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Sometimes parents are more apt to listen to other fam ily members or to persons outside the family circle, such as doctors or clergymen. By taking yourself out of the loop, you may avoid angry confrontations with your elder. Be aware that conflict occurs when a par ent is made to feel like a problem for you to solve. It is important for you to convey the message that what happens to him or her affects the entire family. Try saying, “What happens to you, Mom, affects all of us. By having a housekeeper you will be helping the whole family.” Each of these communication tips is effective in helping you to show elderly parents or relatives that their wishes, feelings, and ideas are important. Each of them helps us to convey the message that our elders are valuable to us, that we care for them, and that we love them. Above all, each of them provides a way to communicate without making the elderly feel threat ened, manipulated, or controlled. Always remember that if you help them to maintain their sense of dignity and autonomy, they are more likely to work with you rather than against you. The author, a member of UNWLA Branch 83, is a certi fied social worker with over 20 years experience in work ing with the elderly. She currently serves as volunteer Program Director/Social Worker at the Self Reliance Association of American Ukrainians in Manhattan In her next article, she will discuss ways of Preparing for an Emergency or a Crisis Eating the European Way - Notes on the Mediterranean Diet by Ihor Magun, M.D., F.A.C.P. The incidence of heart disease and the related death rates in the sixteen countries that border the Mediterranean Sea is much lower than in the United States. Conversely, life-expectancy rates in this area are higher than in the United States. Research shows that one reason for this is diet. The traditional diets of people living in these sixteen countries have been stud ied extensively over the past several years and the findings have made their way across the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers of the Mediterranean Diet now advocate it as a practical, effective and enjoyable diet that is relatively easy to adopt for a long term and sen sible eating regimen. One caveat to be noted, however, is that other lifestyle factors, not yet completely identi fied, may play a role in the success of this dietary plan. So what exactly is the Mediterranean Diet? Surprisingly, it is a diet that actually contains a rela tively high percentage of calories from fat. These calo ries (more than half) come from monosaturated fats - that is, those fats found in olive oil. Monosaturated fat does not elevate bad cholesterol levels. It has, in fact, a favorable effect on triglycerides and elevates HDL, which is the so-called "good cholesterol". Olive oil is also a good source of antioxidants. In addition to im proving lipid profile, it can reduce blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity, thus helping to keep blood sugar at proper levels. Meals based on the Mediterranean Diet do not differ greatly from those suggested by the United States food guide pyramid. At the base of the Mediter ranean food pyramid, we find bread, pasta, grains, and potatoes. It is important to include whole-grains, high- fiber breads, and whole grain pastas and limit food prepared from white flour. Fruits and vegetables are the next level of the food pyramid. The recommenda tion is seven to ten servings per day, with frequent servings of peas, beans, and nuts. The next level of the pyramid shows olive oil as a food group, the principle fat that replaces other fats. From this alone, we see that the Mediterra nean Diet does not regard all fat as bad. The main fo cus of the diet is not to limit total fat consumption, but to choose the correct type of fat. There is no restriction on either monsaturated fat (found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados) or omega-3-fatty acids (found in walnuts and other tree nuts, salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna). The consumption of wine, especially red, is also recommended in low to moderate amounts - one drink daily for women and one or two drinks for males. Fresh fruit as a daily dessert and a limit on sweets with a significant amount of sugar and satu rated fat are also advocated. The diet is best comple mented by a routine of regular physical activity that can add to the feeling of personal control and well being. There is sufficient scientific evidence avail able that the Mediterranean Diet is a practical and ef fective diet for people interested in prevention and treatment of heart disease. So next time you are tempted to spread some butter on your bread, try dip ping it in olive oil instead. You will be doing some thing healthy. But it is important to make sure that you add more physical activity to your daily life rather than just dipping your bread in your new-found healthier food. Eat well and get out there and exercise.
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