February 2024

Updated newsletter coming soon! We’re transitioning to a new marketing platform in the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out for future messages from MyEmma.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month! Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Poor cardiovascular health increases your risk of serious illnesses, including COVID-19, so it’s important to be proactive in taking care of your heart. As a caregiver, you can watch out for your loved one and yourself by taking a few easy steps to improve heart health!

It’s important to know that the warning signs of a heart attack differ between men and women. Common heart attack symptoms include:

Pain in the chest, often described as a squeezing, full, or painful feeling
A rapid or irregular heartbeat
Feeling faint, lightheaded, and/or breaking out in a cold sweat
Indigestion
Shortness of breath

Studies have shown that women may experience non-chest pain symptoms that they are less likely to recognize as warning signs of a heart attack. These can include:

Chest pain described as a feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest
Jaw, neck, or upper back pain
Nausea or vomiting
Extreme fatigue

If you see any of these symptoms in yourself or your loved one, it’s best to be safe and seek medical help immediately.

This American Heart Month, why not try out some activities together with your loved on that can support your heart health? Some ideas include:

Exercise: Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to strengthen your heart, so why not find a new activity that you and your loved one can enjoy together? This month, try adding a walk around the neighborhood to your routine or stop by the senior centers to try any of our exercise classes!
Know your family history: It’s important to know your family history with heart disease so you can recognize your risk level and seek care if needed. If you don’t already know, why not take an afternoon to connect with family and discuss your shared family medical history? It can be a great opportunity to connect with family members and ensure you’re all on the path to staying heart healthy.
Try out some new, heart healthy recipes: Reducing sodium and saturated fats in your diet is one great way to reduce your risk of heart disease. Why not try out a new recipe for a delicious and fun step towards a healthier heart? You can find some great heart healthy meal ideas here.

Resources

For more information:

Announcements

Memory Screening at the Senior Centers - February 2024

New Radio Program - Aging Well Together - Thursdays at 2pm

Click for More Information

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FREE Nutrition Supplements

If you have NC Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive free oral nutrition supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Contact the Aging Helpline for more information at 919-968-2087.

Positive Approach to Care: Dementia Skills Training for Professionals

Champion Courses 1-4, Tuesdays 3-5pm

Upcoming Programs

Dementia - Let's Talk About It

Join OCDoA’s dementia care specialists for a conversation around topics related to dementia education, living with cognitive change, and being a dementia caregiver. We will provide 15-30 minutes of education at the start of the hour, and the remaining time will be spent in conversation, Q&A, and resource-sharing around the day’s topic. For information and registration contact agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or 919-968-2087.

Tuesday, February 20 at 10am via Zoom - Living Alone with Dementia

Support Groups

Support groups are a space to meet with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities. We have resumed in-person meetings and have added a new Zoom only group.

Chapel Hill Support Group
- Contact Kendall McMillan to join - K Mcmillan@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
- 2nd and 4th Fridays: February 9 & 23 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- 2nd Thursdays: February 8 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - KLoperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253
- 1st and 3rd Tuesdays: February 6 & 20 at 12:30pm via Zoom
Charles House CORE Support Group
- Contact Paul Klever to join - paul@charleshouse.org
- 3rd Wednesdays: February 21 at 12pm via Zoom

Taboo Topics & Parkinson's Disease

Join the UNC Movement Disorders Center for a monthly webinar series, exploring topics that you’ve always had questions about but didn’t know how to ask. Each webinar will occur on the third Friday of the month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/UNCPDWebinar. FREE

Friday, February 16 at 1:00 pm: Sex & Intimacy. Will my sex life be affected by PD? How will my relationship be affected?

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

This month's full group meeting will be focused on Orthostatic Hypotension with Jessica Rider, FNP. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register here

Tuesday, February 6 at 1:30pm, via WebEx

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month's topic is Cure PSP Advocacy, with Julie Balasalle. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register for the support group here.