Visiting Angels - May 2022

Visiting Angels - May 2022

May 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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CELEBRATING THE VALUE SENIORS BRING TO OUR COMMUNITIES Experienced, Not Inactive

During the pandemic, I walked into the local grocery store here in town and was greeted by a cheery man. He was in his 90s, happy as can be. I smiled back, but suddenly, I recognized the man. Everyone around town knew him. He was a successful person who had lived through the Great Depression, world wars, recessions, and most recently, the Bernie Madoff scandal. Like so many others, this man had made an investment that sounded good, and ultimately, he was swindled out of so much by Madoff’s greed. But everyone in town loved this man. So, the local grocery store asked him to be their greeter. He was 90 years old, but they still saw his value. And that day, as I chatted with him about the craziness of the pandemic, he taught me a valuable lesson. Here was a man who had lived through so much turmoil, yet he remained happy and kind. You would have never known what he had lived through. I knew there was so much to learn from this man, and I’ve felt that way about older adults for as long as I

can remember. Now that I’m a little older and wiser, I wish I would have spent more time talking to my parents about the adversity they faced or the obstacles they overcame. They have both since passed. Luckily, I did this with my grandmother. She was a very creative person; I mean, this woman could sew anything! But as she grew older, her eyesight became worse. Sewing and reading, once her refuge, became very difficult; so, she indulged in conversation. She loved to talk! And I liked to listen to her. We would have some great, heartfelt conversations over nothing, really. I’m happy to have done that. May is Older Americans Month, and as I recount my interactions with older adults, I find I’m grateful for every conversation. Far too often, we take older adults for granted. After all, to us, they have always been there! But they have lived through and seen so much. We’re here today because of older Americans who paved the way. They fought in wars, crawled back from the Great Depression, and created

innovations we still use today. Age should truly be a number in respect to what they have left to offer. This is a common conversation we find ourselves having at Visiting Angels. Through an abundance of concern, we will hear children say things like, “Mom used to be so active! I just don’t know what to do.” That’s fair. When my grandmother stopped sewing, it felt like we lost a small part of who she was — but she was still alive and had other abilities. It’s all about modifying. You can modify what you can do and for what fits in the time of your life.

I often think about clients when I stress this to families. We have so

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3 Vitamins and Supplements for Healthy Aging Enjoy the Later Years in Life

Growing old is an inevitable part of our lives. There isn’t a magic potion to drink or secret spell to cast that will turn back time, but we can do things to slow the effects of aging. Our life expectancy is longer than it used to be, so it makes sense that you would want to enjoy those extra years. While staying active and eating well play a huge role in healthy aging, there are also some anti- aging supplements and vitamins that will help your body stay strong. If you’re looking to try some anti-aging supplements but don’t know where to begin, give these a try. Resveratrol Resveratrol is a class of micronutrients that plants make to survive drought or attacks from disease. It has fantastic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

properties, so it’s great at protecting you from diseases like cancer, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. Additionally, it can be used as a strong remedy for arthritis and skin inflammation. You can increase your intake of resveratrol by drinking red wine or by eating more peanuts, berries, and grapes. Curcumin For years, the spice known as turmeric has been used as a nutritional supplement with great benefits for your mind and body. As science has progressed, they’ve found that turmeric does contain compounds with medicinal properties with the most important being curcumin. Curcumin has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but is also believed to improve memory issues and lower your risk for heart disease. Using

more turmeric in your dishes will increase your intake of curcumin.

Vitamin C Vitamin C is an incredibly beneficial vitamin for people of all ages but becomes even more useful for those over the age of 50. A study by Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C performed better on tasks involving focus, attention, recall, and recognition. Additionally, vitamin C can also help with skin health and can even improve immune function in older adults. There are various things you can try to slow down the aging process, but if you’re unsure where to turn, give these vitamins and supplements a shot.

BEING A BETTER GRANDPARENT Have You Adapted to Your New Role?

Needs Work: Supporting Parents The 2019 AARP study shares that most grandparents surveyed believe they parent better than their grandchildren’s parents. In contrast to this, the Good Housekeeping survey explained that grandparents “sharing outdated advice” was among the biggest frustrations for parents.

There are few roles as coveted as being a grandparent, but today’s grandparents do far more than slip $10 bills and hard candies to their grandchildren. Studies have found that grandparents are taking on active roles and loving it. Here are two prominent lessons on grandparenting in 2022.

Positive Progress: Supporting Grandchildren An AARP survey found that one-third of grandparents are a different race than their grandchildren and most would support their LGBTQ+ grandchildren. And 2021 Good Housekeeping article noted that many grandparents who share different ethnicities with their grandchildren welcome new cultures. Furthermore, grandparents are viewing their roles with grandchildren as active rather than passive. A 2021 Good Housekeeping survey of parents and grandparents discovered that nearly 70% said they were “cooler” than their own grandparents and that they want to babysit, versus feeling obligated.

Instead, experts at Stanford Children’s Health recommend taking “grandparenting classes,” which provide new grandparents with the latest medical direction that parents are provided. And, if you feel obligated to share advice, ask first and make sure the parent knows it’s only your perspective. In all other scenarios, it’s best to keep your opinion to yourself and foster a grandparenting relationship that supports your grandchildren’s parents.

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MASTER YOUR MEDS 3 Tips for Better Medication Management Modern medicine has made it possible for us to live longer and stay healthier. In order to increase this longevity, many seniors take over- the-counter and prescription medications, but this action doesn’t come without its pitfalls. Here are three ways to better manage your medication! Consult with a trusted professional. Medication is not something to mess around with! Accidentally missing a dosage or taking more than the recommended dose could be harmful. For instance, some medications have severe side effects when users quit cold turkey. This is because the body has grown to rely on this daily dosage for functionality. Always consult with a medical professional before starting or stopping a new medication. ( Note: This includes vitamins! Some vitamins may interfere with your medication.) Create a system. Medication is only effective when you actually take it, so create a routine that reminds you to take your pills. This could mean filling up a pill sorter every Sunday and taking your pills at breakfast. Perhaps you do your self- care routine before bed and prefer to take your medications then. Maybe you’re someone who struggles to remember to take your medication, so set a reminder on your phone. Whatever you do, just create a system that works for you and your meds.

Write it down. Create a list of your medications, when you take them, where you get your medications, and why you take the pills, in case of an emergency. If you are incapacitated, medical professionals will need to know if you are on any medications that may interfere with their life-saving measures. This can also be useful for instances where you may be having a poor reaction to medication. Caretakers and spouses may find this list helpful, too, so they can monitor for any concerning side effects. If you have further questions about medicine management, please contact a trusted medical professional. Our caregivers at Visiting Angels can also help your older loved one establish and abide by a routine that works best for them. Contact us today to learn more.

One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

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many examples of people not letting age slow them down! We have former school teachers who created a free little library for adults and children. We have a magnificent accountant who still does accurate and thorough work for important people. We have a former park ranger who became a park docent and gives tours through the Redwoods, while another client wrote a book and gifted it to his family. And they’re all old! Age does not define what you can do, nor does it define your ability to have valuable contributions to your community. As you age, you have more wisdom, experience, and understanding to truly make a difference in the world in a way that best suits you. So, yeah, maybe Mom isn’t as active as she used to be. But at Visiting Angels, we can make sure she never has to be inactive . I hope you’ll join me this May in spending a little more time showing the older adults we know why they have value.

It’s asparagus season! Celebrate with this easy one-pan salmon dish for two.

Ingredients • 1 lb spring potatoes, halved • 2 tbsp olive oil (divided) • 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved

• 2 handfuls cherry tomatoes • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 5-oz salmon fillets • 1 handful fresh basil

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In an oven-proof dish, combine the potatoes and 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes. 3. Remove the dish from the oven and add the asparagus. Toss, and bake for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the dish from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes. Toss. Drizzle with balsamic, then nestle the salmon fillets into the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining oil, and bake for 10–15 minutes. 5. Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with basil leaves, and serve!

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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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

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Let’s Celebrate Seniors This May!

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3 of the Best Anti-Aging Supplements Grandparenthood Has Changed — Have You? Create a More Effective Medication Routine One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies

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Support Local Vets

SUPPORT VETERANS THIS MEMORIAL DAY 3 CALIFORNIA-BASED GROUPS YOU CAN HELP

California Association of Veteran Service Agencies Website: CaliforniaVeterans.org What if people formed a network of experts who could connect veterans to the right organizations, advocate on behalf of veterans, and provide real services these vets need, like housing and disability support? Thanks to the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA), there is. CAVSA connects seven veterans’ groups together to serve homeless veteran populations in California. This is a dire need, as CAVSA reports that California is one of five states where the majority of homeless veterans live. You can learn more online about the programs CAVSA helps and the ways in which you can get involved.

Visiting Angels is proud to support veterans and their families, and this Memorial Day, as we honor the service men and women who died in active duty, our team encourages our readers to consider supporting local veterans, too. Together, we can give a small portion of ourselves to those who have given so much for their country.

organization is operated by donations and volunteers, so you can give what you want by visiting MBV.org. Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation Website: CCVCF.org Located in Monterey Bay, the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery has become the final resting place for many veterans. Formerly Fort Ord, the space once housed more than 50,000 Army troops for training at the peak of its use. It was home for soldiers during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, and the war in the Middle East. After being decommissioned in the ‘90s, its now-hallowed grounds were transformed from a base to a cemetery for veterans and their spouses. The foundation relies on federal and state funding to support its cause, but donations ensure this final resting place receives the care it deserves. You can donate online.

Monterey Bay Veterans Website: MBV.org

What began as an idea by a spinal rehabilitation patient at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital in 1987 has grown into an opportunity for thousands of disabled veterans to remain active in outdoor recreational activities. Since its inaugural event, Monterey Bay Veterans continues to host fishing derbies, outdoor tours, and advocacy efforts designed to create disability-friendly outdoor recreation spaces — all for disabled veterans. The

Thank you to those who have served or are currently serving!

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