Page 8 - Reedley Exponent 5-3-18 E-edition

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The Reedley Exponent A48 Thursday, May 3, 2018
ealth &Fitne
ealth &Fitne
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Preventative Maintenance and Care Giving
By Jim Dueck
If you are the type of person who takes care of your personal possessions, you know about preventa-
tive maintenance. You rotate the tires on your tires so
they won’t wear out prema- turely. You put gas in your car before you run out and change the oil so your engine won’t blow up, potentially stranding you by the side of the road.
If you want to have a healthy yard you mow the grass regularly. You keep the weeds under control and trim and prune your bushes and trees so they will be healthy and grow properly. You give
your plants just enough water and nutrients to keep every- thing in balance.
You go to the doctor for regular checkups and take medications to manage any health problems you may have. Our lives are full of preventative maintenance.
When seniors begin to need some care, they usu- ally stay in their homes and the healthier spouse is the one who usually provides the care. e one receiving
care starts living an “assisted living” lifestyle in their home. e spouse now becomes the caregiver and this can result in caregiver stress that may cause a myriad of problems like fatigue, depression, muscle cramps, upset stom- ach and even sleep problems.
e one receiving care will continue to receive care one way or another but the couple now need to be con- cerned about the one who is giving the care. ings need to be put in place to protect
the caregiver’s health. How- ever, this is the preventative maintenance that is too often overlooked.
Some studies have shown that a spouse between the ages of 66 to 96, who be- comes the caregiver, may be twice as likely to die within four years as those who
are not caregivers! Senior couples in this situation, with all the best of intensions, may be putting the care- giver’s health at risk without realizing it.
is is when your family physician and involved fam- ily members can help make
a determination as to what is best for the caregiver and the spouse receiving care.
When seniors begin to need care and their spouse becomes the caregiver, remember to pay attention not only to the one receiv- ing care, pay attention to the health needs of the spouse who has become the care- giver as well.
Dr. Amu, M.D. Candice Brantley Magdalena Ruiz M. Iqbal Choudhry,
Pediatrician F.N.P.-C F.N.P.-C
PA-C
Speaks: Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi
Full Family Practice Physical Exams ❦ Women’s Health Pediatrics ❦ Immunizations
Weight Management ❦ Massage Chiropractic ❦ Holistic Health
Stefan Pentschev,
MD
Family Practice for over 40 yrs.
Joanne Beattie,
FNP-C
Family Practice for over 17 yrs. Specializing in depression and anxiety.
Sheri Cooley,
FNP-C
Family Practice. Specializing in Food Allergies, Nutrition and Supplements.
Brianna Edwards,
FNP-C
Family Practice. Specializing in Women’s Health & Pediatrics.
❦ Covered California ❦ Medi-Cal ❦ Medicare ❦ Most Insurance Accepted
Se Habla For Appointment Call (559) 638-0400 Walk-In
Español
Clinic
826 E. Manning Ave. • Reedley
To Advertise call the Sentinel
638-2244
Health&Fitness Runs the first week of each month Call Janie Lucio to advertise in the May 5th issue 638-2244
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