Take Small Steps to Improve Heart Health

By Leslee Jaquette, guest blogger

Just taking baby steps toward heart health is a big step toward better overall health, says the American Heart Association (AHA) website. Kari Richie, health and fitness director at Springmoor, a senior living community in Raleigh, N.C., echoes that sentiment with an example.

“A 93-year-old resident scores off the charts for fitness because she is always walking and participating in cardio-aqua and walking with weights classes,” says Kari. “In the Up & Go test (stand up and walk 10-feet around a cone) she scored 5.4 seconds – that’s in the 90th percentile for her age!”

While not all of us can be poster athletes for our age group, we can improve our heart health by taking certain measures, including building up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day.

Skin Health: Top 10 Tips Seniors Should Follow

By Anne Gill, guest blogger

Polar vortex, artic blasts, plunging temps—it’s enough to make your skin crawl and certainly dry out. For seniors, colder weather combined with a loss of elasticity and fat in the skin and a decrease in oil and sweat production can spell trouble.

Wayne Xue, M.D., board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, sees more patients with dry, itchy skin during winter. “Cold weather and less humidity can lead to dry skin and subsequently lead to dermatitis or eczema,” cautions Dr. Xue. On the bright side, winter months can be a time for pampering. To keep your skin in top-notch condition, check out these 10 ways to fight winter’s harsh effects.