HomeTimesThe Newsletter for “Those Who Care” from America’s Choice in Homecare.

July • August 2016

Senior Safety and Emergency-Preparedness; Four Simple Ways to Stay Safe This Summer

(BPT) - June is National Safety Month - an appropriate time to assess your personal safety and plan ahead for emergencies. This is especially important for those living on their own and looking for ways to maintain their independence. A few simple tips and safety measures will help give peace of mind that you've taken necessary precautions to prepare for unexpected incidents.

Contact your local Visiting Angels agency to obtain the, “Disaster Preparation; Helping Seniors Prepare for Natural Disasters” guide.

Safe-proof your homeHeightening your safety starts with making sure living spaces are secure. Proper lighting in all rooms and walkways is essential. Remove any tripping hazards such as rugs, clutter and cords. Staircases, steps and bathtubs should have non-slip surfaces, and every floor needs functioning smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

For many, friends and family don't live close by, so it's a good idea to form a relationship with your neighbors so you can rely on them for quick help in times of need. Be sure to exchange phone numbers, and if you're comfortable, spare keys.

Live with a lifelineHaving a cell phone as your lifeline in case of an emergency is a good idea. Consider TracFone, which has a variety of phones and airtime service plan options that can fit your lifestyle and help you save. Check out new devices like the TracFone LG Rebel LTE and ZTE Citrine that offer easy-to-navigate screen displays so you can easily reach loved ones and emergency services at the tap of a finger.

TracFone now offers a new 30-day smartphone-only plan with talk, text and data for just $15 a month on the largest 4G LTE networks. And, with reliable nationwide coverage, you can be assured calls won't drop in an emergency situation. Visit www.TracFoneSwitch.com to learn more about affordable, no-contract plans.

Feel good about first aid Even a basic understanding of first aid can go a long way. Seniors living alone should consider taking a course to familiarize themselves with the essential know-hows in the event they get injured or hurt.In addition, label and keep all prescription bottles in one location. Using color-coded rings and weekly pill organizers reduces confusion about appropriate dosages for various medications. In the case of any emergency, have the poison control number posted and saved on your speed dial.

Cruise confidently It's a simple tip, but an important one: always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers do, too. Pack an emergency roadside kit with a cell phone and car charger, first aid, flares, jumper cables, basic repair tools and a blanket. Stay alert while driving and avoid risky behaviors like distracted driving or speeding.These simple safety tips will help you prepare for unanticipated emergency situations, not only during National Safety Month but all year long. Taking control of your safety and security will give you and your family peace of mind to enjoy all the fun life has to offer with less stress and worry.

HomeTimesThe Newsletter for “Those Who Care” from America’s Choice in Homecare.

July • August 2016

Boomers: 5 Proven Practices to Win the Race Against Aging(BPT) - Naps, knitting and nuzzling with the grandchildren - the traditional image of retirement is being challenged by the more than 76 million baby boomers in the United States.This vibrant generation wants to make the most out of their golden years, and while hobbies and time with grandkids are a priority, they want more. To do so, they know that a proactive approach to health and wellness is a must.Matt Johnson, health and performance expert and president of On Target Living, admires the tenacity boomers and all seniors exhibit when it comes to maintaining their health and well-being. He suggests five incredibly simple, yet powerful ways to age healthfully, and keep those engines revving at peak performance, no matter how vintage the model.

1. Take advantage of pit stops "Lack of sleep is the fastest way to age the human body," says Johnson. "Additionally, adequate sleep is extremely important for a healthy brain. Deep REM sleep allows the mind to rejuvenate. Memory, creativity and cognitive function get refreshed in this stage of sleep."He recommends three steps to achieve quality sleep. First, go to bed at the correct time to achieve eight hours of sleep. Second, unplug and avoid digital devices that put out stimulating blue light. Third, add the relaxing mineral magnesium to your routine by taking an Epsom salt bath or foot bath once a week.

2. Fuel your machine "I like to tell people to think of nutrition as fuel for the body; without the correct fuel, the engine and components can't work correctly," says Johnson. "The most critical nutrients that boomers don't get enough of are supergreens and omega-3s. We know we all need to eat more green veggies, but did you know that up to 91% of the American population is deficient in omega-3s?"He recommends every Boomer get 1,500 mg of EPA and DHA each day, such as 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil. It's a high-quality fish oil that offers an easy, safe way to add omega-3s to the diet. As for supergreens, he recommends spirulina and chlorella, and frozen wheatgrass.

3. Get an oil change Some oils are considered healthy and others cause health problems. Johnson recommends adding:* Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for salad dressings, baking and low- temperature sautéing* Virgin coconut oil as a substitute for butter and baking oil* Cod liver oil as a supplement to get omega-3s (not for cooking)Removing: * Vegetable oils like canola and soybean which are heavily processed and often made with GMOs

4. Rev your engines daily"The benefits of exercise are endless, but the underdog benefit is how it makes us feel and think," says Johnson. "You should move your body if you want to stay sharp and happy."Find an exercise program you enjoy, he suggests. "Exercise is the fountain of youth, but you shouldn't do something you don't like. Make sure you move your body daily. If you are looking for suggestions, think about hiring a trainer to learn a set program. I think focusing on form and technique over intensity is the first step."

5. Schedule regular maintenance checks"Play offense instead of defense with your health," says Johnson. "Modern medicine is better than ever at early detection and treatment."The key is to focus on prevention. "Use annual doctor visits to screen, ask questions and monitor risk factors. Remember, you can only get good answers if you ask good questions," he says.Finally, Johnson reminds people that anti-aging doesn't exist. "We are all aging - the key is to age well. This means to aspire to quality of life. We all have motivators in our life: kids, grandkids, spouses, careers, passions, etc. Without your health, none of these can be enjoyed to the fullest."

HomeTimesThe Newsletter for “Those Who Care” from America’s Choice in Homecare.

July • August 2016

Quinoa Mini Stuffed PePPerS Grilled Coffee and Cola Skirt SteakIngredients: 36 mini sweet peppers (about 1-1/2 lb bag)1 Tbsp olive oil2 cloves garlic, minced1 onion, diced1 jalapeno, minced¾ cup reserved sweet peppers, diced1 cup vegetable broth1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes

¾ cup quinoa1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed¾ cup frozen corn1 tsp. chili powder½ tsp. cumin½ tsp. sea salt¼ tsp. black pepperHandful cilantro, roughly chopped½ cup shredded Mexican 4 cheese blend

Ingredients: 2 large cloves garlic, minced1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle cola-flavored carbonated beverage1/2 cup freshly brewed strong coffee1/4 cup rice vinegar2 tablespoons ketchup1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary1/4 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce, or to taste1 (1 1/4 pound) beef skirt steak - trimmed of large fat chunkssalt to taste1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Begin slicing sweet peppers ⅓ lengthwise on the curved side, reserving for later use. De-seed the inside of the peppers so that you have a nice hollow middle. Set aside.Dice reserved peppers until you have about ¾ a cup and set aside.In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, jalapeno and reserved peppers and cook about 2 to 3 minutes.Add vegetable broth and tomatoes, stirring until combined, then add in quinoa, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.Bring mixture to a boil then cover, reduce heat and allow quinoa to simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Note: you'll know quinoa is done when you see what looks like a little tail pop out!Stir in chopped cilantro and begin spooning your quinoa mixture into your peppers, filling as much as you can, and place on a baking sheet.Bake peppers at 350 for about 13 minutes then remove from oven and top peppers with a sprinkle of cheese. Bake for an additional 2 minutes.Serve and enjoy!Nutritional Information : Serving Size: 6 stuffed peppers • Calories: 254 • Fat: 6.9 g • Carbs: 38.6 g • Fiber: 6.1 g • Protein: 9.5 g • WW Points+: 6 pts eat-yourself-skinny.com/2015/09/quinoa-mini-stuffed-peppers.html

Instructions: Place garlic into a nonreactive bowl and whisk in cola, coffee, rice vinegar, ketchup, black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, rosemary, and hot sauce until thoroughly combined.Unroll the skirt steak and cut into 6-inch lengths with the grain, using a kitchen scissors. Completely submerge meat in marinade; cover with plastic wrap. Marinate 8 to 12 hours in refrigerator or overnight.Remove meat from marinade; save the marinade. Pat meat thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides of meat with salt and cayenne pepper to taste.Pour marinade into a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.Brown meat about 4 minutes per side; steak pieces should be pink inside. A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a piece should read 125 to 130 degrees F.Remove meat to a platter and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain to serve. Drizzle servings with reduced coffee-cola marinade.Nutritional Information : Serving Size: 4 six inch slices • Calories: 213 • Fat: 10.2 g • Carbs: 13.1 g • Sodium: 721 mg • Protein: 17 g • Cholesterol: 44 mg • http://allrecipes.com/recipe/233573/grilled-coffee-and-cola-skirt-steak/

HomeTimesThe Newsletter for “Those Who Care” from America’s Choice in Homecare.

July • August 2016

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