Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) has awarded Studio Channel Islands (SCI) a grant in the amount of $28,820 to support its Arts and Health programming. Funding will be used to expand its Memory Cafes (creative social events for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers), art classes with hospice (workshops for children in bereavement counseling) and stroke survivor art classes. Funding for the grant will come from the Ruth Daily Livingston Fund.

“We are grateful to VCCF for their support of our growing Arts and Health community programs. There is extensive research which demonstrates that participation in the arts has profound impact in improving individual and community well-being,” said Peter Tyas, SCI’s executive director.

Tyas explained that the arts have been employed in both hospital and community care settings for over twenty years and the findings from peer-reviewed research has led to the development of an extensive arts and health network across Europe and parts of North America. The partnership between arts professionals and the medical community has refined a number of arts and health models which have measurable health outcomes and significant impacts upon the overall quality of life.

Studio Channel Islands has been developing a partnership with Camarillo Health Care District and with the local hospital to explore the potential of the arts to have positive impacts within the community.

For more information, visit www.studiochannelislands.org or call 805-383-1368.

Ongoing programs include art classes for adults and children, providing studio space for professional artists, presenting diverse art shows in its Blackboard Gallery and providing community art and cultural events for individuals and families. Gallery hours are Tues.–Fri., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Located at 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo.

Breeze Publisher Brown and Senior Account Executive Breezy Gledhill enjoying a fine lunch at Clearwater at Riverpark Active Adult Community. Residents at Clearwater have a world of options on the menu as planned by Chef Thomas Dado.. Residents can savor fresh modern American cuisine in the restaurant-style dining room offering a full menu of options (or the daily special) created with the freshest seasonal ingredients, while the convivial pub offers craft cocktails and delicious bites.

750 Clyde River Place, Oxnard, 805-366-3526.

Random attacks have been occurring across the country and are documented daily in the news. Because of the frequency of the attacks it has become critical for residents to equip themselves with safety skills and knowledge, especially while on the job.

On August 14th, Gloria Marcott, self-defense expert and law enforcement officer, will be holding special training sessions at Cypress Place Senior Living. Gloria will be training “employees” on how to use a new technology called the Defense Alert Device, which is a handheld device that utilizes Bluetooth and a corresponding app to send danger alerts and also has the ability to spray a powerful chemical deterrent to stop assailants. Along with getting trained on the device, employees will also be learning safety and self-defense skills.

Cypress Place Senior Living, 1220 Cypress Point Ln, (805) 918-5078.

by National Institute on Aging

When you are planning for a doctor’s visit, these are some ways you can make the most of your time there:

It is tempting to say what you think the doctor wants to hear, for example, that you smoke less or eat a more balanced diet than you really do. While this is natural, it’s not in your best interest. Your doctor can suggest the best treatment only if you say what is really going on.

Pick three or four questions or concerns that you most want to talk about with the doctor. You can tell him or her what they are at the beginning of the appointment, and then discuss each in turn.

Although your doctor might like to talk with you at length, each patient is given a limited amount of time. To make the best use of your time, stick to the point. For instance, give the doctor a brief description of the symptom, when it started, how often it happens, and if it is getting worse or better.

Tell the doctor if you feel rushed, worried, or uncomfortable. If necessary, you can offer to return for a second visit to discuss your concerns. For example, you could say something like: “I know you have many patients to see, but I’m really worried about this. I’d feel much better if we could talk about it a little more.”

Even the best doctor may be unable to answer some questions. Most doctors will tell you when they don’t have answers. They also may help you find the information you need or refer you to a specialist. If a doctor regularly brushes off your questions or symptoms as simply a part of aging, think about looking for another doctor.

You can have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and still feel just fine. That’s because high blood pressure often does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. But, high blood pressure, sometimes called “the silent killer,” is very common in older people and a major health problem. If high blood pressure isn’t controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, kidney failure, and other health problems. High blood pressure can also cause shortness of breath during light physical activity or exercise. You may now be wondering, what can I do to lower my blood pressure? There are many methods that can lower your blood pressure from prescribed drugs to looking at solutions from home. It hasn’t yet been approved by the State but lots of people have seen their blood pressure reduce from searching up on how to make your own kratom capsules from home. Your GP/ Doctor would be the best person to consult before attempting to reduce your blood pressure from home.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries. When the doctor measures your blood pressure, the results are given in two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, is the pressure caused by your heart contracting and pushing out blood. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills with blood. Your blood pressure reading is usually given as the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number, such as 138/72. Normal blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. This is stated as 120/80.

One reason to visit your doctor regularly is to have your blood pressure checked. Routine checks of your blood pressure will help pick up an early rise in blood pressure, even though you might feel fine.

Recent updates to guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology changed the definition of high blood pressure or hypertension for most people. High blood pressure is now generally defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number

However, there are important considerations for older adults in deciding whether to start treatment for high blood pressure, including other health conditions and overall fitness. If your blood pressure is above 130/80, your doctor will evaluate your health to determine what treatment is needed to balance risks and benefits in your particular situation.

For older people, often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension, which is due to age-related stiffening of the major arteries. It is the most common form of high blood pressure in older people and can lead to serious health problems .

If your blood pressure is lower than 90/60, you have low blood pressure, or hypotension. You may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or even faint. Low blood pressure can be caused by not drinking enough liquids (dehydration), blood loss, some medical conditions, or too much medication.

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of high blood pressure:

Keep a healthy weight. Being overweight adds to your risk of high blood pressure. Ask your doctor if you need to lose weight.

Manage stress. This is a big one. Relaxing and coping with problems can help lower high blood pressure. One solution to combating stress that everyone seems to be talking about is CBD oil. Research has also shown that cbd blood pressure have a correlation, so if you do have a high blood pressure, CBD might help you. It’s thought that the stress and anxiety reducing properties of CBD can consequently lower blood pressure. If natural remedies like this interest you, take a look at CBD oil UK for more information.

Exercise every day. Moderate exercise can lower your risk of high blood pressure.

Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products may help to lower blood pressure.

Cut down on salt. As you get older, the body and blood pressure become more sensitive to salt (sodium), so you may need to watch how much salt is in your diet.

Drink less alcohol. Drinking alcohol can affect your blood pressure.

Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Get a good night’s sleep. Tell your doctor if you’ve been told you snore or sound like you stop breathing for moments when you sleep.

For More Information About High Blood Pressure

American Heart Association
1-800-242-8721 (toll-free)
[email protected]
www.heart.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
1-301-592-8573
[email protected]
www.nhlbi.nih.gov

MedlinePlus
National Library of Medicine
www.medlineplus.gov

Smokefree60+
www.60plus.smokefree.gov

National Cancer Institute
1-877-448-7848
(1-877-44U-QUIT/toll-free)
[email protected]