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How old are you really? Biological age explained.

You’ve just turned fabulous 40 but your body and mind feel decades older. What’s going on? Your biological age may have the answer.

The human body has two different ages: a chronological age and a biological age. Chronological age is the actual time you’ve been alive, measured in years, months, and days from the date you were born. Biological age is how old you seem. It’s a measure of how well your body functions relative to your age on the calendar.

Your chronological age doesn’t always match your biological age. Ageing rates can vary significantly from person to person, even if you share the same birth year. So this means that your chronological age isn’t necessarily the best predictor of how well you’re ageing. Rather, your biological age could more accurately inform you of how healthy you are, and whether you’re at risk for age-related diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes.

How biological age is measured

A lot of things can determine your biological age and impact your longevity. These include:

  • Your lifestyle. Your exercise and eating habits, stress levels, alcohol intake, level of education, amount of sleep, and sexual and romantic relationships.
  • Your gene-pool. In the same way that certain diseases run in your family, so does longevity. If your family members live well into their 70s, chances are you will too.
  • Where you live. The environment you live in is tied to your habits, safety, the foods you eat, and so much more. For example, if you live in an unsafe area, you’re less likely to go out to exercise. This can, in turn, influence your biological age.

How do you calculate your biological age?

Although there are many measures scientists use to determine your biological age, you can get a quick estimate with these 2 tests:

The balance test

Bend your right leg at a 90-degree angle. Place your hands on your hips. Close your eyes. Try to keep your balance as long as possible. The longer you can stay balanced, the lower your biological age.

  • 70+ secs: Age 20.
  • 60-70 secs: Age 30.
  • 50-60 secs: Age 40.
  • 40-50 secs: Age 50.
  • 30-40 secs: Age 60.
  • 20-30 secs: Age 70.
  • Less than 20 secs: Age 80.

The reading test

Place the end of a ruler on your cheekbone below your eye. Place a business card on the ruler with the text facing you. Slide it towards your eye until the words begin to blur. Measure the distance at which you can still read the card. This number is your biological age.

  • 0-9cm: Age 20.
  • 9-16cm: Age 30.
  • 16-30cm: Age 40.
  • 30-60cm: Age 50.
  • 60-90cm: Age 60.
  • 90+cm: Age 70.

Make your body younger

Unhappy with your biological age? Here’s how to turn back the clock and feel youthful again.

  • Quit smoking. According to a study published in Scientific Reports, smoking adds two to six years to your biological age.
  • Get at least seven hours of restful sleep every night. Your body needs sleep to naturally repair and rejuvenate itself. The less you sleep, the more rapidly you’ll age. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, avoid caffeine after 4pm, wind down before you hit the sheets, and keep your bedroom cool and dark for a great night’s sleep.
  • Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, wholegrains, legumes, and nuts and seeds to fight harmful free radicals that are known to accelerate ageing.
  • Learn stress-management techniques. Excessive stress places strain on your immune system, messes with your hormones, slows your metabolic rate, and increases your fat storage – all of which are bad news for your biological age. Manage your stress levels and reverse your biological age with mindfulness and meditation. Pilates and yoga are other stress-reducing techniques.
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Regular exercise can improve your mood, brain function, and reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight for your height and age. Overweight and obese people tend to look older.

References:

The real cause for grey hair and baldness

Whether grey hair is a sign of wisdom, or a just a sign of stress, it may not be possible to prevent it. And the same goes for losing your hair. So what are the root causes cause of these pesky problems? And, how can we prevent the toupee and the hair-dye as we age?

The roots of the problem

While studying a rare genetic disease, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center accidently came across the cells that cause greying and hair loss in mice – a big step in developing a potential treatment for grey hair and baldness in humans.

“Although this project was started in an effort to understand how certain kinds of tumours form, we ended up learning why hair turns grey and discovering the identity of the cell that directly gives rise to hair,” said lead researcher Lu Le.

They found that a protein called KROX20, which is more commonly associated with nerve development, is activated in skin cells that form hair shafts, known as hair progenitor cells. These hair cells then produce another protein, called stem cell factor (SCF).

The two proteins turned out to be important factors in both baldness and greying.

When they deleted the cells that produce KROX20, the mice stopped growing hair and eventually went bald. When they deleted the SCF gene in the hair progenitor cells, the animal’s hair turned white.

The takeaway: KROX20 is crucial for healthy hair growth and SCF for hair pigmentation.

So does this mean there’s a cure?

Before we get too excited, keep in mind that this study was done with mice. Even though we share biological similarities, more research is needed to understand if the process works the same in humans. And, Le and his team are planning to do more research in people to confirm their results.

Still, Le believes that the findings show promise for the development of new therapies for greying and baldness. “With this knowledge, we hope in the future to create a topical compound or to safely deliver the necessary gene to hair follicles to correct these cosmetic problems.”

The findings could one day also provide answers about why humans age in general, as hair greying and hair loss are among the first signs of ageing. This could lead to treatments beyond just hair to help us look younger for longer.

So there’s hope for your grey hair – coming soon!

Quick fixes

  • Change your do. Comb your hair in a different direction. A new style can trick the eye into not seeing grey roots and bald patches.
  • Powder up. Use a root cover-up powder to conceal those greys or try a hair thickening powder to hide hair loss.
  • Fill up on protein. Hair is a protein fibre, which means you need to eat protein to grow healthy strands and keep the existing ones strong. Good sources of protein include salmon, chicken, eggs, Greek yoghurt, and legumes.
  • Massage your scalp. Gentle massaging of the scalp can boost blood flow to the hair follicle. Good blood circulation ensures that all the necessary nutrients reach your scalp and hair. This is essential for preventing grey hair. According to a study published in ePlasty, a scalp massage of just four minutes a day can increase hair growth and thickness in a matter of weeks.
  • Shave it off. If you can’t beat them, join them! Wear your clean-shaven head with confidence, and it won’t matter what would’ve happened to your hair. (Ask Jason Statham).

References:

Your sperm ages with you. Here’s how to save them

There’s no need to rush into fatherhood, but men, just like women, shouldn’t wait too long to have a baby. Even though most men can have children well into their 50s, fertility becomes challenging after the age of 40. This is because ageing affects every cell in your body, including your sperm cells.

Your swimmers age too

As you grow older, your sperm quality decreases. Their morphology (size, shape and appearance) and motility (the ability of sperm to move towards an egg) deteriorate with age, and the volume of semen also begins to decline.

Research published in Fertility & Sterility found that between the ages of 30 and 50, the average man’s sperm declines by up to 30% in volume, swims up to 37% slower, and is five times more likely to be deformed. This can make it more difficult for sperm to fertilise an egg. The older you are, the longer it will take for you and your partner to conceive – no matter the woman’s age.

Your hormones may also be working against you. Around the age of 40, your testosterone levels may go down. Low testosterone can affect your ability to make sperm, and result in low sperm count. It can also reduce your libido and lead to infertility. Illnesses that cause infertility are also more common among older men. These include erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve and maintain an erection), varicocele (the abnormal dilation of the testicular veins in the scrotum), and orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).

The risks

There’s also a high risk of not being able to conceive at all and miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage is twice as high for women whose male partner is over the age of 45 than for those whose partners are under 25, says the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa (IFAASA).

Fertility is ageist. Older men typically have older partners. Female fertility starts to decline after the age of 30, and drops more sharply after the age of 35. The older your partner, the more difficult it may be to conceive.

Age also affects your chances of having a healthy child. Children of older fathers have a greater risk for mental health problems and autism spectrum disorders. According to statistics from IFAASA, children with fathers aged 40 or older are more than five times as likely to have an autism spectrum disorder than children fathered by men under 30. Down’s syndrome, schizophrenia, and Type 1 diabetes are other conditions that seem to be more common among babies with older fathers.

Keep your swimmers healthy

  • Eat right. A diet high in fat and low in plants can shrink sperm count and quality. Fill up on antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains to improve the health of your sperm.
  • Limit your drinks. Alcohol can harm your sperm and interfere with sperm production. Stick to two units of booze a day.
  • Quit smoking. Tobacco reduces sperm count and motility. Nicotine can also negatively affect sperm morphology.
  • Keep cool. Heat slows down sperm production and lowers sperm count. Avoid tight-fitting underwear and clothes, hot baths and using your laptop directly on your lap.
  • Stop stressing. Too much stress can degrade and permanently damage your sperm. Protect your boys by finding healthy ways to deal with stress. Take a timeout, get enough sleep, or vent to someone.

Save your swimmers

If you are planning for children later in life, it may be a good idea to get your sperm frozen. This ensures that, even if your body changes, you have a few billion copies of your younger self, ready and waiting to reproduce. You can do this at places such as http://medfem.co.za/sperm-freezing-and-storage/ .


If you and your partner have been trying to have a baby for over a year, but haven’t been successful, see your doctor – especially if your partner is over 35 or either of you have a history of infertility. There may be a medical reason for your difficulty to conceive.

References

Eat for your age

You are what you eat, as the saying goes. And as we get older, nutrition becomes ever more important. The older you get, the more important nourishment becomes, as your body becomes less efficient at extracting and absorbing key nutrients from food. Even though you can’t stop the natural process of ageing, you can choose the best options to support your body throughout.

For most, the first place we see wear and tear is through the skin. Are there certain foods that can help our skin stay elastic and supple? According to researchers, yes. What you eat can soften age-related wrinkles and fine lines, sun-related skin damage, and other skin problems. Your skin (and the rest your body) relies on a steady influx of nutrients to build a strong barrier against toxins, and fend off damage from environmental assaults.

Essential nutrients
Certain nutrients become more important as you age. These include:

  1. Calcium is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones. “Even though you attain your peak bone mass in your early 20s, a healthy diet with plenty of calcium is still vital to your bone health later in life,” says Cape Town-based endocrinologist, Dr Zane Stevens. If you come up short on calcium, your body will leech it out of your bones, and weaken them. This can increase your risk for brittle bones and fractures. Keep your bones from breaking with milk, broccoli, spinach, sardines, and almonds.
  2. Vitamin D. You know that calcium is important for the health of your bones, but so is Vitamin D. This often overlooked nutrient helps your body absorb calcium, maintain bone density, and prevent osteoporosis. It’s also been shown to protect against diabetes, heart disease, and cancer – all of which are more likely to creep in with age. Good sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and pilchards), and fortified cereals, dairy products, and juices.
  3. Potassium can help keep your blood pressure in check, and lower your risk for age-related hypertension. According to an article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, high intake of potassium can reduce the risk of stroke in hypertensive women over the age of 40. Get your daily dose with fruits and vegetables. Bananas, plums, sweet potatoes, spinach, and avocados are especially high in potassium.
  4. Magnesium. Mighty magnesium is important for every organ in your body, especially your kidneys and heart. It helps maintain normal muscle, nerve and heart function, control blood glucose, and stabilise blood pressure. “Magnesium also helps regulate other essential nutrients in your body like calcium, Vitamin D, and potassium,” comments Ashleigh Smith, a registered dietician from Cape Town. Fill your plate with dark leafy greens, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, and seeds to meet your magnesium needs.
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids can counteract many of the negative effects that come with ageing. According to researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center, these healthy fats can help reduce inflammation and lower your risk for heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Omega-3s can also stave off cognitive decline, and keep your brain sharp as you age. They’ve also been shown to prevent macular degeneration and dry eyes – two common conditions that reduce vision in the elderly. Eat at least two servings of fatty fish a week. Can’t stand fish? Get your Omega-3s from walnuts, flaxseeds, and soybeans instead.

Do you need a supplement?
Probably not. “Eating a variety of foods is the best way to ensure you get all the nutrients you need,” says Lucinda Lourens, a registered dietician based in Pretoria. “If you eat a sufficient amount of food from each food group, supplementation will not be necessary. Supplements should complement your diet, and never replace the intake of proper, fresh produce.”

Supplements should only be taken if you’ve been diagnosed with a severe nutrient deficiency or when advised by your doctor.

References:

Cut 9 years from your age

Regular exercise boasts an impressive list of benefits. It keeps your heart and brain healthy, boosts your mood and strengthens your muscles and bones. But new evidence suggests that certain types of exercise can also help keep you younger.

The impact of ageing on the body
Besides a bit of grey hair and the odd wrinkle, there are several changes that happen inside the body as you get older. Two of these changes are:

  1. Telomeres get shorter

Telo – whats? Telomeres are the protein endcaps of your chromosomes (DNA). They’re like your biological clock and they’re very closely correlated with age. That’s because each time a cell replicates, you lose a tiny bit of the endcaps. Therefore, the older you get, the shorter your telomeres.

  1. Mitochondrial activity slows

Mitochondria are the “batteries” of your cells. It is their job to generate energy and to make your cells more efficient in using this energy. As you get older, these mitochondria slow down, essentially slowing you down too!

 

You’re only as old as you feel!
New evidence suggests that the more physically active you are, the LESS biological ageing takes place within your body. In other words, you may have celebrated 40 birthdays, but your body is only blowing out 30 candles! There is once catch: you must be willing to sweat! A series of new studies have found that high intensity exercise rejuvenates ageing cells. And you thought botox was the only option?

These studies found that people who had very high physical activity levels had telomeres that were biologically 9 years younger than those who were sedentary (read: couch potatoes), and 7 years younger than those who were only moderately active. When it came to mitochondrial activity, high intensity exercise boosted the ability of the mitochondria to generate energy by up to 69%!

What is high intensity training?
Exercise intensity refers to how hard your body is working during physical activity and is typically described as low, moderate, or vigorous. Your body has an in-built system to measure your intensity – your heart. Your heart rate will increase in proportion to the intensity of your exercise.

High intensity interval training (#HIIT) workouts involve short intervals of maximum intensity followed by recovery periods of low intensity. Provided you stick with the pattern of alternating high intensity exercise with recovery, the actual type of exercise used can be whatever gets you moving. For example, cycling at the gym, sprinting outside, climbing stairs, or even using your own body weight at home through burpees and jump squats.

While it’s true that ANY exercise is good exercise, compared to low/moderate intensity exercise, high intensity exercise has additional benefits to both health and fitness. High intensity training:

  • Is more effective at improving glucose control and insulin sensitivity
  • Is more effective at enhancing the body’s ability to take up and use oxygen
  • Is fast and efficient, offering similar physiological benefits to much longer, lower intensity workouts

High intensity exercise guidelines for newbies
The great thing about high intensity exercise is that you can squeeze an entire workout into a fraction of the time. However, for that reason, it is not something you can do while reading a mag or chatting to a friend. It’s hard and intense, and risk of injury for someone just starting out is relatively high. Follow these guidelines to ensure you get the most out of your workout:

  • Before you start, chat to a professional to make sure you have your technique right. Sacrificing form for figures is never a healthy strategy!
  • Start out slow. Gradually increasing both number of intervals and intensity allows your body to adapt without injury
  • Don’t forget rest days. Your body might be feeling young, but it still needs to recover (plus, muscle is rebuilt during recovery)
  • Workout with a partner. Keep each other’s form in check and motivation levels high!
  • Use the “talk test”. Not sure if you’re pushing yourself? During the intervals, you should be unable to speak in full sentences

References
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743517301470
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/sweaty-answer-to-chronic-illness/?_r=0
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/byu-hlo051017.php
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2123825-best-anti-ageing-exercise-is-high-intensity-interval-training/

How ageing affects your eyesight

Can’t see as well as you used to? Blame it on ageing. Like other parts of your body, your eyes lose their power as you age. Here’s what to look-out for, and how you can treat age-related complications.

Presbyopia
is the condition where you cannot see close objects or small print clearly. This is a normal, gradual process, but you may not notice any change until the age of 40. If you’re affected by presbyopia you may hold reading materials at arm’s length. You may have headaches or complain of tired eyes while reading or doing other close work. Presbyopia can be corrected with reading glasses and contact lenses.

Floaters are tiny spots or specks that float across your field of vision. They’re most noticeable in a well-lit room or outdoors on a bright day. Floaters are a normal part of ageing, but can be a sign of a more serious eye problem like retinal detachment (when the retina pull away from the back of the eye), especially if they’re accompanied by light flashes. If floaters bother you or impair your vision, see your doctor immediately. He may suggest surgery called a vitrectomy to remove some or all of the floaters.

Dry eyes are when your tear glands can’t make enough tears or produce tears of a poor quality. This can make your eyes itch, burn, and turn red. If untreated, you could lose some of your vision. Dry eyes can be treated with special eye drops that stimulate tears. Your doctor may also suggest a humidifier for your home. If you have a severe case of dry eyes, tear duct plugs, prescription eye drops, or surgery may be needed.

Save your sight
Although deteriorating eyes are just part and parcel of life, you can prevent or slow down the process with these eye-care habits:

  1. Have your eyes tested once every two years until the age of 50, and every year after that. An eye test can pick up disorders in their early stages, and treat them before it’s too late.
  2. Wear the right lenses. The correct prescription lenses can improve your quality of life, and lower your risk for accidents and injuries like falls. An eye test can help determine whether you need a different prescription.
  3. Light it up. Your eyes need three times as much light when you’re 60 as they did when you were 20. Welcome daylight into your home. Keep your windows clean and curtains pulled back. Keep your home nicely illuminated. For reading or work that needs you up close and personal, use a direct light from a flexible table lamp. Position the light so that it doesn’t reflect in the page and cause a glare.
  4. Eat eye-healthy foods like kale, spinach, and other leafy greens. These foods contain powerful antioxidants called carotenoids, known to maintain healthy eyes and ward off eye disease. Food rich in Vitamins A and C like carrots, strawberries, pumpkin, corn, and sweet potato can also improve your vision and lower your risk for eye problems. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids like tuna, salmon, and sardines can strengthen your eye muscles for better vision, and prevent dry eyes. Good Vitamin E foods like almonds, peanuts, and avocados have the same effect.
  5. Drink enough water every day. Water can prevent dehydration, and stop dry eyes in its tracks.
  6. Exercise regularly to improve blood flow to your eyes, and reduce your risk for eyesight issues.
  7. Keep your health numbers (blood pressure, blood sugar, and waist size) in check. Hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and being overweight have been linked to vision loss. Follow a healthy lifestyle, take your medication as prescribed, and go for regular check-ups.
  8. Get a good night’s rest. Sleep is your eye’s natural way to self-cleanse, and get rid of dirt and debris that may have accumulated during the day. A lack of shut eye may lead to eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, dry eyes, and blurred vision.
  9. Put on a pair of sunnies. Direct sunlight can hurt your eyes and interfere with your vision. Always wear sunglasses with a built-in UV filter to protect against harmful rays.
  10. Stub out cigarettes for good, and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking can irritate your eyes, and cause irreversible eye damage.

References:

Red hot chili peppers – the key to a longer life

Like it hot and spicy? Your adventurous palate may be doing you a world of good without even realising it. Other than adding a kick of flavour to just about any dish, peppers could add years to your life.

A study published in PLoS ONE, says that red hot chilli peppers can lower your risk of heart disease or stroke by a substantial 13 percent.

We’re not quite sure why hot peppers extend life, but researchers speculate that capsaicin, the substance that gives peppers their fire, may be the spicy key.

Capsaicin has potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may protect against diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Get your capsaicin fix from jalapenos, cayenne, and even bell peppers.

What else can peppers do for you?

  • Burn fat. The capsaicin in peppers has been shown to boost metabolism, suppress your appetite, and give a little boost to your body to burn calories.
  • Improve digestion. Hot peppers have been used to treat digestive and gastrointestinal ailments for years. The capsaicin in this veg is known to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, and help with indigestion. It has also been shown to protect the stomach and intestines, and benefit nutrient absorption.
  • Control cholesterol. Another benefit of amazing capsaicin: it may help keep your cholesterol levels within healthy range. Research shows that capsaicin may block cholesterol build-up and lower levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin. And, the better controlled your cholesterol.
  • Ward off arthritis. Peppers pack a punch of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient in the formation and maintenance of collagen and other connective tissue. Studies suggest that when your diet lacks Vitamin C, you could be at risk for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
  • Prevent cancer. Hot or sweet, peppers have loads of phytochemicals; protective compounds naturally found in plants. Phytochemicals act as antioxidants in your body, working against harmful free radicals that destroy cells, damage tissue, and cause cancer.

TIP
Before you drown your next meal in every pepper you can find, remember that spicy foods aren’t for everyone, especially if you have gastrointestinal problems, like a stomach ulcer. Hot foods may worsen digestive disorders and cause discomfort.

References:

Exercise like someone half your age

Think back to when you were in your teens or twenties. You were fit and flexible, and ready to take on any physical challenge. Now you’re a little older and your body isn’t quite as resilient and can’t share the same sentiment. The good news is that you can still exercise. In fact, regular exercise will give your body the boost it needs to stay strong and supple and help you get through normal daily activities.

Try these quick wins and enjoy the benefits.

Flexibility
Your muscles, ligaments, and tendons weaken as you age. Cartilage, the connective tissue that cushions the joints, also tends to diminish over time. These changes can make the joints stiffer and restrict movement.

Improve your range of motion and stay flexible with these exercises:

Sideways bend

  1. Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart, and arms at your sides.
  2. Slide your left arm down your left side as far as comfortable. You should feel a stretch on the opposite side as you lower your arm.
  3. Hold for two seconds.
  4. Repeat with your right arm down your right side.
  5. Do three stretches on each side.

Hip marching

  1. Sit upright on a stable, solid chair that doesn’t have wheels.
  2. Keep your back away from the chair, feet flat on the floor, and knees bent at right angles.
  3. Hold on to the sides of the chair.
  4. Lift your leg with your knee bent as far as comfortable.
  5. Gently put your foot down again.
  6. Repeat with the opposite leg.
  7. Do five lifts with each leg.

Strength
As you age, you lose muscle and bone mass. Strength training can help preserve your muscles and prevent bone loss, lowering your risk for back pain, arthritis, and osteoporosis.

Try these:

Bicep curls

  1. Grab a pair of light weights. Anything that’s two to five kilograms will do.
  2. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and keep your arms at your sides.
  3. Slowly bend your arms up until the weights reach your shoulders.
  4. Lower the weights slowly, and repeat.
  5. Do five curls with each arm.

Mini squats

  1. Rest your hands on the back of a chair for stability.
  2. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Slowly bend your knees as far as comfortable.
  4. Keep your knees face forward, and aim to get them over your big toe.
  5. Keep your back straight.
  6. Gently come up and squeeze your buttocks.
  7. Repeat five times.

Balance
Taken a fall recently? These exercises may help you find your balance and reduce your risk of falling again.

Heel to toe walk

  1. Stand upright, and place your right heel in front of your left toe.
  2. Do the same with your left heel.
  3. Keep your gaze forward.
  4. Brace your fingers against a wall for stability.
  5. As you go along, move away from the wall.
  6. Try to do at least five steps.

One leg stand

  1. Stand facing a wall.
  2. Stretch your arms out in front of you so that your fingertips touch the wall.
  3. Slowly lift your left leg, keeping your hips level.
  4. Hold the lift for five to 10 seconds.
  5. Then gently place your foot back on the floor.
  6. Do three lifts on each side.

Good to know

  • Before you start any exercise, talk to your doctor first. Ask about how much and what type of activity you can do, and how intensely you should do it. There may be certain exercises you need to avoid.
  • Exercise in loose, comfortable clothing, and proper fitting shoes.
  • Keep water nearby.
  • Start off slowly. Once you get into it, gradually increase the intensity. Pushing yourself too hard may lead to an injury.
  • Stop immediately if you feel dizzy, unwell, or feel any sort of pain.

References:

How you can help gran and gramps

Frail care is 24-hour specialised care or service for the elderly, those that need extra physical and medical help or senior citizens. These nursing homes or accommodations assist you with getting in and out of bed, taking care of your hygiene, taking medication and feeding yourself (if necessary).

Essentially, a frail care home is where you go to get help when you’re not really able to help yourself in your everyday living routines. This is of course, a natural occurrence stemming from ageing, where often, mental incapability or frailty can leave you in a state of need.

Help at hand
First, identify your most important needs and the type of environment you’d want to settle in. Get a medical check-up before you start researching spaces. Your doctor’s input will be invaluable.

Types of accommodation

  • Apartment or flat
  • Convalescences (rehabilitation)
  • Cottages/houses for rent
  • Cottages/houses for sale
  • Dementia/Alzheimer’s care
  • Frail care
  • Mid-care

Considering a nursing home can be a daunting task and an emotional rollercoaster as you contemplate moving to a new environment. It’s important to understand the difference between frail care and medical care. Frail care falls under the category of social welfare responsibility. The medical care is under a medical scheme cover which covers the short-term recovery of an event, like an accident or stroke. Long-term accommodation is not likely to be covered by a medical scheme, so be sure to get all the information from your scheme before you start looking for a place.

How much will this cost? Frail care prices vary. Prices start from about R5 000 and can go up to (more than) R25 000 a month. Some may include a caregiver or nurse on site; this depends on the quality of care and services on offer and the facility itself. A private home versus a state home is going to differ in the type of services, quality and resources they can offer.

General offers in facilities:

  • Daily meals.
  • A comfortable living environment.
  • Administering of medication.
  • Cleaning services and laundry.
  • Therapy and overall health and wellbeing services (exercises etc.)
  • 24-hour nursing care.
  • 24-hour security.
  • Transport to shopping and doctor’s appointments.
  • Hair care.
  • Support services (medical services).
  • Medical waste and infection control regulations.

Do you qualify for frail care? If you’re 60 years and older (senior citizens), you’re eligible to be placed in a home or accommodation across the country.

You have rights too:

  • Have reasonable access to assistance.
  • Have visitors.
  • Be informed about residential changes and plans regarding the facility.
  • Keep your personal belongings.
  • Be given a 30-day notice of planned transfer or discharge.
  • Access to recreational activities.
  • The right to be treated with respect and care at all times.

Keep these documents handy:

  • ID document and funeral policies (if available).
  • Application form from the home or accommodation.
  • Your medical report.
  • Social worker report (if required).

References

 

 

Feel younger as you get older

Creams, lotions, potions, surgery and a million other beautifiers work hard to keep us younger as we get older. But, as research has long pointed out, smart living (that is, a holistic approach to ageing) will do much more for your health – and the way you look! Here are a few tips to look great forever.

Continue reading “Feel younger as you get older”

Work away the pain of arthritis

Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when a flare up of arthritis hits, but a workout may do you the world of good. Staying active is one of the best ways to ease arthritis and joint pain. This doesn’t mean you need to run a marathon – even moderate bouts of exercise can help you manage and improve your condition.

Continue reading “Work away the pain of arthritis”