If you are looking for a fun way to get and stay fit you gotta dance. The chances are even if you haven’t danced in a very long time there was a time when you probably did at one time. The fashions may have changed quite a bit, and there may be some dances that you don’t recognize but that’s okay, it’s still a lot of fun.

And if you think you’re too old to learn to dance think again. Just watch the movie clip below and you will see it’s never too late. These seniors are great and they are having fun and staying young physically and mentally. Did you know that dancing is one of the best exercises for your brain? When you dance you are have to think and coordinate and move your body at the same time, plus the music and general enjoyment aspect of it makes it a perfect activity at any age.

A lot of people are intimidated about learning but even the learning can be fun.  And if you want to meet new people take some dance classes. Remember others are probably going to be there for the same reason that you are.

Whether you like ballroom, Latin, swing, jazz, country, line dancing or square dancing it doesn’t matter, the thing is just pick something and get started. Dancing is a time when some people feel that they can really let themselves go. If your over 50, especially over 60 you will surely remember the music of the 50s and 60’s just get some of your favorites of that era that and you will soon get your feet tapping and be in the mood to dance.

Keep on Dancing

Dancing is one of my very favorite things to do. I danced a lot when I was younger then didn’t dance for years until after I turned 50 when I took lessons. Taking up dancing again was the best thing I could have done, I met some great people and just had the time of my life.

Don’t tell me you don’t want to give it a try once you see these seniors from the movie ‘Gotta Dance’…Enjoy!

Addiction treatment has risen in the over 50s age group.  It is a real problem and often difficult to detect especially when it is drug addiction from medications prescribed from the doctor.  When we hear about drug and alcohol addiction we don’t tend to think of the seniors. Pain killer addiction is described to be the hidden addiction.

Many of the seniors started drinking and using drugs before the age of 25 and continued over the years, which has lead to it becoming an addiction in their senior years.

When it comes to medication as we age there are a number of things that people get prescriptions for including insomnia, pain, anxiety and depression. Seniors don’t tend to use street drugs but a large number will use prescription drugs as mood altering drugs and like any drug or alcohol once they lose their initial affect they take more and more to get the desired effect.

One disabled senior that I know of had been getting prescriptions for many years for both herself and her husband.  As well as taking the drugs, she had been stashing them away. Sometimes she would overdose herself, and more than once the paramedics would have to come to bring her out of the almost unconscious state.

Because she already had some serious medical issues the family thought that her passing out and other odd behaviors were related to her health condition. It was a very long time before the family realized what had been going on. They would never have considered the fact that their mother was actually addicted to the drugs and was overdosing. Had they realized sooner they could have got her the drug addiction counseling that she required.

Some seniors don’t become addicted until they are older. This is often brought on by various life changes. Some retired seniors get very lonely and use alcohol as their addiction. It is very easy for most seniors to drink alone at home and who would ever know. Health issues, the loss of a spouse, some even missing their work life and the social interaction with co-workers are all reasons that some seniors turn to alcohol.

Another big concern with addictions and seniors is gambling. Going to the casino can be a great distraction and a place where many seniors find some form of company. This is fine unless they become addicted to gambling and lose money that they cannot afford to lose.

An added problem for seniors abusing drugs and alcohol is that they age even faster. They can also lose their mental focus, and sometimes the ability to remain living independently way faster than needs be.

With proper intervention many seniors could do well and get their life back on track. First the problem has to be recognized and then it’s time to get help for recovery from Addiction.

Families need to become more aware of the problem of addiction in seniors so that they can help their parent, sibling or friend.

Author Bio: Shirley Price is a Life coach and trained in NLP, Solution focused counseling and EFT. She is the publisher of www.lifebydesignover50.com  She is located on Vancouver, Canada.

As we reach the over 50 age group we become much more aware of the fact that we are really aging. We start to think of what our future holds as an older person, as a senior.  We become more aware of our personal fitness level and health, or lack of. As we see those older than us walking with walkers and on mobility scooters we are constantly reminded that the next 10 to 20 years or so could hold some major changes and challenges for us. Challenges that we would prefer to avoid as long as possible.  We want to maintain our freedom of independence and mobility to be able to continue to do the things that we have learned to take so much for granted.

Staying mobile is such an important part of our existence.  Even the disabled are able to be mobile with the assistance of modern wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers that were not as user friendly or easily available to generations before us.

Obviously we want to avoid having to rely on anything but our own body to get us around for as long as possible, so we have to look after it. Exercise is a crucial part of staying fit and active, but sometimes even regular exercise doesn’t guarantee that we won’t need assistance at some time in our life.

Think of the freedom that devices like the mobility scooters have given to many that would otherwise have been confined to their home, or be dependent on others to take them out. They are able to get around do their own shopping and keep appointments giving then the independence that we all want and need. It’s not just the elderly either. There are young individuals that have become less able due to accidents, M.S, Parkinson’s and other conditions, as well as the very young that are born with a disability. Mobility affects us all and we all want it, so when something new comes up that could change lives and could possibly increase the quality of life for many us then we want to know about it-Right?
I came across these very interesting videos of Honda’s amazing innovations. This could be really helpful to many if it ever comes to the marketplace and becomes affordable. My concerns would be falling of the one that you sit on and that the other one that supports the body does look pretty uncomfortable.

Enjoy and be amazed!

Can you believe how fast time goes by and before you know it you are at some major milestone in your life?  Perhaps you’ve just turned 50 or even 60 years of age and realize that maybe you haven’t taken such good care of yourself, and now it shows. To make matters worse it’s not just that it shows; you also feel it too. You know that you should be in better health and shape than you are.

We do tend to take our natural good health and fitness level for granted when we are young but by not taking care we pay for it later. Even some of the greatest athletes and fitness fanatics still have problems from the over use of joints so we shouldn’t beat ourselves up too much for not doing better. The thing is it’s never too late to make some changes to improve our life.

Some of the issues we face with being 50 plus is joint pain; it maybe from arthritis or old injuries, high blood pressure, and often high cholesterol, not to mention that we are not as flexible any more. When we feel pain and discomfort the last thing that we feel like doing is exercising, and yet it’s something that can really help build our stamina and strength and have us feeling younger and more fit.

I know from personal experience that having arthritis in my knee has at times made me feel 10 years older than I am. I used to dance (a lot) then I started getting knee problems so felt forced to quit. I missed it terribly and got to the point that I didn’t dance at all for quite a while. When you have pain its so much easier to not do something than suffer the discomfort.

When you stop exercising the chances are you will gain weight, which may lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even diabetes for some.  Besides this you are not doing the things that you get pleasure out of, so it becomes a downward spiral.  The one thing you don’t want to do is quit and give into it.  You need to figure out a way to give your body what it needs so that you are still be able to enjoy life to the fullest.

Exercise: The key is finding exercise that suits you. Not everyone has to go to the gym to exercise and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Strength training is really important; it helps burn off fat and strengthen muscles. You know that old saying if you don’t use it you lose it, well that applies to muscles too. You don’t have to lift heavy weights to improve your muscles tone either. Many people find that the flat exercise bands work very well and are an excellent choice. You can cover just about any exercises that you need to do using the bands, plus you don’t need bulky exercise equipment that you don’t have the room for.

Walking is one of the best all around exercises that you can do for fitness and your mental health. Walking has so many benefits, especially if you are able to do your walking outdoors in a pleasant environment. I personally like to use my recumbent bike.  I find the pedalling motion helps keep my knees from getting stiff and sore. Exercise really doesn’t have to be hard work; the main thing is to be doing something. Start somewhere if you haven’t done any exercise for a while, start slow and work up from there. For a lot of people the main issue around exercise is all in the mind. If we make exercising a huge deal it’s easy to talk ourselves out of it. Dancing around your living room to your favourite music is fun and good exercise too, so don’t dismiss this either. Exercise helps with balance and flexibility too. Add some activities like golf, tennis, swimming and you have found the key to fun and fitness.

With regards to blood pressure and cholesterol probably half the adult population has less than optimal levels, but we do know that eating healthy and regular exercise can improve our personal numbers in a fairly short time.  We have a choice, if we want to enjoy travel, have new adventures and fun we need to be as fit as possible and take charge of your own body. So why not put the effort into your redesigning your life?

Most of us know the saying “if you don’t use it you lose it”. This certainly applies to your brain so it’s really important especially as we age that we keep an active mind. When we were younger attending school and university then going into the workplace, and bringing up children our brains automatically kept active. When we leave the workplace and maybe spend a lot more time on our own and don’t really have to think about too much it’s easy to let your brain rest to the point it can almost become stagnant.

There’s a tremendous amount of talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s and like anything else that causes ill health and discomfort we want to do our very best to not be affected by these diseases. Most of us tend to think that dementia will only affect the elderly when in fact it can affect people in their 40s. It’s just as important to exercise our minds as it is body.

Staying alert is extremely important especially for those that drive. We all want to keep our independence for as long as we possibly can. Driving a car is a big responsibility and a major source of independence for many of us. One that we never want to give up. If you happen to live in an area with an excellent public transport system giving up your vehicle may not be as big a sacrifice. For those living in more rural areas with little or no public transport that totally rely on driving themselves where they need to go it would be very difficult.

We often don’t realize how important this is until we are faced with some major change in our life. I recently met a lady that suffers with extreme arthritis. She sat with me at the local coffee shop

and explained that her building was having a new elevator installed and this meant that she had to move out of her apartment for about four weeks while this work was being done. She wasn’t able to drive and even public transport was a challenge for her. She relied on Handy Dart which collects and takes people that have challenges to community and senior centers and also to appointment they have to attend. The problem was Handy Dart was on strike and had been for about four weeks leaving her and many others having to use a taxi cab which is costly. This really made me appreciate being able to get my own vehicle and drive wherever I needed to.

We are aware that as we age our eyesight and hearing diminish, our reflexes get slower and there are other factors that can affect the way we drive including medications. Therefore we need to have the self-awareness to know when our ability to drive safely is inhibited and we may become a danger to ourselves and others.

There are many ways to keep a healthy body and mind. Staying actively involved in life, participating in hobbies and having interests will keep both body and mind active. Learning a new skill is an excellent way to exercise your brain. Staying involved with life by getting together with friends for some fun and healthy activities.
Besides the more common ways to exercise your brain there are a number of brain exercise programs like the Train Your Brain Clinically Proven Brain Fitness Programs from Posit Science

Many seniors are becoming more interested in the internet, not only that many seniors are really internet savvy. Seniors are the largest group of new internet users.  It’s another great way to keep your brain active. You can research anything and if your into crosswords or games there’s lots to offer. Not to mention the fact that it’s a great way to stay in touch with those you love. If you haven’t got into it yet or thinking or getting more serious Amazon is a great place to check them out.

Aging and Arthritis

Many adults are not only facing aging but also arthritis. The aging process can’t be stopped but it can be slowed down by practicing good healthy habits.  But sooner or later for many, arthritis will become evident.  While there are many ways to disguise and cover the aesthetic looks of aging, skin imperfections etc there is little that we can do to cure arthritis.

Arthritis is the result of the growing years where joints are now suffering from pain.  This is because the cartilage that is seen in between the bones is breaking down. Like the aging process, there are some things that we can do to prevent our bones from too much damage, pain and immobility.

While arthritis is very common in seniors, and a sure sign of getting older this is not the only age group that can experience the pain and discomfort of arthritis. Arthritis can be encountered during younger years and often even in children.

There are a number of preventative measures that you can practice with aging and arthritis. Exercise and healthy nutrition is always beneficial to you regardless of age, exercise is the best prevention for Arthritis. Keeping your body moving and agile can keep you feeling more in control and comfortable. Keep active as you age. Have hobbies and interests where you are using your hands such as painting, drawing, or play an instrument like the guitar or piano. These are good ways to keep your hands mobile. Playing golf and swimming are also great for physical exercise and favorites with seniors.

Staying healthy when you are still young by eating and drinking healthy foods and milk can build up great skin and bones. Foods that are nutrient-rich can keep your skin glowing and fresh. Milk can make your bones stronger.

One of the most important things you can do is to educate yourself about Aging and Arthritis.
Arthritis is common in fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, jaw, hips, knees and toes.Some of the symptoms of this disease are stiffness, fatigues, loss of appetite, anemia, small lumps, deformity of the joints, nodules under the skin and joint pain, usually in the morning.

The best ways to track Arthritis are through blood tests and X-rays.
-    Avoid strenuous exercise that can greatly affect your joints.
-    When you are carrying things, use the larger and stronger joints and muscles.
-    Follow your recommended weight; it could give relief to your joints because extra weight can add additional stress especially to your knees and hips. It could mean you suffer more pain.
-    Appropriate exercise will reduce fatigue and stress.
-    Help prevent or delay osteoarthritis by taking vitamin C. Eat things like oranges, citrus fruits, and other antioxidants.
-    Taking calcium also decreases the risk of osteoporosis. But if you do not like drinking milk, there are alternatives for this; yogurt, cheese and supplements plus other foods that will give you enough calcium are broccoli, salmon with bones and kale.
-    Sometimes you may need to treat yourself to a massage by a certified massage therapist because it helps increase blood circulation, and can provide you more with energy and flexibility.
-    Always take time to stretch; it will keep joints and muscles flexible. It will help you maintain your daily routine activities.
-    There will be times that your joints may feel hot and ache, if this happens, a cold compress can make a difference.

Arthritis is a disease that you cannot cure; you need to find ways to manage it. There are a number of drugs that can be prescribed by your doctor to use for a long-term relief of the pain and inflammation.  There are also over the counter pain relievers like aspirin, and Ibuprofen, however, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor to see what is best for you.  Even though pain relievers may help, expect that the discomfort will still come back.

When arthritis leaves you struggling with the ordinary everyday activities you may need to check out some of the products that can help to make you life a little easier.

Amazon has a selection of health and personal care products.

Amazon health and personal care

By Mary Barcelona

By Shirley Price

You may have noticed recently that there has been a considerable amount of talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s in the news. With such a huge aging population this is obviously a global concern. I read that every five minutes there will be a new case and that and this will increase to every two minutes within the next 30 years. It was also stated that we need to prepare for the tidal wave of dementia.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t always wait for old age

If someone in your life has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s you know only too well the devastating effect this has on families. Most of us tend to think that only

Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia-Keep your Brain Active

the old will be affected by these conditions as dementia generally takes a grasp after the age of 70. This is not always the case as early dementia can start around the age of 45years.  A few months ago I met a lady who is in her early 40s. She had moved from another country with her husband who is in his later 40s. What was to be an exciting new life for them soon turned into a nightmare!  Not long after their arrival her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Within about a year his condition had deteriorated to the point that she felt that he was already gone. He was in a special care facility and didn’t even know who she was.

Maintain a Healthy Mind

Keeping our mind active and alert as we age is just as important as taking care of our bodies by eating well, exercising and staying as healthy as possible. Having mental stimulation and a mind that’s kept active will help to keep your brain fit.   Many do so by doing crosswords, reading, learning new skills, and by being involved with their hobbies and interests. Also there are a number of brain exercise programs available like the Posit Science Brain Training Software which will help you or your loved one to focus better, remember more and think faster.Train Your Brain Clinically Proven Brain Fitness Programs from Posit Science

Take responsibility for your brain health

We don’t know for sure if we will be affected by dementia because there are a number of factors that come into play.   Lifestyle and genetics are sure to play a big part so we need to take some responsibility for our own mental health and wellness. Early detection of this disease can slow the process down and help lead to a better quality of life.

Loss of memory

If dementia hasn’t already affected our lives personally most of us will know of someone that has been. My own mother is 88 years old and fortunately so far has not been affected by this condition. There have been times when we have been concerned because she has tended to repeat herself quite a lot. Just to be on the safe side her doctor referred her to a memory clinic, after doing the tests they had no concerns. After asking a number of questions to test her memory and a general chat they were pleased with the result. She still attends the clinic once or twice a year.

Aging Parents

Many of us have aging parents that we worry about. It is sometimes difficult to address some of the situations that arise such as memory loss, acting out of character, and sometimes knowing that they should no longer be driving. These are all difficult topics to bring up knowing that it will probably cause stress and anxiety. However, it is important that we watch for signs that concern us and them. We need to step in and get help when they are unable to do it for themselves.

A number of years ago a friend of my daughter had moved back to the UK with his wife but his mom was still living in Canada. A few times he had mentioned that he thought his mom was starting to lose it and that she sometimes had memory problems. His mom went to visit them in the UK to see her new grandson. My daughter’s friend asked if we would collect his mom from the airport and take her home when she returned. We picked her up as arranged and everything seemed normal but during the drive back to her apartment the conversation changed. She thought that her son was actually her husband, who had in fact died a number of years earlier. Whenever her daughter-in-laws name was mentioned she would get very agitated, apparently she thought that her daughter-in-law was her husband’s girlfriend. And their young baby, her grandson, she didn’t want to talk about at all. I have heard similar stories where a parent starts to believe their child is their spouse.

Memory Lapse

We are all prone to have memory lapse now and again. We misplace something or just can’t remember a name etc.  This is more likely to happen when we are stressed, anxious or overwhelmed and can’t think straight. It’s usually very short term but we do need to pay attention and keep our brains stimulated and healthy.

By Shirley Price

It’s the end of another year and I have to admit that I haven’t done a number of the things that I intended to do this year. Even though I know the value of having a somewhat balanced life I have not followed my own advice this past year. Some years work out better than others, especially when we pay attention to what we are doing.

I constantly tell the people that I work with that it’s important to have balance in life, to make sure that they take care of the their health, eat well, exercise, participate in life, have hobbies and interests, continued education, spirituality, enjoy family and friends, have fun, and take care of their finances.

Well, I did some of the things that I suggest above, however, if I were to give myself a score it would have to be 4 out of 10, that’s pretty poor. I spent so much time sitting in front of my computer working day after day for way to many hours that I neglected my own health and fitness. It’s so easy to do this and it doesn’t take long for it to become a habit. I’m by no means an exercise fanatic but I do know it’s important to keep moving. Even many of the usual everyday activities that seemed to have helped to keep me fit in the past came to a halt.

There was a time not too long ago when I would go dancing three times a week. I didn’t realize then how much difference that made to my fitness level. Then to become so inactive for most of the year it’s amazing how different it can make you feel, and not in a good way. Without activity it doesn’t take long to lose your muscle tone and find that your stamina is just about zero.Rather than set more New Year’s goals I have considered what has not worked for me during this past year and will find ways to improve these areas in the coming year. It is more important to look at life long term and not just over the course of one year or less. I am looking at what I want my life to be about in the coming years and not just for 2010. I realize that health and fitness has to come first and foremost.

Like so many things in life we do not appreciate what we have until we are in jeopardy of losing it. This definitely applies to our health. There is nothing better than feeling good within yourself and to know that you have taken care of yourself. After all no one else can do it for us. What could be more important and beneficial?

Without good health we cannot enjoy even the simplest things in the same way. Traveling becomes way more difficult and in some cases may become impossible. Enjoying everyday activities even going for walks maybe jeopardized, even taking care of our own family and homes. There is so much that depends on being healthy and able.

I like so many of you have put exercise too low on my list of priorities when actually it should be right at the top of my list. It’s so easy to get sidetracked with things that are nowhere near as important as our own health and wellness.

There are a number of goals that I wish to achieve during the coming year, at the top of my list is ME. I need to take care of me first in order to fulfill any of my other ambitions. I will still focus on my work and my projects which are important to me but even more important is feeling good. Often when we take on a new project it will consume most of our time – if we let it. By having more balance in life we will achieve way more and be able to enjoy the fruits of our labour.

So, when you look back over this past year and take stock of your life consider what has worked well and what hasn’t. What is it that you would like to continue to have in your life now and into the future?  What is it that you wish to eliminate from your life?  And rather than be looking for new resolutions and goals focus on what you already know works and see how you can get more of this. Then look at what isn’t working and figure out how you can change or eliminate these situations.

Don’t stress it – Enjoy it!

Shirley Price

Both cardiovascular and aerobic exercise is important. Aerobic exercise is instrumental in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, while reducing cholesterol. With all of these activities, it is important to be in tune to what your body tells you. If there is anything you are concerned about – talk to your doctor first. Don’t forget – the hardest part of any exercise regimen is the first couple of weeks. Once you choose something that you think will be a good fit for you, stick to that routine, and before you know it you will have a new and healthy habit.

Not only does getting and staying fit help your physical health, but it can have wonderful benefits to your mental health as well. The mind-body connection is strong, so prepare to reap the benefits of a regular exercise routine – more energy, better sleep, and it’s a great way to ward off depression. Staying active makes for a healthy person, from the inside out.  Exercise lowers stress hormones and increases endorphins, which are your natural ‘feel good’ chemicals. As they’re released during exercise, you get the benefit of having your mood boosted in a natural way.  Exercise also helps your body to release adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, which also help you feel good. We were designed to move!Here are some exercises that both men and women can consider:

•    Walking – head to a park and take in some natural beauty.
•    Biking – stationary or a bicycle you can ride on the pathways.
•    Yoga – great for stretching, breathing and meditation, proven to reduce stress.
•    Pilates – strengthens the core, challenging at first, so take it slow.
•    Tai Chi – great for mind-body connections, very relaxing, but with a surprisingly noticeable workout.
•    Swimming – take a lesson or find a water aerobics class. This is good, low resistance exercise and it’s a fun change of pace to splash around in a pool.
•    Weight training – ensure you have a program designed for you at a gym to avoid overdoing it or sustaining an injury.
•    Running – start off slow, run for a couple of minutes, then walk for a minute or more, and build up as your body allows.

Folks 50+ who ensure fitness is part of their lives are also far less at risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease, as well other forms of dementia. Getting out into the sunshine as often as possible is important too, so if you’re joining a gym or taking a class indoors, be sure to include mother nature somewhere in your schedule and soak up that vitamin D.

Remember – overall fitness requires an integrated approach – diet, lifestyle habits, and exercise all play a vital part. Staying fit will help you look your best, feel your best, and live a longer, healthier life.

To your good health!

By Shirley Price

Light therapy is help for the mind.

Do you find that you want to hibernate during the darker colder days of winter? Do you feel depressed and lack concentration and feel irritable? You may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Many people find that light therapy is very advantageous to them. While light therapy is used for a number of mental issues most of us will be more familiar with its use for SAD.

If you are a woman you will be more likely to suffer from SAD as opposed to a man. Also, the farther away from the equator you reside the higher your risk to seasonal Affective disorder.  This condition can start during the fall months and not dissipate until spring arrives. It can become an annual condition for many and can affect people at varying degrees from mild to severe symptoms.

Is it any wonder that we like to take off to tropical climates during the winter months? Many of us don’t have that opportunity for one reason or another so we need to do what we can to survive those dark dreary days.  Sun light makes us happier as it increases the serotonin in the brain. During the gloomy season we are deprived of this. The light therapy supplies us with some of that need we have and helps us to be able to cope with the winter blahs.So what can you do about it? The good news is that approximately 75% of light therapy users that have committed to using the lamps for a minimum of a two weeks period have discovered its benefits without even having to disrupt their routines.  You can get your treatment at home or the office by having a light box set up at home on your desk or even placed above your bed. You can have a light box or lamp in your office it doesn’t have to be become a big production.

A great solution for some is to change their regular light bulbs with full spectrum lights. These devices simulate the sunlight effect.  Not only will this help the person suffering from seasonal affective disorder but it will help anyone that is in that environment whether it’s at home or work.

Besides the number of benefits it offers light therapy is effective, safe and very easy to use. Generally there are no side effects.

There are a number of options, available so check out the various styles and uses. Some like the blue lamp others prefer the light box or the Dawn Simulators, and then there is the spectrum light bulbs make yourself familiar with what is available and what could be the answer to your winter blues.