Health screenings help to detect chronic diseases early in their course, when the disease is most treatable. Screenings can help save lives.
There are a number of other ways you can confront the aging process and give yourself the best odds for success.
Attitude
Your sense of hope, humor and confidence will determine the tone of your aging experience. Your attitude is one thing you have full control over.
Civic Involvement
Sharing your interests and passions with others and being involved in a cause that is important to you will provide a constant reminder that you have a lot to offer and serves as a tool for putting problems in perspective or maybe even forgetting about them altogether.
Friends and Social Involvement
Contact with others will feed your spirit and can provide purpose and meaning in your life whether it be at work, church, or family get togethers. Interaction with grandchildren and being a volunteer are also very important to keeping ourselves involved verses isolated.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Knowledge of Aging
Growing knowledge and resources about the effects of aging can help you actively take part in your own health and wellness. Taking advantage of these resources can translate into feeling more comfortable, contented and healthy as you age. Keep in mind that reducing your risk of disease is all about making simple changes in your daily routine.
In the past we believed there was little or nothing we could do to change our health and improve our overall wellness. Research has shown that healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as being physically active, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking, are more influential than genetic factors.
Published results in medical research, in-depth studies on women’s and men’s health, and medical and pharmaceutical advances in research have all helped to inform the public and open avenues for better decision making about managing personal health.
In the past we believed there was little or nothing we could do to change our health and improve our overall wellness. Research has shown that healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as being physically active, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking, are more influential than genetic factors.
Published results in medical research, in-depth studies on women’s and men’s health, and medical and pharmaceutical advances in research have all helped to inform the public and open avenues for better decision making about managing personal health.
Common Myths About Aging
Let’s review some of the common myths about aging and the real statistics.
Myth: To Be Old is to Be Sick
Reality: Older people are in remarkably good health, with fewer illnesses and disabilities; 89% of those age 65-74 report no disability at all.
Myth: You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Reality: Research shows that older people can and do learn new things. Many seniors today are keeping up in a number of ways. 13% of total online users are 55 and over.
Myth: The Horse is Out of the Barn (meaning that the behaviors and habits of our youth and early life have already caused irreversible damage to our health)
Reality: New habits such as healthy eating, regular exercise, mental activity and a strong social life are remarkably effective in combating the byproducts of yesteryear’s bad habits and unhealthy living.
Myth: The Secret to Successful Aging is to Choose Your Parents Wisely
Reality: The MacArthur Foundation conducted a study that showed that lifestyle changes are as important indicators of successful and healthy aging as hereditary is.
Myth: The Lights may be on, But the Voltage is Low
Reality: Mental Acuity and physical ability to an extent decline with age however they are greatly affected by attitude and lifestyle habits.
Myth: The Elderly Don’t Pull their Own
Reality: Seniors play some of the most important roles in society both in formal positions within the community, and informal roles as parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. Additionally, new opportunities for paid work are blossoming since the traditional retirement age is being
reinvented.
Myth: To Be Old is to Be Sick
Reality: Older people are in remarkably good health, with fewer illnesses and disabilities; 89% of those age 65-74 report no disability at all.
Myth: You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Reality: Research shows that older people can and do learn new things. Many seniors today are keeping up in a number of ways. 13% of total online users are 55 and over.
Myth: The Horse is Out of the Barn (meaning that the behaviors and habits of our youth and early life have already caused irreversible damage to our health)
Reality: New habits such as healthy eating, regular exercise, mental activity and a strong social life are remarkably effective in combating the byproducts of yesteryear’s bad habits and unhealthy living.
Myth: The Secret to Successful Aging is to Choose Your Parents Wisely
Reality: The MacArthur Foundation conducted a study that showed that lifestyle changes are as important indicators of successful and healthy aging as hereditary is.
Myth: The Lights may be on, But the Voltage is Low
Reality: Mental Acuity and physical ability to an extent decline with age however they are greatly affected by attitude and lifestyle habits.
Myth: The Elderly Don’t Pull their Own
Reality: Seniors play some of the most important roles in society both in formal positions within the community, and informal roles as parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. Additionally, new opportunities for paid work are blossoming since the traditional retirement age is being
reinvented.
Healthy Aging for Seniors Over Age 65
Getting older brings with it an abundance of emotional, physical and mental challenges. Aging can also bring with it a lot of anxiety. When we are in our 40’s we frequently talk about our parents, aunts and uncles getting older but seldom realize that at the very same time we are also aging.
The unexpected nature of the aging process often makes us feel nervous and scared. One in every eight Americans is over the age of 65. Preventing health problems is one of the few known ways you can remain independent for as long as possible and avoid the debility traditionally associated with aging.
Many organizations, agencies and health care providers are exploring and setting agendas for improvements in health across all life stages in an effort to improve our health and well being as we age.
Interim HealthCare staff are trained to assist you to take care of your body so you can feel more comfortable as you greet the changes that come with aging. Interim HealthCare is committed to assist you with information, education and resources that will help you manage many of the aspects of the aging process and improve your quality of life and help you enjoy yourself.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What the Flu is Costing Your Business.
When employees are sick, your company suffers, one employee sick day can cost your business up to $500 in lost production, replacement and related expenses. Additionally, healthy employees are forced to manage their sick coworker's workload, which leads to distraction and frustration. When sick employees do come to work, they can infect others, multiplying your losses. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) encourages all employees who want protection from the flu to get vaccinated for the seasonal flu.
One way to protect your employees is to set up a Worksite Flu Program. Worksite Flu Programs work by having a nurse or pharmacist come into the office to perform vaccinations at your workers convenience. They will also help organize and promote the program. By having a Worksite Flu Program your employees don't need to spend time out of the office for a doctor's visit and because it is convenient, staff members are likely to take advantage of the vaccination, which in the end means more healthy employees and a more productive company.
In the end Worksite Flu Programs save money by reducing the expense of employee sick days, maintain employee and company productivity, as well as demonstrate your commitment to your employees' well being.
One way to protect your employees is to set up a Worksite Flu Program. Worksite Flu Programs work by having a nurse or pharmacist come into the office to perform vaccinations at your workers convenience. They will also help organize and promote the program. By having a Worksite Flu Program your employees don't need to spend time out of the office for a doctor's visit and because it is convenient, staff members are likely to take advantage of the vaccination, which in the end means more healthy employees and a more productive company.
In the end Worksite Flu Programs save money by reducing the expense of employee sick days, maintain employee and company productivity, as well as demonstrate your commitment to your employees' well being.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
UV Protection
Did you know that exposure to sunlight during the winter months puts you at the same risk as exposure during the summertime? There are a number of things you can do to prevent sun damage in any season. This is a short list of the things you can do to control sun damage to your skin:
1) Seek shade between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is the time of day that the sun’s rays are at their strongest and can do the most damage.
2) Cover up; don’t spend a lot of time in the sun with a bathing suit on. Cover up with towels, tee shirt or robe. Areas of your body that have not seen the sun in a long time are vulnerable to the sun’s damage.
3) Wear wrap-around sunglasses; use the kind that block as close to 100% of UVA rays as possible.
4) Use a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears and neck. If your hair is thin or you are bald or balding, the uncovered areas of your scalp can sustain a bad burn.
5) Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher on any skin areas that will “see” the sun.
1) Seek shade between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is the time of day that the sun’s rays are at their strongest and can do the most damage.
2) Cover up; don’t spend a lot of time in the sun with a bathing suit on. Cover up with towels, tee shirt or robe. Areas of your body that have not seen the sun in a long time are vulnerable to the sun’s damage.
3) Wear wrap-around sunglasses; use the kind that block as close to 100% of UVA rays as possible.
4) Use a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears and neck. If your hair is thin or you are bald or balding, the uncovered areas of your scalp can sustain a bad burn.
5) Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher on any skin areas that will “see” the sun.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sun Damage to the Skin
We often link together a glowing complexion or sun-tanned skin with good health. If you are a “sun worshiper”, damage to your skin from days in the sun or a tanning booth may not become apparent until later in life.
Exposure to the sun causes a variety of conditions to occur; these are:
• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions caused by the loss of the skin’s ability to fight off disease
• Benign skin tumors
• Discoloration of the skin, including freckles
• Skin lines, including fine and course wrinkles
• Blood vessels that may raise closer to the surface and dilate under the skin
Exposure to the sun causes a variety of conditions to occur; these are:
• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions caused by the loss of the skin’s ability to fight off disease
• Benign skin tumors
• Discoloration of the skin, including freckles
• Skin lines, including fine and course wrinkles
• Blood vessels that may raise closer to the surface and dilate under the skin
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