Geneology International

Tag: health

  • Specialized In-Home Care for Seniors with Specific Needs

    Specialized In-Home Care for Seniors with Specific Needs

    Specialized In-Home Care for Seniors with Specific Needs

    As the golden sun sets, casting long shadows marking the arrival of twilight years, it brings with it a unique set of challenges that can only be understood by those who have seen their loved ones enter this phase. Understanding and addressing these intricacies is often an uphill task that demands patience, dedication and a heart full of compassion. Specialized In-Home Care for Seniors with Specific Needs isn’t just an article; it’s a roadmap to understanding and navigating through these twilight years with grace.

    While many families may face the arduous challenge of caring for their aging loved ones at home, there are specialized services designed to ease this journey. The realm of in-home care has evolved over time to cater not just to general needs but specific requirements as well – from dementia to mobility issues or complex medical conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. This article sheds light on such bespoke solutions – a beacon guiding you through the foggy uncertainties surrounding senior care at home.

    The Importance of Specialized Senior Care

    The landscape of aging has changed dramatically in recent years, and with this shift comes the pressing necessity for specialized senior care. Generic caregiving may not cater to unique needs such as those individuals battling cognitive ailments like Alzheimer’s or seniors recovering from surgeries. Specialized senior care recognizes that every elder is an individual, each with their personalized health history and varied preferences — thus offering tailored approaches rooted in respect, understanding and compassion.

    Moreover, the emotional well-being of our seniors should be given equal importance as physical health. Anxiety or depression can often cloud golden years; hence professional caregivers, trained specifically to manage emotional turmoil or loneliness amongst elders, can drastically elevate their quality of life. At the end of it all — the goal isn’t just about adding years to life but more importantly imparting more life into those remaining years — which precisely underscores why specialized senior care isn’t merely important; it is absolutely necessary!

    Different Types of Specific Needs in Seniors

    Taking a pivot from the common illnesses, let’s explore adult autism. Autism is typically seen as a condition diagnosed in childhood but there are numerous seniors who have gone their entire lives without diagnoses. Symptoms can mimic memory impairment but are due to sensory overloads or social miscommunications rather than dementia. Such specific cases are better addressed with proper in-home care for adults with autism.

    On the flip side, two conditions commonly associated with aging are Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. These neurodegenerative diseases render a person unable to remember events, recognize people or places, and even take care of themselves on basic levels – presenting unique challenges for caregivers.

    The final mountain in our journey through senior health needs is the decline in mobility. Loss of physical independence can arise from various factors such as arthritis, stroke aftermaths or simply age-induced muscle deterioration and frailty. Ensuring safe environments for seniors while promoting as much independence as possible requires empathetic understanding and innovative home modifications that often extend far beyond standard safety railings and ramps.

    Tailored In-Home Care Solutions for Seniors

    Understanding the individual needs of every senior is at the heart of delivering tailored in-home care solutions. Services that satisfy these unique requirements ensure seniors with specific needs enjoy their golden years within the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; instead, caregivers provide specialized assistance ranging from meal prep, administering medication to helping with daily physical activities and companionship.

    The beauty of in-home care solutions lies in its flexibility. Care plans are not rigid but continuously adjusted to align with changes in a senior’s health status or personal preferences. This dynamic nature ensures an elevated quality of life for seniors while enabling them to hold on to their independence longer. A well-tailored service paves the way for an aging population to live out their autumn years on their terms—ensuring they thrive, not merely survive.

    Benefits of Specialized In-home Care Services

    Specialized in-home care services offer immense value for seniors with specific needs. Unlike traditional forms of home care, specialized caregivers are highly trained to accurately address a multitude of intricate needs, thereby providing customized care solutions perfectly suited for the individual’s condition. From therapeutic exercises sufficient for those recuperating from critical surgeries and injuries, to tailored strategies helpful in managing cognitive diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s – this form of personalized assistance ensures a safe, comfortable environment that effectively enhances their health and quality of life.

    Moreover, specialized in-home care grants seniors the delightful benefit of independence while directly addressing their unique medical requirements. The acknowledgement that comes along with familiar surroundings not only fosters peace but also evokes a sense of self-control and routine often lost when transitioning into residential facilities or hospitals. In addition to ensuring vital medical oversight is provided sans interruption – delicacies like meals can be adapted to dietary restrictions— fostering continuous nourishment needed for swift recovery and wellness upkeep. Facilitating an exceptional personal connection through empathy-driven interactions presents an unparalleled opportunity towards maintaining emotional health hence an overall improved wellbeing amongst seniors with definitive needs.

    Selecting the Right In-home Care Provider

    As you weigh your options for an ideal in-home care provider, have you considered exploring local service providers? More specifically, if based in Texas, there’s value in considering the numerous standout companies serving Kingwood Texas. Local companies not only offer services steeped in community values and understanding but also come with a familiarity with the area that helps tailor care to your needs.

    The beauty of an aptly chosen in-home care provider – particularly one static within your locale— is akin to finding a gemstone amidst pebbles. It moves beyond providing essential services to offering customized quality patient-centered care while fostering positive relationships between caregivers and recipients. Thus, choosing an appropriately located firm such as an in-home senior care provider serving Kingwood Texas can revolutionize caregiving experience by knitting personalized care into your everyday life.

    Keys to Successful In-home Senior Care

    One often overlooked key to successful in-home senior care is the promotion of independence. Allowing seniors to maintain control over their daily activities not only preserves their dignity but also enhances their quality of life. Assist, don’t insist, is a golden rule when it comes to tasks they can safely and confidently accomplish themselves.

    Equally important is fostering engaging social interactions and mental stimulation for seniors. In-home caregivers are more than just facilitators of physical care; they are companions who can provide much-needed conversation and emotional connection. Incorporating healthy brain activities, such as reading, puzzles or craft projects directly contributes towards cognitive health, fighting against the onset symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Understand that you’re cooking up a recipe for qualitative extension of life that respects the individual’s personhood while catering to their evolving needs. Every ingredient counts!

    Empowering Seniors through Specialized In-home Care

    In conclusion, specialized in-home care significantly enhances seniors’ quality of life, independence, and overall well-being. It offers a personalized approach that caters to their unique needs and changing health conditions. This innovative approach not only empowers the elderly but also provides peace of mind for their loved ones. As our society continues to age, it is imperative that we continue to innovate and expand these crucial services. Let’s commit to empowering our seniors through specialized in-home care – they deserve nothing less than the best support possible in their golden years.

  • Public health priorities identified for Southern Nevada – Southern Nevada Health District

    Public health priorities identified for Southern Nevada – Southern Nevada Health District

    LAS VEGAS – What are the most pressing public well being issues struggling with Clark County? That’s the question approximately 100 community customers asked at a new Community Overall health Evaluation Prioritization conference. The assembly was a continuation of Southern Nevada Wellbeing District and husband or wife initiatives to establish strategic priorities for the Community Well being Improvement Plan (CHIP), a information for community well being routines and interventions by the upcoming a few decades.

    The CHIP is the 2nd phase in a process that commenced with the 2020-2021 Neighborhood Well being Assessment (CHA). The CHA was produced in August 2021 and is designed to advise the general public, stakeholders and businesses about the recent overall health standing of Clark County residents and offer steering for generating shared conclusions for strengthening the general public health standing of the neighborhood. Through the prioritization conference held on Oct 22, stakeholders employed the results from the CHA and recognized 4 priorities that will be the focus of the Group Health Enhancement Prepare (CHIP).

    The priorities had been established by position and measuring the seriousness of every single issue’s load to the local community as effectively as how a lot of individuals are impacted instantly or indirectly, and the expense to the community and the economy. The 4 priority parts are:

    • Entry to Overall health Treatment: Access to economical, high quality well being treatment is an vital element to bodily, social and mental overall health. Coverage coverage, systemic racism and health and fitness disparities, lack of accessibility or very poor good quality of health care, absence of providers and lack of responsible transportation have been identified as impacting associates of the neighborhood.
    • Chronic Illness: Close to six in 10 older people in the United States have a long-term sickness, and four in 10 have two or more. Chronic illness is a situation long lasting lengthier than a 12 months or much more and needs ongoing clinical consideration, minimal pursuits of day by day living or both of those. Social determinants of health and fitness, these as safe housing work alternatives discrimination and violence language and literacy competencies have an influence on the prevalence of serious ailments in the local community.
    • Funding: Just 3 per cent of wellness care dollars in the United States are used on protecting against condition and 75 p.c of health and fitness treatment prices are linked to preventable problems. A higher unemployment amount, substantial health care and transportation expenditures, restricted community overall health funding, and lack of schooling funding have been identified as funding aim areas.
    • Transportation: Dependable obtain to transportation can boost work fees, obtain to healthful meals, accessibility to well being treatment vendors and amenities, and obtain to parks and recreation for a healthful life style. About 8.4 {fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Clark County homes do not have a car. The evaluation discovered the substantial expense of transportation, accessibility to transportation and an inadequate utilization of transportation funding as areas to tackle.

    The CHIP is a collaboration between government businesses, wellness care vendors, non-financial gain companies, and academia. The Overall health District welcomes individuals who would like to participate in the CHIP committee. Fascinated persons or organizations can call Carmen Hua at [email protected] for a lot more information.

  • Gov. Cooper heralds health progress in biannual speech

    Gov. Cooper heralds health progress in biannual speech

    By Anne Blythe

    Gov. Roy Cooper prompted loud cheers, whoops and a standing ovation during his state of the state address on Monday evening when he mentioned Medicaid expansion.

    The governor came to the General Assembly as part of a biannual tradition to provide lawmakers and the people of North Carolina his take on how best to approach the future.

    In his fourth such address, with a little less than two years left in his second term as governor, Cooper told lawmakers that he thinks the state is poised for “once-in-a-generation opportunities.”

    That includes stepping up efforts to extend broadband to the rural-most reaches of the state. He called for double-digit raises for teachers and enhanced funding for North Carolina’s children, from cradle to career.

    Cooper hearkened back to the past as he heralded the future.

    “Time and again, overcoming adversity, our leaders had the foresight and the resolve to invest in new ideas that have revolutionized our state, impacting the generations that followed,” Cooper said. “And while we stand on their shoulders, we also stand at an altogether new crossroads.

    “Our moment to build enduring prosperity is now,” Cooper added. 

    Part of that construction, for some 600,000 low-income residents in North Carolina, is something Cooper has been advocating for since he became governor in 2017. Just last week, after years of facing opposition from Republicans to his pitch to extend the subsidized health care benefit made possible through the Affordable Care Act, Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) and House speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) made a long-awaited announcement: They had negotiated an agreement that would include a provision to expand Medicaid in the budget for the next two years.

    Federal dollars at risk

    Cooper reveled in the whoops and applause at his mention of Medicaid and the news from the previous week.

    “I’m grateful for our unified Democratic legislators — and some of the Republicans who have been relentless for years in this effort to expand Medicaid,” Cooper said, acknowledging those across the aisle who had joined Democrats to make it happen. 

    “I commend the hard work of this Republican legislature for embracing this and coming together in agreement,” he said.

    He thanked advocates who shared his commitment to making health care more affordable and accessible to residents who were caught between a rock and a hard place.

    Expansion will cover many low-income workers who made too much money to get traditional Medicaid but didn’t earn enough for private insurance and could not get subsidies offered through the Affordable Care Act.

    “When we get Medicaid expansion across the finish line, it will save lives,” Cooper said. “Tonight I bring a message of urgency that I hope all of you will keep at heart as we go through these legislative weeks.”

    By tying Medicaid expansion to approval of the budget, the Republican leadership puts Cooper in a difficult position. If the lawmakers pad their spending plan with policies and budget items the governor is loath to support, he will be less likely to veto it and jeopardize the Medicaid expansion bill that only will be enacted once the budget passes.

    “Every month we wait to expand not only costs lives but costs our state more than $521 million a month in federal health care dollars,” Cooper said. “If we don’t expand soon, we will forfeit an additional $1.8 billion in Health Care Access and Stabilization, or HASP funds, that our hospitals never will get back. That would be particularly hard on our rural hospitals. No business would make that kind of financial decision.”

    The hospitals can claim retroactive HASP funding to cover care already delivered back to mid-2022 if the Medicaid expansion bill passes before the end of the state fiscal year on June 30. 

    “Guys, finally, we now all agree on Medicaid expansion,” Cooper added. “We now all agree on how to do it, and we all now agree on what other health care laws will be changed with it.

    “For mental health, for working families, for rural hospitals, for a healthier North Carolina, for $1.8 billion that we cannot afford to leave behind, let’s expand Medicaid now,” Cooper said loudly.

    Members of the General Assembly applaud during Gov. Roy Cooper’s State of the State speech on Monday evening. Credit: PBSNC/ Screen shot

    Mental health projects

    Many of Cooper’s special guests embodied some of the health care issues facing the state.

    The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated a mental health crisis already in the making. Many children and young adults are reporting depression, anxiety and other behavioral health concerns.

    Meredith Draughn, a school counselor at B. Everett Jordan Elementary School in Alamance County and the National School Counselor of the Year, sees the problem firsthand.

    “Her support is critical to their well-being and can be life-saving,” Cooper said, pointing to Draughn, who was sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives. “All our counselors, teachers and school staff play a vital role in student mental health.”

    Cooper said he already has directed “tens of millions of dollars” in federal funds to Mental Health First Aid that helps teachers and school staff recognize the signs of a child in crisis and other efforts. The governor hinted at more resources to come.

    “I’ll propose a plan that makes historic investments in the whole-person health of every North Carolinian,” Cooper said. “It will save lives, save government resources and pay dividends for decades to come.”

    Telecommuting to the doctor

    Cooper singled out Kim Schwartz, CEO of Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center, and Phyliss Pillmon, an Ahoskie resident, to show how extending broadband can play a key role in telemedicine and providing better health care to residents in rural North Carolina.

    “Phyllis has a hybrid plan of care, where she sees her regular doctor in person while connecting with specialists as far away as Charlotte,” Cooper said. “That’s a 280-mile gap that Phyllis and her specialist can span in just seconds.”

    Additionally, Cooper called attention to Russell Devane, an Ivanhoe resident, who worked with the state to repair aging pipes and an inadequate system with a $13.2 million investment in a modern water and sanitation system that now delivers clean water to the Sampson County community.

    Kim Schwartz, CEO of Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center, and Ahoskie resident Phyliss Pillmon acknowledge applause from the gallery after being called out during Gov. Roy Cooper’s State of the State speech on Monday. Credit: PBSNC/ screen shot

    Guns and children

    Cooper also highlighted gun violence in North Carolina and the state’s place on a list that does not instill pride.

    “A recent report found that in 2021, children in North Carolina were 51 percent more likely to die from gun violence than children in the U.S. as a whole,” Cooper said, referring to a recent report from the Child Fatality Task Force.

    This legislative session, Republican lawmakers considered bills to end requirements that handgun buyers first obtain a permit from their county sheriff. Republicans advocating for the change have argued that it is not necessary because handgun buyers already go through a background check to purchase their guns.

  • Top health tips for travelers

    Top health tips for travelers

    Whether or not you’re off to campsite getaway or traveling to an additional nation, receiving unwell disrupts your getaway. Patrick Courtney, MD, family medication provider at MercyOne North Iowa Relatives Drugs Residency, shares his ideas to holding you and your family members wholesome when touring.

    1st-assist for households

    When it arrives to packing for your loved ones, possessing an suitable initial-help kit is necessary. But not all to start with-help kits need to be designed the exact same.

    “If you are likely to a metropolis, vacation resort or someplace nicely populated, only pack the mild matters. If you’re likely to a campsite, provide a big chunk of your kids’ medicine cupboard,” states Dr. Courtney.

    Frequent very first-assist treatment includes:

    • Acetaminophen/ibuprofen
    • Adhesive bandages
    • Fluids for diarrhea
    • Listing of medications and healthcare conditions
    • Prescription medications
    • Sanitizer
    • Sunscreen

    “It’s also a fantastic plan to know area harmful critters – fire ants, jellyfish, mosquitos, and many others.” says Dr. Courtney.

    Essentials for very first-help kit

    Airports and germs

    Airports have tons of higher contact surfaces. The finest point way to avoid picking up germs at the airport — sanitizing and hand washing.

    Wash your fingers or sanitize:

    • Before eating.
    • Just after likely by means of security.
    • Just before touching your deal with.
    • After making use of the bathroom.

    “Killing the germs with sanitizer or cleaning soap is the most helpful matter to do,” claims Dr. Courtney.

    Rest agenda on vacation

    Continue to keep on your own nutritious whilst on vacation with a great night’s rest.

    “You want to make guaranteed you’re acquiring ample high-quality snooze,” suggests Dr. Courtney. “Drinking far too substantially alcoholic beverages will make you truly feel additional worn out and decrease your slumber good quality.”

    If you’re touring to a diverse time zone, you can alter your sleep by:

    • Setting alarms.
    • Obtaining and being out of mattress.
    • Shifting your snooze plan by 20-30 minutes per working day.

    Rest perfectly for your wellness

    Vacation constipation

    Vacation constipation transpires when you are not able to poop on your normal timetable even though traveling. Constipation can be prompted by various things together with:

    • Adjust in things to do.
    • Transform in eating plan.
    • Adjust in regime.
    • Ingesting extra alcohol.
    • Having much less fiber.
    • Ingesting more fats.

    “If you normally poop soon after a specific meal, but now have an activity or a thing disrupting your agenda, you’ll keep it in,” suggests Dr. Courtney. “This causes your poop to dry out additional, creating it tougher to pass.”

    Treatments for constipation

    If it’s been a working day or a lot more passed your ordinary timetable, choose up a stool softener.

    “If you presently have constipation, fiber and osmotic laxatives will add more bloating and bulk, but not soften issues to support go,” suggests Dr. Courtney. “A stool softener, or if desired a suppository or enema, will crack up the constipation dam.”

    Protecting against constipation on trip

    To stay away from constipation, try out to retain your ordinary consumption of fiber. Consume your fruits, vegetables and whole grains or acquire a fiber supplement.

    Contact your main care service provider for any vaccination demands and if you have any issues right before or following your travel dates.

     

  • Trust in public health agencies during COVD-19 | News

    Trust in public health agencies during COVD-19 | News

    Reduced trust driven by issues about exterior affect and conflicting suggestions

    For speedy launch: March 6, 2023

    Boston, MA—In the initial nationally consultant survey of U.S. older people on causes for have confidence in in federal, condition, and neighborhood public wellness agencies’ details for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan Faculty of Community Health and fitness and colleagues discovered that the Facilities for Sickness Manage and Prevention (CDC) was remarkably trusted for information by far more than 1-third of U.S. grown ups, whilst point out and neighborhood health and fitness departments ended up remarkably reliable by about one-quarter. An supplemental 37-51{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of adults reliable these community wellbeing companies considerably, and <10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reported no trust at all in these agencies for health information.

    High levels of trust were not primarily due to people believing agencies had “done a good job” controlling the spread of COVID-19, but rather to public beliefs that agencies communicated clear, science-based recommendations and provided protective resources, such as tests and vaccines. The survey found that lower levels of trust were primarily related to beliefs that health recommendations were influenced by politics or corporations, or were conflicting.

    “Trust in public health agencies is crucial for enabling effective policies that save lives during emergencies,” said lead author Gillian SteelFisher, principal research scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management and director of global polling at the Harvard Opinion Research Program. “Emergency programs have been underfunded for decades, but these data make clear how important it is to ensure public health agencies have appropriate stockpiles, have authority to make decisions based on scientific information, and have a stronger communication infrastructure.”

    The survey’s findings will be published March 6, 2023, in the March issue of Health Affairs, a themed issue focused on public health lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The survey was conducted in February 2022 among a nationally representative sample of 4,208 U.S. adults.

    The researchers also found significant differences in reasons that the public trusts federal, state, and local public health agencies. Public trust in the CDC was related primarily to beliefs in their scientific expertise, whereas trust in state and local public health agencies was more related to their provision of direct, compassionate care.

    In addition, the study found key differences in the primary reasons why adults had lower levels of trust. Among those who reported trusting public health agencies “somewhat,” concerns were focused on conflicting recommendations and the perception of political influence. By comparison, those who reported trusting agencies “not very much” or “not at all” raised many more concerns, including agencies’ recommendations going “too far” and limited trust in government generally.

    The researchers used the results to suggest takeaways to inform public health leaders in COVID-19 and future emergencies. They suggested a need to enhance policies around stockpiles of protective resources such as masks to support a robust communication infrastructure in which public health agencies are given clear authority to disseminate science-based recommendations and to engage trusted partners, such as clinicians and religious leaders, to amplify agency communications. Such measures would allow public health agencies to develop strategies to more effectively engage different segments of the public who have varying levels of trust, the researchers said.

    Other Harvard Chan School co-authors included Mary Findling and Hannah Caporello.

    Howard Koh, Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership, Health Policy and Management at Harvard Chan School, served as an issue advisor for Health Affairs, and co-authored a paper in the issue about public health workforce retention.

    The study was conducted through a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, who subcontracted to the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

    “Trust in US Federal, State, and Local Public Health Agencies During COVID-19: Responses and Policy Implications,” Gillian K. Steelfisher, Mary G. Findling, Hannah L. Caporello, Keri M. Lubell, Kathleen G. Vidoloff Melville, Lindsay Lane, Alyssa A. Boyea, Thomas J. Schafer, Eran N. Ben-Porath, Health Affairs, March 6, 2023, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01204

    Visit the Harvard Chan School website for the latest news, press releases, and multimedia offerings.

    Image: iStock / DrAfter123

    For more information:

    Maya Brownstein

    [email protected]

    ###

    Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people’s lives—not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America’s oldest professional training program in public health.

  • Hunter Health: Tips to Stay in the Game

    Hunter Health: Tips to Stay in the Game



    Hunter Health: Tips to Stay in the Game




    (Author photos)






    I don’t feel old on most days, but I’m definitely starting to feel things that I didn’t feel a few years ago. Things like a grouchy knee, IT band issues, sore muscles, tendonitis, and a few other ailments that let me know I’ve a got a few years under my belt. I’m certainly not ready to throw in the towel, but I’ve started coming to terms with the fact that I probably have more years behind me (I’m 45) than I have ahead of me…at least when it comes to the rough-and-tumble world of backpack hunting the wilderness and the grind of extreme mountain hunts. I bring this up because I’m currently at a hunting camp, guiding mule deer hunters, and there was a discussion last night at the dinner table about fitness, health, and the longevity one might have when referring to strenuous hunts and how you might extend those years.

    I’m sure some of you reading this are saying, “I’m 65 and still getting after it…you’re still a pup,” and I wouldn’t disagree. What I would say is that, at times anyway, I should have listened to the older crowd when I was about to do something physically stupid in my younger days. And even though I know better, I’m still abusing my body and making poor choices today. So why is that? Some of it might be bravado or ego, the internal struggle to prove to myself I can still run with my younger self — and maybe, just maybe, because I can still do it. The why doesn’t really matter, but what does matter is that I don’t injure myself while doing said stupid tasks. I want to stay in the mountains/wilderness as long as I can, and at this point I’m still running strong.

    So, with the thought-provoking conversation last night, I thought I would cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of what I’ve done to my body and what I’ve done to stay relatively healthy and injury free, and how I’ve altered my diet and workout program over time.

    Diet

    As boring a subject as it may be, dieting is probably the most important and most overlooked ingredient to a long lifespan in the field, as well as your day-to-day life. More than once I’ve told people that they should probably lose 40 pounds off their butt instead of worrying about dropping four ounces in pack weight. I speak from experience on this one! When it comes to gear, if you have money, it is easily attained without hard work or discipline. Dieting and nutrition demand a lot of discipline, hard work, and determination. Diet is 65 to 70 percent of the battle. In other words, YOU CAN’T WORK OUT.

    Enough To Outweigh A Bad Diet!

    Every body type is going to be a little different, and that means everyone’s diet will be different. However, cutting out processed carbs/sugars, gluten, and drinking 100 ounces (or more) of water a day is probably a safe path to a better and healthier life. This means giving up soda, cookies, crackers, chips, and all the other good stuff we love to eat. This will help you lose weight but will also help with inflammation, gut health, and multiple other physical ailments. You can find a lot of good information and some unbelievable health and fitness coaches in the outdoor industry on the Internet. Get to know their programs and philosophies and see if they match your needs and personality. My diet plan, much like my workout plan, is pretty boring: High protein, high fat, some carbs (the good ones), and keeping away from processed carbs. I pretty much live off wild game, and my wife cooks all organic, so that’s a big help, too.

    Snyder-Health-Diet-1200x800.jpg
    Proper diet and nutrition at home will help you stay stronger and more energetic, wherever you choose to bowhunt.

    Another potential downfall I’ve found for myself is overeating and binge eating. I’m a recovering fat kid, and having something sweet in the house is the same as having alcohol in an alcoholic’s home. For whatever reason, I have the discipline to keep junk food out of the house, but lack the discipline to not eat it when it’s in the house. SO, KEEP IT OUT OF THE HOUSE!

    Finding healthy substitute food has been another lifesaver for me. Find something to snack on to keep cravings down that isn’t too bad for you like jerky, raw almonds, cheese sticks, fruit (some fruit anyway), and the occasional somewhat healthy protein bar.

    One thing about a good diet plan is that eating healthy food will eventually become second nature and not a chore, as it will be in the beginning. You will also feel about 100 times better, and that will hopefully carry you through the rough times.

    Exercise

    Much like dieting, exercising every day will eventually become second nature, and in a lot of cases, an addiction. The problem is that there are so many exercise programs, fitness coaches, and marketing hype, that it gets confusing. Every person is going to have different goals, body types and builds, so a workout program specific to YOU is your best bet. This isn’t a must but is definitely something that you will eventually want to do.

    Video That May Interest You



    In my case, I’ve gone from the far ends of each spectrum on workout and fitness programs from a 275-pound powerlifter to a 190-pound backpack hunter/hiker. In the end, I have landed somewhere in the middle, with my focus more on mountain hunting and endurance than overall strength and an average body weight of 210–215 pounds. That weight keeps me around 11 to 12 percent body fat and allows for decent speed and endurance on the mountain, but also keeps a decent amount of muscle mass on me and a little extra fat when needed.

    Snyder-Health-Leglifts-1200x800.jpg
    Once you get into an exercise routine, it’s important to do something every day, even when it may not be convenient.

    The workout program I’ve stuck with to maintain this “condition” is pretty boring, but it works for me. I do have a home gym, but I can do a modified version in any hunting camp or hotel. I focus on push-ups, air squats, abs, and lunges, and I use resistance bands for my arms/shoulders and back. I don’t lift overly heavy weights and focus on supersets (going from one exercise to another with moderate rest) and keeping my heart rate at the higher end of fat burning. I also do a lot of backpack cardio and mountain biking, and when the weather stinks, I live on the rower and Hitmill X to keep the cardio going.

    As far as the reps/weight go, here’s a few examples of a normal superset routine:


    • Air Squats: 30 squats x 4
    • Push-Ups: 30 push-ups x 30
    • Curls: 35/40 lbs. x 4 reps x 12
    • Crunches: 50 crunches x 4
    • Overhead triceps extensions: 45/50 lbs. x 15 reps x 4

    This obviously isn’t the only workout I do, or the only muscle groups I focus on, but something like this will kick my butt in short order — and I can do these exercises anywhere I want to.

    This is what works for me, but if you’re confused in the beginning, then get a good trainer (in person or virtual) to help get you on the right path. A qualified trainer will also help you work around your current physical ailments/injuries to keep you going while also preventing future problems.

    Snyder-Health-Pushups-1200x800.jpg
    Low-impact exercises can get you in shape without punishing your joints or wearing down your body as a whole.

    For example, Matt Chan (a CrossFit trainer) sat down with me in my office several months ago and basically told me backpack cardio wasn’t something I needed anymore. He went on to explain that I had been doing it for so long that my body had adapted to it and I needed to change things up a bit as a result.

    Mountain-biking was one of Matt’s suggestions, because it’s low-impact and would help save whatever I had left in my knees. So, I purchased a bike from my friends over at Yeti, got the necessary gear to get going, and just rode the bike for three months. I was worried I’d get my butt kicked on our first big scouting trip. I was very wrong, and I did better hiking with a heavy load than I had in years!

    Don’t be afraid of working out or let it overwhelm you. Baby steps at first, and then go from there. Like dieting, you will ultimately live a happier and healthier life all the way around.

    Supplements

    The general idea behind supplements is taking something other than food — amino acids, caffeine, Creatine, protein powders, vitamins/minerals, probiotics, herbals, etc. — to help your performance and physical wellness. At one time, I took about every supplement I could to help my performance and muscle growth. But in the end, I realized a good diet was all I truly needed. I’m not saying some supplements don’t work; I’m just saying that as a mountain hunter who doesn’t want to stack on unwanted mass, they weren’t for me. I just want to get to my destination easier and feel as good on Day 10 as I did on Day One.

    While I don’t want to go into too much depth on this subject, I do feel the need to address this fact: Since hitting 40, my focus has been on improving my gut health, joints, core strength, and endurance, so my daily supplementation looks much different from what it was when I was 28. Here’s an example of what I mean:

    2008

    • Test Booster
    • Pre-Workout
    • Creatine
    • Protein Powder — 200 grams/day
    • HGH Booster
    • BCAA
    • Multivitamin

    2022

    • Fish Oil
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin D
    • Probiotics
    • Turmeric
    • Collagen
    • Glucosamine

    Any of these supplements can be beneficial, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. At this point, I’m trying to stay healthy and pain-free, and the supplements I’m taking now have been a huge help.

    Water isn’t a supplement; it’s far more important. The human body is made of 60-percent water, and it is alarming how little water most people drink each day. On average, you should be consuming 80-120 ounces of water each day.

    Overtraining & Ego

    As far as longevity on the mountain goes, overtraining and ego (internal or external) can do some serious damage to the longevity of your outdoor career. This is a heavily debated topic on social media. I see both sides, and I’m as guilty as anyone for overtraining, lifting heavy, packing out entire animals, and telling people to “suck it up” when they start complaining about pack weight or intense workouts. The other side is, I’m starting to feel pain in overused body parts more often than I’d like.

    Snyder-Health-Terrain-1200x800.jpg
    The difficulty of the terrain you plan to hunt should be matched by the intensity of your own physical health and conditioning. Don’t let the mountain win!

    Would this be happening if I’d trained with less weight and frequency in the gym? Would my knees feel better if I hadn’t let my internal ego take over and pack out way more weight than I should have? Or would I be worse off by not hitting the gym and strengthening and conditioning my body? To these questions, I would say that like most things in life, a happy medium is probably the best approach. If you’re “that guy,” crank it up if it helps push you. I’m not saying train with medium weight or medium intensity, but you should definitely let your body heal and only go full-bore when necessary.

    I hope I’m making some sense, as I don’t want to be taken out of context, so if the time comes that packing out the entire animal is easier than dragging it, then get to packing. On the same subject, frequently training with 100-pound pack weights is a bad idea. I’m not saying you shouldn’t test the waters and see how you do with that much weight, but you are potentially taking years of life off your knees and back, so it should be done in moderation. At this point, I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done when it comes to training because it has been one hell of a ride, both in the gym, field, or wilderness. The question is, will I have the same outlook in 10 years? I’m guessing if my knees and body are so shot that I can no longer hunt, I will be saying something totally different.

    So, get your butt in the gym and train like a madman! You want to be strong, fit, and ready, but stay reserved until the time comes when you really have to get after it.

    Preventive Maintenance/Stretching

    Like most people I’ve talked to in my age bracket, I’m horrible about stretching and preventative maintenance — at least I was for the first 40 years of my life. I now own multiple foam rollers, Vudu floss and massage guns, and I see a massage therapist and dry needle specialist frequently. I’m not sure how much any of this would have helped when I was younger, but the aforementioned have mostly been a lifesaver for me in recent years. Stretching and maintenance isn’t always what I’d call “fun,” but speaking from personal experience, I will say it’s worth adding to your daily routine…and stick with it if it works for you like it has for me.

    You can search out a lot of info about the items I’ve listed, specific stretches for specific issues, and which exercises to do for combating current problems. I don’t want to go into too much detail with this as I’m not remotely qualified, but I would suggest, especially as you get older, finding someone who is, and they will most certainly help you out in many ways.

    Summary

    As I type this article, I’m sitting at a table in West Texas with aoudad and mule deer hunters I’ve been guiding. My knees hurt — especially my right one — my back is a little stiff, and both my shoulders are popping a little. I still do my morning workout each day and go as hard as I can on the mountain, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to have a little less pain at times.

    All the physical issues are daily reminders that I’ve been very blessed to experience some incredible adventures with amazing people. I try to keep that in mind when my body aches a little.

    The author is a survival and backcountry hunting expert who just moved his company, Kifaru International, to Wyoming.