Tuesday Tip

Looking for fresh looking, healthy skin?

Try peppermint oil in any of these

6 peppermint oil benefits for your skin.

Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash

1. Makes Skin Brighter

Adding a few drops of this oil into your daily beauty regimen is an easy and effective way to achieve healthy and radiant skin. It contains menthol that has a cooling effect and at the same time, works to brighten up the dull skin. Great to do after a Pilates workout!

2. Alleviates Stress And Pain

Peppermint oil can alleviate stress and pain after a long and tiring day. Apply some drops of peppermint oil on your body and take a bath. The refreshing properties of this wonderful oil will energize you and its cooling properties will remove body pain.

3. Hydrates A Dry Scalp

Since this oil has excellent moisturizing properties, you can mix it with your favorite carrier oil like almond oil or olive oil and apply the mixture on your hair.

Wrap your hair in a shower cap and wait for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, you may use peppermint essential oil in combination with other essential oils like jasmine or lavender. It helps to nourish your hair and moisturize it thoroughly.

4. Eases Digestion

Peppermint oil can cure indigestion. You can add it to your food as a flavoring agent or drink few drops with a glass of warm water after your meal. Since peppermint oil is carminative in nature, it helps to reduce a stomach upset.

5. Peppermint Oil For Headaches

Peppermint oil is the best natural remedy to get relief from headaches. Sprinkle few drops of the oil on a handkerchief or dab it on your wrist and inhale it to get rid of a nagging headache. It is also used for migraines as an excellent stress buster.

6. Oral Health

It is usually added in all toothpastes for that refreshing flavor and if not, you can add it yourself. Put two drops of peppermint oil on your toothpaste and you can stay away from bad breath and toothaches. This is the best way for dental care and fighting against harmful germs. Enjoy a great smile!

Got a beauty tip? Share it in our comment section.

Aging Gracefully and Safely

Kent Elliot offers a few simple things seniors can do to age in place more safely. But what is 'Aging in place'?

Aging in place refers to living independently in your own home rather than in an assisted living or retirement home in old age.

As many as 75 percent of older adults plan to live out the remainder of their years in their own home. Instead of uprooting your life and moving to an unfamiliar nursing home, you can support your physical needs by making accessibility changes to your own house.

Here's how to plan for aging at home as safely and gracefully as possible.

Ask Yourself if Aging in Place is Realistic

Even though home modifications allow many people to safely age at home, it's still not for everyone. For people who need daily nurse assistance or those with fluctuating health conditions, aging in place may not be the best option. You still need to be able to move about your home, even if you're in a wheelchair or require a walker. Preparing food, washing, and keeping your home tidy are all requirements for aging in place. You'll also need to travel into town to run errands and attend doctors appointments. If you cannot drive, you will need to find alternate transportation such as public buses or help from family.

Reduce the Risk of Injuries Outside

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury for older Americans? Luckily, low-cost home modifications have been shown to significantly reduce injury from falls. First, start by making repairs to your walkways and stairs outside your home. Keep paths clear of debris and install adequate outdoor lighting. This also means keeping vegetation trimmed so it doesn't intrude onto pathways. Handrails on your stairs and steps can help you enter your home safely. If you're in a wheelchair or walker, you may want to replace your stairs entirely with a ramp.

Keep Indoor Living Spaces Safe

Moving indoors, get rid of hazardous throw rugs that can bunch or slide on hard floors. Instead, replace them with non-skid mats that are securely fastened to your floor. Make sure your indoor staircases are well-lit and have railings. It can even be helpful to add brightly colored tape to stairs so they're easy to see. Clean up clutter from the floor so nothing is sitting in the way of walkways or staircases. Everyday Health recommends wearing shoes or non-slip socks in the house to reduce your slipping risk.

Fall-Proof Your Bathroom

The threat of accidents in the bathroom can be a major cause of concern for seniors and their family members. According to Independent Home, many falls happen when people get in and out of the bathtub or shower. To avoid this, place non-slip mats in your shower and on the floor outside it. Putting a sturdy chair directly in the shower can also be helpful. Grab bars and handrails in the bathroom provide extra support when using the toilet or bathtub and save you from a fall if you do happen to slip. Liquid soap and shampoo dispensers can be mounted on your shower wall so you don't have to reach for these items. Also, consider installing a night light in your bathroom so you don't risk falls at night when you get up to use the toilet.

Consider Moving to an Accessible Home

If you’re unable to make your required home modifications for any reason, consider moving to an accessible house. Accessible homes in Pasadena, California, typically sell for $950,000. These homes usually include a step-free entrance, wide door frames, step-free showers and bathtubs, non-slip bathroom floors, and grab bars. If you're in a wheelchair, look for tiled or timber flooring that is easier to roll over. Make a checklist of everything you need in an accessible home before starting your search. Then, use online filters to search for accessible homes for sale in your area.

Of course, keeping yourself in good physical health will make aging in place much easier to accomplish. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and minimizing stress.

If you're worried about aging in your home alone, remote monitoring systems and fall alerts can notify family members if you ever need help.

Just remember, many people have successfully aged at home, and you can too!

For additional information contact:

Kent Elliott

https://athomeaging.info/my-book/

 

info@athomeaging.info

 

75 percent - https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/usoa-survey/2015-results/

aging in place - https://www.simplyss.com/blog/aging-in-place-a-seniors-guide/

cause of injury - https://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i5190

making repairs - https://www.alliancehhcare.com/resources/modifying-home-fall-prevention/?doing_wp_cron=1530795073.7342660427093505859375

Everyday health - https://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx

Independent home  - https://independenthome.com/six-concrete-and-effective-ways-to-accident-proof-your-bathroom/