Visiting Angels November 2017

Visiting Angels November 2017

November 2017

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

A

e S

More Than ‘Thank You’ Several years ago, I read an article about a family who created a blessing box. Each time something happened that they were thankful for, they wrote it down on a piece of paper and placed it inside the box. During Thanksgiving dinner, they passed the box around the table and each person took turns reading aloud the year full of memories. are thankful for slept better and longer than individuals who didn’t reflect on gratitude before getting their shuteye. The Enduring Value of Gratitude

Gratitude is so much more than

This sounded like such a great idea that my family decided to try it themselves. As we sat around the table reading about the things we were thankful for throughout the year, it hit me that there are so many little things that we forget to be grateful for each day. I’ve heard of other families who have done this, sometimes calling it a gratitude jar. If you have never done this before, I highly recommend it. Reflecting on all the things you were thankful for during the year is such a relaxing and pleasant experience. In fact, practicing gratitude is actually good for your health There have been many studies which have looked into how gratitude impacts a person’s physical and mental health. By and large, people who actively practice gratitude tend to be healthier and more mentally sound than those who think about gratitude less often. For seniors, or anyone who may be experiencing changes in health or other transitions, practicing gratitude can have a strong positive impact. Expressing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep, overall mood, and immune system function. Leading gratitude researcher, Dr. Robert A. Emmons, found gratitude helps increase happiness and reduce depression. Practicing gratitude can also help people sleep better! A 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being showed people who spend just 15 minutes writing down what they

“By and large, people who actively practice gratitude tend to be healthier and more mentally

saying, “Thank you.” It is acknowledging the good things in life and keeping those good feelings with us. I believe this is why we

see so many real benefits when we practice gratitude. Recognizing everything we have to be thankful for helps us look on the brighter side of life and makes us more resilient when times are tough. Gratitude isn’t about being happy and thankful for everything that comes our way. It’s about recognizing the good moments and taking time to really appreciate them. And if there’s ever a time to bring a bit more gratitude into our lives, it’s certainly during Thanksgiving! We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our care recipients and their families. Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! sound than those who think about gratitude less often.”

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

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

The Life-Giving Benefits of Sauna

in frequent sauna bathing sessions were found to have lowered rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s. If feeling good and warming you up weren’t enough, a healthy mind is a great reason to sauna. And while the simplicity of the traditional sauna is part of what makes it great, some facilities have added a modern twist: infrared rays. Infrared saunas, already hot in New York City and Los Angeles, are starting to pop up everywhere. If you have trouble dealing with the heat of a typical sauna (average sauna temperatures are kept around 212 degrees F), this latest trend is for you. The average temperature of an infrared sauna is 150 degrees F, making it a more tolerable experience. One New York studio touts infrared’s ability to stimulate collagen production, an added anti-aging benefit. Need another bonus? Infrared saunas are said to release up to 20 percent more toxins from the body than traditional saunas. Whichever type of sauna you decide to visit, the potential health benefits speak for themselves. If you don’t get to escape to Miami or Cancun this winter (and even if you do), it’s a relaxing way to warm up and ease winter ailments. Treat your body and yourself to a sauna experience! TELEMARKETING AND PHONE SCAMS Fake telemarketing calls are one of the most common types of scams. With no face-to-face interaction and no paper trail, they are incredibly hard to trace and identify. Also, once a deal has been made, the buyer’s name is then shared with similar scammers looking for targets. Examples of telemarketing fraud include ... The pigeon drop: A con artist tells the victim that they have found a large sum of money and are willing to split it if the person makes a “good faith” payment. Fake identity ploy: The con artist gets the victim to wire or send money on the pretext that the victim’s relative is in the hospital and needs money. Charity scams: The con artist solicits the victim for money for fake charities. This often occurs after natural disasters. If you have fallen victim to a scam, notify the police, the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org/consumer-complaints), and the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-438-4338). Further, obtain the contact information for the Adult Protective Services organization in your area by calling the Eldercare Locator national hotline at 1-800-677-1116 or visiting eldercare. gov and filing a complaint. You are not alone; there are people who can help.

Colder weather is hard on our bodies for many reasons. The air dries and cracks our skin, freezing temperatures cause old injuries to flare up and joints to ache, and the conditions make it just plain hard to exercise.

What’s a fair-weather bird to do? Head to the sauna! Sauna use has been popular in Finland for thousands of years, and there are compelling reasons why. Not only are there many bodily benefits, but science is telling us it may also protect the mind. We’ve known for a long time that saunas can help with blood circulation, stress relief, and cardiovascular health. Traditional saunas use heat to get your blood flowing and promote circulation, and the sweating that goes on during a sauna experience is said to purge toxins from your body. It’s a rejuvenating ritual that releases stress along with endorphins. Now, the health journal Age and Ageing has found evidence linking sauna use to a lowered risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Men aged 42–60 who participated Financial scams often go unreported and can be difficult to prosecute, so they’re considered a “low-risk” crime. However, they can still be devastating, leaving you in a vulnerable position with little time to recoup your losses. Here are some common scams and what you can do to avoid them. MEDICARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE SCAMS In these types of scams, perpetrators may pose as Medicare representatives in order to obtain personal information. Sometimes they will go so far as to provide bogus services at makeshift mobile clinics, then use your personal information to bill Medicare and pocket the money. To avoid this scam, know that a legitimate Medicare employee would never ask for your personal information over the phone or via email, since they already have it on file. If you suspect that Medicare is being charged for a service you didn’t request, call the federal government’s official Medicare hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE. COUNTERFEIT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Most commonly, counterfeit drug scams operate on the internet. Those who fall victim to this scam find themselves paying money for a drug that does not help their medical condition, and some run the risk of unknowingly purchasing unsafe substances. This scam can be hard on the wallet and the body.

DON’T FALL VICTIM TO THESE FINANCIAL SCAMS

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/SantaCruz

meat. Dark meat has 50 more calories per 3-ounce serving and almost 50 percent more fat than white meat. There are 160 calories and 11 grams of fat in dark meat, versus 115 calories and 7 grams of fat in white meat. GRAVY OR JELLIED CRANBERRIES? Surprisingly, this is one scenario where you’ll want to pass on the fruit. Added sugars push ¼ cup of cranberry sauce up to 110 calories, while gravy comes in at a more reasonable 30 calories. ROOM FOR DESSERT? If you’re counting calories, we recommend passing the pecan pie to someone else. For ⅛ of a 9-inch pie, a serving of pecan contains 503 calories and 27 grams of fat! By comparison, the 323 calories and 13 grams of fat in a slice of pumpkin pie seems far more reasonable. SKIP THE SNACKING Before and after the Thanksgiving feast, there are bowls of chips, cheese plates, and other goodies to mindlessly nibble on while watching the big game. Those calories add up, so if you’re really feeling peckish before dinner, grab some fresh veggies instead. Being health conscious doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your favorite dishes. If you’re really craving that slice of dark meat, just remember the magic words: portion control. So long as you stick to a sensible serving size, your waistline won’t suffer.

TIME TO FEAST! Build a Healthier Thanksgiving Plate

Thanksgiving is coming and, while it’s fun to stuff yourself silly, it’s important for seniors to think about their health. This doesn’t mean sticking to a salad! There are healthier options for each course. WHITE OR DARK MEAT? Most people pick based on flavor preference, but there are major nutritional differences between white and dark turkey

SUDOKU

3-INGREDIENT Black Bean Soup

This protein-packed, fat-free soup is delicious, only requires three ingredients, and is super quick and easy to put together. What more could you ask for?

Ingredients • 2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans • 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 (14.5–15-ounce) can diced tomatoes

Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a

2. Remove from stove and blend using an immersion blender or a traditional blender.

medium pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of HoneyAndBirch.com.

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/SantaCruz Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

1 2

Did You Know Gratitude is Good for You?

How Saunas Will Change Your Winter Health

Don’t Fall Victim to These Financial Scams

3

Is White Meat Healthier Than Dark Meat?

3-Ingredient Black Bean Soup

4

Local Events

Fun in the Fall

Mark Your Calendar for These Great Local Events

PASSPORT DAYS WHERE: Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries, Santa Cruz WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, from 12–5 p.m. ADMISSION: $65 WEBSITE: scmwa.com/event/november-2017-passport Wine aficionados, it’s time to raise your glass. The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association is proud to present the fall session of Passport Days! Explore over 50 tasting rooms at numerous wineries, including locations normally not open to the public. This is a wine-tasting event like no other. ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: ‘ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND’ WHERE: Nickelodeon Theatre, Santa Cruz WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. ADMISSION: $15 per ticket WEBSITE: www.landmarktheatres.com/santa-cruz/ nickelodeon-theatre

rabbit. Alice follows him down the rabbit hole, tumbling into the mad world of Wonderland. Filmed live in London, The Royal Ballet presents a vibrant, magical, and extraordinary rendition of the classic “Alice in Wonderland” that you will not want to miss. JINGLE SHELLS ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL WHERE: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 12, from 12–5:30 p.m. ADMISSION: $4 for kids and seniors, $6 for adults WEBSITE: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/family-activities/ family-events This time of year, there are many arts and crafts fairs, but there’s only one hosted by the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Find the perfect gift for someone

who loves the sea, or treat yourself to a unique piece crafted by a local artist. With hot apple cider, live music, and plenty of amazing exhibits,

there is so much to do at Santa Cruz’s favorite craft fair.

At a sophisticated garden party, young Alice is stunned to see her parents’ friend, Lewis Carroll, transform into a white

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/SantaCruz