Visiting Angels - May 2020

Visiting Angels - May 2020

May 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

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Give Them Flowers Honoring Our Veterans Every Day

M emorial Day is coming up, so I wanted to take this time to remember our service members who have died fighting for the United States. I’ve never lost anyone close to me to war, but I remember when I first learned about the price of war. When I was young, one of my neighbors lost their older brother in the Vietnam War. I was 11, and it was shocking to realize that someone’s brother could go to war and never come back. He’s someone I want to remember this Memorial Day. In addition to honoring the fallen, I also believe Memorial Day should be a time when we reach out to veterans who are still with us today. Veterans Day isn’t until November, but why wait? As the saying goes, “Give them flowers while they’re here.” At funerals and memorial services, there are so many lovely speeches about how much the departed meant to us. I can’t help but wonder if these people know how much they were loved and admired by their friends and family. Why do we wait until we’re in tears to finally say how much someone meant to us? Why don’t we tell them while they’re here? Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. Even those who get to come home have lost something to war, be it a friend or a piece of themselves. It’s important that we tell our veterans how much we appreciate them while they are still around to hear it. This is something we try to do at Visiting Angels. A few Christmases ago, Visiting Angels made care boxes for all our seniors who are veterans. The boxes were filled with things like nice soaps, sweet candies, and even homemade scarves that were knitted by the daughter of a Visiting

Angels employee. We wanted to do something special for the people who served for us. When we were delivering the care boxes, one man said to me, “I wasn’t even honored like this when I was in the service.”

Visiting Angels is built on the spirit of helping seniors, especially our seniors who are veterans. Jeanette Pagliaro, the owner of our branch of Visiting Angels, is a member of the Santa Cruz Rotary Club. Last year, the Rotary Club began renovating the courtyard of the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building. Part of the project includes laying commemorative bricks that honor veterans of Santa Cruz. A number of the veterans honored on these bricks also happen to be Visiting Angels seniors. It’s a really neat project, and I look forward to seeing the beautiful new courtyard when it’s completed. Memorial Day is a time to remember great sacrifice and loss. Let’s remember those who sacrificed their lives, those who lost loved ones to war, and those who fought for our country. Veterans Day is for honoring our living servicemen and women, but why shouldn’t we honor our vets twice a year? Or better yet, every day of the year! Let’s not wait until we can only lay flowers on their graves. Give our veterans flowers while they’re here.

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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The Benefits of Minimalism

with thousands of memories is a daunting task, so it is best to start by removing things that might not require emotional or physical strain, like old magazines, broken items, or clutter in the junk drawer. Once you’ve

A Perfect Lifestyle for Seniors

As we get older, we tend to hang on to mementos that brought some type of meaning to our lives, even after time has diminished their value. Though we may be emotionally attached, this clutter can eventually overwhelm us, especially as seniors. If you find yourself drowning in items you no longer need or want, consider a minimalist lifestyle to free up your space — and your mind.

taken this first step, move on to something bigger. Soon, you’ll find yourself making steady and rewarding progress throughout the rest of your home. In the process, pay attention to what you want to keep. Carefully select which objects mean the most to you and which ones are still useful. These are the belongings you should surround yourself with.

Minimalism Before taking on a minimalist lifestyle, it’s

important to understand what it entails. When someone hears the word “minimalism,” they might think it means getting rid of their possessions one by one, but that’s not entirely true. Instead, minimalist living focuses on having less clutter in our lives but still keeping the things we truly value and enjoy. The idea is to get rid of things we no longer use or need. Minimalist Living To embark on a minimalist lifestyle, focus more on the present and consider the value your personal belongings have in your life now . Sorting through hundreds of items

The Benefit of Minimalism Minimalism will help you feel more comfortable in your home and open up other possibilities. You will have more room to invite guests and family over, and you’ll have a sense of space and freedom. Additionally, this lifestyle can also help with your finances. You’ll be less tempted to buy what you don’t need, and you may even rearrange spending priorities or downsize your living space (less rent!). If you surround yourself with meaningful and useful items, you will feel more at peace.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Home in a 55-Plus Community

Depending on your wants and needs, buying a home in a 55-plus

Some communities include all maintenance and amenities in the monthly rent or mortgage (some even cover utility bills), but make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you sign a contract! Pro: Amenities are included. Most 55-plus communities include amenities like exercise classes and educational programs for their residents. They also invite community organizations and leaders to speak about local issues or upcoming elections. Some even have a clubhouse or dining hall for social gatherings. Save money by taking advantage of these programs instead of paying for a gym membership or a course at the local community college. Con: It’s a limited buyer’s and renter’s market. Most people who buy in a 55-plus community plan to retire there. If this is your original intention but your plans change down the road, you might have a harder time selling your home here than you would in a community that is open to people of all ages. Make sure to budget for those potential holding costs and plan accordingly. Regardless of where you decide to buy, be sure to consult an experienced real estate agent and a financial planner. Here’s to living out your golden years in comfort and convenience!

community might be a financially savvy way to set yourself up for retirement. But is it the right decision for you? Here are a few financial pros and cons associated with moving into one of these

neighborhoods.

Pro: The homes are in excellent condition. Oftentimes, 55-plus communities provide maintenance services, including housekeeping and landscaping. Also, it’s likely that only a handful of people have occupied the home since it was built, so buying in a 55-plus community means you’ll get a property in excellent condition with less wear and tear. Con: You’ll have to pay a monthly fee. Unfortunately, all the great stuff doesn’t come free. Usually, you’ll have to pay an extra monthly bill, similar to a homeowners association fee, to live in a 55-plus community.

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COVID-19 Chaos and Retirement Savings What You Should Be Doing

COVID-19 has impacted the economy in a big way. Many businesses are closing or suspending their services for a brief time and stocks have dropped dramatically. As a result, people have started changing the way they spend their money, especially investors. With such a big hit to our economy, it will undoubtedly take a while to recover. This brings one significant question to the mind of many soon-to-be and current retirees: What’s going to happen to my retirement? You may be tempted to stop placing funds into your retirement savings to protect yourself and your finances. It can be even more tempting to take money directly out of your retirement account and place it elsewhere. But you shouldn’t assume your 401(k) or IRA is doomed to fail because of the difficult times the world is currently struggling through. The stock market has recovered from significant losses in the past. You shouldn’t alter the long-term financial plans you’ve been faithfully maintaining. One of the best actions you can take for

your retirement plan is to stay the course and continue to direct a steady flow of funds into it. Additionally, consider taking some of those funds and directing them into a separate savings account. No one can predict the future, but taking this small precaution to invest in an emergency fund can give you peace of mind. Despite the fear and gloom COVID-19 has caused, there is a silver lining. As people are encouraged to stay at home and practice social distancing, they will have fewer reasons to spend money. Many cities and towns are urging communities to only go shopping for necessities, such as food and toiletries. Less spending means more savings. Money that would have otherwise gone to movie theaters, restaurants, or concerts can go directly into your retirement plan instead. Remember, don’t halt your savings because you think your retirement will collapse during this time. Keep a level head and maintain a secure grasp on your financial future.

Avocado Mayonnaise

SUDOKU

Inspired by The Kitchn

Your entree is only as good as the seasonings and sauces that accompany it. We guarantee you’ll be looking for excuses to pair this vegan avocado mayonnaise with all your meals!

Directions 1. In a food processor, blend Ingredients • 2 ripe avocados • 1 tsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce • 1 tsp Dijon mustard avocados, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and salt for 1 minute. 2. Scrape the mixture down the sides of the bowl.

• 1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/4 cup olive oil

3. Turn the processor on again and slowly pour in olive oil. 4. Blend for 1 minute or until smooth.

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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

www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002

Inside

Give Them Flowers

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Minimalist Living for Seniors

Is a 55-Plus Community Right for You?

Don’t Assume Your Retirement Savings Are All for Naught

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Avocado Mayonnaise

Stay Connected With These Helpful Resources

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Maintaining Health While Homebound

FUN EVENTS TO LIFT YOU STAY CONNECTED WITH THESE HELPFUL RESOURCES

Social Media Utilizing social media is a great way to keep in contact with your loved ones. Facebook is very popular with older people — 1 out of 3 older adults already uses the platform because it’s easy to use. Facebook and other social media platforms can help you stay connected with friends, family, and groups of people with similar

Due to the growing concerns about COVID-19, getting the resources you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle is more challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) request for social distancing makes it harder to get food and maintain social norms. So, to help maintain your well-being in these uncertain times, here are a few resources that will make getting food and keeping tabs on your family a breeze. Food Delivery Because COVID-19 is easily transmitted, getting food at a grocery store is riskier. If you don’t prefer mobile apps like Postmates or Instacart, local food kitchens, municipalities, and senior centers may offer food delivery. Using a delivery service limits the number of people you interact with to the delivery person. For an added measure of safety, put a note on delivery instructions requesting they leave the bags at the door. If you have trusted family or friends nearby, reach out to them. They can pick up what you need when they’re already getting groceries, which is especially convenient if you don’t want to deal with mobile apps. Regardless of your method, you should become familiar with getting food delivered because you don’t know how long the situation will last.

interests to avoid feeling so isolated at home. You can also continue to share photos and videos so you don’t miss a day in your loved ones’ lives. Video chat apps like Skype, Zoom, and Apple FaceTime enable you to have those essential face-to-face conversations when you can’t be with other people. If you’re unfamiliar with the applications, they are easy to download for free on your phone or computer, and they allow you to see and verbally chat if you have a webcam and microphone. (If you use a phone or laptop, this equipment is already built- in.) A video chat app also lets you be a part of important life moments like birthdays and anniversaries if a shelter-in-place order prevents you from celebrating in person. Ensure you’re up to date on the best ways to keep you and your family safe during these uncertain times by visiting CDC.gov for more information.

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