Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults
Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults
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Temporarily disabling a single protein inside our cells might be able to protect us from the common cold and other viral diseases, according to a study led by researchers at Stanford University and University of California San Francisco. The findings were made in human cell cultures and in mice. "Our grandmas have always been asking us, 'If you're so smart, why haven't you come up with a cure for the common cold?'"said Jan Carette, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology...
After decades of research, a new study links optimism and prolonged life. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, have found that individuals with greater optimism are more likely to live longer and to achieve "exceptional longevity," that is, living to age 85 or older. Optimism refers to a general expectation that good things will happen, or believing...
Research reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) held in Los Angeles earlier this summer identified a number of differences in the progression and risk of Alzheimer's disease between women and men, including newly identified sex-specific risk genes and contrasting presentation of Alzheimer's biology in the brain. Two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer's disease in the United States are women, according to the Alzheimer's Association's 2019 A...
New research suggests that regular use of certain types of commonly prescribed drugs used to treat bladder conditions, Parkinson's disease and depression could significantly increase the risk of dementia in later life. The study, carried out by researchers from the University of Nottingham and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), found that there was nearly a 50% increased risk of dementia among patients age 55 and over who had used strong...
LATE, formally known as limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, a recently recognized brain disorder that mimics the clinical features of Alzheimer's disease, could be more common than Alzheimer's, according to a report published on April 30 in the journal Brain. The report suggests that many patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's might instead be suffering from this newly discovered disease. "While we've certainly been making advances in Alzheimer's disease...
A sampling from a mosquito trap in southwest Visalia has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Delta Vector Control District, the testing agency, and the Tulare County Health & Human Service Agency’s Public Health Branch ask Visalia residents to be vigilant against mosquito bites. WNV is an illness caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of WNV can vary in severity, and though most individuals experience minimal to no effects, symptoms can include fever, h...
On June 1, the CalFresh food program in Tulare County and statewide expanded to serve qualifying individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits. Participation does not change or reduce SSI/SSP benefits. "A tremendous change in legislation means we can now provide CalFresh benefits to SSI recipients for the first time," said Vienna Barnes, deputy director of Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), TulareWORKs....
People can reduce their risk of dementia by getting regular exercise, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). “In the next 30 years, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We need to do everything we can to reduce our risk of dementia. The scien...
May is Mental Health Month, and the Tulare County Health & Human Services Mental Health Branch and its partners are raising awareness about the connection between physical and mental health by holding events throughout the county. "Prevention, early intervention, education and engagement are key in addressing mental health issues," said Donna Ortiz, deputy director of Mental Health Integrated Services. Maintaining mental health involves a balanced diet; regular exercise and...
Red flag laws allowing for the removal of firearms from people with mental illness need to be widely extended to patients suffering from dementia, according to an article in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. The authors noted that the current lack of public policy could lead to an increase in suicide and accidental shootings among baby boomers and older adults, who have high rates of gun ownership and increasing risk for age-related dementia. While...
Physical activity is important at any age as it helps to build a healthy heart, strong bones and improve movement and flexibility. As we get older, there are additional benefits such as preventing disease or chronic conditions, assisting the body with healing, lowering the chance of injury, improving mood, life expectancy and overall quality of life. It is with these goals in mind that the Visalia Senior Center is introducing a new program sponsored by the Arthritis...
Kaweah Delta has officially joined forces with Cleveland Clinic's Heart & Vascular Institute, the No. 1 ranked heart program in the country, in an effort to elevate services for people seeking cardiovascular care in the Central Valley. The announcement was made at a January 25th press conference attended by over 100 people at Kaweah Delta. As an affiliate, the two organizations will stay independent, and physicians and staff of Kaweah Delta's heart program will remain the same...
After 25 years as the chief executive officer of Visalia Medical Clinic, Richard (Rick) Strid is retiring and beginning a new career in teaching. Strid has overseen significant growth in the multi-disciplinary clinic, which now offers over 60 providers as well as on site imaging, lab, physical therapy and a sleep lab. Under Strid's leadership, the clinic was named Large Business of the Year by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce in 2014. He has been a member of the board of the...
Older adults go to the emergency department more often than other age groups, stay longer and require more resources and medical interventions. The most common conditions among geriatric frequent users include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure and blockage or damage to veins or arteries, according to new research in Annals of Emergency Medicine. "Efforts to improve care for vulnerable older Americans should focus on enhancing delivery and...
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, is spreading, most signifi cantly in the American Northwest. The Washington State Department of Health reported 25 confirmed cases in one county. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a rash. The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body. Fortunately, however, if the outbreak manages to spread to Tulare and Kings...
Tickets are now on sale for Kaweah Delta Breast Center's 6th annual Pink Tea Party, scheduled for the Exhibit Hall of the Visalia Convention Center on Sunday, October 22, beginning at 1 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.) The Asian-themed event will feature music, a catered lunch, opportunity drawings, a fan parade and a walk of hope, dedicated to those who have fought or are fighting cancer. Kim Becking, nationally recognized author, motivational speaker and breast cancer...
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a mere 29% one-year survival rate. In 2016, pancreatic cancer became the third leading cause of cancer death in the country. The time frame between diagnosis and death is often short. Only 7% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years. This is very small compared to prostate cancer or breast cancer, where more than 90% of patients survive for five years after diagnosis. "Most people are unaware of how...
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in late July that there was a large increase in the number of reported Valley Fever cases in California with illness onset in 2016. Last year, 5,372 new cases of Valley Fever were reported to CDPH, corresponding to an incidence rate of 13.7 cases per 100,000 people. This is very similar to the most recent peak in 2011 (5,213 cases), which was the highest number of cases since individual cases were made reportable in...
Walkers, team captains, sponsors and volunteers are needed for the 2107 Visalia Walk to End Alzheimer's, which will be held on Saturday October 14, at Mooney Grove Park, beginning at 8 a.m. The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Held annually, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages to help in the effort to defeat this devastating disease. Last year, the Northern...
"Nationally, there are twice as many suicides as homicides, said Noah Whitaker, director of the Suicide Prevention Task Force, which is responsible for the oversight and guidance of suicide prevention efforts in both Tulare and Kings counties. "There are more suicides by firearms alone than all forms of homicide combined." He estimates that there are 40 suicides a year in Tulare County, and between 8 and 15 in Kings County. "When you look at it from a humanitarian angle, one...
More than 100 people attended the open house for the Open Arms House in Visalia on June 22. Board members conducted tours and answered questions. Craig VanHorn brought the A&W Floatmobile and it was manned by high school students from Exeter. The extensive remodeling on the house, located at 3234 W. Iris, was funded through donations and is now complete; however, donations of furniture, television sets, hospital beds and other furnishings are still needed. "Thanks to very...
Americans are now living longer than ever before. In fact, one of the fastest growing segments is people over the age of 85, who will represent 20% of the population by the year 2040. Because we are living longer, certain conditions specific to seniors are also on a steady rise. Dehydration, falls, fractures, cognition loss and attention deficits are now becoming more commonplace. In a recent paper titled Salt Appetite Across Generations, presented at a medical conference in...
Men face a greater risk of mortality following a fracture related to osteoporosis, a common disease where the bones become weak and brittle, according to new research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). “Although women are more likely to sustain an initial, osteoporosis-related ‘fragility fracture,’ men have similar rates of incurring a subsequent fracture and are at greater risk for mortality after these injuries,” said lead study author Alan Zhang, MD, an orthopa...
The pain and management of arthritis may not be visible, but it is incredibly real to the 50 million Americans diagnosed with arthritis and related diseases. Adding to this population's challenges are mounting concerns about the future of America's health care system and how to navigate its complexities. In response to the arthritis community, the Arthritis Foundation launched Prescription for Access, an initiative to address the community's concerns and provide people with...
Kings County Commission on Aging, along with In Home Supportive Services and USDA, will host the first Senior Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10 at the Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St., Hanford. The health fair will begin with a pancake breakfast from 9-10 a.m. Other highlights include a live band, Zumba demonstrations, entertainment, activities, flu shots and informational services. The Kings County Commission on Aging works to maintain and...