Wellness Words January 2011 Posted on January 7, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator HELPFUL TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONSKeeping New Year’s resolutions can be a struggle for anyone, including older adults. However, it does not have to be this way. If goals are simplified and mindsets altered, older adults should have no problems with keeping their resolutions past January!Keep your resolutions to a minimum: Having too many resolutions can lead to discouragement when all goals are not met. Try to only make one or two resolutions for the New Year.Set realistic goals: Start with small resolutions and make sure they are attainable. It is great to push yourself, but you don’t want to set goals that can not be reached.Be patient: Correcting bad habits and making positive changes is not an easy process. It takes time and there will be setbacks. Try not to get discouraged or punish yourself.Be proud: Be proud of your accomplishments and reward yourself. This will give you incentive to keep up with your resolutions.The American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging has provided the following top 10 New Year’s resolutions for older adults:Eat a healthy diet – Experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose fiber-rich whole grain bread, rice and pasta. Pick less fatty meat, like chicken. Shoot for heart-healthy fish, like tuna or salmon, twice a week. To help keep your bones strong, include sources of calcium and Vitamin D in your diet. Use healthier fats, such as olive and canola oils, instead of butter or lard.Take a multivitamin-mineral – Check labels and choose one that includes 100% of the “Daily Value” for most vitamins and minerals.See your doctor or healthcare provider regularly – That means at least once a year, unless he or she says you should come in more often. At each visit, talk to your provider about the medications you’re taking and any health concerns you may have.Exercise – Exercise is safe and healthy for older people…even older people with illness like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. Many of these conditions actually improve with exercise. Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.Toast New Year’s Day with a smaller glass – According to experts, moderate drinking means just 1 drink per day for older men and ½ a drink daily for older women. Since alcohol can interact with certain drugs, ask your healthcare provider whether even this much is safe for you.Prevent falls – Falls are a leading cause of injuries and deaths among seniors. Exercises can boost your strength, balance, and flexibility, and help you avoid falls.Workout your brain – The more you use your mind, the better it will work. Reading, crossword puzzles and socializing give your brain a boost.Get help quitting – You can lower your risks of many health problems, breathe easier, enjoy more energy, and better sleep if you quit smoking…no matter how long ago you started.Guard against feeling down or anxious – Lingering sadness, tiredness, loss of appetite or pleasure from things you once enjoyed, difficultly sleeping, worry, irritability, and wanting to be alone most of the time can all be signs that you need help. Tell your healthcare provider right away.Get a good night’s sleep – Get at least 7 to 8 hours each night. Avoid daytime naps, which can keep you up in the evening.For more information, contact your health care provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words December 2010 Posted on December 20, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator DEALING WITH THE STRESS OF THE HOLIDAYSMost of us look forward to the holidays as joyful time, spent celebrating with friends and family. But all too often, we allow ourselves to become stressed out … trying to balance the family gatherings, the countless parties, and the endless shopping. If not managed well, all of this stress can have a negative effect on our health and well-being.Charlotte Libov of WebMD The Magazine, suggests that lowering stress levels during the holidays can have great benefits for individuals. Doing so may reduce your risk of:Heart disease (including heart attacks)Skin conditions (including psoriasis and shingles)Digestive disorder flare-ups (such as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease)Immune disorders (including flare-ups of multiple sclerosis and lupus)Anxiety, depression and insomniaWorsening pain if you already have a pain disorder (such as arthritis, back pain, and muscle spasms)There are many strategies you can use to manage the stress during the holiday season. Healthwise Incorporated has developed guidelines to lower stress in both preparing for the holidays and the stress occurring during the holidays.Preparing For The HolidaysGet Organized: Make lists or use an appointment book to keep track of tasks to do and events to attend.Know Your Spending Limit: Set a budget and don’t spend more than you’ve planned. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll spend the rest of the year trying to pay off.Share The Tasks: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Share your “to do” list with others. Spend time with friends and family while you share tasks like decorating, wrapping gifts, and preparing the holiday meal.Learn To Say No: It’s okay to say “no” to some events that aren’t important to you. This will give you more time to say “yes” to events that you do want to attend.Be Realistic: Try not to put pressure on yourself to create the perfect holiday for your family. Focus instead on the traditions that make holidays special for you. And remember that just because it’s a holiday, family problems don’t go away. If you have a hard time being around your relatives, it’s okay to set limits on your time at events and visits.During The HolidaysYou may not be able to avoid stressful situations during the holidays. But you can plan to respond to them in a healthy way.Take Breaks From Group Activities: Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Spend a little time by yourself if you can. Meditate, or do some relaxation breathing. Go for a short walk.Keep A Regular Sleep, Meal and Exercise Schedule: Taking care of yourself will help you deal with stressful situations during the holidays.Limit Your Alcohol Intake!Get Support If You Need It: Holidays can sometimes trigger depression. They can be especially hard if you are already dealing with the death of a loved one or the breakup of a relationship. If you feel that you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.For more information on managing stress, contact your health care provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
NLH Smoking cessation class works! Posted on December 2, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeRead this Letter to the Editor which first appeared in The Leader Herald, December 1, 2010Cessation class effective December 1, 2010The butt stops here. These are words we never thought would pertain to us.Linda Hidde and Sue Cridland helps smokers quit!In September, we saw an ad in The Leader-Herald for a smoking-cessation class presentation by HealthLink through Nathan Littauer Hospital. Ms. Linda Hidde was the facilitator.She gave us information through booklets, videos and open discussion. With her and this class, which met once a week, we were both able to quit after smoking for more than 45 years each.A new class will be starting in the middle of January. Anyone interested in quitting should watch for the ad in The Leader-Herald.We will be there, too, with help and support.ELIZABETH HODEL and GERALDINE SOLMOGloversville
Littauer Doctor helps clarify radiation debate for concerned travelers Posted on November 30, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeIs there radiation exposure when traveling? Littauer’s Dr. McBiles provides answersConcerned about radiation exposure when you are traveling this holiday season? Let Littauer’s own Dr. McBiles, Chief of Radiology lend clarity on this difficult issue. Watch the story here as reported by CBS6 news:Watch story here!
Wellness Words November 2010 Posted on November 24, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health EducatorYET ONE MORE REASON TO QUIT!According to the New York State Department of Health, there are about 2.4 million smokers in New York State, which accounts for nearly 17 percent of the state’s population. Smoking kills 25,500 people and secondhand smoke kills 3,000 in New York State each year. Another 570,000 New Yorkers are afflicted with serious disease caused by smoking.Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, for example increased risk of cancer and cardio-vascular disease, even if they don’t want to believe it. But, here is yet another reason to quit that you might not be familiar with!A Kaiser Permanente study showed that heavy smoking in midlife more than doubles your odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease. From 1994 to 2008, researchers evaluated the records of 21,123 men and women in midlife and continued following them, on average, for 23 years. Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked two packs of cigarettes a day increased their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by more than 157% and had a 172% higher risk of developing vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a condition where loss of mental skills occurs that affects your daily life. Vascular dementia happens when part of the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients.If you smoke, your doctor can play a major role in helping you quit. By seeking the help of a health care professional, you can be assured of a good start on your quit plan. Physicians make sure there is a continuing record of their patients’ progress in quitting.The New York State Smokers’ Quitline also offers help to smokers seeking to overcome the addiction of tobacco. Smokers can call the Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit the Quitline web site at www.nysmokefree.com. This is a free, confidential service to help you become smoke-free.Research indicates success in beating the addiction when smokers have some means of support, such as telephone smoking cessation hotlines, nicotine replacement products, counseling, and prescription medicine to lessen cravings. These free services are provided by the Quitline. Other means of support for smokers include participating in stop-smoking groups, and turning to friends and family for encouragement and support.Here are some tips on quitting:Set a quit date and mark it on your calendar.Get rid of ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes.Visit your doctor for support and advice with your quit plan.Make a list of reasons why you want to quit.Make a list of family and friends who will support you.Avoid triggers including alcohol, caffeine and other smokers.Exercise to relieve stress, and to improve your mood and health.Consider using a safe nicotine alternative such as replacement patches, gum or lozenges.Join the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 18th. Millions of Americans will quit smoking for 24 hours, or help someone they care about to quit! Free ‘Quit Tips’ and information on local quit smoking services, the N.Y.S. Smokers’ Quitline, and how to get free nicotine replacement therapy will be available at HealthLink and Nathan Littauer Hospital.For more information on quitting smoking, contact your health care provider, N.Y.S. Smokers’ Quitline, or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
