The link between heart health and dental health has been a hot topic in the news lately. But you may be wondering why this is the case.  Is it simply a statistical anomaly, or is there any kind of factual proof that taking care of your teeth has a link to better overall health?

Dr. Mehemet Oz explains on his website about the basic structure of the teeth and jaw and why we have significant reason to expect that there is a physical correlation. Teeth are structures that anchor firmly into soft tissue in the jaw called gingiva. If teeth are not brushed and flossed properly and regularly, the plaque that collects on teeth begins to absorb minerals and turns into a calcified tartar. It collects between teeth and in the pockets of the gums.

The bacteria that exist naturally in the mouth thrive in plaque and tartar. Unfortunately, the proliferation of bacteria is what causes the breakdown of the tooth, gums, and jaw, eventually leading to periodontitis. Periodontitis will eventually lead to tooth loss, which is terrible, but there appear to be greater risks than that.

To the body, an infection is an infection – no matter where it exists. Your immune system will receive signals that it needs to combat a bacterial infection. But since periodontitis is a persistent inflammatory disease, the attacks on your immune system and its need to fight back never end; your immune system is constantly on the defense.

At the site of infection, inflammatory chemicals and bacteria leak into the bloodstream and can cause damage in other places. Research shows that the bacteria and inflammatory markers make the blood vessels better homes for the collection of fatty deposits… they affect the way your body reacts to insulin… they affect blood clot formation as well as brain cell activity. Bacteria from the mouth can even travel and colonize tissue elsewhere in the body.

Of course, research continues to be conducted, and the results are not definitive. But there is strong and mounting evidence that taking care of your teeth has overwhelming advantages – and to more than your beautiful smile.

However, there is the issue of dental care and the cost that it entails. Many, many families and individuals find themselves without dental coverage and in a financial situation that makes dental care seem trivial. Fortunately, in Louisiana, there is a program for the elderly called Donated Dental Services. Visit their site for helpful information as well as locations.

So, take care of your teeth – and take care of yourself.

Related articles

• The Importance of Dental Care (theveterinarytimes.wordpress.com)
• What Is Periodontitis? What Causes Periodontitis? (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Dental Tips for a Younger Smile and Appearance (webmd.com)

View the Story on our blog: Take Care of Your Teeth – It Could Save Your Life. .

My mother has always been a fan of puzzles, games, and learning new things. She keeps her mind active with everything from Sudoku to Mahjong. Her mother was the same way, and was always drawing or working on a crossword puzzle. As a child, I thought it was fun to join in. As an adult, I now understand how important such activities are.

All that fun kept my mother’s and my grandmother’s brains young. My grandmother was sharp as a tack until the day she died. I’m certain that she owed her young mind to her love of puzzles, games, traveling, and learning. She really lived by that old saying, “use it or lose it.”

How Can You Age-Proof Your Brain?

Exercise

• You may think that daily workout of yours is great for your body, and it is. However, it also does wonders for your brain. It helps you maintain better memory and cognition skills. People who are physically active on a regular basis can reduce their dementia risk by 40%. Be sure to fit in strength training along with your aerobic exercise. This will also reduce your risk of dementia.

Chill Out

• We all know that stress is bad for us. It can cause heart problems and weight gain. But, did you know that it can also affect your memory? A study done by Harvard University researchers demonstrated that men and women who practiced stress-reducing meditation techniques had a significant  increase in the density of gray matter in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain involved with memory formation.

Eat Healthy Foods

• How many times in recent years have health professionals emphasized the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and consuming healthy fats and lean proteins? Eating these foods can make quite a difference! Not only does following a healthy diet keep your brain in optimal shape,  but studies  also show that this type of diet can cut your Alzheimer’s risk by up to 48%. Try to experiment with different spices, as many spices are high in antioxidants.

Learn Something New

• The brain has a limitless ability to learn. Whenever you acquire a new skill, your brain builds new pathways, expanding the density of those pathways and fighting off cognitive decline. Make a list of things you would like to try. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance, paint, or play the piano. Start a new hobby. Expand your creativity and your brain.

Play

• Board games, card games, trivia games, puzzles, brain teasers,  and crosswords are all great activities that can help you to keep yourself mentally challenged. Whatever you do, keep your mind active. Playing mind-challenging games for just 15 minutes per day will diminish your dementia risk. So go dust off that chess board, and you’ll be a master in no time.

Senior centers in Baton Rouge offer classes and activities that can keep our aging brains young and help improve memory, health and overall well-being. Go to the Eastern Baton Rouge Council on Aging website at www.ebrcoa.org to find out what’s happening in your local senior center.

For more tips on keeping your brain young, check out http://longevity.about.com.

View the Story on our blog: Fun and Games: Keeping Your Brain Young .

When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed,
She was there.

View the Story on our blog: For Every Reason… Thank a Nurse. .

I am inspired. I’ve just finished reading in The Advocate about the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run, which was held the 28th of April at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. What a great cause; running for awareness and fundraising to fight colon cancer; a terrible disease that has claimed the lives of two of my dearly loved and respected friends.

Then, on the website for the 5K run, I saw an intriguing link: Girls On The Run 5K, that also was held at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center here in Baton Rouge. The event was held on May 5th. The organization’s site states about the program, “Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.” There is actually a curriculum that mentors use to work with these girls for 10 weeks as they train for the 5K. The aim is to enhance physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being. A fantastic endeavor, I would say.

All this talk makes me want to put on my running shoes and hit the pavement. But wait… there’s a problem.

I hate running.

I really do – I hate the feeling of my feet pounding on the ground; my insides jarring. I hate the side stitches I inevitably feel. I breathe much too heavily, and my lungs seem to ache after 2 minutes. I also am of the opinion that I look like an intoxicated monkey as I attempt to get from point A to point B. In addition to all that, I find it to be extremely boring.

As it turns out, I’ve discovered today that I’m doing it all wrong. This makes me excited, because after I read these beginner’s tips, I think there may be a possibility that I might like running after all. Maybe you will too.

Running Tips for Beginners:

• For goodness sake, take it easy. This is apparently where I first went wrong. I started running by, well… running. But new runners are told to stick to flat paths, begin and finish with three to five minutes of walking, and run in brief intervals combined with longer stretches of brisk walking.
• Get the proper gear. Perhaps my Keds weren’t proper running shoes? That would explain why my feet were exploding when they hit the pavement. New runners should get properly fitted for a quality running shoe.
• Take the talk test. Recite a well-known verse or poem. You should be able to speak without struggling while you run. If you can’t get the words out, take your speed down; you’re working too hard.
• Set goals and track progress. You can set a personal goal for yourself, or take the plunge and register for a local 5K. Visit the website www.claimyourjourney.com for up-to-date information on running events in Louisiana.
• Follow the three-week rule. Your body must have time to adjust before you add more intensity to your regimen. If you change too quickly, you’ll fall in the trap that makes most new runners quit: trying to do too much too soon.
• Have fun! Many runners have enjoyed the program Couch to 5K, which helps beginners take proper and reasonable steps. Start a running blog; jog with a friend; listen to motivating music.

There are several great things about running.  No expensive equipment is needed. You don’t have to drive to the gym, or even go through the trouble of pulling out your exercise mat and popping in a DVD (and believe me, some days that seems like a lot of trouble!). Just put on your shoes and step out the front door.

So, take a deep breath, take it easy, and RUN!

View the Story on our blog: How to Love Running – Even if You Hate It. .

The Advocate staff photo by RICHARD ALAN HANNON

Very few of us would immediately agree that we were in the position to volunteer.  Responsibilities and stress overwhelm our lives, leaving us with the feeling that there is little, if anything to give.  What we may need though, is the simple joy of helping another.

This week, several wonderful groups and individuals were honored by Volunteers In Public Schools, an organization that builds support for public education in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

Among the honorees were:

• To Highland With Love, a 400+ member organization that supports the Highland Elementary School
• Security Dads, a volunteer group of mentors serving the Glen Oaks High School
• Claire Broering, Brian Nance, and Matthew Coates, for individual roles in their respective schools.

David Phillips, Assistant Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools stated, “We need more of our citizens to step up, to step forward, step out and volunteer in the spirit of cooperation.”

So the question can be asked:  What can I do to help?

VIPS coordinates help for different grade levels in the programs Everybody Reads (providing literacy help to first, second and third graders), Everybody Counts (providing mathematics help to second and third graders) and Voyage (starting with students in eighth grade and staying with them through graduation, one-on-one help is given in-goal setting, life skills, and career exploration).  Volunteers are also needed in various areas.

Currently there are many openings; some examples are:

• Science fair judges
• Assistants in several school gardens
• Spanish and Vietnamese translators,
• Presenters for career day
• Library assistants.

Many of the volunteer opportunities require little or no commitment.  Others only request 30 to 45 minutes weekly or semi-weekly.  Visit the website for Volunteers in Public Schools for detailed contact information, forms, and general descriptions of VIPS programs.

Related articles

• Volunteering Fills Void, Generates Personal Benefits, According to Home Instead Senior Care Network Volunteer Survey (prweb.com)
• Seniors joining service saluted (toledoblade.com)

View the Story on our blog: Baton Rouge Children Benefit from Volunteers .

Her hands used to be so strong.

They could soothe any hurt, smooth any wrinkle; throw babies in the air and keep rhythm to every song, but time passes, and you watch as sadly, they get weaker.  Her beautiful hands, once so reliable, fumble.

Are you watching her get frustrated with simple tasks? When you stop to visit Dad every day, is he struggling with routines? You know that living aids are available –  bathtub handles, portable urinals, and the like – but perhaps you weren’t aware of some products, little things that can make life easier, less frustrating, and more livable.

We aren’t reccommending any of these, or suggesting one brand above another. We’re just hoping that in looking these items over, you may find that certain something that will ease pain, simplify routine, or give a sense of security that you thought was long gone.

Recliner Lever Extender

Even a young person in sound health can have a difficult time adjusting a recliner to and from a lying position. This “handy” mechanism attaches firmly to the tip of the recliner lever. With better leverage and a more reachable angle, this extender may help your loved one rediscover his or her favorite chair. Find an example of this handle here or here.

Elastic Shoelaces

If lacing up footwear causes pain for those in your care, you can make tying shoes a thing of the past. These elastic shoelaces, available in a variety of lengths and colors, once tied, do not have to be tied again. Just slip the shoes on and off. It’s that easy. Find them in many places, or click the links here or here.

Personal Pager

Now you don’t have to stress if you must be in the home, but out of earshot or sight. As long as you stay within 100 feet, you will be reachable via this personal pager. Similar to a nurse call button, this pager will let you know with a beep if you are needed. Models vary in features and price, but basic models can be found here or here.

Doorway Hinge Extender

If you’re often bumping into a doorway with your mobility personal care aids, this simple yet brilliant remedy may be for your household. An angled hinge extender installs quickly and allows the door to open flush with the doorway, giving you an extra two inches in width – which can make all the difference in the world on a daily basis. You can try your local hardware store, or check on options online here or here.

We hope this has given you a few ideas. Next time we’ll talk about a few items that can be useful in the restroom and in personal grooming. In the meantime, here are a few additional websites offering products to help seniors stay independent in their homes:

• Life Solutions Plus
• Silverts (adaptive clothing)
• Modern Senior Products
• Maxi AIDS (products for independent living)

View the Story on our blog: Making Life a Little More Livable .

He was 86 years old.

Driving in Santa Monica near a farmer’s market,

Mr. George Weller mistook the gas pedal for the brake

and took the lives of ten people.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, drivers over the age of 70 cause more vehicular deaths than every other age group, except for drivers under the age of 20. Clearly there is a need to be attentive to the driving abilities of our aging friends or family. What should you do if you feel you need to take the keys for the safety of your loved one and for the safety of others? Driving is so closely connected to a feeling of independence and freedom, even broaching the subject can be highly emotional.

It will help to have other options for transportation already prepared so that you can present these to your loved one at the time you talk about the issue. Besides public transportation, is there perhaps a community transit system? Could you plan ahead for friends or family to be available on certain days or times during the week? Perhaps a local church group or senior center has a ride share program.

It will also help you to be sure of the soundness of your decision. Make a note of specifics as you review this Safe Driving Checklist from Caregiverlist.com.

Caregiverlist’s Safe Driving Checklist.

• Is the senior able to pass a vision test? (Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration can all impact vision quality).
• Are there any unexplained dents in the paint of the car or on the garage?
• Does the senior allow others to ride in the car with them when they are driving?
• Does the senior seem nervous or extra anxious when driving?
• Does the senior take alternate routes to avoid major highways?
• Does the senior fail to stop at red lights or stop signs?
• Are speed limits obeyed (Not driving too slow or too fast)?
• Have neighbors or others who see the senior driving (anyone who also attends a regular event they may drive to) observed anything unsafe?

Prepare solid evidence to discuss with them. Facts and evidence will be harder to refute than generalities and worry.  For instance, saying, “Mom, when I rode with you yesterday, you were very anxious behind the wheel.  You consistently drove 10 miles under the speed limit, and you drove through a cross walk with a pedestrian in it” versus, “Mom, I’m really worried about your driving.  You’re vision is getting worse, and I’m concerned that you might cause an accident.”

What do you do if you meet with resistance? Your first ally will be your loved one’s physician. Their doctor will be able to test their vision, reaction time, and hearing. If in their professional opinion, it would be wise to cut back on driving at night, or to take the keys completely, they will be able to open up the discussion to their patient. It may actually be possible for their doctor to write a letter that states it is unsafe to drive due to certain medications, or if they suffer from other impairments.

If they are still unwilling to consider giving up the keys, be compassionate, but make certain that they realize their own safety and the safety of others is at stake. In other circumstances, you can contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles in Baton Rouge to talk about options for having their license revoked.

It is an uncomfortable time. Trust yourself, and be assured that you are making a proactive choice for the safety of your loved one and may be saving the lives of others.

Related Articles:

• AAA Survey Reveals Nearly Half of Senior Drivers Worry About No Longer Driving  (wafb.com)
• Another Otto Accident (batonrouge.myhomecareblog.com)

View the Story on our blog: Is It Time to Hand Over The Keys? .

Depression is a common malady in the elderly, but it is rarely diagnosed. Even though those over the age of 65 account for 16 to 25 percent of all suicides in the country, there is very little treatment or services geared towards seniors. How can you make sure your aging parent isn’t in danger?

Common Causes of Senior Depression

• Adapting to a move from home to an apartment or retirement facility.
• Chronic pain.
• Feelings of isolation or loneliness as children move away and their spouse and close friends die.
• Loss of independence (problems getting around, caring for themselves, driving).
• Health problems.
• Struggles with memory loss and problems thinking clearly.

What are the Symptoms of Senior Depression?

• You notice your loved one is more confused or forgetful.
• They may begin eating less. The refrigerator may be empty or contain spoiled food.
•  Losing interest in personal hygiene is a common sign of senior depression. Visitors may notice smells of urine or stool. Clothes may be dirty and wrinkled.
• Neglecting care of the home.
• Stopping medicines or not taking them correctly.
• Not talking as much, and not answering the phone or returning phone calls can mean your loved is withdrawing from others. This can be a dangerous tendency, one that can create a self-perpetuating cycle of depression.

Depression in later life frequently coexists with other medical illnesses and disabilities. Make sure to keep an eye out for these signs. When neglected, depression can go deep, and be even harder to treat. But seniors can be helped when loved ones take the time to care as well as making sure they are evaluated by a medical professional, even if the depression is mild. Psychiatrist doctors help with the treatment of depression in the elderly. For a list of Psychiatrists in Baton Rouge go to www.medicinenet.com

(Content found on Caregiverstress.com)

View the Story on our blog: How to Recognize Depression in The Elderly .

I love garlic. Every time my father hears that I’m cooking, he teases me. “You having a little chicken with your garlic tonight?”  Yes, the joke has long since gotten old, but there is truth behind his words. I eat garlic because I think it’s delicious. I don’t eat it because it’s supposedly good for me.

But is garlic really all that good for you, or is that just modern mythology? And if it is, what specifically makes it so great?

There have been countless studies and compilations of data to support the goodness of garlic. Indeed, garlic seems to be a clove that proactively supports heart health and in some instances, may prevent cancer.

In 2007, a study was undertaken at The University of Alabama that got down to the cellular level and showed us what likely causes the health benefits. Garlic contains substances called organic polysulfides, which when entering the bloodstream, cause the body to produce a chemical called hydrogen sulfide.  Hydrogen sulfide is naturally produced by the body, and though it is poisonous in extremely high concentrations, the body uses it as an antioxidant. It causes increased blood flow and relaxes blood vessels.

The study shows that the antioxidant-inducing properties of garlic are best when the clove is crushed and laid to rest for a short period of time before ingesting.  Two medium sized cloves of garlic were ingested daily for the study. This seems like a large amount to some, but for others, it’s a delightful “prescription”.

How can you get your daily allotment of delicious, antioxidant rich garlic?

One fabulous way to prepare garlic is roasting. Initially, it seems rather gourmet and a bit complicated, but try it once and you’ll agree it’s worth the little trouble it requires.

First, start with an entire head of garlic. Make sure the cloves are firm, tight and dry. Cut the papery top off, just until the tips of the cloves are exposed. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top. Wrap in foil, resting the bulb on its roots. You might like to roast several cloves at a time. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. (A toaster oven works well for this job.) Let the head of garlic cool, then turn it over and squeeze the flesh of the garlic out of the papery skin.

Voila!  Roasted garlic.

Now what?  Well, from here, you can make garlic bread that blows a store-bought loaf out of the water.  Whisk the garlic with about 3 tablespoons of olive oil and a half teaspoon of rosemary, and spread on French bread. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Delicious!

Or, you can make an authentic Italian pasta dish.  Try mashing the garlic with fresh chopped basil, then stir in a diced tomato, and toss with hot whole wheat linguine.  A sprinkle of sea salt finishes this wonderfully simple dish.

Or, you can add a kick to pizza.  Spread the roasted garlic over a pre-baked pizza crust, then top with tomato sauce and reduced-fat cheese.  Easy!

I could go on and on with ways to use roasted garlic, but I’m getting hungry… I mean, my heart needs a boost.  If you need more inspiration, type “roasted garlic” into your browser’s search engine.  Happy, healthy eating!

Related articles

• The greatness of garlic (dothegreenthing.com)
• Powerful Pantry Staple: GarlicIngredient Spotlight (thekitchn.com)

View the Story on our blog: Garlic is Good – But Why? .

Valerie Ramsey is in her seventies and is a mother of six, but she’s not slowing down. Since her 53rd birthday, she has become an entrepreneur, a public relations executive,  a highly successful model, and an author.  Her book is entitled Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best At Any Age.

She was interviewed recently about her seemingly runaway success. The following are highlights from the interview, which you can hear in its entirety here.

You’ve just signed a contract with Wilhelmina Models at 72.  Was there a little dyslexia involved?  Isn’t 27 too old for a Wilhelmina model?

It’s interesting because I’m seeing more and more where the marketing world is opening up to baby boomers. Doors are starting to open. I think it’s great for all of us.

What does Wilhelmina see in you? What did they tell you about YOU?

It’s not just Wilhelmina. I’m with another agency in Tampa… and what everybody seems to be saying is, and I hope that a lot of women take this to heart:  they liked the fact that I hadn’t had any plastic surgery. The moment you go out and start messing with your face, it’s visible, it’s apparent.  They liked the natural look. I think if we can feel beauty from within; if you feel that joy, exuberance, excitement, about life, about being connected with other people, about having new adventures and having new goals to go after, that kind of shines through and that is so much better than plastic surgery.

Is there a secret to your success?

I think it was always being constantly saying, “What’s next?”  by staying engaged with the world and the things I want to do to maintain a sense of accomplishment.  That shows on the outside.

You’ve obviously become a role model. You enjoy that, don’t you?

I do.  I feel so surprised and blessed to be in that situation of being a role model. I feel like I’ve got a real obligation to women that may be looking at me as “Okay, she can continue to do wonderful things with her life in her seventies. If she can do it, I can do it.”

You did something else that a lot of people don’t think is possible. You stepped back into the workforce.

I was never really in the workforce when I was younger. I got married when I was twenty and had six children by the time I was thirty. I wanted the Brady Bunch family. It was wonderful. We were so lucky. My husband taught at one of the finest private day schools in the country and we lived on-campus and it was a very safe environment and times were very different than they are now.  But, when all of that was said and done, I was 53 and I said, “Okay, I’ve been there and done that.  Now it’s my time to do something totally different.” I always knew I wanted to have an exciting career and to do something that would put me out in the world with interesting people.

Ms. Ramsey’s experience inspires us to realize that no matter what our age, we can reach exciting heights if we keep saying, “What’s next?”

So…what’s next for YOU?

View the Story on our blog: Hey Baton Rouge, She’s Not Slowing Down. She’s Flying! And So Can You! .