Visiting Angels - August 2022

Visiting Angels - August 2022

August 2022

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

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If Proper Safety Precautions Are in Place Fall Risks for Seniors Are Preventable

When family members call us to inquire about our services, they sometimes look for future information to plan for the day when they, or their loved one, may need more assistance. However, adult children usually seek our services because their loved one suffered from an illness or fall. Fall risks among seniors are prevalent. But you can prevent falls by surveying their home and identifying areas that could be made safer. Visiting Angels can conduct no-cost safety inspections of your loved one’s home. It’s part of our initial consultation and ongoing care management once you are a client. We look at your home with fresh eyes and give suggestions on how your home can be made safer. There are several items we look for when surveying a home. In the bathroom, we look for grab bars near the toilet and in the shower, raised toilet seats, and shower chairs. In the living room, bedrooms, and kitchen areas, we check for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, search for unsecured throw rugs, frayed or worn-out wiring, and ensure that all appliances are in good working order. If your loved ones have trouble with mobility, we may suggest putting stair railings or ramps in and around your home for easier access. I have firsthand experience with assisting a loved one in making their homes safer. My grandmother lived in the same home for 72 years. It was the house she and my grandfather

built, room by room. As you can imagine, they created a lot of memories there, such as raising children, taking care of their aging parents, and retiring. Because of all the years my grandparents spent in their home, they accumulated a lot of “treasures.” After my grandfather passed away, my grandma decided to stay at the home. She lived in the house for so long that she didn’t recognize the trip hazards on her pathway each day. Unfortunately, a bad fall persuaded my grandmother to agree to clear out some of her treasures — which were trip hazards. Once we cleared the pathways and installed safety equipment, we felt safer, and so did she. It’s heartbreaking to see your loved ones suffer a fall, then decide that they need some help. But it can be challenging to ask for assistance because older adults may feel like they are losing some of their independence. Although it can be difficult for your loved ones to ask for help, they can keep more of their freedom if they do. With the help of their adult children or a caregiver, they will have more time to do things they love. If you want to help your aging parents make their home safer and prevent falls, you can use two key tactics to communicate with them. First, assess the situation and

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With Homemade Bird Feeders! Get Crafty With Mother Nature

Our feathered friends may need a hand when their food sources are scarce or when winter rolls around, which is where bird feeders come in! Making homemade bird feeders is a fun way for you and your family to be

For food, you can use regular bird seed from the store, or you can use items from your own fridge. (As part of the project, take a little time to look online for safe bird food suggestions if you don’t use seed.) You can adhere seeds and pieces of fruit and veggies to the side of the feeder with peanut butter — no glue required! Jazz it up! This is where kids can personalize their own bird feeder. Using bird-safe paints (such as oil-based, latex, acrylic, or watercolor), your kids can design their own bird feeders with bright colors or designs that express their personalities or interests. Be sure not to paint the inside of the feeder, as birds may scratch and consume the paint while trying to reach the food. Then all you have left is to find the perfect spot. Try to find a space where you can see the birds but with enough distance so you don’t scare them away. After that, hang it up and watch the flocks come to you! Homemade bird feeders can be a great way to get your kids involved with Mother Nature and teach them how to care for and observe wild animals, all while being good to the environment.

creative while learning about birds and other local fauna. You can create a bird feeder in many ways and encourage kids to get crafty!

Gather your supplies. Most homemade bird feeders can be made with materials you can find in your own home! Recycled items such as toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, egg cartons, milk jugs, paper plates and bowls, or even pine cones from the yard are perfect building blocks. Whatever you choose to build with, make sure the feeder is accessible to the birds! Cut holes so the birds can peck at the food and craft a place for them to perch on. If you’re hanging the feeder, cut holes for twine and ensure it won’t hang too low.

CHANGING THE SCOPE OF EXERCISE LIVE LONGER AND STRONGER

Your body undergoes a variety of changes over the years, many of which are degenerative and can be debilitating to your health. But exercise can help slow these age-related issues, like heart disease or high blood pressure, and even prevent them in the long run. Here are four ways you can get moving without overexerting yourself. Walking or Jogging Taking a stroll around the neighborhood or a few laps around the park can help build stamina, strengthen lower body muscles, and help fight against bone diseases like osteoporosis. If you want to sweat it out some more, jogging might be a great alternative. But remember to be kind to your joints: Walk at a pace you’re comfortable with, wear supportive shoes, take breaks

as needed, and walk on soft surfaces, like tracks or grass.

able to get your blood flowing and build muscles in the front and back of your legs as well as your hips. Your arms are also strengthened due to the resistance of balancing your arms and shoulders to steer. Yoga Holding a series of poses can stretch and strengthen your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also helps lower heart rate and blood pressure and can even relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. For older adults, a well-rounded workout that consists of endurance, strength, balance

Gardening While gardening doesn’t seem as vigorous as other exercises, it is a hearty physical activity. Digging around in the dirt is actually great for your immune system, and it strengthens your arms, legs/knees,

and balance. Mycobacterium vaccae, which is a bacteria

commonly found in gardening soil, can alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and even psoriasis.

Cycling Whether it be in a class or outdoors, cycling can be very beneficial for stiff or sore joints. You’re

and flexibility can help in many ways. Some can even be fun!

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Is Your Senior’s Home Free of Falling Hazards? 3 Home Safety Tips to Prevent Falls

Falls are prevalent for older adults who are 65 years old and older. About 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year. As your loved ones age, their mobility, strength, eyesight, and memory begin to decrease, making maneuvering around their home more difficult. These challenges can lead to costly and severe accidents, but it’s important to remember that falling is preventable if you take the proper precautions. Here are three ways to make your elder loved one’s home safer and prevent accidental falls. 1. Clear frequently used pathways. Make sure your loved one can easily get to their bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and front door. Ensure that all rugs have a secure rubber backing to stay sturdy. If there are antiques and furniture blocking entryways to the point where your loved one has difficulty navigating with a cane or walker, move those items to another location. Secure

navigate more easily, install railings inside and outside the shower or bath. These railings will help your loved ones balance and steady themselves. It’s also worth installing raised toilet seats because some toilets are low to the ground, and seniors may have trouble lowering themselves to the seat or getting up. Additionally, having railings near the toilet will help seniors support their body weight and prevent accidental falls. 3. Improve lighting inside the house. Additional lights can help brighten your elder’s home so they can see better during the day and even at night. You can purchase automated lights that immediately turn on when they sense movement, or you can place nightlights around the home. This will make it easier for elders because they don’t have to try finding a light switch in the middle of the night, which could make them accidentally trip or bump into something that could cause an accident.

all loose wires and repair any that appear to be frayed or damaged. You don’t want any clutter in pathways because they can cause elders to lose their balance and fall. 2. Make bathrooms easily accessible. Entering and exiting the bathroom can be challenging for seniors. To help them

If you’re worried that your loved one’s home still has trip hazards, allow Visiting Angels to help. We can look at the home with fresh eyes and suggest how to make the home safer to relieve stress for you and your family.

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

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understand your loved one’s strengths and weaknesses. Once you acknowledge what they need help with, you will know how to best offer your assistance. You also want to choose your words carefully. Avoid emphasizing their weaknesses because that can make them feel that they lack control. Instead, appeal to the values that matter most to your parent and voice your desire to enable them to maintain and enjoy the independence they do have. Here at Visiting Angels, we care about you and your loved ones. If there is any way we can assist you during this time, please reach out to us. We will be happy to conduct a safety inspection of your parent’s home and offer recommendations on ways you can improve the safety of their home to prevent sudden and severe falls. We are here for you at any time! It will be our pleasure to assist you so your loved ones can remain independent and spend quality time with one another without worries.

Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

Directions 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish. Ingredients • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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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/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

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Don’t Wait Until an Injury Happens to Seek Help

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Handcraft Homemade Bird Feeders With the Family 4 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Work Out

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3 Home Safety Tips to Prevent Falls Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

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3 Parks to Visit This Month!

WHILE VISITING THESE PARKS Spend Time With Your Loved Ones As we approach the end of summer, now is the time to enjoy some quality time with your loved ones while being outdoors. With National Eat Outside Day being Aug. 31, these parks are great locations to have a picnic, soak up the sun, share stories with your loved ones, and even get some physical exercise.

Harvey West Park 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. 326 Evergreen St. SantaCruz.org/listings/harvey-west-park In 1955, Harvey West donated a piece of land to the city of Santa Cruz to create a park for the public to enjoy. West was a philanthropist who contributed to his community privately and publicly. The 50-acre park has tons of amenities for the entire family to enjoy all summer. You can swim in the Harvey West Pool, host picnics in the open spaces, or take a walk through the Friendship Garden and surround yourself with nature. This garden is wheelchair-accessible and a great spot to spend time with your loved ones.

Spanish Gardens at City Hall 7 a.m.–6 p.m. 809 Center St. MobileRanger.com/santacruz/santa- cruz-city-hall If you’re looking for an area to unwind and stroll through a botanical garden, the Spanish Gardens at Santa Cruz City Hall is the place for you. The garden belonged to Frederick Augustus Hihn and went along with his Italian villa mansion. Although the gardens are not located at the estate anymore, the spirit of the place remains intact. With over 300 different species of plants as well as the world’s largest rose bush, it’s easy to spend hours looking at all the flowers. So, come on by and smell the roses!

DeLaveaga Park 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. 855 Branciforte Dr. SantaCruz.org/listings/delaveaga-park This area used to be the vacation spot for José Vincente DeLaveaga and his family. When he died in 1894, he left more than three-quarters of his million-dollar estate to various charities. A portion of his land was used to create the park we know today. DeLaveaga’s dream for this land was to be a place for the public to enjoy for years to come. Today, you can go to this park for hiking, viewing exotic flowers, playing outdoor games, and having picnics.

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