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CARING IN DuPage
OCT 2019
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Reversing the Trend
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION
Identifying peoplewho are strugglingwithmental health isn’t as easy as identifying physical health issues. Making yourself aware of the signs and symptoms of suicide ideation can armyouwith the tools to properly help someone. Please refer to the resources at the end of this article to help a person in need. At BrightStar Care of Central DuPage-Wheaton, we desire to address the needs of our community. Sometimes, we talk about and deal with difficult subjects because the only way to begin the healing process is to acknowledge the problem exists. Across the country, suicide is becoming increasingly common, and it’s harder and harder to find someone who hasn’t been affected by a friend or loved one taking their own life. this trend through Tucker Carlson’s programon Fox News, where he has discussed the issue at length. I’ve been extremely fortunate not to have experienced this epidemic firsthand, not withmy family, my employees, nor my church community. However, I knowmany people who have gone through the grief and confusion that comes with a friend or a loved one taking their own life. because of the prevalence of guns, a lack of mental health care facilities in sparsely populated areas, or a shift away from traditional male roles, the trend defies easy explanation. What’s important is if you are contemplating suicide, or someone you know appears to be or is contemplating suicide, you should know the signs and get help as soon as you can. About 70% of suicides are committed by white males, but it can affect anyone. I was first made aware of As to why it’s happening, I don’t know if it’s useful or good to speculate. Whether you think it’s
Some of the warning signs that someone is thinking about suicide might be more obvious than others, but that doesn’t mean you should discount the more subtle signs a person can send about contemplating suicide. More overt warning signs include talking about wanting to die or kill
themselves, increasing their use of alcohol or drugs, or talking about feeling unbearable pain. More subtle signs
might include sleeping too little or toomuch, isolating themselves, or behaving recklessly. For the full list, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
In the DuPage-Wheaton area, plenty of resources are available for those struggling with thoughts of suicide or issues that can lead to thoughts of suicide.
• If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
• If you’re looking for a free medical clinic: DuPage County Community Resource Information System (630-407-6500) • If you need professional counseling at any time of day that accepts Medicare or Medicaid: DuPage County Health Crisis Intervention Unit (630-627-1700) • If you are struggling with a mental illness: DuPage County Psychological Services (630-682-7400) or the National Alliance for Mental Illness (630-752-0066) • If your income is 200% below the poverty level, and you are not eligible for health insurance: Access DuPage (630-510-8720)
• For physically, emotionally, and/or economically vulnerable older adults: Senior Counseling Services (773-250-6202)
• If you have been facing challenges created by aging, domestic violence, or a number of other issues: Hamdard Center for Health & Human Services (630-860-9122) –Jim Flickinger President
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You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low- impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers. Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today, pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball.
A SPORT FOR ALL AGES BECOMES A CRAZE AMONG OLDER ADULTS THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF PICKLEBALL
One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BREAST CANCER Beyond Raising Awareness
Have You Heard the Good News?
What are my treatment options? There are basically two options for treating breast cancer. Surgery or radiation therapy can remove the affected tissues (using targeted radioactive waves to destroy tumors), or procedures like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy can destroy or control the cancer cells. Ask your physician about which treatments would be best for you or your loved one. How can I prevent breast cancer? While nothing can prevent breast cancer with certainty, a holistic, healthy lifestyle can decrease your risk of developing it. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and limiting your alcohol consumption can all help you defend your body against breast cancer. When your elderly loved one is struggling with cancer, dealing with all the different aspects of treatment can be exhausting. But, for any cancer care need they might have, BrightStar Care of Central DuPage can answer your questions. Call us today at (630) 260-5300 to see how we can help.
Over 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. It is the fourth most common type of cancer in the U.S., and it’s the second most
Romans 8:28 — "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Hebrews 12:11 — "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 1 Peter 5:10 — "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Corinthians 2:11 — "For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
common and third most deadly type of cancer for women (behind skin cancer and lung cancer, respectively). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you probably have some questions about the condition. Below are some of the most common questions about breast cancer and what can be done to combat it. What causes breast cancer? Various factors contribute to someone developing breast cancer. These factors can be simple, such as getting older or gaining weight right after menopause, or more complex, such as long-term use of combined hormone therapy or a history of radiation therapy to the chest. A family history of breast cancer can be a factor, but statistics show this is only the case for 5–10% of individuals with the disease.
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curve and high barrier to entry that sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one. In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points. If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon.
A Step in the Right Direction A NEW DISCOVERY IN THE BATTLE AGAINST PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Around 60,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year, and by 2020, almost 1 million Americans will be living with it. While treatments for Parkinson’s are available, a cure for the disease still eludes us. However, researchers at King’s College London have recently found more diverse treatment options that may slow, and maybe prevent, the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Traditionally, Parkinson’s disease has been associated with a deficiency of a brain chemical called dopamine. Many existing treatments for Parkinson’s work to restore dopamine levels based on this association. But researchers recently discovered a potential link between Parkinson’s and the deficiency of serotonin, another brain chemical. The researchers conducted a study comparing dopamine and serotonin between three different groups of study participants. One group had a genetic mutation, called SNCA, which the researchers had linked with near certainty to a development of Parkinson’s disease. Of this group, half of the participants displayed symptoms while the other half did not. The 65 participants in the second group all had Parkinson’s but not the SNCA gene. The third group was comprised of 25 healthy participants. When the seven participants in the first group (Parkinson’s symptoms and SNCA) and the 65 participants of the second group (just Parkinson’s) were compared with the 25 healthy participants, researchers found both the former groups displayed a deterioration in dopamine and serotonin levels. But, when the seven participants of the first group with the SNCA gene and no symptoms were compared with the healthy participants, researchers found the first group had up to 34% fewer serotonin neurons than the healthy group. If Parkinson’s can be predicted by a deficiency of serotonin and dopamine, the disease could potentially be detected 15–20 years before the first symptoms appear, drastically widening the window for treatment. While the limited parameters of this study may raise questions about the reliability and cost-effectiveness of using serotonin levels as an indicator, some scientists agree it’s a step toward greater knowledge of Parkinson’s and a potential cure. If you have a loved one suffering from Parkinson’s, BrightStar Care of Central DuPage can help. Our in-home care professionals can give your loved ones peace of mind in a familiar environment. We offer clients with neurological disorders several services:
ROASTED CORN SALSA Inspired by Bon Appétit
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium ears of corn, shucked • 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped • 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced • Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste 1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potatomasher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine. DIRECTIONS
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A safe environment
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Contact our 24/7 hotline at (630) 260-5300 if you have any questions.
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
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CARING IN DUPAGE SUBSCRIPTION
INSIDE
Suicide Awareness and Prevention 1 Why You Should Play Pickleball Breast Cancer FAQs 2 Roasted Corn Salsa A New Discovery About Parkinson’s Disease 3 How to Best Protect Yourself From Scam Calls 4
RING, RING — IT’S A ROBOT What You Can Do to Protect Yourself From Phone Scams and Robocalls If you know someone in need of home care or more e-learning materials, contact leonard.sanchez@brightstarcare.com.
Two of the most common scams are phone scams and robocalls. These calls are incredibly annoying and can trick you out of valuable information if you’re not careful. While it might seem like these scams are inescapable, there are some precautions you can take to avoid their traps. fraudulent, time-wasting calls is to simply hang up. If possible, it is best to not answer at all. It’s always good to have a list of numbers you can reference, so you never have to guess who is calling. Think of it as going one step beyond caller ID. In some cases, answering and then hanging up can actually do more harm than good. Answering the phone gives the scammers confirmation that the number works and that they should try again. Once your Give them the silent treatment. One thing you can do to avoid these
number is confirmed as active, it often gets put on an “active
number” list that can then be sold to other scammers who market in these types of phone numbers. If you can’t verify who is calling without picking up, don’t answer. Let it go to voicemail. If it’s important, the person will leave a legitimate message and you can respond afterward. Put up some deterrents. You can even go a step further and block the calls. Many phone service providers offer call-blocking options, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You can sign up for this service in-store or on your service provider’s website. Each service costs about $4 per month. There are also a number of call-blocking apps available on Android and Apple devices, but if you subscribe
to a blocking service through your phone provider, these apps are unnecessary.
Finally, you can sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s “Do Not Call” program (DoNotCall.gov). While the Do Not Call program can help cut back on calls, this list is largely ignored by scammers. If you’re getting a ridiculous number of robocalls every day, signing up can offer you some brief respite. Thankfully, Congress is already attempting to fix this problem by making it harder for scammers to call you. But until they are able to pass tough, effective legislation, it is up to us as consumers to remain vigilant and do what we can to keep our personal and financial data safe and secure.
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