It’s time again for the world to come together and celebrate the spirit of sport. A competitive battle showcasing the power of dedication, focus and a will to achieve something great. While most of us never have, nor ever will achieve worldwide acclaim as an athlete, it doesn’t mean we haven’t achieved greatness in sports or in life. Whether it was participating in high school, collegiate, or recreational sports or arts; earning a degree; starting a business; or raising a family — hard work, focus, discipline and a drive to achieve a goal are the basic ingredients for success. What I enjoy the most about watching the games in Rio, is the reminder of what’s involved in accomplishing something great in life — even if it’s only great to you.

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There are night owls and early birds, but what if you aren’t either? The internet has created a new winged creature to describe the odd sleepers — the permanently exhausted pigeon. While this is good for a chuckle and a repost on social media, sleeplessness and excessive sleepiness can be a source of stress and frustration.

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By Deborah Bier, PhD, director of special populations

Hoarding is a complex, difficult to solve situation. It requires a deep understanding of the situation, the underlying causes and how to create workable solutions that include all stakeholders. No two cases of hoarding are the same. In fact, there are several conditions that include hoarding behavior as a symptom.These include: 

• Schizophrenia
• Diogenese syndrome
• Isolated syllogomania
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Various types of dementia

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While the name sounds unnerving, congestive heart failure (CHF) does not mean the heart has stopped working, but rather the heart’s ability to pump has declined. Similar to how your sinuses become congested due to a cold or allergies, the body can become congested with blood and fluid when the heart isn’t pumping correctly. CHF, also known as heart failure, falls under the umbrella of heart disease. Other forms of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and cardiomyopathy, can cause CHF. In addition, thyroid diseases, diabetes, HIV, and an excessive accumulation of iron and protein can contribute to CHF.

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What is your favorite thing to wake up to in the morning? Is it rolling over and seeing your special person snore quietly? Maybe it’s the excited giggles from your child or grandchild? Is it the sun peaking over the horizon?

Let’s be honest; it’s probably none of those things. Those greeting cards and movie moments are mostly a sweet mirage. Waking up, in reality, can be difficult, especially when you are trading the warmth of happy dreams for the busy daily demands of life. One way to make the morning brighter is to drink a fresh-brewed cup of coffee. Coffee can help pull people out of a sleepy stupor and energize them to face the day.

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Adequate nutrition is of the upmost importance for seniors. Following recipes for meals that are both healthy and easy to make can make it much easier for seniors to obtain proper nutrition. The following are few simple meal ideas that may make it easier for seniors to eat well.

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Medications can have a significant impact on a senior’s diet and appetite. When seniors change eating habits due to these issues, it can affect health and well being. It is important for caregivers and family members to understand how medications may affect individuals in order to ensure that adequate nutrition is received.

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Approximately 3.7 million American seniors were diagnosed with malnutrition in 2012, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Seniors are more likely to take medications, have chronic health conditions, and live in poverty, so these challenges make it more difficult for seniors to meet nutritional needs than other age groups. Caregivers, family members, and seniors must work together to make the most of meals and snacks in order to meet the nutritional needs of seniors.

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Now that spring has arrived you’re probably going to be more active, as well you should be. But even though the ice is finally melting, the increase in physical activity also means the increased likelihood of losing your balance and potentially incurring serious injury. 

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Receiving adequate nutrition is important at any age, but is even more crucial for seniors. Proper nutrition can help seniors to combat many different conditions and can prolong life expectancy. In order to ensure that seniors receive adequate nutrition, however, it is important to understand that seniors’ nutritional needs are unique and there are special challenges that may need to be taken into consideration in order to meet those needs.

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