Did you know there are more than 100 types of arthritis, a joint disorder characterized by inflammation? Osteoarthritis, the most common kind, affecting more than 27 million Americans, is a result of general wear-and-tear on the joints, and therefore more common among older adults. The Arthritis Foundation has set May aside to raise awareness about this debilitating condition, from prevention to treatment.

Maintaining an ideal body weight is essential to preventing arthritis—plus it can help with pre-existing arthritis by lessening the stress put upon joints. A good diet can also help build strong muscles, which will help prevent joints from rubbing against each other.

Movement is one of the best treatment options for arthritis. In most cases, staying active can help prevent the onset of arthritis completely. Particularly for those with osteoarthritis, movement exercises can help ease pain. If the senior in your life has arthritis, meet with them and their doctor to discuss how movement can help ease their pain.

One of the most difficult aspects of arthritis is the chronic pain. Many people find alternative therapies helpful, including using gentle warmth to relax muscles, listening to music, taking vitamin D and meditating.

There are plenty of arthritis-friendly products out there. If the special senior in your life is struggling with routine tasks like removing the top of a medicine bottle or holding a pen, know that there is probably an affordable version of the product you’re looking for that’s actually earned the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use commendation.

This May, spread the word about arthritis. If the special senior in your life struggles with arthritis, speak with them about ways to improve their comfort and lessen their arthritis pain. Often, the best way to brighten someone’s day when they’re struggling with arthritis is just to spend some time with them!

For more information about arthritis and what you can do to spread the word about prevention and treatment, visit arthritis.org.

This year marks the 19th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day. The common goal for this day, the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for older adults, is to help keep older Americans healthy and fit. The 2012 theme is “Get Moving…Start Improving!” and thousands of older adults plan on participating.

Speak with the special seniors in your life about getting active and improving their health. Besides the physical benefits of improved balance and strength and managing disease, regular exercise and healthy nutrition can help reduce feelings of depression and can improve mood and overall well-being. Additionally, helping the senior in your life stay fit and healthy is a great way to spend quality time together.

Getting started can be overwhelming, so the National Institute on Aging developed Go4Life, a program specially designed for older adults. Even sedentary seniors can participate in simple activities that can improve their health, such as stretches and improving their diet. Before the senior in your life embarks on any exercise plan, it’s recommended that they speak with their doctor and make sure they stay safe.

On May 30th, get started on your fitness! Take the special senior in your life for a stroll, plan a healthy meal, or even just start a conversation about staying healthy and the important benefits exercise and nutrition have for physical and emotional well-being.

At AlmaVia of Union City, we’re here when you need us. If you need tips with helping the senior in your life maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle, or would like more information on any of our services please contact us at (510) 400-7250 or by email at info@almaviaofunioncity.org.

When someone close to you requires memory care, it’s important to look for assistance that is family-centered. Memory loss and dementia are family illnesses—they affect the family, not just the senior resident. With this in mind, the best care will keep loved ones involved in the resident’s care.

Families play a vital role in the well-being of seniors with memory loss and dementia. Emotional, social and developmental support cannot be found just through dedicated and skilled care. Family-centered care helps maintain the dignity of both individuals and their families.

By ensuring that families stay involved in the care of their loved ones, family-centered care allows patient and family perspectives, including values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds to be incorporated into the planning and delivery of care. Family-centered care also enables a strong base for communication in which health care practitioners share information with both patients and their families. In the case of memory care, it’s incredibly important that families receive timely, accurate information about their loved ones.

If someone in your family has memory loss or dementia, you and the rest of your family also require compassionate care as your family changes. The best care is available when residents, their families, staff and the surrounding community work together to build a warm, intimate environment that celebrates the dignity and individuality of each resident, while upholding the family networks that love and care for them.

AlmaVia of Union City is proud to provide family-centered care, and strives to meet the needs of residents, families and staff. For more information about our programs, visit http://www.almaviaofunioncity.org.

Thanks to the advent of spring, we’re enjoying warmer days with more hours of daylight. Few things are more pleasant than heading outside for a few hours of relaxing in the sunshine.

While you enjoy the sunny afternoons, don’t let the sun catch you or the special senior in your life with your guard down. Protecting yourself from the sun is incredibly important. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, and overexposure to sunlight can increase your risk of developing cataracts. Even milder sun ailments like sunburn and dehydration can be unpleasant. Remember these tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from the sun and heat.

- Wear sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays. As we age, our skin’s ability to repair sun damage declines, so this is incredibly important. Try to apply sunscreen about an hour before going out, and reapply every two hours.
- Cover your skin with hats and long sleeves. A hat with a broad brim and clothing that is closely-woven provides you with your own portable bit of shade.
- Wear sunglasses that have at least 99 percent UV absorption. This will protect your eyes from bright light and wind, in addition to protecting you from increased risk of developing cataracts. Sunglasses that wrap around protect your eyes from all angles.
- Protect yourself from the sun even on cloudy days. The sun doesn’t feel as hot when its cloudy, but the UVA and UVB rays still shine down and get absorbed by your skin.
- If you’re particularly sensitive to heat, avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, and seek out air-conditioned environments.
- Remember to drink plenty of water. Feeling thirsty isn’t actually a reliable indicator of dehydration—by the time your brain signals thirst, your body may already be dangerously dehydrated. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables can help you keep hydrated.

As long as you take protective measures, spending time in the sun can be a blast. Enjoy the warm weather!