Nutrition. Age. LiveWell. Healthy Living at Every Age CENTER

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1 LiveWell Age Healthy Living at Every Age SM CENTER Nutrition Nutrition is an important part of your healthy life and wellness. Kirby Medical Center s registered dietitians are Level 1 certified in diabetes education, have special training in weight management and physical activity prescription, and are passionate about assisting patients in whatever goals they may decide to conquer. Kirby Medical Center wants you to live well, and the first step toward wellness is understanding your changing needs as you age. Read on to learn more, because the best is yet to come! Continued on next page.

2 Nutrition Continued Do you understand your dietary restrictions based on your diagnoses? DIAGNOSIS: CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF) If you are one of the millions of Americans living with congestive heart failure, following dietary restrictions is key. Low Sodium Diet The current guidelines are to limit your sodium (salt) to 2,000 mg per day. Some easy ways to reduce your sodium intake include: Limit bagged, canned or boxed food intake. Fast food, deli meats and canned foods are all high in sodium. Drain and rinse canned vegetables and cook them in tap water. Season foods with spices and no salt seasonings. Mrs. Dash has several varieties that are very tasty! If you are reading food labels, snacks that have 300 mg sodium or more are not good choices. Meals that have more than 500 mg sodium per meal put you at risk for fluid retention. Fluid Restrictions If your doctor prescribes a fluid restriction, it is important to stick with it to prevent fluid buildup and stress on your heart and lungs. Take an empty pitcher and mark where your fluid restriction is. As you drink throughout the day, monitor your pitcher to make sure you stay within your restriction. Ice chips help make your fluid go farther. One cup of ice chips equals ½ cup of fluid. Keep in mind that soup, Jell-O, popsicles and ice cream count as fluid, too. Here are some common conversions to help you be successful in your fluid restriction: 2,000 milliliters 2 liters or 8 cups 1,500 milliliters 1 ½ liters or 6 cups 1,000 milliliters 1 liter or 4 cups 1 fluid cup 240 milliliters 1 fluid ounce 30 milliliters Alcohol & Caffeine Restrictions Excess alcohol intake contributes to your fluid intake and raises blood pressure. Many doctors recommend avoiding alcohol completely. If you are able to consume alcohol, intake should not exceed one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. (One drink = 1 oz. of liquor, 5 oz. of wine or 12 oz. of beer) Caffeine may not be allowed to prevent increases in blood pressure. Follow your doctor s recommendations. Choose decaf beverages if needed and always consume less than 300 mg of caffeine daily. Weight Monitoring Weigh yourself every morning and record in a notebook. Sudden weight gain is a sign that fluid is building up in your body. Follow these guidelines: If you gain three or more pounds in one day or five or more pounds in one week, call your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your medicine to get rid of the extra fluid. Talk with your doctor or registered dietitian about what a healthy weight is for you. Talk with your doctor to find out what type of physical activity is best for you.

3 DIAGNOSIS: DIABETES Understanding and managing your diabetes is the best way to improve your quality of life. Outpatient Services Kirby Medical Center s Diabetic Educators offer Medicare-covered Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetic Education. Medical Nutrition Therapy consists of three hours in the first year and two hours each year after, and focuses on nutritional therapy surrounding food, physical activity and behavior change for quality of life. Diabetic Education includes 10 hours of initial training the first year after diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and two hours each year after diagnosis. The intent of Diabetic Education is to provide overall guidance on all aspects of diabetes to achieve blood glucose control and increase your knowledge and skills to self-manage diabetes with success. Carbohydrate Consistency Carbohydrates are what break down into sugar and affect your blood glucose. Carbohydrates are found in grains, starchy vegetables, fruits and juices, milk and yogurt, and desserts. Kirby s registered dietitians can help you determine how many carbohydrates you require to reach your goal of blood sugar control or weight loss. DIAGNOSIS: CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) COPD is often associated with malnutrition and unintended weight loss, so it is important to maintain your weight by eating or drinking extra calories and protein. overall amount you eat at a meal. Instead, drink throughout the day and only when needed during meal times to meet both your hydration and nutritional requirements. Protein Extra protein may be necessary to maintain or restore lung and muscle strength, as well as to promote immune function. Your registered dietitian can help you determine how much protein you need each day. Hydration If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight and need to gain weight, be sure to avoid beverages during meal times. Drinking while you eat can make you feel full, bloated and uncomfortable, which may decrease the Potassium, Calcium & Magnesium Minerals such as magnesium and calcium are important for muscle contraction. If you are on diuretics (water pills), your doctor may have prescribed a potassium supplement, too. Make sure to take all medications and supplements as prescribed to maintain your health. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy and whole grains can help ensure you meet your daily need for these vitamins and minerals. GENERAL HEALTHFUL NUTRITION RECOMMENDATIONS: No matter what your diagnosis is, good nutrition is important to your health. Kirby Medical Center s nutrition experts emphasize daily intake of fruits, whole grains, veggies, lean proteins and low-fat options for all older adults. High-fiber foods such as fruits, veggies and whole grains keep you regular and improve heart health. Eating foods rich in protein at breakfast, lunch and supper is critical to maintain your muscle mass and weight. The best lean sources of protein are fish, chicken, turkey, pork loin, venison, 90/10 lean beef and low-fat Greek yogurt. To avoid saturated (unhealthy) fats, use healthy liquid fats such as olive oil and canola oil when cooking veggies and meat. Eat very little saturated fats, found in foods such as butter, cream, steak, sausage and bacon, to keep your cholesterol levels satisfactory. Avoid trans fats altogether.

4 Exercise and Therapy Exercise isn t just about adding years to your life it s adding life to your years! Here are just a few of the many benefits of exercise: Reduces the impact of illness or chronic disease Enhances mobility, flexibility and balance Keeps your brain active, potentially preventing cognitive decline Improves sleep At Kirby Medical Center, we offer a variety of programs to enhance exercise and activity. Medical Fitness KMC Therapy Services offers an exercise program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program is designed for you to work at your own pace, toward individual goals, with an instructor present to assist you with the equipment and help determine the appropriate program for you. New to medical fitness is the incentive program exercise more, win more! Classes are held in the KMC Therapy Gym and cost is $40 per month. Laugh Without Leaks Are you afraid to exercise because of bladder leakage or pelvic pain? Physical therapy can help! Our specially trained physical therapist provides treatment in a discreet and comfortable setting. These services are designed to decrease pain and dysfunction and improve quality of life! Back Pain Diagnosis and Treatment Do you suffer from back or neck pain that limits your activity? Our team of McKenzie-certified physical therapists work with you to minimize pain and improve mobility and quality of life. Goals of the McKenzie Method are to reduce pain quickly, return to normal daily activity and minimize recurrence of pain. Socialization Where do you socialize? Do you belong to a church? Do you have friends that live in your neighborhood or in your building? Finding people to socialize with is an important part of your well-being. We have resources available to help you find social groups, support groups or other meetings that may be of interest to you. HEALTH GOALS As you work toward a healthier you, it s important to ask yourself the following questions. What do you want to achieve? In order for your caregivers and health professionals to provide you with the best healthcare plan, identify what is important to you. Consider your lifestyle, environment, family and friends when setting goals. Set goals with your provider so that he or she can help you work toward something meaningful. How do your goals make your life better? Ultimately, your goals should make your life better. Are you missing out on events because of an area of your health or wellness that could be improved? Let your provider know! What is most important to you? Do you want to be able to walk your dog for 30 minutes a day? Do you want to enjoy a dinner out with your spouse? Everyone has different ideas of health and wellness. Once your care providers understand your expectations, they can recommend steps, make referrals and suggest programs to help you reach your health goals. List your goals here to share with your provider:

5 Medication Goals Here are a few things to keep in mind to reach your desired health goals: What to Know When Starting a New Medication Be sure you know the following. If you don t, speak to your pharmacist or care provider. The risks and benefits The reason for taking the medication The duration you will be on the medication Possible side effects or adverse reactions When to call your provider What you should avoid when taking the medication: Foods (ex: grapefruit juice) Liquids (ex: alcohol) Certain activities (ex: being in the sun) Medication List Always keep a current medication list in your wallet or purse. Your medication list should include: Name of medication Both the brand name and generic name Dosage How much of the medication you are taking Frequency How often you take the medication Prescribing physician If you see more than one doctor Notify your provider of medications that may have changed during a stay in a healthcare facility, and give a copy of your medication list to a family member or someone you trust in case of an emergency. Pharmacy Have prescriptions from your healthcare provider and dentist filled at the same pharmacy. If you see multiple physicians, they may not know what the other is prescribing. Filling medications at the same pharmacy allows one person to see every medication, reducing the chance of a medication error or allergic interaction. Your physicians and pharmacist are trusted sources, so turn to them for answers. Information found on the internet can t always be trusted. Your pharmacy may have a phone app that will allow you to easily keep track of your medications. Medication and Finances When looking to save money on prescriptions, consider the following: If you are trying a new medication, ask your physician if they have samples to try. Your physician s office may have savings cards to help reduce the cost of a medication. Some drug manufacturers will provide free medications for those who qualify. Medications often have a cheaper alternative that provides the same effect. Your pharmacy is a great resource for reaching out to your physician and asking for a cheaper alternative. When you fill at the same pharmacy, they can help assess what medications would be best to pay out of pocket, over the counter, or with your prescription coverage.

6 SM CENTER 1000 Medical Center Drive Monticello, IL Join us for Senior Wellness Day May 31st at 8am Kirby Medical Center End of Life Preparation If you are facing a terminal diagnosis, making plans for the inevitable is important to ensure your wishes are followed and your family is spared any decision-making stress. Getting the conversation started may be difficult, but making plans now gives you time to consider your options, make thoughtful choices and enjoy peace of mind. Why Discussing your end-of-life plans with your provider is essential to your care, from terminal diagnosis to death. Having the discussion before treatment begins can help your provider guide your care and understand your needs and wishes. What A cure is not always possible. Most patients believe that endof-life discussions are centered on resuscitation, but that is not the only topic you should discuss with your caregivers. End-of-life goals, fears about dying, understanding your prognosis and physical needs should also be included. When It s best to have this discussion before you make the transition from management to palliation, or before you enter the dying phase. You can make an appointment to speak to your provider about end-of-life care, or you can discuss it during one of your annual wellness visits for Medicare. Your care team is happy to talk to you anytime you need guidance.