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Older adults most at risk for loneliness

Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them. ——— As human beings, we are hardwired for social interaction. Our ...

Relationship violence is not OK

Healthy relationships are comprised of things like trust, honesty, respect, equality and compromise. Everyone does not see or feel these things in their relationships. According to the youth.gov website, “Teen dating violence is a serious problem in the United States.” The burning question: “Why?” There are five facts about teen dating violence from the National Institute on Justice. These were learned from a survey about teen relationships. — Teen dating relationships that involve violence often involve physical violence from both persons in the relationship. In violent ...

Stop human trafficking

A couple of weeks ago, Operation Buyer’s Remorse stamped “Not in Ohio” on 160 persons across Ohio who were arrested in connection with human trafficking. Law enforcement officers are reiterating that they are committed to helping victims of human trafficking if those persons will just reach out. In this operation, 104 victims were referred to services that can help them. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost advised, “You are contributing to trafficking when you are putting money down for sex. Don’t buy sex in Ohio.” A Lake County police lieutenant, Harry Harpster, emphasized, ...

Language likely won’t impact abortion vote

Except for a minor tweak, the Ohio Supreme Court decided to keep ballot language for the reproductive rights constitutional amendment that will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot intact. But no matter what the court decided, many people are unlikely to read the ballot language before they vote or understand it. Voters know the proposal would make abortions accessible in Ohio if it passes. Also, we will be inundated with ads from both sides telling what they see as the impact of the constitutional amendment. There will be those swayed by what they read and see. Why else would there be a need ...

God has a plan

“By all rights, I should be dead,” said Tomas Santiago, a recovering addict willing to speak up about the path the 54-year-old has taken and led him to become an advocate for recovery that works. He is 11 years clean. “Family Recovery saved my life.” Tomas speaks of his millionaire father who was ordered to pay $25 per week in child support, and then took the child’s mother back to court to remove the child support. He speaks of his step-dad who bought a house in the Bronx. But the man was a cheater, he said, and told his mother that she, Tomas, and his half-siblings had to ...

In plain sight

It’s a fact: kids hide things from their parents, for whatever reason. It seems that now, more than ever, parents need to have good communication with their children because outside influences encourage secrecy for their own benefits. As parents, we are legally responsible for our children, the souls we brought into this world, have loved to the moon and back. We protect and guide them for their good health and well-being, encourage them to dream and pursue their goals. Let’s use vaping for an example. More youth than adults use e-cigarettes, says the U.S. Surgeon General. Johns ...