Women’s Health and Fitness

The last Wednesday of September is dedicated to women’s health and fitness.  The day is for you to become more aware of your health and fitness.

Back in history, women and their health was not a top priority.  If you lived in the 1500’s to the 1900’s you would have had to wear a corset.  You would not be the most comfortable and you might have had issues with your pectoral muscles and perhaps even fainted!  

Women have come a long way and we are free to follow so many different paths.  You and I should be aware of some top health issues and learn how we can improve our outlook.

Here are the top 3 issues for women according to WedMD:

Heart Disease

• You as a female tend to be undiagnosed and you account for 29% of the deaths due to heart disease.
  • Risks:  age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.
  • Reducing risks:  well-balanced diet and physical exercise

Breast Cancer

• This is the most common cancer for women.  Good news:  There are many treatments available to you now.
  • Risks: age, genes, family history, race (white women are at higher risk, early abnormal biopsy or chest radiation.  Also, early onset menstruation (before age 12) or menopause after age 55, no children, too much alcohol and obesity.
  • Reducing risks:  Mammograms, keep a healthy weight, no smoking

Osteoporosis

• If you have osteoporosis you are one of 68% of women with it out of 44 million cases.
• Key is to start in early childhood with good calcium intake and physical activity while your bones are growing.  Bones are fully formed by age 30.
  • Risks: female, aging, small thin-boned frame, white and asian women are at most risk, family history anorexia.  Also, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, too much alcohol
  • Reducing risks:  Follow guidelines for calcium intake according to your age and physical exercise.

Private Home Health Care is proud of the strides that women have made.  We want you to be aware of your health. We want you to work with your medical professionals to live your best life.

Johnny Appleseed Day

Today’s the day you can appreciate the hero Johnny Appleseed for passing on his love of apples and for spreading apple orchards over the United States back in the 1800’s.

Here’s a bit of history about our friend Johnny.

He was born John Chapman on September 26, 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts.  His father fought in the American Revolution and his mother died when he was two years old.

Not much is known about his early life.  He does turn up in 1812 working as an orchardist and nursery man.  History has hin in Pennsylvania and Ohio around that time.  He was planting trees and establishing nurseries.  His trees did not produce edible fruit but he was able to make hard cider and applejack (fruit brandy).  

John was a vegetarian and was against cruelty to all living things, including insects!  He died on March 18, 1845 and the legend was born.

After his death he became known as Johnny Appleseed.  He was seen as a pioneer hero because of all the apple seeds he planted and the trees he grew in his orchards.  His legend has him randomly planting seeds and spreading trees over the Northeastern and Midwestern parts of the United States.  

In truth he was very deliberate in his planting and it was for commercial use to produce alcohol but that’s not usually mentioned so we’ll just let it rest here.

The legend of Johnny Appleseed has led us to a love of apples which are a very healthy fruit.  Juicy apples are full of fiber and Vitamin C.  They also provide antioxidants like Vitamin E and polyphenols which help boost digestion.

Private Home Health Care thinks “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a good adage.  It’s apple season so be sure to enjoy some fresh apples.  With 100+ varieties you have a lot to choose.

National Family Health and Fitness Day 

Tomorrow is National Family Health and Fitness Day.  This day was started in 1996 by the Health and Resource Information Center.  The goal is to elevate our awareness around health and fitness in our families.

Health and Fitness is for everyone in our families, young and old.  Exercise is good for the mind and the body.  There are so many fun activities to do as a family for every season.

We are entering the season of fall and soon it will be winter.  There are many great activities to do as a family, including grandparents and aunts and uncles.   

Autumn Fun

You can take a nature hike or go apple picking and walk in the orchards. Play a game of flag football or ride a bike.

Winter Fun

Why don’t you take a walk in a local mall?  Try taking the stairs instead of an escalator.  How about going ice skating or sledding or just playing in the snow.  There’s always an exercise video for all ages.

To try and stay your healthiest it’s recommended that your children do 60 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times a week.  For you, the adult, 30 minutes is recommended.

Private Home Health Care understands that our lives get busy and sometimes it’s hard to find time for everything.  We do believe however that taking the time for fitness starting at a young age can lead to a healthy, happy and long life.  

#exercise

#healthylifestyles

Alzheimer’s Disease

This disease is often discussed this time during World Alzheimer’s Day.  There are still many people dealing with it, both patients and caregivers. The good news is that there is ongoing research.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 6 million people over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s.  This is with a total population in the United States of 335,289,877 as of 2022.

Currently, being studied is a condition called mild cognitive impairment or (MCI).  MCI is memory or thinking problems.  As you age, you can have lapses in names, or for words for things.  This can be normal. 

Memory can develop into MCI if things worsen.  If you lose things often or if you forget to go to appointments.  Another sign is if you are missing words more often than your friends. This is the time to reach out to a doctor for advice.

MCI is a condition that can lead to Alzheimer’s.  The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of those people diagnosed with MCI, dementia usually develops within five years.

The hopeful news.  The Alzheimer’s Association is conducting New Ideas Studies.  They involve brain imaging to study MCI, dementia and Alzheimer’s.  The studies are robust involving about 7,000 people.  The study includes people from a variety of racial and ethnic groups.   

If you are interested in learning more about these studies here is a link:  https://www.alz.org/research/new-ideas-study

Private Home Health Care understands the importance of studies.  They can give us a window into a disease that affects so many elderly people.

Fall Equinox

Wow, did your summer fly by like ours did?  It was a lovely summer and while we are still having some warm days this Thursday, September 22 we turn to the fall equinox.

The fall equinox (also called the autumnal equinox) is the time when the Earth’s tilt is moving away from the sun to point straight at the equator.  That’s when we notice the hours of daylight begin to change.  If you live in the Northern Hemisphere the equinox brings about equal parts of day and night.

The words are derived from Latin. Equinox is latin for aequus which means equal and nox which means night.  In both the fall and spring we have an equinox. 

What are the signs of fall?  Have you noticed any leaves changing their colors yet?  As the fall continues we in New England have a beautiful array of colors to enjoy.  Who remembers jumping in piles of fallen leaves?  Lots of good memories.

Fall is when nature gets ready for the next season of winter.  Birds migrate, dogs and animals’ fur thickens and we start to notice that we need our coats as the temperature cools down.  

It’s also a time for apple picking, apple cider and even some apple cider donuts!  Often apple orchards have horse drawn rides they offer too.  It really is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all the goodness around us.

Private Home Health Care loves the fall.  It can be difficult to have less daylight but we are hopeful that all the bounties of fall will help us ease into the changes in the seasons. 

Guacamole

Who likes avocados?  Did you realize that avocados grow on trees and they are technically a fruit??  

Avocados are great for us, right?  They supply you with lots of vitamins and lots of cholesterol lowering healthy fats.

You can use avocados in so many different ways.  They are delicious in a sandwich or on a salad.  You can add them to your smoothie or include them along with tomatoes and a poached age. Delicious!!

One other popular way to eat avocados is in a yummy guacamole!  Do you have a recipe for guacamole?  What do you like to eat with “guac”? Tortilla chips?  Carrots?  Celery?  Something else?

Private Home Health Care would like to share a delicious recipe from Yummly (https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Creamy-Guacamole-Dip-512225?prm-v1)

It has 7 ingredients and takes 15 minutes to make.  Enjoy it with your favorite side!

Ingredients:

1 jalapeno (remove seeds and chop)

1 clove of garlic

1 cup of plain greek yogurt

3 avocados (halved, pitted and scooped out)

1 tsp red chile powder (you can also use more to garnash)

1 lime

Salt (to taste)

Directions:

1.  In a food processor, pulse jalapeno and garlic until minced.
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth

#healthyeating

A Geriatric Healthcare Perspective

The American Gerariatric Society established a national nonprofit organization called The Health in Aging Foundation.  The goal of the foundation is to bring expertise and knowledge to us as we age.

We at Private Home Health Care look for interesting and helpful topics to pass on to our readers.  The Health in Aging Foundation has insightful ways of approaching geriatric care.

The foundation talks about “Age-Friendly Healthcare” and the “5Ms”.  

Age-Friendly Healthcare:

The focus on age-friendly healthcare is starting with the whole person, both physically and mentally.  

The 5Ms are:

Multi-complexity – this is managing multiple chronic or advanced illness that often affect you as you age.  

Mind (Mentation) – improving care if you have dementia, delirium or depression.

Mobility – helping with your mobility by focusing on gait and balance and working on preventing falls

Medications – reviewing your medications and making decisions on if any can be reduced or changed.

What Matters Most – working with you to make sure healthcare goals are set that work with you in your daily life. They meet your care needs. 

If you are interested in reading a bit more on this approach here is a link to get more in-depth information:  https://www.healthinaging.org/age-friendly-healthcare-you

National Day of Encouragement

Have you ever needed words of encouragement to help you through a situation?  I can think of many times that a kind and encouraging word has helped me.

The idea of a national day of encouragement was actually started in 2007 in Arkansas.  Young people came up with the idea at a National Leadership Forum.  These young people felt like a lack of encouragement was one of the biggest issues facing them.  

The mayor of their town, then the Arkansas Governor issued a proclamation.  Consequently President George Bush signed a document and then Congress made it an official day in 2011.

The day of September 12 was chosen to follow the sad day of September 11th In order to help console us.  Offering  words of encouragement to people around us creates a positive impact. You can support someone and make them happy with a few positive words.

Have you ever noticed someone struggling with an issue or an activity they are trying to do?  Try motivating by lending a helping hand or by sharing supportive words.  You may have a family member that is going through a hard time.  Spend time with them or give them a call and listen and encourage them.  A few encouraging words can change a person’s outlook.

Pope John Paull II was someone who offered words of encouragement in a very difficult situation.  There was a man who tried to harm him back in 1981.  The Pope spoke out and publicly forgave him.  Those are the ultimate encouraging (and forgiving) words.

Private Home Health Care knows how important encouraging words can be to someone.  Try to pass the encouragement along today and as many other days as you can.  You might find it becomes a habit!

Remembering 9/11

Today, Private Home Health Care remembers the attacks of September 11, 2001. We remember and honor those people who lost their lives on that overwhelming and sad day.

To the innocent lives that were lost and to the brave First Responders who perished trying to help others. We commend you and promise to never forget.

Blessings and peace to all.

#NationalGrandparentsDay

The day to celebrate grandparents is coming up!  This Sunday, September 11 is the day to celebrate and honor the grandparents in our lives.  This day is always celebrated on the Sunday after Labor Day.

Do you have a grandparent in your life today?  Did you grow up with a grandmother or grandfather or both?  Were you able to spend special time with them?  

A grandparent gives you a special kind of love, different from your parents.  Sometimes they can find ways to spoil you.  Spending time with a grandparent develops a very special bond.  Grandparents have lots of stories to tell too.  Have you ever listened to a story from the past?

In 2020, there were an estimated 80 million grandparents in the United States today.  Of those people an estimated 3 million children under the age of 18 lived in the same house with a grandparent.  How cool is that!

Sometimes grandparents live far away from us.  We get to know them from phone calls or facetime.  Our lives can get very busy but grandparents often have extra time and they love to spend it with their grandkids.

This Sunday Private Home Health Care hopes that you have time to visit or call your grandparents if they are still in your life.  We know they would love to see or hear from you. 

We will leave you with a song written in 2004 by Johnny Prill.  It is the official song of the holiday, A Song for Grandma and Grandpa, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjAECeBqM3s