Finland is known for valuing healthy, active living. And did you know that with the exception of Japan, Finland has the fastest-growing percentage of older adults of any country? University researchers in Finland are drawing on many studies of its … Continue reading
Search Results for: exercise
Is It Safe to Exercise With Arthritis?
May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Over 54 million people in the U.S. are living with arthritis, and with the aging of our population, that number will grow. Arthritis is the general term for a group of more than 100 conditions … Continue reading
Exercises for Those with Mobility Challenges
Many of those living with arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease or other mobility-limiting conditions restrict their physical activity, either because it’s painful or under the mistaken belief that exercise will worsen their condition. The truth is that exercise is one of … Continue reading
Safe Winter Exercise
The holidays are over, and we’ve probably gained a pound or two from all the rich goodies we ate at parties and family gatherings. We probably let our exercise routine lapse, and no, wrapping presents and repeatedly checking the temperature … Continue reading
Sleep Lessons from Our Ancestors
With all the advances of modern medical science, it can still be useful to look at the health practices of our species over time. We evolved in a far different environment than most of us live in today, and our … Continue reading
Arthritis and Rainy Weather: Is There a Connection?
April showers bring May flowers…and according to an old belief, they also bring a worsening of arthritis. Some people even claim they can predict rain when their joints ache. But is that true, or a myth? May is National Arthritis … Continue reading
Lifestyle Changes to Lower the Risk of Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, only following heart disease. Each year, almost 1,800,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and close to 600,000 … Continue reading
Did You Resolve to Lose Weight in 2022? Here’s Some Motivation!
Here’s a common question: “What’s your New Year’s resolution this year?” And a common answer: “To lose some weight … same as last year and, come to think of it, the year before!” It can be so hard to lose … Continue reading
Protect Your Heart All Day Long
Experts from Greece offer insights that could provide a heart health boost morning, noon and night! Give your morning repast a makeover Does what we eat for breakfast, and how much, make a difference in the health of our arteries? … Continue reading
Tell Your Doctor About Alternative Medicine Practices
Today, many people are using health care approaches that are not considered to typically be part of conventional medical care. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), these products and practices fall into three categories: Complementary practices … Continue reading
Getting Your Inner Caveman Off the Couch
The Flintstones had all sorts of humorous labor-saving devices—a dinosaur lawn mower, a mastodon vacuum cleaner and so forth. But in reality, our ancient ancestors worked hard to survive. Anthropologists tell us this might be why it’s so hard to … Continue reading
A Labor Day Shoutout to Working Family Caregivers
During the pandemic, it has become more apparent than ever that working family caregivers are stretched thin as they balance caregiving with their job responsibilities. Much attention has been paid to the stressful situation of working parents, who were suddenly … Continue reading
Vacationing With Your Senior Loved One
Last year at this time, few people were even considering hitting the road for a vacation. Even at the beginning of Summer 2021, there was some hesitation. But reports are that many people in the U.S. now are seeking to … Continue reading
Eight Questions About Seniors and Dehydration
This summer, much of the country has been suffering under the blistering heat. High temperatures are especially dangerous for older adults, and dehydration is one of the big factors when they experience heat-related illness. Yet even during cooler times of … Continue reading
Talking About Incontinence? Let’s Do It!
Last month, June 21 – 27 was World Continence Week. The Urology Foundation says this recognition week is to “highlight the impact urinary incontinence can have on our lives and encourage those living with incontinence to seek help so they … Continue reading
Experts Learn From Seniors During the Pandemic
Older adults were hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, facing the highest risk of serious illness and death from the disease. Social distancing helped protect them, but posed a threat to their physical and mental … Continue reading
Men Get Osteoporosis, Too!
May was National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones gradually thin and weaken. It is common among older adults of all genders—yet many people mistakenly believe that it’s only a health concern of women. It’s true that … Continue reading
Could the Moon Affect Our Sleep?
During National Sleep Month in March, sleep experts have been offering tips and advice for better slumber. Scientists know more these days about sleep and its role in health. When we sleep, our bodies might be resting, but our brains … Continue reading
Rehabilitation for Our Most Important Muscle
Rehabilitation for Our Most Important Muscle This is a great time to learn about cardiac rehabilitation, an important healthcare resource for people who have heart problems. It includes exercise, education on heart-healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress and help … Continue reading
Preserving Our Sense of Purpose—Even Now
Gerontologists tell us that feeling we make a difference in the world provides a powerful healthy aging boost. A 2019 study of 7,000 older adults published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science showed that those who engaged in … Continue reading
Don’t Delay Reporting TMJ Symptoms
Among the other side effects of COVID-19 and the accompanying quarantine, dentists say that more patients are calling with broken or cracked teeth—a result of the stress we’re experiencing, which we often take out on our teeth with clenching or … Continue reading
Study Examines Older Adult Loneliness During the Pandemic
It looks as if there is good news on the horizon as research teams forge full speed ahead to develop and distribute a vaccine to control the spread of the coronavirus. But it will be some time before the pandemic … Continue reading
To Create Memories, Put Down Your Camera and Pick up a Pen!
These days, more and more people have a smartphone—and most of those phones come equipped with a camera. It’s become our impulse to whip out our phone or digital camera to take a photo of anything interesting we see. But … Continue reading
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: A Guide To Keeping Healthy in 2021
As the situation in 2020 looks to be extending into 2021, it’s high time we start considering how we’re keeping healthy in the long-term. Just like how overexertion will deteriorate your health, so too will a lack of exercise and … Continue reading
Seven Great Ways to Protect Your Immune System
During 2020, prevention has been top of mind for many of us! Though we can and should be immunized against seasonal influenza (“the flu”), a vaccine for COVID-19 isn’t available yet. The tools at our disposal for lowering our risk … Continue reading
What Is Prehabilitation?
After surgery or another medical procedure, patients often take part in a rehabilitation program to help them achieve optimal healing and function. Rehab helps them build their muscles, regain function, and cope with the emotional and cognitive aspects of recovery. … Continue reading
Pain Insights That Are Especially Relevant Today
Pain isn’t “all in your head,” as some people dismissively say. However, the way we think about our pain can make a big difference! In August 2020, a research team from Penn State University Center for Healthy Aging published a … Continue reading
Staying Positive During Challenging Times
If you’re like most people these days, you’re spending a certain amount of time fretting. Given what’s going on in the world right now, that’s understandable. But what if you can’t stop the bad thoughts that are going through your … Continue reading
September Is Healthy Aging Month. What Does It Mean to “Age Successfully”?
Many studies show that ageism is a serious health problem, both in the U.S. and around the world. So today, there’s a big push to improve the way aging is portrayed. In place of the images of yesteryear—older adults walking … Continue reading
Is It a Stroke, or Heat Stroke?
Every summer, many Americans suffer from heat-related illness, and experts caution that 2020 will offer extra challenges. People who quarantine in a home without air conditioning can overheat quickly, and many of the traditional spots where we go to cool … Continue reading
Prediabetes Is a Wake-Up Call
As experts are learning more about COVID-19, they’ve found that certain underlying health conditions raise a patient’s risk of serious complications and death. Diabetes is one of those conditions. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) explains that while having diabetes doesn’t … Continue reading
Avoiding “Side Effects” of the Quarantine
By now most of us are well aware of steps we can take to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s top of mind for most folks when we think about our health at this … Continue reading
Could Your Loved One Have an Anxiety Disorder?
These days, it seems like we have a lot to worry about! The coronavirus outbreak, politics, the stock market, all added to our usual worries about health, money, perhaps the problems of other family members … we can all be … Continue reading
Remodeling the “Food Pyramid” for Seniors
Many people assume the nutritional requirements of seniors are the same as those for younger adults. But a report released by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) revealed that it’s not that simple. The researchers … Continue reading
Lowering the Risk of Dangerous Blood Clots
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis or arm. This clot can cause temporary or permanent damage to the vein where it forms. And if a clot … Continue reading
Brain Health: What Really Works?
Polls show that when it comes to aging, worrying about memory loss is a top concern of Americans. A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation found that nearly half of middle-age residents … Continue reading
Are Your Devices Making You Lazy?
By now, most of us know that getting enough exercise is vital for good health and optimal aging. More people today are at least making an effort, setting aside time several times a week to get some physical activity—a minimum … Continue reading
Opioid Medications Raise the Risk of Falls
You’ve no doubt read of the terrible opioid epidemic that is ruining—and taking—so many lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 40 people die each day from an overdose of opioid medications, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone … Continue reading
For Seniors, Mental Health Treatment Supports Physical Health
As we grow older, we are more likely to be living with chronic health conditions. Heart disease, arthritis, vision and hearing loss, diabetes and many other illnesses all can take a toll on our quality of life, so it’s not … Continue reading
Three Gym Safety Tips for 2020
It’s a pretty common New Year’s resolution: join a gym, or if you already have a membership, spend more time there. Working out at a gym offers many health advantages, including weight control, disease management and depression-busting. Instructors teach classes … Continue reading
Experts Offer New Insights into Senior Driving Safety
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries through research and education. The foundation has conducted many studies on older drivers, with the two-fold mission of extending the driving … Continue reading
Hospital Delirium: What Senior Patients and Families Should Know
A senior goes in for a routine surgery and afterward, family are dismayed to see that their loved one isn’t themselves at all! Their loved one might be agitated, confused, or barely awake. They might not know where they are, … Continue reading
Denial All Around: Many Avoiding the Conversation About Alzheimer’s Disease
University of Michigan experts recently released a study titled “Thinking About Brain Health,” in which they polled people in their 50s and early 60s about their thoughts about dementia. They found that people worry about memory loss a lot. Almost … Continue reading
Seven Great Reasons Seniors Should Add More Music to Their Lives
Every human culture has a musical tradition. Why do we love music? If you think about it, isn’t it remarkable that among all the many noises in the world, we perceive certain tones, patterns and intervals as “music”? Brain scientists … Continue reading
Safer Walking for Senior Pedestrians
Most of us know that exercise is a—if not the—top way to promote healthy aging. A good exercise program for seniors includes aerobic, muscle strengthening and balance activities. And it’s good to know that walking is a great way to … Continue reading
Seniors and Their Furry, Feathered and Finned Companions
The U.S. Census Bureau says that 68 percent of U.S. households today have a pet, and pets are a $15 billion industry. Most of us love being around animals—and many research studies show that owning a pet is beneficial for … Continue reading
When It Comes to Fall Prevention, Plan Ahead!
We plan for health care during our senior years. We strategize our retirement finances. We make a plan about where to live, and how to remain socially connected. But there’s one other thing we might have forgotten. A new study … Continue reading
Meet Your Kidneys: Two Little Organs That Do a Big Job
March is National Kidney Month. During February, we celebrated National Heart Month, and this month we’re focusing on kidney health. It’s appropriate that these two recognition events are close together, because kidney health and heart health are closely related! The … Continue reading
“I Quit Smoking … But Now I’m Gaining Weight!”
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking. A month into 2019, a certain percentage of smokers who resolved to become former smokers are still sticking with it. But some report that during January, they seem … Continue reading
Diabetes Is a Family Matter
On the global level, the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organization hold World Diabetes Day on November 14 each year to call attention to the health and well-being of the 425 million people around the world who … Continue reading
Ten Bone and Joint Health Resolutions for 2019
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Many of us pledge to take steps to improve our health. This year might be a great one to focus on bone and joint health problems, which are among the most prevalent … Continue reading
Inoculate Yourself Against Phony Flu Products
Last year’s flu season was unusually severe. This year—which is incidentally the 100th anniversary of the devastating 1918 Spanish flu pandemic—it’s important to pay attention to the dangers of seasonal influenza. The flu can be a serious illness for people … Continue reading
Balance Problems Raise the Risk of Falls
Falling is a big senior health issue! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 percent of older adults will fall this year, and many will suffer brain damage, a hip fracture or other broken bone—injuries that … Continue reading
Opioids Aren’t the Only Dangerous Pain Medications
With so much coverage of today’s opioid epidemic, there is new emphasis on alternative pain treatment. For many people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain, this includes the use of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This class of drugs includes … Continue reading
Thinking About Pain
People who are living with chronic pain can feel discounted and insulted when someone says “It’s all in your head.” But studies show that the way we think about pain can make a real difference in how we perceive it, … Continue reading
Is Your Pet Keeping You Awake?
Many studies show that owning a pet can benefit us in multiple ways, no matter what our age. Pets provide companionship, motivation to exercise, a context for socializing, stress reduction and a powerful emotional boost. But experts advise us that … Continue reading
Warm Weather Tips for Managing Your Diabetes
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, you know that taking care of yourself and following the doctor’s advice are year-round tasks. But according to experts, summertime can offer some extra challenges. The Centers for Disease Control … Continue reading
Strokes in Adults Under 45
“He’s too young to have a stroke!” is a common line you hear when someone under 45 unexpectedly experiences one. The risk increases with age, but people of any age can experience a stroke. May is World Stroke Month, and … Continue reading
Tai Chi Lowers the Risk of Falls … And That’s Just the Beginning
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently confirmed that tai chi can be an excellent exercise to lower seniors’ risk of falling. Researchers from the University of Jaén in Spain examined the data from a number of studies, and … Continue reading
Spring Is Here! Time to Get Into Nature!
After a particularly brutal winter, those of us who live in cooler climates are happily venturing outside to soak up some sunshine and smell the flowers. This is a great idea for people of every age, and especially for older … Continue reading
As Memory Fades, Emotions Live On
If you have a friend or loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition, you might wonder whether the things you do with them have any benefit. “I took Mom out to lunch, and she doesn’t even remember,” … Continue reading
Creative Outlets Help People Living with Dementia Express Themselves
One of the first casualties of dementia is the ability to communicate effectively. The inability to remember specific details of recent events or follow a conversation make it difficult to connect with others, often resulting in isolation and depression. To … Continue reading
New Year’s Resolutions that Make Aging More Enjoyable
The New Year is like an annual alarm clock. It reminds us that another year has passed and it’s time to wake up to life’s realities – among them is the fact that we’re not getting any younger! Although making … Continue reading
Does Spirituality Play a Role in Healthy Aging?
We all understand the importance of physical activity, eating well and keeping our minds engaged to help improve our overall health and well-being. But the link between spirituality and good health has been less clear. Science is beginning to take … Continue reading
Six Ways You Can Promote Brain Health
September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Currently, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease. More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for a … Continue reading
Ageism in America is Hurting Us All
Ageism is a prejudice against older people and, just as with any prejudice, it creates serious issues in society. According the World Health Organization, ageism is most rampant in high-income countries, like the United States. Americans, as a whole, place … Continue reading
An Ounce of Prevention
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccinations are one of the best ways we have to prevent many diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several diseases have been virtually wiped out in the United States … Continue reading
How to Help Your Aging Brain Stay Healthy
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, growing older is the number one risk factor for Alzheimer’s. But as we discussed in this post, memory loss in not an inevitable part of aging and there are several things you can do to … Continue reading
Summer Provides Lots of Opportunity to Lose Weight
Today is the official start of summer! For many, this signals a time to lose weight. Summertime provides numerous opportunities for us to be more active and summer heat often reduces our appetite. The very act of eating can increase … Continue reading
The Benefits of Shedding Those Unwanted Pounds
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults age 65 and older were obese during the period from 2007-2010. Since that time, obesity rates for all Americans have increased – and obesity among … Continue reading
How to Use Mindfulness to Improve Your Health
Mindfulness is a powerful practice of bringing one’s attention to experiences, thoughts and feelings that are occurring in the present moment. Many use the terms mindfulness and meditation interchangeably and they have similar characteristics and goals. Meditation’s aim is to … Continue reading
Staying Healthy Isn’t All Hard Work
We all know the conventional wisdom about how to live a more healthful life – exercise, eat well, abstain from smoking and drinking, see your doctor regularly. For many, following these rules can seem overly burdensome and may include some … Continue reading
Not All Memory Loss Is a Sign of Dementia
People of all ages suffer memory loss at times. And lapses in memory may become more frequent as we age. But being unable to recall the name of your neighbor when you meet her on your way to work in … Continue reading
Exploring Aging’s Most Persistent Myths
You’ve heard it all before – old age means increasing aches and pains, constant visits to the doctor and a diminished capacity to live a full and fulfilling life. But is this really true? Does growing older necessarily mean giving … Continue reading
The Benefits of Home Care
At Senior Planning Services, we are blessed to be able to enhance the lives hundreds of seniors throughout Santa Barbara County every day by providing quality home care. Through our many years of experience, we’ve discovered that many people really … Continue reading
Aging Well Requires Some Planning
Many of us use the New Year as a time to take stock of our lives and devise a plan that will help us reach our goals for the coming year and beyond. One things most people look forward to … Continue reading
Helping Lift an Elderly Loved One Out of Depression
More than six million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from depression, which is often exacerbated by the holiday season. Not only can the holidays highlight feelings of loss for those who have lost a spouse, the post-holiday season … Continue reading
Holiday Family Reunions May Highlight the Need for Home Care
Every year, one of the most cherished holiday traditions is gathering with family. Getting together with those we hold most dear is often a highlight of the year. For those who may see their parents only during the holidays, this … Continue reading
Survival Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Anyone who has the responsibility of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s can tell you that is comes with its own set of challenges. Many caregivers report feeling isolated, stressed, and living with a sense of grief as the person they … Continue reading
The Healing Power of Humor
We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine. That old adage may turn out to be truer than many people thought. One of the major benefits of laughter is that it reduces stress – almost immediately. Have you ever … Continue reading
Staying Physically Active is Good for Your Body – and Your Brain
Most of us are aware of the benefits of exercise for our body – it’s helps control your weight, boosts your energy and lowers your risk for all kinds of maladies including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, just to name … Continue reading
Talking With Your Loved One About Incontinence
Seniors who are experiencing urinary incontinence often feel all alone. But they are not. Though the topic seldom comes up in conversation, incontinence affects more than half of women past the age of menopause, and also affects many senior men. … Continue reading
Show Your Eyes Some Love
Members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology recently issued a set of tips consumers can use to show their eyes some love. Seniors are at heightened risk for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. The … Continue reading
Beyond the Food Pyramid: What You Should Know About the New Government Nutritional Recommendations
During the first week of January 2016, Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack released updated nutritional guidelines for Americans, reflecting the latest science-based recommendations on diet. What should consumers know? The … Continue reading
Infections Raise the Risk of Senior Falls
As we grow older, we are at higher risk of falling. Millions of seniors are hospitalized each year as a result of falling, often suffering a hip fracture, head injury or other serious injury. In fact, falls are a leading … Continue reading
New Insights into the Health Damage of Loneliness
For years, researchers have confirmed the negative health effects of loneliness. Social isolation raises the risk of depression, heart disease, high blood pressure and a host of other health conditions that decrease both the length and the quality of our … Continue reading
2015 White House Conference on Aging Emphasizes Healthy Aging
For half a century, the White House Conference on Aging has been held each decade to examine the issues of older adults in the United States, and to set goals to promote the well-being of our seniors. One of the … Continue reading
Science Confirms Healthy Aging Benefits of Tai Chi
These days when you enter the activities area of a senior living community or senior center, you are less likely to encounter a bingo game in progress and more likely to see participants gracefully assuming poses while exhaling slowly. This … Continue reading
A “Nightcap” Before Bedtime? Not a Good Idea!
Do you have a “nightcap” to help yourself relax before bedtime? This might not be such a good idea, according to sleep researchers. Experts have long known that consuming beer, wine or spirits right before bedtime can cause us to … Continue reading
Raining? Snowing? That’s No Reason to Skimp on Physical Activity
Mom always told us to get outside for some exercise. But if you’re like many of us in the U.S. these days, freezing cold, snow and ice might make it unsafe—at the least unpleasant—to get our workout in the great … Continue reading
Healthy Lifestyle Choices to Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Most of us know that we can take “heart smart” steps to promote cardiac wellness. But sometimes, even the researchers are amazed at what a difference these lifestyle choices can make. The American College of Cardiology recently reported on a … Continue reading
Can You Paint, Dance or Sing Your Way to Healthier Aging?
Many people believe that creativity peaks when we are young, diminishing as we grow older. But this stereotype is a myth. In fact, research shows that creativity can be maintained and even increased as we age. Many lifelong artists have … Continue reading
What You Should Know About Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that affects the transmission of messages to the muscles. It is characterized by tremor, stiffness of the muscles, and difficulty in initiating movements. Over one million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. It occurs … Continue reading
Management & Staff
Debra DiNapoli Chief Executive Officer (Santa Barbara & Ventura) Debra is the Chief Executive Officer and she brings over 25 years of experience in home care industry management. Debra brings her background as Regional VP of Olsten Kimberly Quality Care, … Continue reading