Medicare Rx Access Network of Louisiana

08/14/2025

As we age, driving can become more challenging. But with the right steps, older adults can stay safe and independent on the road 🚗

Here are some tips for safer driving:
👩‍⚕️ Talk to your doctor about any health concerns that may affect driving
🏃‍♂️ Stay physically active to maintain strength and flexibility
👓 Keep your vision and hearing in check. Wear glasses or hearing aids as needed
🚘 Choose a car with safety features like backup cameras and large mirrors
🌙 Avoid driving at night or during bad weather if visibility is an issue
🧠 Don’t drive if you’re drowsy, stressed, or on medications that affect focus
📵 Limit distractions and always wear your seatbelt

🔗 https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/safe-driving-older-adults -up

08/13/2025

Aging well isn’t just about staying physically active. It’s about doing what brings you joy, purpose, and connection. Whether it’s joining a hiking club, taking an art class, or volunteering in your community, staying engaged can boost your health and happiness.

Benefits of an active lifestyle for older adults:
1. Lowers risk of diseases like dementia, heart disease, and cancer 🔬
2. Increases lifespan and life satisfaction 😄
3. Reduces depression and boosts happiness ⚡
4. Builds resilience and emotional strength ❤️‍🩹
5. Supports memory and thinking skills 🧠

🎨🧘‍♂️🎶 From gardening and yoga to music, volunteering, and learning something new, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Start small, find what you love, and enjoy the journey.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/participating-activities-you-enjoy-you-age

08/06/2025

How can you stay active as you get older?

❤️ Get your heart beating faster with aerobic activity! Aerobic activity helps you do everyday tasks and keep your mind & memory sharp. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Try walking around the neighborhood, playing pickleball or tennis 🏓, swimming 🏊, or biking 🚴‍♂️

💪 Build your muscle strength. Muscle-strengthening activity can make it easier to do things like getting up from a chair or opening a jar 🫙 Try activities such as carrying groceries, squats, lunges, or lifting weights 🏋️‍♂️ Aim for at least two days of muscle-strengthening activities per week!

⚖️ Work on your balance! Balancing activities can lower your risk of falls. Try standing on one leg, walking backwards or sideways, or participating in yoga or tai chi 🧘‍♀️ If needed, hold on to a chair for support.

It’s never too late to start being active.
🚲 Discover more:
https://odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/PAG_MYW_FactSheet_OlderAdults_07-08_508c.pdf

08/05/2025

Benefits of Journaling for Seniors:

🧠 Managing Stress: Journaling provides you with the opportunity to express your thoughts & feelings, the opportunity to brainstorm solutions, and process events

🎟️ Preserving Your Memories: Your journal serves as a personal memoir to refresh your memory and help you relive fond past experiences. Include ticket stubs, photos, postcards, or any other fun souvenirs!

🖍️ Establishing a Creative Outlet: Using your journal for something other than recording your daily activities can make it a breeding ground for creativity! Compose poems 🎶, incorporate doodles & collages, write down a family recipe 🥧, or respond to prompts. Research shows that creative activities help reduce feelings of depression and isolation

📚 Create a Memory Book: For those in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, a memory book can be especially valuable. A memory book incorporates photographs of significant memories with text below each image 🎢. This is a fantastic way to spur fun conversations!

📖 Discover more:

With the new year in full effect, it may be a great time to pick up a new daily habit: journaling. Starting a journal can help to improve your wellbeing […]

07/30/2025

Cognitive fitness depends on your healthy and adaptable brain! Maintaining cognitive fitness involves combining mental, physical, and social activities.

🥗 Eat a brain-healthy diet: Avoiding excessive sugar and processed foods can help maintain mental clarity and prevent inflammation.

🚴‍♂️ Engage in regular physical activity: Both aerobic exercise and strength training increase blood flow to the brain and reduce stress and inflammation.

💤 Prioritize quality sleep: Sleep not only strengthens important memories, but also helps regulate emotions and integrate new knowledge with prior experiences, making it crucial for neuroplasticity.

🎻 Challenge your brain: Try something new like learning a new language or skill, increase the difficulty of your puzzles or reading materials, and incorporate music and movement into your routine!

🫂 Nurture social connections: Stay socially active by traveling to new places, attending cultural events, joining social groups, and spending time with friends & family.

🧠 Manage stress: An effective approach to combatting stress is mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, listening to music, and spending time in nature!

📚 Learn more:

Learn what neuroplasticity is and how you can leverage it to maintain cognitive fitness as you age. Discover brain exercises, learning strategies, and lifestyle habits that support brain health....

07/29/2025

“Attention is the most crucial factor when it comes to memory.” 🧠💡

As our brains age, our attention & memory tend to become a little fuzzier. Mindfulness, the practice of focusing on the present moment, is the solution! ☀️ How can you practice mindfulness?

🌳 Go on a walk and pay attention to everything around you
🥑 Pay attention while you eat, savoring every bite
Focus on your senses and breathing
🧩 Engage in the present moment during any activity

💚 Learn more:

Mindfulness might help improve attention and memory. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment, including thoughts, feelings, and all information coming in from the senses, such...

07/23/2025

Healthy eating changes as we age! Here are 4 ways to keep eating well:

🍉 Know what a healthy plate looks like
🍎 Look for important nutrients
🥭 Read the nutrition facts label
🍐 Use recommended servings

Learn more:

Giving your body the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight can help you stay active and independent. Get tips on how to find the best foods for your body and your budget.

07/22/2025

Healthy & 65+? Stay active with these 5 kinds of exercises:
🏃‍♂️ Aerobic (walking, swimming)
💪 Muscle-strengthening
🧘 Balance training
🤸 Flexibility exercises
🔄 Multicomponent (mix of the above)

📖 Learn more:

Eating better and moving more can help you stay healthy as you age. Learn what you can do to stay healthy and fit.

07/16/2025

Sleep impacts our memory performance. Restorative sleep is key to our health, but what are some practical tips for getting better sleep and boosting our memory?
💤 Maintain a regular sleep schedule
🛏️ Reserve your bedroom for sleep
☕ Avoid food & drinks too close to bedtime
📵 Reduce your screen time
🪥 Develop an evening routine
😴 Address anxiety around sleep
🧠 Discover more:

🥱 Not sleeping well? These 🥝 8 foods🥝 just might offer the natural solution you’ve been hoping for. Learn why they work, how much to consume, and when to consume them for optimal results.

07/15/2025

The Council on Aging has some great tips for you to stay cool during the hot summers:
🚰 Stay Hydrated: Drink eight or more glasses of water a day.
💊 Know the side effects of medication, such as drowsiness or sun sensitivity.
📅 Plan your days accordingly depending on the weather.
🏊‍♂️ Stay cool indoors in air conditioning or go swimming outdoors.
👚 Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing.
☎️ Have a list of people to call in case of emergency.

Read more:

Learn summer safety tips for seniors to avoid heat-related illnesses. Stay hydrated, dress appropriately, and monitor health to stay safe in the heat.

03/06/2025

Making better food choices means avoiding certain foods such as:
🍷 Alcohol
🍟 High-sodium foods
🍔 Fast food

You may already know what foods seniors should eat—but which foods should they steer clear of? Here are some dietary disasters to limit or avoid and some better choices to help keep older adults feeling their best.

03/05/2025

Eye health tips for seniors:
🕶️ Get regular eye exams to detect and treat problems early
🕶️ Protect your eyes from sunlight by wearing sunglasses that block UV radiation
🕶️ Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to support eye health
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vision-and-vision-loss/aging-and-your-eyes