Each New Year brings new and exciting possibilities. We get to start on a clean slate and set New Year resolutions. Many goal-setters strive to improve their health. They set resolutions for the New Year, such as do more exercise, go on a diet, get more sunlight, etc. and aim to stick with them. Others get stuck. So I will share with you a few suggestions to live a healthier life. Visit Your Elderly Parents Once a MonthHealth isn’t exclusively about what you put into your body. Spending time with people you love also assists with health. Some elderly parents receive attention from home health aides. These professional caregivers help senior adults with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping and personal hygiene, as well as offering meaningful companionship. However, time with these in-home caregivers is not the same as spending time with your child. Visiting your elderly parent once a month gives them more time with you. You both get to share memories and bond during your precious moments. Spending time with your parents is the best way to show that you care. Your visits will benefit their physical and mental health as well as your own. Sign Up for Weekly Laundry Pickup and DeliveryNo one wants to do chores, but unattended laundry will pile up over time. Dust will accumulate and trigger allergies. You might also notice the odor. Not tending to laundry can turn your home into an unpleasant one and hurt your health. A weekly laundry pickup and delivery will solve this problem. Not only will create a cleaner space in your home, you will also always look your best in clean and fresh clothing. Furthermore, delegating laundry gives you extra time to exercise, work on other health-related goals and spend precious time with your family, which is again beneficial to you and your family’s mental and physical health. Be Environmentally-FriendlyTaking an environmentally-friendly approach to your living environment is not only kind to our planet but often ensures better health for yourself as well. For example, a lot of cleaning products contain chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the body. Resolve to start using green cleaning products this year. You won’t feel the disadvantages immediately. However, like the planet and climate change, these effects will occur in the long term. Homeowners can also consider switching to a propane water-heating and space-heating system which are more eco-friendly than oil and likely to be cost-beneficial in the long run. Consult your local home energy supplier and also inquire about availability of propane tanks and delivery service. Set Up a Health and Lifestyle PlanStrive to become healthier now than you were last year, but it may not be easy to do it alone. You can enlist a loved one to keep your objectives on track, but sometimes professional coaching is more effective. Some pharmacies have a wellness coach who can set you up with a health plan and recommend proper exercises, vitamins, and supplements for your goals. Having professional support along the way lets you establish challenging but reasonable goals, with a higher probability of success.
Setting New Year resolutions around health is a great start for the year. I wish you the best as you continue your health journey in 2022! Need some spooky season inspiration? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to drop, the weather gets crisp, and ghosts roam the streets. And while there are tons of fall activities to do this season, it can be extra fun to get into the spooky spirit too. Keep reading to learn 5 Halloween celebration ideas for 2021. 1. Throw a Costume Party If you want to have a wild Halloween night, invite some friends over for a costume party. To prepare, put up some Halloween party decorations, put out party food and drinks, and get the spooky music blasting. And if you’re over 21, make some fun Halloween cocktails or get pumpkin beer! Pro tip: if you want to have the perfect costume, get it dry cleaned or altered before the party. 2. Make Spooky Treats
If you’re over eating Halloween candy, make some spooky treats instead! Here are some desserts you can make:
3. Watch Scary Movies There’s no better time to watch scary movies than Halloween night! So grab your popcorn (and maybe some candy) and get ready for a fright. Here are some of the best ones to watch:
4. Play Halloween Games If you have children, playing games is a great way to celebrate this holiday. Here are some of the best Halloween games you can play:
5. Decorate Your Home Even if you’re not planning Halloween parties, it can be fun to decorate your house for the occasion. Here are some awesome decoration ideas:
Did You Like Those Halloween Celebration Ideas? No matter which of these Halloween celebration ideas you choose, you can’t go wrong. So whether you throw a big costume party or watch a few scary movies, you’re sure to have a blast. Just watch out for any ghouls and goblins on Halloween night! 2020 was a tough year. And as much as we wish it were true, the clock turning to 12:01 on New Years Day doesn’t make all of that hardship disappear. Sure, we’re going into the New Year with a sense of optimism and hope, but that still doesn’t mean we all can’t get bogged down with a case of the winter blues. That term in itself has a deeper meaning this year. Luckily, there’s plenty of easy things we can do to make things a bit simpler. Clean HouseDid you know that studies have shown that keeping your house tidy and eliminating clutter can actually decrease anxiety and lessen depression? Executing a little action on the things we can actually control in our life keeps us from dreading the things we can’t. So winter is the perfect time to do those chores you’ve been putting off all year. Clean out that crawl space, organize that closet, rearrange that pantry. All these things can create a little order in a chaotic time. Take those blankets and comforters to the dry cleaners or consider a wash, dry and fold service for those piles of laundry that just can’t figure out how to wash themselves. Stay HealthyWhen you’re experiencing the winter blues, it’s even more important to take care of your physical health. Eat lots of healthy, fresh whole foods. Take a daily multi-vitamin. Pick up your prescribed medications on time, and talk to your doctor about any health changes or concerns. Your local pharmacy has everything you need to keep up with your health. And don’t forget your flu shot! Stay WarmWinter brings lots of unexpected weather. Be sure you have plenty of backup methods of keeping warm in preparation for winter storms. Space heaters are great, but if the power goes out, they’re not going to be much help. Consider a propane heater for Plan B. Check out the nearest propane refill service to ensure your supply. Think of OthersIf you’re experiencing the winter blues, think of how hard it might be for those that don’t enjoy the independence you do. Elderly loved ones can feel especially isolated and lonely this time of year. Consider hiring a home care aide for your loved one that could use a little extra help around the house.
Fighting the winter blues can be a team effort if you consider all the resources already at your fingertips in your community. As our loved ones age, they feel most comfortable at home. That’s why if it’s safe for them to stay home, with some help, that’s usually the best option. But it definitely can be overwhelming for us to transition into becoming a caregiver, even if it’s not full time. Here are some tips for caring for your elderly loved ones at home. Make the Home SafeAs we age, it becomes tricky to navigate certain spaces. Adding grab bars in the bathroom, shower and sitting areas is an easy way to give your loved one a little extra help and prevent falls. Consider reaching aids like grab claws kept in convenient places like under cabinets or in pantries. Make Moving Around EasyCanes and walkers are a helpful way to give your elderly loved ones some independence when moving around. There are even foldable walkers that can be stored away in closets or under furniture. Prescriptions and Medical RemindersIf your loved one takes medication regularly, there are several ways to remind them to either refill prescriptions or pick up meds. You could set alarms, have them set up for monthly refills, or have the pharmacy set up reminder calls. CompanionshipIf your elderly loved one is still in good health, a pet may be an option for companionship. Cats are generally less maintenance than dogs. However, some small dog breeds make great companions. If pets aren’t an option, consider hiring a sitter for the elderly a couple of days a week. Delivery ServicesThere are so many grocery delivery services today, and some of them even offer special services for its elderly and high-risk clients. You can even download an app and order the groceries yourself, from your own home or office, and have them delivered to your loved one at their home. Some Boston dry cleaners and online laundry apps provide laundry delivery services as well. Local ServicesGet with your community park services. They may offer special hours or programs for elderly citizens. Even if that’s not an option, regular walks to the park or in the neighborhood are always a great idea. Consider signing up your senior for the activities provided by your community's senior center.
Using these easy tips, caring for your elderly loved ones can be a rewarding experience for everyone. |
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