Carnations

Thursday is National Carnation Day.  This got us to wondering more about this seemingly common flower that appears in so many bouquets.

We learned that there are three kinds of carnations:  large flowered, dwarf-flowered and spray or miniature versions.

We also learned that you can grow them in your garden with more success in certain zones of the country.

Carnations are a perennial flower so plant once and they will come back.  These flowers are deer-resistant too but watch out for those rabbits.

Rabbits like to nibble on the leaves.

The botanical name for carnations is Dianthus caryophyllus.  Greek texts mentioned them so it appears that they’ve been around for thousands of years.

The Greek translation of “dianthus” is divine flower and maybe the reason that in the Christian religion they are seen as Mary’s tears.

The natural flower colors of carnations are white, red and pink but they are also available in other colors with a little dye.

You may have heard the tale of President McKinley and his love of carnations.  He was the 25th President and every day he would wear a carnation in his lapel.

He also had carnations displayed all over the White House.  He even had them in his Cabinet Room.  He considered the flower as his lucky charm.

After his assassination a rumor was started that on that day he had handed the carnation in his lapel to a little girl.  Legend has it that his luck ran out on that day.

Private Home Health Care has never tried to grow carnations but this summer we might give it a try.  A vaseful of those lovely colors would brighten up a room.

Snow

Wow!  If you were looking for snow you got your wish.

We were warned about mother nature’s amazing storm that was heading across the country from the South to the Midwest to New England and it arrived.

Many states were hit with sleet and ice which is always a dangerous situation.  Businesses closed, power lost and airline flights cancelled.

It is not often that life comes to a standstill but that’s what happened over these past few days.

For us here in New England we were left with between 13 and 22 inches of snow depending on your location.

Boston and along the coast hit the jackpot with around 22 inches.  That’s a lot of snow!

The good news is that the snow is light and fluffy.  The bad news is while light and fluffy is good the amount of snow is hard to deal with.

Sometimes the best comes out in people during these times.  

A home owner had shoveled then ran out of steam and gone back inside.  Two neighbor’s kids, fifth and first grade came over to help on their own.

The owners headed back out to shovel some more and then a Dad came to snow blow the end of the driveway and front walkway.

It took a small village but with acts of kindness the job got done.  Kindness ruled the day.

Private Home Health Care hopes that everyone stays safe and weathers the days ahead as life gets back to normal.

“Just Do It” Day

When you hear the phrase, “Just Do It” you think of shoes and the Nike Corporation. They began that motto back in 1988!

It resonates in many ways these days!  The national day of “Just Do It” is set for tomorrow.  Any ideas why?

It’s really all about procrastination.  I bet you know all about that.  Some of us are experts at it.

Procrastination, the act of postponing, delaying or putting off an activity or task.

Does that sound familiar at all?

On Saturday, it’s a brand new day to get something done that you have been procrastinating on.

It could be something as simple as washing a sweater that’s been hanging around or defrosting a refrigerator or freezer.

Maybe you owe someone a note or phone call.  Tomorrow is the day to finally get it done.

Professionals have a few tips to help with your procrastination:

• Break tasks into smaller chunks to make the task less overwhelming.
• Avoid anything that would be distracting.
• Tackle the worst task first.
• Give yourself a reward or treat.  Frequency and number are your choice.
• Don’t make big decisions.  Go to the gym one day, then think about future visits later.

We here at Private Home Health Care like to think positively.  We believe that you have the strength to think about one thing you’d like to complete over the weekend and then just do it and get it done!

Good luck!

Grandmothers

Today Private Home Health Care is thinking about grandmothers and how lucky for all of you who have had the love of a grandmother.

From a grandmother’s perspective, you can spend time and perhaps even spoil your grandchildren which was not what you did with your children.

You have life long experience and can share a different perspective.  You might find teachable moments as well.

When grandchildren are young, sleepovers, trips to the movies or out to eat make memories.  

Time is limited so as a grandmother if you get tired, you can always turn them back over to their parents.

With two sets of grandmothers you can get two different experiences.  

We have warm memories of a grandmother who knit, baked and took us out to Friendly’s.  A sleepover was so much fun too.

Another grandmother wasn’t a sewer but she showered love and attention in her own way and we knew we were well loved.

For the grandmothers out there, you were treated to laughter, questions and maybe playing with toys and maybe even some running around.

Grandchildren can keep you active, help your cognitive skills and overall make you happy.

Older grandchildren may drift away for a while but usually never too far for too long. 

Private Home Health Care appreciates the love and support that grandmothers give us.  Hail to all of you grandmothers today.

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Private Home Health Care honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day.

On April 4, it will be sixty years since the death of Dr. King but his memory and message lives on today.

Dr. King worked for equality using peaceful protesting without violence.  This was his legacy and it can still be applied in today’s world.

Today our country is at odds but we look to Martin Luther King and his vision of a better world for all to help us.

Peaceful protesting is part of the DNA of our American culture.  Following Dr. King’s lead and protesting without violence is the best answer to disagreements.

Our country has traveled down a long road and there is much more equality today than back in 1968 but let’s continue his work.

We are happy to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King today.

Arthritis and Physical Therapy

A Boston University study estimates that there are as many as 91 million people in the United States that are dealing with some form of arthritis.

Arthritis, a chronic problem of stiffening, swelling and pain of your joints.  Some people are more prone to arthritis than others and you know if you have it.

The pain worsens with age and it can be difficult to do daily tasks.

Physical therapy is one way that those suffering with arthritis can get help.  You can get pain relief, an increase in your mobility and improve what you can do.

Physical therapists are available in all communities.  Your doctor can recommend one or two that you can visit.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to handle some of the tasks that have become difficult?

Your first session would be an evaluation and a discussion of your pain.  This helps the therapist come up with the best plan to help you.

As the sessions progress, you usually get a set of exercises to do on your own.  

In the case of arthritis the exercises would help strengthen the muscles around the joints so that you can gain mobility and hopefully less pain.

The therapy that is best for you will be unique to your needs.  You could have multiple sessions and the opportunity to share your experiences with your therapist.

Your primary care physician would be your first contact.  They will recommend the best physical therapists for your needs.  Shop around it you don’t feel it is the right fit.

Private Home Health Care has seen improvements and a delay in symptoms after people have had some physical therapy. Reach out to your doctor for guidance.

Photo by Matthias Zomer

National Take the Stairs Day

Today’s National Day is all about walking.  Walking stairs in particular but walking.

You all understand how good walking is for your body.  It is such a low impact exercise with so many benefits.

Most of us are able to walk.  Outside, around a mall or inside.  Walking helps your heart, lungs and joints.  

On January 14th the goal is to change things up a bit.  

If you usually use an elevator today is the day to switch to the stairs.  

You may recall when groups started walking up and down stairs at sport stadiums.  That’s really the ultimate stair walking.

For most of us that’s a bit too straining.  Instead see how many stairs you can handle then walk up and down as many times as you can.

Any amount of stairs will do.  It all depends on you, your current health and opportunity.

It’s amazing how a set of 23 stairs can feel like a lot.  If you go up and down them a few times over the course of a day you’ve accomplished something.

Perhaps your house has a set of stairs.  Take your time and go up and down as many times as you can.  Listen to your body.  One or two times might be enough.

The American Lung Association is backing this because so many of us live with chronic health diseases.  Using stairs over elevators is a great way to help your lungs.

Private Home Health Care works with people who have lung diseases.  Trying to increase lung health with even a bit of walking up stairs is a wonderful goal.

Having a Purpose in Life

When you are young you go to school.  After school some go to college, others to work.  Some might even get married.

At each step you have a purpose for the time as a student, a worker, a mother or father.

As you age, your lives change.  You retire or your children grow up and are leading their own lives.

Does that change the purpose in your life?  Meaning is important for all of us, especially when we are older.

For each person having a purpose is key to feeling good about yourself.

Why?

• It keeps your brain active and helps your memory.
• Your risk of developing heart problems can be lowered.
• Aging can be slowed and it can help with longevity.

What are some ways seniors can be helped to regain that sense of purpose?

• Take part in activities that you enjoy.  Painting, dancing, baking, gardening.
• Ward off loneliness by talking and getting together with others.  Family, friends, residents if you are at a facility.
• If you like sports, music, reading or writing?  Take time to listen or participate.
• It might be hard but travel if you are able.
• See if you can find new interests to get involved with.

Some seniors live with chronic health issues.  You might have a bad back or arthritis that limits you.  
Private Home Health Care knows that dealing with pain can make life difficult.  We hope that you can still find ways to help yourself by finding purpose in your life.

Bathroom Safety for Seniors

During the month of January we are reminded how important safety precautions are for seniors when it comes to the bathroom.

Private Home Health Care prioritizes safety and well-being and when the majority of falls occur in the bathroom we pay attention.

You can help yourself by following some best practices when using the bathroom.  Slipping is a huge factor.

You should place non-slip mats or rubber decals in the bottom of your bathtub or shower.

Your bathmat when you get out should also have a non-slip bottom.

When in the shower, use a built in or added seat for additional safety.  Hand held shower heads are helpful.

Be sure to add grab bars that hold in the shower space.  You should be sure to place these vertically or horizontally, not diagonally.

It’s best if your water heater is not set about 120 degrees so it doesn’t burn you.

Additionally, the toilet can also be hazardous so a couple of tips:

For everyone, you may find that it’s a better idea to sit rather than stand to urinate.

Get up slowly so that you don’t get dizzy.

Consider a toilet seat that is elevated to help you not have to sit too far down.

Aging is a slow process but at some point most of us need to watch how we use the bathroom even though it is something we have done all of our lives

Stay cautious and safe to avoid falls and broken bones.  Stay well.

Plays

When was the last time you traveled to a theater to watch a play? They can be so entertaining that we are curious.

Big cities seem to have the most venues for hosting a play.  Places like Boston, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia in this side of the country.

Boston alone has multiple places to enjoy a play and they have Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

You can drive or catch the train or the MBTA and get to the Citizen’s Bank Opera House, The Wang,  Emerson Colonial Theater.

There are also smaller productions at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge or the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly.

There are Senior Centers that take day trips to see a play so it might be something to consider.  Ask your activity coordinator about planning a trip.

When you go to a play you step into another world.  You focus on the actors and actresses and the plot and you forget about any worries you might have.

The plots can be so intriguing and the acting fabulous.  If it’s a musical you get treated to great voices too.

If you go to a comedy you could stretch out your belly with laughter.  That’s always good for the mind and soul.

Private Home Health Care loves to check schedules to see what plays are happening each year.  When we see one we like we book it and have a wonderful excursion.  

Hopefully you’ll find one you like so you can have a fun day or night out too.