Golden Horizons Elder Care - Golden Horizons Elder Care Services blog. Senior in-home health care companions, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, elderly healthy tips, community involvement and other topics.

Connect. Create. Contribute.

5/17/2019

We've all heard the old adage, "Respect your elders"; but have you ever stopped to think about why we should? They've been around the mountain a few times; they've accumulated some life experience that we might be able to learn from.

Connect. Create. Contribute. That is the theme for this year's Older Americans Month. Every May, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living leads a campaign to recognize, appreciate and integrate seniors in our communities. They are an invaluable resource to us.

The themes expanded

Think about the older adults in your life and what they might have to offer you. Appreciate them. Celebrate them. Engage with them.

Engage on social media with #ConnectCreateContribute #OAM19.

Mothers

5/10/2019

"Most mothers are instinctual philosophers."
~ Harriet Beecher Stowe ~

"A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie."
~ Tenneva Jordan ~

"I can imagine no heroism greater than motherhood."
~ Lance Conrad ~

"The strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws."
~ Barbara Kingsolver ~

"All that I am or hope to be,
I owe to my mother."
~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
~ Agatha Christie ~

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers
would do it."
~ The Golden Girls ~

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one
else can take."
~ Cardinal Mermillod ~

"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips
of mankind."
~ Kahil Gibran ~

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there. There aren't words in any known language that can do you justice. We would not be who we are today without you.

Golden Nuggets, May 2019

5/3/2019

A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.

A Message from the Office

This morning, in my daily inspiration reading, I learned that the Hebrew word shannah means a) To repeat b) To study c) To change. We see this word in action in nature. One revolution of the

earth around the sun completes one year. Each year, the nature experiences 4 seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter. Life springs anew, progresses through death in winter, and then repeats.

Life is made up of seasons. Childhood, teenage years, adulthood, marriage, family, multiple careers, retirement, aging. It is the repetative cycle of life, yet each of us has different experiences within the cycle. We change and grow through our varied stories. As such, while we see the “same old same old”, we must be open to the new. Life is made up of moments and memories, and change comes when our perspective shifts. Will you live shannah?
~ Golden Horizons Office Team

Mr. W’s Newsletter Inspiration

“I can't go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
~ Lewis Carroll ~

Cultural Tidbit:
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, pen name Lewis Carroll, was a British writer, lecturer, photographer, inventor,
mathematician and deacon in the Anglican Church. He is best known for his literary works Alice’s Adventures in

Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Born January 27, 1832, Carroll grew up 3rd of 11 siblings. His father was an Anglican cleric, like many of his ancestors. He attended the Rugby School and later
graduated BA in Mathematics from Christ Church, Oxford. He remained on staff through his life. 1856 was significant for Carroll - he published his first work under his pen name, and he began his career with photography. He had a studio he ran for 24 years. Carroll is also known for progressive work in mathematics and inventions. He died on January 14, 1898, of pneumonia following a bout with the flu, two weeks shy of his 66th birthday. He is renowned still to this day.

May this Month be Memorable

We’re about to make your head swim with the sheer number of commerative recognition and awareness campaigns in the month of May. Take a deep breath: Older Americans Month, Celiac’s Disease Month, Stroke Awareness Month, Correct Your

Posture Month, Water Safety Month, Military Appreciation Month, Healthy Vision Month, Lyme Disease Month, Dental Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Arthritis Awareness Month, High Blood Pressure Month, Asthma & Allergy Month, Better Hearing & Vision Month, Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention Month, Employee Health & Fitness Month, Mediteranean Diet Month, National Nurses Day - May 6, National Teacher’s Day - May 7, Mother’s Day - May 12, Armed Forces Day - May 18, Memorial Day - May 27.

Join us on blitz journey through these great causes and vital information campaigns over the next 31 days. We will touch on some in the newsletter, and we will feature more blog posts. Enjoy!

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

4/26/2019

Alright everybody, it's time to synchronize our calendars and watches for Operation National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! This national campaign to raise awareness, education and action in regards to properly

disposing of expired and unused prescription medications will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 10am-2pm. You can visit the Diversion Control Division of the US Department of Justice and US Drug Enforcement Administration to learn more about it and to do a location search to find sites in your area to drop off your prescriptions that you don't want or need.

Stay safe and do your part!

Weekend of Celebration

4/19/2019

This weekend will be a busy weekend for many. For those participating in the monotheistic religious celebrations, there will be several:
- The Jewish Pesach (Passover) Festival, from April 19-27,

commemorating the liberation of the ancient Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt.
- The Muslim Lailat al Bara'ah, known also as the Night of Records, April 20-21, where the Muslim god, Allah, descends to the earth and forgives the people their sins.
- The Christian celebrations of Good Friday and Easter (Resurrection) Sunday, where they the celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Those with a more secular preference will be celebrating Easter Sunday, a time to celebrate the coming of spring, with the Easter Bunny, the hunt for Easter Eggs, chocolate and jellybeans, and time to be with family and friends.

Whatever you are celebrating, let it be a time of joy, hope, renewal and rebirth. Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Ever Heard of the Grandparents Scam?

4/17/2019

In our parents' and grandparents' heydey, it was the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone, Frank Abagnale Jr. Bank robbers, gansters, con artists. Today, with the onset of the digital age, and the pervasiveness of the internet, it can be anybody. Who do they target, and why?

According to the FBI: Scams & Safety - Frauds Against Seniors, senior citizens are often targeted by scammers because of the following reasons:
"

Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists.
People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the telephone.
Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know they have been scammed. Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are concerned that relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their own financial affairs.
When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. Con artists know the effects of age on memory, and they are counting on elderly victims not being able to supply enough detailed information to investigators. In addition, the victims’ realization that they have been swindled may take weeks—or more likely, months—after contact with the fraudster. This extended time frame makes it even more difficult to remember details from the events.
Senior citizens are more interested in and susceptible to products promising increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties, and so on. In a country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the con artists’ products can do what they claim."

Golden Nuggets, April 2019

4/12/2019

A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.

A Message from the Office

April is the month of Spring in which we see the most dynamic change in nature. The weather starts warming, the trees budding, the grass growing, the flowers peaking out, the birds chirping, the peepers peeping. All around are signs of rebirth and renewal. Both these words are terms we associate with hope.

Mirriam Webster Dictionary defines

hope as "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment." Hope, desire, expectation, belief are powerful feelings and tools that can help us focus on the good and see success in any area of our lives, or those we love. April is National Month of Hope. It is a campaign designed to spread positivity, kindness and yes, hope to people around us, both strangers and loved ones. This month, follow the example of nature and spread

hope and kindness wherever your feet take you.
~ Golden Horizons Office Team

Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Cultural Tidbit: He graces the American $100 bill. He founded one of the first volunteer fire departments in the US. He invented bifocals and the lightning rod. He served in the PA legislature, was the first US Postmaster General. He mapped and coined the Gulf Stream. He received honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Oxford, St. Andrews. He was a voracious

He was a voracious reader, prolific writer, scientist, printer, politician, inventor, diplomat, scholar, statesmen, civic activist, political theorist, philosopher, business owner and of our most noted Founding Fathers. Born January, 17, 1705, Benjamin Franklin continuously learned, discovered, invented, explored and worked for a new and better nation right up until his death on April 17, 1790. His contributions to the fledgling United States and to humanity are many and continue to impact today.

So Many Things to Focus on in April

4/5/2019

April is a busy month. We have all the Easter-related days: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, First Day of Passover, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Orthodox Easter. Get your egg hunting boots on.

Then we have everything related to spring. Warming temperatures, birds returning, trees and plants budding. April showers are preparing for May flowers. And we humans have spring cleaning; we will clean out our closets, air out our houses, dust the cobwebs out, trade our winter clothes for summer duds, and prepare our gardens for some lovely blooms.

Adding to the busyness, today we will be exploring an overview of our newsletter and blogging April - nationa awareness campaigns, both month-long and singular days, spring cleaning tips and more. Join us as we explore.

Nutrition to Help Prevent Kidney Disease

3/29/2019

An estimated 15% of adults in the United States have Chronic Kidney Disease. That's 1 in 7, approximately 37 million people.

Kidney Disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. It affects approximately 37 million people in the United States, and 9 in 10 don't even know they have it. There are many factors that contribute to the chance and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease - family medical history of kidney disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, old age, past kidney damage (trauma to them), smoking, unhealthy eating and exercise habits.

Some of these risk factors, like family history of kidney disease, cannot be controled or mitigated. Others can be. Smoking, eating habits, obesity, exercising habits are factors that we can control and change in an effort to better our health and prevent kidney disease. In particular, we will explore diet recommendations set forth by the National Kidney Foundation and a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease in 2013.

9 in 10 people don't know that they have Chronic Kidney Disease, especially when it is in the early to mid stages.

A Dr. Alex Chang, MD, MS, from John Hopskins University lead a

team of researchers in a study, in 2013, that found people with normal kidney function who had unhealthy eating habits were more likely to develop kidney disease than those with no unhealthy eating habits. In fact, they studied people with three unhealthy lifestyle factors - smoking, obesity and poor diet. These people were found to be 13% more likely to develop kidney disease than those people with normal kidney function and healthy lifestyles and eating.

Unhealthy eating habits, for this study, meant regular consumption of a diet high in red meat or processed meats and sugary drinks like soda and low in foods like fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy etc. Researchers defined obesity as those who had a body mass index (BMI) of 30. It was found that obesity doubled the chance of developing kidney disease. In those that smoked regularly, it was found that people were 60% more likely to develop kidney disease.

Chronic Kidney disease affects about 15% of women and 12% of men.

These are sobering statistics. So what can we do to mitigate the chances of our developing kidney disease? Here are some tips:
- Get tested. Speak with your doctor and find out what your risk is and speak about next steps.
- If you smoke, quit. This can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Speak with your primary doctor for resources on how to start.
- Start exercising. 30 minutes of walking a few times a week can go a long way. Speak to your doctor for more information on the best way to get started.
- Transform your eating habits. Again, speak to your doctor, or a certified nutritionist about getting yourself set up with a good eating plan for your body.

Diabetes (38%) and high blood pressure (26%) are the two leading outside causes reported in end-stage Chronic Kidney Disease.

The National Kidney Foundation published some eating tips based on

Dr. Chang's study. Here are their tips for a healthier diet that can help prevent kidney disease:
"

Cut the sodium: Americans today consume 50% more than the recommended daily quantity of sodium -- 2,300 mg of sodium, about one teaspoon of salt, should be the daily limit.
Reduce red meat: High protein diets, especially those containing large quantities of animal protein, may harm the kidneys. Red meat is also high in saturated fat—another no-no.
Stop the soda: Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas are high calorie and contain no nutritious value. Colas also have phosphorus additives which can harm the kidneys.
Pass on processed foods: Crackers, potato chips, deli meats, cheese spreads, and instant potato mix are all examples of processed foods that are high in sodium and phosphorus additives - both which can have negative effects on the kidneys.
Slow down with sugar: An overdose of sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity, which are linked to kidney disease."

Kidneys play an imperative roll in our bodies, health and quality of life. Take care of them. Make good, healthy choices.

Sources
- "The Right Diet May Help Prevent Kidney Disease, New Study Finds", April 17, 2013, National Kidney Foundation
- "The Correct Diet Can Help Avoid Kidney Disease", April 17, 2013, Kelly Fitzgerald, Medical News Today
- "Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2019", Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- "One in Seven American Adults Estimated to Have Chronic Kidney Disease", June 6, 2017, National Kidney Foundation

Kidney Disease

3/13/2019

In last week's edition of the Golden Nuggets newsletter, we noted that March is National Kidney Month and we started exploring the world of kidneys. Let's review: Kidneys are fist-sized, bean-shaped organs found in the human body below the rib cage and symmetrically placed on either side of the spine. Each person has two kidneys in their body. The function of the kidneys is to filter our blood to remove waste, excess fluid and acid build-up in our cells. This process helps our bodies maintain healthy levels and balance in salts, minerals and water. Kidneys also help produce hormones that control blood pressure, maintain healthy bones and make red blood cells.

Now that we've reviewed what our kidneys are and how they function, let's learn more about kidney disease - what it is, what it's causes and symptoms are and see how we can treat it and prevent it.

Kidney disease is a term that describes the gradual loss of function in the kidneys. It is also know as kidney failure. As we saw above, kidneys filter waste out of the blood, which are then removed from the body through urine. When this function becomes significantly impaired, attesting to advanced kidney disease, there is large build up of electrolytes, waste, and fluid levels in the body. Kidney disease is designated as chronic kidney disease (or chronic kidney failure) after 3 months with significant issues with one's kidneys.

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