It is Not Too Late to Improve Your Health and Mobility

Even if you have already moved into the “senior” category of life, medical experts say it is not too late to improve your health and mobility, and one of the best ways to do it is to walk. These were the findings based on the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) trial, which included more than 1,600 men and women between the ages of 70 and 89. Participants consisted of people who were not regularly exercising and fairly frail.  

The participants were divided in half with one group assigned to daily walking and strength and balance exercises. The other group attended educational workshops and were introduced to gentle stretching routines. “After 2½ years, the volunteers in the exercise group were 28% less likely to have become disabled (defined by the inability to walk about 400 yards without help) compared to those in the education group. They were also 18% less likely to have had any episode of physical disability.” LIFE’s researchers say the results could have been more dramatic but for the fact that those in the workshop group learned about the benefits of walking and some started to walk and exercise on their own.  

The advantages of walking include stopping bone mass loss, strengthening leg and abdominal muscles, and improving circulation by helping to lower blood pressure and reducing the risk for heart disease. It helps people lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, sleep better, increase mental sharpness, and improve balance and stability. Doctors say walking can increase your lifespan but if you have not exercised in a while, they caution to slowly increase your pace as well as the distance you walk. If you are unsteady on your feet, use a cane or walker, and everyone should wear properly fitting footwear.  

Looking for exceptional assisted or independent living in Hayward, CA?  At Casa Sandoval we have a broad range of luxury amenities and services to promote a healthy lifestyle. Onsite amenities include a fitness center, exercise classes and landscaped grounds with strolling paths making it easy for residents to exercise.  In addition, we border the beautiful Hayward Japanese Gardens, a lovely place for a walk. Please contact us for more information.

Casa Sandoval provides the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted and independent living Hayward, CA has to offer.

Keeping Healthy as You Age

Growing older can open the door to chronic diseases, impaired mobility and other distressing health concerns. While there are many challenges we encounter on our path to old age, medical experts say there are some things we can do to improve and protect our overall well being. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, explains, “It’s important to recognize the things that are most supportive of a good immune system are a healthy lifestyle.”

This starts with the basics like making sure we get enough sleep each night, following a healthy diet, and staying physically active. Other things we can do to improve the immune system is to support our gut microbiome by eating plant-based foods and whole grains to naturally get probiotics. The best sources of probiotics are from fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi.

Experts say drinking responsibly is okay but evidence of excessive alcohol in both human and animal research indicates “overconsumption of alcohol decreases immune reactivity, reducing the body’s ability to fight infection.” The 2015-20 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends women consume no more than one drink a day and men no more than two.  

Additional ways to protect and strengthen our immune system is to keep up-to-date with vaccines as well as follow the medical community’s recommended exercise guidelines. Quit smoking, get seven to eight hours of sleep a night and try to reduce stress are other ways we can strengthen our immune response. So is eating foods high in antioxidants such as artichokes, beans, blackberries, strawberries, dark chocolate, red cabbage and spinach.

For exceptional independent or assisted living, Hayward area seniors are encouraged to consider Casa Sandoval, a true home offering a lifestyle of security, comfort, and community. Our many services include beautifully prepared, nutritional meals and a variety of wellness programs and activities. For more information, please visit our website. 

Casa Sandoval offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us for more information about the finest independent and assisted living Hayward, CA has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/slideshows/ways-to-boost-your-immune-system?slide=11 

Downsizing from a Family Home into Senior Housing

If you are moving from your own home into an independent or assisted living community, most likely you will want to downsize. While it can sound overwhelming to go through a whole household of stuff and whittle it down to fit into a modest sized apartment, a few tips will help. 

Without question it is a lot of work and can be stressful and emotional but the Internet offers lots of useful information from organizing experts. Most say the trick is to prepare in advance by making a plan and allowing plenty of time. Remember, if you are interested, there are companies who offer these services and will do everything from helping with the downsizing process to packing up, and moving your things to your new home. 

Now you are ready for the sorting out process deciding what you will bring and what to give to family, donate, or throw away. This is the hardest task as your house is full of memories but again here is where a system works. Experts say sort by rooms and simplify the task by making a “yes” pile and a “no” pile. They warn not to make a “maybe” pile as it can end up growing in size and complicate your plan. Again, remember the goal is to simplify your life and not overcrowd the new place with useless stuff.   

Things to consider are the size of your new place and its layout (get measurements). You will want furniture scaled to fit as well as room for hobbies or musical instruments that are important to you. Also consider the amenities your new place offers such as a dining service. If most of your meals will be prepared by your new community, you will just need the basics in your kitchen. If the new place has a fitness center, there is no need to bring your own equipment.

Looking for independent or assisted living in Hayward, CA?  Casa Sandoval is a 55+ community that offers a vibrant, active lifestyle. Residents will enjoy carefree retirement years as we handle the maintenance and provide onsite luxury amenities, care services and a community of friends. Visit our website for contact information and take a look at our virtual tour, floorplans, and amenities.

Casa Sandoval offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us for more information about the finest independent and assisted living Hayward, CA has to offer.