Visiting Angels October 2018

Visiting Angels October 2018

October 2018

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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Up in Smoke Fire Safety and Seniors

Some time ago, one of our Visiting Angels caregivers walked into their client’s home and found the living room and kitchen filled with smoke! A pot of soup had been left on the stove and had started to burn. Fortunately, the pot hadn’t yet caught fire, and the situation was dealt with quickly, but it could have been much worse. The client, having forgotten about the soup on the stove, was completely unaware of the danger they were in before their caregiver arrived. National Fire Prevention Week is October 7–13, which marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Over 300 people died in the fire, which burned for three days and consumed around 3 square miles of the city. Today, city planners tend to be more fire-conscious than those who built 19th-century Chicago, but National Fire Prevention Week is a good time for everyone to think about how they can be smarter when it comes to fire prevention. Caregivers and family members of seniors especially should take this time to get serious about fire safety. The National Fire Protection Association reports that seniors aged 65 and older are twice as likely to be killed or injured by a fire compared to the rest of the population. For this reason, when Visiting Angels conducts an initial assessment of our clients’ homes, we keep an eye out for anything that could be a fire hazard. Are there stacks of mail or greasy towels by the stove? Do the smoke alarms have fresh batteries? Are there smoke alarms in the hallways and bedrooms? Does the client have a habit of leaving the stove or oven on? If a client is hard of hearing, are there lights attached to the fire alarms that

will wake them up in case of an emergency? And if there is an emergency, would the client be able to get out of their home safely? With the holidays coming up and many seniors looking forward to displaying electric holiday decorations or Christmas trees, now is the time to make fire safety a priority. Far too many holidays end in disaster because faulty wiring or dry Christmas trees led to tragic house fires. Fortunately, the key to fire prevention is a little awareness. Our Visiting Angels caregivers know how important it is to have someone checking in on a client regularly and keeping an eye out for fire hazards. And when family members get involved and talk to their loved one about fire safety, it can really help save a senior’s life.

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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How to Rewind Life’s Clock Using Social Media

There’s an App for That?

One of the hardest challenges of aging isn’t coping with the physical changes or new limitations associated with getting older; it’s finding new groups of people with similar interests, especially for empty nesters. Many adults build their peer networks around their children, making them the focal point of conversations with other parents in similar situations. But as children grow older and eventually leave home, parents are forced to adjust to their dwindling social lives. While some adults thrive in meeting new people, many struggle to find ways to connect with their peers. Fortunately, there are apps for that. Easy Facebook for Seniors The mother ship of social media can sometimes be more of a maze than a way to connect with others. Facebook took notice of this and created a simplified version of the app specifically designed for those who want to avoid all the distractions. Ease of use makes the opportunity to connect with others who have similar interests simpler than ever. OurTime Dating in your 50s can be tricky, especially when many singles are looking for specific requirements in a partner. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of seniors is growing. Projections indicate that 56 million seniors will inhabit the country by 2020 and 74 million by 2030. As the number of seniors increases, so does the need for senior living facilities. While you can still find plenty of traditional nursing homes, assisted living facilities have soared in popularity over the years. While this type of community has many benefits for seniors and their families, it can be difficult to parse exactly what you’ll be paying for. The pricing structure and contract details require careful consideration before you decide on an appropriate facility for your loved one. Prices for assisted living facilities vary significantly. Because they offer a slew of services, you need to be fully aware of what you’re paying for. The base price you are quoted will usually include rent, meals, and activities offered on the premises. Some companies may offer a few additional basic services included in this cost, but as a rule, you can expect that any extra services will increase the price. Add-ons for assisted living services can range from basic hygiene needs to medical costs. If your loved one needs help

Some are seeking casual relationships, while others are looking for someone to grow old with. OurTime is a dating app that allows seniors to find partners with similar values, priorities, and passions. It’s a great way to find new people to share the golden years with. Skype

You don’t have to wait for the holidays for your next group gathering; Skype allows you the opportunity to have video chats with anyone who has a smartphone. Maybe your conversation about the football game got cut short at church, or maybe you never finished your discussion at book club. Whatever the occasion, Skype gives you the option to connect with the people around you, even when you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your house.

The Real Cost of Assisted Living

dressing, you can expect an additional fee. The same goes for medication reminders, escorts to meals, incontinence care, and many more services. On-site activities are usually folded into the base rate, but be sure of that before signing. Access to a gym, pool, or pharmacy, for example, may incur extra charges. One advantage of the pricing model of assisted living facilities is that you can add services at any time. Many care facilities house seniors of varying health and ability levels. In the event that your loved one needs more services, they are easy to add to your payment package. However, it’s important that you read the terms and conditions detailing any services you decide to include. Otherwise, you may end up paying for a service your loved one doesn’t need. The most important piece of advice when it comes to the hidden costs of assisted living is to read your contract thoroughly. You can also consult an estate planning or elder law attorney to ensure that you’re fully aware of all charges and possible future costs.

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FIRST LINE OF FIRE SAFETY Are Your Smoke Alarms Fire-Ready?

young, very old, or hearing impaired. Installing alarms with flashing lights or vibrations can ensure everyone is aware of a fire. Put Smoke Alarms in the Right Locations In California, every bedroom, hallway leading to a bedroom, and every floor level in a home (including the basement) must have a smoke alarm. The National Fire Protection Association also recommends installing alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to “minimize false alarms when cooking.” If you live in an older home, check that your smoke alarms are in the right places. Smoke alarms are the first line of defense against house fires. Be proactive and check on your smoke alarms today.

Early warning can be the difference between life and death when it comes to a fire. Here are a few tips to make sure your smoke alarms are up for the challenge. Test Smoke Alarms Regularly Some smoke alarms will let out a beep when the battery starts to die, but you shouldn’t wait until the battery is dying to check the smoke alarm. Make it part of your routine. Whenever the season changes, check that all the smoke alarms in your home are functioning properly. Have the Right Smoke Alarms A majority of fire fatalities occur because the victim was asleep, so it’s important to make sure your smoke alarms will wake you up if you’re sleeping. The standard smoke alarm sound won’t wake everyone, especially if a person is very

SUDOKU

‘Headless’ Apples on Horseback

Ingredients • 16 very thin slices of pancetta (or cured, unsmoked bacon) • 2 pink lady apples Directions 1. Core apples and cut each into 8 wedges. Remove rind of manchego cheese and cut into 2-inch sticks. 2. Heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high. 3. On a cutting board, lay pancetta

• 3 ounces manchego cheese, 1/4 inch thick • Toothpicks for skewering

4. Roll pancetta tightly and skewer with toothpick. 5. Grill until cheese is melted and pancetta or bacon is golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. 6. Drain excess grease on a paper towel and serve hot.

or bacon slices flat and place an apple wedge and piece of cheese in the center of each.

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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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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National Fire Prevention Week

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Turn Back Time With Social Media

Hidden Costs of Assisted Living

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Smoke Alarm Safety

‘Headless’ Apples on Horseback

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Local Events

Have More Fun Don’t Miss These Memorable Events!

HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL WHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14 ADMISSION: Free WEBSITE: pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com

Bring your family out for a day of butterfly-themed fun, including live music, arts and crafts, kids games, and hand- cranked “monarch” (pumpkin-flavored) ice cream. It’s a fun and educational opportunity to get to know Mother Nature’s most beautiful creature.

Get ready for a truly smashing time as the greatest pumpkin festival in the United States kicks off. Joining the parade of orange will be live bands, local artists, harvest-inspired crafts, and delicious festival foods, all coming together for a fabulous weekend. Autumn doesn’t start until the Great Pumpkin rides through Half Moon Bay.

GLOW: A FESTIVAL OF FIRE AND LIGHT WHERE: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 20; 6–10 p.m.

WELCOME BACK MONARCHS DAY WHERE: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 14; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADMISSION: $10 parking fee WEBSITE: www.parks.ca.gov/ Events/Details/9477 The monarch butterflies are

ADMISSION: $20 per person; $15 for kids 12 and under WEBSITE: glow2018.squarespace.com

For one night only, this one-of-a-kind art exhibit lights up the night with flame, LEDs, black light, and other seemingly impossible mediums. GLOW is an exploration of life and art that will leave you speechless.

returning to their winter habitat here in California, and the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks are ready to celebrate!

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