courtesy of shutterstock

Treat a Senior to a Nutritious Bowl of Soup
When mobility, energy and resources are limited, it becomes especially difficult to fix yourself something tasty and nutritious to eat. That's why convenient cans of soup are such a blessing to many SCV seniors; they can make a hot, healthy bowl quickly and easily. The next time you're at the grocery store, could you put a few extra cans of soup in the cart for a senior in need? Or maybe your kids can share holiday greetings while collecting soup from neighbors. Once you're "canned," take your donations to Visiting Angels now through January 15. (Special thanks to Camelot Moving & Storage for delivering all that soup to its final destination, too!). Call to arrange a donation time.
Visiting Angels 263-2273

People with Diabetes are Twice as Likely to have Hearing Loss
With the holidays in full swing and indulgence at its peak, it's a good time to be reminded of the link between diabetes and hearing loss. In 2008, the National Institute of Health (NIH) found hearing loss to be twice as common in adults with diabetes than in those without.

Researchers suggest that diabetics are more prone to developing hearing loss due to poor circulation. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the delicate structures of the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss.

Diabetic patients can lower their risk of hearing loss by:
Exercising regularly and eating a nutritious diet to keep blood glucose within recommended readings.

Avoiding tobacco use, which can compound risk for hearing loss.
Testing hearing annually to monitor changes.

Visit your educational hearing experts at Advanced Audiology for your free baseline hearing screening. Be proactive the easy way!
Nola Aronson's Advanced Audiology 425-9330

Senior Alert: Nurture your Spirit this Coming Year
Certainly physical health should be among the top priorities for aging adults - but mental health and spiritual wellness is as important. Finding purpose and enjoyment is vital to our quality of life. If you're able, resolve this coming year to take yourself out daily or weekly for a walk or a swim. Try some yoga at the local senior center or find a YouTube interactive video and do it on your own. If mobility is a problem, start a journal, listen to music or take an online art class - you can order inexpensive art supplies to be delivered right to your door. Keeping your mind active and interacting with others can ward off depression and a whole host of health problems. Go to church, get a dog or cat, or if you need motivation and you're feeling isolated, call the Friendship Line, a great volunteer organization out of San Francisco that offers a friendly ear and gentle advice to seniors. The number is 800-971-0016.
Home Instead Senior Care 254-8701

Oral Cancer is on the Rise: Here's How to Prevent It
Did you know that one person dies every hour, 24 hours a day, from oral cancer - and that there are 100 new cases diagnosed a day, too? Sadly, 49,750 men and women will be diagnosed this year alone. Oral cancer has historically affected individuals who are over the age of 40 and/or individuals who use tobacco products (smoke/smokeless/chewing). That is not the case now; there is an increasing trend in oral cancer diagnoses in much-younger individuals. Signs and symptoms of oral cancer include swelling of the jaw, a sore in your mouth, a lump in your cheek, difficulty chewing or swallowing, ear pain and loose teeth.
The first line of defense and prevention of oral cancer is your oral health provider. Yup! Your dentist and hygienist will use the latest dental technology to provide the best possible services to you, including ones that can detect matters of life and death.
Oral cancer screenings offer the use of the latest oral cancer detection technology, Velscope, which emits a harmless, bright-blue light that is used to inspect the mouth and tongue. This device is created to be sensitive to abnormal tissue changes, which allows your dental pro to see if there are any symptoms. There's no cutting corners when it comes to you and your family's wellbeing.
Santa Clarita Advanced Dentistry 200-0677

courtesy of shutterstock

Get Back in the Game Today with Tomorrow's Technology
Is pain slowing you down? Do you need a joint replacement, but are worried that the downtime will impede on your career and lifestyle? Are you concerned about functionality post-op? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to schedule a consult with the best in orthopaedic care. Dr. Alon Antebi, DO Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon & Joint Reconstruction Surgeon and Dr. Justin Sherfey, DO, Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Joint Reconstruction Surgeon of AVORS Medical Group have more than 5,000 total successful orthopaedic joint replacements between the two. The pair specializes in anterior hip replacements; total knee replacements, partial knee replacements, joint reconstruction, minimally-invasive joint replacements and outpatient total joint replacements using the most advanced technology.
Dr. Alon Antebi and Dr. Justin Sherfey of AVORS 705-5100

Three Respite Resolutions for Caregivers
With the new year comes a fresh start on how to best tackle the stress that comes with taking care of an aging loved one. Here are three fun resolutions for family caregivers so you can best take care of yourself and the seniors you love.

Practice mindfulness. A sense of calm is essential as a family caregiver, so create a mindfulness practice as a quick way to find peace in your life. Spend five minutes each morning focusing on your breathing and thinking about what you are grateful for.

Stay social. Isolation is a caregiver's worst enemy, so make sure to schedule time with friends and family. Make it a priority to get lunch, go for a walk or call a loved one once a week.

Sleep well. Exercise is a common, and important, resolution but what about the other end of the spectrum? This year, create a sleep routine for yourself so you can recharge emotionally and physically.
Home Care Assistance 452-6430