Dementia Patients Work With Horses In Program To Help Improve Demeanor
“Horses have this innate ability to sense nonverbal communication and mirror it back,” says Paula Hertel, the creator of the study that led to the program. “Participants learn from that -- they look at what the horses are doing and they modify their behavior and learn how to work with a horse."
Sacramento Bee:
Study Harnesses Healing Power Of Horses For Dementia Patients
A groundbreaking program that has helped people with dementia by having them interact with horses will launch at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine at the end of this month after a test run at Stanford University. The veterinary school, the UC Davis School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the nonprofit group Connected Horse will collaborate on a clinical trial, which will pair people undergoing early stage dementia and mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers with horses in the hopes of improving the patients’ demeanor and communication skills. (Caiola, 10/25)
And in other public health news --
Los Angeles Times:
Too Many Mothers Stop Breastfeeding Too Soon, And Task Force Says Doctors Should Change That
Too many mothers stop breastfeeding their babies too soon, and a panel of experts says doctors, nurses and other health professionals should do more to change that. In light of the “convincing evidence that breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits for children,” primary care providers should discuss breastfeeding with women when they are pregnant, when they are in the hospital to give birth, and after they have gone home with their newborns, according to new guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (Kaplan, 10/25)
Orange County Register:
Beach Warning Advises Staying Out Of Water, With Risk Of Increased Bacteria After Rainfall
The Orange County Health Care Agency is advising beachgoers to stay out of the water after Monday’s rainfall brought runoff to the ocean – and with it, added bacteria. The environmental health staff “advises swimmers that levels of bacteria can fluctuate significantly in ocean and bay waters adjacent to storm drains, creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms,” according to the warning sent out Monday afternoon. “The elevated levels of bacteria can continue for a period of at least three days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of the runoff.” While there’s no specific closures, the warnings are generally sent out after significant rainstorm. (Connellly, 10/25)
KPBS Public Media:
County To Spray For Mosquitoes In Chula Vista Thursday
County officials Tuesday notified residents of a South Bay neighborhood they will conduct a precautionary spraying for mosquitoes after someone in the area contracted the Zika virus while traveling. The spraying is scheduled for Thursday in Chula Vista, in an area bordered by D Street to the north, Fifth Avenue to the east, Flower Street to the south, and midway between Fifth Avenue and Broadway to the west. The schedule is weather-permitting. The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of rain to move into the region late that day. (10/25)