Every journey begins with one step, whether it’s climbing a mountain or preventing heart disease. This American Heart Month, take your first step on the road to a healthy heart.
Heart disease is a major problem. Every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year—that’s 1 out of every 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary heart disease (also called coronary artery disease), which occurs when a substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Coronary heart disease can cause heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, costs the United States $312.61 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity. These conditions also are leading causes of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying family activities.
The situation is alarming, but there is good news—heart disease is preventable and controllable. We can start by taking small steps every day to bring our loved ones and ourselves closer to heart health. CDC is providing a tip a day throughout February, but you can take these small steps all year long.
One Step at a Time
As you begin your journey to better heart health, keep these things in mind:
- Don’t become overwhelmed. Every step brings you closer to a healthier heart.
- Don’t go it alone. The journey is more fun when you have company. Ask friends and family to join you.
- Don’t get discouraged. You may not be able to take all of the steps at one time. Get a good night’s sleep and do what you can tomorrow.
- Reward yourself. Find fun things to do to decrease your stress. Round up some colleagues for a lunchtime walk, join a singing group, or have a healthy dinner with your family or friends.
Source: CDC
The heart of our Willson House needs to be replaced, which is our emergency all system for residents to summon help. The economic down-turn affected us greatly and we do not have the means to finance a new system. The cost is $75,000, which is a huge expense for Willson House Residential Care Facility, a 103 year old, non-profit business, servings seniors with low to moderate income. We believe that with God’s grace and your help we can raise the money needed, $1 at time in only 7 weeks. Can you spare a buck?
On December 31st 2013, our present emergency call system became obsolete because 3M stopped its technical support for the system, and will no longer make replacement parts for it. We are still using the system, but if it goes off line or needs a replacement park, it will have to be disconnected. We would then have to employ several more staff to make sure that residents’ emergency needs continue to be met. This would put considerable financial strain on Willson House.
If you can spare a $1, please help by giving towards our goal. Your dollar will make a difference to our seniors. Thank you much!
You can donate by going online to www.umrcsalem.org, by mail or in person at 1625 Center Street NE Salem, OR 97301. For more details call Cathy Parkinson at 503-585-6511.
The Griswold Cares Foundation awarded a total of $50,000 to 34 Nonprofit Organizations, including Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO). The Griswold Cares Foundation, a private charity established in 2010, was created by Griswold Home Care to further the company’s belief that care for the elderly and disabled should be available to all and not just the privileged few. Donations for the foundation come from Griswold Home Care franchisees, friends, and family
Parkinsons Resources of Oregon (PRO) is known for providing vital information, education, programs, and service to patients, families and professionals in Oregon and SW Washington for more than 30 years . Grant monies will be used to fund the respite care fund which is used to help family caregivers that need a respite from their family member but cannot afford to hire a caregiver.
About The Griswold Cares Foundation
The Griswold Foundation takes grant requests semi annually. Every dollar donated is used to further their mission to support programs and services that allow seniors to age in place. The Griswold Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 2010, provides grants to select community programs that help people age in place. Those selected for grants help to advance the Foundation’s mission of supporting respite and short-term home care services to those in need. For more information please visit www.GriswoldCares.org.
Don’t Fall for Jury Duty Scam
The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he’ll need some information for “verification purposes”-your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number.
This is when you should hang up the phone. It’s a scam.
Protecting yourself is the key: Never give out personal information when you receive an unsolicited phone call.
FBI Alerts
Would you like to be an advocate for senior citizens who are living in long term care facilities? This is a State of Oregon volunteer program designed to assist the Deputy Ombudsmen in Salem Oregon in investigating and monitoring complaints of seniors living in long term care. There are 5 days of training involved in this volunteer position. You will be trained to Educate, Investigate and Advocate; you will learn to be a “problem solver”. You will be expected to spend at least 16 hours a month as a Certified Ombudsman assisting seniors. This is a good way to give back to the community.
If interested in getting more information, please call Gretchen Jordan, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 503-378-6340.
Life by Design NW, a nonprofit in Portland, Oregon, guides people over 50 facing life changes (retirement, career changes, volunteer opportunities, etc.).
They and their partner organizations offer educational, informational, and interactive opportunities. Learn more by viewing Upcoming Events on their calendar which is updated regularly. Click on individual events for more information and to register.
