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June, 2008

Browse our posts and articles from June, 2008. Use the navigation at the bottom of the page to view older content of interest.


Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

A new “Green” trend is hitting the Senior Living Community market. I found a recent news report about a new Senior Living Community that is taking the market in a new direction. Will others follow? Below is a brief overview of the report.

 

The Glasstown Residence at

Riverside Park celebrated the color green during their grand opening. Only one month after opening to residents, nearly 75 percent of

New Jersey
’s first green senior living community buildings is already leased. Millville Housing Authority Executive Director Paul F. Dice thanked the
South 2nd Street

structure’s environmentally friendly technology and affordable rent — between $420 and $530.Read the full report at www.thedailyjournal.com

Posted in Assisted Living, News & Articles, Senior Alternatives, Senior Housing | No Comments »

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

If you are looking for nursing home abuse and neglect report you should visit : http://www.nursing-homes-ratings.com/. Nursing Home Ratings. com hosts information about nursing homes in your area. They provide data on the each nursing home’s inspections and resident ratings. The only downfall with the site is that it is not up to date in every state. It does provide with with a list of many homes.

Good luck with your search.

Posted in Aging Parents, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Nursing Home Abuse, Senior Housing | No Comments »

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

Did you know that 80% of all strokes are preventable?The National Stroke Association’s stroke prevention guidelines help you learn how you may be able to lower your risk for a first stroke.The Stroke Prevention Guidelines were established by National Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention Advisory Board, which includes an elite group of the nation’s leading experts on stroke prevention.

National Stroke Association suggests you ask your doctor for advice on how to best use the following guidelines.

Stroke Prevention Guidelines:

1.  Know your blood pressure.Have your blood pressure checked at least annually. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control.High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of stroke.You can check your blood pressure at your doctor’s office, at health fairs, at home with an automatic blood pressure machine, or at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat that changes how your heart works and allows blood to collect in the chambers of your heart.This blood, which is not moving through your body, tends to clot.The beating of your heart can move one of these blood clots into your blood stream, and can cause a stroke.Your doctor can diagnose AF by carefully taking your pulse.AF can be confirmed or ruled out with an electrocardiogram (ECG) (a recording of the electrical activity of the heart) which can probably be done in your doctor’s office.

3. If you smoke, stop. Smoking doubles the risk for stroke.If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will immediately drop.Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of stroke from this factor.

4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.Studies now show that drinking up to two alcoholic drinks per day can reduce your risk for stroke by about half.  More alcohol than this each day can increase your risk for stroke by as much as three times and can also lead to liver disease, accidents and more.

5. Find out if you have high cholesterol (a soft, waxy fat (lipid) in the bloodstream and in all body cells).Know your cholesterol number.If your total cholesterol level (LDL and HDL) is over 200, talk to your doctor.  You may be at increased risk for stroke.LDL, known as the “bad” cholesterol, is the form that builds up and causes plaque which may narrow arteries and limit or stop blood flow.  LDL can be inherited from your family members or be a result of your body chemistry.  It can also be the result of a diet high in saturated fats, lack of exercise, or diabetes.HDL is the “good” cholesterol that sweeps the blood and removes plaque.Lowering your cholesterol may reduce your risk for stroke.

6. If you are diabetic… Follow your doctor’s advice carefully to control your diabetes.Often, diabetes may be controlled through careful attention to what you eat.Work with your doctor and your dietitian (a health care professional who helps promote good health through proper eating) to develop a healthy eating program that fits your lifestyle.Your doctor can prescribe lifestyle changes and medicine that can help control your diabetes.Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk for stroke; by controlling your diabetes, you may lower your risk for stroke.

7. Exercise.Include exercise in your daily activities.A brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your health in many ways, and may reduce your risk for stroke.Try walking with a friend; this will make it more likely that you’ll make it a habit.If you don’t enjoy walking, choose another exercise or activity that you do enjoy, such as biking, swimming, golf, tennis, dance, or aerobics.Make time each day to take care of yourself by exercise.

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. By cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk for stroke.

9. Circulation (movement of the blood through the heart and blood vessels) problems.  Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for stroke.
Strokes can be caused by problems with your heart (pump), arteries and veins (tubes), or the blood which flows through them. Together, they are your circulation. Your doctor can check to see if you have problems in the circulation supplying blood to your brain.

10. Symptoms.If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.Read our article to learn more about stroke symptoms.

Posted in Aging Parents, Anti-Aging, Baby Boomers, Healthy Aging, News & Articles, Senior Health, Stroke | No Comments »

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly.Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke and to a bystander, someone having a stroke may just look confused.

Symptoms of a Stroke May Include:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you believe someone is having a stroke call 911 immediately.

Posted in Aging Parents, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Baby Boomers, Healthy Aging, News & Articles, Stroke | No Comments »

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

A consumer advocacy group called on the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday to ban the use of eight artificial colorings in food because they have been linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children. The colorings the center seeks to ban are: Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3, and Yellow 6.

Controlled studies conducted over three decades have shown that children’s behavior can be worsened by some artificial dyes, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The group noted the British government is successfully pressuring food manufacturers to switch to safer colorings.Dyes are used in countless foods and are sometimes used to simulate the color of fruits or vegetables. The additives are particularly prevalent in the cereals, candies, sodas, and snack foods pitched to children.

The center’s petition asks the FDA to require a warning label on foods with artificial dyes while it mulls the group’s request to ban the dyes outright.

Source: mayoclinic.com

Posted in Healthy Aging, News & Articles | No Comments »

 

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