Category: News

For many people, it can be a challenge finding a stress relief technique that’s effective. While certain techniques may work well for some, they may not work at all for others. This is because the stress relief method needs to fit both your personality and your stress-inducing situation.

In order to find a stress relieving technique that works best for you, you must first identify the type of stress you are experiencing. In a recent blog post, VeryWellMind describes the four different types of stress that people commonly face and the different methods for dealing with them.

1. Acute Stress

The type of stress that throws you off momentarily, but doesn’t last too long, like an argument or a test you aren’t prepared for.

Relief Techniques: Breathing exercises, cognitive reframing, progressive muscle relaxation, mini-meditation.

2. Chronic Stress

Tends to occur on a regular basis and leaves you feeling drained and burned out.

Relief Techniques: Regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet, cultivate supportive relationships, meditate regularly, listen to music.

3. Emotional Stress

Can hit harder than other types of stress. For example, a conflicted relationship tends to bring a greater physical reaction and sense of distress than being too busy at work.

Relief Techniques: Write in a journal, practice mindfulness, talk to someone.

4. Burnout

This is the result of unmanaged chronic stress that leaves people feeling a lack of control in their lives, unmotivated and constantly overwhelmed.

Relief Techniques: Take some time off, find ways to bring laughter into your life, indulge in hobbies, learn how to make your job more fulfilling, make your days off count.

With all the methods available for managing stress, finding one that works for you may seem like more trouble than it’s worth. However, finding an effective way to relieve stress can have a major impact on your life and change the way you experience stress altogether.

 

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While there is no cure for arthritis, there are a number of things you can do to effectively manage the disease. Fighting through arthritis is all about alleviating joint pain, slowing down the disease progression and minimize its effect on your life.

Regularly taking your prescribed medication is important, but it is not the only way to effectively manage arthritis and maintain joint mobility and functionality. In a recent blog post, VeryWellHealth talks about different things that you can incorporate into daily life that will minimize the negative effects of arthritis and allow you to live well with the disease. Some of these methods include:

• Eat a healthy diet full of anti-inflammatory foods, such as berries, leafy greens, beans and seafood
• Participate in regular physical activity to strengthen muscles around joints, improve bone strength and boost energy levels
• Focus on protecting your joints during daily activities by not carrying or lifting excessive weight, balance rest and activities, avoid extra stress on joints and use assistive devices when necessary
• Make an effort to lower your stress levels to prevent a flare-up of arthritis

Adding these small steps into your daily life can have a positive impact on your ability to manage arthritis pain. It’s important to remember that while not all methods will have a noticeable effect, incorporating healthy habits into your daily life will positively impact your overall health as well.

 

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While it’s true that exercise of any kind is good for people regardless of their age, certain limitations may prevent the elderly from regular physical activity. Weakening muscles, joint pain or difficulties walking inhibit many seniors from participating in common forms of exercise, such as walking, spinning or lifting weights.

For elderly adults, there are three key elements of a good workout: low impact cardio, resistance training and stretching. Yoga has the potential to cover all three of these components, making it a great option for seniors who want to engage in physical activity. In a recent blog post, AgingCare dives into the proven benefits of yoga, including:

• Improves sleep quality
• Helps control blood sugar in people with diabetes
• Enhances respiratory function
• Helps alleviate arthritis pain
• Improves balance

While yoga is a great form of exercise, it also can help seniors feel more confident in their mobility and body awareness. It can also be a great bonding opportunity for seniors and caregivers who might want to participate in a class together. Yoga classes run in many different styles and difficulties, so you can find the class that works best for you.

 

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Don Chiari, a partner at Brown Chiari, spoke with the Buffalo News about the drugging and potential sexual assault of an 87-year-old resident at the Elderwood at Wheatfield nursing home. Back in August of 2017, two doses of Narcan were used to revive the woman who had antidepressants in her system that were not prescribed to her.

After toxicology testing, the sheriff’s report stated that tricyclic medications were found in her bloodstream, and those medications are not dispensed at the Elderwood nursing home.

Don Chiari is planning to sue the nursing home on behalf of the elderly woman. He states that the health department closed their investigation prior to receiving the final toxicology report revealing the unprescribed medication in her system.

Chiari s that “the family was shocked to learn that their mother was given antidepressants that were not even used at the facility,” along with oxycodone and narcotic painkillers she was also not prescribed. He goes on to state that the unprescribed drugs, “coupled with the fact that there were signs of sexual assault,” they would begin to lead their own investigation of the incident.

 

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With the many food recalls we see on the news, E. Coli and salmonella have become familiar causes of foodborne illnesses. While these bacteria are widely talked about, they are not the only ones we should be concerned with.

Listeria infections occur in a similar way to salmonella—by eating food contaminated with the listeria monocytogenes bacteria. This bacteria is commonly found in processed meats like hot dogs and deli meats, soft cheeses, smoked seafood and raw or unpasteurized milk products. In a recent blog post, Very Well Health discusses the risks, symptoms and preventative measures to take when dealing with listeria. Some of the most important things to note include:

• Those at high-risk for severe infection include pregnant women, newborns, those with weakened immune systems and older adults
• Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions
• Make sure all food is properly washed, fully cooked, and stored at proper temperatures to avoid bacteria growth
• Certain high-risk groups, like pregnant women, should avoid some foods altogether, such as hot dogs or sausages unless properly cooked to 160℉, feta cheese, brie, queso blanco and refrigerated smoked seafood unless thoroughly cooked

While many people may come in contact with listeria and experience mild symptoms or none at all, those at high-risk for complications should take extra precautions when handling food. Most listeriosis cases can be treated with antibiotics. However, anyone who is at high risk for listeriosis complications, that experience flu-like symptoms, should seek immediate medical attention.

 

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Taking care of a loved one can become an overwhelming task that may lead to high levels of stress. While your job as a caregiver is important, too much stress can be harmful to both you and your loved one.

Common symptoms of caregiver stress include social withdrawal from friends, anxiety, exhaustion, sleeplessness, irritability and lack of concentration. Too much stress can be a threat to your health, and it’s important to take necessary measures to reduce stress where possible. In a recent blog post, Alzheimer’s Association lists some tips to manage caregiver stress, including:

• Know what community resources are available, like adult day programs, in-home assistance or meal delivery services that can help manage daily tasks
• Get help and find support through online communities, counselors or local support groups
• Engage in some form of physical activity every day, like gardening or going for a walk
• Use relaxation techniques that help relieve stress, like meditation, breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation

Through the ups and downs of caregiving, it’s important to always find time to take care of yourself. Small steps like eating healthy and getting enough rest will help your body recover and be able to manage stress properly. By making your own health a priority and taking care of yourself, you can become the best caregiver you can be.

 

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Professional truck driving requires many deadlines, rules and regulations to follow while on the road. Long haul commercial vehicles are required to have an electronic logging device that tracks on-duty driving time. While paper logbooks were previously the primary logging system, they still often used as back up.

There are strict rules surrounding logbooks, placing limitations on driving hours in a single day or week and required break times every eight hours. In a recent article, Chron uncovers important driving log facts that truckers should be aware of, including:

• Attempting to hide your logging device can result in legal penalties
• Always pay attention to detail and record any on-duty activities that take place
• Honest reporting of on-duty driving time can help reduce truck accidents that kill 4,000 people each year

It’s important to ensure your driving logs are consistently being updated to report all driving activity. By staying on-track with driving logs and remaining within the legal time limitations, you will be able to remain safe on the roads without the risk of penalties.

 

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Terrell King, the son of Timothy Swink, has hired the services of Brown Chiari as he seeks answers into his father’s recent death.

Timothy passed away at just 60-years-old from what his family believed was related to his battle with Huntington’s Disease. That is, until Terrell received his father’s death certificate. The death certificate stated that Timothy had actually suffered from sepsis shock, as a result of an epidural abscess and osteomyelitis, a rare bone infection.

Up until his passing, Timothy was residing in the former Emerald South nursing home. Terrell remembers checking in on his father back in June, shortly after the death of former resident William Strasner, and discovering the deplorable conditions of his father’s living space.

Now Terrell is seeking answers and demands accountability.

Mike Scinta, a Brown Chiari attorney, spoke with WIVB earlier this week, stating that the significant thing to note in this case is that conditions didn’t change, with all the events happening at Emerald South previously no real changes were made within the facility.

Grand Healthcare took over Emerald South in December and has stated that they are working on improvements to patient care but have declined to comment further.

Watch the full story here. 

Making the decision to place a loved one into an assisted living facility is often a difficult choice. However, because of advancements in technology and medical equipment, it’s becoming more feasible than ever to benefit from at-home senior care.

Since everyone’s needs are different, at-home care may not be the best choice for everyone. An individuals ability to provide self-care is often used to determine if assisted living is the better choice, taking into consideration their ability to walk, bathe, dress, eat and use the bathroom. In a recent article, Aging.com provides tips and things to think about when making this decision, including:

• Determine how much help both you and your loved one needs
• Take into consideration the costs of at-home care versus an assisted living home
• If you’re loved one is living alone, assisted living may provide more opportunities for socialization
• Keep in mind that at-home care will not take care of important tasks that need to be met, like housework, cleaning, grocery shopping and home maintenance

Although making the decision for your loved one can be stressful, learning more about your options is a great first step. Since this is such an important choice for everyone involved, make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each scenario and be confident in the decision you make.

 

Read the full article here.

While getting behind the wheel of your car may seem like a normal, everyday task, it may be the most dangerous thing you do all day. In fact, car accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Depending on your location and the roads you travel, the stakes may be even higher.

While you can’t control the actions of other drivers, you can do your part in practicing defensive driving. In a recent article, Trusted Choice lists 20 tips for staying safe on the roads, including:

• Expect other drivers to make mistakes
• Always use your blinkers
• Stay out of other drivers blind spots
• Inflate your tires properly for safer handling

It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings, from the weather conditions to other drivers. By following a few simple safety precautions behind the wheel, you can do your part in keeping yourself and others safe on the roads.

 

Read the full article here.

 

A home provides a sense of comfort and security for many people. As our bodies change with age, certain parts of the home may become riskier for falls or accidents. Some of the main areas to look out for include bathrooms, doorways, kitchens and stairways.

Once you’ve located specific problem areas, there are many quick and easy changes that will make these spaces safer. In a recent blog post, AgingCare lists easy home additions that enhance safety, help with mobility or add comfort, including:

• Walk-in showers or tubs to reduce the risk of slipping and falling
• Handrails in hallways or bathrooms to add support and reduce the risk of falling
• Non-skid strips and decals in areas that may be slippery, like bathtubs, hallways and kitchen floors
• Stairlifts for those with mobility issues  

Everyone’s safety needs are different and unique to their situation. However, there are plenty of potential home improvements that will add comfort and security for your loved ones. If renovations need to be made that are too difficult to tackle on your own, make sure you find a professional to help with a solution.

 

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Companies that manufacture and sell medical devices have a duty to run proper tests to ensure their products are working safely before they reach the customer. When companies fail to do this, the results can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.

When a company discovers that one of their devices is not working properly and may be violating FDA law, they have the option to correct the problem or completely remove the products from the market. If you are currently using a medical device, whether it be an implant or a drug, you should always keep an eye out for recall lists and be ready to take action. You can find the current recall list on the FDA website here.

Keeping track of product information and documenting your experience is important when handling defective devices. Here are a few pieces of information you should know before reporting a defect:

• Brand name, classification and product code (if known)
• The model or identification number of the device
• A detailed description of any symptoms or side effects you have experienced from the recalled device, including injuries or illnesses

If you or a loved one have experienced the effects of a defective medical device, it’s time to take action. Contact Brown Chiari’s office to evaluate your claim.

 

Read the full article here.