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Got the Holiday Blues?
Starting in November and lasting through the beginning of a new year, the "holiday blues" can make some people feel stressed, anxious or sad. Even people who love the decorations and celebrations of the holiday season can feel moody or tearful at these times. Why does this happen and what can be done about it? Some of the causes of holiday blues:
Some of the signs to watch for:
What can be done about holiday blues?
Sometimes professional help is needed, and there is no shame in seeking out medical help. Isolation contributes to seasonal and other depression, so find a friend, a group, or a free community activity that will keep you in touch with others during the holiday season. Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com www.residence600.com 600 E. Elm Salina KS 67401 (785) 822-1300
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Winter Safety, Indoors and Outdoors
Let it snow, let it snow! Falling snow and icicles are pretty views through the window, but winter brings added dangers, especially for senior adults. Thyroid issues and diabetes can affect blood flow and body temperature. Parkinson's Disease and arthritis make bundling up more difficult. Older adults can lose body heat quickly. If a senior gets too cold, it can become a dangerous problem before anyone knows what's happening. What can be done to keep seniors safe outdoors in the winter?
To stay warm and safe indoors during the cold months, senior adults should keep the room temperature between 68 and 70 degrees. If saving on heating bills is an issue, close off unused rooms, seal windows and close the drapes against drafts.
In the coldest weather, especially when there is the possibility of power outages, check on your older neighbors and friends and ask them to check on you. Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com www.residence600.com 600 E. Elm Salina KS 67401 (785) 822-1300 New Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
Traditional dinners and Grandma's secret recipes, football games and gift-giving can make special memories, but gratitude can be celebrated every day of the year. Whatever your health or wherever you live, there are simple activities that you can do to make the holiday season special.
Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com www.residence600.com 600 E. Elm Salina KS 67401 (785) 822-1300  Everyone has seen the charts in the doctor's office or glossy magazines, showing a complicated pyramid of foods to eat and foods to avoid. As more studies are done on health and diet, though, the pyramid sometimes gets rearranged. What do health professionals really think is good for our daily diet and how do we remember which foods are good? Just spell TASTY!
T is for tuna and salmon, those fatty fish rich in omega-3 acids, which strengthen the brain and help decrease inflammation. Their little cousins, sardines, are also fatty fish, and come in a can just the right size for a good snack. A is for apples and avocados. The fiber in an apple may help lessen the risk of stroke, and avocados are rich in potassium to help manage blood sugar and blood pressure. Pears are just as good as apples at "keeping the doctor away," as the old rhyme says. S is for sweet potatoes. Not just for Thanksgiving anymore, these gluten-free goodies are packed full of the healthy carbohydrates that may help prevent diabetes. Don't forget other dark-colored healthy foods, like spinach, kale and carrots. T is also for treats. A handful of almonds, a scoop of fresh blueberries or a piece of dark chocolate can help give long-lasting energy, provide fiber and help with brain power. Y is for yogurt, especially the Greek kind, a serving of which has more protein than a chicken breast. Greek yogurt has the probiotic qualities (good bacteria) that help with digestion. Most of all, medical professionals and dieticians advise eating a varied and well-balanced diet of dark and leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fatty fish. But each one of those items can be tasty as well as beneficial to your health. Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com www.residence600.com 600 E. Elm Salina KS 67401 (785) 822-1300  Talk shows, social media and conversations are always reminding us about the so-called "Good Old Days." Not all of the past was golden, that's for sure. Poverty, wars, racial injustice, epidemics: there are many things that were not better in the past. But the old-time pleasures are still great to look back on and recall. Sharing memories of good times past with others can make new memories and pass along important values.
Yet while remembering things from the past that were beloved and pleasurable, it can be important to look around at the present. Take time to appreciate advances in medicine and convenience, to enjoy technology and advancing ideas, and to value what has been made much better, so that each day can be one of the "Good New Days." Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com www.residence600.com 600 E. Elm Salina KS 67401 (785) 822-1300  Have you heard people say that "growing old is no fun?" Who says? Retirement no longer means sitting in a rocking chair just watching other people enjoy life. There are plenty of ways to still have fun as seniors.
1. Take a Chance Games can be individual activities, like playing Solitaire or working a Sudoku puzzle, or group enterprises, such as the card game Hearts or a trivia game. The brain activity provided by counting, guessing, figuring and laughing is a tremendous advantage to mental health and a scheduled "game night" on the calendar can also provide something to look forward to. 2. Take a Moment Even if the family is too busy to stop by for long visiting sessions, memories and thoughts can be shared through writing. Many people this their life was routine or ordinary, but everyone has real stories, heartbreaks, obstacles and successes to pass along to others. An older adult can jot down notes about their time in a war or their reactions to a historical event. Maybe share some gardening secrets or memories of a teaching career. The budding writer might have some hilarious tales to tell. If hand-writing is hard, enlist a younger relative to "take dictation" for an hour or so at a time or use a small recording device. The process of writing can actually prevent age-related brain shrinkage. 3. Take a Walk The simple act of taking a walk is one of the best ways to keep healthy. Even a stroll around the block or up the hallway and back can add to a senior's strength, balance, lung function and eyesight. New vistas and scenery can soothe the mind: a bird's nest, a holiday decoration, a child at play or new models of cars all provide new "brain food." 4. Take the Plunge Swimming can be a safe and healthy way for seniors to spend time. While being a calm way to lower blood pressure and increase strength, it's easy on the joints and can help fight osteoporosis. Some classes at a local gym or community pool are geared especially to seniors, with helpful instructors and fun music. 5. Take the Stage "Let's put on a show," was often the delighted cry of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, and it's still a wonderful idea. Many residential or worship centers provide activities for seniors to act, sing, or dance. Cardiovascular health, serotonin levels, balance and memory can all be improved by getting creative in these active ways. Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com 785-822-7294 Residential care facilities follow strict guidelines, rules and regulations which will help keep residents safe and healthy. But after a long, isolated time during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many questions about what safety precautions are necessary. What are some sensible guidelines for getting out into daily life now that many have had vaccines? Who is Still at Risk? It continues to be wise to use extra care if you have an immune-deficiency condition, have recently had or are having chemotherapy, or if you are an older citizen. Washing hands is still a great idea, and if you have any doubts about the health of others you might gather with, stay away. Some people, those with certain health conditions or young children, cannot be vaccinated. Others may choose not to be. There are still risks of transmission of the COVID-19 virus and its variations, but conditions are improving. Am I Safe from the Virus? As of two weeks after your final vaccination (some come in two doses, some in one), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that it is safe for you to be in an indoor group of people who have all been vaccinated, without having to wear a mask. An extended-family dinner or birthday party is considered fine in this scenario. Say hello to your family and friends again. Game night is on! What Advice Do Professionals Give? Health-care professionals, from the CDC to emergency care nurses, still advise that the best way to stay well is to get vaccinated. Keep wearing a mask in crowded conditions. If the option is available, choose patio seating instead of a crowded restaurant. Avoid huge crowds, concerts, movie theatres. Stay out of unventilated buildings. There is no situation in which there is no risk, but after having a vaccine, your life can begin to open up again. Whom Can I Trust? With many rumors and media articles giving out conflicting theories it's hard to know what is right or wrong, but consulting your Primary Care Physician is always the best idea. With their help, you can make well-informed personal decisions about your health care. Your own experiences from the past (such as living through the polio epidemic or hearing stories of epidemics) should inform your fact-gathering. Above all, be patient as institutions and services open up to the public again. Be kind with care-givers and health-care workers who have been on the front lines during the pandemic. Working together, with a smile and some thoughtfulness, is great medicine! Kim Rayas Residence 600 kim@residence600.com 785-822-7294 |
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December 2021
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