People Who Get Migraines in Middle Age May Be More Likely to Develop ParkinsonÛªs (Video)
People Who Get Migraines in Middle Age May Be More Likely to Develop ParkinsonÛªs (Video)
Brain Exercises to Improve Memory
Brain Exercises to Improve Memory (Reprinted with permission from MD Home Health.) Brain exercises are a good way to keep your mind sharp and stay on top of your game. Reports find that brain exercises, some as simple as face recognition or number matching, can go a long way to improve memory and delay the effects of long term memory loss. We all forget things from time to time, whether it a misplaced set of car keys or where we parked the car after going shopping. These instances of forgetfulness pale in comparison with the slow eroding effect of AlzheimerÛªs disease or dementia that 5 million people in this country suffers from and the 6th leading cause of death according to the AlzheimerÛªs Association. Strengthening your brain through the use of specifically designed exercises, such as those from Homecare Phoenix providers and others can go a long way to improving your memory and prolonging your life. Ways to Exercise the Brain When you engage in physical exercise, you also exercise your brain. Remaining physically active, even in your older years improves the flow of oxygen to the brain. Physical exercise also has the added benefit of staving off the development of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and diseases of the heart, both of which lower your memory retention and place your health at risk. In addition to physical exercise, maintaining a connection with your social network, be it friends and family, is important for helping you stay connected as you age and keep your mind sharp. A Harvard University School of Public Health study found that elderly people with active social lives have a slower rate of memory decline. How to Start Improving Your Memory If you want to begin improving your memory, start by getting up, getting active and getting involved with those around you. You may also consider different memory games and other devices that are designed to exercise your brain, regardless of your physical condition or level of activity. Spending a few minutes a day playing mind games, moving about and interacting with others can go a long way to helping you enjoy more of your life and slow the rate of memory loss and the negative effects of aging. Services like those provided through MD Home Health, a Phoenix home health care service provider, can help those looking to improve their memory. MD Homecare Phoenix provides those services that help not only exercise the body but also exercise the brain.
Benefits of Swimming for the Elderly
Benefits of Swimming for the Elderly (reprinted with permission from MD Home Health Assist) Swimming is an aerobic activity that gets the muscles going and is a perfect way for people to stay in shape, particularly the elderly thanks to its low-impact nature. As the fourth most popular sport in America, swimming for just two and a half hours a week can reduce the risk of chronic illness and cut the risk of death in half compared with those who are inactive, says the CDC. Older people who swim on a regular basis as part of homecare Phoenix experience improvements in their health related to diabetes and heart disease. Physical Health Benefits Swimming is perfect for the elderly because itÛªs easier on the joints and muscles than exercise on hard land. This is good news for those with chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, which is a decrease in bone density as a person ages. Water-based exercise has also been known to boost quality of life and decrease disability, helping to maintain bone health, particularly in older women. Swimming also boosts flexibility, especially in the neck, legs, arms and hips, leading to reduced back pain and sore muscles, as well as better posture and muscle coordination, according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation. Muscles tend to tone up easier, as every single muscle in the body is working hard to cut through that water, providing a resistance training of sorts. Building muscle strength can equal less flabby skin on the arms and legs. Because swimming is aerobic in nature, it boosts the health of the heart, leading to a reduction in coronary heart disease through lowered risk of inflammation. Mental Health Benefits The physical benefits of swimming are plenty, but the mind also benefits from a regular swimming regimen in seniors. This popular activity is a natural stress reliever which can improve moods and fight off depression. Seniors also experience a heightened sense of camaraderie when swimming in a public pool with friends or at a family memberÛªs home. These situations create positive memories with children, grandchildren, spouses and friends, giving the elderly an outlet for socialization. This in turn combats feelings of isolation and loneliness, leading to better mental health overall thanks to the interaction and intimacy provided by swimming with others, according to Livestrong. For more tips on how swimming helps keep you in shape, both physically and mentally, visit us at MD Home Health, where you can learn more about home care Phoenix. Keep your heart pumped, muscles toned, bones strong and attitude positive when you engage in swimming as part of Phoenix home health care!
Memory Slips May Signal Increased Risk of Dementia Years Later
Memory Slips May Signal Increased Risk of Dementia Years Later 
A study published in the online issue of Neurologyå¨, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology suggests that people without dementia who begin reporting memory issues may be more likely to develop dementia later, even if they have no clinical signs of the disease. ÛÏWhatÛªs notable about our study is the time it took for this transition to dementia or clinical impairment to occurÛÓabout 12 years for dementia and nine years for clinical impairmentÛÓafter the memory complaints began,Û said study author Richard J. Kryscio, PhD, with the University of Kentucky in Lexington. ÛÏThese findings suggest that there may be a window for intervention before a diagnosable problem shows up.Û For the study, 531 people with an average age of 73 and free of dementia were asked yearly if they noticed any changes in their memory. They were also given annual memory and thinking tests for an average of 10 years. After death, 243 of the participantsÛª brains were examined for evidence of AlzheimerÛªs disease. A total of 56 percent of the participants reported changes in their memory, at an average age of 82. The study found that people who reported memory complaints were nearly three times more likely to develop memory and thinking problems. About one in six participants developed dementia during the study, and 80 percent of those first reported memory changes. ÛÏOur study adds strong evidence to the idea that memory complaints are common among older adults and are sometimes indicators of future memory and thinking problems. Doctors should not minimize these complaints and should take them seriously,Û said Kryscio. ÛÏHowever, memory complaints are not a cause for immediate alarm since impairment could be many years away. And, unfortunately, we do not yet have preventive therapies for AlzheimerÛªs disease and other illnesses that cause memory problems.Û I would caution that this study could scare people needlessly. Let’s face it. We all forget things.
