It’s that time of year again—time to start thinking about what boots you’ll wear when you’re trudging through snow, slopping through slush and traversing the ice.
Your feet are not immune from the effects of aging.
As we get older, our arches tend to collapse, causing our feet to get longer and wider. With seasonal footwear like winter boots, it’s easy to end up in the wrong size. Don’t assume you’re the same shoe size as last year.
“Getting measured is very important,” Dr. Buchanan said. “This is potentially a big issue as people do more shoe shopping online.”
2. Too small equals cold feet.
If your winter boots (or ski boots) are too tight or too small, your feet get cold faster, which can become a serious issue. There should be room for air to circulate within the boot.
When you go to be measured at a full-service shoe store, try to go mid-day or mid-afternoon. As the day goes on, our feet swell, so a shoe that fits at 9am might be very tight at 6pm.
3. Boots with any size heel do not mix with ice.
Take this advice straight from a doctor who sees a lot of ankle fractures and foot injuries from slips and falls on the ice.
“With a winter boot, a heel is dangerous because it’s more unstable,” Dr. Buchanan said. “You have to be very, very cautious.”
4. Good tread equals good traction.
Make sure your boots are going to grip the ground.
The flat, slippery sole of fashion boots can be treacherous in slippery outdoor winter conditions, Dr. Buchanan said. The best tread will be on boots that are marketed for outdoor winter walking.
5. Boots with a pointed toe might look good, but they’re not good for you.
Boots that come to a point at the toe increase the rate of foot problems for women.
A sharp-pointed boot pushes the toes together, increasing bunion deformities and pressure points on the foot, Dr. Buchanan said.
6. Wrap your feet in warmth.
A winter boot should have the appropriate liner to keep your feet warm and dry. Look for waterproof, wool or sheepskin liners.
7. Two socks are better than one.
To keep your feet warm during extended periods of time in cold
temperatures, consider wearing two pairs of thin socks rather than one
thick pair to help prevent blistering, Dr. Buchanan said.
8. Keep an eye on your kids’ boots during the winter.
Children’s feet grow so fast that something that fits in November might not fit in February. Add to this the fact that kids tend to push the limit of how long they stay outside in the cold, and it can be a recipe for disaster.
Make sure their boots are big enough for air to circulate and keep their feet warm.
9. Outdoor conditions call for outdoor boots.
Wear fashion boots inside, for shorter periods of time during which you will not do much walking. Before going outside, change into winter boots designed for outdoor use.
“It really becomes a question of function of the shoe,” Dr. Buchanan said.
10. Happy feet lead to a happy body.
Robbing your feet of the support and care they need can lead to bigger issues in your knees, hips and back.
Start with a firm foundation with your winter boots, and you can ward off other ailments, according to Dr. Buchanan.
Low-carb, vegetarian, Mediterranean—whatever your diet, it’s important to get enough protein.
Although research hasn’t yet pinpointed one perfect formula, experts say that the typical “recommended” daily minimums aren’t optimal and that it helps to factor in your weight and activity level to determine how much protein you personally need.
A good baseline for people who exercise at a moderate level is between one-half and three-quarters of a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.
If you weigh 150 pounds, for example, eat between 75 and 112 grams of protein per day.
To lose weight, diets with higher amounts of protein—between 90 and 150 grams a day—are effective and help keep you from losing muscle along with fat.
Since the body uses protein most effectively when you have it at regular intervals, divide your daily intake into four equal amounts for breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner.
If you work out at a high level, consider eating another 50 grams of protein before you go to bed to help with overnight muscle repair.
You might be familiar with calorie counting, but it’s also important to know how to tally your protein intake.
While one ounce of chicken weighs 28 grams, it contains only about 9 grams of protein. So it takes a 3-ounce portion to deliver 27 grams of protein, or about one-quarter of the average daily need.
27-gram protein portions
3 ounces of fish, turkey, chicken or lean beef
7 ounces plain Greek yogurt
3/4 cup cottage cheese
You can also get high-quality protein from some plant-based foods.
These include tofu, whole grains, legumes and nuts—all better options than eating extra red meat or any processed meats.
The nation’s top nutrition panel may be changing its tune when it comes to an earlier recommendation of avoiding eggs and other cholesterol-rich foods, but not all doctors agree.
A preliminary report released in 2014 noted that “cholesterol is not considered a nutrient of concern for over-consumption,” meaning it might matter less how much cholesterol is in the foods we eat.
That doesn’t mean people should go wild with a pound of bacon each morning.
Thomas Boyden, MD, a Spectrum Health cardiovascular physician, said he believes diet and exercise are two of the most important components of cholesterol management.
“I am 100 percent for patients doing everything they can for themselves and ultimately taking responsibility for their own health,” Dr. Boyden said. “If patients were more focused on diet and routine aerobic activity, many would realize they have the opportunity to improve their overall health and reduce their chance of heart disease and stroke, potentially without the need for medications.”
Dr. Boyden said some people have inherent genetic risks or other illnesses and are at higher risk than others. These patients oftentimes cannot fix their cholesterol numbers with diet and exercise alone, so he advocates for medication in these cases.
If you have high cholesterol, here’s what you need to know:
Worst foods
Avoid fatty foods, but know that not all fat is bad fat. The worst are trans fats and saturated fats, which are mostly found in processed foods and fatty meats. Eating less of each of these will benefit a patient’s cholesterol levels. Beef and red meats should be consumed in moderation.
Best foods
Try to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and non-animal based proteins. Soy products, beans and fish (which has a better fat composition than other animal products) are all great to incorporate into your diet. Introducing fish into your diet a couple times per week can make a noticeable difference.
Activity
The more aerobic activity you can work into your routine, the better. Moderate aerobic activity is less likely to affect weight loss, but it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and helps control blood sugar. Exercise improves mental capacity, makes bones strong and improves mood. Any exercise is helpful, so don’t feel that you need to train like an athlete. Just 20–30 minutes per day of moderate activity has proven benefits. The key is to get your pulse and breathing elevated, but there is no need to push yourself to extremes.
Family history
It is important to know family history and whether you have a higher
disposition to illnesses and risk factors. Are you overweight? Do you
have diabetes or high blood pressure? And do any of these conditions run
in your family? Talk to your doctor about how your genetics
could affect your health now and in the future.
Treatment
If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or diabetes, it’s important to speak with a physician to create a personalized treatment plan that works for you. Your doctor can conduct an individualized risk assessment and help you determine what might work best for you.
Screenings
Learn about the effects of cholesterol on your health at a free vascular screening. To qualify for a free screening, you must have at least two of the following risk factors:
Mel Trotter Ministries lifts curfew, offers around-the-clock support
In preparation for plummeting temperatures, Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is shifting into a “code blue” status to ensure men, women and children experiencing homelessness are safe.
“Code blue” is a term used by MTM to describe the most extreme winter conditions in West Michigan, when temperatures stay below freezing for a period of time — putting those who are exposed to the elements at severe risk of hypothermia, frost bite or even death. MTM expects to serve 400-500 men, women and children on these cold nights.
MTM will provide:
Access to safe, warm shelter 24 hours a day with lifted curfew times.
Warm clothing; hats, gloves, hand warmers, for guests staying at the shelter.
On-site medical staff to assess for conditions caused from cold weather exposure.
Removing previous restrictions to enter shelter for people who have violated rules.
Staff doing outreach around the Mission to welcome everyone in and provide resources.
Various warming centers have been identified throughout the city, including at Mel Trotter Ministries | View complete warming center list.
Mel Trotter Ministries is asking for the community’s help to provide for the hundreds of men, women and children served each night in the shelter with the Code Blue Drive. MTM is collecting new and like new coats, boots and various other items for all ages and genders. Items can be dropped off at Mel Trotter Ministries downtown location at 225 Commerce Avenue SW and various locations throughout greater Grand Rapids. More information about the Code Blue Drive, drop off locations and other ongoing needs at www.meltrotter.org/codeblue.
Veterans Day on November 11 is a day for the people of the United States to honor those men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. For aging and elderly veterans, the holiday is an important time to reflect on their experiences and receive recognition for their deeds, and in senior living communities, it’s likely that there are several residents who have served.
Whether you’d like to take some time this Veterans Day to honor the veterans around you, or you are a veteran yourself, here are some meaningful ways to observe the holiday:
1. Plan an Oral History Interview or Discussion
Oral history projects such as the Veterans History Project are reaching out to veterans across the country to preserve their memories and experiences for future generations. The interviews are informal and meant to be comfortable and companionable to make it as easy as possible for veterans to talk about experiences that may be troubling. Most oral history projects recommend one-on-one interviews, but a group discussion with several veterans can make it easier to exchange stories and memories. The most important part of any oral history project, after all, is preserving authentic first-hand accounts. The Veterans History Project has a list of suggested interview questions to get the conversation started, but from there, let it wander. The most interesting stories can come from unexpected places.
2. Pack Care Packages
While Veterans Day is for honoring those who have already finished serving honorably in the armed forces, it’s also a good day to show support to those who are currently serving. Organizations such as Operation Gratitude help people connect with deployed troops to send care packages, which typically include little comforts from home that are difficult to get on deployment. This is a great social activity for veterans to engage in, as they can recall what they would have appreciated, the sort of rations they received, and more details about their service as they continue to support the armed forces.
3. Attend Local Celebrations
Local governments and schools often organize parades or assemblies to honor Veterans Day. If you are a veteran, consider talking to school groups about your service, or attend a school event. Putting a face to history helps kids understand the reality of what they learn. Local parades celebrate the service of our veterans, and local businesses and organizations may offer discounts or donate proceeds to services that help veterans.
4. Thank the Veterans Around You
This is one of the simplest, but most meaningful things you can do to celebrate Veterans Day. Take a moment to shake the hand of the veterans around you and thank them for their service. A small gesture can mean a lot, and for veterans in senior living communities, gratitude from peers, caretakers, family, and friends can have more significance than large events and speeches.
However you choose to celebrate Veterans Day, we hope you have some time to support the aging and elderly veterans who have done so much for our country. From all of us at Vista Springs, happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service!
There’s no definitive proof coffee drinking lowers the risk of gallstones, but there is an association that merits further study. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
To the many ways in which coffee seems to confer unexpected health benefits, add a lowered risk of painful gallstones.
After tracking nearly 105,000 Danes for an average of eight years, researchers found that those who downed more than six cups per day of the world’s most popular beverage saw their gallstone risk drop by 23%.
“High coffee intake is associated with a lower risk of gallstone disease,” said study author Dr. A. Tybjaerg-Hansen. She’s chief physician of Rigshospitalet’s department of clinical biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.
That’s good news for Danes, 6% of whom drink six or more cups of coffee every day, she said.
But what about the average Dane, who knocks back just two cups a day? Or the average American or Brit who consumes between one to two cups daily? The study has good news for them, too. It turns out that even small amounts of coffee appeared to lower gallstone risk.
Compared to those who abstained from coffee, participants who drank just one cup of Joe a day saw the risk of gallstones dip by about 3%. Meanwhile, those who consumed three to six cups per day saw their risk lide by 17%.
The findings were published recently in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Gallstones are hard pebble-like pieces that can accumulate in the gallbladder, where they can sometimes block bile ducts. When that extremely painful condition develops, surgery to remove them is often the treatment of choice.
So what is it about coffee that seems to diminish risk? Tybjaerg-Hansen said that, for now, “we can only speculate on that.”
But she noted that because caffeine is excreted via the bile, it’s possible that it reduces the amount of cholesterol found in the bile. That could reduce gallstone risk, given that “the development of gallstones depends on a balance largely between cholesterol and bile acids,” Tybjaerg-Hansen explained.
Coffee also stimulates the muscle contractions that move contents though the gastrointestinal tract.
As to whether it’s the caffeine content that serves as coffee’s silver bullet, Tybjaerg-Hansen said, “yes, that is a possibility.” That raises the prospect that tea or chocolate might also lower gallstone risk.
But whatever’s behind coffee’s power, she believes that the team’s subsequent genetic analyses indicate that it’s coffee itself—rather than lifestyle factors common to coffee drinkers—that is at play.
Another expert is not so sure.
Dr. Anthony Bleyer is a professor of nephrology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was not involved in the Danish study and was not previously aware of any link between coffee and gallstone risk.
“(But) it seems every week there is a new story about how coffee may or may not be associated with some benefit,” he cautioned. “Information on coffee is collected in many big databases. It is easy to do a comparison with just about any factor: osteoporosis, weight gain, weight loss, sleep, ulcers, cancer, mortality. You get the picture.”
And Bleyer acknowledged that many people will find studies like this interesting, given that coffee drinking is such a common habit.
“But from a scientific standpoint, I am not a big fan,” he added.
“For one thing, consuming six cups of coffee is quite a lot,” he said, “and the (high level of) caffeine could have big effects on sleep, gastric reflux and on arrhythmias.”
But most importantly, said Bleyer, the things that drive people to drink a lot of coffee in the first place “may also cause other changes in diet.” And it could very well be those dietary changes, rather than coffee itself, that end up affecting gallstone risk.
His bottom line: don’t place too much stock in the power of coffee to reduce gallstone risk.
For now, he said, “these studies show only an association, that is not causative.”
Although the slopes might not be ready just yet, it’s never too early to begin preparing your body for ski season.
Here’s a look at the most common injuries and the best ways to prevent them:
Head injuries
Falls account for 75 to 85 percent of ski injuries, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, and nearly all ski-related head injuries are the result of falling.
The best way not to fall is “making sure you’re in shape,” said Jason Lazor, DO, who specializes in sports medicine for Spectrum Health Medical Group Orthopedics. To do that, start preparing weeks or months before you actually get on the slopes.
The time to start prepping for skiing is yesterday. Prepare your core, muscles and joints for the rigors of skiing and you’re less likely to injure yourself. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
“You don’t really want to ski yourself into shape,” Dr. Lazor suggested. “When you’re skiing, you’re putting a lot of forces on the body. …The body can best handle those forces when you’ve done some prepping.”
Dr. Lazor recommends a combination of stretching, cardiovascular training like running, cycling and/or swimming, and resistance training focused on the lower extremities to best prepare for ski season. In terms of weight and resistance training, he suggests focusing on quads, hamstrings, abdomen and pelvic stabilizers.
Strong muscles and flexibility increase stability and muscle control, as well as decrease muscle fatigue, which all help to prevent serious falls.
“The more in-shape you are and the more body control you have, the better you can avoid accidents, and when accidents do happen, the better you can protect yourself,” Dr. Lazor said.
The other key for protecting your head is wearing a properly-fitted helmet. You’ll look great.
Sprains and fractures
Two other common injuries when skiing are sprains and fractures.
Collisions with objects and other skiers account for between 11 and 20
percent of ski injuries, according to the American College of Sports
Medicine, and are the primary cause of fractures.
Skiing “in control” is the best way to avoid those collisions, says Dr. Lazor. Almost every resort posts a Responsibility Code, which reminds skiers to keep an eye on the skiers in front of them, stop in safe and visible places, always look uphill while stopped, and other basic tips for avoiding collisions and ensuring safety.
It’s also important to know your limits, says Dr. Lazor, and not to ski on trails that are above your ability level.
Thumb and wrist injuries
About 30 to 40 percent of skiing injuries are to the upper extremities, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, and “the most vulnerable joint of the upper body is the thumb.”
Skier’s thumb, which is a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb, happens when skiers fall on an outstretched hand while still gripping their ski poles.
The best way to avoid this injury—which can lead to pain and weakness when grasping objects—is to avoid falling (see above advice). A second helpful tip is to use ski poles with straps rather than fitted grips.
“(Straps) are associated with fewer injuries,” the American College of Sports Medicine reports.
When to see a doctor
“In general, if you’re questioning an injury, go seek out help,” Dr. Lazor advised.
Signs of serious head injuries are people acting outside their normal character, behaving more emotionally than normal, a sudden sensitivity to light and lingering headaches.
Another advantage to working out before winter arrives, Dr. Lazor said, is people who work out can tell the difference between general soreness following physical activity and pain from an injury. He frequently reminds people that the Orthopedic Urgent Care clinic stands at the ready to assist them as they encounter any sort of orthopedic injuries—on or off the slopes.
Dr. Lazor has a simple mantra for those wondering when to see a doctor: “When in doubt, get checked out.”
It’s a difficult and stressful time when an aging loved one begins to show signs of dementia. Memory loss can be frightening and sad, but people with dementia can still live out their golden years happy and full of life, provided they receive the care that’s right for them. Moving to a memory care facility can give them the attention and stimulation they need, but how do you choose the best one? Start by asking these questions:
What are your loved one’s unique needs?
While a diagnosis may give general guidelines as to how your loved one’s dementia may progress and what sort of care they need, every individual has a different experience with memory loss. Any memory care facility that you consider should be able to understand and respond to unique needs. From physical ability to behavior considerations, the care facility’s staff should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and experience with caring for different needs associated with aging and dementia.
What level of care does the facility offer?
Depending on your loved one’s needs, you should look for a facility that offers a variety of care options. All memory care facilities should offer 24-hour supervision, medical monitoring, and help with daily activities. There are also a few specific considerations that you should be sure to ask about during the decision process, such as:
Which meals are provided, and what is the quality of those meals? Aging adults, especially those with dementia, may begin to lose their appetites. Varied meals with different colors present on the plate may keep them interested.
What type of training has the staff received?
What are their emergency response procedures?
How often are housekeeping and laundry services provided?
What is the staff to resident ratio during the day, night, and on weekends? Having too many different people caring for residents with dementia may be distressing for them, so knowing how many people are on call and how many will be providing personal care is important.
Both you and your loved one should be confident in the level of care and comfort provided by the facility before considering it further.
What sort of activities are offered?
Reports and studies published by Alzheimer’s Disease International and the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group link cognitive and physical stimulation to unchanging and even improving cognitive ability in people with dementia, and therefore it’s important that a memory care facility offers a variety of activities that are fun and easy for residents of all ages and cognitive levels. Ask about how often activities are held, residents’ level of freedom, and if people are grouped by cognitive level, which may be more comforting to your loved one.
What are the facilities like?
You may think a familiar setting, such as a comfortable family home, may be better for your loved one if they are showing signs or are diagnosed with dementia, but the level of care that must be provided is hard for families or even hired caregivers in a space that is not designed with ease of care in mind. The memory care facility that you choose should be as homey as possible to help your loved one transition to living there. What type of housing do they offer? Do they have private or semi-private rooms and apartments? Are memory care buildings laid out in such a way that residents won’t get lost, confused, or anxious? The experience of living in a memory care facility should be as enjoyable as possible, so pay attention to the details.
The new care needs of your loved one when they begin to show signs of dementia can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. In the right care facility, you can be sure that they are receiving the best care possible, and that they can live full lives with the assistance they need.
What happens at the federal, state, county and city government levels are of importance to everybody, including veterans, so the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum will be fittingly held at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23.
“We thought there was no better time to take our Government Matters forum on the road than Veterans Day,” Bob O’Callaghan, president of the chamber, said to WKTV. “We wanted to honor our veterans, and the AMVETS in Kentwood stepped up.”
O’Callaghan also thanked Harold Mast, longtime local public servant and veterans advocate, for arranging the visit to the AMVETS post.
AMVETS Post 23 is located at 98 52nd St. SE. The Government Matters meeting runs from 8-9:15 a.m.
The Government Matters meeting is rebroadcast on WKTV’s channels and on-demand website (wktvlive.com).
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents, businesses — and veterans and their families — in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org.
A part of her continuing Second Sunday community conversations, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness Sunday, Nov. 10, from 2-4 p.m., at Broad Leaf Local Beer.
The Keynote Speaker of the public event will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court.
The panel will include Wende Randall, director of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force; Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden; James White of Cinnaire; and Cheryl Schuch, of Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
The event will be moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates. WKTV will record the discussion and post it on our WKTV Journal In Focus Podcast Channel.
“The more people I spoke with about housing, the more I realized we have several great community organizations working very hard in this area to make an impact,” Bridson said in her monthly community newsletter. “Homelessness doesn’t have a simple solution, but it does need a regional approach by various members of the community sitting down to compare our efforts, bring more awareness to all and work on more active solutions to keep chipping away at this issue.
“This issue is especially important to me because it disproportionately affects women, people of color and children.”
Bridson said in the community newsletter that she asked for information on homeless students in Kentwood Public Schools and found that, in 2018, Kentwood Public Schools had 283 students that were homeless, while Grand Rapids Public Schools had 671 students homeless.
She also states that Kentwood does not have a homeless shelter.
The holidays bring joy to many of us, but they aren’t always so kind to our overall health.
We may feel stressed from trying to do too much, working to please everyone, getting less sleep, exercising less and constantly trying to avoid all the unhealthy food that comes with the holidays.
To make matters worse, all that stress combined with less sleep makes our bodies crave sugar and then store it as belly fat. Yikes! Add alcohol to the mixture, and hot flashes and night sweats can occur, making the holiday roller coaster even worse.
You may think you are destined to gain extra weight during this time of year, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can either read this blog and feel depressed when you are done, or you can take the information and use it as a guide for how to enjoy the holidays the healthy way. All it takes is a little planning and some self control.
Let’s use a patient I’ll call Lisa as an example of how to enjoy the holidays and end up with better health.
Lisa is 51 and just starting menopause. She is taking a low dose of hormones, and she still experiences an occasional hot flash if she forgets to change her patch, gains a few extra pounds, drinks too much wine, is sleep deprived, or forgets to drink enough water.
When Lisa came to see me for her annual check up, she was very worried about the holidays—specifically weight gain.
Like many people, Lisa had several stressors she knew she would be tackling. She was trying to coordinate extended family events to be sure certain family members wouldn’t be together at the same time.
Lisa was also preparing herself mentally for the arrival of her college-age kids. She was excited to see them, of course, but she knew it would be an adjustment for everyone after settling in to their new routines. In addition, Lisa worked full time and was barely able to stick to her exercise routine because of frequent late meetings.
Adding the stress of the holidays could challenge her exercise and eating habits even more. She had just settled into a solid sleep routine and didn’t want holiday to-do lists and night sweats to upset that routine. It was time to make a plan.
Lisa had already outlined her goals, and when she came to see me, she shared them with me. She wanted to:
Not have hot flashes.
Continue her solid sleeping pattern.
Not gain weight.
Be happy and enjoy her family in the midst of potential conflicts and overload.
Lisa had already learned her symptom triggers (inadequate sleep,
wine, sugar, stress and excitement), and she knew her barriers
(full-time work schedule, extra events on her calendar, and holiday
baking and shopping for everyone). Her next step was figuring out how to
accomplish everything while avoiding triggers.
I was confident Lisa could attain her goals with planning, preparation and a few simple rules.
Lisa was aware that if she took care of herself she would be happier, healthier, able to accomplish more, and just more fun to be around. So she committed to planning out each week during the month of December.
Every Sunday afternoon she would make a prioritized list of things she needed to accomplish and break it down by daily tasks. Lisa included meal plans, exercise, work events, family time, changing her patch, taking her vitamins and sleep on her daily list. This would ensure she wouldn’t forget anything or have any excuses for not getting these things done.
Next, Lisa outlined a few rules for herself. She knew certain foods triggered issues like night sweats, weight gain and frustration, so she committed to the following rules:
No carbs after 3pm (unless one glass of wine was the sugar treat for the day).
Limit simple carbs to one serving per day.
Drink eight glasses of water per day.
Watch what she ate at holiday parties (choose lean meats, veggies and salad over carbs when available).
Exercise vigorously, even if it meant shorter workouts, to accommodate other obligations.
Make sleep a priority and stick to her pre-bedtime ritual: Five minutes of gratitude and metered breathing and no screen time. She also vowed to get up immediately in the middle of the night if she awoke (instead of tossing and turning, worrying about things she needed to get done).
As you can see, Lisa made a plan designed to help her make it through
the holidays in good health. She set goals and made some rules to help
her plan become a reality.
You can achieve success as well by setting your own goals, knowing your symptom triggers, listing your barriers and outlining the rules that will help you realize those goals.
Familial hypercholesterolemia can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and a look at family history. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, but not all forms of it are the same.
An underdiagnosed genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia can cause dangerously high levels of cholesterol at an early age.
While scientists have determined familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by genetic mutations that affect the body’s ability to remove LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, they haven’t pinned down all the genes involved for nearly 1 in 3 people who have it.
But that may be beginning to change.
Scientists presented preliminary research at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery conference in Boston this week showing more clues to the genetic roots of familial hypercholesterolemia.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute researchers screened 19,114 genes and identified transgelin as one of the genes of interest. Previous studies have found this gene could be associated in LDL metabolism.
When researchers disabled the gene in cells, some cells tried to compensate.
“The cell tries to make more cholesterol because cholesterol is vital for the cell to survive,” said Diego Lucero, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at the institute. “Understanding this is important because it might have impacts on the magnitude of the clinical presentation of the disease.”
People with familial hypercholesterolemia are exposed to chronically high levels of LDL from an early age and their risk for premature heart disease is 20 times greater than the general population, according to the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation.
Over time, the condition can lead to atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque and narrowing of artery walls. As a result, signs of heart disease can show up decades earlier in people with familial hypercholesterolemia compared to the general population.
The condition affects approximately 1 in 250 U.S. adults. Yet, it remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“Less than 10 percent of those who have (familial hypercholesterolemia) have actually been diagnosed, which leads to a lot of premature morbidity and mortality,” said Dr. Samuel Gidding, chief medical officer for the foundation.
Someone who carries the altered gene has a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.
Yet, the challenge is diagnosing familial hypercholesterolemia.
Health care providers may not understand the difference between general high cholesterol and familial hypercholesterolemia and may not screen high-risk people, said Gidding, who was not involved in the new study.
Familial hypercholesterolemia can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and a reported family history of cardiovascular disease. Doctors look for LDL levels over 190 in adults and over 160 in children, and onset of heart disease before age 60 in men and before 50 in women. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.
Once identified, there are effective ways to treat the condition, Gidding said. Early treatment with medications, as well as maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, can lower the risk of premature heart attacks and strokes.
The new research and further work identifying new genes involved in the development of familial hypercholesterolemia could lead to better diagnosis and treatment, Gidding said.
“Anytime an individual gene like this could help explain variations in lipid level, it could be a drug target.”
According to the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau and American Fact Finder, there were approximately 2,582,410 grandparents providing primary care to their grandkids under the age of 18. While this number has held steady in recent years, it is considerably lower than 2,687,216 in 2011 and 2,733,807 in 2013. When a parent is not able to care for their child, grandparents will fill this role to keep the family together.
The parent has a mental illness or is incarcerated.
The grandchild is suffering abuse and neglect at the hands of their biological parents.
The parent is in the military.
Tips for grandparents
AARP offers suggestions for grandparents that are welcoming grandchildren into their home. Due to the nature of addiction, incarceration and the sudden deployment of military, grandparents are typically thrust into the role of the primary caregiver with very little notice. Keeping good notes and staying organized is key to success. Keep birth certificates, social security cards, medical and dental records, attorney or custody papers, as well as other important documents, in a file folder or file cabinet.
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension
AARP recommends making lists of small tasks that could be helpful and sharing with well-minded neighbors, extended family and others. They will want to help. Another suggestion is to divide up tasks and make daily plans of what needs to be accomplished.
Michigan State University Extension recommends beginning conversations with the child’s teacher, building principal, pediatricians, counselor, school social worker and lawyers (if needed) about changes that are occurring in the child’s life. According to “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” from HelpGuide, grandparents need to acknowledge their feelings. Anger, resentment, stress, worry, guilt and grief are typical feelings that will be triggered when grandparents take on their new role as parent. They can, however, expect to feel joy, love and peace in seeing the child in a stable environment learning, growing, making friends and more.
Grandparents absolutely must find moments to take care of their own spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health. It is difficult to be a caregiver when we are out of energy. They may be financially burdened by this new situation as well. Seeking help from support groups is very beneficial and highly recommended. It is not something that needs to be done alone.
Finally, while this may be difficult for grandparents, children will have mixed feelings as well in their new living arrangements. This is especially true for children who have lost their parents to death. In any situation, they may express feelings of abandonment, sadness, mistrust, confusion, anxiety and may act aggressively or exhibit other inappropriate behavior. Over time, children will begin to settle into the new situation and feel safe to express their feelings. Support the child as they work through the roller coaster of emotions they are experiencing.
MSU Extension recommends supporting children by establishing predictable routines, accepting input on house rules, how they would like to decorate their room, providing private space and offering consistent, unconditional love and attention to help them feel secure.
The Health Forum of West Michigan event hosted by Grand Valley State University last week included panelists, from left, Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the new Marijuana Regulatory Agency for the State of Michigan; Dr. Mandeep Bath, addiction psychiatrist for Pine Rest; Scott Rifenberg, deputy chief, Grand Rapids Police Department; and John Titley, partner and corporate attorney for Varnum LLP. (GVSU/Kendra Stanley-Mills)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
A panel of experts on the medical and legal aspects of existing medical, and pending recreational, marijuana use discussed a multitude of issues at Health Forum of West Michigan event hosted by Grand Valley State University last week.
While the event was focused on the implications of legalized marijuana for the health care industry, a wide range of information was presented and topics discussed, including how police will deal with suspected driving under the influence of marijuana, the current medical-community research on the short- and long-term effects of marijuana use, and ongoing state regulatory actions in preparation for the pending legalization of recreational marijuana.
Adult-use retail sales of marijuana is set to start by the end of the first quarter 2020, and while many local cities and townships have opted-out of having legal marijuana sales within their jurisdiction — including both Kentwood and Wyoming — the state is busy establishing rules and regulations associated with its sales and use.
At the forum, Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the new Marijuana Regulatory Agency for the State of Michigan, discussed the state’s new recreational marijuana commercial licensing and regulatory program, including that there will be a 10 percent excise tax collected on sales to fund state and local regulation and enforcement costs, that there is an initial $6,000 application fee and that the actual license fee will range from 3,000-$50,000, and that there will be specific rules for consumption at temporary events and “designated consumption establishments.”
The Nov. 1 free-to-the-pubic event was part of a planned series of health-care related forms hosted by the university’s Office of the Vice Provost for Health in the DeVos Center, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
The Health Forum of West Michigan event hosted by Grand Valley State University last week included panelists, from left, Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the new Marijuana Regulatory Agency for the State of Michigan; Dr. Mandeep Bath, addiction psychiatrist for Pine Rest; Scott Rifenberg, deputy chief, Grand Rapids Police Department; and John Titley, partner and corporate attorney for Varnum LLP. (GVSU/Kendra Stanley-Mills)
Other panelists included Dr. Mandeep Bath, addiction psychiatrist for Pine Rest; Scott Rifenberg, deputy chief, Grand Rapids Police Department; and John Titley, partner and corporate attorney for Varnum LLP.
Bath detailed known and in-study health issues involving marijuana use, and included in his details were:
Approximately 2.6 percent to 5 percent of the global population (119-221 million individuals) use cannabis, with the rate of cannabis use in high-income countries almost twice the rate in low-income countries. A 2013 survey reported 7 percent of 8th graders, 18 percent of 10th graders, 22.7 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in past month up from 5.8 percent, 13.8 percent and 19.4 percent survey results from 2008.
Medical studies suggest 8.9 percent of cannabis users would become dependent on cannabis at some point in their lives.
While most of Dr. Bath’s discussion contained dry if sobering information, one bit of medical data drew a humorous reaction:
“During intoxication, user’s sociability and sensitivity to certain stimuli like colors is heightened, perception of time is altered, and appetite to sweet and fatty foods is stimulated,” he said, reading from a powerpoint script, before adding impromptu, “… the munchies.”
The event was moderated by Susan DeVuyst-Miller is associate professor of pharmacy practice at Ferris State University and clinical pharmacist for Cherry Health Services.
The next Health Forum of West Michigan will be “New Discoveries in Genetics” on Friday, Dec. 6, with guest Caleb Bupp, M.D., a medical geneticist with Spectrum Health.
GVSU’s DeVos Center us located at 401 Fulton St. W.. For more information on planned health forums, visit gvsu.edu/vphealth .
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we talk with Michigan State Sen. Peter MacGregor, who represents the City of Wyoming as part of a widespread Kent County area included in the 28th Senate District.
MacGregor is in his second term in the Senate, and is both the Senate majority floor leader and chairman of the important Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
We talk with the senator about health and human services issues, changes coming to the state’s auto insurance laws, and — of course — budget battles between the Republican-controlled legislature and first-year Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Taking about the budget process, in which the legislature develops and presents a budget to the governor for approval — or line-item veto — Sen. MacGregor said “The Governor was not as involved as she thought she should be. Not that we did not want them involved, just that there is a lot of politics involved with a split government.”
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
In 2017, more than 85,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics for injuries related to luggage. Know your limits before you pack that suitcase. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
With holiday travel comes the risk of injury from toting heavy luggage.
In 2017, more than 85,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics for injuries related to luggage, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“Hurting your neck, back, or shoulders can put you out of commission for a long time,” Dr. Charla Fischer, an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons spokesperson and orthopedic spine surgeon, said in an academy news release.
“You can prevent that by packing lightly, using sturdy luggage with wheels and handles, and using good form when carrying or lifting bags,” she suggested.
Here are some luggage safety tips, courtesy of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Don’t buy luggage that’s too heavy or bulky when empty. Try to place items in a few smaller bags instead of one large one. When lifting luggage, stand alongside it and bend at the knees, lifting the luggage with your leg muscles. Once lifted, hold luggage close to your body.
Don’t twist when lifting and carrying luggage. Point your toes in the direction you’re going and turn your entire body in that direction. Don’t carry bulky luggage for long periods of time. When possible, use the airline’s baggage service when you have heavy luggage.
Carry luggage in both hands, rather than one hand off to the side. This can decrease stress to the spine and reduce the risk of developing elbow problems.
Carry, don’t drag, rolling luggage when climbing stairs.
If you’re using a backpack, it should have two padded and adjustable shoulder straps to equally balance the weight. Pack heavier items low and towards the center.
When using a duffel or shoulder bag, switch sides often.
David Stults stood in front of a packed auditorium at Lowell High School, sharing his medical journey with students.
Even though the cause of his irreversible lung damage is, of all things, microwave popcorn, Stults has learned that vaping can cause similar damage. And he wants students to know it. Before they suffer a similar fate.
Stults, now 59, started feeling short of breath about 10 years ago when he’d go up and down the stairs at his house.
“Your initial thought is, OK, it’s time to push away from snacks and do some exercise, which I began to do,” the Walker, Michigan, resident said. “The symptoms only became worse. I went to my PCP. He listened to my lungs and said, ‘Something doesn’t sound right.’”
The doctor referred him to Michael Harrison, MD, a Spectrum Health pulmonology disease specialist.
In late 2009, lung function tests put Stults in the 70% to 80% range.
“For a healthy 49-year-old man, that was alarming,” Stults said. “Imaging showed some very ugly air trapping. He did all the breathing testing and put me on a pretty aggressive regimen of prednisone and inhalers.”
But time would not be a healer.
By February 2010, his lung function had worsened, dipping to the 60% range.
“It’s heading south quickly,” he said. “I was taking 60 to 80 milligrams of prednisone a day, as well as other inhalers. I started doing breathing treatments a couple of times a day.
Photo by Taylor Ballek, Spectrum Health Beat
“By March or April, I was down to 30%,” he said. “I couldn’t walk up half a flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath. Any kind of incline was a challenge. Even the gentle incline of the drive walking from the mailbox to my home, I’d have to catch my breath.”
By May, he continued to slide downhill, requiring weekly pulmonology appointments.
Medical mystery
Dr. Harrison suspected Stults may be suffering from an autoimmune issue. A rheumatologist started aggressive treatment with Rituxan, a drug normally used to fight cancer.
“I felt great afterwards,” he said. “I had more energy. I didn’t feel as short of breath.”
The diagnosis came in May 2010: bronchiolitis obiliterans, a severe lung inflammation that is both progressive and irreversible.
Doctors confirmed the diagnosis after three days of intense testing.
He returned home on oxygen.
“They said, ‘You need to go home and get your affairs in order,’” Stults said. “My wife (Barb) and I are both very committed and devoted Christians. We reached out to our family and friends and let them know we were asking for prayer. I can tell you from that day forward, my lung capacity has increased from 41% to 43% and has never gotten worse.”
Still, Stults wondered how he could have contracted this untreatable condition.
Dr. Harrison asked if he had been exposed to insulation, factory or foundry chemicals.
No. Stults had always worked white collar jobs.
He launched a massive internet search on his condition.
“Up popped this article on popcorn lung,” Stults said. “It told the story of these plant workers at various microwave butter-flavored popcorn manufacturers who were dying at this incredibly crazy rate. It was only the employees in these cities, working at these plants. A dozen employees died over six months. It was ridiculous.”
Federal agencies such as OSHA and NIOSH launched an investigation and learned the chemical used to create the butter flavoring, diacetyl, when it’s heated, creates a potentially toxic vapor.
Photo by Taylor Ballek
“My wife and I loved microwave butter-flavored popcorn,” he said. “My secretary at the office would make me a bag every day. I really enjoyed it, almost to an addictive level—opening the bag and sniffing in the fumes. I was breathing in the diacetyl on a daily basis. We had done that for 30 years.”
Stults’ condition may be irreversible and incurable, but he’s trying his best to reverse the actions of students who vape.
“We were talking with some friends of ours who are 20 years younger than we are and they have high school age boys,” Stults said. “She’s kind of the cool mom of Hudsonville. They have a nice home with an indoor basketball court. All of the guys in her son’s class hang out there.
“Because she’s so cool and engaging, the boys started to confess to her that a lot of them were vaping and couldn’t stop,” he said. “They were reaching out to an adult that they trust.”
She did some research and found that diacetyl is one of the many chemicals used to create different flavors in vaping pods.
“She knew my story and called me,” Stults said. “Besides nicotine, which is incredibly addictive, there’s asbestos and formaldehyde. You wouldn’t live with it in the attic and you’re going to suck it into your lungs?”
Snuffing out vaping
According to a series of national surveys recently released by the federal government, about 40% of high school seniors have vaped, double from the year prior.
Stults teamed up with Spectrum Health Medical Group pulmonologist Shelley Schmidt, MD, to set up talks at schools, with the goal of shining a light on the dangers of vaping pod chemicals and nicotine addiction.
“I get at least a phone call a week from a principal saying, We don’t know what to do. It’s out of control,’” Stults said. “Students are addicted. They don’t know how to stop.”
Stults aims to portray the real-life picture of what the chemicals do.
“I tell them, ‘Here’s what you’re setting yourself up for—40% lung capacity,’” he said. “Dr. Schmidt explains addiction and what’s going on in your lungs.”
Stults said they’ve only done a handful of presentations so far, but as principals talk to each other, engagement requests are growing.
“These kids do it walking down the hall in the school,” Stults said. “They do it in the classroom. They sneak it. Other than kind of a fruity smell, there are no fumes.”
Glenn VanOtteren, MD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group pulmonary disease specialist, said popcorn lung is rare but it could become more of an issue as vaping data becomes available.
“With the removal of diacetyl from heated food, we saw it rarely,” Dr. VanOtteren said. “We don’t have data on the rates of vaping-induced lung disease because the use of vaping has accelerated in the last two to three years.”
Dr. VanOtteren said Stults is doing well, despite limitations.
Photo by Taylor Ballek, Spectrum Health Beat
“His lung disease is stable,” Dr. VanOtteren said. “He is short of breath with stairs. He requires daily medicine and has flares of his disease about two times a year when he gets worse and needs additional medications. His lungs can continue to decline because of these flares.”
Dr. VanOtteren said he’s impressed Stults and Dr. Schmidt are sharing lung lessons with students.
“This is such a contemporary and important topic,” he said. “Providing education at this early age is super impactful.”
For people recently diagnosed with dementia, or caretakers, friends, and loved ones of someone with dementia, changes in behavior can be frightening and difficult to deal with. Yet it’s important to understand that the person with dementia is not any less themselves because of their condition. Being able to recognize responsive behaviors and realize what causes them to occur can help bridge the gap between someone with dementia and those around them.
What is Dementia?
Dementia refers to a number of different causes of loss of cognitive functioning, including Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal disorders, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. It is characterized by loss of capacity to remember and reason such that it interferes with a person’s life. Functions such as memory, language skills, hearing, visual perception, focus, and problem solving may gradually become impaired. In some cases, people may lose control of their emotions or display seeming changes in personality.
Despite common perceptions, dementia is not a normal part of aging, and it can be managed with proper memory care. Part of this care is ensuring a secure, stable support network for the diagnosed person, but this can be hard when many dementia behaviors are misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Responsive Behaviors
People with dementia will often display responsive behaviors to stimuli — or lack thereof — for which they do not have a response that is considered “normal” or “acceptable” for others. Yet these behaviors are not intended to upset others, and may be the best way the diagnosed person can convey an idea, wish, or concern. Unfortunately, some common responsive behaviors are misread as rude or inappropriate, creating further communication barriers and potentially, more emotional distress for the person with dementia.
Some common responsive behaviors include screaming, babbling, making strange noises, restlessness, grabbing people, and aimless wandering. It’s important to note that some responsive behaviors, such as swearing, violent contact, and sexual impulses can be distressing to others, and should not be dismissed as normal behavior. However, you should always be mindful of the possible causes of such behavior, and attempt to reach a solution that prevents further harm to either party.
There are a number of factors that could contribute to causing responsive behavior. These include:
Physical:
Is the person hurt, sore, or uncomfortable? Is she hungry or thirsty? What visible changes can you see that could indicate physical distress? Someone who is physically uncomfortable may have less control over her reactions, and resolving the discomfort could help with addressing the behavior.
Emotional:
Have you noticed the person becoming more anxious, teary, or melancholy? Does he seem to be lonely? Has he become suspicious of others, or fearful of something? While shifts in emotion are harder to address than physical needs, distracting the person with dementia could help them regulate negative emotions. Try reminiscing about happy times in earlier life, as long-term memories are more likely to remain readily accessible to those with dementia.
Intellectual:
Have you noticed that the person has had more trouble forming sentences, or loses her train of thought halfway through a conversation? Has she had recent issues with memory, or with performing activities of daily living? In many cases, the person with dementia may be aware of their loss of cognitive functioning, an experience that is frightening, frustrating, and embarrassing. Try not to point out areas of difficulty, and use clear instructions and visual cues to help them perform tasks.
Environment:
Environmental factors can play a large part in the comfort of a person with dementia. For example, if the lights are too bright or too dim, the person may be overwhelmed or unable to see clearly, causing distress. Is the area too noisy? Is there enough stimulation to give him something to focus on? Small changes in environment can ensure the person is comfortable with their surroundings.
Social:
Are there hints from the person’s background that may give insight into their responsive behaviors? Because long-term memories are often more accessible than short-term, people with dementia may draw upon scenarios and behaviors that they learned growing up, routines they learned at school or during their professional life, or cultural or religious practices.
Capabilities:
A natural reaction for caretakers of loved ones with dementia is to attempt to do everything for them, but loss of control and self-management can be distressing and even hurtful to the diagnosed person. As a result, responsive behaviors may be a reaction to underestimating (or overestimating) a person’s ability to perform certain activities of daily living. Enabling them to perform self-care tasks for themselves may help slow loss of function and manage responsive behaviors.
Actions of Others:
Is there anything that you or others are doing that could upset the person with dementia? While asking them to remember something or explaining why a behavior is inappropriate may seem harmless, and indeed necessary to a caregiver or friend, the person may interpret such statements as disappointment, anger, or frustration. Be understanding, offer an apology, and distract them with a new topic of conversation or something to do with their hands.
The most important thing to remember when working towards understanding dementia behaviors is that responsive behaviors are purposeful. While it may seem that the diagnosed person is lashing out or performing behaviors unconsciously, they are actually reacting to a circumstance in a way that seems natural to them. Part of providing memory care — whether formal or informal — is the ability to recognize and work through these responsive behaviors, creating better communication between the person with dementia and their caregivers.
Whatever the weather, disc golf is in season; and donating to the Kentwood food bank is also always in season. (Wikimedia Commons)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc Golf have partnered to offer the third Fall Fling event, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive, on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, which is located at 2350 Embro Dr. SE. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament.
The cost to register is $40, along with one canned food donation per team. Proceeds raised will go towards maintaining the course and food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“Not only is the Fall Fling a fun event for our area disc golfers to come together to soak up the mild fall weather before winter comes, it is also for a good cause,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Each fall disc golf tournament we’ve held has been successful in bringing a great turnout and, ultimately, restocking the pantry for our community with dozens of canned goods.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2017. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. The premise is similar to that of the Little Free Library movement: Take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.
Odds are you know the feeling: You wake up from a nap and your arm is asleep. Or your foot’s gone numb.
As you move it around, it starts to prickle and tingle. Gradually it wakes up, and a minute or two later you’re back to normal.
What’s this uncanny sensation all about? Is it normal or something to be concerned about?
The short answer is: It depends.
If it’s fleeting and infrequent
The medical term for this feeling of numbness or tingling is paresthesia, and its cause is the compression of a nerve, according to Paul Twydell, DO, a fellowship-trained neuromuscular medicine specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Paresthesia typically happens if you lie on a nerve while asleep or hold the same position for too long while sitting—like when you’re driving or reading.
If the feeling goes away quickly, this phenomenon is called transient paresthesia, and it’s typically nothing to worry about.
People will wake up with tingling in their hands and think they have a circulation problem, Dr. Twydell said, but that’s not the case.
“It’s just that a nerve is being compressed in the wrist or elbow. And the reason it happens at night is we often sleep with our wrist or elbow flexed or underneath us, or in a strange position.”
A nerve is a bundle of “wires” surrounded by a layer of insulation called myelin, Dr. Twydell explained. Myelin helps speed the movement of electricity along the nerve.
“When that myelin is compressed, that means the messages aren’t getting through very well,” he said. “A lot of times it’s when the compression is released that (the tingling) happens”—as communication is being restored along the nerve.
The nerves most prone to compression are found in the wrist, elbow, knee and upper arm.
If it’s persistent or abnormal
So when might numbness or tingling be a cause for concern? Dr.
Twydell recommends that people talk to their doctor if they experience
any of the following:
Persistent numbness or tingling in the hands. This is often a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is treatable—the sooner the better to avoid severe damage and the need for surgery.
Tingling in the feet, especially at night. This might be an early sign of a degenerative nerve disease called peripheral neuropathy,
which is most often caused by diabetes or heredity. Neuropathy isn’t
reversible, but it can sometimes be slowed down, Dr. Twydell said.
Weakness of a limb in conjunction with numbness. This can be a sign of more severe damage to a nerve.
Numbness or tingling that ascends up the legs or into the abdomen.
This can be a sign of spinal cord inflammation or compression.
Numbness involving half of the body or face. This can be an indicator of stroke, which requires emergency care. Call 911.
If you have persistent symptoms of numbness or tingling, your doctor may order a test of the nerves called electromyography, or EMG. This nerve study can help pinpoint the source of a problem and help guide treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common problem investigated by Spectrum Health Medical Group Neurology in the EMG lab, Dr. Twydell said.
Tips for good nerve health
Your best bet is to avoid activities that cause prolonged nerve
compression, Dr. Twydell said. Change positions frequently. Get up and
walk around throughout your workday.
“If nerves are compressed over and over again, you can have more persistent symptoms that can eventually lead to weakness or disability,” he said.
Here are Dr. Twydell’s tips for preventing that numb or tingling feeling in your extremities:
Wear wrist splints at night to ease problems with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Avoid lying on your elbow while sleeping, and try wearing an elbow pad to bed to keep the elbow straight.
Don’t cross your legs, with one knee draped over the other. That can compress the fibular nerve, which can lead to foot drop, a cause of tripping.
Avoid the habit of sleeping with your arm stretched out or
underneath your partner. Over time this can damage the radial nerve,
leading to wrist drop.
Avoid leaning on your elbows for extended periods. Try adding gel pads to the armrests of chairs, wheelchairs or cars.
If you do a lot of computer work, use a gel wrist rest. Avoid
holding the wrists in either a flexed or an extended position, which can
damage the median nerve.
Eat a well-balanced, low-carb diet. This is especially important for people with diabetes, who are more prone to neuropathies.
Avoid alcohol in excess, which can cause neuropathy.
Avoid taking zinc and vitamin B6 in excess, which can cause nerve problems.
Dr. Twydell admits that some of these tips are easier said than done.
For example, it’s hard to change the way you sleep, he said. Yet,
people who sleep in a way that compresses the ulnar nerve in their elbow
“can cause some pretty significant weakness in the hand.”
And if you’re one of those people who rarely experiences numb or prickly limbs, consider yourself lucky. Some people are more prone to nerve compression than others, Dr. Twydell said.
The Kent County Chiefs of Police, local police departments, and the Michigan State Police announced this week that Kent County residents can participate in a fingerprinting program that would help identify a lost person with special health care needs.
Both Wyoming and Kentwood police departments are participating agencies. The cost is $30 for the state’s processing fee, but participating agencies will waive local processing fees through the month of November. The general police department telephone numbers for Kentwood is 616-698-6580 and for Wyoming is 616-530-7309.
According to supplied material, in Michigan, a parent, legal guardian or power of attorney of an individual with special needs may voluntarily provide the person’s fingerprints and photograph for inclusion in a State of Michigan database. This includes a single or married individual whose normal capacity for education and self-support may be reduced due to a disease or medical condition.
Fingerprints and a photo of the individual are captured electronically and then securely stored along with additional demographic information, including a home address, and contact information for the person legally responsible for the individual.
Once enrolled, law enforcement has the ability to access the information to quickly identify someone who may have trouble identifying him/herself.
“This fingerprinting program gives us an unprecedented advantage to help individuals who are considered vulnerable or impaired get to a familiar and safe environment in a timely manner, while maintaining their dignity,” Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen, president of Kent County Chiefs of Police, said in supplied material. “Not only will we have access to crucial identifying information, but it also provides families some peace of mind. Once enrolled in the program, should anything happen to their loved one, local law enforcement is already one step closer to finding that individual.”
Interested parties must get printed in their jurisdiction of residence and should contact their local law enforcement agency for details regarding its enrollment process. IN addition to Wyoming and Kentwood police departments, participating agencies include Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids police, Walker police, Grandville police, Rockford police, Lowell police and the Michigan State Police’s Rockford Post.
If desired, a parent or guardian may also make a written request to the department to have the fingerprints and photograph of an individual with special health care needs removed from the automated fingerprint identification system database and the statewide network of agency photos.
For the sake of illustration, let’s pretend a man’s picture of good health falls someplace on a horizontal line.
On one end, you’ve got the late John Candy; on the other, you’ve got the very much alive Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
For the average guy, there’s probably going to be a comfortable middle somewhere along that vast spectrum.
You may, for instance, be content with a body type more akin to the one Leonardo DiCaprio had on display one recent summer when he was photographed vacationing someplace warm and expensive.
Always the picture of prepossessing boyishness, the Oscar winner looked, in this instance, more like a cuddly dad from Des Moines and less like a toned Titan of Tinseltown.
And if the Internet’s collective brilliance has the last word on the matter, that’s perfectly OK.
Sometime in recent years, folks began dubbing this look the “dad bod.”
Countless celebrities have been photographed unabashedly displaying their dad bods—an online search bears infinite entertaining results—and millions of fathers have been consigned to this body type ever since the developed world became less agrarian and more sedentary.
One college newspaper writer gained some notoriety for suggesting that the dad bod maintains, perhaps, a certain kind of appeal.
It’s a fleshy-but-not-obese physique that suggests, “Let’s skip the gym this weekend, because I’m down for DiGiorno and a Game of Thrones binge.”
Who could say no to that?
But here on the cusp of another summer, an important question lingers: Apart from the cringe-worthy moniker, is the dad bod an acceptable standard of health? Not aesthetically, but medically?
It all depends on you.
If you’ve got a body like Leo, Seth Rogan or Adam Sandler, a discerning doctor is likely to be less concerned with how you look today and more concerned with how you looked five years ago.
To assess a guy’s overall level of fitness, you have to account for
how his body has changed from past to present, Dr. Holman said.
“You can’t just assume from one single picture what their lifestyle is,” he said.
You need context.
Explained Holman: “So, if Leonardo had a six pack and all of a sudden he’s looking like that?”
Not so good.
“But somebody who looks like that—who had a BMI that was 50, and obviously over the last year they’ve made some pretty big changes?”
Pretty good.
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a decent indicator of a person’s fitness.
“First thing is, we’d see where your BMI is,” Dr. Holman said. “We shoot for a BMI of between 20 and 25.”
Many online sites will calculate your BMI, which is your weight, in kilograms, divided by the square of height in meters. (A 6-foot-1 man who weighs 215 pounds, for instance, has a BMI of about 29—slightly over the recommended cutoff of 25.)
But BMI is not the Holy Grail.
“Depending on your BMI, another indicator could be your waist circumference,” Dr. Holman said.
A man of average height should have a waist circumference of less than 40 inches. Anything over that, Dr. Holman said, and it’s an indication of a possible risk for metabolic syndrome.
You could make the argument that a dad bod that’s heavy in the middle is simply cuddlier and more lovable, but that’d be the only argument you’ve got.
Excess fat around the waist indicates a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, Dr. Holman said.
“Obviously that extra fat around the abdomen … if celebrities or media are promoting that, that’s a little concerning,” he said.
Genetics, circumstance
Substantial physical change may prove frustratingly elusive for some fellas, but that’s only because their genes are tight—so tight, they’re never letting go.
“To be honest with you, there are genetics behind weight,” Dr. Holman said.
“You don’t really have control over that,” he said. “Focus on what you have control over. What do you put in your mouth every day? What do you do every day?”
If you’re eating healthy and you’re exercising, there’s a fair chance, bad genes or good, your body will reap the benefits.
And, dad bod or not, be leery of any message that says beer and pizza are acceptable regular components of any diet.
“When people start saying that’s cool, maybe we’ve gone too much the other way,” Dr. Holman said.
Here he’s alluding to those opposing ends on that John Candy-Dwayne Johnson spectrum. There really is a happy middle. (You can have a piece of pizza and a beer once in a while; just don’t make them fixtures of your diet.)
“When everyone needed a six-pack, some people gave up trying for that,” he said. “Hopefully they would, in the media, kind of promote more healthy living instead of focusing on what the picture of the abs looks like.”
Write your history—and your child’s
There’s a good reason they call it the “dad bod.”
Once men and women procreate, those little people called children commandeer every aspect of their lives, leaving precious few moments for time-intensive exercise regimens.
“There is that weight gain that dads get,” Dr. Holman said. “It often goes along with moms gaining weight, too. You become more focused on caring for your kids than yourself sometimes.”
Dr. Holman’s advice to patients, and parents: Focus less on looks and more on healthy activities and healthy meals.
And promote the same things in your kids.
Because apart from genetics, how you look today has something to do with how you grew up.
“A lot of weight depends on what you were early on,” Dr. Holman said. “Your body kind of sets a standard weight by the time you’re a teenager.”
If a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle were hallmarks of your childhood, your journey to health in adulthood may be fraught with more pain and slower gains.
If, however, you were active as a kid—youth sports, a love of outdoors and the like—you may find it easier to bounce back as an adult, even in your later years.
“Some people feel like it’s always going to be hard work to get under that weight that your body has set as its baseline weight,” Dr. Holman said. “It’s not that you can’t overcome it. It’s just that it gets a little bit harder to overcome.”
Mind your body
So, really, do looks matter? To a degree, yes. More accurately, what matters is the measurement of your looks. Your BMI and waist circumference will play roles in what your doctor has to say about your health and fitness needs.
But your health history—your weight today versus a year ago, or two years ago—is just as important. You should celebrate steps toward better health, no matter how small, and also recognize when your health is slipping.
“If the BMI is above 30, usually I will order a blood test,” Dr. Holman said. “A common blood test checks cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid.”
That’s the introductory assessment.
“That shows how urgent it is for them to make some lifestyle changes,” he said.
If your BMI is 30 but your cholesterol level is great and you’re not diabetic, “it’s not nearly as urgent as someone whose BMI is 30 but they’re starting to get pre-diabetes,” he said.
A normal blood sugar level is typically lower than 100. Anything greater than 125 is considered diabetes. Pre-diabetes is the range in the middle.
“There’s that gray zone between 100 and 125,” Dr. Holman said, “when people can make a huge lifestyle change and prevent getting diabetes.”
And who knows—you might also prevent the complete onset of a dad bod.
A blood test may seem like a simple thing, but it can do so much.
It can diagnose disease, reveal how well your organs work and whether a course of treatment is effective or not, experts say.
Some blood tests require patients to fast before the blood is drawn. It’s crucial that you avoid eating before such tests, which require blood that is clear of nutrients, such as fats and sugars.
Glucose and lipid testing are the most common types of fasting blood tests, said Carole Andrews of Penn State Health in Hershey, Pa., where she’s a supervisor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine.
“The amount of fats and glucose (sugars) will increase in the blood if a person has recently eaten,” Andrews explained in a Penn State news release. “This will affect the results of these specific tests.”
You may also wonder why technicians take so many blood samples.
Vials used to collect samples may contain additives that keep blood from clotting before the lab can test it. Tubes are color-coded according to the type of test. For example, a purple-colored vial is used for a blood count and a green-colored vial may be used for a chemistry profile, Andrews said.
How much blood is collected depends on the number and type of tests ordered by your doctor.
And there’s no need for concern if multiple vials of blood are taken. Most people have between 4,500 to 5,700 milliliters of blood.
“Even if you had 10 tubes of blood taken, that’s less than 60 milliliters,” Andrews said. “It’s not going to make an impact because your body is designed to replace what is lost.”
You can make the process easier by drinking plenty of fluids beforehand, she suggested. This will make it easier for the technician to poke into a vein.
“Also, it is easier if the patient is relaxed and comes in with a good attitude,” Andrews said. “If they tense up too much, it can make the venipuncture difficult.”
Deer hunters aren’t the only ones geared up for action, however.
Michigan hospital emergency staff sees hundreds of hunting-related injuries every year.
While some injuries are minor, Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital averages about 14 hunting-related hospitalizations a year.
The 2018-19 season landed 20 patients in the hospital due to injuries sustained from falling out of tree stands. One of those had a spinal cord injury, 11 had vertebral fractures, and one suffered a pelvic fracture.
2009-18 hunting accident statistics
Total of 128 admissions due to fall from a tree stand
No deaths
11 spinal cord injuries
Multiple vertebral, pelvic, arm and leg fractures
These stats don’t include all the people who go to the emergency room for injuries that aren’t serious enough for overnight—or much longer—stays in the hospital or in rehabilitation units.
Alistair Chapman, MD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group critical care surgeon, helped lead a study into falls from tree stands and their impact on trauma centers. He knows first-hand how dangerous the season can be for hunters, especially for those who are overweight or fall from a height of 20 feet or more.
“Tree stand falls cause significant injury,” he said.
Emergency department doctors and trauma surgeons are particularly concerned about the increase in life-changing traumas such as spine fractures, brain injuries and paralysis from these falls.
“The infrequent use of safety harnesses is alarming,” Dr. Chapman said, sharing that less than 3% of the injured hunters in their study used a harness. In a couple of cases, the harnesses broke.
What gives? In 1997, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources changed hunting rules to allow firearm hunters to hunt from raised platforms. Since that time, the accident rate has climbed.
“The majority of deer hunters in Michigan are firearm hunters, so an increase in injuries was expected,” said Bruce Murray, MD, a Spectrum Health emergency medicine specialist.
An avid hunter himself, Dr. Murray added: “What’s unfortunate is that these are injuries that, in most cases, could be prevented.”
Records show that fall victims with arm and leg fractures account for the most injuries. Spine injuries comes in at a close second. Chest wall trauma is the third-leading cause of injury.
A broken limb may not sound like a big deal—unless you experience one. And Dr. Murray also quickly pointed out that the severity of these injuries is sometimes shocking.
“We see life-altering injuries every year,” he said.
So what can hunters do to avoid injury? Drs. Murray, Chapman and other safety experts have many suggestions.
Hunting safety tips you need to know:
Tree stand safety is as important as gun safety. Follow that same approach to the tree stand as you do your gun.
Never use drugs, alcohol or sedatives while hunting.
Check permanent tree stands each time before use. Replace any worn or weak lumber before it breaks.
Always wear a safety harness or belt while checking or using a stand.
Read, understand and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a ready-made tree stand.
Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts before every single use.
Know what you should do if you slip while using a safety device. Make a plan.
Use a haul line to raise or lower equipment.
Keep firearms unloaded and arrows in a covered quiver when going up or down.
Choose a tree large enough to support your weight.
Never hurry to set up your stand. Take your time to check it over.
Make sure someone knows the location of your tree stand and when you will be there, every time.
Stay awake and alert. Always be aware of your position on the tree stand platform.
Use a short tether between you and the tree when attaching your fall restraint device. This is to keep you in the stand if you slip or fall, not to catch you after you have fallen.
Always carry a cell phone or other device to call for help if you need it. Keep it easily accessible.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The state of State and Kent County mental health services funding, and some astounding statistics surrounding Kent County’s recycling efforts, were among the topics discussed as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, Oct. 14, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Kentwood City Hall.
State Sen. Peter MacGregor, who represents the City of Wyoming as part of his 28th Senate District and chairs the important Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, gave the group a report from Lansing on the topic of mental health funding and the state budget battles.
Darwin Baas, the director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, also reported on the good, the bad and the ugly of recycling and trash disposal in the county — and what actions are being done to lessen the amount of trash going into limited landfill space.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting — a special on-location meeting honoring Veterans Day at the AMVETS Post 23, 98 52nd Ave. — will be Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
Anyone searching for senior care options has probably come across the term “continuum of care” — but what does it really mean, and why is it important? A community with a continuum of care is one that offers senior care services from independent living up the scale to assisted living, memory care, and in some cases, skilled nursing and hospice. These communities provide significant benefits to their residents in terms of quality of life and care. Here are a few:
1. Peace of Mind
The unknown can be frightening, especially when health and wellness situations can change by the minute for seniors. The primary benefit of communities that offer a continuum of care is the breadth and depth of senior care services offered. From independent living, where seniors may only need help with arduous tasks, to memory care, many assisted living communities are recognizing the need for a place where retirees can establish themselves while they pursue the retirement they want.
This peace of mind not only benefits residents of assisted living communities, but also their friends and loved ones. When retirees choose to age in their family homes, it can be frightening to know that there are periods of time during which they may not be able to get the help they need, and 24-hour in-home care options can be cost-prohibitive for many families. With assisted living, staff members are available to respond to your loved one’s needs whenever they may arise.
2. Stronger Communities
Social isolation is a problem for our elderly population. As people retire, they lose their everyday contact with others in the workplace, and aging can lead to limited mobility that makes it harder to attend other social functions such as church or hobby groups.
Assisted living communities that provide a continuum of senior care services can facilitate stronger relationships between residents and with staff because seniors don’t have to move around to receive appropriate care. With plenty of common areas, shared dining options, and stimulating activities to get residents out and about, it’s much easier to stay connected and avoid the dangers of isolation.
3. Increased Flexibility
Senior care services aren’t one-size-fits-all. Two people utilizing assisted living services likely won’t need the same level of assistance for every task, and only providing one level of care is unnecessarily restricting for seniors who may be able to complete many activities of daily living (ADLs) on their own. If a resident enjoys cooking and only wants one meal provided a day, one blanket care plan that includes all meals isn’t the right choice for them.
With a continuum of care, assisted living staff are much better equipped to offer tailored solutions to their residents’ problems. Residents can then get the input of their families, loved ones, and care professionals to determine what best suits their changing needs, and care can continuously be reevaluated as conditions change.
4. Early Detection of Problems
Prevention may be the best medicine, but it can’t catch everything. People in our society are living longer than ever before, and with aging comes unexpected health issues that even the best planning may not be able to account for.
In the cases where preventative care can’t eliminate an issue, early detection is the key to effective treatment. But identifying a health problem early is easier said than done, as small signs can go unseen to the untrained eye. In an assisted living setting, trained on-site staff members can spot early indicators much faster than an in-home caregiver. For example, if a resident usually keeps a clean house but care staff find a mess, that could be an indication of a developing health issue that can then be addressed.
5. More Stability
Does anyone really like moving? Sure, the prospect of a new place can be exciting, but with all the packing, downsizing, and logistics that go into actually making a move, the entire process is long and exhausting. So why do it more than you have to? Assisted living communities that offer a continuum of care make it much easier for residents to receive the care they need without having to move several times over the course of their retirement: think family home, downsized home, assisted living, then skilled nursing.
That’s not to say some decluttering isn’t good. We accumulate a lot of stuff over the course of our lives, and making one big move is a great way to prioritize what you really need. Making the move to an assisted living community that offers a continuum of care allows your loved one to sort through the memories in their home, then carry the most important ones to a new start.
Having a single community that provides safety, structure, and a sense of belonging can go a long way to happier retirement living. And for those who prefer a retirement on the move? Assisted living staff can help with maintaining the home base so your loved ones can travel worry-free.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we continue our efforts to inform and support veterans — and their families and friends — through a discussion with Paul J. Ryan, Captain, US Navy Reserve (Retired) and a member of the West Michigan Veterans Coalition.
The Coalition is a group which describes itself as “a collaboration among local military-friendly organizations that provide support, information and resources to veterans and their families.”
Most recently, the Coalition was part of the West Michigan Freedom Cruise and Gold Star Family Honor Ride, held annually at the Fifth Third Ball Park in Comstock Park. But that is only one of the most visible activities of the Coalition.
We talk with Mr. Ryan about the direct services his group provides and how it works with other veterans support groups, how essential it is to bring employers into the discussion when we talk about supporting veterans, and about the Coalition’s mission including service to “anyone who served in the Armed Forces” and why that means more than honorably discharged vets.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”*
Aristotle
*Aristotle probably would have said it this way: “Ποια είναι η ουσία της ζωής; Να υπηρετείς άλλους και να κάνεις καλό.” But in Ancient Greek and with waaaaay more accent marks.
Sounds like a dare
Ask Me Anything! is Nov. 2 at Kentwood Library. Learn about your community and your neighbors in a fun, relaxed environment. Visit the branch to “check out” different members of our community for a chance to learn from them and ask them anything. More info here.
In the ‘mark your calendar’ category…
Courtesy Grand Valley State University
Zapatos Rojos | Red Shoes is an itinerant installation originally organized in 2009 by artist and architect Elina Chauvet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Comprising 33 pairs of red shoes donated by the women of Ciudad Juárez — each pair representing a woman who had disappeared in that community — the piece is designed to draw attention to the fact that women were being killed without any consequences. Nov. 1, 2019-Feb. 28, 2020. Get the details here.
Do some good — here’s how
The SpartanNash Foundation invites store guests to join the fight against hunger during its companywide fundraising effort, Oct. 23 to Nov. 3. The SpartanNash Foundation’s retail scan campaign supports more than 100 local food pantries and food banks, and 100 percent of dollars raised will support food pantry partners in eight states. Learn more here.
Fun fact:
Volunteering keeps you young
Volunteering not only engages your mind and body, but it can actually help you age well and reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Plenty of research has been done on the importance of socialization to improve the mental and emotional health of seniors. But what can you do when your loved one is in an assisted living community to ensure that they are meeting socialization goals? Here are six ways you can help your family member stay social and engaged while they are in a senior living community.
1. Look for signs of isolation
It can be hard for seniors to admit that they are feeling lonely and want to make new connections. It can also be the case that older adults who are new to senior living communities may want to avoid interacting with others and choose instead to isolate themselves. You can help your loved one avoid this social slump by looking for signs of isolation, including:
Loss of interest in activities that used to excite them
Changes in appetite
Weight loss or gain
Lethargy
Decline in cognitive functions
Self-loathing or a drop in self-worth
If you see some of these signs, it might be a signal that you should start encouraging your loved one to talk with neighbors and interact with staff members more regularly.
2. Recommend exercise
You can help your loved one socialize by encouraging them to exercise and partake in group activities. Not only do these give your family member a chance to interact with others, but exercise can improve self-worth and self-image in seniors. Improving self-image can be a step towards seniors wanting to motivate themselves to socialize more with others.
There are many different exercise and activity groups for seniors, including groups for older adults who have limited mobility. More mobile seniors may enjoy outdoor activities, which are great for meeting others. Sports like golfing and bowling are group activities, and can help seniors make new connections. Even a walk in the park can help seniors get out of their senior living home and in a place where they can socialize with others.
3. Find groups and clubs to join
Another way for seniors to interact with others is to find clubs to join. Clubs and groups are able to provide weekly or monthly times where your loved one has scheduled social interactions. Being part of a club or group can help seniors feel motivated to go out and engage with others.
Clubs can also help seniors meet new people out of their regular network of friends and family. Examples of clubs many seniors enjoy include:
A major barrier for seniors is getting to the places where they have a chance to interact with others. Offering transportation and rides to events for your elderly loved one is a great way to help them socialize.
Having a source of transportation can also help seniors feel more independent. When they have options for socialization beyond what is offered at their senior living home, they can feel more comfortable exploring places and groups that otherwise would be unavailable to them.
5. Encourage new hobbies
Finding new things to do can help seniors want to get out and socialize with more people. A new hobby requires learning and cognitive thinking, which alone is a great exercise for seniors. In addition, seniors may need to gather new information from others with the same hobby, which provides another way for seniors to meet others and socialize.
Most hobbies aren’t limited to specific age groups, which can expand an older adult’s social circle beyond the friends and family they already are familiar with. Having new sources of excitement can also stop a loved one’s descent into social isolation.
6. Explain social apps and technology
Technology provides a great platform for seniors to be able to make new friends, connect, and interact with others. It may be difficult for older adults to understand how to utilize technology and social apps, so you can help out by being patient and clearly explaining technology such as:
Apps like Facebook and Skype can help seniors stay in contact with distant friends—along with seeing what the grandkids are up to in daily life.
Lyft and Uber can help your senior loved one travel around town if you live far away to help provide rides.
Online games like Words with Friends can help seniors meet new people without having to leave home.
While technology is a great way for seniors to connect and stay in touch with people, help them understand internet safety as well. By helping your loved one stay active on social media, you can help them avoid isolation even if you are unable to visit often.
Seniors need socialization for more than just making friends. Socializing can help seniors avoid isolation and depression. Interacting with others can also help seniors maintain their cognitive functions. You can help your loved one stay healthy for longer by encouraging and helping them with their socialization skills.
New guidelines for ADHD treatment emphasize the need for ongoing medical care and coordination within the school and community. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is in the news a lot and now newer research has prompted a leading pediatricians’ group to update its guidelines for diagnosing and treating the disorder for the first time since 2011.
Dr. Mark Wolraich, lead author of the guidelines, noted that there weren’t any dramatic differences between these and previous guidelines.
But, he said, these latest updates keep the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines in sync with the same diagnostic and treatment criteria used by child and adolescent psychiatrists.
ADHD “is not a ‘new’ diagnosis. It’s a real diagnosis that needs treatment,” Wolraich said.
“There are two forms of treatment effective for ADHD: medications, especially stimulant medications, and behavioral treatments. Neither treatment is curative,” he said, but they can help manage the symptoms.
Wolraich is an emeritus professor at the University of Oklahoma, in Oklahoma City.
More than 9% of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the guideline authors.
Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with the disorder. Kids with ADHD often have symptoms of another mental disorder—such as depression or anxiety—and they may also have learning and language problems.
Updates to the guidelines include:
Changing the age at which symptoms need to have first started. Previously, symptoms needed to begin before age 7. That’s now been raised to age 12.
In patients older than 17, fewer problem behaviors are needed to make an ADHD diagnosis. Wolraich said as children get older, symptoms can change and behaviors such as hyperactivity usually diminish.
Emphasizing the need to rule out other causes of ADHD-like symptoms and to identify other conditions that may occur with ADHD, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, autism or trauma.
Highlighting the need for ongoing medical care and coordination within the school and community.
Recommending parent training in behavior management as a first-line treatment for preschoolers. Wolraich said behavior modification is an effective treatment that generally has two phases of treatment. The positive phase rewards a child for appropriate behavior—and the reward may just be praising, such as, “Johnny, I like the way you’re sitting in your chair.” The second phase includes consequences, such as “time-out.” But, he said, if you don’t have the positive side of treatment, time-out isn’t as helpful.
While the guidelines didn’t specifically recommend behavior management training for teachers and parents in high school students with ADHD, they noted that studies have found some value in this treatment for older kids.
Dr. Victor Fornari, vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y., said it’s important for pediatricians to be familiar with the up-to-date guidelines, because “as many as 10% of all kids meet the criteria for ADHD and many children with mild to moderate symptoms can be evaluated and treated by their pediatrician.”
Fornari said if treatment doesn’t go smoothly or there are ongoing behavior problems or other mental health concerns, pediatricians can often collaborate with a child and adolescent psychiatrist to get additional guidance.
Both Wolraich and Fornari said pediatricians play a vital role in ADHD diagnosis and treatment because they already have an established relationship with the child and family.
“People may not fully appreciate that ADHD that’s untreated can lead to adverse outcomes. Failing to treat can lead to academic and conduct disturbances, and earlier substance use disorders. Children who are identified earlier and treated are more successful,” Fornari said.
The new guidelines were published online recently in the journal Pediatrics.
Every now and then, a news article comes along and tells us about how some strangers have committed fraud or scammed the elderly. Although scams and fraud are common, it is not nearly as common as the exploitation taking place by people who our elderly citizens come to trust. According to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) 90 percent of elder financial exploitation is committed by trusted people such as caretakers, family members, neighbors, friends, attorneys, bank employees, doctors, nurses and pastors.
NAPSA statistics also stated one in nine elders have been exploited within the past 12 months while one in 20 said they have perceived mistreatment recently. Sadly, only one out of every 44 cases is ever reported, and of those reported physical abuse and neglect is usually included. Financial abuse has increased dramatically over the past ten years in both number and complexity and has become widespread and deadly. Exploitation has a dramatic effect on the elderly and can lead to a loss of trust, loss of security, depression, the inability to provide long-term care and even the loss of an elder’s primary residence.
Why are the elderly attractive targets? The elderly become easy targets because isolation, loneliness and disabilities lend themselves to the trusting of people who are willing to give them time and attention. Along with this, advanced technology has made managing finances more and more difficult and the elderly are less likely to take action against perpetrators.
Some of the most common exploits by family members are:
Abuse of Power of Attorney – Stealing monies for own use.
Abuse of joint bank accounts – Family members take advantage by using for themselves.
Stealing checks and ATM cards – Withdrawing money from victim’s accounts.
Threatening abandonment or physical abuse – Doing so gives the perpetrator what they desire.
Refusing care or medical services – By refusing care the abuser can keep assets available for their own use.
Some ways to intervene and prevent exploitation are:
Reduce isolation – Frequent visitations can help keep an elderly family member from seeking suspect relationships with untrustworthy individuals.
Close joint bank accounts – Instead, help with writing out checks for bills but keep accounts in the individuals name to prevent others from taking advantage.
Revoke Power of Attorney – If an individual is suspected of abusing the Power of Attorney, have them removed and assign the Power of Attorney to a trusted member of the family.
Restart utilities if they are shut off – Assist in negotiating and paying to have utilities restored.
Find a responsible party to manage funds – If family members cannot be trusted, then find a trusted agency to aid in managing funds.
Report suspected exploitation to proper authorities – Report to multiple agencies including law enforcement. Work with financial institutions to better recognize financial abuse.
Remember to include elderly family members in your family activities; after all, they were never too busy for you when you needed them. For additional information visit: http://www.stopfraud.gov/protect-yourself.html
Michigan State University Extension offers financial management and homeownership education classes. For more information about classes in your area, visit MI Money Health. Also, if you are wondering about your financial health, take a financial health survey from MI Money Health to get your financial health score! It is confidential and your answers never connect back to your name. This survey can help you evaluate your current financial situation, provide ideas on how you may improve your financial health and connect you to resources in your local community.
Good medicine is about getting back to the basics and leading a healthy lifestyle. And there’s no better way to do this than to start your day with a healthy meal.
I know this can be difficult some days, especially if you are in a hurry. If you are like me, you are lucky to get out the door on time to get to work, school, exercise class, or an early-morning meeting.
I want to help you be prepared for whatever may come your way throughout the day.
Even if you make an unhealthy choice (or two) later in the day by eating or drinking something high in sugar and low in nutrition, at least you know you started your day the healthy way. Adding veggies, protein, hydration and nutrition to your breakfast can help you lean more toward a healthy lifestyle.
Smoothies are a good choice for breakfast because you can add so many different (and healthy) ingredients to help you stay full all morning.
It’s important to remember that not all smoothies are the same. Some are full of sugar and lacking in nutrition. My favorite green smoothie is full of nutrients because, remember, our bodies need vitamins (vitamin D, calcium, B vitamins), minerals (iron), protein, fat and carbohydrates every day.
The ingredients in my green smoothie help in several areas of wellness, including heart health, protection from cancer and maintaining strong bones. I have listed the ingredients separately, including an explanation of what each ingredient brings to the smoothie.
I make this smoothie for breakfast most days, not only because it tastes great but also because it can prevent colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the United States, and the second most common cancer in women.
This is just one more excellent reason to give this smoothie a try for breakfast tomorrow and every day thereafter.
Colorectal cancer is preventable in most cases by early detection, though you can also improve colorectal health by maintaining a healthy weight and eating a proper diet—rich in fiber and antioxidants (like the ingredients in my green smoothie), low in saturated fats and red meat, and high in vitamins.
While local groups will take back un-used or unwanted prescription drugs all year, every year National Drug Take Back Day — this year Saturday, Oct. 26 — focuses local efforts including those in Kentwood and Wyoming.
The need for prescription drug recovery range from keeping them out of the illegal marketplace to protecting public water supplies and wildlife from possible exposure.
The Kentwood Justice Center which houses the Kentwood Police Department. (WKTV)
In Kentwood, the Kentwood Police Department will take back prescription pills and patches at 4742 Walma Ave SE, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in a service that is “free and anonymous, no questions asked,” according to supplied material. (The Department cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)
In Wyoming, the City of Wyoming is once again partnering with Metro Health-University of Michigan Health to provide a location for residents to dispose of unused medications safely and properly. Persons can drop off expired, unused prescriptions and even over-the-counter medications at Metro Health Hospital lobby, 5900 Byron Center Ave., also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Call 616-252-7117 with any questions.)
Kent County also spearheads year-around efforts for drug take back. The Kent County Department of Public Works has established the SafeMeds Program that includes a list of many local pharmacies and law enforcement agencies that will accept unwanted medications. (For more on the SafeMeds Program, visit here.)
The efforts, both locally and nationally, are driven by high rates of abuse of unused prescription drugs as well as concerns of public water contamination due to those drugs being disposed of improperly, including simply flushed down toilets.
Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 469 tons (more than 937,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and almost 5,000 state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11.8 million pounds — approximately 5,900 tons — of pills, according to supplied material.
In Kentwood, the Kentwood Police Department will be giving the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to “prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs,” according to supplied material.
This initiative focuses on medicines that languish in home cabinets and are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows, year after year, that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
While information is scarce, according to a 2002 analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey of 139 streams across 30 states it was found that 80 percent of waterways tested had measurable concentrations of prescription and nonprescription drugs, steroids and reproductive hormones.
According to a 2018 report in healthline.com, bay mussels in Washington’s Puget Sound tested positive for oxycodone, an opioid prescription analgesic. Pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic wildlife also potentially raises the risk for more human contact through direct consumption of these animals.
Pharmaceutical and hormonal contaminants, including bisphenol-A, antibiotics, and opiates, are being detected in a significant portion of the United States groundwater supply for drinking water.
While researchers say that the levels detected are unlikely to cause any harmful effects, it is unknown what, if any, amount of these chemicals will make it through water treatment to the tap.
The problem of unused prescription drugs generated by nursing homes is also a factor in there problem. While there is little nationwide estimates on the issue, another report details how Colorado officials in 2017 said the state’s 220 long-term care facilities throw away 17.5 tons of potentially reusable drugs every year, with a price tag of about $10 million.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimated in 2015 that about 740 tons of drugs are wasted by nursing homes each year.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA website here.
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an incurable eye disease that affects millions of older Americans, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk, a vision expert says.
AMD causes blurred central vision due to damage to the macula—a small area at the back of the eye—and it is most common after age 60, according to the U.S. National Eye Institute.
AMD is also more common in women and whites. At-risk patients should get regular eye exams, advised Dr. Julie Rosenthal, a retina specialist.
She said there are a number of things people can do to help slow or possibly prevent AMD. If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking may double the risk of AMD.
Find out if you have a family history of the disease.
People with a first-degree relative with AMD have a much greater risk of developing it. If you have a family history of the disease, watch for potential symptoms such as difficulty recognizing faces, struggling to adapt to low light and seeing straight lines that appear wavy.
Eat lots of spinach, kale, Swiss chard and other leafy greens, which are high in antioxidant vitamins that help protect against cellular damage from free radicals, which can contribute to eye disease, according to Rosenthal.
If you have a poor diet, consider taking multivitamins. People at risk of advanced AMD should ask their doctor about a specialized blend of supplements called AREDS. This is “not a treatment or cure but can decrease your risk of getting the more severe forms of AMD,” Rosenthal said in a university news release.
When outside, wear sunglasses that provide protection from UV and blue light that can cause retinal damage. Sunglasses with a “UV 400” label are recommended by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Maintain healthy blood pressure and weight. Poor blood circulation due to high blood pressure can restrict blood flow to the eyes, thus contributing to AMD. Losing weight is a proven way to lower blood pressure.
Use a tool called an Amsler grid to check for vision problems related to macular damage.
When staring at the grid, if you notice that the central part of your vision in one eye has become darker or the grid lines are wavy, call your doctor, Rosenthal said. Keep the grid in a place that reminds you to use it daily.
WKTV Journal In Focus’s podcast on Alternatives in Motion featured Coleen Marie Davis, AIM executive director, and Michael Pratt, AIM Board of Directors vice president and a project manager for the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). The program is hosted by WKTV’s Ken Norris, left. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the past, present and future of the local non-profit Alternatives in Motion, a group with the goal of, quote, “Enhancing independence through access to mobility equipment.”
Visiting our studios were Coleen Marie Davis, Alternatives in Motion executive director, and Michael Pratt, Alternatives in Motion Board of Directors vice president and a project manager for the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).
Among the topics discussed are disparities and barriers that persons with disabilities face by not having access to mobility equipment, AIM’s roll in supporting persons with disabilities, this month’s AIM “Fowling Fundraiser” for the group’s growing Pediatric Mobility Program, and why community outreach is so important for any non profit.
For a link to the audio podcast, click here; for a link to the episode’s interview video, click here. (If you’d like to give us some feedback on our special In Focus podcasts, please contact Ken Norris at ken@wktv.org.)
Regular episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times).
