4 Intuitive Garage Stairs Ideas to Help You Adapt to Change

A brownout is a drop in electrical voltage, which can dim lights and affect the operation of electrical devices. It's not a full power outage, but it can still cause significant problems, especially for seniors. Preparing for these events is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of senior loved ones. Risks for SeniorsWhen a brownout occurs, the reduced electricity can pose several health risks for seniors. Seniors are more susceptible to heat stress and dehydration, especially without air conditioning. It's also essential to consider the emotional and psychological impacts. The sudden change and lack of power can cause anxiety and confusion. Being prepared helps mitigate these risks and ensures a calmer experience for everyone involved.Essential Supplies to Have on HandTo effectively manage during a brownout, it's crucial to have the right supplies available.Battery-operated fans and lights: These can help keep the environment lit and cooler when electrical devices are not fully operational.Non-perishable food and water: Stock up on items like canned goods, granola bars, and bottled water to ensure the senior has enough to eat and drink.Medications and medical supplies: Make sure you have an adequate supply of all necessary medications and medical equipment.Communication devices: Charged cell phones and radios can help you stay informed and connected with others.Emergency contact list: Keep a list of important phone numbers, including doctors, family members, and emergency services.You may want to check those items regularly to make sure your senior loved one still has everything they need.Immediate Actions During a BrownoutOnce a brownout starts, there are several immediate actions you can take to help your senior loved one.Keeping the senior hydrated: Offer water frequently, even if they don't feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration while the air conditioning is off.Ensuring proper ventilation: Open windows, if possible, to allow for airflow and reduce indoor temperature.Using battery-operated fans and cooling towels: These can help keep the senior's body temperature down.Monitoring the senior's health closely: Watch for any signs of heat stress or dehydration, such as dizziness, headaches, or confusion. Seek medical help if necessary.Of course, if the brownout is a short-term problem, your household can often go quickly back to normal operations.Long-term Strategies for Frequent BrownoutsFor areas that experience frequent brownouts, consider some long-term strategies to better prepare for these events.Investing in a generator: A generator can provide backup power and keep essential devices running during a brownout.Creating a brownout emergency plan: Develop a clear plan outlining the steps to take during a brownout. Share this plan with the senior and other family members.Regularly updating emergency supplies: Check and restock supplies periodically to ensure everything is current and in good condition.Educating the senior on brownout procedures: Make sure the senior understands the plan and knows what to expect during a brownout to reduce anxiety.Get to know how your loved one reacts during a brownout so you can offer the best possible support. Get In-Home Care for SeniorsBeing prepared for a brownout involves understanding the risks, having essential supplies, taking immediate actions, and implementing long-term strategies. Providing emotional support is equally important for a senior's well-being during these times. By preparing and staying vigilant, you can help ensure your senior loved one remains safe and comfortable. For professional assistance and more information about caring for seniors, contact Senior Helpers Greeley. We offer a range of senior care services to seniors in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Wellington, and Longmont.

During May is Mental Health Month, we talk a lot about being kind to your mind. But what does that actually look like? We can start by:Recognizing the good in our lives. When we take a moment to be grateful for the positive things in our life, we become more in tune with the good things that are all around us. This doesnt mean that we dont acknowledge the negatives; instead of dwelling on the bad, we can thank the experience for the lesson it taught us and continue to seek out the positives. When we make an effort to be mindful in this way, we begin to appreciate lifes simple pleasures more.Practicing self-compassion. Self-compassion means giving ourselves grace through the hard times. Rather than criticizing ourselves or ignoring the pain, acknowledging how we feel, and giving ourselves time to really feel those emotions helps us properly move forward.Changing our self-talk. When we find ourselves being negative or hard on ourselves, we can take a deep breath and change our tone. Positive self-talk does wonders for the mind. Doing this helps us be more understanding and patient towards ourselves and others, and more focused on our goals.Reflecting. At the end of every day, pick a rose (something good about the day), a thorn (something that was challenging), and a bud (something to look forward to). By reflecting on how our day was, we build emotional intelligence through understanding ourselves more.Doing something each day that we enjoy. As simple as this sounds, this often gets overlooked as an essential element of healthy living. Whether thats exercise, baking, crafting, reading a book, or watching TV, reserve time each day to spend doing activities that fill our cup.Taking care of our physical health. The body and mind are so connected which means that consistent care of the body (which impacts the soul and mind) is like preventative medicine. Small acts of physical self-care can quickly add up and help protect, promote, and maintain health and wellbeing. Prioritizing sleep, drinking enough water, and fueling with nutritious foods can go a long way.When it comes to being kind to our minds, doing just a little bit is better than doing nothing at all. Spending even 10 minutes at a time doing something you enjoy can go a long way toward beating the stressors of everyday life. Just reading one chapter or going on a 5-minute walk around the block is an example of being kind to your mind! Taking care of ourselves helps us feel calmer, more refreshed, and more energized.Self-care is an important part of building resilience or bouncing back from stress, trauma, and burnout. The strategies outlined above can help you recognize your emotional responses to stress and develop coping skills to manage them. This May lets be kind to our minds and encourage our loved ones to do the same.

Storing, Securing, Saving Lives: Firearm Safety and Suicide PreventionFirearms are used in nearly 50% of all suicides in the United States.Many suicide attempts are made with little planning during a short-term crisis period, and evidence has shown that putting time and distance between a person feeling suicidal and a firearm can significantly impact the survival rate.Lethal means restriction (practicing safe firearm storage) is an evidence-based practice shown to reduce death by suicide. Even if someone attempts suicide in another manner, they have an increased chance of survival because other means are less lethal. By keeping secure firearm storage in mind, we can all help reduce the number of suicides involving firearms.No one takes their life for a single reason. We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health, and conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use problems especially when unaddressed increase the risk of suicide. That risk is greater when a firearm is present and accessible in the home.  American Foundation for Suicide PreventionWe can all prevent firearm deaths by following the universal rules of gun safety:- Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.- Always point the gun in a safe direction.- Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.- Be sure of your target and whats beyond.- Never use alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, or prescription drugs before or while shooting.- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.- Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.- Seek proper instruction, such as a firearm safety class.- Be sure the gun is safe to operate.- Store your guns safely and securely when not in use.- Consider temporarily off-site storage if a family member may be suicidal.When an emotional crisis (like a break-up, job loss, or legal trouble) or a major change in someones behavior (like depression, violence, or heavy drinking) causes concern, storing guns outside the home for a while may save a life. Family, friends, as well as some shooting clubs, police departments, or gun shops may be able to store guns for you temporarily. *If you are worried about a friend or a family member:Trust your gut and dont wait for them to reach out. Let them know you care.Ask them directly about suicide and encourage them to seek help. Talking about suicidal thoughts and showing concern will not put someone at greater risk.Talk about gun safety and options for temporary off-site firearm storage.If you are going through a difficult time:North Range Behavioral Health is a provider of Colorado Crisis Services. This no-cost resource connects people with free, immediate, and confidential help all day, every day.Call: 844.493.TALK (8255)Text TALK to 38255Walk-in: 928 12th Street in GreeleyFind other Colorado walk-in centers at ColoradoCrisisServices.orgSafe storage of firearms can protect you and those you love. It's okay to give firearms and gun lock keys to trusted family members or friends when life gets tough.*To become fully informed about making a temporary gun transfer, review Colorado gun laws, including C.R.S 18-12-112, or consult an attorney.Resources:Gun Safety and Your Health: A Proactive Guide to Protect You and Those around You by the American College of SurgeonsFirearm Suicide Prevention & Lethal Means Safety for VeteransFirearms and Suicide Prevention American Foundation for Suicide Prevention