PATIENT POWER Health Insights for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers
Heart Risks = Alzheimer’s Risks New info from the American Heart Assoc. (AHA), says middle agers who have issues that increase heart risks (e.g., smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure) are increasing Alzheimer’s risk. See: http:// bit.ly/2mggsj5
Exercise Can Help Brain After Stroke… A study found the right poststroke physical fitness—in as little as 12 weeks—can improve brain function. See: http:// bit.ly/2mgG93o
…But Why Wait? Another study found that even if arteries narrow, certain blood vessels can reroute healthy circulation. The key: exercise! Exercising mice ultimately had the same abundance of collateral vessels at their age 70 as those only age 16. (Different ages in mouse years of course!) So ask your doc about safe aerobics for you before stroke. See: http:// bit.ly/2mgDK8L
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photo: JayPitsby on Flickr.com
Celebrating the American Red Cross It was March of 1943 and the world (almost literally) was at war. In yet another amazing burst of genius, FDR issued the first “Presidential Proclamation” naming it “Red Cross Month.” On their website, the American Red Cross notes that it brings “help and hope to people in need,” and they do so “every eight minutes.” Wow! They don’t do it alone. Volunteers at various levels play crucial roles hither and yon. Whether you can be amazingly physical or need other roles, trust me; they’re there. Here are a few: 1. Give blood—One of their best-known (and always critical) needs. Whether it’s due to something genetic (like sickle cell anemia) or accidents or reasons not totally clear (like certain types of cancer), the ARC notes “every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.” Every two seconds! No matter where you are in the U.S., there are centers for blood donations of all kinds. 2. Get Medical Training—No, you don’t have to be a doctor. But how about basic First Aid? Bee stings, sunburn, nosebleeds, WM Medical Communications
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Famous Birthdays Still Going Strong Whether they are still here, or their messages live on:
pulled muscles…these are just a few areas faced every day. With proper training, you’ll learn what you can handle and when a professional is needed.
• Harry Belafonte: March 1, 1927. Singer, Civil Rights activist.
3. Learn CPR—The “heart pumping” you always see on TV; it’s not just placing hands and pushing. ARC is a great place to get online and in-person training and certification.
• Michael Kinsley: March 9, 1951, American journalist. • Glenn Close: March 19, 1947. American actress. • Roger Bannister: March 23, 1929. British Athlete, “4-Minute Mile.”
4. Become a Trained Babysitter—Loving the little one certainly helps, but for many years now it’s been determined savvy, safer, babysitting requires specialized understanding and skills. Think of the CPR just mentioned. You should learn the method specialized for performing it on children and ARC offers such specialized training. 5. Be a Lifeguard—Love to swim? This is of course another way
• Warren Beatty: March 30, 1937. Award-winning American actor/ director. ……………………………………….
Photo: 93-year-old. Aviation & Maritime via flickr.com
Wendy Meyeroff is president of WM Medical Communications, based in Baltimore, MD, but serving clients throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas, for over 20 years. Her specialty: writing for and about America’s aging population in print and then one of the first called online. See her at www.wmmedcomm.com
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to save lives. The U.S. Lifesaving Association estimated in 2015 that about 95 people drowned because they were in unguarded swimming areas. Of course ARC provides training in the many aspects of lifeguarding. 6. Provide a Video—The Red Cross website actually has a section containing videos of real people. One’s a lady telling how ACR helped with lightning and fire home damage. Another: a Holocaust survivor telling how ACR helped him find family many years later. You can tell a video story for the ARC.
WM Medical Communications
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