(NAPSI)—Research shows that most older adults want to live in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Most homes, however, were not built to support the mobility, sensory and cognitive changes that often accompany aging.

Fortunately, older adults and caregivers can make simple updates such as clearing clutter from the floor, improving lighting and removing rugs to help prevent falls—all of which can make homes meet the changing mobility, sensory and cognitive needs of the older adults who live in them. Other changes such as installing a stair lift or renovating a bathroom are more complex and require outside assistance.

Many older adults who need to modify their homes don’t know where to turn for advice or assistance—or even what modifications they may need. That’s where the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living, comes in. It connects older adults and caregivers across the country to Area Agencies on Aging and other resources—that can help determine what needs to be done, how to find a contractor to do it and look for ways to pay for it all—that can help ensure their homes meet their evolving needs.

To that end, the Eldercare locator created a brochure, “Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging.” For a free copy and further advice, call (800) 677-1116 or visit the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov.

(NAPSI)—If you would like to help a veteran, if you are a veteran who needs extra help, or know of one in your community, here’s good news. There’s a new, nationwide resource that makes it easy to match civic-minded individuals with those who need a little assistance. The database, called VolunteerforVeterans.org, was created by DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit charity that helps veterans get their benefits and services.

Here’s how it works. Veterans, as well as their caregivers, can use the site to seek assistance by entering the type of help they need, from basic tasks such as yardwork, help with errands or other services. Neighbors or friends who know of a veteran in need of help can step in to coordinate requests on their behalf. On the flip side, volunteers who are interested in giving their time can use the site to look for and respond to requests for help.

Using the site is easy, and at no cost to veterans or volunteers. Go to www.VolunteerforVeterans.org, click on the “sign up” icon and indicate whether you are a veteran or caregiver who needs help, a friend or neighbor making a request on someone’s behalf, or a volunteer willing to give support. Choose your state and the screen will populate with requests. Continue reading →

(NAPS)—Caregiving for a loved one can be a fulfilling, yet overwhelming experience. Forty million Americans provide care for their aging loved one each year, and spend an average of 24.4 hours per week doing so. Try as one may to create a balanced lifestyle, it’s a role that easily crowds out other important areas of life, including personal and professional relationships, and generates high levels of stress that could lead to serious health problems long-term if not managed.

Caregivers should feel empowered to adopt the following tactics to lighten the burden, and achieve a renewed sense of control:

Remember your own health: It’s important to not lose sight of your physical and mental health during particularly stressful times. Improve your energy level with smart eating choices: plan easy, healthy recipes that take less than 30 minutes, schedule grocery deliveries, or subscribe to meal kits. And, committing to just 10 minutes a day of moving your body will help you feel energized, while boosting your mental health. Exercise is also a good way to engage with your loved one—join them for a walk or even a water aerobics class. Continue reading →

(NAPS)—If you spend a lot of time on social media sites or looking for great online deals, you may wear a bullseye when it comes to scammers hunting for prey, according to groundbreaking fraud research from the FINRA Inves­tor Education Foundation, BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the Stanford Center on Longevity.

Researchers surveyed more than 1,400 Americans and Canadians who were targeted by scammers and reported the fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which tracks scams. Nearly half of those surveyed did not engage with the fraudster. However, 30 percent engaged to some degree but ultimately did not lose money, while 23 percent engaged with the fraudster or offer and lost money. Continue reading →

For what seems like decades, excited environmentalists have been pitching insect-based foods as the next major trend in agriculture. The upsides to insect protein are clear. Producing it requires roughly one-tenth the land of other meat sources, and insect farming is inherently more efficient (think about how big a cow is, and then visualize a mealworm).

So far, environmentalists have been wrong about adoption—clearly, most people aren’t buying bug protein at the supermarket—but this hype cycle seems different. Investors and founders are getting more deeply involved.

Ynsect, a France-based company focused on producing insect proteins for pet and other animal foods, raised a $150 million Series C in February. AgriProtein, another insect protein company, raised $105 million in June of 2018. InnovaFeed, a France-based insect protein company, raised a roughly $43 million round this August. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla.-Marion County is continuing to see an increase in cases of hepatitis A locally and wants to encourage residents to get vaccinated for the virus. To help, the Department of Health in Marion County is holding its second drive-through hepatitis A vaccination event on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Ocala office (1801 SE 32nd Ave.). Anyone who would like to receive the hepatitis A vaccine can come to the event to get the shot for free.

The hepatitis A vaccine is a two-series shot, with each dose given six months apart. The first shot provides 95 percent protection, but both shots are needed to provide long-term protection. This means individuals who obtained their first hepatitis A shot at the department’s April drive-through event should come to the Nov. 2 event to complete the shot series.

The department recommends that individuals who are either high-risk for contracting the virus or high-risk for serious complications from the virus get vaccinated. This includes (but isn’t limited to) individuals who: Continue reading →

by G. Rumay Alexander , EdD, RN, FAAN, and Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN

(NAPSI)—As the world reacts with shock and horror at mass shootings in the U.S., it is important that we as nurses and nurse educators reaffirm our core values and dedicate ourselves to the essential role we play in creating and sustaining a culture of civility, wherever we work and interact with others.

As representatives of the National League for Nursing, we believe we speak for our members in calling for an end to name-calling and an emphasis on thoughtful dialogue and courageous conversation.

As well, we believe it is essential to address issues related to gun ownership in the United States. This past February, the National League for Nursing joined with 166 national, state, and local medical, public health, and research organizations in asking Congress to provide funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. We emphasized that the use of firearms is a public health issue and must be addressed as such, noting that with rigorous research, it is possible to “accurately quantify and describe the facets of an issue and identify opportunities for reducing its related morbidity and mortality.” Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—According to the American Cancer Society, about one in nine American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. A leading cause of cancer in men, more than 173,000 new diagnoses are expected in the U.S. this year. Fortunately, this disease can be treated successfully, especially if caught early.

What To Do

If you’re 50 or older or have a family history of prostate cancer, you should speak to your doctor about whether screening for the disease is right for you.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

“In the early stages, the most common symptoms of prostate cancer are no symptoms at all,” says Deepak A. Kapoor, M.D., founder of the non-profit, Integrated Medical Foundation, and President of Advanced Urology Centers of New York.

There are four stages of prostate cancer. Stage one is diagnosed very early and confined to the prostate. At this stage, the patient is unlikely to be experiencing any symptoms. He may not need treatment beyond regular follow-up blood tests, exams and possibly biopsies. The disease is very treatable. When diagnosed early, the five-year relative survival rate is almost 100 percent. Continue reading →

Original Jambalaya

Use Zatarain’s Jambalaya Rice mix as the quick starter base then just add any combo of smoked sausage, chicken, ham, shrimp and vegetables. Feeding a crowd for tailgating or a football watching party? Double the batch, as hungry mouths always want more!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

2 ½ cups water

1 package (8 ounces) Zatarain’s^® Original Jambalaya Mix

1 pound smoked sausage, thinly sliced*

1. Mix water, Rice Mix and meat of your choice in large saucepan until well blended. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until most of the water is absorbed and rice is tender.
2. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork before serving.

Continue reading →