There are no safe plastics. Products made with plastics contain harmful chemicals, and exposure to plastics and their toxic constituents can cause long-term health consequences in developing babies and children. Certain types of plastics, such as BPA, have been banned in bottle nipples because of health concerns associated with BPA toxicity in infants.1 However, when… Read more »
The Coachella Valley has a tremendous resource available for local children experiencing speech and language challenges. It is the Scottish Rite Childhood Language and Learning Center in Palm Desert. Since its inception in 2004, the center has graduated more than 250 children who receive free one-on-one speech therapy with certified professionals. Many people do not… Read more »
The last fifty years have seen major advances in modern medicine and nutrition knowledge which have extended the number of years we can expect to live, and the quality of life we can hope to enjoy. While retirement age used to be about stopping, now it is about going. Considerable research has been done to… Read more »
I recently attended a forum on elder abuse at the Jocelyn Center in Palm Desert and was surprised to learn that scams and cons targeting seniors fall under the category of elder abuse. Geri Crippen Richardson of the county C.A.R.E. Program (Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly) stated that the Coachella Valley has more reports… Read more »
“Dogs need just you and love, that’s all.” – Jennifer Westfield Two yellow Labradors took our senior neighbor for a walk every morning and evening. We waved and smiled but never met. With sadness I noticed lately, one dog was missing. Surely because of the dog’s age, the owner had to come to the mournful… Read more »
With the exciting CV Link groundbreaking scheduled for next year, it’s time to start thinking about alternative modes of transportation that provide both convenience and fun. How great will it be to jump on your wheeled vehicle in Palm Springs and take the winding path to meet friends for lunch in Palm Desert – without… Read more »
With the desert summer heat fast approaching, it is important for parents to recognize early signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration in children, as well as how to treat and prevent them. Children lose water much faster than adults so they do not regulate their temperature as well. It is important to understand that children… Read more »
It is a common belief that as we age, our minds and bodies decline and life inevitably becomes less satisfying and enjoyable. Cognitive decline is inevitable, and work is less productive. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, we are all wrong. Certainly life gets better in many aspects as we get older. Our… Read more »
Following the most recent U.S. measles outbreak which began at Disneyland, the vaccine debate has been ignited once again. Whether to vaccinate along the recommended schedule, along an alternative schedule, or not at all, is a heavy decision that needs to work for each family based on their risk factors and what they’re comfortable living… Read more »
Although it is my belief that therapy should be a mandatory requirement for all school-age children and their parents, I am readily aware that this could be an idealistic belief. Like adults, children can greatly benefit from having an objective and empathic listener to help mentor and provide them with direction. Most children face problems… Read more »
In recent years, medical research has shown that an increasing number of children are Vitamin D deficient. Currently, 1 in 10 children in the U.S. is estimated to be Vitamin D deficient, and 60 percent of children have suboptimal levels of this vital nutrient.1 Vitamin D is primarily necessary for building strong bones in growing… Read more »
“Knowledge is powerful and self-education is the only education there is.” — Isaac Asimov We have all benefitted from the unprecedented advances in technology, planetary exploration, and medicine that have taken place during our lifetime. Between 1945 and 1971 there were many breakthroughs, and the progress has accelerated ever since. For us seniors, it is a… Read more »
Cold and flu season is now upon us and as parents, knowing what to do ahead of time can alleviate unnecessary stress and discomfort for our little ones. The first part of combating winter illnesses is of course prevention. This time of year, it is essential to continually remember to wash hands prior to eating,… Read more »
A healthy ‘sign of the times’ has taken place in La Quinta as the former senior center has been transformed into a state-of-the-art wellness center for all ages. Perhaps one of the city’s most highly anticipated amenities in its continued HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) initiative will open its doors at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday,… Read more »
“Look!” my mother said in 1937 at the Berlin Zoo as she pointed to a huge flying object in the sky shaped like an enormous cigar. “This is a Zeppelin and it can fly to America.” Indeed, it was like a rigid airplane 420 feet long capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean with passengers, sleeping… Read more »
In December, the Desert Sun ran an informative article entitled Is Magnesium Deficiency a Clue to Many Ailments? by David Templeton of TNS Global. It stated that 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium according to the World Health Organization, and that low magnesium levels have been implicated in hypertension, coronary heart disease, type… Read more »
Nutrition is vital, in the true sense of the word, at any age. Much is written about it and research published. My wife Carol and I attempt to keep up. The conclusions lead to individual choices: What makes sense for you? Are you willing to make a commitment for long-term goals? From personal experience it… Read more »
What are the most common ailments those over 65 share? To answer that question, we turned to gerontologist Gregory Pecchia, DO, FACOFP, from Eisenhower Medical Center which was recognized as “high performing in the area of Geriatrics” in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Dr. Pecchia has been practicing in the… Read more »
The thyroid gland has many roles and responsibilities in the body. A minor shift in optimal thyroid health can have significant effects on the entire body, including the ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. When an otherwise healthy couple struggles to conceive, a simple adjustment to thyroid function can drastically improve fertility and pregnancy… Read more »
We all know the holiday season can be very stressful, particularly on parents of young children. Even the youngest children can feel the strains of the season. The Growing Healthy Minds initiative, part of First 5 Riverside’s commitment to the county’s youngest children and their families, offers help with resources, support and services to promote… Read more »