Take a look at our August newsletter!
August 2021
5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-430-0616 www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast 229 Reindollar Ave., Suite E Marina, CA 93933 831-392-0876
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Why Fire Prevention Needs to Cater to Senior Needs Protect Your Loved Ones
In California, we’ve always been on high alert when it comes to wildfire danger. We know there are certain risks that come with living in this dry climate, but recently, that threat has felt more intense. I think we’re all still reeling a little from the Big Basin fire in the fall of 2020. I can remember standing in my home after receiving an evacuation notice, in complete shock of what to do next. I had no idea what to bring and what to leave behind, totally unaware of what would survive potential flames and what would get lost. In the end, I was a lucky one. My home was fine, but at Visiting Angels, we sadly had two clients whose homes were destroyed in this disaster. It still weighs on our hearts today. Admittedly, we are all extra cautious as a result of that fire, and rightfully so, given this year’s weather. With high temperatures in a drought condition, we have to be vigilant to protect our families from potential wildfires and home fires. This month, I want to encourage our seniors and their loved ones to consider fire safety tips and accommodations for those who are aging. Start by taking a video of everything in the home. If the
resident should have to evacuate, this video will serve as a reminder of what was in the home and what could be lost to fire. Furthermore, equip the home with fire extinguishers and functioning smoke detectors that accommodate a senior’s needs. For example, if an older adult is deaf or hard of hearing, flashing lights on detectors can signal a fire. Then, create a fire safety kit. (See our article on Page 3 for details on how to make these kits catered toward seniors!) These emergency kits should be updated every year, too. I learned this lesson when, upon encountering an old earthquake emergency kit in my basement, I had found that the water I had stashed away had leaked everywhere! Finally, consult with our team to ensure your loved one’s home is safe, that its exits are clear, and that the older adult can quickly exit the home if need be. This is a service we provide for clients and non-clients! We will go into your loved one’s home, for free, and examine smoke detectors and search for potential hazards. We can help you and your family develop a plan for solving any potential issues we see while also offering some comfort in knowing that a team of experts has inspected your loved one’s home for fire safety.
As temperatures continue to climb this August, I hope you heed this warning. The time to plan for fire safety and preparedness is not when smoke or flames are pounding at your door. Creating an actionable plan designed with a senior loved one and with their needs in mind is vital to protecting your loved one from accidental fires or wildfires. If you would like to learn more about our safety inspections, please contact us today. We just want to protect our community’s older adults. And if you need more resources and guidelines on fire safety, please visit Fire.CA.gov.
Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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It’s Time to Diversify Your Banking! 5 REASONS NOT TO KEEP ALL OF YOUR MONEY IN ONE PLACE
4. The more accounts you have, the more withdrawals you can make penalty-free. Many money market and savings accounts have limits on how many times you can pull money out each month. If you bank with several institutions, you can make a few withdrawals from each of them, stay under the limits, and avoid fees. 5. You’ll have access to more banks and ATMs. Do you travel across your city, state, or the country regularly? If you do, it can be beneficial to bank with several institutions so you’re always close to an ATM or bank branch. For example, you may want to use a local credit union at home for the member benefits but bank with a national bank for out-of-state emergencies.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” But what about “Don’t put all of your dollars in one bank”? Banking at a single institution is the default for most people, but just because something is the typical strategy doesn’t mean it’s the best one for you! Here are five reasons to consider taking the road less traveled. 1. Different banks have different perks. Credit unions are member-run nonprofits and often don’t have minimum balance requirements. Traditional banks have cutting-edge financial technology and more loan options. Some banks offer high-yield checking accounts while others don’t, and online banks can have interest rates on savings accounts up to 15 times higher than brick-and-
mortars. By banking with more than one institution, you can get the best of both (or three!) worlds. 2. You’ll have a backup if one bank fails. According to Bankrate, 511 U.S. banks failed between 2009 and 2020. That’s not nothing! If your bank isn’t insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) and it fails, you could lose your entire balance, so diversifying your accounts (or choosing only FDIC-insured banks) is a good backup measure. 3. You can make sure ALL of your money is insured. The FDIC only covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. So, if you have high-value accounts, depositing with multiple banks can ensure all of your money is covered.
START TAKING VITAMIN D NOW, BEFORE THE SUN GOES AWAY Fight SAD Early!
Do you get SAD? We’re talking about seasonal affective disorder, which affects 1%–10% of the population depending on the state you live in. Symptoms of SAD are similar to symptoms of depression, but unlike chronic depression, which can occur at any time, people with SAD only experience symptoms during a certain time of year, usually winter. SAD has been strongly linked with shorter days and less sun — although summertime SAD can result from long days that make sleep difficult, resulting in irritability and mood swings. In most cases, however, winter is the problem season, likely due to a link between less sun and a vitamin D deficiency. Depression is one common symptom of vitamin D deficiency, especially in patients who aren’t prone to depression due to other circumstances. Unfortunately, very few foods are good sources of vitamin D. The best source is sunlight itself.
and healthy diet. As mentioned, it’s hard to find vitamin D in
foods, but milk and other food products are often intentionally enriched with it during processing.
The most common solution, however, is taking a vitamin D supplement, which can be
purchased over the counter at drugstores and grocery stores. It is commonly recommended for people living in places with harsher winters, and although there are negative side effects if taken in excess, a regular daily dose of vitamin D is a healthy way to ensure you have the right levels in your system. This month is the perfect time to begin that process. Vitamin D can take several months to build up to effective levels in our bodies. It may be the hottest time of the year in many places, but it’s also the ideal time to start fighting SAD early!
There are a few ways to combat wintertime SAD. Establishing a regular sleep schedule is important, as is an exercise routine
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Create a Fire Preparedness Kit for Your Senior Here’s What You Need
Many of us know the kinds of items we need to have prepared in case of an emergency. Nonperishable food items, blankets, first aid kits, flashlights, extra water, and clothing are all emergency kit go-tos, but that doesn’t mean the basic emergency kit is suitable for everyone! This month, as you help your older loved one prepare for potential fire dangers, take a moment to consider the special requirements their emergency kit may need. Medication and Other Health Needs Many seniors rely on medication. As you pack up canned goods and water, don’t forget to include a few days’ worth of medication. This should be regularly replaced to avoid expiration. Other items that can be medically significant include monitoring systems, like glucose meters, and walkers or canes. While these don’t need to be in the kit, keep these items close by and easily accessible.
copies of all your pertinent documents in your emergency kit. This could become necessary when working with rescue agencies, insurance companies, and other emergency professionals. For seniors, this document collection should include medical details, too. This information could prove to be lifesaving! Fire-safe boxes can also protect documents and items that cannot be included in a kit. Pro Tip: Don’t worry about estate planning documents! Confirm that your loved one’s attorney has a copy of these documents instead. Other Items to Include When creating a kit, it’s important to customize it to what you and your family’s needs are. For those with pets, food, water, leashes, and proper bedding or crates should be included. Extra keys, batteries, and communication devices — walkie-talkies, for example — could also be useful in an emergency. Others may opt to include a map of alternate routes and destinations for escape. To learn more about creating a kit or other fire safety needs, visit ReadyForWildfire.org. As a reminder, our team at Visiting Angels can provide a home safety inspection, too!
Pro Tip: Those with vision complications should also keep an extra pair of glasses or contacts in their kit!
Important Home and Care Documents This is a vital reminder for everyone, regardless of age: Keep
SUMMER VEGETABLE GREEK SALAD
Sudoku
Ingredients For the vinaigrette: • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
For the salad: • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved • 1 small cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp honey • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled • Optional protein choices: 1 cup cooked chickpeas or 6 oz Genoa salami
Directions 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, honey, and salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until well combined. 2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, olives, and feta (as well as the chickpeas or salami, if desired). 3. If you plan to serve all the salad at once, drizzle the dressing over the salad to lightly coat, then toss to combine. Otherwise, store the vinaigrette and salad separately, then dress each portion before serving.
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
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Personalized Homecare ... When You Need It ... From People You Trust!
5274 Scotts Valley Dr., #102 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 24/7 831-430-0616
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Scotts Valley Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday
www.VisitingAngels.com/CentralCoast Home Care Organization #444700002
Inside
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Why Fire Prevention for Seniors Is a Little Different
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5 Reasons to Diversify Your Banking Fight SAD Early!
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What Every Senior Should Have in Their Emergency Kit Summer Vegetable Greek Salad
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Experience California Again!
California Is Back!
3 Events to Get You Out and About in Monterey!
Food Truck Fridays Where: Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey When: Fridays from 4–7 p.m. Admission: Free entry, varies by food item We have your dinner plans all set! Swing by the Monterey County Fair & Event Center this August and check out some of the fantastic food trucks that park there each Friday. Indulge in fancy grilled cheese or get a jolt of energy with some coffee! The kids will love corn dogs and funnel cakes, while local catering companies are sure to delight the palates of those with more refined tastes. Even better, after dinner, visit the fairgrounds for a movie screening! (Admission is charged for movies.) Learn more online at MontereyCountyFair.com.
Monterey Greek Festival Where: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey When: Aug. 28–29 Admission: Varies by food purchase Spend the day immersed in Greek culture at the Monterey Greek Festival, hosted by Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. For almost 40 years, this festival has served as a local celebration of heritage, culture, and great food, combining some of the best flavors in the area with great entertainment. You can learn more about the festival, including a list of events and vendors, by visiting MontereyBayGreekFestival. WordPress.com or by finding the festival on Facebook.
Sand City West End Celebration Where: Sand City When: Aug. 28–29 Admission: Varies by vendor and event Celebrate the fun, beauty, and arts scene that make Sand City a local destination! The 20th anniversary West End Celebration is set to kick off at the end of August, boasting four stages of live music over two days and hosting local artists, food makers, and drink connoisseurs. Explore what local shops have to offer and stop by the stages for some great music. It’s hard to walk away from this festival without a happy feeling! As the festival’s motto says, “Art is healing.” Learn more online at WestEndCelebration.com.
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