As we age, our bodies become more frail and we begin to lose muscle tissue.  Some “studies have [even] found that as [we] age, [we] not only lose muscle, but the tissue that remains can become infiltrated with fat, degrading its quality and reducing its strength.”

So what can caregivers in Palo Alto do to prevent this?

Palo Alto Home Care states that a recent study found that consistent exercise not only keeps you healthy as you age, but it also prevents muscle loss.  A study was conducted among people (ranging in age from 40-70) who exercise 4-5 times a week and the results were encouraging.

“There was little evidence of deterioration in the older athletes’ musculature.  The athletes in their 70s and 80s had almost as much thigh muscle mass as the athletes in their 40s, with minor, if any, fat infiltration.  The athletes also remained strong.”

“What we can say with certainty is that any activity is better than none,” Dr. Wright says, “and more is probably better than less. But the bigger message is that it looks as if how we age can be under our control. Through exercise, you can preserve muscle mass and strength and avoid the decline from vitality to frailty.”

Remember how much fun bike riding was as a kid? Bike riding is one of the simplest ways to have fun in a variety of settings and stay in shape. Plus, it’s a skill that is not easily forgotten so it might be time for those of us involved in Palo Alto at home care to try it out with our loved ones.  As we age into our senior years, bike riding can still be fun and not too challenging, with the help of an electric assist bike. Electric assist bikes are great for going uphill or when you want to keep a steady pace without exerting too much energy when pedaling.

Electric assist bikes are quickly becoming a worldwide trend. China is estimated to have more than 100 million electric bikes. Europeans are expected to buy more than a million this year. Here in the United States, the market is more modest with a 20 percent growth this year. The NYCe Wheels, who have been selling electric bikes for the past decade, indicate that between 30 and 40 percent of his customers are boomers.

So why an electric assist bike? They are a great way to stay in shape without the strain. Some people buy them to keep up with their kids or grandkids. Others use it to commute to their job. Folding electric bikes are available for those who like to drive or boat to other destinations. In regards of the law, these are considered bicycles, not motor vehicles, so the rider does not need to be licensed.

Bike riding is fun at any age, but it becomes harder on our bodies as we age.  With the help of an electric assist bike, we can enjoy bike riding without the strain on our bodies. Visit your local bike retailer to try a demo bike and hit the nearest trail!

Tens of millions of Americans aged 65 and older suffer from hearing loss.  They significantly depend on these hearing aids to keep them in tune with the audio around them.  But what happens when hearing aids lose some of their functionality?  Or when static interferes with the hearing aid’s signal?

Until recently, there was no solution to this problem for Palo Alto caregivers. However, technological advances have contributed to the creation of the hearing loop for hard of hearing older adults.  The hearing loop uses a technology called the T-coil, which is currently found in two thirds of hearing aids.  The T-coil is a comprised of a “thin strand of copper wire installed around the edge of a room.”

Composer Richard Einhorn who suffers from hearing loss encountered this T-coil technology and “for the first time since [he] lost most of [his] hearing, live music was perfectly clear, perfectly clean and incredibly rich.”  This is a technology that can change the lives of tens of millions of Americans who suffer from hearing loss.

The T-coil has been widely adopted in Northern Europe, but the United States is just starting to incorporate this technology into the manufacturing of hearing aids.  Several Eastern states are currently using this technology and as it proves effective, more states will surely get on the bandwagon.

Storytelling is one of the oldest traditions on earth. Stories are integral aspects of our lives and an important part of how we communicate, learn and grow so why shouldn’t Palo Alto caregivers try it out?

According to a New York Times article, research is supporting the idea that storytelling is also imperative in improving health. Doctors and patients alike suggest the power of personal narratives to effectively communicate and interpret experiences concerning certain health issues.

A recent study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine reported that listening to personal narratives helped control high blood pressure in one group of patients, which was just as successful as taking additional medications.

“Telling and listening to stories is the way we make sense of our lives,” said Dr. Thomas K. Houston, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester and the Veterans Affairs medical center in Bedford, Mass. “That natural tendency may have the potential to alter behavior and improve health.”

Stories are particularly helpful with more “silent” chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They can help the patient realize the importance of addressing a disease that has few obvious symptoms.

“Storytelling is human,” Dr. Houston said. “We learn through stories, and we use them to make sense of our lives. It’s a natural extension to think that we could use stories to improve our health.”

The USDA has created a new replacement symbol for the classic food pyramid – it is called “My Plate”.  My Plate is the federal government’s new, simple symbol for what a healthy and nutritious American diet should look like according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  With nutrition at the forefront of Palo Alto home care discussion,this is an integral change to take note of.

My Plate is designed to be a simple, easy guideline for every American to help them understand what a healthy meal should look like.  The new image has had a positive reception, with people saying it is more useful and accurate than the previous food pyramid.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S Department of Agriculture called it, “a clear and unmistakable message about what should be on the American plate.”

My Plate is a clear logo that focuses on vegetables, grains and fruits, showing limited protein and dairy portions.  The protein portion accounts for less than a quarter of the plate, while the dairy portion is a small circle removed from the main plate which represents a glass of low-fat milk or cup of yogurt.

For a increased longevity, follow these dietary suggestions and eat smaller portions, drink water instead of sugary drinks, monitor sodium intake closely and when consuming dairy, opt for the low-fat option.