Considering Integrative Medicine

Posted on April 28, 2021 by autocreate740

Integrative Medicine is often referred to as a way of “complementing” our wellness regimen by enhancing our body, mind and spirit experiences. What does that mean?

First, Integrative Medicine is not to be considered a “substitute for conventional medicine”. However, it can help with treating your well-being by “adding” to your regular medical program.

Second, some complementary/integrative methods are: Aromatherapy, Music Therapy, Acupuncture, Meditation, and Dietary Supplements. Living Senior has posted articles on these topics in the past: Links to My Other Posts | livingsenior.me

Third, let’s explore some ideas that can help with our wellness regimen, which are considered complementary.

A friend called my attention to the People’s Ph a rmacy, which began in 1976 to aide us in making decisions about medical and alternative treatments. They also have a database of Home Remedies at this link: Home Remedies | The People’s Pharmacy (peoplespharmacy.com)

A source I use for Integrative medicine guidelines, and how to understand the different terminology is Dr. Andrew Weil. He has been a pioneer in Integrative Medicine for thirty years.

You can signup for his newsletters at the link below:
DrWeil.com Newsletters | Andrew Weil, M.D .

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Message to Elders & Parents: Play More, Live Better and Longer

Posted on August 28, 2020 by autocreate740

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Play More?
What Does That Mean? Why Should I?

As we are continually confronted with the challenge of Covid19 worries, that impact our lives, I am sure we could all use a ‘Time-Out’ – in a positive way.

Research reveals that play as adults can help us to get some relief from our responsibilities, and find ways to manage the stress we feel. Not only will it be good for you, but if you have children, it can be a way to connect and relieve stress for them as well. Worth thinking about? The school year will begin shortly in a format that some of us have not quite figured out how to handle, and to bring ‘normalcy’ to our work and school days. Maybe what we need is a little relief to help us cope through this period. Below are some sources, which discuss various options and suggestions for placing ‘play’ in your life.

Photo by Edu Carvalho from Pexels

Sources for Ideas

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-importance-of-play-for-adults/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-in-mind

Sign Up: Free Exercise and other Classes for Seniors

Posted on July 29, 2020 by autocreate740

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

I want you to know that on any given day it is not easy for me to “pick myself up” and take “that walk”. However, one of the things that I know for sure about exercising is: afterwards, I feel better. I can imagine that for some of you, the same is true. That’s why I am taking the opportunity to share with you the Senior Planet website: https://seniorplanet.org/get-involved/online/.

Senior Planet has ‘figured it out‘. That is for certain. The Senior Planet program makes exercise look attractive, even tempting. I think that Senior Planet may motivate you to join with other seniors, in the comfort of your own home, and at a time and day that is convenient for you. You can choose what type of exercise suits your needs and your moods. Oh, and did I say that it is free?

Senior Planet also has other online computer classes that you can take: Art, Tech, Chair Yoga, Discussion Groups. It’s pretty impressive.

If you want to think about it first, take the opportunity to sign up for their Newsletter .
https://seniorplanet.org/get-involved/newsletters/

Enjoy!

Senior Care and COVID19

Posted on May 20, 2020 by autocreate740

senior telemedicine The 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_1920 Medicare 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 →

Exercise is a Win-Win Anytime We Start

Posted on December 11, 2019 by autocreate740

If you haven’t already started your New Year’s Resolutions list for 2020, here’s a suggestion for senior citizens who are feeling guilty that they never exercised in 2019, and think it’s too late at this stage in their lives to start.

The good news for 2020 is that anytime you start exercising you will gain benefits. In last month’s post, we learned that we could gain a better night’s sleep just by taking a 30 minute walk. Also, younger folks in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s can benefit as well. Just 150 minutes of moderate- intensity exercise a week ‘fits the bill‘. Ultimately, some exercise is better than none.
♥ Park your car a little farther away, and walk to your destination.
♥ Take the stairs more frequently.
♥ Take short breaks during the day. Continue reading →

Yoga For Pain Relief

Posted on August 8, 2019 by autocreate740

I had the fortunate experience to learn about using Yoga for pain from a public television station, and thought I would share that information with you along with some websites, which provide information on Yoga for seniors (not that you have to be one to benefit from reducing pain with Yoga methodologies).

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What is Healthy Aging?

Posted on July 6, 2019 by autocreate740

Happy summer to all of you. This time of year makes us more aware of our physical wellness. We shed those winter garments to reveal bodies, which have had holiday fun and some sedentary behavior, along with sluggishness due to weather circumstances.
♥
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Are Fish Oil Supplements Doing the Right Thing?

Posted on June 20, 2018 by autocreate740

On your recent visit to the doctor, did you have a conversation about those Fish Oil supplements you’ve been taking to help with the cholesterol issues you have? No? Well, neither did I. It pays to actually keep up with the latest news on this health stuff. It is true that eating fish has health benefits. However, until recently, it was thought that fish based supplements are also a good thing to take for this.

In the future, you may want to think about who is coming to dinner with you.
Supplements for cholesterol issues usually contain Omega-3 fatty acids (polyunsaturated oils). Omega-3 fatty acids are also available by eating fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel.
It is suggested that people who eat these types of fish two or more times a week may have fewer issues with heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths.
Some of the benefits of eating fatty fish 2 or 3 times a week are: lower heart rate and blood pressure; and improved function of blood vessels, for example.

Now it turns out that those studies, which were done 15 years ago, and reported that fish oils/fish eaters, could lower the risk of heart disease, may not be the only studies to consider. It may be some other factors/characteristics; for example, eating less meat, healthier lifestyles etc., could be contributory factors as well.
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Tweaking Your Workout Activity

Posted on April 16, 2018 by autocreate740

I realize that many of us are not revved up about getting to a 30 minute exercise class, or walking continuously for 30 minutes. In addition, many seniors do not have the extra income required to spend on a health club membership.

I was encouraged by a recent study, which finds that continuous activity is not a requirement to attain the benefits of exercise. That is to say, you do not have to workout 30 minutes at a time to gain the health benefits! You can actually accumulate those 30 minutes of activity 10 minutes at a time.

♥ The latest studies, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association are summarized below:
– “Movement strongly influenced longevity. Men and women who exercised fewer than 20 minutes a day, were at the highest risk of premature death. Those who moved more often, especially if they were active in a day, cut their mortality risk in half”. Continue reading →