By Nicole Long — CEO of Old Colony Elder Services Did you know?  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). February is Ame… Read on blog or Reader Community Voices for Health Read on blog or Reader Taking Care of Your Heart By MKR on February 25, 2025 By Nicole Long — CEO of Old Colony Elder Services Did you know?  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). February is American Heart Month, a time to bring awareness to heart disease and lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk for this serious disease. It's important to know the risk factors for heart disease: the major factors are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. According to the CDC, other factors include diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet. Know your numbers. Do you know your cholesterol level? How about your blood pressure? These numbers help provide a clearer picture of your overall health and risk factors for heart disease. Your physician or healthcare team can check your cholesterol and blood pressure. Based on your results, they will advise you of the next steps and how often you should have blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Healthier food choices. Eating a diet high in saturated fats and trans fats (which may be found in fried foods, some baked goods, and snack foods) can raise your cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure, which can also increase your risk for heart disease. Many highly processed foods such as packaged snacks and instant products are high in sodium as are some canned vegetables and breads. Check nutrition labels for saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium content. Consider swapping foods such as French fries, pastries, or chips for healthier options, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The Nutrition Program at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) offers nutritional counseling and dietician services for those in need of nutrition assistance. Learn more by visiting ocesma.org/programs-services/nutrition. Stay active. A lack of physical activity can increase your risk of heart disease. Exercise can help you maintain mobility, strength, balance, and cardiovascular health. According to the CDC, older adults need at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. This could be 30 minutes of walking or cycling at least five days a week. You could even exercise in two, 15-minute sessions a day. Your doctor or healthcare team can recommend the best exercises for you. Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. For information and resources on how to quit smoking, visit the American Heart Association's web page https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/help-i-want-to-quit-smoking Volunteer. Research shows that volunteering is beneficial to your health. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and boosts your social connection to others. It can also help increase physical activity and reduce stress. Looking to help others and contribute to your community while realizing the health benefits of volunteering? Learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting OCES' volunteer web page, ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities. Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/index.html U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/adding-older-adults/index.html Points of Light. https://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/volunteering-improves-your-mental-and-emotional-health/ Comment You can also reply to this email to leave a comment.

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By Georgina Correia — Program Supervisor Greater Brockton Healthy Families Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys, especially for young parents who are navigating their own personal experiences while raising a child. At… Read on blog or Reader Community Voices for Health Read on blog or Reader Breaking the Cycle: How Young Parents Can Create a Positive Home Environment By MKR on February 11, 2025 By Georgina Correia — Program Supervisor Greater Brockton Healthy Families Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys, especially for young parents who are navigating their own personal experiences while raising a child. At Greater Brockton Healthy Families, we understand that breaking cycles of generational trauma and fostering a nurturing home environment takes intentional effort, support, and access to the right resources. Screenshot One of our core goals is to reduce child abuse and neglect by promoting positive discipline techniques. Our home visitors spend time discussing the importance of maintaining a healthy home environment by providing tips on gentle parenting, positive discipline, and encouraging redirection rather than punishment. We believe that a safe, loving, and structured home helps children develop trust, confidence, and emotional security. During in-home visits, our home visitors often bring toys and activities designed to support early childhood development and strengthen the parent-child bond. These resources not only encourage learning but also create meaningful moments between parents and their children, reinforcing the idea that a nurturing environment starts with positive interactions. We also recognize that many young parents who come from challenging backgrounds may be working through past trauma while trying to build a better future for their children. Although we are not licensed therapists, our home visitors are always available to listen, provide support, and connect participants with the right mental health resources when needed. In addition, we conduct mental health screenings every six months to ensure that both parents and children receive the care they deserve. We firmly believe that when parents are healthy—mentally, emotionally, and physically—their children thrive as well. Although our time in the home is not permanent, we aim to set our participants up for success when they graduate from the program. Many of our graduates stay in touch, calling or writing to thank us for the impact we've had on their lives. Moments like these remind us why our work is so important. By equipping young parents with the tools, knowledge, and support they need, we help them break cycles of hardship and create healthier, happier homes for their children. At Greater Brockton Healthy Families, we are proud to stand beside young parents as they take steps toward building a brighter future. Every nurturing home, every moment of connection, and every success story is a testament to the power of support and resilience. Together, we are creating lasting change—one family at a time. Comment You can also reply to this email to leave a comment.

Community Voices for Health © 2025. Manage your email settings or unsubscribe. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110