Despite the joyous festivities and celebrations surrounding us during the winter season, some of us may feel the holiday blues. Perhaps it’s due to lack of sleep and stress from the extra activity, overeating and drinking, stress from overspending or not being able to afford gifts for friends and family, social isolation, and so on. So how do you cope with these bouts of depression? Spend time with loved ones
While most of us have lots of parties and gatherings both at work and at home during the holidays, the elderly are often more socially isolated. Schedule some time with your senior loved ones. You will both have a good time. If that is not possible, try companion care by home caregivers. Avoid overscheduling You may be inundated with party invitations, or busy with preparing your own celebrations, turn down some of these activities and save some down time for yourself to rest, and get plenty of sleep. If necessary, get sleeping aids from your trusted local pharmacy. Get a work out Exercise will get your heart rate up and release mood-boosting endorphins to chase out the holiday blues. Working out in the outdoors with outdoor fitness equipment or playing a basketball game will bring wonderful physical, mental and social benefits. A quick 10 minute walk in the neighborhood can do the trick, too, especially when you feel overwhelmed and just need to take a break to relax. Avoid overeating and drinking We often eat and drink too much at parties. This can affect your mood and overall well-being. To avoid overeating, fill up on vegetables before going to a party. And if you still end up eating too much, get relief from digestive medicines — make sure you have those stocked up at home. Be organized Holiday preparations can be overwhelming. Make a to-do list. Keep everything simple. Set reasonable expectations for activities such as shopping, cooking, entertaining, sending holiday cards and gifts, going to parties, etc., and set aside specific days for them. You can save time by shopping online. Don’t forget time saving services such as house-cleaning and laundry delivery service. Set a budget It’s easy to overextend yourself financially for presents and parties. Don’t try to buy happiness with gifts. This will bring a lot of stress and anxiety. Instead set a budget and stick to it. Try giving homemade gifts, or donate to a charity in someone’s name. Volunteer Helping others can also be very helpful for you, too. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities during the holidays. For example, you might try
Relax Take a break when you feel stressed. Listen to some music at home. Go to the park and read a book on a park bench. If you can’t shake out the blues, you might wish to see a doctor and get some prescribed medication or other treatment, especially if your sadness stays even after the holidays are over. I can’t afford to hire a housekeeper, and I work full time. I don’t have other family members to share the burden of taking care of household chores. How do I keep my house in order and maintain a good quality of life? Automate! Here are some ideas. Cleaning the floor with robots Let the Roomba or similar robotic vacuums clean the floor for you while you are at work! This is a major time saver. Landscaping service or robotic mower?
While we are talking about robots, do you know there are robotic lawn mowers and weeders? These innovative products are offered by Automated Outdoor Solutions. Check them out! Laundry We all use washers and dryers, so laundry is automated. And if you use a programmable washing machine, you can schedule it to run at a convenient time, for example, two hours before you can come home to move the clean laundry to the dryer. But you can save more time by simply packing your laundry in a bag and call the local laundry delivery service. Your clothes will come back clean, fresh and ready to wear! You can further “automate” by subscribing to a weekly or biweekly delivery. Maid service Hey, automation doesn’t have to be by machines ;-) The robotic vacuum can only clean the floors. You can use automatic toilet bowl cleaners like Flush 2000. However, you’ll still need the clean the shower and the kitchen, do some dusting, etc. and there are no robots for those yet, as far as I know. Scheduling the cleaners to come every two weeks will do the trick! Rent a dumpster for cleanupsDe-clutter your house at least once a year to make your daily cleaning easier. Save yourself trips to the town recycling center and rent a dumpster instead. The dumpster rental company will haul your junk away for you and take care of the recycling, too! Online food delivery service No time for cooking and clean up afterwards? There’s nothing more convenient than having your favorite food delivered to you! You can use an app like UberEats, or order from your favorite local restaurant or supermarket as well. Drugstore deliveries You have probably used apps that allow you to refill prescriptions and have them delivered to you. But many drugstores, like the pharmacy near me, also have online stores where you can buy home healthcare products, personal care and even household products and deliver to you as well. Check them out! Automatic propane delivery If you use propane for heating, cooking, etc. for your home, sign up for automatic propane delivery. With automatic delivery, the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You’ll never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Isn’t that a life saver? Sign up for autopay I use autopay for all my utility bills, credit card bills, etc. It saves time and I’ll never get any penalties. There are so many ways to automate and make our lives easier. It pays to be on the lookout for more automated solutions! Caring for an aging parent can be both complicated and rewarding. Having a little extra help can make all the difference. It’s important to take care of yourself, as well. Being a family caregiver can be both emotionally and physically exhausting, so here are some tips for caring for an aging parent at home. Laundry and CleaningLaundry and cleaning are chores that require physical exertion, so it is best to get help with these tasks as much as possible. This could mean taking certain items to and from the dry cleaners or signing up for laundry delivery service. Or just designate a certain day that you do your loved one’s laundry, even if it’s at your own home. Hiring a cleaning service is always an option. Or you could make sure your parent has easily accessible tools like brooms or dustbusters so they could still do some light cleaning themselves. Getting the Necessary Medical SuppliesIt’s imperative that your aging parent has the necessary meds and medical supplies such as walking canes, shower seats, and reaching aids. Check with your local pharmacy about automatic prescription refills. Delivery may always be an option as well. This kind of thing is where hiring a home care agency could come in hand. A home healthcare aide will be able to provide assistance not only with picking up prescriptions but also help with mobility and physical assistance. Cooking Simple MealsPart of holding on to your dignity as you age is remaining as independent as possible. So even if your parent needs significant assistance with living by herself or himself at home, there are ways to make it so that they can do some of the everyday tasks themselves. For example, on weekly grocery trips, be sure to pick up food items that they may be able to prepare themselves. Prepping ingredients beforehand and labeling them in containers in the fridge is always a great way to lend some assistance without overstepping. Caring for an aging parent can be tricky, but with a little extra planning, it doesn’t have to disrupt your life. Your parent deserves to be able to live out their lives as independently and comfortable as possible, and so do you. Don’t forget to take a break every now and then. A respite care provider can provide the at home care assistance that your parent needs while you rest and recharge.
Laundry is one of those chores that can be resource intensive and a significant polluter, but it doesn’t have to be. Yes, you can go green and get your laundry clean. There are a few simple things you can do to make wash day more eco-friendly. Do Full LoadsA full load uses less energy and water than two half loads. Save water, energy, and time. Use Eco-Friendly DetergentChoose a laundry detergent without added dyes, fragrances, and petroleum-based chemical compounds. Some dry cleaners offer eco-friendly wash, dry, fold service that uses custom detergent, formulated to be eco-friendly and boost cleaning power. Use Less DetergentPay attention to the amount of detergent you use, too. Read and follow the directions on the detergent box. Too much detergent not only dumps more soap into the water, but also reduces the washer’s efficiency. Use Non-Chlorine BleachChlorine has many damaging effects on the environment, and you don’t really need it to get your laundry white. Try lemon juice or a “free and clear” bleach. To help save the environment, we should try to use only chlorine-free laundry products. Use the Right Dryer SettingsMatch the drying time to the load. For example, nylon dries faster than denim. Use lower heat to save energy. I dry all clothes in low/medium heat. Upgrade Your Washing MachineCommercial washers are already more efficient than home washers. The newest generation of high-efficiency washers is designed to use even less energy and less water. This new technology is available in home washers now too. Reduce, Reuse, RecycleTry a concentrated eco-friendly detergent to get the same amount of wash from a smaller package. Recycle plastic detergent bottles. Reuse laundry bags, hangers, containers, and anything else you can think of – be creative. Some eco-friendly dry cleaners use reusable laundry bags for laundry pickup and delivery service, too. Spend Time With Your Family, Not Your LaundryI prefer to take my laundry to the dry cleaner near me, or use their free laundry pickup service. That way, the hours and energy that I spend on laundry are better spent on playing with my kids and watching TV with my family. Wouldn’t you do the same?
With everything going on in the world right now, prepping for a holiday celebration is a welcome distraction. Memorial Day is coming up, and although we may have to tweak our traditions a bit, it’s still entirely possible to have a good old’ fashioned American BBQ. Here are some things to consider as you’re preparing for Memorial Day. Get Those Flags ReadyI know you don’t need a reason to proudly display your American flag, but Memorial Day is a perfect reason to freshen it up a bit. Did you know that some dry cleaners will clean flags for free? Call your local dry cleaners and ask about their flag policies. An old crumpled flag can accumulate a lot of grime and even mold, so getting it cleaned once a year is a good idea. Prep the Picnic LinensWhether you’re planning a social distancing gathering with the neighbors, or a family backyard barbecue, it’s still important to make sure your table linens are ready to go. Most linens can be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. However, sending your linens to a local dry cleaner with laundry delivery service will not only ensure they’re washed properly, but also save a lot of time and effort. For anyone attending your gatherings that may want some extra protection, consider washing some bandanas or small cloth squares that can be used as face masks. Prepare for Outdoor GatheringsWe’ve all been cooped up inside for months, so it’s easy to forget about the necessary outside preparations. Your local pharmacy will have everything you need to stock up on like allergy meds for high pollen counts, insect spray for those pesky mosquitos and even last-minute paper products like napkins and paper cups.
Once you’ve made these simple Memorial Day preparations, you’re ready to enjoy the start of the summer with your family! Enjoy! Photo by Michael Skok on Unsplash We usually celebrate Mother’s Day with flowers and gifts for mom, taking her out to dinner and may be a shopping spree or a trip to the spa or salon. While our city is still in lockdown, with restaurants, salons and shops closed, how are you celebrating Mother’s Day? Mother's Day GiftsFor the most part, we can order gifts online and get them ready by Mother’s Day. If you cannot get a gift delivered in time, don’t forget that your local drugstore is still open and carries a variety of health and beauty products that your mom would love – from age-defying skin care, hair coloring and styling to perfumes and manicure products. Your community pharmacy may provide curbside service so you can stay safe. Take a load offMom is always busy caring for her family. The list of household chores is never ending. During the quarantine, the amount of cleaning and disinfecting has probably quadrupled. So a great gift would be to take over some of her work. How about letting the local dry cleaner nearby do the laundry? Schedule a laundry pickup before Mother’s Day, so that she is relaxed and not worried about doing the laundry. If mom’s work includes caring for grandpa and or grandma, which is not unusual in this age of the “Caregiving Crunch,” you can take a load off her by hiring respite care providers from the local home care agency. A home health aide can provide respectful professional care and companionship for a senior loved one while the family caregiver takes a break. Fun activity togetherDo something fun with your mom at home, such as watch a movie on TV, take a trip down memory lane by viewing old photos together, make handicrafts or artwork, give mom a manicure, and so on. Mother's Day dinnerIf your mother is living in the same house, you can perhaps cook a nice dinner or if you are not a good cook, you can order a big meal online and get it delivered to the house. But if your mother is not under the same roof, you can try sharing a virtual dinner on Zoom. That way, you can still see and chat with each other during dinner.
With a little creativity and preparation, we can still give mom a memorable Mother’s Day during these unprecedented times. Stay safe and have fun with your mom on Mother’s Day! Photo by Karolina Bobek ✌ on Unsplash Spring is here! It’s finally warm up. Now is the traditional season for fresh starts. For many, that means putting away winter clothes and giving your house a good spring cleaning. Here are a few tips for making the annual ritual less stressful. Start with a plan. Make a list of the tasks that you want to accomplish. Assess which parts of the house you need to cover and figure out where you want to start. Review the plan with family members and get their input on the cleaning goals too. Do a little bit at a time. You don’t have to do it all at once. Tackle one task from your list each day. Seeing results helps motivate you and makes spring cleaning feel less overwhelming. Tackle the clutter first. Getting rid of items you no longer need or want will help to free up space. Freeing up space also makes it easier to clean so the rest of the job goes smoothly. Tackling the clutter can also help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. Spring cleaning is a good time to organize things and to get rid of unused clothing, furniture, and appliances.
Always dry clean your winter clothes before you put them away for the season. Particles left on your winter clothes can stain and set in after months of storage. During that time, moths may feast on the dirty fabric as well. You can also use a laundry delivery service for the heavier bed linens and comforters to save time and effort. Don’t forget the medicine cabinet. Gather up any medications that have expired or are no longer needed, including both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. Having expired medication around not only clutters your cabinets, but can also be dangerous. You don’t want to risk yourself or a loved one taking the wrong medication. Your local pharmacy can help you refill prescriptions and restock over the counter medications as well as dispose of the expired ones properly. Check the fridge and pantry for expired food items and throw them out. Again, freeing up space allows you to organize your food items and become a more efficient cook. Spring cleaning is a great tradition. Make it a fun activity for the family and everyone can enjoy a cleaner and more organized home afterwards. Everyday household tasks can become a source of anxiety in these times. Do you start worrying about how to get the basics done while keeping yourself and loved ones safe and healthy? Simple hygiene measures can help. Personal HygieneA piece of advice that is repeatedly stated by the authorities as a top precaution is to wash our hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Make sure the soap or sanitizer fully covers your hands, then rub hands together for 20-30 seconds. For hand sanitizers, use those that contain at least 60 per cent alcohol. Having trouble finding hand sanitizers in the grocery store? Try your community pharmacy. If they have the ability to provide compounded medications, they may be able to produce sanitizers themselves. Remember to avoid touching your face because the virus is spread through droplets that may cling to surfaces that you touched. Cleaning ClothesThere’s no research as yet on how long the COVID-19 virus can survive on clothes or other fabrics, but it’s still a good idea to change and wash your clothes regularly — especially if you’ve just come home from the grocery store (or the office if you aren’t working from home). If you are doing the laundry at home, wash your clothes using the warmest appropriate water setting in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you dry the items completely. Consider using a laundry delivery service instead of making trips to the laundromat to avoid too much people contact and save time for other chores. Dry cleaning can help to disinfect clothing and other household items like towels and bedding because it uses high heat. Some Boston dry cleaners provide germ-free laundry services, too. When handling dirty laundry from a person who has symptoms, wear disposable gloves. If you are using a drycleaning pickup service, you should tell the dry cleaner that the laundry may be infected. HousecleaningIt is also important to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, desks, phones, keyboards, sinks, and faucets at least daily. Clean dirty surfaces with a regular household detergent first, then disinfect with any EPA-registered household disinfectant.
Let’s all stay safe and healthy during these unusual times! Photo by Irina Ba on Unsplash With the COVID-19 outbreak surging in Boston, we are all concerned with keeping our home and family safe from germs, bacteria and viruses, especially when you have seniors living at home. You know how to keep your floors and surfaces disinfected, but what about your clothes and linens? When someone in the household becomes ill, it’s even more important to disinfect laundry to keep the rest of the family safe. Here are some easy ways to disinfect your laundry. Tips for Easy Disinfecting LaundryWhen someone in your home is sick, try to have them use 100% cotton sheets and clothes in light colors. This makes them easier to disinfectant in the washing machine using the strongest possible disinfectants. Wash all contaminated items separately from other laundry and wear gloves while handling it if possible. Wash your hands after and avoid touching your face. Safe Laundry Disinfectants to Use at HomeAlthough it’s great for regular stains and soiling, regular laundry detergent isn’t strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses. Fortunately, there are several easy to find add-ins you can add to your washer to disinfect laundry.
In addition, innovative green dry cleaners such as Utopia Cleaners in Boston use a special environmentally-friendly soap to remove germs from your laundry. This germ-free laundry service is a good alternative to trying to disinfecting your own laundry at home Disinfect Your Washing MachineAfter washing contaminated laundry, it’s important to disinfect your washing machine as well. Run an empty cycle with hot water and 1/2 cup bleach to kill any lingering germs and bacteria.
If you’re concerned about keeping your family safe and healthy, remember you can always take your laundry to the dry cleaners nearby to be disinfected as well. Use separate bags for contaminated items and wash or dispose of afterwards. Be sure to tell your local dry cleaner what items need disinfected and be specific about stains and damage. During this unprecedented time, it is best to use a laundry pickup service. We heard from Governor Charlie Baker yesterday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts will begin to surge sometime between April 7 and 17. With the stay-at-home advisory and social distancing guidance still in place until April 30, we’ll need to find new ways to manage our daily lives. Fortunately, we have the Internet, various online tools to help us work remotely and entertain ourselves. And for the physical stuff, we can take advantage of delivery service. Laundry DeliveryCleanliness is key during this time. Other than washing our hands and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, we need to keep our clothing and bed linens clean. Using a germ-free laundry service can be extra beneficial. If you usually take your laundry to a dry cleaner or a laundromat, this would be a good time to switch to a free laundry delivery service. Even though dry cleaners are considered an essential service by the state, they usually reduce hours and avoid having you in the store as much as possible. Prescription DeliveryMedical supplies are critical too, especially prescriptions. Pharmacies are also an essential service and will stay open, but they, too, may reduce hours. In the suburbs, curbside service is often available – you drive up to the curb, call the store and they will bring the prescriptions or other medical supplies to you. Many drugstores also offer prescription delivery service within their neighborhoods. You should call your local drugstore to find out if they offer this service. Food and Grocery DeliveryWe all need food. While all the restaurants have closed, we can still order food online and then either pickup or get it delivered. Many supermarkets also offer grocery delivery service and even meals to go. These days, we may find empty shelves for certain food items. Rather than making several trips to get all the food items that you need, it is better to stay safe and order online instead.
When taking advantage of delivery service, make sure that it is contactless. Ask the driver to leave the delivery items on your doorstep and then pick them up after they left. Let’s all be careful and stay healthy! |
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