February 2021- American Heart Month
It’s no secret February is all about hearts — but not just the candy kind.
It’s also American Heart Month, a time the nation turns its attention to keeping families and communities free from heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans.
The federally designated event reinforces the importance of heart health and the need for more research, with a reminder to get families, friends and communities involved. It’s a tradition that’s over half a century strong. The first proclamation was issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson in February 1964, nine years after he had a heart attack. Since then, the president has annually declared February American Heart Month.
February is also "Go Red Month" for women and the official "Go Red for Women Day" is February 5th.
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Heart-Healthy Living
Is For Everyone
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Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. But you can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy.
Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary heart disease, the most common type. Coronary and other types of heart disease cause heart attacks, but by taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease and also improve your overall health and well-being.
Learn more about living a heart-healthy lifestyle, our role in research and clinical trials to improve health, and where to find more information.
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Delicious Heart Healthy Eating
DASH Eating Plan-Tools and Resources
DASH is a heart healthy approach that has been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and have other health benefits. With this flexible and balanced eating plan, you can enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meats, beans, nuts, whole grains and low-fat dairy. There are no special foods or hard-to-follow recipes required.
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A Healthy Diet can Help Caregivers Reduce Stress
By Nathan Lamb-October 3, 2020
Are you a family caregiver? You may not think of yourself that way, but if you spend time tending to the needs or concerns of a person with an ongoing illness, injury or disability you are considered a caregiver.
Approximately 85% of people with dementia and chronic illness are cared for exclusively in their own homes. On average, their loved ones provide 12 hours of assistance a day. That can be difficult to juggle with work and other responsibilities, and it often takes an economic and physical toll. As a result, caregivers often report significant stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Caregiving also can take its toll on caregiver nutrition. Limited time to cook or shop may result in reaching for sweets or picking up fast food, which don’t need a lot of preparation or advance planning. Nutrients that can fall short include protein and fluids, as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables that may not be present in convenience items. That leaves the caregiver at risk of malnutrition, and, in turn, more susceptible to the physical effects of stress.
The good news is that eating a healthful diet can reduce the negative effects of stress. So, while caregivers are often rightfully focused on making sure they provide healthy meals for those they care for, it is very important for caregivers to keep their own nutrition and hydration at the top of their priority list.
How can you do this to your full list of items on your “to do” list? A good way to start a new habit is to take the first few steps first. Begin with drinking beverages at each meal and 2-3 times between meals. Examples of healthy drinks include: water, milk, juice (for those fruits/vegetables you may be missing), or non-sweetened drinks.
Next, focus on protein, a key nutrient that builds strength and provides important minerals. Ways you can add protein to your day include:
- At meals, eat your protein first
- Snack on cheese
- Replace cereal with eggs
- Top your food with chopped almonds
- Choose Greek yogurt
- Have a protein shake
- Eat low/no fat dairy products
- Include a high-protein food like fish, chicken, beef, eggs with every meal
- Pair peanut butter or yogurt with fruit
- Try a variety of plant proteins like nuts, peanut butter, beans and tofu
- Drink a liquid supplement like Ensure or Glucerna
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6 Celebrities Connected to Heart Disease-And How They Keep Their Heart Healthy
These award-winning female performers speak on healthy living, self-care, and their own personal stories about heart disease.
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Local Resources for Caregivers
Families and other informal caregivers provide a tremendous amount of support to older persons and persons with disabilities. Grandparents and other relatives who are raising another person's children also devote a great amount of time and energy to their caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers often need support to effectively take care of their loved ones and at the same time take care of themselves.This section of the website is designed to assist caregivers by providing information about available resources.
Caregiver Resource Centers serve as access points for information on a variety of caregiving topics. The centers are staffed on a part-time basis. Coordinators at each center understand the challenges that caregivers face. Caregiver Resource Centers provide information, assistance and support that can be helpful in a caregiver’s individual situation. They help caregivers navigate services systems, find solutions to individualized concerns, and make appropriate referrals. Many Caregiver Resource Centers also have support groups. In addition, each center has materials that can be reviewed on site or checked out for home use.
Contact a Caregiver Resource Center for information regarding the Savvy Caregiver program – a free knowledge and skills training for those who are caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The classes help guide caregivers toward the goal of creating a fulfilling life for their loved one while maintaining a healthy balance in their own life.
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Delaware's COVID-19
Vaccination Information
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Delaware's State Plan on Aging |
The State Plan has been developed to meet the requirements of the Older Americans Act which provides funding for a variety of programs and services for older Delawareans and their caregivers including supportive services, nutrition programs, disease prevention and health promotion initiatives, elder rights protection activities, and caregiver support programs.
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Please Click on the banners below to visit the DSAAPD and ADRC websites |
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