FYI -National Council on Aging (NCO) and World Suicide Prevention Month

Posted on September 14, 2025 by autocreate740

September is World Suicide Prevention Month. It turns out that as we age, the challenges of losing loved ones, facing chronic illnesses, and experiencing significant life changes can take a toll on our mental well-being. Senior citizens often find themselves grappling with feelings of isolation, sadness, and anxiety, which can lead to depression and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

The National Council on Aging (NCO) provides essential guidelines tailored specifically for senior citizens, helping them recognize the signs of mental health struggles and encouraging them to seek help. It’s crucial for older adults to understand that they are not alone in their feelings, and there are multiple resources available to assist them in navigating these difficult times.

Below are some valuable links that you can use and share to learn more about coping with the difficulties associated with aging. These resources encompass strategies for managing emotional distress, connecting with community support systems, and finding professional help when needed. Remember, taking proactive steps towards mental health can significantly improve quality of life, leading to a more fulfilling and engaged existence.

Stay Alive APP
https://www.suicideandco.org/support-links/stay-alive-app
https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/stay-alive-app-grassroots-suicide-prevention/
Apple
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stay-alive/id915458967

By spreading awareness about these resources, we can contribute to a supportive environment that fosters understanding and compassion. It is essential to educate ourselves and others on the importance of reaching out for help and maintaining open dialogues about mental health, especially during challenging times in life.

All the best in Wellness!

Chair & Seat Exercises for Senior Citizens

Posted on April 12, 2025 by autocreate740

Hello Everyone,
I discovered this fantastic PDF document that features a variety of chair and seated exercises specifically designed for Senior Citizens.
These exercises are not only beneficial for maintaining physical health but also serve as a wonderful way to increase mobility and flexibility within the comfort of your own home. This is definitely “News You Can Use”! Imagine treating yourself to a rejuvenating exercise routine while sitting down, making it both accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of fitness level. Plus, the best part is that the PDF is completely free! You can easily access it by clicking the link provided below, allowing you to start your journey towards a healthier lifestyle today.

Click to access Chair-and-Seated-Exercises-For-Seniors.pdf

All the best in Wellness!

Chronic Pain and Revisiting Acupuncture

Posted on November 19, 2024 by autocreate740

A few years ago, I was introduced to acupuncture via an article from a White Plains Hospital – Health Matters magazine. Having serious issues with arthritic pain in my hands made me consider this as an option for treatment. I mean, after all, how could I continue to bring you this news you can use every month – if my hands were not able to type? 🙂 More recently, I discovered an article on the WebMD blog – a source I often use for research. So once again, I am sharing this health information for your use and discretion as to whether it will work for you.

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20241113/cm/put-a-pin-in-it-acupuncture-for-chronic-pain

This is “News You Can Use” — and is provided to be an information resource of ideas that assist you to complement your “wellness” and “well-being” regimens to reduce stress, guide you in sustainability choices, and healthful living and is not a replacement to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition or disease. As always, I suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

All the best in Wellness!

Arthritis Podcast

Posted on April 1, 2022 by autocreate740

Living with Arthritis has many challenges. Below is a link to a podcast, which I think could be helpful in providing solutions and guidelines for dealing with this health challenge.

https://www.arthritis.org/liveyes/podcast

All the best for your well-being!

Walking and Smelling for Senior Citizen Wellness

Posted on December 22, 2021 by autocreate740

When I walk, I take an essential oil ‘sniffer‘ with me (2 or 3 drops on a tissue). I am a certified aromatherapist/trainer for essential oils and I use my sense of smell with essential oils to provide me with the therapeutic benefits of relaxation, increased energy, and pain relief.

Walking gives me the benefits of increased energy, boosts my mood, provides relief from arthritis and helps increase my focus.

Do you know that there is recent research, which indicates walking helps our cognitive abilities?

Have you heard that loss of smell may indicate a decline in cognition?

Essential oils are very powerful. Before inhaling essential oils, make sure to check with your doctor if it is ok for your specific health status.
Essential oils are not fragrant oils. Learn more at – https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatfrag.asp
Learn more about inhaling essential oils safely at – https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/how-to-use-essential-oils/#inhale

When you have a moment, listen to my podcast on why smelling and walking is a good thing for senior citizens. Then make some ‘free’ time for yourself to move your body by using the video below.

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.

Continue reading →

VIM App for Arthritis Sufferers

Posted on July 15, 2021 by autocreate740

The Arthritis Foundation reports that the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) generally affects persons in the age range of 30-60 years. The foundation also reports that RA affects children.

RA sufferers have a new tool to assist them with their various challenges brought on by this autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It is the VIM App.

My podcast provides a summary with details of how the Free VIM App works.

Download Apps using the links below for your Apple or Android Phone.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guru.applica.vim

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vim-pain-mgmt/id1562886172

You can listen to the Wellness Connections on other platforms
Just click the link below to select.
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7

Various arthritis blog posts are at the links below:

livingsenior.me | WellBeing Conversations
Arthritis Seasons & Remedies | livingsenior.me
Arthritis & Exercise | livingsenior.me
Arthritis Signs for Knees | livingsenior.me

Additional Sources:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms in Women (healthline.com)
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Arthritis Foundation launching Vim app to help people manage chronic pain | PhillyVoice
Pharma News | Pharma Industry | Pharmaceuticals Industry | FiercePharma

Black History Spotlight & Painting for Well-Being

Posted on February 22, 2021 by autocreate740

This year during Black History Month I would like to celebrate Alma Woodsey Thomas, an artist of remarkable accomplishment.
Thomas, started her painting career at the age of 70, after being a junior high school teacher for 35 years. YES! We can create “new beginnings” even in our senior citizen years.

Thomas’s parents migrated from Georgia to Washington, D.C. in 1906. In 1932 she became the first graduate of the Fine Arts department at Howard University, which is also the Alma Mata of the first African/Asian vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris. After graduation from Howard, in 1925, she taught Art at Shaw Junior High School until 1960. During her teaching career, she managed to also earn degrees from Columbia University and from New York University.
Thomas considered giving up Painting when she retired because of arthritis pain. However , in 1966 Howard University offered to mount a retrospective of her work. That’s when she decided she wanted to produce new paintings.

Alma Thomas was later honored with one-woman exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. In 1972 her painting Red Roses Sonata was selected for the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Before her death in 1978, she was nationally recognized as a key woman artist dedicated to abstract painting
Some of her other well-known paintings are: Fiery Sunset, Snoopy Sees Earth Wrapped in Sunset.

Continue reading →

Can walking help you sleep?

Posted on November 18, 2019 by autocreate740

Living as a senior citizen comes with various challenges. Some mornings I wake up with a pain I did not have the day before. Other mornings, I find myself feeling a little anxious about an upcoming medical test, or just plain nervousness due to “who knows what?”

On occasion, my sleep is affected by nervousness (the latter occurrences). I do find, however, that taking a 30 minute walk calms me down; makes my aches and pains more manageable, and I also sleep better during the night.

A recent study suggests that moving can enhance our sleep patterns, and, in this case, walking fits the bill. It turns out that we do not have to work out strenuously in order to gain the benefit of a good night’s sleep. Taking more steps during our monthly activity can give us better sleep quality. That’s welcome news for those of us who do not have the physical ability or time to do more intense routines.
In past posts we also learned that walking can help those of us with arthritis feel better and reduce pain.

Continue reading →

Arthritis Seasons & Remedies

Posted on September 30, 2018 by autocreate740

I have shared with some of you in the past that I am an aromatherapy enthusiast, and recently acquired my certification. So, I am delighted to tell you that I read lavender and rice warmed in the microwave can relieve some arthritis pain. That’s right ! Why don’t you try it?

Put the dried lavender and rice in a pair of clean gloves or socks. Warm them in the microwave. After warming the items, wear them to relieve the pain. Not only will you feel better, but lavender, is known to have other therapeutic values like calming the nervous system; initiating deep relaxation, and emotional balance, to name a few.

♥Those of us who are challenged with arthritic pain sometimes have flare-ups during rainy seasons and cold weather. I for one feel that kind of pain more in my neck and shoulder. Specifically during these periods, we want to pay attention to what we are eating. Foods that help with inflammation and can be added to our diet are, for example: tomatoes; ginger; olive oil; almonds; walnuts; raisins; fatty fish like albacore tuna; farmed salmon; mussels; and, anchovies. Foods that we want to eat less of are, for example: Red meat; french fries; pasta; candy; and soda. You pretty much know whether you are eating too much of these items.

Read more about remedies at these sources:

https://www.3rdactmagazine.com

https://www.webmd.com

Arthritis & Exercise

Posted on November 28, 2017 by autocreate740

The word about knee osteoarthritis (OA) and exercise is that the more you exercise the better you will feel! I know it’s hard to believe when you’re feeling that pain in your knees, or hands, or back – name it, I’ve experienced it. I continue to look for new ways to fight back. Here is what some Arthritis sufferers have had to say about measures/precautions that helped them fight back. I found these at: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis