National Coconut Day

It is National Coconut Day!

Not only are coconuts delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes, they are a nutritional superfood!

-Coconuts are nutritious – Although coconut meat is high in fat, the MCTs it contains may help you lose excess body fat. The meat also provides carbs and protein along with many essential minerals, such as manganese, copper, iron, and selenium.

-Eating coconut may improve cholesterol levels and help decrease belly fat, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

-Coconut is low in carbs and rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a great choice for blood sugar control.

-Contains powerful antioxidants (our favorite word)! Coconuts contain polyphenol antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage, which may reduce your disease risk.

-The polyphenols found in it can prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, making it less likely to form plaques in arteries that can increase the risk of heart disease.

Some studies have shown that antioxidants found in coconut oil may help protect cells from damage and death caused by oxidative stress and chemotherapy.

-Easy to add to your diet! Coconut is versatile in the kitchen and works well in both sweet and savory foods. It’s a great choice for those on low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, or nut-free diets.

https://tasty.co/article/rachelysanders/coconut-recipes

National Bingo Day!

It’s National Bingo Day!

Bingo first came to the U.S. in the 1930s, started with paper cards sporting 24 numbered squares arranged in five rows and five columns — plus that enticing “free space” in the middle which seems to promise a short cut to riches!

Bingo is a popular game among seniors because it is a fun activity that can be played no matter your age or capabilities. Researchers have learned that this game has a lot more value than for just fun and leisure, and it is very beneficial for seniors!

Benefits of playing bingo:

-Cognitive abilities boosted
-Hand-eye coordination improved
-Physical health strengthened
-Social participation is increased (very important!)
-Healing from illness and surgery is sped up

https://abovebeyondhc.com/…/5-ways-bingo-can-help-boost-se…/

Tips on How to Keep Seniors Hydrated

Private Home Care is here to help take care of your loved ones. Dehydration is a risk for seniors, and the caregivers of Private Home Care use these tips and techniques to help make sure our clients are safe and hydrated!

1. Remember that there are many sources of fluids
People don’t have to drink only plain water to get hydrated. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, sweetened beverages, fruits, and vegetables all contain water.

If dehydration is a serious issue for your older adult, but they really resist drinking healthy fluids, it may be necessary to make trade-offs like allowing them to drink less healthy options like sugary drinks or diet soda.

To be sure that the pros outweigh the cons and their overall health will benefit, speak with their doctor. first

Or, try serving more foods with high water content to increase hydration without drinking fluids.

2. Keep water close by at all times
Sometimes, making it easy for seniors to serve themselves could encourage them to drink more water.

Try keeping a lightweight pitcher of water and a cup near their favorite seat to make it quick and convenient to take a drink. Having a special or beautifully decorated cup can help encourage drinking more water!

3. Experiment with beverages at different temperatures
Your senior may prefer hot drinks to cold, or the other way around. Experiment to find out which type they like better.

Try different things like warming up juices, making decaf iced coffee with cream, or adding plain soda water to make tea or juice bubbly.

4. Try something savory
Those who like savory foods may enjoy drinking hot soup broth instead of a sweet or neutral tasting beverage.

For convenience, the broth could come from a can, box, or powder. It’s especially comforting in cold weather.

And if your older adult is watching their sodium intake, make sure to get a low sodium broth or consider making homemade broth.

5. Make popsicles
Homemade popsicles made from fruit juice or a mix of juice and water are a great treat and a great way to get more fluids into your older adult. You can even include frozen berries – adds to the taste and texture of the popsicle and gives it a healthy boost from antioxidant rich berries!

6. Offer smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, sports drinks
Some stubborn older adults may really resist drinking fluids.

If so, you could try enticing them with smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, or sports drinks even if they’re not the healthiest choices.

If they like the flavor or texture of these options, they may be more willing to drink them regularly.

7. Set a timer or reminder! Older adults tend to do well with routines, and incorporating hydration into a routine can be helpful to keep a person hydrated!

Why We Need to Pay Extra Attention To Keep Seniors Hydrated

National Hydration Day!

Why we need to pay extra attention to keep our seniors hydrated:

Dehydration is a serious concern for seniors. Elderly adults are among the most at-risk groups for dehydration, one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after age 65.

As a natural part of the aging process, our bodies undergo physiological changes that increase our risk of becoming dehydrated. With advancing years, seniors can lose their sense of thirst and tend not to drink enough. Our appetites decrease, we eat less food and as a result get fewer fluids from solid food sources, too, problematic for the elderly since almost everyone gets about half their daily water requirement from solid foods and fruit and vegetable juices.

In addition, our fluid balance can be affected by medication, emotional stress, exercise, general health, and the weather. Many seniors have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, and may take medications that can make them more susceptible to dehydration. Our aging bodies also lose some natural ability to regulate temperature due to diminishing sweat glands, which makes seniors more susceptible to temperature changes in the environment. In addition, cognitive decline, including dementia or Alzheimer’s, can also increase the risk of dehydration because people may simply forget to hydrate or not be aware of their condition.

The two most serious conditions for seniors that result from heat and exposure to high temperatures are heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both of which primarily result from dehydration.

National Hydration Day

Today, June 23, is National Hydration Day!

The human body contains more than 60 percent water. Maintaining that balance while training is a challenge. And doing it during the summer months is a practice that must be consistent. Becoming overheated or dehydrated can lead to heatstroke and possibly death.

There are ways to help prevent dehydration. Being hydrated before a workout even begins is essential. If you are under-hydrated before you start, it is hard to catch up once the sweating starts. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the training, too. Fluids can include sports drinks that contain electrolytes (Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium) to replenish the essential minerals the body loses through perspiration.

Onions – A Nutritional Powerhouse!

ONIONS, the underdog of vegetables deserves the spotlight for it’s impressive health benefits! Let us tell you about onions:

-Packed with nutrients! Onions are nutrient-dense, meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.

One medium onion has just 44 calories but delivers a considerable dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber

This vegetable is particularly high in vitamin C, a nutrient involved in regulating immune health, collagen production, tissue repair and iron absorption.

Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body, protecting your cells against damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals

Onions are also rich in B vitamins, including folate (B9) and pyridoxine (B6) — which play key roles in metabolism, red blood cell production and nerve function.

Lastly, they’re a good source of potassium, a mineral in which many people are lacking.

Normal cellular function, fluid balance, nerve transmission, kidney function and muscle contraction all require potassium.

This does not mean that you need to eat a raw onion like an apple (yuck!) to enjoy onion’s health benefits! (Nor do we recommend doing so.) There are plenty of creative and delicious ways to integrate onions into your diet!

Not only are onions nutrition powerhouses, but onions can be incorporated in almost every savory recipes, they do not spoil quickly and they are inexpensive.

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes-menus/our-best-onion-recipes-gallery?fbclid=IwAR3qyAyFfrLJfyZwjbde9BGn_XrEhh1KDH0PqfJqftaANtJoVyHGhyJ08xo

Trust Us to Keep Your Loved Ones Safe from the Heat

Now we know how dangerous heat can be for older adults, and the importance of air conditioning!

Properly functioning HVAC is also important for humidity. Why? Unbalanced indoor humidity levels create discomfort and indoor air quality issues. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers work with the heating and cooling system to deliver balanced relative humidity levels throughout. Balanced humidity levels reduce indoor concentrations of allergens, bacteria, viruses and germs, preventing exposure and the negative health effects that result.

But did you know that it is also important for HVAC to be balanced? If the air conditioning is too cold, a senior can be too cold and get sick. If the air conditioning is not cold enough them it can still lead to heat related sickness.

Private Home Care is here for you and your loved ones.The best way to keep an older adult safe during the summer is to make sure there is always someone with them that can remind them to take their medications, drink water, and take a break from the heat by spending times in an air-conditioned home or building. An care giver from Private Home Health Care is just the person for this task. For decades we have consistently been top rated for our first-rate care services. Trust us to protect your loved ones from hot weather risks this summer.

National HVAC Day – Air Conditioning as a Life Saver

Today is National HVAC Day! HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning.

Why is air conditioning especially important for older adults?

Having an air conditioning system can be potentially life saving for seniors, especially when outdoor temperatures reach an unbearable high. Unfortunately, hundreds of senior a year die due to heat-related or induced causes.

Simply put, seniors cannot tolerate the heat as well as younger individuals. As people age, the body’s ability to regulate temperature often becomes impaired due to the natural aging process. This stems from several factors including: sweat glands tending to disappear as we age, a natural decrease in circulation of seniors, chronic disease or taking certain medications. Some elders may also find it challenging to determine when they are thirsty since their taste buds diminish with age.

Cognitive decline, dementia or Alzheimer’s compounds risks for seniors in hot temperatures because they may not be aware that it is so hot outside and heat may make them further confused.

HVAC can be a life-saver for seniors, especially during hot weather.