Exploring Innovative Residential Options for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease

October 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The Founder and Director of the Dementia Village in Weesp, Netherlands, Eloy van Hal, will provide an operational overview of the renowned facility created in 2009 as an alternative to traditional institutionalized care provided in nursing homes. This village, for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments, groups residents with shared interests and backgrounds in family-like settings in carefully designed environments emphasizing open, outdoor spaces and amenities like parks, a restaurant, grocery store and auditorium. It’s a new twist on assisted living, enabling residents to stay active with trained staff helping to maintain their freedom and abilities. Following the presentation, a panel discussion will focus on how to bring these innovations to senior and dementia-related facilities in New York.

 

Who:  Welcome and Introductions:
Hon. Donna Corrado, New York City Commissioner, Department of Aging (DFTA)
Judith D. Grimaldi, Grimaldi & Yeung LLP

Featured Speaker:
Eloy van Hal, Founder and Senior Managing Consultant, De Hogeweyk, Weesp, the Netherlands.

Panelists:
Rosemary Bakker, MS, Certified Interior Designer, Gerontologist, Author; President, Age-Friendly Design, Inc.; Author of AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home
Maria Alvarez, Executive Director, NY State Wide Senior Action Council
Timothy McManus, Vice President, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples (POP) Development Corporation
Kenza Sijelmassi, Project Manager, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples (POP) Development Corporation

Moderators:
Judith D. Grimaldi, Grimaldi & Yeung LLP
Britt Burner, Burner Law Group PC

 

When: Monday, October 22, 2018, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

Where: New York City Bar Association, 42 W 44th Street, New York, NY

 

Filed Under: health Tagged With: , ,

How to Best Cope with IBD While on Vacation – Tips That Will Help Ensure Your Vacation is Enjoyable

October 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment

According to statistics, there are roughly 1.6 million Americans who have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with approximately 70,000 new cases each and every year. IBD can be difficult to cope with on a daily basis, but when you have plans to travel, it can really put a kink in things. Obviously, you want to spend your vacation enjoying yourself, exploring the destination, and getting that break from home, but with IBD it isn’t always so simple.

If you’ve been holding off booking that dream vacation because you are worried about how your IBD will affect your travels, it’s time to let go of that fear. Here we’ll take a look at various ways you can cope with IBD while on holidays, allowing you to still enjoy yourself and be glad you took the chance and went away.

What You Need to Know About IBD

Now, before we take a look at the tips to coping, it’s important to understand what IBD is. IBD isn’t one thing, rather it is an umbrella term used for a variety of disorders that causes chronic inflammation in a person’s digestive tract. These include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis among others.

Typical symptoms can include reduced appetite, cramping and pain in the abdominal region, fatigue, diarrhea, and more. Obviously, these are all symptoms that can greatly impact just how enjoyable a vacation may be.

Make Sure You Pack All Your Medications

The first tip is easily the most important one and that is to pack any and all medications that you have been prescribed for your IBD. You want to also be sure you have enough to last the duration of the trip so you don’t have to deal with filling a prescription while you’re away.

When packing your medication, you also want to be sure it stays with you on the plane in your purse or carry-on bag rather than checking it with your luggage. Should your luggage be lost in transit, at least you will have your medication with you.

Pack Supplements that Support Your Gut Health

Besides medication, you can also bring along supplements and items that actually support and promote gut health. A great example of just such a product is the UltraInflamX Plus 360 from blueskyvitamin.com. This particular product helps to relieve inflammation and pain associated with IBD, helps to promote a healthy digestive system, and it also gives nutritional support. It comes in a convenient powder formula that you can easily mix in with juice or water and take with you while on the go.

Be Mindful with What You Eat and Drink

While many people love to sample the local cuisine when they are away, for those with IBD it can spell disaster. The last thing you want is to end up with a case of traveler’s diarrhea, which is unfortunately very common.

To avoid this, you’ll want to stick to bottled water (even when you brush your teeth), stay away from vendor carts, make sure you aren’t eating raw dairy products, don’t eat food that has been sitting out for long periods of time, and avoid raw foods such as vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, and shellfish.

Pack a Variety of Safe Snacks and Drinks

If you plan on doing sightseeing and tours while on holidays, be sure to pack your own supply of “safe” snacks and drinks that you know are okay and don’t bother you. Often these organized tours will stop at restaurants and cafes along the way, and those establishments may not have much you can choose from. By thinking and planning ahead, you know you’ll be covered.

Plan Out Your Routes

It can also be quite helpful to plan your routes in advance making sure you map out where restrooms are along the way. You may even want to request a seat near the washroom when booking your flight, train, or coach bus ticket.

Make Sure You Purchase Travel Insurance

The final tip is to make sure you purchase travel insurance that will cover you should you have a medical emergency. You never know when your IBD may flare up and what kind of attention you’ll need, so travel insurance will act as that peace of mind. Without it you can spend an absolute fortune on medical expenses and prescriptions.

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself

Finally, you want to make sure you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Yes, you are on vacation and you want to make the most of it, but knowing when to hold back and take a little time to relax is imperative to your health.

No Need to Skip Vacationing

Just because you have been diagnosed with IBD, doesn’t mean that you have to skip vacationing. Instead, it’s all about planning and being organized so that you can avoid flare-ups as much as possible, and also knowing what to do should one occur.

Filed Under: health, traveling Tagged With: , ,

GIFT OF LIFE MARROW REGISTRY STEPS FOR LIFE 5K RUN & WALK AT BATTERY PARK – THIS SUNDAY

October 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment
WHAT: Gift of Life Marrow Registry helps children and adults suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers and genetic disorders find donors for bone marrow transplants.
Event is dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of joining the marrow registry.
Certified and timed 5K with awards given to the top finishers.
At the event, a life-saving marrow donor and their transplant recipient will meet for the first time.
WHEN: Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Check-in Time: 8:00 am
WHERE: Battery Park- Robert F. Wagner, Jr. New York, NY
REGISTRATION: Please register today here and help us get everyone involved, swabbed and cured!
Invite friends, family, and co-workers to run as a group; Volunteer at the event to earn community service hours; Students $15 when registering online (includes shirt)- $20 on the day of the event; Adults $30 when registering online (includes shirt)- $35 on the day of the event; Kids (6 and under) FREE- Superhero Sprint includes a cape and medal.
About Gift of Life Marrow Registry:
Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. The organization, established in 1991, is dedicated to saving lives and facilitating bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases. To learn more about Gift of Life Marrow Registry, visit www.giftoflife.org.
Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, health Tagged With: , , , ,

7 Super Ways To Beat Stress

September 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

stress busting

Are you constantly stressed out? Chronic stress could be causing long-term damage to your health. Here are just seven ways in which you can help beat stress and feel happy and healthy again.

 

Tackle the source

 

A lot of things can trigger stress. In some cases, you may be able to get rid of the trigger – this could involve a quitting a job that you hate or splitting up with a partner who is making your unhappy. In other cases, the source could be something that you can’t get rid of and you may simply have to find a calmer way of approaching it. Stress is only necessary in dangerous situations – if you’re getting stressed over non-dangerous situations, start questioning yourself why the moment it happens.

 

Take a break

 

A well-earned break away from the source of your stress could also be needed. This could be a holiday away or simply a weekend to relax at home. Don’t feel that you can’t rest because of commitments – you can always book time off work, hire a babysitter or look into respite care services if you’re looking after a sick or elderly relative. Make sure that your break is spent relaxing and not doing other activities that could cause more potential stress.

 

Exercise

 

Exercise is one of the best stress-busters out there. When stressed, our body is preparing for fight or flight – by being active, you’re giving your body the release of energy that it needs. Exercise floods the body with endorphins, which can help flush the stress-causing cortisol out of your body. Just make sure that it’s a physical activity that you enjoy.

 

Have a hot bath

 

A hot bath can also be a great stress reliever. This is because the hot water helps to fight a lot of the symptoms of stress such as helping tense muscles to relax and releasing endorphins to fight cortisol. It’s the perfect stress reliever for the end of a hard day as it can also help to improve sleep quality.

 

Get more sleep

 

On the topic of sleep quality, this is also an important factor that can affect stress. Lack of sleep and stress can cause a vicious cycle – when you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more likely to be stressed and when you’re stressed, it’s harder to sleep. Reward yourself with an early night so that you can get the hours of rest you need. If you find it hard to get to sleep, you can always try out some of these tricks to help you sleep.

 

Laugh it off

 

Laughter is also good for tackling stress. When we laugh, we release endorphins. This can help to get rid of cortisol in our veins causing stress. A night out with friends or a comedy could be all you need.

 

Meditate

 

Another stress-buster worth trying is meditation. Meditating is great for clearing the mind, for bringing down high blood pressure and for restoring steady breathing. This could involve simply closing your eyes for a minute and taking yourself away from the situation.

Filed Under: health Tagged With: ,

With Alzheimer’s treatment stalled, promising pipeline drugs and a shift in perception could be key

September 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

As World Alzheimer’s Day approaches (21 September) with the aim of raising global awareness and understanding of the issues faced by people affected by dementia it’s timely to reflect that no new drug for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been approved in the past 16 years, despite more than 400 clinical trials and billions of dollars being spent in an attempt to tackle the disease and address unmet needs, says GlobalData a leading data and analytics company.

According to GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Alzheimer’s Disease: Competitive Landscape to 2026’, the pipeline has been characterized by big failures, as AD drug development is considered to have one of the highest failure rates of all indications. The AD pipeline features 657 drugs across all stages of development, and out of these, only 3.2% of drugs are in late-stage development; which is dominated by small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. The report reveals that amyloid precursor protein (Aβ peptide and protein) and microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) are the major targets being pursued by companies developing drugs against AD.

Alessio Brunello, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, commented, ‘‘The need for new disease modifying drugs (DMDs) is urgent as the current competitive landscape in AD offers medications that are aimed at treating only the symptoms of the disease. A few key drugmakers have already stopped their research into AD, and given the significant amount of R&D failures, pharma companies may be disincentivized from producing new drugs.

“The amyloid hypothesis has been the central theory for the pathogenesis of AD, but all Aβ-targeting drugs treating AD have ended in failure. In fact, recent studies indicated that one of the main factors concerning the development and progression of the disease could be tau and not beta amyloid. We may, in the future, see tailored therapies to include potentially both an anti-amyloid and an anti-tau approach being administered concurrently.”

Currently, treatments for AD consist only of symptomatic treatments, of which there are only five approved medications: three cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine), one N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist (memantine), and one combination therapy (memantine/donepezil). These leave a lot to be desired in terms of efficacy, routes of administration, and dosing frequencies.

The potential launch of promising monoclonal antibodies from Biogen (aducanumab) and Roche (gantenerumab and crenezumab) will boost the size of the Alzheimer’s market given their potential to halt or prevent disease progression. Most of the tau-targeting approaches that are currently in clinical trials are immunotherapies such as Axon neuroscience’s AADvac-1 and Eli Lilly’s LY3303560. Tau is more likely to be a better target than Aβ as the clinical stages of cognitive decline much better correlate with the number, density and distribution of tangles than does the Aβ burden.

Brunello concludes, ‘‘Monoclonal antibodies have shown more promise than anything in the pipeline and in the next 10 years, we’re going to have a good idea whether amyloid is really a meaningful player or not. The industry shifted a little to anti-tau therapies, showing that tau treatments represent a new direction with a possible combination approach if trials will provide positive results. In the absence of any proven disease-modifying therapy, if and when one will reach the market, the rewards in terms of profits for the developer would be huge.”

Filed Under: health Tagged With: ,

bblüv Püre – 3 in 1 HEPA Air Purifier Review

August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Clean Air is a Top Priority

Our most important and a immediate need is to breath and providing clean air free of allergens and other impurities is something we all want in our homes. No matter what our age this is important, but for a baby’s new lungs definitely consider bblüv Püre – 3 in 1 HEPA Air Purifier.

image of Püre – 3 in 1 HEPA Air PurifierThe ionizer in the Püre and HEPA+ filter work with activated carbon. The filter removes up to 99.7% of allergens and pollutants like bacteria, mites, mold, viruses, (hopefully not in the air but…) smoke. Even odors, pollen, and pet dander can be taken out of the air. My dog may be a non shedding breed but that doesn’t mean he is dander free or doesn’t carry in allergens from rubbing up against all kinds of nature on our walks. 

On a technical level the bblüv Püre 3 in 1 HEPA Air Purifier removes particles larger than 0.3 microns, which sounds really, really tiny. Go science! Even indoor allergens can trigger asthma year round not just tied to growing season. Mine are so much worse when the citrus trees go into bloom, but that doesn’t mean I am every fully allergy free. Reducing exposure is the first step, but not always possible if you want to step outside your door. You can however control the air in your home.

image of bbl. air filter on white backdropThe small size makes it easy to find a place for in your baby’s room or anywhere else in the house. The unit comes with one long lasting filter, the cord and the main unit. You will need your own wall plug. It just has the cord which ends in a USB so if you have an extra plug from a cell phone or other device laying around you can use that. If you don’t have an extra that you can dedicate to the filter you may need to buy one. Plugging and unplugging it can be a major pain. Also when it is plugged in the light on the power button can be pretty bright.

bblüv Püre 3 in 1 HEPA Air Purifier is a great option for a healthier environment for your family. The air we breath fuels our entire body and we can’t do much to improve what we are exposed to out in the world. Make your home a safer environment to breath in and know you are taking steps to protect and nurture your little one.

Find out more about this product on the bblüv website – bbluvgroup.com

Or find them on Social Media – Twitter – Facebook – Instagram

Read our review of other bblüv products HERE

 

Filed Under: baby, review Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Too Hot To Work Out? Work In. Inside, Anyway.

July 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

When it’s just too hot to work out outside, you can take your workouts inside. Don’t have a gym membership, or just REALLY not in the mood to go out? Just keep some DVDs in the house so you can stay on track. Here are some new ones we tried out.

Bottom Line & A Core Defined with Patricia Friberg (a professional trainer) is a Pilates and Strength based workout broken into three segments; Bottom Activation 1, 2, and A Core Defined. These and a few guides, set ups, and an intro make up the DVD. It focuses on defining your butt (as the name indicates) but also works your core, improves posture, and helps you become more flexible and fit. While it definitely focus on the glutes, you will feel this workout in your abs and legs as well for sure.  You will likely want to do the first activation a few times before you move on to the second, just to get the hang of it or to get your body ready for the higher intensity. A Core Defined covers more of the body overall, but really focuses on the abs. Friberg gives good direction throughout, just keep pace that is comfortable to you and move on when you are ready. Available for $20 from http://www.patriciafriberg.com

Want to work your lower body? Want to work out, but in a bit of a time crunch? Your Sexy Everything (Booty, Legs, Thighs) by Ilyse Baker might be one to try out. I know it says “everything”, but it means everything below the Mason Dixon, it seems. It has a good variety of workouts, containing four mini workouts that are 5, 6 ,7, and 8 minutes long each as well as two bonus workouts- Ballet Grooves, a 5 minute core workout (and it’s fun) as well as the Dancer’s Floor Stretch (seeing a theme here?) that is 10 minutes of lengthening, flexibility enhancing stretching and toning. $15 at http://ilysebaker.com/

Also available by Ilyse Baker are Dancinerate Sassy Jazz and Hip Hop Fusion and Dancinerate Burn with the Beat. These fun workouts are great ways to add some variety to your routine, and maybe learn some new moves. If you are a great dancer- great! These will just add to your skills and be good practice for you. Not a good dancer? (Cough) That’s ok- they are still really fun to do, and no one sees you being completely off when you are in your own living room- enjoy it.

Want to add a little something extra to your workout? The AB-EZE suspension trainer is fun, interesting, and easy to install and use. It’s an interesting way to work your abs and core, it’s design based on a trapeze harness found on a catamaran. It uses your body and weight as well as gravity to give you a work out, by leaning on the support pad and using it to engage your muscles. AB-EZE anchors easily over any door or fixed point, then by leaning on the comfortable support pad, muscles will instantly engage. You can change the intensity by pressing a button and lengthening or shortening the strap, and changing your body positions. Use it to “firm and lift the butt; sculpt abs and shrink waistline; strengthen back; and, shape and define legs”.  Easy to take with you when you travel if you’d like as well. Get yours for $149.99 at www.ab-eze.com 

In Light of Change by Julie Rammal is a change of pace. It’s a little slower, and uses your whole body to work out your whole body. This is one of the more interesting DVDs I’ve tried in a while. It is for sure not like other DVDs you might have tried. It has eight different (VERY different) segments ranging from Cardio Boxing to “Tibetan Rituals”, none of which take more then 8 minutes to complete each. No equipment is needed to do any of them, and is said to be inspired by “aerobics, primal movements, yoga, Pilates, stretching and nature.” Overall, I found it calming and relaxing, while still providing a decent workout. I enjoyed this one, it was quite different, but in a good way. One note- it’s not great for beginners. Ms. Rammal is not great with instruction or giving modifications, so only do what you feel comfortable with, or what you’ve been taught to do as modifications outside. Available for about $19 from Amazon.com

 

 

 

Filed Under: fitness, health, review Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Tips To Make Keto Diet Easy When Traveling

June 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Traveling while being on keto diet is prone to many problems like difficulty to maintain ketosis. This is because of the fact that people don’t have proper knowledge about what to do in order to stay in ketosis. This article focuses on letting you know some of the important yet simple tips that can make your travel easy and keto-friendly at the same time. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

  • Pack some homemade keto friendly snacks: Keeping some homemade snacks along with you while you are traveling can help to make your travel experience a lot easier. You can pack some keto friendly snacks which you can munch whenever you feel like without having to worry about the problem of getting out of ketosis. At the same time, these snacks are helpful in avoiding packaged food. You can include pickles, olives, avocado, seeds and nuts according to whatever suits you the most. While packing these snacks, make sure to keep them in a manner that they don’t get spoiled so that you can consume them for a long time.
  • Take keto supplements along with you: Keto supplements can be easily packed and taken along, thus being perfect travel companions for your health. You can contact your dietician regarding the various supplements you can take while being on ketosis and take them accordingly. Before taking a keto supplement, getting an idea of consumer review is important and you can read this review from KetoVale.com. The major advantage of using these supplements is that you don’t have to worry about the shortage of nutritional intake required by the body. This is because these keto supplements are manufactured so as to provide the required nutrients
  • Keep yourself hydrated: Staying healthy while being on ketosis is highly dependent on the hydration level of the body. Travelling time is prone to dehydration problems, which is why you need to keep yourself hydrated during this time. Keep some fresh juices of fruits and vegetables while keeping in mind that they should be keto friendly ones. Keep the water bottle handy and make sure to drink sufficient amount of water at regular intervals. Another important thing to keep in mind is to avoid carbonated drinks while travelling and they can lead to dehydration issues.
  • Research grocery stores in your destination area: Before you reach the destination, it is suggested to make a list of the grocery stores that can help you stock your keto diet items. If you are staying in a hotel, contact the staff and see if your purchased items could be delivered before you arrive. By making the grocery shopping beforehand, you will be able to maintain the required stock during the days of your stay. This can help you avoid the trouble of not being able to maintain ketosis because of your travel extravaganza.

 

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: , , ,