Hands to Help Seniors

A new study which was published in the Journal Cell showed that scientists have found a way to turn human stem cells into insulin-producing cells in almost unlimited quantities.  Prior to this study, it was believed that this could be done in only a small quantity of cells.  These newly reengineered cells lowered blood glucose levels when they were transplanted into diabetic mice.  Scientists believe they may be able to develop casings for the new cells so that they aren’t rejected and they can then be ingested by diabetics which will allow them to produce insulin normally.

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At Family inHome Caregiving, the majority of our clients are in their 90's and we have had many over the years that have been well over 100.  Many people are chasing the fountain of youth and are seeking the keys to longevity.  When asking centenarians what has helped them live so long, they often give some unexpected answers.  One woman, Emma Morano, who is the fifth oldest person in the world at 115 and 3 months, is no different.  She told The New York Times that she believes that eating three raw eggs per day since she was 16 (a doctor told her to do so in order to counter her anemia) was one of the reasons that she lived so long.  Most cardiologists would be shocked by someone eating over 100,000 eggs over their lifetime and living to be 118.  She also cited quickly ending an unhappy marriage and remaining single since 1938.  "I didn't want to be dominated by anyone," she said.  She has some fascinating stories to tell. She's the oldest person in Europe and while living in Italy she has watched the country evolve from a monarchy to a republic which has seen 70 governments in seven decades, including two decades of fascism.  No one knows for sure what allows some people to live much longer than others but diet and genes clearly pay a role.  “We do know that the ability to make it to 110 is heritable, so you have a large increase in chance if you have several people in your family to live to a late age,” Dr. Valter Longo, a gerontologist, told The Times.  One of Emma's sister died just short of 100 years old while another lived to be 102.

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At Hands to Help Seniors, we stress to our senior clients that eating right, getting the proper amount of exercise and social interaction are keys to longevity.  A new study which was published in the Journal Ecopsychology emphasizes this.  It found that something as simple as walking outdoors with others can improve your mood and help fight stress.  Participants in the study which didn't walk showed significantly higher levels of depression, stress and bad moods.   

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Happy Valentines Day!  If you are spending the day alone and looking for something fun to do, check out the Dine Out Seniors group which will meet at the Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf Club at One McClure Way in Seaside for a Valentines Day luncheon at 11:30 a.m.  Candy will be displayed.  Seniors who are now alone, new to the area, divorced or widowed are welcome to join the group and meet other seniors.  Please call either 917-1269 and 422.0333 for reservations.

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Pacific Grove, CA  Medical Information Available For Free On The Web, But Carefully Screen Web Sites : View From An In Home Private Duty Caregiver Serving Seniors In Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gilroy, Gonzalez, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Seaside And Soledad California

I am not a big fan of getting medical advice via the Internet.  However, AARP The Magazine did mention a couple of interesting web sites in their latest issue which allows those with the same affliction to share tips on what has and hasn’t worked for them.  They might be worth checking out, particularly if you have something rare or you believe your general practitioner isn’t equipped to deal with because he or she doesn’t deal with it often.  One is called CureCrowd which allows people to give feedback on a variety of symptoms.  The other is called Patients Like Me which covers many more diseases.  You do have to allow the company that owns the web site permission to resell any data you give although they aren’t allowed to disclose your personal information.  AARP also recommended a third site which allows you to plug in your symptoms, history and test results to be analyzed by health care professionals for $99 but I would be weary of doing this.  If you are physically ill, I believe that you should see a doctor in person.

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