Category Archives: covid-19

Revisiting a Conversation About Our Sense of Smell

Posted on by autocreate740

An on-going topic and cause of concerns being discussed since the onset of COVID-19 is the sense of smell.

Some of you may recall in August 2021, I interviewed Frauke Galia, of Falk Aromatherapy on my Wellness Connections podcast #11. In that podcast Frauke explained that there are various types of smell dysfunction ANOSMIA, for example has become a keyword when one becomes infected with COVID-19, and they temporarily lose the sense of smell. There’s also PAROSMIA, which is a smell dysfunction that distorts our sense of smell. You think that you smell one thing, and it is actually something else.

In addition, smell dysfunction has been linked to the early onset of some cognition problems. Read more at: https://www.judithguerra.com/smell-memory-for-senior-citizens

When your time and interest permit, listen to a recent podcast conducted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the neurosurgeon who appears on CNN and reports on health and medical news. He is also part of AARP’s Staying Sharp programs. He interviews Dr. Zara Patel on his Chasing Life podcast, and she discusses olfactory training – aka – “smell training.
https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life/episodes/7801c5d9-d268-4855-99d9-af170114b19c and is part of the Staying Sharp programs at AARP’s website.

And, once again, I suggest you visit Frauke Galia’s website and learn more about smell dysfunction, and training available for help. https://www.falkaromatherapy.com/osmias

Other sources for information:
https://oto.wustl.edu/covid-19-losing-one-sense-of-smell-and-regaining-it/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/anosmia-in-covid-19-sense-of-smell-may-return-5197462

All the best in Wellness!

January 23 is International Integrative Health Day

Posted on by autocreate740

We can never have too much information when it comes to the wellbeing and health of our families and friends. When you have a moment listen to my podcast which will give you links and guidelines to find free resources available to you just by visiting the links provided in the description of the podcast, including this Webinar: An Integrative Approach to COVID-19 at the website: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

All the best to you and your wellbeing!

This podcast is available on Apple podcast, Google podcast, and other platforms of your choice. Just click this link to select:
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7.

FYI :
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/mind-body

Anosmia: A Conversation About The Loss of Smell

Posted on by autocreate740

Anosmia is the medical term for the loss of smell. A post on the Harvard Health Blog reported that some patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 also had problems from loss of smell. In this episode of the Wellness Connections Podcast, Frauke Galia of F.A.L.K. Aromatherapy provides us with an inside look and understanding of this problem.

She tells us about the various ways she helps people to reignite their sense of smell using training methods, which includes using essential oils.

Frauke has a wealth of information to share with people who require help and assistance with this problem and empathizes in a way that can make a difference with anyone who is in need for direction toward getting “smell-well” again.

Use the links below for quick access to the information shared in the episode.

I Can’t Smell Page (falkaromatherapy.com)

An Aromatic Life Podcast (falkaromatherapy.com)

CURIOSITIES ABOUT SMELL (falkaromatherapy.com)

Your journey to aromatic wellness begins here (falkaromatherapy.com)

Podcast also available at:
Judith Guerra Wellness Connections • A podcast on Anchor

The Bright Lights of Our Pandemic

Posted on by autocreate740

Photo by fotografierende from Pexels

Hello Everyone,

You may have noticed that LivingSenior.me has a new look.  Considering the Pandemic, my post ‘conversations’ going forward will include some interesting outcomes of this fundamentally altering period in our lives.  Frankly, in my opinion, among other results, it may have brought more ‘connectedness’ and human kindness towards each other.  Families have had to be more creative in their togetherness; neighbors are reaching out to each other; often, people want to help each other. Politics have become more prominent to our conversations.  Namely, we cannot take our freedoms and livelihoods, or health for granted. I also consider the display of compassion for each other a good thing for our human society.

For this issue, I would like to call your attention to the Blogroll of my favorite websites.  Recently, I became more acquainted with Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.  I encourage you to put reading it on your “To Do” list.  It is an A+ online newspaper.  Here’s a link to read about Maria Shriver, and to see what she has to offer with her positive ideas, compassionate thoughts and suggestions for our WellBeing during this period and beyond.  Just click the link. https://mariashriver.com/mystory/

Another new addition to the Blogroll is the A+ Free Fitness programs.  Just click the link to find out more. https://seniorplanet.org/virtual-fitness-wellness-events/

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels

Below is a link to a post that appeared on The Lighthouse, a website, which originates in Sydney, Australia. It  is interesting to learn what others, outside of the USA, are saying about the Covid19.
https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/april-2020/seven-positive-outcomes-of-covid-19

 

Stay Safe and Positive!

Senior Care and COVID19

Posted on by autocreate740

senior telemedicineThe COVID19 – Pandemic has affected us all in how we will lead our lives post Coronavirus. In addition, we senior citizens are being confronted with new methods in order to manage how we live going forward. Major changes have occurred in attending to our healthcare and well-being needs physically, socially, and mentally.  To protect our health, Telehealth is a solution, which allows us to see the doctor without visiting their office.

  • Good news for seniors is that  Medicare has now expanded Telemedicine coverage and you can arrange doctor appointments until further notice, without incurring added charges. This includes chronic conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
  • FYI – The terms Telehealth and Telemedicine are being used interchangeably.  These are the descriptions I found at The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) – https://www.aafp.org/about/the-aafp/history.html
  •  iPhone users can contact telemedicine doctors using FaceTime. Android users can use Skype.  There are numerous apps, which can be utilized.

doctor-4187242_1920Medicare Descriptions of  Telehealth coverage:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/virtual-check-ins
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/e-visits

https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/the-best-telemedicine-apps/ Continue reading →

A New Outlook with Meditation

Posted on by autocreate740

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Photo by Nashua Volquez from Pexels

COVID19 is unsettling for us all.

As senior citizens, we find ourselves during the later years of our lives with more stress than we could have imagined in our younger years. Rather than traveling, spending time with family and friends leisurely in our “golden years”,  those dreams of our lives have been replaced with anger, fear and uncertainty for ourselves and our families.  The result is that our health and well-being are in jeopardy.  At this point we are confronted with adjusting to new way of life, which is not what we had in mind.

life-2387831_1920I searched the “www” for some coping mechanisms to possibly relieve our  anxiety.  Meditation and Mindfulness were at the top of many lists for relaxing methods to relieve all sorts of issues, and to enhance our senior citizen lives.  Some things that were listed as benefits are summarized below:

♦  less stress, more happiness, longevity, younger looks.
♦  creativity, body healing,  focus and motivation.
♦  willpower, better sleep, activates the happy part of your brain.

Continue reading →

Reference for COVID-19

Posted on by autocreate740

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This month I am at my wits end to assist in any way providing guidelines for the Coronavirus. The first link will take you to the government website.  New announcements about Telehealth services for senior citizens is important.  You can contact your doctor’s office for guidelines on how it works.

In addition, I received two reference pdf books about COVID-19  from a family member, and I think it is worth sharing.  It provides guidelines for how to care for yourself, as was understood at the time it was written.  Click the links for more information.

Government Websites:
https://www.hrsa.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For Handbook Reference:
Corona Ebook.pdf

CoronaVirus Slide for kids.pdf

 

Take a look.  I hope it is helpful.
Wishing you wellness.pansy-427139_1280
Judith