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Important Information

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month to emphasize the importance of getting regular comprehensive eye exams. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide, and in its early stages, has no noticeable symptoms. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone can get glaucoma, but certain groups are at higher risks. These groups include African Americans over age 40, all people over age 60, people with a family history of glaucoma, and people who have diabetes.

There are several types of glaucoma. The two main types are open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle develops slowly and has symptoms and damage that are not noticed. Angle-closure can develop quickly, is painful, and visual loss can progress quickly.

Glaucoma is not curable, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss. It is recommended that those groups who are at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete eye exam every one to two years.

To learn more about glaucoma and to help raise awareness of this “silent thief of sight,” visit: https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/.

Daily Health Tips

Sweet as Sugar: The Dangers of Added Sugar

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People love eating treats such as cake, cookies, and ice cream that were sweetened by sugar. When sugar is mixed into foods and beverages to enhance flavoring and longevity, it is referred to as added sugar. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a daily intake of added sugar less than ten percent of daily calorie intake. Consuming too much added sugar can lead to various health problems which may eventually lead to death. A high intake of added sugar can cause heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight gain. Sugar also occurs naturally in healthy whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk, and grains.

Here are a couple of tips on how to stay healthy by cutting back on added sugars:

•  Read the labels. Check the nutrition facts label on the packaging of your food. It typically gives you information about its added sugars. There are various types of added sugars that could be listed. The amount of sugar in your food, often measured in grams, is also listed on the nutrition facts label.
•  Have a healthy diet. Find healthier alternatives to the sweet food and drinks with added sugar. Replace beverages such as soda with water and low-fat or fat-free milk. Satisfy sweet cravings with small amounts of whole foods. Talk with your doctor or caregiver about the recommended foods and beverages to include in your healthy diet.

Sugar may taste sweet, but the health effects are less so.

Daily Health Tips

Holiday Weight Gain?

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Over the hills and through the woods to Grandma’s house for the holidays. A time for families to gather and enjoy each other’s company – and of course EAT! Delicious meals, cookie swaps, company parties, smorgasbord of buffets, it’s no surprise extra pounds have crept up on the waist lines. The last few months of the year can test the most disciplined weight watcher.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the average American’s weight increases 0.2% over Thanksgiving and 0.4% over Christmas. This averages out to about one pound gained during each holiday season. Researchers also found the bulk of this weight gain occurs in the 10 days following the Christmas holiday. Perhaps the holiday cheer throws people’s diet equilibriums into a tail spin?

However, gaining a pound might sound like a small price to pay for all the gingerbread and holiday treats, but the fact is that many people are unlikely to lose the extra pound year after year.

The holidays are over and it’s time get on the healthy eating bandwagon. Here are 5 diet tips to help lose that festive weight.
1) Drink water! 
2) Get more active. 
3) Use a smaller plate.
4) Set realistic goals.
5) Enjoy healthier foods.  
If you have put on a bit of weight after the holidays, that’s okay. With a little dedication, healthy food choices, and exercises, holiday weight loss is possible. Start off the new year with a new you.

Daily Health Tips

Weight Loss Resolutions

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New Year’s resolutions are easy to make but even easier to break. Some of the most common resolutions are losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, eating healthier, and getting better sleep. People tend to challenge themselves by setting unrealistic goals, and they become frustrated and give up. Any resolution is obtainable by setting small goals that are easily reached. New Year’s is an opportunity to think about healthy choices and setting realistic goals to achieve them.

Having a weight loss resolution to begin the new year is a great start. Breaking down the resolution into mini-resolutions will help stay on target and meet goals. Here’s how:

Set measurable goals: Commit to a 30-minute exercise class or take a walk at break time. Trade in the soda for sparkling water. Treat yourself to a star sticker each time a goal has been accomplished.

Take it week to week: Each week, assign a new goal such as trying a new vegetable dish, adding a new spice to a recipe, and engaging in physical activity. Remember to give each goal achieved a gold star!

Find a group or buddy: Having support from peers is one of the keys to success for losing weight.

Whatever your fitness goals are for 2020, create a realistic plan, stick to it, and then benefit from all the hard work along the path for a healthy change.

Studies

Gadgets for Parkinson’s

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Parkinson’s disease (PD) can make daily living challenging. PD symptoms such as shakiness, slow movements, and rigid muscles can affect daily life. As the disease progresses, it can turn ordinary tasks such as eating, dressing and writing into daunting chores. Gadgets – better known as assistive devices – can help make these tasks easier for daily living.

Assistive technology has come a long way over the past few years. Devices to assist with walking, getting dressed, and eating have been created to help balance problems experienced by those with the disease. Here are a few tools that may help make life a little less challenging.

Dressing aids such as button hooks, magnetic button covers, and zipper pulls can make getting ready in the morning easier for individuals who lack dexterity, have tremors, and difficulty with coordination and balance. Lightweight, supportive shoes with Velcro tabs are easier to slip on.

Bathroom aids such as a shower chair, grab bar, and a nonskid bath mat are essential to help make the room safer and more accessible. Electric toothbrush, electric razor, or hands-free hair dryer mounted on a vanity can help with personal grooming.

Eating tools such as weighted utensils, plate guards, rubber mats to prevent dishes from slipping, and cups with an attachable lid can provide a sense of independence. Also, using insulated bowls, mugs, and plates can help keep food warm during the meal.

Mobile phones offer a peace of mind in staying connected with family and friends. Voice activation is available on most smartphones and can help assist to make calls by just saying the name of the intended person, search the internet, and check emails. Smartphones offer many apps such as medication management and data gathering apps. These can be used to inform the person who adjusts medications or treatments of Parkinson’s.

While assistive technology or equipment does not cure or stop the tremors, it can improve independence in daily life.

Daily Health Tips

Supercharge the Immune System

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Cold and flu season has arrived. Family members and coworkers are beginning to cough and sneeze in unison. It’s just a matter of time before you join in the phlegmy chorus. However, there are ways to supercharge the immune system to help fight off viral and bacterial infections, and other annoying bugs. 

Home treatments and natural remedies can help boost the immune system during the season of colds, flu, and sniffles. 
Try a few of these natural ways to boost the immune system:
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Try a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. 
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps support the body’s defenses to function properly.
• Exercise. Moderate exercise can help maintain a healthy immune system. 
• Get plenty of sleep. If you get enough sleep, it will help your body fight off sickness. 
• Increase vitamins. Immune boosting vitamins are vitamins B6, C, and E. Some foods that are rich in these vitamins are eggs, bell peppers, spinach, and almonds.

So become a supercharged immune fighting machine by, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, and eating fruits and veggies. Your friends will be asking you why you never seem to get sick.

Important Information, Studies

UTIs and Dementia in Seniors

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in seniors can become a complex issue. It is important for family caregivers to know the signs of UTI in the elderly. UTIs can cause serious side effects like delirium and possibly lead to kidney infections and sepsis.

The elderly experience different symptoms of UTI compared to middle aged adults or even younger people, and the symptoms can be much worse. Older adults, particularly those with dementia, may not realize they have an issue and often are unable to communicate their symptoms to their caregivers.

When seniors contract a UTI, they sometimes experience a sudden and unexplained change in behavior, such as confusion, agitation, or withdrawal.

Certain UTI symptoms are easier to recognize in seniors than others. Following are a few indicators that can accompany UTI in the elderly:
• Behavioral changes
• Confused or delirium-like state
• Falling
• Hallucinations

Some UTI symptoms may be present but are ignored by elderly individuals.
• Fever
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Pain with urination
• Strong-smelling urine

There are a few simple steps to help avoid contracting a UTI, such as drinking plenty of water, emptying the bladder frequently, and encouraging urinary hygiene. 

Daily Health Tips

Are Cranberry Pills Good For You?

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Cranberries are small, tart, bright red berries that are a popular treat, as well as a holiday staple. They are packed with antioxidants and provide many health benefits. Cranberry juice has a reputation for preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), though research is inconsistent. Is there a benefit to taking cranberry pills?

What are cranberry pills? They are a small tablet or capsule made from dried, powered cranberries and may contain additional ingredients such as vitamin C or probiotics. One benefit of taking cranberry pills is that they may help prevent UTIs, however there have been conflicting research.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in November 2016, looked at 185 older women living in a nursing home. The group of women taking cranberry supplements saw a decrease in the number of bacteria in their urine in the first six months. The study did not show a decrease in UTI frequency in the first year.

According to Pennington Biomedical Research Center, cranberry pill health benefits include:
• May help with chronic disease
• May help treat stomach ailments
• High level of antioxidants

While cranberry pills are thought to be safe, there are a few mild side effects such as: 
• Stomach pain
• Potential to cause kidney stones (if you are susceptible to them)
• May increase affects of blood thinning with some medications

If you think you may have a UTI, contact your general practitioner.

Sources:

Juthani-Mehta M, Van Ness PH, Bianco L, et al. Effect of Cranberry Capsules on Bacteriuria Plus Pyuria Among Older Women in Nursing Homes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2016;316(18):1879–1887.

Roy, Heli J. “Cranberries.” Pennington Nutrition Series. Pennington Biomedical Research Center LSU. 41(2014)

Services

What is the Difference Between Companion Care and Personal Care?

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When someone mentions Home Care, there is a wide range of services they may be offering and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what those services are. This is intended as guide to give you more information about the names of the services and which one might be right for you.

It’s important to remember that home care is different than a Home Health Agency, these agencies primarily focus on skilled medical care at the home that a standard care provider cant give. Make sure to call and discuss with a company exactly what type services they provide, as well as research that they are a reputable company.

Home Care will basically fall into two categories: Companion Care and Personal Care. When you are talking about Companion Care this is usually a less intensive, non-medical type service. This often includes activities like taking care of a pet, driving to Doctors appointments or any errand for that matter, light household cleaning, preparing of meals, grocery shopping, washing dishes or clothes and watering plants. One of the most underrated services they can provide is simple companionship, whether that is playing cards, going on walks or simply a warm smile, it can make all the difference. We all have to deal with loneliness or isolation, but these problems can acutely affect us, as we get older.  Companion Care can be a great service to alleviate some loneliness, as well provide some basic help.

Personal Care is slightly different, they will generally provide all of the services covered by Companion Care, in addition to more hands on services like help with taking medication, bathing and dressing. Personal Care is usually for people who require a much higher degree of assistance rather than merely help with chores and appointments.

It is important not to expect more from a caregiver than what they have been trained to do. Make sure to have a frank discussion before hiring someone about what they are and are not able to perform in the execution of their job. It can be a little scary for some people to invite a stranger into their home, it is important to research any company you hire for Home Care to have a good reputation. However, it’s also important to remember that most of the time caregivers very warm, good people who love what they do and provide a lot of assistance, either for you or a loved one.

Article from seniordirectory.com