Natures benefits

Few pastimes restore the body and soul like spending time in nature. Research has confirmed that being outside does more than just lift your spirits…

Seniors Can Reap Benefits from Spending Time Outdoors

Few pastimes restore the body and soul like spending time in nature. Research has confirmed that being outside does more than just lift your spirits; it also provides a boost for your physical and mental well-being. What are some of the benefits for seniors who take time to enjoy the great outdoors?

Improvements in Mental Health

Seniors who spend time outdoors may experience less depression and anxiety. Individuals who run, bike or walk in natural settings have a reduced risk of mental health problems compared to people who do their exercise inside.

Participating in nature walks with others is linked to more positive feelings and better mental health, along with lower levels of depression and stress. Seniors who are unable to exercise can benefit from getting outdoors by enjoying the change of scenery, smelling freshly cut grass and seeing beautiful, natural vistas.

Experts advise that seniors should try to spend time in natural areas like parks on a regular basis. The relaxation that nature provides can improve mood and increase overall feelings of happiness.

Abundant Energy

Being outside in nature makes you feel more alive and provides a greater sense of energy and vitality, which can help make you more resilient to illness.

Spending time outdoors may boost your memory. One study found a 20-percent improvement in attention span and memory after spending just one hour in a natural environment. More time spent outdoors resulted in even greater gains in memory, and it may improve creativity as well.

Better Overall Health

Being outside can help increase levels of Vitamin D, which often is low among seniors. Low levels of this important nutrient are linked to pain in muscles and bones, inflammation, higher risk of Type 1 diabetes and several types of cancer.

Getting sufficient Vitamin D can help reduce your risk of a number of physical ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and heart attack. By spending just 15 minutes outside in the sunshine each day, you help your body receive the recommended dose of Vitamin D.

Being outside may also improve your overall immunity by boosting your count of white blood cells, and the improvements may last for a week or more. In addition, time in nature may help you recover more quickly from an injury or illness.

Many Ways to Get Outside

If you enjoy aerobic exercise like walking, heading outdoors for your workout can provide additional benefits. Although, traditional exercise isn’t the only way to spend more time outside.

Gardening is another great way to interact with nature and get some exercise at the same time. Consider creating a natural area with native species that can become routes for butterfly and bird migration. You might consider joining a group for nature-oriented activities like birdwatching.

No matter the activity, research tells us that simply being outside and enjoying nature can provide a variety of benefits for your energy, creativity, and mental and physical well-being.

Sources:

http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-07-2012/health-benefits-of-nature.html

http://www.nursecore.com/2013/05/the-benefits-of-outdoor-activities-for-elderly-patients/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110204130607.htm

http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/walking-boosts-creativity-and-concentration

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/vitamin-d-vital-role-in-your-health#1

Creative Seniors

Most parents know that letting your children play and express themselves is important for their development, not just physically and emotionally, but also socially and…

5 Big Benefits of Creative Expression for Seniors

Most parents know that letting your children play and express themselves is important for their development, not just physically and emotionally, but also socially and intellectually. But creative expression isn’t just for kids. And it’s not just for ‘creative types’, either. Whether you consider yourself creative or not, there’s a bit of it in all of us.

With everything you could possibly want to know right in the palm of your hand, it’s easy to sit back, consume information and feed off the instant gratification.

But there’s a lot of power in creating more and consuming less. And the best part? You don’t have to be a kid or a creative type to benefit from it. More and more Australian seniors are discovering the benefits of being creative, with many home care services and aged care homes introducing a wide variety of creative activities.

Here are 5 benefits of expressing yourself creatively – along with a jam-packed list of how you can do that.

1. Creativity improves your mood

When you finish a creative task, like writing in a journal, knitting a scarf or drawing a cute dog, your brain is filled with dopamine – an all-natural anti-depressant that motivates you and makes you feel good.

Even something as simple as singing in the car is bound to make you smile more.

A recent study found that taking part in a creative activity just once a day can lead to a more positive outlook. 658 young adults took note of when they were creative and for how long. After 13 days, researchers found that those who were creative every day reported greater levels of happiness, indicating that creativity and happiness can go hand in hand.

2. Creativity boosts your self-esteem

It feels pretty good to be creative. There’s nothing better than that moment of personal satisfaction when you’re finished - not to mention the sense of achievement you get from creating something out of nothing.

In a study published in Arts & Health, researchers found that just 45 minutes of free art making was enough to improve a person’s confidence. Participants aged 18 to 59 used any materials they liked to create something, and afterwards were asked a series of 10 questions. The group reported a 73% increase in self-confidence, which is pretty impressive considering the short timeframe.

If you keep on creating over a longer period of time, you’re probably going to get better at it. And as you start to notice your progress, you’re bound to notice a confidence boost, too.

3. Creativity improves cognitive function

As mentioned, parents often encourage creativity because it’s good for a child’s brain development.

That’s because when we’re creative, we use parts of the brain that aren’t usually in action for everyday tasks.

Studies show that musicians have better brain connectivity compared to those who haven’t grown up playing instruments. While the more analytical left hemisphere focuses on motor functions, the more subjective right hemisphere is all about the melody. Music as a creative activity is unique in that it stimulates both sides of the brain, contributing to improved cognitive function over time.

4. Creativity improves your social life

Social connection plays a major role in maintaining wellbeing at every age.

Creative activities like music groups, cooking lessons or photography workshops provide plenty of opportunity to interact with others and make friends.

For older people who might be experiencing loneliness after a partner has passed or children have moved away, creative activities are a great way to maintain social connection.

A study involving older people with sensory impairments found that participating in creative activities in a group setting helped them extend their social networks. The study not only highlighted how creative activities can help reduce the risk of isolation; it also reinforced how it can help improve self-confidence and mental wellbeing.

5. Creativity alleviates stress and anxiety

You might have noticed that adult colouring-in books are a thing now.

That’s because they help you find your flow – the state where you’re so absorbed in an activity that you forget all the worrying thoughts lingering in your mind.

It’s impossible to be stressed or anxious when you’re completely and utterly in the moment, distracted by a captivating novel, cake recipe or art project.

In a recent study, 57 students participated in a range of painting, collage making, still life drawing and clay modelling activities, just before their final exams. The group showed a significant decrease in anxiety after their art-making endeavours, suggesting that creativity really can help people cope with stress.

An A to Z of creative activities

There are literally hundreds of ways you can express yourself, but here are just some of them:

Art, animation and acting
Baking, beat boxing and body painting
Carpentry, calligraphy and comedy
Dancing and DJing
Embroidery
Flower arranging and fashion design
Gardening and graffiti art
Harmonising
Illustration and interior design
Jewellery making and jazz
Knitting and kite-making
Landscape design
Music, magic and mime
Needlework
Origami and opera
Photography, poetry and pottery
Quilt making
Reading and rapping
Singing, storytelling and scrapbooking
Theatre and tapestry
Upcycling
Videography
Writing and woodwork
Xylopyrography
Yoga and yodeling
Zithering

Active Seniors

Exercise is crucial to maintaining your health and well being, but it may be even more important in aging and senior adults. While there are…

10 Benefits for seniors to stay active

Exercise is crucial to maintaining your health and well being, but it may be even more important in aging and senior adults. While there are concerns surrounding seniors exercising, the health benefits of an active lifestyle far outweigh the risks. It’s true that seniors may take longer to heal and recover from injuries, but moderate exercise levels are good for people of all ages.

Regular exercise and an active lifestyle for seniors provides a variety of health benefits that extend beyond the obvious, including improvements in blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neurocognitive function.

WHY SHOULD SENIORS BE ACTIVE?

There are many reasons for seniors to have an active lifestyle that range from preventing physical injuries to improving mental health. Here are 10 key health benefits to seniors participating in regular fitness activities and upholding an active lifestyle.

1. FITNESS IMPROVES SENIOR HEALTH

On the macro level, overall health quality is higher when seniors participate in exercise programs. Individuals who exercise have reduced risks of chronic illnesses and diseases, and have improved immune and digestive systems.

2. EXERCISE HELPS WITH MANAGING BODY WEIGHT

Exercise helps people of all ages maintain or lose body weight. However, our metabolism naturally slows with age, so the importance of exercise increases. Adding cardio and strength training workouts develops muscle mass, and in turn, increases metabolism and burns more calories to promote positive weight loss.

3. WORKING OUT INCREASES BONE HEALTH & STRENGTH

Regular activity builds healthy bones and helps maintain bone strength in seniors. Exercise works on bones much like it works on muscles — by making them stronger. Because bone is living tissue, it changes in response to the forces placed upon it. When you exercise regularly, your bone adapts by building more cells and becomes denser.

4. STAYING ACTIVE PROMOTES HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Frequent physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease and enhances your cardiovascular health. Adding a mix of cardio and strength training will give you an added boost of energy that will improve your heart health overall. However, underlying heart conditions and hereditary diseases will not go away as a result of exercising, but staying active can help you maintain a higher quality of life.

5. EXERCISE BUILDS POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

Living an active lifestyle and exercising frequently leads to a variety of mental health benefits. Exercise is shown to help fight depression when muscle generated mood boosters become active and is shown to reduce stress. Maintaining activity levels may even help slow the progression of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

6. BUILDING STRENGTH PREVENTS FALLS

Falls are serious at any age, but seniors are particularly at risk of injury if bone strength and density are low. Having an active lifestyle will help you stay balanced and prevent falls by building muscle strength and improving bone health later through simple low impact exercises. It’s also recommended that you test your bone density to know your risks of osteoporosis.

7. STAYING ACTIVE PROMOTES SLEEP

Sedentary individuals tend to have more trouble getting quality rest, but an active lifestyle could help you fall asleep. Adding regular aerobic exercise during the day promotes deeper sleep by raising your core body temperature and encouraging rest when you start to cool down. Working out 2-3 hours before bed will help you stay asleep and leave you waking up refreshed.

8. AEROBIC EXERCISE REDUCES HYPERTENSION

If you’re a senior with hypertension, exercise is medically proven to help lower blood pressure. Adding 30-minutes or more of moderate aerobic exercise, five times a week will measurably reduce blood pressure, lower stress and decrease the risk of some cardiovascular problems.

9. EXERCISE IMPROVES SOCIAL WELLNESS

For many seniors, having an active social life can be difficult. Some aging adults are increasing their social wellness by making exercise a fun group outing with others in their communities. Whether it’s through joining a walking group or participating in an aerobics class, socializing while working out keeps people young at heart and mentally sharp.

10. WORKING OUT KEEPS YOU FOCUSED AND GIVES YOU MORE ENERGY

Exercise is linked to improved cognitive function and better motor skills. Physical activity is also associated with lowering the risk of vascular dementia in seniors. Maintaining a regular fitness routine can help seniors stay focused and allow them to lead a higher-quality life with more energy.

WAYS SENIORS CAN STAY ACTIVE

Getting older doesn’t have to mean abandoning an active lifestyle, but it does mean adjusting your workout routine to your body. We recommend talking with a physical therapist to help you find a fitness plan that suits your body to prevent injuries. The ideal senior fitness and activity plan includes three areas of emphasis:

aerobic/endurance components
strength and resistance training
and stretching and flexibility exercises

AEROBIC/ENDURANCE

Experts recommend 30-minutes of aerobic/cardiorespiratory exercise each day. When done at a brisk pace, walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling all contribute towards getting your heart rate up and breathing faster. For seniors that are just getting started with their exercise routine, it’s acceptable to spread the 30-daily-minutes out into three 10-minute periods over the course of the day.

If injuries or pre-existing conditions make impact activities painful, consider trying low-impact activities instead, such as cycling or swimming. After several weeks of maintaining a daily aerobic/cardio exercise routine, many seniors will see an increase in fitness performance, as well as a greater ability to perform daily tasks without getting as winded or tired.

STRENGTH & RESISTANCE FOR SENIORS

Strength and resistance training uses and builds muscles with repetitive, often weight-bearing, motion exercises. Strength training routines should be done 2-3 times per week, with exercises focused on all major muscle groups (arms, legs, core) being done in 1-2 sets of 10-15 repetitions at light to medium intensity. If weights and strengthening equipment are too heavy, resistance bands or bodyweight are excellent alternatives to build up strength. Wall sits, sit-ups, and push-ups are all simple and equipment-free ways to build muscle mass.

STRETCHING & FLEXIBILITY

Stretching warms up and cools down your muscles before and after cardio activities and strength building. Stretching also improves flexibility, which reduces the likelihood of injuries, improves your range of motion, and lessens muscle soreness and stiffness. Gentle stretching, yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi all contribute to overall flexibility and are low impact exercises on joints. Light stretching and flexibility exercises are safe when done daily and overall fitness and activities will benefit from them.

STAY SAFE AND CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Care should be taken to ease into new routines and accommodate the current level of fitness, proneness to injuries, and any pre-existing health conditions. Again, when starting a new fitness regimen, participants should always check with their doctor to determine the safest and most effective plan. Active and aging adults should also let their physician know if they are experiencing:

Dizziness or shortness of breath
Chest pain or pressure
Blood clots
Infection
Sores that won’t heal
Joint swelling

Sourced from: https://www.nwpc.com

What is COVID-19

What you need to know about COVID-19 Pandemic

What is COVID-19?

Human Coronaviruses are common throughout the world. There are many different coronaviruses identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause disease in humans.

On 7 January 2020, ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ or COVID-19. The majority of the case-patients initially identified were dealers and vendors at a seafood, poultry and live wildlife market in China. Since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South Africa.

Who is most at risk?

Currently, travellers to areas where there is ongoing sustained transmission of COVID-19 including Mainland China (all provinces), Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Italy and the Islamic Republic of Iran are at greatest risk of infection.

Furthermore, the elderly, individuals with co-morbidities and healthcare workers have been found to be at a higher risk of death.

How is it transmitted?

While the first cases probably involved exposure to an animal source, the virus now seems to be spreading from person-to-person.

The spread of the disease is thought to happen mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Thus far, the majority of cases have occurred in people with close physical contact to cases and healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or fever.

The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is still not fully clear. Reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.

How is COVID-19 treated?

Treatment is supportive (providing oxygen for patients with shortness of breath or treating a fever, for example). To date, there is no specific antiviral treatment available. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. However, antibiotics may be required if a bacterial secondary infection develops.

How can you prevent infection?

The following can provide protection against infection from Coronaviruses and many other viruses that are more common in South Africa:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay at home when you are sick and try and keep a distance from others at home.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

What we are doing in South Africa?

On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new measure to combat the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in South Africa – a three-week nationwide lockdown with severe restrictions on travel and movement, supported by the South African National Defence Force – from midnight on Thursday, 26 March, to midnight on Thursday, 16 April. The President said more needed to be done to avoid “an enormous catastrophe” among the population.

In essence, this meant people would only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food, seek medical help or under other extreme circumstances.

The lockdown follows government regulations that limited public gatherings, travel from high-risk countries and the sale of alcohol.

In addition, borders were closed to reduce the rate of infection from those travelling into South Africa from other countries. A quarantine was also enforced on inbound travellers and returning citizens.

Latest measures

On Wednesday, 1 April, Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, launched 60 new mobile laboratories to boost the country’s capacity to test for COVID-19.

The sampling and testing units, procured by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), will be deployed nationwide to all priority districts and metros.

10,000 community health care workers will be deployed across the country for door-to-door household screening. Each province has been requested to start working on this strategy by deploying provincial community healthcare workers, with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, to undertake a house-to-house programme of “no-touch” screening for Covid-19 symptoms and to refer symptomatic people to clinics for testing.

In addition, PEPFAR-funded District Support Partners have been instructed to support provinces in this programme.

South Africa currently has the capacity to conduct 5,000 tests for COVID-19 daily. However, with the addition of mobile testing units, combined with 180 testing sites and 320 testing units across the country, this number will now increase six-fold.

Sourced from: https:www.sacoronavirus.co.za