Golden Horizons Elder Care Services blog. Senior in-home health care companions, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, elderly healthy tips, community involvement and other topics.

Beat the Heat

7/27/2018

Here we are, the end of July already...but boy are we in the throws of summer! This week has been particularly brutal - hot, humid, sticky, muggy and rainy. These are the days for AC and lake living...any way we can keep cool is important, especially for young children and older folks. We all want to enjoy our summer!

As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to issues. Heat related illnesses are no exceptions. If we are not properly cooled, dressed and hydrated for hot weather, we can succumb to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, sun poisoning, heat cramps etc.

So what can we do to beat the heat and relish our summer activities? Here are some helpful tips:
- Drink lots of water, more than you think you might need.
- Drink sports drinks/juices to replenish electrolytes and salt that you may lose through sweating.
- Spend time indoors and avoid the heat during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm.
- When outside, apply sunscreen liberally to protect your skin.
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that will not absorb the suns rays.
- Wear hats when outside.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when outside.
- If you are outside exercising, pace yourself and listen to your body to avoid overheating or overtaxing.

This information, and more, can be found on the National Safety Council's website, www.nsc.org. Stay safe, stay cool, enjoy summer!

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Finances and the Sandwich Generation

7/20/2018

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People are waiting until they are older to get married and have children. Many are establishing themselves in meaningful work and lucrative careers before taking these next steps. While this has great effects on their

maturity, we see the downside a little later, when they become part of the sandwich generation.

The sandwich generation refers to people who are responsible for caring for both aging parents and growing children. Having to meet the needs for both generations puts them in demanding situations. They are often taxed physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. Financially is what we want to focus on today.

Caring for both kids and parents can create a heavy financial burden. Here are a few tips to help mitigate the burden and the stress money can cause.

1. Find a qualified, reliable financial advisor - It can be difficult to learn the world of finances and investing. Working with someone who is qualified and expert in the field can help grow your portfolio, making the money work for you, and can help bring you peace of mind so you can focus on other responsibilities and joys.

2. Explore Long Term Care Insurance - There is a branch of insurance focused purely on providing care for later years - nursing homes, in-home care, help with activities of daily living etc. These may not be covered by regular health insurance or Medicare. It is best to start a plan such as this earlier in life. It will cost less.

3. Go over financial health with your aging parents - Sit down with your parents and find out how they are doing financially. Do they need help? Are they prepared for later years? How can their situation be improved upon?

Sources:
- Sandwich Generation - investopedia.com
- Advice to the Sandwich Generation: Make Sure Your Financial Plan is Sound - Kiplinger.com
- Aging Parents Plus Kids: How to Cope with Sandwich Generation Stress - Bank of America

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Golden Nuggets, July 2018

7/11/2018

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A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.

A Message from the Office

“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ~ Peter Marshall

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be one of the founding mothers or fathers of the US? What was it like to live under the England of the 1770s; under “no taxation without representation”? What kind of courage and perseverence would have been required to step off the proverbial cliff and declare independence? What did Thomas Jefferson feel and think as he wrotethe document that set the course of a new nation?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

"Freedom is not free."

In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress charged the "Committee of Five" - John Adams, MA, Benjamin Franklin, PA, Thomas Jefferson, VA, Robert R. Livingston, NY, and Roger Sherman, CT, to draft a declaration of independence. An initial draft was presented June 28, John Hancock was the first to sign it on July 4, 1776, and the final signature was penned on August 2, 1776. The Thirteen Colonies stepped off the cliff into history.

Wednesday is July 4, our Independence Day. As we go to our parades, parties and barbecues, take a moment to think about the sacrifices made to get us here. America is a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. We’re not perfect, far from it, but America was and is founded on freedom. We have the opportunity to always make it better. Happy Independence Day! ~ Golden Horizons Office Team

Mr. W’s Newsletter Inspiration

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything.”
~ Katherine Hepburn ~

Cultural Tidbit

Katherine Hepburn, reknowned actress of stage and screen, can definitely be considered an Old Saybrook townie. Born May 12, 1907, in Hartford, CT, she spent summers with her family at their seaside home in Fenwick Borough. There she played golf and tennis, she swam in Long Island Sound and pursued her passion for acting at the Ivoryton Playhouse. In her later years, she became a permanent resident of Fenwick, remaining so until her death on June 29, 2003, at age 96. Today, Old Saybrook celebrates Hepburn’s legacy of stage, screen and life with the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, better known as The Kate. Located right on Main Street, The Kate, brings great shows - theater, dance, music and movies to the local community. Though gone 15 years, Katherine Hepburn is beloved by the community.

Caregiver of the Month

July 2018 - Camille W. Camille joined Golden Horizons in the beginning of 2018. In her short time with us, she has shown herself to be the definition of professional - reliable, punctual, caring and hardworking. She goes above and beyond for her clients. Thank you and Congratulations Camille!

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Agency on Aging - Newsletter Stories

7/3/2018

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Click/Tap on Graphic.

Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut is part of the Care Network and always have stories worth reading. Enjoy.

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Senior Spirit - Health - Money + More

7/3/2018

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New surgical methods, perfectly legal, looking younger, high-tech hearing devices are all discussed in the latest Senior Spirit News by the Certified Senior Advisor. Click/tap on graphic.