The Heartbreak of Alzheimer’s
06. August 2010
Maddie’s recent high school graduation party was a festive event. Her Mom… my dear friend, Rene’ put on a lasagna feast fit for a king! There was cake, ice cream, flowers and gifts. Everyone who loves and cares about Maddie was there… friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, her proud grandma and, of course, big brother, Patrick.
Sadly, Maddie’s step-grandfather, “Rocky,” wasn’t there… not really. Oh, we all talked with him, laughed with him and shared a meal with him. But sadly, he hasn’t really been with us for some time. We’ve all watched helplessly the last few years as our dear friend, “Rocky,” sinks deeper into the private world that is Alzheimer’s disease.
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Bone Health
09. July 2010
Have you thought about your bones lately? They can be easy to forget. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But “them bones” are pretty important if you want to remain upright into your golden years.
Did you know by the time you turn 30 your body starts losing more bone mass than it can create? The news gets even worse for women over 50. Menopause can trigger the first step in bone loss called osteopenia, followed by osteoporosis, the more serious form of bone loss known to cause fractures and debilitation.
It’s estimated half the people in the U.S. over the age of 50 have osteopenia. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you may not be able to completely stop bone loss… but here’s the good news. Whatever your age, you can SLOW bone loss and start building better bones right now!
No magic bullets. No gimmicks. Just some simple, common sense tips that really work.
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Men's Health
02. June 2010
I have a terrific husband. He works full-time, volunteers and is a huge help at home. Tom takes care of cars that need service, commodes that need plunging and cat-boxes that need cleaning. He’s neat, thoughtful and washes the dishes. I’m a lucky woman.
But guess who keeps food in the fridge… replenishes the health-care products and makes all the doctor appointments? Without ever really discussing it, Tom has abdicated anything to do with our family’s health to me! Left to his own devices, Tom would eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, go without aspirin and floss and wait years to schedule his annual physical. Tom may be a take-charge guy, but when it comes to our health, he’d rather I’m in charge.
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Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness
02. May 2010
My mother committed suicide. She died 30 years ago next month at the age of 53 from untreated, end-stage depression. I was 26 and had reaped the benefits of a loving, devoted mother. All I could do was watch helplessly as she fought the overwhelming symptoms of anxiety and despair.
Mom’s death was a tragic loss, but I found comfort knowing she was finally at peace, free from the bondage of a devastating illness over which she had no control. What made it unbearable was the reaction to her death.
It was never discussed. My dad didn’t talk about it. My brother, sister and I went through the motions of her funeral and burial, but never spoke of it. Friends and neighbors avoided it. Our pastor couldn’t even look us in the eye because of it.
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Get Back in the Game with P.T.
04. April 2010
They say foot surgery is the worst. I don’t know whether that’s true, but I can tell you it’s no picnic. After two years of treating a persistent, painful running injury with every non-invasive procedure known to man, I finally had to accept the fact that surgery was the next step.
I found a wonderful foot surgeon… underwent a successful procedure last summer and began the months-long recovery process. I won’t sugar-coat it. It’s been tough. And I’ve had several major setbacks along the way. (The problem with feet is you eventually have to put weight on them!)
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My Playlist...
08. March 2010
There’s nothing better than a good workout… the endorphin rush, that healthy glow. Just not yesterday.
Yesterday, I literally dragged myself through my stretching routine, upper body weight workout and a 45-minute recumbent bike ride. I thought it would never end. You see, I forgot my iPod. It’s a crutch, I know, but without my favorite workout tunes, I can barely break a sweat.
Turns out, I’m not alone. There’s actually scientific proof that music enhances workout performance!
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Kids and Heart Health
02. February 2010
Heart disease isn’t just for adults anymore. Childhood obesity is an increasing threat to the health of our young people. An American Heart Association study concludes overweight kids are “coronary time bombs!” In fact, health experts predict overweight children and teens are on track to develop heart disease between the ages of 35 and 50!
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Carol’s Tips for a healthy, HAPPY New Year!
01. January 2010
You’ve recycled your Christmas tree. The Menorah’s packed away. And your extended family is back where they came from. Congratulations. You’ve survived another holiday season!
But for many of us, the pressure of the holidays continues right into the New Year with a list of resolutions as long as your holiday shopping list. Well, this year, let’s keep it simple, with a few lifestyle changes guaranteed to set you up for success.
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Contact Carol by emailing her at Carol@pph.org.