Archive for category: Healthy Aging

It’s June in Kansas, so that means temps in the mid-80s and sunny skies. It can be tempting to want to bask in the sun’s rays. After all, a little bit of sun is good for us, right? Well, that all depends.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Our bodies need Vitamin D, which we get from the sun, to help absorb calcium. The “sunshine vitamin” helps with bone health, boosts our immune systems and can have other benefits as well.

Low vitamin D levels have been connected with osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cancer and rickets, according to medical experts.

We know that Vitamin D comes from the sun and that we need it for our bones to stay strong. The CDC even recommends spending time outside to improve health and wellbeing and reduce stress. However, they point out that too much exposure to the sun could put you at risk for skin cancer.

 

Dangers of Too Much Sun

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. And according to the American Cancer Society, about 5.4 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year.

“The number of these cancers has been increasing for many years. This is probably from a combination of better skin cancer detection, people getting more sun exposure, and people living longer,” said the American Cancer Society website.

Too much sun can also age skin faster and cause eye damage to the retina, sunburns and heat stroke.

 

Sun Safety

Most skin cancers come from ultraviolent or UV light. Those UV rays come from the sun year round. So even on cloudy days, it’s important to protect your skin.

Look for broad spectrum sunscreen, which will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays with SPF 30 or higher. When looking at SPF, the higher the number, the higher the protection. The CDC reminds you to reapply after two hours, as sunscreen wears off. And don’t forget all areas of exposed skin like hands, backs, ears and feet.

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays help reduce your risk of cataracts and protect the skin around your eyes.

Remember that from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., UV rays are the strongest. Keep an eye on the UV index to see how strong the exposure is for the day.

Lastly, seek shade. Avoid direct sun by lounging under an umbrella or large tree.

 

Finding a Happy Balance

So how do we safely get vitamin D if we need to avoid the sun?

“Just being outdoors you get a fair amount of sun exposure and some sun-related generation of vitamin D,” said Dr. Karl Insogna, Endocrinologist at the Yale School of Medicine. “It’s best to use sunblock when outdoors in strong sunlight for any prolonged length of time. Because this may limit the amount of vitamin D you get from sun exposure, make sure your diet includes sources of vitamin D from foods or supplements.”

Foods that provide Vitamin D include fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna, fortified milk, yogurt, orange juice and tofu, and egg yolks.

Supplements are another option. “These are generally recommended for people with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, as well as for people with darker skin tones or with certain medical conditions that prevent them from going outdoors,” according to the Yale School of Medicine.

 

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we encourage residents to get outside and get fresh air. However, we want residents to be safe. We’re mindful of all extreme temperatures and shaded areas for relief.

Advena Living specializes in skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care throughout seven locations in Kansas. Two of our locations offer assisted living as well.

Our name “Advena” means newcomer. We welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life.

Most people in the workforce have probably thought about retirement at some point, even if they’re decades away from it. The idea of no longer working and getting to do whatever you want—travel, sleep in, try new hobbies—sounds lovely.

Some people are so excited about retirement, they’re doing it early. The average retirement age in the US is 62 years old, according to recent research. And if you were to ask people between the ages of 25-40 when the ideal time to retire is, they’d say around 59.

Of course there are factors to consider, like whether you can financially afford to retire early. But a new report shows there may be one reason to keep working as long as you can.

 

Retirement Woes

As part of a larger study from Harvard on happiness, researchers found that retirees don’t miss working. Instead, they miss the people they worked with.

Anecdotal evidence from the study participants showed they missed the connections and friendships with coworkers. Others found it hard to stay in touch after retirement.

 

Work Place Friendships

It’s natural to crave human contact. Being around your coworkers on a regular basis provides an easy way to connect with others. It’s not just the intentional acts of going out to lunch that fills that void. Even the simple day-to-day interactions, conversations and overall bonding can make you feel engaged.

For individuals whose social life revolved around their careers, it can feel especially lonely after retirement.

Loneliness in Older Adults

A study out of the University of California, San Francisco found 43% of people surveyed who were 60 and older reported feeling lonely.

Loneliness is a growing problem amongst older adults. And loneliness and social isolation can lead to other health problems.

 

Be More Socially Engaged

The solution to loneliness is to put yourself out there, even if it’s a little scary at first.

Here are some tips to stay socially engaged after you’ve retired:

• Volunteer—this can help build sense of purpose and community
• Join a club or organization—find people with similar interests
• Take classes—if you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, now is the perfect time
• Call, write or visit with a friend every day—be intentional about staying in touch
• Find low-key part-time work—it might be wrapping presents at the mall during the holidays or working at the library for a few hours a week.

 

About Advena Living

A long-term care or assisted living community offers a natural environment to foster relationships. But sometimes residents need a little encouragement.

At Advena Living, we want to help our residents live their best lives and connect with their neighbors. Whether you prefer to be outside, you like to watch game shows or play cards, we’ll tailor our activities at all of our communities to your interests.

Part of our guiding philosophy is that we honor choice. We believe that residents should always have a say in how they live their lives. We will work hard to accommodate what you want your schedule to be every day.

Advena Living specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation and assisted living services throughout the state. We have locations in Bonner Springs, Cherryvale, Clay Center, Clearwater, Rose Hill, Topeka, and Wichita.

Our name “Advena” means newcomer. We welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life.

 

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for both men and women worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that 32% of all deaths are related to heart disease. That includes heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, among other conditions.

While not always the case, cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. The American Heart Association reports that 80% of cases can be avoided with the right diet and lifestyle.

Across the board, experts have stuck to the tried and true steps to better heart health.

 

Follow a healthy diet

The unanimous consensus is that eating better can reduce your risk of heart disease. The CDC recommends you eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats. Remember the Mediterranean Diet? All those healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and avocado are great for your heart.

While you’re at it, avoid the bad fats, or saturated fats. Those can raise your cholesterol and lead to plaque build-up in your arteries.

The CDC also recommends you reduce your intake of foods with added sugar and salt. Research from the National Institutes of Health found too much sodium causes you to retain water and that makes your heart work faster.

 

Get moving

The AHA recommends 2.5 hours of moderate activity per week, which is just over 20 minutes a day.  Moderate activity could include a brisk walk, dancing, gardening, tennis, casual biking or water aerobics.

Higher intensity activities would be running, aerobic dancing, hiking uphill, cycling or swimming laps.

The AHA also says to spend less time sitting.

 

Quit smoking

Smoking causes 25% of deaths from cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC. It does a lot of bad things to your body. Smoking can lower your good cholesterol, make your blood stick and likely to clot, damage cells, and cause blood vessels to thicken and narrow.

 

Reduce your stress

We’re beginning to learn that stress is the root of all evil. The AHA says stress may lead to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Other research looks at the ways that stress causes an increase in white blood cells and inflammation, which affect how your body functions.

Meanwhile, cardiologists have pointed out stress causes people to act in ways that could increase their risk of heart disease. That may mean turning to comfort foods or alcohol, curling up on your couch instead of exercising or smoking more.

Experts say it’s beneficial to your overall health to find time to relax each day. Find activities that are calming and enjoyable.

Also take a moment to acknowledge the great things in your life. According to the NIH, gratitude can improve your well-being and help you cope with stress.

 

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, we support our residents on their wellness journey, whether that means mental health support, smoking cessation, or an overall healthier routine.

Our rehab-to-home programs help individuals who need intensive physical, occupational and/or speech therapies get stronger and return to independence. Alternatively, long-term care is an option for those who need assistance with routine activities on a daily basis. Our team will work hard to make newcomers feel comfortable, happy and engaged.

We specialize in assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care throughout the state. Our locations include Bonner Springs, Cherryvale, Clay Center, Clearwater, Rose Hill, Topeka, and Wichita.

The social distancing and lockdowns of Covid-19 shed light on the dangers of isolation and loneliness. That was especially true for seniors, who are already at risk of those things.

As we begin to see more studies and information disseminated on healthy aging, it’s more apparent than ever that social connections and community are an important piece.

An in-depth report on aging from the World Health Organization (WHO), found that having a sense of community or connectedness is the key to aging more successfully. Positive health benefits included lower rates of anxiety, stronger immune system, improved cognitive function.

Similar studies have found having a social network wards off depression and maintains or increases physical activity.

The big question is how do we create a sense of community if we don’t have one already? According to a Livestrong.com article there are eleven ways to get started.

The first step to creating community is taking inventory of your current group. Look at how often you’re interacting and the types of activities and decide what you need to be fulfilled. Examine your relationships and determine which ones need nurturing and who is part of your real support system.

If you’re looking for new people to join your circle, consider meeting them through shared hobbies and activities. “Getting back to these interests can increase autonomy and feelings of purposefulness, as well as give you a chance to explore social connections with new people.”

Volunteering also opens doors into new friendships and provides the added benefit of giving back.

For more tips on how to create a healthy aging community, click here.

About Advena Living

Moving to an assisted living or long-term community comes with a built-in social group. We try to facilitate connections between residents as we get to know their individual preferences, hobbies and interests. Our Activities Directors provide ample opportunities for social engagement through activities in and out of the building and other special events.

Advena Living specializes in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation and assisted living services throughout the state. We have locations in Bonner Springs, Cherryvale, Clay Center, Clearwater, Rose Hill, Topeka, and Wichita.

Our name “Advena” means newcomer. We welcome newcomers seeking a senior living environment where they may continue to enjoy a full life.