How to talk with aging parents about legal and financial matters and retirment living and lifestyle options.

2008
Caring Workplace
Monthly Articles

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Caring Workplace Monthly Article: February 2008

Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Brought to you by the Caring Workplace

By: Sheila Longsdon, MSW

A new year is upon us and many have made New Year’s resolutions that tend to be forgotten quickly. Instead of focusing on one resolution, why not focus on healthy lifestyle tips that can be implemented in our everyday lives.

VISION - our eyesight is probably the most valuable of our senses and with a few healthy habits the risk of eye conditions like cataracts & macular degeneration can be lowered.

Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with 99-100% UV Protection
Stop smoking - 4 times more likely to develop vision problems than non-smokers
Eating fruits &vegetables - antioxidants absorb harmful UV rays in the eye & improve overall health of the eye
Healthy weight - overweight or obesity increases risk of decreased blood flow to the eyes which can increase risk of cataracts
Routine eye exams - American Optometric Association recommends that adults 61 & older have yearly eye exams. Increased risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Adults at higher risk of eye disease include those with diabetes, hypertension, family history of eye disease, & those of African American ethnicity

HEALTHY HEART - according to the US Food & Drug Administration, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in this country. Some healthy tips include the following:

Eat less fat - fats found in foods from animals- meat, milk, cheese, butter
Eat less salt - increased usage comes from adding salt to our food at the table
Healthy diet - decrease amount of calories, increase foods high in fiber (fruits, grains, vegetables, add foods high in “good fats” (olive oil, seafood, corn oil)
Ask your doctor to check your cholesterol level
Regular exercise

CANCER PREVENTION - there are lifestyle changes that can be implemented to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Some of the changes include:

Stop smoking - linked to 15 different cancers & accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths
Sun safety - limit exposure to UV rays by wearing a hat, protective clothing (dark colors provide more protection), applying sunscreen with a SPF 15 or greater, & wearing sunglasses
Food & Fitness - including fruits & vegetables in the daily diet, staying active- regular exercise, & maintaining a healthy weight

Have a safe & healthy new lifestyle!

For further information regarding this article or any caregiver related issue please contact your Elder Care Specialist Heather O’Brien at 314-802-5106, toll free at 1-888-388-1930, or hobrien@standrews1.com.

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Caring Workplace: The Resource for Working People Caring for an Older Adult.
6633 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130 Phone: 314-802-6291 Fax: 314-726-5719 e-mail