tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75682614154924625962024-03-14T03:40:12.618-07:00Family Home Care"We're Ready to Come Help You."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-75065828575448085712019-11-14T11:38:00.000-08:002019-11-14T11:38:04.500-08:00Family Home Care Achieves ACHC Accreditation<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>August 9, 2019</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Media Contact:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Brett Summerville</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>A Perfect Family Circle, LLC</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>brett@aperfectfamilycircle.com</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>www.aperfectfamilycircle.com</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Medford, NJ – A Perfect Family Circle, LLC (Family Home Care) proudly announces its approval of accreditation status by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the services of Private-Duty Home Care.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Achieving accreditation is a process where healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is ISO 9001:2008 certified and has CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>A Perfect Family Circle, LLC is family owned and managed. We all come from a long line of caregivers and just love to help people. It's what we do, it's who we are, and it's why you should want us to help you. You can trust that we will be devoted to providing your loved one with the most compassionate care possible. We'll come to your home, sit down and talk with you and learn about your exact needs. We'll develop the best possible plan of care and ensure that every little detail has been consider.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>We want you to know that we are not just a staffing agency or simply a referral service. That's way too impersonal for us and not what we're all about. We offer premium home health and personal care services better than anyone because we consider our clients to be part of our family.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Please let us know if you're interested in learning more about what sets us apart from our competition!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>For more information, please visit www.aperfectfamilycircle.com, or contact us at info@aperfectfamilycircle.com or 855.523.2732.</b></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-41678544997601059682017-07-27T07:56:00.001-07:002017-07-27T07:56:50.029-07:00British Study Calls for End to “Age Apartheid”<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img height="179" src="http://media4.picsearch.com/is?qmOQMSJLwBmAf6INJfroXyBuylS5FRKMRJHPZ9ZSKSM&height=191" width="320" /></div>
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Like our own country, Britain is in the midst of a polarizing political situation—made worse by intergenerational tension. A recent report from the organization United for All Ages pinpointed part of the problem: the generations spend much less time together than they once did! We hear about people of various political beliefs isolating themselves into a “bubble.” It seems that the generations, too, spend less time interacting.</div>
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United for All Ages is a think tank and social enterprise promoting an “all ages” approach to key social and economic issues. They recently released a report with suggestions on how to improve the situation in Britain, which could be very useful for policymakers and senior service organizations in the U.S., as well. The report, <a href="http://unitedforallages.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/A-Country-for-All-Ages-January-2017.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">“A Country for All Ages: Ending Age Apartheid in Brexit Britain,”</a> calls for “bringing older and younger people together through building multigenerational communities, innovative two-way relationships and better communication between generations.”</div>
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“Tackling intergenerational inequality is the challenge of our times,” according to United for All Ages. Here are some of their recommendations:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Building multigenerational communities:</strong> support for community businesses, making public spaces and shops more accessible, opening up community facilities from universities to older people’s housing programs for all ages, and co-locating childcare and eldercare facilities</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Mutual support through two-way relationships:</strong> online mentoring of younger people, advocacy for older people needing health and social care, homeshare programs where younger people live with older people, and increased interaction between grandparents and grandchildren</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Better communication between generations:</strong> establishing a national council for all ages supported by an intergenerational convention bringing older and younger people together from across the country, building bridges between generations with shared identities and interests, and using theatre, other arts activities, and street parties.</li>
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Today in the U.S., we are seeing some of these innovations. Children’s day care facilities located in nursing homes, assisted living communities and adult day centers are benefiting both young and old participants. For better or for worse, we have more multigenerational households today as rising housing costs make it a smart economic choice for senior parents and adult children. And statistics show that retired baby boomers are providing a growing amount of childcare for grandchildren.</div>
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We can do much more! These policies and programs enable young people to benefit from the wisdom and experience of older citizens, and reduce ageism and the stigma surrounding aging—which not only hurts seniors, but also makes it less likely that younger people will plan for their later years and make healthy-aging-friendly lifestyle choices.</div>
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Said United for All Ages Director Stephen Burke, “By sharing our concerns and interests and sharing our experiences and community activities across generations, we can promote stronger understanding and trust between people of all ages. Starting in our neighborhoods and communities, we can all take responsibility to make it happen. In our aging society, this is the big challenge for social innovation in 2017 and beyond.”</div>
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<em>Source: IlluminAge AgeWise reporting on the “A Country for All Ages: Ending Age Apartheid in Brexit Britain” from <a href="http://unitedforallages.com/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">United for All Ages</a>. Read the whole report <a href="http://unitedforallages.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/A-Country-for-All-Ages-January-2017.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-8359711037686951392017-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:002017-07-21T07:51:30.311-07:00Can Skin Care Products Really “Turn Back Aging”?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for elderly skin care" height="212" src="http://rapidcity-490.comfortkeepers.com/Assets/CK490_in%20home%20elderly%20care_01.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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A celebrity touts the miraculous “fountain of youth” properties of an expensive face cream. A pop-up ad claims that “plastic surgeons don’t want you to know about this product that would put them out of business”! Dramatic before-and-after photos in the back of a gossip magazine show an elderly woman with a face of wrinkles, followed by a doctored “after” image with nary a line!</div>
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned a number of cosmetics companies that their marketing and advertising had crossed the line when making “anti-aging” claims. According to the FDA, these cosmetics makers claim their products can regenerate cells, boost the activity of genes and increase collagen and elastin in the skin. Said Dr. Linda Katz, director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “Consumers need to know that these drug claims have not been proven to the FDA when they are making a decision to purchase one of these products.”</div>
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Dr. Katz reported that the FDA has seen a huge growth in the number of products making these claims. Anyone who watches late-night TV, goes on the internet or riffles through the back pages of a magazine knows what she’s talking about. She says that if makers of a skin care product claim their lotion or supplement can “turn back the biological clock,” consumers should remember the old saying: “If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is.”</div>
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That doesn’t mean that there’s nothing we can do to keep our skin as healthy as possible as we grow older. Though the appearance of our skin as we grow older comes, to an extent, from the genes we’re born with, many important lifestyle choices can keep our skin healthy looking:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Use sunscreen.</strong> According to dermatologists, this is the top step we can take to protect our skin from premature aging. Sun exposure leads to freckles, age spots, leathery skin, spider veins and skin cancer. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Use a moisturizer.</strong> Especially during dry winter months, avoid chapping and cracking by applying a moisturizer to face, hands, and wherever else skin feels dry. Dermatologists say that certain ingredients are more effective at preventing wrinkles. But moisturizers need not be expensive. If yours has a high price tag, you may be paying for packaging and hype.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Cleanse gently.</strong> Washing our face and hands regularly is so important for infection control, but some cleansers can strip the natural oils from our skin, leading to cracks and wrinkles. Look for a skin-friendly, gentle cleanser.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Eat well and stay hydrated.</strong> A well-balanced diet that provides the nutrients we need helps keep our skin healthy. And drinking water helps us avoid dehydration of the skin – remember that alcoholic beverages have the opposite effect.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Avoid stress.</strong> A number of skin disorders have been linked to the effects of stress. Reduce stress triggers in your life as much as you can, and talk to your healthcare provider about stress management practices. Don’t forget that exercise is a top stress reducer, and is beneficial to the skin in many ways.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Get enough sleep.</strong> Sleep is the time when the body repairs and renews its various systems—including our skin. You’ve probably noticed that after a poor night’s sleep, your skin looks dull and saggy. This effect can be permanent if you continue to skimp on the shuteye.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Stop smoking.</strong> Smoking causes premature wrinkling and sagging of the skin by narrowing the blood vessels so skin can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to remain supple. Tobacco smoke also contains carbon monoxide and many harmful chemicals that destroy collagen and elastin.</li>
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If you have questions about your skin, talk to a dermatologist. These specialists can recommend products and procedures that improve the appearance and comfort of our skin as we grow older. Taking care of our whole body is the key to healthy-looking skin: It seems that beauty really isn’t skin deep!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-12768513299580484792017-06-09T05:45:00.000-07:002017-06-09T05:45:32.195-07:00Help Seniors Break the Cycle of Poor Health and Loneliness<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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Loneliness is a serious health problem for older adults. Studies over the past decade have found that feeling isolated can cause depression, raise our blood pressure, suppress our immune system, hasten the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and increase the perception of pain. Lonely people are less likely to exercise or eat a nutritious diet. A March 2017 <a href="http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/hea-hea0000467.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">study</a> from the American Psychological Association even noted that people who feel lonely have a worse time of it when they come down with the common cold!</div>
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With all this evidence that loneliness raises our risk of illness and disability, could the opposite also be true? Researcher Meaghan Barlow of the Personality, Aging, and Health Lab at Concordia University in Quebec said, “We were surprised by the amount of literature that examined whether people who are lonely are more likely to get sick. Yet none of them asked the opposite question: ‘Do sick people get lonely?’”</div>
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To find out, Barlow and her team conducted a <a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=2014-56053-001" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">study</a> of seniors with chronic illness, and found that illness can indeed lead to loneliness. The team urged people who are dealing with chronic illness to make social connections a priority. Said Barlow, “Putting a halt to socializing only contributes to a downward spiral. Dealing with a chronic illness shouldn’t prevent you from still trying to get out there if you can.”</div>
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The team warns of one pitfall: People with chronic conditions may blame themselves for the illness they are dealing with. Barlow said, “The fact that loneliness can lead to further complications means that measures can be taken to prevent the effects from looping back around. Finding different ways to connect with other people also means you are less likely to blame yourself for being sick.”</div>
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Another finding confirms that an ill person’s spouse or partner can’t provide all the social support they need. Said Barlow, “You can’t count on a partner to fill that gap. The quality of our social ties plays a role when it comes to coping with the effects of serious disease in later life. And just having a partner around may not be enough.”</div>
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Understanding this cycle can motivate ill seniors, their families and our public and private senior care organizations to make social opportunities a priority. Adapted activities, transportation and senior support services all help. And support groups can be of great benefit. When we’re dealing with a chronic condition, who better to understand what we’re going through than other people who are coping with the same challenges? Organizations that advocate for and serve the needs of people with health conditions often sponsor support groups—for example, the <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/local-offices/?loc=superfooter" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">American Diabetes Association</a>, the <a href="http://www.lung.org/support-and-community/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">American Lung Association</a>, The <a href="http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Alzheimer’s Association</a> and the <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Support/Support_UCM_001103_SubHomePage.jsp" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">American Heart Association</a>. Support groups traditionally have met in person, but today more and more seniors are enjoying virtual companionship and a real mood boost through online support groups.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-5518786519092692032017-05-03T13:28:00.000-07:002017-05-03T13:28:04.801-07:00Before Your Cinco de Mayo Party, Check Your Medication Labels<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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<em>Planning a margarita party for Cinco de Mayo? The National Institute on Aging says seniors should review their medications first, to prevent dangerous drug-alcohol interactions.</em></div>
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As we grow older, we’re more likely to develop health conditions that can affect our quality of life. The medications we take help us manage these conditions. But medications often have side effects, either by themselves, or in combination with other drugs. As we grow older, we’re more likely to experience these side effects, because our bodies process substances differently than they did when we were younger.</div>
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The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) also warns that many of these drugs can be dangerous if we take them with alcohol. These medications include those prescribed for common conditions such as:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Depression</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Diabetes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">High blood pressure</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Sleep problems</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Arthritis</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Mood disorders</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Cough and cold</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Blood clots</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Enlarged prostate</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Heartburn and indigestion</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">High cholesterol</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Pain</li>
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Just as our bodies process medications differently as we age, we’re also more affected by alcohol—and the combined effects of both. Shedding light on the extent of this problem, the NIAAA conducted a study of 26,000 adults and found that almost half of senior adults who drink alcohol also take some of the above medications, putting themselves at risk of side effects that range from mild—nausea, headaches, loss of coordination—to severe, including internal bleeding, heart problems and difficulty breathing.</div>
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“Our findings show that a substantial percentage of people who drink regularly, particularly older adults, could be at risk of harmful alcohol and medication interactions,” said Dr. Rosalind Breslow, an epidemiologist in NIAAA’s Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research. “We suggest that people talk to their doctor or pharmacist about whether they should avoid alcohol while taking their prescribed medications.”</div>
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Dr. Breslow also recently reported that more seniors today are using alcohol, and many of them are drinking more than is safe. These studies remind us that drinking too much is very bad for the health of seniors—and when you add medications to the mix, the results can be deadly.</div>
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Visit the <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a> website to find a complete list of commonly used medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) that can have a negative reaction with alcohol.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-8391305762989330072017-04-29T05:24:00.000-07:002017-04-29T05:24:31.053-07:00Seniors and Food Safety: Do You Know the Facts?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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Do you like to watch cooking shows? A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior suggests that the popularity of these programs might be one of the reasons that fewer Americans are taking precautions to avoid foodborne illness.</div>
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According to researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, during the past decade, fewer consumers reported that they practice food safety steps, such as washing their hands before handling food or keeping food at a safe temperature. To see if cooking shows set a bad example, the researchers watched several episodes of 10 popular shows and rated them on safe food handling practices.</div>
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Reported study author Nancy Cohen, PhD, RD, LDN, FAND, “The majority of practices rated were out of compliance or conformance with recommendations in at least 70 percent of episodes and food safety practices were mentioned in only three episodes.” Cohen added, “For most behaviors observed, the percentage of shows in conformance with recommended practices was much lower than that seen in restaurant employees and consumers in general.”</div>
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Cohen suggests that cooking shows could step up their game in this department. She says, “There are many opportunities on cooking shows to educate the public regarding safe food handling practices and help reduce the incidence of foodborne illness. Similarly, nutrition and food safety educators could work with the media to produce shows that demonstrate positive food safety behaviors and educate consumers about food safety practices as they adopt recipes.”</div>
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that each year, one in six Americans—that’s 48 million of us—will get sick, be hospitalized and even die when harmful microorganisms—mostly bacteria, but sometimes viruses, parasites, molds or toxins—get into our bodies by means of the food or liquids we consume.</div>
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Being informed about food safety is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones. When it comes to foodborne illness, what you don’t know <em>can</em> hurt you! Read on to find out how much you know about foodborne illness … including the special concerns of older adults.</div>
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<strong>Myth #1: Only small children are at risk for severe cases of foodborne illness.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> For most people, the symptoms of food poisoning, while definitely unpleasant, are short-term and not life-threatening. But certain populations are at higher risk of hospitalization, permanent health problems, and even death. This includes children, people with HIV/AIDS, and people older than 65. As we grow older, we are at greater risk because of …</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Decreased immune system efficiency, so we can’t fight off bacteria as effectively as when we were younger</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Reduced amount of stomach acid, which allows more bacteria to survive in the digestive tract</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Impaired vision and sense of taste, so we become less likely to notice if food is spoiled.</li>
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<strong>Myth #2: Stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea and fever are usually caused by “the flu.”</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Influenza (“the flu”) is a respiratory ailment, including sore throat, body aches, and sometimes a runny nose. Some people erroneously use the term “stomach flu” when they mean gastrointestinal (digestive) illness: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The germs that cause gastrointestinal illness most often enter the body through contaminated food or water.</div>
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<strong>Myth #3: Foodborne illness always strikes within minutes of a person’s consuming contaminated food.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Sometimes, food poisoning symptoms are obvious within 20 minutes. But in many more cases, it takes days or even weeks for symptoms to appear. The effects of foodborne illness most often last for a day or two, but can persist for over a week.</div>
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<strong>Myth #4: Only meat and dairy products can harbor harmful bacteria.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Undercooked or raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs are indeed the most common culprits in food poisoning, because they provide the best environment in which harmful germs can flourish. But other foods can also harbor bacteria that can make you sick. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, and unpasteurized juice. When purchasing and preparing food, take these sensible precautions:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">At the grocery store, inspect meat packages for tears, eggs for cracked shells, and all products for expired “sell-by” dates.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Wash hands before preparing food.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Use only acrylic or plastic cutting boards, and clean thoroughly with hot water and soap after use—or better yet, in the dishwasher. It’s safest to use one board for meat, and another for produce.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Cook meats to the recommended temperature (for example, beef to at least 160°, poultry to at least 180°, fish to at least 140°).</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Wash fresh produce.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Purchased pasteurized juices only (check for a warning label if you’re not sure).</li>
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<strong>Myth #5: So long as you cook meat, poultry and seafood to the recommended temperature, you won’t come into contact with harmful bacteria.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Proper cooking is important. But one big culprit in food poisoning is <em>cross-contamination</em>, when the juices from uncooked meat come into contact with other foods. It can begin right at the grocery store, if fresh produce and raw meat juices touch in the shopping cart. And give your food preparation practices a checkup. What about that cutting board? When you were done working on the raw chicken, did you then use the same surface to prepare a fresh salad? And if you were cooking on the grill, did you place the cooked steak onto a clean plate instead of the same one on which you carried the raw meat?</div>
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<strong>Myth #6: Let hot foods cool down thoroughly before putting them away, so you don’t damage your refrigerator.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> The claim that hot food can damage your refrigerator is an old story left over from “icebox” days. Improper food storage is a major factor in the growth of harmful bacteria—and every minute cooked food is left at room temperature allows more bacteria to grow. So it’s important to refrigerate or freeze leftovers as soon as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends consuming leftover prepared foods within 3-5 days. And be sure your refrigerator temperature is set at 40 degrees or lower.</div>
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<strong>Myth #7: The best way to thaw frozen foods is to set them out on the kitchen counter.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> You should never defrost food at room temperature. This is because the portions that thaw first then are vulnerable to bacteria growth—and as the FDA tells us, bacteria in room temperature food can double every 20 minutes. Instead, thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave using the “defrost” setting.</div>
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<strong>Myth #8: Microwave ovens have special germ-killing powers.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Not to get too technical about it, but microwave energy itself doesn’t kill germs—it is the <em>heat</em> generated by the waves that destroy harmful organisms, the same as with a conventional oven. Remember also that microwave ovens may heat foods unevenly, so it’s important to stir foods once or more during the heating process. Turning the container several times during cooking (or using a carousel) helps heat reach all parts of the food.</div>
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<strong>Myth #9: All foods, if properly prepared, are safe for older adults.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that older adults and persons with conditions that weaken the immune system avoid certain foods entirely:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Any dishes with raw or undercooked meat or seafood (for example: sushi, steak tartare, raw oysters, hamburgers cooked rare)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Unpasteurized milk, and soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Foods with raw or undercooked eggs (such as Caesar salad, unbaked cookie dough, homemade mayonnaise, eggnog)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Raw sprouts (alfalfa, bean, etc.)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Fresh-squeezed, unpasteurized fruit juices</li>
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Your healthcare provider can give you more information about the foods that are safe for you.</div>
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<strong>Myth #10: Restaurant and takeout food are always safe, because restaurants are inspected by the Health Department.</strong></div>
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<strong>Fact:</strong> Though occasional outbreaks of illness are traced back to pathogens in restaurant or deli food, most eating establishments in the U.S. follow proper food handling procedures. <em>But remember: take-out food or “doggie bag” safety is mostly up to you!</em> Eating only until you are full and bringing leftovers home for a later meal is a great idea—for your waistline and your wallet. But only consume leftover food if you can refrigerate it promptly (within two hours, earlier in warm weather).</div>
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<strong>Learn More About Food Safety</strong></div>
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The <a href="https://www.foodsafety.gov/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><strong>FoodSafety.gov</strong></a> website, sponsored by a group of U.S. and state government food safety departments, includes consumer advice and other resources, including <a href="https://www.foodsafety.gov/risk/olderadults/index.html" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">information for older adults</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-91144605688077978312017-04-07T14:20:00.003-07:002017-04-07T14:20:55.217-07:00Am I Too Old to Be an Organ Donor?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for elder organ donor" height="320" src="http://www.njelderlawestateplanning.com/uploads/image/DonateLife%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<em>Ted went to renew his driver’s license. At 70, he had to renew in person and take an eye test. As he was completing his paperwork, the clerk said, “Would you like to be an organ donor?” Ted laughed. “My organs are too old for that!” Was he right?</em></div>
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April is National Donate Life Month. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Organ Donation and Transplantation website (<a href="http://www.organdonor.gov/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">www.organdonor.gov</a>), this event “celebrates the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, eye, tissue, marrow and blood donors, and encourages others to follow their fine example.”</div>
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Organ donation is a way to give someone else a chance at life even when our own life is over. Today, lives are saved or improved by transplants of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, corneas and other organs and tissues. Today, more than 119,000 people in America are waiting for a transplant. Each day, 22 of them die. And while 95 percent of Americans believe in organ donation, fewer than half have actually signed up to be a donor.</div>
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<em><strong>Who can be an organ donor?</strong></em></div>
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We often read heartwarming stories of parents who have lost an infant or young child, yet generously save the life of another child through organ donation. They say that though their child’s life was brief, their choice provided some comfort in their saddest time.</div>
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But what about people who have led a long life? There’s a myth that although seniors can be good candidates for organ transplantation, their organs are too old to be donated. Not true in most cases, say experts from the Division of Transplantation. They report that there’s no age reason not to become an organ donor. People in their 60s, 70s and even beyond have been organ donors. According to Organdonor.gov, the oldest organ donor on record was 92 years old. His liver saved the life of a 68-year-old woman. And in 2015, 20 percent of organ donors were older than 65.</div>
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<em><strong>Learn how to become an organ donor</strong></em></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">The first step is to think about <a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/about/facts-terms/donation-faqs.html" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">whether you’d like to be an organ donor</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">The next step is to consent to be a donor by <a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/register.html" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">registering in your state</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">The final step – and this is very important – is to discuss your decision with your family. Make your wishes known to those closest to you. You can also state your wishes regarding organ donation in your living will or other advance directive.</li>
</ul>
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<em><strong>What about living donation?</strong></em></div>
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Some organs and tissues can be donated <a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/about/process/living-donation.html" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">while the donor is still alive</a>, such as a kidney, part of the liver, and blood and bone marrow. Many people continue to give blood well into their later years, but donation of organs is relatively rare after the age of 60.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-58714683324388533512017-04-03T10:25:00.000-07:002017-04-03T10:25:09.382-07:00Considering a Reverse Mortgage? Read This First.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Image result for reverse mortgage" height="239" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSjcglAfZd4eV8iy7Dc8VrHchj9Mkr0J11bP9nLK5uUUadeyfH" width="320" /></div>
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<em>The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says if you’re considering this type of loan, you should look beyond the advertising.</em></div>
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In a reverse mortgage advertisement, you might see enticing images of youthful retirees on the golf course or enjoying other leisure activities. A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan that allows homeowners aged 62 and older to borrow against the accrued equity in their homes. The loan must be paid back when the borrower dies, moves, or no longer lives in the home.</div>
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Ads for reverse mortgages are found on television, radio, in print, and on the internet, and many ads feature celebrity spokespeople discussing the benefits of reverse mortgages without mentioning risks. The <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a> (CFPB) took a look at some of these ads and found incomplete and inaccurate statements used to describe the loans. In addition, most of the important loan requirements were often buried in fine print, if they were even mentioned at all. These advertisements may leave older homeowners with the false impression that reverse mortgage loans are a risk-free solution to financial gaps in retirement.</div>
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In conducting their study, the CFPB met with older homeowners in Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles to learn about their thoughts and impressions of reverse mortgage ads. After looking at a variety of ads, many of those homeowners didn’t realize reverse mortgage loans need to be repaid. Instead, some thought they could access their equity interest-free, or that the federal government provided the money as a benefit to seniors. Homeowners told us that the most attractive messages in the ads were “you can live in your home as long as you want,” and that you “still own your home.” Many ads, however, didn’t mention that seniors could lose their homes if they don’t satisfy the loan requirements, such as paying property taxes or homeowners insurance.</div>
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Seniors said the ads made reverse mortgages look like a good way to travel and enjoy retirement while they were still young and active. Yet Americans are living longer, more active lives than ever before. Reverse mortgage borrowers can outlive their loan funds by borrowing without careful planning.</div>
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Reverse mortgage ads don’t always tell the whole story, so consider these facts when you see advertisements:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>A reverse mortgage is a home loan, not a government benefit.</strong></em> Reverse mortgages have fees and compounding interest that must be repaid, just like other home loans. With most reverse mortgages, federal insurance guarantees that borrowers will receive their loan funds if their lender has financial difficulty or if their loan balance exceeds the value of their home. However, borrowers pay for this insurance, and it’s not a government benefit.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>You can lose your home with a reverse mortgage.</strong></em> When a reverse mortgage ad says you’ll retain ownership of your home, or that you can live there as long as you want to, don’t take these messages at face value. These statements are true only if you continue to meet all requirements of the reverse mortgage. If you fall behind on your property taxes or homeowners insurance, are absent from your home for longer than six months, or fail to satisfy other requirements, you can trigger a loan default. If you don’t take care of the default in time, the lender can foreclose on your home. Sometimes these requirements are listed in fine print, but not always. If you have a question about reverse mortgage requirements, contact a <a href="https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hecm_agency_look.cfm" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">HUD-approved housing counselor</a> near you.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Without a good plan, you could outlive your loan money.</strong></em> After seeing a reverse mortgage ad, you might think that a reverse mortgage guarantees your financial security no matter how long you live. Americans are living longer today than they were just a generation ago. Make sure you have a financial plan in place that accounts for a long life. That way if you need to tap your home equity, you won’t do it too early and risk running out of retirement resources later in life.</li>
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<strong>If you have a problem with your reverse mortgage</strong></div>
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Check out <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search/?selected_facets=tag_exact%3Areverse+mortgage" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Ask CFPB</a> to learn more about reverse mortgages. You can also <a href="http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201506_cfpb_consumer-advisory-dont-be-misled-by-reverse-mortgage-advertising.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">download a printer-friendly version</a> of this information to share with friends or family.</div>
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If you’re having a problem with your reverse mortgage or having problems getting through to your mortgage servicer, you can submit a complaint to CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-2372 or TTY/TDD (855) 729- 2372. CFPB will forward your complaint to the company and work to get you a response within 15 days.</div>
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For more information about how reverse mortgages work and questions to ask, read CFPB’s guide to <a href="http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201409_cfpb_guide_reverse_mortgage.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">reverse mortgages for older consumers and their families</a>. And if you or loved one have a reverse mortgage loan, <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-three-steps-you-should-take-if-you-have-a-reverse-mortgage/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here are three steps</a> you should take.</div>
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<em>Source: The <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a>, the government agency that aims to make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole. Visit the CFPB website to read an <a href="http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201506_cfpb_a-closer-look-at-reverse-mortgage-advertising.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">in-depth report</a> on reverse mortgage ads. </em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-60922350252745120292017-03-20T12:51:00.000-07:002017-03-20T12:51:09.127-07:00Caring for the Emotional Health of Hospice Families<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for hospice" height="212" 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" width="320" /></div>
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Many families today take advantage of hospice services to provide supportive care when a loved one is near the end of life. Hospices serve many thousands of patients each year, and provide high-quality cost-effective, compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses.</div>
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The hospice team, which may include the patient’s personal physician, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, chaplains and home health aides, work closely with the patient and family to keep the patient comfortable and to ensure the best possible quality of life during the last days. Hospice care can be provided in the patient’s home, in a nursing home or other senior living community, or in a dedicated hospice facility.</div>
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But new research shows that while we’ve come a long way in supporting patients at the end of life, we sometimes fall short of supporting the most important members of the care team—family caregivers, who do so much for their loved one, yet may not take the time to focus on their own emotional, social and spiritual needs.</div>
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University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers recently published a study, “<a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jpm.2016.0372?journalCode=jpm" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Prevalence and Risks for Depression and Anxiety in Hospice Caregivers</a>,” in the Journal of Palliative Medicine. Lead researcher Debra Parker-Oliver reported that 25 percent of these caregivers experience moderate or severe depression, and nearly a third suffer from anxiety.</div>
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“While some sadness and worry are expected components of caring for a dying family member or loved one, clinical depression and anxiety shouldn’t be,” said Parker-Oliver, who is a professor in the university’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.</div>
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Parker-Oliver noted that younger caregivers were at higher risk of depression, and caregivers whose loved ones had Alzheimer’s had a higher level of depression than those who were suffering from cancer. Her team called for expanded depression screening and treatment for family caregivers who are caring for a loved one whose life is near the end.</div>
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Parker-Oliver reminds us, “Health providers usually are more focused on the terminally ill patient instead of the entire family. However, in many scenarios, it is a family disease. It’s fair to say they have two patients: the caregiver and the person who is terminally ill.”</div>
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<em>Source: IlluminAge AgeWise reporting on a <a href="http://medicine.missouri.edu/news/20170208-health-providers-should-screen-hospice-caregivers-early.php" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">news release</a> from the University of Missouri School of Medicine.</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-28331111071689365272017-03-13T11:37:00.002-07:002017-03-13T11:37:58.349-07:00March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month<img alt="Image result for brain injury" height="240" src="http://img.medscape.com/news/2014/dt_141104_brain_injury_headache_pain_800x600.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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An estimated 1.7 million traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations and emergency visits occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Sadly, you can’t prevent every brain injury from occurring,” said Dr. Alex Rosenau, former president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “But the number of patients we treat who are suffering from injuries that were preventable is alarming.”<br />
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More than 50,000 people in the United States die each year because of traumatic brain injury, and another 80,000 to 90,000 deal with a long-term disability. The severity of a brain injury can vary from “mild” to “severe.” Nearly 80 percent of people are treated and released from an emergency department, according to the CDC.<br />
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Traumatic brain injury can be caused by a number of events. More than 35 percent of these injuries are caused by falls, 21 percent are miscellaneous accidents and more than 17 percent are caused by motor vehicle or traffic crashes.<br />
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Traumatic brain injury has been getting a significant amount of attention in recent years because of current and former NFL players who say hard hits to their heads and repeated concussions throughout their playing careers have caused them to have life-altering symptoms of brain injury.<br />
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One of the most common brain injuries is a concussion. Most people recover quickly and fully, but for some, it takes longer. Physical symptoms of a concussion may include:<br />
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Headache<br />
Loss of consciousness<br />
Blurry vision<br />
Nausea or vomiting<br />
Dizziness<br />
Balance problems<br />
Light and noise sensitivity<br />
There are many ways to protect your brain or at least decrease the severity of injury. Some include:<br />
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Always wear certified safety helmets when biking, motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, snowboarding, horseback riding, sledding, rollerblading, skateboarding and many other activities that lead your head vulnerable to hitting hard surfaces.<br />
Properly wear a seatbelt at all times in a moving vehicle.<br />
Properly install a child’s safety seat, have it inspected, and make sure children are strapped in correctly depending on their specific age.<br />
“Clearly the best thing you can do if you hit your head, and you’re unsure of the severity, is to come to the emergency room to get checked out,” said Dr. Rosenau. “We’d much rather see you and send you home as opposed to seeing you and then admitting you to the hospital for something more serious.”<br />
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Source: American College of Emergency Physicians (www.acep.org), the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. Adapted by IlluminAge AgeWise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-13868764099554660762017-03-01T11:06:00.000-08:002017-03-01T11:06:24.542-08:00March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for colorectal cancer awareness month" height="229" 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<em><strong>The American Institute for Cancer Research shares six steps to prevent half of all colorectal cancers.</strong></em></div>
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Colorectal cancer includes cancers that begin in the colon and the rectum. The National Cancer Institutes (www.cancer.gov) says there were 134,490 cases of colorectal cancer in 2016, and almost 50,000 deaths due to the disease.</div>
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It’s important to be screened for colorectal cancer as your doctor recommends. Screening is recommended beginning at age 50, and earlier for people with certain risk factors or symptoms. During some types of screening (colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy), the doctor may remove polyps, abnormal growths in the colon that could turn into cancer. Healthy lifestyle choices also lower the risk of colorectal cancer.</div>
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<em><strong>The following information is from American Institute for Cancer Research.</strong></em></div>
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Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the third most common cancer in the United States. The latest research shows that Americans can prevent tens of thousands of these cancers every year through eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, say experts at the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR).</div>
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“Research now suggests that 50 percent of colorectal cancers in the United States are preventable each year through diet, weight, and physical activity,” said Alice Bender, MS, RDN, AICR’s Head of Nutrition Programs. “That’s about 67,200 cases every year.”</div>
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For National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Bender shared six evidence-based steps to reduce your risk. The strategies stem from the AICR’s report, “Food, Nutrition Physical Activity and the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer,” an analysis of the global evidence.</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Maintain a healthy weight and watch out for belly fat.</strong> Research now shows that excess body fat is linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, along with nine other cancers. The report also concluded that carrying excess belly fat—regardless of weight—is a risk factor for colorectal cancer.<br /><em>Starting Step:</em> Become portion-size savvy. Choose larger portions of colorful vegetables, but keep servings of calorie-packed foods like meats, cheese and nuts smaller. Limit desserts and sweets to two or three times a week in small portions.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Fit activity into your day.</strong> From housecleaning to running, the most recent report finds that moderate physical activity—of all types—reduces the risk of colon cancer. (There was insufficient evidence to make a similar conclusion regarding rectal cancer.)<br /><em>Starting Step:</em> Find 10 minutes today to move, whether taking a break at work or while watching TV. Build on that over time by taking more activity breaks or extending the 10 minutes to 30 minutes.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Eat plenty of fiber.</strong> Eating a diet with plenty of high-fiber foods lowers the risk of colorectal cancer. For every 10 grams of fiber coming from foods daily—slightly less than a cup of beans—the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by 10 percent.<br /><em>Starting Step:</em> Move to the AICR New American Plate way of eating: fill two-thirds or more of your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts and no more than one-third with animal protein such as poultry or lean red meat.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Cut the red meat; avoid the processed.</strong> The report found that regularly eating high amounts of red meat and even small amounts of processed meat increases colorectal cancer risk. Ounce for ounce, consuming processed meat increases the risk twice as much as consuming red meat. Processed meats include hot dogs, bacon, sausage and deli meats.<br /><em>Starting Step:</em> Limit red meat consumption to 18 ounces per week—roughly the equivalent of five or six small cooked portions of beef, lamb or pork—and avoid processed meat. Try fresh roasted chicken breast, hummus or peanut butter for sandwiches.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Go moderate on the alcohol.</strong> The evidence is convincing that drinking alcohol increases colorectal cancer risk in men and it probably increases the risk in women. When it comes to cancer risk, the best advice is: If you don’t drink, don’t start. For people who do drink, AICR recommends limiting alcohol to no more than two standard drinks daily for men; one for women.<br /><em>Starting Step:</em> Become aware of how much a standard drink is by measuring the following amounts and pouring it into your glassware: 5 ounces of wine, 12 oz. beer and 1.5 ounces of liquor.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Enjoy plenty of garlic.</strong> Evidence suggests that a diet filled with relatively high amounts of garlic reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.<br />Starting Step: Add chopped garlic to stews, stir-fries, vegetables and roasted meats. Chop the garlic, then wait 10-15 minutes before cooking in order to activate the health-promoting ingredients.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-31967939959244483282017-02-17T12:38:00.001-08:002017-02-17T12:38:27.733-08:00What You Learned About Healthy Fats Was Probably Wrong<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for healthy fats" height="179" 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" 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For years, we were told that for optimum health, we should cut back on dietary fat. Many Americans dutifully scrutinized the labels of everything from snack foods to sandwich spreads, with the goal of selecting products labeled as “low-fat.” Yet many of these products replaced fat with unhealthy sugars and refined carbohydrates, making the “low-fat” products as bad for us as their fat-containing counterparts—or even worse.</div>
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Experts now tell us that while we should continue to avoid bad fats, we should also consume more of the kinds of fat—including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—that are actually good for our health. We need a variety of fats in our diet for energy, to help us digest vitamins and other nutrients, for blood clotting, and even to help us maintain a healthy weight.</div>
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During 2016, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a statement saying that eating healthier fats could save millions of lives around the world. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Tufts University School of Nutrition Science & Policy in Boston, stated, “Worldwide, policymakers are focused on reducing saturated fats. Yet, we found there would be a much bigger impact on heart disease deaths if the priority was to increase the consumption of polyunsaturated fats as a replacement for saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, as well as to reduce trans fats.”</div>
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According to the AHA, good fats help reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here is a review to help you make a good choice of fats in your diet:</div>
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<strong>Fats that are good for you</strong></div>
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Foods containing <em>polyunsaturated fats</em> include corn, soybean and sunflower oils, nuts, seeds, tofu, and fatty fish such as salmon, trout and mackerel.</div>
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<em>Monounsaturated fat</em> is found in some of those same foods, and also in avocados, and in plant-based liquid oils such as olive, canola, peanut, safflower and sesame oils.</div>
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<strong>Eat only sparingly</strong></div>
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<em>Saturated fats</em> are found in meat, cheese and many other dairy products, and in palm and coconut oils. The AHA recommends that no more than six percent of the calories we consume in a day come from saturated fats.</div>
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<strong>Avoid entirely</strong></div>
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Worst of all are <em>trans fats</em> (also known as trans fatty acids). Most trans fats come in the form of partially hydrogenated oils created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to keep it solid and to increase shelf life. Trans fats are used in many processed foods, so check the label and avoid them. Trans fats are so bad for us that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered food companies to phase out the use of partially hydrogenated oils, which are the major source of trans fats in the American diet.</div>
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So now that we know the difference between good and bad fats, does this mean we can consume all we want of the good ones? It’s important to remember that all fats have the same number of calories, so we can gain weight even if we stick to polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.</div>
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If you have questions about your own nutritional needs, talk to your doctor or a dietitian.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-68027365086323047252017-01-31T13:08:00.001-08:002017-01-31T13:08:56.703-08:00Puzzle: Love Your Heart With Whole Grains<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for heart health" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQifdMkHz4SvhTZtJPJ7v2BJFXBXXpqw-IEXsRmiZhMOLUQCXtE" width="318" /></div>
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February is American Heart Month. There are so many good things we can do to promote heart health—and some of them are delicious! According to the American Heart Association, eating at least three servings of whole grains each day can add years to your life by lowering the risk of not only heart disease, but also cancer, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other dangerous diseases and conditions.</div>
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What is a whole grain? The Whole Grains Council explains, “A grain is considered to be a whole grain as long as all three original parts—the bran, germ and endosperm—are still present in the same proportion as when the grain was growing in the fields.” (Learn more <a href="http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/whats-whole-grain-refined-grain" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a>.)</div>
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When some people think of “whole grains,” they think only of whole wheat. But that’s just the beginning. You have plenty of choices! For example, did you know that popcorn is a whole grain? Delicious! Just don’t spoil the nutritional boost with a bunch of added fat and salt.</div>
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To find some other yummy whole grains, and ways you might eat them, check out this month’s puzzle. <a href="http://agewise.illuminage.com/files/2017/01/GrainsHeartWordfind.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Click here</a> to download your copy.</div>
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Need a little help? <a href="http://agewise.illuminage.com/files/2017/01/GrainsHeartWordfind-Solution.pdf" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the puzzle solution.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-1513754061143404222017-01-25T12:11:00.001-08:002017-01-25T12:11:55.079-08:00After Visits, Family Wonder About Alzheimer’s Disease<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for alzheimer's disease family support" height="167" 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The holidays are over and everything is getting back to normal – except, in the back of your mind, linger some nagging worries concerning one of the elderly relatives you visited. You wonder if this loved one could be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe you’ve shared your concerns with other family members, but no one’s quite sure what to do. They don’t want to offend the relative – and memory changes are normal as we age, aren’t they?</div>
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The Alzheimer’s Association (<a href="http://www.alz.org/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">www.alz.org</a>) offered this list of signs that might be of concern, and how to tell them from memory changes that are considered normal:</div>
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<strong>Memory loss.</strong> Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong></em> Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.</div>
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<strong>Difficulty performing familiar tasks.</strong> People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. They may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong></em> Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.</div>
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<strong>Problems with language.</strong> People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. For example, they may be unable to find the toothbrush and instead ask for “that thing for my mouth.” <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong> </em>Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.</div>
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<strong>Disorientation to time and place.</strong> People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong></em> Forgetting the day of the week, or walking into another room and forgetting why you went there.</div>
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<strong>Poor or decreased judgment.</strong> Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong> </em>Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.</div>
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<strong>Problems with abstract thinking.</strong> Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks; for example, they might forget what numbers are for or how they should be used. <strong><em>What’s normal:</em></strong> Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.</div>
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<strong>Misplacing things</strong>. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places, such as an iron in the freezer or wristwatch in the sugar bowl. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong> </em>Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.</div>
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<strong>Changes in mood or behavior.</strong> Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings—from calm to tears to anger—for no apparent reason. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong> </em>Occasionally feeling sad or moody.</div>
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<strong>Changes in personality.</strong> The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong></em> People’s personalities do change somewhat with age. They may become less flexible or reluctant to try new things; however, normal changes are not generally dramatic.</div>
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<strong>Loss of initiative.</strong> A person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities. <em><strong>What’s normal:</strong></em> Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.</div>
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If your loved one exhibited any of the above warning signs, it may be time to step in. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-62002611871972411192017-01-19T14:12:00.000-08:002017-01-19T14:12:02.283-08:00The “Snake Oil Salesman” Is Alive and Well<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for quick fix medicines" height="133" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWcqQU72JRofN2X8Bd3Z-R-yXGW31YnycDhj_9ZiecPrdhryYz5g" width="320" /></div>
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You’re probably familiar with the old “snake oil salesmen”—charlatans who traveled from town to town, peddling fancy bottles of “miracle potions” guaranteed to cure a wide variety of ailments. We now know that most of those “secret formulas” were no more than colored water mixed with other useless—or even dangerous—ingredients. Or perhaps the bottle was mostly full of alcohol, making it more attractive during the Prohibition era, and giving rise to jests such as “Grandma is a teetotaler but she sure gets a lot of good out of Dr. McGillicuddy’s Good Mood Elixir!”</div>
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The snake oil industry is alive and well today, but these disreputable companies no longer hawk their wares from the back of a wagon. Today, they tout their “miracle cures” on late-night TV infomercials, in magazine ads, on Facebook and in spam emails. They often target older adults. And while their sales pitches may be glitzier than in yesteryear, many of the fraudulent health claims they make have changed very little. They lead consumers to believe their products are scientifically tested and endorsed by reputable medical science.</div>
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Just as in the past, these scam artists keep moving to avoid persecution. Even though their claims may be illegal, it’s hard for officials to keep up with the proliferation. Said Gary Coody of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Health fraud is a pervasive problem, especially when scammers sell online. It’s difficult to track down the responsible parties. When we do find them and tell them their products are illegal, some will shut down their website. Unfortunately, however, these same products may reappear later on a different website, sometimes with a different name.”</div>
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This means that it’s up to consumers to educate themselves about fraudulent health products. Learn the facts, and share the information with senior loved ones. The FDA provides the following list of six “red flag” claims that should raise your suspicion:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>One product does it all.</strong> Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases. For example, a New York firm claimed its products marketed as dietary supplements could treat or cure dementia, brain atrophy, atherosclerosis, kidney dysfunction, gangrene, depression, osteoarthritis, as well as lung, cervical and prostate cancer.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Personal testimonials.</strong> Success stories such as, “It cured my diabetes” or “My tumors are gone,” are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Quick fixes.</strong> Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products. Beware of language such as “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days” or “eliminates skin cancer in days.”</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>“All natural.”</strong> Some plants found in nature (such as poisonous mushrooms) can kill when consumed. Moreover, the FDA has found numerous products promoted as “all natural” that actually contain hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients or even untested active artificial ingredients.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>“Miracle cure.”</strong> Alarms should go off when you see this claim or others like it such as, “new discovery,” “scientific breakthrough” or “secret ingredient.” If a real cure for a serious disease were discovered, it would be widely reported through the media and prescribed by health professionals—not buried in print ads, TV infomercials or on Internet sites.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Conspiracy theories.</strong> Claims like “The pharmaceutical industry and the government are working together to hide information about a miracle cure” are always untrue and unfounded. These statements are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.</li>
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Bottom line, says the FDA, if you are unsure about the safety and effectiveness of a health product, ask your doctor or another reputable healthcare professional first.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-40341771362932213352017-01-12T14:10:00.000-08:002017-01-12T14:10:53.419-08:00Give Your New Year’s Resolutions a Jump Start<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for healthy aging" height="212" 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" 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So here we are, almost two weeks into 2017. Did you make a list of healthy New Year’s resolutions? Are you still feeling enthusiastic about your goals of exercising more, eating right, quitting smoking, lowering your stress level – whatever good intentions made it onto your list?</div>
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To make it more likely that you’ll stick to it, check out these five ways to raise the chances of success:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Re-evaluate your goals.</em> In the excitement of the new year, we sometimes make resolutions that seem unattainable when day-to-day life sets back in. Take another look. Without completely abandoning a particular resolution, you can refine it to be less daunting. For example, if your goal was “Lose 20 pounds,” cross that out and replace with “Lose one pound a week until swimsuit weather.” If you resolved to bring a healthy salad for lunch to work instead of ducking into the pizza place for lunch, allow yourself a slice of pepperoni once a week.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Translate ideals into specifics.</em> If you resolved to “get more exercise,” it’s great to visualize yourself as being more fit, with more energy. Now, move your focus to the specific actions that will get you there, such as “Walk for 30 minutes five days a week after work.” Think about the process as much as the goals. Make list of things you want to do, and when you will do them. Make a checklist and put it on the fridge. One day at a time!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Prioritize.</em> If we try to tackle too many big changes in our life at once, we can become discouraged and give up on all of them. Ask yourself which healthy living goals would benefit you the most. Eliminating truly dangerous habits like smoking or eating junk food would no doubt be near the top of the list. Yet studies show that stress reduction and getting more sleep can help those other changes fall into place. Talk to your doctor about the lifestyle changes that would be of greatest benefit to you.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Don’t give up if you goof up.</em> Few of us can make big life transformations without an occasional setback. Bad health habits that took years to be entrenched probably won’t be completely conquered by February. We all have days when it’s just a little harder to put on our running shoes or steam those veggies for dinner! And studies show that unrealistic expectations can actually boomerang—we might have a second cigarette because we’re angry at ourselves that we gave in and had the first one, or we might try to pick up our spirits with a hot fudge sundae if we gained a pound at our weekly weigh-in. Some experts even say that perfectionism raises the risk of alcohol abuse. Instead of losing hope, turn a momentary lapse into a learning experience. What circumstance caused the temporary derail, and how can you avoid that obstacle next time?</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Get help from an expert.</em> When we resolve to quit smoking, give up junk food or cut back on alcohol consumption, we often find that it’s hard to go it alone. The buddy system, where we enlist family and friends to quit with us or help us stick to our goal, can be helpful. But sometimes, cohorts and cheerleaders aren’t enough. Brain chemistry, biology, genes and personality traits mesh to make certain habits notoriously hard to change. A smoking cessation, alcohol reduction or weight loss program may be the best way to turn your resolutions into real change. Talk to your doctor about a program that’s right for you. Some are free or almost free; your insurance may cover others.</li>
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<em>There’s an old saying that nothing succeeds like success. Each small increment you achieve in keeping your resolutions for a healthier life will provide motivation for the next step forward.</em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-67621628409897051332017-01-05T10:56:00.000-08:002017-01-05T10:56:21.041-08:00Resolve to Save Energy—and Money—in 2017<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for save money on energy" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxML4OV1icE7cxqjLOSP2raq6oDC8h_1BDnVfHo-WG5jdr-GR7" width="286" /></div>
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Was “save money” on your list of New Year’s resolutions this year? There are all sorts of ways to spend less that can that add up to big savings—and one of those things can benefit not only our wallet, but also the environment.</div>
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The U.S. Department of Energy offers 10 tips for saving money by conserving energy. Click on the links for details about these great ideas.</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Prevent heat from escaping or cold from entering your home – lowering your heating bills – by <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/insulation-and-air-sealing-products-and-services" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">insulating and air sealing your home</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Reduce your waste heat by using a <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/thermostats" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">programmable thermostat</a> that can reduce the heat at a specific time when you’re away from the home and increase the heat before you get back home.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Doors and windows are places where cold/warm air can easily come through, so by installing ENERGY STAR doors and windows, you can save energy and money with their better quality insulation.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Heading out to the after-holiday sales to stock up on décor for next year? Look for light emitting diode (LED) holiday lights, which are at least 75% more efficient and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights. By using <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/post-holiday-holiday-shopping" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">LED holiday lights</a>, you can be at ease knowing that you won’t be spending a bundle to keep those lights on.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">If you’re taking a winter vacation this year, you can save energy by making sure the lights are turned off. Read more about <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/when-turn-your-lights" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">when to turn off the lights</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Save additional money on your electricity bill by using <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/lighting-controls" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">motion sensor and timer controls</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">One significant way to reduce energy consumption if you’re away on vacation is to simply <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/reduce-hot-water-use-energy-savings" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">lower the water heater temperature</a>. If you’ll be gone three or more consecutive days, set the water heater to the lowest or “vacation” setting if there is one.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">When you are away, it’s also good to <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-computers-home-office-equipment-and-electronics" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">unplug</a> those kitchen appliances, DVDs, TVs, and computers to save energy and money. These electronics, when plugged in, use up energy even when they are turned off.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Use a power strip. If the idea of running around the home to unplug everything is a bit too much, use power strips to plug in multiple appliances, and then turn them all off with the flip of the power strip switch.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Adjust the blinds and curtains. Close your <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-windows" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">curtains and shades</a> at night to protect against cold drafts; open them during the day to let in warming sunlight.</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-82601925574277274902016-12-28T14:08:00.000-08:002016-12-28T14:08:00.351-08:00For Seniors and Family Caregivers: Three Great Wellness Resolutions for 2017<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for family caregivers and seniors" height="222" 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" 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This is the time of year when we take stock of the previous year, and make note of changes we’d like to make in our lives. Maybe your list of resolutions includes ways to improve your financial health, such as saving more and spending less. Maybe you’d like to improve yourself in other ways—volunteering more, learning a new skill or taking a yoga class.</div>
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Need a few more great ideas? If you’re an older adult or a family caregiver—or, more likely these days, both—here are three research-based resolutions that can improve your health and well-being.</div>
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<strong>Resolution #1: Make time for exercise.</strong></div>
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Each year, research confirms that physical activity is the top factor for healthy aging. 2016 was no exception! Of particular note is that even people who are active can be harmed if they spend most of the day sitting. Spending most of the day sitting harms the heart and brain—even for people who exercise regularly. Resolve to be more active, even in small ways. Exercise doesn’t have to be in one solid block; fifteen minutes here and there can be just as beneficial.</div>
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<em><strong>For seniors:</strong></em> Geriatrics researchers tell us that even frail seniors can benefit from increased activity. Talk to your healthcare provider about an exercise program that is appropriate for your health condition. Look into senior fitness classes, or perhaps a set of home exercises that includes aerobic, flexibility and strengthening activities.</div>
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<em><strong>For family caregivers: </strong> </em>Busy family caregivers find that exercise drops to the bottom of their to-do list—or off the list entirely. But these people who do so much for their loved ones should remember that inactivity raises the risk of heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise is a top way to overcome stress and improve overall health. If you are having trouble scheduling a workout, it might be time to ask other family members and friends to help.</div>
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<strong>Resolution #2: Expand your social circle.</strong></div>
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We used to think of socializing as just a way to pass the time, but research over the past few years has overwhelmingly demonstrated that spending time with others protects the brain, heart, our emotional well-being, even our immune system.</div>
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<em><strong>For seniors:</strong></em> Older adults can be at greater risk of isolation and loneliness. Leading expert Dr. John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago even says, “Chronic loneliness belongs among other health risks, such as smoking, obesity or lack of exercise.” Sensory and mobility impairment, giving up the car keys and losing friends who have passed away or moved all make socializing more of a challenge—but it’s worth the effort to find opportunities to be around other people. Several studies also show that while spending time with family is good, seniors also need to spend time with people they consider to be peers. Even social networking sites, such as Facebook, can offer solid socialization benefits. These sites are not as good as “in real life” friends, but for many, they offer company and stimulation.</div>
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<em><strong>For caregivers: </strong> </em>Many caregivers, too, experience loneliness. Even as they are spending a lot of time in the company of their loved one, they miss socializing with friends. Their busy schedule, fatigue, and in some cases, fair-weather friends who stop calling, can leave them feeling isolated and depressed. This year, resolve to make a lunch date with old friends … and in addition, make some new friends. Have you tried a support group? Sharing your thoughts and suggestions with others is a great stress-buster and many long-lasting friendships have begun in this context.</div>
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<strong>Resolution #3: Take a good, hard look at your alcohol use.</strong></div>
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Do you sometimes have a bit too much champagne on New Year’s Eve and wake up on January 1 with headache and other symptoms of a hangover? If so, you are not alone. If this was a one-time indulgence, remember to cut back on those toasts next year. But if you drink more than you should on a regular basis, consider that the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has named alcohol abuse by people over 65 as one of the fastest-growing health problems in the U.S.!</div>
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<em><strong>For seniors:</strong> </em>While there may be some health benefits from consuming a small or moderate amount of alcohol, drinking too much negates those benefits and worsens many health conditions. It damages the liver and can lead to malnutrition and fall injuries. It damages the brain, and affects our sleep quality. And when seniors mix alcohol with prescription drugs, the combination can be deadly. If you are worried about a loved one’s drinking, encourage him or her to talk to their healthcare provider about counseling or a support group that is geared toward the needs of older adults.</div>
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<em><strong>For caregivers:</strong></em> If you’re worried about your own drinking, all the above suggestions are for you, too. But remember that caring for a person with a substance abuse problem also can quickly become your problem. You can’t force another person to deal with a drinking problem. Your loved one may be defensive or in denial and may try to conceal the problem. If the conversation isn’t going well, talk to a counselor or specialist. Join a support group for families of people with alcohol dependency. And take care of yourself.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-57746084614421871802016-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:002016-12-16T11:53:31.278-08:00Kaiser Health News Reports on Plight of Family Caregivers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Elderly Americans’ well-being is at risk unless the U.S. does much more to help millions of family caregivers who sacrifice their own health, finances and personal lives to look out for loved ones, reported a study released in September.</div>
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Nearly 18 million people care for a relative older than 65 who needs help, yet “the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the most significant challenges” facing the nation’s swelling elderly population, their families and society, according to the report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Describing family caregiving as “a critical issue of public policy,” a committee of experts in health care and aging said the next presidential administration in 2017 should direct a national strategy to develop ways to support caregivers, including economically.</div>
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According to the report, people who help elderly family members with three or more personal tasks a day devote 253 hours a month to caregiving — almost the equivalent of two full-time jobs.</div>
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Five years is the median duration that family members care for older adults with high needs, the report said.</div>
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For some Americans who accept that responsibility, that can mean taking a less demanding job, foregoing promotions or dropping out of the workforce.</div>
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Lost wages and benefits average $303,880 over the lifetimes of people 50 and older who stop working to care for a parent, according to a study cited in the report. That’s not all: A lower earnings history also means reduced Social Security payments for caregivers when they become eligible.</div>
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A possible fix for that problem, proposed by researchers in 2009, is to provide caregivers with a Social Security credit for a defined level of deemed wages during a specified time period, the report said.</div>
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Leave programs do exist for some workers shouldering caregiving duties, but many lack such job protections.</div>
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The federal Family and Medical Leave Act doesn’t cover 40 percent of the workforce. It allows eligible employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid time off to care for certain family members, but the law only applies to those who work for federal, state and local governments and private companies with more than 50 employees. But ineligible family relationships for leave include sons- and daughters-in-law, stepchildren, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. Many workers can’t afford to give up their incomes for 12 weeks.</div>
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In 2011, 17 percent of caregivers didn’t take leave because they feared losing their jobs, according to a national survey cited in the report.</div>
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The report recommends that family caregivers receive status as a protected class under existing job discrimination laws and that employers get guidance and training on ways to support workers caring for family members.</div>
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Beyond the economic costs of caregiving, the report notes that the social and physical toll of caregiving should get more attention than it does.</div>
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“If their needs are not recognized and addressed, family caregivers risk burnout from the prolonged distress and physical demands of caregiving, and the nation will bear the costs,” the report said.</div>
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Instead of delivering “patient-centered” care, health care providers should adopt “family-centered” models that include checking with caregivers to ensure they are healthy and capable of filling the role. The report also recommended wellness visits, counseling sessions and better training for caregivers who must understand increasingly complicated medical instructions.</div>
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Dealing with feeding and drainage tubes, catheters and other complicated medical devices causes stress, and the study’s authors noted that caregivers report “learning by trial and error and fearing that they will make a life-threatening mistake.”</div>
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The study was funded by 13 private foundations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and an anonymous donor that requested the National Academies undertake the research in 2014.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-67241216817998721242016-12-06T10:57:00.001-08:002016-12-06T10:57:53.642-08:00‘Tis the Season … to Practice Decorating Safety!<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that each year during the holiday season, 15,000 people rush to the emergency department due to injuries involving decorating. Falling from a ladder or stepping on broken ornaments may be funny in holiday movies, but in real life, these and similar mishaps result in visits to the emergency room, or calls to fire departments, for thousands of consumers each year.</div>
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“There are about 250 injuries a day during the holiday season. Adding safety to your checklist can keep a holiday tradition from becoming a holiday tragedy,” said CPSC Commissioner Robert S. Adler. “Keep Christmas trees watered well, don’t leave candles unattended, and use caution whenever you are on a ladder.”</div>
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The most frequently reported holiday decorating incidents seen in emergency departments involved falls (34 percent), lacerations (11 percent) and back strains (10 percent). And fire departments nationwide respond to hundreds of fires each year in which candles or the Christmas tree are the first items ignited, resulting in death, injuries and millions of dollars in property loss.</div>
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To prevent fires, discard holiday light sets with evidence of damage such as broken sockets and bare wires, water Christmas trees frequently, and always extinguish candles before leaving a room.</div>
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Consumers can use the following safety tips as a guide to help prevent decorating disasters this holiday season:</div>
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<strong>Ladders</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Heed the warning labels on ladders.</em> (For more information, read CPSC’s OnSafety blog, <a href="http://onsafety.cpsc.gov/blog/2011/12/03/ladder-safety-101/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">“Ladder Safety 101,”</a> for tips to prevent ladder falls this season.)</li>
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<strong>Trees and Decorations</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Buying a live tree? Check for freshness.</em> A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and the needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Setting up a tree at home? Place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators.</em> Because heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees, be sure to monitor water levels daily, and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of foot traffic, and do not block doorways with the tree.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Buying an artificial tree? Look for the label: “Fire Resistant.”</em> Although this label does not mean that the tree will not catch fire, the label does indicate that the tree is more resistant to catching fire.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Decorating a tree in a home with small children? Take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations.</em> Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children, who could swallow or inhale small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that might tempt a child to reach for and swallow them.</li>
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<strong>Candles</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Keep burning candles within sight.</em> Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room, or leave the house.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface.</em> Place candles where kids and pets cannot reach them or knock them over. Lighted candles should be placed away from items that can catch fire, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.</li>
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<strong>Lights</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Use lights that have been tested.</em> Select lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Lights for both indoor and outdoor use must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify. On decorative lights available in stores, UL’s red holographic label signifies that the product meets safety requirements for indoor and outdoor use. UL’s green holographic label signifies that the product meets requirements for indoor use only.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Check each set of lights.</em> Examine new and old lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets, and do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Check each extension cord.</em> Make sure each extension cord is rated for the intended use and is in good condition. Do not use cords with cuts or signs of fraying.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Check outdoor lights for labels.</em> Look for labels indicating that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.</li>
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<strong>Fireplaces</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Use care with “fire salts.”</em> Fire salts produce colored flames when thrown onto wood fires. Fire salts contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting, if swallowed. Keep fire salts away from children.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace.</em> A flash fire may result from burning wrapping papers because wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-14045479309197334182016-11-29T11:34:00.001-08:002016-11-29T11:34:27.316-08:00Can I Burn Off Those Extra Holiday Calories With Exercise?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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<strong>Can I Burn Off Those Extra Holiday Calories With Exercise?</strong></div>
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<em>Karen Collins, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND of the American Institute for Cancer Research answers this common question.</em></div>
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It depends on the treats you choose and how fast you walk. Holiday cookies often have 60 to 140 calories each, and sweet desserts may contain from 200 to 600 calories or more per serving.</div>
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If you walk at a moderate three-miles-per-hour pace and weigh 150 pounds, you would need about 24 minutes to burn the calories in one 140-calorie cookie, and well over an hour for other sweet desserts. If you can comfortably walk at a brisk pace of about 4 miles per hour, you could cut your walking time to 15 minutes to burn the same number of calories; or if you walk briskly for 24 minutes, you’ll burn almost 200 calories.</div>
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Looking at this math, it’s easy to see that although boosting physical activity at a time when there’s more high-calorie food around can help avoid weight gain, adding extra exercise can’t easily keep up with how quickly excess calories accumulate with overeating. However, don’t look at walking and other exercise simply as a way to balance calories you consume. Physical activity, independent of weight, is linked with numerous health benefits, including lower risk of several cancers. It also helps your body regulate blood sugar and keeps several hormones at healthy levels.</div>
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For many people, daily physical activity also helps handle stress, raise energy levels and improve sleep quality, which are all often challenges at busy times of year. So enjoy sweet treats of the season, choosing those that you enjoy most at times when you can truly taste and savor them.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-58221644776115791082016-11-22T11:27:00.002-08:002016-11-22T11:27:46.856-08:00December 5–9, 2016 Is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for senior citizen drivers" height="179" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScp0T8gEMbcNWvdVXubq4Q52-wb0jBE-HaAjEHI450mthveforPw" width="320" /></div>
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The holidays are a time when many families visit elderly parents, grandparents and other loved ones. That’s why December is the month when families are most likely to realize that Mom and Dad might not be safe behind the wheel. There might be some new dents on the car or the garage door. Maybe when Grandpa picked them up at the airport, they got a firsthand look at the trouble he was having reading signs and navigating lane changes.</div>
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We are a car-centric culture, so anyone asking a senior driver to give up driving can expect to be met with resistance. It can be a very emotional topic! For most Americans, driving equals independence, and giving it up may seem like a serious blow to self-esteem, even triggers for depression and grief. You can help. Here are seven things to think about before you start the conversation:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Not all seniors are bad drivers.</strong></em> Consider whether you are really reacting to things you’ve noticed about your loved one’s driving, versus stereotypes that older adults drive poorly. Studies show that many drivers retain their skills well into their later years. However, visual impairment, hearing loss, decreased manual dexterity, slower reaction time and memory loss all can make it harder to be safe on the road. Studies show many seniors self-limit their driving in response to these changing abilities, avoiding driving at night and sticking to familiar routes. But for many, it’s best to give up the car keys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of crashes increases noticeably after a driver turns 70; more than 500 seniors are injured while driving each day.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Senior drivers can improve their skills and extend their safe driving years.</strong> </em>Driver’s ed—it’s not just for teenagers! Driver safety classes for older adults are available through AARP, AAA and other organizations. Your loved one also might benefit from an exercise program to increase flexibility and range of motion. The eye doctor can recommend the best type of glasses for driving, including protection against glare. Seniors with hearing loss should wear their hearing aids while driving. And if the driving skills of a senior loved one seem to have taken a sudden dip, medication side effects might be to blame. Your loved one should ask for a medication review, and report side effects, such as drowsiness and confusion.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>The car might be part of the problem.</strong> </em>Be sure the car is in good repair. Adding safety features like improved mirrors and new windshield wipers can make the car safer to operate. And bottom line, the car just may not be a good fit any more. If it’s large and difficult to maneuver, check out smaller cars that are easier to drive and park. Newer cars have certain safety features that seem like they could have been designed for older adults, such as backup cameras and warning sensors.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>You can call in experts to help.</strong></em> Many families find that their senior loved ones do not want to have the conversation about driving. Here’s where the opinion of an outsider may carry more weight than yours. Encourage your loved one to seek an evaluation by their doctor or by the DMV. The American Occupational Therapy Association, sponsors of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, reminds us that occupational therapists have the skills to evaluate a person’s overall ability to operate a vehicle safely. They can provide a good picture of your loved one’s abilities, and suggest some of the appropriate strategies as mentioned above. Aging life care professionals (geriatric care managers) can also offer resources and assessment.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Start the conversation before there’s a problem.</strong> </em>In many families, the discussion of senior driving safety only begins when an elder loved one has had an accident. This isn’t exactly the ideal time to first be talking about the issue. Start talking about driving safety early on, while your loved one is still a capable driver. If it’s a possibility, assure your loved one that you will be one transportation resource—but that’s only the beginning. With your loved one, research the public transportation options, such as the bus or subway, taxi cabs or ride sharing services (such as Uber or Lyft) and special transportation for seniors with disabilities. Once your loved one gets the hang of public transportation, they may enjoy being “subway-savvy” or summoning their Uber.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Create an “advance directive” for driving.</strong> </em>In the same way that you plan with your loved one for future care and living options, make driving safety part of the plan. The earlier you talk about it, the more likely your loved one will be to heed your concerns. A study from the University of Colorado showed that most older adults realize that they may not be the first to recognize a problem, and they would be willing to designate a family member, doctor or other trusted person to say when their driving was no longer safe.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Talk about the cost of owning a car.</strong></em> Many seniors balk at paying for public transportation, without really thinking about how much it costs to have a car. Add it all up: car payment, gas, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and parking. That is most likely a pretty good chunk of change that would be available for alternative transportation costs. Remind your loved one that driving isn’t the ultimate goal—mobility and independence are! Staying active and engaged in their favorite activities, volunteer jobs, faith community and whatever places they love to go is more important than what they rode to get there.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-82097308994784453552016-11-14T11:26:00.001-08:002016-11-14T11:26:59.711-08:00That Thanksgiving Heartburn—Could It Be GERD?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
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" 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<em>November 20–26, 2016 is Gastroesophageal Reflux Awareness Week</em></div>
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There’s a month or a week for just about every health condition. Most of the dates seem to be arbitrarily chosen, but when it comes to Gastroesophageal Reflux Awareness Week, it makes sense to “celebrate” around Thanksgiving! That’s the week when many of us experience heartburn—a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone and in the middle of the abdomen.</div>
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The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) sponsors this week to help call attention to symptoms that might mean we’re suffering from more than the usual, temporary heartburn. If symptoms persist and heartburn becomes chronic, or we experience regurgitation, swallowing problems, a sore throat or hoarseness in the morning, we might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is caused when the contents of the stomach often flow backwards into the esophagus.</div>
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According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), if GERD is left untreated, it can cause chronic inflammation of the esophagus, swallowing problems, lung problems and erosion of the teeth. The NIH reports that GERD may be caused by:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">A hiatal hernia—a condition in which the opening in the diaphragm lets the upper part of the stomach move into the chest</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Pressure on the abdomen from obesity (or, temporarily, pregnancy)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Certain medications, including those used to treat asthma, high blood pressure, allergies or depression</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Smoking</li>
</ul>
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Statistics also suggest that age-related changes in the digestive tract raise the risk as we grow older.</div>
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Says IFFGD president Nancy Norton, “The symptoms of GERD can seem so common that many people do not consult with their healthcare providers or mention them during routine exams.” She warns, “When symptoms often occur two or more times a week or become more severe, it is important to talk to a physician. Left untreated, GERD can lead to complications, or other health problems.”</div>
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The IFFGD says that anyone experiencing these symptoms should schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider, and share this information during the appointment:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">A list of when your heartburn occurs (time of day, after meals, etc.) and how often</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">The severity of your heartburn</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Other symptoms you are experiencing</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">How your symptoms affect your daily activities</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">How your symptoms affect your sleep</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">What changes in diet and lifestyle choices you have made to relieve your symptoms and how effective this has been in providing relief</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">What antacids and other over-the-counter medications you have used and what relief, if any, they have provided</li>
</ul>
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So this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, how can we avoid a case of heartburn that’s sure to put a damper on the festivities? Dr. Juan Carlos Bucobo of Stony Brook University Hospital in New York offers six tips:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Nibble, don’t hoard.</strong> </em>Overeating and eating too fast will increase the chances of heartburn if you are predisposed. Smaller portions separated over time will decrease the chances you will burn in agony. At the main meal, try using a smaller plate and eating slowly.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Identify the culprits.</strong></em> Certain foods are more likely to worsen GERD and heartburn. These include fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, garlic, caffeine, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, and mints. So make sure to pass on the deep fried turkey.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Kick the habit.</strong></em> There’s no reason to wait for New Year’s to start your resolutions and stop smoking. Nicotine reduces the pressure of the muscle between the esophagus and stomach, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux, among other deleterious effects.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Avoid lying down after a meal.</strong> </em>Overeating and alcohol are sure to make you want to snooze after a holiday meal. Resist the urge to lie down within three hours of eating, as it is likely to worsen your heartburn.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Skip the eggnog.</strong> </em>Alcohol, especially in large quantities and particularly red wine, has been implicated in worsening heartburn. If you are going to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;"><em><strong>Seek help.</strong> </em>There are several categories of over-the-counter medications available to ease the burn. When symptoms become frequent, more than 2–3 times per week, visiting a doctor is important in establishing the diagnosis and prescribing the most effective treatment.</li>
</ol>
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Remember: GERD can be treated—and that’s something to be thankful for!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-86954933401002739662016-11-08T12:14:00.002-08:002016-11-08T12:59:26.247-08:00November Is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for diabetic eye disease awareness" height="212" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJS9GUeIrme2tqDO6O-z9lECanNG9kumndCg3Ub02Kd8m1gSgCJg" width="320" /><br />
November is American Diabetes Month, and it’s also the month when we are urged to learn more about a common cause of vision loss. Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, sponsored by Prevent Blindness (<a href="http://www.preventblindness.org/" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">www.preventblindness.org</a>), is an opportunity to educate the public about diabetic retinopathy, which robs the sight of so many. Prevent Blindness is the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety nonprofit organization.</div>
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Today more than 8 million Americans have diabetic retinopathy, with that number expected to jump in the coming years, according to a study, <a href="http://www.preventblindness.org/future-vision" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Costs of Vision Problems</a>.</div>
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Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes, including:</div>
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<em><strong>Diabetic retinopathy</strong></em>—A leading cause of blindness in American adults, it is caused by damage to the small blood vessels of the retina, the seeing layer of the eye. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked, affecting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the retina, impairing vision over time. More damage to the retina can occur when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and leak fluid or bleed. This can initially result in blurring of vision, and in late stages, retinal detachment and/or glaucoma.</div>
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<em><strong>Diabetic macular edema</strong></em> (DME)—DME is a complication of diabetes caused by fluid accumulation in the macula, the central portion in the retina, which is in the back of the eye and where vision is the sharpest. Vision loss from DME can progress over a period of months and make it impossible to focus clearly.</div>
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Diabetic eye disease also includes cataracts and glaucoma. Vision changes due to diabetic eye disease may include blurred vision, double vision, sudden increase in eye floaters, seeing halos around lights or flashing lights, and sudden loss of vision in one eye.</div>
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Everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic eye disease. To help prevent diabetic eye disease, Prevent Blindness suggests:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 1em 35px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Maintaining good blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam and/or obtaining retinal photographs that are examined by an eye doctor, at least once a year, or more often as recommended by the eye doctor.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Pregnant women who had diabetes prior to pregnancy should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam early in their pregnancy. The eye doctor may recommend additional exams during pregnancy.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 1em 10px; padding: 0px;">Keeping a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, not smoking and following a healthy diet. Talk to a dietician about eating habits and a doctor before starting an exercise program.</li>
</ul>
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“It is imperative for anyone with diabetes to get an annual eye exam,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Although there is no cure for diabetic eye disease today, vision loss can be lessened with early diagnosis and proper treatment from an eye care professional.”</div>
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Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy by an eye doctor who is legally allowed to do the test in the state. All people with Part B who have diabetes are covered.</div>
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For more information on <a href="http://www.preventblindness.org/diabetes-and-your-eyes" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">diabetic eye disease</a> or other eye health information, please call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020 or visit <a href="http://www.preventblindness.org/content/diabetic-eye-disease" style="color: #bc5d00; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">preventblindness.org/diabetes</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117752664257638421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568261415492462596.post-30620480055362363032016-11-01T10:47:00.002-07:002016-11-01T10:47:06.081-07:00Alzheimer Spouses Benefit from Counseling and Support<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<img alt="Image result for alzheimer's caregiver" height="212" 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" 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November is Family Caregivers Month. Sponsored by the Caregiver Action Network (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association), this event is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers who do so much for their loved ones. This year’s theme, “Take Care to Give Care,” reminds us that caregiving can be stressful and can tax the health of caregivers—making it harder for them to provide good care for their loved ones.</div>
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November is also National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which is also fitting, because the millions of Americans who provide care for a loved one with dementia are so deserving of our support! While we are advocating for increased resources for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, we shouldn’t overlook the needs of the millions of dementia caregivers, who work tirelessly to ensure the best quality of life for their loved ones.</div>
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While many adult children serve as dementia caregivers, an increasing number of spouses are filling the role. A study performed by a leading researcher on Alzheimer’s caregivers issues sheds light on the need to support these spouse caregivers.</div>
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Spouses of people with Alzheimer’s disease usually are older adults. While people who take on the caregiving role tend to initially be healthier than those who do not, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is difficult in the best of circumstances, and can take a toll on a person’s health. Counseling and support for people caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease helps to preserve their health, according to a study led by Mary S. Mittelman, Dr.P.H., research professor in the Department of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine.</div>
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The study resulted from research conducted over 20 years by Dr. Mittelman, which was the longest research study ever devoted to testing an intervention to improve the well-being of Alzheimer’s caregivers. The study involved 406 spouse caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease who were divided equally into two groups. The first group received enhanced counseling and support, including six sessions of individual and family counseling, support groups, and telephone counseling for the caregiver and family members as needed. The second group received information and help upon request, but didn’t participate in formal counseling sessions.</div>
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Results from the ongoing study showed that caregiver spouses who received enhanced counseling and support were able to delay placing their ailing spouse in a nursing home on average 1½ years longer. Dr. Mittelman and her colleagues also found that counseling and support substantially eased the depression of spouse caregivers.</div>
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Caregivers in the study who received the intervention, which was developed at NYU Medical Center by Dr. Mittelman and her colleagues, also reported less of a decline in their own physical health. Dr. Mittelman pointed out, “Preserving the health of spouse caregivers through counseling and support also benefits the person with Alzheimer’s disease, as caregivers who are in poor health are more likely to have difficulty providing good care.” Dr. Mittelman concluded, “Individualized counseling programs that improve social support for caregivers can have many indirect benefits, including sustaining their physical health.”</div>
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In 2015, Dr. Mittelman and her team received a grant to develop the NYU Caregiver Integrated Support and Services Access Program (CISSAP), aimed at providing counseling and support to New York City caregivers, which is expected to provide increased insight into effective interventions.</div>
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