National Scrabble Day

Today is National Scrabble Day.  The board game was created by Alfred Mosher Butts, born April, 13 1899. 

It was the Great Depression and Alfred found a way to get people together with a game of Scrabble.  Interesting fact: the game first carried the names of Lexiko and Criss-Cross Words before it finally became Scrabble.

The game is played with two to four players.  You create words using individual letter tiles on a 15 x 15 game board.  Each tile has a number of points assigned to it.  To win, you add up each word and keep track of total points for each player.  The player with the most points wins.  Hint: There are many two-letter words that can add up in points!

This is a great game to focus and stretch your mind. It’s also a great opportunity for you to interact and enjoy camaraderie with others.  Is it just you?  You can play Scrabble solitaire and challenge yourself.

Scrabble is now with Hasbro, Inc.  It is a popular game sold in 121 countries and in 29 different languages.  The game was even inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2004 (who knew?)!  The cost varies but is offered as low as $20 so it’s definitely affordable.

We at Private Home Health Care love to challenge our minds to keep us fresh and vibrant!!  Playing Scrabble is one way to do it!

National Pet Day

Today is National Pet Day, a day to enjoy and pamper our pets.  Give a treat to whoever your furry friend is.  You can hug your dog or cat, or put out special food for your bird or hamster.  There’s always a way to give a little extra care to those animals that make us happy.

Private Home Health Care knows that pets can have very good benefits for the elderly.  Depending on the pet, you can get more physical activity.  A pet also gives you social interactions and a sense of purpose and security. You may even decrease your risk for heart disease based on some studies.

The right pet can help you enjoy life a bit more and lower stress.  Pets can definitely make you feel loved and they can also help take your mind off of any pain.

We realize that it can be difficult for some to have a pet.  When you think about a pet, it’s important to keep in mind a few things:

Your mobility.  A pet needs to match your ability to move.  A cat or bird might be better if you have trouble getting out.

Costs – Some pets can get more expensive than others with vet bills and food.  If you are on a fixed income be sure to keep expenses in mind.

Housing – Where you live may determine what type of pet you can have.  Check in with your housing authority contact before you make any decisions.

Check out this site if you have any interest in getting a pet and good luck!  https://aginginplace.org/seniors-and-pets/

April Flowers

One celebration in April is for National Garden Month.  April teases us with warm days and rain.  It promises sunnier and warmer days to come.  It can be the perfect time to think about gardens.

If you are a gardener, you know that it’s the time to start some seedlings or time to go to the garden store for some plants.  It’s also the time to admire your plantings from last fall.  The daffodils, hyacinth, tulips and crocus come to life.  Bright colors appear as a prelude to new blossoms to come.

You can find plants to make a patio garden if you live in an apartment or assisted living.  Flowers can really brighten our living space.  You might even try planting some veggies to enjoy later on in the summer.  Many plants do well in containers.

For those who are not gardeners, there are many ways to enjoy gardens this month.  Take a walk around your neighborhood and see what’s sprouting in neighbors’ yards.  Try visiting a local rose garden.  The roses are beautiful and have a nice scent.  Look for an Audubon Society location near you.  In addition to new plants growing you’ll most likely see and hear different birds.  You might spy birds preparing nests.  

Private Home Health Care loves springtime and beautiful plants and gardens.  It truly is a new beginning after a long, cold winter.

National Walking Day

Starting in 2007, the American Heart Association declared the first Wednesday in April as National Walking Day.

Walking gives all of us, no matter our age, good health benefits which is why the AHA decided to give it a name.  A 30-minute walk each day helps with cardiovascular health, makes muscles stronger and improves mental health.  

As we age we often get achy joints so walking can also help gain better flexibility in your joints. Imagine moving your body easier? 

In many areas the weather is starting to get better so a walk outdoors can be lovely.  There are also malls to walk and if you have a treadmill that’s an option too.  Add some music or watch a show to help pass the time.

Private Home Health Care hopes you share stories about your walking adventures using #NationalWalkingDay.  Walking is a great habit to start!

National Vitamin C Day

Today is National Vitamin C day.  The vitamin that is the fighter of colds and the friend of healthy skin.

Spring can be a time for colds.  If you feel one starting to take hold, you can load up on foods high in Vitamin C to help ward it off.  

Oranges are good but there are foods with higher amounts of Vitamin C that you can easily find.  Food like red bell peppers, guava, papaya and chili pepper.  

Rosehip is an herbal medication high in Vitamin C that can help treat osteoarthritis.  If you suffer from gout, try adding Vitamin C to your diet for some relief.

Your skin could benefit from Vitamin C too.  Harvard Health has conducted studies using Vitamin C in a topical form.  The studies indicate help with sun damage (when used with a sunscreen).  The vitamin can also help improve dark spots and acne, and with some wrinkles.  Your dermatologist should guide you on what is the best product for you.

Private Home Health Care hopes you can add Vitamin C to your diet and and look for more good information on social media using #vitaminCday.

April Fools’ Day

Private Home Health Care would like to know how your day has been going on this first day of April?  Have you had any pranks done to you?  Have you pulled any pranks on anyone else?  

April 1 can be such a fun and silly day in so many different cultures.  While no one seems to know for sure how the pranks started according to the History Channel there are some guesses.

One theory is the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.  Both the Hindu and Julian calendars had April 1 as the beginning of the Equinox.  The change had the year beginning on January 1.  Some people took a long time to understand this so they were called April fools.  The prank was to attach a paper fish to the back of those gullible people.

In the northern hemisphere, the vernal equinox is tied to the first day of Spring.  The” joke” is the unpredictable weather that those inhabitants have been known to experience.

In Scotland in the 1700’s, there were two days of April foolery.  The first day was a day to send people on make believe errands.  This was called “hunting the gowk” (a cuckoo bird which symbolizes a fool).  The second day was Tailie Day.  This was a day to pin fake tails or “kick me” signs on the backs of people. 

Whatever the origin, Private Home Health Care wishes you some fun and laughter on this first day of April in 2022!

National Doctor’s Day

Where would we be without the doctors in our lives?  Each year on March 30 it is National Doctor’s Day.  A day to say thank you and show appreciation for the doctors who care for us.

The National day was first celebrated in 1933 and then on February 21, 1991, President George W. Bush proclaimed this day as an official day to honor the Nation’s physicians.

Healthcare is so important for each of us. We count on our doctor to be up-to-date on the latest health news and illnesses.  When we don’t feel well we look to our doctor to help.  

As of 2021 there are a little over a million doctors in the United States.  That number includes primary care physicians as well as specialists.  The role of a specialist has become ever more important in today’s healthcare.

Private Home Health Care appreciates the role of doctors in our lives especially as we age.  If you have a connection with a doctor, today is a day to acknowledge it by saying thank you in a letter, with a phone call or on social media using #NationalDoctorsDay.

Music

Tomorrow is World Piano Day which occurs yearly on the 88th day of the year.  Interesting fact:  this day of the year matches the number of keys on a piano.  The goal is to showcase the joy of playing the piano and highlight the celebration of music.

Music makes Private Home Health Care think about music therapy and the great benefits it has both physical and mental.  Music therapy is very popular and often offered in assisted living facilities and living spaces for the elderly.

Physically, music therapy gets us involved in playing simple instruments, singing or dancing.  This promotes physical activity and can help heart and cardiovascular health, muscle strength and bone density.  Balance, coordination and flexibility, distraction from pain and lifting spirits are other benefits.  All important to us as we age.

Mentally, music can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.  The elderly can feel isolated so group music therapy can bring people together and help communication.  For those afflicted with dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s music can help them access happy memories.  For patients who have trouble communicating, music can give them a way to express themselves with their caregivers.

Private Home Health Care loves music and hopes tomorrow everyone can enjoy the type of music they love and extend it all through the year!

World Tuberculosis Day

March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day.  This day was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness.  

According to the WHO there are large populations of the world that make up 86% of new cases.  These include India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.  Funding is needed to test in these countries and lower the cases.

Tuberculosis is curable thanks in part to Dr. Robert Koch who on March 24, 1882 discovered the bacterium that causes it.  The first person was vaccinated in 1921.  In the United States we had only a little over 7,000 cases in 2020 and while the count is low we should not get complacent with testing.  Talk to your healthcare provider about testing and if you are at high risk and need a vaccine.

Private Home Health Care knows that tuberculosis can be latent and never become a factor.  We also know that it is important that we in the healthcare field stay vigilant and aware.

National Healthy Fats Day

Has anyone ever said the words, “all in moderation” to you?   It might have been a parent, a doctor or a nutritionist but most of us have heard those words in a sentence at some point.

I ask because when it comes to the word “fats” in food it gets right to the point.  Today is the day where we look to the “good” fats that are helpful to our bodies, especially when used in moderation.

Fat in foods usually has a bad connotation but healthy fats are critical to a person’s well being.  Healthy fats help with keeping a healthy brain, it helps with cell membranes and hormone production.  They also help you absorb nutrients like vitamins like A, D, E and K.  Healthy fats can also help you feel full longer. All good things!

What are healthy fats you ask?  

Olive oil and avocado oil are a great substitute for butter.  Speaking of avocados, add these into your diet.  Try having avocado with a poached egg or in a sandwich.  They are a great source for healthy fat.

Nuts are another good source.  Nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews and pecans.  Do you like cheese?  The good news is that mozzarella, blue cheese, feta and cottage cheese are among the top five cheeses for healthy fats.  If you are looking for something sweet, small amounts of dark chocolate can fit the bill.

Private Home Health Care loves healthy fats, and wants you to remember to be certain to eat them in moderation.  Like many things in life, moderation is the key to a happy and healthy life.