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According to Los Angeles County Public Health, influenza (flu) activity is increasing in LA County. So far this season, flu activity has remained higher than at comparable points in previous seasons. According to the CDC, the most widely circulating strain of flu this season is AH3N2. Seasons where influenza AH3N2 predominates are typically more severe than AH1N1 or B seasons, and the seasons also are more likely to affect older populations. The best defense against flu is the seasonal vaccine. It can take up to two weeks for immunity to develop, so getting vaccinated now can help protect you and your loved ones as the flu season picks up. Despite the benefits of the flu vaccine, the CDC estimates that roughly 3 out of 5 people in the US have not yet been vaccinated. Early laboratory data suggests that this year's vaccine is a good match with the strains of flu virus that are circulating. Additionally, circulating strains are similar to last year; therefore, the CDC expects this year's vaccine effectiveness to be similar to that of last year's vaccine.

Palliative medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious, chronic or life-limiting illness. The term “palliative” means to relieve or lessen without curing. The goal is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family. At the Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, care is provided by a team that works with you. It includes your participating family, our board certified physical specializing in palliative medicine, and a certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in the field. Palliative medicine can be helpful to those experiencing symptoms (caused by the disease itself or side-effects of medications) such as pain, shortness of breath, less of appetite, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, nausea, or other conditions that cause discomfort or stress. In addition to controlling your pain and other symptoms, our goals are to help you: better understand your choices for medical careregain strength to carry on with daily lifeimprove your ability to continue medical treatmentsreduce visits to the emergency room While anyone who is experiencing uncontrolled symptoms related to surgery or chronic illness can benefit from palliative care, here are some of the most common diseases and conditions that bring people to seek help and relief: multiple sclerosis / cancer / congestive heart failure / kidney illnessstroke / ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) / emphysema / COPDdementia/Alzheimer's disease / HIV/AIDS / Parkinson's diseasesickle cell anemia / Huntington's disease If you or a loved one experiences a sudden change in your health, such as heart attack, stroke, hip or spinal fracture, or subtle onset (weight loss, pain, recurring infections, fatigue, avoiding food or medications), please call the Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine at 818.578.7427 to schedule a consultation. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.lajh.org/care/in-your-home-care-community-health-care/jewish-home-center-for-palliative-medicine/.

Goodbye, 2017. Hello, 2018. It’s time to make your New Year’s resolutions. For many of us, the resolutions are often the same each year: quit smoking, exercise more, eat healthier. All very worthwhile. And we wholeheartedly support them! Following are additional resolutions that can help improve your health in the coming year. 1. Get your check-ups Visit your doctor to get your annual check-ups: physical, dental, vision. Don’t put them off. 2. Lose weight Probably the most popular resolution of all. But difficult to keep. You start strong by losing weight in the first few weeks, but then fade—and the pounds return. How to keep the pounds off? Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat. And have a support system in place—people you can count on to you get through the rough spots and back on your diet. 3. Reduce stress Chronic stress can increase your risk of heart disease, depression, insomnia, obesity, and other conditions. Relieve stress by socializing with friends and family, taking vacations, and doing things you love, such as gardening or playing music. 4. Sleep more A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. And sleep is crucial for keeping memories strong. So sleep long. Sleep often. And don’t feel guilty about napping. 5. Drink less Drinking alcohol in excess affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, or even seizures. Chronic heavy drinking boosts your risk of liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and mental deterioration, and even cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast. 6. Get in shape Begin an exercise routine—whether it’s going to the gym, walking, swimming. Whatever suits you. Of course, check with your physician before starting. 7. Special resolutions for seniors Seniors often require specialized healthcare. If you or a senior you love needs help, call on the Los Angeles Jewish Home. We deliver care that is comprehensive, customized, and compassionate. When it is a question of senior care, the answer is the Jewish Home. The Jewish Home has produced an inspiring new video featuring seniors sharing their resolutions for 2018. Click below to watch it now. The end of the year is the perfect time to begin planning how to meet your health needs in the coming year. If you resolve to keep these six resolutions, you will be taking important steps toward improved health in 2018!

As we get older, it's normal to feel—and hard to admit—we may require help with daily living tasks. Often, it is up to families and caregivers to recognize the signs that indicate when we need senior care. Following are 4 ways to tell if the senior you love may need special care. 1. Problems with memory Being forgetful as we age is common. But when loved ones experience more serious problems, such as being unable to remember their address or family members' names, this may be an indication they need professional care. 2. Prone to accidents Accidents are another problem for seniors. And, true, an accident now and then happens to everyone. But frequent accidents, such as repeated falling, pose a serious danger to seniors and may be a symptom of a health condition. 3. Unable to perform daily tasks Are the seniors you love unable to perform tasks of daily living? For instance, preparing meals, keeping appointments, paying bills, handling finances, keeping the house clean, even dressing? If so, it may be time to look into senior care. 4. Changes in physical function Other indications that seniors may need care: they sleep most of the day, experience poor diet or weight loss, lose interest in hobbies and activities, neglect personal hygiene, or have changes in mood or extreme mood swings. These are four of the most common signs that a senior may need professional help. Do you suspect the senior you love would benefit from care? Call the Los Angeles Jewish Home's Connections to Care®: 855.227.3745. We can help deliver the customized, comprehensive, quality care your senior needs—and deserves.

Multiple studies have proven that having close friends is good for your health and well-being. Here are eight reasons why making and keeping friends is so beneficial. Friends make you—and others—happy. Happiness is contagious! A heart study demonstrated that people have a tendency to gather into happy or unhappy groups, and happiness appears to spread to those immediately inside the group and to people outside the group as well.Friends help boost your immune system. Being socially active produces positive emotions, which may boost your body's immune system and reduce stress.Good friends are great listeners. Sometimes, you just want to get something off your chest. Who better to rant and rave to than a friend? Good friends listen but don't judge.Friends are honest. Being a good friend means that you are supportive, but also honest. Hard as it may be, friends can help you face the truth.Friends help you cope with grief. People who receive support from friends or family after a personal loss are better able to cope with their grief. The most effective forms of support are often the simplest: listening, offering sympathy and encouragement, and just being physically present. In contrast, feeling alone tends to worsen grief.Friends help you meet your fitness goals. Friends provide the encouragement and support you need to achieve your fitness goals, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, or eating a healthier diet.Friends give you self-confidence. We may doubt our decisions and abilities. Good friends stand by you and help you believe in yourself.Friends help you age more gracefully. A survey of people over age 60 shows that those who have close, healthy relationships with family and friends are more content as they grow older. Spending time with friends is fun; it may also produce long-term physical and emotional health benefits. So keep your friends and make new ones. You can never have too many.

In 1984, Tina Turner asked the question "What's love got to do with it?" When it comes to your health, it turns out the answer is: quite a lot, regardless of your age! Better memory, stronger immune system, decreased risk of early death, lower cholesterol levels, and decreased pain levels are some of the benefits that can occur when you're in love. Remember falling in love and having butterflies in your stomach? That's your brain telling your heart to beat three times faster than normal, resulting in an increased blood supply throughout your body. While the fountain of youth doesn't exist, love comes close. When you're in love, endorphins produced by the body increase blood flow to the skin, which helps keep it soft and smooth, and reduces the development of wrinkles. The increased supply of essential food and oxygen to skin cells also gives the face a pinker, healthier glow. And, let's face it: Who doesn't love being in love? It just feels good. The emotional connection, the physical intimacy, the companionship…all can lead to improved physical and mental health. What about physical intimacy among older adults: is it just holding hands and hugging, or is there more to it? According to a recent study, 54% of men and 31% of women over age 70 report they are still sexually active, with a third saying they have sex at least twice a month. The New England Journal of Medicine reports the majority of seniors who are married or have intimate partners remain sexually active well into their 80s. Of course, as we age, our hearts may say "yes!" and our bodies may respond "wait a minute!" Often a lack of desire or inability to perform may slow things down. People of any age may feel hesitant about talking with their doctor about sexual issues. An open and honest discussion can often lead to solutions, which can result in a healthier and happier life, both physically and emotionally. Your physician can also address issues of safe sex, which many older adults may think only applies to younger people. So, whether it's an emotional connection, companionship, a feeling of togetherness, or physical intimacy, if it feels good, do it! Your mind and body will thank you for it!

Saturday, April 7, is World Health Day. It’s an important day and one with which we should all be familiar. Here are six things you need to know about World Health Day. Q. Who is behind World Health Day? A. The World Health Organization (WHO). WHO was founded in 1948 and is the leading global health authority within the United Nations system. This year marks their 70th anniversary. Q. Does WHO sponsor a World Health Day every year? A. Yes. World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7. Every year a different and specific health concern is highlighted. In recent years, they included depression, diabetes, and food safety. Q. What is the theme of this year’s World Health Day? A. For 2018, the theme of World Health Day is “Universal health coverage: everyone, everywhere.” The slogan is “Health for All.” Q. Why is universal health coverage the focus of this year’s World Health Day? A. Following are some interesting statistics concerning universal health coverage: At least half of the world’s population still doesn’t have full coverage of essential health servicesAbout 100 million people are pushed into “extreme poverty” (living on $1.90 or less a day) because they have to pay for health careOver 800 million people (almost 12% of the world’s population) spend at least 10% of their household budgets on health care Q. What does universal health coverage provide? A. Universal health coverage allows people to have access to the health care services they need, without causing them financial hardship. It includes the full spectrum of essential, quality services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Q. What does universal health coverage not provide? A. Universal health coverage doesn’t provide free coverage for all possible health treatments regardless of the cost since no country can provide all services free of charge. But its goal is to ensure an expansion of coverage of health services and financial protection as more resources become available. Now that you’re familiar with the key facts about World Health Day, share them with your family and friends so they will be aware of this important day.

In need of home health care for you or a loved one? Let Jewish Home Care Services (JHCS) bring the care you need right to your home! JHCS provides services to adults who require skilled nursing or rehabilitative care in their homes due to a medical condition. When recovering from a surgery, injury, or accident, home healthcare can be an excellent option to help you get back on your feet in the comfort of your own home. Home healthcare enables a patient’s physician to prescribe and develop an individualized plan of care in coordination with the patient and with JHCS. Services are provided by our multidisciplinary team members, who include a medical director; registered nurse; licensed vocational nurse; certified home health aide; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; a medical social worker; and dietary services. JHCS services include: assessing physical status, functional level, and potential for rehabilitationproviding therapeutic rehabilitative training programs to improve the patient’s ability to carry out activities of daily living. These include:bathing and showeringpersonal hygiene and groomingdressingtoilet hygieneself-feedingtransferring (the ability to walk and get in and out of bed, a chair or care)providing counseling related to the impact of illness and assists with referrals to community resources. Some of our specialty services include infusion therapy, wound care, diabetic management, and rehabilitation. Jewish Home Care Services is a Medicare certified and JCAHO accredited home health agency of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. For more information, please call (818) 655-0411 or visit our Home Care Services page.

On October 16th the Jewish Home will present the 21st annual Rhoda G. and Bernard G. Sarnat Symposium for Geriatric care. An endowment from the Sarnats (of blessed memory) helps the Home educate the public and senior-care professionals about the unique aspects of geriatric care, advancements in the field, and policy changes affecting its future. This year Harry Nelson, founder and managing partner of Nelson Hardiman healthcare specialty law firm, will tell us what's ahead for Medicare and health policy for seniors. Dr. Murali Nair of USC's Roybal Institute of Aging will teach about mindfulness and its effects on longevity. Jennifer Schlesinger of Alzheimer's Los Angeles will focus on how diverse communities view dementia and how this impacts disease-identification, diagnosis, and care. Dr. Connie Corley and Marilyn McLaughlin will lead a hands-on workshop involving drumming and movement. They will explain how rhythm-based activities can enhance engagement, socialization, focus, and self-expression in seniors. If you are interested in attending the Sarnat Symposium, you may download a brochure and register online at http://www.lajh.org/resources/sarnat-symposium. The price of $100 includes a continental breakfast, lunch, four presentation workshops, handouts, and six CEU credits. The Sarnat Symposium takes place at Valley Beth Shalom at 15739 Ventura Boulevard in Encino.

As we age, the path to happiness may be exactly that: a path. Perhaps one in a park or garden, with some sunshine added in for good measure. In recent years, scientific research has confirmed what we know intuitively: nature lifts our spirits. For seniors, it offers a simple, effective way to improve their outlook on life. If that sounds like an invitation to storm the wilderness with a backpack and compass, you don't have to go that far—your local park or a neighborhood garden will do nicely. It turns out that even a modest amount of contact with nature goes a long way, making it particularly accessible for seniors. For example, natural scents or sounds can reduce stress and improve mood. Studies have shown that exposure to birds singing or the smell of flowers has a measurable, positive impact on wellbeing. Dr. Jason Strauss, director of geriatric psychiatry at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, notes that interacting with nature is one of the best self-improvement tools for seniors. "Focus on places you find the most pleasing," he advises. "The goal is to get away from stimulating settings and experience a natural environment." Not surprisingly, nature's psychological benefits have given rise to a new healthcare discipline. "Ecotherapy" is tapping into the growing body of scientific knowledge about our kinship with the world around us. Increasingly, seniors are participating in nature-based activities like horticultural therapy, joining groups of their peers to work with plants or in gardens as a way to combat social isolation. The trend, says Noah Marco, MD, the Jewish Home's chief medical officer, offers a refreshingly affordable, low-tech way to stay healthy. "In our modern age, we have a tendency to think that effective remedies will probably be complex and costly," he observes. "Nature is precisely the opposite: It offers a simple, free, and effective way to improve one's outlook on life." Nature plays an important role at the Jewish Home's multiple campuses, where seniors stroll along walking paths and gardens. The Home's beautifully landscaped grounds encourage them to socialize and to enjoy the lovely California sunshine. Of course, long before there was hard data on the value of communing with the natural world, scientists were already endorsing it as a way for people to stay healthy, happy, and feeling young. "Look deep into nature," Albert Einstein counseled, "and you will understand everything better."