Winter is hard on everyone in Boston. The days get shorter and we all suffer through frigid temperatures. Now imagine how it must feel for your elderly loved ones. They are far more prone to injury because of fragility. Their muscles and joints don’t work the way they used to, which can lead to falls. Cold affects them in a harsher way, and they are more likely to get frostbitten or sick. That is why winter care for the elderly is important. Having a good winter care strategy will keep them safe during this high risk time of the year. Preventing Winter-Related InjuriesWe’ve all stumbled a little when walking around in the winter. Sometimes you don’t know there’s ice until you already slipped over it. This is especially dangerous for the elderly because falls can lead to life-altering or life-threatening side effects. Even at home, seniors are prone to falls unless their home has been carefully prepared to prevent falls. Good lighting and proper stair maintenance are important. Also, canes, handle bars and reaching aids are useful tools that can reduce the risks of tripping, slipping or falling. The cold itself is also dangerous. Elderly people get colder faster. There are heated clothing benefits that you should consider. They can help the elderly minimize the risk of developing hypothermia and frostbites. Properly winterizing the home can prevent many accidents for our elderly loved ones. That means things like checking that the windows are well-insulated, having the roof inspected to ensure it won’t get crushed under heavy snow, checking their heating system and refilling the propane or oil before it gets too low, and other safety precautions. Staying IndoorsWhen it’s icy and cold outside, it’s better to hibernate a little bit. There are plenty of holidays to prepare for in the winter that will keep you and your elderly loved ones occupied. After the holiday season, senior citizens tend to get lonely and a little sad. It’s hard for friends and family to visit because of the weather. Staying inside too much isolates them and makes them feel lonely. A home care companion can help them feel less alone. Not only can a home care aide provide emotional support, they can also take care of basic housekeeping, run errands, and do meal prep. Your senior care strategy should also include regular cleaning and changing of bed linens and laundry. Bedding is bulky and difficult to thoroughly clean in household washers and dryers. Hiring a laundry delivery service will make things easier. Skincare and Nutritional SupplementsIt gets drier when it’s cold and elderly skin can start to crack and bleed. Prevent this by having a dry skin lotion or cream with plenty of moisturizing elements around the house and reminding your loved one to use it.
Make sure you the cupboard. One easy way to stay healthy is by making sure you’re getting the proper nutrition. In the summer, it’s easier to stop by and make sure your elderly relatives are eating nutritiously. During the winter, vitamins and supplements can be a good way to ensure they’re getting the nutrition needed to get through the winter. If you have senior loved ones living by themselves at home, these winter safety measures should not be taken lightly. Fortunately, proper preparation can alleviate most problems. We hope these winter safety tips will help you and your loved ones stay safe this winter. Each New Year brings new and exciting possibilities. We get to start on a clean slate and set New Year resolutions. Many goal-setters strive to improve their health. They set resolutions for the New Year, such as do more exercise, go on a diet, get more sunlight, etc. and aim to stick with them. Others get stuck. So I will share with you a few suggestions to live a healthier life. Visit Your Elderly Parents Once a MonthHealth isn’t exclusively about what you put into your body. Spending time with people you love also assists with health. Some elderly parents receive attention from home health aides. These professional caregivers help senior adults with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping and personal hygiene, as well as offering meaningful companionship. However, time with these in-home caregivers is not the same as spending time with your child. Visiting your elderly parent once a month gives them more time with you. You both get to share memories and bond during your precious moments. Spending time with your parents is the best way to show that you care. Your visits will benefit their physical and mental health as well as your own. Sign Up for Weekly Laundry Pickup and DeliveryNo one wants to do chores, but unattended laundry will pile up over time. Dust will accumulate and trigger allergies. You might also notice the odor. Not tending to laundry can turn your home into an unpleasant one and hurt your health. A weekly laundry pickup and delivery will solve this problem. Not only will create a cleaner space in your home, you will also always look your best in clean and fresh clothing. Furthermore, delegating laundry gives you extra time to exercise, work on other health-related goals and spend precious time with your family, which is again beneficial to you and your family’s mental and physical health. Be Environmentally-FriendlyTaking an environmentally-friendly approach to your living environment is not only kind to our planet but often ensures better health for yourself as well. For example, a lot of cleaning products contain chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the body. Resolve to start using green cleaning products this year. You won’t feel the disadvantages immediately. However, like the planet and climate change, these effects will occur in the long term. Homeowners can also consider switching to a propane water-heating and space-heating system which are more eco-friendly than oil and likely to be cost-beneficial in the long run. Consult your local home energy supplier and also inquire about availability of propane tanks and delivery service. Set Up a Health and Lifestyle PlanStrive to become healthier now than you were last year, but it may not be easy to do it alone. You can enlist a loved one to keep your objectives on track, but sometimes professional coaching is more effective. Some pharmacies have a wellness coach who can set you up with a health plan and recommend proper exercises, vitamins, and supplements for your goals. Having professional support along the way lets you establish challenging but reasonable goals, with a higher probability of success.
Setting New Year resolutions around health is a great start for the year. I wish you the best as you continue your health journey in 2022! Getting ready for the oncoming festivities and winter holidays can definitely be a hectic time. Winter in Boston is always magical, but when you’re in the mood to start preparing right away for what’s to come, here are a few tips to get you started. Get Essential Chores Out Of The WayWhether you’re preparing for the holidays or are planning to hold a party pretty soon, it’s crucial to have a list of essential tasks. Without having a list, you might end up forgetting important things like having fresh and clean tablecloths for parties or not having any snacks for your guests to munch on. It’s best to start compiling this list as soon as you decide to get prepared because it gives you more time to add any tasks that might have slipped out of your mind. Don’t let the Boston chill get to your head or your festivities when you’re prepared ahead of time! Look Your Best For the HolidaysWinters are undoubtedly a time for parties, family gatherings, and much more. When you’re gearing up for the festivities, you mustn’t forget to look your best for each event. Consider dry cleaning fancy dresses and formal wear that you’re planning to wear this year so you can be prepared even for the last-minute party your friend is throwing two blocks away. You don’t want to be worried about last year’s stains when you’re out to celebrate! Keep Seasonal Ailments AwayIf you’ve started preparing for winter a bit earlier than usual, then it’s the perfect time to stock up on over-the-counter flu medicines as well as some regular cold medicine. Winters are a notorious time catching seasonal viral and more, so it’s best to buy some vitamins and supplements from your local pharmacy to keep your immune system strong. When you’ve managed to slip on some ice or snow and are feeling sore all over, it’s best to have pain gel on hand to help you out. When you’re fully stocked and ready to go, no winter ailment can keep you confined. Arrange for Professional CareUnderstandably, holidays can be a busy time for you and your family. It can be quite concerning when you have an elderly loved one who can’t attend your celebrations. Ensure that they’re getting the best care even when you can’t devote your full attention to them by getting professional respite care. Professional living assistance by certified home care aides can ensure that their needs and ailments are being taken care of holistically and that you don’t constantly have to be running from here to there trying to take care of it all. Don’t Forget About YourselfThe holidays can be stressful, and you need to ensure that you’re giving yourself some TLC from time to time. Keep your mind relaxed and your body healthy when you’re taking little breaks to take care of yourself.
Whether it’s your laundry that needs to be taken care of through a delivery service or taking a soak in a hot tub, there are many self-care activities you can do in no time at all. You can also look for sitters for your elderly loved one to ensure that while your needs are being taken care of, theirs don’t go amiss. Enjoy your winter festivities when you keep these tips in mind to make the holidays hassle-free for you! The average American eats a whopping 3,000 calories and 150 grams of fat on Thanksgiving — and that’s not even counting seconds. Besides all the cleanup and extra laundry and dry cleaning you need to do, perhaps you find yourself getting a bit too stuffed after Thanksgiving celebrations every year as well. This time around, you want to be prepared. Specifically, you want to know how to make yourself feel better quickly if you’ve eaten too much. We’ve got you covered for Thanksgiving 2021 and beyond. Unbuckle your belt and read on for our best tips to get yourself back on track post-feast. 1. Hydrate
We’re not encouraging you to grab a filling pint of beer or a sugary cocktail after Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, if you’re feeling overly stuffed, you should try and sip as much water as you can. Water can ward off constipation, and it can help reduce bloating faster. Just be sure not to drink too much at once, as chugging water while you’re stuffed will only add to that feeling. Sip slowly and often instead. 2. Skip the Snooze Some people need prescriptions to help them sleep. For them, a post-Thanksgiving dinner nap might be a welcome part of the day. However, that shut-eye after your meal could be stalling your digestion. Try and stay awake for at least one to two hours after you eat to keep things moving and relieve your discomfort sooner. 3. Get Moving If you’re feeling like you have enough energy to do more than just stay awake, head outside for an after-dinner walk. A little bit of movement can stoke digestion, and it can help balance out blood glucose levels, too. That might feel a bit ambitious for you after such a big meal, and that’s okay. Try getting up and going through a full-body stretch. Even something that gentle can have the same positive effects on your post-Thanksgiving state. If you have an elderly loved one, take him/her out on a walk to share some quality time together. It’s better than hiring a home caregiver. 4. Return to Your Regular Routine Some people make the mistake of yo-yo-ing on the day after Thanksgiving. By that, we mean they follow up their indulgent feast with a very light day of eating or even a crash diet. This is never a solution to the post-holiday bloat. Instead, just return to your normal way of eating. Incorporate lots of healthy, nutritious and fiber-rich produce to keep your digestion rolling. However, you don’t need to overhaul your diet completely — just go back to the way you usually eat. 5. Ask Your Pharmacist If you’re really having digestive issues and the above tips don’t help, you can always ask your pharmacist for help. They may be able to point you in the direction of a medication or supplement that can boost your digestion, relieve bloat and otherwise diffuse the discomfort you feel after such a big meal. Make the Most of Your Thanksgiving Celebrations Everyone indulges on holidays, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up for enjoying your Thanksgiving celebrations. Instead, eat what you want, then take the steps necessary to get back to feeling like yourself. We’re thankful it’s that easy, too. Boston Massachusetts is one of the gems of New England and a great place to bring the family. Fall in Boston is arguably the best time to visit. Thinking about a vacation in Boston? Here is a must-see/do list that you will need for your fall vacation destination. 1. Oh, the Food! One thing that you must do is compare the two famous bakeries just one block from each other in the upper north end of Boston. Bova’s has been in business since 1932, and Mike’s since 1946. Take a walk through Chinatown for some authentic Chinese bakeries and restaurants, and for a bit of cultural immersion. And, don’t worry if you dropped a little something on your shirt at dinner, let the folks at Utopia Cleaners handle that for you. 2. Arts & History Attractions in Boston
Wednesdays after 3 pm at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is only $5, and always has some great installations to check out. Allow yourself at least an hour as the museum has 3 levels and over 51,000 square feet of art space to enjoy. If you’re into a different type of art, you won’t want to miss these:
While the weather is great, seasonal allergies do happen. Don’t let hayfever ruin your day. Stop by your local pharmacy for some allergy medicine. 3. Boston Has Great Parks & Playgrounds Did you know that Boston has over 200 parks? There are waterfront parks, parks downtown, and plenty of parks with playgrounds to take the kids to. The Boston Public Garden is in the heart of Boston, attached to the Commons. And, Franklin Park is the largest in the city. 4. Nothing Beats A Halloween in Boston Bostonians love the fall, and especially Halloween. There are plenty of bar crawls, parties, and events all across the city to celebrate the spooky holiday. Salem is only a short drive away and they start celebrating early with a parade in early October. They will have scary witch-themed events throughout the month and end with a huge fireworks display on Halloween night over the Harbor. Take the night off, you deserve it! Leave the kids with the babysitter, and call into Visiting Angels for companion care for your elderly loved ones. 5. Leaf Peeping All over the New England area, the fall foliage brings visitors from near and far to see the leaves changing bright tones of red, orange, and yellow. This plus the crisp cool air makes for great camping weather. Throwing dinner on the grill is one of the favorite fall activities in Boston. Don’t forget to fill up the propane tank at AGP Gas beforehand! Fall in Boston! Beantown is always a lively place to visit at any time of year. Fall in Boston, however, is very special as the leaves are brightly colored and the air is crisp and cool; plus, all the seasonal foods and drinks to enjoy while exploring the city. Need some spooky season inspiration? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to drop, the weather gets crisp, and ghosts roam the streets. And while there are tons of fall activities to do this season, it can be extra fun to get into the spooky spirit too. Keep reading to learn 5 Halloween celebration ideas for 2021. 1. Throw a Costume Party If you want to have a wild Halloween night, invite some friends over for a costume party. To prepare, put up some Halloween party decorations, put out party food and drinks, and get the spooky music blasting. And if you’re over 21, make some fun Halloween cocktails or get pumpkin beer! Pro tip: if you want to have the perfect costume, get it dry cleaned or altered before the party. 2. Make Spooky Treats
If you’re over eating Halloween candy, make some spooky treats instead! Here are some desserts you can make:
3. Watch Scary Movies There’s no better time to watch scary movies than Halloween night! So grab your popcorn (and maybe some candy) and get ready for a fright. Here are some of the best ones to watch:
4. Play Halloween Games If you have children, playing games is a great way to celebrate this holiday. Here are some of the best Halloween games you can play:
5. Decorate Your Home Even if you’re not planning Halloween parties, it can be fun to decorate your house for the occasion. Here are some awesome decoration ideas:
Did You Like Those Halloween Celebration Ideas? No matter which of these Halloween celebration ideas you choose, you can’t go wrong. So whether you throw a big costume party or watch a few scary movies, you’re sure to have a blast. Just watch out for any ghouls and goblins on Halloween night! How many times have you tried to develop an exercise routine but failed, simply because it’s just really boring? You might have tried running in the past, but abandoned your efforts due to sheer lack of willpower. Developing and sticking to an exercise routine can be tough. But making your routine a family activity, and having a specific goal in mind does wonders for your motivation. If you’re looking for a fun, healthy, activity that gets the whole family outdoors, why not train together for the Boston Marathon? Why Should I Be Running?Cardiovascular exercise is a fundamental part of building a healthy lifestyle. But why is it so important? Research shows that just 10 minutes of running a day can drastically lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Did you know that running can also prevent knee and back pain as you get older? By integrating running into your daily routine, you’re less likely to experience arthritis and back problems that come with age. These wonderful benefits aside, it is also particularly good for maintaining a healthy weight and building fitness levels. Just make sure to check in with a healthcare professional if you suffer from any chronic injuries. Running is not only great for your physical health but does incredible things for your mental well-being too. Running is great for upping your energy and boosting your mood. It helps maintain focus and has even been known to help you sleep better. How To Make Running FunRunning can get lonely and monotonous. It can also be discouraging when you can’t see an immediate improvement. But there are some proven tricks to making running fun. These include setting realistic and specific goals to work towards and getting your whole family involved! Make A Marathon GoalSaying that running is good for your health just isn’t enough motivation to build a habit. You need to be able to set a realistic goal and hold yourself accountable for it. That’s where marathons come into the equation. Signing up for a marathon like the Boston Marathon is the perfect way to set a running goal. Marathons are great events, as they usually provide a few distances to choose from, depending on your fitness. If you’re still a newbie, sign up for a half marathon to get a feel for it. As you build your confidence, you can work your way up to a full marathon. Marathons are also great for the whole family. They’re social events where people gather to cheer you on and show support. There’s usually an air of excitement and encouragement that makes the whole process a lot easier. Plus, they’re outdoors which makes for a safer COVID-friendly family activity. Even your elderly loved ones can be involved, by enrolling them to keep track of everyone’s progress, and acting as cheerleaders. Taking part in family activities reduces the need to hire home care aides for companion care. Train TogetherNow that you’ve set a specific goal for a specific date, it’s time to make running a family activity. This makes exercising less lonely as you have other people working with you towards your goal. It’s also a great bonding activity, as you cheer each other on and spend quality time together during training. It’s essential that kids spend some time outdoors to get exercise and fresh air. If you’re doing it together as a family, you’re setting a great example and encouraging your kids to lead healthy lifestyles. Plus, you can hold each other accountable. It’s harder to skip a training session when the whole family is relying on you to show up. Running Fun With Family: How Should I Start?In order to make running a family activity, you have to start slow. If your kids are younger, or you’re starting from a low level of fitness, start with very short distances. Once you’re able to run a short distance without struggling, you can increase your training miles. You should also vary your training activities so that you don’t get stuck in a rut. You might run around the block one week and do a trail run the next. Treadmill running can also be a good addition to your training schedule. But you might be wondering how to make treadmill running fun. The secret here is to build a great playlist and focus solely on running to music. It’s recommended that you don’t listen to music if you’re running around the block as your eyes and ears should be aware of any traffic. The only drawback to running or most other exercises is that you’ll end up with a lot of sweaty clothes to wash — just kidding. You can always use a nearby laundry service to take care of it. Go for The Boston MarathonAll it takes to make running fun is making it a family activity, and setting a realistic goal. If you live in Massachusetts, the Boston Marathon is the perfect event to aspire to. This historic running event attracts thousands of visitors every year and is a celebrated sporting activity for the whole family.
If you’re looking for some more excellent family-related activities and tips and tricks, or you have any questions about our site, follow our blog! You probably think of your local pharmacy as a place to stop and buy various medications and pharmaceuticals. And indeed, this is the key role that most pharmacies play. However, many pharmacies have a lot more to offer. Here are some additional, helpful services to check for at your local pharmacy.
Medication Compounding Some pharmacies offer compounded medications. This means that they custom-mix medications to suit customers’ needs. They may take a medication that is usually provided in pill form and formulate it in a liquid. Or, they may compound a medication with a specific dose to suit your unique needs. If you’re allergic to inactive ingredients in a certain medication, a compounding pharmacy may be able to formulate a product that’s free from your allergen. Compounding can be a good option for patients who need personalized hormone balancing medications. Sports injuries often specially compounded pain medicine to help reduce pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and other conditions. Some pharmacies will even compound medications for pets with a valid veterinary prescription. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Visit your pharmacy to learn what supplement brands they carry. There are advantages to buying vitamin and mineral supplements through your local pharmacy, rather than from online vendors. You can read various labels in person and ask the pharmacist for recommendations. Some pharmacies will even schedule a personalized consultation with a certified specialist, so you can get supplements recommended for you according to your needs. Mobile Prescription Refills Gone are the days when refilling a prescription meant driving to the pharmacy, waiting for them to look up your records, and then waiting even longer while they filled the prescription. Now, many pharmacies offer mobile prescription refill services. You can submit your request via an app on your smartphone, and your medication will be ready and waiting when you arrive. Events and Workshops Check your local pharmacy’s schedule to see what events and workshops they are offering. They may have a workshop on monitoring blood pressure or one on designing a healthy meal plan. Some of these events are hosted by their own pharmacists, but they may also invite other healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and dietitians to speak on common health concerns like COVID-19, seasonal allergies, menopause, and use of sunscreens, for example. This is a great way to ensure you’re getting health information from a reliable source. Your local pharmacy is an excellent resource for the products, services, and information you need to remain healthy. Stop by and talk to the pharmacist or staff members to get a better idea of what’s available to you. If your parents continue to live at home as they grow older, they will need more care and input from you. Luckily, there are a lot of great products and services that can make all of your lives easier and help keep your parents in good health. Here are a few ideas:
1. Pill Organizers Older adults often take several medications to manage conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can be hard to juggle different pill schedules. Plus, older adults sometimes forget whether they have taken a certain medication, leading to missed doses and double doses. Pill organizers can help minimize these challenges. You can put all of your parents’ pills in a pill organizer at the beginning of the week. They will then know exactly what pills to take, and when. They won’t have to struggle with hard-to-open pill bottles, either. Some local pharmacies take one step further and offer personalized medication packaging systems that organizes a patient’s daily non-liquid medications in sealed pill cups. The medications are color-coded and separated by the time of day for administration. Each cup is labeled with the patient’s name, the type and dose of the medication, and the precise date and time to take the medication. These personalized medication packaging systems help to ensure patient safety and medication adherence. 2. Grip Aids, Grabbers and Reachers If your parents have arthritis in their hands or wrists, they may struggle to grip items in daily tasks as simple as grooming. Grip aids can help them hold on to small items like nail files, makeup brushes, and Q-tips. Reacher tools can also help your parents reach items on taller shelves. By using a reacher tool, they can avoid having to stand on a stool, which may be unsafe if their balance isn’t the best anymore. If your parents have limited arm or shoulder mobility, you can buy brushes and combs with long handles to help them style and brush their hair. Some local pharmacies offer these items in their home health care supplies section, where they also sell things like walkers, raised toilet seats, shower seats, bath lifts, grab bars and walking canes that elderly people will also find helpful. 3. Home Care Services Even if you are your parents’ primary caregiver, hiring a home care service to help out with a few basic tasks can be very freeing. A home caregiver can run errands, do some cleaning for your parents, prepare quick meals, and also serve as a companion for older adults who don’t get out as much as they used to. 4. Laundry Service Older adults sometimes struggle to keep up with laundry. Loading it all into the washing machine, then into the dryer, and then folding it can be quite laborious. Hiring a laundry service to do your parent’s wash will simplify their lives and ensure they always have clean clothing and linens on-hand. Look for a local laundry service that offers pick-up and drop-off options. If your aging parents still live at home, make sure they have the products and services they need to live comfortably and safely. Just a few simple products or services that assist them in their daily routine can help to improve their quality of life. For the most part, you can generally do laundry at home if you have a washer and dryer. It’s convenient, and it’s not that difficult. However, there are times when using a dry cleaning service really is the better choice, even if you have access to laundry facilities. Take a look:
1. You Have Bed Bugs Bed bugs are creepy, crawly, and incredibly tough to get rid of. If you find them in your home, you should have a professional pest control service come treat the space. However, the task of treating your clothing and bedding is usually your responsibility. Having your clothing, linens, sheets, throws, comforters, and even drapes dry cleaned is the best way to ensure you rid these items of bed bugs. Dry cleaning machines reach high temperatures of up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs cannot survive these temperatures. When treating a home for bed bugs, you need to be thorough. You need to remove them from all your garments and household items. Professional dry cleaners are trained to remove bed bugs and they will do the job without damaging your clothing or bedding. Your clothes and linens will come back clean and fresh as always. Don’t forget to send your bug-infested dry cleaning in a separate laundry bag and labeled them as such so that the dry cleaner, too, will take care to separate the infested garments from those of other customers. 2. When Someone Has Been Sick When someone in your home has been sick, it’s a good idea to send your linens out to be cleaned by a professional dry cleaner that offers germ-free laundry service. Having bedding thoroughly cleaned after an illness can help prevent the illness from spreading to other family members. Green dry cleaners will use environmentally-friendly soaps to remove germs from your sick linens and clothes. You should bag the linens up separately to reduce the risk for cross-contamination and label the bag for germ-free laundry. 3. You Find a Stain on a Precious Garment There are various ways that you can try to treat clothing stains at home. But if you find a stain on a precious garment, such as an expensive suit coat, a fine lace dress or a memorable garment like a christening gown, don’t try to clean it yourself! Send that item to a reputable dry cleaner that provides fine dry cleaning services. Professional dry cleaners have stain-removing treatments for different kinds of stains and different kinds of material. They won’t damage your special garment in the process of stain removal. They will inspect your garment to ensure every stain is removed, hand finish it and restore the fabric to enhance the life of your garment. Even people with their own washers and dryers can benefit from using dry cleaning services sometimes. If you find yourself in any of the situations above, don’t hesitate to visit a laundry service near you. |
Archives
March 2023
|