Veterans Events

Please join us for special events honoring our Veterans to thank them for their service.


           "A salute to our veterans", Tuesday November 11, 2014 at 2 PM at Pleasantview Care Center in the Sapphire Dining Rood. Refreshments  will be served.
Veterans Pinning Ceremony Friday, November 14, 2014 at 2 PM at  Pleasantview Care Center-Sapphire Dining Room. Sponsored by Crossroads Hospice--"Expect more from us. We do." Refreshments will be served.
Get more informed about Veterans benefits and programs Saturday November 15, 2014 at 2 PM at  Pleasantview Care center in the sapphire dining room.
See you then!

Stop Smoking!

Quitting tobacco is one of the most important steps you can take for your health. Tobacco doesn't just cause lung cancer. It also causes or contributes to other lung diseases such as emphysema and asthma, puts you at higher risk for stroke and heart disease, and is associated with several other cancers.


Quitting tobacco will also increase many of the pleasures of life. You will be able to smell fresh air and perfume, taste subtle flavors, save money  exercise without getting winded.


CHOOSE YOUR QUIT DAY
Find a date  that is no more than 1 month away-within 2 weeks is best. Try to choose a day when you won't be stressed or distracted. Circle the date on the calendar. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers that you are planning to quit. Ask them to help you find positive nonsmoking experiences or help you resist the urge to smoke.


QUIT DAY TO-DO LIST
After your last cigarette
(1) remove all your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays from purses, pockets, drawers, vehicle office and any other places you keep your tobacco stuff. (2) keep oral substitutes such as sunflower seeds, carrot sticks or toothpicks handy  (3) if you are using a non-nicotine medicine, take your dose each day of the week leading up to your quit day.


QUITING AIDS
Discuss these tobacco cessation aides with your health care provider.


Nicotine Replacement Treatment
You can purchase nicotine patches, gum and lozenges over the counter: sprays and inhalers require prescriptions. These products are designed to ease the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Note that combing nicotine replacement with counseling works better than either alone.
Non nicotine medicine: Two non-prescription drugs, bupropion and varenicline, have been approved to help people stop smoking when combined with counseling. They are shown to reduce cravings when used as directed.


HOW TO REDUCE THE TOBACCO CRAVINGS:
(1) begin using nicotine replacement therapy if that is your choice (2) take short walks instead of coffee breaks or take your brakes someplace new. (3) get outdoors and do some deep breathing. Fill your lungs with fresh air. (4) avoid places and situations where the urge to use tobacco is strong. (5) avoid other tobacco users if you can (6) carry sugar-free gum and hard candy for oral substitutes (7) avoid alcohol and caffeine-they often stimulate nicotine cravings (8) call a family member or friend


Withdrawal is not just physical it is also psychological. The trick is to stay calm, cool and collected in the face of cravings that sometimes feel uncontrollable. Sound tough? It is. But it is not impossible. After all, millions of people quit smoking every year.


WITHDRAWAL BUSTERS
(1) for a dry mouth or sore throat, sip ice water or juice or chew sugarless gum.
(2) for headaches and anxiety, take a warm bath and try mediating or simply breathing deeply for a few minutes.
(3) increase the fiber i.e. fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to reduce bowel irregularity
(4) take a daily nap to beat fatigue. Do not over schedule yourself and make sure you get enough sleep.
(5) exercise daily to reduce your stress and irritability.
(6) use positive self talk, Remind yourself that you are now a nonsmoker.
(7) every time you want a cigarette, inhale deeply, count to ten and exhale. Remember that time is the great healer, and over time your urge to smoke will gradually diminish..











Remember that many people try quitting 3 or more times before they become tobacco free. It is never to late and is worth it!!

Weight loss basics

Two ways to learn if you are overweight are to determine your body mass index (BMI) and your waist circumference.


Your BMI classifies your weight in terms of your height. Too much mass over too little height can mean that you are overweight and possibly even obese. The formula for adults
(1) multiply your weight by 703
(2) divide that number by your height in inches
(3) divide your second answer by your height in inches again


Classify your BMI
18.5-24.9-healthy weight which is associated with the least risk of early death.
25.0-29.9-is overweight. Over 27 is associated with an increased risk of developing health problems
30.0-obese which is associated with the highest risk of health problems and early death


Since BMI may not be accurate for some people waist circumference is also used. Research shows that excess abdominal fat may pose a higher risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes than excess fat on hips or thighs.


To measure it
(1) run a tape measure around your body just above the highest point on each hip bone
(2) a measurement of more than 35 inches for women or up to 40 inches for men may increase your health risks


We need to eat healthfully and the proper foods. In restaurants  order salad dressings and other sauces on the side. Ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil or be prepared "light". Substitute steamed vegetables for high fat or starchy side dishes. Choose tomato based sauces instead of cream based sauces. drink water, diet soda unsweetened tea instead of regular soda or alcoholic beverages. Stop eating when you are full.


At the grocery store: check food labels for the amount of sodium, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sugar and calories. (foods with mostly or only unsaturated fats are healthier than those mostly with saturated and/or trans fats but are also high in calories so consume in moderation) Also be aware that many items sold as single servings actually provide 2 or more servings)


At home cook from scratch as much as possible. Packaged  foods tend  to be high in some or all of these saturated or trans fats, sodium, calories, and or sugar. Broil or bake rather than fry, add lemon or spices instead of butter and eat wholesome varieties of pasta, cereal and rice.


By cutting 250 calories per day is the goal. Simple ways to cut calories include (1) for breakfast substitute herbal tea for high fat cappuccino. (2) at lunch hold the mayo on your sandwich and try spicy mustard instead. Drink water instead of a soda.


And exercise--very important--experts recommend moderate intensity cardio (aerobic)exercise, 150 minutes a week or vigorous intensity cardio 75 minutes a week. You may need to gradually work up to these goals. Do consult your health care provider before significally  changing your activity.

Stress Relief Techniques

Your goal is to deal with stress in a positive and healthy way so you can control it and not let it control you. If many different things cause stress for you, choose one to deal with first. Once you have a handle on that move on to the next. These tips may help:


Avoid quick fixes-drugs, alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods and caffeine are all quick ways to reduce stress. They don't work. Once the effects wear off your stress is still there.


Eat healthy foods-choose more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less fatty and salty foods.


Be positive-when times get tough do not focus on negative things. They are only temporary and will pass. Instead, have a positive approach to the situation.


Exercise-when you exercise your body releases chemicals that are natural antidepressants. It helps you feel refreshed and motivated. Make time to go to the gym several times a week or do some type of exercise at home.


Make time for the things you enjoy-think about what you enjoy doing most and make time for it.


Spend time with friends and family-make time for the important people in your life. Your loved ones can help lift your spirits when you are feeling down.


talk to a professional-"sharing your stress" with a therapist may help. Talking about your problems is a good way to get it out of your system. Once you share your problems they won't feel so heavy.


Get plenty of rest- you need a good night's sleep to recharge your batteries. Allow plenty of time for rest and develop good sleep habits. You will feel refreshed and ready to start the next day.


Learn to relax-Deep breathing exercises, yoga, message and stress  relief exercises may help.


A 60 SECOND EXERCISE
Follow these steps


(1) sit in a straight-backed chair with your eyes closed.
(2) place your hands on your lap with your fingertips lightly touching.
(3) focus your thoughts on your hands. Press your fingertips one by one.
(4) Soon you will find a thought appears that will distract you from focusing on your hands.
(5) gently bring your attention back to your hands.
(6) take a good deep breath and stretch.
(7) finally open your eyes.


DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES
this exercise gets more oxygen into your lungs


(1) sit up straight, stand or lie flat on your back.
(2) let your hands lie comfortably at your side.
(3) take a long deep breath through your nose and hold it for a moment.
(4) purse your lips (like you are going to whistle) to control your speed. Then breath slowly through your mouth.
REPEAT THIS 10 TIMES OR UNTIL YOU FEEL RELAXED. Take 5-10 SECONDS FOR EACH BREATH IN AND OUT.


MUSCLE TIGHTENING AND RELAXING
(1) Clench (tense) your fists as hard as you can and hold them clenched for 5-10 seconds
(2) Relax your fists. Notice the feelings when your fists are clenched and as the tension leaves your hands.
(3) Repeat this 5 times. Concentrate on feeling the tension leaving your hands.


NOW REPEAT THIS TENSE_RELAX ACTION FOR EACH OF THESE MUSCLE GROUPS UNTIL YOU GET THE SAME RELAXED FEELING>


Jaw
Shoulders and back
Arms and hands
Stomach muscles
Buttocks and legs
Feet and toes

What is MRSA?

Staphyloccus aureus or staph is a very common germ that about 1 out of every 3 people have on their skin or in their nose. This germ does not cause any problems for most people who have it on their skin. But sometimes it can cause serious infections such as skin or wound infections, pneumonia, or infections of the blood.


Antibiotics are given to kill Staph germs when they cause infections. Some Staph are resistant, meaning they can't be killed by some antibiotics. "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" or MRSA is a type of Staph that is resistant to some of the antibiotics that are often used to treat Staph infections.


In the hospital, people who are more likely to get MRSA infections are people who: (1) have other health conditions making them sick (2) have been in the hospital (3) have been treated with antibiotics. People who are healthy and who have not been hospitalized can also get MRSA infections. These infections usually involve the skin. People who have MRSA germs on their skin or who are infected with MRSA may be able to spread the germ to others. MRSA can be passed on to bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and other medical equipment. It can spread to other people on contaminated equipment and on the hands of doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers or visitors.


There are antibiotics that can kill MRSA germs. Some patients with MRSA abscesses may need surgery to drain the infection. Your healthcare provider will determine which treatment is best for you.


To prevent MRSA infections doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers (1) clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub before and after caring for every patient (2) carefully clean hospital rooms and medical equipment (3) use contact precautions when caring for patients with MRSA which means  having patients with MRSA in a private room or share one only with someone else that has MRSA. Also healthcare providers will put on gloves and wear gowns over their clothing while caring for patients with MRSA. Visitors may also be asked to wear a gown and gloves. Also hospital providers and visitors remove their gowns and wash  their hands when leaving the patients room. Patients with MRSA  are asked to remain in their hospital rooms as much as possible. They should not go to common areas such as the gift shop or cafeteria. They may also go to other parts of the hospital for treatments and/or tests.


To help prevent MRSA make sure all healthcare providers clean their hands with soap and water or with alcohol based rub before and after caring for you. If they do not do so please ask them to.


Visitors have a low risk of  getting MRSA while visiting someone that does have it. However to decrease the risk your visitors should (1) clean their hands upon entering and exiting the room and (2) ask a healthcare provider if  the visitor needs to wear gloves and a gown when visiting.


When the resident goes home they need to finish taking the prescribed antibiotic. Avoid sharing personal items, wash and dry your clothes and bed linens in the warmest possible temperatures recommended on the label,, wash hands frequently and tell all healthcare providers that come to the home that you have MRSA.