Anthem Senior Gardens

Dizziness is one of the more common reasons older adults visit their doctors. Dizziness and imbalance is an extremely common problem in the baby boomer generation. A study found an overall prevalence of balance problems at age 70 with balance symptoms being more common among women than in men. While bouts of dizziness are considered common for seniors, that does not mean it can be shrugged off as a natural part of aging. Dizziness- a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, weak or unsteady- can often be treated with the right care. The two main sources of dizziness in older people are the ear and the brain. The cause of dizziness can be divided into five main categories: 1) otologic; 2) central; 3) medical; 4) psychogenic; and 5) unlocalized, with otologic dizziness being the most common type in the elderly, which can be attributed to an increased tendency for older adults to develop benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Additionally, gradual deter...

Health is wealth. Health is one of the most important things elders and parents of adult children should focus on, and a huge part of staying healthy is being comfortable in what you do and where you are. We are talking about your home environment. As you progress through life, you need to change your home to cater to your needs since changes in mobility can make your house seem like a dangerous place. A few alterations and upgrades can ensure that the home environment is safe and comfortable. Here are some tips from Senior Sanctuary of Anthem in Phoenix (an award-winning assisted living facility) to bring your home up to snuff for anyone easing into old age: Role Of Better Lighting - Worsening of eyesight is a natural part of aging, which highlights the importance of adequate lighting for older adults, especially when their eyesight begins to worsen over time. Make sure the home including every room, hallway, stairway, etc. is well lit. This is one of the most important...

Older adults go through major life changes, such as transition from work to retirement, diagnosis of an illness, or the death of a loved one- which is what makes them more vulnerable to depression. Depression can happen to any of us as we age, irrespective of one's background or achievements. But it's disheartening to watch someone deal with depression or loneliness on their own. A balance needs to be struck between physical and mental well-being. But whenever we think about senior wellness, we generally associate with physical health or dementia-prevention, completely forgetting that they also might struggle with loneliness and depression. The worst part about depression in the elderly is that depression in older adults is harder to identify in comparison to a younger demographic because they don't always experience the typical depression-related symptoms. Some common depression symptoms in seniors are more likely to be easily irritable or grumpiness, constantly ...

Swallowing function can decline with age. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulties swallowing or eating experienced by millions of Americans. According to researchers, about 15 percent of the elderly population experience some form of dysphagia (a common age-related problem). Unfortunately, even the mere act of swallowing food becomes a struggle for many older adults. There are many reasons older adults may experience dysphagia, and generally the symptoms may include frequent heartburn, pain when swallowing, chest pressure, choking or coughing when swallowing, drooling, unexpected weight loss, bringing food back up (regurgitation) and being unable to get foods or liquids down. Over time, the symptoms can become more severe. It is important that you consult with a doctor if you regularly have difficulty swallowing, or if vomiting or regurgitation follows your dysphagia. In the United States, dysphagia affects an estimated 6 million seniors, which mainly occurs as a resul...

Be careful when taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, supplements, etc. whether you are settling into your sixties or entering your ninth decade. As you age, the more likely you are to use additional medicines, which can be risky if not taken safely since there are higher chances of harmful drug effects, including interactions. With advancing age, people are more likely to develop one or more chronic illnesses, and appropriate medication can help older adults live longer and more active lives. At the same time, physical changes with age can affect the way medicines are handled by your body, leading to potential complications. Medication Safety In Older Adults: The potential for medication safety problems is increasing with each passing day due to increase in the availability of prescription medicine and increase in population of older adults, which invariably increases the risk for drug interactions, mix-ups, and the potential for side effects. Moreover, older...

As people grow old, they often experience a number of changes in their physical, mental and social health with eye and ear changes being very common. Changes to our vision and hearing mostly occur as a result of disease, genetic and environmental factors, and "wear and tear". It's no news that eyes and ears are vital tools for remaining independent as we age since it enables individuals to accurately perceive the world around them, which is often the deciding factor in one's success or failure. Eye disorders that commonly occurs in seniors: 1.       Cataracts 2.       Glaucoma 3.       Diabetes Retinopathy 4.        Macular Degeneration Types of hearing loss: There are two general categories, including sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. Talking about the different types: sudden hearing loss, Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus), Age-Related Hear...

More than one million people live with Parkinson's disease that affects individuals in different ways. For some people, the disease may first show up as slight hand tremors, while it might appear as an unusual level of stiffness in others. Again, the disease may progress slowly in some people while it may spread frighteningly fast in someone else. Parkinson's disease is a disorder in the central nervous system that affects the region of the brain that controls movement. The disease is termed a "movement disorder" that is associated with neurologically-based abnormal physical behavior. Tremors, slow movements, rigid movements are the main characteristics that help doctors recognize the disease. Though the exact cause of the disease is not known, but as per researchers, it may be a combination of environmental and genetic factors with the symptoms of the disease being caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Parkinson's is one of the senior ...