HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
judgment, and visual perception. At least
two of the aforementioned symptoms
must be severely impaired to indicate
signs of dementia. Usually the signs and
symptoms are progressive and get worse
over time. If caught early by a health care
professional, some symptoms can be
treated. One of the most common types
of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80
percent of all dementia cases. It causes
severe problems with daily tasks that
involve memory, thinking and behavior.
It is not a normal part of aging, but the
greatest known risk factor is increasing
age since the disease is progressive. While
it is most common in people over the age
of 65, younger-onset Alzheimer’s is found
in five percent of people as young as their
40s.
According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, evidence shows that
incorporating the following habits will
keep you fit both physically and mentally:
• Heart Health – Obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes—all risk factors
for cardiovascular disease—negatively
impact your cognitive health.
Cardiovascular activity increases blood
flow to the brain and body, reducing
the risk of cognitive decline.
Helmet Up! – Brain injury is one of
the leading causes of dementia and
cognitive decline. Play it smart and
always wear a helmet to protect from
brain injury.
Sleep Tight – Have you ever stayed up
late, only to find you’re forgetful and
mentally lethargic the next day? Not
getting enough sleep can result in lower
brain function, affecting memory and
thinking.
Be a Social Butterfly – Staying active
with friends and loved ones may
support brain health as well. A recent
study from the Women’s Healthy
Aging Project found that babysitting
grandchildren could lower the risk of
Alzheimer’s.
Challenge Yourself – Enjoy crossword
puzzles or painting? Keep your brain
challenged by doing something new
each day, whether it is learning a new
language, doing a jigsaw puzzle or
reading a book!
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Eye and Ear Health
Hearing and vision are two essential
parts of our everyday lives. Yet there are
many individuals who let ear and eye
problems go unattended. Ear and eye
health is equally as important as taking
care of the rest of the body and should be
well maintained to ensure many years of
seeing and hearing the things you love.
Eye Health
It is important to visit your eye
care professional once a year for a
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Superior, Compassionate Care
in Your Home
B
eing discharged from a hospital
or nursing facility often leaves
people wondering, “What next?”
You’re healthy enough to go
home, but may not yet be strong enough
to be independent. Fortunately, the
Christian Group is there for you.
“We’re a compassionate choice and
pride ourselves on building relationships
with our clients,” said India Christian,
owner. “Our clients are more than just
a number, and remember us after their
hospital stay and come back to us time
and again.”
Christian Group’s staff of certified,
registered clinicians come directly to your
home to support you as you continue
your recovery. Services include, but
aren’t limited to, physical, occupational
and speech therapy; nursing;
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724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
orthopedic post-op care; diagnosis and
medication education; wound care; pain
management; and catheterization. The
organization serves Allegheny, Beaver,
Butler, Westmoreland and Washington
counties, and participates with most
major and private insurances as well as
Medicare.
“The typical duration of service is 60
days, which is what Medicare allows for,
but that’s variable depending on the
individual’s recovery time,” Christian
noted. “Our goal is to complement every
client’s exact need with our services for a
personalized experience.”
All of Christian Group’s employees are
not only certified in their field of care,
but also have all of the clearances and
background checks one would expect of
anyone coming into your home as well as
icmags.com
a pleasant demeanor that is focused on
the client.
“It’s extremely important to us that our
staff have an excellent bedside manner,”
Christian said. “We strive to provide the
highest level of compassionate care that’s
achievable, and really want to get to
know our clients.”
For more information on the
Christian Group, go to the website at
christiangroup.biz or call directly at
412.323.2273.
Christian
Group