Product Description
Seniors Elderly Pilates Sitting Chair Exercises DVD: This Easy Sitting Exercise DVD is good for Seniors, Elderly, Physical Therapy, After Surgery and Rehabilitation with Slow Paced Pilates & Stretching exercise… More >>
Senior / Elderly Sitting Exercises DVD: Easy Sitting PILATES Strength, Rehab & Physical Therapy Seniors Elderly Exercises DVD. Sunshine is a Certified AARP and Personal Trianer by The American Council on Exercise & by AIFE The American Institute of Fitness Educators, Exercise For Seniors & Older Adults.
Self-care for older adults
World Consumer Rights Day Special-Health: Self-care for older adults
By 2025, an estimated 1.2 billion individuals worldwide will be 60 years of age or older, up from 600 million in 2007, according to the WHO. India’s population is young on an average as compared to the US or Europe. However, by the year 2025, we will have a substantial ageing population in absolute terms. This article brings out some of the many ways you can lead a healthy life into your later years
An elderly person is nothing but a young person who is vulnerable, who knows it, and can do nothing about it. Older adults may be able to take care of themselves but they need some help along the way. Help may be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual.
Know yourself
Perhaps the most important exhortation, a message handed down from our ancient scriptures and echoed by management gurus, is to know one’s self, including but not limited to, our strengths and weaknesses. By knowing strengths we can focus and build upon them to create wealth and fulfillment. Awareness of weaknesses helps avert failure by securing appropriate collaborations to complement our weaknesses. This is particularly important for starting your second career if you are close to retirement or if you are in-between jobs.
Nourish your creative faculties by good nutrition and healthy relationships
There are several examples of people who have done their best work after the age of 65. However, many of these people retained an active life with a sharp mind and more or less healthy body in the years following their 40th year. Ageing of the body can be slowed but is inevitable. A healthy mind within an ageing body can be creative and relatively independent but an ageing mind is subject to errors of judgment that can be debilitating or fatal. Nutrients that promote healthy sight and a healthy mind are present in live foods such as sprouts, soaked nuts, flax seeds (“alsi”), and fresh seasonal undercooked vegetables and fruits. Fried foods and refined carbohydrates are best excluded. Daily multivitamin supplements should be started by the 30th year and alcohol use minimized so that the brain remains alert and able. Relationships that encourage creativity and personal effort to channel one’s energies in socially beneficial areas are most helpful.
Remain physically active and run your own errands
Be passionate about a daily walk and “hatha yoga” exercises to promote strength and flexibility. Stretch only within your limits and make incremental improvements without straining. Include aerobic activity such as brisk walking or jogging subject to the strength of your knees and the capacity of your cardiovascular system. Exercise under the guidance of your physician if you have not done it before. Keep your midsection trim by limiting your intake of fried foods and desserts and doing leg lift exercises and abdominal crunches. Your waist-to-hip ratio (less than 1.0 is preferred) is a determinant of your risk for cardiovascular disease along with your body mass index (weight in kgdivided by square of height in metres, maintained between 19 and 24). Take most opportunities to climb stairs instead of using the elevator and also walk within your neighbourhood to buy provisions from the market. If you are working in an office, take breaks from your computer or desk at least once every two hours.
Gender issues for seniors
Unlike cardiovascular disease, which affects more men, and diabetes to which men and women are almost equally prone, osteoporosis (weak bones) affects women at a disproportionately higher rate. One solution is weight-bearing exercises combined with supplements of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Walking on slippery floors or other situations that lead to a fall, predispose to hip fractures which are more common among women. Older men are prone to prostate cancer and benign enlargement of the prostate while middle-aged women are prone to breast and ovarian cancer. Married men and women who are senior need to cultivate their relationship from the very beginning in a way that is not entirely dependent on sexual stimulation. Success of the relationship depends equally on both partners and relies on effective face to face communication and genuine love and caring.
Plan for your financial and legal well-being
Saving from your income during your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s is a necessity for those of us who want to remain independent. If you did not save money or invest in property or an apartment and now you are over 60 years of age you may want to continue working a little while longer. Do an analysis of your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (termed “SWOT analysis” by management professionals) so that you can work in your area of strength and get paid accordingly. Consult a lawyer who is known to a friend if there is any lien on property that needs to be addressed. As the stock market bubble has shown us its colours, do your own homework before investing in stocks or mutual funds.
Insurance for your health, life, car and home
Health insurance is essential for a peaceful retired life or productive life as a senior citizen. Many people over 55 may have a pre-existing condition that prevents them from making payable claims from a health insurance company. Planning for your health insurance is paramount to your well-being, peace of mind, and personal solvency. Life insurance in favor of your loved ones lets them know that they will be taken care of in the event of your untimely departure from this world. Car insurance and home insurance are essentials that are relatively more affordable than life insurance but are not to be ignored.
Government schemes for senior citizens and pensioners
Court cases
The Chief Justice of India has advised Chief Justices of all High Courts to accord priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious disposal.
Right to Information Act
Second appeals filed by senior citizens and differently-abled
persons under the RTI are taken
on a high priority basis, by a directive of the Central Information Commission who await your request in writing.
Health Care
There is provision for separate queues for senior citizens at hospitals and the Delhi government runs special clinics for seniors at most hospitals.
Finance, Taxation and Banking
As per the finance budget 2008-09 (presented on 29th February, 2008) the threshold income when seniors start paying tax stands at Rs. 2.25 lakh per annum.
The benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been extended to the investments made under 5-Year Post Office Time Deposits Account and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme with effect from 1st April, 2007.
The government also gives a higher rate of interest to senior citizens on certain Savings schemes, which it runs through its large network of Post Offices and Public Sector Banks. Some banks like the State Bank of India charge only 50% of the applicable prescribed charges for many services.
Telecommunications
The Department of Telecommunications has made special provisions including priority for senior citizens who apply for a new telephone connection or register a complaint. MTNL Delhi gives a 25% discount on rentals and installation to seniors with a proof of age of 65 years or above. MTNL Mumbai has a Non-OYT-Special category for seniors. Call toll free MTNL Help line 1500 from any MTNL number.
Travel by Indian Railways
Travel by Indian Railways is 30% cheaper for all who are 60 years in age or above. Carry proof of date of birth or age with a photo ID card. There are separate booking counters for seniors at all stations. Wheelchairs are available at all major junctions. Coaches are equipped with adequate handrails.
Travel by Airlines
There is a 50% discount for seniors on Economy Class fares on all flights of Indian Airlines and 45% on Air India (domestic) subject to certain conditions. A few other airlines also are senior-friendly.
Travel by State Roadways
State Road Transport Undertakings have reserved 2 front seats for seniors in the front row of all buses. Some state governments also give concessions in fare to seniors.
Welfare Legislation
The Indian Government has recently enacted a law for welfare of senior citizens and parents creating provisions for maintenance, protection and security of elders.
Communicating with the younger generation
Elders who communicate well with the younger generations may have been a rare breed in the past but that scenario has changed considerably. More and more elders recognize the need of the younger generations for independence and self-assertion. A society in which the young do not have the power of self-expression could be considered stifling and likewise a society in which elders are not respected would be a source for sleepless nights. Respect comes from being present to the needs of the young and from being a source of inspiration for the young. The right to self-expression is earned by the young person’s personal creativity and respect for the elder.
Social relevance of the elder
In ancient tribal societies elders were respected for their storehouse of knowledge and wisdom that made them socially relevant. It is said that when a native shaman dies, it is equivalent to the burning and destruction of an entire library. Native elders were consulted regularly and they presided over meetings regardless of their age. Today the retirement age in India ranges from 58 to 65 years and many people of this age group are far too young, capable and active to retire. Mechanisms are needed to bring retirees back into the work force if they so choose. While participation in the affairs of a Resident Welfare Association in an urban settlement may be one way to participate, such forums are seldom sufficiently orderly and meaningful.
Participation in family structure
The trend toward nuclear families is detrimental to the youngest as well as the oldest. On the other hand, many senior citizens run the risk of being exploited by their own children and grandchildren. A happy balance requires an understanding that the elder is an equal and is as much in need of care as are the grandchildren cared for by the elder. Those whose families have been separated by a generational divide can look upon nieces and nephews to form meaningful symbiotic relationships.
Nurturing spirituality
While pleasure of the five senses keeps the individual rooted in physical reality and is necessary for being present to the world around us, a sense of the subtle voice of conscience must also be cultivated. Spirituality need not be limited to religious observances, nor need it be anathema to the atheist. A spiritual person may express their connectedness to the world by being sensitive to the needs of the under-privileged. The sense of spirituality is nothing but an expression of an ancient urge to experience being one with the universe. The universe unfolds around us with each event of the day and beckons us to use our wisdom in the interest of humanity and the living world. Being young does not preclude being spiritual, and being an elder does not guarantee expression of the spirit.
Karan R Aggarwala, PhD
kaggarwala@gmail.com
The author is an optometrist, nutrition counselor and vision scientist who collaborates with academic institutions in India and the US
To read more log on to www.consumer-voice.org
Consumer VOICE was founded by teachers and students at the University of Delhi in the beginning of the academic year 1983-84. Till mid 1986, Consumer VOICE functioned as an unregistered voluntary consumer association.
On 28 June 1986, it was registered as a Public Charitable Trust with noted jurist, Justice (retd.) V.M. Tarkunde and Prof. P.K. Ghosh of the Delhi School of Economics as founder donors and Dr. Sri Ram Khanna and Mr Rajan Karanjawala as Trustees.
In 1988 the Dept of Company Affairs Govt. of India accorded recognition to Consumer VOICE under the MRTP Act. The trust has since been granted exemption under section 80-G of the Income Tax Act and, donations made to the Trust are exempt from Tax. However the organization does not accept donations from private enterprise in order to ensure objectivity, or from individuals except when the donor is genuinely committed to espouse the cause of consumer protection.
As one of its first consumer-rights initiative, VOICE filed a suit against the ‘Wills Made for Each Other’ tobacco campaign, as it was monopolistic and discriminated against consumers who did not smoke. VOICE also challenged television manufacturers which were selling colour television sets at a premium to consumers during the Asiad Games.
In 1997, VOICE started to publish Consumer VOICE, a bi-monthly magazine that focused on bringing consumers information on product performance. ‘Voltage Stabilisers’ were one of the first product tests to be published in Consumer VOICE magazine.
The publisher of Consumer VOICE magazine since 1999 it is currently working in close co-ordination with the Dept of Consumer Affairs, Govt of India, on a comparative product testing project. The project aims to test a wide range of products most commonly used by Indian consumers in NABL-accredited laboratories. The test results are then published in Consumer VOICE magazine.
To know more log on to www.consumer-voice.org
Merry Christmas from Eliot and his Seniors
Richard Simmons aka Eliot Perez Halloween Senior Fitness
Here’s my Senior Fitness, Halloween Day. I am dressed up as Fitness Enthusiast and Icon Richard Simmons. Enjoy!
Duration : 0:2:31
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA-UWO) Restorative Care
This video in complete format is available through the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging. The focus of this video is providing information on Restorative Care and how to implement Restorative Programs in Care facilities in Canada – enjoy – Please contact us if you would like to purchase the video – cost $30 CAN plus shipping and handling. 1-866-661-1603 or www.uwo.ca/actage
Duration : 0:4:7
Aerobic Boogie (R) Boogie Aerobics (R)
Bored with your exercise, fitness, aerobic workouts? Bored with the same boring music played over and over again? You won’t be bored with Aerobic Boogie(R) Boogie Aerobics(R) any way you say it “The FUN way to EXERCISE!” (TM) No Steps/No Routines the Modified exercise program which allows Soon to be Baby Boomers Baby Boomers and Senior Baby Boomers to “Move & Groove’ (TM) to all their favorite ‘ORIGINAL ARTISTS/MUSIC’ ‘Music mixed daily” ‘In Shape/Out of Shape/Physically Active/Physically challenged. Aerobic Boogie(R) can be ‘Modified’ Standing, Trotting, Jogging, Sitting or confined to bed rest providing a warm up – cardio – weight training – stretching and cool down. Licensed by BMI and ASCAP, Linda Stuart, shares how she moved out of a Stroke to regain 100% Full Recovery by mixing her favorite original artists/music from the Big Band era/50s60s/Disco/Broadway/Jazz and some great tunes from current pop rock by creating simple movements. Aerobic Boogie(R) conceived out of Linda’s desperation to move beyond the physical, occupational and speech therapy has now turned out to be a Stroke of Good Luck. Linda, wants to share with you how the exact movements and FUN multigenerational music she played to move out of the Stroke can provide you with so much FUN – You won’t believe your exercising! Visit www.aerobicboogie.com to obtain more information on Aerobic Boogie(R) Boogie Aerobics(R)
Duration : 0:5:40
Senior Aerobic Christmas Dance with Eliot Perez
Senior aerobic dance with a Christmas theme and a little boogie. Merry Christmas everybody.
Duration : 0:3:17
Be Well Coaching with Older Adults
Carolyn Collman’s strength straining and exercise program for older adults. For more information, http://www.bewellcoaching.com/bewell_for_older_adults
Duration : 0:0:22
Senior Aerobics Mother’s Day Class
These active older adults wanted to wear hats to celebrate Mother’s Day. These DRAMA QUEENS can’t seem to get enough of their class. Enjoy!
Duration : 0:4:34
Senior Aerobics with Eliot Perez
Active Older Adults-SHOWBIZ Class with Eliot Perez. Simple exercises for the active senior.
Duration : 0:3:5