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This is an article given to us by a nutritionist who came to visit us. It from the National Institutes of Health/US National Library of Medicine.

Fitness, not fat, is key to post-stoke recovery. People who exercised regularity before their attack had lower odds for disability after study found.

People who were active and exercised regularly before their stroke were less likely to face disability after the attack, researchers say. The amount of body fat a person had did not seem to be tied to post-stroke disability, the study found. Fitness was key, though.

“Being physically inactive before stroke predicts a higher risk of being dependent both before and after stroke,” said study author Pamela Rist of Harvard University. Her team’s findings were published online April 5th in journal Neurology.

The new study involved more than 18,000 people with no history of stroke who were followed for an average of 12 years. During that time, nearly 1,400 of the participants suffered a stroke but survived. Three years after their stroke, those who had exercised regularly before their stroke were 18% more likely to be able to perform basic tasks-such as bathing on their own, the researchers found.

The fitter individuals were also 16% more likely to be able to perform more complex tasks, such  as managing money on their own, compared to those who did not exercise before their stroke, the findings showed. “We also found that a person’s body mass index was not a factor in predicting their level of disability after stroke,” Rist said in a journal new release. Body mass index is an estimate of body fat based on weight and height.

Two experts in stroke care who reviewed the findings said the study highlights the importance of exercise. The research ‘provides additional evidence that regular exercise has health benefits that last into a person’s future,’ regardless of stroke, said Dr. Andrew Rogove. He directs stroke care at Northwell Health’s Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, NY.

Dr. Ajay Misra is chair of neurosciences at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, NY. He said the study “provides insight into the fact that doctors should  emphasize to their patients not only weight-reduction strategies for stroke and possibly heart attack prevention but also the importance of leading a very active lifestyle to improve their chances of survival and recovery in case a stroke occurs.”

Disclaimer: From an article in the National Institutes of Health.

A nutritionist who came to visit us this week gave us this article to help explain a healthy diet. This is taken from the National Institutes of Health/US National Library of Medicine article from MedlinePlus.

Better Diet, Longer Life?

A large study suggests you’re never too old to benefit from a commitment to eating healthier.

Middle-aged and older adults who start eating better also tend to live longer, a large new study shows. The findings, reported in the July 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, might not sound surprising. Health experts said they basically reinforce messages people have been hearing for years. The study is the first to show that sustained diet changes-even later in life-might extend people’s lives, the research said.

“A main take-home message is that it’s never too late to improve diet quality,” said lead researcher Mercedes Sotos-Prieto, a visiting scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. “Most participants in our study were 60 years or older,” she noted. The findings are based on nearly 74,000 US health professionals who were part of two long-running studies that began in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Between 1998 and 2010, almost 10,000 of those study participants died. Sotos-Prieto and her team looked at how people’s risk of early death related to any diet changes they’d made in the previous 12 years (1986 to 1998). It turned out that people who had changed for the better-adding more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, for example-had a lower risk of premature death than those whose diets stayed the same.

In contrast, people who let their eating habits slide faced a higher risk of dying during the study period-6% to 12% higher-compared to stable eaters, the findings showed. How much of a difference di diet improvements make?

It varied a bit based on the measure of diet quality. The researchers used three scoring systems: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index. the Alternative Mediterranean Diet Score and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to stop hypertension) diet score.

The scoring systems differ somewhat, but all give more points to foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, low-fat dairy and sources of “good” fats, such as olive oil and nuts. Processed foods, sweets, red meat and butter, meanwhile get lower ratings.

Overall, the study found, a 20 percentile improvement in diet quality was linked to an 8% to 17% decrease in the risk of early death from any cause. There was a similar dip in the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke, specifically. That 20 percentile shift is a fairly minor change, according to Sotos-Prieto. Swapping out one daily serving of red meat for one serving of legumes or nuts, for nuts, for example, would do the trick, she said.

“Our results underscore the concept that modest improvements in diet quality over time could meaningfully influence mortality risk,” Sotos-Prieto said. Alice Lichtenstein is a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and a professor of nutrition science at Tufts University in Boston. “This study reinforces what we’ve been saying for a long time,” she said.

Ideally, healthy eating is a lifelong habit, but you’re never ‘too old’ to make changes for the better, Lichtenstein noted. “The key is to make changes that you can stick with for the rest of your life,” she stressed. There are no magic-bullet foods or nutrients, Lichtenstein added. Instead the new study ‘validates’ the concept that it’s overall diet that matters, she explained. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian, agreed. A general guide, she said, is to start eating more plant foods. When people do eat meat, Diekman suggested choosing leaner cuts.

“Shifting one meal from meat and potatoes to sautéed veggies, quinoa and a topping of grilled chicken or lean flank steak would be one way to move to a healthier eating pattern,” said Diekman, head of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis. The good news according to Lichtenstein, is that it is getting easier to eat healthfully. She said Americans generally have more access to a variety of whole grains and fruits and vegetables-fresh or frozen, which can be more economical.

*Disclaimer: This is article is from the National Institutes of Health 7/2017 given to us by speaker on Nutrition.

We had a visit from the Ridgewood Police Chief and this is some information from her talk on fraud.

Telemarketing Fraud:

When you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.

Here are some warning signs of telemarketing fraud-what a caller may tell you:

*You must act ‘now’ or the offer won’t be good.

*”You’ve won a ‘free’ gift, vacation or prize, but you have to pay for ‘postage and handling’ or other charges.

*”You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number or have a check picked up by courier”. You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.

*”You don’t need to check out the company with anyone.” The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, accountant, local Better Bureau or consumer protection agency.

*”You don’t need any written information about the company or their references.”

*”You can’t afford miss this ‘high-profit, no risk’ offer.

If you hear these or similar ‘lines’ from a telephone salesperson, just say ‘no thank you’ and hang up the telephone.

Tips for avoiding Telemarketing Fraud:

It is very difficult to get your money back if you have been cheated over the telephone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:

*Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.

*Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But beware-not everything written down is true.

*Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center or other watchdog groups. However, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.

*Obtain a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give false names, telephone numbers, addresses and business license numbers-verify the accuracy of these items.

*Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.

*Before you send money, ask yourself a simples question: “What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?”

*Don’t pay in advance for services; pay only after they are delivered.

*Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.

*Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.

*Don’t pay for a ‘free prize’. If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.

*Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are-the kinds of financial information you will and won’t give out on the telephone.

*Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member or financial advisor.  It is never rude to wait and think about an offer.

*Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly.

*Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

*Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties.

*If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.

*If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local or federal law enforcement agencies.

We had a visit from the police chief of the Ridgewood New Jersey Police Department and she gave our group advice on how to keep from being a victim of fraud.

Top 10 Safety Tips for being smart without being paranoid:

1. Trust your instincts.
2. Be alert-be aware of natural (juggling kids, groceries, luggage) and created (someone asking for the time, directions, spill on you or on the floor) distractions.
3. Project self-confidence.
4. Lock door and windows-both house and car-whether you are inside or out.
5. Guard your keys-never leave them unattended and od not ‘hide’ them close to the house.
6. Be aware of your surroundings-stay aware from burned out street lights.
7. Practice the same security when around others and during the day as you do when you are alone at night.
8. Verify unexpected repairs and deliveries-check the uniform, ID cards or call the supervisor.
9. Don’t hesitate to be rude.
10. Do not only look for the suspicious, but the innocent and ordinary-‘cute’ kids and couples make ‘cute’ criminals.

When in doubt, call 911!

New Jersey Mental Health Cares: We can help you deal with Sandy Stress.

Call: (866) 202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential information and referral

TTY: (877) 294-4356/njmentalhealthcares.org

We will help New Jersey residents who have ongoing Sandy stress get the assistance they need by connecting them with professional guidance, counseling and substance abuse services. We’re here for you.

*Your call is answered by a trained professional.

*Your call is answered live from 8:00am-Midnight; all messages left between midnight and 8:00am will be returned the next day.

*Multilingual service available

*Immediate and ongoing assistance to help get the services you need.

*This message is brought to you by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey with Social Services Block Grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

*Disclaimer: This information was taken from the New Mental Health pamphlet related to Hurricane Sandy victims. I have never used this service so I have no opinion either yes or no to the program. Please call or email the service for more details.

DivorceCare: Divorce Support Group

Divorced? Separated? We can help; finding help, discover hope and experience healing.

DivorceCare helps you recover from the pain of separation and divorce.

About DivorceCare: DivorceCare is a network of 13,000+ churches worldwide equipped to offer divorce support groups. The program is nondenominational and features biblical teaching for recovering from divorce or separation. Learn more about DivorceCare at http://www.divorcecare.org.

The Support you need and the information you can trust.

Unless you’ve been there, its hard to understand the hurt that comes from separation and divorce. That’s why many of your friends and family don’t understand what you know how best to help you.

We do. DivorceCare groups are led by people who have been through divorce and successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been in the same place. We’ll show you how to deal with the hurt caused by your separation or divorce.

What to expect: DivorceCare is support group that meets weekly. You’ll find it to be a warm, caring environment and will come to see you group as an ‘oasis’ in an otherwise difficult season of your life. There are three key parts to your DivorceCare experience.

Video seminar: Dynamic and information-packed videos featuring top divorce recovery experts.

Support group: Small group discussion about the video content and the issues faced by individual group members.

Workbook: Journaling and personal study exercises that reinforce each session’s topic.

DivorceCare Weekly Group:

13 Consecutive Weekly Sessions

Every Thursday from 7:00pm-9:00pm refreshments served.

Start any weekly; Register Anytime.

Total Cost for materials $15.00

For more information, contact: Lou or Cheryl Minichini

(201) 754-8001

BBCDivorceCare@gmail.com

http://www.biblebaptist.net

Weekly seminar topics:

*What’s happening to me?

*The road to healing/finding help.

*Facing my anger.

*Facing my depression.

*Facing my loneliness.

*What does the owner’s manual say?

*New Relationships.

*Financial Survival.

*KidCare

*Single Sexuality

*Forgiveness

*Reconciliation

*Moving on, growing closer to God.

When to begin:

You are welcome to begin attending the DivorceCare group at any point. Each session is ‘self-contained’ and you can continue through the next 13-week cycle to pick up the remaining sessions.

http://www.divorcecare.org

Disclaimer: This information is taken directly from the DivorceCare pamphlet. I have not used this service so I have no opinion either yes or no to the program. Please call or email for more information.

DivorceCare for Kids

Divorce support group for children (DC4K)

http://www.DC4K.org

Tender Lives…Restored

DivorceCare for Kids is a special group to help children heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents. At our weekly DC4K group, kids make friends with other kids who understand how they feel and the things they are going through because of the divorce of their parents.

Best of all, children will learn how God’s love can strengthen them and help turn tears into hope and joy!

DC4K Design

Our DC4K group meets weekly in 13-week cycles. We combine games, crafts, activities, music and DVD dramas to create a fun atmosphere where children feel comfortable and accepted. They look forward to each time their DC4K “family” gets together.

Ages: DC4K is designed for children ages 5-12.

Family Support: DivorceCare for Kids is structured to replicate a large family environment. Children from the same family are kept together because they often look to each other for security during the divorce experience.

Parent Involvement: Parents are encouraged to be involved with their children as the children go through DC4K. Each parent will receive a weekly “Parent Page” describing what the child has learned and offering tips to strengthen the parent/child relationship, creating stronger bonds in the single parent family.

DivorceCare Connectivity: DC4K follows the same schedule and age-appropriate themes as the adult DivorceCare program, allowing parents and children to progress through the healing process together and providing a springboard for meaningful discussions.

Content: DC4K is nondenominational and features biblical teaching to help children recover from the hurt of separation and divorce.

DC4K Schedule

DC4K meets Thursday evenings at 7:00pm.

Bible Baptist Church

31 Passaic Avenue

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  07604

Phone: (201) 754-8001

Website: biblebaptist.net

Email: BBCDivorceCare@gmail.com

DivorceCare for Kids

http://www.DC4K.org

*Designed for children ages 5-12 whose parents are separated or divorced.

DC4K: fun and interesting: Children are engaged and active while participating in a DivorceCare for Kids group. Each session combines the following elements: Games, Story time, Workbook, DVD Dramas, Groups Discussions, Music, Crafts and Snacks.

DC4K Sessions:

1. What’s happening to my family?
2. God loves children in all kinds of families.
3. Facing my anger.
4. Journey from anger to sadness.
5. I am not alone.
6. God’s plan for me.
7. Developing New Relationships.
8. Developing money smarts.
9. Its not my fault.
10. Telling my parents how I feel.
11. Forgiveness
12. Loving my parents.
13. Moving On: Growing UP and Closer to God.

Disclaimer: This information is taken directly from the DC4K pamphlet. I have not used the service so I have no opinion either yes or no to the program. Please call or email the organization for more information.

Affected by a loved one’s addiction?

Nar-Anon offers HOPE for relatives and friends of addicts: Nar-Anon is a twelve step self-help group for families and friends of addicts.

What is Nar-Anon…?

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have you tried everything you can think of to change the addict and nothing seems to work? Don’t give up. There is hope. You are at a turning point. If you would like your life to be different, Nar-Anon can offer you a better way to live. You will meet people at Nar-Anon meetings who understand your frustration.

Nar-Anon is a fellowship for families and friends of addicts whose lives have been or are being affected by someone else’s addiction.

The Nar-Anon Family Group is primarily for you who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you.

When you come into the family group, you are no longer alone but among true friends who understand your problem as few others could. We will respect your confidence and anonymity, as we know you will respect ours. We hope to give you the assurance that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness is too great to be overcome.

How can Nar-Anon help me…?

Nar-Anon is intended for parents, spouses, children, siblings and friends of addicts. Nar-Anon can provide new insights to help with our attitudes, behaviors and emotions. We can regain our own sanity and well-being. We learn addiction is a family disease and we need  a recovery program too. In Nar-Anon we learn we are not responsible for another person’s addiction. Addicts need help and so do we. It can be a great relief to learn more effective ways of coping while gaining hope and peace of mind.

Why do I need help due to someone else’s addiction..?

We who care the most suffer from the addict’s erratic behavior. Soon, we begin to think we are to blame and assume the guilt, fears and responsibilities of the addict. Thus, we become sick too.

The obsession of the family becomes apparent when we try to control the addict’s using. We become detectives and search the premises and his/her personal belongings for drugs and drug-related items. We become obsessed with where the addict is, what he is doing and how we can control his using. We want to believe the problem has solved itself even through out gut feeling tells us this is not so. We pretend and begin the addict’s promises but we are uneasy because common sense tells us there is something wrong. We become victims of denial.

What will I find at Nar-Anon…?

You will find love, understanding and hope in the Nar-Anon Family Group. People in the group may be experiencing in varying degrees, the same hurt, anger and anxieties you may be feeling. We come to Nar-Anon because we are burdened with responsibilities and feel we are alone. We come here to changed the behavior of the addict but soon find that it is our own thinking and attitude that must be changed if  we are  to have relief. We find people in Nar-Anon who understand what we are going through and are ready to share their experience, strength and hope to help us. In Nar-Anon, we learn how to live one day at a time. we stop projecting. We learn how to deal with out feelings of fear, guilt, obsession, anxiety and denial. We look at ourselves and put our energy where we do have some power over the choices in our own lives.

As we begin to understand the family disease of addiction, we are better able to handle our problems and improve our own lives. We can gain support and understanding by listening and speaking with others at Nar-Anon meetings.

What can I expect if I keep going to meetings…?

Nar-Anon Family Group meetings with the twelve steps and twelve traditions, offer a new way to live. You will learn how to change your own thinking and attitude about the addict-about life. Experience, strength and hope shared at weekly meetings provide an ongoing opportunity to review and reinforce the tools needed to bring peace and serenity into you life. This is your program and your recovery. If you keep coming back…if you work it.. it will work.

Is my changed attitude going to make any difference…?

Addiction is a family disease. It affects everyone who is close to their addict. Most of us believe the addict is the one who needs to change.  It comes as a shock to hear we also need to change. It is time to look at ourselves.

Addiction is like a chain reaction. It is a disease that affects the addict as well as family members, friends and the co-workers. We try to control, cover up and take on the responsibilities of the addict. The sickness spreads to those of us who care the most. Eventually, we begin to feel used and unhappy. We worry, lose trust and become angry. The addict blames us and we feel guilty. If only something or someone would change.

When we discover Nar-Anon, we find others with the same feelings and problems. We learn we cannot control the addict or change them.  We have become so addicted to the addict that it is difficult to shift the focus back to ourselves. By working the steps, following the traditions and using the tools of the program, we begin with the love and help of our Higher Power and others, to change ourselves.

What can I do to help my children…?

Narateen is a part of Nar-Anon specifically for teenagers who are affected by the addiction of a family member or friend. At specially arranged meetings, teens share their experiences and hope with other teenagers living with similar circumstances.

How do I find a Nar-Anon meeting…?

Go to the website (www.nar-anon.org) or call the helpline at 800-477-6291. You will be directed to the nearest meeting in your area.

Nar-Anon is a fellowship for relatives and friends of addicts who share their experience, strength and hope. Addiction is considered to be a family disease and family members are encouraged to attend Nar-Anon meetings as soon as addiction is suspected.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me

the serenity

to accept the things

I cannot change,

courage to change the things

I can,

and the wisdom

to know the difference.

(Excerpts taken from the Nar-Anon Family Blue Booklet)

Do YOU need Nar-Anon…?

Ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as you can:

1. Do you find yourself making excuses, lying or covering up for someone?
2. Do you have a reason not to trust this person?
3. Is it becoming difficult for you to believe his/her explanations?
4. Do you lie awake worrying about this person?
5. If it is your child, is he/she missing school without your knowledge?
6. If it is your spouse, is he/she missing work and leaving bills to pile up?
7. Are your savings mysteriously disappearing?
8. Are the unanswered questions causing hostility and undermining your relationship?
9. Are you asking yourself, “What’s wrong?” and “Is it my fault?”
10. Are normal family disagreements becoming hostile and violent?
11. Are your suspicions turning you into a detective and are you afraid of what you may find?
12. Are you cancelling your social functions with vague excuses?
13. Are you becoming increasingly reluctant to invite friends to your home?
14. Is concern for this person causing you headaches, a knotty stomach and extreme anxiety?
15. Do minute matters easily irritate this person? Does your whole life seem like a nightmare?
16. Are you unable to discuss the situation with friends and relatives because of embarrassment?
17. Are you frustrated by ineffective attempts to control the situation?
18. Do you overcompensate and try not to make waves?
19. Do you keep trying to make things better and nothing helps?
20. Are the life style and friends of this person changing? Do you ever thing they may be using drugs?

If you have answered YES to four or more of these questions, Nar-Anon may help you find the answers you are looking for.

*(Excerpt taken from Do You Need Nar-Anon?)

Mission Statement

The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a twelve step program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength and hope.

Vision Statement

We will carry the message of hope throughout the world to those affected by the addiction of someone near to them. We will do this by:

*Letting them know they are no longer alone.

*Practicing the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon;

*Encouraging growth through service;

*Making information available through Public Information, Hospitals and Institutions and websites and;

*Changing our own attitudes.

Nar-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

22527 Crenshaw Boulevard, Suite 200B

Torrance, CA  90505

(310) 534-8188-(800) 477-6291

http://www.nar-anon.org

http://www.naranonofnj.org

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the Nar-Anon pamphlet. I have never used the service so I have no opinion of the service either yes or no to how the program works. Please call the above number or email the for more information.

A Parent’s Cheat Sheet to Cyber Safety: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office

facebook.com/BCPONJ

twitter: @BCPONJ

http://www.BCPO.net

Tips & Info: 201-226-5532

Gurbir S. Grewal; Acting Bergen County Prosecutor

Basic Risks & Dangers

*Harassment and bullying episodes online and on Apps.

*Sexually explicit material and inappropriate contact with strangers AND real friends.

*Viruses, hackers and loss of personally identifiable info.

How to Reduce Online Risks

*Know your child’s accounts, the usernames and the passwords.

*Spot check online activity.

*Implement parental controls and privacy settings on each App.

*If an Apple device, add your child to the “family” iCloud:

-Location Services: see where your child’s Apple device is.

-See child’s App downloads.

-Access to child’s photos and stored content.

Discussion with Children

*Avoid talking to and sharing “pics”/”vids” with random online contacts.

*Never send pic/vids that are inappropriate. Ever.

*Don’t  engage in hateful, hurtful or alarming speech online.

*Think BEFORE you post! Words, pics and vids are permanent despite “deleting” them afterwards and despite any perception to the contrary.

*Never share passwords with anyone except parent/guardian; not even close friends.

*Use privacy settings; keep personal information limited especially posts/info visible to online acquaintances/strangers.

Report Suspicious Activity

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office assists local police with cyber crime investigations. Promptly notify your local police. Save/screenshot pertinent material. Do not warn or threaten someone online about going to the police. Just report their behavior without delay!

B.C.P.O.

The mission of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is to commit its resources, in partnership with the law enforcement community and citizens of Bergen County, to promote a safe and secure environment for the residents of Bergen County while maintaining the highest law enforcement standards. The members of this office will effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute criminal offenders, fairly, impartially and justly. We will ensure and respect the rights of individual victims of crime.

In addition to it own proactive investigations, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office maintains specialized squads that are available to assist the municipal departments in the investigation of crimes calling for increased personnel, specialized equipment, technical know-how or highly specialized training. Such crimes include arson, homicide, sex crimes, drug trafficking, traditional organized crime, domestic violence, insurance fraud and most recently, computer crimes. These squads give each municipality in Bergen County the ability to bring additional resources to bear when presented with particularly challenging cases or particularly dangerous offenders.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor:  Gurbir S. Grewal

Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office-Cyber Crimes Unit

Tips & Information: (201) 226-5532/ Online: http://www.BCPO.net

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the pamphlet supplied by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office-Cyber Crime Unit. Please call the above number or email them for more information.