Dr Erin: Small Changes Now, Big Rewards Later
An article in this Sunday’s Chicago Tribune gave 10 tips to reduce your risk of landing in a nursing home. According to a recent study, small lifestyle changes can reap big rewards. Replacing animal fats with vegetable oils, for example, can cut the risk of heart attack in almost half. And four other lifestyle changes — stopping smoking, becoming more active, reducing blood pressure and controlling diabetes — greatly reduce the chances of a woman landing in a nursing home.
Nothing in this article is groundbreaking — we all know the changes that we need to make. The key is actually doing it. As we enter the fall season, many of my patients put off starting good habits until the first of the year. Why not start something today? It doesn’t have to be a big change — just a step in the right direction.
If you need help getting active because of pain or limitations, please let us know! We’re experts at helping patients start an exercise program safely and effectively without aggravating old injuries or issues. If you need help with your diet or other lifestyle changes, we can also point you in the right direction or help you with a referral!