tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56257172709576927692024-03-13T22:58:53.116-04:00Home Care AssistanceServing the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-34015994603427549712012-03-26T15:48:00.000-04:002012-03-26T15:48:06.254-04:00Caregiver Burnout and How to Protect Your Health<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;">We would like extend a warm thank you to everyone for taking time to respond to the information gathering survey we sent out recently</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;">; the survey was a wonderful way to learn more about the topics and issues that are of most interest and relevance to our subscribers. We had an overwhelming response and hope that those first 100 respondents have enjoyed their Starbucks e-gifts! Based on the survey, one of the leading reasons subscribers join our mailing list is to get more information on the topic of caring for an aging parent or other loved one. Inspired by your feedback, we are hosting our second free public webinar in the Home Care Assistance Healthy Longevity Webinar Series: </span><a href="http://e2.ma/click/debqb/tee9h/p7t5q" rel="Caregiver Burnout and How to Protect Your Health" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><em>Caregiver Burnout and How to Protect Your Health</em></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;">. </span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The webinar will be held on <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday, May 1<sup style="line-height: 14px;">st</sup> at 11 AM Pacific, 2 PM Eastern</strong>, and will be presented by prominent psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Hoblyn, Chief Medical Officer of <a href="http://e2.ma/click/debqb/tee9h/5zu5q" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">eTherapi</a> and Professor at the Stanford School of Medicine. The webinar will not only explore the challenges that family and professional caregivers experience, but will also provide practical information and tips that caregivers can incorporate in their own lives to improve their health and quality of life. <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Space is limited, </strong>so make sure to <a href="http://e2.ma/click/debqb/tee9h/lsv5q" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">reserve your seat</a> as soon as possible.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<img src="http://homecareassistance.com/images/caregiveburnoutnewsletterimage.jpg" /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to the webinar, Home Care Assistance is also promoting awareness of caregiver burnout and stress through community outreach and education. The premise driving the educational initiative is that individuals who are informed about the challenges associated with caregiving are more likely to engage in healthy practices to protect their own quality of life. If you are currently caring for a loved one, please go through our <a href="http://e2.ma/click/debqb/tee9h/1kw5q" rel="Caregiver Burnout Checklist" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Caregiver Burnout Checklist</a> to better understand the impact of caregiving on your life.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With 75 million adults in North America caring for an elderly, chronically ill or disabled family member and the vast majority of these individuals also raising children and holding down full-time jobs, it’s important to know the signs of caregiver burnout and become knowledgeable about prevention. By increasing awareness around the topic of caregiver burnout we hope to empower individuals that provide care to others to take the steps necessary to promote their own mental and physical health.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Start protecting your health today </strong></em>by registering for our free public webinar: <a href="http://e2.ma/click/debqb/tee9h/hdx5q" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Caregiver Burnout and How to Protect Your Health.</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span></div>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-72161964383192005472012-02-28T13:00:00.001-05:002012-02-28T13:00:00.059-05:00Salt: the truth behind the flavor<div><img src="http://www.zoomermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/salt.jpg" /> </div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's no secret that salt is the magical ingredient that adds flavor to any dish. "This tastes bland, better add SALT!"</span><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And over the years we've managed to put salt into many food and beverages to enhance flavor and help preserve freshness. As a result, most people are exceeding their daily sodium intake without even knowing it. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The average Canadian’s sodium intake is estimated to be 3,400 mg per day, where as </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Health Canada recommends for adults 1,500 mg of sodium daily with a maximum limit of 2,300 mg per day.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/health/please-dont-pass-the-salt/38201#more-38201" target="_blank">Zoomer Magazine</a> has passed on some helpful tips to reduce your sodium intake daily:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use less or no salt when preparing meals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pay attention to product packaging and look for foods labeled sodium-free, no added salt, low sodium, or reduced sodium. For example, PC Blue Menu products have an easy to read (-) symbol in an arrow that indicates lower sodium content or no sodium added.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the Nutrition Facts table on food labels to choose foods that have less than 120 mg sodium per serving or less than 5% Daily Value (DV).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choose breads, crackers, baked goods, snack foods, canned sauces, soups and dressings with a low sodium count per serving.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk to a pharmacist. Some grocery stores have even initiated programs for customer consultations. For example, the pharmacists in Loblaw banner grocery stores offer one-on-one guidance for concerns such as heart health, blood pressure and nutrition, including the recommended daily intake of sodium.</span></li>
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</span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span></div>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-8761935564409864982012-02-27T12:59:00.000-05:002012-02-27T12:59:34.553-05:00Heart Healthy Recipe: Eggplant Cannelloni<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With heart disease as the leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, it's important to foster a diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber and good fats such as omega-3s. To further maintain a healthy heart, keep a close eye on calorie consumption and engage in moderate exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we share a delicious heart healthy recipe with you, here are a few nutrition basics from the Heart Association that will help benefit your mind, body and spirit. Make sure to read to the bottom of the recipe where we include a link to a recording of the recent webinar we hosted in conjunction with Cleveland Clinic heart experts!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Eat nutritious foods from all of the food groups</strong>, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products and fish.<br />
<strong style="font-weight: bold;">• Limit foods high in calories but low in nutrients</strong>; decrease your consumption of foods high in fat and limit cholesterol, sodium and sugar.<br />
<strong style="font-weight: bold;">• Try baking, broiling, or grilling lean meats and fish</strong>, as these are healthier than frying or sautéing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.homecareassistance.com/images/eggplanconoli.jpg" /> </span></div><div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eggplant Cannelloni</span></strong></div><div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></em></div><ul style="margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 large shallots, sliced</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cloves garlic</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 jars (12 ounces each) roasted red peppers, drained</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juice of 1 orange (about 1/2 cup)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 medium eggplants, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooking spray</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 ounces goat cheese</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 kalamata olives, pitted and minced</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon capers, chopped</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley</span></li>
</ul><div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preparation</span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook shallots and garlic until soft, about 1 minute. Reduce heat. Cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add peppers and juice; bring to a boil. Lower heat; simmer until peppers are soft, about 5 minutes. Cool. Puree in a blender. Pour into a 9" x 13" baking dish. Coat eggplant slices with cooking spray and broil on a baking sheet until golden on both sides, about 15 minutes. Heat oven to 400°F. Mash cheese, olives, capers and 1 tablespoon of the parsley in a bowl. Place 1 tablespoon of filling at the end of each eggplant slice; roll up. Lay seam side down in dish. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more heart healthy food tips and other practical information that you can apply in your daily life to achieve healthy longevity, listen to a recording of our <strong style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://e2.ma/click/h17x/tee9h/tq77h" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">February 17th Heart Health 101 Webinar</a></strong> that featured Dr. Steve Nissen and Dr. Marc Gillinov, renowned Cleveland Clinic heart experts and authors of<em>Heart 411-The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need.</em></span></div><div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart Health 101 kicked off the <em>Home Care Assistance Healthy Longevity Webinar Series</em>, an ongoing educational series that will bring experts from a diverse spectrum of health and wellness fields to our clients and the wider community in an engaging and informative format. The webinars are offered free to the public as part of our broader education initiative, through which we will actively provide information and resources around topics related to aging, wellness and quality of life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for more details on our next webinar which will be on Caregiver Burnout!</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><a href="http://e2.ma/click/h17x/tee9h/9i87h" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit our website</span></a></div><div><a href="http://e2.ma/click/h17x/tee9h/pb97h" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find a location near you</span></a></div><div><a href="http://e2.ma/click/h17x/tee9h/5397h" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read about our Live-in and Hourly services</span></a></div><div><a href="http://e2.ma/click/h17x/tee9h/lwa8h" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contact us</span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-3397291536602833062012-02-17T12:18:00.005-05:002012-02-17T12:18:00.037-05:00Keeping your kidneys healthy<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Maintain-Kidney-Health-227682444" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px;" target="_blank">How to maintain kidney health</a><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><h3 style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ward off kidney disease</span></h3><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="mediresource-link mediresource-smartLink-popUp" href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_health_features_details.asp?health_feature_id=677&article_id=1671&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95928" smartlinkindex="1" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 3px; color: darkgreen; text-decoration: none;">Diabetes</a> and high blood pressure are 2 of the leading causes of kidney disease. If you have diabetes, you can reduce your risk of kidney damage by managing your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood pressure, you can help protect your kidneys by getting your blood pressure to a healthy level. There is much you can do to help manage these 2 conditions or, in some cases, to prevent them. By doing so, you'll benefit your overall health - not just your kidney function.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Diabetes and your kidneys</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About half of those who have diabetes will develop early signs of kidney damage. Unfortunately, though, early kidney damage has few symptoms, so it's important for people with<a class="mediresource-link mediresource-smartLink-popUp" href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_health_features_details.asp?health_feature_id=677&article_id=1671&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95928" smartlinkindex="1" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 3px; color: darkgreen; text-decoration: none;">diabetes</a> to have regular tests to check their kidney function. It's also important to be aware of the risk of kidney damage so that you can do as much as you can to minimize it.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While you may not be able to completely protect your kidneys from the effects of <a class="mediresource-link mediresource-smartLink-popUp" href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_health_features_details.asp?health_feature_id=677&article_id=1671&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95928" smartlinkindex="1" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-width: 3px; color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">diabetes</a>, the following steps will help your kidneys stay as healthy as possible:</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep control of your blood sugar levels with the help of your doctor or pharmacist.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask your doctor about regular urine and blood tests to monitor your kidney function.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check your blood pressure regularly - your doctor can advise you on your target blood pressure and how often to check.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eat a healthy diet - your doctor or dietitian can advise you on the best foods for you to choose or avoid.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to quit smoking.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exercise regularly.</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your doctor may also recommend that you take a medication called an <i>ACE inhibitor</i> (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril) to help protect your kidneys.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">High blood pressure and your kidneys</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The complications of high blood pressure are serious. You may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, but did you know that it could also cause kidney damage? If you already have kidney disease, maintaining a healthy control of your blood pressure can help protect your kidneys.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can you do to help control your blood pressure?</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consult your doctor about your "target" blood pressure.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor your blood pressure regularly as recommended by your doctor. Many pharmacies sell blood pressure cuffs that you can easily use at home. If you discover your blood pressure is higher than it should be, speak to your doctor. You may need to adopt some lifestyle changes (see below) or take a medication (or combination of medications) to help lower your blood pressure.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow a low-fat, low-salt diet (such as the DASH diet).</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exercise regularly.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep a healthy body weight.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reduce the amount of alcohol that you drink.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to quit smoking.</span></li>
</ul><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ward off kidney stones</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Passing a kidney stone can be an extremely painful experience. And aside from the pain, kidney stones also pose a risk of kidney damage and urinary tract infection.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One in 10 Canadians will experience a kidney stone during their lifetime. Kidney stones are usually made of a substance called calcium oxalate, but the stones may also be made of uric acid or cystine. Once you have developed a stone, your options are:</span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to pass the stone when you urinate</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to have it surgically removed</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to have it dissolved with medication</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to have it broken up through a special procedure using high-energy shock waves (<i>extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy</i> or ESWL)</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your best course of treatment will depend on factors such as the type and size of the stone.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can you do to avoid a kidney stone?</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink plenty of water! Aim for at least 2 L (about 8 glasses) of water daily. If you are exercising, you'll need to drink extra, as your body will lose some fluid through perspiration and therefore this fluid will not pass through your kidneys.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep a healthy body weight. Recent studies show that weight gain and obesity increase your risk of forming a kidney stone.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consume a diet that has normal dietary amounts of calcium and is low in salt and animal protein.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've had kidney stones in the past, you may need to avoid or restrict certain foods in your diet (e.g., foods that are high in oxalate such as organ meats or chocolate). Your doctor can advise you on this.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you still develop kidney stones despite dietary and lifestyle changes, you may need to start taking medications as recommended by your doctor.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether one of your medications may be increasing your risk of kidney stones.</span></li>
</ul><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Written and reviewed by the MediResource Clinical Team</span></i></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=2949&channel_id=10&relation_id=11001">http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=2949&channel_id=10&relation_id=11001</a> </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-11937457893274890502012-02-16T13:12:00.001-05:002012-02-16T13:12:00.146-05:00CNN: Man Refuses to Retire<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="374" id="ep" width="416"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="movie" value="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=us/2012/02/07/dnt-me-man-refuses-to-retire.wabi" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><embed src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=us/2012/02/07/dnt-me-man-refuses-to-retire.wabi" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="416" wmode="transparent" height="374"></embed></object><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #959595; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Maine's John Calderwood has given up retirement for a real labor of love. WABI reports.</span> <br />
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<hr />Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-76128590078273332922012-02-15T15:48:00.027-05:002012-02-15T15:48:01.018-05:00Living to 100 or more may be a matter of the lifestyle choices you make.<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #4d4a42;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">From <a href="http://seniorhealth.about.com/bio/Marian-Anne-Eure-4704.htm" style="cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit;"><span style="color: #3366cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Marian Anne Eure</span></a>, former About.com Guide<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #4d4a42;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #3366cc; cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit;"><a href="http://www.about.com/health/review.htm" style="cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit;">Medical Review Board</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqWblrV3we4/TzXakiqx2TI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/O1B_HGt5k5M/s1600/active+senior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqWblrV3we4/TzXakiqx2TI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/O1B_HGt5k5M/s200/active+senior.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #4d4a42;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living to a healthy and happy ripe old age, may not be a matter of genetic predisposition or just dumb luck. A study is published in the June 2001 American Journal of Psychiatry, the monthly scientific journal of the American Psychiatric Association that points to personal choice as being the defining factor in determining a person's longevity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This study tracked the physical and mental health of 724 men over a 60-year period beginning in 1940. It contrasted the mental and physical health status of 268 Harvard sophomores with that of 456 socially disadvantaged inner-city adolescents. Physical exams were conducted every five years, and psychosocial exams were conducted every two years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study identified seven factors that appeared to predict successful aging: moderate alcohol use, no smoking, a stable marriage, exercise, appropriate weight, positive coping mechanisms, and no depressive illness. Depression was the only factor that affected the quality of aging which was beyond individual control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The researchers found that the health of the inner-city men declined more rapidly than did the health of the Harvard men; their health status at age 65 matched that of the Harvard men at age 75. However, the health of 25 inner-city men who obtained a college education declined at the same rate as the Harvard group. The investigators concluded that education - not money and social prestige - made the difference. Education appeared to give these men the resources they needed to make better lifestyle choices and to therefore maintain health and happiness for a much longer time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other studies, not as extensive in their scope have also pointed to higher levels of education and active involvement in a loving family relationship as being the greatest determining factors in longevity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life expectancy has been extended in the US for the most part due to the eradication of many infectious diseases, improved early diagnostic technologies and medication advancements. Unfortunately many unwise lifestyle choices have made those extended years more difficult and costly. This translates into more years of expensive medications, assisted living and direct medical costs. These studies have shown that positive lifestyle choices can make these extended years both healthier and healthier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does this mean to you and to me for that matter? It means that to a great extent the choices you make now and in the future will determine how long you live and in what state of health. Here are the factors that were found to affect longevity and some strategies for helping to make the right choices for health and happiness. Click on the links to go to the About sites that have lots of great information on making the right lifestyle choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Moderate Alcohol Intake1</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While several studies over the past few years have shown that moderate alcohol intake may help to protect against heart disease the optimal word is moderate. Excessive alcohol intake can lead to liver damage, drug interactions and injury. If in doubt avoid alcohol to prevent any drug interactions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>No Smoking</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smoking contributes to heart disease, circulatory problems and can cause emphysema and lung cancer. If you smoke quit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Exercise</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily for most people. The exercise can be as simple as walking, jogging or biking. All exercise programs should include a weight bearing exercise to help keep bones strong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Appropriate Weight</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obesity is becoming a problem of epidemic proportions. Moderation in food intake is the most sensible way to maintain weight in the ideal range. Overweight can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and joint problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Positive Coping Mechanisms</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning how to control stress and deal with anger and change are also choices one can make to improve quality of life. Disciplines such as Yoga and Meditation are excellent ways to slow down and relax. We live in a stressful world, but we can learn to cope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Stable Marriage</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A good marriage is no accident, it takes work and commitment. Studies have shown that happily married people have less heart disease. If you are having problems in your marriage see a counselor. If the problem lies with sexual dysfunction, see a physician who can diagnose and possibly recommend a treatment. If your spouse has died, try to stay socially active in your church or community. Good friendships can develop and fill in the gaps in one's life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Depressive Illness</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developing depression is not a lifestyle choice but seeking treatment if it develops and following treatment recommendations is. If you feel blue, with decreased energy or initiative you may be depressed and should seek help from your physician.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sources:Vaillant,George E., M.D. and Mukamal,Kenneth , M.D. "Successful Aging"; American Journal of Psychiatry8June 2001 158: 839-847</span><br />
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<a href="http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/prevention/a/longevity_choic.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/prevention/a/longevity_choic.htm</span></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">©2012 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-66276909297778476872012-02-14T12:05:00.001-05:002012-02-14T12:05:00.623-05:00Climate change and your health<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecZIas4FPgg/TzXbJ9wCKWI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wiWFQO4zOFM/s1600/climatechange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecZIas4FPgg/TzXbJ9wCKWI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wiWFQO4zOFM/s1600/climatechange.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On some days, you look out the window to check the skies for rain or snow. You stretch an arm out an open window to gauge the temperature or turn on the local news to find out the day's high. Day to day, the weather may decide your wardrobe or your route to work. Season to season, you may notice fluctuations from colds and flu to allergies and sunburns. But what about the climate and the overall quality of the weather over time? Can climate change impact your health?</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Climate change in a nutshell</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People use a lot of energy, and most of the energy we've used over the last century has been created through the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels. The fossil fuels we use - including the gas in our cars and the coal that still heats some homes - release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CO2 is also produced naturally by the environment and is an essential part of many natural processes, such as plant photosynthesis. CO2 is naturally regulated to keep the amount of it in balance between the atmosphere and the land and the ocean.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, this CO2 and other greenhouse gases appear to be accumulating and trapping the sun's heat and radiation in the atmosphere. This increase of CO2 in the atmosphere is caused by the change in our climate: air and water temperatures have risen and weather patterns have begun to shift. Basically, we have managed to change the world's climate.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How climate change may affect your health</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the years to come, our world's climate will become warmer and more unpredictable. Climate change and global warming have been acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a threat to human health, especially to those living in the poorest regions of the world.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The heat is on.</b> Climate changes may bring about more frequent heat waves and the health problems that accompany extreme heat: heat stroke, dehydration, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular distress. With hot, dry conditions, some areas of the world may see more droughts and depleted crops, which would contribute to hunger and malnutrition. In urban areas, extreme heat can worsen smog and pollution. Unpredictable shifts in temperature can take people by surprise. The very young, the very old, and the very frail, tend to be most negatively impacted by heat waves.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rain and its runoff.</b> Inconsistent patterns of rain could result in more frequent catastrophic hurricanes and flooding. Floodwaters can compromise water safety and become breeding grounds and transporters for any number of waterborne illnesses. Floodwaters contaminated with human or animal waste can trigger diarrhea outbreaks due to bacteria, as with cholera, <i>E. coli,</i> and typhoid, or from viruses like hepatitis A.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bugs spreading bugs.</b> Insects and other animals act as<i>vectors</i> (carriers) of infectious diseases that can be transmitted to people. As the climate grows warmer, mosquitoes, ticks, and other disease vectors spread into new territories and live for longer periods of time than they normally would. With longer lives and wider reach, these vectors have new and more numerous opportunities to transmit infections like malaria, Lyme disease, or dengue fever.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pollen and other allergens.</b> Climate shifts could also shift the growth patterns of certain plants. This becomes troublesome when those plants are irritants or allergens. Scientists have noted proliferations of stronger, more abundant poison ivy, ragweed, and earlier onset of pollen season.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The climate has changed. Have you?</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The climate is the context in which we live, and it's impossible to escape it. It also feels like the kind of thing over which you have little control. While you can't cool a heat wave or pacify a surging hurricane, you can begin to turn the climate tide through your own individual actions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be a proactive weather watcher.</b> You can tune in to the weather report for a forecast of the temperature and overall conditions. Will it rain? Do I need a jacket? Warnings and bulletins alert people of pending extreme weather events, like tornadoes, tsunamis, or floods. Additional forecasts and advisories can warn you of various day-to-day fluctuations in atmospheric conditions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep an eye on the barometric pressure and wind velocity, as factors like these can impact your health. Many news forecasts will issue UV warnings to rate the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on a given day. Pollen levels and air quality indexes warn of days with high smog, pollution, or allergen levels. On days with higher warning levels, you would know to take extra precautions to protect your health. Some of these include:</span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wearing sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to protect your skin from UV radiation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">staying indoors during days of high smog, especially if you have medical conditions that can be affected by poor air quality (e.g., asthma)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drinking lots of water during extreme heat warnings to prevent dehydration</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Help those who need it.</b> Those who have limited resources to adapt to climate changes and extreme weather shifts can fall victim to the elements. During extreme weather shifts, remember those in your area who may need extra support: the elderly, the homeless, or the economically challenged. Act on the behalf of their health and safety by making material or financial donations to help provide fans or air conditioning and cooling units during a heat wave, blankets or coats during an intense cold snap, or shelter after a catastrophic storm.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Think globally, act locally.</b> As you move through your days and make choices, the wider world should stay in your thoughts. Even if you live in a big city and work all day in an office, you are part of the natural world. The small decisions you make each day impact everyone else, albeit in gradual, cumulative ways:</span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">carry reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">take public transit, carpool, walk, or ride a bike instead of driving your car</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">invest in a safe, reusable water bottle instead of buying single-serving plastic water bottles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">turn off lights when you don't need them - switch to more efficient appliances, and shut them down when not in use</span></li>
</ul><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Toffelmire</span></i></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4375&channel_id=10&relation_id=3883">http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4375&channel_id=10&relation_id=3883</a> </span></div><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-5405740710485641142012-02-13T14:37:00.001-05:002012-02-13T14:37:00.589-05:00Heart disease: risk factors<div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to function properly, your heart needs a large and continuous stream of oxygen-enriched blood, which is supplied directly to your heart muscle through your coronary arteries. If your coronary arteries become clogged, blocked, inflamed, infected, or injured, the blood flow to your heart will be reduced, which can cause injury to your heart muscle and in turn lead to heart disease or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some of the more common outcomes of heart disease include myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina (inadequate blood flow to the heart that can cause chest pain), and arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0KgW5iE58Y/TzXVDhn6sHI/AAAAAAAAAOI/bqTA7Ni9RzQ/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0KgW5iE58Y/TzXVDhn6sHI/AAAAAAAAAOI/bqTA7Ni9RzQ/s200/heart.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></h3><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">General risk factors for heart disease</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><i>Those you can't change:</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"></span></span><ul style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Family history:</b> Genetic predisposition can play a role in the development of heart disease. Your doctor will want to know if you have a family history of heart disease.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Age:</b> Wear and tear on your body is cumulative. The heart is no exception. The older you are, the more wear and tear your system will have and the greater the risk of your system not functioning as it did when you were younger.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gender:</b> Women after menopause and men over 55 years old are at greater risk of heart disease.</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those you can change:</span></i></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Smoking:</b> Smoking reduces the blood's oxygen level, injures artery walls, and raises your heart rate and blood pressure.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>High-fat diet:</b> Diets high in fat, especially saturated fats, increase the risk of fatty buildup in the arteries.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>High blood cholesterol:</b> Cholesterol is a fatty substance required by your body to make cells. But your body only needs a certain amount. High blood cholesterol can cause arteriosclerosis.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Physical inactivity:</b> Regular exercise helps to strengthen your heart muscle and keep it in good working order.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hypertension or high blood pressure:</b>Hypertension means your blood is hitting too hard against your artery walls. High blood pressure can increase your risk of stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney damage.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Obesity:</b> Being significantly overweight or obese increases your blood pressure, causing your heart to work too hard on less oxygen, and it increases your risk of diabetes.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stress:</b> Stress increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn causes damage to your arteries and heart.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Diabetes:</b> Men with diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar) have 3 or 4 times the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, resulting in angina, heart attacks, strokes, or peripheral vascular disease. Women with diabetes are at an even higher risk - probably 4 times that of non-diabetic women.</span></li>
</ul><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Written and reviewed by the MediResource Clinical Team</i></span></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1332&channel_id=10&relation_id=3914">http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1332&channel_id=10&relation_id=3914</a> </span></span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-42702044648832931182012-02-12T12:20:00.004-05:002012-02-12T12:20:00.165-05:00Grand Travel and Your Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVYVrrUqKgA/TzXSokIj5rI/AAAAAAAAAOA/iIKzkcXrbf0/s1600/grandtravel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVYVrrUqKgA/TzXSokIj5rI/AAAAAAAAAOA/iIKzkcXrbf0/s320/grandtravel2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="post_category" style="line-height: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/category/other" rel="category tag" style="color: #555353; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="View all posts in Other">Other</a> <a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/category/people" rel="category tag" style="color: #555353; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="View all posts in PEOPLE">PEOPLE</a> <a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/category/travel" rel="category tag" style="color: #555353; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="View all posts in TRAVEL">TRAVEL</a></span></div><div class="post_category" style="line-height: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">Friday, February 10, 2012</span> </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all have a bucket list of places to see before we die. In fact, there is a book with a similar title in the travel section of bookstores. If your bucket list includes plans to take your grandchildren, do it sooner rather than later, especially if you’re taking them out of school for the trip.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my grandsons were four and six, I took them on a trip to Italy. Their parents came too and we all worried at the time about taking them out of school, junior kindergarten and grade one at the time. My sister, a retired teacher, advised taking them. “They’ll learn more on the trip than what they miss in five days of school,” she said. They don’t remember much about the trip, unfortunately, but for me, it was a wonderful memory. And perhaps, subconsciously, they learned something.<span id="more-37325" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that trip, every time I travelled, my oldest grandson asked if he could “hide in my suitcase” and come along. In retrospect, I wish I had taken him, because now, at fourteen, he barely acknowledges my existence and certainly wouldn’t be seen in public with me, let alone entertain the prospect of travelling with someone so ‘old.’</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have, unfortunately, a small window of opportunity to take our grandchildren on a vacation that fits in with family schedules and school attendance. And, there are compelling reasons to take them out of school for a trip. Generally, in the off season, which is code for when school is in, rates are cheaper, deals are more appealing and crowds are fewer in the usual tourist haunts. And there’s a benefit too of being away from the din of electronic games and television for both grandparents and kids.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are other advantages to taking children out of school for a trip, especially if there’s a chance for enrichment. Seeing snow in the Rockies, or viewing The Grand Canyon, the Roman Forum or the Eiffel Tower in 3D is a geography or history lesson itself. With funding cuts in the education system, field trips that take kids on larger-than-life excursions like the ones above are tucked into the past.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certainly, there are mixed reviews regarding the wisdom of taking children out of school for a vacation. Teachers are the best experts in sanctioning the trip. The child’s usual performance in school is an issue. A conscientious student will catch up; a slack student may have problems. The grade level is another issue. Students in secondary school, while they are the ones who may actually learn from an enrichment trip, have heavier workloads than children in the lower grades of an elementary school. For older grandchildren in secondary school, the decision to take the trip is theirs. They know best how missing school may impact their success. If the child is involved in athletic teams, coaches should be informed of the plans as well.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s important that the child’s parents give the teacher advance notice of the planned trip and arrange for any homework that should be completed during the trip so the child doesn’t fall behind. Often the time of year is critical in the education system and finding out whether there are important tests your grandchild will miss is critical to planning the trip around an appropriate time.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There should be, if necessary, time allotted on the vacation for doing homework. Perhaps math problems can be solved on the plane or spelling tests given before heading out for a day of sightseeing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When possible, plan the trip over a time period that coincides with a holiday such as Easter or a professional development day so that fewer ‘school days’ are missed.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The child may benefit even more, besides enjoying the company of a grandparent, from a trip that has some educational value, especially if the destination is a place the child is currently learning about in history or geography.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To sweeten the deal, buy a souvenir gift for your grandchild to bring home to her teacher.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Bonnie Baker Cowan</span></strong></em></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/people/grand-travel-and-your-bucket-list/37325#more-37325">http://www.zoomermag.com/people/grand-travel-and-your-bucket-list/37325#more-37325</a> <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-91952545542668146192012-02-11T12:24:00.001-05:002012-02-11T12:24:00.404-05:00Do you get enough calcium?<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A total of 1.4 million Canadians or 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis refers to bone loss that causes "thinning" or weakening of the bones. Because bone loss occurs without symptoms, osteoporosis often goes unrecognized for many years until one or several fractures occur. Since bones are made primarily of calcium, eating calcium-rich foods helps keep bones strong. At the same time, it helps the heart, blood, and muscles work properly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYGaq_k895U/TzXRgqoSwtI/AAAAAAAAAN4/72O3K6H4ovg/s1600/whole-milk-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYGaq_k895U/TzXRgqoSwtI/AAAAAAAAAN4/72O3K6H4ovg/s200/whole-milk-pic.jpg" width="199" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other factors also affect bone strength, such as genetics, amount of weight-bearing exercise, and exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is necessary because it affects the level of vitamin D in the body, which helps the absorption of calcium.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the body can't make calcium, we have to get it from the food we eat.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting the most calcium from your food</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The amount of calcium you absorb from the foods you eat depends not only on how much calcium is in the food, but on how easily it's absorbed (bioavailability), the amount of calcium already stored in your body, and what you eat with the calcium-rich food.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many researchers say that the best bet for getting calcium is to eat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese because they are high in calcium, and the type of calcium they contain is easily absorbed by the body.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foods which contain oxalates or phytates, however, interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium.</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High-oxylate foods</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fruits:</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blackberries</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blueberries</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">citrus peel</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concord grapes</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Damson plums</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gooseberries</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">raspberries</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">red currants</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rhubarb</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strawberries</span></li>
</ul><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vegetables:</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">amaranth</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beet leaves</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cassava</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">collards</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">leeks</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">okra</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parsley</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">purslane</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spinach</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet potatoes</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swiss chard</span></li>
</ul><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beverages:</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beer</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">berry juices</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">coffee</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cola</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ovaltine<span style="vertical-align: text-top;">®</span></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tea</span></li>
</ul><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other foods:</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">almonds</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chocolate</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cocoa</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">peanuts</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">peanut butter</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pecans</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">poppy seeds</span></li>
</ul></ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High-phytate foods</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">barley</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beans</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bran and wheat cereals</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">corn chips</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nuts</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oats</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rice</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rye bread</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sesame seeds</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">soybean meal</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wheat bran</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wheat germ</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, ½ cup of cooked spinach has 122 mg of calcium, but the bioavailability of that calcium is close to zero because spinach is high in oxalates. If you rely on vegetables as your source of calcium, you should choose low-oxalate vegetables more often, such as kale, broccoli, bok choy, mustard and turnip greens.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How much calcium do you need?</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, North American men and women aren't getting enough calcium.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to keep your bones healthy, get enough calcium every day and choose low-oxalate, low-phytate fruits and vegetables.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended calcium</span></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="styled" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 10px;"><tbody>
<tr><th style="background-color: #7f7f96; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; color: white; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age (years)</span></th><th style="background-color: #7f7f96; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; color: white; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Intake per day</span></th></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 to 3 </span></td><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">500 mg</span></td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 to 8 </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">800 mg</span></td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 to 18 </span></td><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,300 mg</span></td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19 to 50 </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,000 mg</span></td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 51</span></td><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,200 mg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During pregnancy and lactation, recommend calcium changes:</span></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="styled" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 10px;"><tbody>
<tr><th style="background-color: #7f7f96; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; color: white; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age (years)</span></th><th style="background-color: #7f7f96; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; color: white; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: bottom;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Intake per day</span></th></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">under 19</span></td><td style="background-color: #f2f0f0; border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,300 mg</span></td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over 19</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(155, 156, 158); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; empty-cells: show; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,000 mg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The US National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine can provide more info on recommended intakes.</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Calcium rich foods</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following chart lists the amount of calcium found in many common foods.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="tableThumbnail" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/TableImages/full_size/1544.jpg" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click to enlarge</span></a></div><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/TableImages/full_size/1544.jpg" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/TableImages/1544.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 3px;" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*add 100 mg for each portion of calcium-enriched milk or yogurt</span></i></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Written and reviewed by the MediResource Clinical T</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1544&channel_id=10&relation_id=10999">http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1544&channel_id=10&relation_id=10999</a> </span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-35028507524433050392012-02-10T21:13:00.000-05:002012-02-10T21:13:08.276-05:00Heart Health 101, free public webinar : Update<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">We are thrilled with the positive feedback we have received in response to last week’s announcement about our up and coming Heart Health 101 webinar. As a reminder, <b>Heart Health 101</b> takes place on </span><span style="color: red;"><b>Friday, February 17<sup style="line-height: 15px;">th</sup> at 11am PST/2pm EST</b></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> and will provide practical information and tips that you can apply in your daily life to maintain heart health.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffbnAFhgxT0/TzXNnpfSskI/AAAAAAAAANw/0wH9DIhQKrY/s1600/heart-411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffbnAFhgxT0/TzXNnpfSskI/AAAAAAAAANw/0wH9DIhQKrY/s1600/heart-411.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have not done so already, please <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/lgugh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">sign-up today</a> because space is limited to the first 1000 registrants and we have already filled a large number of spots. We recommend this webinar for anyone who is interested in health and wellness topics, especially those with a personal or family history of heart disease.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart Health 101 will be presented by renowned <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Cleveland Clinic</strong> heart experts <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/18ugh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Dr. Steve Nissen</a>, Chair of the Cardiac Department, and <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/h1vgh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Dr. Marc Gillinov</a>, a recognized Cardiovascular Surgeon. Drs. Nissen and Gillinov, in addition to being accomplished physicians, are the authors of <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/xtwgh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><em>Heart 411-The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need</em></a>, released this month to coincide with Heart Month.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">As an added incentive we are giving away autographed copies of <em>Heart 411</em></strong>. We will be sending copies of the book to the <em>first 5 people</em> who post a heart health question or tip on our <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/dmxgh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Facebook wall</a> and share our webinar link with their friends.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart Health 101 kicks off our <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/teygh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Home Care Assistance Healthy Longevity Series</a>. We believe in empowering people to be proactive and informed when it comes to their health. Our Healthy Longevity Webinar Series brings experts from a diverse spectrum of health and wellness fields to both our clients and the broader community in an engaging and informative format. The webinars are offered for free to the public as part of our broader education initiatives. Be sure to check <a href="http://e2.ma/click/9ikt/tee9h/96ygh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">our website</a> frequently for updates on upcoming webinars, educational initiatives and company announcements!</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><hr /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5625717270957692769" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-57320340830158445452012-02-10T13:04:00.000-05:002012-02-10T13:04:00.107-05:00Healthy foods: beets<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/images/healthcontent/beets.jpg" /> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is it?</b> If you think of beets as just some goopy food plopped out of a can at Thanksgiving, you might want to get to know beets a bit better. A beet is a three-in-one wonder vegetable: You can eat the green leaves, the stalk, and the recognizable knob-shaped beetroot - not a bit need go to waste! Though the deep reddish-violet variety of beets is most common, they also come in white, gold, and other colours. Cultivated for use in soups (Russian <i>borscht</i>, for instance), salads, or as a natural sugar source, beets are affordable, highly nutritious veggies that are available year-round.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is it good for?</b> Beets are versatile, low in calories, naturally sweet, and packed with nutritional <i>B</i>-enefits. Beets are full of folate, a B vitamin crucial to healthy cell growth, especially during pregnancy. Two more B's abundant in beets:<i>betacyanin</i>, a pigment that is a potentially powerful antioxidant, and <i>betaine</i>, a heart-protective nutrient. Beets are also a great source of fibre.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What does it taste like?</b> At first sight, beetroots look rough and dirty, dusty from their time underground. But bite into a beetroot, and you may be surprised by how sweet it tastes. In fact, beets contain the highest natural sugar content of all vegetables. Eaten raw, beetroot is crunchy, but turns soft when cooked. The greens of a beet taste similar to other greens, such as chard or spinach, while the stems take on more of the sweet beetroot taste. When buying beets, look for those that have stems and leaves still attached, so you can take advantage of the entire nutritious vegetable. Look for beetroots that are smooth, unspotted, on the small or medium side, with firm roots and a deep, rich colour. You can enjoy beets raw and grated over a salad. Or you can marinate, steam, or roast them with the skins still on - though cooking may diminish some of a beet's antioxidant power. Cooked beets can be used in side dishes, main dishes, soups... The leafy greens can be sautéed with olive oil and herbs, and the stalks can be cooked right along into a pasta sauce or stew. Be warned, but don't be alarmed: If you eat too many beets, you may notice a change to the colour of your urine!</span></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Toffelmire</span></i></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4980&channel_id=10&relation_id=43676">http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4980&channel_id=10&relation_id=43676</a> </span></span><br />
<hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-68833720780537911882012-02-09T13:01:00.000-05:002012-02-09T13:01:00.199-05:00Seniors and the flu<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seniors tend to be more prone to getting sick. They are more likely to have medical conditions that increase the risk of flu complications, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. For these reasons, seniors are more prone to flu complications. Seniors have a much higher risk of death from flu complications, and the risk increases with age. One study found that people 85 years or older were 16 times as likely to die of the flu and 32 times as likely to die from flu-related pneumonia as those aged 65 to 69. Seniors in long-term care facilities and nursing homes are at a particularly high risk of getting the flu and developing flu complications.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To reduce your risk of flu complications:</span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take steps to <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5764&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95925&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">prevent the flu</a>. Your doctor may recommend a flu shot (to reduce your risk of the flu) and a pneumococcal vaccine (to reduce the risk of pneumonia, a common flu complication).</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5755&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95912&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">flu symptoms</a>, <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5767&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95956&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">see your doctor</a> as soon as possible. If you or your loved one are living in a long-term care facility or nursing home and have flu symptoms, tell your resident care provider right away. Keep in mind that flu symptoms may be different for seniors; in particular, seniors may not have the sudden severe fever that is common in younger people. Your doctor may prescribe an<a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5762&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95922&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">antiviral medication</a>, which can reduce the risk of complications, reduce symptoms, and shorten the length of illness if taken within 48 hours of the start of your symptoms.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are diagnosed with the flu, follow your doctor's instructions for <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5762&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95922&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">flu treatment</a>. If your doctor prescribes an antiviral medication, have the prescription filled as soon as possible, and keep taking the medication for as long as your doctor recommends to complete the full course of treatment. If you have other health conditions, continue to follow your doctor's treatment plan for these conditions.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5760&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95916">http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5760&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95916</a> </span></span><br />
<hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-78905793214635433242012-02-08T20:50:00.001-05:002012-02-08T20:50:00.607-05:00Flu protection for yourself and others<div class="detail" id="ArticleContainer" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQO_S8EsIChQOK_qtcAn1hCXBZxkFVX4nEYA_AWZRjRiReZDvzy" /> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The flu is a contagious infection. That means that everyone is at risk of catching it. To make matters more difficult, the flu is contagious a day before people experience symptoms, so they can spread the virus onto others without even knowing it.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news is that there are many simple things you can do to help prevent flu infection. This is especially important for people who are at risk of flu complications and more serious illness. Such people are also more likely to be hospitalized. At-risk people include children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, pregnant women, people with medical conditions, Aboriginal peoples, and people who are older than 65 years. See <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5757&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95916&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">"Are you at risk?"</a> for more information on at-risk groups.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This flu season, stay on top of your health by taking the following steps to prevent spreading the flu.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Avoid contact.</b> Avoiding someone who has the flu is the most obvious way to protect yourself from the flu. This includes avoiding anyone who has flu-like symptoms while the person has symptoms and for at least 24 hours after the person's fever ends.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wash your hands.</b> Frequent hand-washing is a simple way to reduce the spread of the flu virus. Proper hand-washing means washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash often: before and after eating, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, after touching potentially-contaminated surfaces, and after being in a public place. Dry your hands using a clean cloth or paper towel and turn off the tap with the paper towel or cloth. When hands are not visibly dirty and soap and water are not available, alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol by volume are a good alternative. See <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5763&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95922&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">"Handwashing 101"</a> to learn more.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Watch where you cough, sneeze, and place your hands.</b> The flu virus can enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes, so avoid touching your face with your hands. In addition, you should cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If tissue isn't available, cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. Always wash your hands after coughing and sneezing.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stay healthy.</b> Your immune system needs all the strength it can get. Keep it strong by eating healthy meals and staying physically active.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Clean and disinfect.</b> Since viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, common surface areas should be cleaned and disinfected regularly with household cleaners. Make sure you scrub down doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, computer mice, telephones, and remote controls.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Manage your medical condition.</b> People who have chronic medical conditions should make sure they are managing them as well as possible. These people are at risk of flu complications. Follow all treatment options (e.g., medications, vaccines against certain diseases such as flu or pneumonia) as recommended by your doctor. If you are taking medications, make sure you have at least a 2-week supply at home so that you don't have to leave it to get more. Ask your pharmacy if they have a delivery service.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stay home.</b> Just as you wouldn't want others to infect you with the flu, you should stay home until your symptoms are gone if you do get sick. By staying home, you reduce the risk of spreading the virus to someone else.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you do get the flu and you are at risk of <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5757&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95916&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">complications</a>, reduce the risk of complications by visiting your doctor as soon as you have symptoms. Your doctor can outline treatment options that will make recovery easier. Use the <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5767&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95956&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">Doctor Discussion Guide</a> to help you prepare for your visit to your doctor.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If someone in close contact with you, such as others living in the same household, gets the flu, you should consider seeing your doctor as soon as possible to discuss treatments to prevent the flu. For people at risk for flu complications, this is a good way to help prevent the flu. For more information on medications to prevent flu, see the<a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5765&channel_id=2113&relation_id=95925&rot=5" style="color: #ff6602; text-decoration: none;">next section</a>.</span></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-54928357175030920332012-02-07T13:47:00.001-05:002012-02-07T13:47:01.038-05:00Preventing bedsores<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedsores (also known as pressures sores or pressure ulcers) are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. Constant pressure on certain areas of the body prevents sufficient blood flow to those areas. Since these areas are not supplied with essential nutrients, the tissue begins to die.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedsores most commonly occur where soft tissue is compressed between bone and an external surface. These bony areas include the tailbone, hips, heels, ankles, back, and elbows. Anyone who is immobilized due to illness, injury, or sedation, such as people who use wheelchairs or are paralyzed, is at risk for developing bedsores.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedsores can develop and get worse rapidly, and advanced sores take a long time to heal. If not treated right away, bedsores can lead to serious and life-threatening infections such as cellulitis (infection of connective tissue), bone and joint infections, and sepsis (bacterial infection of the bloodstream). Sepsis could then lead to organ failure and death.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most bedsores can be prevented with the following strategies:</span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Change position.</b> People who are bound to a chair or wheelchair should shift position every 15 minutes. Those who are confined to a bed should move (or be moved) to a new position every 2 hours, even during the night.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Keep skin clean and dry.</b> Moisture increases the risk of skin breaking down. Bacteria from fecal matter can result in serious and life-threatening infections. For those confined to a bed, keep sheets clean and dry as well.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Protect bony areas.</b> Use soft materials such as foam wedges to protect bony areas like the heels and elbows.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Use pressure-reducing beds, mattresses, or cushions.</b> Examples include those filled with foam, air, gel, or water. Talk to a doctor or nurse about what is appropriate for you.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Perform daily skin inspections. </b>Any sign of redness or discoloration indicates that your position should be changed. The area should also be washed and dried thoroughly, and, for open sores, covered with a protective dressing.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Get help at the first sign of infection.</b> If you notice any skin damage or sign of infection (drainage, odour, redness, warmth), tell your doctor, nurse, or caregiver immediately.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maintain proper nutrition.</b> Good nutrition will promote wound healing and prevent skin from breaking down. If you are having difficulty eating, speak to your doctor or a dietician.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5712&channel_id=10&relation_id=43676">http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=5712&channel_id=10&relation_id=43676</a> </span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-74149221334793911462012-02-06T13:32:00.001-05:002012-02-06T13:32:00.419-05:00Ready for the Granny Flat?<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="post_category" style="line-height: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/category/other" rel="category tag" style="color: #555353; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="View all posts in Other">Other</a> <a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/category/people" rel="category tag" style="color: #555353; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="View all posts in PEOPLE">PEOPLE</a></span></div><div class="post_category" style="line-height: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">Friday, February 3, 2012</span> </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.zoomermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/grannyflat-e1328216100476.jpg" /> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Dorothy’s husband passed away earlier this year, she was immediately invited to move in with her daughter and son-in-law in Vancouver. “It was a difficult decision because Graham and I had a lot of friends here in Victoria and had enjoyed our bridge games, weekend hikes and dinner parties with friends,” she says. “But I also liked the idea of being closer to my two granddaughters and this was an opportunity to enjoy their company.”<span id="more-37041" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Dorothy is in good health, she also felt it would be wise to be closer to her family, in case of a medical emergency. “My family doctor told me not to wait until I had fallen or been diagnosed with an age-related disease to make the move,” she explains. “He told me the probability of my remaining healthy was more likely if I were living in a family environment where I was cared for and enjoying the company of my family on a daily basis.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By June, her family had renovated their basement to offer her a bedroom, bath and small sitting room. “I was able to bring some of my own things to furnish it and that made a big difference, having familiar pieces around to remind me of Graham and our life together,” she says.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dorothy approached the new living arrangement with some trepidation, however. Her relationship with her daughter had been somewhat tumultuous, especially during the teen years. “The last thing I wanted was to have the same kinds of arguments with her,” she says. “But, it turns out my daughter has grown up and I guess I’ve mellowed too, so we seem to be getting along. And, I’ve gotten to know my son-in-law and seeing my granddaughters every day is such a gift.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a tough economy, many Zoomers find their children have moved back into the family home as a result of job loss or divorce. But the reverse situation can occur too, with grandparents moving in with grown children for a variety of reasons: to save money for both parties; as a result of health issues; or for accessible and reassuring childcare for the grandkids.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combining households can be a challenging task for any parties, more so for families when there is a history of conflict or the risk of jealousy among other grown siblings. Attitude is important for both sides. Older parents may feel they’ve been forced to make the move because of an age-related incompetency; the grown children may feel resentful that they have now become caregivers.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. R.C. Dubuc of Ottawa, recommends keeping communication open. “If the attitude is that two equally important households are being combined, respect for the needs and habits of both sides should naturally follow,” he advises. “If the older generation feels they are simply being assimilated into the younger family, the relationship won’t be as successful.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guidelines regarding routines for both sides should be talked through right at the beginning and regular family meetings held to discuss any issues needing resolution before they fester. Who will prepare meals? Will babysitting be expected? How will expenses be divided? How will personal space be established and respected? How will laundry and other household tasks be divided?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dorothy feels lucky. “With my own suite in the basement, I have the luxury of my own personal space. At the end of the day, I can retreat to my sitting area and watch the television shows I enjoy or read,” she says. “It also allows my family upstairs to have their own privacy.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She contributes to the household by babysitting one night every weekend and makes a point of being available if one of her granddaughters is ill and unable to go to school. She contributed to the cost of the basement renovation, shares in the expenses for groceries and pays for her own television and phone service.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mealtime was initially a source of frustration. “Breakfast is a crazy time with the girls getting ready for school and their parents scurrying to get out the door for work,” she explains, “so eventually I decided to stay downstairs until they’d all gone. I was just adding to the confusion. Now, I can go upstairs after they’ve left and make my own leisurely breakfast. Family dinners, though, are a joint event and I prepare meals a few times a week for everyone. Sharing that time together is the best part of the day.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Bonnie Baker Cowan</span></strong></em></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/people/ready-for-the-granny-flat/37041#more-37041">http://www.zoomermag.com/people/ready-for-the-granny-flat/37041#more-37041</a> </span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-33789753152283086172012-02-04T23:59:00.000-05:002012-02-04T23:59:16.268-05:00Heart Health 101, a free public webinar that highlights practical how-to tips for avoiding heart disease<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of Heart Month in the United States and Canada, Home Care Assistance is excited to present Heart Health 101, a free public webinar that highlights practical how-to tips for avoiding heart disease and expert recommendations for individuals managing an existing heart condition or cardiac recovery.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart disease is the leading cause of death in North America, accounting for almost 25% of mortalities. There is a heart related fatality in America every single minute</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year, almost one million Americans and Canadians will suffer their first heart attack. Another 500,000 individuals who have already had a heart attack will suffer another attack</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many health, exercise and diet related activities that can dramatically reduce the incidence of heart attack</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaxN0i9YTmI/Ty4MOVWMgUI/AAAAAAAAANo/YyfSRH8RdGI/s1600/tiny-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaxN0i9YTmI/Ty4MOVWMgUI/AAAAAAAAANo/YyfSRH8RdGI/s1600/tiny-book.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart Health 101 is presented by renowned <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Cleveland Clinic</strong> heart experts <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/1o3dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Dr. Steve Nissen</a>, chair of the Cardiac Department, and <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/hh4dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Dr. Marc Gillinov</a>, a recognized Cardiovascular Surgeon. Drs. Nissen and Gillinov, in addition to being accomplished physicians, are the authors of <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/x94dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><em>Heart 411-The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need</em></a>; released this past Tuesday to coincide with Heart Month.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The webinar will be held on <strong style="font-weight: bold;">February 17th at 11AM Pacific, 2PM Eastern</strong>. We recommend this webinar for anyone who’s interested in health and wellness topics, especially those who have a history of heart disease in your family. Space is limited to the first 1000 registrants, so make sure to reserve your seat <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/d25dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">today</a>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book has been described as the definitive guide to heart health from two of America's most respected doctors at Cleveland Clinic, the leading hospital for heart health in America. Their book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in heart health that provides answers to common questions such as “Can a high stress job really lead to a heart attack?” and “What are the most important medical tests to run to check on heart health?” in an accessible way and provides useful health tips from which everyone can benefit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good information is the key to good heart health, said Dr. Gillinov, Cardiac Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. Myths and misinformation abound. Our mission is to arm people with real, evidence-based medical information that will empower them to ensure their heart health."</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart Health 101 is part of a broader initiative to provide the public with free education and resources on healthy longevity. In addition to the webinar, Home Care Assistance is providing free copies of our Patient Guide to Cardiac Rehabilitation and Patient Guide to Post-Stroke Recovery. You can request these materials from any of our 75 <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/tu6dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">locations</a> across North America or visit <a href="http://e2.ma/click/1kgt/tee9h/9m7dh" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">our website</a> for a free download. Stay tuned for more webinars from Home Care Assistance!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-41024736858715630672012-01-30T17:43:00.003-05:002012-02-05T20:37:52.007-05:00Running Up New Times for Seniors<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Jean Sorenson</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6mwXmffaak/Tx3jQHJpcJI/AAAAAAAAANg/Ryd_AZKutu0/s1600/bj+cunningham+029_jeansorensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6mwXmffaak/Tx3jQHJpcJI/AAAAAAAAANg/Ryd_AZKutu0/s320/bj+cunningham+029_jeansorensen.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ McHugh stretches after a run. Photo by: Jean Sorenson</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betty Jean “BJ” McHugh challenges today’s concept of aging and the elderly. The 84-year-old North Vancouver running legend, dubbed the fastest senior in the world, has just finished the James Cunningham Seawall 9.5-kilometre road race clocking in at 62 minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I thought it was a terrible time,” says BJ, who has been running since her 50s and has set some 30 world records for marathons, half-marathons, and shorter races. But, the time was good enough to earn her first place in the age-graded runners’ category. She acknowledges that age has taken its toll on her times. She once ran the 9.5 kilometre James Cunningham Seawall Race - a favourite with runners in Halloween costumes - in 43 minutes and 52 seconds in 1979, three days before her 52nd birthday. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as she runs - with other elite senior runners such as the 100-year-old Fauja Singh, who holds world records for his age category in eight different distances, including the Toronto Marathon, and Vancouver’s 74-year-old Rod Waterlow who ran the Vancouver 2011 Fall Classic half-marathon in one hour and 46 minutes - BJ makes society question seniors’ capabilities. And, opens new horizons. At age 80, she set a new world record at the 29th Royal Victoria Marathon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she first started running, there were no age categories. Today, races have not only a winning time for the fastest runners, but runners are broken into age brackets of five or 10 years. In addition, runners are handicapped according to age using a computer formula, which determines overall performance. In the Cunningham race, BJ’s age-graded performance outranked more than 900 other racers that day putting her at the top of the podium. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ’s “running times” are chronicled in a new book My Road to Rome co-authored by her and CBC reporter and runner Bob Nixon, who first met BJ three years ago when a note about her came into the television studio. He subsequently reported on her invitation by the Rome Marathon organizers to run the 26-mile course. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I could not get her out of my mind,” says Nixon, “not just because she was such a remarkably lively and fun person to interview, but also because I discovered that her world marathon record as an 80-year-old was faster than I had run the same course when I was in my 30s. I had never met anyone that age who was so fit.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The CBC story grew into a book that tells the life of BJ, who was born in the small village of Stanwood, Ontario. She grew up on a farm and recalls adventures such as horse-drawn sled rides in winter to her grandparents’ home at Christmas, and follows her dream of nursing to a Toronto school. After graduation in Toronto, she moved to Vancouver to work as a nurse, where she met her husband Robert, a car salesman, who landed in her hospital ward.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ laughs because she is not the only nurse to meet her husband as a patient. One day, while working out at the gym, a nurse stopped by to tell her how much she had enjoyed the book. “We both have something in common,” quipped the nurse. “We both met our husbands in bed.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ’s story is full of urban family life - such as the rigours of manually defrosting fridges, sewing new dresses for social events and the kids, seeing her daughter Jennifer off to sporting events, swim meets, training sessions and finally the 1972 Olympics, and outfitting the family for skiing trips to the North Shore mountains. BJ’s recounts are far from dull as she delves into the fabric of life. Nixon says she describes those new ski pants of the ‘70s as “so tight that if a woman put a dime in the pocket you could tell if it was head or tails” and “the whole book is dotted with such McHugh gems.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the story, her four children and husband are focal points of her life. But, after finding tennis hard on the body, unable to ski during summer and with the children flying from the nest, she sought out a new sport - running. It turned into a passion and led to record-smashing performances. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, BJ says she never set out to smash any records, although the records started falling as she entered races. She continues to run for the pure joy of the sport and, along the way, has developed a group of friends that are as foundational as her sneakers. She doesn’t wear a runner’s watch but marks time with a stopwatch, nor does she worry about pace or the distance she has run. She also doesn’t use a heart monitor. “I know my body,” she says, adding that really is what she listens to when she is running in or out of a race. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She also doesn’t follow a special diet, like many runners who are vegans or vegetarians, nor takes dietary supplements. Instead, she cooks regular meals, although she does watch what she eats, especially near a race date; she suffers from a mild form of irritated bowel syndrome. Her big meal is breakfast - fruit, oatmeal and a bagel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regularly running with a group of women starting out at around 6 a.m. three times a week for an hour, she runs a fourth, longer run on Saturday mornings and can last up to three-and-a-half hours, if a marathon is beckoning. She cross-trains with cycling, lifts weights in the gym, and practises yoga. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ credits her group of friends - all younger - as her inspiration. Having younger friends is important as one ages, she feels, as they keep her active. “It’s hard to stay in bed when you have friends waiting - even if it is raining outside,” she says. They also provide a source of energy, optimism and humour. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the crack of dawn, they are a noticeable crowd, chattering down the street. She tells of one North Vancouver resident, who obviously rolled out of the wrong side of the bed to set out his garbage, turning to the noisy group and said: “Why don’t you girls shut up!” Then, there was the morning when an owl swooped down and tried to wing off with the ponytail of a running buddy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The group works as a team planning events, booking hotels and airfare. “I’m really quite spoiled,” says BJ about the group cheering her accomplishments at events. But, they celebrate their victories together. “Thirteen of us ran the [2011] Chicago Marathon,” she says, adding that all completed the course to take home finisher’s medals. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ has not come through the record books unscathed. Husband Robert, long a support member for her and friends at the events, and the family’s main breadwinner, fell 23 years ago on a sidewalk curb, hit his head and sustained brain trauma. Through his decline into dementia, and financial difficulties, BJ tells in her book how she continues to run and stay by the side of the man she calls “the great love of my life.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ has also sustained numerous injuries: she once tripped over her dog as it darted out to catch a squirrel and injured her shoulder, which required surgery. Her running buddies came to the rescue during her convalescence and ran over dinners for her and Robert, adding the occasional bottle of wine. What comes from BJ’s life is not being down, but getting back up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As she ages, BJ continues to open new doors for runners, as race organizers have to add new age categories to accommodate more seniors entering road racing. Nixon says that what has intrigued him as a journalist in his 50s about BJ is her “secret” to aging as he found himself facing that “slippery slope” of declining health expected in old age. But, here is BJ healthy at 80. And she doesn’t see any mystical fountain of youth; running is part of her active lifestyle. Her book sets out 10 life lessons in the last chapter, including “think young” and “don’t just get into shape - BE in shape by being active.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She plans to take that perspective into the Honolulu Marathon in December 2012. She has two daughters, Jennifer (the Olympic swimmer) and Jillian, and two sons, Brent and Gyle. They all run or have run, but son Brent competes in marathons. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My granddaughter Ava wants us to do a three-generation run in Honolulu,” says BJ, an event that takes place a month after her 85th birthday.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BJ’s optimistic she will make it, but quips, “At my age, you don’t buy green bananas.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/running-up-new-times-for-seniors">http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/running-up-new-times-for-seniors</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JANUARY 2012 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND</span></div><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-41606091772759023812012-01-27T17:24:00.003-05:002012-02-05T20:40:01.914-05:00Study Shows Caregiving is One of the Most Stressful Occupations<div class="entry-content" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZkxEhGL9MU/Tx3eV8eiLUI/AAAAAAAAANQ/qHkOKYPhP-4/s1600/depressedelderlywoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZkxEhGL9MU/Tx3eV8eiLUI/AAAAAAAAANQ/qHkOKYPhP-4/s320/depressedelderlywoman.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="entry-meta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="entry-meta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/author/home-care-assistance/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ed3024; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Home Care Assistance</a>, 6:17 pm on January 16, 2012</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recent study has confirmed what many of us already know: that caregiving is one of the most stressful occupations in North America. This study found that caregivers are the third most stressed group in America behind the obese and the depressed. Coincidentally, these are two issues that many caregivers are at risk for; this only amplifies the already high stress level of caregivers.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Caregivers are not only more likely to report stress than other groups; they also report it at higher levels,” said Caring.com senior editor Paul Spencer Scott. “Caregivers are more likely than the general public to have a chronic illness (82 percent vs. 61 percent) and to rate their own health as fair or poor (34 percent vs. 20 percent). Caregivers also appear to manage stress in less healthy ways than the general population. Caregivers are twice as likely, for example, to report smoking to manage their stress (20 percent vs. 10 percent).”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is more important now than ever to take time out of your day to takes steps toward protecting one’s health and avoiding caregiver burnout. The ability to provide care to another individual is an invaluable service to society, but the caregiver and their patient’s health need to be of equal importance.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other interesting findings garnered from this report are that people still refuse to accept how stress affects their daily lives. Nearly one third of those polled do not believe that stress affects their physical or mental health. Tests have proven that the truth is quite the opposite; reduction of stress is a major step towards a healthier lifestyle.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read more click here:<a href="http://www.caring.com/blogs/fyi-daily/caregivers-top-list-of-most-stressed-psychologists-say?utm_campaign=fanpage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook" target="_blank"> http://www.caring.com/blogs/fyi-daily/caregivers-top-list-of-most-stressed-psychologists-say?utm_campaign=fanpage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook</a></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><br />
<hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-17842362738629128682012-01-25T17:29:00.002-05:002012-02-05T20:42:31.533-05:00Chronic illnesses, not age, determine seniors' reliance on health care: Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWBSOaB_Uv0/Tx3ffILYGRI/AAAAAAAAANY/_yuwF6PeJao/s1600/3935236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWBSOaB_Uv0/Tx3ffILYGRI/AAAAAAAAANY/_yuwF6PeJao/s320/3935236.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="name" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">BY CARMEN CHAI, POSTMEDIA NEWS</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span class="timestamp" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">JANUARY 28, 2011</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's their health, not the age of Canadian seniors that is the main factor when determining the number of medical services they use, according to a report that examines the elderly population's reliance on the health-care system.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In society, many of us may expect that with age comes chronic conditions but this isn't the case. It became apparent that it's the number of chronic conditions that seniors have, not their increasing age, that drives their health-care utilization," said Greg Webster, director of primary health care for the Canadian Institute for Health Information, which released the report Thursday.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Once people get to three or more chronic conditions, their quality of life deteriorates and their use of health care goes through the roof."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 1.1 million Canadian seniors are living with at least three chronic conditions, such as <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=244&channel_id=2046&relation_id=33685" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank">diabetes</a>, <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_main.asp?channel_id=2049" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank">high blood pressure</a>, <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_main.asp?channel_id=2039" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank">arthritis</a> or <a href="http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_main.asp?channel_id=12" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank">cancer</a>. The group accounted for 40 per cent of the health care used by seniors, according to the CIHI study.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Healthy seniors — that is, those without such ongoing conditions, who were at least 85 years old, made fewer than half the number of visits to doctors' offices as younger seniors who had many chronic illnesses, though, Webster said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CIHI collaborated with the Health Council of Canada and Statistics Canada to design the study, which examined the prevalence of 11 chronic illnesses in seniors and the kind of services they needed. The most common chronic illnesses among seniors were high blood pressure, which affects two million seniors, followed by arthritis, which affects 1.2 million seniors.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to previous CIHI research, health care for a senior between 65 and 69 years old costs $5,828; for a senior 70 to 74 years old, the average cost is $8,803; and for seniors 70 to 79 years old, the cost is $10,989 on average. About $18,160 is spent on each senior who is more than 80 years old.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's the chronic illnesses — with their most common forms, such as Type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis, appearing between the ages of 50 and 60 — that make up a big chunk of that spending, said Dr. Bill Hogg, a University of Ottawa professor and research director at the university's Elisabeth Bruyere Research Institute.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Similar patterns of health care exist among adults between 45 and 64 years old. Unhealthy middle-aged Canadians with three or more chronic conditions made six times more visits to the doctor's office, hospital or emergency room than their peers without health conditions, the report showed. About half of Canadians in this age group have at least one chronic condition already.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hogg said that as the large group of baby boomers ages in Canada, cases of chronic illness in seniors will climb, increasing the burden provincial health-care systems already face.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"People are concerned about the cost implications and about the amount of disability and suffering as projections are that the number of people living with these diseases will increase dramatically. They're all quite significant (diseases), they're not just minor lashes, but they've become a reality today," he said, noting that some Canadian seniors are dealing with a combination of six or more chronic illnesses.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report recommends that doctors and patients of all ages make maintaining good health and regular exercise a priority to reduce the risk of chronic conditions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We shouldn't accept that it's going to be this way," Webster said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study suggested only two in five seniors said they had talked to their doctors about what they could do to improve their health: from quitting smoking, exercising more and drinking less alcohol.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If we take better care, seniors would be healthier and happier and they'd need less health care, leading to a more sustainable system," Webster said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2008, seniors consumed almost 44 per cent of all provincial and territorial government health spending, although they only comprised about 14 per cent of the population, he said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Handling comorbidity — the accumulation of chronic diseases — results in frequent appointments with doctors and specialists, Hogg said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seniors with three or more conditions were making three times more health-care visits than their healthy peers, the report suggested. A patient with three conditions would visit a doctor at least once a month while a healthy 30-year-old man would probably visit the doctor once every five years, Hogg said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The seniors also reported taking an average of six prescription drugs regularly, which also concerned the researchers.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hogg said the usage of multiple drugs to reduce or to treat symptoms is "not trivial" as some seniors who were routinely taking multiple medications reported side-effects that were so severe, they needed medical attention. Hogg said the side effects could be minor to very serious, from a dry mouth or nausea to allergic reactions that can led to trouble breathing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highest percentage of seniors with chronic illnesses was recorded in Newfoundland and Labrador, where 85 per cent of seniors had at least one chronic illness while the lowest was Quebec, followed by British Columbia and Ontario, the report suggested.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><a href="mailto:cchai@postmedia.com" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cchai@postmedia.com</span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px; width: auto;"><a href="http://twitter.com/Carmen_Chai" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #4e5989; cursor: pointer; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter.com/Carmen_Chai</span></a></div><div class="copyright" style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">© Copyright (c) Postmedia News </span></div><div class="copyright" style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="copyright" style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.canada.com/health/Chronic+illnesses+determine+seniors+reliance+health+care+Study/4184036/story.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.canada.com/health/Chronic+illnesses+determine+seniors+reliance+health+care+Study/4184036/story.html</span></a> </span></div><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-61092654829673573962012-01-23T17:19:00.000-05:002012-01-23T17:19:34.882-05:00Five Reasons to Fit Fruit into Your Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3QhYBbaHTc/Tx3cx48NNJI/AAAAAAAAANI/57FXhh1mSUo/s1600/gfruit-e1327096446756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3QhYBbaHTc/Tx3cx48NNJI/AAAAAAAAANI/57FXhh1mSUo/s320/gfruit-e1327096446756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(NC)—Wise food choices and regular exercise are steps in the right direction when it comes to improving our overall health. However, one of the easiest (and tastiest) means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being ignored. While Health Canada recommends consuming between seven and ten servings of fruits and vegetables a day, Statistics Canada research shows that less than half of Canadians are even making it to five. “We’re taught from childhood that fruit is good for you,” says registered dietitian Lydia Knorr. “Yet even Canadians who are moving towards healthier diets and more active lives aren’t making room on their plates for those recommended servings.”<span id="more-36375" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incorporating Florida citrus into daily snacks and meals is a simple way to get to that recommended intake. For example, at breakfast time, one 250 mL glass of 100 per cent pure Florida orange or grapefruit juice equates to two servings.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need a reason to sack the sweets in favour of citrus? Here are five:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1. Health helper</strong>—Give your body a boost with a tasty grapefruit. Florida citrus contains essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, all of which may aid in the prevention of disease.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2. Family-friendly—</strong>Florida citrus can be packed in lunches or used in grown-up foods like marinades or glazes. For parents looking to make sure kids are getting their vitamins, a fruity treat is a great way to keep them energized without having to hide the healthy stuff.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Guilt-free goodness—</strong>Say goodbye to eater’s remorse: citrus fruit is light and healthy and can help you maintain a weight you’ll feel positive about.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4. Quick and cost-effective—</strong>Your grocery budget may be shrinking, but your appetite doesn’t have to. Drinking a glass of 100 per cent pure orange juice is convenient, inexpensive and filling compared to other beverages like pop or punch—and it’s healthier too.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5. Sweetest snack</strong>—Throw those candies away and start fresh with a snack that’s naturally sweet. Fruit can be incorporated into other snacks for diet variety. For example, add some 100 per cent pure orange juice into a smoothie or fresh Florida grapefruit slices into loaves or muffins.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“</strong>Replacing high-calorie candies and fatty snacks with fresh fruit doesn’t have to mean compromising on cost or taste,” says Knorr. “Fruit like grapefruit not only helps you look and feel great, but also delivers when the sweet tooth hits.”</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit floridacitrus.ca for fun and delicious ways to help you get your five a day.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.newscanada.com</span></em></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/health/food/five-reasons-to-fit-fruit-into-your-day/36375#more-36375">http://www.zoomermag.com/health/food/five-reasons-to-fit-fruit-into-your-day/36375#more-36375</a> </span></span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-68090638753200952992012-01-11T21:35:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:35:08.370-05:00Seniors Weigh in on Living Life Without Regrets<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00893/balance_893962cl-8.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life’s biggest questions are naturally the hardest to answer, and if you choose the wrong action you could end up regretting it in the long run. We all hope to live with no regrets, but for many, this is not the case. Thankfully, Karl Pillemer of Cornell compiled a list of life’s greatest trials and sought out advice from people who have already made their life changing decisions and lived with their results. These people, of course, are our elders. As they say, another year older, another year wiser.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Regrets</strong> – The seniors questioned on how to avoid regret came to a consensus on two major points. First, always be honest while taking advantage of new opportunities and embracing challenges. It is impossible to regret something if you did everything within your power to accomplish it. Second, try to travel as much as possible. Most seniors believe that this should take precedent over many other things young people spend money on.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Happiness </strong>– Happiness is a choice and not a culmination of positive or negative circumstances life throws at you. You may not be able to control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react to it.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Marriage </strong>– While love can initially bring people together, a lasting friendship and complementing qualities will build a lasting relationship. As one 89-year-old woman put it, “too many young people are giving up too early, too soon.”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Careers</strong> – Out of the seniors polled on careers, not one said that they achieved happiness by working in a profession they did not like for a big paycheck at the end of the day. As one 83-year-old former athlete and recruiter put it, “the most important thing is to be involved in a profession that you absolutely love and that you look forward to going to work every day.”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Parenting</strong> – It is important to spend more time with your children despite whatever busy work schedule you may have. Sacrifices may have to be made along the way, but spending time with your children should come before your career.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/health/elderly-experts-share-life-advice-in-cornell-project.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&smid=fb-nytimeshealth" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ed3024; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a> to read more life tips from our wise elders.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #484848; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://homecareassistance.com/resources/home-care-blog/">http://homecareassistance.com/resources/home-care-blog/</a> </span></div><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-45255806933724799372012-01-08T11:39:00.000-05:002012-01-08T11:39:44.818-05:00Andropause (male menopause)<div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Male menopause" is a rather inaccurate but popular term used to describe the symptoms of low testosterone levels in older men, which is called <i>andropause.</i> As men age, levels of testosterone can drop by as much as 50%. Other terms for the same condition include male menopause, male climacteric, viropause, and PADAM (Partial Androgen Deficiency in Aging Men, sometimes shortened to ADAM).</span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></h3><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #ef7500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What does testosterone do?</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although many people are aware of its important role in maintaining muscle strength and sexual function in men, testosterone also has important effects on the brain, skin, liver, kidneys, blood, bones, heart, cholesterol levels, and the prostate.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pituitary gland in the brain controls the release of testosterone in the testicles. The pituitary gland first produces the hormones <i>leutinizing hormone</i> (LH) and<i>follicle stimulating hormone</i> (FSH). These hormones travel through the bloodstream to the testicles, where they stimulate the testicles to produce both testosterone and sperm.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andropause may be diagnosed when there is a low level of testosterone in the blood, symptoms of testosterone deficiency, and improvement of those symptoms when testosterone replacement is taken. There are many potential causes of testosterone deficiency, so it is important to determine the exact cause of testosterone deficiency and determine which therapy is appropriate.</span></div><div align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #3d4c53;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Richard A. Bebb, MD<br />
in association with the MediResource Clinical Team</i></span></div><div><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1589&channel_id=10&relation_id=3883">http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=1589&channel_id=10&relation_id=3883</a> </span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-71538604620507639422012-01-04T07:38:00.000-05:002012-01-04T07:38:36.888-05:00Seniors in hospital beds costly for health system<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="It is estimated that caring for a senior in the community costs about one-quarter of caring for the same person in hospital." src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2011/12/01/li-hospital-elderly-620-cp-.jpg" /> </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><h5 class="byline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CBC News</a> </h5><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span><h4 class="posted" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted: Dec 1, 2011 3:00 PM ET </h4><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span><h4 class="lastupdated" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(137, 137, 137); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Last Updated: Dec 1, 2011 3:59 PM ET </h4><span style="color: black; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="socialicons rec show" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #797979; display: inline; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/12/01/seniors-hospital-beds-health-care.html#socialcomments" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Read 123 comments"><em class="offscreen" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; font-style: normal; left: -99999px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Read 123</em><em class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; font-style: normal; left: -99999px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">comments</em><em class="cmt" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% -127px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #797979; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">123</em></a></span> <br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #565656; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">It is estimated that caring for a senior in the community costs about one-quarter of caring for the same person in hospital.</em><span style="color: #565656; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"> </span><em class="credit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #565656; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Baker/Associated Press</em> </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canadian seniors account for 85 per cent of patients in hospital beds who could be receiving care elsewhere, a problem that will only grow as the first baby boomers turn 65 this year, according to a new report.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday's report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information called Health Care in Canada, 2011: A Focus on Seniors and Aging, examines how seniors use the health system and where there’s room for improvement.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, 47 per cent of seniors have completed their hospital treatment but remain in an acute-care hospital because they're waiting to be moved to a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or to rehab or home with support (so-called "alternate level of care" patients.)</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those patients have a ripple effect on the rest of a hospital, said Dr. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/02/28/health-care-cma-turnbull.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff Turnbull</a>, chief of staff of the Ottawa Hospital.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/06/21/wait-times-hospitals.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">delays</a> of getting into the hospital delays, of getting timely surgery diagnostics, all are affected by our that fact that we have so many people sitting in our acute-care beds," said Turnbull.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year, those ripples meant the hospital had to cancel 600 elective surgeries, he said.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently, seniors represent 14 per cent of the population, but they use 40 per cent of hospital services and account for about 45 per cent of health spending of provincial and territorial government, the report's authors found.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For hospitals, an <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2008/04/24/emergency-health.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #115278; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">acute-care bed</a> costs about $1,100 a day. In comparison, Turnbull estimated it costs a quarter of that to care for the same senior in the community.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goal for governments should be to spend money on the right services so more seniors can stay at home and out of hospital longer, said Kathleen Morris, CIHI's director of health system analysis.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those services include traditional health-care services such as nursing and physiotherapy as well as transportation or help with household chores to help the 93 per cent of seniors who live at home, Morris said.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensuring continuity of care for seniors across the health care system could potentially lead to better care and better quality of life, health policy researcher Marcus Hollander in Victoria said, commenting on the report.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report's authors pointed to efficient use of new technologies such as:</span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.cbc.ca/i/news/v10/gfx/greybullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A medication monitoring system equipped with a sensor to allow family members to use online video clips to monitor which medications were taken for seniors receiving home-care services.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.cbc.ca/i/news/v10/gfx/greybullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magnetic door sensors that send an email, text message or cell phone message to caregivers if a person with dementia goes outside unattended.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.cbc.ca/i/news/v10/gfx/greybullet.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 12px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flexible bed mats with pressure sensors that let caregivers know when their family member has woken up and is moving.</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report also included chapters on seniors' use of prescription drugs and caring for seniors in the community or in residential care.</span></div><div align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="365" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.cbc.ca/news/charts/pie/discharge-levelofcare/index.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="460"></iframe></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><cite class="source" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #565656; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With files from CBC's Susan Lunn</em></cite> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/01/seniors-hospital-beds-health-care.html?cmp=rss">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/01/seniors-hospital-beds-health-care.html?cmp=rss</a> </span></span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625717270957692769.post-23246358016046005462012-01-03T07:39:00.000-05:002012-01-03T07:39:35.300-05:00New Study: Seniors Need Better Dental Health Care<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img src="http://www.zoomermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/dentist.jpg" /> </div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">By Charmaine Gooden</strong> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seniors in Ontario, especially women, are not visiting the dentist regularly, increasing their risk of developing serious oral health and chronic illnesses, says a study released by Women’s College Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). The study shows that 45% of Ontarians 65 years and older did not see a dentist in the last year. <span id="more-29655" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>This seems to be a greater challenge for who make up the major portion of Ontario’s senior population. Tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, bone loss, and even some types of cancer. Regular dental checkups may reveal early warning signs of many diseases. Even though Canada has universal healthcare, dental visits are not covered by the government.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Poor oral health can contribute to many serious medical conditions and affect a person’s ability to chew and digest food properly, leading to inadequate nutrition,” explains Dr. Arlene Bierman, principal investigator of the study. “With dental services not covered under our universal health-insurance program and many older adults not visiting dentists regularly, the findings suggest we need to rethink the services we provide to help keep seniors healthy as they age.” Researchers suggested that more preventative methods be made to ensure that the older population is getting the dental attention they need.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zoomermag.com/health/new-study-seniors-need-better-dental-health-care/29655">http://www.zoomermag.com/health/new-study-seniors-need-better-dental-health-care/29655</a> </span><hr /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Halton (<i>Oakville</i>, <i>Burlington</i>, <i>Halton Hills</i>, and <i>Milton</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Region of Peel (<i>Mississauga</i>, <i>Brampton</i> and <i>Caledon</i>)</a>, <a href="http://homecareassistance.com/about/find-us-near-you/ontario/greater-toronto-hamilton/">Hamilton</a> and surrounding areas.</span>HCA Torontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160606531174702834noreply@blogger.com0