Helping People Move Forward with Their Lives.
Dietician and Licensed Dietitian-
Nutritionist with The Village at Luther
Square has the following tips:
• Plan ahead for meals to prepare for
several days. Make a list so you don’t
forget any items needed when you go to
the grocery store. Proper planning and
having food on hand makes it much less
stressful to prepare meals for the day or
for the week.
• Purchase wholesome foods. Frozen
vegetables are packed full of good
nutrition because they are picked fresh
then frozen within hours of leaving
the farm. They also have little or no
additives like salt or sugar. Try barley,
quinoa, or bulgur in place of pasta or
potatoes in soups and stews for a hearty,
healthful meal.
• Prepare meals in bulk and freeze them
in individual containers. This is a great
time to get out the crock pot and let
those delicious aromas fill the air.
• Aim to eat 5-6 small meals each day.
Smaller meals throughout the day
can help maintain blood sugar levels,
improve digestion, and can help boost
calorie intake for those who have small
appetites.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout
the day. Our bodies rely on proper
hydration to aid with digestion,
circulation and even aiding the
performance of joints and muscles.
Boost your intake of fluids by drinking
water, juices, milk, decaffeinated coffee
or tea.
Following these tips can help keep us
healthy and prevent hospitalizations and
unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office
when Old Man Winter has blanketed our
region with cold and snow.
Contributors:
Katherine Reim Achieva Family Trust
814-504-5556
Kathie Kutterna-Soudan, RN Presbyterian
SeniorCare Network 814-969-1090
Gene West
Holiday Retirement, Niagara Village
814-838-1699
Guilynn Distefano The Village at Luther Square
814-452-3271
DEPRESSION IN THE
WINTER MONTHS AND
HOLIDAYS
Most of us know people who suffer
from depression or some of us may suffer
from depression ourselves. Some people
suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder
which can magnify in the winter
months. Loss of daylight and change
of our outdoor activities may trigger or
exacerbate depression. Also, dealing
with the anticipation of the holidays and
holiday activities can create depression in
people of any age.
The winter months and holidays might
be the only times that some families
spend together. Recognizing changes in
our loved ones may present themselves
during this time. When families get
together they may notice a change of
character in a loved one or elderly family
member. Look for signs like changes in
personal appearance. Does this person
who once had a clean and neat home,
now live in a cluttered and dirty home?
Has your loved one lost weight and
seem uninterested in activities they once
enjoyed? Are they sad, withdrawn or
irritable at times?
If you notice any of these changes it
is time to talk to them about what you
are noticing. Tell them that you care
about them and ignoring the symptoms
will not help. Support them in seeking
treatment. It is never easy speaking
about these issues, but for the person
suffering from depression, knowing
you care could be the first step to
acknowledging the problem and them
seeking help.
Jennifer Moody
LIFE NWPA
814-456-5433
Cheryl Briody, RN, BSN Asbury Home Services/
Springhill
814-860-7424
Sandra Sweet, Rd, LDN, The Village at Luther
Square
814-452-3271
The Niagara Network is a group of business professionals affiliated with the human services industry. If
you would like to join or find out more information about the group and its members, visit the Niagara
Network’s web site at http://www.NiagaraNetwork.net.
MILLCREEK
❘
WINTER 2018
71