Minnesota winters can be beautiful with the fresh snow and iced lakes, but they can also be brutally cold and rough on the body. One common frustration for many people during the winter months is excessive dry skin. If youre suffering from dry skin this winter or during any time of year, there are steps you can take to keep your skin healthy and glowing.What is Dry SkinDry skin is a common condition that often flares up during the colder months because there is less moisture in the air. The signs and symptoms of dry skin can vary with age, your overall health, and your environment, but they tend to include tightness on your skin, itching, flaking, scaling, or peeling. If left untreated, dry skin can lead to eczema, which causes the skin to be itchy, cracked, and inflamed. Excessive dry skin can also lead to infections if the skin cracks and is exposed to bacteria.Tips for Preventing Dry SkinAccording to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, nearly everyone experiences dry skin by 60. Dry skin is common, especially in the winter, but you can take steps to keep the skin from drying out.MoisturizeApply moisturizer to your body as soon as youve finished bathing. Moisturizer acts as a seal on the skin to keep water contained. Make sure to use a gentle moisturizer free of fragrances and other harsh chemicals as they can further irritate the skin.Keep Skin DryIt might feel like a contradiction, but too much water exposure can dry your skin out. Try to limit how much time you spend in a bath or shower, and thoroughly dry your skin as soon as youre out. Also, make sure to keep your skin dry if you get caught in the rain or snow.Cover Skin in the ColdThe cold air can worsen dry skin and its symptoms, so keep your skin covered when youre outside. Wear thick gloves, scarves, and hats to protect your skin. If you experience dry skin on the face, you can wear a face mask or find a hooded jacket that blocks the breeze from your face.If your dry skin doesnt seem to improve in warmer months, comes with redness, or interferes with your sleep, talk to your doctor about treatment options to soothe your discomfort. You also want to see your doctor if you develop sores or open wounds as they may lead to an infection.How Visiting Angels Can HelpIf you or an aging loved one needs help caring for their dry skin this winter, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our caregivers provide in-home services to help seniors safely age-in-place. In addition to assisting seniors in keeping their skin healthy, caregivers also help with light housekeeping, personal grooming, meal preparations, medication reminders, mobility assistance, and more. OurWayzata officeserves those in Minneapolis and the west and southwest communities. If youd like to learn more about our services, you cancomplete this online formor call us at 952.935.0789.

CareAparent Receives 2022 Employer of Choice AwardTwin Cities Home Care Agency Receives Top Award from Home Care Satisfaction FirmWoodbury, Minn. February 9, 2022 CareAparent announced today that it has received the 2022 Best of Home Care Employer of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. The Employer of Choice Award is granted only to top-ranking home care providers based on caregiver satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care. CareAparent is recognized among the best employers in the in-home care industry.Were excited to congratulate CareAparent for their well-deserved achievement: earning the Best of Home Care Employer of Choice Award, says Todd Austin, President of Home Care Pulse. Since this award is based on employee feedback, it shows the dedication CareAparent has to providing their employees with a great working experience, ensuring clients have well-trained, compassionate caregivers.Best of Home Care Employer of Choice award-winning providers work with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their field staff via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.We are honored to be named an Employer of Choice by Home Care Pulse, says Lisa Lofquist, CareAparents Home Care Administrator. We strive to be the best workplace possible for our employees so they in turn can provide excellent care to our clients. This award is an outstanding recognition of these efforts, and we are motivated to continue empowering our team to serve others.At Home Care Pulse, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations, says Todd Austin, President of Home Care Pulse. When we see agencies like CareAparent that provide a truly outstanding employment experience, we know were on the right track. CareAparent has worked extremely hard to provide high-quality care and employment, and their work hasnt gone unnoticed. This award allows them to provide proof of quality to potential clients and caregivers.To find out more about CareAparents commitment to excellence to employees and clients alike, please visit CareAparent.com or call 651.702.HOME (4663). If interested in joining the CareAparent team, visitCareAparent.com/Careers.CareAparent provides in-home care for independent living. Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, accredited by The Joint Commission, and certified by Medicare, CareAparent offers comprehensive home health care solutions throughout the Twin Cities so clients can continue to enjoy life while living independently and safely at home. For more information, visit CareAparent.com or call 651.702.HOME (4663).Home Care Pulse leads the home care industry in experience management, online training, and review management. Through its Care Intelligence Platform, HCP empowers home care providers to attract and retain caregivers even during a historic caregiver shortage. HCP also conducts the annual Home Care Benchmarking Study, the most comprehensive survey of home care providers in North America and administers the annual Best of Home Care awards to agencies that achieve best-in-class client and caregiver satisfaction scores. For more information, visithttps://www.homecarepulse.com/.

Far too many older adults get caughton a rollercoaster of healthcare crises in and out of the hospital, back and forth to doctor appointments, taking more and more medications, many with unpleasant side effects, while at the same time nobody is discovering what truly matters to them.There is a better way to age.Whole-person approachWhile aging does increase the risk of developing chronic, complex medical conditions, getting older by itself doesnt cause disease and disability. By replacing the current reactive, fragmented (and shockingly expensive) system of care with a proactive, preventive, whole-person approach, providers can spot and address red flags before they become full-blown health crises, reducing the frequency of ER visits and hospitalizations, and lowering long-term health care costs.Senior-savvy primary careOne red flag thats all too common among older adults is a condition called polypharmacy, often defined as the simultaneous use of five or more prescription or over-the-counter drugs which can lead to dangerous drug interactions and negative side effects. Primary care physicians and nurse practitioners with expertise in geriatric medicine will do thorough medication reviews to identify which drugs may be causing harm and should be deprescribed or adjusted.Beyond medical careWhile senior-savvy medical care is essential, its only one aspect of aging well. The whole-person model focuses on all areas of an individuals well-beingnot just their physical health, but also their sense of purpose, passion, identity, social supports, home, safety, thinking, memory, and finances. By taking the time to discover each persons unique goals and wishes, providers can customize their services and support to help older adults live happier, healthier, more independent lives, while also bringing greater peace of mind to their families.Editors note: This article was written by Dr. Nick Schneeman, Lifesprk Chief Medical Officer. He can be reached at 952-345-8770 or sparkon@lifesprk.com.