Your Health

Courtesy of Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center
Adult day program participants Lai Chun, left, and Tom Dayharsh explore a group activity for cognitive stimulation.

It’s no secret that older adults overwhelmingly want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Due to high housing costs and other considerations, more families than ever are living in multigenerational homes. While this can be beneficial to all involved, adult children work outside the home and grandchildren are at school, often resulting in the older adult being left alone during the day.

In the Bay Area, we are fortunate to have a plethora of social, cultural and engaging activities for all ages. However, because of physical decline or cognitive loss, many older Bay Area adults are no longer able to participate in the activities they previously enjoyed. For those who have lost their ability to drive or are at risk if left alone, there are many benefits from the structured and supportive environment of an adult day program or an adult day health program.

Here’s a pre-emptive warning for teens: Supplements taken to boost brain health show no benefit, so be aware as you age.

According to Statistica, the health and wellness industry is booming, with annual revenue exceeding $300 billion, and the supplement industry is projected to reach to $31 billion in sales by the end of 2019.

Courtesy of Kim Gladfelter
Pilates, an exercise program that serves people of all health backgrounds and ages, is an option for those seeking rehabilitation from injuries but who are wary of causing more damage.

A woman named Sandra asked me a great question recently. I get this question so often that I thought I’d share it with you and fully explain my answer:

“Kim, I’m desperate to get back into shape after suffering with a back injury for a long time. Physical therapy is a great help, but I want to do more by myself while I’m receiving treatment – I’m just scared, a bit nervous and don’t know what type of exercise is safe.”

 

According to the American Council on Exercise, research shows that people who vary their exercise routines can increase their chances of sticking to their regimens and avoid reaching a plateau in training. Following are four additional reasons to change up your workouts and try new fitness activities.

Prevent injuries

When you do the same workouts, sports activities or exercises over and over again, you’re at a much greater risk for overuse injuries. Some examples include tendinitis, shin splints, stress fractures and heel inflammation. These types of injuries can often take a long time to heal if they go untreated for extended periods of time, which can set you back in your health and fitness goals.

The American Red Cross issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give immediately and prevent delays in care after a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors.

Businesses and other community groups organized approximately 450 fewer blood drives over the Independence Day week than during a typical week due to the large number of people across the country celebrating the holiday, Red Cross officials said in a statement.

Courtesy of Michelle Melendez
Michelle Melendez, appearing on-screen in the background as she livestreams from Hawaii, leads a Pilates class for students at Marti’s Dance Studio in Los Altos.

Pilates Full Body instructor Michelle Melendez’s move from the Bay Area to the Big Island of Hawaii in January was inevitable, she said.

“I had been there on and off for the last 20 years,” Melendez said in a phone interview with the Town Crier last week. “Have you ever heard the expression ‘Hawaii calls you’? The islands call people.”