Older Driver Awareness Safety Week

The first week of December was National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. This week highlights the important role of driving, mobility and transportation play to keep older adults active in their communities and continued independence, which we at Private Home Care value greatly.

As the body matures, there may be declines in vision, cognition, and physical changes that might affect driving. Certain medications may also impact safe operation of vehicles. National Older Driver Awareness week recommends that you express to loved ones any concerns about their safety. 

The CDC recommends these steps to stay safe on the road: 

• Discuss any medical issues with your doctor to determine if they might affect your driving.
• Discuss stopping or changing your medications with your pharmacist or doctor if you experience any side effects that could interfere with safe driving such as blurry vision, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, fatigue, and/or loss of consciousness.
• Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Wear glasses and corrective lenses as directed.
• Plan your route before you drive.
• Consider potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend, using public transit, or car ride services.

https://www.cdc.gov/features/older-driver-safety/index.html

Gingerbread House Day!

Today, December 12 2019, is national gingerbread house day!

Gingerbread house building is a favorite holiday pastime for all members of the family! Gingerbread was first brought to Europe around 992 AD from the Middle East (where ginger was used to help preserve bread) by an Armenian monk named Gregory Nicopolis, where it was used for religious ceremonies and the sturdy could be molded into images of saints. 

People started making gingerbread houses when the fairytale Hansel and Gretel was introduced, because the witch lived in a house made out of gingerbread. Soon people started putting gingerbread houses to a move creative and festive holiday use, adding snowy Christmas scenes to the gingerbread houses. 

What are your favorite gingerbread house memories? P.S. Participating in crafty activities like this can boost brain function!

December is Root Vegetable and Exotic Fruit Month!

Private Home Care is always glad for another reason to promote and appreciate healthy eating and living!

Although these fruits and vegetables may seem like opposites, they share many of the same health benefits. These foods are loaded with important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and carotenoids. Carotenoids are an organic pigment found in many root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and sweet potatoes that helps prevent eye disease and certain cancers by protecting healthy cells against mutation.

Both of these types of foods are also high in vitamin C, which has also been found to protect healthy cells from mutation, and can help reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, and prevent iron deficiencies. In addition, exotic fruits are high in antioxidants! More common exotic fruits include dragonfruit and persimmon. At Private Home Care we love to try new fruits and veggies, we cannot wait to try some of these exotic fruits! 

https://www.nfcr.org/blog/root-vegetables-and-exotic-fruits-month-superfoods/

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Tomorrow, December 7th 2019, is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and marks the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor Navy base in Hawaii was bombed by Japanese forces, and this event drew the U.S. into WWII. Private Home Care remembers and solutes the bravery of our servicemen and women during this difficult chapter in U.S. history. 

National Handwashing Awareness Week! December 2-6

This week (December 2-8) is National Handwashing Awareness Week, which raises awareness of the importance of washing your hands. Regular hand washing with liquid or bar soap is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Many illnesses and infection start by germs on the hands, and washing your hands often is important for a healthy lifestyle.

During this flu and cold season, the best ways to keep yourself healthy is to get a flu shot and to wash your hands regularly to prevent you and others from becoming infected. For effective handwashing, make sure to scrub for at least 20 seconds, or about the time it takes to hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice. Studies have shown that using paper towels for drying your hands is best for removing germs. As always, Private Home Care is dedicated to the health of our clients and promoting healthy lifestyles!

World Antibiotics Awareness Week

World Antibiotic Awareness week

Private Home Care would like to acknowledge World Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov 11-17), which bring awareness to antibiotic resistance and how the medical community is educating us about the proper use of these disease-fighting drugs.

DID YOU KNOW?

“At least 30% of the antibiotics in U.S. outpatient settings are prescribed unnecessarily. Any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance, one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. ” CDC https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/week/get-involved.html

Antibiotics are crucial to modern medicine but if they are overused or not used properly, there can be dangerous outcomes. Private Home Care is operated under medical expertise to ensure the safety and well-being of you and your loved ones.

National Family Health Day

In 2004, the Surgeon General declared as Thanksgiving as a Family Health History Day. The idea is that when everyone in your family is already together, to discuss the family health history and risks or concerns. Having your family health history well documented can help prevent illness and is very useful for your medical professionals!

How to observe National Family Health History Day:

1. Draw a genealogy tree.
2. Put together a binder of family health history
3. Assign everyone to write down any health concerns to share.

Healthy Treats!

Today is National Cake Day!

At Private Home Care, we want you to know that you can have your cake and eat it too!

Eating healthy does not mean you have to throw away your favorite family recipes! You can substitute ingredients to make healthier dishes that still taste spot-on! Small adjustments in recipes can make a big difference. Remember, proper nutrition is crucial for living a long, healthy life, and helps reduce the chance of conditions like Alzheimer’s. When consumed in moderation, healthier baked goods can be a great once-in-a-while treat. 

Substitute:

Flour – use whole wheat flour, nut flour, coconut flour

Oil or butter – use unsweetened applesauce, mashed bananas and nut butters 

Sour cream – use greek yogurt

Sugar – use bananas, maple syrup, coconut sugar, natural honey, agave 

Check out these recipes! https://greatist.com/health/healthier-cake-recipes?fbclid=IwAR0wwN_fSngcqHhHHNGF1knRYcEm-M541K0VMePrVbmOEtr1QH3vE5yw7tw#1