Golden Nuggets, January 2020

A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.

A Message from the Office

Eye doctors often use the term 2020 vision for perfect eyesight. In that spirit, as we enter the year 2020, may it offer you clarity in all areas of your life, and an exceptional  

start to a new decade. We wish you and your family happy, healthy safe new year (and new decade). ~ Golden Horizons Office Team

A Message from Our President

I hope you all had a happy, healthy holiday with your family and friends. Mine was certainly joyous. In my message last month, I found myself reflective and grateful for the year I had, with all its ups and downs. It is with attitude of thankfulness that I anticipate the opprotunities for this new year, and new decade; a blank canvas that is “always fresh with no mistakes in it” (paraphrasing from L. 
​M. Montgomery). Happy New Year, from our

GHECS family to yours! May 2020 bring you health, joy and many blessings! ~ Lisa Gradzewicz ​

Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration

“When we imagine we have finished our story, fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter.” ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery 

Lucy Maud Montgomery

​Cultural Tidbit: Lucy Maud Montgomery is a famous Canadian writer and author, most known for her series Anne of Green Gables, about a red-headed orphan girl
adopted and raised by an older sister and brother on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874, in Clifton (now New London), Prince
Edward Island, Canada. He mother died of 

tuberculosis when Lucy was 21 months, and her heart-broken father
ceded custody to her maternal grandparents. She was raised in Cavendish, PEI. Her early childhood was lonely, despite family living nearby. These lonely years formed
the basis for her vivid imagination and set the stage for her Anne series, and other works. Montgomery published her first Anne novel in 1908; they were an immediate hit. She became a world-famous author. She married a minister later in life and had two sons. Their home life was contentious and she suffered from depression. She died April 24, 1942. Her legacy lives on in her published works and how she put PEI on the map as a world destination.

Monthly Safety Tip

​A few weeks ago, we were hit by a nasty ice storm. It was a mess during the storm and the night following. When morning dawned, we were greeted with a wondrous sight: every tree shown brilliantly! Ice accumulated and froze on the tree limbs and the suns rays reflected and refracted through. It was gorgeous!

Ice is beautiful, brilliant...and dangerous. As we head into the heart of winter, here is a 

Photo: Caitlin Reynolds

helpful tip to handle it: 1) Keep a bag of rock salt, ice melt or sand/cat litter in your car, and sprinkle it around where you park to melt ice and gain traction 2) Acquire a pair of ice cleats that go over your shoes to help you walk safely.***Salt and ice cleats are available to our caregivers at the office. 251 Main St, Ste 101, Old Saybrook CT 06475.

January Birthdays

We would like to wish the happiest of birthdays to all our ​clients

and ​caregivers with January birthdays. May this next year be full of blessings and adventures.

Clients
*No client birthdays this month.

Caregivers
- Aneita R, January 1
- Betty F, January 13
- Cathy R, January 16
- Lara B, January 19
- Queen M, January 20
- Darcy G, January 27

Rock Salt/Ice Melt Safety

As we said on page one, we're heading into the heart of our winter...cold, snow, freezing rain, ice. It all adds up to "yuck (and beauty once we clear our cars and see past the "yuck"). Our Monthly Safety Tip talked about using rock salt or ice melt to help clear our parking areas, driveways, walkways etc., to make walking safer and easier. These items are helpful tools in preventing injury due to a fall during the winter months, BUT their use comes with safety tips of their own. a) Ice melt / rock salt are made with with various substances (ie. calcium chloride, potassium chloride). They are effective to melt ice, but are harmful if they come into contact with skin or are ingested by pets or humans. If rock salt comes into contact with skin (or fur) it can cause burns, leading to irritation, soreness, inflammation, even bacterial infection. When laying it down, handle with gloves, and wear proper eye protection. If rock salt is ingested or inhaled, it can cause similar burns and irritation to the respiratory tract. b) Use the recommended amount of rock salt. Using too much causes repeated exposure and residue build up that can lead to long term damage to asphalt, wooden decks, pavement and even vegetation/plant life. Sometimes, it can make its way into ground water supplies, which in turn can be harmful to animals and humans. A great way to prevent overuse is to use a spreader with a guard. reduce you exposure and mitigate potential damage. 

National Thyroid Awareness Month

Your thyroid plays a vital role in your life. It is a small, powerful, butterfly-shaped gland in the base of your neck, just above the collarbone. As part of the endocrine system, it produces hormones that help regulate the pace at which most of your body systems function (ie. how fast calories burn, heart beat rate, breathing rate, digestion etc.). About 20 million Americans are diagnosed with some form of thyroid disease. 1 in 20 Americans 12 and older have an under-active thyroid, hypothyroidism, where the thyroid doesn't produce adequate amounts of hormones causing body functions to slow. Symptoms may include mental fogginess, aching joints, weight gain, feeling bloated, high cholesterol, sensitivity to cold, depression, memory problems, low appetite etc. 1 in 100 have an overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism, producing more hormones than necessary. Symptoms may include irritability, increased appetite, racing heart, intolerance to heat, thyroid gland enlargement, nervousness, sweating etc. Thyroid problems are 5-8 times more likely in women. 60% of those with a thyroid issue are unaware of it. Speak with your doctor. It is imperative to maintain a healthy thyroid if possible, because it affects so many other aspects of our health.

Sources:
- "Special Days and Observances in January"; Carol Bainbridge, Updated 12/9/19, The Spruce
​- "About Your Thyroid"; Thyroid Awareness
​- "Thyroid Diseases"; U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.gov
​- "Thinking About Your Thyroid: Get to Know This Small but Mighty gland"; Ed. Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Man. Ed. Tianna Hicklin, Ph.D.; NIH News in Health, Sept. 2015; National Institute of Health
​- "General Information/Press Room"; American Thyroid Association
- "30 Thyroid Disorder Symptoms and Signs"; Med. Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD; Med. Ed.: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR; Rev. 7/27/2016; MedicineNet.com
​- "Rock Salt Dangers, Hazards and Safety"; Angies List
​- "6 Important Tips to Safely and Effective Use of Ice Melt"; October 10, 2019; Regional Distributors, Inc.