Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

How to Preserve and Revive Your Memory Through Writing

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By Beth N. Carvin

The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in eight Americans over age 60 complain of worsening memory loss. The problem may be related to a medical condition, emotional problems, cognitive impairment or simply the indignities of aging, but it’s distressing regardless of the cause.

One way to preserve and possibly enhance memory is to proactively revisit your past. Reminiscence therapy is one technique option, with uses ranging from mental health interventions to memory care in nursing homes. But sometimes, simply committing your life experiences to paper (virtual or otherwise) can also be helpful and even therapeutic.

A variety of research studies have explored the health benefits of writing. The American Psychological Association, for instance, published a study indicating that expressive writing reduces “intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events,” allowing for better coping and improved working memory. Additionally, work by neurologist Judy Willis MD finds that reflective writing, when well guided, may be a source of conceptual development and stimulate the “brain’s highest cognition.”

Whether you or someone you know is impacted by a memory deficit, or you’re simply seeking a way to tell your own story for yourself and your family, here are five simple strategies for preserving and sharing your memories in writing. [Read more…]

Lyme Disease, Deer Ticks, and Your Family

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By Robert Oley, PE, MSPH

It’s that time of the year once again, when you and your family are enjoying the warmer weather and all the outdoor activities that come with it.  Unfortunately for you, deer ticks are also taking advantage of the nice weather, and are waiting for you as you step outside.

The spring and summer months are when you are most likely to be bitten by a deer tick, and become infected with Lyme disease.  The highest risk age group for contracting Lyme disease is children.  Not only do they tend to spend more time outside than others, but they are less likely to be careful about where they play.

Although Lyme disease is a grave health risk to these and other family members, there are other equally debilitating tick-borne diseases one can also become infected with such as babesiosis, anaplasmosis, bartonella, tularemia, mycoplasma, tick paralysis, and viruses. [Read more…]

Have “The Talk” with Your Parents to Prepare for the Challenges of Aging

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By Lynda G. Shrager

 

When the issue “Can mom and dad stay in their home?” arises, getting aging parents on board with making modifications can be a challenge. To help them stay home as long as possible, family members and caregivers need to ascertain if they’re having physical or cognitive problems, and plan ahead before there’s a crisis.

 

Some 90 percent of people age 65 and over say they want to spend their senior years at home making independent choices and maintaining control of their lives. Aging in place has psychological benefits, allowing seniors to remain involved in daily activities in a familiar environment, and also financial benefits, as assisted living facilities average close to $50,000 annually.

 

But as time takes its toll, aging in place can be problematic. If you sense a decline in home upkeep or self-care, it’s best to be proactive. This requires more than a phone call, as the answer to “How are you?” will most likely be “Fine.” Making staying at home viable calls for a fact-finding mission.

 

Sleuthing begins with a visit. Watch as they move through daily routines. Do they “furniture surf” when moving around the house? Are they unsteady on steps? Did the lost car keys end up in the refrigerator?

[Read more…]

Life After Divorce? Start With Your New Home

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Divorce signifies a new beginning. It is a great opportunity to rediscover yourself, rekindle your sparkle and do all that your heart desires. While Pennsylvania has the fifth lowest divorce rate in the nation, the most difficult thing about divorce is moving out of the home that you spent years in. In fact, some divorcees slip into depression due to this. A new home doesn’t have to be a constant reminder of the ended marriage.

With an expert’s guidance, your home can be a source of motivation for the new and exciting life that awaits. A home should be a haven that invokes peace, serenity, relaxation, and tranquility. According to some of the best interior designers in Orange County, this begins with sprucing up your indoors as well as the outdoors. You only need to customize it in a way that reaches deep into your happy place.

Color

Nothing will uplift your spirits better than a well thought-out combination of colors all around your living space. Imagine waking up to the bright rays of the sun piercing through your curtains, bouncing off your lavender painted walls and lilac throw pillows on your sun seat under your window. This is all while your yellow sunflowers remind you of how beautiful life is. Isn’t this motivation enough to get out of bed and make the day count? [Read more…]

Redefining Aging

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A puppy or kitten playing clumsily with a toy is certainly categorized as cute. Babies, with their contagious smiles and giggling squeals, are adorable. But when it comes to talking about older adults, please refrain from talking about how ‘cute’ or ‘adorable’ they are.

And, do not refer to them as ‘sweetie’ or ‘honey.’ Terms of endearment can carry different meanings and lead to judgments or assumptions at any age. One of the most damaging behaviors of ageism is to begin treating older adults like children, and words are often part of the problem.

Read more.

Tips to Help You Control Your Finances and Stabilize Your Relationship

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The notion that money can’t buy happiness is true to some extent but for people in a relationship, having aligned financial goals will go a long way in reducing the constant conflicts. Besides communication issues, relationships have suffered from financial issues. In short, serious money fights are prevalent in most relationships.

To most couples, talking about money isn’t a pleasant encounter despite its high place in determining a healthy relationship as well as financial security. While this is the case, it’s possible to embrace your significant other when managing your finances. With the financial tips discussed below, you can improve and stabilize your relationship.

Identify the money personality traits in your partner

People are different, there is no denying that. The differences tend to influence how we handle the finances to some extent. For instance, if you have a partner who embraces frugal spending habits but you like spending liberally, you can bet that your money talks are more likely to get heated.

When you identify how your partner thinks about and handles finances, you are closer to understanding the reasons behind the personality. With this in mind, you can handle the money topics without being judgmental and be more open to putting yourself in your partner’s shoes. Once this is accomplished, it is quite easy to lay down workable plans adapted to the different personalities. [Read more…]

Modern Technology is an Activity of Daily Living at Providence Point

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Providence Point is a robust retirement and LifeCare community welcoming residents 62 and older. Residents have access to a revolving calendar of classes, programs and events. The popularity of classes for iPad, iPod and iPhone tutorials are proof that technology is everyday routine and a must for living at Providence Point. The number of visitors to the new website, that features a Google 360◦ virtual tour, has also risen dramatically.

The website was recently relaunched and includes floor plans for Hamilton Tower, and a video ‘fly-over,” an architectural rendering of the planned expansion of 70 spacious one- and two-bedroom residential living apartments. Using technology to gain information is no longer out of the hands of the older generation. Tech-savvy seniors participate in the community’s social media regularly and were thrilled to experience the tour of their community with Google VR glasses.

The virtual tour allows visitors the option to tour the grandeur at Providence Point from the comforts of home, something our tech-savvy residents are sharing with friends to best demonstrate the attributes of living at Providence Point. [Read more…]

Feeling Gassy Again? The Beginner’s Guide to Beating the Bloat

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By Bryce Wylde B.Sc. Hons., DHMHS
Feeling sluggish and bloated isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. If just eating a stalk of celery causes your tummy to stick out, read this before you give up wearing your favorite skinny jeans ever again. The villains may be FODMAPs, a category of short-chain carbohydrates that your body may have trouble digesting. Just as people who are intolerant to lactose or gluten avoid foods containing those ingredients, if you’re sensitive to FODMAPs, a low-FODMAP diet may help relieve your symptoms.
Many more foods are appearing on supermarket shelves labeled Low FODMAP. There’s also an app created by the FODMAP experts at Monash University to help you identify low-FODMAP foods and ingredients.  
What’s a FODMAP?
The term FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. FODMAP is much easier to remember! And if your body has trouble digesting FODMAPS in the upper part of your gut, they travel to your large intestine where they are fermented by your gut bacteria.   




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Dealing With Homeowners Insurance in a Divorce

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Splitting assets in a divorce can be difficult but dealing with insurance policies is often next to impossible. Even though about half of all marriages end in divorce these days, insurance companies have been slow to account for this fact in their policies. In a divorce, it’s more than likely that you’re going to have to make adjustments to your home insurance policy to protect yourself. If you plan ahead and play your cards right during divorce proceedings, you can ensure that your property remains insured and give yourself peace of mind.

Plan Ahead

While many couples don’t want to think about the worst on their wedding day, it’s important to plan for any eventuality. In the event that you and your spouse end up separating you’ll be happy that you took the time to craft an insurance policy that holds up after divorce proceedings are through. It’s a good idea to write all homeowners insurance policies in the name of both spouses. This way, either spouse can make changes to the policy during separation, but only so long as both parties agree. This helps to prevent foul play during divorce proceedings and keeps things amicable. [Read more…]