Finding the Good:
How to Help Others in Need
Many people are struggling in the face of this pandemic. There are several ways you can offer help. Here's how you can get involved:

Seeking Donations:
Do you have any cloth or surgical masks to donate? VNLV has a limited supply and could always use more. If you are able to donate masks to VNLV, please call 860-767-0186. Thank you!
Lessons in Finding Happiness During Hard Times
Researchers say we're wired for joy and quite resilient.

In the short list of songs that have brought the world joy, you'd be hard-pressed to top the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” with its lilting melody and deeply hopeful lyrics ("the smiles returning to the faces"; “I feel that ice is slowly melting").

No wonder that hospitals played it repeatedly over their public-address systems this spring as an auditory balm in some of the most stress-filled, soul-scorching places on the planet: the intensive care units overflowing with COVID-19 patients struggling to stay alive.

Lesson 1: Happiness is possible in dark hours
Lesson 2: Give up wrong ideas about happiness
Lesson 3: Work with your happiness biology


To read more about each lesson, click here.
Content Credit: AARP
New Rules for
Safer Summer Cookouts
The new guidelines have prevention strategies for several routine activities, such as running to the bank, working out at the gym and traveling overnight.

Hosting friends and family for a meal is also on the list. Here's how to do that as safely as possible during the pandemic.

On the menu: A single server with a side of hand sanitizer

Before you venture out or invite others over, it's important to assess your risk. Consider whether COVID-19 is spreading in your community or whether you or someone you live with is more likely to get severely ill from a coronavirus infection.

If you decide to move ahead with plans, the CDC recommends implementing a few preventive measures to reduce the odds that your backyard barbecue will turn into a hot zone. At the top of the list: Remind anyone who hasn't been feeling well or who has come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 to stay home and away from others.

Second, try to keep guests outside as much as possible. Inside, “you have a greater concentration of virus in the air and a greater chance of infection,” Bearman says. Outdoors, the virus can disperse more easily, which “decreases infectivity.” It's also easier to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people when you're outside — and that's another tip on the CDC's guide to a safer summer cookout. Also, wear a face mask if you are medically clear to do so, and wash your hands often, especially before and after eating.

Consider adding BYOB to your party invite; guests may want to bring their own plates, utensils and cups, too. The CDC says it's best to minimize shared items, and if you have a few out (think bottles of barbecue sauce or salad dressing), identify one person to serve them.

To read the full article, click here.
Content Credit: AARP
How to Spot and Treat Health Problems Caused by Heat
It’s important to recognize when hot weather is making you sick, and when to get help. Here’s a list of health problems caused by exposure to too much heat:

Dehydration    
What it is: A loss of water in your body. It can be serious if not treated.

Warning signs: Weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, and passing out.

What to do: Drink plenty of water and, if possible, sports drinks such as Gatorade™, which contain important salts called “electrolytes.” Among other things, electrolytes play a key role in regulating your heartbeat. Your body loses electrolytes when you’re dehydrated. If you don’t feel better, call 911. If you feel better after drinking fluids, but have medical conditions like heart failure or take diuretics (“water pills”), you should also call your healthcare provider for a follow-up.

Heat stroke    
What it is: A very dangerous rise in your body temperature, which may happen gradually over days of heat exposure in older adults. It can be deadly.

Warning signs: A body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher; red, hot, and dry skin; a fast pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; confusion or lethargy; and passing out.

What to do: Call 911 immediately. Move to a cool, shady place and take off or loosen heavy clothes. If possible, douse yourself with cool water, or put cloths soaked with cool water on your wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck to lower your temperature. Try to see if you can safely swallow water or sports drinks while waiting for 911.

Heat exhaustion    
What it is: A serious health problem caused by too much heat and dehydration. If not treated, it may lead to heat stroke (see above).

Warning signs: Heavy sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, paleness, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fast and weak pulse, fainting. Body temperature is generally between 98.6°F (37°C) and 104°F (40°C).

What to do: Without delay, move to a cool, shady place, and drink plenty of cool fluids, such as water or sports drinks. Call 911 right away if you have high blood pressure or heart problems, or if you don’t feel better quickly after moving to the shade and drinking liquids.

Heat syncope   
What it is: Fainting caused by high temperatures.

Warning signs: Dizziness or fainting.

What to do: Lie down and put your feet up, and drink plenty of water and other cool fluids.

Content Credit: Health in Aging
July Recipe of the Month:
Turkey & Coriander Burgers with Guacamole
Ingredients:
  •  400g turkey mince
  •  1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  •  85g fresh breadcrumb
  •  1 tbsp chopped coriander
  •  1 red onion, finely chopped
  •  1 large ripe avocado
  •  Avocado, or 2 small
  •  1 chilli
  •  Chillies, de-seeded and finely chopped
  •  juice 1 lime
  •  4 ciabatta rolls, cut in half
  •  1 tsp sunflower oil
  •  Sunflower oil
  • 8 hot peppadew peppers, roughly chopped

Directions:
  • Mix the mince, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, half each of the coriander and onion, and some seasoning until combined. Form into 4 burgers, then chill until ready to cook.
  • To make the guacamole, mash the avocado with the remaining coriander and onion, the chilli and lime juice, and season.
  • Heat a griddle pan or barbecue until hot. Griddle the rolls, cut-side down, for 1 min, then keep warm. Brush the burgers with the oil to keep them from sticking. Cook for 7-8 mins on each side until charred and cooked through. Fill the rolls with the burgers, guacamole and peppadews.

To see the other recipes, click here. Content credit: BBC Good Food
We're Hiring!
RN Case Manager

Full Time position – Responsible for providing skilled nursing care to patients and families in their home or community and coordinating activities of home health care. Duties include but not limited to client assessment, care planning, therapeutic intervention, and overall supervision of client care and outcomes. Provides functional support and supervision to home health aides.

Must be a graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing, licensed to practice in the state of CT, and have a minimum of one year med-surg clinical experience. Home health care/OASIS/revisit documentation experience preferred.

We offer flexible scheduling and a competitive wage/benefit package.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:
   Dental Insurance
   Disability Insurance
   Health Insurance
   Life Insurance
   Paid Time Off
   Retirement Plan
   Tuition Reimbursement
   Vision Insurance

Please submit resume to i nfo@visitingnurses.org .
Let's Stay Connected!
To learn more about Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, click here .
To learn more about Lower Valley Care Advocates, click here.
  Questions? Call Us! 860-767-0186