Staying active can be as simple as going out for a walk. That’s right, there’s no expensive equipment to buy or gym contract to sign. If that’s not enough incentive, here are some benefits of daily walking.

• According to a recent NY Times Magazine article, scientists have found that routine exercise which includes walking can improve cognitive flexibility and resist physical shrinkage in the brain
• Walking works out all your major muscle groups and can help prevent physical decline

Follow these easy steps reap the benefits of an outdoor walking routine.

Dress your feet

Reduce your…

I recently met with a few of our adult day center’s Chinese speaking members to discuss the importance of home safety and exercise. Despite our differences in age, I realized that our time together was both enjoyable and productive.

I found out right away that one of the advantages of meeting with a smaller group is the willingness of everyone to share their experiences. Their stories brought to life some of the principles I presented.

Just A Few Examples

• One person takes a 20 minute walk every morning before heading out to our adult day center. Keep in mind group exercises…

Recently I’ve been brainstorming about how I can make my presentations at local senior centers more relevant and applicable. I have appreciated the honest feedback of many older adults who have shared they’ve already heard the basic points of my talks.

However, they value the time I spend answering their questions. With that in mind next week I’m planning to visit our own adult day center with a more interactive approach.

Can I Pour You A Cup of Tea?

• My plan is to moderate a small discussion group (4-6 adults) with a focus on…

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year about one in three older adults will experience a fall. Many of these falls occur in the home due to the presence of safety hazards. I have found the stairwell to be a common area for falls to occur.

Fortunately safety hazards can be corrected. Follow these steps to improve the safety of your stairwell.

1. Simply remove any clutter which also includes the shoes on the steps or that favorite sweater hanging off the handrail
2. Make sure there is adequate lighting available
3. Repair any damaged steps…

Have you ever tried to finish a home improvement project without using the right tools? How did it turn out? As a new homeowner, I’ve learned the results aren’t pretty.

Along the same lines, using the right equipment can enable people with certain physical limitations to safely accomplish every-day tasks in the home. If you use any of these common household items for these (or similar) reasons, allow me to share with you a few safer options.

1) Avoid holding onto the towel rack to enter and exit the bathtub or shower.…

As 2011 is winding down my gut instinct is to make a few of the familiar resolutions for the coming year. Does starting a new exercise plan or eating healthier ring a bell?

However, before I make any of those resolutions I took time to reflect on my experiences providing care in the greatest city on earth and here’s what I came up with.

The Value of Home Care

Having choices is good. Having choices when it comes to caring for the older adults in our lives is invaluable. Everyday I witness how home health care improves the quality of life…

During the holiday season something to be thankful for is the health of loved ones. Recently the caregiver of a gentleman I was working with invited me to have a cup of her home made yogurt. To my surprise I didn’t know it was even possible to make yogurt from scratch and yes it was much better than the store bought version.

The caregiver simply wanted to express her gratitude to all the people who assisted her husband’s transition back home after a prolonged hospital stay. Although her husband was returning to a…

It’s no surprise that many successful athletes have been able to prolong their careers by taking care of their bodies. At age 42, relief pitcher Mariano Riveria who is famous for his conditioning regimen continues to help the New York Yankees win close games. He also happens to be their oldest player in a sport that values youth.

Equally if not more impressive are the elderly I work with who continue to take care of their bodies by staying physically active. Here are some of the ways I have observed how…

A few months ago, a friend of mine asked what I would choose to do if I could work in a different field. Am I right if I assume that many of us have tossed around the same question? To provide you with a little background, I have wanted to be a physical therapist since my senior year of high school, and after graduation attended a combined undergraduate/graduate program at Boston University. It’s the only field I’ve known.

Now back to the question, my immediate reply to my friend’s question…