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- 970-241-8818 Grand Junction
- 970-240-4121 Montrose , Delta
- 970-240-4121 Ouray,Ridgeway
Comfort Keepers® News & Highlights on the Western Slope
In this section, we’ve gathered recent and archived news releases about Comfort Keepers services, developments and accomplishments, as well as news and feature articles that highlight matters of interest to seniors and their caregivers.
For Immediate Release
April 14, 2010
Raising The Bar
New Caregiver Training offered by Comfort Keepers and Mesa State College
GRAND JUNCTION, CO – In January of this year, the State of Colorado changed the licensing requirements for home care providers. Comfort Keepers, a home health care agency with offices in Grand Junction and Montrose, decided to use this as an opportunity to raise the bar. The intent was to raise standards and ensure a consistent, high quality of service delivery within the local industry. Comfort Keepers immediately went to work and put together a multi-faceted educational program for 2010. In addition to hosting quarterly Lunch & Learns, Comfort Keepers began working with WCCC/MSU to put together a pilot program to train home health aides. The new pilot course is ready to go and available to all providers who want to better train staff and augment in-house training typically provided by home care agencies. Comfort Keepers would also like to get feedback and suggestions from other agencies as the program continues to grow to meet the demands of a growing industry.
The 15 hour, non-credit certificate course will provide students with the basic skills required for performing the role of a home caregiver and includes topics like HIPPA, safety and in-home management. The home health aide is typically an entry level position. Duties may range from housekeeping and meal preparation to assisting with bathing, grooming, dressing and other personal care tasks. Aides may also care for the elderly, rehabilitating patients, the disabled, or individuals that are homebound. It is a great way to gain practical experience for those who might want to continue a career in health care and go on to train as a CNA or nurse. The first class starts June 8, 2010.
Comfort Keepers was started in 1998 by a home health nurse. Since then, the company has grown to nearly 600 franchises in the US and abroad. The local Comfort Keepers office has been serving the Western Slope communities since 2004. Now providing private duty nursing. www.comfortkeepers.com
For more information contact:
Ora Lee, C.S.A.
1001 Patterson Rd.
Grand Junction, CO 81506
970/241-8818
Les Lindauer – Director of Community Education
WCCC/MSU
970/255-2828
Comforting Moments
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How Hypertension Affects Memory
Oops, you did it again…forgot someone’s phone number, could not remember what you had for lunch yesterday, or for a moment maybe you were not able to recall your neighbor’s name. Simple signs, you chuckle to yourself, of growing older. You might even laug
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Top 10 Foods for a Healthy Heart
The concept that particular foods promote healthier hearts is not new. It is a fact that a well-balanced nutritional diet contributes to good health throughout a lifetime. For many people, the risk of diseases such as Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, h
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What’s the Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Health?
Healthy gums, healthy heart? Some experts agree that the key to overall good health starts in your mouth, and they are not referring simply to your pearly whites. Good dental hygiene has long been touted as paramount in maintaining good health. Dentist
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The Smallest Room in the House May Be the Most Dangerous for Seniors
We all want the best for the senior loved ones in our lives. For many seniors, living independent lives at home is their main desire. Seniors are able to do so provided they are physically and mentally able to care for themselves. Sometimes, depending on
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The Challenges of Glaucoma as We Age
When facing the aging process, we know there are challenges…but we also know these challenges do not have to ruin our fun. Growing old is a fact of life. The key to managing the normal aging process is to embrace it and take the best care of ourselves so
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Thyroid Disease and Seniors
As seniors embrace the golden years, they have many things to look forward to – retirement, watching their children begin families of their own, playing with grandchildren, and hopefully enjoying a full life with the wisdom of age on their side. Along wit
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Help Seniors Winterize Their Homes
Winter months can be particularly harsh for seniors, especially for those who live in northern states where temperatures are coldest. It is important that the ones you love stay safe during the winter season. Their safety includes not just dressing approp
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Give the Gift of Holiday Cheer
The holidays are fast approaching, and for most of us this means fun times spent with family, friends and other loved ones. However, for seniors, holidays can be difficult. Many have lost a spouse and friends through the years, or perhaps live far away fr
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Using the Five Senses When Visiting Senior Relatives this Holiday Season
As seniors grow older, it becomes important to be aware of how the aging process affects their daily lives. Aging causes bodily changes that have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of seniors. Some of these changes are so subtle they may go unnot
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When Caregiving Ends
While it may be sad for a loved one to pass away, former caregivers can look back and know they accomplished something meaningful, worthwhile, and made a difference in the life of someone else.
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In-Home Care Agencies: A Good Option in Caring for Mom or Dad
One of the hardest realizations you may have in life is recognizing the fact that your mother, father or both are unable to care for themselves. One of the toughest choices you may make is trying to decide who is going to provide the care they may need.
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Interactive Caregiving Can Make a Difference in the Life of a Senior
It is easy to become caught up in the physical tasks of providing care for an elderly loved one. A person’s well-being depends on many factors. Learn how Interactive Caregiving can make a difference in taking care of your senior loved one.
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When Trash Becomes Treasure: Seniors and Hoarding
Thanks to television, the subject of hoarding is no longer as taboo as it once was. While TV has not glamorized the issue, shows depicting hoarders have broadened our knowledge of who hoarders are…
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The Power of Touch and What It Means for the Elderly
Touch is perhaps the most powerful sense of all. From the moment we are born, before our eyes are open, a gentle touch calms us and lets us know someone cares.
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Aging Gracefully: Why Am I So Cold?
As we grow older, we are likely to ask ourselves the questions, “Why am I so cold? What does it mean?” Chances are, your body is merely going through a natural dip in metabolic rate due to the aging process.
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Brain Injuries Are Front of Mind for Leading In-Home Care Provider
Comfort Keepers Receives Acquired Brain Injury Certification to Offer Expanded Caregiving Services
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Senior Safety: Beating the Heat
In the News: Comfort Keepers of South Shore Helped Seniors Beat This Summer’s Heat. Click on the link above to view the entire article.
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How Seniors Can Escape the Heat
The following article appeared in the Milford Daily News on Saturday, July 23. Click on the link above to view the entire article.
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Good Eating is Good Medicine
Two concepts have been around for ages: “good eating is good medicine” and “you are what you eat.” While both are timeless clichés, they underscore a common concept: it is important for good health that we consume healthy foods – no matter our age.
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Yes, You Can Be Active!
Physical activity promotes good health. In fact, daily physical activity is important to maintaining bone and muscle strength.
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Why Do Some Seniors Not Take Nutrition Seriously?
That is a good question. It can also be misunderstood by younger generations who do not understand the challenges many seniors face.
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Seniors Should Practice Summer Safety, Too!
The lazy days of summer mean exactly that to most of us - longer days filled with sunshine, fun-filled vacations and laughter. After all, what is not to enjoy? Something about the sun shining in your upturned face makes your days feel a bit lighter.
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Downsizing with Dignity
There may come a time in the life of your senior loved one when they face the need to downsize. Whether moving into a smaller home, an assisted living facility, or in with you…downsizing may seem a daunting task.
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What is Your Legacy?
Although family history and genealogy are two entirely different terms, they intertwine, offering a legacy of their own. Genealogy is simply tracing your lineage and attaching names to your relatives.
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Building Bridges between the Young and Seniors
As parents age, it may seem increasingly hard to find things in common with them. And finding that same common ground between your own children and their grandparents can be even tougher.
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Aging Gracefully: Changes in the Taste Buds and Sense of Smell
Taste buds…who ever really gives them a thought? When you eat, you either like foods you are trying, or you do not.
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Hello. My name is Jane, and My Mother is an Alcoholic
It may be quite surprising to you to realize that your elderly mother or another senior in your life has come to abuse alcohol. After all, none of us plan to become alcoholics when we grow up.
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Dealing with Difficult Behavior in the Elderly
Family caregivers give the greatest gift of all – their love, energy and time – often at the expense of their own families and in lieu of other things they might like to do.
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Peace of Mind for Seniors and Their Families
Even though her son is thousands of miles away, Mary* still hears his voice twice a day reminding her to take her medication. She recently moved into an independent living facility and at the request of her son, installed the Medication System.
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Aging Gracefully as Your Hearing Fades
Just as our eyes may grow weak and crow’s feet appear because our skin gets tired, our ears undergo changes as our bodies’ age, as well.
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Tips for Seniors with Arthritis
Arthritis. The word itself is dreaded and the pain it can cause may become excruciating if not properly diagnosed and treated.
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When a Scammer Knocks: How Seniors Can Close the Door on Fraud
In today’s digital age, con artists feel right at home online, trying to get us to click on their latest schemes. But they also are still practicing their trade the time-tested way: Knocking on doors.
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Aging Gracefully – Changes to Expect from Your Skin
Skin is the first barrier of our bodies to encounter environmental elements, physical touch, and other bumps and bruises that occur during life.
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Aging Gracefully and Sleeping Well
According to the National Institutes of Health, older adults need approximately 7-9 hours of sleep a night in order to maintain overall healthy lifestyles. There is no dispute that as people age, disruptions in sleep patterns often occur.
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Pets – More Than Just Man’s Best Friend
Owning a pet can be fun and rewarding for people of all ages. Who does not appreciate the joyous greeting your dog displays when you return home for the day, tail wagging furiously – that sparkle in his eyes just for you?
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Retirement Redefined
The Families and Work Institute says that 75% of working people aged 50 and older plan to continue working in their retirement years.
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Interactive Caregiving- The hotdog that changed a life
Caregiver changed the life of the client with a simple act of kindness and a hot dog
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Slowing the Progress of Age-related Macular Degeneration
As we age, the fact that we may end up wearing glasses to help us read does not surprise us. Irritating as that may be, the need for reading glasses can be a common result of the wear our eyes experience as they grow older.
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Aging Gracefully: Caring for Muscles, Joints and Bones
Muscles, joints and bones are body parts vital to our movement and enable us to accomplish tricky feats such as downhill skiing and dancing, or simple things like writing with a pencil and hugging a loved one.
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Cooking for One or Two
The transition from preparing meals for large families to cooking for just one or two can seem overwhelming, no matter your age.
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Caregiving Across the Miles
You did it! You grew up, became successful, started a family of your own, and moved out…states away, even, from your Mom and Dad. You visit from time to time and keep in touch by talking on the phone and emailing pictures of grandchildren...
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Combating Loneliness in Seniors
The very essence of being human means we exist within a social structure where we interact with others. We talk, spend time together, laugh and sometimes cry together - but, there are times in life where interaction can become minimal.
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Aging Gracefully: The Cardiovascular System
As we age, our bodies change. What is normal? What is not? This month, we look at the cardiovascular system to see how it ages.
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Top Five New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors and their Families
Life is full of traditions, many handed down through the years, and some newly created between families and friends. Either way, traditions are part of the colorful fabric that intertwine our lives and hold us together, transcending time and distance.
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Encouraging Independence in Seniors – Maintaining Quality of Life
As a caregiver, it is important to encourage independence in seniors, but also to interact with them in ways that provide the opportunity for them to maintain a better quality of life for themselves.
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Aging Gracefully: What to Expect As You Age
Aging: The inevitable evolution of life that began the day we were born. In its early stages, aging is exciting. It is thought of in terms of “growing up” and looking forward to what the future holds.
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Comfort Keepers Brings Awarness to Senior Hunger With Meals and Companions
Grand JunctionThe night before Christmas spreads giving, many heart felt thanks were given by the recipients of meal and companionship on Christmas eve.
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Five Steps to Fighting Holiday Weight Gain
The holiday season has arrived, bringing with it excitement, gatherings with family and friends, parties and good cheer.
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Tips for Having a Not-So-Blue Christmas
Holidays often represent happy times spent with family and friends, honoring cherished traditions, attending parties and spreading holiday cheer.
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To Grandmother's House We Go...
Many families are traveling over the river and through the woods to reach Grandmother’s (and Grandfather’s) house this holiday season.
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The Six Stages of a Caregiver’s Journey
Caregivers travel a unique and winding road that is sometimes hard to understand unless you have travelled the same route yourself.
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Finding Trusted Support for Caregivers
There are over 50 million informal caregivers in the United States who provide care for someone 20 years or older who is ill or disabled.
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Celebrate Memories of Life on the National Day of Listening
When you give yourself the opportunity to sit down with an important person in your life and ask them about their past memories, it can be a life-changing experience.
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Senior Scams Prevention Education Series by Comfort Keepers
As incidents of senior Scams continued to increase, Comfort Keepers devoted the summer and fall to educate the community on ways to prevent being scams. Comfort Keepers conducted presentations in Grand Junction, Montrose, and Delta. Both senior and prov
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Music – Brightening the Lives of Those with Dementia
Since the day we were born and possibly even before, our mothers sang to us. Catchy little tunes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and You Are My Sunshine.
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Caregiver Depression…It Could Happen to You
More than 65 million people, 29 percent of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.
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Fighting Fire: Seniors Most at Risk for Fire-Related Death and Injury
Fire spreads fast. And the smoke can quickly overcome victims. If disabilities slow your mobility or you are taking medications that hinder reaction time, your chances of escaping and surviving a fire are greatly diminished.
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Comfort Keepers is Recognized
Comfort Keepers has served over 120 family caregivers to help ease the pressures of caring for a family loved one
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Five Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle for Seniors
It is never too late to benefit from change. But, for many seniors change is hard, especially when it comes to eating habits and overall wellness.
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Table for Two – Why Eating With a Senior Is So Important
We hear it on the news all of the time – families just do not sit down and eat together anymore. Our hurried lifestyles are getting in the way of quality time with our families at the dinner table.
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Malnutrition in Seniors: What To “WATCH” For
Did you know that a senior in your life could be at risk of being under- or mal-nourished without you knowing it? The face of malnutrition is changing.
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Asking the Right Questions about Home care and Taxes
Addressing paying taxes for home care
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Taking Care of Your Possessions
You cannot take it with you, but with careful planning you can make sure the assets you worked hard for will benefit the ones you love after you are gone. Many of us, however, put off creating a last will and testament, for one reason or another.
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Removing Uncertainty When You Cannot Speak For Yourself
It is not something any of us likes to think about, but there could come a time when we face a life-threatening illness or injury that leaves us incapable of communicating our wishes about the medical care we receive.
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Living Trusts Offer Advantages Over Wills
Provisions in other documents such as insurance policies, retirement accounts, and jointly-held property often conflict with the intent expressed in a will.
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Benjamin Lee Receives Endorsement for Work
Benjamin Lee received an autographed photo of Mrs. Colorado 2010 endorsing our work in the community.
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Sheilah McGuirk a Comfort Keepers Caregiver Honored
Sheilah McGuirk a Comfort Keepers Caregiver was honored recently as one of the outstanding caregivers at Mesa County Caregiver Annual Conference
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Sheilah McGuirk a Comfort Keepers Caregiver Honored
Sheilah McGuirk a Comfort Keepers Caregiver was honored recently as one of the outstanding caregivers at Mesa County Caregiver Annual Conference
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Tips For Healthy Senior Summer Travel
Taking simple steps can help make trips safe and healthy for seniors. Along with contacting a travel agent, seniors should consult their physician before taking a summer trip, recommends the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging.
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Seniors: Warm Up And Stretch Your Way to a Longer, Healthier Life
Studies show that physical activity slows the aging process and increases seniors’ life span. The positive health effects of exercise go deep, down to the cellular level.
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How Seniors Can Stay Safe In The Summer Heat And Sun
Sunny days uplift spirits. But seniors need to take special precautions to make sure their enjoyment of summer is not eclipsed by the pain of sunburn or the harmful effects of dehydration and heat illness.
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Medical Conditions – And Certain Medicines – Increase the Risk of Falls
Due to normal effects of aging, medical conditions and side effects of medications, many seniors have difficulty maintaining balance, putting them at increased risk of injury from falls.
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How to Turn Home Sweet Home Into Home Safe Home
A growing number of seniors are realizing that there is no place they would rather live than the home they have grown fond of. However, the house that was once a haven can become a potential hazard for falls as we get older.
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Osteoporosis Prevention: Strategies for Maintaining Strong, Healthy Bones
A variety of preventive health strategies helps slow and lessen the effects of osteoporosis, the natural weakening of bones that occurs as we age and can result in debilitating injuries when coupled with accidental falls.
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Educational Forum in Grand Junction Colorado
Senior malnutrition is a growing concern that impacts the elderly's quality of life. Comfort Keepers presented an educational forum to the public at Boocliff Country Club on March 25
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Delta County Spring Forum
Comfort Keepers collaborate with Delta Memorial hospital to present free educational session about senior malnutrition and difficult discussion regarding senior issues
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Some Medications Affect Seniors' Appetite and Nutrition
As senior take more medications they run an increased risk of harmful drug interactions. They also are at greater risk of nutritional deficiencies that result when medications interact with certain foods or suppress appetite.
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Diet Has a Direct Effect on Blood Pressure: Out with the Salt; Bring in the Fruits and Vegetables!
Blood pressure typically rises as we get older. Through healthful eating and exercise, however, we can help keep it under control. What we eat directly affects blood pressure.
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Healthy Eating is Important for Senior Men
At the risk of their health, senior men who live alone or serve as their wife’s caregiver often rely on the convenience of frozen and fast food. On the other hand, senior men who know how to cook are more likely to eat a well-balanced, healthful diet.
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Caregiver Training offered by Comfort Keepers of Grand Junction
A new Caregiver Training program offered to the public by Comfort Keepers and Mesa State College
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Educational Forum in Delta Colorado
Deltal Memorial Hospital in collaboration with Delta County Resouce Council present spring educational forum for family and professional caregivers. Certificates are available.
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Getting the Most Out of Medicine: Solutions for Organizing Medications
Medication works only when it is taken. And it is most effective when taken according to a doctor’s prescription or, in the case of nonprescription medications, label directions.
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Herbals And Drugs Can Have Adverse Interactions: Check With Your Doctors First
Just because herbal remedies are made of natural, plant-derived ingredients does not mean they are safe. When taken in combination with certain prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, they can pose health risks, sometimes life-threatening.
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Prescription Medications Are Not the Only Cause of Drug Interactions
Seniors are at a greater risk of drug interactions than the general population as they typically take more medications. Taken in certain combinations, drugs can interfere or interact with one another, altering their effectiveness in controlling symptoms.
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Seniors May Eat Less, But They Need To Ensure Good Nutrition
As seniors age they typically become less active and their metabolisms slow. As a result, they require fewer calories. But their need for essential, health-promoting vitamins and minerals does not decline. If anything, it increases.
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Eat Seasonally for Maximum Nutrition
No matter where we live, we expect to find a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables year-round in supermarket produce sections. But much of it has to travel great distances to get there. And in doing so, it loses freshness, taste and nutrients.
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Food As Medicine: Good Nutrition Promotes Senior Health
A healthy diet delivers essential nutrients for optimal health and plays an essential role in improving the quality of life and independence of senior citizens. According to the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health...
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Questions to Ask When Choosing an In-Home Care Provider
Family caregivers often come to the realization they need help caring for a senior parent or other loved one when they consider their other responsibilities at work and home. However, giving up some of the responsibility to someone else can...
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What to Pack (and Not to Pack) for the Hospital
Well-planned packing helps make vacations more enjoyable. Likewise, what you pack for your own or a loved one’s admission to the hospital can make for a smoother, less stressful experience.
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