World Cerebral Palsy Day

World Cerebral Palsy Day occurs every year on October 6th, and it recognizes individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This day also aims to raise awareness about the condition and look beyond the disability. World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement that acknowledges those affected, and works to ensure that children and adults with CP have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. 

What is Cerebral Palsy? 

The CDC defines Cerebral Palsy as: “A group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood…CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.

The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime. All people with CP have problems with movement and posture. Many also have related conditions such as intellectual disability; seizures; problems with vision, hearing, or speech; changes in the spine; or joint problems.”

World CP Day is an opportunity for the whole world to come together to recognize and celebrate the 17 million people around the world living with cerebral palsy. In the US there are 500,000 children with CP. Every year during World Cerebral Palsy on October 6th, individuals, families and organizations all around the globe celebrate by sharing stories, hosting events, and wearing the color green. World CP Day also is also an opportunity to challenge myths about those with CP. There have been many talented individuals who have made contributions to our society. 

Though it is a lifelong condition, it can be managed with proper treatment and continued care, especially during childhood. One way to help manage CP is through a healthy diet and exercise, and it is of particular importance when the individuals with CP are children. Here at PHC we are always passionate about a healthy lifestyle for everyone, especially for those with chronic lifelong conditions who could substantially benefit. Eating a Mediterranean diet is beneficial for those with CP because it is one of the healthiest diets in the world and is known to reduce inflammation. The Mediterranean Diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy fats including olive oil and nuts, whole grains, lean protein such as eggs and fish, and a minimal amount of red meat or processed foods. Along with physical therapy for those with CP, regular and light exercise appropriate to their abilities is very important to alleviate symptoms and bolster well being. As World CP Day continues to grow in popularity, we will continue to show the world all the incredible things that people with cerebral palsy achieve when barriers are removed. Private Home Care is passionate about supporting the rights and quality of life for those who are differently abled, as well as ensuring equity, accessibility and dignity.  

National Get Funky Day

National Get Funky Day: Today is the day – to get funky! Every year on October 5th, we celebrate National Get Funky Day! This day encourages everyone to break out of their funk and get funky. We can always use more uplifting spirit in the world! Nowadays it is most important to remember to brighten up, turn up the energy, improve the mood, smile, laugh, and dance everywhere you go! Beat the blues and jam out to funk music!

Step out of your funk with…funk! Funkiness is infectious, and National Get Funky Day is a day to celebrate life, spread love, laughter, and light! ‘Getting funky’ is associated with many health benefits. Making a conscious effort to live a positive, happy life puts you at much less risk of mental illness like depression and anxiety because the feel good chemicals are flowing through your brain. Having a joyful lifestyle helps you feel socially connected, which fights against loneliness and isolation. Improved mood is associated with a healthier diet, better sleep, lowered blood sugar, and overall lower risk and incidence of chronic disease. All of this means that getting funky can increase your life expectancy!

But how does one funk? Funk is the kind of music that can make even the biggest wallflowers get out on the dance floor. So when someone tells you to get funky, they’re not telling you to stop taking showers, they want you to have fun! On National Get Funky Day do something to make yourself happy: wear bright, happy colors, smile, laugh, tell jokes, and definitely crank up some funky tunes and get dancing! Check out this video where seniors are teaching us how to get funky – with Uptown Funk!

National Golf Lovers Day

Yesterday, October 4th, was National Golf Lovers Day. And we sure do love golf at Private Home Care! In many places in the US, golf is played year round. But in more northern regions, golfers cannot play all year, so today is a day to celebrate at least one last round of golf before the cold sets in!

Golfing in New England in October is a different experience than golfing in June. The cooler temperatures can make the muscles and joints stiff. It is important to really own your pre-round warm up before the course. It is suggested that you go for an easy walk prior to playing to get the blood flowing. Stretching is important too, so doing some light stretches before and after the walk can help prevent injury. Don’t forget to stretch after the game as well! Experts suggest having a stretching routine that is specifically tailored to your body and needs. Also, when it is a routine then you are likely not to skip any stretches that you could benefit from. Even though the sun may not be bearing down on the golf course like during the summer months, it is important to still keep hydrated! Although around here the golfing season winds down towards winter, the best way to stay on top of your golf game for the next season is to keep active! That means you should stay active and exercise regularly in order to prevent from getting rusty. You can also take golf vacations and swing inside at indoor golfing facilities. True golf lovers keep their enthusiasm for the game year-round, and this way you can get ahead of the game for the coming season. National Golf Lovers Day celebrates golf and the passion for the sport. Since 1952, the PGA has held a charity event each year for National Golf Day, which is held on different days each year.

A great way to celebrate your passion is to share it with others. National Golf Day can be observed by inviting friends to join you, even if they are new to the sport. Visit a course you’ve never been to before. Challenge yourself to a more difficult course. Improve your handicap or offer to teach someone the game. No matter what you do, include someone else in your endeavors. Private Home Care wishes you a happy National Golf Lovers Day!

World Teachers Day

World Teachers Day on October 5th honors teachers all over the world and their incredible dedication and contributions to education. Teachers truly make the world go round. Where would we be without our teachers who taught us to read, do math, share on the playground and so much more? Teachers work hard every day to give their all to students. Education is one of the most important things in the world, and on World Teachers Day we celebrate the teachers who make that education possible. 

It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher. Teaching is not just a job. It requires patience, passion not only for teaching and learning, and for helping develop minds. It is certainly not an easy profession, and handling a classroom of children is not a task for the faint hearted. Teachers work long hours outside of the classroom as well as year round. Lately teachers have faced unique challenges, and we salute every single teacher for rising to the occasion in a spectacular way. In the past few months there have been endless heartwarming stories of teachers going above and beyond to reach out to their students despite social distancing. Teachers are truly everyday heroes.  

Even though a teacher’s job is to teach, they wear many hats. They are also counselors, coaches, leaders, and if you are lucky enough later down the road – friends. To some students, they may even be guardian angels due to their true caring for their students. Teachers make a lifelong impression. If you ask any person – child or adult, what was the name of their favorite teacher, everyone will have an answer. 

Even when older adults experience cognitive decline or impairment, many can still recall the name of their favorite childhood teachers and the lasting impression that they had on their life. Perhaps many years ago that teacher inspired a love of reading and a senior enjoyed a career as a writer. Or there was a math teacher that once upon a time encouraged a little boy to one day become a rocket scientist and help launch the first spaceship to the moon. The ripple effect of teachers is astounding.  

World Teachers’ Day was established by the U.N. in 1994 and the holiday’s proclamation states: “Above all, we celebrate the work of dedicated teachers around the world who continue to strive every day to ensure that ‘inclusive and equitable quality education’ and the promotion of ‘lifelong learning opportunities for all’ become a reality in every corner of the globe.”

How to celebrate World Teachers Day:

The best thing you can do is thank a teacher who made a positive impact on your life. Praise your children’s teachers, as well. If you know a teacher, give them a gift card or take them out for lunch. In the case where it may have been may years since you were a student, tracking down your favorite teachers just to connect and say hello will surely help them feel recognized and appreciated. If you’re a student, be sure to thank your teachers for all they do to help you get a good education. Students probably don’t bring their teachers apples anymore, but they probably would accept coffee or chocolate!

International Day of Older Persons

October 1 is International Day of Older Persons, and Private Home Care invites you to celebrate this important day that is dedicated to highlighting the contributions that older people make to society. The International Day of Older Persons is also observed in order to bring widespread awareness to the aging population. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UN’s official proclamation of International Day of Older Persons, which was ratified in 1990.

Private Home Care honors seniors every day, and especially on this day we embrace the oldest members of our communities. Throughout history, older persons have played an essential role in society. Seniors have been leaders, teachers, and caretakers. However, older persons can also be very vulnerable for a number of reasons, particularly for health related circumstances. Private Home Care’s mission is to provide and encourage the highest quality of life for all seniors, so they may age in place with dignity and respect.

Unfortunately, they have faced discrimination, neglect and abuse. Our organization firmly condemns any negativity against seniors, and we work to advocate for seniors rights and wellbeing. By 2030, the number of people over the age of 60 is expected to grow by 46%. Part of the reason for this is older people are living longer than ever. The aging population are valuable members of society with a significant positive impact. In the US alone, the majority of people who volunteer are elderly. The elderly also contribute many things such as wisdom and inspiration.

An aging population also presents unprecedented challenges. One of the biggest challenges is healthcare. As people get older, their health tends to deteriorate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of chronic diseases will increase. This includes cancer, dementia, obesity, and diabetes. There will also be an increase in the number of falls. Falling is the leading cause of injury among seniors. However, modern medicine is working hard to help maintain the health, quality and length of life for seniors today and in the future. Private Home Care is also passionate about providing education for adults and younger generations for how to prevent chronic diseases and healthy aging.

Being aware of these challenges now will help to prepare for the future of the aging population. It will also help to ensure rights for the elderly are implemented. For International Older Persons Day, call an elderly family member or neighbor and tell them that you appreciate them. You can also volunteer at a senior center or nursing home. Join us to honor older persons today and every day.

World Smiling Day

Today, October 2cnd, is World Smile Day! Every day is a good day to smile, but especially today! There is a strong connection between smiling, your health, happiness, and well-being.

What smiling does to your body: When you smile, there is a little ‘feel good’ party happening in your brain! Smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that allow neurons (brain cells) to communicate. They facilitate messaging to the whole body when we are happy, sad, angry, depressed, or excited. As we know with the brain, the more you exercise something, the stronger it is. That means that the more you smile, the easier it is and the more frequently you will do it. The feel-good neurotransmitters—dopamine, endorphins and serotonin—are all released when a smile flashes across your face as well. This not only relaxes your body, but it can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

The endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever – many studies have shown that patients have reported lowered levels of pain while watching a funny video. The same goes for medical research trials where they gave the subject pain medicine or a placebo, but if the subject was smiling, the placebo in some cases would be just as effective as the real medication. Finally, the serotonin release brought on by your smile serves as an antidepressant/mood lifter. Many of today’s pharmaceutical antidepressants also influence the levels of serotonin in your brain, but with a smile, you again don’t have to worry about negative side effects—and you don’t need a prescription from your doctor.

In addition, for stroke victims, smiling is an easier feat. This is because smiling only requires 17 muscles to smile, but frowning requires 43.Smiling can actually add years to your life! People who smile tend to have a more positive and optimistic outlook on life, and are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors and naturally have a stronger immune system than pessimists.

Smile wholeheartedly – smiling and laughter also have positive effects on the cardiovascular system! This is because when we smile and laugh, it increases blood flow and blood vessel function, which can prevent heart attacks and other heart-related diseases. . Also, smiling reduces stress, which can be a factor or trigger for heart attacks or stroke.

World Heart Day

World Heart Day takes place every year on September 29th. This international health holiday raises awareness of heart health, including cardiovascular disease and prevention.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cites heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world, with nearly 18 million people dying each year from heart-related issues like heart attacks and strokes, which accounts for over 30% of global deaths. Heart attacks and strokes are caused by blockage preventing blood from flowing to the brain or heart. One of the most common types of obstruction is fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Many lifestyle choices trigger these diseases, which can result in heart attacks and strokes. These include: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, stress, and harmful amounts of alcohol. This manifests as raised blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, overweight and obesity, diabetes, and other risks detrimental to good heart health. These is definitely a genetic component for heart health and risk for heart disease, however diet and lifestyle has a tremendous impact on that.

Show your heart some love!

Private Home Care is passionate about nutrition and following the Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the best diets for heart health! A study found that the Mediterranean diet is such a powerful heart protector that it reduced the risk for heart disease, strokes, and deaths from heart disease 30% compared with a regular low-fat diet, and by more than 50% compared with a standard American diet. A key component to this cardioprotection is replacing saturated and trans fats—which can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease—with mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels.

The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. Meals are built around these plant-based foods. Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are also central to the Mediterranean Diet, as is seafood. In contrast, red meat is eaten only occasionally. Following The Mediterranean Diet means no processed foods, which tend to be high in saturated and trans fats, as well as sodium – all of which are not heart healthy.

Exercise is also an important part of heart health. The American Heart Association recommended that healthy adults get 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week for optimal heart health. This can be walking, biking, hiking, dancing, running – anything that gets your heart pumping and your limbs moving! Although 150 minutes may sound like a lot, it is just about 20 minutes a day, which is totally do-able. Wearing a step monitor makes it much easier to get those 10k steps a day and incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle! Your heart will thank you!