My Blue Space

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in beach, blogging, Blue Space, diginanna, diginannadublin, HEALTH, Heart, older adults, older people, relaxed, sky, social media, sun, Uncategorized, waves, Website, wellbeing, Wordpress • Tagged beach, Blue Space, summer, water, wellness • Leave a comment

Last weekend I headed down to my Blue Space in a little corner of Ireland. It is a month later than usual but now it is time to open up the holiday home for a new season. My Blue Space is in the sunny south-east. It is a little peace of heaven.

A Blue Space is known for its good qualities for health and wellbeing. Health and the visibility of water is known as “Blue Space”. The sounds of waves alters wave patterns in the brain (according to a number of articles on recent studies) and make you happier and relaxed which in turn helps rejuvenate the mind and body.

There are lots of benefits of having a Blue Space. The sea air is charged with healthy negative ions (the science bit) so you sleep soundly as the ions accelerate the ability to absorb oxygen. This is so true, I always sleep better when I have had a walk on the beach, especially if it is in the evening time. Another scientific fact is that when you float in the sea water, the blood from your lower limbs is pumped towards the abdominal region, which is nearer the heart. This occurs as you are no longer standing upright and this fresh blood brings more oxygen to the brain making you more alert and active. You get increased levels of serotonin which is a chemical in the body and this attributes to wellbeing and happiness. There is no better feeling than floating in the sea looking up at the sky. Ah Bliss. I can’t wait for a dip in the ocean.

If you are blessed with a sunny day in your Blue Space then endorphins are released as the heat of the sun allows the endocrine system secrete these natural chemicals to make you feel relaxed and less stressed. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) then a Blue Space with the benefit of the sun is good for you. I love that first feeling of the sun on your face when you just have to close your eyes and enjoy the feeling. Here comes the sun (doo doo doo). Here comes the sun and I say, it’s all right…….by the Beatles. Can you hear it in your head now.

Enjoy your Blue Space wherever you find it, I know I will.

SPRINGTIME

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in birds, blogging, daffodils, daylight savings, diginannadublin, flowers, HEALTH, lambs, leaves, older adults, older people, older person, poems, relaxed, social media, Spring, sun, Tulips, Uncategorized, walk, walking, Website, Wordpress • Leave a comment

Spring is here, even though some days we would not think it. But yes, you can feel a change in the air. It is brighter in the mornings and the days are getting warmer and a little longer. Flowers are appearing and leaves and plants are starting to grow again. Spring the season of the year between winter and summer, lasting from March to June north of the equator, and from September to December south of the equator. It is also time for daylight savings and the clocks spring forward this weekend.

Spring is a time of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. Over the years there have been many poems written about Spring. Some come to mind that I learned many years ago in English class at school written by William Blake, William Wordsworth, George Manley Hopkins, Philip Larkin to name but a few.

One of my favourite poems about Springtime is by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

A song that comes to mind at this time of year is about tulips by Max Bygraves

When its Spring again I’ll bring again
Tulips from Amsterdam
With a heart that’s true I’ll give to you
Tulips from Amsterdam
I can’t wait until the day you fill
These eager arms of mine
Like the windmill keeps on turning
That’s how my heart keeps on yearning
For the day I know we can share these
Tulips from Amsterdam

Spring is a time of hope, joy, newness. Lambing season is upon us. You can hear the birds singing in the trees and they are gathering material to build their nests. Winter is over. The dark dark days are gone. Banish those winter blues and put a spring in your step and enjoy all that nature has to offer for free. Look forward to something new each day. Spring time is the land awakening. Enjoy it.

My Blue Space

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in beach, blogging, Blue Space, diginanna, diginannadublin, HEALTH, Heart, older adults, older people, relaxed, sky, social media, sun, Uncategorized, waves, Website, wellbeing, Wordpress • 1 Comment

Soon I shall be heading to my Blue Space. It is time to open up the holiday home for a new season. My Blue Space is in the sunny south-east. It is a little peace of heaven.

Enjoy your Blue Space wherever you find it, I know I will.

JANUARY BLUES

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, blogging, Christmas, December, diginanna, diginannadublin, family, HEALTH, January, January Blues, Little Christmas, New Year, New Year Resolution, Nollaig Na Mbna, older adults, older people, social media, Uncategorized, Website, Wordpress • Leave a comment

January, the month of new resolutions, new starts, new promises, new, new, new.

Christmas has come and gone for another year. All the partying is over. A busy couple of weeks from the 8th December when the city centre is crowded with shoppers to the 6th January when little Christmas is celebrated. Over the past 6 years, I have celebrated the 6th January with my girlfriends in recognition of Nollaig na mBna. This is when the menfolk look after the house and the family so that the women can have a party among themselves. The excuse was to use up all the left over pudding and cake and drink. It was traditionally celebrated in the country more so that in the big smoke. We thought it was a good idea to start our own Nollaig na mBna in my house and it has been great so far. There isn’t a better way to start off the month of January than having a group of female friends over for a bite to eat, a drink or two and a good old chat.

women-enjoying-dinner-and-some-wine-royalty-free-clipart-picture-emuqxc-clipart

The Christmas decorations are put away and the place looks bare. It takes a while to get used to normality again in the house. Great plans are made for the weeks and months ahead. The weather is cold and damp but there is an expectancy in the air. 2017 here we come. January is a great month to start something new, to give it a go, even if you tried the same thing last January and failed. I love to see all the walkers out in force, determined to lose those pounds that stuck to them while they enjoyed the festive season. It is like an army on the move. The supermarkets are full of people buying healthy options and lots and lots of fruit and veg. Spirits are high, recipes are swapped and we get through these first few weeks that can sometimes be tough on us. Those who are lucky enough can escape to sunnier climates for a few weeks to get over the hurdle and into the spring. The rest of us scan the travel websites, or look through the glossy brochures planning the holiday in the sun in 5 or 6 months time.

January can be as good as you make it. Enjoy the newness of it and make it count.

HSE may extend ‘home from home’ for elderly

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, blogging, boarding out, diginanna, diginannadublin, domain, Dublin, Elderly, Facebook, family, Google+, HEALTH, Heart, home from home, HSE, older adults, social media, TECHNOLOGY, Website, Wordpress • Leave a comment

I was browsing the internet and came across this article. Very interesting and is already in operation in some towns in Ireland.

By Claire O’Sullivan of the Irish Examiner Reporter on Monday, November 14, 2016

The expansion of a little- known scheme where families are paid to take in elderly people so they can live their lives in a ‘home away from home’ is being considered by the HSE.

The scheme ‘can be of great benefit to the host family and the older person’, said Mervyn Taylor of Sage.

Under the existing ‘boarding out’ scheme, the HSE pays the homeowner an amount of not more than half the weekly rate of the State pension. In addition, the older person pays an additional sum agreed with the HSE and the house owner.

The scheme operates in Donegal, Mayo, Longford/Westmeath, Louth, and Meath and approximately 50 older people avail of it every year. Last year, up to 15 households took part in the scheme at a cost of €320,000.

The householder must “provide suitable and sufficient care, nutritious and varied food, and adequate attendance, having regard to the needs of the person”.

According to the HSE, relatives “generally” do not take part in the scheme and householders are vetted.

Under its 2016 service plan, the HSE has set up a working group to review the scheme and make recommendations “on the potential for developing and extending the scheme nationally as an additional option of care services for older people”.

The working group will look at international best practice in the area and look at identifying a best model of care for an expanded service.

Mervyn Taylor, manager of Sage, the support and advocacy service for older people, said the ‘home from home’ scheme offers “choice and flexibility and has very many positives for older people and for families”.

“We need a wider range of options for older people and this is one innovative scheme that already exists and should be nurtured,” said Mr Taylor.

“It’s an option that keeps elderly people who do not have a high level of care needs in the community. Once it has light, but sensitive oversight, it can be of great benefit to the family and the older person.”

The working group will also review the 1993 boarding out regulations, identify the scope to expand the scheme to other Community Health Organisation areas, identify the requirements and costs of an expanded scheme.

It is anticipated that the working group will submit its recommendations to the HSE Head of Operations & Service Improvement Services for Older People before end of the year.

A catch up with DigiNanna

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, assignment, Autumn, blogging, college, daylight savings, diginanna, diginannadublin, domain, Dublin, Exercise, halloween, HEALTH, leaves, November, older people, walking, web, Wordpress • 1 Comment

DigiNannaDublin now has a registered domain. I know that may not mean a lot to everyone, but I am very proud to have committed to this as it is the next step in the development and promotion of the website. I am also in the process of designing business cards. That is how serious I am about DigiNannaDublin.

DigiNanna is in the middle of college assignments and reading week for mid-term. We had daylight savings on Sunday with the clocks going back. Over the years whenever it was possible I would love to leave my clock as normal at this daylight saving time of year and then come mid afternoon change it back an hour. I always thought it was more beneficial to me psychologically that way. I know that when you have to be somewhere at a certain time it is not possible to do this, but you should try is one year and see what I mean. I can’t say the same for Spring daylight saving time as it is always hard to adjust to losing an hour in your day.

There is a change in the air today (1st November) even though the past few days have been sunny. It is has a very Autumn feel to it. (if you know what I mean). Over the past few weeks, there have been tons of leaves swirling around the garden. I love to walk among them feeling them crunch under my feet. (you big kid, I can hear you say).

I took a walk at the weekend up the hill to the ‘Hellfire Club’. The views over Dublin are breathtaking and worth the climb. It was a while since I have walked an incline so, at first I was very slow, but gradually got into my stride weaving round the bends towards the top. There were families with children of all ages walking up to the top also, one man even had his baby in a backpack carrier thingy for kids. Some energetic walkers took the very steep climb direct up the hill through the forest. It was exhilarating getting to the top. I definitely recommend it.

Yesterday was Halloween and I had the usual treats for callers to the door. Over the past few years, the number of callers has diminished and more often than not the treats ended up being given to family and friends or eaten by yours truly. I only got a few treats ready for Halloween and luckily there was enough for the few callers that came to DigiNanna’s door. I loved Halloween as a kid and have great memories of trick or treat and party games. I am reliving all this now through my grandchildren.

I plan to go for more walks during the week and get some fresh air so that I can recharge my batteries for the next few weeks. November and December shall be interesting and exciting in college as I complete my course in Digital Marketing. Looking forward to sharing all things of interest to older people and of course, those of you who are not old but follow DigiNannaDublin.

FIVE STEPS TO A HEALTHY BRAIN

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, blogging, Brain, Dementia, diginanna, diginannadublin, Exercise, Facebook, Google+, HEALTH, Heart, older people, social media, TECHNOLOGY, twitter, Wordpress • 1 Comment

Challenge Your Brain

Being smart is more than facts and knowledge, it’s being resourceful and insightful and challenging your brain in different ways. Don’t get stuck in a brain rut, learn something new, you might discover a talent you never thought you had.

EXERCISE

Exercise helps to form connections between brain cells and it also helps us to de-stress. You don’t have to join a gym or become a marathon runner, 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise five days a week will keep your brain healthy and happy and you’ll also feel great.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is really important for a healthy and happy brain. Fruit, vegetables and fish are all great healthy options.

Take Care of Your Heart

What is good for your heart is also good for your brain. On your next visit to your GP get your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked. Maintain a healthy weight, know your BMI and if you smoke, try an give them up.

Stay Socially Connected

Connecting and interacting with people helps to grow new connections in your brain.Meet friends and family for a cup of coffee or other activities you enjoy doing together.

Dementia Ireland

DigiNanna is back in college

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, blogging, Facebook, Google+, graduation, HEALTH, instagram, linkedIn, Pinterest, Public Relations, Snapchat, social media, TECHNOLOGY, twitter, UX, web, Whatsapp, Wordpress • Leave a comment

DigiNanna is back in college to finish her course in Digital Marketing. I will be attending class two nights a week in the National College of Ireland until Christmas but have to work on assignments afterwards until the end of January before I can breath and say I have finished. I hope to graduate next November 2017 all going well. This will be my second graduation in 3 years. I am a very lucky Nanna to have the opportunity to do this.

This semester we are studying two modules which are Social Medial and Public Relations and the other one is Technology and User Experience UX. I am enjoying both modules and learning new things all the time.

Time Management and organisation are keys to successful learning. It just takes a little while to get back into college mode. It is now a couple of weeks, so I can safely say I am in the thick of it. Part of our weekly homework is blogging on what we have learned and what we see all around us in relation to our course. It as been fun and you can follow my blog about that on my personal page click here

This is all relatively new to me and blogging is good for the soul. You too could do this. WordPress is a great site to get you started – see here for yourself get started

I also use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram. I have tried Snapchat for research purposes for college, but I have not got the hang of it yet. My adult children are very nimble on Snapchat and have great fun making funny photos to send to me especially of my 3 grandchildren. They also use it to keep up with their friends and cousins some of whom live abroad. Of course, there is the app that is ‘the next best thing since sliced bread’. WhatsApp. This is the most used app within my family circle. My parents who are new to phone apps love this as they can get messages and photos from all the family free of charge.

Facebook is a great tool for keeping in contact with family and friends especially those overseas or those that you only meet from time to time. You can set up private groups for family/friends and share stories, photos, updates. I have a few groups, family, school friends, classmates from two different colleagues. There are also groups for like minded people and its good to see what else is out there. You are always sure to pick up a tip or two during your browse through Facebook.

I have been at the computer for a while now and its time to unwind with a soap or two on TV. I hope that I may have inspired someone to give social media a go and let me know what you are up to so that DigiNannaDublin can follow you.

DigiNannaDublin’s First Event

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in Ageing, blogging, HEALTH, social media, TECHNOLOGY • Tagged age action, Ageing, antica venezia, arts centre, cafe, coffee, diginanna, diginannadublin, elderhomesshare, Elderly, hobarts cafe, positive ageing, ranelagh, Seniors, Silver Surfer, social media, twitter • Leave a comment

Yesterday Wednesday 28th September 2016 saw DigiNannaDublin host their 1st event. It was for Positive Ageing Week with Age Action Ireland and was held in Hobart’s Cafe in Ranelagh, Dublin 6. DigiNanna Dublin chatted with some great characters over coffee and a scone.

We met the owners Karen and Deborah who are two very hard-working ladies who are always smiling. The description on their Twitter page @hobartscafe is – We serve traditional breakfast all day and Healthy Lunch specials. In Ranelagh we open 7 days a week from 8-4. Everything is home-cooked, served with a smile!

Liz from Antica Venezia Restaurant in Ranelagh joined us for coffee and told us of the history of their restaurant. The description on their Twitter page @AnticaVeneziaD6 is – Antica Venezia established in 1997 and is still run by its founders. We preserve the tradition of excellence in Italian Food and in service.

A number of regulars called into the cafe for their ‘usual’ but other new customers responded to the Facebook posts and Twitter tweets. This demonstrated the power of social media exchange and interaction of DigiNannaDublin.

Saoirse from @elderhomeshare called in as she was in the area distributing leaflets about Elder Homeshare which is a resource for sourcing & vetting tenants for older home-owners with a room to rent creating positive cross generational living.

We also chatted to Grace who is a breath of fresh air. She is a retired lady who now works tirelessly at making Ranelagh look beautiful with boxes flowing over with flowers. She is also involved in the Tidy Towns and was delighted with the work that has been done in Ranelagh. She is also involved in the local Arts Centre.

Caroline who is a local artist chatted to us about her work and Drew who also works at the Arts Centre called in for a coffee and a chat. Paddy and Catherine were reminiscing about how they met 53 years ago in Ranelagh and John told a story about how he came shopping in Ranelagh on the back of his mothers bike.

Positive Ageing week has many events this week in Ireland and hopefully you have or will be able to partake in one in your area. Even though this week is marked for Positive Ageing every day should be celebrated in this way.

12 Summer Safety Tips for the Elderly

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Caroline Brennan • Posted in HEALTH • Tagged Ageing, Elderly, Hyperthemia, Seniors, Silver Surfer, Summer Safety • Leave a comment

The summertime is a time of fun and relaxation for most people. But for seniors, the heat and sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are some great tips that the elderly, as well as their caregivers, can use to make sure they have a fun, safe summer.

Stay Hydrated
Seniors are more susceptible to dehydration than younger people because they lose their ability to conserve water as they age. They also can become less aware of their thirst and have difficulty adjusting to temperature changes. Remember to drink water often, and be sure to pack some for those long summer drives.Dr. William Greenough, of Johns Hopkins Geriatric Centre, says that caregivers should make sure seniors are drinking sweat replacement products (that contain salt and potassium) to replace water they lose during the summer.
Talk to Your Doctor
Check with your medical team to make sure any medications you are on won’t be affected by higher temperatures — especially if you don’t have air conditioning in your home. Some medications are less effective if stored at temperatures higher than room temperature (approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and the last thing anyone wants is for a preventable medical condition to become aggravated due to high temperatures.
Keep Your Cool
Even small increases in temperature can shorten the life expectancy for seniors who are coping with chronic medical conditions. Shopping malls, movie theaters and libraries provide welcome, cool spaces if a senior’s own home isn’t air conditioned. They also afford a great opportunity to get out of the house and get some exercise, without the exhaustion of the heat. Contact your local Area Agency on Ageing to inquire if there are any programs to assist seniors with fewer resources to get air conditioners. “Seniors are much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of heat, as their bodies do not adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature,” shares Dr. Lubna Javed of Health Care Partners Medical Group. “Some chronic medical conditions and prescription medications can impair the body’s ability to react efficiently to rising temperature.”
Stay in Touch
High temperatures can be life-threatening, so communication plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the elderly. For seniors, you should let friends and family know if you’ll be spending an extended period of time outdoors, even if you’re only gardening. “Caregivers should check on the health and welfare of their loved ones at least twice a day,” suggests Dr. Javed.
Meet Your Neighbours
Get in touch with those who live in your neighbourhood and learn a bit about them and their schedules. If you are elderly, see if a younger neighbour — perhaps even one of their kids — can come by and check on you occasionally to make sure everything is all right. The extra company and friendship that can result is a bonus!
Know Who to Call
Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers and place them in an easy to access area. This way, the right people can be called to help quickly preventing any further issues or preventing medical problems from getting worse.
Wear the Right Stuff
Everyone, including seniors, should dress for the weather. When it’s warm out, some people find natural fabrics (such as cotton) to be cooler than synthetic fibres. Stock your summer wardrobe with light-coloured and loose-fitting clothes to help feel cooler and more comfortable.
Protect Your Eyes
Vision loss can be common among the elderly, and too much exposure to the sun can irritate eyes and cause further damage. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and preserve your vision.
Know the Risks of Hyperthermia
During the summer, be particularly cautious about abnormally high body temperatures — a condition known as Hyperthermia. Heat stroke is an advanced form of Hyperthermia that can be life-threatening. Make sure to know the warning signs and get medical attention immediately if you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms:”Elderly individuals have a harder time knowing when they are dehydrated and their bodies have more difficulty regulating their temperatures,” says Dr. Ronan Factora of the Cleveland Clinic says. “As a result, they are more prone to heat stroke.” If you (or an elderly loved one) start to feel any of these symptoms, ask for medical help and then get out of the heat, lie down and place ice packs on your body.
- Body temperature greater than 104 degrees
- A change in behaviour, such as acting confused, agitated or grouchy
- Dry, flushed skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Heavy breathing or a rapid pulse
- Not sweating, even if it’s hot out
- Fainting
Rub on Sunscreen and Wear Hats
Everyone, young and old, should wear sunscreen when outdoors. The elderly especially need the extra sun protection to help keep them healthy. Caregivers, family and friends can help by gently reminding loved ones about applying sunscreen and helping to put it on when necessary. Hats are also a great idea, especially for those with light coloured hair and those with only distant memories of a full head of hair.
Apply Bug Spray
The elderly is particularly prone to West Nile Virus and encephalitis, Dr. Factora notes. If you live in areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes and where West Nile Virus is present, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors (particularly at night), use mosquito repellent to help reduce the risk of getting bit by a mosquito carrying this virus.
Exercise Smart
If you enjoy outdoor activities such as walking or gardening, make sure to wear the proper clothing and protective gear. It is also important to keep track of time. Do not stay out for long periods and make sure to drink even more water than usual when exercising. Also consider getting outdoor exercise earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is not at its peak.

If you follow these tips, there’s no reason you can’t have an enjoyable and fun-filled summer — no matter how old you are.

DigiNanna

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Category Archives: HEALTH

A catch up with DigiNanna

12 Summer Safety Tips for the Elderly