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There are many reasons that senior citizens should exercise on a regular basis, but the main one is that it helps to increase your overall health and ward off life-threatening diseases – especially those associated with aging. Simply put – exercising helps us age more gracefully.

Almost everyone knows the sort of problems we face when aging – slower metabolism, bone loss and stiffness in joints, muscle loss, balance problems, less endurance and heart and lung problems. We all want a quick fix to aging, such as injections and facelifts or a pill we can take to halt or reduce the aging process. But, in reality, regular exercise is the only thing we can do for ourselves that will increase our overall health and well-being.

Exercise can help us maintain the ability to do things we love and to accomplish everyday tasks that we need to do rather than depending on someone else. Even if you’re a very out of shape senior citizen, there are simple exercises you can do that will make you feel better and enjoy your life.

Stretching is simple to do (you can even stretch while sitting) and can make remarkable strides in improving your joints and muscles. You can find online stretching exercises, choose from the many television shows that promote exercising or get a book from the library or bookstore. You’ll want to be sure to choose exercises that stretch your back, arms, calves, thighs, stomach and chest – but don’t overdo it. Stretch for 5 to 20 minutes per day or whatever you feel up to.

Any activity that increases your endurance is great for senior citizens. Those exercises might include gardening, biking, swimming or simply walking the dog. Try to increase your breathing and heart rate, but don’t exercise so strenuously that you lose your ability to talk. Take it easy and you’ll benefit more than you realize.

Strength exercises are very important to engage in as you age. The more you can strengthen your muscles, the better able you’ll be to increase your metabolism (maintain a normal weight) and keep your blood sugar at normal levels. Strength exercises can be in the form of machines at a gym or fitness center – or, you can even use items around the house, such as books and cans of food.

Exercises designed to strengthen your back should be an important part of your exercise program. Back pain can be excruciating and life-changing and is common in senior citizens. Ask your doctor for a list of exercises you can do to strengthen back muscles or research on your own to find some that are right for you.

One of the worst maladies that can affect senior citizens is balance problems. Aging can cause loss of balance, but so can certain medications. There are exercises to specifically build your leg muscles and increase your perception of balance so that you’re less likely to fall. Keep in mind that in the United States, hospitals admit over 400,000 people per year for broken hips – and most are senior citizens.

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Keywords – Home Health Care La Jolla

About Firstat Nursing Services Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Being a caretaker to children is a big responsibility. It can be stressful at times and that stress can show up in your body physically. Add being a caretaker to an elderly parent that stress compounds.

Thanks to the longevity of the elder generation, more adult children are choosing to step in and become part of the sandwich generation. Some do it out of a sense of duty – having been raised to believe it’s their responsibility to care for their aged parent.

Others do it out of love – they can’t imagine putting their parent into a nursing home. Whatever reason you step up to the plate, knowing the responsibilities and how to deal with the stress beforehand can go a long way in making the situation smoother for everyone involved.

The term ‘sandwich generation’ was coined to mean that a person is supporting two generations. The caretaker is often the meat that makes up the gist of the sandwich – the main ingredient. While it can be a loving, rewarding experience for all involved, there are changes that can wreak havoc on your life and your family’s life if you’re not careful to avoid the pitfalls. Understand the financial commitment that you’re making.

Decide ahead of time how you’ll handle the extra expenses that will come up in the family budget. Who’s going to pay for the extra expenses? Financial pressure can put a strain on you that you want to deal with head on rather than letting it build. You may have to pay for things in order to help keep your parent safer physically.

Will you have to do anything to make the room safer for your parent? Will you need to install any safety rails in the bathroom for the bathtub and near the toilet? Will you need to buy any medical equipment such as a hospital bed to make sure your aged parent doesn’t fall out of bed?

If your parent is prone to nightly wanderings, will you have to install a system that alerts you whenever they’re out of bed? If your loved one is not at that point, but is unable to drive, who will make sure he gets to and from appointments? How will you find time to make sure he or she has an active social life with their friends?

Besides a financial commitment, understand the time commitment that you’re making. You only have so many hours in the day and if you’re like most people, you’re stretched to the limit. How are you still going to find time for yourself? Not having time to unwind and refresh is the leading cause of burnout among family caretakers. The emotional toll it takes can be difficult to deal with.

Make sure that you still plan time for your children and your spouse so that they don’t start feeling neglected. Adding an aged loved one to the household can often change the family dynamics.

Talk the situation over with your family before you make a decision. It’s important that they’re in agreement with you so there won’t be resentment later. Having a plan in place before you make any moves can help keep the harmony in your home and in your relationship with your parent.

People wanting to learn more about Home Health Care options in San Diego are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, 
http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Home Health Care Rancho Santa Fe 

As you age, food choices become important daily decisions that may affect the quality of the rest of your life. Home Health Care San Diego seniors need fewer calories, and everything you eat should be based on weight gain and the nutrients that can maintain or boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Too much added weight and not enough vitamins and minerals can cause untold health problems.



Choose your foods to make sure you’re getting enough of the following vitamins and minerals:



 – B-Vitamins – Seniors need to be sure they eat lots of foods with B-vitamins. Vitamin-B12 isn’t found in plants, but you can get it in your diet if you eat fortified breakfast cereals. Tuna, lean beef, chicken and eggs also provide vitamin-B12, but if you don’t eat enough of these foods, be sure to take a supplement.



 – Vitamin-B6 is also an important vitamin for seniors. B6 vitamins can be found in foods that provide protein such as pork, fish and chicken. Again, fortified cereals can be a great source of vitamin B-6. Bananas, spinach, wheat germ and bran are among other sources for vitamin B6.



 – Vitamin-A – Cantaloupe, carrots, Brussels sprouts, peppers and most colorful plant products are rich in beta-carotene, which provides vitamin-A. Fish liver oil, eggs and fortified milk are also abundant in vitamin-A. If you don’t think you’re getting enough vitamin-A in your diet, talk to your doctor before taking a supplement as it can form toxic levels in your body.  



 – Folic Acid – A synthetic form of folate, folic acid can be found in foods such as fortified cereal, enriched breads and some grains. Foods containing folate are bananas, asparagus, turnip greens, spinach wheat germ and orange juice.

 – Riboflavin – Milk, yogurt, eggs and whole grains are rich in riboflavin. Milk should be purchased in cardboard cartons rather than glass or plastic containers because it loses much of the vitamin from exposure to light. Other food sources high in riboflavin are asparagus, turkey, almonds and chicken thighs.



Some other vitamins that should be included in the foods seniors should be eating are vitamins C, D and E and choline. Eating a diet that’s balanced with these vitamins and minerals is best, but if it’s difficult for you to eat a balanced diet on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about supplements.



These are just guidelines.  Of course, you must talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.  As you age, it’s important to fill up with foods that contain vitamins and minerals that will help us to maintain a healthy immune system and provide you with the best caloric intake rather than foods rich in sugar, fat and not much else. Eating right can help us age gracefully and live longer.



About Firstat Nursing Services

Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com



Topic: Home Health Care San Diego | San Diego Home Health

How Home Nursing Can Help Improve the Lives of Each Other
Caring for an aging spouse is often a difficult and time consuming activity. From morning until evening-and often throughout the night- aging loved ones need assistance. In many cases, demanding schedules overwhelm even the most agile caregiver, creating stress and making life at home miserable for all involved.  Luckily, home nursing care provides a helping hand- someone to assist with knowledgeable, caring help- the perfect solution for a spouse in need of rest, relaxation and quality time with the one they love. 
Improved Time Together…and Apart – When you can depend on the help of a qualified, professional home nurse, it’s easier to manage time more effectively. Whether it’s for taking care of personal responsibilities, relaxing or simply looking forward to some quality time with your partner, having a highly trained nurse visit regularly makes it possible to do something other than provide care.
Quality time with one another- laughing, talking or just sitting together keeps relationships healthy and is important for providing support during difficult times. Even for just a few minutes every day, having the extra time can mean a great deal. More available time also makes it possible to more effectively care for yourself. It’s easy to deplete energy levels looking after a spouse, leaving little if any energy for yourself. Having a qualified nurse visit the home provides opportunities for spouses to get some well-deserved time for themselves.
Reduce Stress – Caring for an aging partner can be a very stressful activity. From administering medicines to dealing with mood swings or depression, there are difficult challenges to face.  It’s easy to feel overburdened and experience high levels of stress simply from trying to meet the demands of an aging partner. Stress at this level often leads to other more serious health conditions.
A home nurse provides needed support for both spouses, which eliminates stress and creates a calm, enjoyable environment. Challenges with treatment, disabilities or mood swings are easier to deal with and remedy in a calm, balanced atmosphere. 
Skilled and Knowledgeable Support – While we all like to think no one can care for our loved ones as well as we can ourselves, this may not be the case. A home nurse has the unique skills and knowledge to efficiently and effectively administer treatment and medicine that we may not be familiar with. They are highly trained professionals who work in the industry and have extensive experience providing care and support to aging patients and their spouses. A home nurse gives you peace of mind in knowing your loved one is safe, comfortable and well cared for.
Caring for an aging spouse is a demanding, full time job and even the most ardent caregivers and partners need help. Seeking assistance from a qualified home nurse makes it possible to more effectively manage time, reduces stress in the home and provides invaluable support to all involved.
About Firstat Nursing Services– Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com
 

How Home Nursing Can Avoid Sending a Aging Parent to a Nursing Home

For many of us with aging parents, making decisions about health care cane be a challenge. We want to respect the wishes of our loved ones but often, it can feel as though we’re between a rock and hard place when it comes to making the real tough decisions. Many of us are uncomfortable leaving an aging parent alone, yet, we cannot bear the thought of considering assisted living facilities. Besides, we want mom or dad to stay in their home, where they’re most comfortable. Luckily, there are options. Home nursing care provides the perfect solution, making it possible to avoid sending an aging parent to a nursing home. 

Checking on and Administering Medications – Nothing is more frustrating or confusing than multiple medications that must be administered to be effective. When you don’t live with your parent, it’s difficult to know how he or she is handling any medications or if they are taking them properly. Luckily, a home nurse has the skills and expertise to offer assistance, provide guidance and overseeing medications. A nurse is familiar with the various types of pills and prescriptions and is more comfortable administering drugs or recognizing behaviors associated with certain drugs. He or she provides security and peace of mind in knowing that a loved one is being looked after on a daily basis – even if for only a few hours.

Ensuring Nutritional Needs are Met – Part of the responsibilities of a skilled home nurse is ensuring your loved one is getting the nutritional benefits of a well-balanced diet. It’s tough to convince mom or dad to eat fruits and vegetables, and often it’s even more difficult to shop for and prepare meals. A home nurse with nutritional expertise can make certain these needs are met and consistently. Keeping aging parents eating properly is a first step towards optimal health and sure way to stay out of a nursing home.

Providing Assistance, Companionship and General Care – Whether we like to admit it or not, many of us have the tendency to be a little overprotective of our aging loved ones. We want them to be safe, and often we underestimate their abilities or control their activities a bit too tightly. A professional home nurse, understands physical limitations and can more effectively allow aging parents to exercise the important independence they need to feel alive.

In addition, having the support of a highly qualified home  nurse means that mom or dad are getting the companionship they need without feeling constrained or “nagged” by a child. This assistance is critical for managing stress, maintaining healthy and staying in your own home.

Making tough decisions regarding an aging parent can be difficult and stressful. When avoiding a nursing home is the goal, a home nurse may be the solution you’ve been looking for. From overseeing medications to helping with meals and providing companionship, a home nurse is a welcome addition. Aging parents are a priority- from safety concerns to nutritional needs- we want the best for our loved ones and we want them to be happy. Home nursing can satisfy both.

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Family members have been pushing each other’s buttons for years. After all, the private relationship among parents and children, sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles and even grandparents is intense, intimate and rarely understood by outsiders.
Unfortunately, when it comes time to care for an aging parent or loved one, intense family bickering can be detrimental, unhealthy and at the very least, uncomfortable. Home nursing is a safe, reliable way to keep the peace in the home when caring for an aging senior and a positive solution making everyone a little happier. 
Improved Care – One of the main benefits of hiring home nursing care for an elderly or aging family member is an increase in the level of care. More often than not, when a child or sibling tries to care for an elderly family member, the level of care suffers. Even the most well intentioned family members find it difficult to compete with the hard will of a stubborn relative that resists help.
A home nurse solves this problem by providing assistance characterized by objectivity and expertise. Who can argue with the recommendations of the expert? In addition, typically, the skills and knowledge that go along with the profession far outpace those of even the most committed family member, making it more likely that a loved one receives the best care. The result- objective, reliable and improved care for your loved one that you can trust will be complete, safe and administered without a fight.
Improved Mood – No one enjoys spending time with someone who is constantly complaining or resentful of having to care for an aging family member. Having the assistance of a home nurse even a few days a week can significantly improve the overall mood in the home- of both caretaker and senior.  When a friendly, energetic, refreshed nurse arrives, the petty, insignificant squabbles seem silly. A home nurse can bring a new sense of energy into the home, providing cheer that goes beyond a smile, and a sense of optimism that is more than welcome.
Maintaining Independence – Provide a senior the opportunity to maintain his or her independence and keep peace in the home instantly. Growing old can be a depressing experience if challenges are not met with the right preparation and guidance. A home nurse has the ability to help your loved one deal with these experiences gracefully, without resentment or anger that often accompanies difficult challenges.
In many cases, family members are too close to the situation and cannot appropriately provide guidance without assuming control or unknowingly denying seniors the chance to “fend for themselves” when appropriate.  A home nurse has experiences dealing with these potentially explosive situations, and can effectively keep the peace.
Caring for an aging senior in the home is a difficult challenge for everyone involved. Arguments, tests of will and even resentment can create an uncomfortable, unhappy home environment that does no one any good. Consider a home nurse for keeping the peace and experience improved care, improved mood and a better quality of life for all.
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatofSanDiego.com
 

Home Nursing Point Loma, Home Nursing Ocean Beach, Home Nursing Pacific Beach CA Call 619-220-7600If you are looking for Home Nursing Point Loma, Home Nursing Ocean Beach, or Home Nursing Pacific Beach, then you’ve come to the right place. Before selecting Home Nursing, Home Care or a Home Health agency in San Diego, CA. please review the information here, which should be very useful for you.

Our in-home and homehealth nurses and staff are trained, skilled and friendly as well as compassionate and attentive to every patient need. We train our homehealth nurses in San Diego and Point Loma to provide the right support, respect and dignity to all types of patients.

Our philosophy “Where Care Comes First” is exhibited every day for every patient whether it be in the home or on-site at assisted living facilities.  At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare.

At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare. At Firstat Nursing Services We provide many in-home nursing, in-home care and homenursing services.

Some of our Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach homenursing services include wound care, personal hygiene, meal preparation and light housekeeping.  At Firstat Nursing Services, we are licensed by the Department of Health Services, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and a member of the American Board of Homecare.

To learn more about how Firstat Nursing Services can help you find the best homenursing and in-homecare in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Pacific Beach, CA for your family and your specific homenursing, homehealth and homecare situation please call us at 619-220-7600 or go to our website – http://firstatofsandiego.com

With improvements in health care, seniors are living longer, more productive lives. That’s great news and we all appreciate having more time with our loved ones. Nevertheless, for many seniors, aging at home creates difficulties such as driving, medical care and even day-to-day activities become a challenge. A quality, certified homecare provider can offer assistance and support, helping aging seniors remain independent longer.

Providing Safety and Peace of Mind – No one likes to think they are incapable of taking care of themselves. In fact, for many seniors who have been independent their entire lives, a nursing home or elderly care facility is simply out of the question. Often, family members of an aging senior who will not consider leaving their home are anxious and nervous, fearing that a loved one will fall or injure themselves trying to do too much. It’s not uncommon to worry about the elderly driving, forgetting to take medications or injuring themselves while using the stove. These fears can be overwhelming. A homecare provider delivers peace of mind, assuring us that someone is supervising these activities, making certain that our loved ones are safe and protected.

Helping With Chores, and Errands – Aging seniors who are not sick have a wonderful opportunity to experience growing old from the comfort of their own home. While this is terrific, it can also be difficult for seniors to keep up with housecleaning and general chores. In some cases, simple tasks like going to the grocery store or throwing in a load of laundry are impossible without assistance. Hiring a certified homecare provider gives aging seniors the chance to remain independent and complete these activities without injuring themselves. Besides, having a homecare provider to assist is simply a safer option than hiring a maid. If something were to happen- if a senior were to fall for instance-a certified homecare provider can provide medical assistance where a maid could not. 
 
Companionship – One of the worst realizations of an aging senior is learning that he or she can no longer drive to visit friends or attend social events without assistance. A compassionate homecare provider can provide comfort during these times, creating a trusting relationship built on companionship and assistance when necessary. As an aging senior, knowing there’s someone there to help- that you know and trust- is encouraging. Having a friend to attend social events with or just go to lunch with from time to time is enough to prevent seniors from feeling isolated or getting depressed.

For many aging seniors, living at home independently creates challenges that can be addressed easily with a certified homecare provider. Nurses and practitioners who come to the home have the skills and knowledge and are capable of administering professional medical care if necessary. More importantly, a quality homecare provider can offer support, companionship and peace of mind for family members. From running errands to doing chores to helping with medications, a quality homecare provider gives aging seniors the flexibility to remain independent at home where they are the most comfortable.

Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both State licensed and certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.  Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997.  To pick up a copy of her free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider,” Visit, http://FirstatofSanDiego.com