Visiting Angels - June 2021

Visiting Angels - June 2021

June 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 Hydration Changes as We Age Don’t Forget to Drink Water!

Welcome to summer! It’s refreshing to enter this season with more possibilities for spending time with loved ones and doing the activities we love most. I hope you have some exciting summer activities planned, but as the temperature increases and the days get longer, I want to use this opportunity to share a few reminders about hydration and aging. Many people may not realize it, but seniors can face increased risks of dehydration. This is typically due to a combination of factors. For starters, older adults lose water at a faster rate, and their bodies are made up of less water than those who are younger. Furthermore, their sense of thirst may diminish or be lost entirely. This means that when their body needs water, they may not know it. To make things more complicated, some experts point out that fatigue, dizziness, and cramps are so nonspecific to any particular diagnosis, that some older adults may attribute what is actually dehydration to their medications, old injuries, or overexertion. If your loved one has dementia, hydration can be more complex. In addition to their sense of thirst lessening, those with dementia may

not recognize thirst as a sign that they need to drink water. They may also be unable to express that they are thirsty. Additionally, the symptoms that come with dehydration — including dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and irritability — can be exacerbated in dementia patients. They may lash out or become confused. Dehydration has such a simple source but can be very scary regardless. It can happen at any age, and I have witnessed how it impacts older adults. I often talk about my grandma in this newsletter because her experiences impacted so many aspects of my life. This story is another one of those moments. Grandma had been working in her garden all morning and afternoon on a warm spring day at her home in Arizona. It didn’t occur to her that she should drink water because her body never told her it needed water — until later. I received a call from a neighbor who saw my grandma sitting on the side of her house as if she had fallen. She appeared dizzy and delusional, and she couldn’t comprehend anything. Grandma was eventually taken to the hospital, where she returned to her happy, normal self once properly hydrated. But that experience left an impression on me.

By her age, my grandma knew drinking water was important and necessary, but like so many of us, she relied on those signals from her body. She didn’t know she was thirsty or that her body needed water until it was too late. Thankfully, preventing dehydration can be easy: Just drink water. If your loved one struggles to do this, there are a few tricks we can try. Set a repeating reminder on their phone or calendar that tells them to drink water. You could also infuse cucumber and lemon juice into the water. They may like the taste more and want to keep sipping on it! You could also make water easier to access. Use a nice water bottle or keep the fridge stocked with cool, refreshing water. Our creative caregivers can help you create a plan or system to help your loved one drink more water, too. Just ask! My hope is that we can all enjoy this summer. After last year, we deserve it! And part of ensuring that our summer days are fun, long, and filled with great experiences is drinking water.

Stay hydrated this summer and enjoy!

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Is Animal Therapy Right for You?

Your Guide to AAT

There are just some things only a dog can understand — same with a cat, or a horse, or a bird, for that matter. That’s the idea behind animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a treatment designed to help those with mental and physical challenges. AAT may look like snuggling and playing with animals, but it’s much more involved than you may think.

to chemotherapy or surgery, provide connection to residents in long-term care facilities, or even offer exercise for those with limited mobility.

pass certification processes intended to help each party gain the skills needed to help patients. To qualify, animals also need to be clean and vaccinated, and the type of animal that is used during AAT also depends on a person’s condition, the location of the therapy, and a patient’s need.

Aren’t those just emotional support animals?

In recent years, emotional support animals have become increasingly popular both in the media and in their use. Emotional support animals offer their owners vital emotional assistance, but they differ greatly from trained therapy animals. AAT requires the use of a trained animal under the direction of a handler, who will also coordinate with medical professionals to ensure the strategies that they deploy will target what a patient needs. Prior to practicing, trainers and their animals must each

Is AAT right for you?

What is AAT?

AAT isn’t for everyone, but it can be a vital component of your healing process. It’s often seen as a supplemental form of therapy intended to bolster other therapies. The important thing to remember when considering AAT is to establish reasonable goals. Discuss the possibility of using AAT with your doctor or therapist and consider which animals may bring you the most comfort. Be realistic about what you want and need before attempting AAT.

AAT relies on an innate human need to connect with animals. The idea is that humans form bonds with living things, and this connection can have a calming effect on our minds. Physical therapy and massage therapy involve tangible actions on the part of the therapist, while AAT relies on the relationship between a human and an animal. This could help someone cope with grief, lessen a medical patient’s pain related

4 Kitchen Gadgets That Work AN EXPERT’S RECOMMENDATIONS!

A great kitchen gadget (like a food processor) should save you time and effort. But not all kitchen gadgets deliver that, especially for people who suffer from dexterity problems or arthritis. Thanks to kitchen product design expert Dan Formosa (his past designs include many OXO products), here are a few gadgets he’s tested and loves — and will definitely make anyone’s life a lot easier. ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Chopper and Manual Food Processor Hate the noise of traditional processors? This manual food processor works like a charm: Put food in its 26-ounce container, close the lid, and pull the cord with its easy-to-hold handle (which connects to a blade inside the container). Voila! Your food is chopped. It only takes a couple of pulls to finely dice your veggies into a delicious salsa.

Formosa especially loved how compact it is for storage.

Coco Jack Eating coconut can be a healthy treat, but it might be intimidating for most home cooks — how are you supposed to open it? Enter the Coco Jack. It requires some force, but it’s much easier and less dangerous than using a knife, especially a dull knife. Just align the circular tool on your coconut and slam with a hammer to create a hole. Chef’n Strawberry Huller Let’s say you want to remove the pithy center and leaves of a strawberry to create a whipped cream-filled strawberry. Why? Well, why not? This strawberry huller tool is easy to use and highly effective for dessert makers or anyone who wants to make attractive and creative strawberry treats.

ICU Egg Topper and Cracker Do you want to present a soft-boiled egg to your guests in an aesthetically pleasing way? With just a pull of a handle and release, this tool cracks the top of the egg so cleanly that you can lift it in one piece with your hand! Then, add your toppings and serve. Kitchen gadgets are best when they help us make our food preparation just a little easier and fancier, and these definitely get the job done. We hope you love these as much as we do!

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3 Little-Known Ways Your Body Changes as You Age That Can Happen!?

Your Senses of Taste and Smell Disappear Fun fact: Experts have found that our sense of smell sparks more memories and neural activity than any other sense! Yet, medication and increased sensitivity to illness or allergies can strip us of our ability to fully taste and smell as we age. You may never fully lose these senses, but your preferences could change. Or, you may find that a favorite dish just isn’t as flavorful as you remember.

Everyone knows what aging looks like. Many people experience vision impairment, decreased hearing capacity, thinning or graying hair, and limited mobility. These are perfectly normal products of living in a body that is simply getting older.

However, aging is a unique experience, and there are certain physical changes that are not as well-known but are still just part of getting older. Your Mouth Changes Over time, teeth tend to yellow, but there’s a lot more that can happen. Your gums may start to pull away from your teeth, which leaves your chompers more susceptible to decay and damage. Furthermore, medications and your body’s decreased ability to retain water can make your mouth dry. This environment is prime for decay and can cause cavities!

The Remedy: Consult with your doctor about potential treatment options. Plus, it’s vital that your doctor knows if you have lost your sense of smell because it’s been linked with dementia.

You May Never Have a Migraine Again This is a good one! If you have ever had a

migraine, you know how painful suffering with one can be. However, only 10% of women and 5% of men report having one after the age of 70! And it may not be a headache. The other symptoms associated with migraines, like nausea or vision loss, may be the main symptoms. The Remedy: If you regularly experience migraines, or did in the past, consult with your doctor about how this could change as you age. Understanding how your body reacts could help you control or treat migraines.

The Remedy: Proper oral hygiene is the best prevention method. Brush twice each day, and floss once per day. (There are solutions for those with arthritis and mobility concerns.) Regular dental appointments can also prevent diseases and help you discover problems before they worsen.

This protein-packed recipe is the perfect dinner for two on a hot summer night when you don’t want to turn on the oven. EASY TUNA POKE BOWL

Sudoku

Ingredients • 2 tsp soy sauce • 1 tsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp orange juice • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced • 10 oz canned tuna, drained

• 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped • 1 scallion, finely chopped • 1 cup rice, cooked and cooled • 1/4 cup avocado, cubed • 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions 1. First, make the dressing. In a jar, add soy sauce, sesame oil, orange juice, and ginger. Secure the lid and shake until emulsified. 2. In a small bowl, empty the drained tuna and pour the dressing over top. Add the cilantro and scallions and stir until well coated. 3. Divide rice between two serving bowls. Top with the dressed tuna, avocado, tomatoes, and sesame seeds.

Inspired by TheKitchn.com

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Inside

Why Hydration Is Vital to Remember as We Age

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Should You Try Animal Therapy? 4 Kitchen Gadgets — Expert Recommended

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3 Things About Aging No One Ever Told You About Easy Tuna Poke Bow

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Local Produce at 3 Local Farmers Markets

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At These 3 Must-Visit Farmers Markets Fresh Produce Awaits

The Farmer’s Market at Old Monterey Marketplace When: Tuesdays from 4–8 p.m. Where: Alvarado Street, Monterey Website: OldMonterey.org For 30 years, the Farmer’s Market at Old Monterey Marketplace has provided fresh produce, flowers, jewelry, crafts, clothing, and an international culinary experience in downtown Monterey. Enjoy delicacies from local food producers or find the perfect gift for your loved one with the handcrafted products made from local vendors. The market is also a great spot to donate blood, find a new furry friend to adopt, listen to live music, or register to vote! Bicycle parking is also available. Please contact market organizers or visit each market online to learn more about their COVID-19 protocols and adjustments.

Nothing tastes better than fresh produce, and the farmers market is just the spot to find these local treasures! Support local producers and makers and score some of the freshest food you can find at these local farmers markets. Downtown Santa Cruz Market When: Wednesdays from 1–6 p.m. Where: Cedar and Lincoln streets, Santa Cruz Website: SantaCruzFarmersMarket.org Dubbed the oldest and largest farmers market in Santa Cruz, the downtown market has to become your midweek grocery shopping destination. Choose from freshly baked goods, handcrafted treats, locally grown produce, and grab-and-go lunches or dinners from local farmers, creators, and producers. The market also features live music — though this activity is suspended during the pandemic — and accepts

CalFresh and EBT tokens. (Plus, the market will match a portion of all purchases made with EBT cards.) Felton Farmers Market When: Tuesdays from 12:30–1 p.m. for seniors only, 1–6 p.m. for everyone Where: 120 Russell Ave., Felton Website: SantaCruzFarmersMarket.org If Wednesdays don’t mesh with your grocery shopping schedule, then check out Felton’s market on Tuesdays. Similar to the downtown Santa Cruz market, the Felton market features live music, café seating, and all the same produce and craft goods you can enjoy at the downtown market. Be sure to check out the food from local chefs and enjoy a selection of chicken and eggs for purchase. Get in while it’s open, though — the Felton market is only open now through October!

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