The holidays are a difficult time for everyone. Senior citizens can sometimes face unique concerns in addition to the ones that the rest of us encounter during this time of year. With a little bit of extra care and thought, the entire family can have a great time this holiday season.

Slips and falls are dangerous because the elderly have an increased risk of injury. Crowded family rooms and kitchens combined with food everywhere can create many opportunities for a disaster. Place a towel by the door for people to dry off as they come in so you avoid rain or snow on the floors. For the same reason, winter weather can make it dangerous for the elderly to walk alone outside. Fitness is important at all ages so go with grandma for a walk. It will provide cardio and quality time.

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Christmas is supposedly the Season of Joy, except for many, it steals joy like the Grinch stole Christmas from the Who’s. Holiday distress can be caused by traffic, crowded shopping malls and parking lots, financial struggles, and a calendar crammed with holiday parties and events. In addition, the season shocks us with a dip in temperatures requiring extra time and bundling, the least amount of daylight in a 24 hour period of the entire year, and for many of us, complications such as snow, ice, sleet, and a wintry mix. The real culprit stealing the joy of the season for many is grief: missing a loved one during holiday celebrations, unfulfilled dreams or unmet goals, memories of old hurts, and/or family situations that do not meet the holiday ideal.

When you are feeling a bit Scroogey during the holiday season (or any time), it is extra tempting to eat fatty, sugary foods, eat larger portions, skip workouts and stay in bed longer than necessary. Depression also encourages negative thinking patterns which can lead to personal put-downs, self-doubt, and giving up on goals. They may seem basic, but these tips can help you avoid having a Blue Christmas and hold steady on your goals through the end of the year.

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Everyone wants to age gracefully. Included in these wishes is to be of sound mind our entire lives. Unfortunately, too many of us face the challenges of dementia in our golden years. In fact, a 2007 study estimated that one out of every seven adults who are 71 years and over suffer from dementia.

While there are genetic components that may be out of your control, some things are within your control, including your diet.
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Yet another research article has been published on the positive impact exercise can have on mood and depression. This time the research seems to be a meta-analysis study done by Jasper Smits, director of Southern Methodist University’s Anxiety Research and Treatment Program, and Michael Otto, psychology professor at Boston University, who co-authored Exercise for Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Therapist guide in 2009.

Meta-analysis is a review of several different research studies to combine the results of all of them. This is important because the method used in the individual studies can greatly influence the results, and correlations may be less general then they appear.

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As winter stretches on after Punxsutawney Phil was frightened by his own shadow, many can start to feel SAD or trapped. It’s no wonder so many are ready to peel off all the extra layers and escape for spring break. Dealing with snow, freezing rain, ice, school cancellations, delays, and more can become frustrating, adding complication and stressors to daily life. When you start to feel claustrophobic from being in your own home, it is time to run away, literally.

I find so much freedom in running, leaving my computer behind for at least 20 minutes and getting around on my own physical power. It is how I allow my brain to rest and renew while I engage myself physically. After being cooped up as a result of winter weather, getting active feels great!
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