Nutrition is an important topic for people of all ages, and especially now as March is National Nutrition Month. As we move from infancy through childhood and then become adults, our dietary needs shift as our bodies change with age. The foods we ate when we were younger can often leave us feeling ill and out of sorts if we eat them when we are old...
March heralds the first stirrings of spring – the days become noticeably longer and the chill of winter is slowly starting to dissipate. Spring signals a new beginning for nature and for us – as we shake off the doldrums of winter we begin a new season of growth. During National Nutrition Month, we turn our focus to better eating habits and making ...
If you live in the Lincoln community, over the past few months you have probably seen the progress on the build of the new St. Clara's Rehab & Senior Care. We are excited to report that residents are now moved into their new home, located at 1450 Castle Manor Drive. The new location is right next to Castle Manor Supportive Living in Lincoln. Al...
Just about everyone loves chocolate. Anyone with a sweet tooth likely has a favorite chocolate treat or brand they most enjoy. Worldwide, more than $75 billion is spent on chocolate delights every year! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you can be sure that a lot of chocolate will be purchased, shared and consumed. But, not all chocolate...
February heralds "Heart Health Month", a month filled with education about heart disease among both men and women and positive steps people can take to promote their own heart health. Heart disease refers to various medical conditions where the blood vessels and arteries in or near the heart become narrow, clogged or blocked. When this happens, oxy...
A strong immune system will help your body stay healthy throughout the year. Being resilient allows your body to fight off infections and other invasive bacteria that can cause illness. During the deep cold of winter, a hearty immune system is even more important to your overall health. Scientists have learned that it is more difficult to stay heal...
Many seniors find they are in need of rehabilitative therapy services following surgery or after suffering an injury. Short-term therapy services, like RESTORE: Heritage Health Therapy, are designed to restore activities of daily living so patients can return home quickly and with confidence. Comprehensive therapy services can include physical, occ...
In the winter months, the danger of an elderly person experiencing a fall or another kind of injury related to the weather is greatly increased. Icy, wet surfaces are hazardous to anyone, but especially to an older person who may already have trouble with their balance. Navigating through piles of snow or working to clear a snowy sidewalk or drivew...
The blast of winter weather is in full swing, with low temperatures and bone-chilling winds sweeping much of the nation. Staying warm during these extremely cold days is important for all people, but especially for older adults who are more at risk from exposure to cold temperatures. When the mercury plummets, exposure to low temperatures is more o...
Vitamin D , often called the "sunshine vitamin" is a vital nutrient essential to helping our bodies stay healthy and strong. It is called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies produce it after our skin has been exposed to sunlight, and it is not found in a lot of the foods we consume. While Vitamin D is important for people of all ages, a person'...
Most of us think about the importance of staying hydrated during the hot summer months when the sun is beating down and the temperatures are high. It is equally imperative that we drink enough water during the colder months of the year, and especially so for the elderly population. The ingestion of enough water, whether through direct liquids or as...
Arthritis is a very common, albeit very misunderstood disease. Arthritis refers to a myriad of joint diseases or joint pain – more than 100 different types exist according to the Arthritis Foundation . The most familiar symptoms of arthritis are pain and swelling in the joints of a person's hands, feet, knees, elbows, shoulders, hips or even the ne...
Music is an amazing tool that has the ability to influence our emotions. For thousands of years, music has been a way for people to connect, express their emotions and communicate stories and traditions. A song with just the right rhythm can get us on our feet and dancing, while a powerful aria can bring us to tears and leave us breathless. Researc...
Skilled nursing facilities like Heritage Health provide a wide range of medical and nursing services to persons either recovering from short-term illness or injury, as well as mature adults who are unable to care for themselves because of a chronic medical condition. 24-hour medical services are performed by highly trained nursing staff, including ...
Taking care of your teeth is important at any age. Brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly are tasks we have to perform as children, adults and as senior citizens. For older Americans, continuing to care for their mouths, teeth and gums can have a significant effect on their overall health. A healthy mouth is a harbinger of general hea...
Hospice Care is a subject that is difficult to broach. Thinking about end of life care is hard for people to consider because it means they will soon lose a beloved family member or friend. Hospice care is just that – CARE. The focus is on caring for, not curing, people who are terminally ill by providing medical, emotional and spiritual support so...
Keeping your brain healthy is something many of us do not think much about on a daily basis. We think about physical health and general medical health, but not necessarily how we should be strengthening our brains. While there are a number of neurological disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsons' disease or dementia) that can affect brain functio...
Anxiety is defined as a "feeling of worry, nervousness or unease; often related to an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome". Sounds innocuous enough – we have all experienced the nervous sensation of butterflies in our stomach before a big life event or an increased heart rate during a presentation at work. When we can't control th...
The single best protection against seasonal influenza is getting a flu shot. Flu season can begin as early as October and last well into the spring, as far as May depending on the severity of the flu that season. Millions of Americans suffer through a bout of this viral infection every season, but making the visit to your doctor or local pharmacy t...
October is Physical Therapy Month, and a great time to shed some light on the benefits of this kind of therapy on the senior population. The RESTORE Therapy program at Heritage Health locations throughout Illinois provides a wide berth of therapy services, including physical, occupational, speech and respiratory. A myriad of diagnoses is included i...