Assisting Hands -- Naples

For more information on Assisting Hands Home Care of Naples, Click Here.Christmas is coming, and peppermint bark is one of those special treats everyone wants to get their hands on during the holiday season. Luckily for all of us, a batch can be prepped in 10 minutes! If you have never had peppermint bark, its a holiday treat made from semi-sweet or dark chocolate, white chocolate and chopped candy canes. Not only is it delicious, but its so easy to make, and makes a great homemade gift around the holidays as well.Ingredientssemisweet (or dark chocolate) chopped12oz white chocolate, choppedYou can also use chocolate chips or melting rounds if you don't want to worry about chopping a brick of chocolate. tsp. peppermint extract (adds minty deliciousness)8 candy canes, crushedDirectionsLine a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the bottom of a large pot with 3 water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top creating a double boiler. Add the semi-sweet or dark chocolate and stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and make sure you don't get any water in your chocolate, or it will seize. Stir in the extract. Pour into prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.Over the same pot of barely simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over the set semi-sweet chocolate and then top immediately with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate until set. About 20 minutes.Alternate melting method: You can microwave your chocolate instead of melting it on the stove. Place your chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and microwave on low in 30 second increments. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir at each increment until its thoroughly mixed and melted. Microwaved chocolate can burn if not mixed carefully during the melting process.Once the bark has completely set, for a more rustic look, break it apart with your hands. If it is too thick to break with your hands, the flat side of a meat mallet should do the trick. If giving as a gift you may want cleaner cuts. If so, use a sharp knife that has been dipped in hot water and dried.Leftover peppermint bark can be used in a variety of recipes including cake balls, hot cocoa, popcorn topping, and cheesecake! Just type in leftover peppermint bark in your search engine for an endless supply of yummy recipe ideas. Enjoy the holiday season and your Peppermint Bark.

For more information on Assisting Hands Naples, Click Here.The holidays are meant for fun-times with loved ones, family meals, and gift-giving. Sadly, this Christmas will be less than ideal for most of us. Public officials have asked Americans to social distance to prevent the further spread of novel coronavirus. For seniors, social distancing compounded by Holiday Blues could make the holidays even lonelier.More than one-third of senior patients disclose that they are lonely according to physicians and nurses at Cedar-Sinai Hospital. And AARP reports, 43 percent of adults age 60 or older in the U.S. reported feeling lonely. This large percentage suggests that seniors are coping with two pandemicscovid-19 and loneliness.There are serious consequences related to isolation and loneliness. Research tells us that loneliness and social isolation are linked to chronic illnesses such as:Alzheimer's diseaseStrokeHeart diseasePremature deathAlso, loneliness and social isolation are hidden and signs may go undetected by loved ones providing care. Sometimes pride may keep seniors from getting the help they need. In some instances, the decision to not burden others can keep a loved one from asking for help. Some seniors may suffer in silence because they have chosen to keep their feelings to themselves. As a caregiver, be diligent and reach out, but do so safely.How to HelpFamily and friends can help combat social isolation and loneliness. Here are a few suggestions:Use technology. Smartphones and laptops can help bring families face-to-face despite long-distances. AARP suggests setting up voice-activated technology like Alexa or Echo. Research proves human-technology interactions will help seniors stay engaged. Keep in mind, some seniors do not have access to Wi-Fi or do not know how to use technology. And troubleshooting might be a barrier.Pick up the phone and call. Reach out, schedule regular times to call.Get a pet. Nothing staves off loneliness like a loyal, goofy dog or cat.Reach out to local faith-based and community organizations. Keep these numbers handy just in case.Consider Assisting Hands Home Care. Caregivers are available to fill in the gaps when the family cannot.Give Yourself the Gift of Peace of MindYour loved one does'nt have to be alone for the holidays. Assisting Hands Home Care offers respite care. According to WebMD.com, respite care is a special name for a short-term break for caregivers. Taking care of a loved one is rewarding, but it comes at a price. AARP says, exhaustion, both emotional and physical, can put a caregiver in the danger zone. Most caregivers call this burn Out. More than a third of family caregivers rate their job as highly stressful emotionally, and nearly 1 in 5 reports a high level of physical strain, according to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 report from AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC).AARP explains precisely, every caregiver needs a caregiver.This is a great time to call Assisting Hands Home Care. Caregivers will look after your senior loved ones when you need time to take care of yourself. And Assisting Hands understands that life can sometimes bring unexpected circumstances which is why their compassionate and dependable caregivers are here for you and your loved one.Assisting Hands respite care services include:Personal CareMeal PreparationGrocery ShoppingLight HousekeepingCompanionship

For more information on the author Assisting Hands Home Care Naples, CLICK HERE.Changing Your Diet May HelpThere is a lot to consider before adding vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet.Like most adults, you are probably bombarded with information about these types of supplements. So, do vitamins have health benefits? That is a question that is best discussed with your health care provider to determine what would be recommend for you according to any health issues you may have or medications you may be taking. Since each person has different needs, so are their vitamin and mineral requirements. Here are a few factors to consider.Consider Your Nutritional StatusIf you are eating a healthy diet, then chances are you are getting all the nutrients you need. According to AARP, multivitamins and supplements are a small bit of extra insurance meant to fill in the gaps in a generally healthy diet. They do not take the place of real food. Of course, there are some exceptions such as poor absorption problems, or poor appetite, or bad diet.Seek Your Doctors AdviceBefore adding supplements to your diet, it is probably a good idea to talk to your doctor first. Although multivitamin and mineral supplements may seem harmless, sometimes they may cause more harm than good. Some vitamin supplements may cause an adverse reaction by increasing side effects or altering the effectiveness of certain prescriptions drugs. In some people, vitamins can exacerbate some undiagnosed illnesses.Be Aware of Surgery ConcernsAgain, let a doctor tell you when to avoid a supplement or vitamin or change your diet. May people are not aware that some vitamin supplements can cause problems after surgery. Vitamin supplements such as Vitamin E should be avoided before surgery because it impedes blood clotting. Herbal supplements such as ephedra, garlic, ginseng, and others should not be taken two weeks before surgery. There is a list of supplements to avoid so be sure to consult with a doctor prior to surgery and provide the list of vitamin and mineral supplements that you are taking.Consider Your PrescriptionsLong term use of some prescriptions may deplete vitamins and minerals from your body. Make sure to keep up with your routine blood work and consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.Here are some examples of prescriptions and what vitamins and minerals they may deplete. This is not an exhaustive list, so make sure you ask your primary doctor about your prescriptions and how they may be affecting you.Lasixcan rob the body of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Eating foods that are rich in these minerals may be all that is needed. However, based upon your blood work results, your health care provider may feel that a supplement is necessary.Statinsare used for many people to lower their cholesterol but unfortunately these drugs can also inhibit the production of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which is a particularly important vitamin. Mild to severe leg cramping can occur when this vitamin is diminished by the statin drug which may be relieved when a supplement of CoQ10 is taken.Diabetic medicationssuch as metformin can reduce levels of folic acid and vitaminParkinsons drugslevodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet) may reduce levels of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid which are also important to your system. If you do not eat meat or dairy products, you may be deficient in B12 due to a vegan diet which is then exacerbated if taking Sinemet. Your doctor can check this with a simple blood test.Anticonvulsants and corticosteroidsreduce levels of calcium and vitamin D. According to the Cleveland Clinic, vitamin D is one of many vitamins needed to stay healthy.Consider AgeAs we age our bodies use vitamins and minerals differently. Search the vitamin aisle and you will probably find a plethora of options for seniors.Of all the research available to find through an internet search, there seems to be just a handful of vitamins and minerals that healthy seniors need. Here is a recommended list of vitamins for people 60+.Vitamin DVitamin B12CalciumVitamin B6Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)Consider Assisting Hands Home Care if you or a loved one needs assistance in the home. Assisting Hands has professional and compassionate caregivers who can help with meal preparation, groceries, shopping, and other services.

For more information on the author Assisting Hands Home Care Naples, CLICK HERE.You do all that you can do to help your loved one have the best life that they are able to have based upon their circumstances. Helping with their needs for daily living is paramount but also consider the importance of what can be done to improve their lifes quality and joy. Sometimes it can be simple and easy things that can be incorporated that make a dramatic difference to their outlook and intrinsic happiness.Here are 5 things that can be done that can help create a positive change and improve the overall quality of your loved ones life.One great change is to remove clutter which will greatly reduce fall risks. Clutter is one of the top causes for falls which is why its so important to clear the clutter and thus make accessibility easier. Since one persons clutter is another persons treasure, consider donating the items to Goodwill.Add a smoothie to your diet which is a simple way to eat your daily servings of fruits and veggies. Smoothies are filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and there are a ton of combinations for every taste so explore the possibilities. An added bonus to making smoothies is cost because ingredients can be inexpensive and quick to make. You can plan ahead by preparing the fruits and vegetables to be frozen in a freezer bag. Ripened bananas are especially nice to free for smoothies because they add a natural sweetness and creaminess when used from the freezer to the blender. Be sure to add things like kale, spinach and/or turmeric for an added boost.Consider mindful activities. There is a lot of research supporting the importance of mindfulness. By just adding meditation, or chair yoga can improve quality of life. Also writing down your feelings, goals, and prayers in a journal can be extremely beneficial and therapeutic.Learn something new. Studies show that learning something new can help prevent dementia and ward off boredom. Technology has made it possible for seniors to learn just about anything. There are great new apps and YouTube videos that make learning easy and fun. Today, there are endless opportunities including learning a new language to writing music and everything in-between.Explore home subscription boxes for seniors from places like HelloSubscriptions.com. They offer a wide variety of fun, monthly subscriptions such as Grandmas Joy Box which offers a creative way to make memories. An internet search will provide many senior related options.If you need assistance with the care of your loved one, be sure to click the link above to connect with Assisting Hands Home Care. We have trained, professional caregivers who are available to provide the help you may need.