Golden Nuggets, February 2020

Message from the Office

​February 17th is an important day. No, it’s not a national holiday (well, it is Presidents’ Day this year - 3rd Monday in February - so I guess it is, but we don’t get it off) 

or religious holy day. It is not a day that will live in infamy, but every year, it plays a vital role in the collective national attitude. This day, February 17, is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It is a day that invites each one of us to go out of our way to pay it forward. It encourages us to cross our arbitrary boundaries - creed, religion, color - to recognize and affirm the humanity in each of us. For the duration of February, on the 17th, for every day going forward, live out the Golden 

Rule, which embodies RAK Day - do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be kind. Encourage others to be kind. Pay it forward. ~ Golden Horizons Office Tea

Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration

“It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.”
​~ George Washington ~

​George Washington, ‘Father of our Country’, is one of America’s most famous Founding Fathers, serving as commander to the Continental Army during the War of Independence and as our first President (1789-1797). Born February 22, 1732, in Virginia, he didn’t have the same formal education as his older brothers, but he had an inquisitive mind. Washington studied trigonometry 

and mathematics, and in 1749, received his surveyor's license from the College of William and Mary. Upon the death of his older brother, Washington inherited the famed Mt. Vernon plantation. He was husband to Martha Custis Washington (m. Jan 6, 1759), step father to Martha’s two children, veteran of the French & Indian War, statesman in the Virginia legislature (and Continental Congress and 1st President). He died December 14, 1799, from sickness and blood-letting, at 67, leaving a legacy that impacts us today.

Monthly Safety Tip

Get enough sleep!

Eat healthy. Drink plenty of water. Moderate alcohol intake. Don’t smoke. Get plenty of exercise. Stay positive. Follow your doctor’s orders to  hopefully live a long, prosperous, healthy life.​

​February is National Heart Month. If any problem, ie. heart disease, runs in your family, take precautions. Visit your doctor to get an accurate picture of your heart health. Get enough sleep. 

Eat healthy!

Caregivers of the Quarter

Q1 2020: Amanda M. & Mary Ann C.

Amanda M. is celebrating 4 years with our team this month. Amanda is a consummate professional and dedicated caregiver. Her clients have nothing but good things to say about her work ethic and personality. Thank you for all your hard work Amanda!

Mary Ann C. joined the Golden Horizons team in November 2018. In her time with us, she has shown great compassion and provided excellent care to her clients; they have repeatedly thanked us for sending her to them. Thank you for all you do Mary Ann!

February Birthdays

​We would like to wish the happiest of birthdays to all our clients and caregivers with February birthdays. May this next year be full of blessings and adventures!
​
Clients
- Mr. G, February 2
- Mrs. B, February 5
- Mrs. D, February 16
- Mrs. M, February 18

Caregivers
​- Tynasia D, February 12

All About Your Heart Health

​As we said on page one, February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the USA, with a rate of 600,000 per year, or 1 in 4 deaths. In women, the rate of deaths is 1 in 3. These statistics translate to a scary figure in the US - every 37 seconds, a person dies of heart disease. So what causes it?

Visited your doctor recently?

Heart disease is an umbrella term for many cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks, heart rhythm problems, heart blood vessel illnesses and more. There is no one-size-fits-all for heart disease symptoms, and 

they will differ depending on the specific issue, and in men and women (ie. men have more chest pain, women have more discomfort - short breath, fatigue, nausea), but there are some common factors to watch 

for in order to prevent, diagnose, or manage heart disease. Here are a few examples of symptom categories for Heart Disease:

- Heart Disease in Blood Vessels - shortness of breath, chest - pain, tightness, pressure; pain in places like one’s back, jaw, neck, upper abdominal region, throat etc.; if blood vessels are narrow in body limbs, it may include pain, numbing, cold or weakness.
 
- Heart Disease because of Irregular Heart Beats - tachycardia (racing heartbeat), bradycardia (slower heartbeat); feeling lightheaded, dizzy, faint, short on breath, chest pain or discomfort, fluttering in the chest.
​ 
- Heart Disease in Weak Heart Muscle (Cardiomyopathy) - always feeling breathless (with or without exertion); swelling in legs, ankles, feet; irregular heartbeats - fast, fluttering, pounding; feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint.

Some risk factors that may contribute to a heart disease include: genetic predisposition / family medical history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet (ie. high in saturated fat), excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, diabetes, little to no exercise. Almost half of all Americans have at least three risk factors.

So what do we do? As we said in the Monthly Safety Tip, first visit your doctor! Know what the health status for your heart is. Listen to what your doctor says to improve your health - eat healthy, don’t smoke, 

moderate (or quit) your alcohol consumption, exercise, take any medications prescribed as directed. Take control of your health!  ​​​​

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