Author: abington

February may be the shortest month but there is so much to commemorate in these 28 days! Find books at the library about Black History Month, the Winter Olympics, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, Chinese New Year, Ramadan, plus it’s National Library Lovers month too! Click the link for our catalog and start searching for the perfect book today: https://lackawanna.chilipac.com/r1s/eg/opac/home

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation declaring February American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.

Tips on action items you can take to prevent heart disease:

• Know your risk. Knowing your risk can help you make lifestyle changes.
• Eat a healthy diet. Start making healthy choices that include daily vegetables and less processed foods.
• Be physically active. Move more – it’s one of the best ways to stay healthy, prevent disease, and age well.
• Watch your weight. Stay at a healthy weight for you.
• Check your blood pressure and cholesterol. These are two main risk factors that could lead to heart disease.

Raising awareness is essential not only in the month of February but also year-round.

It’s also the perfect time to take training from the American Red Cross on how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to help save lives. Cardiac arrest claims thousands of lives every year. Red Cross CPR/AED classes can help you save a life when every moment counts.

Take a lifesaving class today, at redcross.org/take-a-class.

Source: American Heart Month: Be Prepared to Save a Life. www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida/about-us/news-and-events/news/american-heart-month–be-prepared-to-save-a-life.html?srsltid=AfmBOopnec5_ouazk4Z7C2RZo98SHwMlN_fJ1H2Anx0b0Tm2HKqsw0y4.

Black History Month allows us to learn about, celebrate, and honor Black leaders. Many of these leaders who contributed to the world in the name of science, innovation, and economy were never acknowledged and/or received their honor. Black History Month celebrates and puts their achievements in recognition.

Black History Month is a time for the world to acknowledge key figures from our past and present. It’s an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements that African Americans have accomplished in this country. Collectively, we can honor their contributions and transformational impacts on American history.

When we celebrate Black History, we consciously acknowledge the important roles and historical presence of African Americans in the fabric of the United States. To know the African American story and for Black culture to be represented in proper context is necessary and it matters. Story-telling and accurate representation restores value, honor, and diversity to the larger narrative of American history. When we honor Black History, we honor American History.

Source: Black History Month. onecirclefoundation.org/blog/guest-blogger/black-history-month.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21954357337&gbraid=0AAAAADmGJH9Ir6VbWDozqhRHEOR5eipv6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIob3rkbK7kgMVezYIBR3AOSoAEAAYASAAEgKuFfD_BwE.

As early as 1916, when New York became the first state to declare an “American Indian Day,” efforts have been underway to acknowledge the many contributions and achievements of Native peoples. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial commemoration, S.J. Res. 209 authorized President Gerald Ford to proclaim October 10-16, 1976, as “Native American Awareness Week.” In 1986 Congress passed S.J. Res. 390, requesting that the president designate November 23–30, 1986, as “American Indian Week.” Congress continued this practice in subsequent years, declaring one week during the autumn months as “Native American Indian Heritage Week.”

In 1990 Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month). “American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States of America,” noted H.J. Res. 577. “Native American Indians have made an essential and unique contribution to our Nation” and “to the world.” Introduced by Hawaii senator Daniel Inouye and congressional delegate Eni Faloemavaega of American Samoa, the joint resolution stated that “the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon Federal, State, and local governments, interested groups and organizations, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.” In 2008 the commemorative language was amended to also include the contributions of Alaskan Natives. Every year, by statute and/or presidential proclamation, the month of November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month.

Source:

U.S. Senate: Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. (2023, October 25). https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/American_Indian_Heritage_Month.htm

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support for the more than 6.2 million Americans living with it.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, deadly brain disease for which there is no cure, and is not a normal part of healthy aging. Researchers are still working to discover the root cause of the disease, but it’s widely believed to be due to the buildup of misfolded proteins between nerve cells, which causes brain damage. This damage begins a decade or more before symptoms start to show. It’s important to monitor yourself and your loved ones for any signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can proceed Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:

• Memory loss
• Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
• Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
• Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
• Repeating questions
• Trouble handling money and paying bills
• Wandering and getting lost
• Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
• Mood and personality changes
• Increased anxiety and/or aggression
• Difficulty with language

Signs of MCI:

• Losing things often
• Forgetting to go to events or appointments
• Having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age

Treatment and Research

Getting checked by your health care provider can help determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to Alzheimer’s disease or MCI. Treatment of the disease may involve medications, lifestyle management strategies and enrollment in clinical trials.

Source:

November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month: What You Need to Know. (2022, November 1). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2022/11/november-is-alzheimers-disease-awareness-month-what-you-need-to-know