There are many conversations that families should have. One of those concerns your final wishes. Planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements in advance means you can discuss the options with family in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The other conversation is planning for your future health care. If you were sick and couldn’t speak for yourself, would your family know your wishes? You might be surprised by the space between what you want for future care and what your loved ones think you want. It’s important that they know your values, what is meaningful in your life, and how you would like decisions to be made.
Community News
Health Fun Facts
Every square inch of human skin consists of twenty-five feet of blood vessels.
A cough releases an explosive charge of air that moves at speeds up to 60mph.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself while standing still.
The eye of a human can distinguish between 500 shades of gray.
The width of your arm span stretched out is equal to the length of your whole body.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life
We all want to be healthy, however many people disregard their oral cavity and teeth (whether real or false). The body is a holistic and interconnected system, one that can only function optimally if everything runs smoothly. Old or ill-fitting dentures can cause an array of health issues. From headaches, digestive problems, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), and hearing loss. Also social isolation may occur if you are unhappy with your smile because of missing teeth or old dentures. It’s imperative to see the right specialist for any health issues. When it comes to dentures see a denturist first.
Do you get enough good quality sleep?
A lack of adequate sleep results in an increase of free radicals in the brain, which can have damaging health effects such as weight gain, cardiovascular disease, blood sugar dysregulation, anxiety, and depression, amongst others. General tips for better sleep include going to bed at the same time every night, potent calming teas and practicing meditation and deep breathing exercises. Very important in today’s world is to avoid TV/electronics later in the evening as the blue light they emit blocks melatonin production, which is essential for proper sleep. Also, equipping your room with blackout shades or otherwise creating a dark environment for the entirety of your sleep is crucial – especially in the summer months!
Fitness Q&A
Q: Do older people need to lift weights? A: Yes, resistance training is ESSENTIAL for everyone as we age. We start to lose muscle mass regularly in our 30s, and if we don’t work to build muscle, we can become frail and weak as we age. Q: Does muscle really weigh more than fat? A: No. But muscle is denser than fat and takes up 22% less space in our bodies, so our clothes fit better! Q: I’m over 50 and my weight is fine. Why should I work out regularly? A: Working out is important for many reasons, including improved strength, endurance, and flexibility, which improves our quality of life.
Benefits of Music Lessons for Kids
Did you know that music lessons can have more benefits for children than just learning about music? Learning to keep a steady beat is important for not only movement skills like walking, running, riding a bike, and bouncing a ball, but also has an impact on early language and math skills. Group music classes also provide an opportunity for children to socialize and have fun while learning important social skills and self confidence. Best of all, music is a great way to bond with your child and form connections that can last for many years to come!
Fitness Q&A
Q: Do older people need to lift weights? A: Yes, resistance training is ESSENTIAL for everyone as we age. We start to lose muscle mass regularly in our 30s, and if we don’t work to build muscle, we can become frail and weak as we age. Q: Does muscle really weigh more than fat? A: No. But muscle is denser than fat and takes up 22% less space in our bodies, so our clothes fit better! Q: I’m over 50 and my weight is fine. Why should I work out regularly? A: Working out is important for many reasons, including improved strength, endurance, and flexibility, which improves our quality of life.
Do You Grind Your Teeth?
Bruxism, better known as teeth grinding, can be caused by stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite, missing and crooked teeth, or it can be due to sleep disorder. When under stress, many people find themselves grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws during sleep. Over time, bruxism may lead to symptoms such as dull headaches or a sore jaw. Severe grinding can lead to painful, loose teeth or fractures in your teeth. Consult your dentist to determine if you have a problem. You may need a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep.
Health Fun Facts
Every square inch of human skin consists of twenty-five feet of blood vessels.
A cough releases an explosive charge of air that moves at speeds up to 60mph.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself while standing still.
The eye of a human can distinguish between 500 shades of gray.
The width of your arm span stretched out is equal to the length of your whole body.
Fitness Q&A
Q: Do older people need to lift weights? A: Yes, resistance training is ESSENTIAL for everyone as we age. We start to lose muscle mass regularly in our 30s, and if we don’t work to build muscle, we can become frail and weak as we age. Q: Does muscle really weigh more than fat? A: No. But muscle is denser than fat and takes up 22% less space in our bodies, so our clothes fit better! Q: I’m over 50 and my weight is fine. Why should I work out regularly? A: Working out is important for many reasons, including improved strength, endurance, and flexibility, which improves our quality of life.
Book Club: Why Can’t I Get Better?
Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease by Dr. Richard Horowitz. Lyme disease and its related conditions are incredibly complicated. Different patients can have completely different sets of symptoms. Through his years of working with more than 12,000 Lyme disease patients—many of whom had failed several treatments before they even came to see him—Dr. Horowitz has developed a way of looking at the complex factors that embody this disease.
