Skin Care

According to an anti-wrinkle cream reviews site, LifeCell scored highest with 98/100 users claiming it was the most effective at reducing signs of aging and making skin feel rejuvenated. However it is also one of the most expensive creams on the market. Before making any final decisions on what cream to use, compare various wrinkle creams a few times and make your choice based on your skin type and how much moisture you need on your skin every day. The best anti-wrinkle creams will contain substances that not only help your wrinkles disappear, but improve the overall look of your skin. The cream should contain retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. Collagen is another common chemical used, which makes the skin firm and soft. Over time, collagen (“the glue” that holds elastin together) depletes from the dermis, which is why it’s important to find a cream that will contain collagen as well as retinol.

As we get older, it becomes more important than ever to care for our skin. Make sure your skin is always clean, especially in the feet, groin, armpit area, and under the breasts for women. 2-3 showers or baths per week should be sufficient as too much washing can also cause severely dry skin. Hydrating the skin with a fragrance-free moisturizer is vital. This helps avoid problems like cracked, dry, itchy skin. Moisturizing right after a shower is best as it is easiest to glide on when the skin is still a little damp.

Hair Care

Dr Zoe Draelos, a clinical associate professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., advises senior citizens to use weaker chemicals on their hair because the hair can’t handle the strong chemicals. As we age, hair becomes more dry, brittle, fine, and looses its elasticity, making it prone to breakage. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to the hair before it starts. Finding a shampoo that contains Vitamin C can therefore help to revitalize it. Shampooing should be done at least weekly. Oils build up on the scalp and may cause scalp irritation.

In terms of facial hair, according to an article on the website medrounds:

Elderly women tend to have an increase in facial hair, especially on the chin and upper lip. These hairs can be removed by tweezers or professionally with an electric needle. A mild bleach can be used by many women to lighten the hairs and make them less noticeable. The drug Spironolactone, which inhibits testosterone, may also be used.

As men age, they begin to lose hair on their head, which seem to sprout vigorously in their ears and noses. A site called The Straight Dope goes into great detail about male the nose/ear hair growth phenomenon common in about 74% of older males. Trimming is your go-to solution for maintaining the unwanted hair. Using tweezers to pluck ear and nose hair can cause ingrown hairs and lead to infection. The hair can inflame the nasal cavity and cause a great deal of discomfort. The steps for trimming are pretty straightforward. Make sure your ears and nose are clean. Use a cotton swab to gently position the hair for easy trimming. Then, use an electric nose and ear hair trimmer. These machines are quite painless.

Stay Fit & Healthy

A little exercise can go a long way in maintaining a youthful appearance. A 20 minute brisk walk every day, a swim at the local Y, a bike ride along the canal or even some outdoor gardening can make a world of difference. A balanced diet full of fiber and fluids, is also important to keep you regular. Special attention must also be given to our calcium intake (especially women whom are more prone to osteoporosis) as it helps to fight against bone disease. Current research states that seniors should be consuming at least 1500 milligrams of calcium each day. Protein is another vital element to a proper diet. Seafood has omega-3 fatty acids which helps prevent heart disease and is strongly correlated in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. For more information on how to improve your diet, check out this website.

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Beauty Tips For Seniors

Then it hit me!  Of course!  Over the years, she seems to have lost her patience with other people in general.  Her friends have either passed away or moved, her family lives far away, and although she lives in a building teaming with seniors who’d be more than happy to share in some conversation with her, she prefers to stick to herself most of the time, reading and drinking coffee.  The truth is, humans are social creatures, meant to socialize, and when you spend too much time by yourself, it can have unpleasant effects on your health, as all your thoughts and emotions are focused inwards.

As her son, I’m pretty much the only person she talks to, but when she does, it’s always the same conversation about what medications she’s taking, what doctor’s appointments she’s been to, which ones she has coming up, and when all you do is sit at home and think about all your sicknesses and illnesses, well guess what? You’re never going to get well!  So, this is how I came up with the perfect birthday gift idea for her:  a pet!  It’s perfect, a little animal to take care of would not only get her mind off her meds, but it would bring more love into her home, both from and towards the animal, it would get her out of the apartment if it needed walks, giving her the gift of fresh air and exercise, and it would motivate her to stay healthy, knowing that a little creature depends on her for it’s happiness and survival.  In fact, it has been  medically and scientifically proven that seniors with little companions have lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, and lower cholesterol, living longer and healthier lives than seniors without.

The following are some important things to consider when getting a pet for that special senior in your life, or perhaps you are a senior yourself reading this, and you could use this to help you pick out the perfect little animal to enrich your life:

- Get the pet from a local animal shelter or an adoption agency.  Animals like cats and dogs from pet stores often come from breeding farms and  puppy mills, where their parents live in terrible conditions and are basically forced to produce babies until they die.

- Pets from pet stores are expensive. Not only are they over priced to begin with, but you’ll have to take them to the vet to get all their shots, as well as spayed or neutered.    Most animals from shelters and adoption agencies cost a small fee, and have already received all their vaccinations and have already been snipped.

- Think about adopting an older animal.  Young animals like puppies and kittens are extremely rambunctious and require much training.  They sometimes destroy furniture and leave messy packages on the carpet.  Older animals have already been trained, have calmer dispositions, and will be less stressful to manage.  Let the kids take the puppies and kittens, older animals are more difficult to find homes for, and are put down more often, so why not make two seniors live longer and happier by pairing them up.

- Try to match the pet with the person.  Are they dog people, or more into cats?  Would they enjoy the company of a bird, or perhaps a little rabbit?  If you get them a dog, are they strong enough to walk some of the bigger breeds, or would a smaller pooch be a better idea?  Would they appreciate the tranquility and beauty bubbling forth from an aquarium filed with fish?

After doing a little research myself, and casually asking my mom a few questions, I’ve discovered that a dog, perhaps a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will be the perfect pet for her.  They are of life and love, and will bombard her will affection and appreciation whenever she walks through the front door.  The dog will get her out of the apartment, will get her legs and lungs working, and will perhaps help her meet new people along the way.  A little dog will cuddle up with her when she sleeps, and most importantly, it will shift her focus off of herself and onto her new cuddly companion.

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Gift Ideas for Mom: Pet Adoptions

Wineries of Niagara on the Lake

Here in this nestled picturesque region you can find 22 wineries amidst a landscape of vineyards and orchards that stretch out to the Niagara River Parkway. Next to the Niagara River and adjacent to vineyards, Inniskillin offers tours which include a 20-station self-guided tour, tastings, shopping, and special events. Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery is a state-of-the-art winery with contemporary architecture. The winery offers a comprehensive wine education program that includes private guided tours and a sensory program of food healthy recipes and wine pairings in the Tasting Gallery.

Seneca Lake, NY

The Four Chimney’s Organic Winery is right on the Seneca Lake in New York is the first organic winery in North America. Featuring a pre-Civil War Victorian estate, the tasting room is in a restored dairy barn. Since 1980 they have offered such wine as 2008 Reserve White which has dry and rich buttery oak notes.

Okanagan

British Columbia has outstanding weather, lush forests and becoming a world-producer of truly great wines. You can choose from over 32 wineries in the Okanagan region, ranging from major wineries to estate operations and small, family-run farm gate concerns. There are interesting wine tours to choose from. The . Westside Wine Tour costs $79 plus tax and includes a full tour with wine tasting at Mission Hill, Quails’ Gate, Mt. Boucherie, Little Straw and Rollingdale Vineyards. If you want a wine tour that includes lunch, the Signature Wine Tour visits Sumac Ridge, Thornhaven, Dirty Laundry, Greata Ranch and Hijas Bonitas, some of the best wines to come out of the Oakanagan region!

Sonoma County

If you visit Sonoma than two places definitely worth a visit are Alderbrook Vineyards and the Fetzer Vineyards. Alderbrook Vineyards is located in the Dry Creek Valley. It is a 65 acre estate producing some of the best quality wines with decks overlooking the grapevines. Fetzer Vineyards gives you the ultimate country vineyard experience. Fetzer began in 1968 and is one of California’s white wine pioneers.

Napa Valley

Napa Valley not only offers breathtaking views but some of the world’s most exquisite wine’s too. There are many wineries to see if you are planning a trip to this region, but be sure to make a reservation first. Jarvis Winery is a highly recommended winery, famous for its classic Cabernet and Chardonnay. The cost for the tour is $30 and up and absolutely worth every penny. One reviewer claims that in over 10 years covering Napa Valley she has never had six wines poured to her “and liked every single one”. The tour also includes access to hidden rooms that display the family’s collection of giant cut amethyst geodes. Beringer (Napa Valley’s oldest continuiously operating wineries) and Robert Mondavi are also very popular however due to of the recent boom in Californian wines over the last decade, these two well-known spots have become very crowded and lack some of the personable feel you will get in other places. However, you don’t need to reserve beforehand and can feel free to can drop-in to both of these places. Signorello Estate is another vineyard worth checking out. Beautiful views and a laid-back ambiance make this a perfect place to start your tour.

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Wine Tour Destinations For Seniors

Helen Mirren

A Queen by all rights, the 65 year old, is bursting with grace and has been described as “stirringly voluptuous”; which turns out to be quite an accurate statement.

Sean Connery

He’s handsome, has an accent, and has played James Bond in seven of the 22 James Bond films. No wonder the ‘greatest living Scot’ is still looking darn sexy at 80.

Clint Eastwood

His early roles in Spaghetti Westerns and as Inspector Harry in the Dirty Harry films have made him an enduring icon of masculinity. As an actor, director, producer, and composer Clint Eastwood has received numerous awards— including a People’s Choice for Favorite All-Time Motion Picture Star. With all his awards and accomplishments he would do well with some inventory management software. Plus, the man can still do a push up with one arm.

Jack Nicholson

At 73, Jack Nicholson’s sly disposition and dark charm continue to make him one of the most talented and sexy men in Hollywood. Nicholson has been nominated for Academy Awards twelve times winning the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and for As Good as It Gets.

Glenn Close

The 63 year old blonde beauty is still a complete knockout, with the ability to seduce audiences as much in her latest movie Damage as she did in Fatal Attraction.

Julie Andrews

Just a spoon full of Julie will make the medicine go down. A stunning woman and splendid actress who still has all the elements of style and class at a graceful 75 years old.

Warren Beatty

The former Hollywood playboy still retains his handsome good-looks at the age of 73. After years of dating many famous women, including Madonna, Cher and Diane Keaton, Beatty married Annette Bening with whom he costarred in the film Bugsy and has four children with.

Sophia Loren

The Italian bombshell, still has it at 76. Loren placed sixth in Playboy’s 100 Sexiest Women Of The Century feature. The Italian golden-ager continues to spark the fire she did the when she was in her 20s.

Meryl Streep

If there is one actor who can seamlessly take on any role and steal every scene it’s Meryl Streep. At 61, Streep is one of the most renowned actors in Hollywood holding the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor. Dazzling and graceful she emanates beauty and elegance both on and off screen.

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Sexy Seniors

The Nintendo Wii console is the first console marketed towards users aged 5 to 95. It’s a universally fun console, which has gotten about as much buzz as a Led Zeppelin Rock Revival concert would. Anyone can pick up a Wii remote and play the games with ease. Not all Wii games are easy though, some require a bit more effort. Wii games that seniors can play can vary from brain engaging games to more fitness oriented games.

Puzzle games are fantastic for any senior. They stimulate the brain and keep the mind active. Multi-player puzzle games are even more fun, because you can challenge a loved one, getting the competitive juices flowing. “Tiki Tiki Towers” is one of the many puzzle games that will surely provide brain stimulating entertainment for seniors interested in gaming!

Wii Sports is a game that comes with the Nintendo Wii console, and can be a great way to get a light exercise. It features boxing, tennis, baseball, bowling, and golf. These require subtle movements, but they are also great for establishing a good workout. Senior citizens will have a blast participating in the Wii Sports game. Later in 2009 a new addition to the Wii Sports is said to be released, Wii Sports Resorts!

Wii Fit is another game in the long list of games that seniors can effectively play and enjoy. They will learn strength training, yoga, and light aerobics. Wii Fit is a simple and easy way to exercise, right in your living room.

There is also the board game classic, Monopoly. Everyone can play Monopoly. It is the perfect game for seniors, without the hassle of board game pieces on a living room floor. It’s also multi-player, so you can challenge your family members to a match.

There are many Wii games that are spin-offs of classic living room games. Yahtzee, Sorry, Battleship, Chess, and much more! The Mario collection is also a good choice, because they are fun and just difficult enough to provide valuable brain stimulation.

If you seek mind challenging games, then there are plenty of games such as Trivial Pursuit and Big Brain Academy. These games are particularly beneficial for seniors, because they stimulate and encourage an active mind.

There are tons of Wii games to be enjoyed by young and old alike. They are easy to learn and fun to play.

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Fun and Interesting Wii Games for Seniors

Italian food is one of the most popular ethnic cuisines, but possesses high amounts of cheeses and red meat. Cooking with just a bit of olive oil and eliminating creams from Italian dishes goes a long way in preparing healthier meals. Chicken cacciatore, baked polenta with no cheese or butter and tortellini in tomato sauce minus butter and cheese are all acceptable alternatives to fattier fare.

Fans of Asian and Middle Eastern foods should be particularly aware of the sodium in their meals, and stay away from deep-fried items. Chicken, fish and other lean meats cooked in broth with vegetable as a side can be seasoned to Asian or Middle Eastern specifications and are healthy as long as they aren’t breaded and fried. Middle Eastern dishes often contain beans, grape leaves and curries, all of which are good for the heart in reasonable amounts and promote general health.

Mexican American dishes, or Tex-Mex, can be excellent choices as heart healthy foods with a commitment to avoid guacamole, refried options, sour cream and abundant cheese. Chicken enchiladas, minus the cheese, sour cream and refried beans, are a good dish for Mexican food lovers. Ceviche, baked tamales and black beans and rice are also good for the heart healthy diet.

For the elderly individual with a love for Americana and soul food, several things need to be kept in mind. First, many American restaurants offer low-fat and low-cholesterol alternatives to their high-fat foods. Read the menu thoroughly if eating out to identify healthy options. Second, minimize the use of condiments such as mayonnaise, salad dressings and flavored sauces to cut down on sodium and saturated fat. Last, minimize the breaded items in an American food platter and stay away from fried options. Broiled, baked or grilled is always better than any item coated in breading or sauce, and can mean hundreds of calories in the right direction.

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Heart Healthy Food and Recipes

Wondering where to go? Easy:

Alaska

If you go to Alaska at the right time of year, you can pack in enough fun during the daylight hours to really have an outstanding trip. Alaska has several cross-country ski trails which can be enjoyed by individuals whether you’re new at it or an old pro.

Everyone, including cross-country skiers can enjoy the Northern Lights. Dog sledding, snowboarding, winter cycling, ice fishing and snowmobiling are also sports which can be enjoyed in Alaska.

Michigan

Michigan’s winter sporting activities cater to families with young children to adult travelers, depending where you go. In addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, travelers can ice skate and toboggan. Michigan often has bitterly cold winters, so dress warm before hitting the slopes!

Ontario

Ontario has something for everyone in terms of winter activities. If you’re thinking about going to one of their many ski resorts, most lodges provide free shuttles to the ski hill, which makes it easy to plan your trip. But that’s not all they have to offer. In Ontario, visitors can go tubing, snowboarding, take hummer rides, horseback rides, go snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Colorado

Colorado is a prime location for cross-country skiing and other winter activities. Visitors who plan to do some downhill or cross-country skiing can choose from more than 20 ski resorts in order to enjoy a wide range of slopes. For individuals who don’t want to ski, Colorado has dozens of other winter activities which are readily available to travelers. These include snowboarding, kite boarding, dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice climbing.

Winter sports are becoming increasingly popular and there are plenty of opportunities available if you think you or your family might enjoy embarking on a winter adventure. Check out places in your area to find out if there are any man-made slopes or bunny hills that you can test out before spending tons of money and learning that skiing just isn’t for you.

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Cross Country Skiing and Other Winter Activities

Based on preference and ability, it is not uncommon for groups of the elderly to run nights of dancing or karaoke as a lure to draw the community’s older members together in the interest of their health and well-being. In addition to the physical benefits afforded the elderly individual, who regularly engages in movement and exercise, activity can have a profound on the mental state of a person and their overall mood. Communities who run programs to help the elderly with transportation and food will often promote events through the drivers and volunteers running the senior-friendly programs.

Aside from activities focused on music and dance, elderly programs might also offer get-togethers with themed activities and projects. Arts and crafts are a great way to exercise the mind and spirit when coordinated group functions are not available. One example would be to have seniors bring in some old photos they can make a collage with. Once the collage is finished, they can make their own picture frame so they can hang it up in their home with picture hanging hardware later on. Learning to paint, sewing or knitting, scrapbooking and card-making are other options. There is no shortage of new ideas available to the elderly for expanding their artistic horizons or a specialized skill. For those who are affiliated with the congregation of a church or community senior association, volunteer opportunities may exist for quilt making or greeting cards for shut-ins. Completing such tasks is rewarding to the individual on levels beyond that of physical and mental well-being.

Another option for elderly individuals alone or preferring to stay in would be a video gaming system that encourages active motion. Many video game consoles now have physical activity titles that get the player off the couch and into motion. The importance of regular activity for the elderly is paramount relative to the rate of physical and neurological decline. Regardless of the amount of activity an individual is able to undertake, benefits are most likely realized by even the smallest commitment to moving around and testing the brain.

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Indoor Activities for the Winter Months

Though research does not offer a concrete statement as to the effectiveness of diet and activity on prevention of Alzheimer’s in the elderly, evidence suggests there are benefits to manipulating eating habits and participating in games and neurologically-challenging activities. Some prescription medications slow the symptoms of Alzheimer’s to an extent that eases the transition for patients into later stages of the disease, but prevention altogether is the goal of lifestyle changes in the elderly.

Of the encouraged behaviors believed to stifle the onset of Alzheimer’s, none have more of an effect than regular exercise. Elderly patients who are able should exercise moderately for about a half hour, five times a week. Exercising programs for the elderly should include aerobic activity, weight training and stretching. Building muscle in conjunction with flexibility may decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s by as much as 35%.

Aside from organized physical activities in the form of exercise and stretching programs, elderly individuals can boost their activity by performing common household tasks. Activities such as gardening, sweeping the house and taking the stairs all contribute to an individual’s overall health.

Brain exercises, from exercises in memorization to committing to learning something new every day, all are effective in keeping the neurological functions firing at healthy rates. To maximize the results of exercise to prevent Alzheimer’s, a brain-healthy diet should be implemented as well. Eating several small meals throughout the day, focusing on the types of food found in the Mediterranean diet, is an effective way of keeping blood sugar and insulin levels consistent. Organic foods seem to be beneficial to patients with a tendency towards developing Alzheimer’s, as well as a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and lots of fresh greens.

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Preventing Alzheimer’s Through Diet and Activity

Complementing many transportation services functioning in an effort to promote wellness are services for grocery store trips. Elderly patients who do not have regular access to grocery stores or the pharmacy are less likely to maintain a nutritional diet and vital prescription therapies.

The options for communication for elderly patients vary from community to community, though some national organizations attempt to provide uniform services through their company’s locations. The types of transportation commonly available to elderly patients are door-to-door trips, fixed route and schedule services and ride sharing programs. Door-to-door trips are the most flexible from a scheduling standpoint and offer a maximum of convenience for the elderly patient. Similarly, ride-sharing groups set up by many churches and community organizations will generally cater to changes in an individual’s schedule based on availability. Reservations are usually mandatory for ride-sharing programs and door-to-door service, something not necessary with a fixed route option. Additionally, door-to-door fees usually run higher than those of the other two, with fixed route selections being the cheapest.

Fixed route and schedule options might not be ideal for many, because they do not cater to individual destinations or schedules. Most fixed route choices offer discounts for seniors, a benefit for those on a tight budget. It is not uncommon for communities to have funding for elderly transportation, affording riders the benefit of regular trips to the doctor and store at little to no cost. Volunteer programs for transportation are some of the most prevalent offered by churches and associations promoting care of the infirm and elderly.

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Transportation Solutions for the Elderly