Vitamin D

As you and I enter the month of May we are thinking about an important vitamin for our bodies, Vitamin D.

Our weather is starting to warm up in many areas and as the month goes on it should spread across these United States.  Flowers begin to sprout, the grass starts to grow, and tree buds turn into leaves.

The sun also gets higher in the sky and stronger.  While you need to be careful about the sun’s rays on your skin, the sun also plays a role with Vitamin D.  

The sun is a natural way for your body to absorb Vitamin D.  In fact, without any sun you can run into a Vitamin D deficiency which can cause a lot of problems.

This vitamin works hand-in-hand with calcium to help your bones.  Your body needs Vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium needed for strong bones.

Additionally, Vitamin D helps support your immune health, the functioning of your muscles and your brain cells.  This mighty vitamin contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory.

The sun is one way to absorb Vitamin D and food is another way.  You’ll find significant amounts of the vitamin in fish like salmon, mackerel swordfish, tuna fish and sardines.  

If you happen to be a fan of cod liver oil you could have a tablespoon of that a day.  You may however prefer to have some fortified milk or juice, yogurt or an egg.  

You can also opt to take a Vitamin D supplement available at your local pharmacy.  There are many varieties available so you can choose one that works for you.

Please remember these daily guidelines as you choose:

400 IU – children up to 12 months

600 IU – ages 1 to 70

800 IU – over age 70 

Private Home Health Care wants you to enjoy the sunshine for a natural way to get Vitamin D as well as a healthy diet and supplements as needed.

Pets

How many of you have had a pet over the years?  We can remember guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, fish and dogs.  What about you?

We are thinking about our pets and how they made us responsible because we needed to clean cages or water and of course feed whatever pet we had.

If you own a dog or cat there can be additional benefits.  When you are greeted in the morning or evening after work, they are usually so happy to see you that a smile spreads across your face.

Love is an obvious benefit to having a pet.  The feelings are usually mutual and especially for a dog or cat they usually become a part of your family too.

According to the Cleveland Clinic you reap other health benefits from your furry friends.

You get an emotional boost from your dog or cat and you also get physical and mental benefits.

For dogs, you need to walk them and play with them which provides physical exercise.  Your stress can lower too with petting and snuggling with your cat or dog.

Additionally, your social life can expand because there are times when strangers will start a conversation over your dog. Going to a dog park can spark conversations and maybe skill in keeping dogs happy with each other.

Finally, animals also help you to keep a routine.  Whether it’s taking walks or feeding time, dogs and cats have internal clocks to keep us on a schedule. 

Private Home Health Care loves animals.  We know it might not be for everyone but a pet can help us in many ways in the right situation.

Celebrate Trails Day

Tomorrow is a day for you to celebrate all of the walking trails we have in this country.

Do you know a trail in your area?  You might be able to walk the trail or bike the trail.  The point is with the weather starting to become warmer on the East coast, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors around you.

The National Trails System Act of 1968 created trails in urban and rural settings to be enjoyed by people of all ages from every walk of life.  You’ll find trails that have been created or trails off the beaten track to be explored.

Our country has scenic trails and historic trails with maps that you and your family and friends can enjoy.  You can check out this website for information:  https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/index.htm

Additionally, the exercise you’ll get from either walking or biking is tremendous because both are great low impact ways to help your body.

Walking for 30 minutes will help your heart and lungs, lower your stress and alter your mood. Your brain function, focus and memory will benefit too.

Biking is another great way to enjoy the trails.  If you bike it can help with executive functions, mental and cardiovascular health.  In addition, biking helps with balance and gait and it can improve Type 2 Diabetes.

If you’re dealing with heart disease, arthritis or thinning bones you should check with your healthcare professional. 

Private Home HealthCare hopes that if the weather is good in your area tomorrow that you take time to go on a walking or biking trail.  The physical activity and being outside is sure to brighten your day.

#CelebrateTrailsDay

Occupational Therapy Month

Have you ever worked with an occupational therapist?  How did they help you?

What about physical therapy?  Have you had that before?  What exactly is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy (also known as OT.) 

This month focuses on the occupational therapists in our lives.  The American Occupational Therapy Association defines it in simple terms as “promotes health and well-being and participation.”

OT basically helps you do what you need to do in your daily life.  You might be having trouble with some basic life skills and if so an occupational therapist can be there to help.

You can be any age, young or old to benefit from OT.  It can also be in a variety of settings, school, home, assisted living, nursing homes are just a few.

Perhaps you are older and having trouble bathing.  OT can come in and make suggestions like adding a shower chair.

If you have difficulty dressing, an OT can come and evaluate the situation and help make it easier.

Occupational therapists can also help guide family members or caregivers.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists have many similarities as they are both rehabilitative care but you will find there are differences too.

A physical therapist helps with improving movement, mobility or function.  For example, if you have a knee or hip replacement a physical therapist would give you exercises, stretches and physical activities to get stronger.

An occupational therapist would work with you to focus on being able to do daily activities more easily like bathing or dressing.  

Additionally, if you need help with memory, concentration or executive functioning that would fall to an occupational therapist.

Private Home Health Care understands that an occupational therapist strives to improve your quality of life.  We have worked with many professionals and we know how helpful they can be.

#OccupationalTherapyMonth

Earth Day

Private Home Health Care wishes everyone a very happy Earth Day!

We are so fortunate to live in the United States where keeping it beautiful is a great cause, taken seriously by many and a wonderful way to bring people together.

You may not have realized that this is Earth Day internationally in over 50 member countries of the United Nations.

It was actually Bolivia who introduced the bill back in 2009 and it got adopted over the years.

The day gives you and I an opportunity to give back to the earth.  The goal is to be in harmony and to focus on the interconnectedness of the earth and all living things.

This falls on a Monday but you shouldn’t worry because communities around your area have events on the weekend.

You should check your local town or cities website to find out if there are volunteer activities this coming weekend April 27 or the following May 4. 

It could be that events have just passed this weekend too.  Did you get involved?

Oftentimes you can work with a Conservancy who has planned for work on a specific site.  You might be planting bulbs, spreading wood chips or cleaning up an area.

The Earth has been around for many, many years.  There have been so many changes over time and we look to keep it harmonious for many years to come.

You and I can do things like recycling, helping with litter or working with a group to fix up an area.  You might even simply enjoy a walk outdoors to appreciate what is around you.

Additionally, April 22 is the beginning of Passover for our Jewish neighbors.  We want to take a moment to wish everyone celebrating a very Happy Passover.

National Garlic Day

On National Garlic Day we thought we would share some interesting facts about this tasty vegetable found in many meals.

Did you know that garlic is a flower from the lily family?

If you lived thousands of years ago with the ancient Indians or Egyptians you would have used garlic in your food and in medicine.

You can choose from a wide variety of different garlics.  There are 450 different types.

California supplies 90% of the garlic to the US.

When you eat garlic your body will benefit from many trace minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, germanium, selenium and zinc.  Trace minerals play important roles in our bodies function.

Garlic is also filled with Vitamins A and C, fibre and amino acids.

Health properties to benefit you include anti-coagulant, antioxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial.  Quite a few for such a small bulb.

You should store unpeeled garlic in a cool, dark place away from other foods.  It will keep for six weeks stored correctly.

Private Home Health Care loves garlic and its health benefits.  If we have a lot we also try to drink water with lemon to avoid the after effects of bad breath.

#NationalGarlicDay

Pickleball

There is a pickleball craze that is happening all over the US.  Have you played it?  This month it is in the spotlight.

According to one website pickleball players number in the low millions and the number appears to be growing.

You can play the game if you are young and or old.  You’ll see the rules are not terribly hard and it can be a moderate workout.

You need a court, a racquet and a ball.  Simple.  Courts these days are easy to find in most communities.

The rules are not too overcomplicated either.  If you’ve ever played ping-pong or tennis some of the rules will sound familiar.  Expert players can be very helpful to beginners.

The Serve 

You must serve underhand, below the waist and it must land in the opposite corner of the opposing players.

The Score

You can only score when serving and you get a point when the opposing team cannot return the volley or hits the ball out of bounds. 

The Fault

Just as in tennis if you hit the ball into the net or it bounces twice it’s a fault.  You also cannot hit an opposing player.

There are other rules about dead balls, non-volley zones and timeouts.  You can learn these on the court when you go to play.

With the right mindset and a desire to have fun you can become a picklehead along with the millions of other Americans.

Private Home Health Care enjoys watching pickleball but as of yet we have not picked up the paddle and ball to join in but we love the atmosphere.

Patriot’s Day

Private Home Health Care would like to wish everyone a Happy Patriot’s Day.

While not a federal holiday, those in Massachusetts have a long weekend on this third Monday in April.

Patriot’s Day began to commemorate the beginning of fighting during the American Revolution with the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  

You may not have heard of Massachusetts Frederic T. Greenhalge but back in 1894 he thought celebrating this day was a perfect replacement for a long held day of fasting and prayer called “Fast Day”.

Additionally, Governor Greenhalge decided to also honor the four Massachusetts men who lost their lives in the Baltimore Riot of 1861. 

These members of the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia ran into mobs against the Northern aggressors at the beginning of the Civil War.

These days Patriot’s Day is known as Marathon Monday by the thousands of marathon runners who come from around the world to take on the challenge.

Many of you here in Massachusetts have this day off.  You may head into a Boston Red Sox game or go along the route to watch the Boston Marathon runners.   The marathon started in 1897 and the baseball team added a game starting in 1959.

Did you know that only Maine and Wisconsin celebrate Patriot’s Day in the U.S.?  The only difference is that their holiday is always on April 19.

We hope that whoever has the day off can enjoy themselves. For those working hopefully traffic and your work is a bit easier on this Patriot’s Day.

Tips for Grocery Shopping

This is a bit of a different topic for us but in case you haven’t noticed the price of groceries have gone up. We felt it might be helpful to share some tips on ways you can get the most for your money at the grocery store.

1. Plan your meals for the week and buy the food for those meals. This can help so you don’t have to run to the store later in the week.
2. Check the supplies you have in your kitchen and fridge and make a list of what you need. Stick to that list when shopping.
3. Check local store flyers to find what is on sale.  If you have a freezer and you have room, stock up on meats or foods you can freeze for later.
4. Have a meatless meal one or two days a week.  It is healthy for you and it can save money.
5. Watch the prices so you can compare and know what is a bargain.  Be sure to check unit prices to make sure you have the best overall price.
6. Buy a Sunday paper if you are able to get coupons for groceries from it.
7. Must you have a name brand or can you get a generic brand?  Some store brand items are just as good as the major brands.
8. Think about joining a wholesale club.  Quantities can be large but if you have storage space it can save money.  Items can last longer before you need to buy it again.
9. Online grocery shopping can be convenient but is often more expensive.  You could try a trip to the grocery store instead.
10. If you pay by credit card, see what perks you get when you use a particular card.  You might get cashback or other rewards from your shopping.

Private Home Health Care shops every week so we understand how expensive it can get to feed a family.  We hope some of these tips are helpful to help you spend as wisely as possible.

National Siblings Day

In 1995 Claudia Evart lost both her brother and sister at an early age.  She founded the day because she realized how important siblings are in your life.  She has also founded the Siblings Day Foundation.

Your siblings can have a profound effect on your life, even more so than your parents.  

This came recently from a study of male adult development from data gathered since 1938.  Dr. Richard Waldinger wrote a book called The Good Life.

If you read this book his findings show that  those of us with “good relationships keep us happier, healthier, and help us live longer.”

Other studies shine a light on the positive effects of siblings:

• As an adolescent, your siblings may have validated your beliefs and feelings which helped your self esteem.

• A good sibling relationship can have positive effects on your academic performance.

• If you are in a difficult situation like divorce, low income or parental mental illness a stable older sibling can help you to be well adjusted even in these settings.

• Finally, support and closeness with siblings lead to less loneliness and depression.  These could also help you feel overall satisfied with your life as you age.

Additionally, some other studies have found evidence that lifelong relationships with siblings have an effect on your well-being in a negative way too.  Participants with difficult sibling relationships at ages 18-19 can be more likely to have depression and to use mood-altering drugs by age 50.

Think back to the days of growing up with brothers and sisters.  You surely had fights, large or small but there were likely also times when you played games or shared toys.  Many lifelong lessons were learned.

Private Home Health Care hopes that on this National Siblings Day you will find the time to reach out and tell your siblings how much you care.  As adults, your ties can remain strong and you can get great supports and have fun times with your siblings.