Over the past few years, our valley has been abuzz with talk of becoming a blue zones community. The wait is now over and a coordinated effort throughout Riverside County is now underway, including both Palm Springs and Coachella, to implement policy and programs aimed at increasing the health and longevity of local residents. In… Read more »
September/October 2024
Many of us have a heartfelt reaction when we see people living on the streets. The team at Bridges 2 Hope is combining that compassion with action and resources to help individuals find homes. In three short years, they have emplaced the many pieces of the puzzle together to help rehabilitate 32 and find homes… Read more »
Friends with Benefits
- By Lauren Del Sarto
This time of year always reminds me of returning to school. Though it’s been years since I packed my bags and left home for a college campus, the slight rise in temperature continues to invigorate excitement for change, renewal and seeing old friends. It’s the “fall feeling” I look forward to each and every season.… Read more »
What Makes a Great Caregiver?
- By Tammy Porter, DNP, MLS, RN-BSN, CPHQ, CCM
As a nurse and care manager who has worked in the homes and at the bedside of older adults for many years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that a good caregiver can have on someone’s life. I’ve also seen the unfortunate effects of when a caregiver isn’t quite the right fit.… Read more »
The Power of Connection as We Age
- By Manish Sheth, MD, PhD
Aging should be something to look forward to: more time to travel and spend with family and friends. After all, it’s a part of life, albeit one that comes with a variety of changes—physical, emotional and social. One major challenge, especially as more seniors choose to live alone, is building social connections. Studies show that… Read more »
Pets as Medicine
- By Kelly Lewallen, LMFT, CED-S
We often get calls to our office from prospective clients interested in meeting specific staff members featured on our website. Those receiving the most requests include Bobby, director of fun; Tug, VP of treat acquisitions; and Miss Lulu, our anxiety specialist. You guessed it; they fall under the professional category of Canis lupus, aka dog. … Read more »
Cancer Recurrence Monitoring
- By Annissa Ceja, ND
The fear of recurrence is one of the greatest challenges of surviving cancer. Sometimes fleeting, sometimes lingering, the uncertainty can be a source of concern for many cancer survivors, including myself. Recent advancements in medical technology now offer new ways to monitor for recurrence, giving people a sense of control and peace that once seemed… Read more »
Good Friends, Greater Health
- By Susan Murphy, PhD
In the hustle and bustle of adult life, it’s easy to overlook the significance of friendships. Yet, these relationships play a crucial role in your overall well-being. Unlike the friendships of your youth, adult friendships often require more effort to maintain but offer profound rewards. They provide emotional support, ward off depression and anxiety and… Read more »
Career Exploration and Preparation
- By Students Kimberly Ramos and Miranda Gonzalez
The Palm Springs Academy for Learning Medicine (PALM) at Palm Springs High School offers academic classes focusing on medicine, certifications and practical skills development. The academy aims to help students achieve academic success, personal growth and career readiness through a supportive and engaging learning environment. One of the significant advantages of this four-year program is… Read more »
Plan B: “What’s Next?”
- A client story from Alzheimers Coachella Valley
Our plan was in place. After 40 years of hard work, we retired, sold our house and moved to the desert. We were living our dream. Then at our annual wellness checkup, my husband received the news – mild cognitive impairment – which two years later was diagnosed as vascular dementia. I had been in… Read more »
Visceral Manipulation
- By Melissa Mercogliano, PT, DPT, OCS
Visceral manipulation (VM) is an osteopathic technique developed by French osteopath and physical therapist Jean-Pierre Barral. Dr. Barral spent hours studying anatomy in the cadaver lab and observed soft tissue connections within the abdominal cavity to the rest of the skeleton. He began to perform manual therapy techniques on live patients to improve organ mobility… Read more »
Yoga: So Much More than the Mat
- By Alison Mullins, MS, IAYT, IHHC
Thoughts of yoga often invoke extreme flexibility, contorted limbs, yoga pants, messy buns and mala beads. The practice itself is much deeper, much richer, and can be a tool for living a more mindful life; a life where you never need to touch your toes but only the depth of your own heart. Yoga is… Read more »
Outdoor Medicine
- By Shari Jainuddin, NMD, BCB
Let’s zoom out for a moment, look down at Earth, and consider how we have survived and evolved to live on this incredible planet. The air we breathe and ground we walk upon are part of that equation. However, in recent history, we have insulated ourselves from these elements through our built environment and rubber-soled… Read more »
Nourishing Our Minds through Food
- By Bryan Paul Blackwell, CHHC
Understanding the phrase, “Our gut is our second brain,” empowers us to take control of our health. The food we eat directly influences our gut health, which in turn affects our brain function. Thus, a healthy gut leads to a healthy mind, while an unhealthy gut can contribute to mental and cognitive disorders.1 We know… Read more »
What Are You Masking?
- By Judy Nemer Sklar
There is a saying that you have three faces. The first face is the face you show to the world. The second is the face you show to your close friends and family. The third face is the face you do not show and is the most authentic reflection of who you are. Not everyone… Read more »
Quality Pillow Time
- By Candice Nicole
Many of us still are not getting enough sleep. Phones and other electronics, binge watching the latest streaming service series, or our never-ending work and family obligations can put quality pillow time on the back burner. Let this article be a friendly reminder of how crucial sleep is for maintaining health. Sleep, diet and exercise… Read more »
Harvest Strength and Peace
- By Jennifer Yockey
As the air begins to cool and sun’s intensity subsides, autumn invites us to shift our energy inward, reflecting the natural world’s preparation for the cooler months ahead. In our modern, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to miss these subtle cues for renewal and introspection. However, by embracing yogic principles and practices, we can align ourselves… Read more »
Understanding Hair Loss
- By Farris Sandhu, MD
Hair loss is a common and challenging condition affecting millions worldwide. Hair loss is often associated with aging, however, other factors including genetics, hormonal changes, stress and illness can contribute to hair loss at any age. The condition can occur in stages and result in different types of hair thinning and baldness. The impact of… Read more »
Local 50+ Pickleball Turns Pro
- By Lauren Del Sarto
America’s fasting growing sport is getting serious. The latest organization to form around this backyard to big leagues phenomenon is the National Pickleball League (NPL), featuring professional team competition exclusively for the Champions Division, ages 50+. The league will conclude their second season with their championship tournament in October. Proudly joining the league of 12… Read more »
Leveling the Playing Field
- By Mike Rosenkrantz
Each year following the Olympics, the Paralympics take place featuring 23 sports and 549 events across 269 sessions. Like the Olympics, these games feature elite athletes pursuing their dreams of becoming the best in the world in their featured sport. And like adapted sports for recreational athletes, the games are important because everyone — no… Read more »