Happy Spring from VNLV!

Lower Valley Care Advocates is Hiring!

LVCA is always looking for caring, compassionate, reliable caregivers to join our team including:

Certified Nursing Assistants
Home Health Aides
Personal Care Attendants
Homemaker/Companions

For more information, click here.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Founded and sponsored by NCADD, Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 to help reduce the stigma so often associated with alcoholism by encouraging communities to reach out to the American public each April with information about alcohol, alcoholism and recovery. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease, genetically predisposed and fatal if untreated. However people can and do recover. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 20 million individuals and family members are living lives in recovery!

Alcohol Awareness Month provides a focused opportunity across America to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism, its causes, effective treatment and recovery. It is an opportunity to decrease stigma and misunderstandings in order to reduce the barriers to treatment and recovery, and thus, make seeking help easier for those who suffer from this disease.

Each April, NCADD’s National Network of Affiliates and other supporting organizations across the country will use this opportunity to address the Nation’s #1 public health problem through a broad range of media strategies, awareness campaigns, programs and events in their local communities.

For more information, click here.

Other National Health Observances in April:

National Public Health Week

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

National Donate Life Month

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

World Immunization Week

What's in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Many people save old prescriptions thinking, “I may need this again sometime.” This practice can be very dangerous. Medications have expiration dates and may not be as effective after they expire. You can help by correctly disposing of unused medication. The best way to dispose of unwanted medications is to take them to a Medication Take Back site.

The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. Most of the abused prescription drugs came from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. Bring your unused and expired medications to the CT Medication Disposal Sites. You can find a site near you on the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection website by searching “Local Drug Collection Boxes.”

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Rx Take Back Day is Saturday, April 28th. To find a Medication Take Back site near you, click here.

For more information, including a list of medications accepted, click here or call Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley at 860-767-0186.

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Turn your zucchini into noodles and toss with fresh basil pesto. A fresh and healthy meal in minutes!

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

4 small zucchini, ends trimmed
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cherry or grape tomatoes, optional

Directions:

Use a julienne peeler or mandoline to slice the zucchini into noodles. Set aside.

Combine the basil and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until blended. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine the zucchini noodles and pesto. Toss until zucchini noodles are well coated. Top with tomatoes, if using. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

All images and text ©Two Peas & Their Pod .

Meet Kathryn Spargo, RN Case Manager

Kathryn didn't discover her calling to nursing until her forties. She was working at a local hospital as a Registrar and needed to take a Medical Terminology course as a requirement for the position. It was that course that got her interested in the idea of becoming a nurse. She applied to and was accepted into The State of Connecticut LPN program, which she completed in 15 months and returned to the same hospital, only this time as a Licensed Practicing Nurse.

That fall, Kathryn continued her nursing studies and went on to get her Registered Nurse degree. She worked for 13 years at Backus Hospital, gaining valuable experience on Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Progressive Care and Cardiac Units, as well as the Emergency Room. Kathryn took those acquired skills to her next nursing job at UCONN's Correctional Managed Health at York Correctional Institution in Niantic. Finally, Kathryn found her way to the home care setting, joining Visiting Nursing of the Lower Valley in February 2018. Kathryn lives right around the corner in Ivoryton and is looking forward to providing care to the local community.

Welcome, Kathryn! We are happy to have you join the VNLV Team!

10 Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or another dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree. If you notice any of these signs, see your doctor.

1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life

2) Challenges in planning or solving problems

3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.

4) Confusion with time or place

5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6) New problems with words in speaking or writing

7) Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8) Decreased or poor judgement

9) Withdrawal from work or social activities

10) Changes in mood and personality

Source: The Alzheimer’s Association .

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Lower Valley Care Advocates provides in-home support to help support a safe environment for seniors in all areas of living including personal care, housekeeping and companionship. Call or visit our website for more information: (860) 767-2695 or www.LowerValleyCareAdvocates.org.

Let's Stay Connected!

Learn more about VNLV on our website or visit us on Facebook

Questions? Call Us! 860-767-0186