Catherine Zeta-Jones - United Service Association For Health Care

total
h e a &wellness
lt h
For Members of
United Service
Association
For Health Care
fall 2011
SPRING
2009
Catherine
Zeta-Jones
in
Her Newest Role
plus
More Food ...
and Fewer Pounds?
and
Build Your Own
Boot Camp
Workout
contents
FALL 2011
total
H E A &&wellness
LT
H
wellness
For Members of
United Service
Association
For Health Care
FALL ����
SPRING
����
Catherine
Zeta-Jones
in
Her Newest Role
TOTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Executive Director: M. Cranon
Quality Assurance: T. Barton
Account Supervisors: B. Mayer and R. Davis
Compliance Analyst: C. Mangrum
3
Basic Training: Build Your Own
Boot-Camp Workout
4
New Weapons in the Fight Against
a Major Cancer Killer
5
Medicine 2.0: How Technology
Can Help Your Health
6
Five Great Lunches for Kids
7
The New Diet Math: More Food Equals Fewer Pounds
800-USA-1187
8
Playing It Safe—How to Choose Your Children’s Toys
Editorial Advisory Board
12
Is Depression in Your DNA?
Dermatology, The University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas, TX
13
Q & A: How to Teach Empathy to Children and Teens
14
Congratulations to USA+ Scholarship Winner Chelsea Zenk!
15
Your “New” Health Care Team
16
Taste the Zest of Health with Citrus Fruits
17
Heartburn Medicine May Put Your Bones at Risk
Julie Waltz Kembel, M.S., Ed., CHES, Education
Director, Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ
18
Caregivers Need Care, Too!
Don R. Powell, Ph.D., President and CEO, American
Institute for Preventative Medicine, Farmington Hills, MI
19
All About Andrographis: Can It Treat the Common Cold?
plus
More Food ...
and Fewer Pounds?
and
Build Your Own
Boot Camp
Workout
5426M_USA_FA11.indd 1
Total Health & Wellness is published by United
Service Association For Health Care. This information is
intended to educate the public about subjects pertinent
to their health, not as a substitute for consultation with
a personal physician. © 2011 Printed in the U.S.A.
10/20/11 2:59 PM
[ cover story ]
A New Kind of Role for
Catherine Zeta-Jones
A page 9
United Service Association For Health Care is an
organization that provides privileges and services
that promote the health and welfare of its members.
For more information, please contact:
United Service Association For Health Care
P.O. Box 200905
Arlington, TX 76006-0095
David S. Alkek, M.D., Clinical Professor of
Joseph D. Beasley, M.D., Director, The Institute
of Health Policy and Practice, Amityville, NY
Kathie Davis, Executive Director, IDEA Health &
Fitness Association, San Diego, CA
Sidney Friedlaender, M.D., Clinical Professor
of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Charles M. Ginsburg, M.D., Professor and Chairman
of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Susan Johnson, Ed.D., Director, Continuing Education,
The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX
Charles F. Seifert, Pharm.D., Director of Clinical
Pharmacy Services, Rapid City Regional Hospital,
Rapid City, SD
Kathryn K. Waldrep, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Medical City
Dallas, Dallas, TX
Arthur H. White, M.D., Medical Director, San
Francisco Spine Institute, Daly City, CA
Cover photo: Catherine Zeta Jones attends the
after-party for the opening night of the Broadway
show A Little Night Music in New York, Sunday,
Dec. 13, 2009.
(Charles Sykes/AP Images for TV Land)
2 Total Health & Wellness fall 2011
[ healthy L i v ing ]
Basic Training: Build Your Own
Boot-Camp Workout
you don’t necessarily have to hit the gym to have a great workout. you can get physically fit
right in the comfort of your own home.
A Does winter weather have you camping out on
the couch? It’s time to join the ranks of the
physically active. Studies show everyone from
obese children to frail older adults can benefit
from home-based exercise programs.
This season, stay in shape with your own
at-home boot-camp style workout—no
personal trainer, fancy equipment, or gym
membership required. The secret to this
trendy tone-up is mixing calorie-burning
cardio intervals with moves that build
strength using the weight of your own body.
Here’s how.
The Warm-Up: Start with five to 10 minutes
of easy motion, such as walking in place or
riding a stationary bike.
The Moves: Choose eight to 10 strengthtraining moves that work all your major
muscle groups: legs, hips, back, abdomen,
chest, shoulders, and arms. Here are a few
favorites:
• Push-ups, for your arms, chest, and
shoulders. Make sure your palms are flat
and your hands are shoulder-width apart.
Slowly lower your body to the floor,
bending your elbows. Push back upward
against the floor until your arms are fully
extended. Repeat 12 to 20 times.
• Bridge, for your abs, butt, and hips. Lie on
your back with your knees bent and your
feet flat on the floor. Contract your abs and
glutes, exhale, and lift your hips off the
floor. Inhale and lower down to starting
position. Repeat 12 to 20 times.
• Squats, for your hips, thighs, and butt.
Stand in front of a sturdy, armless chair.
Place your feet slightly wider than
shoulder-width apart. Extend your arms
in front of you. Slowly bend your knees
and lower yourself down until you’re
almost seated, taking care not to extend
your knees past your toes. Slowly rise back
to a standing position. If this move is too
difficult, you can use your hands for help.
Repeat 10 times.
The Intervals: After every two strength-training moves, do 60 seconds of cardiovascular exercise. This could be
anything that gets your heart
pumping, from jumping rope
to dancing to fast-paced
housecleaning.
The Cool-Down: When you’re
done, do another five to 10
minutes of gentle motion to
lower your heart rate.
Mini-Exercise
Breaks
For your good health, exercise for at least
30 minutes most days of the week. But if you
are too busy to walk, bicycle, or do some
other exercise for half an hour, start with
mini-exercise periods. Young women who
exercised just 10 minutes a day said the brief
exercise breaks made them feel happier,
stronger, and less tired.
The Payoff: This type of workout can burn
up to 600 calories an hour, according to a
study by the American Council on Exercise.
It also strengthens your muscles and
improves your endurance, and you’ll have
fun in the process.
As with any fitness routine, check with
your doctor before beginning if you’re 35 or
older, obese, have heart disease or another
chronic health condition, or have had recent
surgery. •
Check www.fitness.gov for a wealth of
information on ways to add physical
fitness to your everyday routine.
We value your membership and are here to assist you should you need us. Please contact us at 800-872-1187.
www.usahc.com 3
[ H ealthy C hoices ]
New Weapons in the Fight Against
a Major Cancer Killer
colorectal cancer is ths second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the united states. luckily,
you have an arsenal of weapons to help you defeat this disease. find out what they are below.
A
Getting older, a family history, having
inflammatory bowel disease. Some
risk factors for colorectal cancer—
the second leading cause of cancer
death in America—are out of our
hands. Others, however, are
within our control. These include
eating right, exercising, and
staying at a healthy weight.
Doctors think healthy habits like
these could avert about 70 percent of
colorectal cancer cases. That makes
the disease more preventable than
most other malignancies. And
based on new research, doctors
may soon add even more
actionable items to the list.
New Prospects for Prevention
The latest studies show links
between reduced colorectal
cancer risk and:
• High levels of HDL, or “good,”
cholesterol. An HDL level of 60 mg/
dL or higher has been shown to be best
for heart health. However, a study in the
journal Gut found that levels of about 70.4
mg/dL decreased the risk of colon cancer
by 45 percent compared with counts below
45 mg/dL.
• Pain-relieving medicines. Taking drugs like
aspirin or ibuprofen daily or weekly was
linked to lower cancer risk, found a study
in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
People with a family history of the disease
benefited most.
• Yogurt. Men who ate 3 ounces per day of
yogurt and women who ate about 3.5
ounces were less likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who ate none, report
4 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
findings in the International
Journal of Cancer.
• Watching what you eat. Women
who say they pay no attention
to their diet—eating anything
at any time—are about 30
percent more likely to develop
colorectal cancer than those
who don’t report this behavior.
More research is needed
before these methods are
widely recommended.
Some are already known to
be good for your heart, such
as increasing good
cholesterol. However,
others have side effects.
For instance, painkillers can
contribute to ulcers and
stomach bleeding, so talk with your doctor
before making changes to your habits.
Screenings Save Lives
In the meantime, scientists do know that six
of every 10 colon cancer deaths could be
prevented if all adults ages 50 and older were
screened for the disease. Most men and
women should get at least one test, such as a
colonoscopy, between ages 50 and 75. Ask
your doctor about the best screening schedule
for you. •
For more cancer-fighting tips, please
visit the online home of the National
Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov. To
access the section about colon cancer,
simply click on the Colon and Rectal
Cancer link.
Slash Colorectal Cancer Risk by
Kicking the Habit
Another reason to quit smoking: Lower your odds for colorectal cancer. More than 100,000 older
adults were asked about their smoking history. During a 13-year period, 1,962 cases of colorectal
cancer occurred. Risk for the cancer was 23 percent higher in former smokers than in those who
never smoked. However, for those who quit, risk went down. Those who hadn’t smoked in more than
30 years were not at significantly higher risk than those who had never smoked. Among current
smokers, risk increased with more years of smoking. Those who had been smoking for 50-plus years
had an 82 percent higher risk than those who had never smoked.
[ healthy C H O I C E S ]
Medicine 2.0: How Technology
Can Help Your Health
phones aren’t just for calling people anymore. technological breakthroughs over the years have
made smartphones, and other high-tech gadgets, valuable sources of health-related information.
A You may already use Facebook to find old friends
and your smartphone to check email. But did
you know high-tech gadgets and networks
can also connect you with medical resources?
Depending on your health needs, technology
may be just what the doctor ordered. If
you’re looking for:
• Up-to-the-minute news about disease
outbreaks and disasters: Turn to Twitter.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention sends instant updates, or
“tweets,” that are 140 characters or less.
Read them at twitter.com/CDCemergency
and twitter.com/CDCgov.
• Personal stories about a medical condition:
Search blogs and the video site YouTube.
About 30 percent of patients who go online
already turn to blogs to read about others’
health experiences. One recently published
study found cancer survivors and caregivers
who share their stories on video improve
their own health in addition to that of
their audience.
• A deeper connection: Find an online support
group. Those at www.dailystrength.org, for
instance, cover conditions from acne to
Zellweger syndrome.
• Help managing chronic conditions: Try a
smartphone. Programs for these phones are
called applications or apps. Some might
give you reminders about checking your
blood glucose if you have diabetes. Others
can send test results to your doctor. You
can also download a stress management
app from the Department of Defense at
www.t2health.org/apps/breathe2relax.
• Health messages to share with friends and
family: Send an e-card. Have a cousin who
is newly pregnant or a parent with
diabetes? Share words of support that link
to reliable medical information. Find a few
at www.cdc.gov/ecards or www.niaid.nih.
gov/ecards.
• Timely reminders about health topics and
wellness events: Find out on Facebook.
Hospitals are most likely to post news and
health messages on Facebook, the largest
social-media site. Associations such as the
American Academy of Family Physicians
and the National Institutes of Health
(www.facebook.com/nih.gov) also provide
Facebook updates about medical issues.
Blogging for the
Health of It
Take steps to ensure your high-tech sources
are reliable. Look first to pages and services
sponsored by reputable organizations.
These include the U.S. government, a
university, a national association
such as the American Heart
Association, or a hospital. Also,
carefully check privacy policies
before sharing personal
information. •
50 million blogs.
Writing about their illnesses has helped people
with diseases from asthma and cancer to
post-traumatic stress disorder. Now, many share
their experiences in online weblogs or blogs.
Diabetes bloggers have even grown numerous
enough to earn the nickname d-bloggers.
For a listing of blogs on various illnesses, check
out technorati.com, which tracks more than
Looking for more trustworthy health information? Be sure to visit
www.healthfinder.
gov, hosted by the U.S.
Department of Health
& Human Services.
www.usahc.com 5
[ H ealthy C hoices ]
Five Great Lunches for Kids
Low on lunch box ideas? sink your teeth into this! your kids will be sure to love these tasty
treats—and they’re easy to prepare, too!
A
when you plan meals at home, you
include grains, fruits, and
vegetables with fish, lean
poultry, or meat. The
same rules apply when
you pack a school lunch
for your child.
Supermarkets now carry
whole-grain products you
could once find only in
health-food stores.
That’s the ideal. Then there’s reality.
Children have their own ideas of what’s cool,
and they may not score well on nutrition.
Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of wholesome
variations of children’s favorites, says
Marilyn K. Tanner-Blasiar, R.D., an
American Dietetic Association spokeswoman.
For example, if your child doesn’t like
whole-wheat bread, opt for whole-grain
crackers, whole-grain pasta salad, or
air-popped popcorn. “Read ingredient lists.
The first ingredient should be a whole grain.
Watch the fat content as well. Look for 8
percent or less of calories coming from fat,”
says Tanner-Blasiar.
Most children don’t get enough fruits and
vegetables. Turn that around with healthy
lunch-bag extras. Fruits and vegetables that
are peeled, sliced, or bite-sized are easy to eat.
“Cherries, when in season, are awesome.
Cherry tomatoes are easy to pick up,”
Tanner-Blasiar says.
Protein is easy: Go with peanut butter, she
says. For a change, try turkey or low-fat ham.
“Avoid salami and sausage that’s high in fat.
Even low-fat lunchmeats are OK,” says
Tanner-Blasiar.
Just Add Milk Money to These Five Packables
• Sort of Sushi. Spread ½ cup cooked brown
rice on a whole-wheat flour tortilla.
Arrange ½ cup cooked chicken breast strips
and a couple of thin cooked broccoli spears
on one end. Sprinkle lightly with reduced-
6 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
sodium soy sauce. Tightly roll up and slice
into 2-inch pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap.
Add orange segments.
• Seashell Salad. Combine ½ cup cooked
whole-wheat seashell pasta, 3 ounces
canned tuna, ¼ cup shredded carrots, and
enough low-fat salad dressing to moisten.
Pack in a container. Add a sliced apple and
honey-yogurt dip.
• Snacker’s Special. Combine ½ cup wholegrain toasted oat cereal, ¼ cup roasted soy
nuts or peanuts, 1 cup air-popped popcorn,
and ¼ cup diced dried apples in a plastic
bag. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and shake
well. Add a bag of cherry tomatoes and a
stick of string cheese.
• Pita with PB and B. Slice open two mini
whole-wheat pita breads. Spread 1
tablespoon peanut butter on each. Top with
thin banana slices and close. Add a small
peeled cucumber (cut into spears) and a
container of reduced-fat ranch dressing.
• Bacon Crunchers. Lightly spread honey
mustard on four whole-wheat bagel chips.
Cut two cooked Canadian bacon slices to
fit, then place them on top of the bagel
chips. Cover with baby spinach and close
with bagel chips. Add a bag of strawberries.•
Hankering for more healthy recipe
ideas? Check the website for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Just visit
healthymeals.nal.usda.gov.
[ healthy L i v ing ]
The New Diet Math:
More Food Equals Fewer Pounds
you don’t necessarily have to eat less to lose weight, according to new research. sound too good
to be true? find out below.
A
Eat more. Weigh less. Sound too good to be true?
It isn’t—as long as you’re eating more of the
right foods. New research highlights exactly
how you can pile your plate high but still
shed pounds.
Some Foods Do More with Less
There’s still no magic diet pill that can melt
fat. However, the latest studies show certain
foods can fill your belly, curb cravings, and
cut your calorie count.
For a new study in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, researchers added extra
pureed vegetables to some meals. Study
participants ate 200 to 350 fewer calories
without noticing a taste difference. They
also boosted their daily nutrient intake
from veggies.
People new to spicy foods who added
1 gram of red chili pepper to meals ate about
65 fewer calories at the next meal. They also
reported fewer cravings for salty, sweet, or
fatty foods.
Kids who were served a small bowl of
vegetable soup before a pasta dish
consumed fewer calories overall. The same
group of researchers previously found
similar results in adults.
Vegetables and soups fill you up with water
and fiber, experts point out. And hot pepper
may not only help curb your appetite for
unhealthy foods, it also may stoke your
metabolism so that you burn more calories
even after you dine.
how you can transform this unhealthy
classic:
• Choose whole wheat pasta instead of white,
refined noodles.
• Use non-fat milk instead of whole milk,
and light cream cheese instead of full-fat
cheddar.
• Stir in cooked, pureed cauliflower, squash,
or carrots.
• Also add spinach, tomatoes, or another
favorite veggie.
• Sprinkle with hot red pepper or another
source of spice.
variety of colorful veggies, and avoid
unnecessary extras like high-fat dressings,
chunks of cheese, or bacon bits.
For the greatest weight loss and health
gain, combine a lower-calorie diet with at
least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, four to six
times per week. •
There are ten simple steps that can help
you start eating healthy and exercising
right. Find out what they are at
www.fitness.gov/10tips.htm.
Serve your redesigned casserole after a
soup or salad. Choose a soup that’s
broth-based, not creamy, and
packs plenty of vegetables. Stack salads
with a wide
Try It at Home Tonight
You can use these findings to give your
favorite recipes a makeover, slashing calories
without sacrificing satisfaction. Take
macaroni and cheese, for instance. Here’s
www.usahc.com 7
[ H ealthy L I V I N G ]
Q & A: Playing It Safe—
How to Choose Your Children’s Toys
the toys that can help your children grow and learn can also cause injuries. see below for some
tips on how to keep your child safe.
A keeping your child safe can be child’s play
if you consider the answers to the questions
below before and after you buy toys.
How Can I Choose Safe Toys?
• Read the labels to select toys meant for
your child’s age group and abilities.
• Think big. To prevent choking, go for toys
and parts that are larger than a young
child’s mouth.
• Choose only paints, crayons, and markers
that are labeled non-toxic.
• Buy electric toys only if they carry the “UL
Approved” label.
• This label means the toy has been tested by
a product safety organization. The toys are
periodically checked where they are made
to make sure they meet safety requirements.
How Can I Store Them Safely?
When storing toys, consider the safety of all
the children in your house. A box or basket
without a lid makes the safest toy chest.
How Can I Make Sure Crib Toys Are Safe for My Child?
• Make sure construction is sturdy. On a
stuffed animal, seams should be sewn
tightly and loose strings or ribbons
removed.
• Avoid toys with pellet stuffing. You can feel
these pellets that could pose a choking risk.
• To prevent strangulation, hang crib
mobiles only by short strings or wires, and
be sure crib gyms are securely installed.
Mobiles should stay out of reach. Remove
hanging crib toys as soon as your baby
pushes up on hands and knees—usually at
about five months.
8 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
• While your child sleeps, remove rattles,
squeeze toys, and teethers from the crib.
Never fasten such toys around your baby’s
neck.
What Kinds of Toys Pose a Danger
to Crawling Babies and Toddlers?
• Small balls and marbles present big
choking risks for babies who like to mouth
objects.
• Bypass toys with sharp edges or those made
from breakable materials.
• Keep toys with metal parts away from
babies and toddlers.
What Kinds of Toys Pose a Danger to all Children?
• About 10 American youngsters die from
choking on balloons each year. To be safe,
store balloons out of reach. Deflate and
throw them out after use.
• Toys that shoot small objects can cause eye
injuries or choking.
• Shrill or loud toys can pose a risk to your
child’s hearing. Test the toy in the store to
make sure it’s not too loud.
• Darts or arrows for older children should
have securely fastened tips that are both
blunt and flexible.
• Be careful with small batteries. They are
toxic and can also pose a choking risk. •
co v er story
] ]
[ healthy
L i v ing
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Stars in a NEW
Kind of Role
By going public with news of her bipolar II
disorder, famed actress hopes to educate
world about this highly manageable ailment.
AP Photo/Darla Khazei
For superstar actress Catherine Zeta-Jones,
it should have been a supremely happy moment. read more A
Catherine Zeta Jones with Sean Kelly, aged nine (left), and Liam Barker, aged 13, both from Cardiff, in the children’s play room during a visit to the Children’s
Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where she and her husband Michael Douglas met staff and children. The film star couple appealed for donations to help complete
the next stage of work four years after they officially opened the hospital. Ben Birchall/PA Wire URN: 9717872 (Press Association via AP Images)
A There she was, standing at center
stage in front of 13,000 adoring
fans in her native Wales . . .
where she visited last year in
order to welcome global
competitors to the worldrenowned Ryder Cup golf classic.
Resplendent in her trademark
fiery-red dress and her dazzling
pendant earrings, the Academy
Award winner had come home
to Cardiff, Wales in September
of 2010 as a triumphantly
successful actress.
But as soon as she began to
address the worshipful throng
of golf-lovers, her voice broke
and she found herself on the
verge of tears.
“Michael is holding up very,
very well,” she told the thousands of fans who’d gathered in
Cardiff ’s Millennium Stadium.
Then her voice wobbled
10 Total Health & Wellness fall 2011
dangerously . . . as she described
the medical treatment her
famous husband—actor-producer
Michael Douglas—was at that
moment undergoing for stage IV
throat cancer.
“Everyone couldn’t be happier
with his progress,” said the star
of such knockout film hits as
Traffic (2000) and Chicago (2002).
Then, as she struggled again to
maintain her composure: “He’s
holding up with great strength
and dignity!”
As the now 42-year-old
Zeta-Jones would later confess,
she was working hard to keep her
surging emotions under control
during that high-voltage
appearance in her native country.
What she didn’t know then,
however, was that the stress from
her husband’s battle with cancer
had set off a devastating episode
of her own “bipolar II” mental
disorder. (Nor did she know that
stress is a well-known trigger for
acute attacks of the illness,
according to most mental health
researchers.)
Increasingly distraught and
on the edge of a nervous collapse,
the gutsy actress didn’t learn
about the severity of her own
illness until last April . . . when
she announced through a press
aide that she was entering a
Connecticut mental health
facility for a five-day treatment
program.
Like more than 2 million other
Americans, Zeta-Jones is now
battling a chronic disorder (also
known as “manic depression”)
that will be with her for the rest
of her life.
But the good news for these
patients is that the condition—
which is caused by a combination
of genetic and environmental
factors, according to health
researchers—can usually be
managed effectively, often with a
combination of carefully targeted
medications and psychotherapy.
For Zeta-Jones, whose huge
gift for musical comedy has made
her one of the world’s most
sought-after actresses, the
medical news was especially
good. Because she has the less
severe “bipolar II” form of the
disorder, she’s far less vulnerable
to devastating mood swings than
those who must struggle with the
harsher “bipolar I”. As a result,
she can expect to live a productive and healthy life—provided
she carefully manages her illness
in the days ahead.
Unlike some bipolar I patients,
Zeta-Jones will probably be
“encouraged one person to seek help,
This is a disorder that affects millions of people
and I am one of them. If my revelation of having bipolar II has
then it’s worth it.
Zeta-Jones: “There’s No
Shame in Seeking Help!”
While growing up as a successful
child actress in her native Wales,
Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared in
numerous television dramas and
played a series of minor roles in
several feature films.
Her big breakthrough took
place in 1998—when she landed
a sizzling romantic part (as
“Elena”) in a runaway Hollywood blockbuster, The Mask of
Zorro. That smash hit was soon
topped by her critically acclaimed
performance in Traffic, for which
she received a Golden Globe
Award as Best Supporting Actress.
But Zeta-Jones’ astonishing
career was only beginning. A
multi-talented singer, dancer and
comic actress, she rocked
audiences to the max in 2002’s
Chicago—and wound up with an
Oscar for her unforgettable
performance in the big-screen
musical.
There was more triumph to
come. After Chicago pulled down
an astonishing $306 million at
the global box office, Zeta-Jones
would go on to star in a Zorro
sequel (2005) and then to win a
coveted Tony Award (for Best
Leading Actress) in Broadway’s
glittering A Little Night Music
(2010).
Her personal life also seemed
to be on a total upper, during
these busy years at the start of
the new millennium. Having
married Michael Douglas (her
co-star in Traffic) in 2000, she
was soon blessed with two
gorgeous children: a boy named
Dylan Michael (now 11) and a
girl, Carys Zeta (now 8).
At first glance, the Welsh
superstar appeared to be living a
fairytale life in New York City.
But then her husband was
diagnosed with throat cancer (in
the summer of 2010) . . . and the
stress-torn actress watched her
own mental condition begin to
deteriorate. By the following
spring, she would be checking
into the health care facility in
Connecticut, where she was
successfully treated for the
bipolar II ailment that had been
making her life so difficult.
These days, the courageous
Catherine Zeta-Jones says she’s
“very grateful” for her husband’s
swift recovery, and also for her
own newfound ability to
successfully manage her chronic
condition.
While reflecting on her
decision to “go public” with
news of her ailment during a
recent interview, the Silver
Screen megastar was characteristically candid about her motivation. “This is a disorder that
affects millions of people,” she
said, “and I am one of them. If
my revelation of having bipolar
II has encouraged one person to
seek help, then it’s worth it.
“There’s no need to suffer
silently—and there’s no shame in
seeking help!” •
(AP Photo/Mark Mainz)
spared the devastating “cycling”
between out-of-control mania
and brutal depression that is the
hallmark of the more threatening form of the illness, according
to medical experts.
Released from the Connecticut
facility after five days last April,
a rejuvenated Zeta-Jones
announced through a spokesperson that she was “feeling great”
... and also “looking forward to
working on two upcoming
films.”
”
Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones points to well-wishers upon arriving at
the premiere of “The Haunting,” Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the Westwood
section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
www.usahc.com 11
[ H ealthy C hoices ]
Is Depression in Your DNA?
better treatments for depression may be on the horizon. recently, scientists
isolated a specific chromosome that may provide some insight into this common
mental condition.
A Scientists have long believed depression was
partly in the genes. In fact, they estimate that
genetics explains about 40 percent of the risk
for the disease.
Now, two teams studying different groups
of people have pinpointed at least one spot in
our genes where depression may lurk. It’s on
chromosome 3, they’ve found.
Both new studies, one by British researchers and one by Americans, were published in
the American Journal of Psychiatry. The
discovery may eventually lead to better
depression treatments.
Why Genes Matter
Each one of us is born with 23 pairs of
chromosomes, structures that hold our
approximately 20,000 to 25,000 genes. Not
only do those genes determine traits like our
eye color, hair color, and height, they also
influence our health. Almost every disease is
now thought to have at least some genetic
component.
Scientists study the genes on each chromosome to help understand why some people are
more prone to certain diseases. Knowing the
genetic basis for a disease can help parents
determine if they’re likely to pass it along to
their children. And, it can help doctors
predict who will respond best to different
therapies.
Watch for Depression Signs
Even as researchers learn more about genes
and depression, they stress that other factors
also contribute to the development of the
disease. Chemical imbalances, hormones,
other illnesses, and stressful life events appear
to play a role.
In some cases, nature and nurture interact.
For example, another recent study found
experiencing the death of someone close
12 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
triggered depression in teens whose genes placed them
at risk. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of
depression. He or she can screen you carefully for
signs of depression, including:
• Feeling sad, anxious, or empty
• Restlessness and irritability
• Lack of energy
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Sudden changes in eating or sleep habits
• Thinking about, or attempting, suicide
Treatment, including medications and psychotherapy,
can help those with depression regardless of the cause.
Get help if you or a loved one has five or more
symptoms of depression for two weeks or longer. •
Depression is a treatable illness. Symptoms like
persistent sadness, changes in appetite, or
continual thoughts of suicide may be possible
warning signs. To learn more, visit the online home
of the National Institute of Mental Health at
www.nimh.nih.gov. Under the Mental Health
Information heading, click on Depression.
Battling Depression?
Help Is @ Your Fingertips
Support groups can be invaluable in helping women recover from depression—even groups without
face-to-face contact. Members who logged on to an Internet support group for at least 10 hours a month
were twice as likely to conquer their depression than were less frequent users.
Why choose an Internet group? For women who can’t talk about personal issues in front of others, the
privacy is priceless.
Importantly, the women used the group to supplement—not replace—professional care.
[ mental health ]
Q & A: How to Teach Empathy
to Children and Teens
NOT ONLY DOES EMPATHY HELP MANY CHILDREN GROW UP INTO KIND AND CARING ADULTS, THIS CHARACTER TRAIT
MAY ACTUALLY REDUCE THEIR RISK FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS LATER IN LIFE.
A Q .Why is empathy an important trait?
A. Empathy is the ability to understand
another person’s situation or feelings.
Children who are empathetic tend to be kind
and caring—even toward those who are
different than they are. Research also shows
that empathy may reduce a child’s risk of
developing behavioral problems.
The ability to step into another’s shoes
helps children socially, too. It’s easier to
converse and relate to others when you
understand their actions and objectives.
Q. At what age do children start showing empathy?
A. Children can begin expressing concern and
compassion even before their second
birthday. Research reports stories of toddlers
trying to comfort their parents who were
hurt or upset.
Q. Can you teach your kids to be more caring?
A. Experts believe so and recommend the
following strategies:
• Set a good example by expressing
kindness and caring toward your
children and toward others.
• If your child is cruel, let him know
right away that what he did was
wrong. Be firm and to the point.
• Volunteer as a family for a nursing
home or other organization.
• Involve your child in small acts
of kindness, such as helping a
neighbor.
• Check out library books or videos
that show children being caring
and responding to conflict with
words—not violence.
• Praise kids for sharing, taking
turns, and being kind to others. •
Does TV Teach
Violence?
The typical child or teenager watches nearly
three hours of television a day. Nearly two
hours of that includes some kind of violence.
So much TV violence isn’t healthy, experts
say. Before age 8, many children cannot tell
real life from fantasy. They may fear
becoming victims of violence. And it’s not just
crime or sci-fi shows that are to blame. Even
the news and commercials can traumatize
kids. Research also shows that TV can make
children aggressive.
Here are some tips for smart TV viewing:
• Limit TV to one to two hours of educational,
nonviolent programs for children ages 2
and older.
• Watch TV with your children, and help them
interpret any violent acts they see.
• Turn off the TV and spend time talking,
For more about children’s
mental health, visit
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
childmentalhealth.html.
playing, or reading together instead.
www.usahc.com 13
MEMBER
PROFILES
Congratulations,
Chelsea Zenk!
After Surviving a personal Tragedy, this young USA+ Scholarship Winner Wants to devote her
professional life to helping others. read her inspiring story below.
A
Chelsea Zenk says she’ll never forget the moment
when the notification letter arrived from
United Service Association For Health Care
(USA+). For the 18-year-old Chelsea, now a
Connecticut college student who’s preparing
to become a physical therapist, the “magical
moment” took place on a bright and sunny
morning last June.
That’s when she tore open an envelope and
learned that she’d been awarded a $5,000
USA+ scholarship to attend Sacred Heart
University in Fairfield, Conn.
“I was very thrilled, very excited,”
says Chelsea, who was an honor roll student
and the captain of the “Mountaineers” girls
lacrosse team at Housatonic Valley Regional
High School, where she graduated last spring.
“But most of all, I felt a great deal of affection
and gratitude toward my father, at that
moment.
“It was my dad who had helped me put
together my application for the USA+
scholarship,” recalls Chelsea. “Unfortunately,
he couldn’t be there to share in the good
news. But getting that letter reminded me all
over again of what a great father he had been
to me.”
Tragically, Chelsea’s dad died unexpectedly
last May, only a few weeks before she learned
that the application he’d helped her with had
won her the USA+ scholarship—several of
which are awarded annually to U.S. college
students who are preparing for careers in
health-related fields. The scholarship
winners come from families that include
members of USA+, and Chelsea’s father had
been a member since 1998. “Losing my dad has been difficult for me
and my younger sister and brother,” Chelsea
told Total Health & Wellness in a recent
interview. “It’s been a hard year, to say the
14 Total Health & Wellness fall 2011
least . . . but winning that health-education
scholarship was a bright spot.
“I’m going to use the money to pay tuition
at Sacred Heart University, where I’ll be
majoring in exercise science. They have a
very good program, and I hope this will be a
step on my road to becoming a physical
therapist. This is an area of healthcare that
I’ve been interested in since I was a child.”
For Chelsea, a resident of Kent, Conn.
whose mother Patricia is a home health care
provider, the decision to become a physical
therapist came early . . . after she broke her
thumb while sledding in the fifth grade.
“I wound up in physical therapy after the
sledding accident,” she remembers, “and I
really got interested in the process of healing
through therapy. The therapist was very
helpful and very professional, and after a
while, I realized that this was the kind of
work I wanted to do when I grew up!”
A few years later, Chelsea decided to
“shadow” a local physical therapist for a day,
in order to learn more about the healing
work they do. “That experience was also
very important in helping me choose a career
path,” she says. “I spent the day watching the
therapist work, and I saw up close how
patients were benefiting as a result.
“The thing I like most about physical
therapy is that you can really help people
who’ve been injured in an accident, or who
are struggling with physical problems caused
by aging or illness.”
Chelsea, who says she “really enjoys
pop music and reading modern novels (in
addition to playing “attack” in lacrosse),
pointed out that she’s “extremely grateful” for
the USA+ scholarship. The money will help her
pay some of the tuition bills at Sacred Heart
University during the next few years.
Thanks to a $5,000 scholarship from United
Service Association For Health Care (USA+),
Chelsea Zenk is taking the first step on the road
to becoming a physical therapist.
“I think the USA+ Scholarship Program is a
great idea,” says the cheerful Chelsea, who’s
been taking courses this fall at nearby Norwalk
Community College, while preparing to enter
the university in January of 2012.
“I’m a very hopeful person, and I’m pretty
optimistic,” she says, when you ask her to
describe her “personal outlook” on life.
“Losing my dad was very tough . . . but with
the help of this scholarship, I hope to be
improving the lives of a lot of people in the
years ahead—and I will do it in memory of
my father.” •
[ H ealthy li v ing ]
Your “New” Health Care Team
n.p., d.o., p.a.—with all of the credentials out there for health care professionals, reading about
health information can sometimes seem like you’re swimming in alphabet soup. let us help you
decode some of the more common health care credentials out there.
A
A host of medical professionals provides
diagnoses, chronic condition care, and acute
treatment in doctors’ offices and hospitals.
It’s a good idea to learn who they are and
what they do.
Americans tend to receive much of their
health care from their “personal” doctors.
These days, however, they’re likely to see a
host of other medical professionals with titles
they may not recognize.
While you may be used to getting treatment from a health care provider with a
medical degree, many studies show qualified,
certified, and licensed nurses and medical
assistants provide a continuum of care in
many settings. Here’s an inventory of a
variety of professionals who provide health
care services.
Primary Care
A primary care provider is the medical
professional you see first for checkups and
many of your health care needs. Depending
on your preferences and health care plan, you
may see the following:
• Doctor. Most people’s primary care physicians are medical doctors (M.D.s) or
doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.s)
who specialize in internal medicine, family
practice, or pediatrics.
• OB/GYN. These doctors specialize in
obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s health
care in general. Many women see these
doctors for their primary care.
• Nurse practitioner (N.P.). These nurses have
graduate degrees in nursing and can serve
as primary care providers in many
practices that serve adults, children, and
older patients. Depending on which state
they work in, N.P.s can work in clinics
with or without a doctor’s supervision,
handling a range of duties. They may
diagnose, treat, and manage diseases; do
physical exams; order procedures and lab
tests; write prescriptions; and perform
certain procedures, including some
biopsies.
• Physician assistant (P.A.). These professionals
work with M.D.s and D.O.s to provide
many services. Most P.A.s have bachelor’s
degrees along with health-related work
experience, often as emergency medical
technicians, licensed practical nurses, or
ambulance attendants. P.A.s perform many
of the same services as doctors. They may
do physical exams and diagnose and
manage diseases.
Nursing Care
Many types of nurses provide a wide range of
care in a variety of settings:
• Registered nurse (R.N.). These providers make
up the greatest number of health care
workers—some 2.6 million in the U.S.
About three out of five R.N.s work in
hospitals, where they treat and educate
patients, offer advice and support to
patients’ families, record medical histories
and symptoms, help carry out diagnostic
tests, operate medical equipment, give out
medications, and provide patient follow-up
and rehabilitation.
R.N.s can become specialists, allowing
them to work in a particular setting such as
operating rooms, with a specific health
condition, or with a certain group of
patients, such as children or the elderly.
For example, critical care nurses provide
care to patients with serious, complex
illnesses or injuries in intensive care units
in hospitals. Home health care nurses
provide nursing in people’s homes, often
following hospital discharge. Psychiatric
mental health nurses care for patients with
personality or mood disorders.
• Certified nurse midwife (C.N.M.). These
providers are trained to diagnose, treat,
and perform gynecological care for women
as well as deliver and care for newborns.
No matter whom you choose to provide your
medical care, be sure to do your part by
becoming an informed and involved
consumer. Doing so will help ensure your
chance of getting the right treatment.•
www.usahc.com 15
[ H ealthy C hoices ]
Taste the Zest of Health
with Citrus Fruits
with citrus fruits, it’s not just about vitamin c—this produce packs an
even bigger nutritional punch. learn more below.
A Fancy a fruit? Pick an orange—or a
grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, or lime.
Citrus fruits have long been hailed as
vitamin C champions, but these fruits
are packed with all sorts of nutrients
that can help us stay healthy.
For starters, vitamin C is key in
the growth and repair of all the body’s
tissues. It helps heal cuts and wounds,
keeps teeth and gums healthy, and boosts
your body’s ability to absorb iron.
Other nutrients in citrus fruits may
help protect you from heart disease.
Orange juice contains a lot of potassium—important to heart health
because it helps regulate blood pressure.
Fiber in whole fruits and juices with
pulp can reduce cholesterol, which in
turn can reduce heart disease risk. Plus,
fiber aids digestive health and may help
fight cancer.
Nutrients May Help Prevent
Other Health Conditions
Citrus fruits also contain a B vitamin
called folate, which helps your body
form red blood cells. This vitamin
reduces the risk for certain birth defects
both before and during pregnancy.
Folate is important for heart health, too.
Citrus juice—as well as other fruit
and vegetable juices—may even help
stave off Alzheimer’s disease. According
to a new study, those who drank such
juices two to three times a week had
considerably less risk of developing the
16 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
disease compared with people who
consumed juice less than once a week.
How Much Is Enough?
The government’s dietary guidelines
recommend eating at least 1½ to 2 cups
of fruit or fruit juice a day. Count a
medium grapefruit or large orange as a
cup. Whole fruit contains more fiber,
while juices can contain more concentrated nutrients—and calories.
For most women, citrus is a great
way to boost nutrition. But those who
take certain drugs for cholesterol, blood
pressure, or a heartbeat irregularity—as
well as some antihistamines—may need
to skip grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Grapefruit can speed up the rate at
which these medicines enter your body,
making side effects more likely. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist about
possible interactions with medications
you take.
Citrus may also cause digestive
problems in women who regularly
experience heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease. •
Fruits and veggies matter. They
matter so much, in fact, that the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has dedicated an entire
web page to these foods. Visit
www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov
for more.
orange-walnut salad
Sweet oranges contrast with bitter of arugula and earthly
chopped walnuts. A little bit of blue cheese adds creamy
saltiness.
2 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce
(about 6 leaves)
1 cup arugula
1 cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeds removed
and chopped
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
2 navel oranges, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon walnut oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 ounces blue cheese
1 Layer ingredients in a large salad bowl.
2 Just before serving, sprinkle with walnut oil and
vinegar and crumble blue cheese on top.
3 Toss lightly just before serving.
Makes four servings. Each serving contains about
152 calories, 6 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 12 grams
carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, and 203 milligrams
sodium.
[ DRUG HEALTH ]
Heartburn Medicine
May Put Your Bones at Risk
proton pump inhibitors are used by many americans to alleviate heartburn. but new research
indicates that ppis may be linked to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
A The “purple pill” and its brethren are no
strangers to our television screens—or our
medicine cabinets. These heartburn drugs,
called proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, are the
most popular acid-suppressive medications
used worldwide.
For this reason, recent research linking
PPIs to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and
spine fractures has doctors alarmed. The
latest findings, from The American Journal
of Medicine, suggest nearly 5 percent of all hip
fractures could be blamed on PPI use. In
another report, published in the Annals of
Family Medicine, scientists combined the
results of 11 previous studies. They found
that people who took PPIs were
significantly more likely to break
their hip bone or any other bone.
Behind the Burn
Heartburn occurs when the muscle
between your stomach and esophagus weakens, letting stomach acid
back up into your throat. PPIs stop
your stomach from producing most
of this acid. This eases painful
burning symptoms and can also
treat ulcers.
But the relief may come with unintended
side effects. Changing the acidity of your
digestive system affects your body’s ability
to absorb bone-boosting calcium. Long-term
use of PPIs may also cause vitamin B12
deficiency, damaging your nerves and
increasing your risk for falls.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
recently issued a warning about the increased
fracture risk from PPIs. People most at risk, it
noted, include:
• Those who take prescription-strength
rather than over-the-counter formulas
Changing the acidity of your
digestive system affects your
body’s ability to absorb
bone-boosting calcium.
• Adults age 50 and older
• Those who take PPIs frequently or for long
periods of time, for a year or longer
Another form of heartburn medication,
histamine-2 receptor antagonists, block about
70 percent of your stomach acid. They
haven’t shown the same link to fractures.
Other Ways to Fight the Fire
Be sure to talk with your doctor about taking
over-the-counter PPIs. Your doctor can assess
your fracture risk. If it’s high, lower doses or
different treatments may relieve your
heartburn.
Lifestyle changes can also help. Try
these drug-free solutions:
• Avoid foods and drinks that make
your heartburn worse. Common
culprits include coffee, citrus fruits,
tomato-based dishes, full-fat dairy,
and alcohol.
• Don’t smoke, or quit if you do.
• To relieve pain, take acetaminophen. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and
naproxen can irritate your stomach.
• Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing.
• Eat small meals throughout the
day, and stop at least two hours
before going to sleep.
• When in bed, raise your head six
inches above your stomach with a
wedge support. •
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
offers a web page dedicated to drug
safety. Visit it at www.fda.gov/drugs/
drugsafety.
www.usahc.com 17
[ DRUG HEALTH ]
Caregivers Need Care, Too!
millions of Americans care for a person who is disabled or ill, say researchers. But because they focus
so much attention on others’ needs, caregivers may ignore their own.
A Many of us know people who rise at 5 AM to help their ailing spouse, child,
parent, or friend get ready for the day. When they arrive back home, they
take a few minutes to review the household calendar, scanning for any
doctor’s appointments or other urgent matters before they have to dress
themselves and grab a bagel on their way out the door. Often, there isn’t a
moment to breathe.
Our families, friends and neighbors are playing out that scene, and
hundreds of similar ones, throughout the country. And for many, these
scenes are taking place right in your own neighborhood.
These people are called caregivers, and they play a very important part
in the lives of people who don’t have the abilities to care for themselves.
Some caregivers help special-needs children, while others take care of
spouses battling chronic or terminal illnesses. Still others watch over
neighbors or close friends—people who may have no family of their own.
continued on page 20
Fast Facts
about Caregiving
• More than 65 million people (29% of the U.S.
population) provide care for a chronically ill, disabled
or older family member or friend during any given year
and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing
care for their loved one. — National Alliance for
Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 51% of care recipients live in their own home, 29% live
with their family caregiver, and 4% live in nursing
homes and assisted living. — National Alliance for
Caregiving, in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 14% of family caregivers care for a special needs child
with an estimated 16.8 million caring for special needs
children under 18 years old. . — National Alliance for
Caregiving in collaboration with AARP, November 2009
• 47% of working caregivers indicate an increase in
caregiving expenses has caused them to use up ALL or
MOST of their savings. — National Alliance for
Caregiving and Evercare, March 2009
• 73% of family caregivers who care for someone over
the age of 18 either work or have worked while
providing care; 66% have had to make some
adjustments to their work life, from reporting late to
work to giving up work entirely; and 1 in 5 family
caregivers have had to take a leave of absence.
— National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration
with AARP, November 2009
18 Total Health & Wellness Fall 2011
[ whole health ]
All About Andrographis
Can this herb help treat the common cold?
in the east, people use an herb called andrographis to treat a variety of conditions, including
fevers and the common cold. now, clinical trials suggest there may be something to this herb.
A
People in India, China, and Southeast Asia with afflictions from fever
to flatulence have relied for centuries on the herb known scientifically
as Andrographis paniculata. In recent decades, andrographis has
gained popularity in the West, particularly for its potential to combat
the common cold. So far, a small number of clinical trials suggest
there may be something to it.
What It Is, What It’s Used For
Andrographis is a plant native to Asia, where it’s used in India’s
Ayurvedic health system as well as the herbal medicine systems of
China and Thailand. It’s known by several other names, including
kalmegh and andrographolide, which is actually one of the active
agents isolated from the plant. Andrographis also appears in many
brand-name products, including some manufactured and marketed
in Europe and the United States.
Historically, andrographis has been used for many purposes,
including to treat infectious diseases like bronchitis, tuberculosis, and
malaria; fevers; diarrhea, flatulence, and other digestive problems;
diabetes; snake and insect bites; and liver disorders. It’s also been used
to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Westerners use andrographis most often to prevent or treat upper
respiratory infections, and clinical trials have focused mainly on this
use, based on the notion that the herb may stimulate the immune
system.
Right now, scientists are investigating its other properties, such as
possible antiallergy, anticancer, liver-protective, and heart-protective
effects.
Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of andrographis in people is
limited to the common cold. One clinical trial showed that a preparation combining andrographis and Siberian ginseng might reduce the
severity and duration of cold symptoms. Another study using an
andrographis preparation of 400 mg given three times a day had the
same result. Preliminary evidence suggests andrographis might help
relieve influenza symptoms, too, and reduce post-flu complications
such as sinusitis. Before You Try It
Side effects from andrographis include headache, dizziness, fatigue,
diarrhea, allergic reactions, and metallic taste. Usually these have been
mild and infrequent. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
should avoid this herb because it may trigger abortion and the effects
on a nursing child are unknown.
Interactions between andrographis and medicines or other
supplements aren’t well documented. However, if it reduces clotting,
blood pressure, or blood sugar—as historical uses suggest it might—
then it could enhance the effects of other substances that do the same.
Also, if andrographis stimulates the immune system, it might
interfere with immunosuppressive medicines or worsen autoimmune
conditions.•
www.usahc.com 19
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Articles in this magazine are written by professional journalists
or physicians who strive to present reliable, up-to-date health
information. Our articles are reviewed by medical professionals
for accuracy and appropriateness. No magazine, however, can
replace the care and advice of medical professionals, and readers
are cautioned to seek such help for personal problems.
5426M
continued from page 18
Some provide sunup-to-sundown care, while
others pop in once a week to drive, to shop for
groceries or pay bills or simply provide
companionship.
And these people don’t necessarily have to
be nurses, doctors or other medical professionals. They can be ordinary people, just like
you—a son or daughter, a niece or nephew,
perhaps just a longtime family friend or
neighbor who steps up to help. Through their
efforts, these caregivers can truly make their
loved ones’ lives safer, more comfortable, and
more enjoyable.
Perhaps you’re thinking “Wow—that’s a lot
of responsibility. It’s too bad that they don’t
have help.”
But these overwhelmed caregivers could
have help—from you.
It’s all about simple acts of awareness and
kindness. For instance, imagine that you have
a neighbor who drives three hours on the
second and fourth Saturdays of each month to
go mow her grandfather’s lawn and check in
on him. Then, she races back to do her own
yard, hoping she can catch part of her son’s
soccer game.
You could help this person! After you’ve
finished your own lawn and as you’re pushing
your mower back toward the garage, make a
quick detour. Fire that lawn mower up again
and mow your neighbor’s lawn. It’ll make a
difference.
What if you can’t mow yards? That’s
OK—you can still help! Just pick up the phone
and call that caregiver to see if there’s
anything you can do for them. It could be
tasks ranging from folding laundry to making
a quick meal. It could even be something as
simple as sitting with that person’s loved one
to talk for a few minutes.
Maybe you’re thinking you don’t know
anyone to help or where to begin. Organizations like the American Red Cross, National
Family Caregivers Association, American
Cancer Society, AARP and your local
community or recreational centers can help
you become involved and provide you with
many ways you can help.
All of us have busy lives, of course…but
perhaps we can find a little time to help some of
these people with extra burdens. One sentiment
that we’ve always stood behind here at United
Service Association For Health Care (USA+) is
that together, we can make a difference. And
we’re not just saying that: We mean it. You can
make a difference. Start today!
To learn more about USA+, visit us online at
www.usahc.com. •
All of us have busy lives,
and some more than others.
We can all create a bit of time to
help, assist, or serve some of
those people we know who carry
extra burdens.