Healthy Meals

Typically a new year equates to resolutions that involve the promise of exercise and healthy eating. We live in a world where words like organic and gluten free are thrown around a lot, and are often interpreted as expensive grocery items in contrast to foods that contain preservatives and processed sugar. This may be true in some circumstances, but one thing is true, you feel a lot better psychologically when you eat organically.

A lot of our home care clients are diabetic and routine healthy meals are paramount for their daily lives. It’s a critical skill to learn meal prep for diabetics when you’re a caregiver, and a necessity when you are the diabetic and need to cook for yourself. Today we’re sharing a recipe that we found on Cooking with Patricia’s blog, so you too, can be healthy in 2020 and beyond. Besides, it’s always nice to shake it up and have new dinner ideas at your fingertips!

We recently shared this recipe with our home care clients and the feedback we are getting is that it’s an absolute hit! It’s the perfect mix of healthy and flavorful. Modifications can be made accordingly. We urge you to RUN, don’t walk to make this meal this week. Our Pinterest board is filled with other healthy eating choices and meal prep planning ideas. Eat well today!

Ground-Turkey-Sweet-Potato-Skillet-Recipe

 

Walking with a Purpose

Brian receives 24 hour care due to a brain injury that has left him weak on one side of his body. Brian is tall in stature, but you would have never known it a year and a half ago when we first met, because Brian was in a wheelchair. Gentle by nature, he can’t help but smile sheepishly at a joke because his sense of humor always wins. In fact, he loves joking around, and making his caregivers laugh, is something that Brian is REALLY good at.

Now, let’s talk about Clairnette. She is one of Brian’s caregivers as well as his house manager. Clairnette is a kind of super heroine, who has the ability to detect an individual’s attributes and have he/she actively engaged in utilizing them, (she only uses these powers for good)! In less than a year, she has endlessly encouraged this 6’2″ & 200 lb + man out of his wheelchair and has him walking! (see video for proof!) She knew he had the ability to do it, she just needed Brian to buy into her encouragement, which he did.

We love our caregivers, especially when we see the fruits of their labor because they are matched perfectly and the synergy is there. Because of caregivers like Clairnette, our individuals are safe, happy, and supported. Families and friends are more at ease knowing that their loved ones are in good hands. Simply put, we can all do big things with big hearts. Way to go, Brian! We can’t wait to see what’s next in the cards for you!

brian pics

 

15 day self care challenge

Licensed professionals and others alike will often mention the term “self care.” What we don’t always realize is how important self care is to our lives. We brush it off as nonsense, or too time consuming. The truth is, we need self care in order to be the best version of ourselves.

Let us present to you a 15 day self care challenge. All of these activities are FREE and attainable if effort is put forth. Try and tackle 1 item each day (in no particular order) and explore how you feel before, during, and after.

  1. Make a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and relax while drinking it.
  2. Take a bath (bubbles are encouraged for an enhanced atmosphere!)
  3. Pray
  4. Take a walk
  5. Listen to the radio
  6. Call a friend or family member to say hello 
  7. Draw a picture or color in a coloring book
  8. Take 10 minutes to stretch your body
  9. Meditate
  10. Write a poem
  11. Do a word search or crossword puzzle
  12. Read a book or a magazine
  13. Visit your library and attend a workshop or class
  14. Organize your clothes closet or drawers to feel more organized
  15. Write down 10 things you are grateful for

Note: You can also try these in moments of anxiety or depression to help clear your mind.

I make my own happiness! #selfcare.png

The Therapeutic Benefits of Crocheting

Crocheting.

I know this may seem like unusual subject matter for a home care blog, but in fact, it’s quite appropriate. Crocheting is the new trend (ok so maybe it never went out of style) and it’s proving to be a strategy of self-care for individuals seeking zen in their lives.

According to a recent study presented by the University of Wollongong in Australia, crocheting is responsible for positively affecting your health and well-being. It aids with anxiety, insomnia, and keeps your fine motor skills on point.

 

Of the 8,000 participants involved in this study 90% find that crocheting made them feel calmer and 82% were happier when engaged in the craft. 77% of these individuals crochet on some level every single day.

If you are a caregiver or simply looking for a new way to relax and express creativity, this is an inexpensive approach to self-care. Whether you keep the items for yourself, gift them, or make a donation to a charity in need, overall, it’s a win-win! So get your hook and yarn ready and be prepared to chill out and make some cool things. Check out some great stuff here: Crochet Ideas

Note: If you’re not sure where to even start, there are instruction books in the library and many step by step tutorials on YouTube and other internet sources.

edited-crochet-feature-imageCrochet Ideas

Why Home Care?

The healthcare industry is flourishing throughout the United States mainly due to the aging baby boomer population requiring increased medical and non-medical attention. Where we are in Connecticut, assisted living facilities are popping up at a rapid rate. We see crews working on weekends to complete these monstrosities that will soon be filled with elders and others seeking long-term medical support. We also see an increased number of families looking for alternative, less expensive options, like home care.

IMG_0087

So, why home care? What makes home care a more viable option for short or long-term health care? Well, the answer is not black and white. Every family doing their research on this matter should consider their loved ones needs and preferences prior to making final determination in either direction.

Congregate with your loved one and other family members to decide what that individual needs on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Additionally, it’s important to determine how involved family members want to be on a regular basis. You might find after you compile this information that the answer is crystal clear. Either way, it’s smart to weigh the pros and cons of home care and assisted living solutions.

Here is a brief analysis of the pros and cons of home care and assisted living.

Home Care Pros

  • Each individual remains in a space that’s comfortable for them. Eases any anxiety a disruption in environment might cause.
  • Individual receives continuous care from 1 or 2 caregivers instead of many different caregivers.
  • Depending on the level of care required, it’s usually more effective to receive in home care.
  • Care plans take on a personalized approach so the individual is receiving exactly what they need.

Assisted Living Pros

  • Individuals are living with other residents giving them a less socially isolating environment.
  • Families are not responsible for scheduling caregivers.
  • Activities are always planned, encouraging active lifestyle.

Home Care Cons

  • Back up care giving involves a lot of planning.
  • The home may need modifications for safety and/or accessibility purposes.
  • Social isolation can lead to other health issues, it’s something to monitor if an individual receives minimal support at home.

Assisted Living Cons

  • Work force has a high turnover rate
  • Quality of care isn’t always as good as in home options
  • Individuals might find a change in environment as depressing and not adjust well to living in a facility which could decrease their quality of life.

 Do your research. Talk to companies. Set up appointments to meet in person.

In summary, you can do all the best research there is but it’s truly important to know what will please your loved one receiving the care.