My father-in-law, age 86, recently completed a round of surgery for glaucoma. Gradually, over the past three years, his eyesight had diminished. He willingly handed over his keys to his wife, and now she is the main driver in the family.But prior to that, he spent years tying flies for his beloved sport of fishing. He possessed a great passion for reading historical biographies and collecting Oregon coastal rocks. One might think his sedentary endeavors, including playing cribbage on the computer, would have been dangerous to his health.Science says this is not always the case.In a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), researchers have concluded we should not sit idle and twiddle our thumbs, as our mothers might have scolded us for doing. But its important to distinguish between time spent sitting without engaging in brain activity, such as watching television, and time spent sedentary in the body, but with the mind active while playing cards on the computer, doing puzzles, knitting, and, of course, writing.The PNAS study involved analyzing the records of nearly 150,000 study participants in the UK, all over the age of 60, none of whom were diagnosed with dementia at the time of entering the study. Part of the study included tracking their use of television and computer time over a period of close to 12 years. At the end, 3,500 participants had developed dementia. First author, Dr. David Raichlan of the University of Southern California, said, This cohort is really amazing. This big group really gives us the ability to tease out some associations that you wouldnt find in smaller surveys.The authors also conceded how physical activity continues to be the most important activity in terms of staving off a dementia diagnosis. Puzzle and gaming fans alike must be cheering for the results as vindication for their time in a chair.For any one activity, the difference lies in levels of passivity. How active can one engage with the brain in pursuits some might view as mindless? In my Italian language class, the instructor assigns Italian crossword puzzles. They are rudimentary, and sometimes, I respond instinctively. For other words, I am forced to look up a translation, or sound out words. And it turns out those Wordle games we played during the pandemic were good for our brains, though boasting about Wordle scores may not have been necessary for better brain health.My father-in-law has become a foremost expert authority on many topics, based on audio books he now listens to. I consistently send him links to interesting books which he can download. Somehow, he manages to get through an entire audio book without falling asleep, something I cannot do and therefore do not listen to them while even in the car.Also included the study were words no writer wants to read. Because of the nature of the study, its really hard to figure out whether or not theres some kind of shared confounding factor and these are, just, like a marker of general lifestyle characteristics. What we do know is that sitting for long periods of time has negative physiological ramifications, explained Dr. Raichlan.My father-in-law continues his lap swimming at the senior community pool. He and his wife find time to attend their grandchildrens ballgames. And when given the opportunity, he still pegs more points than I do when we play cribbage, giving me an excuse to sit for a while and strategize on how to beat him.Annette Januzzi Wick is a writer, speaker, and author of Ill Have Some of Yours, a journey of cookies and caregiving. (Three Arch Press). A frequent contributor to Cincinnati.com, her work has appeared in Cincinnati Magazine, nextavenue.com, Still Point Arts, 3rd Act Magazine, Ovunque Siamo, Belt Magazine and Creative Nonfiction (both forthcoming). Visit annettejwick.com to learn more.

Physicians Regional Heart Center has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places Physicians Regional Heart Center among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) star rating system is the most highly regarded overall metric of quality in cardiac surgery and considers a surgical team's performance before, during and after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.While the STS rating covers coronary artery bypass procedures, Physicians Regional has non-invasive and interventional cardiologists, covering most any heart condition you may have. Our Heart Center has expanded to include advanced surgical equipment and technologies, allowing a range of interventional cardiology procedures, including minimally invasive structural heart procedures. These services include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, as well as aortic, carotid and thoracic procedures.The three-star rating is an affirmation of our team's dedication to providing the highest quality of cardiac care to our patients," says Scot Schultz, M.D., medical director of Physicians Regional Heart Center and cardiothoracic surgeon. "To receive this distinction in our first year of eligibility is truly amazing. Patients and families who undergo treatment at The Heart Center at Physicians Regional can have peace of mind knowing they are receiving care from one of the top-rated cardiac surgery programs in the country."The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs across the United States and Canada. The star rating is calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures. Approximately 20% of those reviewed receive the three-star rating for isolated CABG surgery.The Society of Thoracic Surgeons congratulates STS National Database participants who have received three-star ratings, said David M. Shahian, M.D., STS chair of the Task Force on Quality Measurement. Participation in the national database and public reporting demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and helps provide patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care.The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 7,600 surgeons, researchers and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Societys mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research and advocacy.

Moving into a senior living residence doesnt mean giving up your independence. There are many ways you can remain in control and retain your sense of self.Get InvolvedSenior living residences offer a wide variety of engaging activities. By getting involved, you can meet new people, try new things or continue with hobbies and interests you already have. Knowing your peers and neighbors in the residence will give you a feeling of connection that you may have missed by living in your own home.Personalize Your SpaceJust because you have moved, doesnt mean you have to give up the items that have meaning for you. Make your space your own by including your pictures, collectibles, furniture and more. Show off your personal style.Meal Variety with Dining OptionsA major benefit of living in a senior living residence is having the chef prepare your delicious meals. But that doesnt mean you have to give up your choices. Dining room menus offer a variety of options to pick from at each meal, ranging from light to hearty choices. And youll want to save room for dessert, of course.Utilizing SupportOne of the best ways to feel independent is by feeling secure and healthy. With a residence full of caring and knowledgeable associates, seniors can live the way they want and know that help is there if it is ever needed.By choosing the support and stability of a senior living residence for your next home, you regain free time while still reflecting your unique personality and pursuing interests. You can be the best version of yourself!

Seniors who live on their own face the hassle of making three balanced meals every day for themselves. They may not be able to meet basic nutritional requirements or encounter challenges in getting out to obtain necessary grocery items during these times of isolation. Eating well, featured in this article, is Reason #5 of of our Five Reasons to Join Senior Living Blog Series.According to a recent study conducted by Feed America, an estimated 5.5 million older Americans lacked consistent access to basic nutrition needed to sustain an active, healthy lifestyle.  For seniors, living on ones own can be difficult to plan balanced diets, shop, prepare ingredients, and cook for themselves. When choosing to live in a senior living community, residents enjoy delicious, nutritious meals three times a day in a lively restaurant.How do residents in senior living communities eat well?Chef-prepared mealsPresented by the Executive Chef and culinary team, residents enjoy delectable meals three times a day. Our culinary team members go to great lengths to offer exceptional dining options that will please the palates of all residents ranging from classic offerings to comfort food to international fare. Chefs and even award-winning chefs in select communities, prepare tempting, nutritious meals for residents in restaurant-style dining or elegant private dining rooms for special celebrations. We focus on serving fresh selections such as fresh fish, freshly brewed coffee, fresh-baked goods, freshly cracked eggs, and more. Not only do our menus offer an array of choices, but they are also available all day to satisfy residents desires for variety and flexibility. In addition to daily offerings, an everyday menu is available with classic items as well. Tailored to residentsNutrition is important for seniors in maintaining their health. Our chefs create monthly meal plans that are balanced and take into account resident preferences, nutrition, food textures, allergies, and physician-ordered diets. All meals are planned to meet the specific nutritional needs of residents.Meridians Snacks that Pack program is specifically developed for seniors with Alzheimers or other dementias. This program, offered in Memory Care communities, provides residents with nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich snacks three times a day with a specialized hydration program.Special EventsMemorable moments are made when culinary delights are paired with celebrations to support residents nutritional and psychosocial needs. Our chefs enjoy hosting special events with menus tailored to seasonal celebrations such as international nights, special luncheons, or holiday social gatherings. Daily happy hours are intended to draw residents together to socialize over a glass of wine, spirit, cocktail, beer, or a cup of hot tea or coffee.