Life After 50 Expo

Simple Fixes for Vegetarian Recipes

By

If you love to have guests at your house, you must always be ready with various types of food that everybody will appreciate. You cannot expect that everyone will enjoy your delicious roasted chicken or pork. You must always anticipate receiving guests who are vegetarians and won’t eat anything else but vegetables. On your collection, you must include quick and easy vegetarian recipes to help you on this purpose.

If you are not a vegetarian, you may think that this is too tasking to handle. But you are mistaken. There are many ways for you to come up with simple treats that your vegetarian friends and relatives will surely appreciate and enjoy. The best thing about it is that you have considered their preferences and have actually done something about it. It is also not easy on their part to impose on what they want to have whenever they go and visit other houses. But you don’t want them to starve themselves while inside the premises of your home just because you didn’t prepare something for them.

Here are some quick fixes that you can apply when you are faced with this situation.

1. You can create salads on the spot. Pick out the fresh vegetable that you can include at this recipe, blanch them to achieve crispiness and put them out ready to be served. You must always have on your stock various dressings that can be used for this purpose. You must also have vinegars that are mostly used on salads for those who prefer such on their vegetable salads.

2. You can have your vegetable pre-cooked before the arrival of your guests. You can stock them on the freezer so that you will have lesser preparation time when your guests start to come in. You can also create vegetable soup before the date of the occasion and stock it on the freezer as well. Your efforts will surely go a long way, especially to your guests who are vegetarians.

3. Try using tofu on recipes that require meat. But make sure that you buy the fresh and new ones so that they will taste great once combined with your recipe. There are restaurants that are able to fake this quite good that you will not be able to determine that you are actually having tofu than real meat. If you will be able to formulate how this is done, you can have such meals served for everyone, even those people who are not really vegetarians.

4. You can serve fruits for snacks and desserts. This is healthy and will be loved by almost everybody. This will be appreciated by both adults and kids. You can get away by simply slicing the fruits that you’ve got. You can also mix them, create fruit salads or use them on juices.

5. You must also have some potatoes on your stock. You can never go wrong with such. If you have less time, you can just boil some and pour over tomato sauce on them. You have to make sure that before you do this, you have to wash the potatoes thoroughly. You can even use a clean brush to make sure that you get rid of all the dirt on its peel. If you have more time, you can mash them or bake some.

And that will do for your quick and easy vegetarian recipes.

Breast Cancer Nutrition

By

There is no diet that is guaranteed to ward off cancer or cure cancer, but some experts believe that what people eat can make a difference in how they heal from cancer surgery and treatment and possibly prevent a recurrence of cancer.

“I am what I am now because of my cancer history,” said Cheryl Rojic, AADP, Certified Holistic Health Coach at Intentional Health. “For basic prevention and healing from pretty much anything, flood your body with whole food nutrition.”

Ms. Rojic is a thyroid cancer and breast cancer survivor, who discovered the importance of diet during her own recovery along with a passion to help others eat better for optimum health.

Eating Right

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Ms. Rojic recommends a few specific foods that she has learned are beneficial to other people with this disease, as well as possibly preventing it from occurring.

*Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and more like this. High in basic antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, these foods have “protective nutrients” to guard against cancer. In addition, phytochemicals called indoles and sulforaphane, have the potential to neutralize toxins that can cause breast cancer. If raw isn’t your thing, try steaming or sauteeing so you don’t lose those nutrients.

*Plums and peaches have antioxidants that have been found to damage breast cancer cells, but not normal cells. These late summer fruits can be eaten fresh or cooked with a wide variety of other foods.

*Walnuts are rich in omega 3 fats and have anti-inflammatory properties. Walnuts can be eaten raw, baked into foods, or sprinkled on top of cereals and salads.

“Everybody needs to cut out highly processed foods because they have no nutrition left in them and our bodies need nourishment,” said Ms. Rojic. “The body is better supported to handle chemotherapy or radiation treatment and healthy cells are more likely to stay healthy when we eat whole nutritious foods.”

Empowered or Exhausted?

The choice to hire a health coach like Ms. Rojic or just to make one’s own dietary changes after a cancer diagnosis is very personal.

“Some people just want to say this is what my doctor told me to do and not also take on a full diet change,” Ms. Rojic said. “Some people might say it’s too hard.”

The doctor’s order can conflict with some of the nutritional advice, Ms. Rojic explains. For example, cancer treatments can lead to rapid weight loss in not just fat but also muscles so a doctor may recommend high-calorie drinks or ice cream that are high in sugar to prevent this muscle loss.

However, there can be other benefits to diet changes when coping with cancer. “When you get a cancer diagnosis, everything goes out of control and your family dynamics change,” she said. “If you are the caregiver of the household, you suddenly have to learn to receive care. It can be empowering to take control of what you are putting in your mouth and your body. This sense of control can help to reduce stress and that can make a huge difference. We should all be willing to care ourselves and to properly nourish the healing body.”

Learn more about health coaching and get anti-cancer tips at Ms. Rojic’s website,www.intentionalhealthcoach.com.

Learn 3 Strategic Tips to Alleviate Insomnia!

By

Providing any type of senior care to someone who is suffering from insomnia can be potentially frustrating for both the patient and the senior care service provider. When you are trying to help somebody overcome insomnia, you may be trying various things and becoming more and more frustrated.Senior Care St. Augustine FL

There are so many different theories about what can cure insomnia, and many of them are considered “old wives tales.” Most of these traditional theories don’t actually have any value.

Below are three strategic tips that you can implement or discuss with the patient that may be able to help alleviate at least some level of the insomnia.

Develop a routine to settle down in the evening.

Far too many people have gotten into the habit of watching television programs, such as reality shows or crime dramas that can actually stimulate the brain and the senses. This makes it difficult to calm the body and mind down in order to fall asleep quickly.

There is a common misconception that people believe watching TV actually helps them relax. For the most part it doesn’t. It only offers a distraction from anything that might be on their mind already.

Encourage the senior to avoid watching too much television right before they go to sleep. Read a book, do a puzzle, or do other activities that help to calm the mind and the body.

Avoid caffeinated beverages.

If the patient has a tendency to drink coffee throughout the day, encourage him or her to change to decaffeinated beverages. This isn’t the ideal solution, but it can be a bridge to help you reach that ideal situation. Decaffeinated coffee still contains some level of caffeine, it is just significantly lower quantities than regular coffee. Soda and other beverages that also contain caffeine should be avoided.

Have a conversation.

The last strategy that you can try to help alleviate insomnia when you are providing senior care for someone is to have a conversation with them as they are getting ready for bed. Sometimes, when you are thinking about too many things or problems in their life or throughout the day, they can become compounded when they are getting ready for sleep.

Having a conversation about anything can help distract the individual from those issues they might have a tendency to focus on when getting ready for sleep.

If nothing is working, encourage the elderly patient to speak to his or her Doctor about their insomnia. Senior care can certainly provide some support, but it isn’t going to be the all-encompassing care for this frustrating condition.

If you or a loved one could benefit from the help of senior care in St. Augustine,FL, contact the caregivers at Signature Home Health Care. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call 904-513-2464 for more information.

About Robert Duncan

Robert Duncan began his health care career at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation the largest metropolitan healthcare system in the United States. In 2010 he became a Certified Senior Advisor and is Director at Signature Senior Care, AVP at Signature Staff Solutions and president of Signature Home Health Care. The Signature Health Care group’s mission to provide the most qualified, best trained caregivers for any environment.Google Verified Author

Best Place for Weight Loss – Home or Gym?

By

Where is the best and most healthy place for weight loss? Much depends on you. What is your lifestyle and mindset? Let’s think about that together.

When you’re trying to lose weight, you can either choose to work out at a gym or at home. Both options are great for different people, but if you really want to maximize your personal weight loss, you should try to choose a system that works for you. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both, usually one place or another works well for a person. You should try working out in both places to find what works for you.

The gym can be a great place to train and work on weight loss. There are a number of weight loss advantages to this. First, at a gym, you can use the very best equipment. You should only, of course, pay for a membership at a gym that meets your needs and have the equipment you want to use. Exercising equipments are extremely expensive, so if you like to use them, you might be in trouble trying to train at home! At a gym, you’ll also be able to work out with professionals. Most gyms have classes either for free or very low costs and you can work with someone who knows what he or she is doing in order to realize your weight loss goals. Because you’re paying for a membership, you may also be motivated more often to hit the gym, instead of working out at home where kids, hobbies, and the telephone can stand in your way.

However, there are also some great things about working out at home. When you’re at home, you don’t have any excuses like bad weather or lack of time to drive there. You can exercise and lift weights on your own time, even if that means working out at midnight, lunchtime, or in the early morning. At home, you can also work out while you’re doing other things, like watching your favorite television shows. You don’t have to deal with other people at home either, so working out at home means no more crowds or locker room.

Sometimes, it is good to mix both gym workouts and home workouts, depending on your mood. There are both good and bad things about both places and you can choose the place you want to work out according to your goals. The key is to exercise where you feel most comfortable, because that’s when you’ll work hardest and lose the most weight.

Dental Health and Aging: The Connection to Overall Health

By

Researchers are discovering that a healthy mouth is associated with more than just looking and feeling good – it can have a significant impact on our overall health.

A hundred years ago people wouldn’t have expected to live well into their seventies, eighties, and nineties, much less with most of their natural teeth intact. Today, however, people are living longer and thanks to advances in dentistry, they are also retaining more teeth. Researchers are discovering that a healthy mouth is associated with more than just looking or feeling good—it can have a significant impact on our overall health. Poor dental hygiene can cause mouth pain, swelling, and fever, and it has even been linked to malnutrition and dehydration in older adults. Perhaps most surprising is the link between oral health and serious medical conditions such as heart disease. As we age, dental issues become more common, and make routine dental care even more important.

Mouth Issues Increase as We Age

People are reaching old age with more of their natural teeth intact than those of previous generations. This is due to advancements in dentistry including anesthesia, public health campaigns, and a change in the cultural valuation of a healthy mouth (Kiyak and Reichmuth 2005). Despite these advances, older adults are still more at risk for periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, the use of dentures, and xerostomia—dry mouth (American Dental Association 2013). Among adults age sixty-five and over, about 65 percent have moderate to severe periodontal disease, 43 percent have lost six or more teeth, and a little over 18 percent have lost all of their teeth (Centers for Disease Control NOHSS; Eke et al. 2012). Seniors are also at a higher risk of developing xerostomia, in part due to their higher use of prescriptions drugs, which can cause the condition (Ettinger 1992). Dry mouth is associated with sore throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, and even tooth loss.

The risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia increases with age and those with these conditions tend to have poorer oral health. Diabetics— and especially those who are not properly managing the disease—are more likely to have periodontal disease (Soskolne and Klinger 2001). Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can put individuals at a greater risk of mouth issues if the decline in mental functioning inhibits or prevents proper oral hygiene or access to dental care.

The Effects of Oral Health on Other Medical Conditions

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for persons aged sixty-five and over (Centers for Disease Control 2013). Researchers have found links between periodontal disease, heart disease, and stroke. The number one cause of heart attack and stroke is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup. The plaque that builds up in the arteries is different than the plaque that builds up on teeth, so researchers were puzzled when they found the association between heart attack, stroke, and the frequency of dental cleanings. The current hypothesis is that the inflammation caused by gum disease bacteria leads to inflammation in other parts of the body, including the blood cells in the arteries, thus leading to an increased risk of a blood clot (Beck et al. 2005; Pussinen et al. 2004). Researchers are also investigating the proteins produced by gum disease as a possible cause of artery hardening. These proteins might eventually end up in the bloodstream and latch onto existing plaques, making them even larger (Paoletti et al. 2004; Scannapieco et al. 2003).

Older adults who are in hospitals or nursing homes are at risk of developing pneumonia. Poor oral health has been linked to respiratory infections including pneumonia. The mouth harbors billions of bacteria, and when pneumonia-causing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus are left unchecked, they can lead to infection. Proper dental care has been shown to decrease the number of organisms in the mouth that cause pneumonia (Adachi et al. 2007). Diabetes is a risk factor for developing mouth problems because the disease makes it more difficult to fight infections like the ones that cause periodontal disease. This relationship is fairly well established. However, researchers are beginning to explore the relationship in the opposite direction (American Diabetes Association 2013). For example, studies are examining the link between gum disease and the onset or aggravation of diabetes and the relationship between gum disease and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Some small, sample-size studies have found insulin resistance in those individuals with periodontal disease (Kuo et al. 2008).

Barriers to Oral Care

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the following to maintain a healthy mouth:

• Proper nutrition

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing at least once a day
• Regularly replacing toothbrushes
• Regular dentist visits

However, there are some significant barriers that seniors face in adhering to the ADA’s recommendations.

Perhaps the most important barrier is the acceptance of poor oral health as a normal product of aging. Studies have demonstrated that despite having mouth issues (and dental insurance in many cases), many older people will not seek dental care because of a general acceptance of their condition as a fact of life (Kiyak 1987; Abrams, Ayers, and Lloyd 1992).

Paying for routine dental exams, or for more extensive dental services like root canals or dentures, can be difficult for seniors. Medicare does not cover dental care, except under very rare circumstances. Medicaid dental coverage varies by state with some states providing no coverage at all while most others provide only emergency dental care. According to Oral Health America’s “State of Decay” report (2013), only 30 percent of older adults have dental insurance.

Living in a long-term care setting can make it difficult for older adults to obtain needed dental care. Although licensed nursing homes are federally required to provide access to dental care, many seniors in institutionalized settings are not receiving it. Assisted living facilities may be required to provide dental care by the state in which they operate. Staff in long-term care settings has little to no oral health training and few dentists are willing to provide care in these situations. Staff are usually focused on health-related tasks other than dental care.

When nursing staff does provide dental care, it is often not sufficient. For example, the use of lemon glycerin swabs in place of brushing and flossing is a common practice despite the fact that they are so acidic they can destroy tooth enamel. Another popular replacement for brushing is foam swabs, but these, too, are not good replacements because they don’t control plaque (Coleman 2002). Another issue in long-term care settings includes declines in the ability to perform activities of daily living. For example, declines in mental functioning might make it difficult to remember to brush and floss, or to physically complete the tasks without assistance. Those with dementia might become confused, and in turn become combative when staff try to assist them in oral care.

Oral Health Improvement

How can advisors help seniors improve their oral health? The first is to promote the idea that older age does not have to equal poor dental health. Adhering to a regular mouth care routine including regular dentist visits can help to maintain oral health, regardless of age. For those who are diabetic, maintaining proper insulin levels is key to avoiding dental complications. Another strategy would be to encourage seniors to buy dental insurance since Medicare and Medicaid won’t pay for it. This website can be used to locate dentists in your state, financing options, transportation and more:  http://www.toothwisdom.org/care.

Finally, the long-term care industry should adopt policies and procedures that will promote clients’ oral health. Certified nursing assistants should receive additional training on how to provide routine dental care and be able to spot oral health problems. Dental care should be included in staff members’ daily routine. For residents with dementia, caregivers can ease the confusion and resistance to routine care by holding the toothbrush with the resident, placing their hand over the resident’s hand, distracting the resident by playing music or watching television, and so on.

Oral health can have a profound effect not just on how we feel about ourselves, but our general health too. People are now reaching older ages with better mouth health than ever before, a trend that will hopefully continue.

 

About the author: Lori Moore, Ph.D.,

is a Research Associate at Florida State University’s Claude Pepper Center. Her
research interests include healthy aging and long-term care settings. She has
published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at several
academic conferences. She can be reached at ldmoore@fsu.edu. 

Dental Health and Aging: The Connection to Overall Health was
recently published in the Spring 2014 edition of the CSA Journal.

Printed by permission: Always Best Senior Care, Marlyn Bruno

 

 

 

#          #          #

 

Reprinted by Always Best Care Senior Services with permission from
Senior Spirit, the newsletter of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors

The Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) program provides the advanced knowledge and practical tools to serve seniors at the highest level possible while providing recipients a powerful credential that increases their competitive advantage over other professionals.  The CSA works closely with Always Best Care Senior Services to help ABC business owners understand how to build effective relationships with seniors based on a broad-based knowledge of the health, social and financial issues that are important to seniors, and the dynamics of how these factors work together in seniors’ lives.  To be a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) means one willingly accepts and vigilantly upholds the standards in the CSA Code of Professional Responsibility. These standards define the behavior that we owe to seniors, to ourselves, and to our fellow CSAs. The reputation built over the years by the hard work and high standards of CSAs flows to everyone who adds the designation to their name.  For more information, visit www.society-csa.com.

 

 

Always Best Care Senior Services

Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care assists seniors with a wide range of illnesses and personal needs, and currently provides more than 3 million hours of care every year. Franchise opportunities are available to individuals interested in leveraging the company’s clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas.
By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a client’s particular physical or social needs. The hallmark services of the Always Best Care business portfolio include non-medical in-home care and assisted living finder and referral services, with skilled home health care now being phased in throughout the country.  For more information, visit www.AlwaysBestCare.com.  For franchise opportunities, visitwww.FranchiseWithAlwaysBestCare.com.
Always Best Care also offers Always in Touch, a telephone reassurance program that provides a daily phone call to seniors and disabled adults who are living alone and have limited contact with the outside world.  Always in Touch is the only absolutely free national telephone reassurance program of its kind anywhere in the USA and Canada.  For more information on Always in Touch, or to request an application, visit www.Always-in-Touch.com.
Another special program from Always Best Care is Always on Call –provided free to Always Best Care clients and their families with a minimum of 5 hours of monthly care.  Families will have anytime access to physicians 24/7 if they’re considering ER or urgent care for non-emergency issues, if they need a non-narcotic prescription or refill, if they can’t take time off from work or school, if they’re traveling and need medical care, if their primary physician is not available, or if they have a sick child, spouse or elderly parent.  This special service is provided to Always Best Care clients and their families by 24HourMDNow, an independent company not affiliated with Always Best Care.
June, 2014

 

To print this article CLICK HERE