August is National Immunization Awareness Month
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There Are Many Things We Want to Pass on to Our Loved Ones—Illness Is Not One of Them.
You want to pass on certain things like family traditions, a grandmother’s quilt or dad’s love of books—but no one wants to pass on a serious illness. Take charge of your health and help protect those around you by asking about vaccines at your next doctor’s visit.
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Communities across the country use the month each year to raise awareness about the important role vaccines play in preventing serious, sometimes deadly, diseases across the lifespan.
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Make Your Home Safe for Your Aging Parent
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Job #1 when moving your aging parent or loved one into your home — or helping them age in place in their own home — is making it safe. Take a look at the home from the perspective of a person who uses a wheelchair or is a fall risk. You need a plan.
1. Call in a pro.
Start with a home assessment by an occupational therapist, physical therapist, geriatric care manager or other certified aging-in-place specialist to access the home and recommend modifications and remodeling projects that will make it easier and safer.
2. Modify. Adapted homes can be stylish, comfortable and safe for all ages. You may need:
- zero-threshold entryways
- wide doorways and halls
- offset door hinges to make room for a wheelchair, walker or two people walking side by side
- controls and switches that are reachable from a wheelchair or bed
- a waterproof seat in the shower
- a stair-climber
- a raised toilet seat
- a shower chair
- a frameless walk-in shower with a sloped floor instead of a step-over threshold put textured no-slip strips in the bathtub and shower to lessen the chance of a fall
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Top 10 Active Senior Hobbies
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Ah, the golden years. A time for chess, knitting and bingo, plus the occasional 4 o'clock dinner followed by a letter to the grandkids. Sound familiar? Probably not, because many of today's seniors are more likely to get moving, eat fresh veggies from their gardens and text the grandkids about the new pictures on their Facebook wall. Part of being an active senior might include activities like board games, sewing and dining out with friends, but hobbies for the older generation have long been crossing over into what all ages enjoy.
Whether looking to increase passive activity by exercising your mind or to increase physical activity by exercising your body -- or both -- take a look at how seniors are redefining and even extending their later years.
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Recipe of the Month:
Grilled Honey-Lime Chicken with Pineapple Salsa
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Ingredients:
Juice of 4 limes, divided
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. plus 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
2 tsp. honey
kosher salt
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 c. chopped pineapple
1 avocado, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Make Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together juice of 3 limes, olive oil, 1/4 cup cilantro and honey and season with salt. Add chicken to a large Ziploc bag or baking dish and pour over marinade. Let marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 hours, or up to overnight. When ready to grill, heat grill to high. Oil grates and add chicken, then grill until charred, 8 minutes per side. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together pineapple, avocado, red onion, remaining lime juice, and remaining tablespoon cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon salsa over chicken and serve.
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Meet Dawn-Marie Moore, BSN, RN
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Dawn-Marie Moore graduated with an Associate's Degree in Nursing in 1994 at a community college in Massachusetts, where she grew up. She went back to school to get her BSN at Sacred Heart University online and graduated in 2015.
Dawn has worked in long term care as a Supervisor in a variety of areas including internal medicine, surgery, discharge planning, post-partum/newborn nursery and, most recently, in homecare as Admissions Nurse for VNLV. Her love is education and she hopes to go back to school in the next 5 years to get her MSN in Education.
Dawn lives in Old Saybrook with her spouse of 5 1/2 yrs. Collectively, they have 7 children ranging in age from 22 to 10. In her "free" time, she likes movies, music, concerts, gardening, crafty hobbies such as sewing and crocheting as well as caring for her 4 adopted guinea pigs.
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Lower Valley Care Advocates is Hiring!
LVCA is looking for caring, compassionate, reliable caregivers to join our team including:
- Certified Nursing Assistants
- Home Health Aides
- Personal Care Attendants
- Homemaker/Companions
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Let's Stay Connected!
Questions?
Call Us! 860-767-0186
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