July is UV Safety Awareness Month
Get out the Sunglasses!

During the summer there is usually a lot of emphasis on protecting skin from UV rays. But one must not forget about protecting the eyes—the most exposure to bright sunlight increases the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye including cancer.

July is UV safety awareness month. However, eyes are at risk to UV rays all year round. Sunlight is not the only culprit though—tanning beds offer a higher dose of UV rays than sunlight. This makes it important to protect the eyes from UV rays in all situations by wearing proper eye protection—either UV blocking sunglasses or appropriate tanning goggles.

The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight savings time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States. UV rays are the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America.

To learn more, click here.
COVID-19 Variants: What We Know
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.

Viruses constantly change and become more diverse. Scientists monitor these changes, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus. By carefully studying viruses, scientists can learn how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and how sick people will get from it.

If you think about a virus like a tree growing and branching out; each branch on the tree is slightly different than the others. By comparing the branches, scientists can label them according to the differences. These small differences, or variants, have been studied and identified since the beginning of the pandemic.

Some variations allow the virus to spread more easily or make it resistant to treatments or vaccines. Those variants must be monitored more carefully.

To read more about the variants from the CDC, click here.
Stay Healthy as Summer Temps Rise
Hundreds of heat records are being set with temperatures upwards of 107 degrees in states like California, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Some planes are being grounded because the shimmering heat makes it dangerous to fly.

A “mega-heat wave,” as some weather experts have dubbed it, has scorched western areas of the U.S., forcing people to stay indoors to seek out cooler spots. These spiking temperatures bring an increased risk of heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heatstroke.

The risk of illness from hot weather is particularly high for those over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that 36 percent of heat-related deaths in the U.S. were in that age category. As people age, bodies don't adjust well to sudden changes in temperature, and prescription medications and chronic illnesses can affect a response to heat.

To read more, click here.
95% of Older Adults Take Prescriptions that Increase their Risk of Falling
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Buffalo explored how prescription drugs may pose a health risk to older consumers.

Their work revealed that nearly 95 percent of older adults are taking prescription drugs that increase their risk of falling. This is concerning because falls for older consumers can lead to more serious health complications and increase the risk of death.

“Our study indicates two trends increasing concurrently at a population level that should be examined at the individual level,” said researcher Amy Shaver. “Our hope is that it will start more conversations on health care teams about the pros and cons of medications prescribed for vulnerable populations.”

To read more, click here.
July Recipe of the Month:
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Salmon
Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon snipped chives
  • 8 stalks celery, very thinly sliced in half moons on an angle

  • 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
  • Four 5-ounce center-cut skin-on salmon fillets, about 1-inch thick
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for oiling the grill

Directions:

  • Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan on medium high.
  • Mix together the hot sauce, brown sugar, paprika and cayenne in a small bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the mixture to a large bowl and whisk in the mayonnaise; set aside the rest of the sauce. Add the chives, celery and onions to the bowl with the mayonnaise and toss well.
  • Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper. Brush the grill grate lightly with oil. Lay the salmon on the grill, skin-side up, and cook until distinct grill marks appear and the salmon releases easily from the grate, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and brush the fish with some of the reserved sauce. Continue to cook the fish, brushing the pieces periodically with the sauce, until the salmon fillets are glazed and just cooked through, 13 to 15 minutes more.
  • Transfer the fillets to individual plates and serve with the celery slaw.

To read more, click here.
VNLV is Hiring - Join Our Team!
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 are 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.
Please submit resumes to info@visitingnurses.org.
RN Full-Time and Per Diem Positions

Registered Nurses to work full-time or per diem weekdays. Duties include, but not limited to: client assessment, OASIS timepoints, HHA supervision, and functioning as part of the team. Must be a graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing, licensed to practice in the state of CT, have a minimum of one-year med-surg clinical experience. Home health care/OASIS experience preferred.

LPN Full-Time and Per Diem Positions

Licensed Practical Nurses to work per diem weekdays. Duties include, but not limited to: client assessment and functioning as part of the team. Must be a graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing, licensed to practice in the state of CT, have a minimum of one-year med-surg clinical experience. Home health care/OASIS experience preferred.
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