Paradise Living Center Blog

Calcium, and various vitamins and nutrients, are essential to an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. In the earlier stages of growth and development, calcium is especially important in order to build healthy, strong bones.   However, as we age and our diets/lifestyles change, it can become increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy calcium intake that ensures our bones continue to remain strong in later years. In many cases, a prolonged deficiency of calcium and vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, as the element becomes essential in maintaining a healthy level of bone density. Therefore, when the body is not absorbing...

Embarking on the beginning of autumn, October brings the arrival of cooler temperatures, particularly at night.  Many of us find ourselves even turning up the thermostat.  For seniors the cooler air can be invigorating, while others may find it more limiting for outdoor activity. That’s why we’ve but together our list of healthy habits for seniors in fall. Keeping warm during cooler months is important, especially for those over the age of 65. Seniors are at a greater risk of catching the flu, and they are also more susceptible to heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. When the body is cold,...

The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and challenging its stigma. The initiative was originally launched in 2012. The goal is to unite opinion leaders, people with dementia, caregivers and family, medical professionals, researchers and the media. This campaign provides opportunity for Alzheimer’s associations internationally to gain recognition and credibility for the work they do, but it’s also an excellent occasion to have some fun and participate. The stigma and misinformation surrounding dementia continues to be a problem globally. This year’s campaign theme is “Remember Me.” The campaign encourages us to learn how to spot...

It’s that time of year again! September marks the arrival of Healthy Aging Month, “an annual obser­vance month designed to focus national atten­tion on the pos­i­tive aspects of growing older.”   Growing older and aging healthily isn’t all about infallible wisdom and grace, it also has a lot to do with keeping up the different aspects of one’s personal health – be they physical, mental, emotional, or financial. Knowing how to better address these aspects in a positive manner is what healthy aging is all about.   Another tenant of Healthy Aging Month is the stress on personal responsibility for healthier...

Caregivers tasked with ensuring the vitality of their ailing or elderly charges are arguably some of the most selfless people around. The responsibilities they take on can become daunting – and the extra work it takes in maintaining the health and safety of another person can certainly take an emotional and psychological toll on an individual. For preservation it’s incredibly important that anyone who serves as a caregiver to a senior takes the necessary steps to create boundaries, and safeguard their sense of personal self worth. According to Becky Feola, author of The Eldercare Consultant, signs of caregiver burnout include...

As we age it is paramount that we eat the right foods to properly fuel our bodies. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are prominent in seniors.  When the body ages carrying extra fat on the frame can take its toll, and we often make the mistake of cutting fat out of our diets altogether, but there are some fats that we cannot simply live without. One of these is omega-3. Omega-3 is the good fat we get from foods such as oily fish, and it is the one type of fat we don’t want to scrimp on. The two crucial omega-3...

You leave the house to buy groceries, or to head to work – but you’ve forgotten your wallet. Or your keys. Or phone. Mental missteps are commonplace – everyone has gone through this scenario. Substitute the destination and forgotten item with different factors but the situation is the same. As these forgetful instances become more and more frequent while we age, the stigma and personal worry that results can be especially damaging. However – it is important to note that while cognitive aging can be somewhat distressing, there is nothing abnormal about it. Though less frequent, we experience the same...

Greetings, friends and family! It’s been a fun and busy summer for us and, believe it or not, we’re just getting started. We know sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all of the exciting things happening at Paradise Living Centers, so here are the highlights from the past few weeks, plus some of the events and projects we’re looking forward to in the future: Butterfly Wonderland On June 24, we had the pleasure of visiting Butterfly Wonderland, America’s largest butterfly atrium. Our residents and volunteers loved it, and it was a wonderful way to cap off our...

When it comes down to where a person will be living in one’s older years, a single question is asked more than any other – Will it be more beneficial to live at home, or move to a community or home that provides care and assistance?   The answer always comes down to the individual, of course, based on their lifestyle and goals for their sunset years, their family situation and their health. Has this person always lived comfortably in independence and solitary pursuits? Or, would they prefer the more consistent surrounding of peers and activities?   A large factor...

The cost of living during retirement is a serious concern for many older adults. Financial experts warn of the cost of retirement, but we don’t need as much as the experts would make us believe. After retiring expenses often decrease, as retirees can actually eliminate many costs they had while working. Here are just some of the ways to save money after retirement, without affecting lifestyle choices: Commuting costs/transportation: If you are no longer commuting it is a good opportunity to sell off that second or third car you own. If you were previously driving to work every day the...