June 1, 2017
PATIENT POWER Health Insights for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers
Find or Enjoy a Pet June 2nd is “Hug Your Cat Day,” but whatever your pet preference, go and embrace! (Volunteer at ASPCA or vet clinic if you can’t keep your own mascot.) Studies confirm pets can fight depression. And doggie lovers, keep walking! Studies show it fights obesity and keeps you vital.
Beware of Sun Cancer We warned you to use sun screening in the winter (see Jan. 2017), but of course don’t forget this brighter time of year. See the American Cancer Society’s advice for all sun issues.
Grab Your Running (or Strolling) Shoes ………………………………….. June 7th is “National Running Day” but experts say even a brisk walk will help (especially done with others, to fight loneliness). Or try a biz practice: “We’re RUNNING Towards Our Goals.” (Great advice from Weird & Wacky Holidays.)
Patient Power
photo: eddiecoyote via Flickr.com
It’s PTSD Awareness Month: De-stress Our OLDER Vets It’s great that this nation finally appreciates our vets, but as you see they need a month—not just a day—to be remembered. Most of the time the older echelon (from the first Gulf War back to WWII) are overlooked…especially when it comes to mental health care. Several years ago, I wrote an article on PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in older vets, mostly WWII. Right after it ran in a newspaper for seniors two different ladies called me, crying. Both had been married to vets for 50+ years. Both guys came back and went thru life fine…until they retired from the traditional jobs, the kind that generation often held for 20, 30, years or more. But as they retired, little by little each became “a different man.” One was verbally abusive all the time; the other actually started hitting his long-time beloved. WM Medical Communications
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