Brickmont Assisted Living Blog

When we envision ourselves getting older and retiring, it’s reasonable to picture it in the comfort of our current home. After all, this may be the home where you raised a family and built your life, so it would only make sense that you would stay there after retirement.

Springtime means longer days, warmer weather, and flowers blooming. And if you’re one of the over 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies each year, it also means runny noses, watery eyes, and headaches.

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5 million Americans and at least 50 million people worldwide. The majority of Alzheimer’s instances occur in adults 65 and older. Still, a small number of people are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s—being in their fifties, forties, or even thirties, when diagnosed.

Everyone likes to go on fun outings. Not only are they entertaining, but there’s research that shows getting out of the house more often can increase a senior’s quality of life. Even though this is true, a recent study found that more than 2 million older adults (about 5.6% of the senior demographic) are homebound, making them more at risk for depression, anxiety, and physical health concerns due to lack of exercise.

When you start a new job or career, you’ve probably had experience with similar roles before. You’ve likely gone through several interviews, had sufficient training, and typically have a good idea of what to expect in your new position.

While diabetes is a worldwide health concern that doesn’t target based on age, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), around 25% of those 65 and older—an estimated 12 million—have diabetes.

From a young age, we’re taught the importance of dental and oral health: brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, avoid sticky candies, etc. And while it’s undoubtedly important to instill proper oral health habits in children, it seems like this practice and ideology declines with age.

Like many things, forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. As we get older, it’s completely natural and not usually a cause for concern when we misplace our keys, forget someone’s name, or miss an appointment.

Our vision can be something that we take for granted. We can often forget to appreciate how incredible the power of sight is when we’re reading a book, watching our grandchildren play, or looking out at a beautiful landscape of mountains or oceans. However, as soon as our vision begins to fade or lose some of its sharpness, we are forced to realize how crucial this sense is to our overall health and well-being.

School drop-off. Client meetings. Doctor’s appointment with mom. School pick-up. Finish that work presentation. Pick up dad’s medication. Cook dinner. Help with homework. Go to sleep. Repeat. 

Pretty hectic day, right? It may seem like this chaotic schedule doesn’t occur in real life and only exists in comedy sitcoms. But, in reality, this could be a typical day for someone in the sandwich generation - those who take care of their children, their aging parents, and (when time permits), themselves.