Generation 50+ Winter 2018
Healthy Benefits of Gratitude By Chris Corrigall
Gratitude is a powerful virtue that can have lasting and positive effects on our lives. Thankfulness shouldn’t be saved as a once-a-year effort but should be incorporated as a practice in our daily lives to reap the many benefits. Gratitude can be a tool for a healthier, more productive life. Overwhelmed caregivers of an aging parent may not feel particularly thankful every day. They may be stressed juggling the demands of career, caring for a parent and raising a family. But gratitude can change your perspective on life and help you better manage your stress. “Caregivers can find gratitude even in the most difficult times,” says Emese Tuza Crumb, Certified Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Coach. “Gratitude is like a muscle that needs to be exercised and strengthened, but the proven benefits extend beyond just a positive attitude and include real physical and neurologic health benefits.”
What is gratitude?
First, let’s define gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful human emotion. It is most simply defined as being thankful for what one has, but it’s not just saying a half-hearted “thanks.” For our definition of gratitude to be used as a caregiving tool, we are talking about deep appreciation that comes from within and in a meaningful way. It’s a state of mind with a readiness to show appreciation and return kindness.
Helping Veterans And Active Duty Military Members
By Kirk Larson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Alaska Idaho Oregon Washington
Every year on Veterans Day, we honor the people who risk their lives to protect our freedom. Social Security honors veterans and active duty members of the military every day by giving them the respect they deserve. Social Security’s disability program is an important part of our obligation to wounded warriors and their families. For military members who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any wounded veterans, please let them know about Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at https://www.ssa.gov/people/ veterans/ The Wounded Warriors website answers many commonly asked questions, and shares other useful information about disability benefits, including how veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the
Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Even active duty military who continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave should consider applying for disability benefits if they’re unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active duty status and receipt of military pay doesn’t necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits. Although a person can’t receive Social Security disability benefits while engaging in substantial work for pay or profit, receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security. Social Security is proud to support veterans and active duty members of the military. Let these heroes know they can count on us when they need to take advantage of their earned benefits. Our webpages are easy to share on social media and by email.
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How the Opioid Overdose and Death Epidemic Can Be Reversed (StatePoint) Opioid-related overdoses have reached epidemic proportions, claiming more than 42,000 lives in the U.S. in 2016 alone. Physicians on the front lines are working in their communities and with their patients to reverse this public health crisis. The American Medical Association (AMA) created an Opioid Task Force in 2014, bringing together national and state medical organizations to come up with ways that practicing physicians could play a role in ending the epidemic. For example, the task force urged physicians to enhance their education. The latest AMA report shows a remarkable response. Last year, more than a half million physicians and other health care providers took courses related to opioid prescribing, pain management, treatment and related areas. Opioid prescribing decreased by 22 percent between 2013 and 2017. Despite such progress, opioid-related deaths are still increasing. Why? Experts say no single policy approach can stop the epidemic. Physicians are reducing the
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QUARTERLY SPECIAL: A PUBLICATION OF THE QUEEN ANNE & MAGNOLIA NEWS, CITY LIVING SEATTLE, AND MADISON PARK TIMES