Healthy Aging

11/30/2021

Acute illnesses like the flu can make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Flu may raise your blood sugar levels, but sometimes people don’t feel like eating when they are sick, and a reduced appetite can cause blood sugar levels to fall.

People with diabetes, even when it's managed properly, are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, which can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications.
Flu also can make chronic health problems worse because these conditions can make the immune system weaker in fighting off other infections.

It is important for people with diabetes to follow the sick day guidelines if they become ill.

For more information about the flu and diabetes, sick day guidelines for people with diabetes, or to find a location to receive your yearly flu shot, please visit the following websites:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/diabetes.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/flu-sick-days.html
https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/Flu-Season

11/23/2021

1. Budget wisely. Don’t eat everything at feasts and parties. Be choosy and spend calories accordingly on the foods you love.

2. Take 10 before taking seconds. It takes a few minutes for your stomach’s "I’m getting full" signal to make its way to your brain. After finishing your first helping, take a 10-minute break. Make conversation. Drink some water. You might realize you are full or want only a small portion of seconds.

3. Put on your dancing (or walking) shoes. Dancing is a great way to work off some holiday calories. If you are at a family gathering, suggest a walk before the feast or even between dinner and dessert.

4. Make room for veggies. At meals and parties, don’t ignore fruits and vegetables. They make great snacks and even better side or main dishes — unless they’re slathered with creamy sauces or butter.

5. Be buffet savvy. At a buffet, look around the food table before putting anything on your plate. By checking out all your options, you might be less inclined to pile on items one after another.

6. Cook from (and for) the heart. To show family and friends that you really care about them, be creative with recipes that use less butter, cream, lard, vegetable shortening, and other ingredients rich in saturated fats.

7. Pay attention to what really matters. Although food is an important part of the holidays, focus on family and friends, laughter, and cheer. If balance and moderation are your usual guides, it’s okay to indulge or overeat occasionally.

11/12/2021

According to the CDC, diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.

Most of the food we eat is broken down into sugar and is released into the bloodstream.

When your blood sugar goes up, the body signals the pancreas to release insulin that allows the body to use the sugar as energy.

With diabetes, the body cannot make enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin it makes as efficiently as it should.

Too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream and over time can cause serious health problems, such as kidney disease, vision loss, and heart disease.

There is not a cure for diabetes yet, but losing weight, eating healthy, and being active can help lower the risk of having diabetes.

For more information, please visit https://www.diabetes.org/ or https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.html

11/04/2021

November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

Did you know?
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's
1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another form of Dementia
In 2021, Alzheimer's and other dementias will cost the nation $355 billion.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging with the greatest risk factor being increased age. It is a progressive disease where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over the years.

Currently, Alzheimer's has no cure, but there are treatments available that may temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms while improving the quality of life for those with dementia.

For local resources regarding Alzheimer's, please contact the Alzheimer's Association Houston Office.

For more information about Alzheimer's, please visit https://www.alz.org/

10/21/2021

Today is World Osteoporosis Day

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, produces too little bone, or both. This can cause the bones to become weaker and may break because of a fall.

About 54 million Americans live with osteoporosis. Bone fractures are a serious condition, especially in older adults.

What preventative measures can we incorporate into our lives to reduce our chances of getting osteoporosis?

Consider doing weight-bearing activities such as brisk walking, dancing, or even joining our A Matter of Balance fall prevention program!

Incorporate strength-training exercises in order to promote or improve bone mineral density.

Getting daily sun exposure, or even limiting caffeine consumption.

Contact us if you have any questions about our Fall Prevention Program!

10/11/2021

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health problem, please know you are not alone.

Harris County Public Health: Dial 2-1-1 for help with local mental health care services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

10/06/2021

In observance of this week, consider joining a Healthy Aging class to learn about how to manage your chronic conditions and have good nutrition. Good nutrition helps you feel stronger, live longer, and heal quicker.

Did you know?
- 715,000 U.S. adults aged 65+ are underweight
- 16% of independent older adults are at a higher risk of being malnourished

What can cause malnutrition?
-Chronic conditions
-Poor dental health
-Social isolation
-Food insecurity
-Medication side effects
-Lack of mobility

For more information about malnutrition, please check out the link: https://www.ncoa.org/article/5-malnutrition-facts-you-probably-didnt-know

Contact us if you would like more information!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 713-274-5750

10/01/2021

Happy International Day of Older Persons!

On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st as International Day of Older Persons. The focus of today is to bring awareness to the needs, rights, and well-being of elderly people. Over the next three decades, the number of older persons will double, reaching more than 1.5 billion in 2050.

The Healthy Aging Team offers various programs for seniors that help them take control of their health and provide tools and services to ensure their well-being is taken care of

Contact us if you would like more information!

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11/11/2020

If you are in need of assistance in getting food for Thanksgiving, there will be help offered to many Houstonians. The first event for a free Thanksgiving meal (Turkey and side items) will be this Saturday, November 14 from 10am to 2pm on Bellfort Avenue in Southwest Houston. If you can’t make it for that, there are other options in this article:

Find out where you can get a free Thanksgiving turkey in the Houston area ahead of the holiday.

11/06/2020

Mobile food!

11/02/2020

Important info!