3 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease

According to the CDC, heart disease is the number one cause of death among men and women in the United States, killing over 600,000 people each year. That equates to approximately one in four deaths! Only American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a lower percentage at one in five deaths.

Although some heart disease is genetic, over 80 percent of deaths caused by heart disease are preventable. Just think what those almost 500,000 people who die each year might be doing today. Although prevention can start at any age, it is best if it is practiced when we are young. By having good habits throughout our lives, we may reduce our risk not only of heart disease other deadly diseases like strokes and cancer.

With World Heart Day falling on September 29^th, we thought we would call attention to heart disease and some prevention tips:

1. Have a healthy diet. Eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods is a good rule of thumb. By avoiding processed foods, you are also limiting added sodium and sugar in your diet, which will help to lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
2. Get regular exercise. Whether you walk, run, bike, swim, or cross-train, it is important to get 2 to 3 hours of physical activity every week. Talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise regimen.
3. Don’t smoke. If you don’t smoke now, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop. There are a variety of products and programs that can help a person quit smoking. If you tried to quit and it didn’t work, try again until it does. You can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease (and other diseases) by not smoking.

When you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly, you should be able to maintain a healthy weight. This will help you reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels, all of which are contributing factors to heart disease. It is not too late to make some simple changes to your diet and exercise routine so your senior years are happy and healthy ones!

At Assisting Hands® Home Care, our skilled caregivers will make sure the seniors in our care are eating and exercising appropriately. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, our at-home care can accommodate your needs. You will have peace of mind knowing that they aren’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100. To learn more about our in home senior care, click here.

4 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s; over 99% are 65 years or older. That means over 10 percent of senior citizens have Alzheimer’s disease. Currently Alzheimer’s is the 6^th leading cause of death in America, behind heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, accidents and stroke. It is also the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented or cured.

There are many people around the world working hard to determine what causes Alzheimer’s so it can be prevented in the future. As recently as August 2016 scientists from the University of Cambridge discovered a gene signature in healthy brains that pinpoints the origins of Alzheimer’s disease. We will have to wait and see if this breakthrough will lead to preventative treatments for individuals who are considered high-risk for contracting this disease.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or magic pill to prevent it, there are things you can do to put yourself at a lower risk of getting it as you get older. Reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and staying social may help lower your risk.

Since September is World Alzheimer’s Month, we want to share 4 tips you can do today that may reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s:

• Eat Healthy: A lifestyle of less sodium, sugar, and processed foods, and more fruits, vegetables and lean meats may also help protect the brain. This healthy nutrition lifestyle also helps to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

• Be Physically Active: Regular physical activity can increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain benefiting the brain’s cells. Although you should talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise regimen, a brisk walk is a great start. Exercise will also help to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

• Be Socially Active: Social interactions may help stimulate and strengthen the connections between nerve cells in the brain. As we age, it is important that we do not isolate ourselves from others. Having ongoing social contact is important for our mental and emotional well-being.

• Be Mentally Active: You may still be working, so your brain is ‘in gear’ throughout the day. But once you retire you need to find something to keep you mentally active. Whether you like to play games, do Sudoku or crossword puzzles, or learn something new, find the activity that will keep your mentally stimulated.

 At Assisting Hands® Home Care, our skilled caregivers provide companionship for their seniors and make sure they are eating right and getting the appropriate physical activity. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, our at-home care can accommodate your needs. You will have peace of mind knowing that they aren’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100. To learn more about our in home senior care, click here.

Is Your Loved One Ready for Autumn?.

This is the time of year when parents load up their kids with the supplies they need to be successful in school. I may mean multiple trips to several stores. If you are a parent, you probably know what I mean! Classes, projects, after-school activities…binders, pens, paper, tablets, instruments, sports gear. The list goes on and on. But you make a list and check it off as you get your kids set for the year.

But what about your senior loved one? Even though they are not in school, you should take this time to make a list and be sure their needs are being met as well.

Here are 5 areas to check:

•  Food. It may be time to think about preparing some casseroles and soup that can be frozen for your loved one and ready for them when the weather turns colder. Even on a warm day a nice bowl of soup may be soothing. It is also time to go through the pantry and refrigerator/freezer to see what foods are old and/or expired. You don’t want your loved one to eat something that will make them sick. 
• Weight Loss or Gain. Has your loved one gained or lost weight recently? We think of weight loss as a good thing, but for an older adult sudden weight loss could point to other issues such as muscle loss, depression, medication side effects, medical conditions (like cancer or thyroid disorder), Alzheimer’s disease or even a dental problem. Some of these conditions could lead to a fall, and then there are a host of other issues to deal with! If their clothes are suddenly too tight or falling off, it may be time to schedule a doctor’s appointment to see if there is anything out of the ordinary. A little preventive care can go a long way. By the way, if they have lost or gained weight, make sure they have clothes that fit them properly. They may not ask about getting new clothes, but it is little things like that go a long way to keeping their dignity.
•  Safety. When was the last time you changed the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Why not take the time to switch them now. If the detector starts to ‘chirp’ in the middle of the night, you do not want your loved one on a step stool trying to remove a battery.
• Rugs. Have you checked the kitchen, bathrooms or hallways lately? Remove any throw rugs as they can be trip/fall hazards. Instead, make sure your loved one has house shoes with traction on the soles to keep from slipping but will still keep their feet warm.
• Bath. Make sure the non-slip surface on the shower or tub has not worn off. Also check to see if the shower or tub is clean. A dirty base can become slippery and again create a slip/fall hazard. Determine if it is time to add a grab bar to the shower for added safety.

At Assisting Hands® Home Care, our skilled caregivers will make sure the seniors in our care are eating and exercising appropriately. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, our at-home care can accommodate your needs. You will have peace of mind knowing that they aren’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100. To learn more about our in home senior care, click here.

5 Things to do with Your Parents on Parents’ Day

Since a Congressional Resolution was passed in 1994, the fourth Sunday of July has been designated as Parents’ Day. As we come upon a holiday that revolves around family, why not take the time to get together with your parents to see what they are doing and how they are doing.

While you are with them, here are 5 things you can do to help them stay mentally sharp and safe:

Look at Old Photos: If you are of a certain age, you probably still have boxes of old prints in the basement or in albums somewhere. Don’t worry if they are not in order; share them with your parents anyway. See if they remember who is in the pictures, where they were taken and the occasion. Let them go down memory lane and tell stories from these occasions. This may enlighten you more than them! Take notes or record them so you can pass this information down to your family too.

Play a Game: What is your parents’ favorite game(s)? Checkers? Rummy? Find the game and play it with them. This will help to keep their memory sharp. Even a simple game of Go Fish will help fuel the brain.

Make Them a Meal: Do they like scrambled eggs and bacon? Maybe chicken is more to their liking. Whatever they enjoy having, why not make them a homemade meal instead of going out? Restaurants meals (and packaged meals in the grocery stores) tend to have too much sodium and added sugar anyway. Bring enough so you can package leftovers for them to have the next day. This way you know they are eating well a couple days that week.

Assess Their Surroundings: Is there any furniture in the way of their normal path throughout the house? Are there throw rugs on the floor? Make sure your parents have a clear path through their house and there are no trip hazards. Does it look like their clothes and other linens have been washed recently? If not, do a load or two of laundry for them while you are there. They did your laundry as you were growing up; now it’s your turn!

Assess Them: How do your parents look? Have they lost or gained unexplained weight since you saw them last? Do they look groomed (showered, hair combed, teeth brushed)? If not, they could be having issues with their memories. Ask them questions to fully understand what is going on.

At Assisting Hands Home Care we will make sure that your parents are happy and well cared for. We provide them with safe transportation to and from doctors and other appointments, grocery shopping or other errands and make sure they are getting the appropriate nutrition and exercise that is appropriate for them. Whether you need someone to be with them during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that they aren’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.

3 Things to Look for When You See Your Dad

According to the latest CDC report on leading causes of death among males in the United States, the top two causes are heart disease and cancer. These two diseases make up almost a half of the deaths among males and are, by far, the biggest causes of death compared to any other diseases or accidents.

The CDC noted that heart disease kills 1 in every 4 men. Think about that statistic for a minute…1 in every 4 men will die of heart disease. How many men are in your family – your father, grandfather, uncles, or brothers? Based on this statistic, one of them will likely die from heart disease. In addition, half of the men who die suddenly from heart disease never had a symptom, even though they may have still been at risk. The biggest risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol and smoking. In addition, obesity, diabetes, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol use are risk factors.

The National Cancer Institute identified several risk factors that, if avoided, may lower your risk of developing certain cancers. Like heart disease, potential cancer risk factors include smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol use, as well as diet, sunlight, radiation, and others.

What can you do to help prevent your loved one – and yourself – from developing these diseases? Try to reduce the risk factors. When you see your dad this Father’s Day, here are 3 things you can look for to see if he has these risk factors and help reduce them:

•             Check out your dad’s kitchen. Are there any fruits, vegetables, healthy grains or lean meat? Is the food fresh or is it expired? Take inventory and go shopping with or for him. If he doesn’t cook for himself and there is no one in the house to cook for him, prepare some meals ahead of time that you can bring with and put in the freezer. Make sure there are specific heating instructions on the containers so he knows how to heat the meal without zapping foil in the microwave or melting a plastic container in the oven. If your dad eats healthier foods, he should be able to reduce his weight, if that is a concern, lower cholesterol and possibly get diabetes under control.
•          Watch your dad.  Does he look like he has gained weight since the last time you saw him? Does he have a hard time going from a seated position to standing or is he off-balance when walking? Pay attention to the little things. He may need to get more physical activity to work on balance or reduce some weight. The combination of eating better and getting more exercise than what we’re used to can help us all feel better.
•           Check for bad habits. Is your dad a smoker or drinker? Smoking is a bad habit that needs to be given up, no matter what your age! That may not be so easy if your dad has been smoking for a long time or is very set in his ways. However, there are a variety of products and services available to help people reduce their nicotine intake and eventually quit smoking. Those may be options you can explore for your dad. If your dad is a drinker, do you know how much? Does drinking affect any medications he may be on? Excessive alcohol use is a risk factor for both heart disease and cancer, and can cause weight gain, mood swings, irritability, balance issues, forgetfulness and more!

In general, look and listen at your dad’s appearance and his surroundings. He was there for you to clean up wounds when you fell and kill spiders that you sure were going to ‘attack.’ Father’s Day is the perfect time to watch and learn from him, this time to help him!

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your dad (or mom) with safe transportation to and from doctors and other appointments, grocery shopping or other errands. Whether you need someone to be with them during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that they aren’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.

Is Your Mother Okay?

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a day to recognize and thank our mothers for all the hard work they’ve done throughout the years to raise us right. Whether or not you see your mother often, you may go to see her on Mother’s Day. There might be flowers, candy or a meal out. You will talk and laugh, letting her tell stories. With any luck, it will be a nice day so you can enjoy it together.

But will you really pay attention to your mother – not just listening to what she has to say, but watching what she does, how she moves and the condition of her house?

Is your mother okay? Here are 4 tips to make sure you understand her physical and mental condition when you are together:

• Watch Your Mother.  How is she walking? Is she moving slower than the last time you saw her? How does she look? Is she clean and groomed? We don’t mean that she has to be dressed like June Cleaver, but you’ll be able to tell a lot by her appearance.
• Listen to Your Mother.  When she speaks, is she as clear as she was the last time you saw her? Does she have a hard time remembering things that happened recently? Is she starting to repeat herself, even in the same conversation? The changes might be slight, but it is good to keep note of them to see a progression. One forgetful moment does not mean someone has dementia, but you will be able to see a pattern over time.
• Check out Your Mother’s Kitchen and Bathroom.  Is there healthy food in the refrigerator? Is the food that is there still fresh or should it have been thrown out weeks ago? In her medicine cabinet, what prescriptions are there? Are they pills that she should be taking? Based on the fill date, try to tell if they are being taken regularly. Also look to see if there are any rugs that could be a tripping hazard. Be wary of any rugs in front of sinks or even in hallways.
• Ask Your Mother How She is Feeling.  While you are talking, ask your mother how she is doing; there is nothing wrong with just asking the question. Sometimes a parent just needs a little encouragement to talk about things. She may say she’s fine and based on what you see, you believe her. You may also want to question things she says if it doesn’t match up with what you see. 

If your mother is still driving, ask where she has been and what time of day. Ask what route she takes to get there. She should know exactly how she gets around.

Ask about any medications she is taking as well. Hopefully she has a weekly pill case so it is easy for her to track which medications should be taken each day (or at certain times of the day). Make sure that case is full when you leave and she clearly understands what she needs to take and when.

You have been learning from your mother all your life; Mother’s Day is the perfect time to watch and learn some more from her, this time to help her!

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your mother with safe transportation to and from doctors and other appointments, grocery shopping or other errands. Whether you need someone to be with her during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that your mother isn’t home alone when she needs help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.

Research Confirms Exercise is Top "Prescription" for Arthritis

In the old days, seniors who were suffering from arthritis were advised to take it easy. Sit down most of the day so as not to stress your joints, well-meaning doctors would say. Sit in a rocking chair for easy, soothing motion, at the most. Rest your joints. If it hurts, don’t do it.

We know now that this was very bad advice. Multiple studies show that inactivity not only raises the risk of arthritis, but also leads to increased joint damage and pain when a person has arthritis. Exercise helps keep the joints lubricated and strengthens the muscles that support the joints. It also helps seniors maintain a healthy weight—one of the most important things we can do to be kind to our joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Exercise is the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement in osteoarthritis.”

How much, and what type, of exercise is best for seniors with arthritis? Researchers from Northwestern University tracked the activity level of a group of people with arthritis. They reported, “As expected, more time spent in moderate or vigorous activity was associated with lower reports of disabilities, but researchers were pleased to find that greater time spent in light intensity activities also was related to fewer disabilities.” Said lead researcher Prof. Dorothy Dunlap, “We were delighted to see that more time spent during the day, simply moving your body, even at a light intensity, may reduce disability. Now people with health problems or physical limitations who cannot increase the intensity of their activity have a starting place in the effort to stay independent.”

Walking is often called the perfect exercise. Reporting on recent research, the American College of Rheumatology said, “Walking an additional 1,000 steps each day was associated with between a 16 percent to 18 percent reduction in incident functional limitation two years later. Walking less than 6,000 steps daily was the best threshold for identifying those who developed functional limitation.” 6,000 steps might sound like a lot, but it’s only about an hour of walking, and can be spread out over the course of a day.  

But exercising with arthritis isn’t a simple thing. If movement causes some discomfort, it can seem counterintuitive to keep doing it. And, some exercises may be bad for a person with arthritis. This all may lead to uncertainty and anxiety that tempts a person to head right back to that rocking chair.

Beginning an arthritis-friendly exercise program

The first step is to get a “prescription” for an exercise plan that’s right for a person’s particular type and degree of arthritis from the doctor or physical therapist. This will most likely include low-impact, joint-friendly activities from four main categories:

• range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility and relieve stiffness
• strengthening exercises to help muscles support the joints
• balance exercises to reduce the risk of falls
• aerobic or endurance exercises to reduce swelling in some joints and help maintain a healthy weight

Seven ways home care helps

The next step is to stick with the exercise plan. For many seniors, this is where home care is a valuable partner. When arthritis, as well as other health conditions that are common in senior adults, make it hard to be safe and active at home, home care is a great addition to a senior’s health management regimen. Here are ways professionally trained caregivers help senior clients follow their healthcare provider’s exercise “prescription”:

Supervision and support for exercise at home. Even when seniors have been given the green light by their doctor to begin an exercise program, they are sometimes hesitant. It’s hard to change old habits of caution. But having a professional caregiver nearby provides the extra measure of confidence to take exercise to a new level—maybe even the recommended 6,000 steps. Caregivers help clients follow the exercise prescription, use weights or other special equipment, or play an exercise DVD or video.

Venturing outdoors. The doctor will most likely recommend walking as a great overall exercise, but it can be hard to stay motivated after you’ve walked around your own block a hundred times. Professional caregivers and clients can plan outings that provide exercise and a nice change of scenery. How about a trip to the park or zoo? Or a mall walk on blustery days, or just to go shopping?

Housekeeping, laundry and personal care. While these standard home care services might not seem like part of an exercise program, they are activities that can be hard for a person with arthritis. Living in a dirty home and wearing rumpled clothing can be depressing and tempt a person to just spend the day in front of the TV.

Preparing nutritious meals. When a person has stiffness of the fingers and other joints, it’s tempting to live on prepackaged foods. This can lead to an unhealthy weight gain—one of the top factors that worsens arthritis pain. Caregivers prepare meals and snacks that both meet the nutritional needs of clients and help them maintain a healthy weight.

Fall protection. The top impediment to exercise for people with arthritis is joint pain, but the fear of falling is a close second. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with arthritis are twice as likely to experience a fall injury. To reduce the risk of a fall, and to create confidence that the home environment is safe, trained caregivers are alert to remove clutter and other hazardous conditions that could cause a senior to trip.

Transportation to healthcare appointments and exercise class. Arthritis management often requires several different healthcare providers, and many seniors take part in special arthritis-friendly exercise classes, yoga or tai chi, balance training and other interventions. But arthritis can make it unsafe to drive. Professional caregivers take clients to all these appointments, and also help them remember instructions to better manage their healthcare.

Medication management. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications relieve pain and reduce inflammation, but it’s important to take them correctly. Home caregivers can provide medication reminders, pick up prescriptions, and help clients use pillboxes and other organization devices to keep track of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Learn More

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the sponsor of National Arthritis Awareness Month. Their website offers information about the benefits of exercise, including information about when it’s safe to work out with arthritis, and when patients should refrain. Above all, talk to your doctor if you have questions about your arthritis exercise program.

Source: Assisting Hands Home Care in association with IlluminAge. Copyright © IlluminAge, 2016.

How Can Your Senior Loved One Eat Healthier?

Your eyesight might not be what it used to be or the dinners that you once made without needing the recipe are harder to remember. As people age, their needs become a little greater, even with things that they once took for granted.

But it is very important, especially as we age, that we be aware of what we are eating. As we close out National Nutrition Month, we want to share 5 tips to healthier nutrition for seniors:

• Limit Processed Foods: It might seem easy to load up your loved one’s freezer with ‘healthy’ frozen dinners, but those meals are likely loaded with salt and sugar. Just because a package says ‘healthy’ doesn’t mean it really is. Instead, make a recipe for your loved one once a week and divide it into single servings that can be heated in the oven or microwave. This way you can control the ingredients and you will know they are healthy.
• Eat More Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables have a lot of vitamins and fiber, are lower in calories, and are generally unprocessed (beware of canned fruits and vegetables). Instead of buying chips and dip, make sure your loved one has plenty of cut up vegetables and hummus or ready-to-eat fruit available.
• Be Wary of Hidden Sugars: They are everywhere – in condiments like BBQ sauce and ketchup to cereals, yogurt and sodas. Find cereal that is low in sugar and get plain yogurt without added sugar. Your loved one can add the cut up fruit (see above point) to it to give it a great flavor. 

Eating too much sugar can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. When you buy packaged food for your loved one, look at the ingredients to see where sugar is listed (keep in mind sugar goes by a lot of names like glucose, high fructose corn syrup, etc). If it is listed at the top, skip it. If it is listed toward the bottom or not at all, it should be okay.

• Be Wary of Salt/Sodium: Even if a product is low in sugar, don’t forget to see how much sodium it has. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure. Instead of using salt as a seasoning, substitute with other herbs and spices to create a great tasting meal that is low in sodium.
• Eat More Whole Grains: Your loved one doesn’t have to skip bread altogether; instead get whole grain instead of white bread. The same holds true for pastas and rice – get whole wheat pasta and brown rice instead of white. As with other processed foods, be wary of products that claim they are whole grain, but they are not. 

As with a lot of processed foods, packaging can be misleading. Read the ingredient label to be sure you are getting what you really want for your loved one. If your loved one isn’t eating healthy yet, take these changes one at a time. If done correctly, they may welcome the change. It is never too early to start eating better; healthy habits can last a lifetime.

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your loved one with healthy meals and daily activity to keep their mind and body in as good a condition as possible. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that your loved one isn’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.

Do You Know the 4 Tips to Avoid Getting Type 2 Diabetes?

Did you know that March 22 is American Diabetes Alert Day? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 million people in the United States have diabetes. That is 9.3 percent of all Americans! Most of those cases involve type 2 diabetes, which is preventable. Diabetes.org has identified that almost 26 percent of seniors over age 65 has diabetes; much higher than the national average. They also note that diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

There are several ways to avoid getting type 2 diabetes. Although it helps to start when you are younger, it is never too late to start!

Here are 4 tips to avoid getting type 2 diabetes at any age:

• Eat Healthier. Sure that may be easier said than done, but it doesn’t have to be. Make one simple change at a time. Put less salt on your food. Choose a vegetarian meal versus a burger or other red meat once (or more) a week. Eat less processed foods – if it comes in a box or a jar, pass it by in favor of something fresh. If you are caring for an older loved one, try to make a healthy meal for them at least once-in-a-while instead of frozen dinners which have a lot of salt, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.

• Exercise More. If you are not getting any physical activity, try to do something once or twice a week. If you exercise a couple times a week already, add one more day to your routine. You don’t have to run a marathon to be in shape; just do what you can. If you can walk, run, bike or swim, do it! Mix up your routine so you don’t get bored. Not only will you feel better physically, but exercising your body is a great way to keep your brain healthy too. Now that’s a win-win!

If you want to help an older adult get more physical activity in their day, take a walk with them. With the spring days getting longer and the weather getting warmer it is good to get them out and enjoy the nice days. If the weather isn’t great, go to a mall and walk around. It gets them out of the house and they can interact with the environment around them.

Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.

• Lose the Extra Weight. If you are eating healthier and getting more physical activity, you may lose some of that ‘winter weight’ without having to do anything else. Being overweight is one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Losing a few pounds (or more) to get to a healthier weight is very beneficial at any age.

• Stress Less. High blood pressure is a risk factor for diabetes. Focus on the things that you can change and worry less about the things that you can’t change. You remember the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Even a few minutes of meditation each day can help a person re-focus their energy and have a positive mental attitude. Help your older loved one focus on happy memories, not sad or disturbing ones that make them upset.

Once you have diabetes, you are constantly in need of controlling it, so take steps now to prevent it. With some small, easy changes to your lifestyle, you can make a big difference in your health – and for those loved ones around you.

At Assisting Hands Home Care we can provide your loved one with healthy meals and daily activity to keep their mind and body in as good a condition as possible. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight, we can accommodate your needs. You will sleep better knowing that your loved one isn’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.