A Healthy Diet Can Prevent Accidents

According to The Centers for Disease Control there's an estimated half a million Americans, over 65, who fall unexpectedly every year. However, some of these falls may have been prevented with a good diet and adequate hydration, here are some helpful facts to always remember:

Drink Water - Drinking half the amount of water you weigh each day, in ounces, can help maintain body temperature, transport oxygen and remove waste. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink at least 50 ounces, or five glasses of water, a day.


Eat regular meals and snacks - To avoid a dizzy spell, make sure to eat your meals regularly and snack often. Concentrating on foods with Vitamin D, calcium, protein, and sodium can greatly affect and maintain healthy bones. For a steady amount of energy and help with the regenerative process it is important to balance your carbohydrate and protein intake.


With a little research and healthier choices, you can prevent a fall that may limit your mobility and independence. You can visit mmlearn.org to view a video Falls: A New Look At A Difficult Problem.


What if you have fallen? Then we're here to help you get back on your feet. Morningside Ministries offers rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Call 888-806-5004 to get more information about our services.

Helping out Our Veterans

Are you a war veteran or surviving spouse who needs help easing the cost of your daily expenses? If so, there is a program that can help pay for the care you need in your independent living, assisted living or nursing community. The Veteran's Administration Aid and Attendance Pension, otherwise known as A&A, is a federal pension for veterans and surviving spouses who require paid assistance for retirement living. Some of the benefits paid in the pension include help with bathing, dressing, hygiene, medication management, ambulation, transferring and/or other daily needs. There are several criteria needed for eligibility: veterans must have served 90 days during war time, but it’s not required that they served in a war zone during that time.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Jim Hanna, a Vietnam War veteran and accredited agent with the VA. In 2007, Mr. Hanna discovered that many veterans were unaware of the available pension they could receive. He has since helped educate thousands of men and women of the rights and resources available to them. With Mr. Hanna's help with the application process, thousands of our veterans have received more than 11 million dollars in aid. These honorable men and women can have peace of mind knowing the money received from the United States military will help assist in their needs.

If you are interested in finding more information about the A&A Pension, you can call Morningside Ministries at 210-731-1202. There will be a information session held at The Meadows on July 31 at 10:30 am. This session will provide further information on receiving your A&A benefits.

Beat the heat this summer

As the temperatures outside rise, it is important to be aware of your body’s temperature and the signs of a heat-related health problem.

Seniors especially are at high risk of heat stress, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, because their bodies can have a harder time adjusting to higher temperatures and are more likely to be taking medications that impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature or that inhibit perspiration. Also, chronic diseases of the heart or lungs can upset normal body responses to heat.


It is important to know the signs of heat stroke, such as flushed face, high body temperature, headache, diarrhea, nausea, rapid pulse, breathing problems, dizziness and confusion, and seek help if you feel any of these symptoms coming on. Here are 10 tips you can use to help you beat the South Texas heat this summer:


1. Keep cool. Use your air conditioning if you have it. Temperatures inside the home should not exceed 85 degrees for prolonged periods of time. If you do not have air conditioning, head to a cool place like a movie theater, library or shopping center.
2. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Try to avoid beverages with caffeine or alcoholic beverages that can cause dehydration.
3. Dress appropriately. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in white or light colors and natural fabrics, such as cotton. When outdoors, wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect your head, use sunglasses and a sunscreen of 30 SPF or more.
4. Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. During outdoor activity, take frequent rest breaks and drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
5. Limit salt use.
6. Take a cool bath or shower to lower your body temperature on extremely hot days. Ice packs and wet towels can also be helpful.
7. Close your blinds and curtains during the day to block the sun.
8. Curtail physical activity and strenuous chores during extremely hot weather. Activity adds to heart strain.
9. Eat a few light meals, such as salads, fruit or cold soups. Don’t eat big heavy meals. Foods that are heavier on your stomach take a lot of energy to digest which slows down your body’s cooling process.
10. Use fans to help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.


In the summertime, staying cool means staying healthy. Use these tips and listen to your body – if it’s telling you that you are too hot, take steps to cool yourself down immediately. For more information on staying hydrated and cool, please click the link below to watch a video on hydration/dehydration.

http://msm.mediasite.com/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=01e8944fb2fe47e497a808773116e6791d

Pillows for Veterans

A year into the American Revolution against Great Britain, a committee of five, led by Thomas Jefferson, wrote a formal Declaration of Independence. The publication was written July 2, 1776 and approved two days later by the Second Continental Congress.

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776.

Generations later, Americans commemorate the brave soldiers who fought and died for this country as well as give thanks to those who protect our rights and freedoms today.

John Privitera, the Activity Director for Kaulbach Assisted Living, had a creative idea to make small patriotic pillows for San Antonio's veterans. With the help of several Morningside residents, Mr. Privitera planned to give the pillows to the veterans of the VA Hospital's Spinal Injury Unit over 4th of July weekend.

After announcing his activity, Mr. Privitera purchased the material believing he could immediately begin making pillows. Much to his surprise, pillows weren't an easy activity at all. With the help of a gracious woman--Ms. Marilyn Peterson—Mr. Privitera spent the next few days learning to sew.

Once Mr. Privitera was acquainted with a needle and thread, he tirelessly sewed his patriotic pillows every Thursday thereafter. Ms. Peterson, Ms. George, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Seiller and Ms. Taylor, residents of Kaulbach Assisted Living helped by stuffing the pillows alongside Mr. Privitera.

Friday, July 2nd, The VA Hospital's Spinal Injury Unit was pleasantly surprised with these tokens of appreciation. Mr. Privitera and the Morningside residents proudly passed out many of the pillows, saving only a few for the veterans who will be returning from the Vet Games in Denver on July 10th.

Mr. Privitera and several residents of Morningside Ministries plan to meet these brave men at the airport to show their gratitude and appreciation for all the soldiers who have selflessly protected our nation's freedom.

Americans like Mr. Privitera, Ms. Peterson, Ms. George, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Seiller and Ms. Taylor are important to Morningside Ministries. The thought and care that went into creating these pillows is what makes the employees and residents of Morningside Ministries so undeniably great.