Research conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates over 1.4 million youth ages 8–18 are taking care of ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members. They are taking care of parents, grandparents and siblings as well as dealing with the most prevalent conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart, lung or kidney diseases, arthritis and diabetes.
What kind of care are they providing?
Kids are not just performing day-to-day household chores such as laundry, dishes, vacuuming and fixing simple meals, they are handing out medications, bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding family members. Some are even responsible for communicating with health care providers.
While it may seem inappropriate for kids to take on caregiving duties, changes in family structures, such as kids being raised in single parent homes or by their grandparents, increase the number of older people and multi-generations in households. Healthcare delivery has also changed so that home visits have decreased and an increase of care is becoming the responsibility of families instead of hospitals and doctor offices.
Why are kids in the role of caregiver?
Not everyone agrees that a child should be in the role of a family caregiver, however, changes in family structure and how healthcare is delivered impacts children. Economic hardships also play a part in multi-generation households, with married adults returning home with children. Regarding healthcare, medical facilities are no longer providing complex care, instead, it is being done at home by family members. Adults may be identified as the primary caregiver, however due to job obligations, children end up providing care.
How do caregiving responsibilities affect these kids?
Roger Olson, a clinical child psychologist at St. Luke’s Children’s Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho, states that low level caregiving (helping with chores, running errands or spending time together) helps youth with character development. This type of caregiving fosters kindness, generosity, compassion and nurturance. The other, more personal side to caregiving including feeding, bathing or changing adult diapers, can take a toll and may be traumatizing to a child. Children have the coping skills of children and are not equipped to handle these stressful roles.
What can we do to help youth caregivers?
We can help young caregivers by knowing behaviors that may be signals of concern:
School: tardiness, missed days, incomplete assignments, lower participation in after-school programming, poor behavior and dropping-out
Emotionally: anxiety, depression, grief and feelings of being overwhelmed
Socially: difficulties getting along with others, loss of social activities and friendships
Physically: exhausted, lethargic and lack of interest in appearance
We can also bring awareness to our communities that kids are in this role. We can help by providing resource information for kids in our local schools, religious organizations and public libraries. Starting a local coalition can bring more attention and support for these families. Every caregiver needs and deserves support.
For information on youth caregivers visit the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) at www.aacy.org or call 800-508-9618 or 561-391-7401 for direct assistance. The AACY website has suggestions and links that can help families, professionals and school-based staff to assist caregiving kids. Visit the Michigan State University Extension website for additional information related to caregiving.
Winter may be harsh on the spirit, but it’s also rough on the skin.
From getting pelted by blowing snow to being cooped up inside without the benefit of outdoor activity, our skin takes a beating.
Kim Delafuente, ACSM-PD, a Spectrum Health community health educator, offers up some tips on how to get through this cold weather season looking (and feeling) a whole lot better.
15 surefire ways to get your glow back:
1. Exercise saves your skin
“There are a lot of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin,” Delafuente said. “As you exercise, the blood flow rises to that level. With the blood comes oxygen. It’s actually the oxygen that helps rejuvenate the skin and helps to get rid of toxins.”
2. Sweat often
Sweating is often viewed as a negative thing, especially for women.
Delafuente suggests we wipe away this perception.
“As we sweat, we’re able to release unwanted impurities from our skin,” she said. “In some people, those impurities can lead to acne or other skin-related conditions. Sweating is a good thing. It’s a natural thing. It’s really the way our body cools itself off. This is an added benefit of exercise that helps to clean out pores.”
3. Wash after exercising
Sweating is great, but don’t forget to wash after exercising.
“The idea is to get the sweat and salt off,” she said. “If you don’t, you’re kind of defeating the purpose. You’re releasing impurities from your pores, but if they just sit on your face, you’re not getting the complete cleansing effect of exercise.”
4. Elevate your heart rate
Anything that boosts your heart rate is a skin-pleaser.
“Walking, running, any type of cardio activity is good for your skin,” Delafuente said. “Dancing is great. As your heart rate goes up, more blood is circulated. With lower level activity, there’s less blood circulating. It’s the aerobic type exercise that’s going to have the most impact.”
5. Sleep is good for the skin
Don’t use this as an excuse to sleep the day away, but the more we exercise, the better we sleep.
“Sleep is a time when our body repairs itself,” Delafuente said.
6. Reduce stress
Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol, according to Delafuente.
“As those levels decrease, it can have a positive effect on the skin,” she said. “Stress releases cortisol, which can be damaging to our bodies. It can cause weight gain and is responsible for belly fat. In the case of skin, it can lead to acne and eczema. There have been studies that show exercise can actually help reduce the incidents of those types of skin conditions.”
7. What is “the glow?”
Exercise not only keeps your body fit, it does wonders for your skin. As you exercise, blood flow intensifies and moves toward the surface of your skin, which is known for giving that infamous “glow” to your skin.
“You work out and your skin gets a little more reddish,” Delafuente said. “That’s how your body is cooling itself. As your blood comes to the surface, it helps to keep your body cooler. After a workout, when you cool down, that blood flow is still going to be intensified.”
And that look, for some people, is a motivator to exercise more.
“It’s an added benefit of exercise that sometimes people don’t think of,” Delafuente said. “For some people, this might be a draw. It seems regular exercise has the potential to keep the skin at its best.”
8. If you feel good, you’ll likely look good
Exercise provides mental as well as physical health benefits, according to Delafuente.
“Some of that glow comes with a positive attitude and feeling good,” she said. “The other thing is, exercise does improve immunity. When we have less chronic disease or colds and flu, our skin will naturally look better because of that as well.”
9. Remember that your skin is an organ
You may exercise to keep your heart healthy, but remember your skin is an organ that directly benefits from a workout, too.
“I think people are conscious of their skin, but they don’t think of it as an organ,” she said. “I think when we think of organs, we think of internal organs, but we don’t think externally.”
1o. Remove makeup before exercising
Leave your foundation and blush on, and you risk clogging your pores when you sweat.
Instead, remove all traces of makeup before you begin.
11. Wear proper sunscreen
If you’re exercising and sweating, make sure you wear sunscreen that is sweat resistant or that you are reapplying often.
“I think we all know it’s important to wear sunscreen,” Delafuente said. “But I don’t know that people always think about it when they’re exercising. They’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m going to to walk for an hour,’ but they may not think of that as a time they need to use sunscreen. People can also wear a hat to shield their face from the sun.”
12. Forget about tanning booths and spray tan products
“Never a good idea,” Delafuente said.
Enough said.
13. Treat your skin kindly in the face of cold weather
“Make sure you’re covered up appropriately,” she said. “If you have really sensitive skin, you may want to wear a scarf over your face.”
14. Stay hydrated
“Make sure you’re drinking enough water,” Delafuente said. “If we’re dehydrated then our skin isn’t going to be as healthy. We should drink to our thirst. In the winter, especially, we may not be as thirsty.”
15. Wear proper clothing when you exercise
Loose fitting clothing is the best choice.
“Make sure you wear clothing that wicks away the sweat and moisture,” she said.
If your clothing traps sweat in, it may clog your pores, leading to unhealthy skin conditions.
With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.
Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.
Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.
Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.
Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.
Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.
Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.
The transition of summer to fall is not many people’s favorite time of year as it brings on physical and mental fatigue. Muscles often tense due to the cooler weather, the decreasing daylight triggers an earlier bedtime, skin is drier due to lower humidity and appetites spike. The beautiful fall colors are a welcoming and enjoyable distraction from all the mentioned bodily reactions to this transitional time, but for some, these seasonal changes may be a trigger that leads to Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder. During the fall and winter months, people with Seasonal Depression experience having a lack of energy, sleeping too much, overeating, weight gain and a craving for carbohydrates.
Other forms of depression that can occur, no matter what the season, can be more difficult to identify. One way to help notice your moods is practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention or focusing on your senses in the present moment without judgment. If a depressed mood is noticed for more than two weeks or there is a loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, one should consider speaking to their primary care provider or appropriate professional, or at least, a trusted friend. Depression oftentimes occurs with anxiety or substance use disorders, and once a person has had an occurrence of depression, they are more susceptible to subsequent episodes.
Symptoms of depression affect one’s emotions, thinking, behaviors and physical well-being:
Emotional symptoms of depression: sadness, anxiety, anger, mood swings, lack of emotional responsiveness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and irritability.
Symptoms of depressed thoughts: frequent self-criticism, self-blame, worry, pessimism, impaired memory and concentration, indecisiveness and confusion, tendency others see you in a negative light, thoughts of death and suicide.
Behavioral symptoms of depression: crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation and using alcohol or other drugs.
Physical symptoms of depression: chronic fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, over eating or loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss, weight gain, headaches, irregular menstrual cycle, loss of sexual desire and unexplained aches and pains.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any form of depression, talk about what you are noticing. If you are concerned about others, ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts, listen to them non-judgmentally, give reassurance and encourage them to seek medical attention. Offering to take them to their appointment may increase the likelihood that they will attend. If they dismiss or deny your help, tell them you will check in on them over the week. It is important to keep your promise to do so. Remember, people in depressed moods have impaired memories, they lose track of time and have difficulty recalling how long they have been feeling blue. If symptoms persist, ask others who are close to the depressed person to help you in the intervention process.
Helping people recognize their moods can be a stressful and scary task, especially if you do not practice being mindful of your own well-being. Attending a program that can help you become more aware and/or improve your mindset could be a starting point. MSU Extension provides a community-based program series that teaches the basics of mindfulness to help participants be more aware of their thoughts, emotions and physical self as they encounter stressors. Mindfulness is proven to help relieve stress and pain and improve health and well-being, to learn more, sign up for a class near you.
Common perceptions about fats are often not true and avoiding all fats is not healthy because it is important to have healthy fats in our diet. There are fats that contain essential fatty acids that are necessary for good health and fats that help the body to use certain vitamins.
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the following recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
Keep trans-fatty acid consumption as low as possible, especially by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans-fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats.
Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars. Such as:
Butters, stick margarines, and animal fats from beef and pork. These are all solid at room temperature.
Soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks and ice cream. These are all processed foods that have added sugars and syrups.
Here are some actions you can take every day to keep your consumption of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.
Check the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods. Our interactive label can help you find what to look at on the label.
Choose alternative fats. Replace saturated and trans-fats in your diet with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils and foods like nuts.
Consider consuming fish and cuts of lean meat. Examples include:
Poultry: chicken or turkey white meat or ground meat
Beef: flank steak, top loin, sirloin, lean ground beef
Pork: pork tenderloin
Seafood: salmon, trout, cod, flounder, mackerel, mussels and clams
Choose foods such as dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.
Beware of diets that tell you to eliminate a nutrient, such as fat.
Daily essential fatty acid consumption contributes to our overall daily health in moderation. For more information please contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Health and Nutrition site.
With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.
Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.
Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.
Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.
Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.
Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.
Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutrition Educator, is shown using the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The desk job. Some aspire to it. Others avoid it like the plague.
As the perils of sitting all day become more widely known, the latter is probably the smarter path to take (I think as I sit at my desk, for hour number eight, typing this story).
According to the latest research, prolonged sedentary time—think eight to 10 hours a day sitting at that desk job—can take years off your life by putting you at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
What’s more, even if you do have a regular exercise routine, it doesn’t protect you enough to offset the detrimental effects of hours and hours of sitting.
If, like me, you add on a commute to and from your desk job, well, don’t be surprised to see the grim reaper in the rear-view mirror.
Move it or lose it
Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. Indeed, it’s widely known that getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can lower your risk for disease and premature death.
But with health experts now saying that staying active throughout the day is more important than hitting the gym, the challenge becomes finding the time to move. And work. At the same time.
Luckily for us office drones, there are creative ways to reap some of the health benefits of movement throughout our day, even with a desk job.
1. Stand up at your desk
Stand up to get healthy! (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Instead of sitting at your desk and working on your computer, grab your laptop and stand up while you work. Granted, this may require you to walk around your office to find a table upon which to place your laptop. That’s good.
Better yet, get an actual stand-up desk.
That’s what one local business did to get employees out of their chairs. Life EMS Ambulance dispatchers got new desks, which are motorized so they can adjust the height to sit and stand as they please.
“The sit-to-stand desk is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace,” said Leah Konwinski, an ergonomic specialist with Spectrum Health. “It’s a great option to promote a little more movement at work without sacrificing comfort, safety or ability to focus and still be productive.”
Standing is still a ‘static’ activity, though, and our bodies are not made to be static. Even when standing, take breaks and move about, Konwinski suggested.
2. Hop on a treadmill (desk, that is)
For someone who has a tough time sitting still, a treadmill desk may be the ideal form of multitasking.
Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, a community nutrition educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, is a frequent user and offers a few observations.
“Lots of days, especially in the winter, I’m stuck at my desk,” she said. “And since I’m typically multitasking and am one who does not experience motion sickness, using a treadmill desk is quite fitting. It’s an awesome way to squeeze in a little exercise or at the very least, spend time standing instead of sitting.”
She typically uses it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
“It’s ideal for getting caught up on e-mail, doing a little research or reviewing a presentation,” said Corwin. “It also helps me hone my reading comprehension and retention, and makes my time more efficient—I walk, learn and forgo the need to read things twice.”
On the con side, she can’t spread out the things she’s working on or pull files out as needed. For that kind of work, she said, it’s still nice to be at her regular desk.
And, your pace really can’t approach anything too speedy, which leads some to question whether there’s really any health benefit at all.
A recent NPR report looked at treadmill desks and cited several small studies that found they do potentially hold health benefits, depending on how often, how much and how vigorously they’re used.
First, treadmill desks can help increase the number of steps taken per day, and that accumulation of physical activity is better than nothing or sitting all day. Second, it’s not about working out or working up a sweat. It’s about not sitting.
So, if you have a treadmill desk—use it. But don’t forget, you still have to fit about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your weekly routine as well.
If you don’t have a treadmill desk, but want one (and you have some semblance of creativity and mechanical ability), you can join the folks opting for a DIY approach.
3. Swap out your desk chair for a stability ball
Many of us remember bouncing around the yard on a ‘hippity hop’ ball when we were kids. Similar concept, but no handle. And no bouncing down the halls.
Sitting on a stability ball can improve posture and strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles, said Kim DeLaFuente, MA, ACSM-PD, an community exercise educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.
“A stability ball forces your core muscles to work harder to keep you balanced so you don’t fall off,” she said. “You’re also forced to sit up straight and upright.”
So, good posture. Strong core. But for those of us who aren’t so coordinated, possible concussion. (Remember, no handle.)
4. Workout at work
There are other ways—calisthenics for example—to get in a bit more movement at work.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutricion Educator, is shown near the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Keep resistance bands in your desk drawer and use them to work in a little strength training
Hold a walking meeting
“Just find ways to incorporate short bits of activity throughout the day,” she said. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther away and walk. It all adds up.”
Setting up the traditional office set-up
Even if you wish to simply remain seated at your desk, it’s important to make sure your workstation is structured to properly support your body.
“Maintaining neutral postures and proper body alignment allows you to feel comfortable much longer,” Konwisnski said. “Most workstations nowadays have sufficient adjustability between the chair and other small items like a footrest or keyboard tray.”
Over 40 million people provide unpaid caregiving for a family member in the United States. The daily routine of caring for another often means caregivers are not taking care of themselves. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for caregivers due to the break in daily routines, the additional planning necessary to join in celebrations, travel or to receive visitors. Some caregivers may choose to isolate rather than to burden themselves with making these plans.
The holidays are a wonderful time for other family members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their family member’s caregiving and help them enjoy the holiday season. Caregivers often put their needs second, third or last to other people in their lives. Offering the caregiver some relief would be a marvelous gift for the holidays.
Sarah Sobel, AAAWM Caregiver Services & Contract Administrator says, “Caregiving is stressful and the holidays can add to that stress. It is important for caregivers to do self-care.”
How can family help with this? Having a friend or family member stay with a loved one would offer the caregiver the freedom to get away for some rest and time for themselves. Stepping into the caregiver’s shoes for a weekend or a day can be eye-opening as to what the caregiver experiences regularly.
Julie Alicki, Certified Dementia Practitioner, points out, “This clues the rest of the family in on what the caregiver is going through — it keeps them in the loop.” If family members providing relief isn’t feasible, arranging for professional in-home care or respite services would be a great way to provide relief for a caregiver.
Relieving some of the daily tasks of a caregiver can also make a thoughtful gift. A membership to a grocery delivery service like Shipt or a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh would offer the caregiver one less task to manage. With winter coming on, arranging for a snow clearing service would provide some stress relief as well as additional safety for the caregiver.
Gifts they can use during some precious time off, like a spa day, tickets to a sporting event or the theatre, gift certificates to favorite restaurants, a round of golf, movie tickets or a weekend get-away make wonderful stocking stuffers for caregivers. If you’re a little more on the creative side, putting together a book of IOU coupons to be used throughout the year would not only help provide support, but would also assist the caregiver in being able to ask for much needed help more easily.
The greatest gift a caregiver can receive is time — time for themselves. Being given the ability to be worry-free and able to choose how they want to spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or even a week to themselves is a precious gift to a caregiver. It is also a tremendous acknowledgement on the behalf of family members of the gift the caregiver gives to another all year around.
Whatever we can do to though to demonstrate our gratitude and appreciation during this holiday season to the caregivers in our lives will reverberate throughout their year.
If you need help making in-home care or respite arrangements, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org.
An aging brain has a higher tendency to remember positive aspects of past events, rather than negative. (Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension)
As we age, our cognitive control declines. In recent years, many programs have been developed and promoted to help stimulate our brains with the goal of delaying cognitive decline. However, the research on whether or not these brain-enhancing activities actually helps is not conclusive. These results are because a part of the brain that is affected by aging, has to do with our ability to focus on a task without getting distracted by internal and external stimulus.
At the same time, as we age, the emotion processing and regulation part of our brain is increasing. Therefore, our brains are a paradox — as we age, starting at about 30 years, our cognitive abilities decline and social-emotional abilities increase.
Another interesting aspect of our aging brain is that we tend to remember the positive aspects of past events, even if those events were overwhelmingly negative. Researchers Mather and Carsten (2005) call this the positivity effect. The tendency to focus on the positive, rather than the negative, may have to do with our realization that we have a limited lifetime. Our goals switch from future-oriented to emotional satisfaction and well-being.
Some researchers are now looking at the benefits of mindfulness as a way to tap into that increase in social-emotional abilities in order to enhance our brain functioning and overall well-being as we age. As defined by John Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement.
Mindfulness has shown to increase our capacity for sustained attention, a cognitive capability. By focusing on the present moment, in particular without judgement, we are tapping into our aging brains’ tendency to focus on our own emotional satisfaction and well-being, rather than plan for the future or dwell on negative past experiences.
There are many ways to learn about mindfulness and begin your own practice. You can look up resources online regarding mindfulness or visit your local library and check out some books. You may also consider contacting your local Michigan State University Extension and signing up for one of our Stress Less for Mindfulness classes. Any way you choose, expanding your knowledge and developing your own mindfulness practice could improve your cognitive, emotional processing and overall well-being as you age.
In conclusion, mindfulness may be a way to improve our cognitive control as we age by teaching us to improve our ability to focus our attention on a particular task, such as our breath, (in the moment) and reduce our attention (on purpose) to external and internal thoughts or events (without judgement).
Traditions are a wonderful part of the holiday season. It’s common that at gatherings, rather than one person bearing the burden of preparing the entire meal, several people divide the duties prior to getting together. Then, on the day, one person will then bring the veggies, another rolls, another salad, another dessert, etc.
When dividing the tasks, keep in mind food safety and consider two important factors: the type of food being transported and the length of time involved. Michigan State University Extension (MSU) recommends applying the two-hour rule – do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for longer than two hours. Remember the two-hour rule includes the time involved prepping foods from their raw state to the finished state, as well as the time the food will spend on the table being served.
Family members traveling long distances should be assigned foods that may not need refrigeration, like fruit pies, rolls, etc. Local relatives (within a half hour travel distance or less) should be in charge of more perishable items such as meat, poultry, fish, cut produce or cooked casseroles.
Keep in mind, hot foods must be kept hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and cold foods, kept cold (40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder). To keep the hot foods hot, consider using an insulated bag designed to keep foods warm. Remember, these bags are temporary and not designed for long-term hot holding. Keep your cold food cold by utilizing a cooler packed with ice or freezer gel packs. Do not rely on the outside temperature to keep food cold even during freezing winters. Cars and garages can take on a “greenhouse effect” and actually become warm, defeating the purpose of attempting to store cold foods outside.
If you are the host house, plan ahead for your feast by clearing your refrigerator out ahead of time and creating room to store the food that will be arriving. Have extra coolers on hand with ice or freezer packs for cold foods and borrow roasters or slow cookers to help keep all the arriving hot food heated. Don’t forget to have plenty of refrigerator containers or plastic food grade bags on hand for the leftovers after the meal. Putting large quantities of food into smaller containers will allow the food to cool quickly and remain safe by preventing any bacteria from growing. Also, ensure leftovers are not left out at room temperature or in the temperature danger zone (40 degrees – 140 degrees Fahrenheit).
Michigan State University Extension recommends planning your larger meals out ahead of time, be prepared and make room in your kitchen for storage before and after the meal to prevent foodborne illness from ruining your family gatherings.
Experience the joy of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition on display from Nov. 20 through Jan. 6, 2019. Guests from all over the world visit Meijer Gardens to experience 42 Christmas and holiday trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. The always favorite and enchanting Railway Garden and the holiday wonderland that encompasses it will once again wind its way through three lush indoor garden spaces, including the recently renovated Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.
Guests are invited to ring in the holiday season with our most beloved winter exhibition. It’s the season of joy! This year Meijer Gardens celebrates how our community and communities around the world joyfully commemorate the diverse and generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today. Visitors will experience a world of cultural celebrations, represented across 42 different displays that explore folklore and fact, past and present.
In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways that are difficult to capture in a display. New this year, Meijer Gardens is presenting a wondrous original film, joy, that explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities. This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel as well. “This year we take note of how our community joyfully commemorates the diverse, generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today though joy, a new film exploring the festive fabric that is holiday life across our local community,” said Maureen Nollette, Annual Exhibitions Assistant Designer.
Each winter, Meijer Gardens transforms into a botanic wonderland with fresh poinsettias, orchids, and amaryllis. The smell of evergreens as visitors enter the building and the sounds of carolers make it a place to reflect and enjoy the holiday season. Indoors and out, trees sparkle with 300,000 colorful lights. More than 500 volunteers lovingly decorate the trees and displays.
Photo courtesy Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The unique horticultural artistry of the beloved Railway Garden complements the model trolleys, trains and handcrafted buildings replicating 30 Grand Rapids landmarks. Visitors will find familiarity in the Fifth Third Ballpark replica building with its light posts made of willow, as well as striking hydrangea petals that make up the iconic glass tower of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Five landmarks from Grand Rapids sister cities around the world are also represented in the Railway Garden.
“This holiday season, guests have a special opportunity to see how our community joyfully celebrates a variety of traditions from centuries ago that remain vibrant today,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “These traditions are wonderful, celebratory aspects of West Michigan’s diversity and community.”
Mainstays of the exhibition include the Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree—with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe—and the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan.
A variety of family-friendly activities are offered throughout the exhibition.
Exhibition Activities
Extended Holiday Hours:Open until 9 pm on Dec. 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. (PLEASE NOTE: Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
The Original Dickens Carolers: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 6-8 pm
Santa Visits: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 5-8 pm
Winter-Time Walks: (Nov. 20-Jan. 5, 2019)
Tuesdays 10:15am and 11:15am, Saturdays 11:15am
Fee: Included with admission
Winter in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor interactive discovery walk to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways. We’ll explore different winter themes and gather in a cozy spot to learn about winter with stories, kid-friendly conversation, and other activities.
Christmas and Holiday Themed Classes: Enjoy festive learning opportunities for adults and families. Fees apply. Visit MeijerGardens.org/calendar for more information.
This year marks the twenty-first anniversary of celebrating the holidays for Christmas Lite Show — a Grand Rapids-area holiday attraction. Christmas Lite Show is West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-through light show. Located at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, the attraction maintains almost two miles of lights, tunnels, and animated displays and entertained over 70,000 visitors last year.
Founder, Bill Schrader hopes to continue “Making Lifetime Memories” for other West Michigan families like his own, who helped him open and grow the attraction throughout its twenty-one years.
The popular Memory Lane Train will return for a second season. Guests can experience maximum views under the sky on this open-air train ride. Also new this year is the 2018 Season Pass Giveaway. The Lite Show will be giving away 21 Season Passes, announced Saturday, Dec. 1st. Santa will visit the Christmas Lite Show on select dates in November and December. To find these dates and more information, please visit christmasliteshow.com.
This year, the Lite Show will open Wednesday, Nov. 21st and run until Monday, Dec. 31st, including all holidays, from 5:30pm until 9:30pm. The Bicycle Blast family bike ride through the lights will take place Friday, Nov. 16th from 6pm until 8:30pm and the Red Nose Run will take place Saturday, Nov. 17th from 6pm until 8:30pm New this year is the Winter Wonder Walk, which lets guests walk through the show at their own pace and take close-up photos. The walk will begin at 7pm on Saturday, Nov. 17th, just after the Red Nose Run.
With food temptations at their greatest, it may seem impossible to lose any weight during the holiday season, but if you pay close attention to detail, losing or maintaining a healthy weight can be done during the holidays. Most of us would agree that holidays are healthier when we can maintain a healthy weight.
Be recipe ready. As you search and shop for holiday recipes, search for those already incorporating low or reduced fat. Other substitutions include:
Replace high fat oil(s) — Applesauce and canned pumpkin are good substitutes in most baked good recipes. Look for trans-fat-free oils, spreads and butter. Instead of oil, use low-fat or non-fat cooking sprays to coat and cook meat, sauté vegetables or prepare omelets.
Cut down on sugar — Keeping tabs on how much sugar you’re swallowing is an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Explore using sugar substitutes like stevia which can be used in drinks and for baking. The good news, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) is that cutting down on sugar may be easier than you think. Read food labels to identify sugar and hidden sugars.
Garnish not! — Skip the added butter, whip cream, gravy & cream sauces. Going plain allows you to enjoy 100 percent of the foods natural flavor.
Explore your menu options — The internet, the library and most newspapers include articles that offer step by step tips for healthier baking, shopping and cooking.
You bite it, you write it — What if just by making one change in your habits you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories — and thus lose weight. Don’t deny yourself of your favorite holiday foods, instead watch your portion size and track what you eat. Food tracking reveals:
What’s missing — Food tracking or food journaling allows you to see how much and what you are eating. You also see what you’re not eating (good carbs vs. bad carbs, fiber and hidden sugars) and perhaps your diet is lacking fruits or vegetables.
Food triggers — Food tracking can also reveal and identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.
Track your physical activity — In almost all plans to lose or maintain a healthy weight, you have to stay active. As a start, the CDC recommends that adults need to do two hours and 30 minutes of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities weekly.
Set your goal to lose or at least maintain your weight during this upcoming holiday season. There is a tendency to gain weight in adulthood, but being overweight increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer, arthritis, breathing problems and other illness. Therefore, most adults should not gain weight. If you are uncertain about your risk of developing a problem associated with being overweight, you should consult a health professional.
November is here, and with it, the holiday season begins. As you begin to plan and shop for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, including the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a critical step for preparing your great holiday meal is to safely prepare your stuffing.
When it comes to both the turkey and stuffing there are food safety practices that must be considered in order to ensure a great tasting and safe holiday meal. Cooking a home-stuffed turkey is riskier than cooking the stuffing separate from the turkey. Even if the turkey has reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature high enough to destroy potential bacteria.
Purchase a food thermometer if you don’t have one, or if you do have one, find it and calibrate the thermometer in your kitchen
When planning for your stuffing, it is recommended to bake your stuffing outside of the turkey in a separate baking dish, until the stuffing reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you choose to stuff your turkey, follow these tips:
Precook any raw items like meat, fish or poultry that is an ingredient in the stuffing.
Do not mix wet and dry stuffing ingredients until you are ready to stuff the turkey.
Stuff the turkey loosely with the moist stuffing.
Use a food thermometer to ensure that the center of the stuffing reaches the temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria that could cause food-borne illness can survive if the temperature does not reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the turkey has not reached a minimum internal cooking temperature of 165 degrees, continue roasting the turkey until it reaches the minimum temperature.
Let the turkey and stuffing rest for 20 minutes before carving and removing the stuffing.
Refrigerate any leftover stuffing within two hours of removing it from the oven.
Reheat stuffing to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating the leftovers.
Enjoy your safe and tasty stuffing for this year’s turkey day.
Having a TV or movie day once in a while won’t kill you, but frequent binge-watching ups your chances of developing serious health conditions. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
You’ve just settled in to your well-worn spot on the couch, big bowl of popcorn, chips or other savory snacks and soda by your side, ready for an all-day, TV-watching extravaganza.
But you might want to push pause—according to a new study, your health might be Breaking Bad, too.
In a recent study of people at higher risk of developing diabetes, researchers found every hour spent sitting can increase that risk by 3.4 percent. So sitting through the last season of Mad Men can lead to a 30 percent increased risk, according to studies published in the journal Diabetologia and elsewhere.
“I would echo the beliefs, simply because the information is known,” Dr. Selfe said. “We know that individuals at risk, whether it’s a family genetic component, a history of gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
“In my mind, this echoes the things we already know, but it puts a focus on our American lifestyle. Sitting on the couch multiple hours a day, I would suspect, whether it’s reading a book, watching television or what have you, all of those things are going to contribute to further risk of diabetes.”
The risk is very real for a growing number of Americans.
According to 2018 statistics from the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans have diabetes. About a quarter don’t know they have the condition, and the majority of them have Type 2 diabetes.
But a day-long The Big Bang Theory marathon probably isn’t a one-way trip to Type 2 by itself, Dr. Selfe said.
“If you’re talking about one day, I’d take (the study) with a grain of salt,” he said. “So this weekend, you binge-watch Breaking Bad for 12 hours, that means, theoretically, in the next five years, you’re going to get diabetes. I think that’s an overstatement of what they’re trying to get at, but it’s kind of for shock value.”
What the study does underscore, Dr. Selfe said, is that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are taking their toll on our long-term health.
“From my perspective, (the study) confirms what we already know,” he said. “Engaging in regular exercise, being active on a daily basis—which has become more difficult in American society because we have computers, smart phones, the internet and machines to do a lot of the regular work we used to do even 50 or 100 years ago—really has increased that risk.”
But unlike, say, Dexter, this story doesn’t have to have an unhappy ending. The key is all about balance, Dr. Selfe explained.
“You definitely shouldn’t binge-watch and drink soda and eat Cheetos and all these other things that are prolific in American society,” he said. “I think this study, and studies done in the past, all beg toward moderation, and we are not a society of moderation. We super-size all of our foods, and we binge-watch TV at times. The reality is we continue to do less and less on a daily basis. Some of that is out of choice, and some of that is out of our situation. A lot of us sit behind a desk eight to 12 hours a day.
“The bottom line is, people need to engage in moderation, and they need to realize that incorporating activity on a daily basis is markedly impactful across the board, whether we’re talking about heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol … across the gamut, activity has been shown to be beneficial for everybody.”
So don’t forget to mix in some actual walking, before you settle in to watch the last season of The Walking Dead.
Know your numbers. Get your annual physical, including all of the blood and urine labs your doctor deems necessary. Need help finding a doctor? Call 877.362.8362 to get connected with a provider who will suit your needs.
Michigan State University Extension is committed to helping people improve their lives by extending research-based knowledge about a variety of topics. One issue of great concern is the increase of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease, but is referred to as a group of symptoms which show up as a general decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia and is considered a degenerative brain disease.
Data from the 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report states that in the United States, as of 2018, over 5 million people of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Due to people living longer because of better health interventions and the aging baby boomer generation, the number of people age 65 and older is expected to increase to 22 percent in 2050. The number of people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will increase. In Michigan alone, the number of those aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase from 180,000 in 2018, to 220,000 in 2025, with additional projections of 13.8 million in 2050.
Dementia can also be a symptom of other underlying health issues and your doctor has the tools to help sort that out. The following is a list of the ten early warning signs. Each one of these can be explored more by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.
Ten Early Signs of Alzheimer’s:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure.
Confusion with time or place.
Trouble with visual images and spatial relationships.
New problems with words or writing.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Decreased or poor judgement.
Withdrawal from work or social activities.
Change in mood or personality.
Early warning signs listed above are different from the normal age-related memory changes. Typically as we age, we all misplace things, search for the right word to use and even forget what day it is. One way to explain it is if I just can’t find my keys, I may be experiencing a typical age-related memory issue, but if I don’t know what keys are for or what they are called, I may be experiencing an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. One thing you can do is to know the ten early warning signs. If you think they apply to you or a loved one, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss further testing.
If you are a caregiver of someone who is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s consider signing up for a Powerful Tools for Caregivers series through Michigan State University Extension.
It’s easy to gravitate towards the idea that more is better. But when it comes to your loved one’s care, having more people around doesn’t always translate into better quality of care. The impact of one skilled nurse over several personal aides can be the difference.
One of the many misconceptions about assisted living is that it only offers long-term custodial care. However, some assisted living communities are beginning to offer skilled nursing care services to their residents. Here’s what that means.
What is Skilled Nursing Care?
When starting the search for a viable care option you’ll come across different terminology used in the care industry, and it’s important to understand the differences. There is a spectrum of care options ranging from basic needs assistance to medically licensed help. Making the wrong choice could lead to unintended consequences for a loved one. The two main players in the care industry are custodial and skilled nursing care.
Custodial care consists of any non-medical care that can be reasonably and safely provided by non-licensed caregivers. It involves help with daily activities like bathing and dressing. However, custodial care can also include assistance with household duties such as cooking and laundry.
Skilled nursing care is a whole different level of care. Professionals providing skilled care are always licensed health professionals like nurses and physical therapists. In addition to routine medical care, like tracking and administering medication, they have the ability to provide advanced medical services like physical therapy, wound care, intravenous injections, catheter care, and more. Usually, when skilled nursing care is employed, it’s medically necessary or ordered by a doctor.
When is it Needed
Many families ask the question if skilled nursing care is right for their loved one. After all, it’s not only more expensive, but also it may not be covered by Medicaid. Unfortunately, the decision is not always black or white. It’s still best to talk to their primary health provider for a professional opinion. But, here are a few life situations where a loved one could benefit from skilled nursing:
Rehabilitation care due to fractures or joint replacements
General rehabilitation due to weakness or physical decline
Diabetic rehabilitation
What Are the Benefits?
While assisted living communities are often perceived as senior housing designed for those who don’t need around the clock care, communities with on-site skilled nursing care can be a great option whether your loved one is looking for an independent lifestyle or requires near-constant assistance. Some of the benefits include:
Immediate medical attention. We become more prone to sickness with age. It’s not uncommon to experience a sudden change in health. A skilled care provider can be available for 24-hour care. You can rest easy knowing loved ones have rapid access to health care services.
Guidance on diet and nutrition. As we age, nutrition becomes even more important. Our bodies require different levels of vitamins and minerals to stay strong. Making sure our loved ones are getting the right kinds and quantities of food is essential for staying happy and healthy. Skilled providers can also give guidance on diet and nutrition for specifically for seniors.
There isn’t a one size fits all solution to long-term care. At times the best option can seem obvious, but often it can be confusing. Finding the most effective care solutions for a loved one starts with understanding their needs. There is a wide range of benefits seniors can experience from skilled care nursing, which can make this type of care the perfect fit for your loved one.
By Karen L. Pace, Michigan State University Extension
A growing body of reliable, scientific research shows the benefits of social and emotional learning for both youth and adults. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), efforts that promote social and emotional learning improve young people’s academic success and overall health and well-being, while reducing negative behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, violence and bullying.
Learning to navigate distressing emotions and stress are important aspects of emotional growth and development. Kids, like adults, experience daily stressors in their lives that can take an emotional and physical toll. In a national KidsHealth® KidsPoll, young people said the things that caused them stress included grades, school and homework (36 percent); family (32 percent); and friends, peers, gossip and teasing (21 percent). Too often, kids’ reactions to stress are seen as inappropriate negative behaviors that need to be stopped rather than opportunities to teach new skills that help young people learn to calm their minds and bodies.
One way for children and adults to develop self-awareness and the ability to navigate stress is through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a process of active, open, nonjudgmental awareness. It is paying attention in the present moment with openness, curiosity and flexibility. Neuroscience and psychological research suggests that the intentional practice of mindfulness improves the immune system as well as increases gray matter in the brain involved with learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, empathy and perspective taking.
Parents, educators, youth workers and others can provide opportunities to practice everyday mindfulness with the young people in their lives. Everyday mindfulness involves paying attention to our experiences in the moment rather than being caught up in our fearful, angry, anxious or worried thoughts. When we are caught up in these distressing thoughts, we often lose perspective about the best way to respond in a painful, difficult or stressful moment.
Simply notice the sights, smells and things that surround you. Focus on what’s there for you in the moment, right here, right now. If you find your mind starts to wander, that’s okay. Find something in your surroundings to focus on that will bring you back to the here and now.
Count your breaths either aloud or in your head. This is helpful if you’re feeling stressed, nervous or overwhelmed. Breathe in for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Breathe out for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Simply be aware of your stressed or nervous feelings. Don’t judge those feelings or try to push them away. They will pass as you count and breathe.
Release tension in your body. Sit, stand or lie down in a comfortable position. Simply notice where you feel tense or stress in your body. When you breathe in, picture yourself gathering the stress or worry into a cloud. When you breathe out, picture yourself releasing that stress or blowing the cloud away.
Research shows that practicing everyday mindfulness is good for our physical, social and emotional health and well-being. Even if our experience in a moment is painful or challenging, we can remain open, aware and curious about it instead of running from it or fighting with it. When we remain mindful and in the present moment, we are better able to tap our deepest, wisest self and respond to hard situations in ways that reflect our core values and who we want to be in the world.
Many people use New Year’s resolutions to better themselves and their lives. Goals can also be set at any time in the year to work towards a life improvement. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution or a life goal only to feel like you were not able to achieve it? To help you be more successful this year, start with a solid, goal-setting plan.
A study at Dominican University of Californiafound that more than 70 percent of the participants who sent weekly updates to a friend reported successful goal achievement (completely accomplished their goal or were more than half way there), compared to 35 percent of those who kept their goals to themselves without writing them down. Writing down your goals and sharing them with someone else matters.
In addition, your written New Year’s resolution or life goal should be SMART to be successful. Michigan State University Extension can help you make those goals SMART, an acronym that stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
When creating a goal, there are a variety of questions you should ask yourself as they relate to specific parts of the acronym:
Specific. What exactly needs to be accomplished? Who else might be involved? Where will this take place? Why do I want to accomplish this?
Measurable. How will I know if I have succeeded? How many steps will it take to achieve this?
Attainable. Do I have the resources I need to make this happen? Is this goal neither too easy, nor too hard for me to accomplish? Will the steps I have planned help me reach my goal?
Relevant. Can I commit to this goal? Will I not be able to reach another goal or do something else I want to do because I am working towards this goal?
Time-bound. When is the deadline? When do I need to take action?
Take time to answer each of these questions as you create your goal. Using the SMART goal process can help you decide if the goal is a good fit for you as it is, or if you need to revise it to ensure success. It is often best to start with the time-bound, specific and measurable and then review them for being attainable and relevant.
An example of a goal that isn’t quite SMART would be, “I want to take a trip to Europe next October for my birthday.” The same goal, after being put through the SMART process by an individual, might look like this:
Specific. “I want to take a two-week trip to Ireland with my sister for my birthday in October of next year.”
Measurable. “I need to save $4,000 to cover flight costs, lodging, transportation and miscellaneous costs based on my research.”
Time-bound. “October is nine months away. That means I need to save $444 a month until October to have my $4,000 set aside to cover costs.”
Attainable. “$444 is a lot of money a month for me to set aside when I also am saving for a car.”
Relevant. “I am not sure I can commit to this goal. It might set me back from getting my car; perhaps I should plan for a different trip.”
In this example, having decided this goal is too much at this time, the process can be repeated; this time, the new goal is to take a trip to a Seattle, Washington, for five days and save $1,000. This allows the goal to be more likely to be achieved, aligned with the individual’s other goals and plans, and able to be measured and adjusted as needed along the way.
The SMART goal process works great with financial goals and it can also be used for any goal such as weight loss, reading a certain number of books a year, organizing a room or managing time effectively. By being SMART, you will be on your way to reaching your goal!
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives.
By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark
Kathy Earle had her right hip replaced the first Monday in June. Two days later, she found herself recovering at home and ready to climb the 14 stairs to her second-floor bedroom.
With her daughter, Emily Adamczyk, behind her for support, Earle, 62, recited the rule she learned from the staff at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, where she had her surgery: “Up with your good leg first, down with your bad leg first.”
The mother and daughter had picked up that tip and many others when, a few weeks before her surgery, they attended a joint replacement class for patients and their caregivers.
Adamczyk heard this tip again just before discharge, at a new class offered for caregivers of hip and knee replacement patients.
Ready to go
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
The pre-discharge class packs a lot of information into a half hour, including cautions and reminders. The class made Adamczyk more comfortable with the idea of being her mom’s at-home caregiver.
“Seeing what she was capable of in the hospital was great, but then it was like, ‘Oh boy, now I have to support her by myself,’” she said. “To have a chance to sit down and hear it all again in class was really helpful.”
In addition to providing information about helping patients move around safely, the class—co-taught by a registered nurse and a physical or occupational therapist—covers several other topics, including:
Wound care
Pain medications and pain management
Preventing blood clots, infections, constipation and falls
The orthopedics team rolled the class out in March to give caregivers more confidence as they take their loved ones home, according to Liz Schulte, MSN, RN, nurse manager.
“Our patients are seeing shorter and shorter times in the hospital, and when they go home they still have a long road of recovery ahead,” Schulte said. “So to prepare that caregiver, who will be the one helping them with their medications, helping them ambulate—all of these hands-on things—it better sets them up for success.”
Consulting her class notes at home helped, too, Adamczyk said. When her mom’s leg began to swell, she checked a class handout to confirm that swelling is a normal part of the healing process.
“I think that if I didn’t know that, I would have been nervous,” she said.
Spectrum Health’s joint replacement program is one of the largest in the country and one of the first that The Joint Commission certified for total hip and total knee replacements.
“Part of the certification process is looking at your whole program and looking at what you can improve,” Schulte said, noting the program’s recent re-certification. The joint replacement discharge class is a step toward improved patient outcomes.
Freedom from pain
From Earle’s perspective, her outcome has been “amazing.” Just nine days after surgery—about a week ahead of schedule—she abandoned her walker and began using a cane to get around the house.
“Each day there’s something that gets a little easier. Each day it gets stronger,” said Earle, a retired elementary school teacher who lives outside Rockford, Michigan. “It’s amazing what the human body can do.”
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Her right hip replacement has gone so well that she even plans to ask her surgeon, Thomas Malvitz, MD, about moving up the date of her eventual left hip replacement, she said. After dealing with arthritis pain for more than two years, she’s excited about the prospect of being free of pain.
“She loves to travel and has gone a lot of places with this sore hip, but it has slowed her down a lot,” Adamczyk said. “It was affecting her quality of life.”
Once Earle’s post-surgery driving restriction is lifted, one of her first trips this summer may well be to Lake Michigan.
“I definitely am looking forward to walking on a beach,” she said. “I think that would be an awesome thing.”
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 22nd, and West Michigan is going all out in celebration. Enjoy delicious food at a buffet, or get a meal to bring home to your family. All of the classics will be there, from ham and turkey to stuffing and potatoes. If you have room for dessert, that will be served as well. There’s more to do after you eat, like holiday tours and early shopping. Enjoy a West Michigan Thanksgiving this month.
Dine in Southern West Michigan
Silo Banquets & Catering in Allegan offers their Thanksgiving Dinner to Go every year. The Silo has the largest catering kitchen in West Michigan, and each of the dinners that they prepare are ready to feed up to ten people. These dinners include everything that you need to have a family Thanksgiving meal, including turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, pie, and more. Make Thanksgiving dinner a breeze with these ready-to-serve meals.
Thanksgiving is a special time to express gratitude for all the blessings of the year. In honor of this celebration, Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall serves turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings. Make reservations to have a family Thanksgiving in Schuler’s beautiful dining room, or order ahead and pick up your feast on Thanksgiving Day to share with your family at home.
This Thanksgiving, give the cooks in your family a much-deserved break. Bring your family to the Boulevard Inn & Bistro in St. Joseph for their Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Just choose your favorites from the bountiful buffet, sit back, and enjoy being together.
The Bay Pointe Inn in Shelbyville is hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet and live music on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. The menu includes traditional Thanksgiving fare, like turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie, in addition to pastries, shrimp cocktails, mini mousse, and more.
You’ll find some of the freshest farm ingredients served for Thanksgiving when you visit Saugatuck. They have a variety of Thanksgiving specials and buffets throughout the area, many of which are on Thanksgiving day. Area restaurants will serve a traditional menu with a few added surprises.
Henderson Castle (file photo)
Henderson Castle in is hosting their annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 21st. Enjoy all the delicious food that you’ve come to expect from Henderson Castle during this festive season.
The Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo has two restaurants, each offering different Thanksgiving specials and events. Zazio’s is hosting a special Black Friday Brunch on Friday, Nov. 23rd. Over at Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill, they’ll be serving up a holiday-themed menu on Thanksgiving.
Dine in Central West Michigan
Double JJ Resort in Rothbury is once again hosting their popular Thanksgiving Buffet at the Sundance Restaurant. The annual buffet is a relaxing way to spend time with friends and family with the beautiful view from the Sundance. This delicious brunch buffet features a unique menu every year.
Chef Tim and his team at SE4SONS Gastropub at Muskegon Country Club will be preparing Thanksgiving dinners for you to take home and throw in the oven. All meals will be sent with cooking and reheating instructions, making it easy to put together your Thanksgiving feast. All orders must be placed by Thursday, Nov. 15th.
Both the JW Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids are serving up Thanksgiving day brunches on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Reservations are recommended.
Stop by Mt. Pleasant for Thanksgiving and leave the cooking to the professionals. They have both Thanksgiving buffets and easy dinners that you can take home to the family. Enjoy Thanksgiving-themed entrees, sides, and desserts without all the mess and clean up.
The Holland area is going all out for Thanksgiving. The area is home to dozens of restaurants, each with their own Thanksgiving traditions and menus. Check out what the Holland area restaurants have to offer, and find the perfect restaurant to suit your tastes and fit into your budget.
Dine in Northern West Michigan
The popular Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Grand Traverse Resort in Williamsburg is back. Enjoy a wide array of Thanksgiving-themed brunch treats as well as a special buffet for kids. The Thanksgiving buffet menu is available on the Aerie Restaurant website where you can also make your reservations.
If the thought of preparing an entire Thanksgiving meal for your family and friends has you stressed out, let Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire do the cooking and cleaning up. Call today to make reservations for the Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet at The Lakeview Restaurant. This buffet offers a delicious array of everything you’d expect a traditional Thanksgiving feast to include and more.
You’re invited to bring your family to the Thanksgiving Celebration at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls. They have plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages. For your Thanksgiving meal, choose either the delightful buffet or have a complete meal, including all of the holiday favorites, prepared and delivered to your room.
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is hosting a Thanksgiving weekend full of family events and activities. Their Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend runs from Thursday, Nov. 22nd to Sunday, Nov. 25th, kicking off with the 4K Turkey Vulture Trot. Afterward, enjoy a well-deserved traditional Thanksgiving buffet.
Charlevoix area (file photo)
Thanksgiving brings family and friends together, and Charlevoix welcomes you and your loved ones to come to celebrate this special holiday with them. During the long weekend, enjoy Thanksgiving feasts at local restaurants, including Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.
Get into the Thanksgiving spirit with a stop along the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula wine trail. Drop into one of the nine unique wineries for a wine tasting to decide which Michigan wines you will be serving this holiday season.
Pre-Thanksgiving Traditions
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Lansing is getting decked out with thousands of lights and holiday fun for the Silver Bells in the City celebration. Silver Bells in the City attracts over 80,000 people to the Capital City each year and takes place annually on the Friday before Thanksgiving. This free event brings family and friends together to kick off the holiday season.
Grand Haven Main Street provides a picturesque postcard start to this year’s holiday season. Downtown Grand Haven will be abuzz with festivities and cheer as Light Night gets you in a festive mood on Friday, Nov. 16th. Carolers will be strolling throughout downtown, roasted chestnuts, cider, and hot chocolate will be available to the public courtesy of Grand Haven Main Street and Grand Haven Tri-Cities Historical Museum.
Get in the holiday spirit in Mecosta County with the Festival of Lights parade on Saturday, Nov. 17th. This popular parade features 30 floats and groups of walkers loaded with Christmas lights, live reindeer, and a grand entrance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Stay at Hotel Walloon for the area’s holiday kick off! On Wednesday, Nov. 21st, the Village of Walloon will come alive with Christmas vendors, an appearance by Santa, the lighting of the village, kids activities, and more. Then, spend a relaxing weekend celebrating Thanksgiving in northern Michigan.
Events Over Thanksgiving Weekend
From Thursday to Sunday and throughout November, Thanksgiving events are taking over many parts of West Michigan. The extended weekend is the perfect time to get out with family and friends to enjoy the festivities.
The Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo has two restaurants, each offering different Thanksgiving specials and events. Zazios is hosting a Holiday Cooking Class on Wednesday, Nov.17th to teach you how to wow your guests this holiday season. They’re also hosting a special Black Friday Brunch on Friday, Nov. 23rd. Over at Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill, they’ll be serving up a holiday-themed menu on Thanksgiving.
The Holland area is going all out for Thanksgiving, with events, buffets, and ways to give back to the community. Before feasting upon one of the area’s many Thanksgiving buffets, lace up your running or walking shoes for the Turkey Trot 8K on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Stop by the Kerstmarkt on Nov. 23rd and 24th, or enjoy a post-Thanksgiving concert at the Park Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 24th. From now through Dec. 22nd, the Holland Area Visitors Bureau is hosting a Winter Coat & Food Drive. Get in the holiday spirit and give back by dropping off new and gently used coats, hats, mittens, and scarves as well as non-perishable food items to the WHTC AM radio station or the Holland Area Visitors Bureau.
The Muskegon area has holiday events all month long. Just in time for Thanksgiving, the 14th Annual Festival of Trees at the Muskegon Museum of Art features themed trees and decor from Nov. 21st to Dec. 2nd. While the family is in town for Thanksgiving, take them on the Hackley & Hume Holiday Tour on Nov. 24th and 25th. Experience the Hackley and Hume homes by candlelight to celebrate the holiday season.
You’re invited to bring your family to the Thanksgiving Celebration at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls. They have plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages. For your Thanksgiving meal, choose either the delightful buffet or have a complete meal, including all of the holiday favorites, prepared and delivered to your room.
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is hosting a Thanksgiving weekend full of family events and activities. Their Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend runs from Thursday, Nov. 22nd to Sunday, Nov. 25th, kicking off with the 4K Turkey Vulture Trot. Afterward, enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving buffet. The Holiday Trail Celebration is Friday, Nov. 23rd, with a Christmas tree lighting the following day.
Thanksgiving brings family and friends together, and Charlevoix welcomes you and your loved ones to come to celebrate this special holiday with them. Before the holiday commences, sign up for the annual Turkey Trot 5K run along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. During the long weekend, enjoy Thanksgiving feasts at local restaurants, including Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.
Thanksgiving Stays & Packages
Take a road trip to quiet Saugatuck and host your Thanksgiving dinner in a vacation rental from Lakeshore Lodging. Whether you have a larger group to host this Thanksgiving or you’re just looking for a change of scenery, choosing to host your Thanksgiving dinner in a vacation rental is a fresh way to do the holiday.
As a thank you to their guests, the All Season Hotel & Resort in Kalkaska is offering a free night when you purchase and stay one night between Nov. 20th and 30th.
The Thanksgiving Package at the Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant in Petoskey includes a two-night stay for two in one of their cozy cottage-style rooms on Nov. 22nd and 23rd.
Earning a degree in your later years isn’t just a matter of career advancement or personal achievement—it’s another way to stay sharp. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Shawn Foucher, Spectrum Health Beat
Researchers have long held that a heart-healthy diet and an active mind are among your best defenses against dementia.
But evidence continues to mount that you should also strive for a life of learning.
Recent studies suggest that mental stimulation at any age—from teens to post-retirement—is apt to improve the odds of enjoying a sound, healthy mind well into your twilight.
JAMA Neurology recently published results from a Minnesota study that found people ages 70 and older could decrease their risk of developing mild cognitive impairment by engaging in activities such as books, crafts, computers, games and socializing.
Interestingly, crafts and computers were especially associated with a decreased risk, according to the study.
Perhaps more compelling, however, is a separate JAMA Internal Medicine study that found an increase in educational attainment when you’re young may lead to a healthier brain in later ages.
Helmed by professor Kenneth Langa, the study reinforces what other researchers have been noticing—an unexpected but encouraging decline in dementia rates among the aging population in the U.S.
Langa and his team uncovered the association between dementia and educational attainment.
They measured dementia rates in two groups, one with an average age of 75 in 2000, the other with an average age of 75 in 2012. They found the dementia rate at 11.6 percent in the first group, 8.8 percent in the second group.
While those in the first group had attained about 11.8 years of education, on average, those in the second group attained about 12.7 years—almost a full additional year.
Coincidentally, the increasing value Americans have placed on education is borne out in the historical data. Prior to World War II, about 38 percent of those ages 25 to 29 had completed high school. By 1960, more than 60 percent in this age group had completed high school.
In comparing earlier generations to subsequent ones, it may suggest a greater return than expected on education: brain health benefits.
The notion that education could promote longer-term brain health is certainly not lost on the legion of gerontologists and neurologists responsible for treating some of the 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and millions more suffering from various forms of dementia.
“We know from other studies that education does appear to be a protective factor, so folks with more education are less likely to develop dementia,” said Maegan Hatfield-Eldred, PhD, a neuropsychologist with Spectrum Health.
“The idea is that education, learning new things, stimulates the parts of the brain that produce new cells and grow connections between cells,” Dr. Hatfield-Eldred said. “So people with more education have more brain matter that they can lose, and still maintain normal functioning.”
The implication here, of course, is that this brain stimulation and development occurs in youth and continues to benefit people into old age.
The takeaway: Brain health isn’t something to ruminate post-retirement.
It’s something parents should keep in mind for themselves and their children from the get-go, with consistent emphasis on education and intellectual development.
“It really emphasizes the importance of thinking about brain health over your lifespan,” Dr. Hatfield-Eldred said. “This isn’t something you should think about when you turn 70. It’s really a lifetime thing. The things you do over your lifespan impact whether you may develop dementia down the road.”
Ponder it
A question remains: What can you do now, as an adult, to increase the chances you’ll have a healthy brain into your 70s, 80s and beyond?
While age is the biggest determinant in the development of Alzheimer’s and forms of dementia, genetic factors also play a substantial role. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, although some medications can alleviate the symptoms.
“The No. 1 risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is your age,” said Iris Boettcher, MD, chief of geriatrics for Spectrum Health. “The older you get, the higher the risk.”
You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle.
Activities that require mental concentration are all apt to help with cognitive function, Dr. Boettcher said.
“The advice I give, even once the diagnosis of dementia is made, is we know that regular mental stimulation is helpful in reducing the progression of the disease,” she said.
Dr. Boettcher is especially keen on discussions and activities that encourage higher-level thinking.
“People say reading, and reading is OK, but it’s really discussing what you have read,” she said. “You can read things over and over again, but it’s not necessarily constructive brain stimulation.”
While that’s no call to run out and enroll in the physics track at your local university, it is a call to challenge yourself mentally.
“It’s not a cure-all,” Dr. Hatfield-Eldred said. “But in general, we know that people who stay (mentally) active have lower (dementia) rates. It may prolong the onset of dementia if you are someone who was going to develop dementia. Maybe you’ll get it later than you would, or maybe it will progress more slowly than it would have without those activities.”
Drs. Hatfield-Eldred and Boettcher also emphasize the importance of regular exercise—at least three times a week, about 20 to 30 minutes each time—and a heart-healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet.
“It’s been shown in multiple studies: It reduces the progression of dementia and it’s healthy for the brain,” Dr. Boettcher said. “You don’t have to be a marathon runner or work out in a gym. It’s very simple.”
The take-home message from these studies: “There’s no one magic activity,” Dr. Hatfield-Eldred said.
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL—the first acrobatic performance on ice—comes to Van Andel Arena for seven performances May 15-19, 2019
Cirque du Soleilis thrilled to return toGrand Rapids, Michigan with its coolest arena show yet—CRYSTAL. This one-of-a-kind arena productionblends circus arts and the world of ice skating in a stunning new production that will take the audience on a journey into a whimsical frozen playground where figure skating mingles with acrobatics and aerial feats.CRYSTALwill perform at SMG-managedVan Andel Arenafrom Wednesday, May 15 through Sunday, May 19, 2019, for seven performances only.
Photo by Matt Beard
Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Nov. 9 at 10am.Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online atTicketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. SeeTicketmaster.comfor all pricing and availability. A purchase limit of 11 tickets will apply to every order.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 15, Thursday, May 16 & Friday, May 17 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 18 at 4pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, May 19 at 1:30pm and 5pm
More about CRYSTAL—A Breakthrough Ice Experience
Directed by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, Crystal, our misfit heroine, takes you on an exhilarating tale of self-discovery as she dives into a world of her own imagination. Feel the adrenaline as she soars through this surreal world to become what she was always destined to be: confident, curious, and creative. CRYSTAL invites you to suspend reality and glide into a world that springs to colorful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil. CRYSTAL is suitable for all ages.
The show CRYSTAL is about looking at things from fresh angles, peeking through the veneer of everyday life, reframing one’s daily reality to see what one might have missed. Sometimes the only way to appreciate things is to look at them sideways. Discovering one’s individuality and uniqueness requires venturing out on thin ice.
CRYSTALisCirque du Soleil’s42ndoriginal production since 1984.The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 180 million spectators in more than 450 cities on six continents.Cirque du Soleilhas over 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from 50 different countries.
Experiencing history and learning from the experts is one of the best ways to learn. Check out these events happening in November and beyond. Don’t forget to check WMTA’s event calendar for a full list of upcoming events.
Grab your girlfriends and jump back in time to the 1950s with the Women’s Only Weekend in South Haven from Nov. 8th to 11th. The bash includes rocking music, a sock hop, poodle skirts, and more. Purchase your tickets and plan a whole weekend of retro fun.
Entice your senses with the Encore Tea & Whiskey Weekend at Hart House Bed & Breakfast. Colleen Connon, an expert on tea, and Patrick Cannon, an expert on whiskey, will present their stories and tips on Nov. 9th and 10th. The two-night event includes a welcome reception and tasting, with packages available for your stay.
Courtesy Tulip Time Festival
Enjoy a delicious meal and learn something new at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings and their upcoming Lunch & Learn event on Thursday, Nov. 15th. Titled Reading Between the Lines: Looking for Michigan’s Treaty Lines, the event looks at the reservations and boundaries of the early 19th century that are seemingly gone. If you look carefully, you can still see the marks that are left on the landscape. Historian John Gorentz will guide you on a photographic journey to some of these historical places in Michigan and other states of the Old Northwest.
Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo is one of the most haunted places in Michigan. Listen to the scary stories of yesteryear at the Haunted History Dinner & Tour on Friday, Nov. 16th. The tour will include a rare opportunity to hear some of the spooky tales of this 123-year-old castle. You may even meet a ghost!
Celebrating its 89th year in 2018, Tulip Time has grown over the years to be so much more than a flower festival. Back in 1929, the City of Holland planted its first crop of 100,000 tulips. The overwhelming number of visitors over the years as the festival took shape resulted in the addition of programs, pageantry, costumes, parades, and the popular Dutch Dancers. Each year, Tulip Time strives to showcase all that Holland, Michigan has to offer.
Museums, Cultural Centers & Historical Societies
West Michigan’s many museums, cultural centers, and historical societies dedicate themselves to cataloging and promoting history in fun and unique ways. The main goal of these organizations is to help their communities and visitors from all over learn something new each and every time they visit.
If you visited downtown St. Joseph this summer, you may have noticed that the Krasl Art Center yard was undergoing a major face-lift. This $1.7 million project, known as Sculpting Community, is the third major renovation project since the building’s genesis in 1979. After years of improving the lives of its community, the Krasl Art Center is thrilled to invite you this new, historic project, providing residents and visitors a space to come together and connect with nature, art, and each other.
The Heritage Museum & Cultural Center in St. Joseph prides itself in sharing stories about the community. This museum houses the area’s history, its artifacts, and an archival collection, alongside a research library. It presents stories in spacious exhibit halls and creates new memories in elegant banquet facilities. Come journey into the area’s past, see the present, and receive a deeper understanding and thrill at the possibilities for the future.
The Holland Museum tells the stories and history of the both the Holland area and of the greater West Michigan area. By promoting engagement and change instead of simply dictating information, the Holland Museum has been creating a community with a better and brighter future. Upcoming events in November include a skills workshop to teach the skills of Holland’s early settlers and a landing party for the Mars Lander.
Courtesy Harbor Springs Area Historical Society
The Harbor Springs History Museum, home of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, is located in the former city hall building. As the first of two permanent exhibits, the Local History Gallery guides visitors through a multi-layered chronology of the Harbor Springs region. The Discovery Gallery is the second of these permanent exhibit spaces and is filled with hands-on activities for children and their families or teachers. Serving as the museum’s temporary exhibit spaces, the main and north galleries host both traveling exhibits and temporary exhibits from the HSAHS collection.
Historic Charlton Park is located in the Hastings area, and features a recreated, turn-of-the-century historic village and the Irving D. Charlton Memorial Museum. The museum is open until December, giving you plenty of time to stop by yet this year.
LowellArts began with the enthusiasm of community volunteers and funds raised through a visit to Lowell by Artrain USA in November 1976. Originally called the Lowell Area Arts Council, the organization was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1977. In September 1977, LowellArts became the sponsor of the Fallasburg Arts Festival, a two-day outdoor art and music celebration. Today, LowellArts is creating their own space in downtown Lowell with the help of individual community donations and the Lowell Area Community Fund.
The S.S. Milwaukee Clipper has been transporting people between Muskegon and Milwaukee since 1941. In 1904, the Erie & Western Transportation Company, better known now as the Anchor Line, commissioned a 361-foot passenger and package freight steamer. After years of traveling the waterways of the United States, the vessel found a home in Lake Michigan. On June 2nd, 1941, her name was changed to S.S. Milwaukee Clipper. After a long hiatus that included name changes, new locations, and different owners, the ship returned to Muskegon. Today, the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper stays put in Muskegon Lake as a national landmark and museum.
The Tri-Cities Historical Museum has been cataloging Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg history for visitors to the area. The museum is made up of comprehensive exhibits that cover many different eras of the area’s past, from prehistoric rocks and fossils to common dry goods shop from 1940s Grand Haven. Each exhibit is housed within a structure accurate to the time it represents. Inside many of the exhibits, learners of all ages are often invited to touch and explore recreations of artifacts in order to make history more relatable.
Courtesy Kingman Museum
The Coopersville Area Historical Society was founded in 1980 to preserve area history for the enrichment of both visitors and local residents. During the Historical Society’s early days, its members met in the town’s former interurban railway depot. In 1987, the Historical Society acquired use of the building from the City of Coopersville. The facility was then open seasonally as a museum with some regular and special exhibits. The historical society and museum continue to support the community with education and preservation.
During the week of Nov. 12, West Michigan Works! service centers will honor those who served in the military by offering job search services and events with a focus on veterans.
“We serve veterans every day, but we want to set aside this special time to highlight their service and their specific career needs,” said Brittany Lenertz, West Michigan Works! talent solutions director. “From offering coffee and displaying the flags of the Armed Forces in our centers to providing access to veteran-friendly resources, we want to show our gratitude to the men and women who served our country.”
Workshops
The week’s schedule of free workshops will include information to address veterans’ job search needs. For example, the resume workshop will help veterans convey their military experience with civilian language that hiring managers can easily understand.
“So many of the skills learned during military service transfer to civilian life—it’s all in the language used when you talk or write about them,” said Karen Riggs, a talent development instructor with West Michigan Works!
Community Resources
Several of the service centers will hold resource fairs that will highlight community resources for veterans. This may include anything from entrepreneurship workshops through the Small Business Development Center to assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hiring Events
Veteran-friendly employers will be in the service centers as either an Employer of the Day or a part of a larger multi-employer hiring event. As always, veterans and their spouses receive early access to Michigan Works! hiring events.
Veterans can participate in any of these activities by visiting a West Michigan Works! service center Nov. 13-16 (the service centers will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12). Dates and locations of the Veterans Week hiring events as well as service center locations can be found on the West Michigan Works! website at westmiworks.org/vetweek.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
As the days draw shorter and temperatures decrease, we know that the holiday season is upon us. Not only do we usually indulge ourselves during this time, but we also become less physically active.
It is not surprising that the average American gains about a pound this time of year.
There are numerous reasons for this weight gain, especially the overall busyness we tend to have, with parties and preparing for them. Outside of the usual overindulging we go through with at the table, these busy schedules often cause us to reach for more convenient options that are not necessarily the most nutrient-dense.
What are some approaches we can use year round, but especially at this time of year to minimize or prevent weight gain?
Methods to Utilize When Eating This Holiday Season
There are numerous techniques that can be employed to help us enjoy eating during the holiday season, while not going overboard by eating too much. One of these options is to utilize mindful eating practices, as described in previous articles. Mindful eating allows you to checking in with yourselves to see if you are actually hungry, gives you time to appraise and admire your meal, encourages slowing down your eating, lets you savor and taste every bite and helps you stop when you are full.
Another method is to substitute foods with lower calorie options. This could include using sugar substitutes during baking to maintain the sweet taste we enjoy in our desserts, but reducing the number of calories we consume. Other options could be using low fat or fat-free substitutes. One could also load up on more nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables, but also include some dessert. Other helpful hints for eating during the holiday season can be found here.
Physical Activity During the Holidays
Although the holiday season is upon us, this is not a reason to give up on your current physical activity habits. The best recommendation is to maintain your current physical activity schedule, whether that is going to the gym or outside for a run. However, the busyness of this time of year, plus changes in the weather, are not necessarily conducive to performing physical activity. There are approaches to this dilemma. For example, if you currently run outdoors, you may have to make some modifications such as running on an indoor track, or taking up cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
To prevent extra weight gain, the simplest method is to burn, or expend, more calories. This could be as simple as adding an extra workout day, or encourage some family bonding time and going for walks. Remember, although you may miss a workout or two, it is not the end of the world nor the most important part of the holiday season.
This time of year, we usually consume more foods, especially the sweet ones, and perform less physical activity, however, there are numerous methods we can employ to help us still enjoy the holidays, without gaining that extra pound of body weight. This could be changing the way we eat, or performing extra physical activity. Regardless, we should also utilize these methods throughout the year.
Researchers recommend exercising about 150 minutes each week, including some strength-training exercises. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Kim Delafuente, Spectrum Health Beat
New studies continue to add credence to the critical link between good brain health and regular exercise.
A recent study by researchers in Texas, for instance, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found an association between higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and better “fiber integrity” in the brain’s white matter.
This correlated to better “executive function performance” in patients with mild cognitive impairment, according to the study.
These types of contemporary findings abound, with researchers perpetually seeking to understand the connections between brain health and physical activity.
What we do know is that physical activity is proven to reduce stress, improve mood, increase self-confidence, improve memory, reduce symptoms of depression and reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50 percent.
But what’s really going on under the hood? Let’s take a look at some known areas.
Hippo power
The area of the brain responsible for memory formation, the hippocampus, shrinks as a normal process of aging. In people who are physically active, however, the hippocampus can actually increase. This tells us exercise aids in the growth of brain cells in certain areas of the brain.
Neural nitrogen
Physical activity increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which acts as something of a brain fertilizer. It is essential to learning and memory. The increase here not only helps with brain cell interconnectivity, it also aids in the growth of new brain cells.
Anti-depressant
In some cases, exercise can generate the same effect as an anti-depressant in those with mild depression. Research shows that active people tend to be less depressed, which means that exercise may benefit those who suffer from depression.
Brain-building
Physically active children may reap the benefits in a number of areas, including better performance on tests, fewer behavioral problems and improved retention of information.
Stress, anxiety reliever
Exercise can help the body respond better to anxiety disorders. A study by researchers in Chicago also found modest evidence to support the notion that “regular exercise protects against the negative emotional consequences of stress.”
Exactly how much physical activity is needed to reap brain benefits?
As it applies to healthy adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, as well as some muscle-strengthening activities two days a week.
The activity should be hard enough to increase your breathing and heart rate.
One recent study found that people who exercised more than an hour each day had healthier brain characteristics compared to people who exercised less.
But you don’t have to dive in headlong. If you are currently inactive, start with just a 5- or 10-minute walk each day. Something is always better than nothing. A small amount of exercise can be enough to put you in a better mood and increase your energy.
But keep in mind that the level of fitness and endurance may matter in the long run. A higher endurance level is related to better cognitive abilities.
The more exercise you do, the greater the benefits!
Many West Michigan businesses and organizations have a deep history in the area. See what you can learn about your favorite brewery, attraction, hotel, and more with this insightful guide!
Historic Spots in Northern West Michigan
Castle Farms in Charlevoix is celebrating 100 years this year! Built in 1918 as a model farm for the Sears & Roebuck Company, it has housed cows, artists, rock concerts, and now hosts historical tours and events. The historical tours offer guests a glimpse into the past through a video narrated by the owner, as well as a map of the grounds.
Courtesy Mission Point Lighthouse
Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire is not only rich in unique natural features, but is also rich in preservation history in northern Michigan, paving the way for many other conservation organizations to come. The organization was created in 1969, with a small group of concerned residents who saw the threat of wetlands development. From that point, this grassroots effort skyrocketed into meaningful collaborations between foundations, other conservation organizations, and the county government, something that has become a standard since that time.
Legs Inn in Cross Village is a third-generation owned inn founded by Stanley Smolak, a Polish immigrant. After working in automobile factories in both Detroit and Chicago, Smolak sought out to settle in an area that reminded him of his native land. In the late 1920s, Stanley Smolak began building this extraordinary complex. Two generations later, Legs Inn continues to be a widely recognized historical destination.
Mission Point Lighthouse has been a Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula icon for decades. While it no longer guides mariners through West Grand Traverse Bay as it did from 1870 until it was decommissioned in 1933, Mission Point Lighthouse now offers visitors a peek into what life was like around the turn of the century for lighthouse keepers.
Historic Spots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The Adventure Mining Company in Greenland was formed in 1850 and operated as a mine on and off through 1920. Beginning in the 1970s, tours were offered as the mine changed owners over the next 30 years. Its most recent purchased was in 2004, and the mines reopened in 2005, offering a variety of tours seasonally. Their annual bike race, Miner’s Revenge, began in 2009 and takes riders within the mines and above ground.
From its beginning over 150 years ago as a waterfront beach house to the family-restored Historic Hotel of America it is today, the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island has opened its doors to over a million tourists from around the world. With its handsome Victorian structure and family owned intimacy, Mackinac Island’s oldest hotel is a tradition not to be missed.
Whether you have a tour guide or you’re doing it yourself, tours are a great way to learn. Tours are expertly crafted to showcase exactly what you need to know. These organizations and events have already done all the heavy work, so all you need to do is take part and learn!
Courtesy W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Visit the W.K. Kellogg Manor House in Hickory Corners and W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta this fall to step into their history of conservation, philanthropy, and nature. Schedule a group tour of the Bird Sanctuary or take a self-guided Historical Walking Tour. At the Manor House, enjoy a self-guided or docent-guided tour of W.K. Kellogg’s magnificent summer home and estate. Go back in time as you walk through the threshold of the beautifully restored Manor House, constructed in 1926.
The Michilimackinac Historical Society focuses on the Michilimackinac region, which is the area around the Straits of Mackinac. The historical society operates the Fort de Buade Museum, which houses a collection of over 3,500 artifacts that tell the story of the area.
The Marshall Candlelight Walk is a guided walking tour of five historic houses decorated for the holiday season on December 8th and 9th. Participants travel in groups of 25 and visit each of the homes on the tour. This popular event will fill up fast, so make sure you purchase your tickets early!
Visit Amway’s world headquarters Ada to learn about a global company that started in the area over 50 years ago. The welcome center has more than 24 interactive exhibits and 160 videos to tell the story of Amway in an informative and exciting way. From the early beginnings of co-founders Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel to the celebration of their 50th anniversary, experience the history of Amway with a visit to the welcome center.
"It occurred to me at one point it was like I had two diseases — one was Alzheimer's, and the other was knowing I had Alzheimer's."
- Terry Pratchett
What’s next in battling Alzheimer’s?
“Alzheimer’s Disease: A Look into the Future” is set for Monday, November 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the L. William Seidman Center, 50 Front Ave. SW, on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The event is free and open to the public. For the complete story, click here.
What’s new (soon) at Ford Airport?
Construction on the second phase of the Gateway Transformation Project begins today at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), and will continue through Summer 2020. For the complete story, click here.
What’s the deal with ‘Strive for Five’?
The straightforward message behind “Strive for Less than 5”, the countywide campaign to reduce absences: The more school a child misses, the further they fall behind and the more at risk they are of eventually dropping out. For the complete story, click here.
Fun Fact:
5.0 million vs. 5.5 million
In fall 2018, about 1.4 million children are expected to attend public prekindergarten and 3.6 million are expected to attend public kindergarten. (Source) In contrast, An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2018. This number includes an estimated 5.5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's. (Source)
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9 percent of those suffering receive treatment. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Maura Hohman, HealthDay
A little bit of stress can motivate you, but too much might cause an anxiety disorder that can prevent you from living your life to the fullest.
If you feel anxious on a daily basis, try making changes to your lifestyle to manage anxiety on your own.
Exercise regularly to release the body’s endorphins, natural feel-good chemicals. Set a goal of 30 minutes at least five days of the week.
Be sure to get enough sleep, typically between 7 and 8 hours every night.
During waking hours, take short breaks from whatever stresses you out. Meditation and listening to music are great ways to clear your head.
Eat healthy and don’t skip meals.
Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
If adjustments to your routine don’t lessen your anxiety, talk to your doctor, especially if anxiety or depression run in your family. You could have an anxiety disorder.
Keep a symptom diary and be alert for the warning signs of an anxiety disorder.
Possible anxiety disorder symptoms include:
Constant worry.
Avoiding social situations.
Panic attacks.
Nightmares.
If you’re diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, stay positive. There are many treatments available, such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help you change your thought patterns. Also, there are other types of therapy, medication, and simple adjustments to your daily routine.
Most important is finding a therapist you’re comfortable working with and who’s experienced in treating anxiety disorders.
No amount of running or other exercise massages our insides and settles or resets our mood the way laughter does.
By Tracie Abram, Michigan State University Extension
Not only is laughter universal, it is ageless. Picture a baby’s first belly laugh or seeing an older adult’s eyes light up with laughter. No matter what your age, laughter is good medicine and is an exercise everyone can enjoy doing. Laughter therapy has been practiced for centuries to help heal and today laughter is fast becoming the preventative exercise of choice due to its physical, mental, emotional and spiritual powers.
In the book, Laughter Therapy, by Annette Goodheart, Ph.D.; a whole chapter is dedicated to the physical benefits of laughter. You learn that laughter engages every major system in the body. Have you ever fallen out of your chair laughing or seen kids fall onto the floor and spitting food out of their mouths from laughing? Yes, it is known to cause us to wet our pants occasionally too! When we laugh, we literally lose muscle control.
The diaphragm is a muscle that separates our abdominal cavity from our chest cavity and is the only muscle in our body that is attached to other muscles. When we laugh, our diaphragm convulsively pulls on our side muscles and shakes up our stomach and other vital organs. We get an internal massage, which leaves our organs invigorated, juicy, pumped-up and alert.
Laughter has been clocked exiting our lungs at speeds up to seventy miles per hour. Needless to say, it gives our respiratory system a massive work out. Laughter sessions can provide a cardiovascular, pulmonary workout as well as massage your insides.
No amount of running or other exercise massages our insides and settles or resets our mood the way laughter does. People of all ages can do it together and it’s fun.
Laughing to relieve stress
Negative stress is both mentally and physically draining and can manifest as physical illness if not identified and managed. Laughter can help you manage stress similar to how physical exercise does. Laughter is both a pulmonary and cardiovascular workout in that it makes the heart and lungs work faster, which in turn pumps oxygenized blood to your cells faster, this stimulates your brain to make you more resilient to stressors.
Laughter is free, natural and you can access it easily. In fact, as Goodheart explains you don’t even need to find something funny or be feeling happy to practice laughter and benefit from it.
Don’t let emotional tension build to the point of tears. Set a goal to be aware or mindful of how many times per day you laugh. Think of it as an attitudinal exercise for your mind. Schedule time to practice laughter or join a laughter club.
Laughter education
Laughter education comes in a wide variety of forms and can be called clubs, classes, circles, programs or sessions. The most beneficial of these involve systematic programmable activities, typically provided in a group setting that provides laughter exercise and attitudinal mindfulness to achieve general or targeted goals. Laughter session objectives can include:
Increase awareness about attitudes and feelings towards laughter.
Provide opportunities for individuals to laugh.
Promote laughter in everyday life.
Provide respite from daily stress and worries.
Teach how laughter can be an effective mood regulator.
Encourage healthy choices and laughter, humor and mirth as self-care strategies.
Depending on the setting, individual participation in a therapeutic laughter program can be encouraged as a way to meet individual goals such as socialization, emotional expression, communication, focus, concentration and use of muscles and joints.
Fall is the perfect time to plan a getaway in West Michigan. With all the fall colors tours, Halloween happenings, and events throughout the state, you’ll want to get out and see everything. Take advantage of fall lodging specials and packages to make it easier when planning your fall adventure.
Plan a getaway to Marshall with a stay at the National House Inn. This bed and breakfast is the oldest operating inn in Michigan. The serenity is contagious, the sense of history infectious, and the number of events and special packages numerous. Drive through the country roads for a spectacular fall color tour and relax at this cozy nineteenth-century inn complete with modern conveniences.
Within the picturesque village of Saugatuck, as well as the surrounding southwest Michigan countryside, there are ample choices for lodging. From bed & breakfasts, hotels, motels, resorts, cottages, beachfront vacation homes, and vacation rentals, there is something for everyone. For a full list of places to stay, including lodging specials, visit their website.
Find out what fall’s all about in Saugatuck with a Lakeshore Lodging stay. With beautiful natural spots to take in the fall colors, a variety of great apple orchards and pumpkin patches, and Lakeshore Lodging’s selection of cozy places to call home, the Saugatuck area is perfect for an autumnal retreat.
Lodging Specials in Central West Michigan
The DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center in Holland has discounts and specials throughout the fall for your entire group. Through December, they’re providing free breakfast for groups booking more than 40 room nights and 25% off the best available rate for groups of 10 or more rooms. If you book a meeting space in November, you’ll receive 50% off of room rental fee and 10% off food and beverage catering. Take advantage of these offers and stay well within budget for your upcoming event or tour.
Hart House Bed & Breakfast in Hart has teamed up with a local sports outfitters to offer an enriching experience on the water. Explore the natural resources of the area’s beautiful waterways, learn about the flora and fauna, unplug, relax, and restore. Let owners Greg and Bonny know your interest at the time of your reservation and they will customize a float for you.
The Ultimate Romance Package at the Holiday Inn in Spring Lake makes it easy to celebrate an anniversary or get out of town with a loved one. Your stay includes chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in your room, roses, and breakfast and dinner for two.
This fall and winter, take advantage of the Ludington area’s lodging specials and packages. The area’s hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, and cottages offer discounted room rates and enticing packages that will make your stay in Pure Ludington both more enjoyable and more affordable.
The Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast in Ludington has partnered with local shops, restaurants, golf courses, and boating charters to bring you exclusive experiences and upgrades. Enhance your stay and do something extra special to make your time in Ludington even more memorable.
Muskegon lodging facilities offer full-service hotels in downtown Muskegon and the brands you know and trust throughout the county. Quaint bed and breakfasts and seasonal vacation rentals line the lakes, with specials and packages offered throughout the year.
Michigan’s Central Swing has fall golf discounts in the Mt. Pleasant area! Choose from 11 champion style courses and 11 relaxing retreats to create your perfect golf getaway. All you need to do is tell Michigan Central Swing what you want, and they’ll do the rest for you! Stay in comfort and leave the planning to the professionals, giving you more time to perfect that golf swing.
Is your memory failing you? Don’t assume the worst. You may have a reversible condition. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diane Benson, Spectrum Health Beat
Brain fog … Can’t clear the cobwebs … I know I know this … Wait, wait, don’t tell me … Really, it’s on the tip of my tongue.
What did I do yesterday? (Hmmm. Good question).
If this sounds like your state of mind (or lack thereof), you may have dementia.
Hold on. Don’t panic.
Dementia, defined as problems with memory or thinking and changes in personality or behavior, can be reversible.
In fact, more than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia.
“Short-term memory loss, like difficulty remembering recent events, is often the most pronounced symptom of both reversible and non-reversible dementias,” said Maegan Hatfield-Eldred, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Common causes of reversible dementia include depression, vitamin B12 deficiency, drug or alcohol abuse and under-active thyroid.
“We associate the word ‘dementia’ with permanence, something that’s going to get worse or is incurable,” Dr. Hatfield said. “But with these conditions, symptoms subside, or are reversed, when the underlying problem is treated.”
Many medications can also cause dementia-like symptoms.
As we age, the liver and kidneys don’t work as efficiently so drugs tend to accumulate in the body, become toxic and cause problems. Elderly people in poor health and those taking several different medications are especially vulnerable.
Stressed-out caregivers beware
Another increasingly common cause for scary dementia symptoms is stress. And those overwhelmed by caring for others are particularly at risk.
“So-called ‘caregiver dementia’—cognitive and memory issues brought on by the stress of caring for a loved one—is a very real phenomenon,” Dr. Hatfield said.
Fortunately, caregiver dementia is reversible. Symptoms go away when the stress and depression are resolved, which can be particularly reassuring for those immersed in primary caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
“These folks start to notice similar symptoms in themselves and think, ‘I have this, too,’” Dr. Hatfield said. “But it’s because they see and experience (the dementia) day in and day out. And that’s extremely stressful. It’s tough managing their own lives and caring for someone else, too.”
What’s typically at work here is the stress hormone, cortisol, she said. Chronic stress can affect the ways in which our brains function in the present, and may seriously alter our brain health in the years to come.
Chronic anxiety and depression also affect brain function and behavior.
“It’s so important to get help, to be proactive in overcoming these feelings and address any issues,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Don’t let things go or build up. Stress reduction is something to take very seriously.”
Younger people are not immune either, she said. Pronounced and dramatic memory issues due to extreme stress can happen to people in their 20s and 30s.
Is it dementia or something else?
Some reversible dementias are easier to diagnose than irreversible dementias because they can be identified by medical tests. Others are more difficult to pin down.
To tell for certain, Dr. Hatfield advises seeing a neuropsychologist for testing. She suggests using age to help determine when, or if, testing is necessary.
“If you’re under age 50, we tend to be less concerned about a non-reversible dementia like Alzheimer’s disease because they’re incredibly uncommon in younger adults,” she said. “Instead, we look at stress, depression or other medical conditions first.”
But if you’re over age 65 and notice memory problems it’s a good idea to get it checked out with a full neuropsychological evaluation.
“Everyone has challenges with memory and thinking at one time or another,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Neuropsychological assessment measures how your brain is functioning compared to others your same age. It’s also very good at differentiating cognitive problems caused by stress or depression from problems caused by a non-reversible dementia.”
If your test scores fall outside the normal range, she said, doctors have key information to help identify a cause.
To make an appointment with a neuropsychologist at the Spectrum Health Memory Disorders Clinic, call 616.267.7104.
Think any hormone supplement will do? Think again. Get an expert’s opinion. (For Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat
A patient I’ll call Bev recently came to see me for her annual physical, and she had just a few complaints: rare hot flashes, occasional night sweats and irregular spotting.
So far, so good.
At age 54, her last regular period was approximately 16 months ago. Since that time, she had started using hormone creams prescribed by her chiropractor.
Bev brought the creams in to show me, boasting that they were all natural. She told me she had been feeling great since starting the hormone cream.
Her hot flashes were rare, and her once-thinning hair was now getting thicker. I continued to listen with an open mind as we discussed the rest of Bev’s health.
She happily reported that her hypertension was being controlled with low-dose medications from her primary care physician, and she had no other risk factors for heart disease, stroke, blood clots or diabetes. Furthermore, Bev was a healthy weight.
For the most part, I liked what I was hearing.
Finally, we confirmed that her health screening was up to date, including lab work, mammogram and colonoscopy. As a final step, I performed a breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam. Her pelvic and breast exams were normal, and I had no reason to expect any issues with her Pap results.
Now that we had all the background information and physical exam taken care of, I could address her concerns of lingering hot flashes. We were able to relate them to days when she was not drinking enough water, had increased stressed or drank an extra glass of wine.
I then felt obligated to voice my concerns about the natural hormone creams she was taking and the possible relationship to her irregular spotting.
As a result of my concerns, I asked Bev to have a pelvic ultrasound to measure the lining thickness of her uterus. Post-menopause bleeding can be a sign of uterine lining pre-cancer or cancer.
When women take FDA-approved estrogen replacement therapy and progesterone, their risk of uterine cancer is lower than women who take nothing. Estrogen stimulates the lining to grow, and progesterone keeps it in check.
However, the non-FDA-approved hormones Bev used are not shown to protect the uterine lining and can actually increase the risk of uterine cancer.
Bev’s ultrasound of her uterus did show a thick lining, and her endometrial biopsy showed benign thickening. We reversed the thickening first with synthetic progesterone and then switched her to two FDA-approved products: a bio-identical estrogen patch and an oral bio-identical progesterone.
Today, Bev feels great—hair and skin included—and I feel good that we are keeping her safe and healthy.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 16th opportunity in 8 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
WKTV asked Kentwood Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts why the take back effort is so important.
Pills for disposal can be brought to the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave SE Kentwood. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The event cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 27 Take Back Day event, please contact Vicki Highland at highlandv@kentwood.us or 616-656-6571.
More information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at takebackday.dea.gov.
