Tag Archives: Senior health

Improve Your Wellbeing During National Nutrition Month

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During March, people across the country observe National Nutrition Month.
This is an opportunity to improve one’s wellbeing and learn more about healthy eating. This year, the theme for National Nutrition Month is Go Further with Food. The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC) is committed to the health and wellbeing or our members and the surrounding community, through a variety of nutrition and fitness programs that provide tools for healthy living.

Eating right is key to feeling good and providing your body with the necessary fuel to go about your day. Whether you’re just starting off with a healthy breakfast or getting ready for a workout, the foods you choose to eat can make a significant difference. Learning how to go further with food helps us experience the benefits of eating well and cutting back on waste.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to be rigid. Everyone has their own preferences and you can make small changes over time while enjoying your favorite foods within a balanced diet. It is important to remember to consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein-rich foods, and dairy in order to get the most nutrients, while also being contentious of your calorie needs.

There is no better time to focus on nutrition. You can join the WPSCC every Wednesday at 10:30 am, as the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, offers the UNI Nutrition program. Class teachers Lynn McCullough, adult nutrition educator from the University of Pennsylvania – Netter Center, and Hellen Rayon, WPSCC health and wellness coordinator, will provide healthy cooking demonstrations and focus on eating strategies that improve your wellbeing. Each session teaches the importance of healthy eating for older adults including tips and habits every senior should know.

Join us and go further on the path to improving your health!

Here are six healthy tips for National Nutrition Month:

  1. Include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis.
  2. Consider the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store.
  3. Buy only the amount that can be eaten or frozen within a few days and plan ways to use leftovers later in the week.
  4. Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that’s right for you.
  5. Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
  6. Realize the benefits of healthy eating by consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Learn more about the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center by visiting our Facebook page at Facebook.com/WestPhilaSCC.

Five Questions Your Doctor Wishes You Would Ask About Your Heart

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February is officially designated as Heart Health Month. According to The Heart Foundation, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable.

Dr. Christopher Pitsch, Medical Director at Liberty Lutheran’s Paul’s Run community, offers five questions he wishes his patients would ask.

Q: What is heart disease?
A: Though “heart disease” may be used to describe a few different conditions, it is most commonly used in reference to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart.

Q: What causes heart disease?
A: Heart disease starts with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. Blood components can also begin sticking to the wall, causing a “plaque” buildup and narrowing/hardening of the vessels.

Q: What does high blood pressure have to do with heart disease?
A: Several years of high blood pressure can damage artery walls, causing them to become stiff and narrow. Though controlling our blood pressure is always important, there is more flexibility as we get older. Too aggressively lowering our blood pressure can cause problems as well.

Q: Is it OK to exercise?
A: Yes, regular exercise improves blood flow to the heart and makes the other muscles in the body more efficient, increasing their functional capacity as well as any medicine. As little as 10 minutes of an exercise you enjoy can go a long way.

Q: How can I lower my cholesterol?
A: Though sometimes medicine is required, healthy lifestyle changes can also make a big impact. Eating more fruits, lean meat, vegetables, and fish can go a long way, while eating less organ meats, egg yolks and fats.

Dr. Pitsch recommends that everyone should have an open and honest conversation with their doctor about heart disease and the prevention of heart disease.

For more information about heart disease, and how to reduce your risk, visit TheHeartFoundation.org.

Paul’s Run Health Care Center Enters New Frontier in Medical Testing

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The Health Care Center at Paul’s Run is entering a new age of genetic testing as part of its commitment to world-class excellence in resident care and service.

DNANow, through a small DNA sample, which is procured through a simple swab of the inside of the mouth/cheek, clinical staff at Paul’s Run are able to quickly pinpoint the most effective medications for residents. The entire process yields results within five days—a breakthrough that Dolores Redner, Director of Health Services, says is astonishing.

“One of the difficulties doctors and nurses face in providing care is finding out which medications are best for an individual. In the past, trial and error was the only way possible to see how a resident would react to a medication. This process could take weeks and lead to frustration for residents and families,” she says.

Ultimately, the genetic testing will transform how medications are chosen to optimize treatment for residents. The DNA sample will paint a picture of how a person’s genetic makeup reacts to certain types of medications, providing insight that eliminates the inconvenience of trial and error by enabling staff to rapidly zero in on the medicines that are likely to be the best match for each particular resident.

Outcomes are expected to be very positive. Existing research on individuals whose care has been guided by this kind of genetic testing shows they experienced 70% greater improvement in depressive symptoms, as well as notable improvements in remission rates and response to drug interactions.

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The entire process, which is covered by most insurance, is painless, non-invasive and time-saving. “Since DNA never changes, we only need to test a resident one time,” says Dolores.

Learn more about Paul’s Run by visiting Paulsrun.org.