Helpful Tips for Seniors

One of the biggest setbacks facing scientists on the search for an effective Alzheimer's treatment is cruelly ironic: there aren't enough people with the disease. In order to supply the 100+ approved Alzheimer's studies in the US with proper data, 25,000 screened participants are needed. However, misdiagnosis and the various incidental requirements of each individual study yield high rates of screening failure, and scientists would require an initial pool of 37.5 million Alzheimer's patients. There are only 5.5 million in America today.

One giant pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly, is up to the task. Their new trial is applying the cutting edge of modern medicine to the disease, with two powerful experimental drugs that attack, in tandem, a protein called beta amyloid, the buildup of which is the first known sign of Alzheimer's. 

Click below to read more a full, expert article on the difficulties facing scientists as they move forward and how there is hope for the future.

Virginia offers several federal and local programs that can help seniors on low or fixed incomes weatherize their homes at low costs, which can save hundreds of dollars in utility bills per year.

For an especially healthful activity this summer, try growing an herb garden! Gardening is a great low-impact activity that gets seniors outside and active, provides an creative outlet, and -- if you're planting herbs -- can bring edible results: tasty garnishes for the table! What's not to love?

The ideal activities for seniors are both low-intensity and low-impact. Low-intensity activities have light physical requirements and are easy to do (like walking or swimming), or are simply shorter in duration. Low-impact activities are ones that exercise muscles without causing too much shock or stress on the joints. 

Independent communities are one option for long-term care for seniors. They provide staff help and social opportunities, and enable seniors to live in individual private apartments and living spaces. For a healthy, mobile senior who doesn't want or need to stay in a home, independent communities can be an attractive alternative. 

Are you a senior thinking about aging independently at home, and want a better way to manage the stairs? Consider a stair lift! And here's a guide to the best 4 stair lift manufacturers on the market, based on value, warranty, installation, and customization.