Category Archives: How-To’s

Pets, as surprise holiday gifts, aren’t always welcome

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Pets don’t make good surprise gifts

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV


The holiday season is upon us and so, too, is the spirit of gift-giving. We’re taking this opportunity to remind everyone that live animals don’t make good surprise gifts.


This time of year, young animals are particularly vulnerable to the pet trade — puppies, kittens, baby bunnies, they’re all adorable, but once the cuteness wears off and the novelty fades, who will care for them until their end of days? Will the gift recipient relinquish the pet to a crowded shelter or advertise ‘Free Puppy’ on Craigslist? Abandon the pet out in the country or leave it behind when they move?

Animals are not toys

We get it: ‘Tis the season, and that cute, little puppy is just so irresistible. But take a moment to think this through — your children may be too young or immature to appreciate how delicate animals are. Many surprise pets end up injured or dead, and bunnies, kittens, chicks, and puppies are especially vulnerable. Kids may not be able to detect animals’ stress signals if the pets’ tails or ears are pulled, putting kids at risk of being scratched or bitten. And they may unintentionally torment and/or harm animals, even breaking their fragile bones or causing other fatal injuries. A child’s attention span may be better suited to a stuffed animal.


“While surprise pets may be well-intentioned, the reality is that time, money and patience are required to care for a companion animal that works well with a family,” said Ginny Mikita, animal advocate and attorney with Mikita Kruse Law Center in Rockford, Michigan. “Young children are not mature enough to properly care for an animal. People need to make a reasoned decision, as a family.”

Refrain from giving a surprise pet unless you are absolutely certain that the person wants that particular animal as a companion and is willing and able to give a lifetime of proper care.

PETA

That cute, little pup with all that boundless energy? He’ll need training and exercise — which takes love and patience — and he won’t stay small for long. Adopting an animal means making a permanent commitment to provide lifelong care. Consider the investment required: time, affection, food, accessories, ongoing vet care — including spaying or neutering, flea treatment, vaccinations, deworming and emergency care. Once a pet joins your household, he’s a member of the family.


All members of the family should meet the animal prior to adoption. Is everyone on board with the decision? Who will be responsible for feeding, walking the dog, cleaning the litter box?

Small animals are fragile, easily injured or killed

If you’re thinking of giving a pet to someone outside your family, consider the gift recipient’s life circumstances — do they rent or own a residence? Many landlords don’t allow pets. Does your loved one travel often? Would the pet travel with them? Or, would they need to board the pet? What is the gift recipient’s financial situation — can they afford to properly care for a pet? It could be that the gift recipient’s lifestyle isn’t ideal for the pet. Do they even want a pet?


Too many Christmas critters end up in shelters after they outgrow the cuteness phase or become too much to handle. Mikita said that 25% of shelter animals are purebred, and many were gifts. The trauma for animals changing homes can be devastating, resulting in psychological scarring and behavioral problems. This can make it difficult for the animal to find a new home.

Other options

So, what are some responsible animal gift ideas?

  • Give a Petfinder Pet Promise Certificate, which allows the recipient to adopt the pet of their choice; the giver promises to cover all adoption fees for the new pet.
  • Help the gift recipient pick out an adult dog or cat from a local animal shelter or rescue organization. While puppies and kittens are adorable, with an adult animal, what you see is what you get — these animals have already settled into their size, personality and energy level, giving great insight into whether they’d be a good fit for your family.
  • Taking a senior friend or family member on an outing to your local rescue group to meet potential adoption candidates is a holiday treat in and of itself. 

If all this isn’t enough to dissuade you from gifting a surprise animal, ask yourself this: What happens to surprise pets after the holidays, when the child has lost interest in the animal and the adults are forced to make the difficult decision on the best way to “solve” the problem?


Many times these animals are surrendered to a crowded shelter or pound or, worse, handed off to nefarious people who troll Craigslist and other public forums for “Free pet” ads. Your family member could end up as a bait animal for fighting dogs or the star of a crush video.


And we’re not talking Hollywood.

Find peace of mind with a senior living waitlist

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


The sudden need for an elderly family member to have assistance or be a part of a senior care community can be a big shock. Getting caught off guard with the sudden need to move your loved one to an assisted living community or nursing home can add stress to you and your family’s lives.


However, you can avoid all the stress and uncertainty by planning ahead and adding your loved one to a senior community waitlist. Once your family member is on a waitlist, you can rest assured that they will have a place to get the care and services they need when the time comes.

What is senior living?

The most basic definition of senior living is a retirement community or housing group where retirees who can generally care for themselves live to enjoy activities and socialization opportunities together. However, while some of the more exclusive communities might require waiting periods, when we talk about a waitlist for senior living we mean a different kind of senior living option.


As seniors age, they generally need help with their day-to-day care or activities of daily living (ADLs). To get assistance with things like medication management, bathing, and mobility, many seniors need to find a living situation where these kinds of services are provided.


Assisted living communities and nursing homes offer assistance with ADLs and, in the case of nursing homes, dedicated nursing care for seniors who need in-depth aid. Getting your loved one on the waitlist to be in line for a spot in a community ensures that your loved one has these services when they need them.

What is a senior living waitlist?

A senior living waitlist lets you reserve a place in a senior living community like an assisted living community or a nursing home without having to immediately move in. Most places are going to require a deposit, which may or may not be refundable. Once placed on the list, most communities will let you know when you reach the top and are able to move in. Sometimes you can defer the move-in and maintain your position at the top of the list, or you may be moved to the bottom of the list after deferment.

How can a senior living waitlist relieve stress?

It’s difficult to know exactly when your loved one is going to need assisted living or nursing care, so having a plan in place can relieve a lot of the stress that you experience when helping make a plan for an aging family member.


Making a snap decision due to stress when your loved one suddenly needs help with ADLs or needs to quickly be moved to a senior living community often means picking the first available location—even if it doesn’t really fit the needs or wants of your loved one.


Having a spot reserved on a senior living waitlist gives you both security and control when it comes to making these difficult choices for your family member. You have the time to find the right community to fit your loved ones needs. You can look at the differences between assisted living communities and nursing homes, look at pricing across communities, and take your loved one to tour so they know what their new home will be like.

When is the right time for a waitlist?

You don’t necessarily need to start looking for a waitlist to join the minute a loved one reaches retirement age, but you should be aware of their health to look for signs that they might need assistance with ADLs. Once you notice some signs, it might be time to talk with your loved one about finding a community and being added to their waitlist.


Warning signs that it might be time to consider making a move to senior living include:

  • Falling or stumbling often
  • Lapses in memory or cognitive function
  • Struggle to keep enough food in the house
  • Difficulty remembering when to take medications
  • Decreased social life and engagement
  • Unclean or grimy house
  • Visible changes in appearance
  • The need for frequent medical care

What should my next steps be?

If you think you want to get your loved one on a waiting list for senior living, there is no better time to start looking than now. Researching early on can help you find the right place that fits your family member’s lifestyle and budget range.


Be prepared, and don’t let the period to add your loved one to a waitlist pass by. Look for signs that it may be time for them to move, and have a plan of action in place so that you aren’t caught unawares. Being on a senior living waitlist can help ensure that your loved one will have the care they need, when they need it.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Red wine—a microbiome fertilizer?

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As little as one glass of red wine each week could enrich the good bacteria in your stomach, according to researchers. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay


A little pinot noir now and then might help keep the bacteria in your tummy healthy and happy.


As little as one glass of red wine a week can increase the diversity of the good bacteria in your microbiome, which can help lower bad cholesterol and keep your weight down, researchers say.


“The more people drink, the higher the diversity. But even small amounts, such as one glass of red wine every week, shows a benefit,” said study first author Caroline Le Roy. She’s a research associate in the department of twin research and genetic epidemiology at King’s College London.


Le Roy cautioned that while the findings in the study were robust, they can’t prove that red wine improves the microbiome, only that the two are associated.


It’s not the alcohol that has this effect, but rather the polyphenols in red wine. Polyphenols help feed the good bacteria in the microbiome, the researchers explained.


Polyphenols are also found in fruits and vegetables, and include antioxidants.


For the study, Le Roy and her colleagues looked at the effect of beer, cider, red wine, white wine and whiskey on the gut microbiome of 916 female twins.


Only red wine resulted in a more diverse microbiome, the investigators found.


The microbiome is a collection of bacteria in the gut that has an important role in health. A healthy microbiome helps digest food and keeps some diseases at bay.


An unhealthy microbiome can lead to poor functioning of the immune system, weight gain and high cholesterol, Le Roy said.


A microbiome with lots of different bacteria is a healthy microbiome, she added.


Le Roy’s team found that red wine improved the number of different bacteria in the microbiome, compared with those who didn’t drink wine.


The researchers were able to confirm their findings in three other groups in Britain, the Netherlands and the United States, which brought the total number of participants to nearly 3,000.


Moreover, the results remained constant even after accounting for factors such as diet, socioeconomic status and age.


Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, thinks that drinking red wine may be a marker of a healthy lifestyle, so the health benefits may be due to other factors.


“Do they, in general, lead healthier lives, such as not smoking, eating more of a plant-based diet and exercising?” she asked.


Wine comes from grapes, which like a lot of plant foods, are rich in polyphenols, Heller said.


But polyphenols are also found in vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, legumes and teas that don’t contain alcohol, she noted.


“In addition, plants are our only source of dietary fiber, which is the favorite food for the microbes that live in our gut. When they are healthy, they help keep our bodies healthy,” Heller said.


While drinking small amounts of red wine has apparent health benefits, there are also unhealthy effects of drinking too much, such as liver disease, certain cancers, pancreatitis and a depressed immune system, she said.


“Guzzling red wine, or any alcoholic beverage, is not the miracle we have been led to believe,” Heller said.


For those who drink, the American Heart Association recommends an average of one to two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women (one 12-ounce beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of 100 proof spirits).


“Let’s be honest, most of us probably drink more than that. If you do not drink alcohol, there is no reason to start,” Heller said.


The report was published recently in the journal Gastroenterology.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Dear Santa: Spare me the stress

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Finances are often a source of misery at the holidays. To save money, try giving one meaningful gift to someone, rather than a barrage of soon-forgotten items. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Stress abounds during the holiday season, but you can ease it, an expert says.


The way to manage stress is to recognize it and take steps to minimize it so it doesn’t overwhelm you, according to Cinnamon Stetler, an associate professor of psychology at Furman University, in Greenville, S.C.


One way to ease holiday stress is to avoid unrealistic expectations, such as believing the holidays will change people and family relationships.


“If your stress stems from other people’s actions, that’s largely out of your control. What you can do is limit your exposure,” Stetler said in a university news release.


Don’t obsess about family holiday traditions.


“Reflect on why that tradition is so important to you and what about it carries the meaning. See if there’s a way to adapt the tradition while still maintaining the important pieces of it,” Stetler said. “While it is good to maintain traditions, they can cause extra stress if you feel you have to do it the same way no matter what.”


Change your approach to gift-giving, which can cause financial worries.


For example, instead of buying a person several gifts, choose just one or two that will be especially meaningful.


And remember that material things provide only short-term happiness, while doing things for others and appreciating what you have can bring lasting happiness.


Take care of yourself during the holidays.


Get plenty of sleep, watch your diet, exercise regularly and find some time for yourself each day.


“Try to maintain as much of your normal routine as you can. You can treat yourself and indulge in small ways. The holidays are not the time to make big changes,” Stetler said. “Try to get a little bit of physical activity in, even if it’s a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Helping older adults with substance abuse problems

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living,

By Linda Cronk, Michigan State University Extension


If an older adult were ill or needed help, most people would reach out and help in whatever ways they could. But, if the illness were signs of alcoholism or drug abuse, it’s often really hard for most people to know what to do or say. Often, it’s difficult to tell if what we see are symptoms of substance abuse. In older adults, these signs can seem to mimic other conditions, such as diabetes, dementia or depression.


Is it substance abuse? According to Hazelden, a prominent addiction recovery center, there are two types of alcoholism in older adults. Two-thirds of older adult alcoholics are early-onset – those who have been heavy drinkers most of their adult lives. The other one-third are those who began to drink excess amounts in their older years, often in response to a difficult life situation or transition.


Doctors routinely prescribe tranquilizers for older adults. More tranquilizers are prescribed annually than for all other medications, over 16.9 million prescriptions each year – with the exception of heart medicine.


Some of the challenges that come with prescription drug use by older adults include:

  • Older people often take higher doses than prescribed because they forgot that they already took a pill or because “if one is good, two are better.”
  • It is not unusual for older persons to take their prescription drugs to a friend or spouse — even when the prescription is old, if the drug fits a self-diagnosed ailment.
  • An older person may also become dependent on alcohol or drugs after a major operation or a lengthy hospital stay. This dependency can be life threatening, yet is treatable.

What are possible signs of abuse? Hazelden has identified several warning signs:

  • Drinks in spite of warning labels while on prescription drugs.
  • Always has bottles of tranquilizers on hand and takes them at the slightest sign of disturbance.
  • Is often intoxicated or slightly tipsy, and sometimes has slurred speech.
  • Disposes of large volumes of empty beer and liquor bottles and seems secretive about it.
  • Often has the smell of liquor on his/her breath or mouthwash to disguise it.
  • Is neglecting personal appearance and gaining or losing weight.
  • Complains of constant sleeplessness, loss of appetite or chronic health complaints that seem to have no physical cause.
  • Has unexplained burns or bruises and tries to hide them.
  • Seems more depressed or hostile than usual.
  • Can’t handle routine chores and paperwork without making mistakes.
  • Has irrational and undefined fears, delusions or seems under unusual stress.
  • Seems to be losing his or her memory.

How can we begin to help our loved ones get help for substance abuse problems? Before talking to your older loved one or friend, talk to a professional trained in addiction and older adults. Prepare by gathering information:

  • A list of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs the person is taking.
  • A list of doctors the person is seeing. They may have a general practitioner and a specialist.
  • A brief life history including religious and cultural background and important life events.
  • An idea of the person’s present ability to live alone and take care of themself.
  • How drinking or the misuse of medicines is affecting their health, family and social life, etc.
  • A list of family members and friends who are concerned and would be willing to help, if necessary.

Together, you and the professional should be able to make an informal assessment as to what type of help the older person needs and how to approach the topic with them. You may decide, for example, that it would be better for your friend’s physician to bring up the problem, since many older people trust their doctors. Or perhaps you can ask another close person, such as a minister or an old acquaintance of your friend to sit down for a personal talk. Find out more at www.hazelden.org about how you can help your friend or loved one get help for substance abuse.


If the person is ready to make a change, the first thing to do is listen and be supportive. You may want to urge your friend to see a physician to get a professional assessment of the problem. Depending on the severity, the older person may need hospital care to treat the physical symptoms of alcohol and drug reactions. Many older persons can benefit from inpatient treatment for alcoholism or drug dependency, if their health insurance or other resources will cover the costs.


Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) can be a good alternative, along with individual counseling from an addiction professional that is trained to work with older adults. Founded in 1935, A.A. has helped millions of people achieve sobriety. When you talk to an A.A. volunteer, ask for a meeting where an older person could be comfortable. See www.aa.org for more helpful information for friends and families of older adults dealing with substance abuse.


Fortunately, today it is more accepted to seek help for alcohol and drug abuse problems. There are excellent resources in many communities to help loved ones and friends address the issue. Michigan State University Extension staff works with the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan at Michigan State University to bring the latest health information about older adults to health care providers throughout the state. See www.gecm.msu.edu for more information.


For more about older adults and substance abuse read Substance abuse in older adults: Underdiagnosed and undertreated.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Queen Quest: The search for overwintering bumble bees

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A bumble bee queen foraging on purple coneflower. Photo by Jenna Walters, MSU.

By Jenna Walters and Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology


Bumble bees are an important and well-known group of pollinating insects, but populations of some bumble bee species are declining across the globe, including those in Michigan. Many groups are developing efforts to help conserve these insects by planting attractive flowers, yet we know little about where bumble bees nest in the winter. Now there’s an effort to change that, and you can help.


A group of scientists have launched Queen Quest, a collaborative public science program to understand where queen bumble bees overwinter across North America. If you are interested in helping, just get a few friends together, develop a fun team name and go questing! This can be done in a few hours and could be in your garden, a park or anywhere you think there might be a nest.


The group wants to know where bumble bees are—and are not—found. Finding these nest sites will help conserve bumble bees by informing the development of improved conservation programs.

The Queen Quest website has all the information necessary to get involved, including literature resources, a step-by-step protocol and information on where to look. If you can’t do it this fall, your team could try in the spring once the snow is gone. Everyone is welcome to participate, so please help put Michigan on the Queen Quest map!

Pollinators & Pollination

MSU Extension’s focus on pollinators and pollination brings together educators and researchers who are working with experts around the country to provide the latest information through webinars, seminars, online resources and email newsletters.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Technology tips to keep you young

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


The association between technology and seniors is often misrepresented; older adults of our society today did not have access to computers, smart devices, or the internet. While many people allude this disconnect to the idea that seniors find the devices complicated; it is merely an assumption. The reality is that many seniors do not understand how they can utilize these gadgets to meet their personal interests. Devices play a critical decision in informing the health and wellness decisions you make to stay young. The right application of different gadgets and software can save you time, money and make a situation less stressful. For example, using GPS in your post-retirement trips can save you money you would otherwise spend on a tour guide.


There are several ways you can utilize technology to stay young:

Health Checks

Staying on top of your health is a priority among many seniors; the right technology in your smart phone or tablet can save you several trips to the hospital. For example, there are different accessories and apps you can get to help you check your blood sugar. You can also access different fitness apps to help you follow your exercise routine from the comfort of your home. Additionally, there are games and brain exercises you can engage in to help keep your mind alert and active. The best part about using your device to stay healthy is that you can travel with it or use it indoors even in extreme weather when you’re stuck at home.

Connectivity

One way to stay young-at-heart is to stay connected to your friends and family, especially the younger ones. Even though you might be hundreds of miles away from your loved ones, you can connect with your family by sharing videos, pictures or by scheduling live video chats. If you choose to travel, you and your loved ones can enjoy a peace of mind knowing that you are a call away from each other.

Continuous Learning

Use your gadgets as a learning tool. As you grow older, you will realize you have a lot of time on your hands, which can easily bore you. Take up new courses, learn a craft or spend time indulging in your favorite subject. There are several learning tools available in your devices such as short courses, podcasts, videos, books and research papers; you will have access to an infinite source of information at the comfort of your home. Through your device, you can connect with people with similar learning interests from around the world without the hustle associated with traveling.


Improve your relationship with technology by looking it as an avenue for self-improvement. There are different applications and devices available to help you improve your physical, spiritual and mental wellness from the comfort of your home. Take advantage of the improved access to information to explore your passions.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Feathered friends need care in the winter

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Pets/Animals, Senior Living,

By Insa Raymond, Michigan State University Extension


As we approach the midst of winter and prepare for cold weather, it is important not to forget our feathered friends outside. While many species travel south to survive the winter, many other bird species stay here. We bundle up in layers of shirts, sweaters, warm winter coats, hats, scarfs and mittens. But how do our feathered friends stay warm?


Birds are warm-blooded creatures just like us. They maintain a body temperature of approximately 106 degrees Fahrenheit but have the ability to adapt their body temperatures, keeping most of their heat around their vital organs and lowering their body temperature around the extremities. Some bird species also have the ability to lower their body temperature during the nighttime, to help survive the cold, frosty nights.


Birds also have many adaptations that help them stay warm. Smaller birds seek shelter in dense foliage or crevices, huddle together, puff up their feathers and tuck in their head and feet. Bigger birds, geese for example, develop an additional layer of down feathers to help insulate them. In addition, all non-migrating birds put on fat in the preparation for the winter months, as this acts as insulator and energy source to survive the winter in northern climates. According to Audubon Magazine, up to 10 percent of a bird’s body weight may be fat in certain species, such as chickadees and finches.


To maintain this high fat density, birds need to spend most of their days seeking high-energy food, which can be scarce in nature during the winter. A simple way to help our feathered friends during the cold season is to hang up bird feeders. Feeding birds is a fun family activity that teaches kids about and to appreciate nature. The more you will get into bird feeding, the more you and your family will enjoy it. Keep a bird field guide on hand and identify the species you see at the feeders.


To attract a diversity of birds, set out a variety of bird feeders with different types of food. A tube feeder with perches filled with black sunflower and an assortment of seeds will attract finches and chickadees. Hopper-type bird feeders filled with sunflower and safflower seeds will attract birds such as cardinals and blue jays. Suet feeders will attract woodpeckers. For more information on what types of bird feeders and seed to use to attract different species, view the Audubon Guide to Winter Bird Feeding. The bird feeders you use don’t need to be expensive – the Madison Audubon Society developed a simple guide to making bird feeders out of recycled materials.

Birds not only need food in the winter but they also need fresh water and shelter. When thinking about changing or adding to your landscape, consider choosing bird-friendly, native plants. Evergreens provide shelter, seed heads and berries, which provide additional food. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a wonderful resource for birding enthusiasts, both the novice and advanced, and provides resources on feeding, landscaping, building nest boxes and much more.


If you really are getting into birding, consider participating in project feeder watch, which is a survey of birds that visit feeders in backyards, nature centers, etc. Feeder watchers periodically count the birds at their feeders from November to April and send the data to Project Feeder Watch. This helps scientists to get a broader picture of bird species, their abundance and movement during the winter months.


If you’d like to turn your birding interest into a 4-H club project, Michigan State University Extension has the resources and tools you need. So enjoy birding this winter! No matter if you do it on a small scale with your family, or on a bigger scale as a volunteer with a group of youth, you will teach youth an understanding and appreciation of nature.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Heads up: Beware of text neck

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Don’t let text neck get you down. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat staff


The next time you’re in a public place, look around.


Notice how many people are hunched over using mobile devices.


Poor posture while constantly looking down at a cell phone places a lot of strain on the neck, or cervical spine. It’s called ‘text neck.’


And, according to a recent reports, it can result in permanent harm.


“When the head is upright, the upper part of the spine is correctly aligned for minimal stress on the muscles, bones and discs in the neck,” explained Nuala Crotty, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with the Spectrum Health Medical Group. “But when you drop the chin to the chest for long periods, you increase stress on the cervical spine and strain the muscles at the back of your neck.”


Just how much wear and tear does this constant downward gaze put on the neck muscles?


The head weighs about 10 to 12 pounds. For every inch the head tilts forward, the weight or pressure on the cervical spine increases. Bending your head forward at a 60 degree angle, for example, results in almost 60 pounds of stress weight on a neck structure that’s designed to handle much less. That’s like carrying a small child around on your neck all day.


With smartphone users now spending an average of two to four hours a day with their heads dropped down, this results in 700 to 1,400 hours a year of excess wear and tear on the cervical spine, according to the research.


Over time, this much stress can do a lot of damage. Muscles and tissues become strained, sore and inflamed, causing headaches, neck, upper back, shoulder and arm pain.


According to Dr. Crotty, if left uncorrected, text neck can lead to chronic neck pain and an increased risk of disc herniation and neck arthritis. Poor posture also decreases lung volume, interfering with the ability to breathe deeply.


“The first step is to be aware of how you hold your body while using technology,” she said. “And then, take steps to prevent problems by practicing good posture and neck alignment.”


Dr. Crotty offers these tips to avoid feeling the crunch:

  • Hold devices up, at eye level, as much as possible.
  • Take regular breaks from phones and laptops throughout the day.
  • Draw your shoulder blades together gently. This will naturally pull your head back and align your spine.
  • Tuck in your chin and gently lengthen your neck. Imagine a string at the top or crown of your head, pulling it straight up to the ceiling.
  • Roll or shrug your shoulders a few times and move your neck in different directions to prevent muscles from becoming tight.

See a doctor if neck pain does not go away or if it’s associated with pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in your shoulder, arm or hands.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


One of the most painful times of the year

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By Ginny Mikita, Animal Blessings

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen

Well-intentioned friends exclaim, “Happy Holidays!”


Andy Williams repeatedly croons through retail sound systems, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” 


But for those whose companion animals have died and will not be home for Christmas or Hanukkah, it can, instead, be one of the most painful times of the year.


Whether this is the first holiday season you’ve experienced without your beloved companion animal, or the season has come and gone several times since her death, it can be particularly difficult.  


This year, consider giving yourself a gift. Gift yourself with permission, quiet time and sacred space. Allow yourself to remember your companion animal and be fully present without judgment to all the emotions such remembering evokes. Sadness and tears, anger and pangs of guilt, joy and laughter.


Here are just a few “gift” ideas:

Light a candle

Treat yourself to a beautiful candle. Find a meaningful place in your home to place it during the season, perhaps next to a favorite photograph of your companion animal. Set aside daily time — even five or ten minutes — to light it, allowing yourself to be enveloped by its warmth. Reflect upon your time together, focusing on your gratitude for and the lessons learned from your companion’s life being part of your journey. 

Have a heartfelt talk

During your candlelit moments, if the spirit moves you, have a conversation. Out loud. Or journal. Share with your companion animal whatever is on your mind. You may have feelings bottled up inside that have never been spoken. Perhaps the circumstances of your companion animal’s death continue to haunt you. Perhaps you’re considering or struggling with adopting another animal. Perhaps the loss triggers unresolved grief from earlier losses.

Share your companion animal’s items

Items that belonged to your companion animal — a toy with which she played, a blanket in which she snuggled, clothing with her scent, like a ThunderShirt — are often all that’s physically left behind and can be very difficult to part with. If you’re ready, the giving season may be the right time to share some or all of them.   

Make a dedication

Volunteer your service or make a donation to a shelter or other animal-related organization in your companion animal’s name. For many years, I have made donations to Wings of Wonder, a raptor rehabilitation organization, as memorial gifts. The group sends a picture of the screech owl who will be released into the wild, soaring on her own wings, to the grieving family.

Create a scrapbook

If you haven’t already done so, create a scrapbook of or fill a box with favorite photos, writings and other memorabilia that remind you of your companion animal. 

Visit a special place

Visit a special place — a dog park, a walking trail – that was special for you and your companion animal. Gently care for the space while there. Before returning home, you may want to leave something behind as a tribute — a flower or a favorite treat for the lucky animal who happens upon it first.  Such acts are powerful healing tools. There were so many items left at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial site in Washington DC, the National Park Service eventually hired people to collect and catalogue them, and later opened the Museum Resource Center, a climate-controlled warehouse, to store them. 

Attend a blue Christmas service

Many Christian churches, especially in West Michigan, now have special services in early December designed especially for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Continue to live and love

While grieving plays an important role in healing, our companion animals, I believe, would want us to continue living and loving. Decorate your home. Hang your companion’s stocking and fill it with items to be given to a shelter or other animal advocacy organization. Most importantly, surround yourself with the love of others — other companion animals and people who respect your love for and loss of your companion animal.

Animal advocate and attorney Ginny Mikita is the founder of Animal Blessings, an organization dedicated to honoring the sacred worth of all animals. Mikita’s companion animal loss support services include facilitating a monthly Companion Animal Loss Grief Support Group, officiating an annual Memorial Service in December, writing grief columns for local publications and speaking at gatherings — local and national — of animal care and protection professionals. Additionally, Mikita regularly officiates Blessings of the Animals in both religious and secular environments.


6 stocking stuffers to get you moving

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If you want to surprise your little ones with gifts that keep on giving, go for something that inspires physical activity. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat staff


If you want to give a meaningful gift that has long-lasting impact, consider a gift of activity.


Skip the tins of chocolate and instead stuff those stockings with fun items that encourage physical activity and exercise.


The Spectrum Health Healthy Weight Center team shared a list of fun toys and tools that can help you and your kiddos stay active.

Consider these creative gifts:

1. Jump rope

A simple jump rope is a fun way to get active and you’re not just limited to jumping rope. Use the rope in many ways to promote exercise—make a limbo line, walk across the rope like a tight rope, or jump over the rope while it’s on the ground. Be creative!

2. Frisbee

If you have children or pets, a Frisbee can be a great way to promote activity. If you have a lot of family, you can play ultimate Frisbee. It’s like football with a Frisbee, but without the tackling. You can find official rules at USA Ultimate, make up your own, or just play together and move.

3. Sports ball

Since there are too many to name, we figured we’d just include most sports equipment in this category. But a tennis ball, football, or Nerf ball are great for encouraging children to get active. Even better, you can play together! In the winter, get something you can use in the snow.

4. Hopping ball

You can find these at many toy stores. A hopping ball is a ball with a handle that kids can sit on and hop up and down. Adults should give it a try, too. It’s harder than it looks and oh so much fun. Just inflate and bounce!

5. Hopscotch rug

If there is too much snow for hopscotch, play it indoors with this fun rug. Or make your own by using colorful painter’s tape on the floor.

6. Yoga cards

There are many different versions of these cards. When you draw a yoga card, try to do the yoga pose shown on the card. You can take them anywhere—you just need a little bit of space for yoga.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Beware the double-dippers

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A great way to avoid double-dipping: Place utensils in the dip bowl so guests can scoop a dollop directly onto a plate. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Allan Adler, Spectrum Health Beat


Double-dipping with a dance partner? A skillful move marked by grace and beauty.


Double-dipping with a snack at a party? Not quite so beautiful or graceful.


But definitely risky.


Using partially eaten food items such as vegetables or chips to scoop dip from a container can deposit bacteria from the double dipper’s mouth into the dip, which can make people ill if they dip into that same container, said Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, community nutrition educator for Spectrum Health Healthier Communities. Especially if the individual is sick.


Even a small amount of bacteria introduced by saliva can grow rapidly, perhaps to more than 100 times the initial level, potentially leading to serious illnesses such as a norovirus or herpes if the person has those viruses.


Even if the party guest is not sick, the bacteria they introduce can lead to foodborne illnesses.


While hosts and guests can take steps to protect partygoers from those who act carelessly with food, most of the precautions rest with the host.

Danger zone

For starters, dips that need to be kept cool should be placed on ice. Dips that need to be kept warm should be placed over the proper heating source, Corwin said.


“Forty-one to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the danger zone,” she said. “That’s when bacteria can thrive.”


An extra-thorough host can use a thermometer to check temperatures.


The general rule: Leave food out no longer than two hours. If food is sitting outdoors, limit the time to one hour or less, depending on the temperature.


Also, set out smaller amounts of dip and replace them regularly with chilled dip stored in a refrigerator or cooler.


Some dips will grow bacteria more quickly than others, Corwin said. Runny dips, such as salsa and varieties made from sour cream, pose more of a threat than solid dips such as hummus.


And while it may be more tedious to prepare pre-portioned dip in containers, it could also be a wise move—especially if children are expected to attend the gathering.


“Kids are notorious for double-dipping,” Corwin said. As a mom of three, she speaks from experience.

Hands-free

At day’s end, there isn’t much that guests can do to protect themselves from double-dippers. One option is to bring your own food, or even abstain from eating, but that’s neither fun nor practical.


Still, precautions can be taken.


“If you’re dipping from something more solid, like hummus, take your helping from a portion not touched yet,” Corwin said.


Also, aim for dips that have serving utensils. If the host has set out serving spoons and dishes, people won’t need to double-dip—they can use the utensils to place an adequate amount of chips and dip on their plates.


Corwin emphasized the tried-and-true food safety mantra: “When in doubt, throw it out.


“As a host, anything you can do to take those extra precautions would be advisable,” she said. “You wouldn’t want any of your guests to leave sick, because you want them to come back.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Living Christmas trees: Another real tree option

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Living, container-grown Christmas tree. Photo credit: Frank Genovese, Candy Cane Tree Farm

By Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry, and Jill O’Donnell, MSU Extension


Live, container-grown Christmas trees provide consumers with a real tree option that can be planted into their landscapes following the holidays. Many types of Christmas trees commonly grown in Michigan also make attractive landscape trees. In order to have the best success with a living Christmas tree, Michigan State University Extension recommends following these guidelines.


Choose a tree species that will make a good landscape tree as an attractive Christmas tree. Carefully consider your site and choose species that are well adapted to it. Be sure to allow plenty of room for growth since almost all conifers used as living Christmas trees are fast growing trees. Several types of spruces such as Serbian, black hills, Norway and white spruce, along with Canaan fir, are good choices for most Michigan landscapes. Fraser fir is sometimes sold as a potted living Christmas tree, but it requires sites with good soil drainage or soil pH below 6.0 – conditions that are not typical of most Michigan landscapes. For more information about other other conifers to use, see the tip sheet “Alternative conifers for Michigan landscapes.”

Container-grown tree
A container-grown tree provides a different option for the holiday season. Photo credit: Bert Cregg, MSU

Remember, your living tree is alive, so treat it like a houseplant and make sure to water it regularly. Place the tree in a cooler area away from heat sources such as fireplaces or furnace outlets to help keep it from drying out. Also bear in mind the tree will lose cold hardiness the longer it is held indoors, which can impact its ability to stand up to cold once you place it back outdoors. Plan on keeping the tree indoors for no more than two weeks.


Many articles on the Internet recommend planting living trees immediately after display or placing them outside and heavily mulching the container to protect the roots. In Michigan and other northern climates, holding trees in a shed or unheated garage and then planting them in the spring is the best solution. Make sure to periodically check the moisture levels and water the plant as needed. Keep the trees in a protected location until spring time and plant them when you would normally plant trees and shrubs in your area.

More information on selecting and caring for your Christmas tree from MSU Extension

Articles:

Tip sheets:

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Impulse at the check-out line: Holiday shopping and credit card offers

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Brenda Long and Scott Matteson, Michigan State University Extension


It is a well-known practice — impulse items placed at the checkout line. These items are strategically placed to catch your eye as you unload your shopping cart.


Gum, candy, assorted snacks and a growing assortment of miscellaneous items like pipe cleaners and nail clippers are placed at just the right level along with the array of magazines with “gotcha” headlines. Within the past few years a growing number of gift cards have shown up as well. Many of these items could be considered convenience items, last minute gifts, something to eat on the commute home.


More recently, you are even offered a chance to save money instantly. This is great! You are not adding to your total, you are actually saving money!


What’s the catch?


“Excuse me sir,” says the sales associate. “Would you like to save ten percent on your purchase today?” You think of your budget. Money is tight right now. “I sure would,” you reply. “Great!” replies the associate. “I just need to get some information from you. You will not only save ten percent today. You will save five percent on all additional purchases!” This is beginning to sound better and better. Sure, you have to sign up for a “box store” credit card, but you will really save on the big screen television in your cart. What could be the down side?


Did you know that every time a merchant signs you up for a credit card, they check your credit? Did you know that every time your credit is checked for such an application, it may have an effect on your credit score? According to statistics reported by the Federal Reserve, American consumers hold more than 880 billion dollars in revolving debt. Have you ever heard the saying, “the house always wins?”


The box store credit card offers to save you 10 percent on your purchase will save you money if you pay off the balance each month. What box stores want is for you to buy more box store stuff. If you are not disciplined enough, the credit card offers are not being made to save you money. If box store wanted you to save money with no strings attached, they could hand out ten percent-off coupons at the checkout. Store credit cards are meant for you to spend more money at the store and to charge interest if you do not pay the balance. Be prepared and look for ways to save money. Make a list of the items that you want to buy and sleep on it. Compare prices for the items on the list at a number of stores. Be efficient and plan your trips ahead of time. Resist the check-out line offers.


Credit is not the problem. Too much credit is the problem. Maybe you can resist the extra plastic in your wallet. Michigan State University Extension offers a variety of money management programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information, check out this website .


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Top 10 reasons to exercise 30 minutes today

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Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can keep you in good health. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Sue Thoms, Spectrum Health Beat


Just give it 30 minutes―exercise, that is.


Federal health guidelines urge us to spend half an hour each day moving with enough vigor to boost the heart rate. But half the U.S. population fails to squeeze in time for it.


To encourage us to make exercise a priority, Thomas Boyden, MD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group preventive cardiologist, details the many ways physical activity can make our lives better.


His top 10 reasons to exercise can provide a little motivational boost to put down the smartphone and pick up the pace.


Routine exercise:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Lowers blood sugar
  • Helps control cholesterol
  • Builds bone strength
  • Helps prevent dementia
  • Fights depression, stress and anxiety
  • Improves balance
  • Reduces risk for heart attack and stroke
  • Aids weight control
  • Helps you sleep better

Exercise does not have to mean running a marathon, Dr. Boyden said. But it should involve activity more vigorous than a leisurely stroll.


“I say walking the dog doesn’t really qualify as exercise,” he said. “I have a dog and I know how often they stop.


“We want the heart rate to increase and we want it increased for sustained periods of time. That’s proven by research to lower your risk of events like heart attack and stroke.”


Those with physical limitations, because of weight, arthritis or other health issues, can still be active, he added.


“Particularly when you get older and have joint problems, I encourage people to figure out ways to do seated exercises, so they can take the weight off the joints and exercise without pain,” he said.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to exercise at least 150 minutes a week (two hours and 30 minutes). Doctors often recommend breaking it into 30-minute sessions because it sounds less daunting, said Dr. Boyden.


“It’s possible and usually easy to do 30 minutes of anything,” he said.

Sedentary sickness

More than 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, which can lead to a number of health problems, Dr. Boyden said. These include:

  • Diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease
  • Increased risk of cancer, blood clots, depression and early-onset dementia
  • Problems with menstruation
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Sleep apnea
  • Joint problems, leading to a need for hip and knee replacements

“We are getting sicker as a country because we are getting bigger and more sedentary,” he said.


Excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle drive heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of both men and women, according to the CDC.


“The strongest data shows if we all maintained a healthy weight, ate healthy, did just a little bit of exercise and didn’t smoke, at least 80 percent of our country would likely never have a heart problem,” Dr. Boyden said.


“I’m a big lifestyle advocate,” he said. “Everything we do for ourselves is as meaningful, if not more meaningful, than the services provided by a health care system.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


How to make the most of the winter season

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Image by Besno Pile from Pixabay

By Emily Armstrong, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan


Once freezing temps hit, you are more inclined to stay indoors and pass on events you used to enjoy in the warmer months — it happens to the best of us. Yet this lack of socialization, movement, and engagement in the winter can take its toll on your mood. As an older adult, winter can be an especially difficult season.


You may not have the means to drive or keep up with home maintenance and repairs, and you may start feeling a bit defeated during this time. Trying to combat these things can be overwhelming, but just because you aren’t able to get out as much doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of things you can do to have a more fulfilling winter season. Check out the tips and resources below that can help you to embrace a slower winter lifestyle.

  • Become a part of something. Whether it is joining a senior center, book club, or volunteering for a cause that matters, being involved helps your mood immensely. You get a healthy dose of regular socialization with others, and when you join a group initiative you are more likely to stick to it as other people are there to help keep you accountable.
  • Challenge yourself to pick up a new hobby. Hobbies are a great way to keep your mind sharp and fill those long winter hours. The great thing about hobbies is that there are so many out there, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one that interests you. Top hobbies for seniors are reading, crafting, playing cards and games, and exploring family history.
  • Move your body. Regularly exercising is another great way to boost your mood through the winter months. Maybe you take a low impact water aerobics class at a local gym, walk around an indoor track, or enroll in a wellness class at your local senior center, all options provide you with the means to exercise indoors while getting much-needed endorphins to improve your attitude.
  • Ask for help around the house. As mentioned, it can be especially hard to keep up with the maintenance of your home in the winter. When this happens, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A family member or friend was probably always willing, but was just unsure of what you needed help with. Or if this isn’t an option, through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan a number of home chores and repair services are available; from yard cleanup, snow removal, lawn mowing, and minor home maintenance.
  • Catch a ride. A number of transportation resources are available specifically for older adults and it is great to take advantage of these in winter months when there is inclement weather. In Kent County, RideLink provides seniors 60+ with affordable rides throughout the county. Recently ride-sharing services such as GoGo Grandparent have also become popular, allowing you to use the popular Lyft or Uber apps without a smartphone. No matter which resource you choose, you’ll have a safe, reliable option to get you to your destination despite unpredictable winter weather.

So, what’s your next step? Reach out to the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan; it is a knowledge hub for services available to seniors. Oftentimes they will offer information on local senior centers to join, available exercise programming, and a number of home and transportation resources to help you maintain your independence over the more difficult winter months and throughout the year. Visit www.aaawm.org.



Be wise this holiday shopping season

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Make a plan for your holiday shopping and you will help the economy without creating a money problem for yourself. (MSU Extension)

By Brenda Long and Scott Matteson, Michigan State University Extension 


Many of you have probably started your holiday shopping already, but it is still not too late to avoid money problems this holiday season. It seems that the shopping season begins earlier and earlier, and this year is no exception. However, you still have time to avoid the pitfall that so many fall into this time of year — overspending. As retail sales continue to rise, you can take steps now to avoid money problems later.


Go ahead and do your part to help our economy grow. Holiday sales can define a retailer’s bottom line for the entire year, and they hire many seasonal employees to handle the increased sales. However, do your part without the worry of becoming a negative economic statistic. First, sit down and think about some important questions. Who are all the people you would like to buy presents for this holiday season? Give yourself some time to write them down.


Second, are there any other significant events that are occurring prior to, during or shortly after the holidays. Many people still have birthdays around the holidays, for example. What about weddings or anniversaries? What about baby showers? Ask all the people in your household to join in on the brainstorming session. It could be a fun family activity to get you in the mood to shop.


Third, decide on an average amount that you would like to spend on each gift and then multiply the amount times the number of gifts you want to buy. For example, if you decide to spend an average of $40 per gift and you have ten holiday presents, one baby shower gift and two birthdays within the next two months, you will need $520 (13 X $40) to buy all of your planned gifts.


Fourth, you may need to make some adjustments. Do you have $520 on-hand? If not, how soon can you save that amount? Do you have room in your monthly spending plan to save for $520? Do you need to decrease the average spent on each gift? Do you even have a spending plan? If not, Michigan State University Extension offers a variety of money management programs throughout the state of Michigan. You can also find help with making a spending plan at mimoneyhealth.org.


Finally, once you have an amount that you can afford, set the money aside either in cash or in your bank account. You may use an envelope to save the cash at home or deposit your savings into a holiday or savings account at a financial institution. Keep track of each gift purchased and if you overspend on one, make adjustments where you can. If you stick to your plan, you will contribute to the economy and not have a pile of debt left over for the New Year. Next year, start earlier and you may be able to do more for the economy and save money in the process.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



3 tips to help your loved one avoid fraud

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living,
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Senior abuse in the form of financial scams is a huge problem—especially as scammers are changing tactics and taking advantage of fears and uncertainties. In fact, recent reports say anywhere from 3 billion to 30 billion dollars are lost every year as a result of senior financial scams. With these high numbers in mind, it’s important that you do your part to help protect your loved ones. 

1. Visit elderly family members regularly

One of the best ways to prevent fraud is to keep in contact with your senior family members. By visiting and talking with them, you can stay up to date on their daily lives and be the first to hear about suspicious new “friends” who might be having an undue influence on their financial decisions. 


Seniors who are isolated from their families and don’t have active social lives are often the first targets of scammers, since a senior without a strong support system is more likely to believe a lie and fall victim to fraud. 

2. Warn your loved one about common scams

Most scams happen over the phone or online, as scammers can impersonate people of authority. Scammers will either act charming to influence seniors, or act like there is a serious emergency in order to trick them. Here are a few of the most common elderly scams you can warn your loved one about. 

Social Security & IRS scams

A common scam involves a perpetrator pretending to be an authority from the Social Security office or the IRS. They will tell a victim that there is a major problem with their account, and if they don’t immediately give out personal information to clear up the problem they could face legal action or arrest.


This scam can scare seniors into giving away their Social Security number or banking information to avoid threats. However, it’s important to explain to seniors that the Social Security office and IRS will never threaten someone over the phone, and often don’t reach out by phone at all—especially when asking for personal information.

Charity scams

Some scammers try and take advantage of kind-hearted seniors by pretending to be from a charity asking for donations. Assure your loved one that if they get a call from a charity and want to contribute, there will be other ways they can donate or volunteer their time than by giving out information over the phone. 

Internet & tech support scams

Scammers like to take advantage of the lack of knowledge many seniors have surrounding technology. For example, seniors can receive a phone call or pop-up claiming their computer is infected with a virus, and the problem can’t be resolved until the victim verifies their identity by handing over a Social Security number or other piece of information. 


Remind your loved one that they should never give out personal information to an unverified source, especially if the other person is making the situation seem suspiciously urgent.

Lottery & fake prize scams

Another set of scams are lottery and prize scams. These will try to convince seniors to hand over a small amount of money for “taxes and fees” with the promise that a larger amount of winnings and prizes will be given to the victim after the first transaction clears. Tell your loved one that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Grandparent scams

These scams involve a perpetrator pretending to be a family member who is in an emergency and needs quick money. Often they say that they need money immediately to cover rent and expenses, lawyer fees, bail, or medical bills. They will request that the victim keep this transaction a secret from the rest of the family out of shame or embarrassment. 


To protect your loved one, tell them to ensure they are speaking to someone they know and can verify that the situation is legitimate. If they aren’t certain, have them hang up and call a trusted family member.

3. Always advise caution with finances

While you don’t want to frighten your loved one into never making a transaction again, it’s important they are aware of the dangers of financial scams and that they can be a target. Come up with a plan together, and include things like:

  • Blocking solicitation calls with the help of an app or phone provider
  • Having your loved one call you before agreeing to anything suspicious
  • Talking to their bank to see what measures can be taken to limit the damage of a scam
  • Creating a separate bank account that houses a majority of their savings that isn’t connected to a card or their primary checking account
  • Setting a spending limit on debit cards

Remember:

While seniors can be targeted by strangers, most elder financial abuse comes from other family members, so keep an eye on anyone who becomes too invested in your loved one’s financial situation. If you or your loved one believes they have been targeted by a scammer, report it to the police immediately or call the number below to talk through the options for reporting fraud.


AARP Fraud Watch Network Hotline (877-908-3360)


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Choosing the right Christmas tree

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, How-To's,

By Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry, and Jill O’Donnell, MSU Extension


While it’s true that supplies of some species, particularly Fraser fir, will be tighter than in past years, consumers that want a real tree will be able to find one. Michigan farms and tree lots offer an array of great Christmas tree choices. Whether you look for a pre-cut tree at a local tree lot or bundle up the family for the choose-and-cut experience, you will find a wide variety of tree types that offer something for everyone.

Scots pine. Photo credit: Bert Cregg and Jill O’Donnell, MSU

How do I find a real tree?


As with most things, shopping early will ensure the best selection. If your holiday tradition is to put the tree up closer to Christmas day, you can store your tree with its cut end in water in your garage or other protected, unheated space until you are ready to move it into the house. (See “3 easy steps to make your real Christmas tree last this holiday season.”) Consumers will also have an easier time finding a real tree if they are willing to expand the menu of trees they choose from. Michigan Christmas tree growers produce a diverse range of Christmas tree types, and this might be the year to consider something different for your holiday tradition.


To help you pick the perfect tree, Michigan State University Extension has developed a description of the main types of trees grown in Michigan:

The “tried and true” Christmas trees

These Christmas tree species can be found at nearly every choose-and-cut farm or tree lot.


Fraser fir 


Fraser fir continues to increase in popularity for good reason. Fraser fir has blue-green needles with silvery undersides. The branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments. The trees have a pleasant scent and needle retention is excellent. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s Fraser fir Youtube video. (Photo credit: Bert Cregg and Jill O’Donnell, MSU.)


Scots pine 


Scots pine is the tree species that has long defined the Michigan Christmas tree and is still a favorite for traditionalists. Scots pines are dense trees with dark-green needles. Stiff branches hold up well to ornaments and needle retention is excellent. Scots pine is also an economical choice. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s Scots pine YouTube video.


Douglas fir 


Douglas fir is a dense tree with soft, light green needles. You’ll need to stick with lighter-weight ornaments since the branches are not as stiff as some other species. Another good choice for budget-conscious consumers. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s Douglas fir YouTube video.

Blue spruce. Photo credit: Bert Cregg and Jill O’Donnell, MSU

Blue spruce


Blue spruce remains a popular Christmas tree because of its bright blue color. Branches are stiff and hold ornaments well. Blue spruce needles are quite sharp, so be sure to wear gloves and long-sleeves when handling. While the needles may make the tree hard to handle, some people choose blue spruce to keep pets away from the tree. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s blue spruce YouTube video.


Black hills spruce 


Black hills spruce have needles that are shorter and softer than Colorado blue spruce. Black hills spruce have excellent color and have a very traditional Christmas tree appearance. Branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments.


White pine


White pine is one of two Michigan native conifers commonly used for Christmas trees, along with balsam fir. This is a dense tree with soft, green needles. This tree will require light-weight ornaments. For consumers that have a high ceiling and want a larger tree, white pine can be an economical choice. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s white pine YouTube video.


Balsam fir 


Balsam fir has long been a preferred species for many consumers because of its strong Christmas tree scent. It has dark green needles and excellent form.


Concolor fir 


Concolor fir have longer needles that may be as blue as a blue spruce. The big draw for this species, however, is the strong, citrus-like scent of its needles. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s concolor fir YouTube video.

Up and coming varieties of Christmas trees

In addition to the traditional species mentioned above, Michigan growers continue to add species to their mix. For more information on other lesser-known trees, see “Christmas trees for connoisseurs: Try an exotic species this year.”


Korean fir


Korean fir is native to Asia, as noted by the name, but grows well in our climate and soil. It has dark green needles with striking silvery undersides. The form and unique texture add to this species’ appeal. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s Korean fir Youtube video.


Canaan fir 


Canaan fir does combine many of the characteristics of balsam fir with better needle retention of Fraser fir. It is sometimes described as a hybrid between balsam fir and Fraser fir, but is actually a specific seed source from balsam fir from the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. For more pictures and information on this species, see MSU‘s Canaan fir Youtube video.


Want to find a Christmas tree farm near you? Visit the Michigan Christmas Tree Association website to see choose and cut farms, retail lots, and wholesale farms in your area!

More information on selecting and caring for your Christmas tree from MSU Extension

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This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



Stuck on cubicle mode? Walk it off

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Long bouts of sitting at a desk can lead to greater risk of health problems, including heart disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Take a stand for a longer life.


Researchers say even a few extra minutes off the sofa each day can add years to your life span.


“If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can lower your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows—whether that means taking an hour-long high-intensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking,” said study lead author Keith Diaz.


He’s assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University in New York City.


The new study involved nearly 8,000 American adults, aged 45 and older. Each wore physical activity monitors for at least four days as part of research conducted between 2009 and 2013. The investigators then tracked deaths among the participants until 2017.


The results: People who replaced just 30 minutes of sitting per day with low-intensity physical activity lowered their risk of an early death by 17 percent, according to the recent study published online in the American Journal of Epidemiology.


More intense exercise reaped even bigger rewards, the researchers said.


For example, swapping a half-hour per day of sitting for moderate-to-vigorous exercise cut the risk of early death by 35 percent.


And even just a minute or two of added physical activity was beneficial, the findings showed.


“Physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits,” Diaz said in a university news release.


His team pointed to a recent study that found that one in every four U.S. adults sit for eight-plus hours per day.


Two experts in heart health believe that level of inactivity can be a killer.


“Exercise, at any risk level for cardiovascular disease, is shown to improve not only how long one lives, but also lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.


And heart specialist Dr. Guy Mintz said there are many ways Americans can change their slothful ways. He directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health’s Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.


The American Heart Association currently recommends “moderate aerobic activity for 150 minutes per week or vigorous aerobic activity for 75 minutes per week,” Mintz said.


“Some American companies, like Google, are taking note of the importance of exercise and the deleterious consequences of a sedentary existence, including increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease,” Mintz added. “Employees are encouraged to get up from their desks and exercise—whether that is in the form of stretching, ping pong, walking, jumping jacks, treadmill or stationary bicycle.”


He believes other companies could follow that example.


“Employers with tight work schedules should carve out mandatory time daily for their staff to exercise and make it fun,” Mintz said. “Both the employer and employee benefit. Companies also win with higher productivity, less sick days, lower health costs and improved morale.”


For his part, Diaz said future research will “look at the risk of specific cardiovascular outcomes, such as heart attack, heart failure and cardiovascular-related deaths, associated with physical activity versus sedentary behavior.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


15 easy (and healthy) recipes for cold weather

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living


By Vista Springs Assisted Living


As the weather starts to cool down, it’s time to start looking for ways to keep warm. While cozy blankets and cranking up the heat can help, so will having hot food. At the same time, it’s important to keep your health in mind and remember that as you age it’s not as easy as it once was to whip up complicated meals. 


Having recipes in hand that are hot, healthy, and easy to prepare can make a big difference when it comes to planning out your meals and shopping trips. Take a look at these fifteen different dishes from Good Housekeeping and Delish that meet all these criteria—and taste amazing as well! 

Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

Satisfying chicken dishes

1. Light Chicken Parmesan⼁Cook Time: 25 minutes

This light take on a classic Italian dish can be prepared in under a half hour and will meet your cravings without packing on calories the same way a heavier, traditional Chicken Parmesan would.

Get the recipe here.

2. Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken⼁Cook Time: 30 minutes

Both flavorful and healthy, this baked chicken can be paired with some roasted fall vegetables for a full meal that chases the cold away!

Get the recipe here.

3. Healthy Chicken Casserole⼁Cook Time: 1 hour

Casseroles are a great way to make a delicious meal without having to spend a long time in front of the stove—just combine the ingredients and bake! This dish features healthy grains like wild rice and great vegetables like brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes. 

Get the recipe here.

4. Apple Cider Glazed Chicken⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes

What better way to celebrate fall than with a recipe featuring everyone’s favorite autumn drink, apple cider! This sweeter take on chicken will help you get into the fall spirit while ensuring you keep eating healthy at the same time. 

Get the recipe here.

Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

Soups, stews, & chilis

5. Savory Pumpkin & Sage Soup⼁Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Nothing else can warm you up and satisfy your taste buds the way good soup will! This pumpkin soup is simple, but the sage and mushroom garnish will make you feel like a professional chef.

Get the recipe here.

6. Easy Black Bean Soup⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes

This flavorful soup combines black beans, red onion, and jalapeño to make a deliciously spicy dish that will make you forget about the chilly weather, all while taking only a half hour to make. 

Get the recipe here.

7. Cauliflower Soup⼁Cook Time: 30 minutes

Cauliflower is a great versatile food that can hold a lot of flavor. This simple soup only uses a few ingredients, but the outcome is so hearty and healthy that you wouldn’t believe it was so easy to put together. 

Get the recipe here.

8. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup⼁Cook Time: 40 minutes

When it comes to fall food, butternut squash soup is a classic. This soup doesn’t take long to make, but it will impress anyone you share it with.

Get the recipe here.

9. Butternut Squash & White Bean Soup⼁Cook Time: 45 minutes

If you love butternut squash soup but want to add a little more, then try this variation. With white beans and chickpeas, this take on the original adds some extra heartiness and flavor. 

Get the recipe here. 

10. Chicken Pumpkin Stew⼁Cook Time: 40 minutes

This healthy stew uses plenty of fresh vegetables like pumpkin, red pepper, and green beans to satisfy both you health needs and your taste buds.

Get the recipe here. 

11. Turkey Slow Cooker Chili⼁Cook Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Don’t let the long cook time scare you away! This meal only requires about 20 minutes of prep, and the rest takes care of itself in a slow-cooker. Start it in the morning and have a delicious meal ready for dinner!

Get the recipe here. 

Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

Recipes featuring fall veggies

12. Spaghetti Squash Alfredo⼁Cook Time: 35 minutes

Cut back on carbs normally found in pasta with this spaghetti squash substitution. Spaghetti squash is easy to prepare and can help you get your favorite flavors in a healthier way.

Get the recipe here.

13. Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats⼁Cook Time: 55 minutes

Another recipe featuring spaghetti squash, this cheesy dish has all the makings of a great pizza without the empty calories. Warm and tasty, this meal will fill you up in the same amount of time it would take to get delivery.

Get the recipe here. 

14. Cauliflower & Broccoli Carbonara⼁Cook Time: 20 minutes

This cauliflower and broccoli dish is a great way to get the recommended helping of vegetables while making a recipe for the cold weather in only 20 minutes.  

Get the recipe here. 

15. Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash⼁Cook Time: 45 minutes

Cheese, bacon, and butternut squash? Whether you use this as a side dish for a family meal or make it by itself, this recipe has it all! 


Get the recipe here. 


Being able to make simple, healthy meals that taste great is a useful skill, especially as you continue to age. Cooking shouldn’t be an all-day task, and it’s important to find foods that aren’t just delicious, but provide additional benefits for you and your health as well. Try these dishes out and stay warm and healthy all year long!


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



It’s never too early to quit smoking

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Courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

By Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)


Quitting smoking can be challenging, but you can find support for your quit journey where and when you need it, to raise your chances of quitting for good.


“I’m sick of this addiction.” Clay A. left that comment on the CDC Tobacco Free Facebook page. “I quit for a year and four months and came back,” he went on to say. “Quitting is not easy.”


CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) knows that it may take a number of tries before you’re able to quit for good, but we also know that it can be done. In fact, so many people have quit that there are now more former smokers than current smokers in the United States. Quitting can be challenging, but you can find support for your quit journey where and when you need it, to raise your chances of quitting for good. This year, make a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking for good.


“At this time of year, we know that many smokers make a resolution to quit and start off on a healthier course,” says Corinne Graffunder, DrPH, MPH, director of OSH. “If now is your time to quit tobacco, there are many tools available to help you find and follow a quit strategy that works for you.”


Whether you’ve never tried to quit or have tried many times, a new year means another chance to create your successful quit plan.

Never too early to quit

No matter how long you’ve smoked, there are health benefits to quitting. James, a participant in the Tips From Former Smokers® campaign and a smoker for 30 years, started having some trouble doing everyday tasks. He also learned he had diabetes. So James decided he needed a healthier lifestyle. He put down cigarettes and started exercising. Quitting smoking gave him the energy to bike, run, and swim—things he couldn’t imagine doing before.


James said he wanted to send a message to people who think smoking won’t harm them because they haven’t had a major smoking-related illness. “I want to help people like me quit smoking,” he said.  “Maybe nothing really bad has happened to you yet. Maybe you’re lucky, but you’re probably not going to stay lucky.”Still a Leading Cause of Death


Even though adult smoking rates are at an all-time low, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the country, with 480,000 people dying every year.


Smoking is linked to many dangerous diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, emphysema, and cancer. Smoking around others hurts their health, too. Breathing secondhand smoke can cause many of the same illnesses as smoking does. It can make children get sick more often, and smoking while pregnant raises the risk of a baby dying suddenly in the first year of life. No amount of secondhand smoke is risk-free.Find What Works for You


Every smoker’s quit journey is different. It may take some time to find the strategies that help you stay quit. It helps to create a personalized quit planexternal icon. Some of the steps in an effective quit plan include:

  • Picking a quit date. Choose a date only a week or two away and highlight that day in your calendar or phone.
  • Telling loved ones and friends that you’re quitting. Let them know how they can help you quit.
  • Listing reasons to quit.
  • Getting rid of cigarettes and anything that reminds you of smoking.
  • Picking out feelings, places, and situations that make you want to smoke. It’s easier to avoid them if you’ve identified them!
  • Having healthy strategies to fight cravings.

Build your strategies

Smokers crave cigarettes because they contain a drug called nicotine, and smoking makes your body dependent on nicotine. Stopping smoking causes nicotine withdrawal, which can be uncomfortable, especially in the first weeks. There are ways to get through withdrawal—these can include support from family or a counselor, as well as medication that helps ease cravings.

Courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It may take many tries to quit. The important thing is not to give up. Health care providers, such as doctors and nurses, can be good supporters in your quit journey. Your doctor may recommend some of the medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people quit smoking. These may include nicotine replacement therapy medicines, which are patches, gums, or lozenges that give the body a small amount of nicotine to ease cravings without the other harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. Pharmacists can let you know about the effects of any medicine your doctor prescribes.It’s Not Too Late


Whether you smoked for decades, like James, or only just started, whether you have a smoking-related illness or haven’t felt the damage from smoking yet, quitting right now can put you on the road to better health.


Says former smoker Dean G.: “Can’t wait to see my health continue to improve. Quitting is the best decision I ever made.”

Help is out there: Use it!

There are many free resources to help you quit—no matter where you are in your quit journey.


Websites. Tips From Former Smokers® and Smokefree.gov.external icon


Quitlines. 1-800-QUIT-NOWexternal icon(1-800-784-8669) and 1-855-DÉJELO-YAexternal icon (1-855-335-3569) (for Spanish speakers) both offer resources like coaching, help with making a quit plan, and information about smoking and can even refer you to more resources in your area. There are also Asian-language quitlines:external icon 1-800-838-8917(Chinese), 1-800-556-5564 (Korean), and 1-800-778-844 (Vietnamese).


Text Support. Smokefree TXTexternal icon is a free, 24/7 program that sends coaching and encouragement by text messages to help you keep your commitment to staying smoke-free.


Smartphone App. The smoke-free app for your phone called quitSTARTexternal icon helps you understand your smoking patterns and build skills so you don’t give in to cravings.




Bee, wasp or hornet nest: Which one is it?

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A honey bee. Note the hairs on its body. Photo by Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org.

By Rebecca Krans, Michigan State University Extension


A common question we get on the Michigan State University Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline (888-678-3464) is how to get rid of a bees’ nest. When we ask for a description of the nest or the “bee,” we receive a description for a wasp. Why does this even matter? It is important to know that bees are different insects than hornets or wasps. While all of these species have their own important role and place within the ecosystem, native bees are especially important for pollination services that provide much of our food, food for wildlife, and beauty in the landscape.

Is it a bee, wasp or hornet?

A European paper wasp. Note the smooth body. Photo by David Cappaert, Bugwood.org.

Why are bees, hornets and wasps so often confused? Maybe it is the fact they all buzz and many of us associate that sound with bees. They also all defend their territory by stinging. Many of us fail to appreciate the wide diversity of insect species that exist. Whatever the reason, it is important to properly distinguish what buzzing critter has built a nest so we can help you assess what steps to take in the best interest of both humans and the critter.


Although it may not be easy to snap a photo of the buzzing insect, a picture is ideal. You can share the photo with the hotline staff or upload it to the Ask an Expert resource for proper identification. Check out MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Insects and Arthropods for photos to help you determine the difference between bees, hornets and wasps.

Where is the nest?

Holes made by ground-nesting bees. Photo by Nathanial Walton, MSU Extension.

Do you know there are over 450 native bee pollinators in Michigan and over 2,000 in the United States? They all provide very important pollination services for our food sources and they need our help in providing habitat, food and water for them.

Cavity-nesting bees. Photo by Nathanial Walton, MSU Extension.

Some bee species are solitary; they don’t swarm and rarely sting, as they do not need to protect a queen. They will nest in cavities of wood, hollow stems or the ground, so it is important to provide these diverse habitats. Think about ways to include these undisturbed areas within your gardens and landscapes.


Wasps and hornets often create their nests in areas that interfere with our daily human travel, such as building a paper nest under a house eave. If they feel threatened, hornets and wasps will defend their territory by repeatedly stinging. Interestingly, hornets and wasps are also predatory insects, preying upon other insects, bees included, and eating them.

How to get rid of the nest

The eastern yellow jacket. Photo credit: Johnny N. Dell. Bugwood.org

Once you’ve correctly determined that it’s a wasps’ or hornets’ nest, decide whether the nest will create any safety concerns for humans. If it will, then it’s best to properly deal with the nest as explained in MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Insects and Arthropods for each species. Also, check out this great article below from MSU entomologist Howard Russell. Always remember to read and follow all pesticide labels.

Getting rid of wasps’ nests

If you’re brave, quick and slightly off your rocker, you might be able to kill off a wasp nest and live to talk about it. READ MORE

A yellowjacket nest destroyed by a skunk. Photo by Nathanial Walton, MSU Extension.

Sometimes wildlife such as skunks or raccoons may do the job of removal for you as well. Check out the accompanying photo of a yellow jackets’ nest that was ripped open by a skunk. The following night, the skunk came back and finished the job.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).



3 memory tips worth remembering

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Making a written list is likely to improve your ability to recall items on that list. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


If you have a hard time remembering names or what to get at the supermarket, there are ways to boost your memory.


According to a study in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, one of the best things you can do is say the information you want to remember out loud—and it’s even stronger if you repeat the information to another person. That means not just mouthing the words.


This could explain why you can recite your child’s favorite book unaided—read it out loud enough times and you can have near total recall.


An everyday example is to repeat the name of a new acquaintance out loud as soon as you’re introduced.


Instead of just saying, “It’s nice to meet you,” add their name and say, “It’s nice to meet you, Mary.”


Making word and number associations is effective, too.


Break down a phone number you want to memorize into digits you can associate with special dates or the ages of your kids, for example.


You might try dividing almost any type of information into chunks that you learn one by one.


Other research explains why making lists is so effective.


The human brain is better at recognition—or seeing words—on a to-do list rather than trying to mentally recall errands you’re supposed to run.


Finally, make friends with technology if you haven’t done so already. Use the apps on your phone to make lists and add the names of people you meet to your contacts as soon as you meet them—this gives you the opportunity to repeat their name and write it down digitally.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



The importance of objects in assisted living memory care

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


When you wander the halls of the Vista Springs Center for Memory Care and Rediscovery, you’ll find not only the luxury accommodations our residents have come to expect but also a few unique features meant to speak directly to the care and treatment of the residents in our assisted living memory care facility.


While the halls, rooms, and decor of our facility are all specially design to accommodate residents with memory conditions, caring for these community members goes beyond even tiny details like color and layout. Bold colors, shapes, and textures are used to help anchor residents to their environments and strengthen memory muscle but objects and activities take memory care to the next level.

Sensory stimulation

Using objects and activities to trigger emotions and memories is called Sensory Stimulation and it’s a popular technique when it comes to treating and caring for those with memory disorders. These objects can create a connection with the rest of the world when the patient has lost the ability to create that connection on their own.


In sensory stimulation, one or more of the fives senses will be aroused in a positive way when an object or activity is offered. The technique is used for a wide variety of conditions like autism or brain injuries but is popular in treating those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. These objects can help create a safe and stimulating environment.

Sensory stations

Within the Vista Springs community, this technique is used via stations set up throughout the memory care facility. These stations are set up for different activities such as clothes folding, diaper changing, shirt buttoning, and dishwashing. There are even cribs with babies to rock to sleep and cases filled with objects that would have been important during different time periods.  


These simple activities take patient’s back to times they remember fondly; raising their children or actively participating in life. Sensory stations and various activities can be especially positive if a patient is upset, discouraged or scared. Activities they once engaged in mindlessly around the home will bring them comfort, decrease agitation, and maintain motor skills.


These types of stations and objects help focus on the person, the things they once enjoyed, and their daily lives; not the disease.

Comfort and communication

While these objects and stations may not improve their memory or slow progression of the disease, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia, they do offer other perks for the patient and their caregivers.Engaging in familiar activities can improve overall mood, raise self-esteem and confidence and improve well-being.


And, for those who experience trouble communicating and everyday tasks, certain activities can offer alternate outlets of communication. If they have a hard time speaking, simply picking up a pen or pencil to draw may bring back old memories or give them a way to express themselves, even if it’s not through words.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


7 ways to get ready for visiting family

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


It can seem daunting to have the family over for the holidays. Whether you are at your home, or if you are celebrating the holidays in an assisted living community, the pressure to be a good host for their visit can be overwhelming. No matter where you are, having guests can make you feel frantic. Here is a list of ways to prepare for family so everyone—including you— has a happy and carefree holiday.

Get overnight plans in order early

If your family is planning on staying overnight, either for one night or for a few days, the earlier you get plans together the better. Make sure you have a head count for how exactly many guests are coming, and make sure you have the rooms, beds, or couches that you need if you are planning on having family stay with you.


If you don’t have the space (or don’t want the headache), booking a hotel is a great way to make sure your family is close, but not too close. The earlier you start looking at prices and booking rooms, the less expensive and less competitive shopping for rooms will be. While it’s too late to get November rates, it still helps everyone avoid traveling stress to have plans made well in advance.

Spruce up your home

Sprucing up your home, whether that’s rearranging furniture to make room for opening presents or just making sure everything is nice and clean, is a great way to get ready for family. Make sure that the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces are guest-ready, and your place is looking fresh.


If you are in a new place for the holidays, then having your place ready to go will make a great first impression on family, and it will help you feel good as well to know that your home was appreciated. Having your space looking nice can help you feeling less stressed and more welcoming.

Get out the decorations

Celebrate the season with fun decorations! A small tree, fun and festive lights, winter-scented bath soaps, red and green kitchen towels, holiday knick knacks, and other decorations can help your home shine extra bright. Traveling family will appreciate walking into a home that looks ready for all the festivities, and it can help spread the holiday spirit among tired family.

Plan activities in advance

While you might have your own daily activities, making sure you have enough things planned to fill the days with family is just as important. Crafts and other activities can help keep everyone engaged, especially if you have younger ones visiting.


Some ideas for activities include:

  • Homemade Christmas cards
  • Cookie cutter ornaments
  • Popcorn garland
  • Gingerbread houses (if you don’t have the time to make gingerbread, many stores sell kits so you can get right into the decorating fun!)
  • A holiday movie night
  • Caroling (this can work especially well in an assisted living community, and your neighbors will love the music you and your family bring.)

Play holiday music

Another way to set the holiday atmosphere is to play holiday music. If you are tech-savvy—or have a helpful grandchild—making a holiday playlist on a music streaming service is a good way to keep the spirit bright. Have everyone send you a list of their favorite holiday songs, and combine them together so everyone can enjoy.

Get out of the house

If you have family coming for several days, then you might need to plan something bigger than gingerbread. See what local activities your community is planning for the holidays, like a holiday play or music concerts. Window shopping, holiday parades, Santa’s village, or driving around to look at light displays are all ways to get the most out of the holidays, and get out of the house for a bit.

Make a sweet treat

You may already know the best ways for you to eat right this winter, but the holidays can be a time to be a little naughty. It’s always best to have meals planned out beforehand to save yourself time and stress, and having something homemade is another way to enjoy holiday fun. Something as simple as cookies any senior can make is a great way to show the family you care. And everyone can get involved in the baking or decorating!


The holidays can be a stressful time, even without the added pressure of entertaining family. Being prepared in advance is the best way to ensure that you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Having family over can mean a lot of prep work on your part, but the memories you create and the joy that you can spread among those you love the most will make it all worth it.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Boots shopping 101

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Your choice of boots will play a big role in how your feet fare this winter. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alyssa Allen, Spectrum Health Beat


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.


If you’re in the market for new boots, keep in mind these 10 tips from Brian Buchanan, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group Foot & Ankle.

1. Your feet change in size as you age.

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.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


The puzzling art of protein

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Ounce for ounce, it’s near impossible to beat the mighty chicken if it’s protein you’re after. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


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.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Honoring our veterans in senior living communities

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living


By Vista Springs Assisted Living


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!


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Avoid skiing injuries by training now

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By Jason Singer, Spectrum Health Beat


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.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

How to find the right memory care facility

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living


By Vista Springs Assisted Living


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.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Achieve good health during the holidays

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Make a plan to get through the holidays with less stress, less weight gain and fewer hassles. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat


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.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Avoid suitcase strain this holiday season

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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)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


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.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Understanding dementia behavior

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living


By Vista Springs Assisted Living


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.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Get primed for your blood test

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Your blood test will go much smoother if you remember to drink plenty of water beforehand. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


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.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.