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Healthy Eating for Older Adults

February 3, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

*This post contains an affiliate link

Like me, you may be faced with being a caregiver for your parents, or other older relative. One of the things that requires a lot of attention is making sure that they are eating healthy. Healthy eating for older adults is possible!

Healthy Eating for Older Adults

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Healthy Eating for Older Adults

Older adults still have virtually the same nutritional requirements as all adults. However, since they most likely aren’t as active, they won’t need as many calories. They also may have trouble eating.

Our elders very well may not tell us why they are having trouble eating. They may not even realize it or know why themselves. They may have trouble eating due to dental problems, loss of taste or smell, loss of appetite from age or medicine side effects, or the inability to prepare their own meals. We have to pay attention to their eating habits and do some sleuthing to identify why they aren’t eating, and make changes for them so that they can get the nutrition that they need.

The first step would be a visit to the doctor and/or a nutritionist. They, and you, need to find out what the recommend daily calorie intake is for them. Caloric needs do change. The doctor or nutritionist will also let you know any special needs they may have. A low sodium diet, limits on fluids, or certain vitamins, to name a few. This would be a great time to ask if they recommend any vitamins or supplements for them.

If they are not eating enough due to dental problems, a visit to the dentist is in order. If they have dentures, they may need to change the food they are eating, or change the form that they are eating them in. For example, a lot of older adults have trouble chewing raw vegetables. So they need to eat cooked veggies instead.

The foods that need to be eaten for good health are the same for everyone regardless of age.

Healthy carbohydrates: Brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole grains – bread, crackers, or pasta

Proteins from meat, fish, eggs, and beans

Dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter

And five servings of fruits and vegetables a day

Healthy eating for older adults means that substitutions may need to be made. Here are a few suggestions

You will need to make sure that carbohydrates are cooked to the correct consistency for them. Whole grains will often have to be something that does not have visible grains and seeds in it. Those can be hard to digest, as well as getting stuck in or under dentures. If eating that whole grain bread causes them pain, they won’t eat it. There are now white whole wheat breads on the market that they may be willing to eat.

The protein may have to change forms as well. Trouble chewing meat may mean eating more ground meats instead of having a steak. Chicken and fish are easier to chew than beef. Beans can be a good choice. Unless they have trouble with them being gas producing. That can make older adults very uncomfortable. If they like eating beans, there are ways to make them less gas producing, such as soaking over night.

Digestion slows down as we age, and a lot of older adults have trouble digesting raw vegetables, so fruits and vegetables may need to be eaten cooked. Make sure that they are getting a variety of vegetables to get enough nutrition. This may mean making extra vegetables. Some for the family and some for the them. Usually the darker the vegetable, the more nutrition it contains. Broccoli, cauliflower, and onions may need to be avoided as they are gas producing. You may have a hard time getting them to eat the full 5 servings every day. I know I do! Try to get as many in as you can. Hiding them in other foods if you have to. For example banana or zucchini bread. Adding bananas to pancakes and french toast. Adding finely chopped vegetables to meatloaf.

Dairy products are important for their calcium and vitamin D that help bones stay strong. Yogurt, with active cultures is important for gut health.

As the sense of taste and smell fade as we get older, we may need to add more spices and seasonings to increase the flavors to entice them to eat.

With a few adjustments, older adults can still eat their favorite foods and get the nutrition they need to be, and stay, healthy.

You may find these posts helpful. The Sandwich Generation, Making Decisions, and When Is It Too Much.

The Sandwich Generation
The Sandwich Generation Making Decisions
The Sandwich Generation When Is It Too Much

You may find this book helpful as well. Food and Fitness after 50: Eat Well, Move Well, Be Well.

*This post contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff Tagged With: sandwich generation

How to Buy the Best Hand Sanitizer

December 3, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 36 Comments

 

 

Now a days, we all need to keep sanitizer on hand all the time.

Hand Sanitizer can be expensive, and hard to find, so make sure you are buying the best one for you.

Here are some tips.

How to Buy the Best Hand Sanitizer

1.     Be Sure About Alcohol Percentage

The amount of alcohol in the hand sanitizer is critically important and the most effective hand sanitizers consist of 60-85% alcohol by volume, so be sure to check the alcohol percentage before purchasing.

2.     Check Alcohol Type

 Ethanol is proven to be more effective than isopropyl alcohol on its own against viruses. Be sure to check the type of alcohol to make sure you are purchasing the most effective hand sanitizer.

3.     Additional Ingredients

Check out the extra ingredients in the hand sanitizers as ingredients like Aloe, which is used in Smart Care hand sanitizers, help to smooth the skin upon application and reduce the dryness associated with alcohol.

4.     Proper Application is Important

In advance of application, make sure to clean all dirt and grease from your hands.  Apply a small dab of hand sanitizer to the palm of one hand, then rub your hands together. Make sure the sanitizer has dried before wiping your hands.

5.     Select a Brand with A Proven Reputation

Lastly, with the increasing number of brands on the market make sure to select a brand that has an established reputation for delivering performance and efficacy.

I recently received these Smart Care sanitizer products. Smart Care has been a leader in hand sanitizing products since 2015. They also carry some paper products, and first aid supplies. I saw some really cute disposable masks for kids, too!

These little character bottles are the best smelling hand sanitizer I’ve ever tried. If your kids won’t use hand sanitizer because of the smell, try these! There are several different licensed characters to choose from for all ages.

The antibacterial wipes are for only ages 3 and up. They are convenient to carry in your bag or purse when you don’t want to worry about liquid spilling.

Smart Care Hand Sanitizer Package Giveaway

Enter below to win the Smart Care Hand Sanitizer Package below. Hand soap, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, alcohol wipes….everything you need!

Be sure to read the terms and conditions on the form!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” My opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Healthy Stuff Tagged With: giveaway, healthy

How to Find the Perfect Exercise for You!

November 11, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 1 Comment

 

 

Exercise is so important to our health and well being.  We can’t truly be healthy without exercise. 

 

The benefits of exercise are many. It reduces the risk of illness and disease.  We need weightbearing exercise for strong, healthy bones. Exercise helps with weight management. It reduces stress, and improves our mood. Just to name a few!

 

 

 

How to Find the Perfect Exercise for You!

 

1. Go see your doctor. Yes, that’s the first step to finding the perfect exercise for you. Talk to your doctor. Tell him/her that you want to start exercising and get cleared for new physical activity.

 

 

 

2. Decide what your health goals are. Improve your heart health? Lose weight? Stay active instead of slowing down with age? Build muscle? Increase your stamina? You have to choose the health goals that are important to you. Choosing all, or too many, will make it next to impossible for you to meet your goals. Pick one. Reach that goal or be well on your way to reaching it, before you add another one.

 

 

3. Think about the things you love to do. Did you love a certain sport when you were in school? Did you take skating/horseback riding/dance lessons? Is being out in nature your thing or do you prefer to be indoors? Once you focus on the things you love to do, you will be able to narrow down what exercise you will love. Take up those lessons again, find a sports team to play on. Go out and hike that mountain. Well, work your way up to the mountain. lol

 

 

4. Take a good look at your schedule. Committing several hours a week to a sports team/ dance lessons, etc. won’t work if your schedule is already full. No matter how hard you try, you will be setting yourself up for failure. You may need to start out smaller while you work on changing your schedule. Maybe your lunch hour is the only time you have. Take a walk instead of being on your phone or talking to others. Get them to go on a walk with you!

  

5. Do you like to exercise with others? Or do you prefer to be alone? if you prefer to be alone and you take a large exercise class/join a team, you aren’t going to be able to keep with it. And vice versa. Do you want/need someone with you to tell you what to do every step of the way? If you do, getting a trainer or coach will really help you. If you don’t, getting a trainer will make you miserable, and you will stop.

 

Once you find what you love, that fits with your personality, and schedule, it’s time to get moving!

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff Tagged With: exercise, health

Breast Health Facts

October 28, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

*This page contains an affiliate link



October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But we should be concerned with breast health year round, not just during October.

My mother is a breast cancer survivor. So I personally know some things about breast cancer. And I try to stay informed about new information. Here are some facts that I have learned about breast cancer.



Breast Health Facts



Breast Health Facts



~Breast cancer is the number two cancer in woman in the United States. Some kinds of skin cancer comes in first.*

~There were 250,520 cases of breast cancer in the US in 2017, the last year that there is data for.*

~There are some things you can do to lower your risk of getting breast cancer, not drinking alcohol, for example.

~You need to know the breast cancer history for the women in your family. Whether you get tested for the breast cancer gene is a personal decision. But you still need to know if women in your family have gotten breast cancer. This information will help your doctor decide how often you should be screened.

~The majority of breast cancer cases are not family related.

~It has not been proven that anti-perspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.*
If you are concerned, do some research to find one that you are comfortable using. There are many options available now.

~Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk. Even if you can only breastfeed for a month or two, it’s awesome for baby, and will help lower your risk. The longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk.

~Early detection is key to improving survival rates.

~A mammogram is the standard test to check for breast cancer. There are some concerns about the radiation from mammograms. If this concerns you, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, in some cases, another test can be done with less radiation.

~We all need to be diligent in doing our monthly self breast exams. I use this to help during self exams. Right now there is a buy one, get one free sale going on. So you can share one!

~Not every lump is cancer! Please don’t avoid doing self exams, and yearly exams with your doctor. You don’t need to be afraid!



Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women. It affects men, too. Their mothers, girlfriends, wives, daughters, are getting breast cancer. Men get breast cancer, too! So ladies, make sure the men in your life know the facts about breast health!


Here are a couple of things that I made for my mother to celebrate her being a breast cancer survivor.

A pink ribbon scarf, and a ribbon grapevine wreath.



*This page contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

*I got these numbers from here and here. And info from here.

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff Tagged With: breast, health

Vitamin D – What It Is and Why You Need It

July 14, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

 

Since I have experienced low Vitamin D myself, I have done some research.

So I decided to share what I have learned with you!

 

Vitamin D – What It Is and Why You Need It

 

IMG_2093 (1)

 

Your body can not survive without Vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes cell growth, immune function, and it reduces inflammation, and along with calcium, it is important for your bones.

Your immune system is directly affected by low Vitamin D.

Low Vitamin D equals low immune system.

That fact is extremely important to know concerning the virus we are dealing with right now.

 

Some signs of low Vitamin D are

  • fatigue
  • you get sick all the time, or have repeated infections
  • poor wound healing
  • bone pain
  • muscle pain
  • hair loss
  • depression

Now obviously, those signs can come from numerous things.

So it’s important to go see your doctor about your symptoms.

 

Vitamin D is the only nutrient that your body can make when it is exposed to the sun. Pretty cool, huh?

It can take as little as 15-20 minutes a day of sun, exposing your arms, legs, abdomen, and back. You will need at least double that if you are exposing only your arms and legs. Which brings you to an amount of time that is next to impossible to achieve during the winter in the majority of the United States.

 

You may get enough vitamin D from your diet and the sun during the summer. In the winter, however, many people need to take a supplement.

 

Good sources of Vitamin D include:

  • salmon
  • tuna, and other wild caught fish
  • beef or calf liver
  • egg yolks
  • dairy products – milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.

To name a few.

 

Vitamin D What It Is And Why You Need It

 

 

Doctors don’t always order a Vitamin D test when you are having lab work done. You may have to ask.

 

You can get too much Vitamin D.  And too much can lead to health problems.

You can’t get too much by eating foods with Vitamin D and from the sun.

You can get too much from taking supplements.

That’s why it’s important to get your vitamin D level checked regularly.

 

I have experienced low vitamin D myself. I know how awful it can make you feel. If you are trying to eat right and take care of yourself, but still feel bad and have some or all of the symptoms listed above, check with your doctor!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff

Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?

May 16, 2018 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

*This is a sponsored post.

 

I take my vision for granted.

 

Admit it, you do to.

 

From the time we open our eyes in the morning until we close our eyes at night, we don’t even think about what an amazing gift our vision is. We take it for granted that we will always be able to see. Looking at ourselves in the mirror in the morning. Driving our cars. Seeing how yummy our food looks. Watching tv or a sports game. Looking at the stars in the sky at night.

 

I have been blessed to be able to watch my tiny newborn babies grow into awesome adults. And the many, many memory making moments in between. My daughter is expecting my first grandchild this summer. I can hardly wait to lay my eyes on that sweet little bundle of joy!

 

We take the ability to see all those marvelous sights for granted.   Until something happens to our vision.

 

Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?

 

Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?

 

Think about it for a moment. What if you lost your sight? What if you couldn’t see your spouse, your kids, or your grandkids? I know I would be heartbroken to lose my vision and not be able to see my grandbaby.

Every year nearly 10 million Americans go blind due to Age-related Macular Degeneration. Age-related Macular Degeneration is an eye disease that causes the loss of central vision. AMD causes degeneration of light sensitive cells in the central portion of the retina which enables us to perceive fine visual detail.

 

There’s a man in my town that has been legally blind (not from AMD) for over 50 years. Thanks to new technology, he was recently able to see his wife, kids, and grandkids for the first time ever. What a miraculous gift!

 

If you, or someone you love, have Age-related Macular Degeneration, there is help for you, too!

 

Ending Blindness

 

 

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a non-profit organization, has been funding research on cures for blindness, specifically AMD, since 1971. Thanks to their research, there are new treatments to stop, and in some cases even reverse, retinal disease.  Medical technology is repairing vision and helping people to see again! This is great news for people over 55 and their families.

 

 

Want more information about AMD, symptoms, causes, treatments? How about an invaluable list of 14 questions to ask your eye doctor? I have never seen a list like this for the eye doctor before! For all that, an at home test to see if you have AMD, and more, download this Guide to Age-related Macular Degeneration PDF packet.

 

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I was compensated for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” My opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff

Please Don’t Do This To Your Child!

August 14, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 2 Comments

 

The other day I was visiting someone at their house. They had other company as well. I saw one of these women pick up their child by one arm. I was surprised. I have very rarely seen someone pick up their child by one arm. I can’t even remember the last time I saw someone do this.

 

Picking a child up by one arm is painful for the child. It can lead to bruising, dislocation of the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

 

Please don't do this to your child

 

Even if the child doesn’t experience a dislocated joint, they could suffer pulled muscles, tendons, and ligaments. All of which are painful for the child.

 

Did I say something to this woman? No, I did not. Because I didn’t know her. If I saw someone I know pick up a child like this, I would tell them. I do not recommend telling a complete stranger how to take care of their child. In this day and age, telling a parent what to do with their child does not always end well. You will have to judge your situation for yourself.

 

This child that I saw was 3-4 years old. Except age doesn’t matter. Size doesn’t matter. A child should always be picked up using two hands.

 

Never by one arm.  Please don’t do this to your child. 

 

 

Filed Under: Healthy Stuff

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 NKJV


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