Kale

Have you ever tried kale?  

Kale is a leafy, green vegetable in the cabbage family.  Similar vegetables in the family include cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, collard greens and turnips.

You can eat kale raw as part of a salad or cooked.  Experiment if you can, having it in different ways to see how you most enjoy it and if you do, the health benefits are great.

Have you heard about kale as a superfood?  That’s because it contains so many nutrients.  Kale has vitamins A, B6, C and K and folate.  Additionally, there is fiber, carotenoids (acting as antioxidants) and manganese.

Eating 1-½ to 2 cups a week of kale (and other leafy green vegetables) can help bolster your immune system.

Kale can also help regulate your blood pressure.  On top of that the Mayo Clinic believes that it could potentially reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.

When you prepare kale you usually remove the leaves from the stems to make it more tender.  You could try and saute it with some garlic and mushrooms, use it in a smoothie or add it to a soup.  It’s delicious and healthy in so many ways.

To store kale, wrap it loosely and store in the fridge for up to five days. If kept longer, the leaves tend to toughen.

Private Home Health Care is impressed with the many vitamins in kale.  We enjoy it as a side dish and in soups.  We hope you can find ways to enjoy kale and add to your healthy diet.

National Healthcare Quality Week

The first week in October is set aside for National Healthcare Quality Week.

Private Home Health Care understands how difficult it can become for you to take care of your loved ones. Our goal is to provide quality healthcare to those you love.

There are many times that you feel it is best for your loved one to get care in their home.  This has been an area that has increased over the years.

Home health care allows for patient safety to be managed. Primary, acute or palliative care can be provided as well as hospice care.

Often you need to make difficult decisions.  

Guidance from a healthcare professional weighing options can be invaluable.  You can feel more confident in your decisions.

This week looks to recognize quality healthcare providers.  Good providers have positive impacts on patient care.

You can find events and webinars for healthcare professionals during this week.  Discussions center around the latest in patient care.  Additionally, there are events that focus on improving healthcare delivery.

As our population of elderly increases, Private Home Health Care believes it is important to make sure there is quality healthcare available for all who need it.

#HealthcareQualityWeek

Prostate Cancer

We speak about overall health issues in this blog but it’s not often that we focus on a health issue specific to men.

According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in men.  In general it affects men over 50 the most.  You can however be diagnosed at any age.

By race, statistics show that black men are at higher risk followed by caucasian men more than other races.  

You might find it interesting to learn that the American Cancer Society lists about 248,000 new cases of prostate cancer this year.  The cancer begins as the size of a walnut.

Early detection is key so it’s important for you to know the warning signs. 

• You have problems urinating.  It is weak, slow or often.
• You find blood in your urine.
• You have trouble with erectile dysfunction.
• You could have difficulty sitting down comfortably.

Talk with your doctor to discuss risk factors and screening preferences.  Options include:

Blood test to check your PSA level.  Levels vary by age. 

A digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by your doctor.

If additional testing is needed you could also have an ultrasound or MRI.

The most important thing for you to do as you age is to speak with your doctor.  If you are at higher risk you should be monitored closely.  Prostate cancer is very treatable if detected early.

Private Home Health Care understands that this is a very personal illness.  It is not often talked about.  We feel it’s important to be aware of this disease so you can get the treatments needed.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Have you ever wondered what we here in Massachusetts and New England can find for seasonal fruits and vegetables during the fall season?

It turns out that there are quite a few items that you can find at your local farms.  All fruits and vegetables that are good for you too!

In season now for vegetables are broccoli raab, cauliflower, celery, leeks, and turnips. In addition, you should be able to buy brussel sprouts and escarole.

Fresh fruits that are available include grapes, cranberries, squash and pumpkins.  Believe it or not but varieties of squash and pumpkins are considered a fruit and not a vegetable.

Furthermore fava beans are a prime shelling bean that is fresh through November.

You may say that it seems a bit limited compared to the choices we’ve had all summer.  That is true but there is still a wide variety of heart and body healthy fruits and vegetables at this time of year.

The health benefits for you are huge.  For example, cauliflower is low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, folate and vitamin K.  

Leeks in the onion family are also low in calories and high in nutrients like magnesium and vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain iron and fiber.

Your purchase of fresh grapes will provide you with antioxidants to help your cells.  In addition they are rich in nutrients like copper and vitamin K.  There are more too if you look it up.

Private Home Health Care likes to be sure to include seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables to our diets.  Check out recipes online to find different ways to use them and enjoy!

World Dream Day

World Dream Day was started back in 2012.  The goal is to encourage people all over the world to follow their dreams.

An educator from Columbia University named Ozioma Egwuonwu started the day to “heal and inspire humanity.”

All of us have had dreams at some point,  When you were younger it may have been a dream about what to be when you grew up.

As you age other ideas come to light.  Your dreams may turn to sports, writing, teaching or creating something unique.

Perhaps you wanted to become an architect so you could create skyscrapers. This must have been someone’s dream because there are many skyscrapers around the world today.

Did you dream of starting your own company?  Did you have people who helped and supported you? Would you consider Martin Luther King Jr. a dreamer?

We need dreamers like you in our world today because dreams give you hope and inspiration.  It can help give you a reason to get up in the morning.  In addition, dreams can connect you with other people.

Don’t let age be a factor in your dreams.  

C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.”

Lewis produced different writings over the years but it wasn’t until he was age 52 that he wrote one of his most famous works, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Basically, if you can dream it you can make it a reality.  You may have ups and downs but if you keep on your path your dream has the best chance.

Private Home Health Care loves this day.  It is such an inspiration to dream and to see what dreams can accomplish.  

Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Today is a day to think about falling and how to prevent falling as you age.

According to the CDC, one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each day.  There are over 36 million people who fall each year, with about three million of those people going to the emergency room for treatment..

If you are a woman you are more likely to fall than a man.  You would likely injure your hip since 95% of falls cause hip injuries. That’s enough to scare anyone.

The good news is that there are recommendations for you on how to avoid falling.  You do not need to anticipate falling if you can follow some basic guidelines.

• You should talk to your health professional about your medicines.  Review what you are taking and make sure they are still ok for you.  Check your Vitamin D and see if you need any supplements to help promote your bone and muscle health.

• Next, be sure to exercise for strength and health.  Lifting weights, even lighter ones can help to improve overall health.  There are also exercises to help with your balance. Talk to a professional about what exercises are good for you.

• Call your eye and foot doctor to have both checked regularly.  As you age cataracts can form in your eyes and that affects how you see.  You want to make sure your feet are ok and that you use the right footwear.,

• Finally, make sure your home is safe for you.  Wherever you live check that your bathroom has grab bars and non-slip mats.  Be certain that any throw rugs are safe and be sure that there are not a lot of piles in your living areas.

Private Home Health Care understands why people are afraid of falling.  Serious injuries can occur.  It’s important to be sure to take care of yourself to avoid needing a trip to the emergency room.

World Alzheimer’s Day

World Alzheimer’s Day

Every year World Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated on September 21st.

The day is set aside to help raise awareness for you and I, to support those caregiver’s dealing with family members or patients.  Another goal is to work to take the stigma away from the disease.

Today in the US, the Alzheimer’s organization estimates that there are 6 million Americans living with the disease.  Worldwide estimates increase to upwards of 55 million people.

It is a scary disease and as you age it’s easy to wonder if you might be getting a bit of Alzheimer’s.  

The truth is that it’s a natural occurrence for you to get forgetful the older you get.  The brain naturally declines and there are differences between what is natural and what has the signs of Alzheimer’s.

Memory Loss  

Memory loss is more severe.  It leads you to be confused and have difficulty performing familiar tasks. Your memory loss progresses more rapidly than normal forgetfulness.

Disorientation

You can get lost in familiar settings, lose track of time and experience a general disorientation. Additionally, you  may also find it difficult to cook, dress or use normal household appliances.

Language and Communication

You have trouble finding the right words in situations or following conversations.

Your personality changes.  You experience mood swings or become irritable and you might even have social withdrawals.  

Private Home Health Care knows how difficult this disease can be for the patients and the caregivers. We feel it is important to understand the disease and to support those affected by it.

Respect for the Aged Day

This day for respecting the aged was begun in Japan.  The world is full of senior citizens.   We feel that the concept of respecting our aged is just as important here in our communities in the United States.

You all have the expectation of getting older as time goes on.  With age can come some chronic illness, loss of family members and loneliness.

Your advancing age also brings with it experience and wisdom.  You live through many ups and downs, happy times and sad times.  Your stories become many and varied.

On this day, it’s important for each of us to make sure that you feel valued.

• We can listen to the stories of your family and friends.  Our history is your history. We gain insights on our lives and why we came to live in certain areas and how our families grew.

• We should try to listen to any advice that our seniors offer.  You can take it with a grain of salt but there could be points that may be helpful.

• Additionally, spend time with an elder and concentrate on being extra respectful.  You could try lending them a hand too.

• Spend the day at an activity that your senior would enjoy.  The time spent will be felt for many days to come.

Private Home Health Care comes in contact with many of our older population and we understand the worth of our seniors. It’s important to us that you feel listened to and respected.

International Eat an Apple Day

As the peak of apple season begins, it seems very appropriate to celebrate a day of eating an apple.

Apples are delicious. Believe it or not there are actually over 100 different kinds of apples!  You won’t see them all in the grocery store however.  What you will find are the most popular varieties in stores or in apple orchards.

Some varieties offered are Fuji, Macintosh, Golden Crisp, Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Gala to name a few.

The health benefits are tremendous.  Apples contain antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. Apples may also support weight loss and heart health.  Likewise they show links to lowering your chance of Type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately some growers use chemicals to keep them from spoiling. It’s important to be sure to wash your apples well in warm water before you eat them.   Talk to your grocer about where the apples come from or locate an organic grower if possible.

There are so many different ways for you to enjoy apples.  You can eat them with some peanut butter, make apple butter, use them in a Waldorf salad or in pancakes.  You might also try using them with roast pork.  Delicious. 

Additionally, you might treat yourself to an apple pie!  There are some folks who think either the macintosh or cortland apples are best!.  We’ll let you be the judge of that.

Private Home Health Care loves to enjoy an apple, especially during this peak season. Johnny Appleseed would certainly endorse that!

Encouragement

Can you think of anyone who doesn’t need encouragement at some point in their life?

One definition of encouragement is “to inspire with courage, spirit or hope.” Is there a time in your life when you were given hope?

It’s often natural and easy to give encouraging words to children or young adults.  We want them to succeed, so words like “great job” or “fabulous thinking” come easily.

What about as we get older?  Is encouragement still as important?  We say yes it is!

As you age activities can get more difficult.  Your mind may not respond as quickly.  Positivity and encouragement become even more important.

It’s easy to second guess yourself and perhaps even shy away from activities or events.  

Try to surround yourself with people that uplift you.

If you deal with an aging friend, try and share supportive words with them.  Check in and spend some time focusing on the positives.  

Life can get overwhelming at times and encouraging words can often make a person feel better.  When you feel better your outlook on life improves.

By being kind with our seniors it can make them feel still valued and important.  Words like “I value your wisdom” or “you make the world a better place just by being in it” are just a couple of examples of encouraging words.

Private Home Health Care respects our seniors and we strive to be encouraging to them as we administer care.  We hope you can find ways to be encouraging too.