TELEVISION AND SENIORS

ACTIVITIES

It might surprise you to learn that older adults watch more television than younger people do. Watching TV comprises most of the leisure time for adults aged 70 to 105 years old. Television can be an avenue to learning new things, connecting with the world, creating a diversion, and providing some light entertainment. However, it can also supplant physical or recreational activities and real-world interactions.

Pluses and Minuses

If you are mindful, there are certainly benefits to TV for our older adults. As they become less able to go out to movies, concerts, or spectator sports, TV can fill this void. While some sitcoms and light viewing can help to relieve depression, sometimes the news or similar shows can make a depressed mood worse. It is important to pay attention to what our loved ones are watching and find a suitable balance.

The most notable down-side to excessive TV watching is some decrease in mobility. In general, a sedentary lifestyle choice can be detrimental to bone health, cellular/immunity function, and cardiovascular efficiency. Excessive TV use has been linked with a greater risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity, lower life satisfaction, and an increased risk for dementia. Excessive TV viewing has also been linked with cognitive decline. This can be because viewers are not spending as much time doing things that can keep their minds sharp such as reading, playing board games, talking with friends and relatives, or working on puzzles. If they eagerly engage in conversation with you during a show, it can be an indication to you that they are simply using the TV to pass time and would prefer another outlet. It can help both you as the caregiver and your loved one to spark conversations based on the shows they are watching. Use open ended questions like “What decision would you have made in that situation?” or “When was the last time you did x activity?” or “Who does that character remind you of?”. You can also use a board game or book that is depicted in a show as a cue to suggest playing that game or start reading that book with your loved one. Source Medical News Today and National Institutes of Health

If TV has become an outlet for your loved one, try to ensure that they are also getting plenty of exercise and movement during the rest of the day. It can be helpful to set up a habit of having them stand up and stretching during commercials or take a walk to another room between shows. Incorporate exercises that can be done from a seated position into their day. On a nice day, suggest a quick walk outside or to a nearby window to watch “reality TV.”

TELEVISION AND SENIORS

What Are They Watching?

If your loved one is spending more than four hours a day watching TV, it is possible that they are simply using it to pass time, rather than to provide practical information or relaxation. If they cannot tell you what they just watched, it might be time to find an activity that is more brain engaging for them. If they insist on using the TV as an activity, perhaps ensure that their programming selection includes some of the following to help keep their spirits up:

• Light-hearted sitcoms
• Uplifting dramas
• Educational programs
• Sports or reality TV
• Movies from when they were young adults

Source: Center for Media Literacy

Where Are They Watching?

While cable TV and network programming continue to be the most accessible, more viewers are turning to streaming, where they have control of what they watch and when. These can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection and the correct hardware. If your loved one has a smart TV, most streaming services can be accessed directly through the TV interface. If you set this up for them, make sure to check the “remember me” box in the setup screen so that your loved one only needs to turn the TV on to watch their favorite shows. If your older adult does not have a smart TV, they will need a separate device to help manage the streaming services. Source Medical Alert Systems

Happiness Quotient

A new study by the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as very happy spend more time reading and socializing. Analyzing 30-years’ worth of data, the Maryland researchers report that spending time watching television may contribute to viewers’ happiness in the moment, with less positive effects in the long run. Source: Phys.org

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FOOD SAFETY

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths in this country can be traced to foodborne pathogens. We’ve probably all heard our older loved ones comment that they have always (insert poor food storage adage here) and it was fine. However, bacteria have evolved since their youth. There are both more types of bacteria and they are more resistant to the usual elimination methods. Food sources have become more global. Even fruits and vegetables are coming from other states and other countries. This both increases the number of pathogens that can be picked up between the place of origin and our homes and introduces new bacteria that wouldn’t be in our environment had we shopped locally. Source: Partnership for Food Safety Education

Who Is At Risk?

Adults aged 65 and older are at a higher risk for hospitalization and death from foodborne illnesses. There are several reasons for this:

• Their gastrointestinal tract holds food for longer, allowing more bacteria to grow.
• Liver and kidneys typically function at a lower level, not clearing bacteria and toxins as efficiently as when they were younger.
• Their stomach may not produce as much bacteria-reducing acid.
• Underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer increase the susceptibility to foodborne illnesses.

Source: FoodSafety.gov

Did You Know?

Flour, regardless of the brand, can contain bacteria that cause disease. Flour is ground from raw grain, which may be bleached, but not usually treated to kill bacteria like E. coli. The FDA recommends the following precautions:

• Do not eat raw cookie dough, cake mix, batter, or dough that is meant to be cooked.
• Follow instructions for cooking any products containing flour.
• Wash hands and work surfaces thoroughly after contact with dough or flour.
• Chill dough promptly if not baking immediately.

Source: Food and Drug Administration

FOOD SAFETY

Tips for Safer Food Storage and Handling

You can start practicing safe handling as soon as you choose your foods in the market. Here are some basic tips:

• Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your shopping cart, grocery bags, and refrigerator. Use the plastic bags provided in the market (or your own) to further isolate these foods.
• Wash hands and surfaces often. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Rinse all fruit and vegetables, including those with rinds that won’t be eaten. Never place any food on an uncleaned surface.
• Refrigerate foods promptly in a fridge set to a temperature of 40°F or below. Bacteria that cause food poisoning multiply most quickly between 40°F and 140°F
• Never let raw meat, poultry, eggs, fish, cooked food, or cut fruits and vegetables sit at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating. Frozen foods should be kept at a temperature of 0°F or below.
• Do not defrost foods at room temperature. Defrost in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave. Cook immediately once they have been thawed.
• It is important to cook food at a temperature that kills the harmful bacteria. A food thermometer should be a staple for any home cook. While foods have a variety of ideal temperatures, a few minimums include:
  • Roasts and steaks should be at least 145°F
  • Poultry should be at least 165°F Check internal temperature at the innermost part of the thigh or wing and the thickest part of the breast.
  • Ground meat should be at least 160°F The process of grinding distributes bacteria.
  • Fish should be at least 145°F and/or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Eggs should be cooked until the yolk and white are firm.
  • When microwaving, stir and rotate to ensure there are no cold spots.
  • Sauces and gravies should be brought to a boil when reheating.
  • Other leftovers should be heated thoroughly to 165°F.

Source Partnership for Food Safety Education

Best If Used By

The date on your packaged food is to indicate the date by which the food will be the best flavor and quality. The date when the food is “bad” can be anywhere from days to months beyond that. Unfortunately, there are no universal rules for food dating. If you have questions or concerns about the quality, safety or labeling of the foods you buy, reach out to the company directly.

Source: Food and Drug Administration

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STARTING A FITNESS ROUTINE

STARTING A FITNESS ROUTINE

When thinking of starting a fitness regime, many people may envision smelly gyms, sweaty feet, and plenty of grunting and pain. Often lofty goals, such as races or competitions, sway people from starting a sensible routine. Fitness goals should be about improving our health and how we interact with the world, not about increasing our status. It’s never too late to start a fitness commitment. Exercise reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, colon cancer, depression, and breast cancer. It also decreases the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Consult their physician before having an older loved one start a new fitness program, especially if there are health concerns. Some tips to map a workout:

• Aim for just 15 to 30 minutes a day to start. Break workouts up into ten-minute increments throughout the day, if necessary.
• Make sure that they are drinking plenty of water before, during, and after their session.
• To minimize fall risk, ensure appropriate footwear for the activity. Start and end the workout with slower movements and activities.
• Don’t let them overdo it. The goal is not pain and exhaustion.

ACTIVITIES

Categories of Exercise

There are several types of activity to consider working into a weekly schedule.

Aerobic

Aerobic exercise is just as the word implies, good for the oxygen exchange between the lungs and heart. Aim for at least two hours of moderate aerobic exercise or one and a half hours of vigorous intensity each week. Spread this time over 3-5 days. Remember that vigorous for them may be significantly less than vigorous for you. Especially if they have a competitive nature, it should be stressed that they do not overdo it. Some examples of aerobic activity that might appeal to your loved one are:

• Brisk walking
• Biking
• Jogging
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Aerobic classes
• Yard work
• Tennis
• Golf (without a cart)

Questions for the Doctor Before Starting a Fitness Program

1. Are there exercises or activities they should avoid?
2. Is their preventative care up to date for example, tests for osteoporosis, diabetes, or cardio-fitness?
3. How do any health conditions affect their ability to perform the selected activities?
4. What modifications might be necessary to safely perform the activities?

Source: National Institute on Aging

STARTING A FITNESS ROUTINE

Categories of Exercise (continued)

Muscle Strengthening

Having stronger muscles has been proven to improve bone density. Aim for at least two days a week. The focus can be varied from session to session to include legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and arms. To help build muscle, have your older adult start with a weight that they can safely lift for eight repetitions. The repetitions should be slow and controlled three seconds to lift the weight, hold for one second, then lower for three seconds. Breathe in as the weight is lifted and out as it’s lowered. Do these eight to fifteen times and then take a rest. If fifteen seems easy, consider increasing the weight by a pound. Some good muscle strengthening tools and activities include:

• Weight machines
• Handheld weights
• Yoga
• Exercise bands
• Calisthenics
• Tai Chi
• Digging, lifting, and carrying as a part of gardening

Balance

More than one third of senior citizens suffer from fall-related injuries. Improving balance should be a core goal for any exercise program. Aim for three or more days a week. Ensure that there are adequate safety measures in place, such as things or people to hold onto. Some easy exercises to consider include:

• Standing from a seated position
• Backward walking
• Sideways walking
• Heel walking
• Toe walking
• Standing on one leg

Stretching

Stretching is important and should be done at a minimum at the end of every workout. Do not allow your loved one to “bounce” the stretch or to stretch further than they can easily go to feel a slight tug. It should not hurt. Improvement will happen naturally.

Source: University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. National Institute on Aging, Harvard Medical School, and CDC

Motivation

It is never too late to start working out. A recent study showed that many of the losses in strength, flexibility, and stamina could be reversed, even in the frailest of participants. The study followed 100 participants, aged 72 to 98. They did resistance exercises three times a week for ten weeks. They showed marked improvement over their sedentary counterparts, being able to lift more weight, climb more stairs, and walk faster.

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POSITIVITY AND HEALTH

“Optimism is the most important human trait, because it allows us to evolve our ideas, to improve our situation, and to hope for a better tomorrow.” – Seth Godin [American Author]

HEALTH

Our minds are powerful tools for creating health and wellness. While studies haven’t identified precisely why positive people are healthier, researchers suspect that it is because people who are more positive process stress better and move through hard situations more easily. Negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness can create chronic stress, which can, in turn, damage the immune system. Anger and hostility are related to health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, and increased instances of infection. Surprisingly, the tendency toward a positive or negative outlook does have a genetic component. However, this doesn’t mean that people can’t improve their outlooks. Some tips to improve your outlook include:

• Smile more. Even fake smiling can reduce heart rate and blood pressure during stressful situations.
• Practice reframing. Instead of stressing about a current situation, try to find a positive aspect to it.
• Build resiliency. Having friends and family nearby to share the situation with, accepting that change is a part of life and finding new ways to adapt, and feeling like you have the control to change the current situation are all ways to embrace whatever life throws your way.
• Share your feelings. Often, we spend too much time in our heads. Sharing our feelings with a trusted other can help find a different way to look at a situation. If others are mired in their current negative situations, encourage them to share their fears.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine. University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin Health

While loved ones might resist the idea of optimistic thinking, there are health reasons to ask them to reconsider. Positive thinking can lead to:

• Better sleep
• Increased life span
• Lower levels of distress
• Lower rates of depression
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better cardiovascular health
• Better coping skills during extreme hardship

Tips for Creating a More Positive Outlook

• Get better sleep.
• Take a walk outside.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Practice positive self-talk.
• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Be open to humor or create a place for smiling and laughing every day.
• Consciously work on experiencing three positive emotions for every negative one.
• Actively evaluate your self-talk at various points during the day to see how you’re doing.

Source Mayo Clinic and University of Wisconsin Health

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POSITIVITY AND HEALTH

HEALTH

Are you a negative or positive thinker?

Listen to your own self-talk- that endless stream of unspoken thoughts that goes through your head. Some forms of negative self-talk to watch out for include:

• Filtering. This means magnifying the negative aspects of a situation and not acknowledging the positive. For example: Your loved one had a good night’s sleep, a fun phone call with their grandchild, and took a walk on a beautifully sunny day outside. But then they tripped and fell with minor injuries. At the end of the day, did they say it was a “bad” day because of the fall or a “good” day because of the rest?
• Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you or your loved one automatically takes the blame. Sometimes no one is to blame.
• Catastrophizing. You or your loved one uses language that makes things out to be much worse than they are, or assumes that because one bad thing happened, it’s all downhill from there. Single events in the day are rarely the “worst” or “most horrific.”
• Polarizing. You or your loved one sees things as either good or bad and not the huge gray area in the middle. This leads to feeling like one is only perfect or a failure; healthy or dying tomorrow, capable or completely incapacitated.

If you are seeing these tendencies in your loved one, you should take care to address the subject, as they are more likely to see it as an attack and apply all of the above thought processes to that interaction.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Positive Self-Talk

• Affirm daily what is good about you.
• Remove the words “never” and “always.”
• Express gratitude – either aloud or in your head.
• If you make a mistake, take a moment to forgive yourself.
• Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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