The 240,000 square-foot state of the art health care facility, the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood is now open to patients of The Villages Health and members of the community. Read about the opening in The Villages Daily Sun.
The Villages Health and other tenants of the state-of-the-art Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood are now in the initial phase of operations. Read more about their progress in this The Villages Daily Sun report.
As The Villages® Community continues to welcome new neighbors, The Villages Health announced plans to expand primary care services to a new location in Lake Deaton Plaza – just a 10-minute drive from the Center for Advanced Health care at Brownwood.
The blood bank serving The Villages® and other parts of Central Florida is now testing all donor blood for COVID-19 antibodies. Potential donors are encouraged to contribute to help researchers find answers on possible immunity.
The demand for telemedicine and telehealth services has exploded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ashley Wood, medical director at The Villages Health Creekside Care Center was recently featured in The Villages Daily Sun for providing telehealth services.
Each year, our nation celebrates National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May. This year is no exception, but it does hold some new challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts agree regular physical exercise has a profound and positive impact on our immune system and benefits both the mind and body.
How can you accomplish your physical exercise goals and regimens during a time when access to gyms and parks are restricted? With some simple adjustments and determination, it’s still possible. These suggestions are only intended for individuals without any symptoms or diagnosis of respiratory illness and should not replace medical guidance in case of any health condition.
A more sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on our physical and mental health and overall quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults aged 18 and over do a total of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activities throughout the week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity throughout the week. This should include strengthening activities at least two days per week.
For older adults with poor mobility, three or more days of physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls is suggested. You can follow the five elements of fitness from almost any area of your home:
Remember, any physical activity is better than none. Start slow and increase duration, frequency and intensity over time. During this time of COVID-19, even short amounts of activity at a time can make a difference. Over the course of a week, you’ll be surprised how much you’ve accomplished. Even cleaning and gardening help you stay active and flexible.
For up-to-date information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, we recommend visiting the Florida Department of Health website.
Eating right and staying fit are important regardless of your age. As we get older, however, our bodies require different nutrition, so it becomes even more important to make the right choices.
Healthy eating, regular physical activity and a positive mindset can help you live not only a longer life, but a more fulfilling and happy one. These important components can also delay health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
How do you achieve this important balance?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. With some simple planning, you can ensure you are getting the right nutrition at the right time each day. Experts agree that planning out your daily menu using good food choices is key to success. Doing so will keep you on track and give you more dedicated time to the physical activities you enjoy because you won’t be spending as much time in the kitchen.
How do you get started?
The National Institute on Aging recommends making a shopping list. Doing so will not only remind you to shop for the foods you should be eating, but will help you stick to your food budget. They have even provided a handy “My Shopping List” with nutritious, healthy options to take with you to the grocery store.
After shopping, build your meals following a simple, healthy, balanced diet by:
Some additional healthy eating tips for seniors include:
We can also help you right here at The Villages Health! Learn how to improve your eating and overall wellness choices at our Learning Center. We offer free classes and health screenings for the whole community that can help you achieve your personal health goals. Classes are free, but fill quickly. Be sure to invite a friend, neighbor or loved one. Registration is required.
As we get older, the decisions we make at the grocery store can have a significant impact on our health. It’s important to buy food that is good for your heart. Eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein and fiber can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Below are 5 tips on how to make heart healthy choices at the grocery store.
To learn more about how to avoid strokes and heart attacks, register for our free heart health classes. You do not have to be a patient or resident to attend.
Being overweight or obese are very prevalent risk factors for diabetes. How do you know if you’re overweight or obese? These terms are determined by your body mass index (BMI), which is a calculated number based on your height and weight. A BMI of 25-29.9 (kg/m2) is considered “overweight.” A BMI of 30 or greater is known as “obese.” These are both considered risk factors for diabetes. See the BMI chart below to determine if your weight puts you at increased risk for diabetes. Other risk factors include: being over the age of 45, having a family history of diabetes, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure and having an abnormal lipid panel. Thankfully, most of these risk factors are modifiable!
The recommendations for physical activity are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week, plus 2 days of resistance or strength training. Moderate-intensity activity means getting your heart rate up. You’re getting moderate activity if you can talk but can’t sing while doing an activity. Increasing your muscle mass can also help moderate your blood sugar.
The general recommendation for sodium intake is no more than 2,400 mg of sodium daily. This recommendation is even lower if you already have high blood pressure. On average, Americans eat 3,600 mg of sodium per day, so we have quite a bit of room for improvement! Sodium is listed on the nutrition facts label of our foods, so next time you are shopping, compare the sodium content of foods.
Having an abnormal lipid panel also puts you at risk of developing diabetes. This panel is typically tested by blood work from your doctor. Your lipid panel includes serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”), HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”) and total cholesterol.
If you are currently overweight or obese, there are many potential approaches to weight loss. There is no one diet that is optimal for all individuals. Diets should be individualized to specific food preferences and preferred approaches. Limiting calorie-dense foods, reducing overall portion sizes, or following a structured meal plan are just a few examples of how to lose excess weight.
Have you been diagnosed with diabetes already? The Villages Health has the only American Diabetes Association accredited program in the region, and provides quality support, management, training and education for individuals with diabetes. The program is provided in 10 hours over the first year of education, including an individual needs assessment followed by 4 two-hour group classes. An additional 3 hours of one-on-one medical nutrition therapy is provided within the initial year, followed by 2 hours every year thereafter. Our team of Certified Diabetes Educators and Registered Licensed Dietitians are eager to be a part of your quality health care team, helping you stay well and appropriately manage your diabetes.
We are also proud to offer the Diabetes Prevention Program for individuals at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The Villages Health is one of only four organizations in Florida to have received full recognition status by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention for this program. This year-long series is provided at all of The Villages Health primary care centers in a group setting and has proven efficacy to support and sustain weight loss, while reducing the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.
If you are interested in participating in any of our programs, please call 352-674-1770.
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