourself. If you notice irritation or redness in your eyes, do not ignore the signs. Consult and find out the reason. Early detection has proven very helpful so far.

Stay indoors. Stay healthy.

 

Author Bio: Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

Caring for Yourself: Eight Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

As the name implies, caregivers take care of others, often seniors or others who have a mental or physical condition that makes it difficult for them to engage in everyday activities. While some caregivers are paid employees managed by agencies, far more are informal volunteers, usually family members who have no formal training. As a result, they can end up feeling frustrated and burned out by their caregiving duties.

If you’re a caregiver, realizing what’s happening early on will help you identify and manage problems before you hit your caregiving breaking point. Symptoms of stress and burnout to look out for include:

  • gaining or losing weight
  • always feeling tired, no matter how much you sleep
  • difficulty sleeping
  • becoming easily irritated or angry, especially at the person you’re caring for
  • losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • trouble concentrating
  • drinking, eating or smoking more
  • getting sick frequently
  • new health problems or existing ones getting worse

If you’ve developed a cluster of these symptoms, that’s a strong indication that you’re experiencing caregiver stress. Read on to find out what to do about it.

  1. Ask for and accept help.

You don’t have to do everything on your own, and it’s not a sign of failure to accept help from others — or even to hire a professional caregiver to give you a respite. When other people offer to help, say yes and explain what would be most helpful for you, whether it’s taking care of your patient for a couple hours or making dinner, so you don’t have to. And if others don’t offer to help, don’t be afraid to ask. If you haven’t expressed your frustration, they might have no idea that you could really use a helping hand when it comes to caregiving.

  1. Don’t neglect your own health.

Whether paid or volunteer, caretakers often put their own health on the back burner in favor of taking care of patients. While this may seem noble, it can actually backfire, especially if the caregiver gets sick from neglecting their own health and then passes the illness along to their patient or loved one. Keep up with all your regular health activities, such as annual physicals and vaccinations. Visit the doctor if you feel sick, and if the person you’re taking care of is immuno-compromised, try to avoid exposing them to whatever you have.

  1. Take care of your own body.

Caring for your physical health extends way beyond your annual physical or a quick trip to the clinic if you get a bad cold. There are many things you can do to manage or even prevent illnesses and aches. Caregivers are on their feet a lot, so wear supportive therapeutic shoes and don graduated compression socks to keep your legs and feet healthy all day. Wear comfortable, non-binding clothes that won’t cut into your circulation. Sit, stand, walk and lift objects with good form to avoid hurting your back. Eat a generally healthy diet that focuses on lean proteins, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables — and consume only small amounts of sugars and fats.

  1. Exercise regularly.

Physical activity is a great way to manage stress, and can even ameliorate serious mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. If you’re never exercised before, now is an excellent time to start. If doing a full workout sounds like too much, aim for just 10 or 15 minutes of movement at a time, such as walking around the neighborhood, and then build up from there. Try out different forms of working out to keep things interesting, such as cycling, Pilates, yoga, boxing, dance, aerobics and more.

  1. Set small goals you can achieve.

Caregiving can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re already experiencing stress and burnout. Rather than put it on yourself to totally overhaul your caregiving approach all at once, focus on small, achievable goals that have a timeline attached to them. Maybe you want to take a half hour break twice a week or cook two healthy homemade dinners a month or wear compression socks every workday. If you have broader goals, such as have more ‘me time’ or be healthier,) try to break them down into these more concrete tasks. Create a checklist or some other type of record so you can track your progress and celebrate all your victories.

  1. Get enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation, even it’s mild, increases your risk for all sorts of negative events, like catching a cold, developing heart disease, high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, dementia and obesity, and getting into car accidents. Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate other physical, mental and emotional issues, including feeling burnout from caregiving. Whether it’s seven or nine hours a night, try to get the right amount of sleep for you whenever you can.

  1. Seek out support.

Caregiving can be lonely and isolating, and connecting with others is a great way to get out of the bubble. Of course, you should reach out to friends and family, but they might not able to fully empathize with your caregiving experience if they haven’t gone through something similar. For that, you might consider looking into a caregivers’ support group in your area, where you can meet people dealing with the same challenges and feelings as you are right now.

  1. Create a life outside of caregiving.

Seeking out social support is an important part of maintaining your life outside of caregiving. Go out to dinner, take in a movie, sign up for art or fitness classes, try a new hobby, read a book, take the dog for a walk, go for a hike or bike ride, start a garden — whatever seems interesting and energizing to you. While it might take several tries to find the perfect activity, once you do, you’ll be surprised how much it can enrich your life.

Make Time for Yourself

Caregiving is a demanding job — and it is a job, even if you’re not getting paid to do it. Try one or more of these eight strategies to take care of yourself and get a break from caregiving because you deserve it.

Eight Signs It’s Time to Find a Caregiver for Your Loved One

Knowing when your parent or other aging loved one needs an outside caregiver can be a tricky business. On the one hand, your loved one may chafe at giving up independence — but having a caregiver can dramatically improve their quality of life in their golden years. Here are eight signs both small and large to look for, from trouble donning compression socks to issues paying bills.

  1. They can’t safely drive a car.

In many cities, being able to drive a car is basically a prerequisite for living independently. If you can, go for a drive with your loved one behind the wheel and note how they do. Do they fasten their seat belt as soon as they get into the car? Are they easily distracted, or do they stay focused on the road? Do they exhibit unsafe driving behaviors such as drifting into other lanes, tailgating other vehicles, driving too fast or slow, or mixing up the pedals? Also check for nicks and dents on the car and whether there are any notices of recent traffic violations around the house.

  1. They’re becoming isolated.

Some older adults may realize that they’re not as good of a driver as they once were and self-limit their trips in the car as a result. While this keeps them safe and off the road, it can also keep them from participating in vital social activities such as clubs, church gatherings and art and fitness classes. Ask your loved one about the last time they left the house and what they’re doing to stay connected to others. If you have contact with their close friends, you can also reach out to them to get a third-party view of how engaged your senior is and whether they’ve let old hobbies fall by the wayside.

  1. Their home is full of fall hazards.

As they age, adults become prone to falls — and unfortunately, the side effects of aging can also result in a home that’s full of fall hazards. Whether through forgetfulness or a simple inability to clean, seniors may let clutter pile up, which in turn presents a tripping hazard. Look for other signs of neglect, such as spills that haven’t been mopped or bathrooms that haven’t been cleaned. Depending on how bad the mess is, your loved one might need a caregiver and possibly an additional housekeeper for more heavy-duty cleaning tasks.

  1. Feeding themselves is tough.

Cooking can be a chore even at the best of times, and memory issues or a lack of mobility can exacerbate it. Take stock of the kitchen: Look for an excessive number of stale or expired foods, multiples of the same item, broken appliances, numerous frozen dinners or takeout containers and signs of fire like burned pots, discharged fire extinguishers or disabled smoke alarms. Home fires are a significant danger for older adults, and many of them turn to unhealthy but easy prepared meals as it becomes too hard to use the stove. A visiting caregiver will make light meals such as sandwiches whenever they check in on your loved one.

  1. Their personal hygiene is slipping.

Aging adults may let themselves as well as their house go. Look out for bad breath, body odor, unshaved beards, dirty hair, dry skin and other signs that indicate they’re not keeping up with basic hygiene activities like showering and brushing their teeth. Also keep an eye out for other changes in appearance, such as noticeable weight loss or gain, seeming frail or suddenly stopping the regular use of makeup or hair products. If your loved one likes to make visits to the salon, hair stylist or manicurist, inquire to see if they’re still going.

  1. They have trouble dressing themselves.

Clothes are another important part of appearance, and they can also be a tell-tale sign that the senior in your life needs a caretaker. If your loved one is having trouble with basic tasks such as fastening buttons on a shirt or putting on shoes, that’s a good indication that they may need a caregiver. Some older adults may try to hide these signs by switching to clothes they can more easily manage on their own, such as pullover sweaters and pants with elastic waistbands rather than zippers or buttons. Pay attention to what your loved one is wearing and look out for a sudden change to more comfortable clothes.

  1. Bills and other business go unfinished.

Seniors often let mail pile up, including unpaid bills and letters from banks and other financial institutions. Talk to your loved one to make sure they’re staying on top of payments and nothing is overdue. While you’re at it, also ask if they’ve donated to any charities or individuals lately. Older adults are vulnerable to scammers, and if they’re having memory problems, they may also forget earlier donations and give to a legitimate charity multiple times. If these financial issues are an ongoing problem, see if you can take over part of the bill paying, or if you need to get a financial manager involved.

  1. They struggle to recover from illness and injury.

The odds of developing an illness or getting into an accident rise as we age, as does the time needed to recover. If your senior is taking a while to recover from the latest bad cold — or if that cold turns into something more serious, like bronchitis — getting an in-home caregiver can take some of the stress off them and help them focus on their health. Of course, we all injure ourselves or get sick occasionally, but if your loved one always seems to be ill, talk to them about getting a caregiver.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Don’t wait until the situation is dire to get a caregiver for your loved one. It will be easier on everyone involved if the transition is gradual, so you can all ease into it. Keep the lines of communication open and be proactive about asking how your loved one is doing and if there have been any changes in habits.

How to bring up end-of-life issues in a considerate and sensitive way

Our parents were there when we learned how to walk, how to ride a bike, and when we graduated. For most of us, they’re pillars that helped us become who we are today and the ones we could count on when things went wrong. Seeing the roles reversed and them becoming more and more fragile can be disconcerting. And yet, death is a part of life, and there comes a time when you have to do the wise thing and bring up end-of-life issues.

Doing that is easier said than done. According to a 2018 study, 92% of Americans believe that it’s essential to talk about end-of-life care with their parents, but only 32% have had that conversation. If you’re in the same situation, your hesitance is completely understandable. However, postponing “the talk” can have unpleasant repercussions for the entire family in the long run. And, you might discover that bringing up the subject isn’t as awkward as you imagined!

Finding the right time

One of the biggest misconceptions about discussing end-up-life issues is that you should wait until your parent or grandparent is old enough, or becomes critically ill. However, that’s not the wisest timing, and it can even make you come across as insensitive. On the one hand, elders who are struggling with a serious health issue can be blinded by fear, and they may not be able to make the most rational decisions. On the other hand, bringing up the topic at such a sensitive time could make seniors feel like a burden, and you don’t want that either.

Even though it can feel uncomfortable, you should discuss end-of-life matters sooner rather than later. In an ideal world, you’d have all the time in the world to do this, and the transition from good health to death would take months, or even years, allowing you to prepare. In reality, these things can happen very quickly and, when they do, you’ll want to be prepared. While the idea that you will one day lose your loved ones is never pleasant, knowing that you planned for it and that their desires will be respected after their passing can bring a bit of empowerment and not add crippling uncertainty to this already painful process.

What approach should you have?

Most people assume that their aging parents and grandparents would feel offended if they brought up end-of-life issues. In reality, seniors are well aware of their age, have some plans, and would like to discuss these issues further with a professional or with their families. So, if you make the courage to ask them, you might be surprised to discover that not only do they not mind but that they’ve been thinking about it too. 

The difference in attitude, however, comes from the way you approach the topic. Of course, every person is different, and if there’s a lot of openness and communication in your family, you could even sit them down and ask directly. If you’re not sure how they’d take it, it’s always a good idea to start the conversation from an anecdote and let them take it from there. For example, you can bring up a movie where the child had to decide whether to take their parents off life support or the story of a celebrity who made a diamond from grandmother’s ashes after she passed away. Your parents will pick up the cue and share some of their concerns and desires after their passing. 

You know your parents, so use the tone you believe they would be most comfortable with. You can even add some humor to the situation, but remember to stay polite and treat them with love and respect. Don’t be patronizing, and don’t criticize them for not having their affairs in order yet. Although they expect these matters to be brought up sooner or later, it’s normal for seniors to feel scared and overwhelmed by all the legal and financial procedures they need to follow. Many seniors have never even interacted with an attorney before. If you believe this would help, you can also ask your parent’s caretaker or nursing home representative to join the conversation and suggest some advice. 

Whenever possible, include more family members in the conversation, especially your siblings. In families with more than one successor, arranging end-of-life matters behind someone’s back can cause hurt feelings, conflicts, uncertainty, and even legal battles after the parents’ passing. Talking about these things with your siblings can make the process more comfortable, more transparent, and you won’t risk any misunderstandings later on.

Points to discuss

Depending on your parent’s age and health status, there are several points that you should address. You don’t want to bring them all up at once, because many of them take time to research and understand. To make the process less overwhelming, start with more personal, casual matters, and then move on to the complex legal and administrative stuff.

How they would like to be celebrated. Is there a unique way that they would like to be remembered? Here you can discuss their funeral pet peeves, their favorite songs, or maybe even suggest a non-profit to donate to after their passing.

End of life care. Would they rather be looked after in a caregiving facility, at home, or would they like to move in with a loved one?

Finding an attorney. Do they already have someone in mind, or do they need help finding an expert in succession law?

Their will. Are they comfortable drafting their own will, or do they have complicated estates and need professional help?

Special instructions for maintaining estates and businesses. If your parents own many properties or businesses, ask them how they would like to be handled after their passing.

If your parents aren’t ready to contact an attorney yet or commence legal proceedings, simply writing down their desires is a great start. You’ve already made the hardest step, and planning will get easier from here.

Important Information for Seniors Struggling with Chronic Health Problems

Seniors struggling with chronic health problems have to be careful about the way they live. They must often reconsider several aspects of their habits and environment, as well as develop a plan for the future. 

The following are things they should explore at this time:

Life Insurance

One thing you should do is consider getting a supplemental life insurance policy. Most seniors, especially those dealing with health issues, don’t like to think about insurance. This is because some insurance companies spike prices if you are dealing with chronic health issues. The good thing about supplemental policies is that the price isn’t going to be affected by a chronic health issue. It’s a simple way to provide yourself with some added peace of mind going forward.

Quality of Life

Another thing that is important to keep in mind as you continue to age and suffer from this chronic condition is quality of life. There’s a lot of ways you can change your quality of life, depending on your condition. For example, some people need a little help at home, and those people just hire in-home care. This person can live there or come every so often. The frequency of visits depends on what you need from this individual. Make sure you don’t go over your budget if you do need to hire someone. Other people need 24-hour surveillance, and sometimes, those folks choose to be in a senior community.

End-of-Life Plans

It’s also important to make plans for end-of-life care. It’s not something we like to think about, but you want to make sure your loved ones are aware of how you want to be treated during your final days. Another thing you don’t want to leave behind to your family members or friends are bills associated with your passing. This is something no one loves to think about, but it’s a reality we all must face. You should leave enough money to cover or partially cover funeral expenses, which can get pretty high. You also want to make sure you leave specific plans behind so that there’s no confusion. You want to be specific about any religious customs your loved ones need to consider or whatever else you’d like them to do for you.

Considering the Will

Technically, a will helps you clarify things for others when you pass, but this isn’t the same as planning for your funeral. What you’re doing here is figuring out how you’re going to divvy up your estate. Everyone has something to offer their loved ones, and you want to make sure everything is clear. Choose who’ll keep your home, your belongings, vehicle, and whatever else of value you have. If you fail to take this step, people might get confused. That could lead to major disagreements, which is not good for anyone.

Smart Gadgets for You

The last thing you need to consider is all the smart gadgets out there that can make life a little safer. You’re dealing with a chronic illness and depending on what it is, you might need more help than you realize. You should install things like smoke detectors, flood detectors, and Co2 detectors, just to name a few. These tools are smart now, so if something happens, your loved ones and the proper authorities can be notified so that someone acts quickly. It may also be a good idea to wear smart devices that can read things like your heartbeat; the devices can call for assistance immediately and can detect falls.

It’s wise to learn about things that could help give you peace. Talk to your loved ones about some of these to see if they can help you out because the faster you do them the better.

Special Diets for Seniors

Food is an important part of our health. It’s also something individuals need to pay closer attention to as they get older. The following are various healthy diets for seniors to consider:

Gluten Free Diet

One diet that you should consider is a gluten-free diet. Many seniors develop Celiac disease, which causes the body to react negatively to gluten. This can be found in wheat products; gluten is not a bad thing, but if you develop celiac disease, your body will see gluten as a threat. It will fight it, causing damage to your small intestine. You would think that a dietary change like this would be dramatic, but it isn’t. You can include many foods you already eat, like gluten free granola with yogurt.

The Paleo Diet

Another popular diet that seniors can try is the paleo diet, which asks you to eliminate grains and eat pastured-raised meats. A person following the paleo diet is also going to have to eat meat nose-to-tail, which means eating organ meats. The diet asks you to eat leafy greens and other vegetables as well. Opting for all-natural and organic means these foods should contain more vitamins and minerals. The bio-availability of minerals and vitamins in these foods makes this diet good for seniors. You’ll notice that sugars are significantly reduced, which should protect you from diabetes or diabetic issues.

Vegan or Vegetarian Diet

The vegan or vegetarian diet is another one worth exploring. Seniors who follow this diet may not develop issues like high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. The vegan or vegetarian diet won’t have the protein meat offers, so you are going to have to substitute it with alternatives. This means eating things like lentils or quinoa, which are rich in protein.

The Raw Diet

Most people cook their vegetables and other food items, but the raw diet requires you to eat stuff in its raw form. This is a popular diet among people, and the reason it’s popular is simply that you’ll be eating things as close to nature as possible. The nutrients in these items are going to be ready for your body to absorb much faster than if the items were cooked. Another reason why some people may like this diet is that it helps improve digestion, which can be a problem for some seniors.

The Whole Foods Diet

The whole foods diet is another popular diet that many people are starting to use to fight obesity and lower the risk of heart problems. The whole foods diet asks you to avoid heavily processed foods, such as frozen dinners or foods with additives, such as white sugar or high fructose corn syrup. You are also going to have to stay away from heavily processed white flour that is in many foods you find in stores. Focus on fresh foods, which you can get if you shop at farmer’s markets. You can also get fresh food at local farms.

These are just some diets available to you. Consider trying some or a combination of them because they all have their benefits to offer you and your health.

Ways to Look After Your Aging Parents

There’s no question that our parents have done a lot for us. Now that they are older, it’s our responsibility to take care of them. How you choose to take care of them is up to you. Continue reading to learn a few ways to look after your aging parents.

Encourage exercise

As much as some of us hate it, we can never escape the need for regular exercise. Even your parents who are getting older need exercise on a regular basis, even if it’s as simple as a daily walk. Some other great exercise ideas include swimming, resistance band workouts, and don’t forget to stretch!

Be available for them

Now, we know your parents can get on your nerves at times, but you still love them, right? Well, show your love by being with them. More often than not, all they really want is to spend time with you. Watch Jeopardy! with them, or whatever their favorite show is. But simply being present with them and helping them with day-to-day tasks can mean the world to them.

Ensure their living situation is safe and healthy

Everyone is different when it comes to this point; some of your parents may be complete neat freaks and have an immaculate home, while others may have given up vacuuming for Lent—twenty years ago. Help your parents clean their home, get any tripping hazards out of the way, and so on. You want to create a comfortable, healthy, and safe environment for them.

Additionally, if they’re still able to drive, help them with some basic car maintenance. Chances are that car hasn’t had an oil change in quite some time. Plus, let’s be honest, even though your parents probably aren’t driving very much anymore, the tires likely need some air or other attention. In fact, having the car sit there isn’t very good for the tires either, since they’re completely stationary, so they might even need new tires. Luckily, you can get affordable, high-quality tires in Florence, SC, and throughout the nation.

Help them learn technology

Unfortunately, you can’t always be there with your parents, and sometimes they want to attempt using “the facetime” or “zoom-zoom.” Give them a basic lesson on how to use modern technology like their computer or phone. They’ll love doing a video chat with you, or their grand kids. Not to mention, it may save you some trips if you can just do a chat with them to help them out instead of driving to them.

Of course, you can’t always be there for them. You’re responsible for things like your career, your own family, a social life, and so on. After a certain point, of course, one of the ways to look after your aging parents is by hiring a caregiver or moving them to an independent living facility. So whether you choose to take care of them yourself, or hire someone to help, remember that you’re still taking care of them.

Tips To Sleep Better At Night As You Are Older

As we grow older, it is completely normal to notice that we wake up earlier than we used to. It is also very common to often wake up in the middle of the night. Even falling asleep during the daytime is difficult. Unfortunately, this is normal. Fortunately, there are things that you can do in order to get a much better night’s sleep.

How Much Sleep Is Enough?

There are countless articles talking about how much you should sleep. The truth is that they are deceiving since there is no such thing as a perfect sleep amount. The amount that you think is good can be totally different than what the neighbor believes. Even so, most experts recommend you get between 7 and 9 hours per night.

As a simple rule of thumb, if you feel tired and everything is ok with you from a medical point of view, you most likely need more sleep.

How To Sleep Better At Night

While there are many things that can be done, those that were proven to be very effective in the past are:

  • Stick to a bedtime routine – You have to get used to your sleeping pattern. You want to get up and go to sleep at the exact same time every single day. This includes the weekends. The body gets used to the routine and you sleep better at night as a result.
  • Get a better mattress – If you do not sleep on a good mattress, you cannot sleep well. It is really important that you buy one of the best mattresses on the market if you want to sleep or you will end up tossing and turning.
  • Take a long warm bath – The temperature of your body drops when you finish your long warm bath. This can instantly help you to feel tired. In the end, you are relaxed and the body slows down. You will thus be much more ready to sleep.
  • Calm down before going to sleep – Before you turn out all lights, it is worth it to take some time off and calm down. This includes turning off electronic devices. Do the same with the TV set and do it one hour before going to bed. During that time, you can listen to some music or read a book. This all makes you ready for bed.
  • Turn the bedroom into a sleep-only zone – When you still find yourself awake half an hour after going to bed, the best thing you can do is to get up. Then, just go to bed after you feel that you are tired enough. This helps you to train your brain that you want to sleep and the bedroom is seen as a place where the only thing that happens is sleep.
  • Do not take afternoon naps – When you sleep at the wrong times, it is tough to sleep during the night. Do not sleep during daytime because it makes it easy to be awake during nights.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption – This is especially the case before you go to bed. Even some small amounts will make it difficult to sleep. You end up waking up during the night as the alcohol’s effects wear off.
  • Exercise – As you exercise every day at regular times, your body gets stronger. However, this does not happen when you do so and there are under 3 hours left until you have to go to bed.

Conclusions

As you can easily notice, there are many things that you can do in order to go to sleep during the night and actually sleep. If you notice that there are huge problems and you still cannot do it, you should talk to a doctor.

Things Seniors Can Do Outside During Social Distancing

Elders may experience intense stress and worry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While all seniors are at risk, those with underlying health conditions are in even more danger from potential exposure. Nevertheless, seniors who can manage safely on their own can benefit from getting outside for some activity, which can reduce stress and lift the mood. With appropriate precautions, there are still things seniors can do outside during social distancing. Seniors should avoid areas where people are failing or refusing to comply with the recommendation to wear a cloth face covering, and they should certainly stay away from anyone who seems sick.

Dancing on the Deck, Prancing on the Patio

Living situations that provide private outdoor space offer seniors the chance to get outside for some fresh air and activity without getting too close to others. Elders can put on some favorite music and do a little dancing (seated or standing, depending on mobility).

Gardening

Growing something from the ground up brings a special kind of satisfaction. Seniors can order supplies for contactless delivery and enjoy creating small container gardens or planting some flowering perennials that will return next year.

Stargazing

Seniors who are lucky enough to live in communities relatively free from “light pollution” need only look up for some peaceful enjoyment on a warm, clear night. Stargazing—with the naked eye, or with a sanitized telescope or binoculars—is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the “big picture” outdoors. Several apps turn cellphones into celestial maps that identify stars, planets, comets, and constellations. Some even show where and when satellites or the international space station will pass overhead.

Walking

Seniors who may safely travel to parks and preserves can still take a nice walk outdoors, as long as they observe appropriate social distancing. The “six feet apart” rule is a minimum. Active seniors that want to go for a walk or a run must be careful to avoid crowded areas and find ways to separate themselves from others on the track or trail. Stay away from others, and give a wide berth to those passing in either direction. Seniors should not touch any surfaces in a public park or preserve, including railings, benches, picnic tables, or playground equipment.

Seniors venturing outside beyond their own backyards or patios should take some hand sanitizer along. Immediately upon returning home, anyone who has been outside should wash their hands with soap for the recommended twenty seconds, being sure to lather all the fingers, thumbs, the palms, and between the fingers, as well as wrists and palms. Sanitize all doorknobs, keys, or light switches that anyone who has been outside has touched. Sanitize these frequently touched surfaces several times a day, if possible.

With care and caution, healthy seniors who can safely move about on their own can still go outside during social distancing if they observe the rules of keeping distant from others and avoiding places where others fail to cover their noses and mouths.

Overcoming Hearing Loss for Better Communication and Care

In January 2020, a senior health website named Clear Living conducted a study on the effect of hearing loss on all facets of life. In this study, it was found that communication with others was the most heavily impacted area of life.

As one might assume, losing your hearing can put up a few roadblocks when it comes to communicating with friends or loved ones. Caring for someone with hearing loss can be taxing – both parties can get frustrated over the communication blocks, and the process can become quite grinding. It can even lead to cognitive decline, as mental stimulation through conversation lessens over time.

But it doesn’t have to – indeed, there are several ways to move beyond hearing loss and retain audiological independence. And while these roadblocks could frustrate anyone, the elderly are the most at risk of both experiencing hearing loss, and undergoing its more frustrating side effects.

What’s the problem with poor communication?

With everyone texting and emailing, it can be hard to remember that words are only one aspect of communicating with someone else.

For example, the phrase “great job” can be interpreted very differently based on how it’s said. An emphatic “great job!” can only be a good thing, while an apprehensive sarcastic “great job…” isn’t such a nice thing to hear.

When you have hearing loss, you can miss some of the nuances in the spoken word. While it probably won’t get to the point where you’ll be mixing up “Great job!” and “Great job…”, some subtext may be completely missed, making things more confusing and unclear.

Poor communication doesn’t just mean getting frustrated due to missing out on words. It can lead to real cognitive issues, like depression, memory loss, and even dementia. As sad as it is to hear, enjoying some lifelong hobbies is often severely impeded by hearing loss:

  • “Difficulty hearing women's voices at plays and films.”
  • “I don't go out to parties or do anything fun anymore.”

How the elderly struggle with hearing loss

While these effects can hinder anyone’s way of life, older people and those in need of care are in a particularly at-risk spot. The study includes comments from older people struggling with hearing loss, and how it has affected their quality of life, finding that 39% of people found that their communication was negatively affected by hearing loss, with a further 8% feeling isolated and lonely. Here’s what some of them had to say:

  • “ [I’m] not participating in family gatherings, feeling left out.”
  • “It has drastically affected my quality of life. I can no longer participate in normal conversations because I cannot hear nor understand the words being spoken.”
  • “It's seriously become an issue. I'm leaving him because of it. I doubt he’ll hear me leave.”

It can be difficult to come to terms with hearing loss when you’ve been used to hearing naturally for 50-60 years. This is why some of them are often resistant to arranging or attending hearing tests – as people often don’t want to confirm their fears.

In fact, a massive 66% of people said that they had anxieties before undergoing their first hearing test, with 41% of them saying they were worried about their hearing loss being officially diagnosed.

When asked about their hearing loss anxieties, here are some answers that were given:

  • “[I was worried about] The results of how bad my hearing is”
  • “[I was worried about] Understanding the test/the words.”

Ways to help seniors overcome their hearing loss

Tell them to put on their hearing aid

A nice easy one to start – if they’ve been prescribed a hearing aid, then do yourself and your loved one a favor and ask them to wear it whenever they’re communicating with someone.

Ideally they’d be wearing this from when they wake up to when they go to bed, but if they refuse to, it’s a good idea for them to at least put it on for dinner or gatherings. Features like connecting your hearing aids to a phone can make daily use more convenient and appealing. Not only does a hearing aid help its user hear more effectively, but it also stops their hearing loss (and its ensuing implications) from advancing further.

However, these benefits pale in comparison to a hearing aid’s greatest gift – giving its user independence. Even if someone is under care, they’ll gain a huge amount of freedom and confidence by being able to hear once more.

Make eye contact

A nice rule for conversation in general, but especially for someone who’s hard of hearing. The spoken word gets a lot of context from the shape of the mouth as it's said.

You may have heard of the McGurk effect – an illusion that occurs when the auditory component of one sound is paired with the visual component of another sound, leading to the perception of a third sound.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWGeUztTkRA

Looking at someone when you’re talking to them is crucial to conveying the whole message. People suffering from hearing loss are often susceptible to missing high frequency sounds, like t, f, sh, and s, meaning they can experience a flurry of gaps in the conversation.

This issue can be remedied by maintaining eye contact, and by allowing full view of your mouth (so not covering your face with your hands, for example).

Arrange a hearing test

If this is the first you’re noticing a decline in the individual’s hearing ability, then the best thing that you can do is book them a hearing test. After all, you shouldn’t be panicking about potential hearing loss when it might be something as inconsequential as a buildup of wax in the ear canal.

Hearing tests are quick, easy, and usually free. If you or someone you care for is experiencing hearing loss, this is always the first step you should take.

Be patient

Whether you’re communicating with someone who has hearing loss, or dealing with it yourself, remember not to get frustrated.

It can be hard being asked to repeat yourself several times, or missing something someone has said in a busy room, but getting mad at yourself or at the other person will only strain the relationship and make both parties upset.

This may be the hardest bit of advice to follow, as you might need to be reminded of it a lot, but be patient with each other and the whole process of communication will flow a lot smoother.

Overall

Humans are innately social creatures, and even the most secluded introvert could do with some healthy conversation every now and then. It’s an important part of keeping our mental faculties running and up to date, and should be treated as seriously as diet or exercise. Hearing loss makes the brain work harder than usual to keep up with conversation, so taking care of your ears can save you plenty of undue mental stress.

As found in the study discussed earlier, healthy hearing leads to healthier and happier relationships for both the individual and their loved ones, as well as better health overall. This is priceless for both caregivers and those whom they care for.

With recent events, the elderly may be more isolated than ever before. It’s important to be aware of the difficulties that come alongside hearing loss, and to do our best to accommodate them.


Clear Living 7 Ways to Help Older People during Coronavirus Infographic Clear Living