Category: Health

Make Oral Health a Family Tradition

As we age, oral health becomes even more essential in order to maintain a healthy mouth, not just for ourselves, but also as an example for future generations. Passing down the tradition of good oral hygiene habits can have a lasting impact on your keiki and grandchildren. Just as traditions like family meals and shared…
The YMCA: Your Second Home

Many seniors first step into the Y because their doctor says they need to keep moving. Others stop in for a visit because their health plan includes a free membership. Some are nudged to give “the Y” a try by family members who want them to get out and stay engaged. But what happens next…
A Natural Path to Senior Wellness

Holistic medicine offers seniors a natural, gentle approach to wellness. By focusing on the balance of mind, body and spirit, holistic practices address the root causes of health concerns, helping seniors to feel their best every day. Holistic medicine combines natural therapies with traditional care to support your body’s healing abilities. Gentle treatments like acupuncture,…
RSV Symptoms & Vaccine Developments

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a widespread infection that can affect anyone. But the virus poses a heightened threat to infants, young children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems. The virus tends to circulate more frequently during fall and winter. Gaining awareness of the virus’ symptoms, risk factors and available vaccines can help safeguard…
Exercise Does Not Have to Be a Chore

Incorporating fitness into your schedule doesn’t have to feel like a chore or an obligation you struggle to find time for. Adding physical activity — focusing on strength, balance and flexibility — can easily fit into your day. Start Your Day with Gentle Movement Before getting out of bed, awaken your muscles and joints. Begin…
Actively Aging: Safe Activities for Seniors

Staying physically active as you age is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Regular activity can help improve mobility, sleep and mental health, while reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Here are some beneficial activities: Walking together: Simple and effective, walking around safely with a friend inside or out can boost cardiovascular health.…
Harvesting Wellness: Nutrient-Dense Foods

Physical health enables us to lead active lives, with food intake being a primary determinant. The food we consume not only provides us with energy, but also influences our weight, diversity of gut bacteria, immune system strength, inflammation levels and rate of aging. The nutrient density of our produce is an important factor. Studies reveal…
Top 10 Yoga Benefits for Seniors

Practicing yoga can improve quality of life for seniors. As with any exercise regimen, check with your doctor before beginning yoga for the first time as a senior citizen. ■ Reduce stress: With its combination of low-impact exercises and breathing techniques, yoga can have a relaxing effect on the body and mind, leading to a…
Get Paid to Take a Walk?

A Medicare beneficiary was surprised and thrilled to learn her health plan was interested in tracking activities like walking, volunteering, social activities, annual health checks and even scheduling preventive services. Those behaviors are associated with maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improved health outcomes if illness does strike. She could relay her activities by phone or…
Tune-Up for a High-Performance Life

How can you optimize your life so you can not only live longer, but better? Using an automobile analogy, the better you take care of your car, the better it will perform and the longer it will last. Muscle atrophy is the reduction of muscle mass and fiber size caused by disuse or neurogenic conditions.…
Pain Management for Quality of Life

“I go to bed feeling fine and wake up injured.” It’s abnormal to awaken with pain daily. But many think pain is to be expected as they age or are unfit, so they don’t contact their doctor. If you’re regularly in pain, talk with your doctor about pain management options — especially if you frequently…
Eat Superfoods to Feed Your Brain

It turns out you can feed your mind with food in addition to knowledge. Researchers have found superfoods for the brain that are part of what’s known as the MIND diet—Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.