Senior Outlook Today

When I was in college, one of the things I struggled with most was sleeping properly. With all the projects and deadlines coming up for all my classes, I was putting up more all-nighters than getting the quality sleep I needed to concentrate throughout the day. The small dorm room and hard beds didn’t do well for me either, which made me sleep less and feel tired throughout the day.

That’s why I can feel a college student (or teen)’s struggle when it comes to sleep. Because of that, I decided to do my research and show you the expert sleep advice for college students and teens!

Whether you’re a teen struggling in high school or a young adult in college, these five expert tips can help you get enough quality sleep for your schoolwork:

Read related: 5 Ways to High-Quality Sleep for Elders – Senior Outlook Today [Read more…]

There are certain aspects to cold weather months that actually increase your need for attentive foot care. More boots and fewer sandals mean you are going to be seeing your feet a lot less than normal and routine nail-trimming may fall to the wayside. Cold, wet weather like snow and ice can also leave your feet wet, freezing, and more susceptible to injury. Don’t miss this quick cold weather foot care guide for seniors:

Update Your Footwear

It’s no surprise that you should be thoughtful about the footwear you use when trekking out in inclement conditions like snow, ice, or freezing rain. In addition to keeping your feet comfortable and dry, well-fitting, waterproof shoes should also support your foot and ankle and provide some traction to help prevent you from slipping.

Be mindful of the types of socks you are wearing with your closed-toe shoes too. If you are trying to jam your foot into your everyday sneaker while wearing a thick, wool sock, you might be doing more harm than good. Not only will your shoe feel exceptionally tight, but your toes might be squished and walking may become uncomfortable. Make sure that you have a good pair of winter shoes or boots with adequate room for thick socks that provide comfort and support in addition to warmth. [Read more…]

Rates of social isolation among seniors are high, especially seniors who experience mobility problems, hearing loss, and depression. The fact is, however, that getting outside of the house, and especially into nature, can do wonders for improving health outcomes and enhancing overall well-being.

Benefits of Getting Outside

New scientific research has found specifically that exposure to green space reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and premature death. “Green space” includes everything from undeveloped land with natural vegetation, like a farm or hiking trail, to urban green spaces, like parks and roof gardens. Contact with the bacteria and other pathogens found in nature can also play a role in strengthening your immune system and reducing systemic inflammation in your body.

If you’re looking for fun outings to do this fall that will get you out of the house and into nature, don’t miss this quick list:

Go “Leafing”

Many in the U.S. are asking when exactly their local foliage is going to change color as high temperatures and extra moisture this year have delayed many landscapes from taking on their normal autumn hues of orange, red, purple, and gold. That means, however, that folks on the east and northwest coasts still have an opportunity to view Mother Nature at her peak fall foliage in November. [Read more…]

Today’s seniors have had a mixed history with cannabis. The herb enjoyed huge popularity in the 1960s as a staple of counter-culture both sides of the Atlantic, but in the decades that followed, attitudes toward the plant drifted dramatically in the other direction. The media churned out story after story about the mental health risks of marijuana consumption, and the “lazy stoner” stereotype seemed to fill the rest of the conversation about pot.

Research progressed for years at a snail’s pace, and it was only in the 1990s that cannabis started to garner mainstream legitimacy as a medicine with San Francisco’s Proposition P and later the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 which legalized medical cannabis throughout California. But fast-forward to 2018, and perceptions of the plant have changed further still. The therapeutic qualities of the key cannabinoids in cannabis are now known, and there is a swathe of interest surrounding cannabidiol (CBD) products. These are made using extracts from CBD-rich cannabis or hemp and are essentially non-psychoactive. This is a perfect middle-ground, where many cannabis benefits are on offer for the user, without them having to experience short-term euphoria and altered consciousness. In a nutshell, for the older generation, CBD is cannabis sans the stigma. [Read more…]

Small, lightweight portable oxygen concentrators the size of a hardcover novel are increasingly replacing large, bulky oxygen tanks

For those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, being tethered to a large, heavy oxygen tank for supplemental oxygen can be life altering.

According to The American Lung Association, more than 11 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, but millions more may have the disease without even knowing it.¹ COPD causes serious long-term disability and early death.  While there is no cure, much can be done to treat and manage the disease through medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and social support.

Those on oxygen therapy require a reliable, supplemental supply of concentrated oxygen.  For decades, the standard has been to prescribe large, refillable compressed gas oxygen tanks.   However, these metal tanks can weigh up to 18 pounds.  They also require regular refilling so users must ensure they have enough tanks on hand, schedule pick-ups of replacements, and carefully plan how far they travel. [Read more…]