WELLNESS

6 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH

Your mind is a terrible thing to waste – so make a commitment to keep yours active and healthy!

Each summer, we honor Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, which is a perfect opportunity to make a commitment to boosting your brain health. By making some small, but meaningful, adjustments to your habits, you can keep your mind at the top of its game.

If you want to learn more about Alzheimer’s or brain health, or if you want to help raise awareness this month, visit the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington website.

KEEP YOUR BODY ACTIVE

Research shows that exercising regularly may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Choose something that keeps you moving, like walking or water aerobics. Pair it with strength-building exercises for added benefits.

KEEP YOUR BRAIN ACTIVE

Challenging your mind may also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. So learn a new skill, try a new hobby or take a class!

STAY HEALTHY

Prioritize eating well, sleeping enough and getting regular health check-ups. Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins, aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep and make time for health-related appointments.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.

KEEP TABS ON YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Practice self-care and keep in touch with others. An active social life may contribute to a healthy brain. If you are struggling with symptoms of anxiety or depression, seek help.

STAY SAFE FROM BRAIN INJURY

Brain injury may increase your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Protect your head by wearing helmets while biking, skiing and snowboarding and by wearing a seatbelt every time you’re in a car.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL SURGE COMES TO AN END

On March 18, 2020, Home and Community Services implemented a statewide emergency plan focused on expediting the transition of individuals out of hospital care and into home- and community-based settings, including nursing homes. This “acute hospital surge,” as it was called, lasted through the end of June 2020 and accomplished several objectives, including: • • • Reducing the time to complete eligibility determinations and find transitional settings for clients. Reducing the overall length of hospital stays for individuals referred to HCS. Increasing the number of transitions out of acute care hospitals. These objectives were accomplished with the help of some time-limited resources that were appropriated for the purpose of quickly moving individuals who no longer have a need for acute care out of hospital settings to free up hospital beds during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although these additional resources will no longer be available moving forward, there are some things that will help us to continue to build on gains made during the surge, including the ability to conduct telephonic assessment, streamlined eligibility and self-attested disability, and new statewide policies for assessments and transitions. Through this process, we have also forged communication pathways with acute care hospitals that will remain in place going forward.

HOSPITAL SURGE: HIGHLIGHTS

ASSESSMENTS COMPLETED 24-72 HOURS

CARE assessments were initiated and completed on average within 24 to 72 hours from the date of referral.

AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY 29%

The average hospital length of stay for individuals who had a referral was reduced by 29%, from 55 days to 39 days.

INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONED > 2,000

More than 2,000 individuals transitioned from acute care hospitals to community settings with assistance from HCS during the surge period.

LONG LENGTHS OF STAY 14% 6%

Reduced the number of patients with lengths of stay greater than 100 days from 14% to 6% of clients with referrals.

TEAMWORK

Attributed to Edgar A. Guest

It’s all very well to have courage and skill And it’s fine to be counted a star, But the single deed with its touch of a thrill Doesn’t tell the man you are; For there’s no lone hand in the game we play, We must work to a bigger scheme, And the thing that counts in the world to-day Is, How do you pull with the team?

They may sound your praise and call you great, They may single you out for fame, But you must work with your running mate Or you’ll never win the game; Oh, never the work of life is done By the man with a selfish dream, For the battle is lost or the battle is won By the spirit of the team.

You may think it fine to be praised for skill, But a greater thing to do Is to set your mind and set your will On the goal that’s just in view; It’s helping your fellow man to score When his chances hopeless seem; It’s forgetting self till the game is o’er And fighting for the team.