Smart Senior

Massage Therapy and the Senior

Massage Therapy and the Senior

 

Nothing feels better than a good back rub, but unless you can find a massage therapy school that allows the students to practice on you, it can be a bit pricy for just 15 to 30 minutes worth of work.  The good news is that new high tech massage pillows and cushions are making it easier to ease those aches and pains than ever before.

 

 Anjali Athavaley reviews some of the most popular designs for the Wall Street Journal (Thursday, May 22, 2008).  The findings concluded that while they weren’t as effective as a licensed therapist; they were quite nice for working out routine kinks.  So, for an affordable luxury, investigate some interesting options. 

 

Among those reviewed were the HoMedics Shiatsu Pillow with Heat ($50) which is small enough to place it wherever you want it and it heats up.  Another HoMedics Shiatsu product is the One Massaging Cushion with Heat for $199.99 and is similar to the Shiatsu pillow but gives a full-back massage.  HoMedics products found at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond or through www.homedics.com . The author recommended trying these products out as you might find these particular models a bit vigorous (painful) but he still seemed to prefer them over the gentler models.   Another product reviewed was the Brookstone iNeed Lumbar Massage Cushion for $69.95 which worked well but doesn’t have the heating feature and not as soft as the above mentioned products.  The Human Touch HT-1470 Back Massage Pad at $249.99 (www.humantouch.com) is a gentler model offering a full-back massage, but a bit noisy.  They all sound lovely though, but try them out and decide what hits the spot for you.

 

Manicures and Pedicures for Seniors

Manicures and pedicures are the height of luxury.  Such a simple luxury becomes more difficult to indulge in when arthritis and other aches and pain intrude, making it difficult to grip and bend.

Becky Mollenkamp wrote a lovely mini article for Arthritis Today (March/April 2008) on gadgets that make it easier for you to give yourself an “(At-Home) Mani-Pedicure”.  I have never really bothered with most of these niceties but a friend of mine does the whole nine yards, including a wax treatment, and I must say that I am more than a little bit intrigued.

So, let us start by dipping our hands and feet in warm paraffin wax (said to ease aches and relax muscles, and increase circulation).  The author mentions Therabath PRO Paraffin Bath (www.therabathpro.com).

Move on to a rechargeable manicure and pedicure station with six attachments that file, buff, smooth and more (www.brucemedical.com). If you are clumsy, and aren’t we all, with a nail clipper, you might like to try a pair made for one-handed use.  The Sportaid’s Nail Clipper Board has a suction cup base for stability (www.sportaid.com). To smooth calluses and other rough areas use an Easy Grip Foot Smoother like the one pictured by Denco (www.denco.theshoppe.com). .

Now it is time for a foot massage with a massager like Homedic’s Foot Pleaser Ultra Deep Kneading Foot Massager which sounds really wonderful. (www.homedics.com).

Last, but not least, if you are interested in a little color, try toe and finger separators (www.angelshandsllc.com), and long handled brushes to make painting nails easier (from your favorite hobby store –try a flat No.1 or No. 2 artist paint brush).

Doesn’t that sound like a nice a nice way to spend an afternoon or evening?  Mother’s Day or maybe your birthday is coming up soon.  Join me in making a gift suggestion list.

Sitting/Standing Assistance and Lift Recliners

Help for getting into and out of a standard easy chair isn’t always available, so what are you going to do if you get stuck? Whenever I see someone struggling to get up from a chair, my first inclination is to lend a hand. However, there seems to be a pride factor involved here because my offer is nearly always turned down. Mary Anne Dunkin, in my favorite magazine (Arthritis Today, March/April 2008) did a short feature on “How To Get Up From a Chair.”  Using pictures she gives a step-by-step demonstration.  In the demonstration, she shows a technique that involves leaning forward in order to use the momentum from your upper body to push yourself forward and upward.  It isn’t as complicated as it sounds.  Slide to the front of your chair with feet planted flat on the floor and several inches apart.  Next, lean forward (hands on the armrest) until your nose is above your toes.  Raise yourself up by straightening your knees and your back.  Exercise to strengthen your legs, and a little practice should increase your proficiency with this everyday function of daily living.

As you get older even strengthening exercises and determination might not be enough.  If you want to maintain your independent status (and who doesn’t) you may need to consider some other options.  If coming to a standing position is more than a little problem you might want to consider a Lift Recliner (we all need a comfortable chair anyway). A Lift Recliner is wonderful for people who need a little, or a lot, of help sitting down or standing up. A lift chair is expensive, but a wonderful convenience, as an electric motor will raise the seat to a nearly upright position. Look for a battery- back-up option that will take over in the even of a power failure.

Cable/cord Organizers for Seniors

Scatter rugs and uncontained wires and cords are a senior’s worst enemies.  Falls can often be prevented by taking a few simple steps.  Recommended steps include beginning an exercise program with a special emphasis on balance, having your doctor review your medications, having your vision checked periodically, and last but not least is to make your home safer.

Wires and cables running helter-skelter throughout your living quarters are not only unsightly but a real safety issues, especially for seniors.  Tripping over a cable or a cord while hurrying to answer the phone can easily result in a life shattering fall.

Visit your local hardware store or check in with (www.CableOrganizer.com) for ideas for concealing cables and cords.  Two ideas discussed in an article called Gorgeous Gizmos by Joshua Goldman ( the USA Weekend, August 24-26, 2007) includes WireTracks which allow you to run wires behind baseboards or moldings and Belkin’s Conceal Surge Protector that hides 11 outlets in a simple white box.

Your apartment will look better and these simple gadgets just might save you from the fall that could send you to the hospital.

Gutter Cleaner for Grandpa

Gutter Cleaner for Grandpa

I worry every time I hear my husband clomping around on the roof getting ready to clean the gutters.  We have all heard stories about older gentlemen falling off from ladders and know deep in our hearts that this is not a good thing.

I have heard about gutter guards that cover the gutter up and think that might be a good thing. However, I am a great fan of robotic tools (I have already mentioned robotic lawn mowers and vacuums in the past) so I was all eyes when I saw an article in Weekend Living of The Seattle Times (Saturday, January 19,2008). David Colker writes about the IRobot Looj Gutter Cleaner.

The Looj is produced by the folks who gave us the Roomba robotic vacuum.  This gizmo is a slender version of the vacuum cleaner, with stiff brushes and plastic fins coming out of one end.  You place it in your clogged gutter and then start it with a remote control.  The little guy goes back and forth cutting up and blasting out the gunk.

The selling point as pointed out by the designers is that the $99 is much less costly than a trip to the emergency room.

A Broom for Granny

Whether you think of a broom as something for a witch to ride on or just about the best darn cleaning implement in your house; you probably need to think about replacing it once in awhile.

I had to laugh as the article in the Weekend Living section of The Seattle Times (Saturday, January l9th, 2008) called “A clean sweep that’s kind to your back,” by Elana Ashanti Jefferson.  Alas, my broom looks like the one she is lamenting about when she describes her scraggly broom as being “just sad”.

She goes on to give advice for picking out a good broom. She mentions that nylon bristles catch dirt best, angled heads do good work on corners, and light weight handles ease the strain on shoulders.

She comments on brooms that make a fashion statement designed by Casabella (www.casabella.com) with cheetah and pink giraffe prints among other interesting offerings, but if you are serious about selecting a broom that will get the job done and be kind to your back too, look at The Ergo Broom also by Casabella.

The Ergo Broom is designed to be ergonomically perfect for your body.  It has a longer, curved handle so that you don’t need to bend over while you sweep, and it is contoured to the perfect angle.   Go ahead and just look at it. A broom does not have to be just another broom. Treat yourself to a something state of the art that is kind to your back too.

The Heat/Massager for Senior Aches and Pains

The Heat/Massager for Senior Aches and Pains

There is nothing as comforting as a heating pad or a massage when your muscles are feeling tight and achy (which seems to be more often than not as we grow older).  I am always a little leery of heating pads as they tend to get hot too quickly and can burn tender fragile skin.  A massage is lovely but at a dollar or more a minute it can be too costly to indulge in very often.

So what’s the next best idea?  A friend of mine got a Homedic heated massage chair cushion that she enjoys.  It is 19 inches wide and 38 inches high.  It vibrates in 8 places (only 4 selections as there are 4 spots on each side that are regulated by the same section).  She mentioned that it does not turn off automatically like the old model did, but the heat does not turn on until you sit on it and it turns off when you get up.  It comes with as AC connector as well as an auto connector that fits in the   12V receptacle.  It is inexpensive and something that might feel quite delightful.

Modern Technology--The Hearing Aid

I can’t even imagine waking up without hearing the sound of birds in the tree outside my window, and yet I know that hearing loss is a common phenomena associated with aging. When it comes to eyesight and hearing I think it pays to go all out.  Our eyes and our ears are our lifelines and an integral part of communication as we know it.  You will be pleased to know that modern technology is getting better and better in order to help us with these very common human frailties’.

Hearing loss can be caused by age, can be a side effect from certain medicines or even from years of abuse related to on-the-job noises or listening to music that is too loud.  By age 65, nearly 1/3 of us are experiencing hearing loss and by age 75 that statistic increases to 40-50%.

Laura Johannes wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal (Tuesday, August 28, 2007) about sleek, high-tech hearing aids.  Resistance to haring aids is still high and only one in five of the people who would benefit from them are wearing them.

Because the cost of hearing devices is quite high, you will want to work closely with a practitioner who can help you find the perfect device.  This isn’t something that you do over the internet or by mail order.  Before looking for a hearing aid you need to see a specialist and get a through hearing test to determine if your hearing loss is correctable by medication, surgery or a hearing device.

What is out there?  New smaller, behind the ear devices are very popular because they don’t block your natural hearing.  If you avoid wearing your aids because you don’t like that plugged feeling these might be for you.  Smaller devices are powerful enough for mild to moderate hearing loss but a bigger one may be necessary for you.

Two terms that you will hear when you start shopping around are Analog and Digital.  Analogs are less expensive but the digital ones (where incoming sounds are processed by means of a computer chip) will provide almost unbelievable interpretations of sound.  You can have devices costumed programmed for your lifestyle.  Brands suggested that you might want to research are GN ReSound Azure by Great Nordic, The Centra Active by Siemens, lines by Widex Hearing Aid Co. and lines offered by Phonak. 

My absolute favorite would be Siemens Centra Active which is rechargeable.  You place the entire hearing aid in the charger when you go to bed and never have to deal with dead batteries again.

Gift Ideas for Seniors

Tired of buying mom bath powder and night gowns?  Jim Miller writing for a local paper called The Journal (December 4, 2007-January 7, 2008) is the author of the Savvy Senior books.  In this article he suggests looking at gadgets for more innovated gift ideas.

Popular suggestions include the Jitterbug cell phone (www.jitterbug.com) that features large buttons and simple functions or the new Coupe cell phone (www.verizonwireless.com) as being designed especially for older adults.

I am not a natural shutterbug so am all ears or rather eyes when I read about a senior friendly camera.  Hewlett- Packard’s Photosmart R927 (www.shopping.hp.com) supposedly has simple functions and a 3 inch wide screen to make it easier to see what you are shooting at .Oh, it also has written explanations that you can call up on the screen with suggestions about how to make your pictures better.

An easy to use navigational system called the TomTom One XL (www.tomtom.com) with a large touch screen that is easy to learn.

No computer?  Celery (www.mycelery.com) prints out e-mails and pictures sent to you from computers, and also let you send handwritten letters as e-mails (all without a computer).  This is a great way to introduce you to the new world of communication without actually having a computer yourself.  He also mentions the HP Presto (www.presto.com).

Seniors are interested in remaining healthy too, so don’t forget items such as pedometers, resistance chair (www.continuingfitness.com) and brain exercising tools (www.brainage.com).

Don’t forget gadgets like magnifiers or household and garden tools with easy to use grips (www.oxo.com) for arthritic fingers and hands.  Forget the robes and slippers and give gifts that make living easier and more fun.

Universal Remote for Seniors

Gadgets, Gadgets, Gadgets!

The whole world is gadget orientated and seniors aren’t any different than the rest of the pack.   You may scoff and think you don’t need any of these new fangled inventions but clutter has no respect for age or the size of your current abode.

I just read about another expensive toy called a Universal Remote, but this one just might be worthwhile.  I have trouble keeping track of remotes.  From where I am sitting right now I can see the television which for some reason or another has four remotes, and that doesn’t even count the remote for the CD player. I can never find the right one and am forever hunting for them.  I am not very good with gadgets so I am always looking for something that is truly easy. 

Joshua Goldman writes for the USA Weekend (Sunday Herald Supplement, August 24-26, 2007) and talks about “Gorgeous Gizmos.”  One of them is a Universal Remote that simplifies operating all of you’re A/V components. Logitech’s Harmony 1000 uses a color touch screen instead of all of those tiny buttons and is supposedly easy to program. This remote looks like it is big enough to occupy a permanent place on your end table without getting buried beneath papers and other clutter.