A Hindu Holiday

Tomorrow is Onam.  This is a holiday filled with traditions, rituals and festivities.  It is one of the three major holidays in India.

Onam marks the homecoming of a mythical character called King Mahabali.  After a victory over Mahabali, lord Vishnu allowed him to come and oversee his kingdom once a year. 

To remember his visit tradition would have you experience the following things:

Pookalam – you will see beautiful and very intricate flower patterns placed at the entrance of homes.  These represent the enthusiasm and prosperity of the season.

Feast (Onam Sadya) – you eat a traditional Kerala meal of delicious foods.  The usual fare is a mixed vegetable dish cooked in coconut and yogurt, spicy lentil stew with vegetables, a stir fry made with vegetables and freshly grated coconut and a sweet dessert made with lentils or rice.

Boat Race (Vallam Kali) – you follow a boat that is beautifully decorated, has speed and the riders have endurance.  It is a very popular event.

Tiger Dances (Pulikali) – this is a contest where people use paints to color themselves like tigers and dance joyfully.

There are also local fairs and cultural events to celebrate the holiday.  Onam really represents togetherness and the opportunity to embrace cultural events.  

Private Home Health Care has enjoyed learning about this Hindu celebration.  Following the tradition of Onam we wish you happiness, prosperity and festive cheer in your celebrations. 

Labor Day

Private Home Health Care would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day.

We are grateful for the trade unions and labor movement for beginning this holiday to honor and recognize the works of laborers.  The holiday became an official federal holiday in 1894 and it’s been celebrated by many ever since.

For those of you who have the day off, we hope you relax and make the most of the last unofficial day of summer.

For those of you working today, thank you.

Many of you work to keep services open.  At Private Home Health Care we are responsible for the wellbeing of many so we continue to work with our clients as we do every day.

Today, you can still get your coffee, groceries and shop stores thanks to those working.  You might enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant.  Hours can vary but places are still open. Hospitals, maintenance, customer service and tech employees are among those also working.  

Whatever you do today, we wish you a sensational day.

History of a Toy

What does a mechanical engineer, the Navy and a toy have in common?

If you guessed the Slinky you are right!

It turns out that the Slinky was the idea of a naval engineer named Richard James.  He was working trying to come up with something for the Navy that would secure equipment on their ships while the ship was rocking.

Richard didn’t get it quite right but as he watched coils tumble end-over-end in the experiment he had an idea.  Would this make a good toy??

He and his wife did research and came up with the name “Slinky.”   Richard worked out the perfect dimensions for the spring.  

They got a $500 loan and displayed 400 at Gimbels in Philadelphia. Amazingly, they sold out in 1945 and in 1947 they got a patent.  

We tell you this because today is Slinky day.  A day to bring you back to your childhood.  If you grew up in the 70’s you would have heard this line in the jingle, “It’s Slinky, it’s Slinky a fun and wonderful toy . . .” .

After 77 years, Slinky is still around and sold today.  The cost back then was $1.00.  You can buy one for as little as $3.59 so it’s still an affordable toy. 

Private Home Health Care hopes you have enjoyed this little bit of the popular Slinky on its special day.  We are going to look for ours now and give it a try on some stairs.

Literacy

During this week of Literacy and Numeracy we are thinking about all the schools heading into a new school year and the importance of literacy.

The United States is listed as having an average of a 79% adult literacy rate with 21% being illiterate.  Data shows that 34% of those considered illiterate were born outside of the US.

The ability to read and write gives you a sense of worth and a view into all things in the world. 

In most countries literacy opens many doors in society.  

According to the National Literacy Institute, literacy is a key to shaping your career trajectory.  The more literate you are the better your possibility of obtaining well-paying and well-skilled jobs.

Learning to read in the early years of school is important to become literate.  As an adult, it’s invaluable to be able to read to live your life fully.

To help children, reading to your children at home is so helpful. Oftentimes there are sites that offer books for low or no cost.  Your community should also have a library that you can access.  

If you are an adult and you have difficulty reading or if English is not your first language, do not be ashamed.  Check local community colleges or centers for adult learning.  Often there are classes available at low or no cost to help.

You can find an array of information on how to improve literacy on the internet that can be overwhelming.  Look to your schools and teachers to help guide you for those of you with school age children. 

Follow your child’s progress in school.  Pay attention to what they are learning. If you notice any issues be sure to ask questions of the teacher and school.  There are many services available to children with reading difficulties.  

Private Home Health Care understands the importance of literacy.  We love to read books and we want everyone to be able to enjoy what reading has to offer. 

Osteoarthritis

As you age and once you are over the age of 65, you may be aware of some aches and pains that are new to you.  Arthritis is a common condition shared by many seniors. 

The CDC actually estimates that 49.7 percent of those over the age of 65 deal with some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is one type of arthritis.

Perhaps you are a bit overweight.  This can add stress to your joints.  You might have also had a joint injury.  Then again, it could also be hereditary.  It is not a guarantee but your family history may have something to do with it.

You will notice that you have joint pain with osteoarthritis.  As you age there is a lot of “wear and tear” on your joints.  Your cartilage wears down and your bones rub against each other.

The joints in your knees, hips, feet and spine are often affected causing you pain.

What can you do to help alleviate the discomfort?

• Staying active is very important.  Low impact activities for you are weight bearing exercises, walking, water aerobics or swimming.

• If you are overweight, losing weight and following a healthy diet are good options.

• There are medications and creams you can use that may help with pain.  Over the counter acetaminophens, like Tylenol,  can be helpful and not harmful to your body.

• Using a heating pad or cold packs is also a way to manage the pain.  Check in with your health provider on which is better for your condition.

Private Home Health Care deals with many patients who have arthritis and we know how uncomfortable the condition can be.  Working with a healthcare professional and taking care of yourself is important. 

Coconut Week

“You put the lime in the coconut and you drank ‘em both up.  The doctor said put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning.”

Do you remember that song?  Is it true that coconuts can be medicinal??

Well, we’ve read that a coconut is believed to help you:

• Counteract some poisons
• Ease inflammation
• Kill bacteria
• Treat diarrhea and kidney diseases
• Reduce pain
• Help with menstrual issues

That sounds medicinal to us!

Interestingly, there is only one type of palm tree that produces all the coconuts in the world.  It’s called the “tree of life” with all three parts of the coconut used for something.

You can eat the “meat” and drink the juice.  You can make mats from the branches and make a hut out of the trunks.  Talk about not wasting!

As far as nutrients, you’ll get good fiber along with iron, manganese, copper and magnesium for essential minerals.

Coconuts are pretty low in sugar and calories but a bit higher in saturated fat content. One difference in the fat of a coconut is that it’s a medium-fatty chain acid. These acids can actually help your brain function and cholesterol levels.  The fat of beef and other animals affects your cholesterol a bit more.

The jury is still out on coconut oils and how this affects our bodies.  This blog talks about the actual coconut fruit.  Yes, it’s classified as a fruit and not a nut!

Private Home Health Care appreciates all the health benefits of coconuts.  Now, we just need to learn the best way to buy and open them!

Senior Citizens Day

Once again we are in August and it’s Senior Citizens Day. 

You may not feel like a senior citizen but technically if you are over the age of 65 you are considered to be one in our United States.

As you enter your “golden years” you are likely taking care of your house or condo, walking, driving and you could still be working.  You are considered a contributing member of your community.

Fast forward a few years and your retirement.  Hopefully your body and mind are well and you participate in activities that you enjoy.  You may travel the world or the country for fun. 

Whatever you do we hope you make the most of your adventures.  If you are more of a homebody maybe you garden, read or knit, that’s awesome too.

At Private Home Health Care we appreciate our seniors.  We strive to provide high quality caregiving to allow you to live your best quality of life by aging in place.  

We understand that as you age it can be more difficult to handle day-to-day tasks.  Your memory may be slowing down as well as your body.  We want to show you that this does not mean that you cannot lead a productive and happy life.

On this day we celebrate all seniors.  We appreciate your achievements and dedication and we are passionate about providing the care you need at the right time.

National Radio Day

Tomorrow is National Radio Day.  

The Golden Age of radio is considered to be approximately from the 1930’s to the 1940’s. If you lived during the early 19th century the radio was an important part of your life.  

Your family likely gathered around the radio waiting with anticipation for a show.  Your parents turned the radio on and tuned it to a station then shushed you so everyone could hear.

As a child you might have enjoyed Little Orphan Annie, Flash Gordon or Amos ‘n’ Andy. There were also anthology shows with famous actors called The Lux Radio Theater.  

Did you listen to a reading of H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds?  Your sleep may have been filled with nightmares as a child unless you were shooed out of the room by your parents. 

Was there dancing in your living room?  Your parents could have fun dancing on the living room rug to the music of Arte Shaw, Tommy Dorsey or Benny Goodman.  Radio was fun for kids and adults.

The 1940’s brought a somber note to radio.  You lived through the second World War so there would have been radio broadcasts on updates from the front.  Foreign news correspondents shared breaking news and Franklin D. Roosevelt was often heard.  Hard times to gather around the radio during this time.

Television hit shortly after the war so the radio took a back seat in family life.  You could still listen to the radio in your room or in your car but television ranked higher with its visual appeal.

We imagine that your memories of radio bring you back to a special time in your life.  Listening and using your imagination to picture what you heard was very special. 

Private Home Health Care uses the radio in different ways now but it still plays an important role in our lives.  Turn it on and listen to some music or a radio show and enjoy.

Summer Camp

Did you go to a summer day camp?  What do you remember?  

Did you have fun activities?  Was there a pool where you could swim?  What was your favorite part and what about your least favorite part?

Summer camp can bring back many feelings.  It can be a wonderful experience with some challenges but hopefully it’s a happy and fun time.

First, you get to know fellow campers from different backgrounds, some might turn out to be friends for a while and others acquaintances for the week or so while you are at camp.

There are counselors you’ll meet, many counselors.  Your group counselors for one.  They keep you together and lead you to various camp activities.  They are there to listen and help.

Specialists are counselors who run activities.  You work on fun projects at arts and crafts.  Put on your thinking cap for Science and Nature.  Think of a skit to perform at Theater.

You learn how to play different games at Sports and get a racket and learn some tennis.

Get musical at Music and look for fun games to play. Music is universal.  

Sometimes there are moments that are not as easy or fun as others.  You probably carried a backpack around with you, usually on the heavier side.  You need swimsuits, a towel, snack and lunch.  Let’s not forget water!

Additionally, you may remember waiting.  Waiting for everyone to change.  Waiting to line up and waiting for activities to begin.  Not always easy to do for campers.

Overall, a day camp can be a wonderful experience and create memories and friendships for a lifetime.  Some camps also include children with special needs.  These campers get the same experience as everyone else.

Private Home Health Care hopes that you have had a chance to experience a summer day camp. It can be such a fun time in your life and is sure to leave you with memories.

Hearing Loss

Today we are thinking about hearing as you age. Have you noticed any changes?

You discover that you need to turn the volume up on the television when you are watching your favorite show.  You might ask people to speak up when talking to them or you may even not realize when someone is talking directly to you.

Once you are into your 70’s and 80’s you are likely to have hearing loss.  Often with hearing loss, you find yourself getting frustrated and it could be that you are less social and withdrawn without realizing it.

The first thing you should realize is that hearing loss is a common problem and not your fault.   

Next, you should check in with your medical professional to see if hearing loss has begun.  There are times that earwax can cause hearing problems and that is easily fixed.

Your next step with a diagnosis of hearing loss is for you to think about if you want to use hearing aids. Today you’ll find that there are many hearing aids available and you could get overwhelmed. 

You can visit the Mayo Clinic’s website for more detailed information but in general you will find:

Hearing aids that are molded and fit into your ear.

Some that fit into your outer ear.

Aids that go over the back of your ear or behind the ear and partially in the ear..

Your hearing aids can have noise reduction, directional microphones and rechargeable batteries.

Private Home Health Care knows that it can be difficult to decide on how best to handle hearing loss.  We hope that you can work with your medical professional and a family member if you need help.  Hearing is an important part of an active and happy life.