How to Get Your Kids to Make Lifestyle Choices and Combat Childhood Obesity

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Children learn from the influences around them. Part of growing up is creating the habits that will follow your children throughout their lifetimes and shape them as they mature. Instilling a healthy lifestyle in your children when they are young can help build the framework for an entire lifetime of healthy habits.
Here are 10 ways lead your children toward a healthy lifestyle:

1. Eat at least one meal a day as a family
   Eating at least one meal a day as a family ensures that your child is making healthy choices during that time of the day. This also gives you the opportunity to lead by example and use the opportunity to teach your children about food choices and healthy portion sizes. By modeling healthy cooking habits in the home, you are helping transfer your choices into your child’s lifelong habits.
2. Get your children outside and involved
   This is another area where you can create these healthy lifestyle habits as a family. Play games in the yard, go on hikes, and just get outside

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Alzheimer's and Dementia Part 1 of 4

For this Alzheimer's and Dementia four part series we'll be looking at what our Nurse Aide course has to say about these illnesses that are associated with many of our aging residents.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive fatal illness that causes areas of the brain to shrink. The resulting symptoms start with memory loss and other cognitive deficits, advancing to major personality changes and eventual loss of control over bodily functions.

While some of us experience mild memory losses with aging, people with Alzheimer's have a more noticeable and rapid decline in memory and other cognitive skills. Learn the signs and symptoms to help you decide if its time to seek help for yourself or a loved one showing symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's

When Alzheimer's disease begins to destroy brain cells, no outward symptoms are evident. After a while, small memory lapses appear and grow more serious. The afflicted individual may forget the names of familiar people or places, the words to express what they want to say, or the location of everyday objects.

As the memory lapses of early Alzheimer's become more serious, other cognitive deficits and behavior problems develop:

Typical signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease 

• General confusion, disorientation to date, time or place
• Apathy, irritability, depression, anxiety 
• Problems with language, math, abstract thinking, and judgment 
• Personality changes with strange quirks or inappropriate behaviors 
• Wandering, hiding objects, problems with eating and sleeping 
• Late in the disease, paranoia and delusions may occur 
• Toward the end, total loss of self, and inability to control bodily functions 

While these are the major symptoms of Alzheimer's, not all patients have all these symptoms. However, it is good to be aware of the most typical warning signs, as it is important to recognize problems early, and get help for them. Are people with Alzheimer's aware of their signs and symptoms?

People with Alzheimer's show a range of responses to their own behavior and condition:

• Denial (in the early stages)
• Blame others for making them look ridiculous 
• Complete self-awareness (I'm sorry, I have Alzheimer's) 
• Frustration, agitation, rage 
• Vacant despair, with no apparent recognition that they were once a different person 

By the middle stage of Alzheimer's, most victims no longer are aware that they don't remember things or aren't communicating coherently. This is fortunate for them. In a safe environment with good care and social contact, most Alzheimer's patients seem relatively free of suffering. For their friends and relatives it's a different story: the long steady decline of their loved one is painful to watch. The demands of Alzheimer's care also take a toll, over the many years before inevitable death. Depression is more common among the caregivers of Alzheimer's patients than it is among the patients themselves.

The Main Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Early-stage Alzheimer's (Mild)	Mid-stage Alzheimer's (Moderate)	Late-stage Alzheimer's (Severe)
Memory loss or other cognitive deficits are noticeable, yet the person can compensate for them and continue to function independently.	Mental abilities decline, the personality changes, and physical problems develop so that the person becomes more and more dependent on caregivers.	Complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions requires total dependence on others for even the most basic activities of daily living.

Memory loss or other cognitive deficits are noticeable, yet the person can compensate for them and continue to function independently.

Mental abilities decline, the personality changes, and physical problems develop so that the person becomes more and more dependent on caregivers.

Complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions requires total dependence on others for even the most basic activities of daily living.

People vary in the length of time spent in each stage, and in which stage the signs and symptoms appear. Because the stages overlap, it is difficult to definitively place a person in a particular stage. However, the progression is always toward a worsening of symptoms. The stages identify groups of symptoms that reflect more and more brain decay and increasing dependence on caregivers. The end result of Alzheimer's is death, whether caused by the inability of the brain to keep the body going, or by another disease or injury along the way.

No matter what stage the individual is in at the time of diagnosis, apathy is a major problem from the beginning to the very end. More than forty per cent of people in early-stage Alzheimer's show a lack of interest, initiative, and emotional involvement. In the last stage of Alzheimer's, more than ninety per cent of people are apathetic.

-Next week we'll look at the Early-stage Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms.

Appetite Stimulants for the Elderly

Older adults sometimes experience a loss of appetite that may adversely affect their health. Even foods they once loved no longer seem appealing. Caregivers of seniors with this problem will certainly want to explore ways to stimulate their loved ones’ appetites and get them eating again.

Causes of Loss of Appetite

There are several causes for loss of appetite in the elderly. One may be a poorer sense of taste due to a diminishing number of taste buds as we age. Our sense of smell also diminishes, and with it, potentially, our enjoyment of food.
Disinterest in food also can be caused by physical or cognitive maladies. Those with multiple medical conditions may be particularly vulnerable to poor appetite. If they are taking medications, they may experience loss of appetite as a side effect.

Weight Loss in Elderly

Loss of appetite can lead to substantial weight loss, which is a major health concern.
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Chores May be Key to Raising Successful Kids

The key to raising successful children could be making sure they help out around the house, according to a new article by the Wall Street Journal.

A recent survey found that 82 percent of parents did chores growing up, but only 28 percent require their kids to help out around the house.

One reason for the shift may be an emphasis on extracurricular activities, which may have caused making the bed to fall by the way side.

But chores may still be one of the most important predictors of future success, teaching self-reliance and responsibility, as well as empathy, according to the report.

The Wall Street Journal article suggests parents wanting to give their children certain tasks can make a game of it, propose small allowances and make sure to thank their children for helping them.

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Fitness Tips for Every Age Group

Fitness should be timeless, and a lifelong commitment. However, fitness should also be fun. As a mother of a toddler and now a newborn, I love to watch the little ones' attitudes toward fitness. It is just part of play, and an innate part of each day. 

There is no second thought, but most likely a motivating thought like, “I have to run as fast as I can, so I can get that ball over there!” Wouldn’t it be great if we could spend each day like that and expend all of that energy, aka calories?

If you have a young child who is less active getting them involved in a baby or toddler fitness class is a great way to get them started. There are many venues which encourage kids to do the things that they are excited to do at this stage of development. 

They learn to roll over, to sit up by themselves, to crawl, to walk, and to climb.

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How to Give Your Working Memory a Tune-up

Working memory is like your brain's scratch pad, managing information as you go about your day. But our routine deluge of information can make us feel scatterbrained, like our working memory has too much to deal with. Here's how to tune-up your working memory and stay focused.

This post originally appeared on the Crew blog.

Sometimes when I'm trying to focus on a single task my mind can feel a bit like a pinball machine. No matter how hard I try to keep my thoughts in focus there's all these ideas wildly bouncing around and beating away at my limited attention.

Our brains can be fickle things and I'm sure every last one of us has experienced moments where we just can't seem to hold on to an idea for more than a few seconds.

All of a sudden while you're working on a project you start thinking about what you're going to make for dinner or a conversation you had with a friend a few nights ago. It's frustrating. All we want to do is focus on what we're working on and block out the rest. So how come these unwanted thoughts keep coming into our heads?

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Depression in Teens Looks Almost Nothing Like Depression in Adults

First, let's review the symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a depressed teen will experience the same symptoms of depression as adults (profound feelings of unhappiness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, relentless fatigue, etc.), but those symptoms manifest themselves in ways that can be difficult to distinguish from normal teenage behavior. Depression in teens feels the same but it looks totally different than what you'd expect in adults.


So it's vitally important that you have good communication with your teen about mental health.
Talk to them about what's normal (feeling sad occasionally) and what isn't (feeling sad constantly). Ask them if they're having any problems with bullying, social rejection, or pressure to perform well in academics or extracurricular activities. Most importantly, let them know that it can get better.

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What is the Best Way to Wash Your Hands?

National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 1-7. Make sure you are washing your hands the right way to prevent the spread of cold and flu this season.

When you see that sign in the restroom with instructions on how to wash your hands, you can’t help but roll your eyes, right? It’s OK to admit it. We all know the best way to wash our hands and how important this simple act is to helping us stay healthy and avoid disease. At least that’s what many people think.
But are you really washing properly? Do you know why you are doing it? What is the recommended amount of time? What’s better: hand washing or hand sanitizer? Take a moment to answer the following questions to see if you have all the information necessary to take your health into your own hands this cold and flu season…your clean hands that is.

Handwashing: what is the best way to wash your hands?

Did you know that a third of Americans don’t wash their hands after using the restroom? Rule number one: wash your hands frequently, and always after using the restroom. Rub your entire hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. This includes the backs of your hands and between your fingers. If there’s a hand towel available, grab one. The good thing about drying your hands with a clean towel is that you can use the towel to turn off the faucet.

What is the best way to reduce germs?

As simple as it may sound, it still holds true. Washing our hands frequently is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick during flu season and throughout the year.

For More and Original Article:
http://www.healthbytesnyc.com/cold-and-flu/national-handwashing-awareness-week-2014-dec-1-7/

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The 5 Best Tax Breaks Uncle Sam Offers Moms and Dads

Parents are one of the best-treated groups when it comes to credits, deductions and other ways to reduce your tax bill. Here are five key tax breaks.

1. The Credit You Get Just for Being a Parent

The Child Tax Credit gives you as much as $1,000 per child to offset your tax liability, reducing what you owe dollar for dollar. To qualify for the credit, the child has to be a U.S. citizen age 16 or younger; a dependent on your tax return; and related to you by blood, marriage or adoption. You also have to provide more than half of the child's financial support, and the child has to live with you more than half the year. Finally, those whose adjusted gross income is above certain thresholds -- $75,000 for single filers and $110,000 for joint filers -- will see their credit phased out by $50 for every $1,000 in additional income above the threshold. The best part about the credit is that under certain circumstances, any unused portion of the credit can be refundable, allowing you to get a refund check even if you zero out your overall tax liability.

2. Get Help to Pay for an Adoption

If you're adopting a child, you know how costly the process can be. But the Internal Revenue Service has a substantial Adoption Credit you can take against your taxes to help you handle those costs.  

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Multigenerational Household - Is This For You?

Several of my friends are living in multigenerational households. Some of their arrangements are by design and others a result of unplanned life events. Whether it’s a college-aged child moving home to save money while job-hunting, a senior choosing to live with an adult child, or a daughter bringing a new baby to live with her grandparents, this communal living has primarily been driven by recent economic uncertainties Although multigenerational strictly means three generations under one roof, two age groups living together have similar benefits and challenges. Even as the economy shows signs of recovery, it’s clear this is a lifestyle trend that’s not going away.

The latest U.S. Census figures support that multigenerational households are continuing to grow. In 2000, 3.7 percent of U.S. households were inhabited by three generations and by 2010, that number had grown to 4 percent. Citing areas with housing shortages, single parents, and new immigrants living with relatives, census reports give detailed breakdowns of geographic locations, etc. But a recent Pew Research Social & Demographic Trends report found young adults to be the biggest driver of multigenerational living situations.

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How to succeed as a long distance caregiver.

Five years ago, Dave's mother moved from their old house in Philadelphia to an apartment that was closer to his sister in Baltimore. Before the move, the 30-minute drive to visit his mom wasn't a big deal, and Dave had lunch with her weekly. Sometimes they'd go to a ballgame together. After the move, neither Dave nor his mom expected much to change—what was another hour or so of drive time?

But as time passed, the trip seemed to get longer, time together was harder to arrange, and as a result, they saw less of each other. Then his mom's health began to slide. When Dave's sister called to say their mom had fallen and broken her hip, Dave needed and wanted to help. Should he offer to hire a nurse? Should he take a week off work and help out himself? After all the years his mom had devoted to caring for the family, what could Dave do from far away to help her—and his sister?

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7 Fabulous Fall Date Nights

The air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing, and nature has become the perfect backdrop for a romantic get-together. Enjoy the season with your sweetie by trying out any of these great date ideas. Added bonus? They’re all super budget-friendly.

1. Go Apple Picking

'Tis the season for apple picking! Check out a local orchard or farm and make a day of it. Take a tour, make your own apple butter or cider, and (hopefully) eat some great cider donuts. Plus, going home to make an apple pie together? Adorable and delicious!

2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Get in touch with your inner child and set out for a day of picking pumpkins. Make sure to choose a few good ones and take some great, aw-worthy pictures. Most pumpkin patches also have fun activities, such as petting zoos, pumpkin tosses, and even corn mazes, a great excuse to extend your date even longer! (Visit PumpkinPatchesAndMore.org to find a patch near you!)

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Moms: Tips for Boosting Your Energy

Has the word "energy" disappeared from your vocabulary? Whether you have infants, toddlers, or school-age children, keeping up with the kids on limited sleep can be seriously exhausting. To kiss that constantly drained feeling goodbye, give these six energy-boosting strategies recommended by our members a whirl.

1. Pop a Good Multivitamin

One of the simplest energy tricks in the book is ramping up your daily nutrient intake. As Claudia L. advises, "Take a good nutritional multivitamin/supplement. Most of us don't get the proper nutrition and vitamins from our foods. That has helped me tremendously." Some women's multivitamins are even specifically tailored to improve energy and alertness through B vitamins and guarana.

2. Get Off the Sugar Roller Coaster

Many readers, including Jennifer F., find their energy levels are boosted by "eating a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and fresh fruit and vegetables
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How to Get Involved: Childhood Cancer Month

Every year, thousands of children across America are diagnosed with cancer  an often life threatening illness that remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15.  The causes of pediatric cancer are still largely unknown, and though new discoveries are resulting in new treatments, this heartbreaking disease continues to scar families and communities in ways that may never fully heal. 

 

This month, we remember the young lives taken too soon, stand with the families facing childhood cancer today, and rededicate ourselves to combating this terrible illness.

 

While much remains to be done, our Nation has come far in the fight to understand, treat, and control childhood cancer.  Thanks to ongoing advances in research and treatment, the 5 year survival rate for all childhood cancers has climbed from less than 50 percent to 80 percent over the past several decades. 

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Tips to Get Ready for the New School Year

Move over, summer--a new school year is coming!
With the start of school, families face new organization challenges. 

School bells ring--and so do early-morning alarm clocks.
Paper piles swell as hand-outs and homework stream into the house.

Shorter autumn days bring a hectic round of sports, activities and events, and calendars fill with cryptic notes. Can the holidays be far behind?

Get organized now for the best school year ever! Use these ideas to prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead.

Ease the family into a school year schedule.

The first day of school is no time for a drastic adjustment of household sleep schedules. Instead, ease children back into a school year routine gradually. During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.

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How to Develop Your Child's Self-Esteem

Healthy self-esteem is like a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who know their strengths and weaknesses and feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.

In contrast, kids with low self-esteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response might be "I can't."

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Tips for a Safe Fourth of July

Be a safe swimmer. Water sports and fireworks are two of the biggest pastimes for Fourth of July celebrations, and these are both linked to numerous deaths and injuries each year. Never swim alone, and make sure that kids' water play is adequately supervised at all times. Many drownings occur when parents and other adults are nearby, so always have a designated chaperone for water play and don't assume that others are watching the kids. Statistics show that most young children who drown in pools have been out of sight for less than five minutes.

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3 Creative Ways to Keep Cool with your Toddler

Beat the heat!

Sizzling summer weather can make for a tired, hot, cranky baby — and mama. But being fussy is no way to spend the summer. Here are three ways to stay cool and have fun doing it.

Mini water table

Here's a creative way to cool off: Move the highchair outside, strip your child down to a diaper, and fill the highchair tray with about a half-inch of water.
It's especially fun to watch your baby's facial expressions during self-inflicted splashing. You can add a squirt toy to play with, or put her to work with a clean sponge.
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Is "Golden Girls" Style the Next Trend in Senior Living?

Having roommates is normal for those in their twenties and early thirties, but older adults aren’t usually looking to share living space with people who are not romantic partners or family members. But with the growing, aging population, there is a new trend of boomer and senior women forming households together. Dubbed “Golden Girls” after the ‘80s TV show, single women in their fifties and older are moving in together and forming a unique household model.

It makes good financial sense to share the expenses of housing with others who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford living alone. Financial concerns aren’t the sole driving factor, though, for many of these Golden Girls. Companionship and social interests play a big part in many older women’s decision to take on a roommate. PBS Newshour recently talked with some boomer women about the benefits of sharing space with other single women.

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Marketers Zero in on Adult Child in Senior Living Sales

Senior living marketers are zeroing in on prospects’ children as a strategy to counteract delayed transitions into senior housing communities, noting a correlation between adult child involvement and quicker move-ins.

“Adult children getting more and more involved than they ever have at the residential level,” said Krista DiGeorge, regional marketing director at Asbury, a not-for-profit senior living organization, during a session at the 2013 LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo. “They’re realizing the impact on them to have Mom and Dad at home.”

With many seniors delaying a move, more adult children are serving as caregivers, Cathy Ritter, vice president of Marketing and Communications at Asbury, said during the session. But many of those adult children are in the “sandwich generation”—caring for elderly parents while still raising their own family—and they’re concerned about their parents’ safety.

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