All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

“One might think that the toughest part of caregiving would revolve around shopping, cooking, cleaning and other household duties, interspersed with organizing medications, but it’s not,” says Stuart. “The greatest challenge is keeping a positive attitude, along with faith and hope, not only for the patient, but also for myself as caregiver.”
Stuart is one of more than 1.25 million Washingtonians who perform a great labor of love – caring for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones so they can remain in their homes. These family caregivers are sometimes on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and often they can’t even take a break. But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
That’s why we honored these unsung heroes for their labor of love during November – National Family Caregivers Month. To honor family caregivers, AARP has launched a new initiative to spotlight their stories, called “I Heart Caregivers” (aarp.org/iheartcaregivers). Stuart is one of the many Washingtonians sharing their stories.
“Years ago I was taught attitude is everything,” says Stuart. “This is so vital with illnesses. It is fortunate that both my wife and I are positive people. It really helps on those occasions when she is down, I am up, and vice versa.”
It’s a fact. The vast majority of older Washingtonians want to live independently, at home, as they age. And, family caregivers are the ones who provide the bulk of assistance to make this goal a reality for many. They help with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, grocery shopping, and much more.
That’s why AARP continues to advocate for increased support for caregivers through programs like the Family Caregiver Support Program. The program is a service available to unpaid caregivers of adults needing care and living in Washington State. There are local Family Caregiver Support Program offices throughout the state staffed with caring and knowledgeable people who can help you:
• Find local resources/services.
• Find caregiver support groups and counseling.
• Get training on specific caregiving topics.
• Get respite care if you need a break.
• Talk through specific issues you are having and offer practical information and caregiving suggestions.
You might say the program is small but mighty. They provide valuable support, but limited funding means the program only reaches one percent of those who could make use of its counseling and support groups, training, and respite care. The deep budget hole expected in the upcoming state legislative session means the program will continue to struggle for finances.
Today, the average family caregiver is a 49-year-old female, who takes care of a 77-year-old woman – usually her mother. She provides 20 hours a week of assistance to her loved one, although she may be on call around the clock. She also works.
In Washington, family caregivers provide unpaid care valued at an estimated $10.6 billion annually. For our state, their contribution runs even deeper. By helping their older loved ones remain at home and out of costly nursing homes, usually paid for by Medicaid, family caregivers are, in essence, saving the state money.
But, family caregivers need more support so they have the strength and energy to carry on. More support, help at home, workplace protections, training and more.
Keep in mind: If you’re not a caregiver now, you were one in the past, or you will likely be one in the future. Let’s all take a moment to recognize our fellow family caregivers – share your story at aarp.org/iheartcaregivers.

Mike Tucker, who wrote this article, is the Washington state president of AARP.

Contributing Author by — December 30, 2014 in Health & Fitness

In an effort to help protect the public from influenza, health officials in Pierce and King counties are issuing reminders that that flu vaccinations – some of them free or low-cost – are widely available as a primary defense.
Flu can cause fever, coughing, sore throats and body aches for several days, and can be fatal in severe cases. Nationally, as many as 49,000 people have died annually from the flu, including 10 in Pierce County in the past year. In King County in 2012-13, 15 deaths were attributed to flu, including eight people 65 years old or older.
Vaccine provides protection against three or four strains of influenza, depending on the formulation you receive, according to the Seattle-King County Public Health Department. Officials said this flu season may be worse than others because the dominant circulating flu strain typically causes a more severe illness leading to more hospitalizations. Although so far the vaccine does not appear to be closely matched to the dominant circulating strain, the vaccine can still offer some protection against severe illness. If you are having flu-like symptoms, especially if they are severe or if you are at higher risk for complications, contact your healthcare provider right away to see if antiviral medication is recommended.
“Getting a yearly flu vaccination through a shot or nasal spray is the single most important means of protection against the flu,” said Nigel Turner, the communicable disease control director for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Annual flu immunizations help protect particularly vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly and immune-compromised individuals. Immunizations also keep doctor visits and sick days down, and they can prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, according to Turner.
He said getting a flu vaccination is especially important for people at high risk, including children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and neurologic conditions. Babies under six months old are too young to get vaccinated, but people in close contact with babies should get vaccinated to protect the infants.
Flu vaccines are available at healthcare professionals’ offices, pharmacies and some local health agencies.
Information on vaccination locations is available from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at www.tpchd.org/flu and from Seattle-King County Public Health at kingcounty.gov/healthservices.

srmedia by — December 16, 2014 in Health & Fitness

Nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes and another 37 percent of U.S. adults have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Given the statistics, it’s no surprise that diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately there are concrete steps you can take to control the disease, say experts.
“Medication alone can’t solve diabetes. The solution must include healthier eating and living,” says Dr. Andy Baldwin, a board certified family physician and ambassador for Nutrisystem, a weight loss program that has a specific plan designed for diabetes management.
No matter what your health status is now, committing to a healthier lifestyle can help you manage diabetes or prevent the onset in coming years. Dr. Baldwin is offering some suggestions for getting started.
• To avoid overeating, don`t put serving bowls on the table. Fill plates in the kitchen and leave extras and leftovers far away. Instead, keep veggies or a salad on the table to supplement meals. Include carrots, celery, cucumber, pepper slices and cherry tomatoes. Eat as many as you like rather than getting seconds of the main course.
• Cinnamon has been shown to help improve blood sugar levels. Fill an empty salt shaker with the spice and leave it on the table. Shake a little on meat, potatoes, vegetables for the health benefits and an added boost of flavor.
• Designate one chair at your table as your “eating chair.” Only eat if you are sitting in it — nowhere else.
• Fast food can be calorie dense and low on nutrition. Avoid going overboard by limiting your intake. That means either eating a child`s meal or picking a healthier, sometimes more expensive item from the menu, such as a salad or grilled chicken sandwich.
• If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time to make a change. Set quotas for TV viewing. For example, one hour of news and one hour of entertainment — or, stay active while watching television by doing squats, crunches, lifting small weights or stretching. Get outdoors for at least 15 minutes a day — rain or shine! Walk, bike, garden, clean or play a game, it doesn`t matter, as long as you are moving.
• A structured meal plan and nutrition-rich foods can help you manage diabetes and weight issues without needing to count calories, carbs or points. Look for a program that meets the nutritional guidelines of the American Diabetes Association and that offers personal support in the form of certified diabetes educators, dietitians, food and glucose trackers, and an online support community. For example, Nutrisystem D is clinically proven to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and lower their A1c, offering meals that contain the right balance of low glycemic carbs, fats, high protein. Meals are also fiber-rich to ensure participants feel full. More information can be found at www.Nutrisystem.com.
Healthy habits can benefit your overall health, as well as reduce your risk for complications from diabetes.

 

Source: StatePoint Media

Contributing Author by — November 25, 2014 in Health & Fitness

“Dementia: Setting the Record Straight” is the title of four presentations scheduled this month in Pierce County that will review the current medical science on the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Also up for discussion will be alternative options and therapies, ranging from dietary supplements and herbal sources to individual therapies and non-FDA-approved medicines.
“A dementia diagnosis can be devastating,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Families and patients both need to approach the diagnosis with hope, information and realism. There’s lots of misinformation circulating. This presentation is an opportunity to get good information and ask important questions.”
The presentations, which are free, will be held:
• Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at Wheelock Public Library, 3722 N. 26th in Tacoma.
• Nov. 17 at noon at the Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma.
• Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at University Place Library, 3609 Market Pl. W. in University Place.
• Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at Key Center Fire Station, 8911 KP N in Lakebay.
The sessions are sponsored by county government’s Long-term Care Ombudsman and Aging and Disability Resources. The presenter will be Linda McCone, an Alzheimer’s support group facilitator.

srmedia by — November 4, 2014 in Health & Fitness