Visiting Angels - February 2022

Visiting Angels - February 2022

February 2022

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876

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Our Friendships Make Us Better

In February, we often give Valentines to those we love romantically, but did you know there is also another form of love that is just as worthy of celebration this month? February is also International Friendship Month. I value all of my friendships, and as I’ve grown and continued to work and learn in an industry that cares for older adults, I’ve come to understand that it’s the friends in our lives who make some of the greatest impacts. When I think of friendship, I feel really lucky to say there isn’t just one friend who sticks out in my mind. I have a handful of friends I can share anything with and know they will be honest with me (and vice versa). They are some of my closest and dearest friends, but I am so lucky to have many others I enjoy, too. There are the college friends, who I continue to stay close with. We make it a point to grab dinner together a couple of times each year, and every year, we pick someone’s house and spend the night together, talking and laughing like we’re back in college! With the pandemic, we have had to meet over Zoom, but we’ve kept in touch.

Then there is the group of moms who I became close friends with because our children went off to college at the same time. There are seven of us, and we started meeting monthly to talk about what our children were experiencing at college. It was new for us, and we appreciated that support! And despite the fact that our children are in their 30s now, we still meet every month. These days it’s over Zoom, yet I appreciate each meeting just as much as I did when we first started getting together. And, of course, there are the friendships I made out of convenience because we worked together or their children were friends with my children. Yet, I’ve often come to find I still really value these relationships and connections. In some cases, we have lost touch, but they still added a lot to my life when we were in contact. There’s something about a friend that is irreplaceable in your life. For me, it’s having women who offered support as I experienced all of life’s ups and downs. I have friends who I met before I was married and had kids, and we have gotten married, became parents, experienced divorces, celebrated successes, and mourned losses

together. We were there for each other in the many different chapters of our respective lives, and that’s really special. As we age, friendships become tricky. The people who have always been in our lives may pass away, or ailments may make it difficult to keep in touch. It’s sad that this is the reality because friendships have great meaning in our lives, especially as we age. They don’t support you because you are their family; they support you because you are their chosen family. We need that at all ages. At Visiting Angels, our caregivers have often played an active role in ensuring that our seniors maintain friendships. Whether that’s driving the older adult to their friend’s home for a card game or lunch, or inviting the friend over while the caregiver is there to provide support, we often meet our older adults and their families where they are at to ensure their friendships can continue. This February, I hope you take time to honor the friendships that have added great meaning to your life. Because if that’s not love, then I don’t know what is.

Cindy Saunders EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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If you made New Year’s resolutions for your health, there’s a good chance “eat better” is on the list, including adding more omega-3s to your diet. These fatty acids have a whopping 17 health benefits, such as fighting heart disease and Alzheimer’s — that’s probably why doctors often recommend them. Omega-3s have a ton of functions. For example, they create a phospholipid layer of cell membranes to help give cells structure. There are a lot of these fatty acids in your brain and eyes, and they are critical for the cognitive development of babies, as well. Omega-3s can also improve your heart health by reducing the amount of inflammation you experience. Other Ways to Get Your Omega-3s Don’t Like Fish?

Here are some substitutions to consider.

1. You can add chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts to your meals to get the needed nutrients. They are great additions to granola, oatmeal, salads, smoothies, or when mixed with milk or yogurt. You can even put them on toast with peanut butter. 2. Edamame and kidney beans are also good substitutions. Boil or steam edamame and put them in your salads or side dishes. Kidney beans are a popular side dish as well and can be used in curries, stews, or rice. 3. If you’re looking for new cooking oil, soybean oil can replace vegetable or olive oil. You can also use it as a salad dressing. 4. Eating mixed greens such as kale and spinach is beneficial as well. These greens can be sauteed with soybean oil for even more benefits. 5. If you need more of an omega-3 boost or are experiencing high levels of inflammation, there are supplements you can explore like krill oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, and algae oil .

Just as omega-3s are important for the

beginning of life, they’re equally important to help you maintain good health throughout your life as well. The most popular source of omega-3s is fish; so what if you don’t like the taste of seafood or have an allergy?

QUALITY SLEEP PROMOTES HEALTHY AGING The Importance of a Good Night’s Rest

Ideally, everyone should sleep between 7.5–9 hours a night, but as we get older, this becomes much harder to achieve. Health complications, minor disturbances, and a decrease in melatonin levels make it difficult for seniors to get a full night of sleep, which can cause irritability and fatigue.

dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting chemical.

Eliminate unhealthy substances. Limit your caffeine and sugar intake —

especially before bed — for better rest. It’s also best not to drink anything about an hour before bed, so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and disrupt your sleep. Regulate your sleep schedule. Keep the same schedule for sleeping. You will notice increased alertness during waking hours as well as an enhanced memory and attention span. You may also start to feel tired around the same time every day, ensuring that you will actually go to sleep — right on schedule, too.

As you age, ensure you get enough sleep during the night with these three habits.

Build an active daily routine. Exercise and movement is good for your body, but being outside and absorbing sunlight can balance and optimize your melatonin levels to help you fall asleep easier. On top of exercise, try weaving protein-rich snacks and meals into your routine. Foods like lean meats and nuts can improve sleep quality, and

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Stay Engaged While You Age 3 Ways to Foster Greater Connections Many people welcome retirement, but few recognize the downsides — until the day finally arrives. In addition to the big mindset adjustment that is retirement, many new retirees learn that one of the best parts of their jobs was the social interaction. Coworkers may not become best friends, but these regular interactions with other human beings foster better emotional, mental, and physical health. Finding your social circle in retirement — and as you continue to age — isn’t always easy, but with a few ideas, you can enjoy an active social life without the work commitment. Volunteer Volunteering is a lot like having a job, except your form of payment comes from the warm fuzzies you get by helping your community. However, the best part is that volunteers are often tasked with simple duties, like cleaning up a park or organizing a filing system for a nonprofit. This keeps your mind sharp and reintegrates you into a work culture — without having the strict commitment of a job! You can find social interaction with other volunteers, employees at the organization, or with the groups you’re supporting. Join a Club If you love mysteries, meet like-minded people through a book club! The shared interest of books found in book clubs is just the spark you need to start a conversation and a friendship. If you’re not much of a reader, there are also groups for those who prefer TV, podcasts, or movies. You can find a club through your local library, on social media, or through Sudoku

senior community groups, like those at your local community center.

Learn Something New Retirement isn’t about fading out into the sunset; it’s a brand-new chapter just waiting to be written! This is your chance to learn something new by signing up for classes through local community colleges, community centers, churches, clubs, libraries, and other local groups. Think of this opportunity as a way to expand your knowledge on a topic or try a hobby you have always been interested in. If you or a loved one needs additional assistance to make these events and opportunities possible, please contact Visiting Angels. Our caregivers support independent senior living at home — no matter what it looks like.

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

Ingredients • 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

831-430-0616 | 3

Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 24/7 831-430-0616

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Scotts Valley Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday

www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

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Honor Your Friendships This February

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Swap Fish for These Substitutes!

Quality Sleep Can Promote Healthy Aging

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3 Ways to Stay Engaged to Your Community

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

3 Activities to Keep You Active This February

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STAY ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES 3 ACTIVITIES ANYONE CAN DO

Staying active in our local community is as simple as logging onto your computer or visiting the local destinations! This month, we’re highlighting a few events that offer this variety.

Note: Please check with event organizers for rules, changes to hours of operation, and COVID-19-related precautions.

41st Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off When: Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. and Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz This is perhaps the only event where it’s a good thing to clam up! For more than four decades, food connoisseurs and those who just love to eat have been gathering at the Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off. Spanning two days, this event features amateur and professional competitions with Boston and Manhattan varieties of clam chowder — and it’s up to the guests to pick a winner! Enjoy a day outside with tasty dishes at the 41st Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off that benefits the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. Learn more by calling 831-423-5590 .

History of Glenwood Open Space Preserve When: Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Where: Your home! Registration: TinyURL.com/SVSLA-6 The Glenwood Open Preserve is a 166-acre space with 7 miles of trails and lush habitats, including wetlands and forests. Senior Life Online will host a one-hour virtual event detailing the history and beauty of this preserve, as presented by Stephany Aguilar. All you have to do is register, log into Zoom, and relax in your own home as you learn about the nearly two-decade effort to preserve this space. You can register for this event at the URL above, and for more details, please call 831-334-7763 .

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour When: Feb. 25–27 at 7 p.m. Where: Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Admission: $24–$26 Support students and explore some of the tall peaks at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. During this three-day event, attendees will be treated to various films that will take them on a snowy, adrenaline- pumping, inspiring adventure through some of the most gorgeous and equally treacherous landscapes. Choose one night to attend or get swept up in the adventure at all three. Funds from the event benefit scholarships for adventure and wilderness recreation programs.

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