Visiting Angels - July 2021

Visiting Angels - July 2021

July 2021

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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HOW WE HELP SENIORS STAY SAFE AND AT HOME LONGER Staying Independent

The Fourth of July celebrates our country’s independence, but this July, I want to discuss another kind of independence: senior independence. It’s something many of our clients are concerned with and why some of them may be reluctant to work with our caregivers. For their families, working with Visiting Angels offers peace of mind, but for seniors, they may fear that it’s a loss of who they are. Our goal at Visiting Angels is to provide that comfort to the families we serve while also ensuring their loved one still has their independence — whatever that may look like. Everything we do is done with safety in mind, but it’s also designed to help our seniors stay independent in their homes. Our work is focused on the abilities of the people we serve rather than their inabilities . A few years ago, I heard about one of our bedbound seniors whose caregiver taught her origami. It’s an interesting technique to learn no matter what the circumstance, but for that senior, it was a skill that came with independence. That Christmas, she was able to make presents for her entire family with the lessons her caregiver had given her. She did that all on her own; our caregiver only showed her how. That’s independence.

Of course, it’s not always our caregivers who are teaching our clients. In fact, we often hear stories of caregivers learning from our clients! The best example is in the kitchen. We often have caregivers who learn family recipes because they cook or bake with our clients. The client is still taking charge of the kitchen, but the caregiver can offer a helping hand when needed. It’s always easier to have an extra hand in the kitchen, and there’s no reason why our seniors should have to give up a craft they love! (Plus, we love the treats.) Sometimes, independence comes in the form of a helping hand rather than a lesson. One of our clients belonged to a group of women who would meet every few days, rotating their homes and who brought the snacks, to play bridge. It was a great opportunity to socialize and participate in some good old-fashioned competition. When our client learned she could no longer drive, she lost those opportunities. She stayed home by herself and felt extremely lonely and isolated. This is another component to senior independence. It often accompanies isolation, which can lead to larger or worsening chronic health conditions. This can then result in difficulty maintaining independence. It’s an unfortunate cycle.

So, our caregiver developed a plan. They would drive our client to her friend’s house, run errands while the client was playing bridge, then pick her up when she was done. Our client was able to socialize and see her friends again, which led to her feeling more independent. Receiving a ride from a caregiver didn’t diminish that. It strengthened her independence. In other instances, independence may look like us providing tools for the seniors and their families. We may suggest installing grab bars, shower chairs, or rubber grips to protect an older adult from a fall in the bathroom. Other times, we may help clear pathways in the house so everyone can move through it easier. Something as simple as a few acts of home maintenance can go a long way in ensuring a senior is safe and independent in their home. Our biggest priority is to ensure the safety of all our clients, and in doing so, we want to provide seniors with the tools and empowerment they need to stay independent. Our job is to encourage independence, not take it away. If there is anything we can do to help your loved one stay independent, please call us.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Get Your Train of Thought Back on Track

Recovery Hacks

is that recovering your train of thought is easy with the following hacks in mind.

someone or in front of people. Even if you never refer to your notes while speaking, simply writing down a road map for your train of thought can help you recover from a detour and speak more confidently. Remember your overall point. The easiest way to drive your train of thought into the weeds is to forget your overall point — or not to have an overriding point at all. Always have a short, overarching point you can use to recenter yourself and get back on track. With these hacks, your brain will have to work a lot harder to make you lose your train of thought! Now you’ll be more prepared to tackle any subject matter, no matter how deep or technical, that comes your way.

Repeat, repeat, repeat yourself. Paraphrasing your last few thoughts out loud can help you remember where you were going. Think of it as retracing your steps: You go back to the last words you remember saying, and more often than not, you’ll find your direction again. Take a short pause. Pausing briefly is a great way to make recovering your train of thought seem natural. This hack works really well if you’re answering a question and you need time to think, and you also don’t want to be bogged down by a chorus of “ums” escaping from your mouth. Write it all down. This hack works well when you know beforehand that you’ll be speaking with

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation, presentation, or debate, stringing together thoughts in a way you hope is coherent and insightful when — poof! — you lose your train of thought? It’s frustrating. You just want to make yourself understood, but your brain has other plans. What if there were a way to keep your train of thought on track? Well, the good news

3 Ingredients That Are a Waste of Time, Money, and Taste Buds!

There are several foods in just about every supermarket that aren’t what they seem. These are foods that may appear perfectly fine at a glance, but they are actually a waste of time, money, and pantry space. Here are three of those foods and their better alternatives! Beef Broth When you buy beef broth, you buy it with the expectation that it is, in fact, beef-based. However, many products that call themselves “beef broth” are actually yeast -based. All of their flavor comes from yeast and various spices, not beef, thanks to lax U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations on beef broth. The product may have just enough actual beef broth for it to be on the ingredient list and label. The next time you need beef broth for a recipe, replace it with the same

amount of chicken or vegetable broth, both of which have more stringent USDA regulations.

calls for cooking wine, in general, stick to regular wine that you would serve on its own. Use white wine for lighter- in-color dishes, such as risotto, and red wine for dark, richer dishes, including sauces and gravies. Ground Black Pepper Many spices can actually fall under this category, but ground black pepper tends to be the most popular — and the most problematic. When spices, like pepper, are ground, they come into contact with air and begin to oxidize and lose flavor. Ground spices stored in sealed containers in a cool, dry place will lose flavor slowly, but ground pepper tends to be left out, which means it loses flavor faster. Instead, invest in a pepper mill and fill it with whole peppercorns. The flavor difference in your dishes will be noticeable!

Cooking Wine This is one of the biggest scams in the culinary world. First, most products called “cooking wine” on their label are low-quality wines. Second, many manufacturers add salt to cooking wine. If you encounter a recipe that

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Help Your Loved One Live Independently Don’t Ignore These Signs

Damage to Vehicles It may seem easily explained. After all, cars get dinged up by grandkids and careless drivers, but if your loved one’s vehicle has obvious damage, it may be a sign that they need to stop driving. Giving up the keys can feel like an incredible loss of independence, but there are many options to sustain a senior’s lifestyle. Setting up carpool schedules, working with your caregiver to develop a travel plan, and providing more in- home services, like grocery delivery, can help older adults live full lives without a license.

As we age, it’s not uncommon for daily activities that were once second nature to become more difficult, but there are

signs that your aging loved one may need more assistance to help them maintain an independent lifestyle. Paying

attention to these clues can ensure intervention is quick, easy, and beneficial to your loved one. (Your loved one probably won’t tell you about these events. Remember to be observational and sensitive to their feelings.) Unexplained Injuries We all hurt ourselves accidentally, but regular, unexplainable bruises, cuts, or

A Home in Disarray It’s hard to care for a home when you are struggling to care for yourself. If your mother’s once pristine yard is now overgrown or your father’s commonly organized bookcase is

cluttered, it may be a sign they cannot do these chores alone. It could be as simple as providing better tools or organization to help your loved one complete these tasks. Or, you can work with a caregiver to develop a care plan centered around home maintenance.

scrapes could be a sign that your loved one is struggling with mobility or balance. They may need tools, like guardrails and bathroom seats, or better home

organization to ensure they can move around their home safely. Exercise and a proper diet can help, too. Don’t ignore these injuries — falls can be deadly for seniors.

If your loved one is in need of guidance or additional support to ensure they live independently, please call us today.

EASY ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS

Sudoku

This healthy summer dish is the perfect way to use up extra zucchini! Ingredients • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tsp cumin • 2 tsp chili powder • Salt, to taste • 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 1 1/3 cups red enchilada sauce, divided • 4 large zucchini, sliced very thin lengthwise and dried • 2 cups shredded cheese • Sour cream and cilantro, for garnish

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring for 5 minutes. 2. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, then add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. Stir to combine. 3. On a cutting board, lay out three slices of zucchini side by

side. Top each with a scoop of chicken mixture, then roll into a tube. Repeat with remaining zucchini slices.

4. Add the rolls to a baking dish. 5. Top the rolls with the remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with garnishes!

Inspired by Delish.com

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

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

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Inside

How Visiting Angels Helps With Senior Independence

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Life Hack: How to Recover Your Train of Thought Avoid These Ingredients in Your Cooking!

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3 Signs Your Loved One Needs Help to Live Independently Easy Zucchini Enchiladas

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Celebrate California This Independence Day at 3 Historic Sites

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In Honor of Independence Day A Little Slice of California History

Colton Hall Where: 570 Pacific St., Monterey When: Every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Website: Monterey.org/Museums Did you know that California is said to have been founded right in Monterey? In fact, the California constitutional convention took place right at Colton Hall! The building was first constructed by Walter Colton in the early 1800s. It was originally a public hall and a schoolhouse, but it also served politicians and was once a jail house. Those who love American history or are interested in the macabre parts of history will both enjoy this California landmark.

Independence Day is a momentous celebration of our country’s history, and we have our own amazing history right here in California! This July, after the fireworks explode and the sparklers burn out, check out these historical California locations to learn more about our state’s golden history. Wilder Ranch State Park Where: 1404 Coast Road, Santa Cruz When: Every day from 8 a.m. to sunset Website: Parks.CA.gov Take a trip back in time to Wilder Ranch State Park. This 7,000- acre park sits along the California coastline and is a perfectly preserved homage to California life in the 1800s. Originally a dairy ranch, Wilder Ranch State Park now features an 1897 Victorian home, a water-powered machine shop, a farmhouse, and

other historical buildings. If you want to enjoy the old farm’s natural beauty, there are also hiking and biking trails! Dogs are not allowed, but you can inquire about tours. Lodato Trail Loop Where: Scotts Valley When: Every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Website: AllTrails.com (search for Lodato Trail Loop) California is known for a few things: Hollywood, the gold rush, and the gorgeous redwoods. Explore these gigantic trees without ever leaving Scotts Valley! Check out the Lodato Trail Loop to walk among these big beauties. At just over 1 mile long, the loop is easily traversable by hikers of all levels and ages. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, and you just might be lucky enough to spot wildlife among the big trees.

Note: Please check with each location for COVID-19 protocols.

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