Salem marks Older Americans Month

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 07 May 2013 14:33

Matilda Foth, second from left, enjoyed spending Saturday with her son, Clifford, and daughter-in-law Ramona (left), during Older Americans Month at Salem Home in Hillsboro. Seated far right is Jenae Koontz, recently employed at Salem Home, and her son, Bentley. The Foths were visiting from Rogers, Ark. More than 100 people were treated to lunch and entertainment as part of Older Ameri­cans Month at Salem Home Saturday.

Tina Novak, director of activities and life enhancement, said it was the first time the Hillsboro facility did a special event to recognize the contributions and achievements made by older Americans.

“We plan on making this an annual event,” she said, “and continuing to build on what was started this year.”

Kris Erickson, chief executive officer, said he enjoyed serving others, even if he was grilling hot dogs in the rain.

The celebration was going to be outside, he said, but the cold, damp weather prompted the staff to rethink their original idea.

“We look at doing these kinds of projects,” he said...

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Soft drinks have no place in our diet

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:13

One alarming trend in our society today is the prevalence of junk food in our diets—and more importantly in those of our children. While the selection of junk foods continues to grow and the enormity is mind boggling, let’s focus on just one: soft drinks.

They have wiggled their way into nearly every venue in our society. About the only public place I haven’t seen them is in the back vestibules of our nation’s churches.

Soft drinks have no place is this nation’s schools. Soft drinks have little, if any nutritional value. Look at the ingredients in a soft drink the next time you pick one up. Most people wouldn’t have a clue what these ingredients are, myself included.

To be part of a balanced diet, a food product must have...

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SENIOR LIVING/HEALTH & FITNESS FOCUS Eating disorders come in a variety of forms and causes

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 February 2013 13:56

The term “eating disorder” elicits drastically different ideas about what the term means.

Some individuals think first about people who are extremely skinny and starve themselves to maintain a low weight. Others think of individuals who eat excessive amounts of food and are overweight or obese. Still others think about people who engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, to maintain a certain weight.

“We currently live in a nation where there is great alarm about the increasing rates of obesity and associated health problems,” said Kristin Goodheart, psychotherapist with Prairie View. “Yet, there is also great concern about those who lose too much weight and become so thin that they risk starving...

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Floaters in the eyes usually not something to worry about

Written by Fred Cicetti Tuesday, 08 January 2013 15:51

Q I’ve been noticing this thing in my eye. At first I thought it was an eyelash. Then I realized the thing was actually in my eye. One of my friends told me it’s a floater, and not to worry. What exactly is a floater and should I see a doctor?

 

AFloaters are usually nothing to worry about. More than 7 in 10 people experience floaters. Now for some biology.

The lens in the front of your eye focuses light on the retina in the back of your eye. The lens is like the one in a camera, and the retina is like film. The space between the lens and retina is filled with the vitreous, a clear gel that helps to maintain the shape of the eye.

Floaters occur when the vitreous slowly shrinks over time. As the vitreous changes, it becomes...

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