7 Activities To Do At Home On Your Own

During this uncertain time of lockdown, some of us may find ourselves at a loose end when spending so much time at home. If you live on your own, it can feel daunting knowing that there is a limit on how and who you can currently spend your time with outside your home.

Here at Essential Mobility, it is our mission to keep people moving with the world. Whether it be out and about in one of our TGA mobility scooters or at home safely looking for advice to support your wellbeing, we are here for you!

We know that this blog is far from a solution, and things can still feel difficult given current circumstances. However, we hope our list of fun activities will be something for you to refer back to and bring you some joy over the next few weeks!

The Importance of a Routine

Let’s begin with why maintaining some form of routine is hugely beneficial for you.

Ensuring you have some steady schedule of when you wake up and go to bed each day can work wonders for your body clock.

Try to make sure you schedule regular times to eat throughout the day, keep on top of any admin duties that may need to be completed throughout the week and of course, dedicate time for fun!

A cup of tea and slice of chocolate cake.

Have Afternoon Tea With a Friend

Make your usual cup of tea a little more special!

Firstly, arrange a suitable time to video call a friend or a loved one and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea together!

Treat yourself to a delicious sweet treat such as a yummy cake and make a cup of tea in your best crockery.

If it’s sunny and your internet works outside, why not take it even one step further and sit in your garden! Bring Tea By the Taw to your own home!

As you may already know, if you have a Facebook account, you can use messenger to video call your friends and family, as well as other methods such as Skype and FaceTime too.

Watch a Live Video

If you have access to the internet, there are many live stream videos happening across the world at the moment.

From live concerts to sneak peeks of zoos, and tours of national parks to the browsing of art galleries, there are so many incredible experiences you can immerse yourself in all from the comfort of your own living room!

Similar to the afternoon tea idea, a why not organise a ‘trip’ to the theatre with a friend? Many theatre companies are streaming some of their most loved theatre shows on YouTube for us all to enjoy, including The National Theatre.

Make sure to have a glass of wine for you to sip while you watch with your friend over a video call!

A microphone with a computer in the background.

Listen to Some Podcasts

If you like the radio, you may be interested in exploring the world of podcasts.

Podcasts are usually pre-recorded audio shows, and you can find them on sites including Spotify, BBC Sounds and iTunes. There are a whole host of podcasts out there that cover a variety of topics. Some are informative, some are humouring, and some offer advice! So there is something for all interests and moods.

Think about something you would like to know more about and search for a subject or try and find something that makes you laugh. Podcasts are a great way to keep you up to date and connected with the rest of the world.

Organise Your Happy Memories

No doubt, you have plenty of photos throughout your house. Why not collect them and organise them by smartening up your photo albums. It is a lovely way to spend some time reminiscing while being productive. You could even write on the back of them who is in the picture, where it was taken and the year if you can remember.

A sketch pad and some paints on a wooden table.

Find Some Old Creative Hobbies

When was the last time you picked up your paints to create a beautiful landscape? Or perhaps baking, woodcraft, puzzles, crochet, knitting, or needlework used to be a peaceful and creative hobby you used to enjoy?

Whatever it may be, why not revisit it? Furthermore, maybe you would like to brighten your home? What kind of artwork could you create? Or cushion covers you could sew? Perhaps there is something you would like to make ready to give to a friend or loved one the next time you see them? It’s time to start creating!

Or Try a New One

Or maybe you would like to try something entirely from scratch! Why not set up a little challenge for you to try to accomplish by the end of the month, or whatever time frame would be suitable, in whatever activity you would like to give a go!

If you are unsure of how to order something to complete your new hobby, you could perhaps ask a friend or family member to order it for you and deliver to your door.

Don’t Forget To Do Some Gentle Exercises

Keep on top of any small exercises that you have been recommended to do! Short exercises are so important in keeping muscles and joints functioning. Try to give them time for completion each day and schedule them into your routine, so you don’t forget.

Do you have any fun activities that you would like to recommend? Why not let us know on our social media channels? We would love to hear about them, and so would our followers! For some inspiration on where to go after lockdown, why not take a look at our top pick of the best wheelchair-friendly attractions in the South-West?

7 Benefits of Growing Old

Ageing is a natural and unavoidable process. As they get older, many people tend to focus on the negatives, concentrating on what they can’t do, rather than what they can. At Essential Mobility, we want to celebrate ageing and all the great things that come with it. Here are seven benefits of growing old.

A Happier Outlook

Studies often reveal that the over 60s are among the happiest age groups, regularly scoring far higher than those who are middle-aged. What is the reason for this sunny outlook?

Scientists and psychologists believe it is down to a wide range of factors, often referencing that by the time people reach their sixties, they are more willing to let go of the things that once bothered them. Gone are the anxieties and worries of what others think of them to be replaced by feeling content and more carefree. Growing older also tends to come with a new set of priorities as people are more conscious of the value of friends, family and goals.

Grandchildren

Seeing your children or grandchildren grow up is one of life’s priceless treasures. Grandparents get to enjoy spending time with and looking after their grandchildren, often without the sleepless nights and nappy changes! If you have limited mobility, take a look at our range of TGA folding mobility scooters to help you keep up with the little ones.

Wisdom

Life experience can contribute highly to wisdom, and studies also show that older brains are more sufficient at problem-solving. Life teaches all sorts of valuable lessons, and older people are in a fantastic position to teach and advise the younger generations. Take a look at our tips to help keep your brain healthy in later life.

Fewer Headaches

Interestingly, those who suffer from headaches or migraines are likely to experience less of them in later life. One study that examined 374 migraine sufferers over a 12-year period showed a dramatic decrease in the number of migraines experienced by the participants at the end of the 12 years:
· 80% reported fewer migraines.
· 55% reported significantly less duration of migraines.
· 66% reported that the pain intensity had decreased.
· Only 1% reported their migraines becoming more frequent.

Reduced Allergies

Those who suffer from certain allergies will be pleased to hear that symptoms tend to decrease with age. As a general rule, when people age, their immune systems get weaker, meaning the body responds less to allergens.

Reactions to allergies have an interesting cycle according to Mitchell Grayson from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; allergic diseases tend to peak in childhood and again in the 30s, by the 50s and 60s they seem to get less common.

More Free Time

With retirement comes an increased amount of free time to do lots of great things. Many people use their retirement as an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, travel or start a new hobby. If you’re stuck for inspiration, many communities offer clubs and workshops for seniors which can be found either online or at your local community centre.

Senior Discounts

From a free bus pass to discounts at the cinema, the over 60s are entitled to a wide variety of financial leeway. According to the Which? guide, the following companies offer financial concessions for people over 60:
· Specsavers – free eye testing and 25% off lenses and glasses.
· Empire, Odeon, Showcase and Vue cinemas all hold silver screenings at discounted prices, check individually for times and prices.
· The National Theatre – discounts for midweek matinees.
· The Royal Shakespeare Company – 20% off Monday and Tuesday evenings and midweek matinees.
· The National Trust – 25% off membership for access to more than 500 National Trust sites.
· National Rail – offers the senior railcard which gives one-third of rail travel at the cost of £30 per year.

Take a look at the guide here for further information.

Essential Mobility is one of the top suppliers for mobility products in the North Devon area. From rise and recline chairs to mobility scooters, contact us today to find out about ordering and delivery options.

6 Tips to Help Keep Your Brain Healthy in Later Life

Even if our bodies need assistance with walking sticks or high-quality mobility scooters, our brains have the capacity to strengthen and we can reduce the signs of ageing. Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to develop with new learning and experiences; throughout our lifetime, our mind will continue to go through this development process.

There are a lot of negative associations with ageing and many people feel a need to reduce the symptoms as well as pressure to stay fitter and healthier for longer. However, age should be something to be celebrated and appreciated, as with it comes a greater knowledge and outlook on life.

In this blog, we take a look at some simple ways to care for your brain to help keep it fresh and ready to learn new things.

Ageing

Cognitive ageing refers to the developments and changes in our cognitive abilities as we age, and this varies from person to person. However, as we develop from infancy to adulthood, our bodies and mind go through a multitude of changes, which are usually embraced when we are younger.

Getting older, we can expect several differences in the way our brains work. Common changes include slower processing speed and reduced abilities in our working memory which can cause issues.

It is established in current society that poor memory is just part and parcel of getting old; however, this could be detrimental shared viewpoint to have as it discourages people from investigating the changes in their cognition. With such focus on the negative changes age brings to our mind the positive ones are often overlooked.

An Older Brain is Different

As we get older, our level of wisdom and knowledge increases, with our knowledge becoming useful in late adulthood. It has also been shown that as we age, our levels of happiness can peak as our capacity for appreciations and happiness increase, while stress and anxiety will tend to decrease.

Try Something New

Older adults who participate in new learning experiences are shown to be healthy ones, as this strengthens cognitive abilities. Healthier, older individuals all tend to share the same characteristics which include high energy and activity levels, regular exercise, balanced diet, lower cases of chronic medical conditions, have regular check-ups and a pleasant and diverse social life.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can have a significant number of benefits for you, including the release of endorphins that improve mood and studies have shown that moderate physical activity can improve your cognitive abilities.
Exercise guides and plans can help you organise the best route for you and your needs.

For some accessible activities in and around North Devon, take a look at 2020 Activities for Seniors.

Reducing Risks

Reducing the risk of diseases is a great way to manage your health as you get older. Exercising regularly, as advised by your doctor, and eating a healthy, balanced diet can be some of the most effective ways to manage your health. Other techniques include managing stress, regular engagement in activities that boost your mood, meditation and practising a positive outlook.

Reviewing Your Health

Self-managing your health can be an effective way of managing a healthy mind. Understanding how your physical health may affect your brain can be the first steps to preventing damaging ageing processes.

Eating Brain Foods

Similarly, it is important to care for yourself when it comes to diet. Did you know certain foods can help to improve mental tasks, including concentration and memory? Try and include some of these foods into your regular diet:
· Fatty Fish
· Blueberries
· Broccoli
· Pumpkin seeds
· Eggs

Maintaining a Good Social Life

Maintaining a good social life in older age can be an effective way to keep your mind healthy and happy. Joining a club that relates to a hobby or passion can be a great way to learn something while making new friends.

Spending time together can help to combat loneliness

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep helps our brains recover after the day and can promote overall wellbeing. The amount of time we need to sleep fluctuates depending on age, and according to sleepeducation.org, older adults should be aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

It is clear to see that a few simple lifestyle choices can have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing as you age. Remember that a little self-care can go a long way.

What happens to your DNA in the aging process?

DNA is a fascinating element of the human body. DNA simply put is the structure of chemicals that carry specific genetic information that determine who you are, inside and out. Genes are inherited from your parents and determine such characteristics like hair and eye colour. Inherited genes can cause disabilities like muscular dystrophy, which may cause you to need high spec mobility scooters.

DNA shows youthful properties, could prevent diseases

When you are younger the DNA is regulated so that it expresses the right genes at a specific time. As you age the regulation of DNA begins to be interrupted which factors into the aging process. However this interruption is not true for everyone, according to a new study, with some people displaying youthful DNA structures despite their age.

The study was led by Dr Bas Heijmans from the Leiden University, in the Netherlands, and was conducted by 34 scientists from six collaborating institutes. It compiled data from over 3,000 participants and found these fascinating results. Researchers charted the regulation of DNA of the participants by measuring levels of methylation at around half a million sites of human DNA, searching for the sites where apparent increases in regulation could be seen as people aged.

Dr Heijmans is an epigeneticist from the Molecular Epidemiology Section of the University. Commenting on the study Heijmans said : “We believe we may have caught the aging process in the act: the dysregulation of the DNA that we discovered went hand in hand with higher activity in genes that continuously try to repair damage to cells. This process is not fully effective and in the long run leads to aging.”

What is interesting is that not everyone in the study showed an equal level of age-related dysregulation of DNA. Some of the participants appeared to have regulation that matched that of a healthy 25-year-old. These participants showed genes that were less active in the aging process.

The next steps forward from this study are to see whether people who display ‘youthful DNA’ structures stay healthier for longer and whether these genes are preventative in the onset of specific life-threatening diseases.

“Obviously, health depends on more than just the regulation of our DNA. But we do think that the dysregulation of the DNA is a fundamental process that could push the risk of different diseases in the wrong direction,” according to Heijmans.

Journal Reference:
Roderick C. Slieker, Maarten van Iterson, René Luijk, Marian Beekman, Daria V. Zhernakova, Matthijs H. Moed, Hailiang Mei, Michiel van Galen, Patrick Deelen, Marc Jan Bonder, Alexandra Zhernakova, André G. Uitterlinden, Ettje F. Tigchelaar, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Casper G. Schalkwijk, Carla J. H. van der Kallen, Albert Hofman, Diana van Heemst, Eco J. de Geus, Jenny van Dongen, Joris Deelen, Leonard H. van den Berg, Joyce van Meurs, Rick Jansen, Peter A. C. ‘t Hoen, Lude Franke, Cisca Wijmenga, Jan H. Veldink, Morris A. Swertz, Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek, Cornelia M. van Duijn, Dorret I. Boomsma, P. Eline Slagboom, Bastiaan T. Heijmans. Age-related accrual of methylomic variability is linked to fundamental ageing mechanisms. Genome Biology, 2016