Resources

WellPATH believes in providing resources that will enhance your quality of life and bring you the latest health and wellness information. These resources are for you to research at your own discretion. The Joint Health Management Board of Fresno Unified School District does not favor or endorse any of the listed resources.

COVID-19 Resources

Vaccines, Testing Sites, and Local Information

For more information regarding COVID-19, including vaccines, testing sites, and local information, visit the links provided below:

The Joint Health Management Board would like to remind you of key healthful resources to support you and your family’s physical and mental health during this time. We invite you to visit the sections below that include healthful resources to keep you active, engaged, and mindful of self-care.

Sept 13, 2020
Special Message from the JHMB: Is it the Flu or COVID-19?  Healthful Info from the CDC to Understand the Difference

The fall season is approaching fast. With all of the recent events of the California summer, it’s understandable if we are all a bit shaken and trying to sort out even the simplest of things. And though we are still grappling with the effects of COVID-19, the annual flu season in North America is also coming up fast.

The Joint Health Management Board would like to share some healthful resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help you understand the differences between the influenza (flu) and COVID-19. However, regardless of understanding the differences, the JHMB still recommends that individuals continue to take standard precautions to protect themselves and their families this upcoming flu season.

Take a moment to learn more about:

  • Similarities and Differences Between Flu and COVID-19
  • Information About Flu Shot Clinics Offered by the District This Fall

 

August 30, 2020
Special Message from the JHMB: Proactive Decisions in the Midst of a Pandemic

These last several months have tested us all – ourselves, our families, and our communities. Throughout it all, the Joint Health Management Board (JHMB) has continued to work diligently to maintain a cost-effective healthcare program for our employees, retirees, and their families – in spite of all that COVID-19 has thrown our way.

As we move into undoubtedly the most unique school year of our lifetimes, we want to inform you of the work the JHMB has undertaken to ensure you and your family have the resources and support needed to manage your healthcare and self-care in the months ahead.

 

August 12, 2020
Informational Update: Caregiver Resources When Kids Return to School

As a result of the pandemic, millions of students are going back to school virtually this fall. Those of us who are fortunate to work remotely will play a much larger role in our kids’ distance learning while navigating remote work, home life and the pandemic.

Luckily, education leaders and organizations are offering free resources for caregivers during this challenging time. In addition, it’s important to learn about the resources made available by your school, district or homeschooling group.

Claremont has compiled a list of helpful articles, videos, and  webinars to support you as you juggle the demands of work while  helping your children’s distance learning in this age of uncertainty. Download the flyer for more details.

July 30, 2020
Informational Update: Fresno County Pre-Diabetes & Diabetes Resources During COVID-19

Review the list of resources provided by the Fresno Diabetes Collaborative to assist you and your family with managing the many aspects of pre-diabetes and diabetes, including:

  • Diabetes Prescription Assistance
  • Diabetes Devices Assistance
  • Food Access
  • Free/Low-Cost Diabetes Prevention/Self-Management Classes
  • Free/Low-Cost Mental Health Resources
  • Free/Low-Cost Online Cooking Classes
  • Free/Low-Cost Physical Activity Classes
  • Free Online Support Groups
  • General Assistance Information
  • Healthcare Support Services

July 22, 2020
Informational Update: COVID-19 Testing Sites and Resources in Fresno County

Visit the County of Fresno’s Department of Public Health site for more information on local testing sites, as well as the latest COVID-19 public health information.

May 17, 2020
Benefit Update: COVID-19 Antibody Testing

At this time, only COVID-19 antibody tests ordered by a physician will be covered at 100%. Self-ordered tests will not be covered at 100% but may be covered under existing Plan terms.

April 3, 2020
Benefit Update: COVID-19 Testing & Telehealth Visits

Take a moment to review a special video message from the District Superintendent and the JHMB Directors regarding recent benefit plan changes regarding COVID-19 Testing and Telehealth services effective as of March 18, 2020.

Healthful Resources to Keep You Active & Engaged

The sections below detail additional resources to support you and your family throughout this period. Be sure contact the appropriate vendor when the need arises. Until then, here are some helpful tips and resources shared by our partners at Claremont EAP to support you and your family:

PlushCare: The  PlushCare network of telehealth physicians is available to all PPO medical plan participants and covered family members – now with $0 copay during the COVID-19 national emergency period. Using Delta PlushCare is simple and convenient: you call or video chat with a doctor; he or she will diagnose your health issue and provide recommended treatments based on your symptoms, and if appropriate, the doctor can write a prescription and have it sent immediately to the pharmacy of your choice. Appointments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Anyone requiring any assistance with PlushCare registration (ie. creating a new account) can call and speak with a PlushCare representative to get started. Contact Plushcare by phone at (866) 692-1986 or visit www.plushcare.com.

Claremont EAP: Provides free and confidential counseling, legal and financial consultations, and work/life referrals, as well as their Claremont Personal Advantage site with their COVID-19 resource list that includes timely links, videos, and articles. Contact Claremont EAP at (800) 834-3773 or www.claremonteap.com.

Kaiser Permanente Self-Care Apps: Adult members can download 2 popular self-care apps – Calm and myStrength – from kp.org/selfcareapps.

Halcyon Behavioral Health: As of January 1, 2020, Halcyon Behavioral Health is the District’s new vendor for all inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse services for Plan A and Plan B participants. For mental health services, plan participants are eligible for up to 45 (inpatient) or 60 (outpatient) visits per calendar year with participating providers. There is a $10 copay per visit for outpatient services but the copay is waived for inpatient stays. All levels of care for substance abuse services are covered at 100% with participating providers. Please note that all services require pre-authorization but don’t let that stop you from getting the care for you and/or your eligible family members. Contact Halcyon at (888) 425-4800 or fusdmhsa.com.

During this unique and challenging time, it’s important to stay active and engaged. The JHMB and its WellPATH Program would like to take a moment to share some resources to help you keep moving and motivated.
  • – FREE Virtual Group Fitness Classes: WellPATH and our partners at Pinnacle Training Systems offer virtual classes as both pre-recorded sessions and live sessions – all available online. All activities involve minimal equipment that can be done at home.
  • – 15-min Total Body Workout from Anthem (PDF): Looking for some ideas to switch up your workout routine this summer or maybe just some tips on how to get started? Check out this helpful PDF from Anthem with 5 body-weight exercises you can do in 15 minutes to work out your abs, chest, glutes, legs, quads, and more.
  • – Wellness Video: Exercise, Nutrition, and Health: Keeping it Simple
  • – Wellness Video: Healthy Shopping, Cooking, and Snacking
  • – Health Recipes: A Special Recipe Book from the National Institutes of Health to Support Healthy Eating Habits
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we grapple with this recent outbreak and protect the health of our community. We will continue to do our best to keep you informed and offer healthful resources throughout this period. As a reminder, please take the following personal precautions to help protect you and your family:
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Refrain from touching your mouth and nose.

September 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

August 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

July 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

June 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

May 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

April 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

March 2022 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

December 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources 

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Fightbac.org – The Story of Your Dinner: There’s no place for bacteria at your dinner table this holiday season! Children ages 7 and under, as well as pregnant women and elderly people, are at higher risk of food poisoning. Take action to make sure you’re following food safety steps from store to table. We hope you enjoy The Story of Your Dinner, including the recipes, videos and kids’ activities prepared just for your family!

Fightbac.org – Handling Ingredients: Our Holiday meal favorites are foods made from scratch! Here are guidelines for the safe handling of a few of the ingredients that go into your holiday dishes. Foodborne illness can strike anyone. But If you are preparing foods for people who are at a higher risk for illness — pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems — it is critical to follow the basics of Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill. Remember — Always wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food!

Heathline – An Anti-Inflammatory Diet High in Veggies May Decrease Your Dementia Risk: A new study from the American Academy of Neurology found that people who follow an anti-inflammatory diet — which is rich in fruits, vegetables, beans along with tea or coffee — have a lower risk of developing dementia later on. These foods are great sources of beneficial vitamins and minerals, which can protect our cells from damage and prevent inflammation in the body. There’s a known link between inflammation and neurocognitive diseases like dementia.

Heart.org – Stress and Strain, Body and Brain (infographic): Worries about work, money, heath care, and staying safe in the COVID-pandemic – as well as broader issues like discrimination and climate change – can pile on the stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try these ways to notch down your stress yourself. Also ask for help or a referral from your health care team on ways to lower your stress.

Medscape – Coffee or Tea? Drinking Both Tied to Lower Stroke, Dementia Risk: Drinking coffee or tea is associated with reduced risk for stroke and dementia, with the biggest benefit associated with consuming both beverages, new research suggests. Investigators found that individuals who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee and 2 to 3 cups of tea per day had a 30% decrease in incidence of stroke and a 28% lower risk for dementia vs those who did not.

November 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Healthline – A Beginner’s Guide to Carb Counting: When it comes to successfully managing diabetes, controlling your carbohydrate intake is crucial. Studies have shown that monitoring carb intake leads to better blood glucose (BG) numbers and may improve your health in other ways too. One technique for managing carbs is carb counting.

Healthline – How to Live Your Best Life as You Age: You can’t stand in a checkout line without seeing at least a few magazine headlines about how to look younger. While dreading some wrinkles and sagging isn’t uncommon, there’s so much more to aging well. Aging gracefully isn’t about trying to look like a 20-something — it’s about living your best life and having the physical and mental health to enjoy it. Like a bottle of wine, you can get better with age with the right care. Read on to find out what to do and what not to do on your quest to age happily.

NIH: Diabetes in Older People: Diabetes is a serious disease, and it affects many older adults. People get diabetes when their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. The good news is that you can take steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease to develop in older adults. If you already have diabetes, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and prevent diabetes-related health problems.

NIH: Four Types of Exercise Can Improve Your Health and Physical Ability: Most people tend to focus on one type of exercise or activity and think they’re doing enough. Research has shown that it’s important to get all four types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Each one has different benefits. Doing one kind also can improve your ability to do the others, and variety helps reduce boredom and risk of injury. No matter your age, you can find activities that meet your fitness level and needs!

October 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

CDC – How much physical activity do older adults need? As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. It also helps your muscles grow stronger so you can keep doing your day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others.

EatRight.org – 7 Cancer Prevention Tips for Your Diet:Did you know you can help to reduce your risk of certain cancers by following a healthful lifestyle? Research shows that many cancers are linked to lifestyle behaviors including unhealthy eating patterns and a lack of physical activity. Eating well can help you prevent and beat cancer in a variety of ways. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing it and positively support treatment and recovery if you are diagnosed with it.

Mayo Clinic – 8 ways to improve sleep quality as you age: Aging can affect the quality of your sleep. You may wake up more often and have a less consistent sleep pattern than you did when you were younger. You can take steps to overcome these issues.

Medscape – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Alzheimer’s Prevention?Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases cerebral blood flow and improves cognitive performance in older adults with memory problems, early research suggests.

September 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Heart.org – How Can I Improve My Cholesterol? Visit the American Heart Association site (Heart.org) for a list of downloadable tools and resources to support your cholesterol health, including information on “How Statins Work”, “Your Cholesterol Score Explained”, “How Can I Improve My Cholesterol Score”, and much more.

Healthline – 19 Clever Ways to Eat Healthy on a Tight Budget: Nutritious food can be expensive, and it can be difficult to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables when you’re on a tight budget. The good news is, there are many ways you can save money and still eat whole foods. In fact, here are 19 tips that can help you eat healthier when you’re on a budget.

NIH – What’s Normal Aging?Midlife health may be an important determinant of cognitive and heart health later on in life, suggests new findings from the NIH-supported Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). This study, which has been examining women’s health during midlife since the late 1990s, has been collecting data on more than 3,000 multiethnic women at seven centers across the United States. The study focuses on the physical, biological, psychological, and social changes that occur before, during, and after menopause.

VeryWellFit – Dried Fruits Boost Fiber Intake, But Portion Size is Key: If you grab a handful of raisins as a snack, you may wonder if you are making a smart choice. New research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that dried fruit consumption is associated with higher diet quality. “Since dried fruits lose water and volume during the drying process, their overall nutrient content becomes more concentrated than fresh fruit,” says Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications consultant.

August 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

CDC –  Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well Do the Flu Vaccines Work? CDC conducts studies each year to determine how well the influenza (flu) vaccine protects against flu illness. While vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine. In general, current flu vaccines tend to work better against influenza B and influenza A(H1N1) viruses and offer lower protection against influenza A(H3N2) viruses.

Healthline – Why You Can’t Seem to Stay Asleep (Plus, How to Finally Catch Some Zzz’s): 

Not being able to sleep through the night is the worst. You wake up — who knows why — and immediately stress about how cruddy you’re going to feel the next day if you can’t fall back asleep fast enough. Having just one episode is bad enough, but if it keeps happening, you’ll probably want to figure out why and what to do about your insomnia. Yes, not being able to stay asleep is actually a type of insomnia, and various factors, from your lifestyle to an underlying condition, could be to blame.

NIH – Four studies explore women’s brain and heart health during midlife: Midlife health may be an important determinant of cognitive and heart health later on in life, suggests new findings from the NIH-supported Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). This study, which has been examining women’s health during midlife since the late 1990s, has been collecting data on more than 3,000 multiethnic women at seven centers across the United States. The study focuses on the physical, biological, psychological, and social changes that occur before, during, and after menopause.

VeryWellFit – How to Buy, Use, and Maintain an E-Bike: Electric bikes, more commonly called “e-bikes” are the fastest-growing category in bike sales. In fact, it is estimated that there are about one billion bicycles in the world and by 2023, 40 million of them are expected to be electric bikes.1 This is great news for people who are in the market for some new wheels. You’ll have more choices than ever when shopping for an e-bike. Regardless of your riding style, there’s an e-bike out there for you.

July 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Food Network – 10 Summer Food-Safety Tips: The hot weather is the perfect time to picnic and cook outdoors, but  the warm weather also creates the perfect environment to support the growth of harmful food bugs. Keep your food and family safe by following these simple tips.

Food Safety – People at Risk: Older Adults:Adults age 65 and older are at a higher risk for hospitalization and death from foodborne illness. This increased risk of foodborne illness is because organs and body systems go through changes as people age.

VeryWellFit – How Effective Is a Massage Gun for Recovery?

Massage guns are one of the trendiest tools in the fitness industry right now. Dedicated fitness enthusiasts and athletes use massage guns before and after working out, on rest days and whenever they feel muscle pain. But how effective are massage guns, really?  Using available research and insights from massage gun expert Dan Kozak, co-founder of Ekrin Athletics, a massage gun manufacturer, we’ll share the purported benefits of massage guns and whether or not these trendy devices work.

VeryWellFit – The Ultimate Guide to Dairy-Free Ice Creams:Don’t let a milk allergy, lactose intolerance, or vegan diet stop you from enjoying your favorite flavor of ice cream. When the temperature starts to creep up and you’re craving that cold treat, simply reach for a dairy-free ice cream. Products are popping up everywhere that are made from coconut milk, cashew milk, soy, avocado, and other plant-based ingredients—no dairy necessary.

June 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Harvard – Calcium, The Nutrition Source: Calcium is a mineral most often associated with healthy bones and teeth, although it also plays an important role in blood clotting, helping muscles to contract, and regulating normal heart rhythms and nerve functions. About 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in bones, and the remaining 1% is found in blood, muscle, and other tissues.

National Institute on Aging – Lack of sleep in middle age may increase dementia risk: Changes in sleep patterns are common in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. They may wake up often during the night and find it hard to get back to sleep. These sleep problems are thought to result from brain changes caused by the disease that affect the sleep-wake cycle.

Studies have suggested that sleep patterns earlier in life may contribute to later dementia risk. Both insufficient sleep and sleeping longer than average have been linked to a greater likelihood of developing dementia. However, it has been hard to determine whether these sleep changes contribute to the disease or simply reflect early symptoms.

WebMD – Build Stronger Bones With Exercise: If you have osteoporosis, exercising is crucial for keeping your bones strong. The condition means the size and density of your bones, or your bone mass, are lower than they should be. That puts you at a higher risk for fractures, especially in your hips and spine. But some exercises, like walking and resistance exercises, can help strengthen your bones and may slow bone loss. Exercise can build up your muscles and improve your balance, too. Together, those things help lower your odds of falling and fracturing a bone, allowing you to stay active and healthy longer.

Web MD – Feel Younger Than Your Age? You Might Live Longer: Can feeling young at heart, or at least younger than your actual age, help older people live healthier, longer lives? Yes, according to researchers in Germany. “Individuals who feel younger than they chronologically are seem to benefit from their younger subjective age in various aspects,” explained study lead author Markus Wettstein.

Surveying more than 5,000 middle-aged adults and seniors, his team found that feeling younger seems to create a protective force field against stress. And the “connection seems to work via various pathways,” said Wettstein, who was a researcher with the German Centre of Gerontology in Berlin when the study was conducted.

May 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Healthline – How Exercise Can Influence What We Eat — and How Much: Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made it more challenging to exercise as often (or as intensely) as some people did before. In fact, many of us have found ourselves practicing a more sedentary lifestyle, gaining unwanted weight over the past year. But as restrictions ease, a number of us have started thinking how to approach losing weight and embracing exercise in a healthy, measured way.

New research published in the journal Nutrients may make that task easier. The study examined the connection between physical activity and its effects on both how and what we eat. The findings offer some interesting insight into our relationship with fitness and food, and may help provide a clearer road map for people looking to make lifestyle changes.

Hopkins Medicine – Heart Problems after COVID-19: Some of the symptoms common in coronavirus “long-haulers,” such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath, may be due to heart problems — or, just from having been ill with COVID-19. How do you tell if your symptoms are heart-related, and what can you expect if they are?

Cardiologist Wendy Post, M.D., clarifies which post-coronavirus symptoms may point to a heart issue, when to call your doctor, and other facts all long-term COVID-19 survivors should know.

WebMD –  Surprising Health Challenges of Aging: You exercise. You eat right. You’re in pretty good shape for someone your age.Still, getting older can bring on health problems as our bodies change. Not everyone will get them. But some medical conditions become more common or more serious after we get a few decades under our belts. Check out some surprising ways that age itself can pose health challenges.

Web MD – Things That Can Affect Your Medication: You may know that some medicines don’t work well together. But what you eat and drink can have an effect on some drugs, too. Before you take a medication for the first time, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if there’s anything you should stay away from.

April 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Information From Across the Web to Support Our Age 55+ Community

Harvard Health – Try this move for better core strength: Adopting small changes over time can add up to better health in the long term. Focus on building your core strength by adding one simple exercise to your weekly exercise plan — the plank.

The plank position, which looks like the high part of a push-up, works your core muscles, which are the major muscles in the area that connects your upper and lower body. These include the abdominal muscles and those in the back, sides, hips, and buttocks. The core also encompasses the muscles in your pelvis, including those that help support your bladder, uterus, and other internal organs.

Hopkins Medicine – 6 Mammogram Myths: Dr. Sarah Zeb, breast imaging specialist at Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging, debunks common myths about mammograms. Think it’s not a big deal skipping your annual mammogram this year? Or are you concerned that a mammogram uses too much radiation? A yearly mammogram for women 40 and older helps to detect breast cancer earlier, leading to less aggressive treatment and a higher rate of survival.

Medical News Today – What are the 13 factors that shape brain health?  The American Heart Association (AHA) have outlined a list of factors that primary care clinicians should take into consideration when looking after their patients’ brain health. The guidelines now name 13 crucial factors that affect the maintenance of cognitive abilities. All of these factors are modifiable, meaning that individuals have control over them and thus are able to improve their own brain health under the guidance of their healthcare practitioner.

Web MD – Hedonic Hunger and the Science of Why We Can’t Stop Eating:  Through many millennia, the human body has retained a ferocious biological drive to eat and to hang on to calories. When you burn more calories than you’ve recently eaten, your body reacts by amping up your appetite while also delaying the message that you’re full. Specifically, it releases more hunger hormone ghrelin and less of the peptides that enable the gut to signal to the brain to quit eating. This well-established concept is known as homeostasis. But researchers say Western convenience diets have exploited a different impulse to eat.

March 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Cancer.org: Colorectal Cancer – Catching it Early (Infographic): Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the US. Routine testing can help prevent colorectal cancer or find it at an early stage, when it’s smaller and may be easier to treat. If it’s found early, the 5-year survival rate is more than 90%. Many more lives could be saved by understanding colorectal cancer risks, increasing screening rates, and making lifestyle changes.

Healthline – How Your Nutrition Needs Change as You Age: Eating healthy becomes especially important as you age. That’s because aging is linked to a variety of changes, including nutrient deficiencies, decreased quality of life and poor health outcomes.

Luckily, there are things you can do to help prevent deficiencies and other age-related changes. For example, eating nutrient-rich foods and taking the appropriate supplements can help keep you healthy as you age.

This article explains how your nutritional needs change as you age, including how to address them.

Healthline – Yes, You’re Probably Experiencing Social Pain Right Now: How to Cope: Between social distancing, canceled events, and political unrest, many people are facing what researchers call “social pain.”

“In the psychological literature, the term ‘social pain’ has been used mostly to refer to reactions to losses of relationship through rejection, abandonment, death, moving away, or whatever, but there’s no doubt that simply lacking regular contact with people who value their relationships with us creates negative emotions involving sadness and loneliness as well,” Mark Leary, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, told Healthline.

In fact, a study from the University of São Paulo suggests there’s been a meteoric rise in social pain from COVID-19.

Mayo Clinic – Aging and Unsteady Gait: What Can You Do? With age, there is a natural loss of muscle mass that can lead to a loss of balance and coordination and affect the way you walk. This process can be accelerated by neurological disorders, such as dementia, as well as musculoskeletal disorders.

February 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

CDC – Older Adults: At Greater Risk of Requiring Hospitalization or Dying if Diagnosed with COVID-19: The risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Here’s what you need to know:

  • – Risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk.
  • – Certain medical conditions can also increase risk for severe illness.
  • – People at increased risk, and those who live or visit with them, need to take precautions to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
Heart.org – Here’s to a healthy 2021, with resolutions from heart doctors: Deep in their hearts, everyone has to be looking forward to a fresh start in 2021. And who would know better about matters of the heart than a cardiologist? We asked some of the nation’s best about resolutions – what they’re planning for themselves, and what they wish their patients would focus on for a healthy and happy new year. Their advice begins with a reminder that the threat of COVID-19 will not vanish at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31. “You need to resolve to stay healthy and safe,” said Dr. Ivor Benjamin, director of the Cardiovascular Center and professor of medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. “It’s an ever-present challenge for everyone, independent of where they are.” Hopkins Medicine – Nutrition: What You Need to Know for Healthy Aging: When it comes to healthy aging and your diet, there are plenty of mixed up “facts” that need to be unraveled, says Johns Hopkins registered dietitian Kathleen Johnson, M.A., R.D., L.D.N. In this brief article, she separates nutrition fact from fiction by debunking 4 myths. NIH – Heart Health and Aging: Take a moment to review a detailed article from the National Institutes of Health that address heart health by answering many of the following questions:
  • – How Does the Heart Work?
  • – How Your Heart Changes with Age
  • – What Is Heart Disease?
  • – Signs of Heart Disease
  • – What Can I Do to Prevent Heart Disease?
  • – Questions to Ask Your Doctor
  • – The Future of Research on Aging and the Heart

January 2021 – Healthy Aging Resources

Healthline – Loneliness and COVID-19: How Pets Can Provide the Social Interaction We’re Missing Right Now:Caring touch from pets can help provide mental health benefits similar to those of human touch. While physical distancing can help stop the spread of COVID-19Trusted Source, limiting human-to-human contact also eliminates the opportunity for touch. “We did a survey on Facebook linked to Survey Monkey in April during the U.S. lockdown, and found that 60 percent of people were reporting touch deprivation,” said Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. “This wasn’t just people who were living alone; it was also those living with people,” she said.

Healthline – Swapping Beans for Red Meat Can Lower Your Heart Disease Risk by 14%: Eating more plant protein may help you stay heart healthy.

  • – A new studyTrusted Source based on 30 years of observation has reconfirmed that replacing red meat with plant-based protein can help keep your heart healthy.
  • – Researchers based their findings on observing 43,272 U.S. men with an average age of 53.
  • – Processed red meats include bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and salami, which are associated with an increased risk of death and major chronic diseases, according to the study.

There’s more evidence that swapping out a juicy steak for plant-based meals can benefit your health.

Hopkins Medicine – Flu Prevention During Coronavirus Pandemic: Infographic: Fall and winter months bring the flu season. Check out what you need to know to help protect you and your family from the flu and COVID-19.

Mayo Clinic – COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked: Get the latest updates on the myths floating around regarding the vaccine.

December 2020 – Healthy Aging Resources

Berkeley Wellness – Using Public Bathrooms in the Covid-19 Era: Wary of using public bathrooms in the time of Covid-19? Here are some quick tips to make your bathroom pit stop safer, based on the knowledge that coronavirus particles may linger both on surfaces and in the air. Though it’s unknown if public toilets play any role in the transmission of the coronavirus, it still makes sense to be cautious.

Healthline – Why Adding a ‘Fake Commute’ to Your WFH Schedule Could Help You Unwind: 

  • As much as work commutes of the past were dreaded, some people are missing them.
  • Adding a “fake commute” to your day can help improve mental health.
  • In addition to reenacting your commute, there are other ways to give yourself what a commute once did.

Heart.org – Fight Stress with Healthy Habits (Infographic): 10 Tips to Fight Stress with Healthy Habits

Heart.org – Stop Stress In Its Tracks (Infographic): 10 Tips to get out of stress fast.

Hopkins Medicine – Keep Your Brain Young with Music: If you want to firm up your body, head to the gym. If you want to exercise your brain, listen to music.

“There are few things that stimulate the brain the way music does,” says one Johns Hopkins otolaryngologist. “If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool. It provides a total brain workout.”

Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

Berkeley Wellness – 7 Surprising Ways Your Body Changes With Age: Most of us are all too familiar with seeing or feeling our body change as we get older: Joints stiffen, hairlines recede, jowls form, and skin wrinkles (bummer!). But over time, other changes occur that are less obvious—literally from our heads down to our toes. As they say, we get wiser with age. Now we know we also get wider, longer, and deeper in certain aspects.

Hopkins Medicine – Stress Management: Important at Any Age
: Retirement is the time in your life when you can finally throw out the alarm clock and set your own schedule. This new freedom may sound idyllic, but for the millions of adults heading into retirement, it can be a recipe for stress if caution isn’t taken.

Hopkins Medicine – 5 “Little” Health Issues That May Be Bigger Than You Think: Maybe you “leak” a little when you laugh. Don’t enjoy intimacy with your partner the way you used to? Or are you becoming more and more forgetful? Should you tell the doctor—or shrug it off as just aging?

“Definitely talk with your health care provider,” says Johns Hopkins geriatrician Alicia Arbaje, M.D., M.P.H. “Our bodies are smart. They’ll warn us about big health problems years in advance—with little concerns that, if caught early, can be treated with your doctor’s help.” 

Cancer.org – Colorectal Cancer: Catching It Early (Infographic): Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the US. Routine testing can help prevent colorectal cancer or find it at an early stage, when it’s smaller and easier to treat. If it’s found early, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. Many more lives could be saved by understanding colorectal cancer risks, increasing screening rates, and making lifestyle changes.

Hopkins Medicine – Heart-Healthy Eating on a Budget: It’s a myth that eating healthy has to cost big bucks. “You can spend much the same as you do now and wind up with a heart-healthier diet,” says Kerry Stewart, Ed.D., professor of medicine in the cardiology division at Johns Hopkins and director of Clinical and Research Physiology. It comes down to making smarter choices. Here are some ideas for eating better without spending more..

WebMD – Avoiding Problem Foods as You Age: It may be surprising, but foods can affect how your medicine works. That’s why it’s always best to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should avoid any foods. For example, if you take medicine for high blood pressure, anxiety, or insomnia, grapefruit juice may interact with your drugs. Don’t miss out on the vitamin C and potassium that grapefruit holds. Instead, enjoy other citrus fruits like oranges and limes. But check the labels of other juices before you drink them. Some may contain grapefruit juice.

WebMD – The Truth About Exercising and Aging: You can come up with a million reasons for not being physically active. Some might even be valid. But know this: Stillness is bad. Roughly 3.2 million people die each year because of physical inactivity. Regular exercise, especially among older adults, is critical to good health.

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Berkeley Wellness –Using Cleaning Products Safely: As Covid-19 continues its sweep across the country, the CDC urges Americans to regularly clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces to help slow the virus’s spread. In our zeal to clean and disinfect doorknobs, countertops, and cell phones, we could be exposing ourselves—as well as our children and grandchildren—to a brew of toxic chemicals.

EPA – List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s infographic on six steps for safe & effective disinfectant use and how to use surface disinfectant products.

Heart.org – 5 More Reasons to Eat More Color (Infographic): Colorful, delicious and nutritious foods help keep our bodies and minds healthier, longer.

Heart.org – 4 Ways to Get Good Fats (Infographic): Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats as part of a healthy eating pattern. Unsaturated fats can help lower bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and they provide essential nutrients your body needs. Here are four easy and delicious ways  to get more of the good fats.

Berkeley Wellness – How to Fortify Your Immune System: As medical and public health experts around the world continue to warn about the dangers of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, one message is abundantly clear—if you’re an older adult, you’re at increased risk of severe disease and death. That’s because your immune system doesn’t function as well as you grow older, making you more vulnerable to infection. What’s more, older people often have chronic medical conditions that can further weaken the immune system or make it harder to fight the infection.

CDC – Adults: What Vaccines Do You Need?:  Complete a brief checklist and get a personalized list of vaccines you may need.

John Hopkins Medicine – Age-Defying Energy Levels: Getting older doesn’t automatically mean less vibrancy and vigor, or lower energy levels—no matter what our youth-obsessed culture would have you believe. That said, there are a few key principles that can give you a boost as you age.

Berkeley Wellness – A Walking Workout: One of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives is that it has deprived many of us of our customary forms of exercise, such as gym workouts and group sports. (Another way is how we are eating.) To maintain fitness, health, and indeed sanity, many people have turned to walking (along with running and cycling)—which is fine to do outside as long as you keep your distance from others by observing the 6-foot rule (even in states where lockdown restrictions are being eased) and wear a face mask if you can’t avoid passing too close to other people on your walk.

CDC – Heat and Older Adults:  People aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. If you’re an older adult or a caretaker, review information on how you or the person you’re caring for can stay safe during the heat.

National Institutes of Health – Older Adults and Depression: As you get older, you may go through a lot of changes—death of loved ones, retirement, stressful life events, or medical problems. It’s normal to feel uneasy, stressed, or sad about these changes. But after adjusting, many older adults feel well again. Depression is different. It is a medical condition that interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It is not a normal part of aging, a sign of weakness, or a character flaw. Many older adults with depression need treatment to feel better.

June 2020 – Healthy Aging Resources

American Cancer Society – Prostate Cancer: Informed Decision-Making: This video from the American Cancer Society discusses informed decision making options on prostate cancer. For more information about prostate cancer and different treatment options, please visit cancer.org

Berkeley Wellness – Meet Your New Nutrition Label:  If you’re among the many grocery shoppers who regularly use the Nutrition Facts label on food packages to help guide what you buy, you likely have noticed big changes of late. To reflect the latest nutrition research, the iconic label mandated by the FDA has undergone its biggest revision since it was introduced more than a quarter century ago.

Harvard Health – 12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young: Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline is common, and it’s one of the most feared consequences of aging. But cognitive impairment is not inevitable. Here are 12 ways you can help maintain brain function.

May 2020 – Healthy Aging Resources 

Harvard Health: Focus on Concentration: Everyone’s attention can drift at times, like when you lose your concentration for a moment while doing routine tasks. Many people shrug off these lapses in focus as “senior moments,” but they might be related to a vulnerable brain process called executive function. “Your brain’s executive function helps you plan, make decisions, and — perhaps most important — pay attention,” says Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “It acts much like the captain of the ship.”

Mayo Clinic: Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity: You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.

Medical News Today: Targeted lifestyle changes could delay memory loss: Researchers from Kings College London in the United Kingdom suggest that certain lifestyle aspects, such as diet and exercise, influence brain aging via specific molecular pathways.

AAFA – Eczema, Hand-Washing and the New Coronavirus (COVID-19): Protecting Yourself and Your Skin: Proper hand-washing is one of the best ways to prevent spreading viruses, like the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and the flu. But when you have a skin condition like eczema (atopic dermatitis or dyshidrotic eczema), washing your hands often can lead to dry and cracked skin, itchiness, pain and possibly infection. So how can people with eczema protect their skin while protecting themselves from the coronavirus? CDC – When and How to Wash Your Hands: Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy. National Institutes of Health – Health Tips for Older Adults: As you grow older, you go through many changes, and you may need to adjust your lifestyle for healthy aging. Healthy eating and regular physical activity can be keys to good health at any age. Making suitable lifestyle choices may also prevent some health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. WebMD – Energy-Boosting Foods for COPD: Eating right may help boost your energy when you have COPD. If you’re losing a lot of weight, a few “comfort foods” may return to your diet. Breathing burns 10 times more calories when you have COPD. For people who are watching their weight, smaller portions of the nutrient-packed foods in this slide show will keep calories in check and provide the fuel your body needs to help you feel your best.
Berkeley Wellness – Better Balance: A Daily Program: Balance is important in many daily activities but is often taken for granted. It can decline with age and increase your risk of a fall. To test your balance, stand in front of a secure surface or object you can grab (if necessary). Without holding on to anything, close your eyes and slowly lift one foot. See how long you can stand on the other foot unaided: 15 seconds is considered good for older adults (but you needn’t stop there; longer is better). Cancer.org – Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer: Many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by something that isn’t cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. In many cases, people who have these symptoms do not have cancer. Still, if you have any of these problems, it is a sign that you should go to the doctor so the cause can be found and treated. CDC – Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight: A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet or healthy eating plan. So how do you choose a healthy eating plan? Let’s begin by defining what a healthy eating plan is. CDC – What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs: Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu viruses in your body. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from a health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.

February 2020 – Healthy Aging Resources

Berkeley Wellness – Yoga for Better Blood Pressure: Yoga combines physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. In recent years, yoga has grown in popularity for both its gentle, low-impact approach and its associated health benefits, including lower blood pressure Harvard Health – Easing into Exercise: Are you one of those people whose typical day includes doing chores around the house and yard, running errands, and caring for a spouse, grandkids, or pets? Having a busy, active life is one reason people think they don’t need to set aside time devoted solely to exercise, says Gisele Bousquet, program director at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Foxborough, Mass. Harvard Health – Swap Out A Sweet Drink To Reduce Your Diabetes Risk: Replacing just one sugary drink each day with water may reduce your risk of developing diabetes, according to a study published online Oct. 3, 2019, by Diabetes Care. Researchers from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health looked at more than two decades’ worth of data collected in three long-term studies, involving more than 192,000 adults. By tracking beverage intake over time, they found that people who increased their consumption of sugary drinks (including 100% fruit juice) by more than 4 ounces a day over four years had a 16% increase in diabetes risk over the next four years. Heart.Org – How to Help Prevent Heart Disease At Any Age: You’re never too young— or too old — to take care of your heart. Preventing heart disease (and all cardiovascular diseases) means making smart choices now that will pay off the rest of your life. Lack of exercise, a poor diet and other unhealthy habits can take their toll over the years. Anyone at any age can benefit from simple steps to keep their heart healthy during each decade of life.

January 2020 – Healthy Aging Resources

Berkeley Wellness – Got Migraines? Get Moving: It might seem counterintuitive to assume that more exercise—more pounding, more sweating—could reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, but that’s what some preliminary research has found. These headaches affect an estimated 11 percent of the global population, including children. Harvard Health – Improving Memory: In many ways, our memories shape who we are. They make up our internal biographies—the stories we tell ourselves about what we’ve done with our lives. They tell us who we’re connected to, who we’ve touched during our lives, and who has touched us. In short, our memories are crucial to the essence of who we are as human beings. Harvard Health – Is Exercise Good for Arthritis? One reader asks, “I have arthritis and my doctor recommended I start exercising, but I’m worried it will make my pain worse. Should I follow her advice?” Find out what the doctors say. Medical News Today – Belly Fat May Reduce Mental Agility from Midlife Onward: A study of thousands of middle-aged and older people has linked having more body fat and less muscle mass to changes in mental flexibility with age. The research also suggests that changes to the immune system may play a role.

December 2019 – Healthy Aging Resources

FDA – Food Safety For Older Adults: A need-to-know guide Adults for those 65 years of age and older. Food safety is important for everyone—but it’s especially important for you. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration have prepared this booklet.It is designed to provide practical guidance on how to reduce your risk of food borne illness.In addition to this guide, we encourage you tocheck with your physician or health care provider to identify foods and other products that you should avoid. Healthline – Listening to music while driving may put the brakes on driving stress: When you’re stuck in heavy traffic, it’s very common to feel stressed. Many things can go wrong while you’re on the road, causing your heart to race and your blood pressure to soar. Research indicates that the stress of your daily commute may take its toll over time. Driving stress has been implicated as a risk factor of both heart disease and heart attack. You don’t have to succumb to this stress, however. Researchers say your best weapon against it may, in fact, be your car stereo. Medical News Today – Plan-based diet may prevent cognitive decline: New research finds that following a diet rich in plant-based foods and low in animal products during midlife is associated with a significantly lower risk of cognitive impairment later in life. NIH – Health tips for older adults: Healthy eating and regular physical activity are your keys to good health at any age. They may lower your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. They may even help you ward off depression and maintain orthopedic health (related to bones and muscles). Among older people, being underweight is of concern and may be related to not having enough to eat, not eating enough foods that are nutrient dense, or having an illness or disease.

November 2019 – Healthy Aging Resources

CDC – Check-Up Checklist: Things to Do Before Your Next Check-Up: Getting check-ups is one of many things you can do to help stay healthy and prevent disease and disability. You’ve made the appointment to see your health care provider. You’ve reviewed the instructions on how to prepare for certain tests. You’ve done the usual paperwork. Done, right? Not quite. Before your next check-up, make sure you do these four things. Diabetes.org – Eating doesn’t have to be boring: It’s all about finding the right balance that works for you. When you’re managing diabetes, your eating plan is a powerful tool. But eating healthy can feel boring and dull, right? Well, it doesn’t have to because there are tons of things you can do to add flavor to your daily routine—including healthy twists on your favorite foods. Medical News Today – How a high salt diet may lead to cognitive decline: New research suggests that a diet high in salt may promote cognitive decline by destabilizing levels of the protein tau. Excessive levels of tau are a hallmark of dementia.

October 2019 – Healthy Aging Resources

Kaiser Permanente – Heartburn or Heart Attack? Hot to Tell the Difference: Chest pain can be scary. And it’s not always easy to tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack — especially since heartburn-like symptoms can be from a heart attack. Columbus Batiste, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief of cardiology at Kaiser Permanente’s Riverside and Moreno Valley Medical Centers in Southern California, breaks down the symptoms — and details the importance of knowing if you’re at risk for heart disease. Kaiser Permanente (Video) – Control Urinary Incontinence: Bladder control tips for women. MDVIP – 7 Drug-Free Sleep Solutions: 46 percent of older Americans have trouble falling asleep one or more nights per week, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging. One in three older adults use medication for their insomnia. While sleeping pills (and even the supplement melatonin), do have their place, they’re not always necessary. Most of the time, sleep problems can be solved with other methods.

September 2019 – Healthy Aging Resources

Medical News Today – Mild Cognitive Impairment: Research shows that adults with mild cognitive impairment who practice mindfulness meditation could experience a boost in cognitive reserve.

Medical News Today – Social Activity in Your 60s May Lower Dementia Risk by 12%: New research over a 28-year follow-up period finds significant evidence that frequent social contact at the age of 60 can lower the risk of developing dementia later on.

US News – Take a New View of Aging: The way you view aging can affect how well you manage stress. Older people who see aging negatively have stronger (negative) emotional reactions to day-to-day stresses, while such events have little effect on the moods of adults who are more positive about getting older. Their sunny outlook acts as a buffer against little annoyances.

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