Many families worry about their parents getting the proper nutrition with a balanced  diet.Most older adults appetites decrease as they become less active.The taste  & smell also takes away the need to eat.  The most common complaint is  food doesn't taste the same..These are a  few meals that can be very nutritious  .The daily  recommendation  for seniors,according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,are: 1-1/12 to 2 servings of fresh fruit;2 to 2-1/2 cups of fresh  vegetables(leafy greens,kale,spinach,oranges,carrots & squash)1,200 mg. calcium(low-fat milk.yogurt,or cheese .Non-dairy sources include tofu,broccoli & almonds);6 to 7 ounces of grains (choose whole grains over processed white flour  for more nutrients and a higher fiber count);and approximately 65 grams of protein.If concern about  why a senior is not getting proper nutrition .Always consult a doctor with any concern.


Breakfast

• Warm oatmeal and berries.Use a  crockpot,place frozen berries or fresh .Add butter with one serving of old fashion oatmeal with water,cover & cook on low,for several hours(overnight).this will give consistency of bread pudding.
• A hard boiled egg.have with a side of fruit with a slice of whole wheat toast.
• Whole grain pancakes or waffles.for extra fiber.top with berries.For protein,use walnuts or almonds
• Yogurt parfait.Mix yogurt with nuts and fruit.

Lunch 

• Quinoa salad.Pre-chopped stir -fry vegetables (onion,red pepper,mushrooms).Comebine with pine nuts or pecans (optional) with cooked quinoa.Toss with Italian salad dressing.Eat fresh,warm or cold.According to USDA recommends steaming & sautéing vegetables in olive oil instead of boiling,to keep all the nutrients.
• Eggs & red potatoes.Melt unsalted butter in a skillet,low heat.Cover for 2 minutes.Then, pour scrambled eggs over potatoes.Add pepper rather than salt.use fresh herbs and spices.
• Salmon wrap.Place canned Alaskan boneless skinless salmon on a whole grain wrap with chopped avocado,tomatoes,greens and plain yogurt.wrap, cut in half & enjoy.

Dinner

• Beans and Rice.Heat up a can of black,pinto,or white beans.Serve with brown rice,oats,barley.You can warm meal in crock pot and eat later.
• Grilled or baked Alaskan salmon.Top each steak with tomatoes,sweet onions,dried or fresh basil,chopped garlic & 1tbs of extra virgin olive oil.Wrap each piece of fish tightly in aluminum foil.Place in the oven at 300 degrees.When the fish is flaky & moist it's ready to eat.
• Southwest chicken salad.Cook boneless, skinless chicken breast on medium heat in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil.Then add salsa,shred chicken, refrigerate to use in wraps or soup.

**If you notice changes in eating habits or weight loss please consult their Doctor.Most seniors will display some of these things if help is needed for food prep: spoiled food in refrigerator,diminish energy or strength in lifting dishes in and out of cabinet,empty refrigerator, burner left on,pans burned (signs they left the stove on for a long duration)**

These are organization that can help with providing proper nutrients to seniors well being below:

• Meals on Wheels Association of America:Prepares and delivers more that one million meals to seniors each day.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:(SNAP): This is the goverment food assistance program.Seniors who have trouble affording fresh fruits and vegetables and other food can apply.
• Schwan's:A national grocery store delivers frozen meals-breakfast,lunch & dinner- door to door every two weeks.
• Net grocers:An online grocery store,delivers perishables and frozen foods,along with other groceries,within 3-7 business days.Also check out peapod.com,depending where you live is also a great service.

With the advanced medical  science today living longer has become increasingly  the norm, especially in the elderly community. unfortunately ,it also comes with the responsibility of knowing that if any health issues arise that they have someone to make decisions on their behalf for what proper procedures to take to make sure they are getting the care they need in any situation. for those who are the end of life, injury, illness & impact from a accident where they may not be able to express what should be done in reference to treatment."With a Advance health care directives,families may need to obtain court Order to deal with such medical conditions.State laws vary in reference to what documents should be used.In 50 states you must state if your unable to express medical treatment  to appoint someone who can communicate your wishes if unable to do for one's self."Depending on what state  the documents are known as  living wills,medical directives,Healthcare proxy,or advanced healthcare directives."

living Wills
A living will is written expression of how you want to be treated in certain medical circumstancesThe document permits according to the state lawsFor example, most  terminally ill decide in advance what treatment  they want."life -sustaining treatment" such as a ventilator to extend fife.


Health Care Proxy
A "health care proxy" sometimes a " health care surrogate" or " durable medical power of attorney" specifically designed to cover medical treatment .You grant a person to make medical decisions in event you're unable to express or communicate.

Why Have Health Directive? 
These documents as stated above is to protect a persons right to how they want their medical treatment taken care of in the invent they are unable to.Most Physicians prefer these documents because they provide a written expression of the clients preference on how they want care provided for them.

Obtaining & maintaining Living Will & Health Care Proxies

A lawyer will be able to provide documents.These documents requires two  witnesses,"who must be adults under what is defined under state laws.It is the policy of some hospitals  and other medical  institutions  not to remit permit their employees to witness the signing of any documents".Also it's always  important  to talk with family members  so they have a better understanding on how  to deal with such a major decision in anyone's life.

What would we do without Grandparents on these Snow Days? where most schools are canceled,So many parents are sometimes reluctant to ask there aging parents for help. However, they will always be our Hero's who are always willing to help in any way they can. Besides adding laughter into the equation always makes anyone's day better.

Charlie & Tom sitting on the porch reminiscing on their younger days.Thought I would share some afternoon laughter with the sun glistening on the high snow banks that have many families hibernating on this cold snowy day with some hot chocolate or for others that freshly brewed cup of coffee with an hint of milk & two table spoons of sugar while enjoying it with your favorite treat.The delight of an afternoon retreat is a remedy of laughter!Happy snow day & stay warm.

Groundhog Day made it's debut in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania February 2, 1887, 128 years ago a popular tradition in the United States.It's also known to be a legend  through out centuries &  it's origins of such tradition that the history still is well known even today."Myths such as this ties our present to the distant past when nature did,indeed,influence our lives." It's the day that the groundhog comes out of  his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.If he sees it,he regards it as a promise it will be six more weeks of winter & goes back into hibernationSo, if the day cloudy & shadowless it's a sure sign spring is coming & he get to stay above ground.Well,New England for sure, getting a dose of winter wonderland  with foots of snow in many areas of Massachusetts..It will be spring forward before we know it with May flowers ready to Bloom! besides a little humor & hot chocolate always makes these winter months much more optimistic.Happy Groundhog Day!

According to the American Heart Association,Heart disease is the  # 1 silent killer for women,where 1 in 3 women die of heart disease (or) strokes more than any form of cancer.Like many women the symptoms go unnoticed because it contributes to many other factors that have the same symptoms.Paying attention can save lives if detected early.Routine check ups is essential & discussing any concerns you may have.For Example,the most common CHD (Congenial Heart Disease)-Angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart muscles contract causing pressure where it doesn't get enough oxygen to through the blood..Doctors warn not ignoring symptoms by waiting for them to go away (or) Assuming you may have heartburn,muscles soreness,or other serious, non cardiac issues.Especially people over the age of 65 years, people with heart risk factors,high cholesterol, high blood pressure,smoking,diabetes, family history & obesity.
These are the 12 symptoms that you should not ignore:
>Anxiety-Heart attack can cause anxiety of the fear of death
>Chest discomfort -classic symptom of heart attack.
>Cough-excessive coughing & wheezing can be symptom of heart disease,which is often mistaken for common cold.
 >Dizziness-feeling lightheaded
>Fatigue-very common for women days or weeks before actually having heart attack.
>Nausea or lack of appetite-it's not uncommon for people feel sick or vomit
>Pain in other parts of the body-shoulder,arms,elbows,back,neck,jack,or Abdomen
>Rapid or irregular pulse-should not be taken lightly especially accompanied with weekness,dizziness,      or short of breath. If left untreated,some arrhythmia  can lead to stroke & heart attack.
>Shortness of breath-feeling winded & often associated with asthma or COPD (obstructive pulmonary disease). 
>Sweating-Breaking -out in a sweat & common sign of heart attack.
>Swelling-Heart failure can cause fluid to increase in the body
>Weakness-before the initial heart attack some experience unexplained weakness.


**************************National Heart Awareness Month*****************************