The third week in July celebrates ‘National Everybody Deserves a Massage Week’. This is a touching week, and we are highlighting the benefits of massage for those suffering from arthritis. At Private Home Health Care, we value integrative therapies and medicines to best benefit our clients, and massage therapy is a proven method to help ease symptoms.
Massage therapy from a registered massage therapist can be a great short-term, drug-free way to soothe arthritis pain and stiffness, as well as help you keep moving. Massage helps relieve pain and eases the muscle stiffness associated with arthritis by improving circulation, helping to reduce inflammation. That translates to enhanced blood flow to arthritic joints, improved movement, and reduced pain.
Benefits of massage are as much physical as they are mental and emotional. Massage also lowers the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol while boosting production of serotonin, which can improve mood. Additionally, massage can lower production of the neurotransmitter substance P, often linked to pain, and improve sleep as a result.
Our motto – ‘Compassion is at the Heart of Our Care’ rings true for family members of our clients as well! ‘Everybody Deserves A Massage Week’ reminds us of the importance of self care. At Private Home Health Care, our job is to provide the very best care for your loved ones and support aging in place. We encourage their family members to take the very best care of themselves! Massage therapy is a proven method for stress relief and relaxation, and a great way to do self care. This week, give or receive a massage from someone close, or book a massage this week with your favorite massage therapist, because everybody deserves a massage!
July 20th recognizes National Lollipop Day as a way to celebrate this enduring and ever-popular treat. Pick up your favorite flavor to savor!
Ever delightful and sweet, lollipops have satisfied generations of sweet tooths. And it’s possible they’ve been doing that for centuries. However, no one is sure how old the lollipop is. During prehistoric times, a form of lollipop may have preserved nuts and berries in honey.
In the United States, confectionaries and medicine shops as early as the 1860s sold lollipops in various forms. However, George Smith gave this sweet treat an official 20th-century story in 1908. Smith earns credit for inventing the modern style lollipop. In 1931, Smith trademarked the name which he claims came from his favorite racing horse, Lolly Pops.
Nowadays, lollipops are now more than just a fun candy! There are cough drops in lollipop shaped form, which is important for seniors who may be prone to choking on cough drops. Have a loved one who is a big lollipop fan? Healthier lollipops are becoming popular! These lollipops are organic and infused with vitamins, which is a fun way to take a multivitamin!
In the game of chess, two opponents go head to head with 16 playing pieces each. These pieces include eight pawns, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, one queen and one king in each color. Their objective is to capture the opponent’s king through a series of strategic moves.
Chess is recognized and scientifically proven as a powerful tool against dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is known that mental stimulation, including games, helps delay, reduce, or even improve cognitive decline and associated diseases. Chess in particular has been recognized as a leading activity for brain health. As we know, the brain is just like a muscle – if you don’t use it, you lose it, and you need to continuously exercise it in order to maintain top brain functioning.
But what about chess makes it so good for your brain?
Improves memory – Being a good player means remembering how your opponent has operated in the past and recalling moves that have helped you win before.
Grows Dendrites – This means that chess physically bolsters your brain. Dendrites are the tree-like branches that conduct signals from other neural cells into the neurons they are attached to. Think of them like antennas picking up signals from other brain cells. The more antennas you have and the bigger they are, the more signals you’ll pick up. Dementia and Alzheimer’s involve dendrites becoming weakened or tangled, which lessens memory and brain functionality. But, learning a new skill like chess-playing causes dendrites to grow!
Improved concentration – Looking away or thinking about something else for even a moment can result in the loss of a match, as an opponent is not required to tell you how he moved if you didn’t pay attention.
Problem solving – A chess match is like one big puzzle that needs solving, and solving on the fly, because your opponent is constantly changing the parameters.
Enhances Creativity – Since the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for creativity, it should come as no surprise that activating the right side of your brain helps develop your creative side. Specifically, chess greatly increases originality.
Chess uses BOTH sides of the brain – Chess is an encompassing brain-game, which means that it involves many parts of your brain! The game is considered a science and an art. Studies show that in order to play chess well, a player must develop and utilize his or her brain’s left hemisphere, which deals with object recognition, as well as the right hemisphere, which deals with pattern recognition. Over time, thanks to the rules and techniques involved in the game, playing chess will effectively exercise and develop not one but both sides of your brain, which is ideal for brain health!
Improved reading and raises IQ – Many studies have shown that playing chess improves reading and raises IQ for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors!
Strengthens planning and foresight – A telling symptoms of cognitive decline is decreased planning and foresight. Strategy games like chess can promote prefrontal cortex development and help them make better decisions in all areas of life, especially those affected by dementia.
Did you know: Millions of people all over the world have been playing chess for over a thousand years! Chess developed in India during the fifth century. Also, the term ‘Checkmate’, used when defeating an opponent in chess, derives from the Persian phrase Shah Mat. The phrase means “the King is dead.”
Today is World Emoji Day! World Emoji Day on July 17 is a holiday that validates our obsession over these little digital graphic icons. While sometimes they may seem silly, according to various psychologists and researchers, they may play a vital role in the way we communicate today. In fact, Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2015 was the “emoji” – Light up your friends’ phones with all the emojis you want today – it’s a healthy obsession.
Seniors are now using emojis in record numbers! Today’s seniors have embraced technology, which is very important for staying in touch with family and friends! The fun emojis in text messages, emails, and on social media make for an even better experience that helps express emotions and messages. Emojis help increase the sense of emotion in digital messages, which helps combat loneliness and isolation that can be challenging for seniors.
In fact, in 2016 an older adult was frustrated that she was not being represented in emojis, so she designed her own for senior citizens. In 2018, The Unicode Consortium – a group that helps to standardize text and symbols – has just approved 12 grey haired emojis. Now seniors have one more tool in the toolbox for discussing issues that impact older adults.
The release of the first iPhone by Apple in 2007 had an emoji keyboard embedded into the phone to nab the Japanese market. While not intended for U.S. users to find, they did and quickly figured out how to use it.So go ahead, send as many emojis today as you can!
World Emoji Day encourages us to use emojis to send unique messages. From transportation, food, an assortment of wild and domesticated animals to social platforms, weather, and bodily functions, emojis virtually speak for themselves.
Another reason why we love peaches at Private Home Care is because peaches are very nutritious!
Peaches are high in iron (36% of daily recommended intake!), which is important for many bodily functions, especially for promoting healthy blood cells. Eating peaches can help heart health because the help reduce factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.
Peaches boast many nutrients and antioxidants, and are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that promotes important for immunity, reducing free radical oxidative damage, and reducing the risk for chronic diseases. As we know, all of this is very important for brain health! Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and eyes, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and building a healthy gut lining.
They also can aid digestion. Peaches are a good source both insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is important for a smooth and healthy digestive system and compounds in soluble fiber provide food for beneficial bacteria in your intestines. In turn, these bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids — such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate — which feed the cells of your gut. That means that eating peaches can help reduce inflammation, improve symptoms of digestive disorders (such as Crohn’s or IBS), and decrease risk of stomach or bowel cancer. The fiber in peaches also helps keep blood sugar levels stable, and keep you fuller for longer so weight loss is easier.
Peaches are good for your skin (there is a reason why they call soft skin ‘peach fuzz’!). Compounds in peaches and peach flowers may help keep your skin healthy by maintaining moisture and protecting against UV sun damage. Antioxidants in peaches also promote younger looking skin! Additional peaches include reduced allergies, a great source of potassium, and they are widely available and easy to add to your diet.
Today, July 17, is National Peach Ice Cream Day!Taking a bite into a ripe, juicy, peach on a hot day is one of the best simple pleasures of summer! Another reason why peaches are perfect to eat during summer months is that peaches keep you hydrated because they are 85% water!
For seniors, peaches can bring back nostalgic memories of beloved summer days and they are soft fruits that can be easy to eat when cut up. Peach ice cream is even easier to eat, and it cools you off during hot weather!
If you feel extra lucky on July 17th, it might be because it’s National Lottery Day! However, you do not need to buy a ticket to win! Our clients have described Private Home Care as ‘winning the lottery’ in terms of home health care and our high quality services. Our expert, compassionate caregivers ensure the best care for our clients. Private Home Care is a sure bet for you and your loved ones!
Lotteries date back to the 15th century. While early lotteries funded village needs by feeding and clothing the poor, they also strengthened defenses. According to Random Riches author, Manfred Zollinger, one of the oldest lotteries dates back to 1441 in Bruges, Belgium.
In early lotteries, merchants paid for the chance to win money prizes. Often, the grand prizes included the tax farm on the wijnscrooderschap (wine transporters). These early Renaissance lotteries granted one grand prize winner the opportunity to own the tax farm. Their winnings also included quality control of the wine. There’s no question, merchants gained a lucrative position if they won this lottery.
In the United States, early lotteries paid for cannons during the American Revolution. Lottery money also paved roads up and down the East Coast. Today, states own and operate the lotteries. The funds they gather support government programs and the communities they serve.
We all love convenience food, but one of the simplest ways to improve your health is by preparing more home-cooked meals. Also, as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, dine-in restaurants in your area may be closed or have limited seating, or you may not feel comfortable about eating out. This can be an ideal opportunity to try cooking meals at home. Even if you’re not able to share home-cooked food with friends and family at this time, you can still experience the many health benefits – and save some money on your weekly food bills.
When you prepare your own meals, you have more control over the ingredients. By cooking for yourself, you can ensure that you and your family eat fresh, wholesome meals. It also allows you to further monitor portion controls. Many restaurants serve portions that are two to three times larger than the recommended dietary guidelines. This encourages you to eat more than you would at home, adversely affecting your waistline, blood pressure, and risk of diabetes. Preparing your own meals can help you look and feel healthier, boost your energy, stabilize your weight and mood, and improve your sleep and resilience to stress.
Despite all the benefits, many of us still think of preparing meals as a chore or something we don’t have time for. Maybe you’ve tried cooking before and didn’t like the end results, or maybe your kids just prefer take out food. Others may have difficulty with the ability to cook. Older people may find cooking to be a much more difficulty task than others due to disabilities, trouble remembering recipes, or no longer being physically able to cook for themselves in the kitchen.
Today, July 16th, celebrates National Personal Chef Day and recognized the dedication and hard work of personal chefs across the United States. There is a difference between a personal chef and a private chef. A private chef usually works exclusively for one client and typically lives in a person’s home or on the property. A personal chef may have clients, run their own business, or work for a company.
The services a personal chef provides may include preparing meals in the clients’ homes or delivering meals already prepared. They may also create a meal plan according to dietary needs or the clients’ preference. Clients then follow instructions provided by the chef for heating the meals. Some personal chefs offer catering services as well.
A personal chef service provides stress-free meals prepared to your specifications in your home. Your kitchen is left spotless with a refrigerator full of delicious meals. Having your own personal chef is not a luxury reserved for the rich. A personal chef service can cost you less than eating out at a moderately priced restaurant.
Carrying heavy grocery bags, lifting heavy pots, spending hours on your feet in front of the stove – most of us don’t give a second thought to the physical and mental work that goes into preparing a home-cooked meal. But for an aging loved one, these seemingly simple tasks can be very burdensome, leading to compromised nutrition and health.
Maintaining access to nutritious meal options is one of the biggest challenges faced by an older adult who wishes to remain living in their own home. As their ability to prepare healthy meals for themselves declines, they often turn to take-out, frozen meals, and pre-packed products for sustenance. These foods tend to be high in calories, loaded with salt and sugar, and contain large numbers of artificial preservatives.
Convenience and processed food can take a significant toll on your mood and health. Convenience food is typically high in chemical additives, hormones, sugar, salt, unhealthy fat, and calories, all of which can adversely affect your brain and outlook. It can leave you feeling tired, bloated, and irritable, as well as exacerbate symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.
Many personal chefs are very health-conscious and well-educated in the preparation of foods that heal. A good chef can prepare meals with simple ingredients that are full of flavor and add to your well-being. You won’t have to spend time agonizing over menus, shopping, or preparations since you will be able to rely on your personal chef to prepare and customize your meals to support your health goals and dietary needs.
Adhering to a nutritious meal plan can do wonders for an older adult’s physical well-being, and the benefits of a home-cooked meal can extend far beyond the food’s nutritional value. Having healthier meals cooked for him and getting regular exercise enabled one Chefs for Seniors client to go off of the blood pressure medication he’d been on for nearly a decade. One chef remembers a woman whose arthritis was so bad she could no longer make her family’s famous lasagna. Her chef was able to recreate the recipe with such precision that it brought tears of joy and memory to her eyes when she took the first bite.
Whether you are too busy to cook, unable to cook for yourself, or what have you, a personal chef is a great way to make sure you are eating healthy while still enjoying delicious meals.
It is always very exciting and relieving when a loved one finally comes home from a hospital stay! Although there is much to celebrate, there can be unforeseen bumps in the road to your loved one’s recovery at home. The home adjustment period takes about a week, and there are many low profile details that need to be attended to, such as Activities of Daily Living, errands, meals, cleaning, and more. There is also the emotional component of increased stress for the one in recovery as well as their family (who are often the caregivers) and friends. This is due to different factors, such many changes happening at once and the frustration of the patient to want to get back to normal life. Sometimes pain, certain medications, or unexpected complications may exacerbate difficulties with the adjustment period.
A great strategy is to cope ahead, this is where Private Home Health Care is here for you and your loved ones. Our company prides itself on our decades of experience caring for postoperative clients. From post-op paperwork, caregiving instructions, assistance with ADL (Activities of Daily Living), medication allocation, companionship, accompanying doctor’s appointments, assisted living, and anything in between, Private Home Care provides excellent care and a top tier experience for our clients and their loved ones.
Today, July 14th, measuring twice means something extra on National Tape Measure Day.
The tape measure comes in a wide array of sizes, colors, and materials. You can find some smaller than the palm of your hand or bigger in lengths of 300+ feet. They are used for anything from health purposes, DIY projects at home, by contractors, and in construction. They are a standard tool in almost every household and doctor’s office.
Tape measures are a useful tool for preventing and fighting against dementia. How can this be?! In older adults, body mass index (BMI)-adjusted waist circumference is positively associated with the incidence of dementia, according to study results published in ‘Obesity’. That means that using waist circumference (measured using a tape measure!) is a more acurate indicator of visceral fat than BMI. The reason why BMI – Body Mass Index – is not a reliable measurement for predicting increased risk for dementia is that BMI calculations do not discriminate between fat and lean body mass.
Waist size (measured with a trusty tape measure!) may be better than BMI as an indicator of excess fat. This is because older people tend to lose muscle and gain fat without a change in their weight. A larger waist size is also a sign of excess visceral fat, the deeper type of fat stored within the abdominal cavity. Higher amounts of visceral fat also have been linked with such health issues as heart disease and diabetes. These chronic diseases may contribute to or interplay with the risk of dementia. Sometimes it is better for your health to rely on the old fashioned tape measure than on a fancy new scale!
