June Newsletter 2025
June 2025
![June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month Leslee B. Cochrane, MD. Executive Medical Director June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and a good time to learn about Alzheimer's disease including the various risk factors and strategies to promote a healthy brain and potentially reduce the risk of dementia. It is currently estimated that there are over 7.2 million people age 65 and older in the United States currently living with Alzheimer's disease. This number is projected to increase to 13 million by 2050. Age is the number one risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease with about a 1 in 13 risk of the disease for those aged 65-84 with a significant increase risk of about 1 in 3 people aged 85 and older. In addition to age, having a family history of Alzheimer's disease and certain genetic factors like the APOE e4 gene can also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. In order to help prevent Alzheimer's disease it is important to manage the numerous modifiable health factors which also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease: - Cardiovascular disease - including hypertension, stroke and high cholesterol - Type 2 diabetes - Obesity and poor nutrition - Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption - Depression - Head injury - Hearing Loss - Social isolation and lack of mental stimulation - Physical inactivity In addition to managing the above listed risk factors, the American Alzheimer's Association has recommended the following "10 Healthy Habits for your Brain"[i]: Challenge your mind- Be curious! Put your brain to work and do something that is new for you. Learn a new skill. Try something artistic. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain. Stay in school-Education reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Encourage youth to stay in school and pursue the highest level of training possible. Continue your own education by taking a class at a local library or college, or online. Get moving-Engage in regular exercise. This includes activities that raise your heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain and body. Find ways to build more movement into your day - walking, dancing, and gardening-whatever works for you! Protect your head - Help prevent an injury to your head. Wear a helmet for activities like biking, and wear a seatbelt. Protect yourself while playing sports. Do what you can to prevent falls, especially for older adults. Be smoke-free- Quitting smoking can lower the risk of cognitive decline back to levels similar to those who have not smoked. It's never too late to stop. Control your blood pressure- Medications can help lower high blood pressure. And healthy habits like eating right and physical activity can help, too. Work with a health care provider to control your blood pressure. Manage diabetes- Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and taking medication, if necessary. Eat right- Eating healthier foods can help reduce your risk of cognitive decline. This includes more vegetables and leaner meats/proteins, along with foods that are less processed and lower in fat. Choose healthier meals and snacks that you enjoy and are available to you. Maintain a healthy weight-Talk to your health care provider about the weight that is healthy for you. Other healthy habits on this list - eating right, exercising and sleeping well- can help with maintaining a healthy weight. Sleep well- Good quality sleep is important for brain health. Stay off screens before bed and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible. Do all you can to minimize disruptions. If you have any sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, talk to a health care provider.](https://hospiceofthevalleys.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/june-alzheimers-brain-awareness-month.jpg)
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
Attention Veterans in need of VA Representative Services, MilVet, located at 33040 Antelope Rd #114 Murrieta, CA 92563, is a designated location for a County Veterans Service Officer.
Walk-in services are available every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 9am to 4pm. A County Representative provides assistance with veteran services such as filing for disability benefits, survivors' benefits, record requests, DIC, pensions, Aid and Attendance, home loans, education benefits, and more. There is no charge for this service.
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
![The Real Heroes in Health Care Leslee B. Cochrane, MD. Executive Medical Director November is National Family Caregivers Month, so I thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to the estimated 42 million Americans who provide unpaid care to their family members on a routine basis. According to the Center for Disease Controls Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, about 25% of American adults reported providing some amount of unpaid care or assistance to a family member with a long-term illness. According to a 2023 study by the AARP the economic value of unpaid family care-givers exceeded $600 Billion! In 2030 we will mark a demographic turning point in America, as all Baby Boomers will have reached aged 65 and one in five Americans will be over age 65! As people grow older, the risk of requiring care due to chronic illness including dementia and debility increases. Because Medicare does not cover caregiver expenses or long-term nursing home care, the responsibility for the majority of long-term caregiving falls to the family. With the exception of those who privately purchase expensive long-term care insurance, few families have the financial resources to hire outside caregivers, so the family members shoulder the burden associated with caregiving. Family caregivers are truly the unsung heroes of Health Care. Although it cannot be measured in dollars, the emotional and spiritual impact of their loving care far outweighs the $600 Billion monetary value of the physical care provided. Unfortunately, the tremendous stress experienced by family caregivers can have negative impacts on caregivers. According to the CDC, caregivers experience higher levels of depression and anxiety, compromised immune function and an increased risk of early death. If you know of someone who is a family caregiver, below are some ideas on how you might show your appreciation for them during National Caregivers Month:[i] Ten ways to Celebrate National Caregiver Month 1. Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with friends, or simply relax. 2. Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten a family caregiver's day. 3. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November. 4. Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards. 5. Offer comic relief. Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape. 6. Find 12 different photos of the caregiver's family and friends. Have a copy center create a calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events 7. Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday. 8. Take a few minutes to write a letter. Encourage your faith community to ask for prayers not only for those who are ill, but also those who care for them. 9. Encourage family caregivers to become a part of the National Family Caregiver Story Project. It's a great place to not only share but read about others in like situations. 10. Help a family caregiver find new educational materials and support through family caregiving web sites or by calling local social service agencies for help.](https://hospiceofthevalleys.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/the-real-heroes-in-health-care.jpg)
October 2024
![Fall is here and Flu Season is near Leslee B. Cochrane, MD. Executive Medical Director Early fall is the best time to prepare for the upcoming flu season. Each year, the CDC advises that most people over the age of 6 months receive a flu shot, as this is the most effective way to prevent serious complications of the flu. Many people don't understand that each year we face not one; but several "new" strains of the flu virus. That is why it is necessary to take a flu shot each year; because each year the flu shot is specifically formulated to protect against the strains of the virus in circulation at that time. In other words, last years flu shot will not provide protection against this year's flu strains. There are several different flu shots available as well as a flu vaccine that can be administered as a nasal spray and you should consult with your health care provider to determine the right option for you. Some children between 6 months to eight years old may require two doses of flu vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart; for everyone else one dose of the flu vaccine id adequate. FOr those who don't like taking shots, there is a nasal spray vaccine available for healthy patient's age 2 through 49 years old. Because this vaccine contains a live virus, it is not approved for use in those who are pregnant or patients with a compromised immune system. For those under age 65, there is no preferred recommendation for the CDC regarding the various flu shots available. For those 65 and older, there are three influenza vaccines which are preferred as studies show that these vaccines are more effective than the standard flu vaccines: - The Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine - The Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine - The Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine I have included some additional information taken from the CDC Website below [i] which will provide you with additional helpful information when considering if a flu shot is right for you. Taking the flu shot has been shown to decrease the need for visits to the doctor due to flu related symptoms by 40-60%, so it is definitely worth considering. People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include: Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot. People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a vaccine, including flu vaccine (other than egg proteins), should not get that vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients. People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, it is important to talk with your health care provider to help determine whether vaccination is appropriate for you. Please speak to a health care provider in order to decide if this shot or vaccine is right for you.](https://hospiceofthevalleys.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/fall-flu-season-is-here.jpg)
September 2024
