Breast Cancer Awareness

 October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and today, October 27 is Breast Cancer Awareness Day. 

What can you do to reduce your risk of Breast Cancer?
 Let's start with diet.   A diet rich in fruits and vegetables hasn't been consistently shown to offer protection from breast cancer. Also, a low-fat diet appears to offer only a slight reduction in the risk of breast cancer. However, eating a healthy diet may decrease your risk of other types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. A healthy diet can also help you maintain a healthy weight — a key factor in breast cancer prevention.
 Limit alcohol.  The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol — including beer, wine or liquor — limit yourself to no more than one drink a day.
  Breast-feed. Breast-feeding may play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
 Don't smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
  Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you're taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options.
  Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation, which have been linked with breast cancer risk. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.
  Regular checkups and consulting with your doctor should be on the top of everyone's list.  As always, ask your doctor before making any health related changes.
Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Glen Campbell's Final Recording

As a follow up to our post regarding the documentary on Glen Campbell's struggle with Alzheimer's disease, his final studio recording titled "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" has been released.  Campbell hasn't performed in public in allmost 2 years, and this is billed as a farewell to his music career.

The melody is somber and contemplative, but the lyrics show his ability to find irony in his disease. The result is a beautiful combination of sadness and joy, which ends much too quickly.



Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Alzheimer's & The Rhinestone Cowboy

In June of 2011, country music start Glen Campbell learned that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.  After the diagnosis, Glen and his manager decided to produce 'The Goodbye Tour', which would be his final pubic performing tour.  The tour and events surrounding his disease were filmed, and have been turned into a documentary on Alzheimer's Disease. 

The documentary, titled "I'll Be Me" is scheduled to be released on October 24, 2014. The producers describe the film as a show that Glen would want to watch. Despite the serious topic, the goal was to create a positive message, particularly for those that deal with Alzheimer's in their own lives.  A video trailer from the show is available from youtube.com...

As is inevitable with Alzheimer's disease, it's progress has forced Glen to now reside in a memory care facility. Based on the reviews and write-ups on the documentary, this will probably be worth watching.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Raisins, A Good Health Snack!!

Research from the University of Kentucky has determined that snacking on raisins can decrease high blood pressure and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.  The tests took place over a 12 week period with 46 men and women in the test group.  During the test, they snacked on either processed snack foods or raisins.  At the beginning and end of each month, the researchers tested for blood glucose, diabetic risk markers, and blood pressure.  The subjects that snacked on raisins were found to have reduced blood pressure while improving blood glucose and diabetic risk factors.  The conclusions from this were that "regular consumption of raisins may reduce glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure".

Generally, any snack of fruits, nuts, or vegetable are much better for you than any potato chip or other type of processed food.  So grab some raisins, enjoy a snack, and reap the rewards!

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Vitamin D3 can reduce antibiotic needs in Seniors

 Research from the Queensland Institute in Australia has found that a supplement of vitamin D3 appears to reduce the incidence of infection among seniors.  For this test, over 600 subjects between

the ages of 60 and 84 were split into 3 groups.  Over the period of a year they were given either 1000 or 2000 units of vitamin D3 daily.  The third group was given a placebo.
  The results showed that those receiving 2000 units of D3 per day were 28 percent less likely to require antibiotic prescriptions than those taking the placebo.  Recipients over the age of 70 were 47 percent less likely to require an antibiotic versus those getting the placebo.
  While the results are preliminary, the institute feels the findings are significant enough to warrant an extended 5 year test to solidify it's findings.  As with any diet, medical, or physical changes, be sure to consult with your doctor first.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Turning an Alzheimer's Diagnosis Into Something Positive

 In a previous post, we share the story of how Katie Couric was moving through life as a "sandwich generation" child, at times feeling pushed to the point of being overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing care.  A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be one of the most disheartening experiences a person may ever experience, and can lead to the same conclusions.  The journey of dealing with the disease, and of caregivers seeing a loved one progress with Alzheimer's can often lead to feeling as if one is completely isolated and alone.  It's very important to remember that there are others dealing with the same issues, and in some cases turning the experience into a positive event.
 Samuel L. Jackson recently shared his experiences with his family's Alzheimer's struggles, and how he became involved in the search for a cure.  You can read the complete article at http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/samuel-l-jackson-opens-up-725419

  He also partnered with Maria Shriver to create a quick video sharing personal tales and how it has inspired them to become involved with charities focused on this disease.  The video is well made and worth the few minutes to watch, especially if you're struggling with the same challenges...


  While you may not be inspired to become as involved as these recognizable names, it's helpful to know that there are others that are involved in making a difference where they can.  If you need help dealing with issues brought on by family demands or chronic illness, or know someone that does, call our office.  We work with families & local organizations that can provide guidance, advice, or just offer to listen.  Don't try to go it alone.