National Safety Awareness, Get Your Tickets, Meet Carrie, Elderly Drivers, Healthy Summer Eating, Finding Respite this Summer
June is National Safety Month

Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages – and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. The good news is everyone can get involved to help prevent injuries.

During National Safety Month, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley is working with community members to help reduce the risk of injuries. This June, we encourage you to learn more about important safety issues like prescription painkiller abuse, transportation safety, and slips, trips, and falls.

  • Prescription painkiller abuse: Prescription painkiller overdoses are a growing problem in the United States, especially among women. About 18 women die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose – more than 4 times as many as in 1999.
  • Transportation safety: Doing other activities while driving – like texting or eating – distracts you and increases your chance of crashing. Almost 1 in 5 crashes (17%) that injured someone involved distracted driving.
  • Slips, trips, and falls: One in 4 older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems.

For more information, click here.

HEALTHY SUMMER EATING          
Family gatherings, celebrations, picnics, and BBQs all mean tempting foods to eat that may not be part of a healthy diet. Picnics often mean high calorie food choices with creamy dressings, chips and high fat meats.  There are ways you can enjoy the food and the party without straying too far from a healthy eating pattern. Try these healthy additions to your outdoor BBQ. Chunks of fruit such as watermelon, strawberries, kiwi and pineapple on skewers look pretty and appetizing! Replace sugary drinks with ice tea mixed with blended raspberries or peaches. Try hummus or yogurt- based dips with cut up veggies. Maybe a turkey or veggie burger will hit the spot instead of a hamburger or hotdog. Eating the rainbow of colors in fresh produce will help you stay healthy and strong to enjoy summer fun!  Be well!

Visit What's Cooking at USDA for healthy recipes.

Get Your Tickets... and Save the Date!

We're getting ready for our...
"We're Almost 100 Party!"
Starting July 1st, tickets can be purchased at:

  • Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley
  • The Copper Beech Inn
  • Quality Care Pharmacy
  • Bob's Centerbook Package Store
 
Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous support!
  • Quality Care Pharmacy
  • Whelen Engineering
  • Webster Bank
  • The Clark Group
  • Tower Labs
  • Noble Construction & Management
  • Sullivan Heiser, Attorneys at Law
  Interested in becoming a Sponsor for the event or would like to make a donation to show your support? Contact us at 860-767-0186 for more information. Thank you!
  Meet Carrie Suraci, RN, Case Manager:
the Newest Member of the VNLV Team!
Carrie became a registered nurse in 2013 and began her career in a short- term rehabilitation facility. After four years of working in assisted living, she was looking for a new adventure to pursue. Luckily nursing has so many options! Carrie was introduced to homecare, which she says "I am absolutely loving. I really enjoy caring for patients in the comfort of their own home."

Carrie currently lives in Clinton with her husband and two Beagles, Charlie and Craig. She says she's looking forward to working with the VNLV for many years to come!

                                     Welcome, Carrie! We're so happy to have you on the VNLV team.
  Helpful Information
from LVCA

Older drivers-is it still safe to drive? Giving up the keys can be very difficult. Determining if it’s time to do so can also be trying for older drivers and their families.  A FREE screening tool is available at www.AAAFoundation.org.  The tool helps seniors measure certain mental and physical abilities important for safe driving. Here are some of the functional abilities shown to be the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers:

  •     Leg strength and general mobility
  •     Head/neck flexibility
  •     High- and low-contrast visual acuity
  •     Working memory
  •     Visualization of missing information
  •     Visual search
  •     Useful field of view


Lower Valley Care Advocates offers transportation services as part of its concierge services. Please call to schedule your ride at (860) 767-2695.

For more information, call Lower Valley Care Advocates at (860) 767-2695 or click here.

Finding Respite This Summer     
If you are the primary caregiver for a loved-one going on vacation can be very stressful. Who will care for your loved-one in your absence? Respite care is the answer and Lower Valley Care Advocates can provide it. Our caregivers can provide round the clock care or just a few hours.

Lower Valley Care Advocates can alleviate your summer schedule by driving your loved one to appointments or providing companionship for a few hours so family caregivers can recharge their own batteries.

Call Lower Valley Care Advocates at (860) 767-2695 .
                                                                      Let's Stay Connected!
                   Learn more about VNLV on our  website or visit us on Facebook to stay informed!                                                                                   Questions? Call Us! Phone: 860-767-0186
Facebook