On February 12, 2012, Adia and a group of expert panelists from around the South Bay presented Beginning the Conversaton to a crowd of 86 guests at Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach.
Nick Arquette, Moderator, Beginning the Conversation
Beginning the Conversation is about learning how to identify the needs and desires of your aging loved one, before the crisis hits home. Our panelist offer effective tools, techniques and resources in the local community that will allow you to take care of an older loved one, manage your own family, and sustain a full-time job.
Beginning the Conversation Panelists (left to right): La'Keisha Phillips, Judith Diamond, Pamela Penson, Cynthia Palm, Abby Waddell, John Reeve and Cynthia Pollock
Our Beginning the Conversation Panelists consist of industry experts in our local community representing various topics ranging from Geriatric Care Management, Housing Options, In-Home Care, Daily Money Management, Real Estate, Long Term Care Financial Planning, Estate Planning and Communicaring – Communicating with Care.
Guests at Journey of Faith, Beginning the Conversation Symposium
If you were unable to make this event at Journey of Faith, you have two more opportunities to attend the FREE event. Our next two symposiums are scheduled at Manhattan Beach Community Church on March 18, 2012 and Christ Lutheran Church in Rancho Palos Verdes on May 6, 2012. Both events are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with your name, number of guests and location to rsvp@adiacares.com or call 310.370.0555.
Work It Wednesday!
Adia In-Home Care has a number of clients who continue to work while enjoying semi-retirement. For Work It Wednesday! we will be highlighting seniors who keep busy with work well into their 70s, 80s, and yes, even 90s, proving that age really is just a number.
Warren Buffett, Age 81
Iconic business and investment mogul Warren Buffett began his career in finance in the early 1950s after graduating from Columbia Business School, going on to earn an estimated $62 billion dollars over his career.
He is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world. Often introduced as "legendary investor Warren Buffett", he is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest people. He was ranked as the third wealthiest person in the world as of 2011. 2011 Highlight: In March Berkshire Hathaway spent nearly $10 billion to acquire specialty chemical maker Lubrizol, one of the company's largest-ever transactions.
Buffett is called the "Wizard of Omaha" and is noted for his adherence to the value investing philosophy and for his personal frugality despite his immense wealth. Buffett recently raised hackles when he penned an op-ed claiming that his secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does, suggesting that "it's time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice." Obama then proposed a "Buffett tax" to ensure that no millionaire would pay less in taxes than a middle-class family.
Despite being one of the world’s richest men, Buffett has no plans for retirement in the immediate future. Buffett is still primary shareholder, chairman, and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in Nebraska. Buffett is also a notable philanthropist, having pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily via the Gates Foundation.
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com.
Ask Carol
Carol Hahn is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in various areas. She is also a yoga instructor, certified personal trainer and certified in Alzheimer's disease management. Carol will be answering your questions regarding all issues of health and wellness every week here at Ask Carol.
Q:
I heard on the radio that it’s Heart Awareness Month. My Mom had a heart attack last year, but she thought she just had the flu. What should I look for if she has another heart attack?
A:
Yes, every February is the American Heart Association’s Heart Awareness Month and they work at making us aware of the importance of cardiovascular health and the dangers of cardiovascular disease.
Someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds, because the blood vessels that carry oxygen to the heart become clogged or blocked. Many people experience one of these warning signs of a heart attack:
- Uncomfortable pressure, heaviness, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest.
- Upper body pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath that comes with or without chest discomfort.
- Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, or lightheadedness.
Women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, but like your mother, women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away.
Please check with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions.
During the month of February, Adia will publish a blog series titled, "Matters of the Heart". This series will share sweet love stories of elderly couples. Over the years, Adia caregivers have been privileged to hear many of our clients very own stories of how they fell in love with their spouse and the secret to a happy marriage. We would like to share some of these stories with you, along with other stories from the news. We hope these stories warm your heart and inspire you to find your true love. Enjoy!
Reunited After 70 Years
The romance between Betty Hove and John “Jack” Grosch started in the 1940’s when Betty was just 16 and Jack 17. Jack worked at a grocery store in Santa Monica, and he would walk Betty home. However, this love story was cut short by the start of WWII. When Jack joined the Navy all he left Betty was a picture of him, but no address. Despite her best efforts, Betty never heard from Jack again… that is until New Years Day 2012. “I never forgot him. He was special.” said Betty.
Not knowing if Jack was still alive, Betty recently asked a friend to search for her lost love online. They found Jack living in Tifton, Georgia. Betty sent Jack a Christmas card, asking if he was the Jack Grosch who worked at a grocery store in Santa Monica. Jack called her on New Year’s Day and confirmed that he was indeed the same Jack Grosch who walked her home all those years ago.
Since their initial conversation on New Year’s Day, Jack and Betty talk on the phone at least seven to eight times per day. They are enjoying getting to know each other all over again. In fact, Betty flew to Georgia to be with Jack for Valentine’s Day.
After 70 years apart, Jack and Betty now have a chance to rekindle the romance that started over 70 years ago.
“I never got over this guy” said Betty. “He was always tucked away in a corner in my heart.”
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com
With the cold and flu season still in full swing it's important that we maintain a strong and healthy immune system to help fight off viruses. If you are anything like me, I hate taking over the counter cold medicine. Frankly it can be quite expensive, and does it really work? Why not use ingredients and foods we know are tried and true to help keep that pesky cold away?
Roufia Payman, the Director of Outpatient Nutritional Services at Northern Dutchess Hospital in New York, has partnered with Topical BioMedics to come up with the tastiest solutions to fighting cold and flu viruses. Here are Payman’s top immunity-boosting foods for optimum healing and wellness.
Chicken Noodle Soup - Grandma was right -- nothing beats chicken soup for fending off sniffles. Not only does it provide the fluids needed to help fight off viruses; it's a powerful mucus stimulant so it helps clear nasal congestion as well as thin mucus. It's also thought to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect than can help ease cold symptoms. Keep some organic chicken stock on hand, because studies have found that even commercial soup is as effective as homemade.
Onion And Garlic - If you want to punch up the healing power of your chicken soup -- or any other dish -- add plenty of garlic and onions. When combined, these flavorful healers contain numerous antiseptic and immunity boosting compounds. As an added plus, garlic helps to open clogged sinuses.
Mushrooms - No herbal medicine cabinet should be without mushrooms. They increase the production of cytokines, which are cells that help fight off infection. They also contain polysaccharides, which are compounds that support the immune system. The most potent cold- and flu-fighting mushrooms are shitake, maitake and reishi.
Citrus Fruits - Citrus fruits contain hefty doses of powerhouse vitamin C. Studies have found that this antioxidant can reduce cold symptoms by 23 per cent, and all that's needed is just one to eight grams (1,000 to 8,000 milligrams) to do the trick. Besides citrus fruits, other foods that have high amounts of vitamin C include papaya, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts and red bell peppers.
Yogurt - Studies have shown that eating a cup of low-fat yogurt each day can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. The beneficial bacteria are Lactobacillus reuteri which has been found to block the replication of viruses that invade the body when we get sick. Not all brands have that particular bacteria, so check labels and be sure to go organic.
Immune-Boosting Supplements - While yogurt is a great source of probiotics, some have more than others and we can really benefit by taking an additional supplement. Other immune-booster "musts" are vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acid.
Hot Tea - Hot tea is soothing and a great home remedy, helping to thin mucus and ensure proper hydration. For added health benefit, sip green or black tea -- both are filled with flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants.
Ginger - Ginger comes to the aid when we're sick in some powerful ways. Besides soothing a scratchy throat, it has chemicals called sesquiterpenes that target rhinoviruses -- which are the most common family of cold viruses -- as well as substances that help suppress coughing. Ginger is also a natural pain and fever reducer and a mild sedative so you -- ll feel more comfortable and be able to rest easier. Add a couple of tablespoons of shredded gingerroot to your tea, or make ginger tea (it comes in tea bags, but you can also simmer fresh sliced ginger to make a potent brew).
Honey - Honey has numerous medicinal properties and because it coats your throat it is a natural way to soothe sore throats. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Skip the common clover honey that you'll find in the supermarket as it has the lowest antioxidant level. Look for buckwheat honey, which has the highest. (A note of caution: never give honey to children under one years of age because their immune systems are not developed enough to ward off infantile botulism, which is carried in honey spores.)
Black Pepper - It's ironic that black pepper -- the spice best known for making you sneeze -- can ward off the sniffles. Black peppercorns are high in piperine, a compound known for its anti-fever and pain-relieving qualities.
Spices - Make recipes more flavorful with garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage and oregano -- while spicing things up, you'll also get an added kick of immune-busters, too.
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com
Work It Wednesday!
Adia In-Home Care has a number of clients who continue to work while enjoying semi-retirement. For Work It Wednesday! we will be highlighting seniors who keep busy with work well into their 70s, 80s, and yes, even 90s, proving that age really is just a number.
Tom Selleck, 67
Tom Selleck is an actor and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as the private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I. (1980s). He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the Robert B. Parker novels.
Selleck has acted a good deal in TV roles such as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends and A.J. Cooper on Las Vegas. In addition to his series work, Selleck has appeared in more than 50 made for TV and general-release movies, including Mr. Baseball, Quigley Down Under, Lassiter and his most successful movie release Three Men and a Baby, which was the highest grossing movie in 1987.
Selleck received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986. In 2000, he received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University (he holds a bachelor's degree from University of Southern California). He is a board member of the non-profit Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics and co-founder of the Character Counts Coalition.
Since 2010 he has appeared as the NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the drama Blue Bloods on CBS-TV. He is also in discussions to star in the upcoming movie Three Men and A Bride. When not filming Blue Bloods in New York City, Selleck reside on a 63-acre avocado farm in Freedom, California with his wife of 25 years.
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com.
Back by Popular Demand!
If you missed last Sunday's Beginning the Conversation Symposium at Journey of Faith church, have no fear! We had such a great turnout that we will be back in Manhattan Beach at Manhattan Beach Community Church on March 18, 2012. This event is FREE so be sure to RSVP today and reserve your seat. This event is expected to fill up quickly!
Are you finding it difficult to manage your family, care for an older loved one and sustain a full-time job? Are you not quite sure how to begin the conversation in regards to care? Join Adia and our panel of experts as we discuss topics such as:
- Learn how to begin the conversation and planning for the care of an older loved one
- Identify the needs and desires of your aging loved one and learn what options are available
- Discover effective tools, techniques and resources available to you and your older loved one in our community
March 18, 2012 11:15AM – 1:15PM
Manhattan Beach Community Church
303 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Please visit Adia's website at www.adiacares.com for more information regarding this event.
Coping with Dementia
A four-week session on Memory Loss and Dementia
This four part series will provide information needed to cope with the various stages of dementia. Each week will cover a different topic:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Overview of Dementia
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Communicating with a person with dementia
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Exercise and dementia
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Age related changes versus dementia
Classes will be taught by Adia Director of Elder Education Carol Hahn who is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience and certified in Alzheimer's disease management. Hahn is also a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor.
All Presentations are free to the public. Refreshments will be served. Classes are from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Please RSVP to The Senior Health Program at sandra.bazant@chw.edu or (562) 491-9811.
If you are interested in offering Adia’s Community Outreach Presentations at your church, community center or group meeting, please visit www.adiacares.com or call 310-370-0555.
Identity Theft & Current Marketing Scams
Directed at the Elderly 
Understanding how to prevent from becoming the next victim of identity theft is imperative and necessary. Unlike traditional crime, identity theft is invisible and very easy for fraudsters to do over a long period of time if not detected. Learn how to protect yourself and your assets by taking preventative steps of protection. In addition, learn about the most current marketing scams targeting the elderly population.
April 22, 2012 11:40AM -12:30PM
South Bay Christian Church
128 N. Broadway
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com
1. Build A Barrier From The Cold
Keep a mild, thick balm on your lips during the day and night to serve as a layer of protection between your mouth and the harsh wind and dry indoor air.
2. Pick The Right Balm
Pick a lip balm or protectant with a thicker texture, which means it'll be tougher to accidentally rub or lick off. Look for one made of plain waxes -- fragrance may taste great, but it can actually irritate the skin. And skip anything with too many preservatives or chemicals. "Gentle and bland is best."
3. Make A DIY Exfoliant - Smooth out your lips with this natural exfoliant:
1. Mix equal parts of finely ground sugar or salt with avocado oil and avocado meat.
2. Take just a little bit and put it on your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush -- then delicately run over your lips (this skin is very sensitive, so you want to be gentle).
3. Keep any of the extra mixture in the fridge for next time.
4. Follow Up With A Natural Lip Mask - For a full lip treatment, try this homemade lip mask after you exfoliate:
1. In a small mixer or mini chop, blend avocado, yogurt and honey.
2. Use your pinky finger to apply a thin layer.
3. Leave the mask on for a good five to 10 minutes before rinsing it off -- you may want to try applying it before hopping in the shower.
5. Don't Lick
When your lips are dry, it can be incredibly tempting to give them a quick lick -- but you need to resist. That only allows the additional moisture to evaporate from them quickly which dries them out even faster. It's also important to avoid biting lips or picking at dry flakes, which can lead to deep cuts and more serious damage.
6. Eat A Lip-Healthy Diet
A diet with the right balance of healthy fats and oils is important to keep the skin, lips, hair and nails from being too dried out; Think salmon, avocados and olive oil. Drink plenty of water to keep lips hydrated.
7. Kiss
And while February 14 is often touted as a day all about chocolate and flowers, the most romantic part often comes in the form of a kiss -- according to one study, people recall more details of their first kisses (up to 90 percent) than they do of other important life experiences.
Adia offers a full range of premium non-medical personal care services custom tailored to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Adia’s quality services range from basic to highly specialized care of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Adia goes beyond the daily chores of living with the goal to create care plans that are experiential and meaningful to clients and their families. For more information or employment opportunities, please visit www.adiacares.com