Volunteering In Late Life May Protect The Brain

together and be sure to include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Pay attention to the amounts of protein, fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients, and don't miss the chance to talk about portion sizes. Together, choose snacks that are low in sugar, fat, and salt. Being involved in the process makes it more likely that kids will learn to make healthy food choices. Make Healthy Snacks an Easy Choice. Don't expect kids — even teens — to cut up their own veggie sticks. It's just too much bother, especially when they're hungry. Kids are more likely to eat what's handy. That's where you come in. Make healthy snacks easily available by packing them in their lunchboxes or backpacks or by having them visible and ready-to-eat at home.

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Volunteering in late life is associated with better cognitive function — specifically, better executive function and episodic memory — according to research presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® (AAIC®) 2023, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and online. Volunteer activities, such as supporting educational, religious, health-related or other charitable organizations, provide a means for older adults to be more physically active, increase social interaction and provide cognitive stimulation that may protect the brain. However, there is a lack of information on the relationship between volunteering and cognitive function, especially in large, diverse populations.

As first reported at AAIC 2023, Yi Lor, MPH, an epidemiology doctoral student at the University of California Davis, alongside principal investigator of the studies, Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., examined volunteering habits among an ethnic and racially diverse population of older adults (n=2,476; average age ~74; 48% Black, 20% White, 17% Asian, 14% Latinx) in the

Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences Study (KHANDLE) and Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR). In the combined group, 1,167 (43%) participants reported they had volunteered in the past year. The researchers found that volunteering was associated with better baseline scores on tests of executive function and verbal episodic memory in this study group after adjusting for age, sex, education, income, practice effects and interview mode (phone vs. in-person). Volunteering was also associated with a trend toward less cognitive decline over the follow-up time of 1.2 years, but this association did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, those who volunteered several times per week had the highest levels of executive function.

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias.

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Clean Hands Save Lives

eeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20

Kseconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend! However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

Manos limpias salvan vidas

Mantener las manos limpias es uno de los pasos más importantes que podemos tomar para evitar enfermarnos y transmitir los gérmenes a otras personas. Lo mejor es lavarse las manos con agua corriente limpia y jabón por 20 segundos. ¿Necesita un cronómetro? Imagínese cantar "Feliz Cumpleaños" dos veces a través de un amigo! Sin embargo, si el agua limpia y jabón no están disponibles, utilice un producto a base de alcohol para limpiarse las manos. Manos a base de alcohol para frotar a reducir significativamente el número de gérmenes en la piel y son de acción rápida.

FREE COMMUNITY IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

In order to ensure area kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations and ready for the next school year, the Public Health Department will hold two community-wide immunization events at Lubbock high schools. The clinics will be held at the following locations and times: August 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Estacado High School at 1504 East Itasca St.

NUTRITION EDUCATION WITH TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE @ LAAC

Do you need help with nutrition and eating healthy? Look no further, Texas A&M Agrilife extension will be holding a free Nutrition Education course at the Lubbock Adult Activity Center on Wednesday, August 23rd. At 2001 19th St., on 08/23/2023 11:00 AM – 08/23/2023 12:00 PM.

CHILD CARE AVAILABLE FOR INCOME-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES

Families who are income eligible may receive fee assistance to attend one of the Early Learning Center’s five centers. Parents or caretakers must be employed or in school. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Fri. Call (806) 765-9981 for more information.

SOUTH PLAINS FOOD BANK

To receive a food box, you need to qualify through one of our partnering agencies and receive a voucher. You can call 2-1-1 or visit www.211texas.org to find a local agency that is giving our vouchers. Bring all documentation needed to see if you qualify.

HEALTHBEAT EQUIPMENT brings the best of the gym to the great outdoors at Buddy Holly Lake of Cesar Chavez Drive The outdoor fitness equipment is available to the public and has 10 pieces of fitness equipment. This is a project of Los Hermanos Familia. FREE.

OPEN FITNESS Avoid the unpredictable weather of high winds and too hot temperatures. Use our fitness equipment to get fit! Treadmill, bikes and more! Ages 13+ (13-16 yrs. needs guardian) 3 p.m., M-F at the Trejo Center. Free.

FREE CLINIC at Lubbock Impact The Free Clinic holds a free doctors clinic every Wednesday at 34th Street and Boston Avenue. Registration begins at 4 PM. Patients must be 18 and older and medically uninsured to receive free medications and doctors visits. For more info call (806) 799-4320.