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Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults

Everyone appreciates a warm, comfortable home during the cold winter months.  Yet  with escalating energy costs many older Americans will find it a challenge to keep up with home heating bills this winter.  Higher heating bills can be overwhelming.  But with a little planning and preparation they don’t have to be.  The Eldercare Locator and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offer some economical ways to stay warm and safe at home. While it is best to take action before winter arrives, family gatherings during the holidays provide a great opportunity to discuss energy efficiency and winter safety.

Find out about financial energy assistance programs

• Many states, counties and cities provide programs that assist older adults with winter heating costs.  Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good source of information about available community programs and eligibility requirements.

• Ask about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – the federally funded program that helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating needs. The name of this program and eligibility requirements may vary across states.  Be mindful that there is an application deadline for assistance, except for emergency situations.

Depending on where you live, LIHEAP may offer one or more of the following types of help:

• Heating funds (i.e., fuel subsidies) to increase the affordability of home energy;
• Low-cost residential weatherization and other home repairs to safely increase the efficiency of a household’s use of home energy, thus lowering energy bills and making homes more comfortable; and
• Energy crisis intervention to address weather-related and fuel supply shortages and other household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shutoffs.

For details about LIHEAP visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/index.html

• Get information about the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).  Most state and local governments receive federal funds to help low-income families permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.  WAP assistance is free and preference is given to people over age 60 and households with children or people with disabilities. You must apply to determine eligibility. WAP services are provided by local nonprofit agencies that employ energy professionals. They will thoroughly analyze your energy systems for safety and determine the most cost-effective energy upgrades for your home.  This means that in addition to making minor repairs such as adding insulation, they will also check for hazards such as carbon monoxide, indoor air quality problems from mold and outdated electrical equipment and wiring.

Be aware of help provided by utility companies

• Check with your gas, water and electricity suppliers to see if they offer a monthly budget plan to help spread out energy costs throughout the year.  Often they have special heating assistance funds, as well as “no cut off” guidelines to avoid termination of service for older adults, people with disabilities and ill customers who may have difficulty paying their bills. Utility companies are also a great source for energy conservation information.  They might be able to refer you to an expert to inspect your home for ways to make it more energy efficient, or provide a list of contractors to tune up your furnace so that it operates at peak efficiency. Look for ways to cut down on winter energy use.

• The ENERGY STAR Program, run by the EPA and the Department of Energy, offers steps to follow to make your home more energy efficient (888-782-7937 or http://www.energystar.gov). ENERGY STAR is a label that identifies and promotes energy-efficient products, including major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and more. These products can save about one third on energy bills without sacrificing features, style or comfort.

• Simple, inexpensive energy-saving things you can do yourself:

• Have a friend or relative seal air leaks.  Weather strip and insulate the attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from leaking out of the house.  Use storm windows or stretch window film to keep out drafts.
• Use an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature of your home when you are away.
• Prepare you furnace, boiler or heat pump for winter by having them professionally tuned-up in the Fall. Remember to change furnace filters at least every three months to keep warm air flowing.
• Although a log fire in your fireplace is attractive, it does not heat your home because heated air drafts up the chimney.  When not using your fireplace, close the damper.

Ensure your health and safety

Source: Eldercare.gov

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Farmington Hills or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Are You Hosting Billions of Germs in Your House?

Even the tidiest house hosts multitudes of unwanted guests. You can’t see the microscopic moochers, but your next sneeze, sniffle or full-fledged stomach flu might come courtesy of the bacteria and viruses growing by the billions on surfaces you touch every day. Here are 6 top spots where germs lurk and some suggestions for wiping them out. (Hint: Your dishwasher is your new best friend.)

1. Kitchen sponge

The sponge you use to clean with is the germiest thing in your house, says microbiologist Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona in Tucson. “It’s a happy home for bacteria because it’s wet, moist and you’re always picking up food with it” as you wipe up crumbs and spills, Gerba says. Tuck sponges into the dishwasher before you run it — the heat will kill the salmonella and E. coli hiding within. Another option: Pop your wet (nonmetal) sponges and dishrags in the microwave for about two minutes. Be sure to allow them to cool before retrieving them.

2. Kitchen sink

“There’s usually more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than in your toilet bowl after you flush,” says Gerba — whereas many people clean the toilet regularly, they only rinse out the sink. But because your sink is often wet, bacteria from uncooked meat products grow quickly there. Stainless steel sinks should be scrubbed daily with disinfecting cleanser. For ceramic or cast-iron sinks, use diluted bleach (1 tablespoon of water in a gallon of water).

3. Cutting boards

Raw meat and even fresh produce can carry E. coli and salmonella, so cutting boards need to be sanitized after each use. Run plastic boards through the dishwasher and clean wooden ones with diluted bleach.

4. The faucet

Water that has been sitting in a pipe all night can become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause respiratory or stomach illnesses. Run the water for a minute every morning before you shower or fill a glass, says Dr. Kelly Reynolds of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

5. TV remotes, telephones and video game controllers

“What do you do when you’re sick? You jump in bed with the TV remote,” says Gerba. Clean these regularly with a disinfectant wipe to banish flu and cold viruses.

6. Coffee tables

Like to put your feet up after a long day? Odds are you’re sprinkling salmonella, campylobacter and other fecal bacteria on your coffee table, says Gerba. So consider leaving your shoes at the door.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Farmington Hills or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

5 Superfoods For Health

When Food Network chef Dave Lieberman and New York Times science writer Anahad O’Connor surveyed the growing pantheon of so-called superfoods, they found many that were health-promoting powerhouses — but also many that were expensive, tricky to cook with and not particularly tasty. So the two set out to create their own list of foods that have scientifically supported health benefits and also are “affordable, appealing and versatile in the kitchen.” O’Connor narrowed the list to 20, and Lieberman reduced that by half. The result was their co-authored cookbook, The 10 Things You Need to Eat, and More than 100 Easy and Delicious Ways to Prepare Them. For AARP.org, Lieberman discussed the merits of these superfoods and offered recipes for using them.

Avocados

Put them in brownies. Seriously. “The natural creaminess of avocado makes it a great substitute for creamy, saturated milk fat such as butter and cream,” says Lieberman, “which is why you can make delicious brownies, smoothies and other desserts with avocado as the main source of fat.”

Though avocados contain more fat than almost any other fruit, it’s virtually all monounsaturated fat whose many benefits include raising good cholesterol, lowering bad cholesterol and preventing heart disease. And if that weren’t enough, it’s high in fiber, low in calories, and even higher than bananas in the blood-pressure-reducing mineral potassium.

Beets

If you ate canned beets as a kid and think you hate them, try them again. They are “nature’s multivitamin,” according to Lieberman and O’Connor, who say the beet contains a greater range of nutrients ounce for ounce “than virtually any other fruit or vegetable on the planet.” The antioxidants that turn beets deep red also fight off free radicals that attack the body’s cells and can lead to aging and disease including cancer. Compounds in beets also have been shown to lower blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk, and to help cleanse the body of harmful chemicals in processed foods, such as nitrates. “Beets are surprisingly versatile,” Lieberman says. “They can be eaten raw or cooked and are delicious cold and hot.”

Berries

Forget those fancy exotic berries like the Acai from the Brazilian rain forest. North America’s berries are just as laden with antioxidants, more economical, and versatile and tasty to boot. Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries make their “all-star team of superfruits.” Each should be added equally to a diet to reap their individual benefits: strawberries for potassium, raspberries for vitamin C, blueberries for fiber and blackberries for vitamin E and more. “It’s not hard to come up with crowd-pleasing recipes with berries,” Lieberman says. “But making both sweet and savory dishes with berries was an adventure for me, and it turned out great.”

Cabbage

In the super-healthy family of cruciferous vegetables that includes broccoli and cauliflower, cabbage is a standout. Scientists have identified compounds in cabbage that reduce the risk of cancers — including breast, stomach, lung and prostate cancer — as well as heart disease, gastrointestinal problems and Alzheimer’s disease. Cabbage is also a rich source of vitamins A, C and K, which protects joints and can lower the risk of osteoarthritis. Lieberman contends that “probably the biggest misconception about cabbage is that it needs to be cooked forever. That’s not true at all. It’s fantastic raw, and even with very brief cooking times in quick curries and stews.”

Fish

“Super Fish” are low in contaminants and high in the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil — chief among them, salmon, Arctic char, halibut and rainbow trout. Studies show that regularly consuming such fish can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation; and that the fish oil in them provides a brain-nourishing compound that can slow the mental decline associated with aging. Lieberman said cooks increasingly can find “lots of simple, quick fish recipes that take the worry and stress out of cooking fish,” such as his recipe for Roasted Salmon over French Lentils, Tomatoes, and Fennel, which includes not just one but three of his 10 superfoods.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Farmington Hills or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

It’s easy to take medicines for granted. When we’re sick, we may take a drug a few times a day to relieve our symptoms. Then, when we’re feeling better, we go back to our daily routine.

But some medicines, such as blood thinner pills, require lifestyle changes. You need to take them at the same time each day, for example, and you need to avoid injuries. These changes are important for you to stay safe and healthy.

Each year, nearly 2 million Americans start taking a blood thinner pill to prevent blood clots from forming in their bloodstream. Blood clots can lead to strokes, heart attacks or other serious health conditions.

If your doctor thinks you are at risk for a blood clot because you can’t move around easily or you’ve had recent surgery or an injury, he may put you on a blood thinner.

How blood thinners work

When taken correctly, blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, help your blood flow more easily to lower your risk of developing dangerous blood clots.

But blood thinners also increase your chance of bleeding. When taking a blood thinner, you need to be careful when going about your daily routine. For example, you should take extra care to avoid getting cuts from sharp instruments, such as knives, tools or other sharp objects. You must also carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about your diet and how much of and how often to take your blood thinner.

A consumer guide

Like learning to drive a car, taking blood thinners will require you to learn and practice several important steps until they become habits. To help patients remember these steps, my agency, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, recently made a video and produced a consumer guide. These tools will help you get the best results from your blood thinner.

The video describes the “BEST” way for you to remember important tips about blood thinners. BEST stands for:

Be careful. Use caution during activities that put you at risk for getting a cut or bruise. Even a small cut can bleed more than usual. Wear work gloves when working with tools, for example. Avoid high-risk sports or other dangerous activities. And if you do injure yourself, from a fall or hard bump to the head, call your doctor immediately.

Eat right. Your diet can affect how your blood thinner works. Do not eat or drink anything your doctor has told you to avoid. For example, your doctor may advise against foods or drinks high in vitamin K (including leafy green vegetables, vitamins and herbal supplements) because they can interfere with some blood thinners. Most important, keep your diet consistent, both in the type and amount of foods you eat.

Stick to a routine. Take your blood thinner pills at the same time every day. You can have family members remind you, use a pill box or set the alarm on your watch. It’s also important to talk to all of your doctors about all other medicines or supplements you take and to tell your doctors about any changes in your medicines. Remember to talk to your doctor before taking aspirin because it also acts like a blood thinner.

Test regularly. Blood tests let your doctor know if you are getting too much or too little medicine. Your doctor may order an INR blood test. That stands for International Normalized Ratio, which measures the amount of time it takes for your blood to clot. Based on the results, your doctor may need to adjust your dose. It is very important that you have your blood checked regularly if your doctor tells you it’s necessary. Home testing kits are available and covered by Medicare.

Taking a blood thinner does require you to make adjustments in your lifestyle. But just a few changes, followed each day, will ensure you’re getting the benefits you need from this medicine. By following the BEST way and talking with your doctor, you’ll help your blood thinner work well and safely for you.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Macomb County or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and currently, close to 11 million Americans are enjoying its health benefits.

According to Yoga Journal, 2.9 million Americans age 55 years or older regularly practice yoga for its health benefits, such as increased flexibility, lower blood pressure, easing of aches and pains, and improved balance. “In a culture that worships youth, yoga honors the aging process: Poses can be modified to every body type and level of ability, making classes accessible to anyone willing to step onto the mat,” the magazine reported.

An increasing body of research is showing how yoga can benefit aging adults. In a recent study at Indiana University, for example, older Veterans who had suffered strokes improved their balance and endurance after participating in twice-weekly yoga classes taught by a yoga therapist. An earlier study at the same university reported that older adults averaging 78 years of age improved muscle strength in the lower extremities and reduced their fear of falling after participating in twice-weekly hatha yoga classes during a 12-week period.

If you or your loved one want to find out more about yoga, the Yoga Journal website offers examples of therapeutic poses for elderly adults with conditions ranging from anxiety and back pain to fatigue, high blood pressure, mild depression and stress. An extensive list of free videos that demonstrate yoga exercises for seniors is also available in the Health section of eHow.com.

Source: Rightathome.net

If you would like more information about home care services in Sterling Heights, MI and surrounding areas, contact Pure Home Care Services at (568) 293-2457

University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt and recording artist Glen Campbell are the latest in a long list of celebrities diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, an incurable disease that gradually causes a decline in a person’s cognitive abilities. The 59-year-old Summitt informed her fans and followers in a video of her decision to continue coaching. Campbell, who is 75, made his disclosure while announcing his worldwide “Goodbye Tour” planned for 2012.

By discussing their conditions, these public figures helped to enlighten the public about Alzheimer’s, just as past generations have gained greater insights into the disease from celebrities such as Norman Rockwell, Charlton Heston, Barry Goldwater and Rita Hayworth. In announcing his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in a letter to the American people, former President Ronald Reagan wrote, “In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition.”

Persons who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are encouraged to open their hearts to friends and family when discussing this disease. A few helpful suggestions from the Alzheimer’s Association include:

• Explain that Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging but a disease of the brain that results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior.
• Share educational information on Alzheimer’s or invite your family and friends to attend Alzheimer’s education programs.
• Be honest about how you feel regarding your diagnosis and allow other family members to do the same.
• Assure friends that although the disease will change your life, you want to continue enjoying their company.
• Let your family and friends know when and how you may need their help and support.

Source: Rightathome.net

If you or a loved one would like more information about home care services in Farmington Hills, MI, and surrounding areas, please contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!