Visiting Angels - October 2021

Visiting Angels - October 2021

October 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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WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OLDER ADULTS WHO NEED COMPANIONSHIP Protect Senior Mental Health

This summer, I chatted with someone who is in their 90s about what Visiting Angels could do to help them. The conversation suddenly took a turn from the usual points I discuss during these calls. “I’m withering away because there’s nothing to look forward to,” this person said. My heart lurched. He wasn’t wrong. After more than a year of isolating and limiting contact to slow the spread of COVID-19, our outlook was growing brighter as this past summer began. It felt as if more places would open again, and slowly, we could come out of our homes and isolation circles and feel safe as more people got vaccinated from the virus. As I write this in early September, that’s changing. Like many of our seniors, this person is vaccinated, but the surge of COVID-19’s Delta variant has them worried. They want to live their life — just as they have for 90 years — but they also want to remain healthy and independently at home for as long as possible.

And right now, they’re lonely. Ironically, they’re not alone in that feeling. As we approach World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, senior mental health has never been more important than it is right now. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that isolation and loneliness are “serious public health risks,” which can increase a person’s chance of developing dementia and worsening other chronic conditions. On the flip side of that message, this very same governmental agency has (rightfully so) encouraged limited contact for seniors due to their increased risk of infection of COVID-19. As a senior or their family look to protect their physical well-being from this virus, social isolation and loneliness are waging a powerful war against our aging population, causing mental, emotional, and physical problems. I’ve written about senior loneliness, isolation, and mental health before in this very newsletter, but my recent conversation with this person served as a powerful reminder for me: We cannot let off the gas right now. Seniors across Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

as well as the country are struggling with mental health because they are trying to protect themselves and their families. It is our duty, both at Visiting Angels and as human beings, to protect the vibrant, wise, story-filled minds of our senior population. I just feel honored that we have an opportunity to provide that direct assistance here at Visiting Angels. In the case of this caller, they were considering hiring Visiting Angels for assistance, but ultimately, what they wanted was that companionship. We offer this for a lot of older adults, who — for a number of reasons — may be living alone, are far from family, or have limited mobility that prevents many interactions outside of their home. Our caregivers can help with personal care and other living assistance needs, but what every member of our Visiting Angels network receives is companionship. Our caregivers

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Fun for All This Fal l

fety Tips

5 Corn Maze Sa

Wear proper footwear. Ensure that you and your family all have proper footwear, preferably closed-toed shoes, while exploring the maze. You never know what kind of critters or potentially harmful hazards may appear in your path. Eat beforehand and stay hydrated. Be sure to eat before setting out into the maze and don’t bring any glass bottles with you, as it can be dangerous if broken. Furthermore, do not consume alcohol before or while enjoying your time at the corn maze. Be prepared. Accidents can happen, usually at the most unexpected times! It is important to always have a first-aid kit handy. Be sure to call 911 in an emergency and let staff know what is going on.

Fall brings apple cider, pumpkin patches, fun seasonal outfits, and corn mazes. Unless you are visiting a “haunted” corn maze, you and your family probably won’t be chased by a chainsaw- wielding serial killer while you try to navigate through. However, safety risks are still present. Here are five safety tips to keep the fun coming during your next corn maze experience. Follow the rules. At the entrance to each corn maze, there should be a sign stating the rules for visitors. For the safety of yourself, your children, and others, be sure to read each rule and follow along. Always accompany your kids in the corn maze — it is a maze, after all! Watch for tripping and fire hazards. Keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles on the path, including holes, bumps, ruts, and corn stalks. While navigating a maze, it can be easy to forget to look down while searching for the exit. To prevent fires, you should also avoid smoking and never use matches or lighters.

As long as safety is the top priority this fall, fun will be had by all!

How Reading Fiction Can Benefit You SELF-HELP BOOKS CAN’T DO IT ALL

Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly? Greater Empathy When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. Less Stress and Better Sleep When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas

of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off.

More Comfort With Uncertainty Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. Greater Happiness Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!

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3 Novels About Aging to Entertain You This Fall Curl Up With a Book

‘Letters to the Lost’ by Iona Grey Iona Grey weaves a tale that crosses between modern times and World War II. After Stella enters into a loveless marriage during the war, she finds herself falling in love with an American soldier. Throughout their courtship, the pair exchange hundreds of letters — which are found years later by a woman, Jess, escaping an abusive relationship. When another letter arrives where Jess is staying, she makes it her personal mission to connect these two lost lovers before time runs out. Step back in time and learn that it’s never too late with “Letters to the Lost.”

Autumn is the perfect season to curl up with a good book, and it’s great timing, too: October is also National Book Month! This season, read about aging characters and learn why you’re never too old for anything with these great books. ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman Ove has always been a good man, but he’s also a curmudgeon who thrives in structure and cannot understand those who live any other way. When a series of life events throws his pattern out of sync, Ove questions the meaning of his life. It takes the new family next door, an old rivalry, and a coffee shop interaction for Ove to understand he doesn’t have to live or die in isolation. Set in Europe, Fredrik Backman’s novel will have you laughing, crying, and lost in a world of memories and new friends. Content warning: The main character in this novel discusses suicide. ‘Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk’ by Kathleen Rooney At one point in her life, Lillian Boxfish was the highest-paid woman in advertising. She’s been married and divorced, and she’s a mother. She’s witnessed New York City at its finest and at its lowest, and on the last day of 1984, she decides it’s time to go for a walk to a restaurant for dinner. As she does, Lillian meets a series of people and sees places she hasn’t been to in years, transporting her back throughout the entirety of her life — all while on a walk. Take a walk through Lillian’s life with this unique novel.

You can find these books and many others through online retailers or at your local bookstore. Find other favorites online at Goodreads.com.

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Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup

may eat lunch with the seniors they assist, or they play games, learn a family recipe, or help their seniors learn something new. Caregivers become a constant part of our seniors’ lives, ensuring that no older adult we serve goes without human interaction, care, and understanding. Furthermore, I’ve watched as our caregivers have opened doors for our seniors and their families by facilitating Zoom calls or helping loved ones safely visit without the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Our goal is to connect our seniors to the world around them; we’re proud to act as that bridge. Isolation, loneliness, and diminished mental health are common threads in this pandemic, but they do not have to be the reality for your senior loved one. If there is any way we can offer companionship or connection to an older adult in your life, please contact us today. Together, we can ensure they won’t “wither away.”

This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.

Ingredients • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 4 Italian chicken

Directions 1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!

sausages, sliced to bite- size pieces

• 6 cloves garlic • 1 onion, chopped • 6–7 cups butternut

squash, peeled and cubed • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 cups chicken broth • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 cups kale, chopped • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co

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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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Help Us Battle Senior Loneliness

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Corn Maze Safety

The Unique Benefits of Reading Fiction

3 Novels About Aging To Entertain You This Fall Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup

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3 Pizza Shops You Have to Order From for Pizza Month!

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Grab a Local Slice!

AT THESE 3 MUST-TRY PIZZA PLACES

People today may not agree on much, but there is one thing we can all agree on: Few foods are better than pizza. And a fresh slice of pizza can be even better when it’s made locally. This National Pizza Month, pick up your favorite pie or a slice from these three spots. Your taste buds and your community will thank you! Woodstock’s Pizza Santa Cruz Where: 710 Front St., Santa Cruz When: Sunday–Thursday from 11–12 a.m. and Friday–Saturday from 11–1 a.m. Website: WoodstockSantaCruz.com What started as a simple pizza shop in 1977 has grown into one of the greatest local pizza chains in the U.S. With locations in Oregon and California, Woodstock’s is also employee-owned and was ranked No. 1 among independent pizza chains

in the U.S. At the Santa Cruz location, you can enjoy fresh, seasonal specialty pizzas and Woodstock’s spin on pizza favorites. Hungry yet? Be sure to check out Woodstock’s this month!

and sandwiches. And don’t forget to finish your meal with some gelato. With 24 flavors to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one! Pizza My Heart Where: 660 Del Monte Center, Monterey, and 1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz When: Opens at 11 a.m.; closing time varies by location. Website: PizzaMyHeart.com Pizza My Heart is a shop “for surfers by surfers,” but you don’t have to crush the waves to enjoy these fresh, local ingredients. Family-owned and operated, Pizza My Heart focuses on creating pizzas with unique and classic flavors that play on the names they are inspired by. See what flavors make up the Big Sur or try the Fort Point for a taste of local fun!

Gianni’s Pizza Where: 725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey

When: Saturday–Sunday from 2–9 p.m., Monday–Thursday from 4–9 p.m., Friday from 3–10 p.m. Website: GiannisPizzaMonterey.com For almost 50 years, the Costa family’s recipes have fed the Monterey community at Gianni’s Pizza. Using recipes from Palermo, Sicily, Gianni’s Pizza has easily grown into a local favorite and is widely considered one of the best pizza spots in Monterey! The shop plays on its Italian roots by offering freshly made pizza, pasta, calzones, salads,

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