Keep the sneeze away year-round
If you suffer from allergies, you may think you only need to worry about flowers, pollen and pets. Did you know that dust mites are one of the most common allergy triggers? Dust mites are microscopic insect-like pests that are everywhere.
To reduce dust and dust mites follow these tips for the:
Air
- Don’t use window or attic fans, which bring pollen, mold spores and other allergens inside.
- Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This can help remove allergens and tobacco smoke from the air in your home.
Furniture and carpets
- Use dust-proof pillow and mattress covers made from a tight-weave fabric that keeps out dust and dust mites.
- Remove stuffed toys, wall hangings, books, knickknacks and artificial flowers.
- Avoid wool blankets and down quilts.
- Avoid carpet, rugs and upholstered furniture that collect dust.
- Occasionaly steam clean carpets.
Floors
- Damp-mop hard floors once a day.
- Dust and vacuum once or twice a week.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe hard surfaces such as countertops and tables weekly.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a double-thick bag.
- Wear a mask to avoid dust mites stirred up during cleaning.
- Keep humidity less than 50% in your home. Dust mites don’t do well in dry conditions.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
If you suffer from allergies, you may think you only need to worry about flowers, pollen and pets.
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Forgetfulness and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?
Everybody forgets things once in a while, but if you notice it happening more frequently, is it cause to worry? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there is growing evidence you can reduce the decline in cognitive skills, which include the process of remembering, reacting and understanding, with lifestyle habits such as:
- Regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate
- Formal education, at any stage of life, helps your mind
- Stop smoking
- A healthy diet, one low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables
- Plenty of sleep
- Involvement in social activities that are meaningful to you
- Activities that challenge your mind, like games, puzzles or a building project
What’s the difference between normal, age-related forgetfulness and a serious memory problem? There are signs to help determine the difference. Typical age-related changes include:
- Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
- Sometimes having difficulty finding the right word.
- Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
Signs to watch for that might go beyond the typical age-related changes include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life and repeating the same questions.
- Having trouble naming a familiar object, joining a conversation or repeating words.
- Placing items in unusual places or go so far as to accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
If you, a family member or friend has problems remembering recent events or thinking clearly, talk with a doctor. He or she may suggest a thorough checkup to see what might be causing the symptoms.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Everybody forgets things once in a while, but if you notice it happening more frequently, is it cause to worry?
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Heart healthy chocolate pie
Ingredients:
13 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup coffee liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound silken tofu, drained
1 tablespoon honey
1 (9-inch) prepared chocolate wafer crust
Directions:
Place enough water in the bottom of a 4-quart saucepan to come 1 inch up the sides. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Melt the chocolate chips with the liqueur and vanilla in a medium metal bowl set over the simmering water, stirring often with a rubber or silicone spatula. Combine the tofu, chocolate mixture and honey in a blender or food processor and spin until smooth, about 1 minute.
Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until the filling sets firm.
Chocolate wafer crust
Ingredients:
• 6 1/2 ounces chocolate wafer cookies
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Nutrition facts:
• Calories 484
• Total Fat 24 g
• Sodium 363 mg
• Total Carbohydrates 62 g
• Fiber 1 g
• Sugar 14 g
• Protein 5 g
Find more recipes at genesishcs.org/eatwell.
Try this delicious and healthy option for homemade chocolate pie!
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Lower your cholesterol naturally
Maybe you just came from the doctor’s office and learned your cholesterol is too high. Maybe you want to avoid hearing those words from your doctor. Either way, take our quiz to learn more about cholesterol and tips to lower it naturally.
1. All cholesterol is bad.
False. Cholesterol is made up of HDL (good) cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Good cholesterol helps your body build cells and make vitamins. If you have too much of the bad cholesterol or not enough of the good, it can build up in the arteries leading to a heart attack or stroke.
2. Foods with a lot of fiber and no saturated fats are best for naturally lowering cholesterol.
True. According to Harvard Health, the best 11 foods to naturally lower your cholesterol are oatmeal (the old-fashioned kind), white (navy) beans, avocado, eggplant, carrots, almonds, kiwi, berries (raspberries and blackberries are the best, but strawberries and blueberries are also good), cauliflower, soy and salmon.
3. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables can lower your cholesterol.
True. Colorful fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber and contain sterols and stanols, molecules that block cholesterol. Generally, the richer the color of vegetables and fruits, the more nutrients they have. So, when shopping, look for dark green spinach, vibrant blueberries and so on.
4. Exercise is the most important thing you can do to lower your cholesterol naturally.
False. For decades, a healthy diet and exercise were recommended to naturally lower cholesterol. However, according to Harvard Health, an analysis found that exercise did not lower cholesterol. However, exercise provides so many other health benefits you should exercise regularly.
Eating healthy is a great way to lower cholesterol naturally. However, sometimes our bodies need a little help, and there are medications to assist you when needed. If you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it, please talk to your family doctor about the best plan of action for you.
To learn more about options for heart health, visit genesishcs.org/heart.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Take our quiz to learn more about cholesterol and tips to lower it naturally.
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Can you boost your immune system?
From the sniffles to the flu, being sick is no fun. Thankfully, our immune system is constantly working to keep us healthy. Are there things we can do to make our immune system stronger? Sadly, the answer is unclear. Research has struggled to consistently find evidence that says we can.
However, even after acknowledging the inconclusive research, Harvard Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have similar recommendations for helping your immune system perform at its highest level.
Top recommendations for supporting your immune system include:
Eat a healthy diet – a variety of fruits and vegetables can provide you with the vitamins and minerals needed to keep you healthy. According to Harvard Health, the recommended amount is two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables a day.
Exercise – You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. Not a fan? Then read our blog on How a couch potato can have a healthy heart for tips and reasons to get moving.
Get enough sleep – Typically, adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a night. To learn multiple benefits of getting enough sleep and sleep recommendations by age, read our Sleep matters blog.
Avoid drinking alcohol or do so in moderation – Certain groups of people should never drink based on health factors. However, according to the CDC, if you are going to drink, women should have one drink or less a day, and men should have two drinks a day or less.
Don’t smoke – Smoking is bad for you. Period. To learn a few ways smoking negatively impacts your health, take our Health of effects of smoking quiz.
Maintain a healthy weight – According to the CDC, obesity leads to your immune system not working at its strongest capacity. For more information on a healthy body weight, visit this page on the CDC website.
If you are following these guidelines and still struggle to stay healthy, talk to your family doctor to find out if there is an underlying cause.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
From the sniffles to the flu, being sick is no fun. Thankfully, our immune system is constantly working to keep us healthy.
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Tips to prevent falls
Two out of three falls occur when someone slips or trips. This is especially true if you live in a climate that includes freezing temperatures in the winter. Cold weather makes it easier to fall and harder to maintain your balance.
For instance, people slip or trip on:
Visibly icy surfaces
Black ice, a coating of ice so thin that people think it’s asphalt or pavement
Ice that’s covered by snow or snow drifts
Unplowed sidewalks and streets
A fall becomes more dangerous when:
Ice and snow makes it difficult to get up
Exposure to freezing temperatures compounds the fall or injury
Fall statistics
Falls are the number one reason for injury-related Emergency Department visits and accidental deaths in people aged 65 and over. Prevention is key.
Indoor prevention
Remove hazards (bags, baskets, cords and anything in walkways)
Good lighting
Non-slip rugs
Make sure your clothes and shoes fit
Bathroom grab bars
Outdoor prevention
Make sure surfaces are clear
Use assistance devices for stability (walkers, canes)
Dress for the weather
Use a path you know
Good lighting
General safety measures
Walk with a buddy
Carry a cell phone
Carry a medical alert system
Wear watches with fall sensors
Make a daily phone call or check in with a friend, family member or neighbor
If you fall, soften your landing
Flex forward into the fall, which gives you some control over direction. Fall sideways, if possible.
Tuck your head and turn your shoulder into the fall to protect your head.
Relax everything and fall like a sack of beans.
Fall on the soft, fleshy places, like your buttocks and thighs. These areas have more protection and are lower to the ground.
As you complete the fall, try to roll to your side in a ball. This will spread the impact to reduce injury and stop you from rolling farther.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Two out of three falls occur when someone slips or trips. This is especially true if you live in a climate that includes freezing temperatures in the winter.
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Three Reasons to stay strong with strength training
What comes to mind when you think of strength training? A huge bodybuilder lifting massive dumbbells while barely breaking a sweat? While that is one example of strength training, you don’t need to run to a fitness convention to reap the benefits of this type of exercise. (Unless that’s your thing.)
What is strength training?
Strength training, also known as weight training or resistance training, is a type of training that builds your muscles and bones. Strength training is different than walking or cycling. It typically includes exercises like squats, pushups, glute bridges, planks and lunges.
Why should you incorporate strength training into your exercise routine? Here are three good reasons:
Reason #1: Increased mobility
A big concern as we age is our mobility. No one wants to struggle to complete their daily activities or do the things they love. According to the National Institute on Aging, a huge cause of reduced mobility is sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is a decline in muscle mass, strength and function. It has been linked to fatigue, low energy and weakness. You may have heard the saying “use it or lose it.” This applies to many things in life, including our muscles. Strength training is a great way to keep your body engaged, build muscle mass and improve mobility.
Reason #2: Ease chronic conditions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strength training reduces the symptoms of common chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and back pain. Strength training improves each condition differently, including building bone density, strengthening muscles and reducing pain and stiffness.
Reason #3: Improves mental and emotional health
Combining strength training with aerobic exercise like walking or running can significantly improve mental and emotional health. According to the CDC, studies show that exercise helps people sleep better, lessens the length and severity of depression and improves self-confidence.
So, how do you get started?
To begin strength training, figure out your own comfort level. Are you new to strength training or do you have some experience? If you’re worried about your form or how to do a certain movement safely, work with a personal trainer or take a workout class at your local gym. There are free workouts online that can be performed safely at home or at the gym. You should also talk to your Primary Care Physician before starting a new fitness program.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Strength training can improve mobility, lessen the effects of chronic conditions and improve mental and emotional health.
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The loneliness epidemic
‘Tis the winter season, which has a reputation for sadness given the shorter, darker days. It’s also after the holidays when post-holiday funks are legendary.
How do you know if you’re feeling alone or lonely? According to researchers, there’s a big difference.
In 2020, health consulting firm Cigna conducted an online survey of adults in the United States to explore the impact of loneliness. They found that 61% of Americans reported loneliness in 2019, up from 54% in 2018.
What did they want to know?
The researchers first wanted to determine if people were alone or lonely. They learned that:
Feeling alone occurs after situational variables, such as moving to a new location, losing a family member or friend and divorce. Even civic or religious holidays and events that bring people together, like a concert or the World Series, can cause people to feel disconnected when they are over.
The feelings lasted for a short time.
The feelings lessened as seasons and situations changed.
People who said they were lonely shared the following:
They reported little to no social support and infrequent meaningful social interactions.
They did not feel good about their relationships.
Their physical and mental health tended to be poor.
They lacked balance in their daily activities – doing too much or too little of anything (for example, sleep or work).
Figuring out if you are alone or lonely allows you to seek sources of support or otherwise make changes. Even if it does not feel comfortable, reach out.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists many health conditions made worse by ongoing loneliness, including heart disease, depression, cognitive decline and weakened immune systems.
Talk to your Primary Care Physician, who may have helpful resources.
You can also:
Find groups that share your interests.
Volunteer. (See the next paragraph for groups in need.)
Contact friends and family members regularly.
Eat a healthy diet and spend time in nature.
Young adults, mothers with young children, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants and older people are all at increased risk for loneliness. The people in these groups need you and would most likely welcome you with open arms.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
How do you know if you’re feeling alone or lonely? According to researchers, there’s a big difference.
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Healthier homestyle meatloaf
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 lb. 93-97% lean ground beef
• 1 slice (1½ oz) whole grain bread
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 egg whites
• ½ cup steamed broccoli florets, chopped
• ½ cup roasted red pepper, chopped
• ½ cup white onion, chopped
Nutritional information:
• Serving size: 2 slices
• Calories: 178
• Total fat: 4 g
• Saturated fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 47 mg
• Sodium: 189 mg
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9” x 5” loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, one tablespoon of ketchup, mustard and egg white. Add onion, red pepper and broccoli and set the mixture aside. In a food processor, pulse bread until completely crumbled. Add ground beef and breadcrumbs to the vegetable mixture. Add basil, parsley and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together by hand. Place meat mixture into loaf pan. Brush the remaining three tablespoons of ketchup over the top. Bake for one hour or until the thermometer inserted in the center of the pan registers 160 degrees. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut meatloaf into 12 slices.
Find more recipes at genesishcs.org/eatwell.
Try this healthier version of a classic for your next family dinner.
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To freeze or not to freeze?
Health and safety tips for frozen meat
As demand for protein – from beef to poultry – steadily increases, consumers stock up on their favorite cuts. Stashing it all in the freezer remains the go-to option, but what does this do to food long-term? You may have found yourself frantically searching the internet to see if your hamburger is still good after a month, or maybe even a year.
While freezing meat prevents unwanted bacteria, the process also impacts the meat in different areas. For example, one study posted on the National Library of Medicine website in 2021 claimed that freezing improves meat tenderness. However, it can have a negative impact on other qualities, including color and flavor. The intensity of changes to the meat mostly depends on the freezer’s size and distribution of ice crystals caused by the freezer’s temperature and the meat’s length of time in the freezer.
Unfortunately, researchers have not created a set of hard and fast rules about freezing and storing meat because all freezers are different, as well as the cuts of meat and other factors. However, a study on the National Library of Medicine website from 2013 recommends storing meat at 0° F. According to the USDA, food stays safe indefinitely in the freezer, but once removed and beginning to thaw, bacteria start to spread.
The USDA also gives suggestions for three methods for safely thawing food:
- In the refrigerator – this method takes the most time, so plan ahead. Ever forget to cook the thawed meat sitting in the fridge? The USDA says not to worry. It stays safe for an extra day or two.
- In cold water – while faster than the fridge method, this requires more supervision. Place the meat in an airtight, leak-proof container before giving it a cold-water bath.
- In the microwave – for safety’s sake, cook meat thawed in the microwave immediately.
Even after an extended stay in the freezer, frozen meat retains its nutrition and most of its flavor. So, check the freezer temperature, follow the USDA’s thawing suggestions and enjoy a delicious meal.
Go to genesishcs.org/yourhealth for more Wellness Resources.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
Stashing protein in the freezer remains the go-to option, but what does this do to food long-term?
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