The world’s population is getting older. This shines a light on elderly health and wellness needs, especially their lack of proper nutrients. Despite efforts by senior living communities to fix this issue, it sadly remains common. Knowing why can help us create specific solutions for our aging folks’ well-being.

Age-Related Changes in Absorption and Metabolism

Aging alters our bodies. Nutrient absorption and usage change due to less stomach acid production, which affects nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, and iron intake. 

Also, the liver slows down in processing vitamins and minerals. These changes combined mean an older person may not get enough essential nutrients even with a balanced diet because of decreased nutrient breakdown and uptake.

Dietary Restrictions and Medications

Many seniors take meds for ongoing health issues, which can mess with nutrient absorption or drain certain nutrients. For example, drugs often used for acid reflux might reduce magnesium, calcium, and B12 uptake if taken over a long time. 

Elderly folks may also have diet limits due to allergies or specific health conditions. This means they could miss out on various foods and their benefits. If someone cuts dairy from their meals without replacing it in another way (like supplements), they might not get enough calcium and vitamin D.

Physical Limitations and Decreased Appetite

As people age, physical issues can make it harder to eat well. Things like moving less, dental problems, or struggling with meal prep affect the variety and quality of their food. Shopping for groceries or cooking fresh meals might become too much for many elderly people over time. 

Alongside this is that they often naturally feel like eating less as they get older, which means fewer nutrients being taken in even without them meaning to do so. This makes existing nutrient deficiencies worse.

Social and Economic Factors

Social and economic factors can affect senior nutrition, too. Older folks living alone might skip meals or go for easy but not-so-nutritious food due to loneliness or a lack of desire to cook just for themselves. Money matters as well. 

Fresh, nutrient-filled foods may be more expensive, pushing those on fixed incomes towards cheaper processed options with less nutritional value. Without shared meal times, the quality of what they eat could drop further.

Wrapping Up

In summary, there are many reasons why older adults may be lacking in nutrients – from physical and medical factors to social or economic issues. 

But the first step towards a solution is acknowledging these challenges exist. It is through understanding them that we can create strategies to ensure our aging population meets all of their nutritional needs for maintaining good health and living dynamic lives.

As we age, our bodies become more prone to health problems and diseases – especially for senior citizens who might be dealing with stuff like chronic pain or insomnia. While traditional medicine has pros, it seems like many people are starting to look towards herbal remedies as an alternative treatment.

Herbal medicine can actually have some pretty sweet benefits for seniors! Like what, you ask? Well, sit tight because here are six that might surprise you.

1. Reduces Inflammation and Pain

Certain herbs like ginger, turmeric, and white willow bark are beneficial for reducing inflammation and all sorts of pain. And for seniors dealing with conditions like arthritis or those pesky headaches that just won’t go away?

Using these herbs in their daily routine means they can cut back on the amount of other pain medication they’re taking – which is a big deal since some of those meds come with nasty side effects.

2. Improves Digestion

Many seniors have to deal with digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or gas – and let’s be honest, that’s no fun. But did you know using herbs like peppermint or chamomile can help ease all those unpleasant symptoms? It’s true!

These herbal remedies can also be taken in different forms – teas, capsules, and even tinctures (whatever those are!). And for seniors living in assisted living communities, having these remedies available right there inside the wellness center could make a real difference. Or even better: working with someone who knows their stuff and getting advice from a licensed herbalist might just take things to another level entirely!

3. Boosts Immune System

As we get older, our immune systems just aren’t as resilient as they used to be. And that can, unfortunately, make us more likely to get all kinds of infections and illnesses.

But guess what? Herbal medicine can boost the old immune system when it needs it most! Herbs like elderberry or astragalus are known for helping keep you healthy and happy. They’re available in different forms, too – teas, syrups, and even little capsules, if that’s your thing!

4. Improves Sleep Quality

Many seniors struggle with getting a good night’s sleep – honestly, that can mess up their day-to-day life. But, herbal remedies come to the rescue!

It turns out herbal remedies like valerian root or passion flower can help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. And consuming these herbs is easy peasy – try having some tea or tinctures right before bedtime and see for yourself!

5. Supports Heart Health

Unfortunately, heart disease is pretty common among seniors – but it turns out some herbs might be able to help fight back against it all.

Herbal remedies like hawthorn berry, garlic, and even good old cayenne pepper can improve blood flow and keep your heart healthy by lowering cholesterol levels or reducing pesky blood pressure. And getting these good-for-you things into your system is easy, too – try having a tea, tincture, or capsule packed with those powerful herbal remedies!

6. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

It’s no secret that many seniors deal with stress and anxiety – whether it’s health issues, money worries, or just feeling lonely. But, good news: some herbs out there might be able to help!

Herbal remedies like ashwagandha or lemon balm work wonders when it comes to reducing all those anxious feelings and promoting relaxation. And honestly, incorporating these helpful herbs into your daily routine is as simple as having a little tea or tincture packed with their natural goodness!

Conclusion

Herbal medicine might be the answer for seniors seeking safe and effective treatment options. These natural remedies can do all sorts of great things – from reducing inflammation and pain to helping you sleep better or keeping your heart in tip-top shape.

So if you’re a senior looking to boost your overall health and well-being? Incorporating some herbal stuff into your daily routine is totally worth considering!

Olive oil is made from olives and is referred to as “liquid gold” because of its numerous health advantages. These benefits range from culinary to health. Olive oil comes in four varieties, with organic extra virgin olive oil being the finest for the skin. It is the cheapest cosmetic in our pantry, and when applied to the skin, it gives it instant radiance. You may have heard about Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen’s beauty. The secret to her unblemished beauty was none other than good old olive oil. She looked dazzling and lovely throughout her life thanks to the oil, and if she could look gorgeous, so could we. Let’s have a look at how olive oil (EVOO) might enhance our appearance.

Olive oil is one such oil that has a chemical composition similar to the natural oils on our skin. It’s a multi-purpose oil with health and beauty benefits.

1. Antioxidants protect the skin from the damage caused by free radicals, which cause premature aging.

2. It acts as a natural skin moisturizer. The oil maintains the skin’s suppleness and keeps it smooth and bright. It keeps the skin hydrated and protects it from drying out over the winter. It contains squalling, which helps to keep the skin hydrated.

3. It unclogs the skin pores and treats blackheads and whiteheads. The skin is devoid of blemishes.

4. It promotes skin healing and rejuvenation by removing scars and pimple marks.

5. It contains Vitamin E, Polyphenols, and Flavonoids, which aid in naturally repairing skin cells. These substances aid in the improvement of skin health and radiance.

6. As olive oil is antibacterial, it is used to treat skin conditions.It has anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Heels that are cracked are repaired. Enhances nail health by strengthening fragile nails. The oil contains Vitamin E, which helps to strengthen weak nails.

8. For the skin, it works as a makeup remover. A scrub composed of olive oil and sea salt works wonders on the skin as an defoliant. It can be used as a face mask to treat dry skin.

9. It aids in the prevention of wrinkles. It contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which aid in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema.

We’ve seen that olive oil is an excellent skincare product, and that certified, organic, cold-pressed, unrefined extra-virgin olive oil should be used on the skin. This oil contains all of the plant’s beneficial components.

One of the most important considerations for the Department of Transportation is to ensure that every single employer and employee should maintain a safe working place.

If you own a business that complies with the DOT, you will have specific regulations and guidelines that you have to follow, which could be challenging to understand due to weed legalization laws that affected numerous states across the US.

You should click here to visit DOT’s official website. 

Similarly, as any other regulation and law, the ideas are constantly changing, which is why employers have to stay-up-to-date. 

Even though weed became legal for both recreational and medicinal uses in some states, employers still have to push the policies to the maximum with an idea to meet safety standards, among other things.

Latest DOT Regulatory Changes

Things have changed, especially for opioid testing, including hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone. Remember that these regulations are implementing the safety concerns for people that are consuming prescription medications.

At the same time, some prescription meds have entered the Schedule I drugs, which means that their consumption became problematic for employees that operate within safety-sensitive workplaces.

DOT and Prescription Drugs

Numerous national organizations and agencies indicated that the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs and controlled substance meds are more significant and problematic than the consumption of illegal drugs.

Generally, misuse or abuse starts at moments when you are consuming prescriptions while performing safety-sensitive tasks. For instance, if you consume it while driving a truck or operating heavy machinery.

The National Safety Council created a survey and reached the results that more than 71% of employees are consuming some prescription meds. At the same time, 47% of them experienced impaired worker performance and absenteeism.

Finally, 25% of them experienced arrest, overdose, or accidents related to the misuse of prescription drugs. Have in mind that DOT drug testing will check out for the presence of prescription meds and act accordingly. 

Recreational and Medicinal Marijuana

It does not matter if the state allowed the consumption of weed; DOT regulations state that no employee should have marijuana metabolites within the system. 

Therefore, everyone that undergoes screenings and has THC inside the body will have to go to the disciplinary committee that will determine the course of action.

Besides, CBD oil is also problematic because its consumption could affect the number of cannabinoids in your body, which may lead to failed screening. 

Since the federal regulations stated that all marijuana derivatives are also forbidden, the consumption of CBD is strictly forbidden.

Medication Safety Concerns

Based on the latest regulations, the MRO can readily disclose testing results as well as other medical info to third parties without anyone’s consent, but only in particular situations, including:

• If the information will result in the employee being unqualified to work within the Department of Transportation
• If the information states that the performance of employee poses a severe safety risk for other employees.

Another important consideration is that you should understand everything about the 5-day pause requirement. Generally, the MRO must state to the employee, in case the test has shown the prescription medications so that that employee could get the proper prescriptions.

Therefore, they can determine the current health situation and whether an employee poses a threat to others or not. You should enter this site: https://www.mrocc.org/ to understand everything about MRO or medical review officers. 

Medication Use Policies

Please have in mind that when it comes to controlled substances, they can affect your productivity, concentration and increase chances for making mistakes, especially in a safety-sensitive workplace.

That is why each employer should create a valid policy that limits the scope of medication abuse, and that states who is allowed to consume and under what regulations.

You have to form a concise and transparent policy, especially if you wish to comply with DOT regulations that are in some states opposite from state laws. 

Each employer should create a specific policy regarding the particular situation because you need to evaluate and assess the potential risks while maintaining the sincerity about medical information from your employees.

Since the opioid epidemic is increasing while the weed regulations are changing and loosing, it is important to be as transparent and precise as possible while creating a medical disclosure policy for workplace protection.