Mental Health Week for the Elderly

This week is National Mental Health Week for the Elderly.

Older people face special physical and mental health challenges which need to be recognized.

Common mental health issues like anxiety and depression can have a negative impact on physical health and wellness for seniors. Studies have found that approximately one in five older adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness, substance use disorder, or both.

From memory problems and cognitive decline to a growing loneliness epidemic, seniors are especially vulnerable to mental health issues. It is estimated that 20% of people age 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern. The most common conditions include anxiety, depression, severe cognitive impairment, and mood disorders. Mental health issues are often implicated as a factor in cases of suicide.

In many cases, sadness and social isolation can have additional negative side effects and increase the risk of serious health problems. Mental health has an impact on physical health and vice versa. For example, older adults with physical health conditions such as heart disease have higher rates of depression than those who are healthy. Additionally, untreated depression in an older person with heart disease can negatively affect its outcome.

**However, adequate social and emotional support is associated with reduced risk of mental illness, physical illness, and mortality! **

There may be multiple risk factors for mental health problems at any point in life. Older people may experience life stressors common to all people, but also stressors that are more common in later life, like a significant ongoing loss in capacities and a decline in functional ability. For example, older adults may experience reduced mobility, chronic pain, frailty or other health problems, for which they require some form of long-term care. In addition, older people are more likely to experience events such as bereavement, or a drop in socioeconomic status with retirement. All of these stressors can result in isolation, loneliness or psychological distress in older people, for which they may require long-term care.

By raising awareness and setting up resources, we can help older adults who struggle with mental health issues or even prevent them from occurring. Mental Health Week for the Elderly was established recently in 2018. Since being created, it has made progress towards reaching the goal of improving mental health for elderly.

Healthy Blueberry Cheesecake!

At Private Home Care we love to indulge with healthy treats!

Here is a recipe for a healthy version of blueberry cheesecake. It is gluten free, paleo, and vegan! Goodness without the guilt? Yes please!

*This recipe is actually easier to make than the traditional cheesecake recipe! It is delicious and your guests will love it!

Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size – 1 slice
Calories 367
Calories from fat 261

Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 12g 75%
Sodium 64mg 3%
Potassium 295mg 8%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Fiber 3g 13%
Sugar 13g 14%
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin A 15IU 0%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 51mg 5%
Iron 2.4mg 13%

Wild Blueberry Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake

Let’s get the recipe for irresistible, Cheesecake Factory Blueberry Cheesecake! It is not the most simple recipe, but the hard work is worth it!

Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup melted margarine

Filling
4 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 eggs

Blueberry filling
1 /12 cups wild blueberries
2 cups white chocolate, shaved
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Topping
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Optional Garnish
whipped cream

Simmer the blueberries with 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch until a thick syrup forms. Heat oven to 475 degrees. Place a large pan or oven-safe skillet (that the cheesecake pan will fit inside) filled with about 1/2-inch of water into the oven while it preheats. This will be your water bath.

Combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon into a medium bowl. Mix in 1/3 cup melted margarine. Press the crumb into a 9-inch spring form pan that has been lined on the bottom and side with parchment paper. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to press the crumb mixture flat into the bottom of the pan and about 2/3 the way up the side. Wrap a large piece of foil around the bottom of the pan to keep the cheesecake dry when placed in the water bath in the oven. Put the crust in your freezer until the filling is done.

Use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese with the sugar, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix for a couple minutes or until the ingredients are smooth and creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl and then add them to the cream cheese mixture. Blend the mixture just enough to integrate the eggs.

Remove the crust from the freezer and pour HALF of the filling into it. Top with blueberry syrup, then pour remaining cream cheese on top. Use a knife to swirl the blueberry syrup without scraping the crust at the bottom. Carefully place the cheesecake into the preheated water bath. Bake in the water bath for 10 minutes at 475, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 50 minutes to an hour more. Refrigerate until cold.

Start the mousse by placing 1 cup of white chocolate into a large, heatproof bowl. Whisk the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Heat 1/4 cup cream to a simmer, then very gradually stir it into the egg mixture.Pour back into pan, and stir until it begins to coat the spoon. Strain through a sieve into the white chocolate, stirring until smooth.

Whip 1 cup of cream to form stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mix in two batches.
Refrigerate for at least an hour. When ready to serve, top the cheesecake with the white chocolate mousse. The sprinkle with remaining shaved white chocolate

National Blueberry Cheesecake Day!

Today, May 26th, is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day! Yum!

Blueberries are indigenous to North America, and combine that blueberry with the development of cream cheese, some might consider the blueberry cheesecake to be a truly American dessert! While recipes for cheesecake served athletes in ancient Greece, it was James Kraft who developed a form of pasteurized cream cheese in 1912. It’s this trademarked Philadelphia Cream Cheese that many cheesecake makers use today.

Cheesecakes can be prepared baked or unbaked, and blueberry cheesecakes can have the blueberries incorporated into the cheesecake, on top, or both!

Blueberries ripen in summer, so cheesecake is the perfect summertime dessert! Grab a plate and serve yourself a slice of blueberry cheesecake!

Why Drink Organic Wine?

Why is it important to drink organic wine?
–> In short, you are what you eat!

This lack of manipulation (meaning no artificial chemicals or pesticides!) in both the field and cellar creates a wine that is arguably more real, and definitely more natural.

Winemakers say that organic wine is most often the best expression of both the grape and also the terroir, the land and environment in which it is grown.

Additionally, the saying goes, you are what you eat (and drink).

There is peace of mind that comes with knowing that no pesticides or additives are going into your wine. But what does that really mean? Are organic wines healthier? The short answer is yes.

In general, organic wine grapes are much healthier! They produce heartier skins and higher concentrations of all of those good for you anthocyanins and antioxidants, including polyphenols and cardio-friendly resveratrol. Also, organic wines are free of residual traces of vineyard additives such as chemical laced pesticides and herbicides.

So drink organic vino, for your health!

https://www.getvinebox.com/blogs/learn/why-you-should-be-drinking-organic-wine

Organic Wine – What Is It?

Organic Wine on National Wine Day!

We love wine, but it is important that it is organic!

Exactly what is organic wine?

-Organic wines mean that winemakers exclude the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.

-Grapes are part of the ‘dirty dozen’ of produce, this means that by design they tend to absorb more pesticides. Grapes have thin skins and mushy insides so when grown conventionally, they absorb more pesticides and when tested they had on average residues of five different pesticides!

-In the U.S., during the fermentation process, sulfites cannot be added to the wine in order to receive organic certification.

-There is a belief that organic or natural wines do not contain sulfites. This is not true! ALL wine contains naturally occurring sulfites, organic wines just do not have added sulfites.

– Organic winemaking also bans any GMOs or non-permitted additives.

-The biggest omission from conventional winemaking is the lack of coloring agents and concentrated wine additives like Mega Purple, and flavoring agents such as malic acid and caramel.

Now you know! 

Health Benefits of Wine!

Today, May 25th, is National Wine Day!

Pour a glass for your health! Wine has many scientifically proven health benefits!

Antioxidants, resveratrol, flavonoids and polyphenols are the most often cited compounds found in wine that researchers like to point out as potentially being healthy chemicals found in wine. They are mostly found in red wine, but are also in white wine! Red wine has been found to be especially beneficial for heart health!

-Antioxidants can help prevent cancer, heart disease and assist in lowering cholesterol due to the fact that red wine raises the levels of HDL, or good cholesterol which helps protect your arteries.

-Flavonoids are a natural chemical found in plants. Due to the fermentation process, select enzymes are created that help remove some carcinogens and possibly help inhibit the growth of tumors. In turn this helps you to produce more good cholesterol.

-Resveratrol is said to help in the prevention of damage to your blood vessels while reducing bad cholesterol and assisting to help prevent blood clots.

-Polyphenols helps coat and protect the important lining of the blood vessels in your heart.

Memorial Day Freedom and Aging in Place

Memorial Day also celebrates American freedom!

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.