News & Events Feed

Illustration of an open prescription bottle with various colorful pills spilling out on a green background.

8 Types of Medications That Can Make It Harder to Handle the Heat

By Health & Wellness

Temperatures are soaring in many regions of the country, putting people — especially older adults — at risk for heat-related illness, even death. And one thing that doesn’t help is if you are taking medications that interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down.“This issue is particularly important for older people because they tend to be on more medications that alter either the body’s control of circulating blood volume and/or cardiac activity,” which can make it harder to deal with the heat, says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D., director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City.

It’s important to pay attention to this often-overlooked side effect during heat waves, which the Environmental Protection Agency says are increasing in both intensity and frequency. But it’s not just those stifling stretches that can be dangerous. Research shows that older patients with chronic medical conditions who take heat-sensitive medications can have medication-related problems throughout the entire summer.

How do medications affect your heat tolerance?

First, it’s important to understand how your body deals with heat and works to maintain that ideal internal temperature of 98.6 degrees.

To cool off, your body has several tricks. One is perspiration (or sweat). When sweat evaporates from your skin, it cools the body.

Another is when the blood vessels underneath your skin vasodilate (widen) and bring warm blood closer to your skin, allowing the skin to release heat.

Several different medications, though, can interfere with this complex thermoregulation system by limiting the body’s ability to sweat or by reducing blood flow to the skin. Medications can also cause dehydration, and some may make the skin more sensitive to the sun, causing a rash or sunburn.

To learn about the 8 types of medications that don’t mix with heat, from AARP, CLICK HERE.

A vibrant assortment of raw vegetables including carrots, peppers, and tomatoes on a gray surface.

Cooked or Raw? The Best Ways to Eat 9 Healthy Veggies

By Health & Wellness

Many people assume veggies are always healthier raw; that chopping, slicing, dicing or grating them after they’ve been washed is all they need to work their nutritional magic, but that’s not always the case. In some instances, cooking releases nutrients that aren’t available from vegetables if you eat them straight from the farmers market or supermarket.

From beets (think cooked)  to tomatoes (either raw or cooked), find out how to get the most nutrients from these nine vegetables.

1. Beets

Raw or Cooked? Cooked. Low in calories and high in nutrients, cooked beets reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Benefits: Naturally occurring compounds in beets improve blood flow, help keep arteries healthy and reduce LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind). Beets also provide an impressive helping of fiber (or roughage) to help lower blood pressure and keep you feeling full longer. A bonus: Some research has found that drinking beet juice before you exercise increases endurance.

Tip: To avoid spatters of red juice everywhere when cooking beets, wear disposable gloves and an apron before you start to prep, and cover your cutting board with parchment paper before you begin slicing.

2. Carrots

Raw or Cooked? Both. Raw carrots can help lower blood pressure, and cooked carrots support a healthy immune system.

Benefits:  Both raw and cooked, carrots help keep you healthy. Raw carrots are rich in fiber, which helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and cooked carrots release carotenoids, compounds the body converts to vitamin A to help ward off infections and support a healthy immune system, notes Andres Ardisson Korat, a scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University.

Tip: If you plan to serve cooked carrots, the best way to preserve their nutrients is to steam them, which minimizes cooking time and maximizes nutrient content.

To read about the best ways to eat other healthy veggies, from AARP, CLICK HERE.

A woman drinks from a water bottle while sitting on a bench outdoors with another person.

How to Stay Healthy as Summer Temps Rise

By Health & Wellness

As summer bears down, triple-digit temperatures in some parts of the country are no longer an anomaly — they’re normal.

Southern states are grappling with a relentless heat wave, with temperatures topping triple digits. These high temps have arrived much earlier in the season than normal, and millions of people are living under heat alerts.

But even in areas that don’t often see 100 degrees or above, weather is getting hotter and stickier. As temperatures rise, people need to be more careful than ever to stay cool and avoid overheating and illness, particularly as they get older, medical experts say.

“As you age you don’t notice the heat anymore,” says Charles Maddow, M.D., the director of emergency geriatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston. Older bodies are not as hydrated and don’t sweat as much, making it more difficult for them to cool down, he explains.

Heat is the number 1 weather-related killer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that on average, about 618 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year. The National Weather Service recently forecasted heat indexes near Houston and San Antonio as high as 120 degrees.

To learn how to watch out for heatstroke and heat exhaustion, from AARP, CLICK HERE.

Older adults exercising on stationary bikes in a community fitness center.

Osteoporosis, the Silent Disease

By Health & Wellness

Osteoporosis weakens bones to the point that they can break easily. It is called a “silent disease” because people who develop it may not notice any changes until a bone breaks — usually a bone in the hip, spine, or wrist.

Bones are made of living tissue. To keep them strong, a healthy human body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced.

The inside of a bone looks something like a honeycomb. When someone has osteoporosis, the bone, which forms the “walls” of the honeycomb, get smaller, and the spaces between the bone grow larger. The outer shell of the bone also gets thinner. All of this makes a bone weaker.

In serious cases of osteoporosis, a simple motion such as a cough or minor bump can result in a broken bone, also called a fracture. People with osteoporosis also have a harder time recovering from broken bones, which can sometimes cause pain that does not go away. Broken hip and spine bones are especially serious, as these injuries can cause older adults to lose their mobility and independence.

To learn more about how osteoporosis is diagnosed, who’s at risk and how it’s treated, from the National Institute on Aging, CLICK HERE.

Colorful bell peppers, measuring tape, red hand weights, and fruits placed on a white surface.

7 Simple Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar

By Health & Wellness

In the United States today, approximately 96 million adultshave prediabetes — and up to 70 percent of those who have elevated blood sugar will go on to develop type 2 diabetes, according to an American Diabetes Association expert panel. That’s in addition to more than 37 million who already have the chronic disease.

Naturally, then, it might feel daunting to try to get high blood sugar under control. But fortunately experts say a number of simple (read: straightforward, not necessarily all easy, but doable) steps can bring glucose levels back into a healthy range. You also have plenty of reasons beyond diabetes prevention to do just that.

People with prediabetes have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke in the future — along with other heart disease issues — “even without full-blown diabetes,” says Zhenqi Liu, M.D., James M. Moss professor of diabetes at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk and lower your blood sugar.

1. Know your numbers

To start, you need to know where you stand. The vast majority with prediabetes — more than 80 percent — don’t know they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about your blood sugar numbers, and ways to lower your blood sugar, from AARP, CLICK HERE.

Group of seniors exercising with dumbbells and smiling during a fitness class.

The Best Exercises for Seniors: A Guide to Staying Active in Your Golden Years

By Health & Wellness, Senior Resources

Explore the best exercises for seniors and tips on how to get started, stay motivated, and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Staying active is vital at any age, but it’s especially crucial for seniors. Regular exercise provides many health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, enhanced mental well-being, and helping seniors live a more independent lifestyle. There is growing evidence to show that it may slow the progression of dementia. In this blog post, we will explore the best exercises for seniors and provide tips on how to get started, stay motivated, and enjoy the numerous benefits of an active lifestyle.

Factors to Consider Before Starting an Exercise Routine

Before diving into a new exercise routine, taking a few precautions is essential. Speak with your doctor or physical therapist to determine which exercises suit your needs and health conditions. Pay attention to any discomfort or pain during training and adjust as needed. Begin with shorter durations and lower intensity, gradually increasing as your fitness level improves. To maintain long-term commitment, we recommend choosing exercises you’ll enjoy, and don’t be afraid to mix things up and try something new.

To learn more about the benefits and types of exercise, from CLICK HERE

Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award 2023 winner banner with smiling people clapping.

2023 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner

By News

We are thrilled to announce that LCS® has been named a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner for 2023. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that have achieved exceptional performance in employee engagement and workplace culture.

As a Life Care Services® community, part of the LCS family of companies, we are deeply committed to creating a positive and engaging workplace culture that empowers our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. We believe that our success is directly tied to the dedication and hard work of our team members.

The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes surveys of employees and managers, as well as an in-depth analysis of organizational culture and leadership practices. To receive this award, organizations must score in the top percentile of all companies surveyed, demonstrating exceptional performance across a wide range of metrics related to employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being.

We believe that our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace is reflected in the quality of care and service that we provide to our residents and their family members. By fostering a positive and engaged workplace culture, we are able to attract and retain top talent and provide the highest levels of hospitality and care to those we serve.

We are grateful to our employees for their dedication and hard work, and we are thrilled to share this exciting recognition Gallup has presented to LCS. As we look to the future, we remain committed to building on our successes and continuing to foster a workplace culture that empowers our employees to thrive and excel.

To learn more about careers at The Bayshore at Hilton Head Island, click here. To see how life at a community led by a strong, hospitality-focused employee base could enhance your life or that of a loved one, click here to contact us today.

Four seniors lounging on beach chairs, reading books by the ocean under clear blue skies.

Best Vacation Locations for Senior Travel

By Lifestyle

Finding the right opportunity for senior travel, whether that involves relaxation and leisure or fun activities, outdoor exploration, and more, is achievable. Discover some of the best places to vacation for seniors, exciting activities to do on vacation, and tips for planning your next getaway.

Where Do Seniors Go on Vacation?

Choosing to travel within the United States can help eliminate costly international flights. Pick a state or town you’ve always wanted to visit and consider exploring fun and exciting activities.

Travel to any of the recommended below places on your next vacation:

  • San Diego, California – Enjoy sunny weather and outdoor activities like nearby attractions, gardens, spas, and golf courses.
  • Key Largo, Florida – Visit a tropical paradise with great things to explore, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming in warm, crystal-clear water.
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico – Enjoy the colorful, rich history and an abundance of art galleries, museums, and the town square, all within a walkable distance from each other.
  • Phoenix, Arizona – Beyond beautiful accommodations at a luxurious resort, find yourself hanging out poolside, playing golf, tennis, pickleball, or visiting a spa.
  • Bluffton, South Carolina – Nature preserves, picturesque villages, riverfront marinas, and more allow you to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

For ideas on what to do on vacation as a senior, and how to plan your trip, from Life Care Services, CLICK HERE.

Close-up of a screen displaying the ChatGPT interface by OpenAI with text about language models.

Top Five AI-Generated Considerations for Your Senior Living Search

By Senior Resources

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that allows a computer or robot to mimic human actions or intelligence. With more than 50 years of experience in senior living, our team at Life Care Services has a wealth of knowledge regarding the needs of seniors, but it’s always nice to get a second opinion.

We thought it would be fun to ask AI “chatbot” ChatGPT the most important thing seniors should look for when looking for a retirement community. Following is the question we asked via https://chat.openai.com/chat and the response we received

What is the most important thing seniors should look for when looking for a senior living community?

“When looking for a senior living community, seniors should consider a variety of factors to ensure they find a community that meets their needs and preferences. However, one of the most important things to look for is the quality of care provided.”

To read about the specific things seniors should consider when assessing the quality of care in a senior living community, as provided by an AI “chatbot”, CLICK HERE.