Moving can be stressful. There are many factors that can make a move difficult like arranging for packing time, boxing, plans for furniture, transportation, getting people to help you and so many more. But this can also be a lofty task for an aging person as well. In most cases, older adults will not be able to move by themselves which means they will need help.

This can also be stressful as not all moves are always wanted, but needed. As part of our "Caretaker series", before deciding on the technicalities of moving, there are important factors to consider which will help make a move much easier for and aging person even if it is under un-wanted circumstances.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). How moving can be difficult especially as you age or someone you care for ages and some of the challenges involved in getting started.

2). Be sure to keep lines of communication open during the process so that everyone feels respected and not rushed into making un-wanted decisions about items in their home.

3). When hiring movers, make sure the aging person is comfortable with the people entering their home by introducing everyone and getting familiar with names etc.

4). Making sure to treat items in the home with respect and compassion when moving them to a new home.

5). The importance of following up with the aging adult after the move has taken place to make sure they feel comfortable in their new space.

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We hope the tips we've shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be contemplating moving or helping and aging adult move. Taking the necessary steps to make sure everyone involved is comfortable, is important to ensure a successful move for all involved.

Team Meredith

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"Ageing is just another word for living." - Cindy Joseph

This quote reminds us that to age is a wonderful thing, as it means we are fortunate enough to live!

Meredith

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Adding resistance to your regular workouts is a great way to build strength and stability. In addition, ankle weights can also be used to help do the same for most lower body and cardio exercises. But are they useful for everyone?

If you've never used ankle weights than you may be asking how they can actually help you over traditional weights like dumbbells etc. Luckily we have a few "pros & cons" to check out before you make the decision that is right for you.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). Why Meredith uses ankle weights in many of her exercise videos and some of her thoughts on their effectiveness.

2). Some basic information on what ankle weights are and some of the different designs you can find.

3). How using ankle weights (and other types of weights) can help strengthen your bones over time.

4). The importance of having good stability as you age and how ankle weights can help develop this.

5). Some of the challenges of using ankle weights especially if you've never used them before and what to watch for to avoid injury.

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We hope the tips we've discussed in this episode are helpful to you if you're looking to incorporate ankle weights into your regular workout routines. If used properly they can be a great addition to most types of exercises and help add strength but they may not be for all levels of fitness. Before you decide to purchase ankle weights, be sure you evaluate all aspects and make your decisions based on your research here.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been." - Jimmy Buffet

This quote reminds us that the wrinkles we have show we have had a good long life, filled with laughter and smiles!

Meredith

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Driving is one of the activities that we sometimes take for granted as we age. We assume our abilities to drive will mostly stay intact but in reality, driving can become very dangerous as you get older not only for yourself but for others. If you are someone who is a care taker for an aging person that still drives, how do you address this issue if you notice their abilities to drive becoming unreliable?

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). Why we decided to start a "Care Taker" series of episodes and how this topic of addressing driving and aging is important to discuss.

2). Some of the risks involved with allowing an aging person to continue driving well beyond their cognitive abilities to do so safely.

3). Why it's important to express your concerns about driving in a kind and gentle way.

4). Some examples of how you can bring up the subject and put it in a light of making sure everyone needs to be safe when in the car whether passenger or driver.

5). Making sure to be sympathetic to this change for the aging person in a respectful and caring manner.

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We hope the tips and suggestions in this episode are helpful if you are taking care of someone who is losing the ability to drive safely. It can be very difficult to talk to an aging person on why you think they shouldn't be driving, at least maybe not in the capacity that they are used to. Making sure to approach this situation with respect, dignity and care will be the best way to acknowledge a better path for all involved.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."-Zig Ziglar

This quote reminds us that we should reflect on who we are and what we go through as we strive to get to our goals.

Meredith

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Your skin plays an important role in contributing to your overall health. Making sure you take the necessary steps of caring for you skin especially as you age is a good habit to start if you haven't already.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

1). Why the topic of skin care in aging adults doesn't get enough attention and why this should be an important aspect of aging to discuss.

2). How new options of clothing and fabrics are offering better skin protection than traditional clothing.

3). Why using moisturizer has been stereotyped as "just for women" but why it's also just as important for men as well.

4). How staying hydrated directly affects your skin health.

5). How easy and cheap it can be to take care of your skin over time by developing these great habits.

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We hope the tips we've shared in this episode are helpful to you especially if you are noticing more than normal skin degradation. Living an active lifestyle should always include some skin care especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Caring for your skin will pay off dividends in the long run and allow you to stay active and healthy for years to come.

Team Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Limit your 'always' and your 'nevers.'"-Amy Poehler

This quote reminds us that we need to stay positive and working towards our goals, being mindful of what we can do without overdoing or getting negative.

Meredith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.