Watch the video: https://www.lifeminute.tv/health/video/what-right-home-care-support-looks-older-adults-and-why-it-makes-all-difference

With the U.S. expected to have more adults over the age of 65 than children by 2034, the demand for trusted, compassionate home care is rapidly accelerating. In honor of National Caregivers Day, Home Instead gerontologist and caregiving advocate, Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger, and Home Instead Care Pro Maureen Walsh joined LifeMinute to talk about the people behind caregiving, and how the right support can make all the difference for older adults and their families.

Home Instead provides in-home care for older adults, helping them age safely and comfortably — with dignity and joy — in the place they love most: home.

For more than 30 years, they’ve supported families through personalized, relationship-based care delivered by trained Care Pros in communities around the world. Their Care Pros assist with everyday needs like personal care, companionship, meal preparation, mobility support, and specialized care for people living with memory loss or chronic conditions.

Home Instead also takes a connected care approach — combining relationship-based support with technology that provides real-time updates and shared care information, so families stay informed and feel confident, even when they can’t be there.

Today, Home Instead has more than 650 locations across the U.S. and Canada and over 60,000 Care Pros providing trusted care to families every day.

Caregiving is about so much more than completing tasks — it’s about building relationships. Home Instead Care Pros take the time to truly get to know the people they support — their routines, preferences, personalities, and what brings them comfort and joy.

That consistency builds trust in the home. It helps older adults feel safe, respected, and understood day to day. And over time, that steady presence allows the Care Pro to anticipate needs and adapt as those needs change.

They also play an important role for families. By stepping in to provide support or respite, Care Pros give family caregivers the chance to simply be a daughter or son again — to enjoy meaningful time with mom or dad, focused on connection not coordination.

That’s what makes home care so powerful. When trust grows, the Care Pro often becomes more than a caregiver — they become an extension of the family.

National Caregivers Day is especially meaningful to Home Instead. For nearly 30 years, they’ve celebrated their Care Pro care of the Year program—honoring care pros who go above and beyond every single day.

This year, they honor 10 Care Pros from across the U.S. and Canada, including Maureen. They represent the very best of what care looks like—compassion, skill, reliability, and genuine human connection.

When Care Pros feel supported and valued, it shows up in the care they provide and in the lives of the older adults and families they support.

Visit homeinstead.com to find a local office and learn more about care options in their area.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/health/video/building-healthy-and-sustainable-eating-habits

As focus shifts from new year’s resolutions to building healthy habits that last, LifeMinute hit the Smoothie King headquarters in Dallas to share tips for staying on track well beyond January. So what’s the first habit people should focus on if they want real, lasting change? The biggest thing to remember is that you are unique, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition.

Sustainable habits start when you honor your individual needs, your lifestyle, your goals, and your schedule – and that’s where customizable options matter. Smoothie King knows this. They’ve spent 50 years on a vision to make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits, with delicious and nutritious smoothies made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, many with zero grams of added sugar, and customizable options that help guests turn healthy intentions into sustainable habits. They really approach smoothies differently, developing recipes, testing them hundreds of times, and working with their in-house nutritional experts to balance nutrients and flavor.

Protein is essential for stabilizing energy, managing appetite, and supporting muscle and metabolism. Starting your day with protein-rich fuel, like a smoothie or something simple like avocado toast, can really set the tone. While many brands are just now joining the protein conversation, Smoothie King has been helping guests meet their protein needs for more than 50 years, with protein-forward smoothies and meal replacements on the menu.

The challenge is that while nearly half of Americans aim for about 100 grams of protein a day, only 8% actually get there. Smoothie King makes it easy to fuel up with protein thanks to their protein-packed smoothies like the Power Meal Slim category, and the new 100g protein pack—giving you the protein you need without the extra calories. It’s a convenient way to stay full and energized throughout the day.

Also, start to think intentionally about how food supports your overall well-being. Choose “real” foods, prioritizing minimally processed fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds and whole grains to maximize nutrient intake and support long-term health. Fiber is a big one too, it’s truly the unsung hero for gut health and satiety.

Finally, build habits that fit seamlessly into your routine. When you have default choices, like a go-to smoothie order or an easy, nourishing meal, you reduce decision fatigue. Smoothie King does a great job here, from their power eats menu with high-protein toasts and protein boxes, to being the first to introduce a GLP-1 support menu last year, with high-protein, fiber-rich smoothies, and zero added grams of sugar, making them both nutritious and delicious.

To learn more and get started you can visit your local Smoothie King or download their app, where they make it easy to choose smoothies that fit your lifestyle. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, Smoothie King is turning up the “smooth” by partnering with tv personality Tyler Cameron to introduce the Berry Smooth Smoothie—a limited-time offering available nationwide at Smoothie King locations today.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/health/video/how-support-your-heart-winter-months

It’s heart health month and studies show that cold, winter temperatures force the body to work harder to stay warm, and that extra effort is one more reason to be mindful of our heart health during the colder months. Cardiologist, Dr. Tiffany Di Pietro always encourages her patients to be proactive about heart heath, especially in their 40s and beyond, and in colder temps.

Your heart is one of the hardest-working muscles in your body and relies on energy to function properly. When it comes to supplements, Dr. Di Pietro recommends Qunol Ultra CoQ10 Softgels. CoQ10 is a key nutrient your body used to produce energy at the cellular level, and no part of the body requires more energy than the heart.

While our bodies naturally produce CoQ10, those levels begin to decline with age and can also be affected by some medications. By helping supply the energy the heart needs to function properly, CoQ10 helps support vascular health and healthy blood pressure. Dr. Di Pietro recommends incorporating targeted supplementation, along with lifestyle habits like a balanced diet and regular exercise, which can be beneficial to keeping your heart healthy.

Regular CoQ10 found in many other supplements is poorly absorbed because it doesn’t dissolve well in water. Qunol Ultra CoQ10 Softgels are different. They are water- and fat-soluble to provide up to three times better absorption compared to regular CoQ10, helping people increase CoQ10 levels in just weeks.

A healthy heart supports everything you do, and Qunol is the brand that can help you champion your heart health. Qunol Ultra CoQ10 Softgels are available in 60 and 120 counts, starting at $25.99 at all major retailers including Walmart, CVS, and Costco.