The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has united people across our nation. Within a few months, life as we knew it changed. Yet, so many people have shown resilience and consideration as they adjusted to new information and health precautions to...
Read moreMask up for the good of your community
Posted 9 minutes ago0 COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. Unwittingly, they can spread the virus through coughs, sneezes or even a conversation. That is why emphasis has been...
Read moreEating properly more important as we age
As we get older, the importance of what we put into our bodies should not be taken lightly. In fact, maintaining a healthy diet could be the difference between life and death for some seniors with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart...
Read moreEating heart-healthy important part of managing cardiovascular disease
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is a leading cause of poor health and disability in the United States. It’s responsible for eroding the quality of life and mobility for millions of people. Unfortunately, advanced age increases the...
Read more7 ways to show the love this Valentine’s Day
One of the sweetest holidays on the calendar will be here soon. Around the nation, people will celebrate Valentine’s Day and express their affection for the ones they love. With both Christian and pagan roots, this holiday has been...
Read moreHappy National Activity Professional Week!
January 19-25 is National Activity Professional Week and it’s a time to recognize the work of these special people. They are a vital part of helping long-term healthcare residents live a full and rich life. We are blessed to have dedicated...
Read moreGlaucoma: Know the signs and save your vision
Did you know that glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States? According to the National Eye Institute, nearly 3 million people have glaucoma, but 50 percent don’t know they have it. In its early stages, glaucoma has no...
Read moreAre you at risk for atherosclerosis?
Age-related changes to the heart and blood vessels can put older people at risk for serious health problems. According to the National Institute on Aging, people ages 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack...
Read moreHow to bring the holidays to the nursing home
The fall and winter months are times for togetherness and cherishing holiday moments with family and friends. When a loved one is in a long-term care facility, it can make the holidays seem different or difficult to handle. These feelings can be...
Read moreNovember is National COPD Awareness Month
Maybe they’re a loved one. Maybe they’re a friend. Or, maybe they’re a neighbor. Whoever they may be, the chances are high that you already know someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An estimated 405,000 people in Alabama...
Read moreHow to put your health on the menu during the holidays
The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are nearly upon us, bringing promises of good times and good food. The holiday season is usually a time for gatherings with friends and family that include plentiful food and drinks. These times can also...
Read moreDon’t let your health go up in smoke
If you’re one of the more than 20 percent of adults who smoke in Alabama, it’s probably no secret that it’s bad for your health. From cancers and heart attacks to strokes and COPD, smoking increases the risk of a wide range of serious problems...
Read moreTake control: How older people can win the fight against diabetes
November is National Diabetes Month and it’s a time when communities across the nation bring attention to one of America’s most common chronic health conditions. In Alabama, approximately 610,458 people in Alabama, or about 15.2 percent of the...
Read more4 ways to protect yourself and those you love during the fall and winter
After what seemed like an endless summer in Alabama, there have been some signs that cooler days are ahead. This is a good time to look at how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from illnesses and conditions that usually show up during...
Read moreTips to help reduce your risk of falling
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of older adults age 65 and older fall each year. Falls can be devastating to an older body and may result in serious injuries such as fractures and head trauma. Most...
Read moreHappy National Physical Therapy Month!
Did you know that October is National Physical Therapy Month? Established in 1981 by the National Physical Therapy Association (APTA), this month is a time to raise awareness about how these professionals help us live better lives. Physical...
Read more5 ways to honor breast cancer survivors
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in American women. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 268,600 new cases of breast cancer this year. Breast cancer also...
Read moreThere’s hope for older adults with depression
October 6-12 is Mental Health Awareness Week and we join the nation in recognizing mental illness and the hope of recovery. Mental health is essential to supporting overall health and well-being. Mental illness complicates the treatment of...
Read moreMoving on from grief after loss
Loss is a natural part of living and as we get older, loss becomes more prevalent. Over the course of time, lifelong friends, relatives and significant others pass away. The death of a loved one can create tremendous grief that interrupts our...
Read more10 tips for healthy aging
Television personality and entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey once said, “With age comes the understanding and appreciation of your most important asset, your health.” Getting older goes far beyond being a simple passage of time, it’s an...
Read moreHow to make the transition to long-term care easier for residents with Alzheimer’s
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. In the United States alone, there were an estimated 5.7 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, according to a report published by the Alzheimer’s Association. As their conditions...
Read more5 ways to show the love this Grandparents Day
Grandparents are treasure troves of wisdom and our connections to the past. We live in a time where there are more grandparents and great grandparents than ever before and we should celebrate that. Sunday, September 8 is National Grandparents...
Read moreDon’t let sleep apnea rob you of your rest
Getting a good night’s rest is a vital part of maintaining good health. Sleep helps your body and mind recharge and function properly. Older adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, according to the National Institute on Aging...
Read morePsoriasis: Dealing with the skin that you’re in
Millions of Americans struggle with living in their own skin due to psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, this chronic autoimmune skin disease affects more than 8 million people in the nation. It is caused when the top layer...
Read moreWhat seniors need to know about dental healthcare
Getting older does not mean you outgrow maintaining healthy habits. This is especially true when it comes to the topic of dental health. As people age, proper oral hygiene and regular dental care can not only save your smile, but improve the...
Read moreIt’s never too late to vaccinate
Keeping an eye on vaccination is not just for the young, older people need to be immunized too. Vaccines are important for older adults, especially those living in a healthcare setting. As we age, the immune system grows weaker and fighting off...
Read moreWhat you need to know about your aging eyes and cataract
Some changes to our vision are normal as we get older; however, vision loss and blindness are not part of aging. The most common natural aging eye problems include difficulty seeing objects clearly, trouble distinguishing colors or shapes and the...
Read moreRecreation therapy: The art and science of fun
Nineteenth century author Edward Bellamy once said, “If bread is the first necessity of life, recreation is a close second.” His assessment is no less true for our own time. Recreational activities are a vital part of living a full life and that...
Read moreIs “male menopause” real?
The concept of women experiencing a natural “change of life” as they age is a familiar one. However, could it be that men also experience their own “male menopause” as they get older? Well, yes and no. Men do experience a decline in their...
Read moreIs it menopause yet?
The lifecycle of a women can be an amazing journey filled with many wonderful and not so wonderful milestones. As a woman nears the end of her childbearing years, one such milestone may be seen as both a curse and a blessing. Menopause is a...
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