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Health & Wellness
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Navigating the Holidays During COVID Posted 12/11/2020
We have arrived at the time of year that gathering with loved ones is most important, but this year, it’s also the most important time to observe social distancing measures. Of any year, now is certainly when we’re all on the same page about wanting social interaction - so we face a curious problem. Read more » -
Furry Friends Posted 07/31/2020
HEALTH & WELLNESS FURRY FRIENDS BRING GREAT HEALTH BENEFITS TO SENIORS Having a four-legged, furry companion is good for our mental and physical well being. That's true at any age, including during retirement. A pet provides unconditional love and a sympathetic ear on difficult days. For older adults, the health benefits of having a pet are numerous. Let's look at a few reasons why pets are good for us and why an older adult might want to adopt a senior pet. Read more » -
Switch Out The Salt! Posted 07/08/2020
As we age, our metabolism slows down, senses weaken, and chronic health conditions are more apt to surface. While we can’t control our genes, we can control what we put in our bodies and good, healthy eating is the first step to aging gracefully. The good news is that it’s a snap to make smart, healthy eating choices to help ensure overall wellbeing. A great place to start is reducing the amount of salt in your diet. What’s the deal with salt? Read more » -
Skin Cancer Safety for Older Adults Posted 06/12/2020
While it’s true that much of the ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin happens during childhood and adolescence, that doesn’t mean your skin should be unprotected in adulthood. Every new sunburn you experience — at any age — increases your risk of developing skin cancer. As we head in to the hottest months of the year, it’s important to take a few minutes to learn more about skin safety. That’s because non-melanoma skin cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the U.S. Older adults with compromised immune systems can be at especially high risk. Read more » -
Summering with COVID-19 Posted 05/29/2020
Sheltering at home when it is cool, rainy and not that great outside was kind of cozy. Whether you were still working or retired, you could hang out all day in your PJ’s or sweats, and not have to worry about who was going to drop by. Even if you had a Zoom or a Skype appointment, you only had to do brush your hair and put on a clean shirt. Read more » -
Can’t Garden? What about a CSA? Posted 05/15/2020
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is “a system that connects the producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms.” What this means is CSA is a way for people to buy delicious local food directly from a farmer. Read more » -
Container Gardening- What, Why and How? Posted 05/08/2020
Looking to start a garden but have little to no gardening space? Then container gardening is for you! Container gardening is a process in which planting occurs in containers, rather than in the ground. Besides the obvious advantage of saving space, container gardens are at less risk of soil-borne disease, eliminate weed problems, and provide more control over moisture, sunlight, and temperature. Container gardens are perfect for items such as basil, chives, thyme, and other herbs. It is also an easy way to grow delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers. Read more » -
Staying Active While Quarantining Posted 03/30/2020
Staying active, especially as you age, is crucial to your well-being- and there is no better time to start than while quarantined. Take this unusual circumstance as a chance to get back on track with staying active, creating a plan, and beginning to accomplish your goals. Not only will you experience less stressful symptoms, but your mind and body will thank you as well. Read more » -
Staying Positive During a Crisis Posted 03/24/2020
These anxious, inexperienced times can bring an immense amount of unwanted stress and negativity into our lives. However, the most important thing to do in this situation is to remain positive. Studies show that people who had more positive emotions when diagnosed with the influenza virus were more likely to fight off symptoms. Along with this, positive emotions allow for lower levels of chemicals that are associated with inflammation related to stress and are known for boosting our judgment, expanding our creativity and increasing our ability to solve problems. Read more » -
Our best defense is our collective action Posted 03/13/2020
Sharing this important information from Public Health of Madison and Dane County As the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world increases, we are using the best information we have to take proactive steps to protect the health of our community. We know that our recommendations have a tremendous impact on peoples’ lives, but this is a critical moment to slow the spread of this disease in our community. The sooner we slow transmission, the more cases we can prevent. Read more » -
Preparing to Care Posted 02/26/2020
No one is ever prepared to become a caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with dementia. It is an unplanned experience and one that most people are unsure of how to prep for. Caregivers typically take on a physical, emotional, and financial toll, and many difficulties are often unknown to us until we begin to struggle. It is important to become, and continue to become, prepared for the eventuality of this situation. Read more » -
How Seniors Are Affected by Mesothelioma? Posted 02/21/2020
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive disease, one that can affect any person who comes into contact with asbestos. However, some people are more at risk of developing the cancer than others. Due to numerous characteristics of the disease, seniors are one such group of people. According to the American Cancer Society, the latency period for mesothelioma to develop can be anywhere from 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Most times you don’t see any signs or symptoms until years later, making the common age range for diagnosis 50 to 70 years old. Read more » -
Gratitude Posted 12/27/2019
Gratitude seems to be somewhat of a buzz word these days. It appears on t-shirts, rustic home decorator boards, books, articles, etc. This is a good time of year to reflect on what it means to us individually. Read more » -
Preparing to Care Posted 10/17/2019
No one is ever prepared to become a caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with dementia. The financial and emotional strain, as well as the time commitment are significant and draining. A new educational series is designed to help you prepare and plan for the eventuality of this situation. It will also benefit individuals already immersed and trying to getting a handle on their situation. This is a series so each week builds on the previous one. It is most beneficial to attend all three. If you need respite care in order to attend, call Jane DeBroux at 240-7400. Read more » -
September 23rd is National Falls Prevention Day Posted 08/27/2019
National Falls Prevention Day, is a day set aside to educate others on how to prevent fall related injuries, the impact of falls, and to make the community aware of falls prevention programs in the community. Per the National Council on Aging “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Wisconsin has one of the highest rates of death from unintentional falls in the nation. In fact, the death rate due to unintentional falls in Wisconsin is twice the national average. Read more » -
Wearable Tech for Increased Health Posted 07/10/2019
The summer months have finally rolled around and it is time to get outside and soak up that vitamin D! What better way to accomplish this than walking? Did you know, there is wearable technology that can tell you how many steps you’ve taken and encourage you along the way? A recent study found that short-term pedometer-based walking interventions can help older adults to achieve not only sustained increases in physical activity but also important long-term health benefits. These pedometers can assist in goal-setting, self-monitoring, and feedback. Read more » -
The Longest Day Posted 06/25/2019
This past weekend we celebrated the Summer Solstice, which marked the longest hours of daylight for 2019. Often this day includes fun outdoor festivities such as a BBQ or a day on the lake, but the Summer Solstice means more than a brat washed down with a Spotted Cow. Read more » -
Top five reasons retired adults should volunteer Posted 04/03/2019
1. Helps bridge generation gap. By interacting with younger generations, seniors are able to share important life lessons. On the flip side, younger generations are able to teach seniors new ways of looking at life. By building a connection with each other both generations are able to offer the respect and affirmation that humans crave. 2. Volunteering time makes you feel like you have more time. Read more » -
Dementia Friendly Communities Posted 03/05/2019
What is a Dementia Friendly community? A dementia friendly community is a village, town, city or county that is informed, safe and respectful of individuals with the disease, their families and caregivers and provides supportive options that foster quality of life. Joining DFA means a community is engaging in a process to become more dementia friendly. Read more » -
February is American Heart Month Posted 02/14/2019
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. Make a difference in your community: Spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives. Read more » -
AMP - Aging Mastery Program Posted 01/23/2019
Welcome to your playbook for aging well! As children, we’re taught how to be successful adults. By contrast, no one teaches us how to age well. As a result, most are unprepared for this new stage in life. Read more » -
Positive Attitude Month Posted 10/09/2018
Positive Attitude Month is an annual designation observed in October. A positive attitude is the best trait you can carry with you, because it makes any difficult or frustrating situation a lot easier to deal with. If you look at most scenarios as “glass half empty,” now is the time to change that! Looking at things with a “glass half full” perspective is a small thought process that makes a big difference. Research suggests there are lasting benefits to keeping a positive attitude. Read more » -
Walk With Ease Posted 03/28/2018
The Arthritis Foundation’s program that is proven to reduce the pain of arthritis and improve your overall health No matter if you need relief from arthritis pain or just want to be active, the Arthritis Foundation’s six week Walk With Ease program can teach you how to safely make physical activity part of your everyday life. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina show that Walk With Ease is proven to: Read more »