Growing old has its advantages: the wisdom of life experiences, the leisure of retirement, the joys of grandchildren and the benefits of senior discounts. On the other hand, growing old increases the likelihood of health concerns.

Data from Medicare show 80 percent of adults 65+ have at least one chronic condition. In addition, the most common health issue for adults 65 and older is high blood pressure, while the second is high cholesterol. According to the National Institutes of Health, 62 percent of adults age 50+ have high cholesterol. Similar to high blood pressure, high cholesterol causes no symptoms but can lead to impaired heart health.

A nurse’s role includes many responsibilities: getting patients’ health histories, administering medications and treatments, performing diagnostic tests, and collaborating with doctors and the health care team. Nurses teach patients and families how to manage health conditions. Nurses work in all kinds of settings including hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, schools and government agencies. Skilled home health and hospice nurses take their skills on the road and provide care at their patients’ homes.

At the heart of it, nurses are caregivers. They juggle a lot of duties and mounds of paperwork as they give patients the very best care. Nurses are dedicated professionals. However, while caring for others is rewarding, it also can be tiring.

You’ve heard of the three R’s of education: reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. You probably know about the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse and recycle. Having a list of three R’s can help us recall and prioritize what is most important.

If you stop to think about it, you can probably recall a time a social worker made a life-changing difference for you, your loved ones or your neighbors. Consider the social worker who fielded an emotional hotline call about mental health services. What about the social worker who reviewed that lengthy, complicated Medicaid application?
Maybe it was the school social worker who counseled an errant child about behavior concerns. Or perhaps a social worker who led the grief counseling sessions you attended after a loved one died.

Given all the impact social workers have on us personally and the world at large, it’s good to take a few moments during Social Work Month to applaud their strengths:

Daily food choices influence the health of older adults. Good eating habits help the body maintain muscles, bones and organs in good working order.

Have you ever seen a job posting like this?

People typically take precautions to avoid serious illnesses. We politely cover our mouths and noses during coughs and sneezes to prevent spreading germs.