Food for Thought : Health Literacy Month October is Health Literacy Month.

This is a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in health care facilities, retail outlets and through other media. Not fully understanding your health care provider’s instructions can cost you money and have health consequences. This was first started in 1999, and has now grown to an annual worldwide awareness-raising event. This year’s theme is "Be a Literacy Hero" and encourages us all to take action and find ways to improve health communication. Here are a few ways to help you and your family increase their health literacy:
1 .   Make sure you take all of your medications to your next doctor’s visit with you. Ask your physician to go over all of your medications and supplements.

2 .   Ask questions. Keep asking questions until you understand the information. Although asking questions may not be easy, it can get you the information you need to take care of yourself and your family members.

3 .   Have another adult go with you. This can be especially important when you expect to receive important information. Also, offer to go to the doctor with a relative or friend when you know he/she may be receiving important news.

4 .   Make sure that those providing care to your children or elderly loved ones are familiar with all of their medication doses, timing, interactions and side effects.

Words of Wisdom :By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.