Official Government Website
Month: October 2021
An Attitude of Gratitude
When life gets challenging, it can be difficult to focus on all the good things we have to be thankful for. Our brains are hardwired to consider the worst possible scenario and remember negative experiences to avoid pain and stay safe in the future. Gratitude is one way to counteract our natural bias towards negativity to boost happiness and overall well-being.
Gratitude Tips
- Take a moment. Think about the positive things that happened during the day.
- Jot it down. Make a habit of writing down things you’re grateful for. Try this 30 day gratitude journal!
- Savor your experiences. Try to notice positive moments as they are happening.
- Relive the good times. Relive positive moments later by thinking about them or sharing them with others.
- Write to someone. Write a letter to someone you feel thankful toward. You don’t have to send it.
- Make a visit. Tell someone you’re grateful for them in person.
Source: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/03/practicing-gratitude
Idaho Celebrates Family Caregivers
Being a family caregiver isn’t uncommon, in fact, more than 53 million people provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life, and independence of someone close to them, but it is crucial. In fact, millions of older adults and people with disabilities would not be able to live in the community without that support and replacing it with paid services would cost an estimated $470 billion each year.
Providing support is rewarding, but it can be challenging when family caregivers do not have training or support, needed for the growing complexities of care, or opportunities for rest and protecting their own well-being. At the Idaho Commission on Aging, we believe that caring shouldn’t hurt.
The Idaho Commission on Aging’s core duty is planning a network of services that help older Idahoans to live safe, healthy, and self-directed lives in their communities of choice. One of the most important services is the Idaho Family Caregiver Support Program offering:
- Information Services
- Help accessing services and supports
- Support groups, training, and counseling
- Respite, or a short break from caring
- Supplemental Services for individuals aged 60 years or older
This month ICOA encourages all Idahoans to recognize and thank family caregivers. If you are a family caregiver celebrate the important job you perform, but don’t forget to also prioritize the interests and passions that enrich your life and recognize the essential component of self-care.
Ten Caregiving tips for you and your family:
1. Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
2. Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
3. Accept offer of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
5. Caregiving is hard work so take respite (rest) breaks often.
6. Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help.
7. Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
8. Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.
9. Make sure legal documents are in order.
10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!
Visit the ICOA Website for Caregiver information
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for programs and services
For free education on healthy caregiving topics visit the Idaho Commission on Aging’s Caregiving Education webpage.
Small Steps, BIG Difference
November is National Diabetes Month!
Prediabetes is a serious health condition that puts you at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes affects more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults—that’s 88 million people—but most people don’t know they have it.
The good news is that by making healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to manage or reverse prediabetes and prevent it from turning into type 2 diabetes.
COULD YOU HAVE PREDIABETES?
Follow these tips to prevent/manage prediabetes:
01. Take small steps
Making changes to your lifestyle
and daily habits can be hard, but
you don’t have to change everything
at once. Start small.
02. Move more
Limit time spent sitting and try to
get at least 30 minutes of physical
activity 5 days a week. Start slowly by
breaking it up throughout the day.
03. Choose healthier foods and drinks more often
Pick foods that are high in fiber and low
in fat and sugar. Build a plate that
includes a balance of vegetables,
protein, and carbohydrates. Drink
water instead of sweetened drinks.
04. Lose weight, track it, keep it off
You may be able to prevent or delay
diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of
your starting weight.
05. Seek support from your doctor
People are more successful at
managing their prediabetes if they
have regular contact and support
from trusted health care professionals.
06. Stay up to date on vaccinations
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are
important for people who may be more
likely to get very sick from COVID-19
or the flu, such as people with diabetes.