The Lifeline Blog

Reducing stress is just as important as exercise and diet. That’s because the stress response doesn’t just impact our emotions – it affects our physical health, too. Stress causes an elevation of cortisol, (the so-called “fight-or-flight” hormone produced in the adrenal glands), which is great when we’re in danger, but produces adverse effects if we Read more >>

As we age, we may develop conditions that make it harder to participate in day-to-day life. One of these is low vision. What is low vision? The National Eye Institute (NEI) defines low vision as any visual impairment “that makes it hard to do everyday activities” that “can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, medicine or Read more >>

Caring for aging parents or elderly relatives can be a deeply emotional and physically demanding experience. The act of balancing your caregiving responsibilities with work, family, and your personal life can add significant pressure and stress to an already challenging situation. Here are some valuable strategies to help you mitigate stress and positively influence your Read more >>

Scammers still rely on the phone, but they’ve also expanded their frauds to the digital world. Staying vigilant and skeptical is critical to avoid being defrauded. Protect yourself by protecting your personal and financial data. Distrust any request for your Social Security Number or payment via credit or debit card, ACH, EFT or other option. Read more >>

“There’s a common misperception that as we age, our sleep gets worse. It’s not that simple at all,” asserts Michael V. Vitiello, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, gerontology and geriatric medicine, and biobehavioral nursing at the University of Washington. “What we’ve learned in exploring the data that is that healthy older adults, as Read more >>

Poor sleeping doesn’t just make us cranky, it can impair our daytime function, increase risk of falling and exacerbate or lead to serious health issues. That’s why It’s important to help identify possible sleep problems and to see a primary care provider or specialty practitioner. Consequences of Lack of Sleep in Older Adults “Sleep is Read more >>

With all we have going on in our lives, it can be easy to overlook the important connection between wellness and hygiene. But routine personal maintenance can help us keep ourselves and our loved ones healthier and safer. Personal Hygiene Checklists for Seniors Hands According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing hands Read more >>

Caregivers walk a fine line when they monitor elderly parents who are living alone. When the time comes, you want to strike a balance that allows your parents to age in familiar, comfortable surroundings where they don’t feel monitored. That way, they can maintain their pride and dignity as they enter their later years. Coincidentally, these Read more >>

At this point in our lives, we’ve heard multiple messages about eating right and we’ve probably had every intention of following that sage advice. But the truth is – according to research from National Institute on Aging – most of us can and should try harder.1 A recent review of research for the agency shows Read more >>

Yoga is one of today’s most popular mind and body exercises. It has been shown to help improve respiratory and cardiovascular function. It can also relieve anxiety and depression, and ease pain and chronic stress. The benefits of yoga for seniors in particular include improved mobility, a reduced fear of falling, and enhanced quality of Read more >>