TALLMADGE, OHIO – Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll Nursing & Rehabilitation has been recognized as a 2018 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the leading association for long term and post-acute care. The program honors association members across the country that have demonstrated their dedication to improving quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.
“We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to improving residents’ lives through quality care at Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll,” said Kevin Kauffman, Vice President of Operations for Sprenger Healthcare. “Working together to reach this milestone has made our team even better. We will never stop improving.”
The National Quality Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award criteria.
“I applaud Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll for taking this important step towards quality improvement,” said the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers Chair Alana Wolfe. “I encourage Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll to continue on its path to achieving superior outcomes.”
The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 69th Annual Convention and Exposition in San Diego, California, October 7-10, 2018.
About Sprenger Healthcare
Sprenger Healthcare is a leading developer, owner and operator of senior living communities in Ohio, Indiana, and South Carolina. Through our 12 communities encompassing nearly 2,000 beds, we provide exceptional health care services for the aging, including long-term nursing care, assisted and independent living, memory care, hospice, respite care and short-term post-acute rehabilitation.
From a small family-owned nursing facility to an expansive enterprise employing 2,000 professionals, Sprenger Healthcare is actively growing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Sprenger’s third generation is building a legacy while maintaining the same philosophy of personalized care initially established by Grace Sprenger in 1959.
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 13,600 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.
John Morrison always led an active and exciting life. During different parts of his life, he was a police officer, a paramedic fireman, and an Army Reservist. There wasn’t much that could slow him down.
Until one day, in 2010, John lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. After the crash, he was determined to move on with his life as much as he could. And he did. However, seven years later he was struck with a medical condition that caused him to lose his other leg.
Faced with an outlook that seemed bleak, John had just about given up hope of having a healthy, active life where he could walk again. His biggest fear was being confined to a wheelchair. Not ready to give up, he admitted himself into Sprenger Health Care Rose Lane to start therapy and gain a new perspective on his life.
He didn’t know it, but at that moment his journey to one day walk again was closer than he could imagine. He would soon be fitted with prosthetic legs. With a determined therapy team and support staff at Sprenger Health Care Rose Lane, John underwent extensive therapy and rehabilitation, which included a myriad of exercising such as core work, strength training, and stretching.
Shawn Beltz, director of rehabilitation at Sprenger Health Care Rose Lane, commented, “John’s therapy team, which included myself, Tyler Sponaugle, physical therapist, and John Price, physical therapist assistant, helped him practice standing and walking when John had just one prosthetic. These exercises would help to improve his upper body strength and help him to learn a walking pattern again.
Once he received both prosthetics,” Beltz continued, “we could practice on the parallel bars with weight shifting – learning how to transfer his weight back and forth. We then progressed him to using a walker, giving him the tips to assure his walking pattern was normalized. Eventually, we were able to get him to use just a cane.”
While the therapy and rehab started to help him physically, John also attended Sprenger Health Care Rose Lane’s amputee support group so he could begin to heal emotionally as well. John said, “The whole experience has been eye-opening. The staff at Rose Lane refused to give up on me.”
John continues to improve every day and is happy with the direction he is headed at this point in his life. He looks forward to the day when he can be more independent. For now, however, he is not going to let anything slow him down.
Sprenger Healthcare offers a wide variety of services including therapy, independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice care. No matter what your situation, we are here to support you at every step of your journey. If you would like to schedule a personal tour at one of our communities, please call us at 800-772-1116 or visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to explore all we offer.
Sprenger Healthcare has been providing personalized senior care with compassion and understanding since 1959. During this time, we have worked tirelessly to consistently exceed our patients’ and residents’ needs.
These concerted efforts have garnered us many positive reviews and awards regarding our services and our facilities. One such award is the U.S. News and World Report’s annual review of nursing homes across the country.
Since 2009, U.S. News has been reporting data on nursing homes from Nursing Home Compare (https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare), a program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. The reported ratings are scaled on a star grade of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest achievement. The stars are determined by the nursing home’s performance in three areas – state-conducted health inspections, nurse staffing and medical quality measures.
Three Sprenger Health Care facilities in Lorain County received the highest 5-star rating: Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village in Wellington, Ohio; Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor in Amherst, Ohio; and Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge in Lorain, Ohio. The administrators at each community are thrilled to have been recognized for their hard work and dedication. Their comments regarding the award are as follows:
“It is an honor to be acknowledged for the effort the staff at Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village puts in every day. I love that our nursing home provides a comforting environment and individualized care for each of our residents.” Jenna Fawley – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village
“It is an honor for us to receive this award from U.S. News. With so many options to choose from in our industry, we are proud to be chosen as one of the best in the area by this organization. My community has recently been updated with an addition of 30 private rooms with private baths, and new, comfortable common areas. Our state-of-the-art therapy gym now features Biodex equipment, Jintronix motion capture technology and Vital Stim with Biofeedback. In addition, we are offering the latest programs for those recovering from a stroke, backed by a well-known area neurologist and therapists who are certified in neuro-development training.” – Kristen Gollinger – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor
“Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge offers a continuum of care with skilled nursing and rehabilitation, long-term care and assisted living all on the scenic shores of Lake Erie. This award continues to show the community that Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge strives for exceptional customer service and to exceed their expectations every day.” Janelle Shaw – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge
Sprenger Healthcare offers a wide variety of services for the aging. From independent living to skilled nursing care, we are here to support you at every step along your journey. If you would like to schedule a personal tour at one of our facilities, please contact us at: 800-772-1116 or visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to explore all we offer.
Feeling stressed out? Learn ways to calm the stress in your life.
Feeling stressed out? Most Americans do.
Not all stress is bad. A certain amount of stress enables executives to perform at their peak, but too much stress can be harmful. Stress is linked to chronic conditions, such as heart disease and depression.
The trick is to manage or control stress to keep it within healthy limits. If your stress meter is soaring, learn to relax. Here are some soothing ways to handle the stress in your life.
1. Breathe
Have you heard the expression, “take a breather”? Sometimes just five minutes of deep breathing is enough to ban stress.
Most people take shallow breaths that fill only part of the lungs. Deep breathing gets more oxygen into the lungs and can help calm the brain. Try these steps:
- Sit or lie with one hand on your belly.
- Breathe in through your nose, filling your lungs. Focus on making the hand on your belly rise
- Breathe out through your mouth, trying to empty your lungs as much as you can. The hand on your belly should move in as your muscles tighten.
- Continue these deep, slow breaths – in through your nose and out through your mouth – making your belly rise and fall.
This simple, but powerful, exercise can be done almost anywhere. It can be combined with meditation or muscle relaxation.
2. Relax your muscles
Progressive muscle relaxation is another simple way to ease stress. Practicing it can help you become aware of when you are holding stress in your body. Relaxing your muscles can help your mind relax.
- Lie down in a quiet place. Take a few minutes to breathe slowly and deeply.
- When you feel relaxed, start with your right foot. Squeeze the muscles as tightly as you can. Hold while you count to 10
- Relax your right foot. Take a few deep breaths./li>
- Next, squeeze the muscles in your left foot while you count to 10
- Relax and breathe.
- Slowly work your way up your body (legs, belly, back, chest, arms, neck and face), squeezing and relaxing each group of muscles.
3. Say yes to yoga
Yoga is a system of exercises (called asanas) for gaining bodily or mental control and well-being. The philosophy is that the breath, the mind and the body are so closely linked that whatever you do to one will affect the other. In addition to easing stress, yoga can improve strength, balance and flexibility.
Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that is safe for most people when it’s practiced correctly. Consult a trained yoga teacher. Make sure you ask your doctor before you start any new activity.
4. Try tai chi
Tai chi is a series of postures that flow into one another through connecting transition moves. These slow, graceful and precise body movements are said to improve body awareness and enhance strength and coordination. At the same time, they are supposed to help the practitioner achieve inner peace. Like yoga, it is designed to enhance both physical and emotional well-being.
Tai chi is a low-impact aerobic activity, so you can chill out and burn some calories at the same time. Another advantage to tai chi is its low risk of injury.
Take a tai chi class or buy a book or instructional video. Once you learn how to do tai chi, you can practice almost anywhere.
5. Meditate
Meditation is a centuries-old spiritual practice that is also a powerful stress-buster. Here, you learn to relax while focusing on a word, a sound or your own breathing. It can have a deeply calming effect.
There are many different types of meditation. One type is mindfulness meditation. You can practice mindfulness while sitting in a quiet place or while walking. The key is to keep bringing your focus back to your breathing or your steps. When distractions come into your mind, observe them without judging and let them go. The technique is simple, but achieving the desired result takes practice.
6. Get a massage
In massage therapy, the hands (or sometimes forearms, elbows and feet) are used to manipulate the soft body tissues. A good massage is not only relaxing, but it may also have some real healing benefits. Some studies have shown that the kneading and pressing of muscles slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles and helps reduce stress levels.
If you can’t fit in or afford a visit to a spa, ask your partner or friend for a neck, back or foot rub. Trading massages can be a relaxing way to reconnect after a stressful day.
Sprenger Healthcare offers a wide variety of compassionate, senior services. From independent living to skilled nursing care, we are here to support you at every step along your journey. If you would like to schedule a customized tour at one of our facilities, please contact us at: 800-772-1116 or visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to explore all that we have to offer.
Sprenger Employee Nominated for Supervisor AwardCongratulations are in order for Amanda Krieg, occupational therapy assistant at Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor. She was nominated by Jennifer Loeser, S/OTA, for the supervisor award through the EHOVE mentorship program. Specifically, Amanda worked with Ms. Loeser through that EHOVE’s adult career center occupational therapy assistant partnership.
Amanda has been with Sprenger Health Care for 4 years, and has worked in the healthcare industry for 20 years. During this time, she has hosted many students and is an excellent teacher. Ms. Loeser wrote the following about Amanda:
“I would like to nominate Amanda Krieg for the supervisor award. I could not have had a better experience for my first level II rotation. She, and the whole Sprenger therapy team at Amherst Manor, made me feel comfortable and allowed me to ask questions as well as giving me feedback and help where I needed it. Amanda was encouraging and always knew when I needed her to jump in for help, and for advice. I feel she truly allowed me to grow into becoming a COTA. She planted a good seed for me to build on, and showed me how to talk to patients with true compassion. She was a teacher without making me feel out-of-place or inadequate. I truly feel she should earn this award. It is difficult to put into words how wonderful she made me feel throughout my first rotation and how much I learned from her.”
For more information on the occupational therapy assistant program at EHOVE, please visit: http://www.ehove.net/adult-education/programs/occupational-therapy-assistant/
Photo from left to right: Teri LaGuardia, MOT, OTR/L – EHOVE Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Jennifer Loeser, S/OTA, Amanda Krieg, OTA – Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor
Sprenger Healthcare Opens First Dedicated Memory Care Assisted LivingMedia Contact:
Amanda Yandell, Corporate Marketing Coordinator
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6627 / AYandell@SprengerHealthCare.com
Location Contact:
Jason Coe, LNHA, Regional Director of Operations
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6603 / JCoe@SprengerHealthCare.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Avon Lake, OHIO – July 6, 2017 – Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living, a unique memory care assisted living facility located inside Sprenger Healthcare Towne Center Community Campus, is now open and accepting residents.
“Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living offers quality care for residents in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other related dementias,” said Jason Coe, LNHA, Regional Director of Operations with Sprenger Healthcare. “With safety, continuity of care, and sensory cognition in mind, Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living optimizes quality of life while encouraging residents to maintain a healthy level of activity.”
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living is Sprenger Healthcare’ first memory care assisted living community. The unit features 30 private studios, each with individual bathrooms and specialized safety features; a large dining area featuring chef-designed meals; saltwater aquarium; a common area with a 30-foot glass clerestory to let in plenty of natural light; and a secured courtyard for residents and their loved ones to enjoy.
The addition of a memory care assisted living facility on our campus will give us greater capacity to meet the evolving needs of our community,” Coe continued. “Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living will not only be a safe and comfortable home for residents, it will provide a constructive environment to promote activity and socialization.”
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living at Sprenger Healthcare Towne Center Community Campus also features a Life Enrichment team, which offers residents specialized programming, including fitness programs, planned outings, and weekly happy hours, as well as art and pet therapy, among other services. Residents can also take advantage of Sprenger Healthcare’ Certified Dementia Care Specialists and 24-hour staff to assist with everyday needs.
Media Contact: Amanda Yandell, Corporate Marketing Coordinator
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6627 / AYandell@SprengerHealthCare.com
Location Contact: Jason Coe, LNHA, Regional Director of Operations
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6603 / JCoe@SprengerHealthCare.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Avon Lake, OHIO – June 13, 2017 – Sprenger Healthcare is celebrating its new Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living space at Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus with a community open house Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
The community open house will take place from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at 400 Community Drive, Avon Lake, OH 44012.
Tours will be provided throughout the event for community members to explore the new Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living space, which is designed to offer quality care for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. With safety, continuity of care, and sensory cognition in mind, Parkway is designed to optimize quality of life and encourage residents to maintain a healthy level of activity.
As the first memory care assisted living facility in Sprenger Healthcare, the unit includes 30 private studios with individual bathrooms and specialized safety features. It has its own dining room featuring chef-designed meals, a soothing salt water aquarium, a 30-foot glass clearstory to let in plenty of natural light, and a secured courtyard for residents and their loved ones to enjoy.
“The addition of a memory care assisted living facility on our campus gives us more capacity to meet the changing needs of our residents,” said Jason Coe, Regional Director of Operations for Sprenger Healthcare.
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living provides a constructive environment to promote activity and socialization, with planned outings, weekly happy hours, in-house fitness programs, as well as art and pet therapy. Residents can also benefit from Certified Dementia Care Specialists and 24-hour staff to assist with everyday needs.
The community open house will include a ceremonial ribbon cutting, complimentary wine tasting with The Wine Room, raffle baskets, cocktails, and hearty hors d’oeuvres and desserts compliments of Chef Jim Smith.
For more information and to RSVP please contact Jasmine Naida at (440) 930-6700 or email JNaida@SprengerHealthCare.com.
About Sprenger Healthcare
Sprenger Healthcare is a leading developer, owner and operator of senior living communities in Ohio, Indiana, and South Carolina. Through our 12 communities encompassing nearly 2,000 beds, we provide exceptional health care services for the aging, including short-term post-acute rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, assisted and independent living, memory care, hospice, and respite care.
From a small family-owned nursing facility to an expansive enterprise employing 2,000 professionals, Sprenger Healthcare is actively growing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Sprenger’s third generation is building a legacy while maintaining the same philosophy of personalized care initially established by Grace Sprenger in 1959.
By: Renea Dutton, Director of Rehabilitation
Sprenger Healthcare is a proud sponsor of Moving Day® Cleveland, the National Parkinson Foundation Ohio’s annual fundraising walk/run event, planned for June 17, 2017 at Wade Oval at University Circle.
Donations support the development of treatments for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous systems. Moving Day® is a celebration of movement featuring a kids area, a caregivers relaxation tent and a Movement Pavillion with yoga, dance, Tai Chi, and Pilates. These activities have been proven to better manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. There is also a family-friendly 1-mile walk course in which participants can unit in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and walk to spread awareness.
Sprenger Healthcare will be hosting a walking team and sponsoring a tent at the Moving Day® Cleveland event. We encourage residents, staff, family and friends to join our team! To join the Sprenger in Motion Team, please visit http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/MovingDayEvent/NPFOhioChapter?team_id=42811&pg=team&fr_id=2576
Sprenger Healthcare is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s disease. This is why offer Delay the Disease, a free 12-week exercise program developed to optimize the physical function of people with Parkinson’s disease. Our licensed therapists will guide participates through Parkinson’s specific exercises, in an effort to reduce the symptoms often associated with the disease. Our “Delay the Disease” exercise program is offered at our Amherst Manor Retirement Community, Heather Knoll Nursing & Rehabilitation and Smithville Western Care Commons. For more information or to RSVP, contact the therapy department at a facility near you!
By: Lisa Zook, Dietitian
Remember when you wanted to add milk to your cereal and there was only one type available – milk from a cow? Consumer choices were so much simpler in the past. Choosing milk from the store has gotten a lot more complicated. Here’s a nutrient breakdown on the most popular choices per 8-ounce serving:
| Type | Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Protein | Sugar | % Calcium | % Vitamin D |
| Whole Milk | Calories: 150 | Total Fat: 8 | Saturated Fat: 5 | Protein: 8 | Sugar: 12 | % Calcium: 30 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Nonfat Milk | Calories: 90 | Total Fat: 0 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: 8 | Sugar: 12 | % Calcium: 30 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Original Soy | Calories: 110 | Total Fat: 4.5 | Saturated Fat: 0.5 | Protein: 8 | Sugar: 6 | % Calcium: 45 | % Vitamin D: 30 |
| Unsweetened Soy | Calories: 80 | Total Fat: 4 | Saturated Fat: 0.5 | Protein: 7 | Sugar: 1 | % Calcium: 30 | % Vitamin D: 30 |
| Original Almond | Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 2.5 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: 1 | Sugar: 7 | % Calcium: 45 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Unsweetened Almond | Calories: 30 | Total Fat: 2.5 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: 1 | Sugar: 0 | % Calcium: 45 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Original Rice | Calories: 120 | Total Fat: 2.5 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: 1 | Sugar: 10 | % Calcium: 30 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Unsweetened Rice | Calories: 90 | Total Fat: 2.5 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: <1 | Sugar: <1 | % Calcium: 30 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Original Coconut | Calories: 70 | Total Fat: 4.5 | Saturated Fat: 4 | Protein: 0 | Sugar: 7 | % Calcium: 10 | % Vitamin D: 30 |
| Unsweetened Coconut | Calories: 45 | Total Fat: 4.5 | Saturated Fat: 4 | Protein: 0 | Sugar: 0 | % Calcium: 10 | % Vitamin D: 30 |
| Original Cashew | Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 2.5 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: <1 | Sugar: 7 | % Calcium: 45 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
| Unsweetened Cashew | Calories: 25 | Total Fat: 2 | Saturated Fat: 0 | Protein: <1 | Sugar: 0 | % Calcium: 45 | % Vitamin D: 25 |
So Let’s Review:
- Cow’s Milk
Packed with nine essential nutrients – calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, riboflavin, and niacin – milk is a nutrient powerhouse. The 12 grams of sugar come from naturally-occurring sugar, lactose, which is not added sugar. There’s lots of emerging research on whether the saturated fat found in whole milk is beneficial for you; however, there’s no official verdict yet. If you don’t consume a lot of saturated fat in your diet overall, perhaps there’s room for it in your diet. However, for most people, I would still recommend nonfat or 2 percent milk as a better choice.
- Soy Milk
Soy milk has always been a good alternative for people with a milk lactose intolerance or allergy. Packed with heart-healthy soy, 7 to 8 grams of protein and almost no saturated fat, it can definitely be a smart choice. Do keep in mind that the sugar found in the sweetened and original varieties are added sugar (from cane sugar), so if you’re watching your total sugar consumption, you might want to stick with the unsweetened kind. Also, if you have a history of breast cancer, you may want to limit large amounts of soy in your diet.
- Almond Milk
Rich in calcium and a good source of vitamins D, E, and A, almond milk has definitely become more popular in the last couple of years. Its taste and texture make it a great alternative for milk. However, just like with soy milk, if you buy the original or sweetened varieties, the sugar is from added cane sugar. But there are several unsweetened and now “light” varieties available, with 0 grams and 3 grams of sugar, respectively. Surprisingly, almond milk has minimal protein, so if you’re hoping to use it as a protein source with your meal, you are out of luck. But the good news is there’s room to add some protein to your breakfast meal or smoothie since almond milk is low in calories.
- Rice Milk
Original rice milk has more calories than the other milk alternatives (not including whole milk), but the high sugar amount is naturally-occurring. Rice milk has the least amount of nutrition compared to the others. However, for people with multiple food allergies, rice milk could be the best choice.
- Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a hot trend right now. It isn’t high in calories, but it’s the highest of the milk alternatives in saturated (bad) fats. Some studies show that coconut milk fats can raise your cholesterol levels and LDL levels. If you really love the taste of coconut, go ahead and include a little in your diet – just keep in mind that, per serving, there is no protein and the drink has the least amount of calcium compared to the other “milk” options.
- Cashew Milk
Another nut option, cashew milk has not picked up as much momentum as almond milk. Cashew milk’s creamy taste, though, lends itself to be a perfect low-calorie swap in many recipes. Rich in calcium, just like almond milk, it can be a good source for people who avoid milk products. However, if you’re looking for a good protein addition for your meal, you might want to look elsewhere.
Bottom line: When choosing a “milk” beverage, a lot of it comes down to a taste preference – which obviously varies from person to person. If you don’t have any allergies, then all of them can be included in a healthy diet. Just keep in mind that some might be a better choice with certain snacks or meals depending on what else you’re consuming. Most have some added calcium and vitamin D; some have protein while others do not. Buy some and try the different flavors for yourself!
By: Barbara Baird and Jessica Slavik, The Nord Center
Whether it’s gardening or spending time with your grandchildren, your retirement years can be your chance to do the things you truly love. But what if you find that you are losing interest in the things that you once enjoyed? What if basic functions like eating, sleeping or just making it through your day start to feel like “too much”?
Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. Many changes that occur as we age can lead to depression such as medical illnesses, the death of spouses or other loved ones, and retirement. The effects of depression can extend far beyond changes in mood. Depression can cause people to become less energetic, experience changes in sleep patterns, changes in their appetites, as well as a decline in physical health.
According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, depression is one of the major causes of a decline in the health-related quality of life for senior citizens. Depression in seniors is often overlooked because the symptoms may look like other diseases such as arthritis or dementia. As a senior, taking a proactive approach to your mental health can make the difference between aging, and aging well. The following strategies can help:
- Keep Moving – Physical exercise is important to everyone’s health! Go for a walk or join a tai chi class. If you have physical limitations, try a chair workout.
- Socialize – Stay connected with family and friends. You should also make an effort to meet new people – try joining a book club, taking a class, or volunteering. Dedicating quality time to social activities each week can reduce the likelihood of depression and generate a support group for when times get tough.
- Use the Internet – If friends and family live too far away, the internet is a great way to keep in touch. A recent study shows that internet use among seniors can reduce the probability of depression by more than 30 percent! Being able to stay connected with loved ones and old friends helps fight off feelings of seclusion and promotes greater social interaction, even when it can’t be in person.
- Get a Pet – Pets are great therapy option and research has proved taking care of a pet lowers agitation and depression. Pets also help seniors stay active and socially involved.
- Play Games – Puzzles, crosswords, and games like Sudoku keep the brain stimulated. Cards are also a great way to get friends together.
- Make Deeper Spiritual Connection– Religion and the community within can offer meaningful activities and support or a great place to volunteer.
- Make a Difference– Volunteering is a great way to stay active and involved within your community. Finding a way to “do good” helps create a sense of purpose in life and also provides another opportunity to socialize.
There is great help available and many active ways to manage depression and to lift its cloud from your golden years. If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from depression, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider to make a treatment plan.
