Visiting Angels August 2017

Visiting Angels August 2017

August 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

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Body, Mind, and Soul I once heard a story about a man who, at 69 years old, was working as a college teaching assistant. One day, the professor said to him, “You know this subject as well as I do. Why don’t you teach this class?” What Does It Mean to Be Happy?

Being social and having friends and family in the community is important for emotional health. The man in the story found happiness

“I’m 69 years old!” the man responded. “I don’t know if I can.” But the professor was right. The man spent years in that classroom and knew the course by heart. With some help from the college, he tracked down 40-year- old transcripts and became a professor himself. Doing what he loved gave him a renewed sense of vitality, and he spent the next 18 years teaching. A friend once asked me, “If you could have anything in life, what would it be?” I said that the most important thing is good health, because when you’re healthy, you can enjoy all the other things in life. To me, this includes your emotional, physical, and spiritual state. All three of these elements tie together, and when we aren’t taking care of one area, the others can suffer. Many of Visiting Angels’ care recipients face physical challenges or chronic health conditions, but that makes it even more important for them to get out and move. Our caregivers are great at helping them find activities to enjoy. Sometimes it’s something simple, like taking a morning walk or doing chair yoga. Other times, caregivers might look beyond the home and help find classes at local senior centers. We have caregivers who drive their care recipients to Zumba, water aerobics, line dancing, and other activities where they can exercise and be social.

through teaching. Others may do it through volunteer work. Maintaining spiritual health is

also vital, whether through attending church services or doing meditation at home. Being emotionally and spiritually fit can provide the strength to take care of oneself physically. Seniors may tend to sit and watch TV all day, because they think, “I’m too old to do anything else!” I don’t believe age is ever a factor when it comes to experiencing life. We only stop finding joy in life when we stop taking care of ourselves. Make sure you’re putting your health first, in whatever way you can, and help contribute to the happiness in your life.

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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

A SMALL COLA FOR 2017

clerical workers — people who spend much more on entertainment, electronics, and other luxury items than seniors do. For example, the cost of health care increased 5.1 percent from August 2015 to August 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compare that to the 0.3 percent COLA. While medical care is included in the CPI, the index isn’t weighted to reflect the greater proportion of income older Americans spend on health care. Are cost-of-living increases going to stay this low forever? Admittedly, it’s been a long time since the benefits have cracked 2 percent in a year. Over the last five years, we saw an increase of 3.6 percent in 2012, 1.7 percent in 2013, 1.5 percent in 2014, 1.7 percent in 2015, and zero percent in 2016. But the important thing is how you can respond to the lean increase this year. If your rent increases $50 a month while your Social Security increases just $5, you have to turn to your investment portfolio to make up the difference. Bonds and dividend-paying stocks are both risky right now, but they may be your best bet for additional retirement income in this challenging economic climate.

Retirees didn’t get any cost of living adjustment (COLA)

for Social Security in 2016, and this year,

the tens of millions of retirees in the United States are seeing just a 0.3 percent increase

in their benefits. For the average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,360, this works out to a $5 raise. (Or for married couples, a total raise

of $6, to $2,260.)

If 0.3 percent seems small, that’s because it is. While the COLA is supposed to ensure that your Social Security benefits maintain their purchasing power, you still may find the cost of everyday expenses rising faster than the COLA. Why? The COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the pace of inflation on goods and services that typical Americans buy. However, the CPI used by the government is weighted for urban wage earners and

The Effects of Negative News

a basic level, for something to be “newsworthy” — negative or not — it needs to be the exception of the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world. How to Fight the Negativity It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at

It’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health. The Psychology of Bad News A study by Psychology Today found that people who watch negative news feel worse about pre-existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world — they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world around you. As you consume threatening news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety. Why Is the News So Negative? As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized, news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material such as crime and accidents. At

all. Advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories, or take

a break from news altogether. That’s when no news

can become good news.

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Protect Your New Tech Before you use a new tablet or smartphone, have it fitted with a protective case and screen protector. There are a number of brands and styles you can choose from, but make sure the case or screen protector you select is made for your exact device. Ill-fitting cases can cause additional damage. Master the Lingo Terms and phrases surrounding technology can sound like a whole new language. Create a foundation by learning the lingo so you can apply it to the skills you need to master. The National Institutes of Health offers a glossary of common technology and internet terms at nihseniorhealth.gov/toolkit/toolkitfiles/pdf/Glossary.pdf. learning a ton of new information. Luckily, there are resources specifically for helping seniors advance their technological prowess. SeniorNet is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing technology access and education to adults over 50. Go online and visit seniornet.org to find the answers to your questions and locate a learning center today. You don’t have to be a millennial to enjoy the benefits of technology. With this foundation, you’ll be able to text, tweet, or Skype in no time! Learn From the Experts Even upgrading to a new phone can demand

KEEP UPWITH THE DIGITAL AGE 3 Ways for Seniors to Stay Cyber-Savvy

Technology changes faster every day. While these changes enable us to keep in touch with friends and family or access information from around the world, it can be intimidating to learn how to use new devices. There are numerous challenges with adopting a new skill set, but technology shouldn’t be scary! Here are a few tips to help you master the digital age.

SUDOKU

COLD SOUP Avocado and Cucumber

Ingredients • Olive oil • 2 medium ripe avocados, halved • 1 large cucumber, halved • 6 stalks spring onions • 1 jalapeno Directions 1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot. 3. Grill vegetables until everything is grilled or slightly charred. Once grilled, remove and place on platter to cool.

• 1 lemon, juiced • ½ cup cold water • 1 clove garlic • ¾ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper

4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. 5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. 6. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Recipe inspired by kirantarun.com.

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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

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Is Health the Key to Happiness?

A Small COLA for 2017

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Ignorance Is Bliss … Is It Healthy?

How to Be a Cyber-Savvy Senior

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Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup

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Local Events

So Long, Summer! AFTERNOON TEA PARTY FOR SENIORS WHERE: New Seasons Market Evergreen, San Jose, California WHEN: Wednesday, August 16, 3–4 p.m. ADMISSION: Free WEBSITE: newseasonsmarket.com/events What’s better than a cup of tea on a summer afternoon? New Seasons Market Evergreen invites seniors across the area to come out and enjoy a fresh cup of tea, a tasty treat, and some good conversation. Bring your friends or make some new ones! Whatever your plans, it’s sure to be a relaxing afternoon. THE FAB FOUR — THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE WHERE: The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, California WHEN: Friday, August 18, 7:30 p.m. ADMISSION: See website for pricing information WEBSITE: mountainwinery.com Crowds across the world, from Japan to Mexico, praise this Emmy-winning tribute! These performers love the Beatles just as much as their audience does, and that love rings true in The Fab Four’s record-perfect performances and

Fun Local Events to End the Season

meticulous attention to detail. Get your tickets now, because the only way to see a better Beatles performance is with a time machine.

FIESTAWITH A PURPOSE WHERE: Scottish Rite Temple, San Jose, California WHEN: Saturday, August 26, 5:30–11 p.m. ADMISSION: See website for pricing information WEBSITE: shopwithacopsv.com/fiesta

Shop with a Cop Foundation of Silicon Valley presents their 10th anniversary fiesta fundraiser, Fiesta with a Purpose. Reserve your seat — or a whole table — and enjoy delicious food, great music, and a lively atmosphere, all for a wonderful cause. Proceeds from this event go to help families of fallen police officers, underserved children, literacy programs, and other charitable endeavors throughout the community. Space is limited, so book your spot now.

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