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What’s Causing My Stomach Pain? Healthy Senior Living

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Abdominal pain is actually a common complaint among many older adults. The precise nature of the complaint may differ from patient to patient, but nearly 40% of older adults have one or more age-related digestive symptom each year! Is it gas? Did you not take your medication with food? Is it GERD? Is it an ulcer? It can be frustrating trying to determine why your stomach is bothering you.

Fortunately, many ailments can be solved with a cheap over the counter medication. The shelves at the drugstore are well stocked with many brightly colored boxes and bottles of pills and liquids and chewables that are “guaranteed” to relieve your stomach pain in less than an hour! Well, why not get to the source of the problem?

Join us for “What’s Causing My Stomach Pain?” the September 8th Lunch & Learn at Stow-Glen with Dr. John Park, a gastroenterologist with Unity Health Network/Western Reserve Hospital. RSVP right away to Bob at 330-612-6940 or bob@stowglen.info

Travel Tips for Seniors

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As I write this, a group of hearty travelers from Stow-Glen are planning their annual “Road Trip,” an annual occurrence where our residents vote on a location then plan a 2-3 day trip to go explore that area. Last year, the Put-In-Bay area, this year, the Toledo area. As you may have assumed, traveling with seniors can be the most fun you’ve ever had but it can present it’s own set of “challenges!” Here are some tips:

 

  1. Research and Plan Ahead: Make as many reservations as possible and stay on the beaten path. When making reservations, notify them a senior is traveling and ask if they have any special accommodations or discounts. Also, a generic fish filet sandwich and cup of McDonalds coffee can go a long way to help calm nerves!

 

  1. Always think about comfort and safety: While the “Maid of The Mist” at Niagara Falls may sound fun, it’s probably not the best for someone with balance issues! Always request assistance at airports, theme parks and other places.

 

  1. Fill medications! I’ve been on a trip with a senior who’s prescription ran out on a Sunday while we were out of state. Not fun for anyone!

 

  1. Eat and Sleep Smart: Don’t fill up on junk food, pop and beer. This will only make you sluggish and ill-tempered. Eat healthy food, get plenty of sleep and drink water!

 

Since 1984 Stow-Glen has helped local Seniors with questions like these and more. Please call if we can help with anything!

Sleep and the Senior Citizen

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QUESTION: I’m over 70 and can never seem to sleep, what can I do?

I love this question because I live it with my own father! It seems that since he retired, he thinks he can go to bed and wake up any time he wants! He forgets that he has a doctors appointment at 9am the next day or that he promised Mom that he’d go with her to visit their friend in the hospital- so he sleeps in! He often complains that he can’t easily fall asleep so he just stays up until he gets sleepy. Then, about 3-4pm every day, he complains about how tired he is and he needs a nap! I argue with his constantly about his circular logic and behavior but he’s too stubborn to listen- so I made him this list:

  • Stick to a sleep schedule: try to go to bed and wake up at the same every day- Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.
  • Get physical activity every day: This can promote better sleep, helps you fall asleep faster and enjoy a deeper sleep.
  • Get comfortable: Create a room that’s ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices create an environment that promotes relaxation.
  • Create a bedtime ritual: Do the same things each night to tell your body it’s time to wind down. Take a warm bath or shower, read a book, or listen to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed.
  • Tune Out: Be wary of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. An exciting show or game can elevate your stress and blood pressure making it hard to relax into a good sleep!

Remember, Stow-Glen Retirement Village has been your hometown expert on Senior Living since 1984. Let us know how we can help!

 

Elderly and the Heat- Stay Cool and Stay Hydrated!

Be careful- stay cool and stay hydrated!

Be careful- stay cool and stay hydrated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the past few weeks I have really been dogging it in this little July heat wave. If the temp is above 85, I’m miserable. Hot and cranky would be an understatement and I’ve noticed it in plenty of others, especially seniors! We get cranky when we are dehydrated and many of our seniors are very prone to dehydration for the simple fact that they do not drink enough water. This is a very tricky problem because the more water you drink, the more you have to use the bathroom. And for a senior who wears “undergarments” and may have “issues” in there, taking a potty break every 30 minutes is not an option. Unfortunately, severe dehydration, urinary tract infections and heat strokes are not good options either. Here are some tips for keeping a senior hydrated that hopefully won’t have them running to the little boys or girls room:

1) popsicles- a nice cold way to sneak some juice in!

2) Eat more watermelon, oranges, celery and cucumber.

3) Meat! Did you know that most cuts of chicken and beef are over 60% water? Just don’t singe it on the grill!

4) Keep your body cool. Stay in the shade and air conditioning or in a pool. Take a cold bath or shower once a day. The less you sweat, the less your body loses water!

We at Stow-Glen hope everyone can stay cool during the “dog days” of summer. See more healthy senior living at www.stowglen.com. If we can help in any way, don’t hesitate to call!

 

Communicating with Alzheimer’s

My dads dementia makes it hard to communicate- what can I do? Many caregivers have learned that as someone’s dementia gets worse, communicating effectively gets harder and more frustrating. For everyone. Believe it or not, most of the time it is not the fault of the person with dementia! As dementia progresses so does a […]

Taking Care of Our Aging Feet

Many seniors never see a podiatrist until something happens.  Broken bones are not an uncommon complaint because bones lose calcium as we age. While not everyone can expect broken bones, foot problems tend to increase and can often be the early signs of a serious illness like diabetes. does a number on people’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones which can mean an increased need for podiatric attention

When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and even rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health without care.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseases can affect your overall health and having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities. Remember- good foot health means you can have a more active lifestyle.

To learn more about taking care of our aging feet, come to the Lunch & Learn at Stow-Glen on June 16th with Dr. Nicholas Campitelli, click the picture for more information!