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The Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness

Donna Nichols • October 3, 2023

Awareness is key!

Did you know that breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the United States and one in eight women will die from breast cancer? (breastcancer.org)


Those are statistics you don’t want to mess around with, that’s why breast cancer awareness is so important!


Breast cancer affects men and women of any age, however it affects older women more than it does young or middle-aged women.


Your risk of developing breast cancer increases significantly with age and as we continue to grow older the number of diagnoses will rise as well.


It is recommended that women ages 45 to 54 get a mammogram every year and those 55 and older can switch to every two years if they’re comfortable with that. The main reason breast cancer is more prevalent in senior women is because those over the age of 70 tend not to get their annual screenings.


Ladies, this is so important!


Please have your mammogram, even if it’s only every two years!!


The best chance of surviving breast cancer is early detection!!


Make sure you perform self-examinations and get regular mammograms; these two simple things can literally save your life!


Signs and symptoms of breast cancer



  • Lump in the breast or underarm (most common)
  • Persistent breast pain
  • Nipple discharge
  • Any kind of change in size or the shape of your breast
  • Irritation of the breast skin
  • Redness or thickening of the nipple or skin
  • Any kind of skin irritation on the breast area


Breast cancer risk factors


Some risk factors are out of our control, like family history, race, menstrual period history and breast density.


However, some are very controllable, such as obesity, alcohol intake and not being physically active.


Know the signs and symptoms, know the risk factors, know how to prevent breast cancer and know how and where to get screened for breast cancer.


As I say in almost all of my blogs, EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY!!


Want to help promote breast cancer awareness? Here are some ways YOU can help in the fight!!


1. Volunteer at one of the many organizations that promote breast cancer awareness. Relay for Life, American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are just a few. There are always local groups doing breast cancer events so I’m sure you can find something in your neighborhood.

2. Wear pink, pink is the color for breast cancer awareness. Anything pink, a ribbon, shirt, shoes, or maybe paint a few pieces of hair pink, it doesn’t matter how you choose to wear your pink as long as you wear it!

3. Participate in a run or a walk. This is a great way to meet others and learn more about breast cancer. You will meet those who have been affected by breast cancer and others who just support those who have been affected by breast cancer.

4. Help a breast cancer patient. This can be so rewarding and really help you see the impact breast cancer has on a person. It may be difficult to find a patient because of the privacy acts in place, but if you are able to do this, it will be amazing for you and them!

5. Create your own fundraiser to promote awareness and raise money for research!! What a fun idea!! Think of something new and go with it; it doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be simple. Have a “pink” bar-b-cue where everyone who comes has to wear pink and the food is $10.00 a plate with all the money going to breast cancer awareness. If you’re really good, you can get sponsors to donate the food.


October is breast cancer awareness month!


Let’s show our support for everyone who has been affected by this awful cancer by doing everything we can!!

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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