STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING FALLS

Each year, about half the seniors who are in their 80's and 90's suffer a fall, according to Marvin M. Lipman, M.D. Ten percent of these are seriously injured and even though they have weathered cancer or a heart attack or are seriously injured in other ways, they do not survive. Sometimes death may occur immediately but a fall may cause a broken neck or a brain bleeding as a result of complication from the initial injury.

Aside from the proverbial slip on a banana peel, the causes of most falls are age related. They include painful arthritis, strokes, and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to nerve damage in the feet or other other areas of weakness. If medications have caused dizziness and decreased alertness make you suspect, you're at risk of falling during daily activities,so discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Of all the various causes of major falls, impaired gait and balance account for most. So test yourself. Are you limping or shuffling? Can you do heel-to-toe walking (taking steps with one foot directly in front of the other) without lurching off-balance. Can you stand on one leg for at least 30 seconds. Less than that suggests a balance problem. You can also do two other tests - both have a high predictive value for future falls you flunk. For the get Up and Go Test, sit in a chair without arms, rise, walk 10 feet forward, quickly turn, walk back to the chair, and sit. Have an observer time you. If it takes more than 14 seconds, you are at risk for falls.  

SHARPEN YOUR BRAIN WITH NOURISHING FOODS

Topping the list of plant foods that offer healthy eating as well as top nourishment, we could make a right turn and stop at a berry patch on our way home.  Berries are rich in plant chemicals and help the brain clear toxic proteins in the brain. One detailed disease can decrease any toxic proteins in the brain.  In Alzheimer's Disease (AD)  brain cells become clogged with these protein toxins.  A berry-rich diet activates the grain's natural house cleaning process, helping it remove toxins and other compounds that can interfere with brain function.  Blueberries in particular have been a good defense against Alzheimer's.  It encourages certain white blood cells to gobble up proteins that fouls up brain function.  Even some preliminary evidence from an experiments with rabbits shows that curcumin can help generate brains after a stroke. When  it comes to brain protection, read the following.

Fatty fish is the single food with most evidence to back up these experiments.  Salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines and trout are all rich in these products.  A four year study of older adults found that those who ate fish once a week were 60 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than those who did not, or rarely, if ever, the researcher noted.

THE PRESENCE

From early morn through late hours, one thought absorbed his mind,

To build his strength through exercise and healthful food combined,

Success was his and honors too, gold medals thee, then four,

Through dedications power of will, that strengthened inner core.

A body built through exercise a strength and power reflects,

Just so the mind's activities, the mental strength projects.

Electromagnets storing power, latent deep within,

So core beliefs can motivate beliefs will power and discipline.

To carry on in spiritual growth, as mind is exercised,

Beliefs can reform, and lives transform, as patterns are revised.

To show results as to ourselves and friends, we generate

A loving , useful attitude with mind and soul true mates.

To face life with its challenges, its present point of power,

As silent strength builds in the mind, through meditations hour,

The mind, a window to the world, attuning with the soul,

Believing, so desires within, may reach their outward goal.

Then helping those along the way, this attitude makes clear,

The spirit that is built within, the precepts to revere.

The lessons that the Bible showed, the oneness with all things,

The strength and healing can come from power stored within.

Beliefs we choose are like the paint an artist's pallet holds,

Dispersed upon the canvas face,a picture will unfold.

When these beliefs no limits know, convincing us we can,

From thoughts will come reality, to form at our command.

As limitations are released we cast out doubts and fears,

True wisdom, health or wealth - all those needed things,

will move within our sphere. much like the strength of wings.

THE DOOR

A door of mystery marked my path in mellow golden light,
Receding toward a distant place to blend in with the night.
Upon the outer wall a sign its welcome words purveyed,
"A place of peace awaits within, where none need be afraid."
"The entrance key is locked within the confines of each soul
Where silent intuitions wait, in hidden secret scrolls.
That know the heart - the souls desire, Within its phase of time,
Where wisdom's touch awaits the will to make its knowledge mine.

And in the twilight glow I heard a creature call for aid,
Then reaching forth to lend a hand, the lock began to fade.
And barriers that once loomed large in consciousness were gone,
From finite to the infinite to move in rhythmic song.
To blend in harmony as one, uniting searching hearts.
To share the music of the spheres, as each one plays a part.
Each time a kindly word is said, it opens up a door,
To share  a secret kind of hope and confidence restore.

As core beliefs that bind are changed, we find the strength of will,
To join with flesh by faith to find life's deepest yearning filled
With daily confidence to share a walk that generates.
A strength and energy that spreads like waves upon a lake.
And as our thoughts speak to each cell our inner life expands,
To open up the doors that spread new life throughout the land.

FELLOWSHIP

A new commandment came to man, two thousand years ago,

"love each other, Jesus said, Unselfish love bestow,

This lovely gracious way of life, so many have passed by,

Remains still new to many who, still live self center, me, my and I

For all need love and kindness, friends, neighbors, plant life too,

Friends, relatives, all those we meet, need kindnesses from you,

That kindness may be part of us, upon the stage of time,

Not for a name or thanks to gain, bur for content of mind,

For every being whom we meet, is no way less divine,

The inner kingdom of each one with different aspects shine.

If the acts of others come that caused us grief or pain,

The strength of will to minimize, will bring a spiritual gain.

For unkind deeds like boomerangs strike sadness to the soul,

Of senders in their thoughtless rush, and hinders their true goal.

For selfish ones, give gentleness, that encourages others too,

At times a gentle word will do, sends love to them and me and you,

A shadow is of higher love, that in their hearts may dwell.

A meditation hour can tune into this special power as well.

Directing power to those in need helps brotherhood to flower,

So burdens weary for those least ones find that special power.

VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING

Once Plato said that virtue would embrace a word group four,
With prudence , temperance, fortitude and justice - but there is more.
When words are brought alive with deeds and daily spread around.
Inspiring, helping all, then virtue can abound.
Words brought to life with actions join the forces of the soul,
To effervescence and coalesce a charismatic whole.
An understanding from within, beyond the senses will
 Interpret laws that bring about relief from every ill.

As tenon and the mortise join to form a smoother whole,
From virtue, understanding grows, to play its perfect role.
Not only mere observers here but part and parcel, we
Of living, universal laws, as members, that's the key.
The colors bringing harmony as morning sun just risen.
That may tune to Creative Force, reflecting through its prism,
Whose rays of hope and trust and faith give energies access,
To wisdom that true knowledge brings, so virtue may express.

To build this virtue in the mind as part of daily ways,
A meditation time apart, insures a brighter day.
Each moment holds its gift of life, a time to touch and find,
The way to help another's need, or ease a worried mind.
So virtue may spread forth its blooms of sweet and fragrant flowers
An essence blessing every life that passes through its bower.
As thoughts direct each act and deed to daily set the tone,
It blends with all earth's symphony and for you a happy home.

Faith