Problem Solved!!


    During the holidays we spend a lot of time up close and personal. This is not the time for the dreaded halitosis (bad breath!) When visiting families and loved ones that we have not seen for some time the last thing we want to be remembered for is our bad breath. We hope to spend this time laughing, talking about Christmas pasts and ones to come. Here are some foolproof ideas to kill the enemy of bad breath:

1. Brushing and Flossing
2. Tongue cleaning
3. Avoiding certain foods
4. Water
5. New Toothbrush
6. Rinses
7. Prescription Management
8. Routine Cleaning
9. Peridontal Treatment    

       Please use these ideas and pass them on to your friends along with some holiday cheer!
                                                       Merry Christmas!

                                                         Food is Medicine!




                Nutrition strategies for caregivers:

•     Assess the client's overall ability to manage and prepare his or her meals. This can easily influence the nutritional value of what they eat. They may depend heavily on pre-packaged or processed food. Even junk foods or fast food. 

• Target approximately 1 to 1.5 grams of protein/kg of body weight or around 70-100 grams/day will meet the needs of most, whether taken orally, requiring enteral tube feeds or some combination of the two. Fish, poultry, eggs, lean meats, dairy and abundant vegetables are good sources in addition to providing other important vitamins ,minerals and sufficient fiber.     

•        Encourage reading and understanding of food labels as a guide to meeting daily nutritional needs.

•        Don't be afraid to be creative, unless an individual is on a special diet where certain foods are prohibited.

•        Engage with others in your client's support network. Communicate and coordinate with a fellow caregiver, friend or neighbor who spends time in the home, to better understand your client's likes, dislikes and nutritional needs.

•       Lastly, Think of Food as Medicine : Sugar and flour based foods work against weight management, pain control, energy levels and blood glucose control.

  

                          December is Dessert Month !

     What a better time to be considerate of what we put in our tummies? When we think about December we think, Christmas Pudding, fruitcake, pies of all sorts and endless sugary cookies. Well, at least I do anyway. It has come to my attention that December is also Colitis and Crohn's Awareness Month.In this time we need to take into deep consideration what we are serving at Christmas Parties to those who may be suffering from such chronic issues. I've decided to share some ideas to ease some of the suffering during this time of the year.

1. People who suffer from these disorders should eat very little fried or greasy foods.

     2. High fiber foods such as leafy greens and nuts can be harsh to these individuals. Be mindful and cook the veggies and make sure to peel them as well. Make an offering of a fruit pie instead of one with nuts.


    3.Rather than a salad maybe a squash or green bean casserole.


    4. Say Cheers in moderation: Alcohol can be associated with chronic IBD flare-ups and may often irritate even a healthy bowel.


    5. Know yourself, but still make holiday merry with yourself :Remember what has caused problems in the past and be aware of the red flags associated with abdominal discomfort and what may bother someone else may never bother you.


    6. Be Prepared: Eye the nearest "Rest" area and be sure to have handy dandy remedies in your purse. Stay true to moderation and be careful with too much of anything. Above all else.....Merry Christmas!

What Iam Thankful For:

                                        Tis for Thankful !!

                       During this time of remembrance and Thanksgiving I find it especially important to


 give praise and thanks to those who work tirelessly all year to bring joy to the lives of others. This


 being National Non-Profit Month I decided to give some special attention to one of those


 organizations which never stop giving all year and not just during the holidays.


    The Non-Profit I would like to bring attention to is Gulf Coast Dementia Services. Gulf Coast


Dementia Services ,Inc. Is a non-profit supporting individuals and their families who suffer from


Alzheimer's and Dementia .Their Mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and family


 members affected by the various types of dementia, Alzheimer's being the most common , by


providing comprehensive education and training throughout our community.


               In 2015 one in nine age 65 and over have some form of dementia, most notably Alzheimer's


Disease. One in three of those 85 and over suffer from Alzheimer's Disease or another form of


Dementia. As of 2015,1 in 3 seniors who die in a given year have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or


another form of dementia. With such a growing population at the brink of Alzheimer's and


dementia, Gulf Coast Dementia Services stands to provide educational support to help with decision


making. Their team of educated Board Members provide assistance with :

• Case Management
• Health Counseling
• Care Advocacy
• Education Training
• Dementia Care services

   


                                                           

                                    Why Give Thanks?

       For many of us Thanksgiving is a very important holiday and one that is taken with the utmost humility and grace. Some people do not have a clue what it is. Some are foreigners who never celebrated this holiday in their previous home prior to immigrating to USA. So for these reasons enlightenment may be appreciated in some form or another. It is my understanding that the first Thanksgiving happened due to the puritan population that came to this country clueless of the horticulture process and would have otherwise starved to death had the Native Americans not extended a helping hand in teaching them how to farm and cultivate the land.  So the end result of a bountiful harvest came a great celebration to come together and celebrate all the hard work and fruits of their labor.    

      So in turn in modern times we come together to share food, fellowship and time with those who matter the most to us. We take time out of our busy schedules to help those who may be in need, shut in or physically disabled. No deed is too small or goes unappreciated by someone in need. Especially this time of year and as the weather turns colder. I hope you keep this in mind the next time you think about doing something nice for someone or helping out in a soup kitchen during Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

     

    

 

'Cindy' the Pink Firetruck

                                   CindyThe Pink Firetruck

                                                         
'Cindy' brings her mission to spread love, hope, and awareness to women and urge them to get
 regular checkups for all types of cancers in Lower Alabama. 'Cindy' is not just any lady..she is a very special pink lady.'Cindy' is the pink fire truck from Orange Beach Alabama, where she makes her home with Chief Eddie. She spends most of her time traveling around the coast raising awareness and spreading cheer to survivors and their families. Chief Eddie is always happy to let you step inside and look around,have a picture taken, or sign the Engine .


It was my pleasure to check her out and talk to Chief Eddie about all the great work that he and Cindy do along the Gulfcoast. The Chief is available to talk to groups and visit schools ,churches and organizations who would like to bring more awareness to not just Breast Cancer but all types of cancers. So keep him in mind if any of you out there would like to book him to bring Cindy and to talk about issues in your community.

Touching Hearts Presents: David Carpenter of LegalShield

Watch as Touching Hearts President, Gina Germany, sits down with David Carpenter of LegalShield, to discuss the recent Equifax security breach.

 A lot of people may not know ,but not only is OCTOBER PINKTOBER but it is


also NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION MONTH. Each year, the campaign focuses on a different


aspect of safety, from preventing forest fires to planning an escape route during a blaze. While the


campaign lasts the entire month most police and fire departments designate the second week of


October as Fire Prevention Week, during which demonstrations and expos are held in different U.S.


cities.


Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),Fire Prevention Month has roots


  that date back to THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE of 1871 that killed more than 250 people and left


more than 100,000 homeless. The fire,which was reportedly started in a barn, also burned more than


2,000 acres and destroyed about 17,400 structures. The three-day fire, which started October 8,did


most of its damage on October 9,1871,which is why Fire Prevention Week is always held around that


 date. The first National Fire Prevention Day was declared by President Woodrow Wilson in


1922,and the week long observance is the longest running public safety and health campaign on record.

Hi Friends!

    As you all know its that time again....to THINK PINK!!  We are all interested in the new stats and information related to Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness. This disease affects all of us in some form or fashion. We all know a friend or loved one who may be a survivor or is currently suffering with Breast Cancer. I personally know too many to count.


Management of people with breast cancer later in life is often challenging due to lack of good quality evidence regarding the roles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Decisions regarding chemotherapy should be made based on  the type of tumor and the age of the tumor rather than the person's chronological age.(http/www.medscape.com/viewarticle/817435)


According to recent data and the opinions of Cancer Specialists the best treatment for Breast Cancer is still early detection and maintaining an overall healthy well-balanced lifestyle. So in this month of PINKTOBER remember to get those yearly check-ups and mammograms!

Defeat Diabetres DELICIOUSLY!

After you've discovered the principles of healthy eating and the amazing medical super foods in The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes, you'll put your newfound knowledge to work, You'll find 39 delicious, easy-to-make recipes that help lower your blood sugar and burn fat.


Control your nutrition and you can control your blood sugar. Control your blood sugar and you can control both your weight and your health. These delicious, time-saving-easy-to-make meals make it a snap!

• Sirloin Steak with Broccoli
• Baked Salmon with Green Beans
• Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Red Wines
• Super-Simple Slow-Cooked Chicken Chili
• Grilled Streak and Warm Bean Salad

By: The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes

Defeating Diabetes for Folks WHO LOVE TO EAT!

Life is meant to be destroyed. That's why with The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes, you'll experience how eating healthy is about pleasure and satisfaction, not denial or deprivation.




You'll enjoy foods and recipes that will delight your sense. You'll savor the amazing flavors and delight in the aromas and colors.




These recipes don't just taste great; they make you feel great. As you keep[ your blood sugar balanced and your diabetes symptoms at bay, you'll love the relaxed energy you'll experience.




Imagine impressing your doctor with improved lab results...or hearing your friends and family comment on your slimmer figure. and you can feel great that you took control of your diabetes and overcame the challenge!


Includes sample meal plans: You'll get a complete, easy-to-follow 5-day meal plan that you can customize to your calorie needs.


In The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes, you'll discover how to:

• Enjoy sandwiches without sky rocketing your blood sugar
• Add flavor to any meal with low or no-calorie foods

By:The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes

Save Your Brain!

Did you know Alzheimer's is now called "type 3 diabetes"?


 People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. These were the shocking results from a study published in 2013.


But there's great news. Additional research shows that controlling your blood sugar can prevent Alzheimer's disease! A study shows that half of Alzheimer's cases could be prevents by focusing on reducing even slight elevation in blood sugar.


In The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes, you'll discover how to:

• Clear away Alzheimer's plaque: During sleep pair brain naturally cleans out substances called amyloid proteins(which are associated with Alzheimer's disease).Here's how to be sure your sleep will help your brain clear away these waste products before they cause dementia.
• Avoid the common over-the-counter DRUG LINKED TO ALZHGEIMER'S: If you've taken allergy medicine, you should know that some of these drugs have been linked to Alzheimer's. They actually stop your brain from cleaning out amyloid proteins that lead to dementia.

By:The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes

                                                       Purify your indoor air......

             Environmental Science & Technology highlights a worrisome reality about dust in our homes: It can contain a mixture of potentially toxic chemicals that leach out of everything from fabrics to paint to flooring materials and can pose hazards including dizziness,asthma,and allergies. Three ways to keep indoor air as clean as possible:

• Open windows often     
• Buy air-cleansing houseplants
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

       Five common houseplants-Caribbean tree cacti,jade plants,bromeliads,spider plants,and dracaenas were proven to be effective at filtering harmful substances from indoor air. Plants absorb dangerous compounds from the air in to their leaves and then move them to their root zones,where microbes break them down.

  

Motivating The Mind and Waking up the Senses!

 


    Many of us are unaware of our now " Brain Health." There is nothing wrong with evaluating our


memories and asking ourselves questions regarding our thinking patterns. Sometimes even little


things like losing our keys or walking into a room and forgetting why we went there are triggers for


us. I believe many of us have these little "forgetful moments." In the instance that we drive to town


and forget how to get back home that becomes a major red flag for those around us.


     This is when it becomes apparent that our "Brain Health" may need evaluation or that we should


begin to re- think our overall health. Sometimes a simple yearly check-up or revamping our diets and


eating cleaner and greener can wake up our brains and refresh our senses. Just remember new are


never too young or too old to start to think about our "Brain Health."

Dementia and Alzheimer's Resources

Meeting information:

The second and fourth Tuesdays of each month Touching Hearts Senior Care host a Dementia Support Group meeting for caregivers or anyone interested in  information about the disease. 

Support groups are FREE, however a RSVP is encouraged.

Our support groups are designed to provide educational, emotional and social support for family and friends of individuals living with the disease.  We encourage individuals to share their experiences and ask questions to help develop solutions to their concerns and challenges.

We meet 11 am – 12:00 pm Noon the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month.

Location:

Touching Hearts Senior Care

3263 Demetropolis Rd., Ste. 10

Mobile, AL  36693

251-445-4204 - RSVP

SAVE THE DATE!!

 

SAVE THE DATE

DEMENTIA WORKSHOP

APRIL 6, 2017

9am – 12pm

GOODWILL EASTER SEALS

AUDITORIUM

2440 GORDON SMITH DR.

MOBILE, AL  36617

“Legal aspects of Dementia”

“Teepa Snow GEMS”

Google Eventbrite mobile to register or follow the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dementia-workshop-april-2017-tickets-31653450322

For more information call Gina @ 251-445-4204

Advertising sponsor, Senior’s Blue Book

The Sound of Music

By Teresa Dumain

NeurologyNow, April/May 2016

 

A playlist of familiar songs can help improve the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease

 

The Power of Music

 Personalized music playlists can help promote well-being and enhance quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive impairments, say Daniel C Potts, MD, FAAN, a neurologist at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Alabama, who witnessed the effect of music on his own father.  When Dr. Potts’ father, who passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s, was in hospice the last few days of his life, he couldn’t respond or speak at all.  “So we just stood around his bedside and sang the old church hymns he grew up with,” he recalls.  “We were amazed when he actually sang with us, or at least mouthed the words.”

To make a playlist for someone you love, follow these tips from the Music & Memory organization.

 Get the gear.  You’ll need a computer or tablet; an iPod or other digital music player; and a pair of lightweight, adjustable, over-the-ear headphones.

Create a song list.  Some digital music players hold up to 300 songs, others more.  Aim for 80 to 100 selections in the beginning.

Focus on familiar music.  Songs from the person’s own young adult years----when he or she was aged 18 to 25----may be the most engaging.  The key is to choose tunes that have positive associations.  Talk to family and friends for ideas, or, if possible, ask the person herself.  What artists or songs did she listen to when she was young?

For more information or help setting up a playlist, visit musicandmemory.org.

Conversation Starter

By Gina Roberts-Grey

NeurologyNow, June, July Issue 2016

 

Maria Shriver started talking about Alzheimer’s disease after her father, Sargent Shriver, was diagnosed.  Ten years later, she’s still talking and people are beginning to pay attention.

 In 2003 she began asking questions, getting answers, and sharing that information with others.  Within a year of her father’s diagnosis, she was bringing those skills to bear on Alzheimer’s disease.

The more she learned, the more she realized she wanted to start a national conversation, one she hoped would translate into more support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

She started this trend by:

Public Discourse

Raising Awareness and Funds

Detecting A Pattern

A Call To Women

The Female Connection

Advocating Prevention

How to Help

 There’s much to be done to address the Alzheimer’s epidemic, says Shriver.  She offers some suggestions for the federal government in The Shriver Report, including providing an eldercare tax credit, eldercare leave, elder day care programs staffed by professionals trained in dealing with the disease, intergenerational day care centers, quality control of nursing homes and end-of-life facilities----and promoting eldercare savings programs to set aside money for future health care costs.

The government is responding to advocates like Shriver.  The Alzheimer’s Association hopes Congress will increase Alzheimer’s-related funding by $400 million in 2017.  And the proposed 2016 federal budget allocated an additional $350 million for Alzheimer’s disease research, a 60 percent boost that will bring total funding to $936 million.