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Marie Holmes, in her insightful article, shares the touching journey of Ty Lewis and her family as they navigate the challenges of caring for her mother, Gertrude Jordan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. Lewis's daughters, who were very young when their grandmother was diagnosed, now play an active role in her care as teenagers. Lewis, based in Southern California, has not only become her mother's primary caregiver but also an advocate for Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers, using her mother's Instagram page to build a supportive community. The "sandwich generation," faced with the dual responsibilities of caring for aging parents and raising children, often experiences overwhelming stress, as revealed in a survey where many caregivers expressed feeling unprepared for their role. Open communication, adaptation, and finding meaningful ways for children to participate in caregiving tasks are highlighted as essential strategies. Through Lewis's experience, it's evident that involving children in the caregiving process can instill empathy, patience, and resilience in them, ultimately shaping them into compassionate individuals. Holmes emphasizes the importance of using developmentally appropriate language and resources to educate children about dementia, preparing them for the changes they'll witness in their older relatives. Suggestions include utilizing media resources like animated videos and books tailored to different age groups. Despite the challenges, caregivers are encouraged to carve out dedicated time for their children and themselves, acknowledging the strain caregiving can place on family dynamics. While transparency about the sacrifices involved is essential, it's equally crucial to focus on the positive aspects of caregiving and the invaluable lessons it imparts to children. Through Lewis's story, Holmes underscores that caregiving isn't just about sacrifice but also about instilling values of love, compassion, and patience in future generations, fostering a deeper understanding of empathy and resilience within families. #Caregiving #AlzheimersAwareness #Parenting #FamilyCaregiving https://lnkd.in/gDscUz5M

Laura Williamson, for American Heart Association News, presents a comprehensive overview of the historical perceptions and current challenges surrounding heart disease in women. Historically, heart disease was predominantly seen as a male issue, with women's health concerns often overlooked. Even in the mid-20th century, medical focus on women's health was limited, with heart disease research largely centered on men. This bias persisted until the late 20th century when studies like the Framingham Heart Study began highlighting sex-specific patterns in heart disease. Despite advancements, disparities persist, with women often receiving inadequate treatment and facing higher mortality rates compared to men. Efforts to address these disparities, such as the Go Red for Women campaign, have made strides in raising awareness, but gaps in knowledge and healthcare disparities remain, especially among women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Recent research has shed light on various factors influencing women's heart health, including menopause, pregnancy complications, and autoimmune disorders. However, significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding how heart disease affects women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Structural racism and social determinants of health contribute to these disparities, highlighting the need for a more diverse and inclusive medical workforce. Initiatives to increase representation among healthcare providers, especially women and individuals from diverse backgrounds, are crucial for improving care and addressing biases in diagnosis and treatment. Promoting healthy habits from an early age is also essential for long-term heart health. While progress has been slow, continued efforts are necessary to ensure equitable access to care and better outcomes for all women affected by heart disease. #WomensHealth #HeartDiseaseAwareness #HealthDisparities #HealthEquity #RepresentationMatters #PreventiveHealthcare https://lnkd.in/ghH3jY38

In her report on heart health, A. Pawlowski, a health reporter at TODAY Digital, emphasizes the crucial role of diet in preventing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to cardiologists. Dr. Sean Heffron, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health, stresses that what we eat greatly affects our heart health by influencing factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight. Therefore, it's essential to prioritize whole, fresh foods over processed ones, as recommended by Dr. Nieca Goldberg, another cardiologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She advocates for a plant-based Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, which have been shown to benefit heart health by controlling cholesterol, blood sugar, and reducing the risk of heart disease. Adding heart-healthy foods to your diet can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. These include nuts, seeds, deeply colored fruits and vegetables, dark leafy greens, beets, beans, yogurt, whole grains, fatty fish, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, berries, tomatoes, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and coffee. These foods are rich in essential nutrients like healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, improving cholesterol levels, and preventing plaque buildup in arteries. Incorporating these foods into your diet can contribute to a healthier heart and overall well-being. #HeartHealth #FoodIsMedicine #HeartHealthyDiet #PreventHeartDisease https://lnkd.in/gFCTxhk5

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February?is National Children's Dental Health Month. Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet cavities are preventable. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don't.

The Rockefeller Foundation has committed an additional $80 million over the next five years to boost Food is Medicine programs in the United States. This brings their total commitment to over $100 million since 2019. The aim is to address diet-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues, which contribute significantly to deaths, disability, and healthcare costs in the country. The foundation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote the integration of Food is Medicine in health systems. Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, emphasized the need to make nutritious foods accessible to patients with diet-related diseases. The initiative seeks to transform healthcare, making it more affordable and effective in preventing, managing, and treating such conditions. The funding will support research on the health and economic outcomes of Food is Medicine programs, particularly focusing on diverse populations. The foundation also plans to collaborate with organizations to build infrastructure, advocate for better policies, and ensure accurate information reaches those who need it the most. #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity #RockefellerFoundation https://lnkd.in/gQhD5QSC

According to the American Medical Association, patients can take these steps to lower their high #bloodpressure. #hypertension #HeartMonth https://lnkd.in/dejT-Mdr

The American Heart Association, commemorating a century of life-saving service, has conducted a survey revealing positive effects of increased CPR awareness on bystander response during cardiac emergencies. The survey, conducted in fall 2023, indicates that 35% of respondents now feel confident to perform CPR, a rise from 30% in 2021. Despite this improvement, only 39% are familiar with traditional CPR, and only 23% with Hands-Only CPR. The Association emphasizes a critical gap in awareness, stressing the need for collaborative efforts among governments, communities, businesses, and media to promote life-saving training. To address this, the American Heart Association is launching a "Nation of Lifesavers?," aiming to empower individuals with knowledge, skills, and confidence to perform CPR and contribute to a healthier and safer community. The survey further reveals that less than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive immediate CPR, and approximately 90% of the 350,000 yearly cases do not survive. The Association urges families to be prepared, especially considering that nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside hospitals happen at home. During American Heart Month, the Association is providing various ways to learn CPR, such as watching online videos, using CPR Anytime? kits at home, attending courses, or encouraging workplaces to adopt CPR training. The initiative emphasizes the importance of transforming bystanders into lifesavers, supported by testimonies like Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, a cardiac arrest survivor and national ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers. #CPRawareness #NationofLifesavers #HeartHealth #AmericanHeartAssociation https://lnkd.in/gCVEeQkY