Visiting Angels - October 2019

Visiting Angels - October 2019

October 2019

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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The Art of Making Friends I n my experience, one of the most unexpected challenges seniors face is the challenge of making new friends. When my grandmother was alive, her world of relationships got smaller as she got older. Eventually, Gram was the only one left in her social circle. In addition to grieving the loss of friends and loved ones, Gram also struggled with loneliness and depression, so much so that I realized I needed to come visit her more often. I also alerted my cousin who lived in the same town as Gram and asked her to make an effort to visit more often. We both loved our Gram, but we were busy with our own lives and sometimes didn’t realize how long it had been between visits. why not volunteer at an after- school program or with an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters? What Happens When We Outlive Our Friends?

Many seniors grapple with spiritual issues as they get

older; maybe they are questioning their beliefs or want a deeper connection within themselves. Becoming more active in one’s church or finding a new church can be beneficial. Usually a minister is available to talk with parishioners, or there may be a class available. Visiting Angels caregivers are not family, counselors, or clergy, but they can play an important role by listening to the care recipient and asking questions. People are meant to be together and to support one another. If you have a loved one in your life who is lonely or isolated, reach out. Try to spend more time with them, help them join a senior center or church group, and, last but not least, acknowledge that you see they are lonely and ask them to share their experiences with you. Acknowledgment is sometimes more powerful and more healing than you can imagine.

Loneliness and isolation is something that many seniors experience on a daily basis. People need other people to talk about their life, their health issues, their families, and to reminisce about their lives; they want to tell stories and leave a legacy. Seniors who outlive their friends often find themselves with fewer people to talk to. Making friends as an adult can be challenging, and for seniors who have a hard time leaving the house, that challenge seems nearly impossible. Fortunately, there are many ways seniors can build connections with people. I have found that seniors who join a senior center have a large group of friends to choose from. There are people from many walks of life, and it’s almost certain to find a friend that you can talk to and confide in. I’ve also seen how, while many seniors enjoy people around their age that they have something in common with, there are some seniors who enjoy the company of younger people because they make them feel alive. If a senior center doesn’t seem appealing,

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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The Free Radical 411 HOW TO MINIMIZE AGE-INDUCING ATOMS

If you’ve ever picked up a health magazine while waiting at the doctor’s office, then you’re probably familiar with the term “free radicals” — at least enough to know that they get a bad rap from doctors and

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to entirely avoid free radicals and the havoc they wreak. The process that forms free radicals, called oxidative stress, can be kick-started by a variety of different substances found in food, water, medicine, and even the air we breathe, according to the Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford University. Unsurprisingly, these substances are things already considered unhealthy, like alcohol, exposure to X-rays, ozone, fried food, chemical pesticides, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke. That said, there is one molecule that is stable enough to stand up to and reduce free radicals: the antioxidant. According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Reviews, antioxidants can “donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its ability to damage.” Synthetic antioxidants exist but can sometimes have harmful side effects, so scientists advise protecting yourself by avoiding free radical triggers like alcohol, processed foods, and red meat, and ingesting natural antioxidants in the form of berries, stone fruits, olives, onions, garlic, and green and black teas. Herbs and spices like cinnamon, basil, turmeric, and fenugreek can ratchet up your antioxidant levels too. While it can’t guarantee immortality, the right diet can certainly help you stave off aging and disease, so why not start today? Pay their tuition. Not everybody has $20,000 just lying around, but if you do, using it to pay for your grandchild’s tuition isn’t a bad way to spend it. Normally, annual financial gifts that are exempt from the federal gift tax can’t exceed $15,000, but payments toward someone’s tuition, for any amount, are not taxed. Keep in mind, however, that the money can only go toward tuition, not toward other college expenses like room and board or textbooks. Help them find opportunities to save. Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to give, you can still help your grandkids look for other opportunities to save. There are thousands of available scholarships, grants, and programs to help students pay for college, and helping them look online and in your community can go a long way. College could be your grandchild’s first stop on the path to achieving their dreams. You can be a part of that journey by making sure money doesn’t get in the way of that.

beauticians alike. But what are they, exactly?

According to Live Science, free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons that have split off from oxygen molecules in the body and started to “scavenge” for other electrons to pair with. That wouldn’t be problematic, except that these atoms tend to damage cells, lipids, proteins, and even DNA along the way, and that destruction has serious consequences. As Live Science puts it, “Free radicals are associated with human disease, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. They also may have a link to aging, which has been defined as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.”

DON’T LET MONEY GET IN THE WAY

Of Your Grandchild’s Education

College expenses aren’t what they used to be. What used to be affordable to any student with a part-time summer job now can take years to pay off. If your grandkids want to go to college, the cost of education should not be a barrier to their future. Luckily there are ways that you can help ease that financial burden. Invest in a 529 Plan. There are no limits on age, income, or monetary contributions attached to this college savings account, and contributions are tax-deductible in some states. Just like a Roth IRA, the earnings grow over time and can be used tax-free for qualifying expenses, like tuition and room and board. There are a few downsides, however. Funds from a grandparent’s 529 Plan are considered student income and could hurt your student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you choose to fund through a parent’s 529 Plan, which doesn’t count as student income, you lose control over the funds you contribute.

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Do You Want to Be My Friend?

HOW SENIORS CAN KEEP MAKING NEW FRIENDS

Do you remember how easy it was to make friends as a young child? One afternoon playing outside would gain you six brand-new friends in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, making friends is a skill we don’t often practice, which is why it can be so hard for seniors to grow their social circle. Here are three ways seniors can keep making new friends. Embrace Your Passions What brings you joy and makes you smile? Find places where you can do that. Sign up for tai chi or cooking classes, attend shows at your community theater, or volunteer at the local animal shelter. We’re drawn to happy people. By regularly putting yourself in situations that make you happy, you can build relationships with likeminded people who you like spending time with. Accept Invitations Even if you aren’t super interested in the event you are being invited to, convince yourself to go anyway. It’s always good to

be around new people, especially when your other option is to stay at home alone. You might just have the night of your life! Or you might bond over how terrible the event is with a new friend. Take a Risk Making new friends is really scary, but you have to take the risk and put yourself out there. If you meet someone you enjoy talking to, ask for their email address. No one walks around with a sign that says, “Looking for new friends.” You have to be willing to take that leap. The Stanford Center on Longevity’s Sightlines Project found that friendships in old age play a critical role in health and well-being. So, what are you waiting for? There are 7.5 billion people in the world, and we could all use another friend.

How to Assemble a Veggie Skeleton

SUDOKU

Those who eat paleo may struggle to find a Halloween treat suitable to their diet. But no matter what your dietary restrictions are, everyone can enjoy some raw veggies with a healthy dip. Here are some tips for constructing your very own veggie skeleton — a spooky twist on a time-tested treat. For the Head Your favorite paleo-friendly dip makes a great canvas for a face. Pour it into a bowl and build features on top using different veggies. For the Ribcage Sliced cucumbers make for great vertebrae, and bell pepper slivers can be used to simulate ribs. Alternate between the two to give your skeleton some backbone. For the Arms and Legs Any long and straight vegetable will do the trick here. If you want to be anatomically accurate, consider using some spherical vegetables for joints.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and wacky with your veggie skeleton. The whole point, after all, is to have some fun and give people a reason to smile.

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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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An Unexpected Challenge

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Tips for Fighting Free Radicals

3 Strategies for Helping Grandkids Pay for College

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Too Old for New Friends?

How to Assemble a Veggie Skeleton

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Local Events

Say Hello to Fall

AMAZING LOCAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON

Soup and Cider on the Covered Bridge Where: Felton Covered Bridge, Felton When: Saturday, Oct. 12; 12–4 p.m. Admission: Soup and cider available for purchase Website: Facebook.com/ DowntownFeltonAssociation/ Enjoy the flavors of the season with your friends and family at Felton’s iconic Covered Bridge. Local chefs and breweries will be selling delicious soups along with fresh ciders, wines, and beers for guests to try at this unique event. Celebrate the beginning of fall with a new small-town tradition. Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party Where: Roaring Camp, Felton When: Oct. 12–27 Admission: See website for tickets Website: RoaringCamp.com

Looking for Halloween fun without the frights? Roaring Camp is excited to welcome Thomas the Train Engine and his friend Percy for a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration. Bring out the kids to meet their favorite locomotives and hop aboard for a real train ride! There will be storytelling, cookie decorating, pumpkin picking, and plenty more family-friendly activities. Grab your tickets now for a memorable day on the rails.

Wilder Ranch: Heritage Harvest Festival Where: Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz When: Saturday, Oct. 19; 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Admission: $10 parking fee Website: SantaCruz.org/upcoming-events

The harvest is in, and that means it’s time to celebrate! Wilder Ranch Cultural Preserve is a living museum where guests can experience a simpler time in American history. This fall, Wilder Ranch is throwing an old-fashioned harvest festival. Step back in time with your family to take a draft horse wagon ride, eat your fill of classic fall foods, and go square dancing! It’s old-fashioned fun your family will be talking about for years to come.

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