How a Healthy Diet Can Maintain Brain Health

How a Healthy Diet Can Maintain Brain Health

Did you know that eating olive oil and nuts can enhance your memory and information processing? Did you know that eating blueberries can make you less susceptible to Alzheimer’s Disease? 

While these may seem like far-fetched ideas, research clearly shows that what you eat can have a major impact on your brain.  In one study, researchers even found that people who ate one to two servings of green leafy vegetables every day were cognitively 11 years younger than those who ate fewer greens!

Curious to know more? Read on. Then grab a pen, and add the following foods to your next shopping list. 

Free-radical fighters

Free radical damage accumulates with age.  But antioxidants help neutralize free radicals. Studies have shown that the total amount of antioxidants in the food one eats has less of an impact than the amount of antioxidants from specific foods. Some of the most potent antioxidants that help repair tissues, cells, and DNA that has been damaged by free radicals can be found in: 

• Blueberries

• Strawberries 

• Acai berries

Neuron protectors

In Alzheimer’s Disease, neurons begin to die. This leads to cognitive deterioration.  But Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help protect the neurons. Foods high in Vitamin E include: 

• Vegetable oil-based salad dressings

• Seeds and nuts

• Peanut butter

• Whole grains

• Avocado

• Kale*

• Collard Greens*

• Spinach*

• Broccoli*

*These green foods also contain folate. Folate helps lower homocysteine levels (an amino acid that at high levels may trigger the death of nerve cells in the brain). 

Brain boosters

Research has shown that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is critical to brain development and functioning throughout a person’s life. Adults battling psychiatric and neurological ailments such as depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s are encouraged to pay special attention to their DHA intake. Omega-3 oils also decrease inflammation that can damage the brain. Foods high in DHA include: 

• Salmon

• Mackerel

• Tuna

Amyloid plaque fighters

Your brain needs amyloid for brain cells to communicate. But when amyloid accumulates far beyond normal levels, it forms plaque that kills neurons.  The amyloid plaques also create inflammation, which kills even more neurons. Foods that fight amyloid plaques include: 

• Nuts (especially walnuts)

• Curcumin

• Pomegranates

And more!

Some foods help the brain from other angles.  For example, increased blood flow in the brain promotes neuron grown in the area of the brain associated with learning and memory.  Foods that help with blood flow include:

• Beets

• Tomatoes

• Avocados

Fight cognitive decline

By now, you’re probably convinced that the foods mentioned above can help your brain stay sharp.  Keep your notes so you can refer to them when you’re shopping. But also remember these general rules for eating to fight cognitive decline: 

• Maintain a plant-based eating pattern 

  • Lots of fruits and vegetables

  • Lots of dark, leafy greens 

• Avoid trans fats

  • Fried foods 

  • Fast food

  • Chips

  • Donuts

  • Pastries

• Eat minimal amounts of saturated fats

  • Beef

  • Veal

  • Lamb

  • Pork

  • Whole milk dairy products

• Eat foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

  • Nuts

  • Vegetable oils

  • Fish

We’re serious about nutrition

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we approach patient care from all angles, including nutrition. Every meal we make is made with love and with a clear understanding of the role nutrition plays in the health of our patients.  Our goal is to rehabilitate every single one of our patients and get them back to their personal best.

If you are in need of rehabilitation, or if a loved one requires a nurturing atmosphere for short- or long-term care, please give us a call or stop by.  Compassionate care. That’s what we’re here for.  

What is Speech Therapy and How Can it Help Adults?

Speech therapy (also known as speech-language pathology) is a clinical program that consists of treatment, support, and care for those who have difficulties with communication. Speech-language pathology addresses both speech and language disorders. 

A speech disorder is the inability to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently. A person with a speech disorder might also have difficulty with resonance, loudness and pitch, or articulation. 

A language disorder is difficulty understanding others (receptive) or expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas. This individual might have a comprehension deficit, difficulty putting words together, or an inability to use language appropriately.  

Speech-language pathology can also help individuals who have difficulties eating, drinking, or swallowing. 

Adults can develop speech-language disorders, too.  

Most people associate speech therapy with children who lisp or stutter. While it is true that roughly 5 percent of children have noticeable speech disorders, many adults also develop speech-language disorders. The following causes and resulting disorders are just a sample of some that develop in adulthood:

• Cancer of the larynx or physical trauma and injury can cause phonation (sound producing) disorders.
• Apraxia of speech (an inability to say things correctly and consistently) can develop in adults due to brain damage. 
• Stroke, head injury, and seizures can lead to expressive language disorders.
• Head injury, stroke, brain tumor, and dementia can also lead to aphasia disorders (difficulty remembering). 
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can develop in older adults and patients who have had strokes.  

Speech-language pathologists can help

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), or speech therapists, are trained to evaluate and treat speech and language disorders. 

Speech language pathologists treat problems with:

• Speaking, reading, writing, or using numbers due to stroke or brain injury.
• Problems controlling mouth muscles to speak clearly.
• Problems with memory, reasoning, problem solving, attention. 
• Weakness or tightness in speech muscles that cause slurred or very quiet speech that’s hard to understand.
• Changes in pitch, hoarseness, and other voice disorders.
• Problems chewing or swallowing. 

You might be surprised to hear this:

• 84% of people with a speech disorder make progress with the help of speech-language pathologists in a hospital or rehab. 
• 81% of people with language problems after a stroke make improvements with outpatient speech-language pathology services.
• Over half of people in the hospital setting no longer need a feeding tube after receiving swallowing treatment from a speech-language pathologist.  

Let our speech therapists help you or your loved one.

At Bella Vista Health Center in San Diego, our speech-language pathologists are devoted to the care of our patients and will see to it that you or your loved one get the highest quality care. 

Each of our SLPs is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, has completed post-graduate clinical work, and passed a national examination. In addition, the speech-language therapists at Bella Vista have the kind of experience, compassion, and professional manner we know you’ll find comforting. 

Whether you or your loved one is in need of short-term therapy or long-term care, please give us a call or come in to our Lemon Grove facility. Our team will be happy to answer your questions or show you around. 

What's the Difference Between Medicare and Medi-Cal?

At Bella Vista Health Center, many people who call to inquire about our services also want to know what kind of insurance we accept. When we mention Medicare and Medi-Cal, the callers often ask, “What’s that?” or “What’s the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal?” 

Both are really good questions.

Below, you’ll find bullet-point descriptions of Medicare and Medi-Cal, what they cover, and who qualifies. We hope you find them helpful.

Medicare

What it is:

• A federal health insurance program

Who qualifies: 

• Ages 65+
• Younger people with disabilities

What it covers:

• Hospital bills
• Post-hospital nursing home stays
• Home health care
• Medical insurance
• Basic doctor and lab costs
• Some out-patient medical services and equipment
• Physical therapy
• Some prescription costs
• Limited time in a skilled nursing facility (with conditions and restrictions)

Administered by:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Identification card colors:

• Red, white, and blue

To check your eligibility for Medicare, go to your local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. 

Medi-Cal

What it is:

• A state health care program

Who qualifies: 

• Families and individuals with low income or limited resources
  • People who receive:
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • CalWORKS
    • Refugee or foster care assistance
  • Others:
    • Age 65+
    • Blind
    • Disabled
    • Pregnant
    • Under 21
    • Parent of someone under 21 
    • Nursing home resident

What it covers:

• Outpatient (ambulatory) services
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental health and substance abuse disorders (including behavioral health treatment)
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services (PT and OT) and devices 
• Laboratory services
• Children’s services (including oral and vision care)
• Dental services 
• Vision services

Administered by:

• California Department of Health Care Services

Identification card colors:

• Red and white

San Diego County residents can begin the online application process at www.mybenefitscalwin.org. To request a mail-in application, call 866-262-9881. Or stop by one of the San Diego County social services facilities listed here: [http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ssp/medi-cal_program/how_to_apply.html]

Note: Many people do qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. 

You matter to us.

At Bella Vista Health Center, we understand how frustrating it can be to navigate the world of health insurance while you’re recovering or rehabilitating yourself. If you have any questions for us about which of our services your insurance covers, please don’t hesitate to ask. Give us a call or drop by our Lemon Grove location. We’ll help you in any way we can. 

The Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

It’s easy to get confused over the differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy. Part of the reason for this is because there’s a lot of overlap between the two. For example, both physical and occupational therapists are trained extensively in anatomy and the musculoskeletal system. Both are an integral part of patient rehabilitation. And both are also responsible for educating patients about how to avoid further injury during the rehabilitation process – and beyond.  

So what are the differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy? 

At Bella Vista Health Center, we get calls from people all over San Diego who want to know exactly that. Below, we’ve put together a hypothetical story about a patient named Jim whose successful recovery includes both physical and occupational therapy. 

Jim’s Story

Meet Jim.  He has just had his hip replaced.  Jim’s doctor ordered both physical therapy and occupational therapy following the surgery. 

The physical therapist (PT)

A physical therapist helps to evaluate and diagnose movement dysfunctions. She’ll treat the physical source of the problem and recommend specific exercises to help align bones and joints to increase mobility and lessen pain.  She’ll also recommend assistive medical devices. 

Jim’s physical therapist is Janet. Janet teaches Jim to safely transition from lying down to sitting up to standing. She also teaches him how to walk with his walker and, later, to transition to crutches. During the recovery process, Janet does stair training with Jim and educates him on bed and chair exercises he can do to strengthen his body and help facilitate the healing process. Before Jim is discharged from the hospital, Janet talks to him about movement cautions he needs to maintain while he gets his strength back. 

The occupational therapist (OT) 

An occupational therapist helps improve functional ability and quality of life by teaching the patient how to complete tasks while impaired. He’s also trained to modify the physical environment and present customized interventions and adaptive tools to help the patient carry out daily tasks. 

Jim’s occupational therapist is Jack. Jack reinforces many of Janet’s instructions on proper seating position and safe techniques of transferring from walker to chair or bed or bath, and so on. In addition, Jack also provides Jim with a dressing stick, a sock aid, and shoehorn to help him dress without bending from the waist. Jack does an on-site visit at Jim’s home to assist with moving furniture around to best suit Jim’s condition. He also helps with the placement of grab bars and toilet risers to help Jim accomplish daily tasks independently. Jack educates Jim on other safety precautions such as carrying hot liquids in covered containers, removing scatter rugs to prevent tripping, and attaching a basket to the walker to carry items from one room to the next. 

The work Jim does with both Janet and Jack are important parts of his recovery.

Today, Jim is as good as new. He lives in Boca Raton.  

Ok, so Jim’s story is hypothetical, but it could easily be true.  Many patients require both physical and occupational therapies to recover from injuries and adapt to impairments. 

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we know all about it because we see it happen every day.  We watch our physical and occupational therapists light the faces of their patients on a regular basis.  Their combined experience and compassion help to build both strength and confidence during the recovery/adaptation process. 

If you are looking for a home-away-from-home and require occupational or physical therapy (or both), come visit us. Meet our therapists, tour our facilities, and let us help you in every way we can. 

How to Choose the Right Nursing Home

Trusting your loved one to the care of strangers is never an easy decision. The best way to ensure that he is safe and comfortable is to do your homework in advance.  It will diminish your anxiety tremendously if you believe the facility you’ve chosen is the best fit for your loved one. That level of trust requires research.  

Start your nursing home search by looking around and asking for recommendations.  The best resources will be people you know who have parents in nursing homes. If you don’t know any one who fits the bill, look for local support groups for those caring for aging parents. Online reviews will help, too. Once you have some recommendations, get out there and do your research. 

The following tips will help guide you in the process of choosing the right nursing home. 

Visit multiple facilities

While it may be tempting to narrow down your options to one or two facilities based on online photos and reviews, in order to get the feel for a place you really need to visit in person. Even if a nursing home comes highly recommended, it may not be the right fit for your loved one. In addition, you’re not guaranteed a vacancy, especially if you’re doing your research before you actually need a facility. For this reason, it’s important to have a list of options when the time comes. 

Tip: Keep a list of the places you’re interested in.  Check them off as you visit each one. 

Take notes

When you visit a nursing home, bring a notebook and a pen so you can take notes while you’re there. Better yet, create a template to organize your notes.  That way, it’ll be easier to read and compare notes later. On the template, create sections that give you space to jot down your thoughts, feelings, observations, and questions about the criteria below. Consider the following questions when making site visits. Some you can answer from your own observations. Others will require direct answers from staff and administration. 

Environment/atmosphere

• Are the common areas and private rooms homey and comfortable?
• Is the décor personalized and cheery? 
• Do the patients seem at ease? 
• Does the staff seem happy and professional?

Staff-resident interaction

• Do the staff members respectfully call the patients by their proper names (or even “Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So”)? 
• Does the staff spend some of their downtime interacting with residents?

Food

• How does it look and smell? 
• Is it presented with care? 

Cleanliness

• Is the facility spotless?
• Are the hygienic needs of the residents well tended-to? 
• Are common areas wiped down and sanitized regularly?

Safety and Security

• How secure are the outdoor areas? 
• Do staff members have to pass a reliable background check? 
• Does the facility use alerting systems for residents at risk of falling?

Distance from family and friends

• Is it close enough to support regular visits?
• How fast can a trusted family member get there in emergencies?

Staff/Administration

• Are they friendly and accessible?
• Do they answer your questions readily?
• Do they seem compassionate with residents and family members?

Tip: After the visit, before you leave the grounds, take about five minutes to rate each of above criteria on a scale of 1-5.  This will be helpful later when you compare the many facilities you’ve visited. 

Compare your notes

Keep all your notes in one place.  When you’ve visited 5-10 facilities, use the rating system to compare them. To do this, you’ll need to create a table that lists each facility in the rows and all the important criteria in the columns.  

Use the ratings you created during the visit to plug into the table. When you’ve done that for each facility, add up the columns and give each facility a total score. Those with the lowest scores should be crossed off your list of options. Set aside those with middle scores for now. The highest scores should be the first ones you return to for a second visit. 

Tip: Let the rating score sheets lead your discussions with the family members of other residents from the facility (See Get References below). Ask their opinions about the criteria that you gave your lowest and highest scores to.

Make multiple visits

You don’t have to visit every single facility more than once. If the first time was enough to tell you it’s not a good fit, there’s no reason to go back. But if you’re on the fence or even if the first visit gave you great feelings about the place, you’ll want to go back at least two more times. Visit during different times of the day to see how the facility operates during meal or activity times and on holidays. Multiple visits at different times of day will probably also expose you to a variety of staff members. It’s important to get a feel for the big picture of the place. 

Tip: Visiting during transitional times (just before meals and special activities) can provide important information about how efficiently a facility operates as well as how patient the staff is.

Put Bella Vista Health Center on your list

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, our deeply compassionate and highly professional staff provides quality nursing care in a nurturing environment.  We trust that you and your loved one will feel welcome, comfortable, and supported in our 5-star facility. 

If you’re looking for a first-rate nursing home in the San Diego area, please stop by. We’ll be happy to show you around.