Private Home Care wholeheartedly supports and advocates for the freedom of aging in place. We fully understand the importance of independence and freedom for your loved ones.
We are unique in that our decades of experience in home care help us to achieve a thoughtful balance between caregiving and personally tailored independence for your loved ones.
Private Home Care promotes and educates about living a healthy lifestyle. Lifelong health enables long standing independence and freedom, which is at the core of American values.
Our philosophy of “Compassion is at the Heart of Our Care” encompasses deep consideration for responsible freedom and independence for our clients. We adhere to this every day as a meaningful part of well-being.
Private Home Care honors Memorial Day. We also are strong advocates for nutrition. And we are combining the best of both worlds! It is also a great way to honor a loved one who has fallen in the line of duty by making their favorite foods – healthy versions!
Healthy Red White and Blue Potato Salad — no mayo!
This is a classic dish for Memorial Day barbecues, but does not have any mayo and incorporates yummy fresh herbs! (Extra points if you grow the herbs in your Tower Garden!)
Ingredients: 2 cups fingerling potatoes halved lengthwise (about 10 ounces) 2 cups small red potatoes, quartered (about 10 ounces) **a great substitute are red carrots – adds more flavor and texture to the dish! 2 cups small blue potatoes, halved lengthwise (about 10 ounces) 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 3 hard-cooked large eggs, finely chopped 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 garlic clove, minced
Step 1 Place fingerling and red potatoes (or red carrots!) in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
Step 2 Place blue potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Add blue potatoes, onion, parsley, dill, chives, and eggs to bowl; toss gently.
Step 3 Combine vinegar and remaining ingredients. Pour over potato mixture; toss gently to combine. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
This year, Memorial Day looks different. There are not the usual types of crowds and concerts in order to protect against COVID19 from spreading. You may not be able to have face to face visits with older loved ones on this holiday. Although this is challenging, it can help to remind ourselves that many of our eldest seniors are war veterans, and by socially distancing yourself you are protecting them, just like they protected us and our country during their military service.
Private Home Care encourages us to look to Memorial Day 2020 as an opportunity. This Memorial Day is slower-paced, which gives us time to reflect upon the real meaning of Memorial Day. Of course, Memorial Day is solemn. But it is also an opportunity to reflect upon, appreciate and be thankful for the freedom that we enjoy every day in the United States of America. We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by prospering, enjoying our liberty and preserving our American values.
-Not all salads have to have a lettuce or leafy green base!
-Check out your local farmers market – usually produce there is fresher (which means tastier!) than what you can get in the supermarket!
-Mix up the lettuce variety. Iceberg is what we’re most familiar with in the United States. Try spinach for a change of pace. Romaine makes excellent lettuce wraps. Butterhead comes in loose, crisp, rosettes.
-Prepare salads for the work week. Fill the bottom of a Mason jar the salad dressing. Add the more solid fruits or veggies to next layer followed by any proteins and cheeses. Next, add the leafy greens. The items crunchy croutons, nuts or soft fruits and veggies should be added the day you eat the salad.
-Serve salad with every meal, even breakfast. Fruit salad is a bright way to start the morning. Or even go the savory way and slice some tomato and cucumber slices – drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper – perfect alongside toast and eggs!
-Substitute salad for one meal a day.
-Salads can be grain based – try buckwheat, quinoa or farro!
May is National Salad Month! At Private Home Health Care, we are huge salad fans!
National Salad Month encourages people to incorporate more salads into their daily food regimen. So this May, celebrate by turning over a new leaf. Now then — change your eating habits, get creative with your salads, and inspire others in your life to do the same.
Produce pops this time of year, and it’s easy to grow garden goodies like lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs even in a small space. Incorporating yummy salads into your diet and helps you reach the recommended daily serving of 5+ fruits and veggies a day! Remember to eat the rainbow!
The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine show us how to build a gorgeous salad! Remember, ratio is everything when construction a superior salad!
We all make mistakes, what should you do if you do get a sunburn?
-Immediately place a cold compress of wet washcloth to cool the burn
-Drink lots of water, you need to re-hydrate! In addition to water, a sports drink or tablet with electrolytes can help.
-Take aspirin or ibuprofen, which is an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce swelling, redness and discomfort.
-Apply aloe vera gel or any lotion with aloe vera.
-Keep the sunburned area completely covered from the sun while it is healing.
-Take frequent cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain.
-If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn. You should not pop the blisters, as blisters form to help your skin heal and protect you from infection.
-Most importantly, learn your lesson and do not get sunburnt again! Skin damage builds up over time starting with your very first sunburn. The more you burn, the greater your risk of skin cancer. Subsequent UV damage can occur even when there is no obvious burn.
Don’t Fry Day! Really, sunburns do not look good and they are very dangerous to your short and long term health.
Private Home Health Care is here to tell you the tried and true tips and tools for sun safety.
Did you know that people of different ages and skin types may need different types of sunscreen? Make sure to apply sunscreen every. single. day. at least to your face and hands no matter the season. If you are unsure what kind of sunscreen is best, talk to your dermatologist about which is right for you. Some people prefer to use different types of sunscreen for their face and their body. Often you can buy special or high-rated sunscreen at your dermatologist’s office.
Apply a lot of sunscreen. Yes, more than that! The minimal amount for your body should be about the size of a shotglass of liquid sunscreen. Depending on your activities, apply every 1-4 hours. Also, sunscreen expires. Make sure to check the expiration date and throw it out if it is past that because the sunscreen will be much less effective for protecting you from the sun!
During the warmer months, stay out of the sun when the sunlight is strongest. about 12-4pm. It is also a good idea to find shade from the sun when you can.
Protective hats are a must. Baseball caps are okay, but bucket hats and wide-brim hats provide even better protection.
Wearing a tank top? Apply sunscreen underneath the tank top sleeves to make sure you are fully covered because the fabric may move around.
Drink plenty of water – even if you are wearing sunscreen you still sweat, and your body and skin can get dehydrated.
Cover up! A light linen shirt or cover up sometimes keeps you just as cool. Many athletic clothing lines offer shirts and pants/short with SPF and UV protection in the fabric itself!
Shades really DO make you look cool. Wearing polarized sunglasses with UV ray protection are vital for keeping your eyes healthy in the sun!
Especially for those with fair complexions, there is no such thing as a healthy tan!
Today is National Don’t Fry Day! (No, we don’t mean french fries, go ahead and eat those!) We mean don’t fry your skin in the sun!
Each year on the Friday before Memorial Day, National Don’t Fry Day aims to raise awareness of all the risks of overexposure to the sun. It is important for everyone, no matter their skin tone, to remember to use sun protection and sun safety practices.
Unfortunately, skin cancer is increasing in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. The risk for ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin increases as we spend more time enjoying the outdoors now that warmer weather is upon us. We need to take precautions when we are outside in the sun. Using a good sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are a few ways to get started with sun safety.
Sun safety should be practiced EVERY day of the year, not only during the summer months! Even if it is cloudy, you can still get a sunburn or have sun damage to your skin. Make it a habit by putting sunscreen on at least your face and hands every day, or using moisturizer in the morning with SPF in it.
Skin cancer is curable if it is found early. Be aware of changes on your skin with growths and in moles. See your doctor if you have any concerns. Be safe!
Today, May 20, is National Rescue Dog day! National Rescue Dog Day recognizes all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life. Tails That Teach founded National Rescue Dog Day on May 20 to honor the inspiring ways rescue dogs become apart of the human family and increase awareness about the number of dogs in shelters. Given a chance, they would fill their forever homes with unconditional love and un-abandoned joy with every belly rub.
Bringing home a new pet is incredibly exciting. And adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group is not only exciting, but it’s truly a feel-good experience as well. Every day, about 2,000 dogs and cats are killed in America’s shelters simply because they don’t have safe places to call home. By adopting, it means that each time you look into your pet’s eyes, you can feel good knowing that you truly did save a life. Use #AdoptDontShop on social media to help spread awareness!
According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home and their potential is limitless. They’re rescue dogs. No matter their size, color, or breed, dogs will find a way to nuzzle, fetch, or beg their way into your heart. You’ll find it hard not to scratch one behind the ear.
Rescue dogs often overcome extreme obstacles and yet provide comfort, security, and friendship as family pets. But, rescue dogs are capable of much more. With training, they contribute to the independence of people with disabilities as service animals and give comfort to the elderly. In these circumstances, they become our eyes, ears, or legs as well as our best friend.
Rescue dogs provide a variety of therapeutic benefits. Children, teens, and adults with autism may benefit from services provided by trained rescue dogs. As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help to relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD among the military or those who suffer from mental illness.
They make excellent teachers, too. Rescue dogs show children about caring and kindness. Rescue dogs can even be trained to rescue us from dangerous situations or help to investigate the cause of a fire.
When it comes to four-legged friends, they improve the human condition by leaps and bounds, barks, and yips. It’s hard to imagine a more helpful, worthy companion. Give them a treat!
Is there a rescue dog in your life? Share your rescue dog stories and use #NationalRescueDogDay on social media!
