Everything Elderly is on every Saturday at 8:30 a.m., on 1290 AM WLBY, sponsored by Senior Helpers. Earlier today we had two very enjoyable chats, about exercise and home health care.

We spoke first with Dr. Mira Sinha, a family practitioner with Packard Health, one of our very favorite organizations in town. Packard Health is a nonprofit providing health care for those with and without insurance.

Dr. Sinha spoke extensively about exercise. Keeping active provides a huge wealth of benefits, no matter how old we are. It’s essential, “it decreases all forms of death,” as well as helping prevent the onset of dementia. How does it help? It improves heart function, improves bone density and reduces cholesterol, to name a few ways exercise helps.

Dr. Sinha stated, “your body was made to move and be used!” But hearing the word “exercise” discourages some people from getting started. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean working out. Many hobbies, sports and social activities are considered forms of exercise. It’s good to start with activities that are enjoyable. For older folks, exercise does not increase the risk of falling; in fact it makes you stronger and decreases that risk.

Packard Health sponsors the Packard Pacers, an informal community gathering to promote walking. You can join the group at County Farm Park on Saturday mornings (sponsored in part by the Ann Arbor Kiwanis).

To contact Dr. Mira Sinha or Packard Health, please call 734-971-1073 , or go the website packardhealth.org. To listen to the 12-minute discussion, please click on this audio file Everything Elderly Dr. Mira Sinha 0703.mp3.

We spoke next with Kelvyn and Sarah Williams, the married co-owners of BrightStar, a local home health care company. The Williamses started their business about eight months ago. They wanted to work together in a business that helped people in the community, and they are very much enjoying it!

BrightStar provides non-medical and medical services. The non-medical (non-skilled) services include companion and personal care services, provided by certified nursing assistants.

Their agency provides a large range of skilled medical services. Their registered nurses help families learn how to properly take care of loved ones at home and help with recent hospital discharges. They even help with vaccination programs for the National Guard.

When choosing a home care agency, Kelvyn and Sarah encourage families to take their time and research different organizations. You want to ensure the staff is bonded and insured, that you feel comfortable with them, and that you trust them.

To get in touch with Sarah or Kelvyn Williams or BrightStar, please call 810-225-4000, or you may visit their website brightstarcare.com. To listen to the full 12-minute talk click on this file Everything Elderly Sarah and Kelvyn Williams 0703.mp3.

Alan Caldwell is the owner of Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily for the elderly. He can be contacted at acaldwell@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.