St. John Church Disaster Ministries

Diakon Family Life Services Senior Transitions Program has several programs if you are dealing with transition in your life or the life of your parents. Click the links below for additional information for -

Life Lines Newsletter:

Today's newsletter is devoted to Nutrition. We often see our eating habits as "natural," but consider this. We like certain foods, so we eat and drink them. Certain foods have become part of our culture, holidays, and celebrations. Just as other people in other parts of the world learned to eat certain foods, we learned to eat ours. We have created lifestyles based on fast food. We have endured the mass marketing of poor food choices to children as well as to adults, and we have supported the mass production of junk food. This has resulted in many diet related illnesses - excess weight (30% of us are obese, 60% are overweight), diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea, anemia, and other ailments.

Eating is no longer a natural process for us. Eating has become hazardous to our health!! The next time you pass a farm, stop and watch the cows graze. They eat naturally, completely unaffected by fancy fast food flyers and slick billboard advertising. In restaurants, cows moooove right past the Dessert Bar and head straight for the Salad Bar! We can learn a lot from a cow.

Articles

Senior Citizens Get Their Own Food Pyramid Updated by Tufts Researchers: Tufts scientists work with federal agencies to establish the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Senior Journal, Dec. 20, 2007 http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/7-12-20-SenCitGetTheirOwn.htm
Ornish Diet Best, USDA Food Pyramid Down the List for Improving Heart Health: Study ranks popular weight-loss plans for reducing cardiovascular risk. Senior Journal, Oct. 1, 2007, http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/2007/7-10-01-OrnishDiet.htm
Follow this eat-right plan to fortify your immune system: When cold and flu season comes around, many people head to their medicine cabinets in search of relief. But a trip to the kitchen may be the smarter move. CNN.com, Nov 14, 2007, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/14/cl.best.defense/index.html
Why Whole Grain Foods are Better for Older Adults: Only whole grains, not refined, reduce the risk of several major diseases: Guide to Senior Living, Sept. 12, 2007, http://seniorliving.about.com/od/nutritionforolderadults/a/whole_grains.htm
Foods With Little Risk of Causing Acid Reflux: Certain foods can aggravate your heartburn symptoms, and it's best to limit or avoid completely those foods and drinks that result in acid reflux. There are some foods that have little or no potential for causing heartburn. About.com, March 26, 2007, http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/a/heartburnfoods1.htm?nl=1
Put the kettle on - Tea is steeped in health benefits: There's no other natural product known that has such diversified health effects. USA Today, Oct. 8, 2007, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-10-07-tea-benefits_N.htm
Whole Grains May Help The Heart: People Who Eat 2.5 Servings A Day Are 21% Less Likely To Have Heart Disease, Research Shows. WebMD, May 11, 2007, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/11/health/webmd/main2792211.shtml
The ABCs of D: A single nutrient that keeps bones strong, wards off diabetes, and protects against tuberculosis, cancer, colds, and the flu. Sound too good to be true? There's more: It's free. But you're almost certainly not getting enough. U.S. News and World Report, December 10, 2006, http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/061210/18vitamin.htm
Do Low-Fat Foods Seduce Us into Obesity? Mindless eating leads to 28-45% more calories if foods are 'low-fat', Senior Journal, December 8, 2006

http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/6-12-08-DoLowFatFoods.htm

Zinc Helps Elderly Ward Off Pneumonia: Nursing home study finds it can prevent or shorten the illness. HealthDay News, Oct. 29, 2007, http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=609378
Senior Citizens Need Just a Little More Protein-Rich Food to Maintain Muscle: Elderly just as able to turn protein into muscle as younger people. Senior Journal, Aug. 13, 2007, http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/2007/7-08-13-SenCitNeedMore.htm
What to eat and what to avoid to cut cancer risk: Fill your diet with veggies, fiber, vitamin D and calcium to prevent disease. MSNBC, Oct. 15, 2007, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21251834/wid/11915773?GT1=10514

NOTE: Articles may not be published without the consent from the publication or outlet from which they came.

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Today's newsletter is devoted to Communication, the foundation of our relationships and the means by which we gather information about the world we live in. Communication is absolutely essential to successful living. When used wisely, our written, verbal, and electronic communication can reduce our isolation, connect us to our loved ones, keep us informed, and improve our personal safety. Still, the most effective form of communication with the ones we love remains - The Hug (a non-verbal form of communication signifying deep affection)!

Articles

1. CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends during a wide array of health care crisis. Every month, over 1 million people use CaringBridge to share information and receive love and support while caring for elderly parents or enduring a lengthy hospitalization, cancer treatment, surgery and recovery, major accident or injury, premature birth, or other significant health issue. www.caringbridge.org

2. Senior Citizens and Boomer Children Not Communicating on Critical Issues: New Website will try to connect the generations, says WellPoint. Senior Journal, October 25, 2006

http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/6-10-25-SeniorCitizensAndBoomer.htm

Phones aim to help loss of hearing: A Chattanooga company hopes its new ice cream scoop-shaped telephone is the next big thing for hearing impaired seniors and the baby boomers who care for them. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Jan. 26, 2008
UTStarcom Launches CDM8630 Cell Phone for Older Adults: The phone features a large easy to read screen type, clearly labeled number pad, ten one touch-dialing entries, and a special in case of emergency dialing directory. I4U News, Oct. 23, 2007, http://www.i4u.com/article12320.html
Aging under a high-tech eye: Home systems using webcams and sensors are giving seniors autonomy and caregivers peace of mind. Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2007, http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/home/la-hm-connect11oct11,1,1434083.story?coll=la-home-printedition&ctrack=1&cset=true
Communication now part of the cure: Retired Boston physician Jonathan Fine became a patient advocate in 2004 when he realized communication between doctor and patient is often the first casualty of a major illness. USA Today, July 25, 2007, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-07-19-communication-cure_N.htm
Ten Minutes of Conversation Improves Memory as Much as Games: A friend may help you stay sharp just as much as a daily crossword puzzle. Senior Journal, Oct. 29, 2007, http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2007/7-10-29-TenMinutes.htm
How to talk to a doctor: You are an empowered, assertive and knowledgeable patient. You can Google like nobody's business. But if you lack one crucial skill, you still may get lousy medical care. USA Today, Dec. 3, 2007, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2007-12-02-your-health_N.htm
Confronting an Aging and Unsafe Driver: Driving is a symbol of independence in our culture, and we want our loved ones to keep driving as long as they can. However, as they get older there may come a time when they need to stop driving, especially if they have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. ElderLawAnswers, Dec. 3, 2007, http://www.elderlawanswers.com/resources/article.asp?id=3766&section=4&state=
Coaching for Doctor Office Visits Helps Patients Ask Right Questions: Preparation also helps provide doctor helpful information. Senior Journal, July 19, 2007, http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2007/7-07-19-CoachingforDoctor.htm

NOTE: Articles may not be published without the consent from the publication or outlet from which they came.

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TAKING REQUESTS! If you or any of your readers find a topic or article of interest, I can pursue it in future newsletters. You may also have real life issues that you may want to share with me confidentially. We could address appropriate issues anonymously in the newsletter to benefit others, or we can discuss treatment options privately. Just email or call me with your suggestions or questions.

Fred Indenbaum, Ed.S, LPC

Program Coordinator - Senior Transitions

Family Life Services

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries

One South Home Avenue

Topton, PA 19562

1-888-499-2699

"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot be exerted, wealth becomes useless, and reason becomes powerless."

Herophilus, 300 B.C.

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 10/30/07

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/30/07