We've had a great time celebrating this times of year. Thank you to all our Golden Horizons caregivers who work tirelessly to bring the joy and light we celebrate this time of year into the lives of their clients 365 days a year. We celebrate you. Here's a snapshot (pun intended) of our celebrations.

The agency on aging 'Senior Resources' has recently published their "News You Can Use" December edition. This good news publication includes a calendar of events, shopping before and after the holidays, chronic pain information, diabetes self-management, and dementia education. Check it out at this- Link.

Topics of interest: Exercise; Taxes; Lifestyle; Technology and more within the good read of the "Senior Spirit" newsletter by the Society of Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). Click/tap on any image to reveal fresh contents from the December 2017 issue. Enjoy the Holidays.

How Does the Influenza Virus Flu Vaccine Protect You?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

Annually the influenza viruses (seasonal flu) vaccine protects against the most targeted and common influenza infections during the foreseeable coming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against 3 flu viruses:

1. Influenza A (H1N1) virus
2. Influenza A (H3N2) virus
3. Influenza B virus

Additionally there are flu vaccines made to protect against 4 flu viruses (quadrivalent vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

These lyrics, from Andy William’s It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, have been replaying in my mind all week. December is here. The holidays are upon us. Stores are teaming with consumers. Tree farms are selling trees galore. Radio stations are playing holiday music 24/7. Hallmark Channel is churning out their holiday premiers. Holiday shows, concerts and events are filling our social 
calendars. Families are traveling, gathering and loving. Salvation Army bellringers are out in full force. Everyone is full of good cheer and hearts open to help those less fortunate. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

While December is for celebrating, it’s also the start of winter, making us more susceptible to illness. According to www.healthfinder.gov, December 3-9, is National Handwashing Awareness Week and December 4-11, is National Influenza Vaccination Week. In this month’s editon of Golden Nuggets, we are going to focus on good handwashing practices and obtaining flu vaccines to stay healthy this winter. We wish you all a happy, healthy Holiday Season and New Year!
                                                        ~ Golden Horizons Office Team

***Cultural Tidbit: Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wilde
(b: October 16,1854 – d: November 30,1900), was an Irish poet, author, playwright and proponent of aestheticism, an intellectual and artistic movement centered on the idea of producing art and literary works for the sake of beauty rather than a deeper meaning...Art for Art’s Sake.