h e a lt hFor Members of United Service Association For Health CareSPRING 2009
total
&wellnessh e a lt hFor Members of United Service Association For Health CareFAll 2011
total
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Her Newest Role
plusMore Food ...
and Fewer Pounds?
&wellness
in
Workout
andBuild Your OwnBoot Camp
3 Basic Training: Build Your Own Boot-Camp Workout
4 New Weapons in the Fight Against a Major Cancer Killer
5 Medicine 2.0: How Technology Can Help Your Health
6 Five Great Lunches for Kids
7 The New Diet Math: More Food Equals Fewer Pounds
8 Playing It Safe—How to Choose Your Children’s Toys
12 Is Depression in Your DNA?
13 Q & A: How to Teach Empathy to Children and Teens
14 Congratulations to USA+ Scholarship Winner Chelsea Zenk!
15 Your “New” Health Care Team
16 Taste the Zest of Health with Citrus Fruits
17 Heartburn Medicine May Put Your Bones at Risk
18 Caregivers Need Care, Too!
19 All About Andrographis: Can It Treat the Common Cold?
TOTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Executive Director: M. Cranon
Quality Assurance: T. Barton
Account Supervisors: B. Mayer and R. Davis
Compliance Analyst: C. Mangrum
Total Health & Wellness is published by United Service Association For Health Care. This information is intended to educate the public about subjects pertinent to their health, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. © 2011 Printed in the U.S.A.
United Service Association For Health Care is an organization that provides privileges and services that promote the health and welfare of its members.
For more information, please contact:
United Service Association For Health Care
P.O. Box 200905
Arlington, TX 76006-0095
800-USA-1187
EDiTOriAL ADviSOry BOArD
David S. Alkek, M.D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Joseph D. Beasley, M.D., Director, The Institute of Health Policy and Practice, Amityville, NY
Kathie Davis, Executive Director, IDEA Health & Fitness Association, San Diego, CA
Sidney Friedlaender, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl
Charles M. Ginsburg, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Susan Johnson, Ed.D., Director, Continuing Education, The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX
Julie Waltz Kembel, M.S., Ed., CHES, Education Director, Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Don r. Powell, Ph.D., President and CEO, American Institute for Preventative Medicine, Farmington Hills, MI
Charles F. Seifert, Pharm.D., Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD
Kathryn K. Waldrep, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Medical City Dallas, Dallas, TX
Arthur H. White, M.D., Medical Director, San Francisco Spine Institute, Daly City, CA
Cover photo: Catherine Zeta Jones attends the after-party for the opening night of the Broadway show A Little Night Music in New York, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009.
(Charles Sykes/AP Images for TV Land)
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5426M_USA_FA11.indd 1 10/20/11 2:59 PM
contents FAll 2011
2 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ cover story ] A New Kind of Role for Catherine Zeta-Jones A page 9
www.USAHC.COM 3
[ H E A L T H Y L I v I N G ]
Basic Training: Build Your Own Boot-Camp Workoutyou don’t necessarily have to hit the gym to have a great workout. you can get physically fit right in the comfort of your own home.
DOES WiNTEr WEATHEr HAvE yOU CAMPiNG OUT ON THE COUCH? iT’S TiME TO JOiN THE rANKS OF THE PHySiCALLy ACTivE. Studies show everyone from obese children to frail older adults can benefit from home-based exercise programs.
This season, stay in shape with your own at-home boot-camp style workout—no personal trainer, fancy equipment, or gym membership required. The secret to this trendy tone-up is mixing calorie-burning cardio intervals with moves that build strength using the weight of your own body. Here’s how.
The Warm-Up: Start with five to 10 minutes of easy motion, such as walking in place or riding a stationary bike.
The Moves: Choose eight to 10 strength-training moves that work all your major muscle groups: legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. Here are a few favorites:
We value your membership and are here to assist you should you need us. Please contact us at 800-872-1187.
• Push-ups,foryourarms,chest,andshoulders. Make sure your palms are flat and your hands are shoulder-width apart. Slowly lower your body to the floor, bendingyourelbows.Pushbackupwardagainst the floor until your arms are fully extended. Repeat 12 to 20 times.
• Bridge,foryourabs,butt,andhips.Lieonyour back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Contract your abs and glutes, exhale, and lift your hips off the floor. Inhale and lower down to starting position. Repeat 12 to 20 times.
• Squats,foryourhips,thighs,andbutt.Stand in front of a sturdy, armless chair. Placeyourfeetslightlywiderthanshoulder-width apart. Extend your arms in front of you. Slowly bend your knees and lower yourself down until you’re almost seated, taking care not to extend your knees past your toes. Slowly rise back to a standing position. If this move is too difficult, you can use your hands for help. Repeat 10 times.
The intervals: After every two strength-train-ing moves, do 60 seconds of cardiovas-
cular exercise. This could be anything that gets your heart
pumping, from jumping rope to dancing to fast-paced housecleaning.
The Cool-Down: When you’re done, do another five to 10
minutes of gentle motion to lower your heart rate.
A
The Payoff: This type of workout can burn up to 600 calories an hour, according to a study by the American Council on Exercise. It also strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance, and you’ll have fun in the process.
As with any fitness routine, check with your doctor before beginning if you’re 35 or older, obese, have heart disease or another chronic health condition, or have had recent surgery.•
Check www.fitness.gov for a wealth of information on ways to add physical fitness to your everyday routine.
Mini-Exercise BreaksFor your good health, exercise for at least
30 minutes most days of the week. But if you
are too busy to walk, bicycle, or do some
other exercise for half an hour, start with
mini-exercise periods. Young women who
exercised just 10 minutes a day said the brief
exercise breaks made them feel happier,
stronger, and less tired.
4 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ H E A L T H Y C H O I C E S ]
colorectal cancer is ths second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the united states. luckily, you have an arsenal of weapons to help you defeat this disease. find out what they are below.
New Weapons in the Fight Against a Major Cancer Killer
A GETTiNG OLDEr, A FAMiLy HiSTOry, HAviNG iNFLAMMATOry BOWEL DiSEASE. Some risk factors for colorectal cancer—the second leading cause of cancer death in America—are out of our hands. Others, however, are within our control. These include eating right, exercising, and staying at a healthy weight.
Doctors think healthy habits like these could avert about 70 percent of colorectal cancer cases. That makes the disease more preventable than most other malignancies. And based on new research, doctors may soon add even more actionable items to the list.
New Prospects for PreventionThe latest studies show links between reduced colorectal cancer risk and:• High levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol.AnHDLlevelof60mg/dLorhigherhasbeenshowntobebestfor heart health. However, a study in the journal Gut found that levels of about 70.4 mg/dLdecreasedtheriskofcoloncancerby 45 percent compared with counts below 45mg/dL.
•Pain-relieving medicines. Taking drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen daily or weekly was linked to lower cancer risk, found a study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Peoplewithafamilyhistoryofthediseasebenefited most.
•yogurt. Men who ate 3 ounces per day of yogurt and women who ate about 3.5 ounces were less likely to develop colorec-tal cancer than those who ate none, report
findings in the International Journal of Cancer. •Watching what you eat. Women who say they pay no attention to their diet—eating anything at any time—are about 30
percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those
who don’t report this behavior.
More research is needed before these methods are widely recommended.
Some are already known to be good for your heart, such
as increasing good cholesterol. However, others have side effects.
For instance, painkillers can contribute to ulcers and
Slash Colorectal Cancer Risk by Kicking the Habit another reason to quit smoking: lower your odds for colorectal cancer. More than 100,000 older
adults were asked about their smoking history. During a 13-year period, 1,962 cases of colorectal
cancer occurred. Risk for the cancer was 23 percent higher in former smokers than in those who
never smoked. however, for those who quit, risk went down. those who hadn’t smoked in more than
30 years were not at significantly higher risk than those who had never smoked. among current
smokers, risk increased with more years of smoking. those who had been smoking for 50-plus years
had an 82 percent higher risk than those who had never smoked.
stomach bleeding, so talk with your doctor before making changes to your habits.
Screenings Save LivesIn the meantime, scientists do know that six of every 10 colon cancer deaths could be prevented if all adults ages 50 and older were screened for the disease. Most men and women should get at least one test, such as a colonoscopy, between ages 50 and 75. Ask your doctor about the best screening schedule foryou.•
For more cancer-fighting tips, please visit the online home of the National Cancer institute at www.cancer.gov. To access the section about colon cancer, simply click on the Colon and rectal Cancer link.
diabetes? Share words of support that link to reliable medical information. Find a few atwww.cdc.gov/ecardsorwww.niaid.nih.gov/ecards.
• Timelyremindersabouthealthtopicsandwellness events: Find out on Facebook. Hospitals are most likely to post news and health messages on Facebook, the largest social-media site. Associations such as the AmericanAcademyofFamilyPhysiciansand the National Institutes of Health (www.facebook.com/nih.gov)alsoprovideFacebook updates about medical issues.
Take steps to ensure your high-tech sources arereliable.Lookfirsttopagesandservicessponsored by reputable organizations. These include the U.S. government, a university, a national association such as the American Heart Association, or a hospital. Also, carefully check privacy policies before sharing personal information.•
Looking for more trust-worthy health informa-tion? Be sure to visit www.healthfinder.gov, hosted by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
www.USAHC.COM 5
[ H E A L T H Y C H O I C E S ]
Medicine 2.0: How Technology Can Help Your Healthphones aren’t just for calling people anymore. technological breakthroughs over the years have made smartphones, and other high-tech gadgets, valuable sources of health-related information.
A yOU MAy ALrEADy USE FACEBOOK TO FiND OLD FriENDS AND yOUr SMArTPHONE TO CHECK EMAiL. Butdidyou know high-tech gadgets and networks can also connect you with medical resources?
Depending on your health needs, technology may be just what the doctor ordered. If you’re looking for:• Up-to-the-minutenewsaboutdisease
outbreaks and disasters: Turn to Twitter. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionsendsinstantupdates,or“tweets,” that are 140 characters or less. Readthemattwitter.com/CDCemergencyandtwitter.com/CDCgov.
• Personalstoriesaboutamedicalcondition:Search blogs and the video site YouTube. About 30 percent of patients who go online already turn to blogs to read about others’ health experiences. One recently published study found cancer survivors and caregivers who share their stories on video improve their own health in addition to that of their audience.
• Adeeperconnection:Findanonlinesupportgroup. Those at www.dailystrength.org, for instance, cover conditions from acne to Zellweger syndrome.
• Helpmanagingchronicconditions:Tryasmartphone.Programsforthesephonesarecalled applications or apps. Some might give you reminders about checking your blood glucose if you have diabetes. Others can send test results to your doctor. You can also download a stress management app from the Department of Defense at www.t2health.org/apps/breathe2relax.
• Healthmessagestosharewithfriendsandfamily: Send an e-card. Have a cousin who is newly pregnant or a parent with
Blogging for the health of ItWriting about their illnesses has helped people
with diseases from asthma and cancer to
post-traumatic stress disorder. Now, many share
their experiences in online weblogs or blogs.
Diabetes bloggers have even grown numerous
enough to earn the nickname d-bloggers.
For a listing of blogs on various illnesses, check
out technorati.com, which tracks more than
50 million blogs.
6 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ H E A L T H Y C H O I C E S ]
A
Five Great Lunches for Kids
WHEN yOU PLAN MEALS AT HOME, yOU iNCLUDE GrAiNS, FrUiTS, ANDvegetables with fish, lean poultry, or meat. The same rules apply when you pack a school lunch for your child.
That’s the ideal. Then there’s reality.Children have their own ideas of what’s cool, and they may not score well on nutrition. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of wholesome variations of children’s favorites, says MarilynK.Tanner-Blasiar,R.D.,anAmerican Dietetic Association spokeswoman.
For example, if your child doesn’t like whole-wheat bread, opt for whole-grain crackers, whole-grain pasta salad, or air-popped popcorn. “Read ingredient lists. The first ingredient should be a whole grain. Watchthefatcontentaswell.Lookfor8percent or less of calories coming from fat,” saysTanner-Blasiar.
Most children don’t get enough fruits and vegetables. Turn that around with healthy lunch-bag extras. Fruits and vegetables that are peeled, sliced, or bite-sized are easy to eat. “Cherries, when in season, are awesome. Cherry tomatoes are easy to pick up,” Tanner-Blasiarsays.Proteiniseasy:Gowithpeanutbutter,she
says. For a change, try turkey or low-fat ham. “Avoid salami and sausage that’s high in fat. Even low-fat lunchmeats are OK,” says Tanner-Blasiar.
Just Add Milk Money to These Five Packables• SOrT OF SUSHi. Spread ½ cup cooked brown
rice on a whole-wheat flour tortilla. Arrange ½ cup cooked chicken breast strips and a couple of thin cooked broccoli spears on one end. Sprinkle lightly with reduced-
Low on lunch box ideas? sink your teeth into this! your kids will be sure to love these tasty treats—and they’re easy to prepare, too!
Supermarkets now carry whole-grain products you
could once find only in health-food stores.
sodium soy sauce. Tightly roll up and slice into 2-inch pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap. Add orange segments.
•SEASHELL SALAD. Combine ½ cup cooked whole-wheat seashell pasta, 3 ounces canned tuna, ¼ cup shredded carrots, and enough low-fat salad dressing to moisten. Packinacontainer.Addaslicedappleandhoney-yogurt dip.
• SNACKEr’S SPECiAL. Combine ½ cup whole-grain toasted oat cereal, ¼ cup roasted soy nuts or peanuts, 1 cup air-popped popcorn, and ¼ cup diced dried apples in a plastic bag. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and shake well. Add a bag of cherry tomatoes and a stick of string cheese.
• PiTA WiTH PB AND B. Slice open two mini whole-wheat pita breads. Spread 1
tablespoon peanut butter on each. Top with thin banana slices and close. Add a small peeledcucumber(cutintospears)andacontainer of reduced-fat ranch dressing.
• BACON CrUNCHErS. Lightlyspreadhoneymustard on four whole-wheat bagel chips. Cut two cooked Canadian bacon slices to fit, then place them on top of the bagel chips. Cover with baby spinach and close withbagelchips.Addabagofstrawberries.•
Hankering for more healthy recipe ideas? Check the website for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Just visit healthymeals.nal.usda.gov.
www.USAHC.COM 7
[ H E A L T H Y L I v I N G ]
The New Diet Math: More Food Equals Fewer Poundsyou don’t necessarily have to eat less to lose weight, according to new research. sound too good to be true? find out below.
EAT MOrE. WEiGH LESS. SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TrUE? iT iSN’T—AS LONG AS yOU’rE EATiNG MOrE OF THE riGHT FOODS. New research highlights exactly how you can pile your plate high but still shed pounds.
Some Foods Do More with LessThere’s still no magic diet pill that can melt fat. However, the latest studies show certain foods can fill your belly, curb cravings, and cut your calorie count.
For a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers added extra pureed vegetables to some meals. Study participants ate 200 to 350 fewer calories without noticing a taste difference. They also boosted their daily nutrient intake from veggies.Peoplenewtospicyfoodswhoadded
1 gram of red chili pepper to meals ate about 65 fewer calories at the next meal. They also reported fewer cravings for salty, sweet, or fatty foods.
Kids who were served a small bowl of vegetable soup before a pasta dish consumed fewer calories overall. The same group of researchers previously found similar results in adults.
Vegetables and soups fill you up with water and fiber, experts point out. And hot pepper may not only help curb your appetite for unhealthy foods, it also may stoke your metabolism so that you burn more calories even after you dine.
Try it at Home TonightYou can use these findings to give your favorite recipes a makeover, slashing calories without sacrificing satisfaction. Take macaroni and cheese, for instance. Here’s
how you can transform this unhealthy classic:•Choosewholewheatpastainsteadofwhite,
refined noodles.•Usenon-fatmilkinsteadofwholemilk,
and light cream cheese instead of full-fat cheddar.
•Stirincooked,pureedcauliflower,squash,or carrots.
•Alsoaddspinach,tomatoes,oranotherfavorite veggie.
•Sprinklewithhotredpepperoranothersource of spice.
Serve your redesigned casserole after a soup or salad. Choose a soup that’s broth-based, not creamy, and packs plenty of vegeta-bles. Stack salads with a wide
A variety of colorful veggies, and avoid unnecessary extras like high-fat dressings, chunks of cheese, or bacon bits.
For the greatest weight loss and health gain, combine a lower-calorie diet with at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, four to six timesperweek.•
There are ten simple steps that can help you start eating healthy and exercising right. Find out what they are at www.fitness.gov/10tips.htm.
8 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ H E A L T H Y L I v I N G ]
Q & A: Playing It Safe— How to Choose Your Children’s Toys
KEEPiNG yOUr CHiLD SAFE CAN BE CHiLD’S PLAy if you consider the answers to the questions below before and after you buy toys.
How Can i Choose Safe Toys?• Readthelabelstoselecttoysmeantfor
your child’s age group and abilities.• Thinkbig.Topreventchoking,gofortoys
and parts that are larger than a young child’s mouth.
• Chooseonlypaints,crayons,andmarkersthat are labeled non-toxic.
• Buyelectrictoysonlyiftheycarrythe“ULApproved” label.
• Thislabelmeansthetoyhasbeentestedbya product safety organization. The toys are periodically checked where they are made to make sure they meet safety requirements.
How Can i Store Them Safely?When storing toys, consider the safety of all the children in your house. A box or basket without a lid makes the safest toy chest.
How Can i Make Sure Crib Toys Are Safe for My Child?•Makesureconstructionissturdy.Ona
stuffed animal, seams should be sewn tightly and loose strings or ribbons removed.
• Avoidtoyswithpelletstuffing.Youcanfeelthese pellets that could pose a choking risk.
• Topreventstrangulation,hangcribmobiles only by short strings or wires, and be sure crib gyms are securely installed. Mobiles should stay out of reach. Remove hanging crib toys as soon as your baby pushes up on hands and knees—usually at about five months.
A
the toys that can help your children grow and learn can also cause injuries. see below for some tips on how to keep your child safe.
•Whileyourchildsleeps,removerattles,squeeze toys, and teethers from the crib. Never fasten such toys around your baby’s neck.
What Kinds of Toys Pose a Danger to Crawling Babies and Toddlers?• Smallballsandmarblespresentbig
choking risks for babies who like to mouth objects.
• Bypasstoyswithsharpedgesorthosemadefrom breakable materials.
• Keeptoyswithmetalpartsawayfrombabies and toddlers.
What Kinds of Toys Pose a Danger to all Children?• About10Americanyoungstersdiefrom
choking on balloons each year. To be safe, store balloons out of reach. Deflate and throw them out after use.
• Toysthatshootsmallobjectscancauseeyeinjuries or choking.
• Shrillorloudtoyscanposearisktoyourchild’s hearing. Test the toy in the store to make sure it’s not too loud.
• Dartsorarrowsforolderchildrenshouldhave securely fastened tips that are both blunt and flexible.
• Becarefulwithsmallbatteries.Theyaretoxicandcanalsoposeachokingrisk.•
[ H E A L T H Y L I v I N G ] [ C O v E R S T O R Y ]
For superstar actress catherine Zeta-Jones, it should have been a supremely happy moment. read more A
AP Ph
oto/
Darla
Khaz
ei
By going public with news of her bipolar II disorder, famed actress hopes to educate world about this highly manageable ailment.
Catherine Zeta-Jones StarS in a nEW Kind of Role
10 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
A THErE SHE WAS, STANDiNG AT CENTEr STAGE iN FrONT OF 13,000 ADOriNG FANS in her native Wales . . . where she visited last year in order to welcome global competitors to the world-renowned Ryder Cup golf classic.
Resplendent in her trademark fiery-red dress and her dazzling pendant earrings, the Academy Award winner had come home to Cardiff, Wales in September of 2010 as a triumphantly successful actress.Butassoonasshebeganto
address the worshipful throng of golf-lovers, her voice broke and she found herself on the verge of tears.
“Michael is holding up very, very well,” she told the thou-sands of fans who’d gathered in Cardiff ’s Millennium Stadium. Then her voice wobbled
dangerously . . . as she described the medical treatment her famous husband—actor-producer Michael Douglas—was at that moment undergoing for stage IV throat cancer.
“Everyone couldn’t be happier with his progress,” said the star of such knockout film hits as Traffic(2000)andChicago (2002).Then, as she struggled again to maintain her composure: “He’s holding up with great strength and dignity!”
As the now 42-year-old Zeta-Jones would later confess, she was working hard to keep her surging emotions under control during that high-voltage appearance in her native country. What she didn’t know then, however, was that the stress from her husband’s battle with cancer had set off a devastating episode
of her own “bipolar II” mental disorder. (Nor did she know that stress is a well-known trigger for acute attacks of the illness, according to most mental health researchers.)
Increasingly distraught and on the edge of a nervous collapse, the gutsy actress didn’t learn about the severity of her own illness until last April . . . when she announced through a press aide that she was entering a Connecticut mental health facility for a five-day treatment program.Likemorethan2millionother
Americans, Zeta-Jones is now battling a chronic disorder (also knownas“manicdepression”)that will be with her for the rest of her life. Butthegoodnewsforthese
patients is that the condition—
which is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, according to health researchers—can usually be managed effectively, often with a combination of carefully targeted medications and psychotherapy.
For Zeta-Jones, whose huge gift for musical comedy has made her one of the world’s most sought-after actresses, the medical news was especially good.Becauseshehasthelesssevere “bipolar II” form of the disorder, she’s far less vulnerable to devastating mood swings than those who must struggle with the harsher “bipolar I”. As a result, she can expect to live a produc-tive and healthy life—provided she carefully manages her illness in the days ahead.
Unlike some bipolar I patients, Zeta-Jones will probably be
Catherine Zeta Jones with Sean Kelly, aged nine (left), and liam Barker, aged 13, both from Cardiff, in the children’s play room during a visit to the Children’s Hospital for wales in Cardiff, where she and her husband Michael Douglas met staff and children. The film star couple appealed for donations to help complete the next stage of work four years after they officially opened the hospital. Ben Birchall/PA Wire URN: 9717872 (Press Association via AP Images)
www.USAHC.COM 11
“This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them. If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it’s worth it.”
(AP P
hoto
/Mar
k Mai
nz)
spared the devastating “cycling” between out-of-control mania and brutal depression that is the hallmark of the more threaten-ing form of the illness, according to medical experts.
Released from the Connecticut facility after five days last April, a rejuvenated Zeta-Jones announced through a spokesper-son that she was “feeling great” ... and also “looking forward to working on two upcoming films.”
Zeta-Jones: “There’s No Shame in Seeking Help!”While growing up as a successful child actress in her native Wales, Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared in numerous television dramas and played a series of minor roles in several feature films.
Her big breakthrough took placein1998—whenshelanded a sizzling romantic part (as “Elena”)inarunawayHolly-wood blockbuster, The Mask of Zorro. That smash hit was soon topped by her critically acclaimed performance in Traffic, for which shereceivedaGoldenGlobeAwardasBestSupportingActress.ButZeta-Jones’astonishing
career was only beginning. A multi-talented singer, dancer and comic actress, she rocked
audiences to the max in 2002’s Chicago—and wound up with an Oscar for her unforgettable performance in the big-screen musical.
There was more triumph to come. After Chicago pulled down an astonishing $306 million at the global box office, Zeta-Jones would go on to star in a Zorro sequel(2005)andthentowinacovetedTonyAward(forBestLeadingActress)inBroadway’sglittering A Little Night Music (2010).
Her personal life also seemed to be on a total upper, during these busy years at the start of the new millennium. Having married Michael Douglas (her co-star in Traffic)in2000,shewas soon blessed with two gorgeous children: a boy named DylanMichael(now11)andagirl,CarysZeta(now8).
At first glance, the Welsh superstar appeared to be living a fairytale life in New York City. Butthenherhusbandwasdiagnosed with throat cancer (in thesummerof2010)...andthestress-torn actress watched her own mental condition begin to deteriorate.Bythefollowingspring, she would be checking into the health care facility in Connecticut, where she was
successfully treated for the bipolar II ailment that had been making her life so difficult.
These days, the courageous Catherine Zeta-Jones says she’s “very grateful” for her husband’s swift recovery, and also for her own newfound ability to successfully manage her chronic condition.
While reflecting on her decision to “go public” with news of her ailment during a
recent interview, the Silver Screen megastar was characteris-tically candid about her motiva-tion. “This is a disorder that affects millions of people,” she said, “and I am one of them. If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it’s worth it.
“There’s no need to suffer silently—and there’s no shame in seekinghelp!”•
welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones points to well-wishers upon arriving at the premiere of “The Haunting,” Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the westwood section of los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
12 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ H E A L T H Y C H O I C E S ]
Is Depression in Your DNA?better treatments for depression may be on the horizon. recently, scientists isolated a specific chromosome that may provide some insight into this common mental condition.
A SCiENTiSTS HAvE LONG BELiEvED DEPrESSiON WAS PArTLy iN THE GENES. In fact, they estimate that genetics explains about 40 percent of the risk for the disease.
Now, two teams studying different groups of people have pinpointed at least one spot in our genes where depression may lurk. It’s on chromosome 3, they’ve found.Bothnewstudies,onebyBritishresearch-
ers and one by Americans, were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The discovery may eventually lead to better depression treatments.
Why Genes MatterEach one of us is born with 23 pairs of chromosomes, structures that hold our approximately 20,000 to 25,000 genes. Not only do those genes determine traits like our eye color, hair color, and height, they also influence our health. Almost every disease is now thought to have at least some genetic component.
Scientists study the genes on each chromo-some to help understand why some people are more prone to certain diseases. Knowing the genetic basis for a disease can help parents determine if they’re likely to pass it along to their children. And, it can help doctors predict who will respond best to different therapies.
Watch for Depression SignsEven as researchers learn more about genes and depression, they stress that other factors also contribute to the development of the disease. Chemical imbalances, hormones, other illnesses, and stressful life events appear to play a role.
In some cases, nature and nurture interact. For example, another recent study found experiencing the death of someone close
triggered depression in teens whose genes placed them at risk.
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of depression. He or she can screen you carefully for signs of depression, including:•Feelingsad,anxious,orempty•Restlessnessandirritability•Lackofenergy•Lossofinterestinfavoriteactivities•Suddenchangesineatingorsleephabits•Thinkingabout,orattempting,suicide
Treatment, including medications and psychotherapy, can help those with depression regardless of the cause. Gethelpifyouoralovedonehasfiveormoresymptomsofdepressionfortwoweeksorlonger.•
Depression is a treatable illness. Symptoms like persistent sadness, changes in appetite, or continual thoughts of suicide may be possible warning signs. To learn more, visit the online home of the National institute of Mental Health at www.nimh.nih.gov. Under the Mental Health information heading, click on Depression.
Battling Depression? Help Is @ Your FingertipsSupport groups can be invaluable in helping women recover from depression—even groups without
face-to-face contact. Members who logged on to an Internet support group for at least 10 hours a month
were twice as likely to conquer their depression than were less frequent users.
Why choose an Internet group? For women who can’t talk about personal issues in front of others, the
privacy is priceless.
Importantly, the women used the group to supplement—not replace—professional care.
converse and relate to others when you understand their actions and objectives.
Q. At what age do children start showing empathy?A. Children can begin expressing concern and compassion even before their second birthday. Research reports stories of toddlers trying to comfort their parents who were hurt or upset. Q. Can you teach your kids to be more caring?A. Experts believe so and recommend the following strategies: •Setagoodexamplebyexpressing
kindness and caring toward your children and toward others. •Ifyourchildiscruel,lethimknow
right away that what he did was wrong.Befirmandtothepoint.
•Volunteerasafamilyforanursinghome or other organization.
•Involveyourchildinsmallacts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor. •Checkoutlibrarybooksorvideos
that show children being caring and responding to conflict with words—not violence.•Praisekidsforsharing,takingturns,andbeingkindtoothers.•
For more about children’s mental health, visit www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ childmentalhealth.html.
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[ M E N T A L H E A L T H ]
Q & a: How to Teach Empathy to Children and Teens
Q .Why is empathy an important trait?A. Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s situation or feelings. Children who are empathetic tend to be kind and caring—even toward those who are different than they are. Research also shows that empathy may reduce a child’s risk of developing behavioral problems.
The ability to step into another’s shoes helps children socially, too. It’s easier to
NOT ONLY DOES EMPATHY HELP MANY CHILDREN GROW UP INTO KIND AND CARING ADULTS, THIS CHARACTER TRAIT MAY ACTUALLY REDUCE THEIR RISK FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS LATER IN LIFE.
the typical child or teenager watches nearly
three hours of television a day. Nearly two
hours of that includes some kind of violence.
So much tV violence isn’t healthy, experts
say. Before age 8, many children cannot tell
real life from fantasy. they may fear
becoming victims of violence. and it’s not just
crime or sci-fi shows that are to blame. even
the news and commercials can traumatize
kids. Research also shows that tV can make
children aggressive.
here are some tips for smart tV viewing:
• LimitTVtoonetotwohoursofeducational,
nonviolent programs for children ages 2
and older.
• WatchTVwithyourchildren,andhelpthem
interpret any violent acts they see.
• TurnofftheTVandspendtimetalking,
playing, or reading together instead.
Does TV Teach Violence?
14 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
Congratulations, Chelsea Zenk!
After Surviving a personal Tragedy, this young USA+ Scholarship Winner Wants to devote her professional life to helping others. read her inspiring story below.
CHELSEA ZENK SAyS SHE’LL NEvEr FOrGET THE MOMENT when the notification letter arrived from United Service Association For Health Care (USA+).Forthe18-year-oldChelsea,nowaConnecticut college student who’s preparing to become a physical therapist, the “magical moment” took place on a bright and sunny morning last June.
That’s when she tore open an envelope and learned that she’d been awarded a $5,000 USA+ scholarship to attend Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.
“I was very thrilled, very excited,” says Chelsea, who was an honor roll student and the captain of the “Mountaineers” girls lacrosse team at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where she graduated last spring. “Butmostofall,Ifeltagreatdealofaffectionand gratitude toward my father, at that moment.
“It was my dad who had helped me put together my application for the USA+ scholarship,” recalls Chelsea. “Unfortunately, he couldn’t be there to share in the good news.Butgettingthatletterremindedmeallover again of what a great father he had been to me.”
Tragically, Chelsea’s dad died unexpectedly last May, only a few weeks before she learned that the application he’d helped her with had won her the USA+ scholarship—several of which are awarded annually to U.S. college students who are preparing for careers in health-related fields. The scholarship winners come from families that include members of USA+, and Chelsea’s father had beenamembersince1998.“Losingmydadhasbeendifficultforme
and my younger sister and brother,” Chelsea told Total Health & Wellness in a recent interview. “It’s been a hard year, to say the
least . . . but winning that health-education scholarship was a bright spot.
“I’m going to use the money to pay tuition at Sacred Heart University, where I’ll be majoring in exercise science. They have a very good program, and I hope this will be a step on my road to becoming a physical therapist. This is an area of healthcare that I’ve been interested in since I was a child.”
For Chelsea, a resident of Kent, Conn. whosemotherPatriciaisahomehealthcareprovider, the decision to become a physical therapist came early . . . after she broke her thumb while sledding in the fifth grade.
“I wound up in physical therapy after the sledding accident,” she remembers, “and I really got interested in the process of healing through therapy. The therapist was very helpful and very professional, and after a while, I realized that this was the kind of work I wanted to do when I grew up!”
A few years later, Chelsea decided to “shadow” a local physical therapist for a day, in order to learn more about the healing work they do. “That experience was also very important in helping me choose a career path,” she says. “I spent the day watching the therapist work, and I saw up close how patients were benefiting as a result.
“The thing I like most about physical therapy is that you can really help people who’ve been injured in an accident, or who are struggling with physical problems caused by aging or illness.”
Chelsea, who says she “really enjoys pop music and reading modern novels (in additiontoplaying“attack”inlacrosse),pointed out that she’s “extremely grateful” for the USA+ scholarship. The money will help her pay some of the tuition bills at Sacred Heart University during the next few years.
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“IthinktheUSA+ScholarshipProgramisagreat idea,” says the cheerful Chelsea, who’s been taking courses this fall at nearby Norwalk Community College, while preparing to enter the university in January of 2012.
“I’m a very hopeful person, and I’m pretty optimistic,” she says, when you ask her to describe her “personal outlook” on life. “Losingmydadwasverytough...butwiththe help of this scholarship, I hope to be improving the lives of a lot of people in the years ahead—and I will do it in memory of myfather.”•
MEMBER PROFIlES
Thanks to a $5,000 scholarship from United Service Association For Health Care (USA+), Chelsea Zenk is taking the first step on the road to becoming a physical therapist.
A HOST OF MEDiCAL PrOFESSiONALS PrOviDES DiAGNOSES, CHrONiC CONDiTiON CArE, AND ACUTE TrEATMENT iN DOCTOrS’ OFFiCES AND HOSPiTALS. It’s a good idea to learn who they are and what they do.
Americans tend to receive much of their health care from their “personal” doctors. These days, however, they’re likely to see a host of other medical professionals with titles they may not recognize.
While you may be used to getting treat-ment from a health care provider with a medical degree, many studies show qualified, certified, and licensed nurses and medical assistants provide a continuum of care in many settings. Here’s an inventory of a variety of professionals who provide health care services.
Primary CareA primary care provider is the medical professional you see first for checkups and many of your health care needs. Depending on your preferences and health care plan, you may see the following:• Doctor. Most people’s primary care physi-ciansaremedicaldoctors(M.D.s)ordoctorsofosteopathicmedicine(D.O.s)who specialize in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
• OB/GyN. These doctors specialize in obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s health care in general. Many women see these doctors for their primary care.
• Nurse practitioner (N.P.). These nurses have graduate degrees in nursing and can serve as primary care providers in many practices that serve adults, children, and older patients. Depending on which state theyworkin,N.P.scanworkinclinicswith or without a doctor’s supervision, handling a range of duties. They may diagnose, treat, and manage diseases; do
Your “New” Health Care Team
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n.p., d.o., p.a.—with all of the credentials out there for health care professionals, reading about health information can sometimes seem like you’re swimming in alphabet soup. let us help you decode some of the more common health care credentials out there.
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[ H E A L T H Y L I v I N G ]
physical exams; order procedures and lab tests; write prescriptions; and perform certain procedures, including some biopsies.
• Physician assistant (P.A.). These professionals work with M.D.s and D.O.s to provide manyservices.MostP.A.shavebachelor’sdegrees along with health-related work experience, often as emergency medical technicians, licensed practical nurses, or ambulanceattendants.P.A.sperformmanyof the same services as doctors. They may do physical exams and diagnose and manage diseases.
Nursing CareMany types of nurses provide a wide range of care in a variety of settings:• registered nurse (r.N.). These providers make
up the greatest number of health care workers—some 2.6 million in the U.S. About three out of five R.N.s work in hospitals, where they treat and educate patients, offer advice and support to patients’ families, record medical histories and symptoms, help carry out diagnostic
tests, operate medical equipment, give out medications, and provide patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
R.N.s can become specialists, allowing them to work in a particular setting such as operating rooms, with a specific health condition, or with a certain group of patients, such as children or the elderly. For example, critical care nurses provide care to patients with serious, complex illnesses or injuries in intensive care units in hospitals. Home health care nurses provide nursing in people’s homes, often followinghospitaldischarge.Psychiatricmental health nurses care for patients with personality or mood disorders.
• Certified nurse midwife (C.N.M.). These providers are trained to diagnose, treat, and perform gynecological care for women as well as deliver and care for newborns.
No matter whom you choose to provide your medical care, be sure to do your part by becoming an informed and involved consumer. Doing so will help ensure your chanceofgettingtherighttreatment.•
16 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
[ H E A L T H Y C H O I C E S ]
Sweet oranges contrast with bitter of arugula and earthly chopped walnuts. a little bit of blue cheese adds creamy saltiness.
2 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce (about 6 leaves)
1 cup arugula1 cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeds removed
and chopped ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion2 navel oranges, peeled and chopped2 tablespoons chopped walnuts1 tablespoon walnut oil1 tablespoon red wine vinegar2 ounces blue cheese
1 layer ingredients in a large salad bowl.2 Just before serving, sprinkle with walnut oil and vinegar and crumble blue cheese on top. 3 toss lightly just before serving. Makes four servings. Each serving contains about 152 calories, 6 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, and 203 milligrams sodium.
orange-walnut salad
Taste the Zest of Health with Citrus Fruitswith citrus fruits, it’s not just about vitamin c—this produce packs an even bigger nutritional punch. learn more below.
A FANCy A FrUiT? PiCK AN OrANGE—Or A GrAPEFrUiT, TANGEriNE, LEMON, Or LiME. Citrus fruits have long been hailed as vitamin C champions, but these fruits are packed with all sorts of nutrients that can help us stay healthy.
For starters, vitamin C is key in the growth and repair of all the body’s tissues. It helps heal cuts and wounds, keeps teeth and gums healthy, and boosts your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Other nutrients in citrus fruits may help protect you from heart disease. Orange juice contains a lot of potas-sium—important to heart health because it helps regulate blood pressure. Fiber in whole fruits and juices with pulp can reduce cholesterol, which in turncanreduceheartdiseaserisk.Plus,fiber aids digestive health and may help fight cancer.
Nutrients May Help Prevent Other Health ConditionsCitrusfruitsalsocontainaBvitamincalled folate, which helps your body form red blood cells. This vitamin reduces the risk for certain birth defects both before and during pregnancy. Folate is important for heart health, too.
Citrus juice—as well as other fruit and vegetable juices—may even help stave off Alzheimer’s disease. According to a new study, those who drank such juices two to three times a week had considerably less risk of developing the
disease compared with people who consumed juice less than once a week.
How Much is Enough?The government’s dietary guidelines recommend eating at least 1½ to 2 cups of fruit or fruit juice a day. Count a medium grapefruit or large orange as a cup. Whole fruit contains more fiber, while juices can contain more concen-trated nutrients—and calories.
For most women, citrus is a great waytoboostnutrition.Butthosewhotake certain drugs for cholesterol, blood pressure, or a heartbeat irregularity—as well as some antihistamines—may need to skip grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Grapefruitcanspeeduptherateatwhich these medicines enter your body, making side effects more likely. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions with medications you take.
Citrus may also cause digestive problems in women who regularly experience heartburn or gastroesopha-gealrefluxdisease.•
Fruits and veggies matter. They matter so much, in fact, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dedicated an entire web page to these foods. visit www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov for more.
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[ D R U G H E A L T H ]
Heartburn Medicine May Put Your Bones at Risk
THE “PUrPLE PiLL” AND iTS BrETHrEN ArE NO STrANGErS TO OUr TELEviSiON SCrEENS—Or OUr MEDiCiNE CABiNETS. These heartburn drugs, calledprotonpumpinhibitorsorPPIs,arethemost popular acid-suppressive medications used worldwide.
For this reason, recent research linking PPIstoanincreasedriskofhip,wrist,andspine fractures has doctors alarmed. The latest findings, from The American Journal of Medicine, suggest nearly 5 percent of all hip fracturescouldbeblamedonPPIuse.Inanother report, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, scientists combined the results of 11 previous studies. They found thatpeoplewhotookPPIsweresignificantly more likely to break their hip bone or any other bone.
Behind the BurnHeartburn occurs when the muscle between your stomach and esopha-gus weakens, letting stomach acid backupintoyourthroat.PPIsstopyour stomach from producing most of this acid. This eases painful burning symptoms and can also treat ulcers.
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proton pump inhibitors are used by many americans to alleviate heartburn. but new research indicates that ppis may be linked to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
Butthereliefmaycomewithunintendedside effects. Changing the acidity of your digestive system affects your body’s ability toabsorbbone-boostingcalcium.Long-termuseofPPIsmayalsocausevitaminB12deficiency, damaging your nerves and increasing your risk for falls.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning about the increased fractureriskfromPPIs.Peoplemostatrisk,itnoted, include:•Thosewhotakeprescription-strength
rather than over-the-counter formulas
Changing the acidity of yourdigestive system affects your
body’s ability to absorb bone-boosting calcium.
•Adultsage50andolder•ThosewhotakePPIsfrequentlyorforlong
periods of time, for a year or longer
Another form of heartburn medication, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, block about 70 percent of your stomach acid. They haven’t shown the same link to fractures. Other Ways to Fight the Fire Besuretotalkwithyourdoctorabouttakingover-the-counterPPIs.Yourdoctorcanassessyour fracture risk. If it’s high, lower doses or different treatments may relieve your heartburn.
Lifestylechangescanalsohelp.Trythese drug-free solutions:•Avoidfoodsanddrinksthatmakeyour heartburn worse. Common
culprits include coffee, citrus fruits, tomato-based dishes, full-fat dairy, and alcohol.•Don’tsmoke,orquitifyoudo.•Torelievepain,takeacetamino-phen. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can irritate your stomach. •Don’tweartight-fittingclothing.•Eatsmallmealsthroughouttheday, and stop at least two hours before going to sleep.•Wheninbed,raiseyourheadsixinches above your stomach with a wedgesupport.•
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers a web page dedicated to drug safety. visit it at www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety.
Fast Facts about Caregiving• More than 65 million people (29% of the U.S.
population) provide care for a chronically ill, disabled
or older family member or friend during any given year
and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing
care for their loved one. — National Alliance for
Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 51% of care recipients live in their own home, 29% live
with their family caregiver, and 4% live in nursing
homes and assisted living. — National Alliance for
Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 14% of family caregivers care for a special needs child
with an estimated 16.8 million caring for special needs
children under 18 years old. . — National Alliance for
Caregiving in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 47% of working caregivers indicate an increase in
caregiving expenses has caused them to use up all or
MOSt of their savings. — National Alliance for
Caregiving and evercare, March 2009
• 73% of family caregivers who care for someone over
the age of 18 either work or have worked while
providing care; 66% have had to make some
adjustments to their work life, from reporting late to
work to giving up work entirely; and 1 in 5 family
caregivers have had to take a leave of absence.
— National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration
with AARP, November 2009
[ D R U G H E A L T H ]
Caregivers Need Care, Too!
MANy OF US KNOW PEOPLE WHO riSE AT 5 AM TO HELP THEir AiLiNG SPOUSE, CHiLD, PArENT, Or FriEND GET rEADy FOr THE DAy. When they arrive back home, they take a few minutes to review the household calendar, scanning for any doctor’s appointments or other urgent matters before they have to dress themselves and grab a bagel on their way out the door. Often, there isn’t a moment to breathe.
Our families, friends and neighbors are playing out that scene, and hundreds of similar ones, throughout the country. And for many, these scenes are taking place right in your own neighborhood.
These people are called caregivers, and they play a very important part in the lives of people who don’t have the abilities to care for themselves. Some caregivers help special-needs children, while others take care of spouses battling chronic or terminal illnesses. Still others watch over neighbors or close friends—people who may have no family of their own.
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millions of Americans care for a person who is disabled or ill, say researchers. But because they focus so much attention on others’ needs, caregivers may ignore their own.
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18 ToTAL HeALTH & WeLLNeSS FALL 2011
All About AndrographisCan this herb help treat the common cold?
in the east, people use an herb called andrographis to treat a variety of conditions, including fevers and the common cold. now, clinical trials suggest there may be something to this herb.
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[ W H O L E H E A L T H ]
PeopleinIndia,China,andSoutheastAsiawithafflictionsfromfeverto flatulence have relied for centuries on the herb known scientifically as Andrographis paniculata. In recent decades, andrographis has gained popularity in the West, particularly for its potential to combat the common cold. So far, a small number of clinical trials suggest there may be something to it.
What it is, What it’s Used ForAndrographis is a plant native to Asia, where it’s used in India’s Ayurvedic health system as well as the herbal medicine systems of China and Thailand. It’s known by several other names, including kalmegh and andrographolide, which is actually one of the active agents isolated from the plant. Andrographis also appears in many brand-name products, including some manufactured and marketed in Europe and the United States.
Historically, andrographis has been used for many purposes, including to treat infectious diseases like bronchitis, tuberculosis, and malaria; fevers; diarrhea, flatulence, and other digestive problems; diabetes; snake and insect bites; and liver disorders. It’s also been used to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Westerners use andrographis most often to prevent or treat upper respiratory infections, and clinical trials have focused mainly on this use, based on the notion that the herb may stimulate the immune system.
Right now, scientists are investigating its other properties, such as possible antiallergy, anticancer, liver-protective, and heart-protective effects.
Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of andrographis in people is limited to the common cold. One clinical trial showed that a prepara-tion combining andrographis and Siberian ginseng might reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. Another study using an andrographis preparation of 400 mg given three times a day had the sameresult.Preliminaryevidencesuggestsandrographismighthelprelieve influenza symptoms, too, and reduce post-flu complications such as sinusitis.
Before you Try itSide effects from andrographis include headache, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, allergic reactions, and metallic taste. Usually these have been mild and infrequent. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid this herb because it may trigger abortion and the effects on a nursing child are unknown.
Interactions between andrographis and medicines or other supplements aren’t well documented. However, if it reduces clotting, blood pressure, or blood sugar—as historical uses suggest it might—then it could enhance the effects of other substances that do the same. Also, if andrographis stimulates the immune system, it might interfere with immunosuppressive medicines or worsen autoimmune conditions.•
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Association For Health Care
Articles in this magazine are written by professional journalists or physicians who strive to present reliable, up-to-date health information. Our articles are reviewed by medical professionals for accuracy and appropriateness. No magazine, however, can replace the care and advice of medical professionals, and readers are cautioned to seek such help for personal problems.
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Some provide sunup-to-sundown care, while others pop in once a week to drive, to shop for groceries or pay bills or simply provide companionship.
And these people don’t necessarily have to be nurses, doctors or other medical profes-sionals. They can be ordinary people, just like you—a son or daughter, a niece or nephew, perhaps just a longtime family friend or neighbor who steps up to help. Through their efforts, these caregivers can truly make their loved ones’ lives safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.Perhapsyou’rethinking“Wow—that’salot
of responsibility. It’s too bad that they don’t have help.” Buttheseoverwhelmedcaregiverscould
have help—from you. It’s all about simple acts of awareness and
kindness. For instance, imagine that you have a neighbor who drives three hours on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month to go mow her grandfather’s lawn and check in on him. Then, she races back to do her own yard, hoping she can catch part of her son’s soccer game.
You could help this person! After you’ve finished your own lawn and as you’re pushing your mower back toward the garage, make a quick detour. Fire that lawn mower up again and mow your neighbor’s lawn. It’ll make a difference.
What if you can’t mow yards? That’s OK—you can still help! Just pick up the phone and call that caregiver to see if there’s anything you can do for them. It could be tasks ranging from folding laundry to making a quick meal. It could even be something as
simple as sitting with that person’s loved one to talk for a few minutes.
Maybe you’re thinking you don’t know anyone to help or where to begin. Organiza-tions like the American Red Cross, National Family Caregivers Association, American CancerSociety,AARPandyourlocalcommunity or recreational centers can help you become involved and provide you with many ways you can help.
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All of us have busy lives, of course…but perhaps we can find a little time to help some of these people with extra burdens. One sentiment that we’ve always stood behind here at United ServiceAssociationForHealthCare(USA+)isthat together, we can make a difference. And we’re not just saying that: We mean it. You can make a difference. Start today!
To learn more about USA+, visit us online at www.usahc.com.•
All of us have busy lives, and some more than others.
We can all create a bit of time to help, assist, or serve some of
those people we know who carry extra burdens.
