Month: June 2019

Being active is just as important in our senior years as it is when we’re younger. But as we age, it becomes all the more important to ensure that our bodies are prepared for exercise and that they recover properly afterward. Stretches and mobility exercises help to keep your joints and muscles in good shape for physical activity.

Since golf is a popular activity among seniors, let’s look at some exercises and stretches that can help you improve your golf game and keep you active.

Seated hip stretch

Hips are one area where we especially lose mobility and flexibility as we get older. Regularly stretching can help to keep our hips more fluid and mobile.

1. Sitting in a chair, lift your left leg so that your ankle is resting on your right thigh.
2. You may already feel the stretch in your hips at this point. If you can go further, gently push down on your left knee to extend the stretch until your leg is parallel to the ground.
3. For an even greater stretch, lean your upper body forward.
4. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Standing calf stretch

Golf involves a lot of walking, so you might notice some tightness in your calves the next day. Try to stretch your calves before and after playing golf.

1. Facing a wall, place your palms up against it around shoulder height.
2. Step your right leg back a couple of paces so that both feet are flat on the floor, one in front of the other.
3. Straighten your back leg and bend your front leg.
4. If you don’t feel the stretch in your back calf, try lengthening your stride a little or pushing forward against the wall. Make sure your back heel is pushed into the ground.
5. Hold for 30 seconds and switch legs.

Shoulder stretches and rotations

Now for your upper body, which plays an important role in your golf swing. The main joint you’ll rely on here is your shoulder joint, although the entire body moves to achieve a great golf swing.

1. Raise your right arm in front of you and cross it over your chest.
2. Bring your left arm in front of your right arm and gently squeeze it into your body. You should feel this stretch across your upper arm and shoulder.
3. Hold for 20 seconds and switch arms.

Rotating your arms forward and backward also helps to loosen up your shoulder joints and improve their mobility.

Performing these stretches and exercise on a daily basis, especially before and after you play, will help to keep you flexible, which reduces the risk of injury and helps you play better on the course. Bermuda Village is located in the Bermuda Run Country Club, which has its own 36-hole golf course. Get in touch to find out more about life in Bermuda Village Independent Living.

Living with Alzheimer’s is a challenge in lots of different ways. Patients often can’t think or communicate in the same way they used to be able to. This can be extremely difficult to cope with, but it also poses challenges for the loved ones of someone with Alzheimer’s. Here are a few simple tips to help you communicate with a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Tailor communication to their condition

Each person with Alzheimer’s will differ in terms of what stage their symptoms are at. And one person’s condition can vary a lot from one day to the next, or even one minute to the next. Be aware of what your loved one is and isn’t capable of and tailor your communications to them.

Some days, they might be able to remember details from their entire life, in which case you can reminisce about fond memories. Other times they might be more confused, so trying to correct them or present new ideas to them might be too difficult for them to handle. Choose topics of conversation based on what kind of condition they’re in at that specific time.

Keep things simple

Alzheimer’s patients will not be able to process words, ideas, and other things as fast or as effectively as before. So, you should try to keep things simple when talking to them. Don’t speak too fast or use long and complicated sentences or words. Make sure you speak clearly to help them understand you better.

This may apply to the environment you’re in as well. If there is a lot of noise or visual distractions, you’re increasing the number of things they need to process at one time. Quiet and familiar environments will help to keep your loved one more at ease.

Be patient and empathetic

Alzheimer’s is a frustrating experience for both the patient and those close to them. Remember that they’ll be feeling this frustration, too, so try to remain patient when talking to them and remain empathetic to their condition. Speak in a soothing manner and use physical contact if they’re comfortable with it, such as holding their hand as you talk.

Give them time to respond or finish their sentence, they will likely need more time to process what you’ve said and how to respond. Interrupting them or finishing their sentences for them can cause even more frustration. If disagreements arise, try to change the subject or simply agree with them as arguing is not helpful to either of you.

If you need help caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, Bermuda Village could be the perfect environment for them to be in. We provide independent living and assisted living for seniors with a range of care needs across Bermuda Run. Contact us to find out more.