In This Issue
Loneliness

Vision Issues

Organ Growth

Medication Risks

  Links to Our Site
Home
Contact Us
Resources
What's Happening at Live Free

Happy birthday to the following employees:
Diane 1/13
Elizabeth 1/15
Chris T. 1/27
Jane 1/29

Live Free Anniversary:
Carol M.  2 years 
The Power of
Positive Thinking


ThumbUp

Those with more positive aging perceptions live longer. Download this PDF for proof.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Exercise

GrannyBaby boomers who exercise regularly are less likely to experience depression, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances. Exercise may also help to ward off cancer and dementia. Not exercising has been considered equal to smoking in its negative effect on heart health. Read more and get the Seven Important Exercise Safety Tips for Boomers here.
100 is the New 65

GardenLady

The older you get, the healthier you've been. People who demonstrate exceptional longevity tend to have had a lifelong history of good health. Turns out that genetic factors may account for only 20 to 30 percent of a person's lifespan, while environmental and behavioral factors can dictate the other 70 to 80 percent.

Read the full study here.

Live Free Home Health Care Newsletter
January 2010
Greetings!

Every January brings with it a time of reflection on the past year and thoughts on how to make the New Year a success. More often than not, this includes striving for better health in our daily lives and a desire to maybe not defy age, but certainly age more gracefully. This month's articles highlight a few ways to accomplish this. In a spirit of sharing and community and with the heartiest of wishes for a wonderful beginning to your year, we hope you will find the included news informative and beneficial. 

Thank you,
The Team at Live Free Home Health Care

 
oneLoneliness is Actually Contagious

LonelyNew research suggests that loneliness is actually contagious...spreading from person to person up to three degrees of separation. This means if someone close to you is lonely, or his or her cousin or friend is lonely, you may have a good chance of being lonely, too. This research is published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Read more.

Listen to John Cacioppo discuss the need for human interaction to combat loneliness in this podcast.

Access the journal, but note there is a fee to purchase articles.
twoAging Population Means More Vision Issues

VisionIn 2010, an estimated 2.8 million Baby Boomers will celebrate their 60th birthdays, and within the next 30 years, the National Eye Institute estimates the number of blind or visually impaired Americans will double.

According to the AOA, 20.5 million people age 60 and over have cataracts, a leading cause of poor vision in the United States. The American Optometric Association (AOA) is issuing a reminder that early detection through a comprehensive eye exam can prevent or slow vision loss due to cataracts and other age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Read more here.
fourOrgan Growth Now Possible for Repairing Bodies

TestTubesThis is not science fiction; this is the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine where the researchers are applying the principles of regenerative medicine to repair or replace diseased tissues and organs. A wholly laboratory-grown organ, engineered bladder tissue, has now been successfully implanted in patients. "Smart biomaterials" are being used to patch damaged organs and grow new heart valves, blood vessels, liver, muscle, skin, ears, and even fingers. Although still quite controversial, the researchers are working to grow more than 22 different organs and tissues in the laboratory. Read more here.
fourMedications Causing Falls
Meds May Raise Seniors' Risks of Falling

PillsFalling and complications from falling are the fifth leading cause of death in the developed world. In fact, more than 30 percent of people older than 65 suffer a fall at least once a year. A recent article in the Archives of Internal Medicine concludes that the use of sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines demonstrated a significant association with falls in elderly individuals. The authors note a need for caution when prescribing these medications to seniors. For more specific information, read the abstract here. Note that a fee is charged to access the full article. 
About Live Free Home Health Care, LLC

Serving central and northern New Hampshire, Live Free Home Health Care, LLC is dedicated to providing top quality care in the comfort of home as an alternative to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Family owned and operated, Live Free Home Health Care offers a wide range of services, from companion care and assistance with activities of daily living to skilled nursing, and all care is supervised and updated by a registered nurse. Live Free Home Health Care also offers medical alert systems to provide extra peace of mind should an emergency care need arise. Whether the need is for short or long term care, Live Free Home Health Care's compassionate staff promises to treat each client respectfully and like a cherished family member. For further information, contact (603) 217-0149 or visit www.LiveFreeHomeHealthCare.com.