Visiting Angels - August 2020

Visiting Angels - August 2020

August 2020

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

A

e

S

What We’ve Found

Let’s Hold On to the Good Things

T he other day, I was driving through my neighborhood when I saw a dad outside teaching his daughter how to ride a bike. For as long as I have known this man, he’s been a real workaholic. He works over in San Jose, so he has a long commute on top of long work hours. Due to the pandemic, he’s been working from home. I’m sure this created a lot of new challenges for their family, but it also created the opportunity for him to play outside with his kids. The sight really made me smile. Many things had to change this year as we coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been a scary time, but human beings are adaptable. These last few months have shown that we really are able to make the best out of any situation. Families are spending more time together. People are cooking meals and sharing recipes instead of eating out every night. I’ve heard about people taking up new hobbies or rediscovering old interests. There have also been many, many people who used this time to give back. A friend of mine is a former elementary school principal who retired about a year ago. She planned to spend her retirement traveling, but the pandemic put an abrupt stop to the travel adventures. That’s when she used her leadership abilities to organize groups to make cloth masks and donate them to various organizations in our community, including Visiting Angels. They have made over 300 masks and have committed to giving us 100 new masks a month.

This was huge for us. Our angels visit many different seniors, and they need to put on a

new mask with each visit. There aren’t always enough disposable masks to go around,

so these cloth masks are a huge help. This group has been making masks for assisted living facilities and even schools for when teachers and students are back in the classroom. My friend told me that she really likes making the masks because it feels like she’s doing something useful. She’s been able to give back to the community. The World Health Organization has warned many times that the pandemic is not close to being over. This isn’t news anyone wants to hear, but I think we can take comfort in the fact that, whatever comes next, it won’t be the end of the world. We have figured out how to adapt and have been able to thrive in areas of our lives we were overlooking. It goes to show that we don’t always have to stick to the way things were. We can change, often for the better. When we do start to find our way back to our normal routines, I hope we don’t lose everything we found during the pandemic. Families making dinner together, couples going on walks, people finding new ways to give back to their community, and parents playing with their kids outside — these are some very positive, wonderful things we have learned from all of this, and I hope we don’t let them go.

“These last few months have shown that we really are able to make the best out of any situation.”

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

831-430-0616 | 1

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

All About Collagen

The Protein That Holds Us Together

Even if you have heard of collagen, chances are you don’t know much about what it does for the human body. Collagen makes up a third of the body’s proteins. In some ways, it is the glue that holds our bodies together (the first part of “collagen” comes from the Greek word “kolla,” meaning “glue”). Getting your body to produce more collagen can have amazing health benefits, particularly for those who are aging and noticing more wrinkles. There are around 16 types of collagen proteins in the body, but type 1 collagen makes up roughly 90% of a person’s collagen count. Type 1 collagen gives structure to our tendons, bones, connective tissues, and skin. When we’re younger, our bodies produce enough collagen to keep our skin tight and strong. However, as we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which contributes to thinner skin and wrinkles. Fortunately, there are certain foods and nutrients you can consume to boost your collagen production and keep your skin smoother and stronger for longer. Collagen begins

in the body as procollagen, which is created when two amino acids, glycine and proline, combine. Vitamin C aids this process, so any foods with

high concentrations of these nutrients help your body produce more collagen.

Egg whites are a great source of proline, along with foods like asparagus, cabbage, and dairy products. Additionally, pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin all have high levels of glycine. If you want to get your vitamin C levels up, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are tasty choices. Watch out for foods and habits that can damage your collagen production, like eating lots of refined sugar, exposing your skin to too much sunshine, and smoking. By adopting habits and diets that enhance collagen production, you can keep yourself looking younger and feeling better, even as you get older.

3 GUIDELINES TO ENSURE A STABLE FUTURE Retiring During a Recession

Don’t worry about what you can’t control.

A few months ago, several news sources confirmed what savvy American businesspeople already suspected: The United States is currently in a recession and has been since February 2020. While a recession isn’t good for anyone, it’s especially concerning for those nearing retirement age. Those who were planning on retiring this year might be having second thoughts — for good reason. Rest assured, however, that if you’ve had fears about retiring this year, you can still go ahead with your plans as long as you keep a few things in mind.

Even for financial experts, the markets are notoriously hard to predict. Rather than expend energy wishing you could sway the market, focus on making changes where you have control. You can control where your assets are invested, when you claim Social Security, and how you spend your money, among other things. Think about how you can change these factors in your favor and don’t worry about the rest.

Don’t let emotional attachment guide your decisions.

Stress-test your finances.

While conducting a stress test might sound a little abstract, it’s something that many financial advisors can help you do with your retirement accounts. Stress-testing your finances can help you determine if now is the right time to retire or if it’s better to wait just a little bit longer. Even if things look bad right now, that could change in a year or two. As the market recovers, so do your chances of a peaceful retirement.

Saving for retirement is almost inherently tied with joyful thoughts of financial stability in your golden years. So, when something like a recession threatens that security, it’s easy to

react irrationally. Before deciding what to do with your retirement funds, make sure your decisions are rooted in logic, not fear or anxiety. If you don’t know where to start, contact a financial advisor for guidance.

2

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast

Ready to Declutter? First, Learn to Let Go!

D o you want to enjoy a neat, tidy space but struggle with decluttering your home? It might be time to approach the process with a new mindset. Decluttering is an emotional exercise as much as it is a physical one. Often, we end up with so many things because we have some attachment to each item. These feelings are standing in your way of taking control of your space, but that doesn’t make them bad or wrong. The first step is to acknowledge your feelings. Then you can learn to let go. If you are holding onto something because it comes with good memories, remember that those memories do not exist in that keychain or old band T-shirt. Those memories exist in you. You can reflect on them whenever you like. This isn’t to say you have to banish all your mementos. Rather than letting trinkets clutter your house, designate one small space to display them. This could be a mantel or a single shelf on your

bookcase. The limited space will help you think critically about your mementos and decide which trinkets are truly important.

If you’re holding onto an item because of negative emotions, examine why you feel this way. It’s common to feel guilty about wanting to get rid of things given to us by long-gone family members. But getting rid of an old vase or painting does not mean we are getting rid of that person. Likewise, throwing out your kids’ old trophies doesn’t mean you are forgetting their childhood accomplishments. If you decide to keep something in your home, it should be because that item brings you joy, not guilt. When you start a decluttering project, remember to be kind to yourself. You might get rid of bags and bags, or you might get rid of only a few things here and there. You are doing this for yourself, so take all the time you need.

World’s Best Vegan Chimichurri

SUDOKU

This tasty sauce originated in Latin America and is easy to make: It has just eight ingredients and takes only five minutes to whip up. The flavors in the recipe are flexible, so you can experiment with different herbs and spices. Then, pour over rice or your favorite grilled foods and enjoy!

Directions 1. In a bowl, add all ingredients except cayenne and whisk until well mixed. If desired, add cayenne pepper a little at a time until you reach your preferred level of spiciness. 2. Serve immediately or, for an even better taste and texture, refrigerate for 1–2 days. Ingredients • 1/2 cup oil (extra-virgin olive oil recommended) • 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar recommended) • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp salt (Himalayan pink salt recommended) • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper • Cayenne pepper, to taste

3. You may increase the batch size, but keep the ratio of oil and vinegar the same — 2-to-1. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Inspired by Simple Vegan

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

1

What the Pandemic Has Given Us

The Protein That Holds Us Together

2

Retiring in 2020? Follow These 3 Steps!

Why Do You Feel Guilty When You Declutter?

3

World’s Best Vegan Chimichurri

4

Enjoy Virtual Events at Home

Virtual Tuesdays

START YOUR WEEK WITH SOMETHING FUN!

T hough many local events have been canceled or postponed, modern technology has opened the door to fun virtual experiences! From the comfort of your own home, you can attend great virtual events hosted across the country. Garden Talk Tuesdays:

Journaling for Self-Discovery When: Tuesday, Aug. 25; 1–2 p.m. Website: Bit.ly/Journaling2020

The Detroit Public Library invites you to get in touch with yourself with this free journaling workshop. An opportunity for creativity, self-discovery, and reflection, these meetings use journal prompts to help you kickstart the free-writing experience. Meetings are limited to 20 guests per session, so RVSP right away to save your spot. Virtual Photo Organizing Class The ability to capture a moment in time with a photo is an incredible thing. But over our lifetime, the sheer amount of photos we accumulate can become overwhelming. Ready to finally organize all those pictures? This free course offered by organization experts Photo Solutions Forever can help. Whether you’re dealing with boxes of physical photos or folders of pictures on your computer, learn how to organize and show off those family photos for all to enjoy. When: Tuesdays, Sept. 1 and 8; 7–8 a.m. Website: Bit.ly/PhotoOrganizingClass

The Twilight Garden When: Tuesday, Aug. 18; 5–6 p.m. Website: Bit.ly/ GardenTalkAugust

Gardening encourages us to make the most of

our outdoor surroundings. Presented by the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener, this workshop teaches you

how to create a garden that is as beautiful beneath the stars as it is during the day. Create a unique nocturnal garden with night-blooming plants, mood lightning, and even water features. Broaden your skills as a gardener with this special workshop.

4

| www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast