Your gardening days don’t have to be behind you just because you’re moving from a house to an apartment or nursing home; simply get creative and try a new method of gardening, using a series of containers. Here are 4 tips that will help you learn how to garden in an apartment or nursing home:

1. Get the right sized container – purchase containers or consider saving things from your recycling. All you need to do is punch a few holes in the bottom of the container to make it suitable for planting. Most vegetables require larger containers, although you might be able to use a recycled container the size of a large yogurt container for herbs, leaf lettuce, spinach and radishes

2. Use a good quality soil – purchase a high-quality potting soil or top soil in order to keep your container garden free of weeds.

3. Following planting instructions – if you’re planting vegetable plants or others which are already grown, place a little bit of soil at the bottom of the pot, remove the plant from its existing container and fill in any remaining space with the potting soil. When planting seeds, fill the pot completely with soil and follow directions for spacing

4. Care for as directed – put your pots in an area that will be the right temperature and have exposure to sunlight as directed. Water according to instructions.

Via: AFB Senior Site

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.

Polypharmacy is a common trend practiced among Florida seniors under the guidance of medical practitioners. One third of older adults are prescribed 5 or more prescription medications which are taken consecutively and this can increase the risk of drug interactions that can be harmful to their health. While if taken properly, multiple medications can be beneficial, there can be risks if the following tips are not taken to heart:

1. Keep medications documented – carrying a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications taken (including vitamins and supplements) can help ensure none are forgotten about when speaking with doctors and pharmacists. The list should also include why they’re taken, the dosage and frequency

2. Mention even over-the-counter medications to medical professionals –you might not think they’re important, but even over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements can interact

3. Don’t assume – don’t assume that your doctor remembers what they’ve prescribed you in the past. Doctors are often busy and frazzled. When they prescribe a new medication, don’t hesitate to ask them about potential interactions as a reminder

4. Make sure all doctors are aware of your prescriptions – if you’re a senor who sees multiple doctors or specialists, don’t automatically expect that information regarding your prescriptions has been shared. This is where having a complete list can come in handy and avoid issues with polypharmacy

5. Check out new drugs – sticking with one pharmacy will allow your pharmacist to verify that there will be no drug interactions; they might catch something your doctor hasn’t. Otherwise, take the initiative to research any new drugs for interactions yourself

6. Be cautious of side effects – don’t assume any side effects are just that, talk to your doctor to ensure they aren’t the result of drug interactions

Via: CSA Connections

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Home Care Florida and Senior Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Destin, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 850-243-6464.