(ARA) - John is 82 and lives in Manhattan. Since the death of his brother, he regularly checks on his 87-year-old sister-in-law who lives about 90 minutes away. She has dementia and needs help with daily needs. An aide lives with her, but John is concerned the help is getting burned out. The last time John visited he noticed his sister-in-law’s condition was worsening, and he wonders what he can do to help.
John is a long-distance caregiver, one of an estimated 6.9 million Americans who care for someone living at least an hour away, according to a study by MetLife and AARP. Americans age 85 and older numbered 4.2 million in 2000, the fastest growing segment of the population according to the National Institute on Aging. By mid-century, as baby boomers transition from being the caregiver to needing care, that segment is estimated to swell to 21 million.
“This is a national problem with local solutions,” says Nora Jean Levin, executive director of Caring From a Distance (CFAD), a non-profit organization for distance caregivers. CFAD’s Web site, www.cfad.org, extends resources and advice to caregivers like John who e-mail their questions and concerns or search the site’s many resources and links. Help from CFAD is also available by telephone at (202) 895-9465. CFAD helped John consider other solutions such as assisted living, finding adult day care facilities and calling a home care agency to arrange to give the live-in help a break.
Levin understands that despite the obstacles of time and miles, distance caregivers are in a unique position to help.
“Long distance caregivers can offer perspective because they aren’t on the scene every day to really observe small changes, and that perspective is very valuable,” she says. “Sometimes if you’re in a care situation day after day, you feel overwhelmed and hopeless and you can’t see out of that box. But a person who comes in from the outside can help pinpoint a problem and recommend ways to help improve the situation.”
Levin offers these tips to buoy long-distance caregivers:
1. Offer help.
Lend a hand solving problems that daily caregivers may not have time to think about. Shop for gadgets that help with daily needs, like telephones with large buttons or “grabber” devices that help seniors reach items they need. Make arrangements for a handicapped permit. If appropriate, help manage finances and pay bills.
2. Don’t be a “swooper.”
It’s really hard when you’re the daily caregiver and the long distance caregiver swoops in and tries to change everything. Instead, plan time for listening to problems and perhaps for handling a few, and spend quality time with your loved one.
3. Make observations, but be careful how you share them.
“Retain respect for the individual who needs care, and be mindful of preserving personal dignity when every step towards dependence may be viewed as loss of control,” Levin suggests.
4. Visit and look for changes that indicate a need for more care.
Is your loved one eating regularly? Is personal hygiene slipping? Are prescriptions unfilled or forgotten? A helpful checklist, “Ten Warning Signs: Your Older Family Member May Need Help” can be found at http://www.cfad.org/library/HolidayFactSheetFinal.pdf .
5. Use the Internet to ease a transition.
“Transitions can be rough or smooth, depending on the nature of the situation, whether it’s a crisis or something that’s been coming gradually, and the nature of the person being cared for,” Levin says. Transitions to senior housing are smoothest when approached proactively, before a crisis arises.
For example, long-distance caregivers can screen more than 60,000 housing options online by visiting www.snapforseniors.com. The SNAPforSeniors online search tool is like the Multiple Listing Service for senior housing. Long-distance caregivers can narrow the search by geographic location, care needs, type of facility and personal amenities.
A new tool from SNAPforSeniors and the Alzheimer’s Association, the Caregiver Conversation Checklist, helps families discussing housing options. The checklist, which can be found on alz.org, offers tips for determining if long-term care is appropriate and explains how to broach the conversation.
“The possibilities offered by the Internet to help long distance caregivers are fabulous, and we’ve made our Web site a portal for people looking for solutions,” Levin says. “SNAPforSeniors is a site designed to help families deal with the housing part of the picture. Long-distance caregivers can also get help from CFAD when investigating other local personal and community-based resources like home care, daily money managers, eldercare lawyers, or geriatric care managers to coordinate activities or even where you can donate a wheelchair.”
ARA) – Sure, you know greens are good for you. You occasionally toss a broccoli stalk or two into your chef salad – after all, anything tastes good with ranch dressing on it, right? And you often eat spinach when you visit your favorite neighborhood restaurant . . . and order the spinach-artichoke dip. Unfortunately, with that, you also get plenty of fat.
But if you still avoid more mysterious greens like kale, bok choy and mustard greens because you just don’t know how to prepare them so that they taste good, there’s a simple solution: green smoothies. A growing number of Americans, including TV personality Montel Williams, advocate the health – not to mention flavor – benefits of smoothies made with so-called “super foods” like green, leafy vegetables.
“Kids aren’t the only ones who don’t particularly like the taste of some greens,” says Jodi Berg, a fan of green smoothies and the executive vice president of Vita-Mix, manufacturer of commercial and household blenders, including one mentioned in Williams’ recent book on healthful living. “By incorporating raw greens in smoothies made with fruit and other flavorful ingredients, you can enjoy all the health benefits of these super veggies, plus the taste and fun associated with smoothies.”
The nutritional value of super greens has been well known for years, but the far-reaching positive impact of some nutrients is just now coming to light. From improving eye and blood health to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, the nutrients found in leafy greens have multiple health benefits. “The challenge in reaping these full benefits has been the taste,” Berg says. “Many raw leafy greens have a bitter flavor that even cooking can’t completely mask. Most people expect a green smoothie to have some of that bitterness as well, but there is none. When you combine the right ingredients in the Vita-Mix machine, the result is silky-smooth and surprisingly sweet and delicious.”
So what’s the secret of whipping up a great-tasting, nutrient-filled green smoothie that both kids and adults will love? Here are some tips:
* Start with fresh fruit to provide the sweet flavor. Any fruit that you like will do the trick, but remember there’s an added nutritional benefit with some fruits. Blueberries or pomegranate, for example, will impart sweetness and an antioxidant punch. Pineapple or orange will deliver tart sweetness and plenty of vitamin C, while potassium-rich bananas will also add thickness and body to the smoothie.
* Next, choose a healthful green that you likely wouldn’t eat any other way, like collard greens, Swiss chard or bok choy. In addition to being an excellent non-meat, nondairy source of calcium and iron, the high fiber content in these greens balances out the sugar content of the fruit so that you don’t experience a spike in your blood sugar levels.
* Use fresh, filtered water and ice with the fruit and veggies. You can also add fat-free or low-fat yogurt, plain or flavored, to add nutrition and flavor to your smoothie. Do avoid high-fat additives like ice cream that also contain refined sugars.
* Be sure to use the right equipment. While the average blender may do just fine to mix milk and ice cream into a milk shake, you’ll need a heavier-duty device to chop, blend and smooth hearty greens. The Vita-Mix Super 5200 has the power and precision to completely pulverize whole foods and breaks them down to the cellular level. Nutrients are freed and valuable fiber is not stripped away.
Berg offers her favorite smoothie recipes to get you started:
“Green Goddess”
by Valerie Waugaman, American Gladiator star
Ingredients:
4 ounces vanilla soymilk, unsweetened
2 ounces pomegranate juice
3 cups fresh spinach leaves, gently packed
1 kiwi, peeled
1/2 cup green grapes or 1/2 pear
1/4 avocado, peeled
1/8 slice lime with rind
1 scoop protein powder (vanilla flavor)
dash of vanilla extract
5 drops Stevia (optional)
2 cups ice cubes
Directions: Place all ingredients in Vita-Mix blender and blend until smooth.
Going Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh spinach or the leafy green of your choice
1/2 cup pineapple (fresh or frozen)
1 cup green grapes
1/2 banana
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ice
Directions:
Place all ingredients in Vita-Mix container and secure two-part lid. Select variable speed 1. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to 10, then to High. Process for 1 minute or until smooth. Makes 3 1/2 cups.
To learn more about the Vita-Mix and for more recipes and ideas on incorporating super greens into your diet, visit http://www.vitamix.com .
(ARA) - Warmer weather brings more outdoor sports – and with them, the increased risk of eye injury. Every year in the United States more than 40,000 sports-related eye injures require emergency room attention, with almost half happening to people younger than 15. The majority of these injuries could be prevented simply by using appropriate protective eyewear when playing sports.
“Even if they’re just playing a quick pickup game in the park, eye protection should be a major concern for kids,” says Florida optometrist and former University of Miami football player Dr. Pat Del Vecchio. “This is very important when playing certain sports – like baseball, basketball or football – where there is a higher risk of eye injury.”
When choosing eye protection for children, first make sure the eyewear is specifically designed for sports, Del Vecchio advises. Conventional frames and lenses can shatter and turn a small impact into a sight-threatening injury. “The eye protection should also be comfortable and not obscure vision during the game” he adds. “If it doesn’t meet these two criteria, then kids just aren’t going to wear it.”
While on-field collisions remain the most frequent cause of sports-related eye injuries, sometimes the playing field itself can be the culprit. Playing outdoors kicks up dust and dirt that can adhere to the eye and cause scratches or even more severe problems. This is a particular concern for young contact lens wearers. For these situations, Del Vecchio recommends taking along a multi-purpose solution in case you need to remove your lenses. “A good multi-purpose disinfecting solution, like OPTI-FREE RepleniSH MPDS, removes the irritants, and is an effective way to kill the germs that can cause eye infections,” he says.
Ultimately, the most important tip of all is to see your eye doctor at least once each year, Del Vecchio says. “Your eyes need to be taken care of just like any other piece of athletic equipment. As a former athlete, I can tell you they are the most important part of any sport, so a yearly visit to the eye doctor can identify any problems early, help maintain healthy vision and ensure you’re able to keep your eye on the ball.”
Quick Tips for Protecting Your Eyes
* Wear protective eyewear. Do not substitute ordinary glasses for appropriate protection. Sports-protective eyewear is specifically tested to meet rigid impact standards.
* Know your eye safety options. If you are not sure what protection works best, visit your eye doctor to see what is available.
* Add eye protection to other protective gear. If you are playing a sport that requires a helmet, consider wearing a helmet with full face protection.
* Take out contacts before getting in the water. Don’t wear your contact lenses while swimming. Certain organisms present in the water can attach to contact lenses and can cause eye infections. Remember to always care for your contact lenses with a Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution, like OPTI-FREE RepleniSH.
* Protect your eyes from the sun. To prevent eyes from being over exposed to UV rays, give your eyes a break by wearing sunglasses when not playing on the field.
To ease the hassle of trying to find that perfect gift, here is a list of gift ideas in a variety of price ranges that might be right for your dad this Father’s Day.
Catch These Gifts Under $10
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If that’s true, your dad will love you even more after he opens your gift of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky. Whether he’s at work, in the car, fishing with the guys or watching his favorite game, Jack Link’s has the 100 percent beef flavor that dads — men, for that matter — can’t seem to get enough of. Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has more than a dozen great flavors to choose from. Here are a few:
* The Original: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky or Original Steak Nuggets
* The Classic: Jack Link’s Original Hickory Smokehouse Beef Jerky
* The Supreme: Jack Link’s Prime Rib Tender Cuts
Skip the necktie this year and give dad what he really wants — food that he loves. With this gift, satisfaction is in the bag. For more information, visit www.jacklinks.com.(Suggested retail price: $5.99)
If casting a line and reelin’ in a behemoth is on your dad’s “to do” list, then make sure he’s armed with the latest lure from Rapala. Among the newest lures on the market is the X-Rap Shad. Combining the legendary Shad body shape with the attitude of an X-Rap creates a one-of-a-kind action with the X-Rap Shad. Features like suspending action, feathered tail hook and holographic foil makes this lure the new bad boy on the block. (Suggested retail price: $6.99 to $7.49)
Cool and Cutting-edge Gifts Up To $100
The next time your dad heads out fishing, make sure he’s the envy of the group with the Witch’s Tooth Collector Fillet from Rapala. This one-of-a-kind fillet knife features a small rock placed inside the curly birch and reindeer handle that replicates the traditional drum sound that the witches of the Lappland area in upper Finland played during rituals that were believed to protect the drum’s owner from evil spirits. Featuring a stainless steel blade and leather sheath, the knife is packaged in a Rapala collector tin. For more information, visit www.rapala.com or www.rapalagear.com. (Suggested retail price: $99.99)
Make sure your dad is looking cool and in style with Cylinder Performance Eyewear from Harley-Davidson. Convertible eyewear provides two pairs of protection in one: performance eyewear and sunglasses. A specially designed patent pending detachable foam mid-frame snaps into place to seal out the elements on or off his bike. The mid-frame snaps out to convert the goggles to a great pair of sunglasses with frames designed to easily change lenses. Convertible eyewear is latex free and prescription lens service is available (U.S. only). Please visit a Harley-Davidson dealer for details. (Suggested retail price: $100)
The Ultimate Father’s Day Gifts
If you’re looking to make this Father’s Day extra special, get him the 105th Anniversary Leather Jacket from Harley-Davidson. The black, midweight leather subtly sets off the custom Harley-Davidson embroidery on the left chest pocket, and on the back, the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary logo. This jacket features a mandarin collar with contrast piping to add that extra little swagger. The look is completed with two zippered hand-warmer pockets, two inside pockets, a two-way zip front and zippered cuffs. Visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer for more details. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com. (Suggested retail price: $375 - $415)
Sometimes you need to get a gift that dad and the whole family can enjoy. The Prowler Trident 15 from Ocean Kayak represents a feature-packed fishing kayak unlike anything else the market has seen. The Prowler Trident 15 offers the couch-like Comfort Plus seat back, a Rod Pod for convenient storage, and the innovative Sonar Shield to reduce glare and protect your fish finder. Other key features include flush mounted rod holders; bow hatches with the easy-to-open Cross Lock system; extra long leg capacity in the cockpit, and an optional rudder. For more information, visit www.oceankayak.com. (Suggested retail price: standard $1,100; rudder equipped $1,350; complete angler package $2,450)
Courtesy of ARAcontent
EDITOR’S NOTE:
For more information or photo resources, please contact Brian Anderson at (612) 375-8514 or http://www.brian.anderson@clynch.com .
ARA) – You helped her learn to walk. He’s totally potty trained at last. Just when it seems you’ve conquered the most angst-ridden issues faced by parents of toddlers, here comes another source of concern: In a world increasingly dominated by technology, familiarizing your child with a computer and online tools is more important than ever.
Parents can’t afford to wait until their children start school to introduce them to technology, says Craig Cincotta, senior product manager at Microsoft Corp.
“Schools are incorporating computers into their curricula at very early grade levels. It’s not unusual to find a computer loaded with learning software in preschool and daycare settings,” he says. “Children who have experience with computers at home will have an edge over those who first encounter technology in the classroom.”
Even if they already have one computer, parents may be intimidated by the prospect of networking it with another PC or other devices such as smartphones. Yet computers are rapidly becoming the hub of the home’s entertainment, scheduling and shopping activities. Parents may feel the urgency to keep pace at home with the technological world their children will encounter outside the house. Here are some tips for parents:
* Getting up to date on technology and getting online doesn’t have to be difficult. Home PCs are more user-friendly than ever, with a range of hardware and software options designed to be useful and fun for users at every level of experience.
* Keep security in mind, especially if you have family members who are new to the Internet. When getting your family online for the first time, you’ll want an operating system such as Windows Vista that provides parental controls and premium security features. Windows Vista Parental Controls allow you to track and monitor your child’s online activity and time, as well as help prevent him or her from accessing material you deem inappropriate. Also, be sure to set your PC to receive Windows Update, a free service that continually improves your computer, keeping it up to date, safer and more reliable.
* Educational features are important when choosing hardware and software, but don’t overlook the entertainment value of home computing as well. For example, with Windows Media Center, which comes standard on Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Home Premium, you can share photos with loved ones, access your favorite music and even record TV shows so you don’t miss an episode of your favorite programs.
* Although price will always be a consideration, the good news is the cost of technology falls almost as rapidly as the technology evolves. You’ll have no trouble finding a wide range of options, no matter what your budget.
* Many computer manufacturers are now making models that are sleek and stylish and fit into virtually any décor. For example, Dell, HP and Sony offer notebooks in several colors, including a vibrant red.
* It’s easier than ever to get online. Many manufacturers now offer desktop and laptop computers that are already equipped with everything you need to go online — and wireless — with just a few mouse clicks.
* Expert advice is easily available. Head to your local library and use one of its PCs to log onto sites such as Windows Vista Team Blog (http://windowsvistablog.com), where you’ll learn about the numerous features and advantages of Windows, the country’s most-used operating system. Or check out the Windows site ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digitallife/default.mspx ), which offers information on the operating system, software options and the latest in compatible hardware.
(ARA) – As the weather warms and families come out to play, moms and dads often wonder how they can keep their toddler busy outdoors while spending quality time together. There’s no need to stock up on hundreds of dollars worth of toys or fancy games. Just a few strategic playthings powered by children and their imaginations are all parents need to get outdoors with their toddler.“Unstructured play and simple games are really great ways to engage young children” says Robert Pasin, father of three and Chief Wagon Officer at Radio Flyer — makers of wagons and ride-on toys for children. “Parents seeking quality ways for them to be active should know you don’t have to break the bank to have fun with your kids.”
The play experts at Radio Flyer offer their top tips for parents to get outdoors with their toddler.
Blow Bubbles
Bubbles are a simple and timeless outdoor activity for children. Encourage kids to count the bubbles they pop as a fun way to work on counting skills. For a change of pace that will delight the little ones, let them blow the bubbles while mom and dad chase and pop them.
Cruise the Block
A favorite activity of the Pasin family is to take a nature “drive” around the neighborhood. The Sport Coupe from Radio Flyer lets kids have a stylish, retro car of their own. Toddlers can use their feet to move the car, or use the stow-away footrest and telescoping handle to let mom or dad push. Point out foliage and wildlife along the way and encourage toddlers to honk the horn and wave to the neighbors.
Flutterby
Organize a butterfly chase in the yard or at a nearby park. Take the opportunity to explain how butterflies were once caterpillars, show kids how to watch the delicate critters quietly, and try to get them to land on their outstretched fingers. Make sure to take the time to enjoy the flowers, trees and sunshine.
Three Wheels and Four Legs
“Many families, mine included, have an older child as well as a toddler,” says Pasin. “Younger siblings don’t like to be left behind, so it’s important for families to find ‘me too’ activities.”
A traditional older sibling activity is taking the family dog for a walk. Help toddlers keep up with their very own set of wheels, like My First Scooter from Radio Flyer. The three-wheeled scooter looks just like a big kids’ ride but has an extra wide base with two wheels in front for stability. Fido will be happy he doesn’t have to slow down for the kids and the little ones will be delighted to speed ahead.
Sprinkler Sprint
Set up the sprinkler in the yard, put on the swimsuits and run, run, run! Kids (and adults) of all ages love to cool off by running through sprinklers.
Go for a Ride
The perennially popular activity of riding bikes often excludes toddlers too little to ride along. The Grow and Go Bike by Radio Flyer has sturdy non-removable training wheels and looks just as cool as a big kid’s bike. This bike grows with the child, eliminating the need to purchase an expensive new bike every year to keep up with growing bodies.
When it comes to getting outdoors with toddlers, the only limit is your imagination. Now get out there and play!
You can find Radio Flyer ride-on toys at your local toy retailer or Amazon.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
RALEIGH, N.C. – VisionPoint Marketing (www.visionpointmarketing.com) has announced that Diane Kuehn, president and CEO, has been named a 2008 Impact Women Business Owner by Business Leader Magazine. The awards recognize the outstanding leadership of women business leaders, in the professional arena as well as the community. For more information about VisionPoint Marketing, visit their Web site at www.visionpointmarketing.com.
“I am honored to be named an Impact Women Business Owner,” said Kuehn. “This award recognizes some of the most influential leaders in our community and I am humbled to be in their great company.”
About Diane Kuehn:
Diane Kuehn is President and CEO of VisionPoint Marketing, an Internet marketing agency for mid-size organizations that provides strategy, creative services and execution of integrated online marketing programs. Diane established VisionPoint Marketing after holding numerous executive sales and marketing positions at leading companies, including Cox Communications, SourceLink, High Speed Net Solutions, and ADVO ? the country’s largest direct marketing firm. An enthusiastic supporter of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Diane serves on the Board of Directors and the Communications Committee and is the current chair for the Women’s Executive Golf Tournament. Other civic and professional organizations in which Diane maintains membership include the Council for Entrepreneur Development (CED) and the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). Diane volunteers time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, serves on the marketing committee for Triangle Family Services, is a board member of North Carolina’s International Affairs Council, and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Me Fine Foundation. Her service and leadership have been recognized by the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award, which recognizes the top 25 female executives in the Triangle who display outstanding business and community leadership. Diane was recently named a 2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(ARA) – You probably misted up when he took his first step. And you may have wept for joy the first time your tot said “I love you.” But few toddler milestones are as longed-for or as life changing – for you and your child – as learning to use the potty.
“Toilet training really is the final transition from baby to child, and it can be a source of profound angst for many parents,” says Teri Crane, potty training expert and author of the best-selling “Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day.” “It’s easy to get information overload when you’re looking for help in teaching your child to use the potty. The most important thing to remember is that your child will learn at her own pace and in her own way; there is no hard-and-fast deadline and no single teaching method.”
There are, however, some universal truths about the potty training process, Crane says. Parents should keep in mind that most toddlers don’t respond well to being pressured to do something, but they do love to play and imagine. Here’s the straight poop on potty training for parents facing the biggest bowl challenge of their parenting careers (so far):
* Potty training requires patience – the kind that would qualify you for canonization. Setbacks, challenges, back-sliding and accidents are all normal, even for children who do “potty train in one day,” Crane says. Losing patience with your child or the process will only further frustrate you and upset your child, possibly to the point of rejecting the potty altogether.
* Recognize the signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. If she dances, jumps up and down or grabs her private parts when she has to go, or pulls at her diaper when she’s soiled it, she may be ready to start training. She’ll also need to be able to stay clean and dry for three to five hours at a time. If she doesn’t show the signs, don’t push it. Waiting until the child is ready means better chances of success.
* Making it fun can make your child more successful. Toddlers love to play and imagine, so turning the process into a game – one that involves incentives and rewards – can help, Crane says. Toddlers are less likely to resist if they enjoy the process, which is why the author’s “Potty Party” concept has proved popular with many parents and kids. Follow up the fun strategy with strong doses of positive reinforcement in the form of praise and rewards.
* Be sure the potty fits the child. Most toddlers are too small to safely use adult toilets and it’s not unusual for them to be afraid to even try. Training potties to the rescue. Sure they’re conspicuous in your powder room and cleaning them can be worse than cleaning an adult toilet. But the scaled-down size of a training potty enhances the child’s safety and suits their sense of self better than an intimidating adult toilet.
Crane favors the Boon Potty Bench. “At just 7 inches high, it’s the perfect height for a toddler’s comfort level and the two enclosed side storage spaces come in handy for organizing potty training supplies,” she says. “It’s also easy to clean. The bowl part is a drawer that slides out quickly and easily. Dump it, clean it and slide it back into place.” The bench is available at Babies “R” Us and other retailers nationwide. Check out www.booninc.com to find a seller near you.
“Parents should remember not to stress themselves or their child over potty training,” Crane advises. “Your child will learn to use the potty at his own pace and in his own way.”
And when he does, don’t be embarrassed if you find yourself a little choked up as your child leaves his diapers – and babyhood – behind.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Cary, NC – Sue Marcinko, Executive Director of The Carying Place, an organization that provides services to homeless families with children to give them the opportunity to improve their housing situation, has announced that The Carying Place is in the process of expanding their services to eight families. The Carying Place is currently interviewing several families and has recently worked with landlords within the community to obtain two new apartments to help house the new families.
“The friends, families and staff members of the Carying Place truly appreciate the generosity and eagerness to help that we have seen from people in the community,” said Marcinko. “It’s through the kindness of people within the community that The Carying Place is able to provide excellent service to those in need. Being able to expand our services to more families is further proof of how generosity from the community can make a difference.”
The management company of the two new apartments to be used to help house families with children living in the Wake County area is Ryan & Associates.
For more information, please call The Carying Place at 919-462-1800 or visit the official web site at http://www.thecaryingplace.org.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH, N.C. – Over the past ten years there has been a significant decline in the rate of spina bifida in North Carolina. In observance of National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 7-13, the North Carolina Folic Acid Council (NCFAC) and the March of Dimes would like to recognize the work North Carolina has done to reduce the number of babies born with this serious birth defect.
“We’re seeing progress in the fight to eliminate neural tube defects like spina bifida thanks to folic acid fortification and an intense public health campaign to increase folic acid consumption through multivitamins,” said Amy Mullenix, MSW, MSPH, Statewide Campaign Coordinator. “Yet, there are still too many babies born with spina bifida and we want to make sure every woman of childbearing age gets the message that she should be taking a multivitamin every day, just in case.”
In North Carolina there is one child born with a neural tube defect (NTD) for every 1,160 live births, according to the State Center for Health Statistics’ Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Provisional data from the Birth Defects Monitoring Program show that the rate of NTDs declined approximately 40 percent between 1995 and 2005. Spina bifida rates dropped by an estimated 45 percent during that same time span. In Western North Carolina, where the Folic Acid Campaign has been active the longest, NTDs have decreased by more than 80 percent.
Spina bifida is a defect of the central nervous system and is the most common NTD. The neural tube is an embryonic structure that grows into the brain and spine. The defect occurs when the neural tube fails to close properly, around or before the 28th day of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. Spina bifida can range from mild to severe. Infants who survive this birth defect often spend their lives in wheelchairs, unable to move their lower extremities, or to control their bowels or bladder.
Research shows that 50–70 percent of neural tube defects are preventable with adequate folic acid intake before pregnancy. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends all women of childbearing age take 400mcg of folic acid daily. Nearly all brand-name and generic multivitamins contain the recommended amount.
The North Carolina Folic Acid Campaign, a collaboration between the North Carolina Folic Acid Council and the March of Dimes, uses innovative initiatives to educate women about the benefits of folic acid and the birth defects it helps to prevent. Through the Office Champion Program, which educates health care providers; the Community Ambassador Program, a lay health education program; and a multi-faceted media campaign in English and Spanish, the campaign spreads its message throughout the entire state.
To find out more about how you can become a community ambassador or office champion, contact Megan Fazekas at 919-781-2481 or by e-mail at mfazekas@marchofdimes.com. For more information about the NC Folic Acid Campaign, visit www.getfolic.com
Read On:CarolinaNewsWire
