Medicare Rx Access Network of Florida

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.