SYNERGYHomeCare.com Spring 2017
HOME SAFETY FOR SENIORS |
| PETS: MORE THAN JUST COMPANIONS
Prolonged sitting puts people over 60 at risk for disabilities. - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Elderly adults spend on average two-thirds of their days sedentary, which equates to about nine hours a day. - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Every additional hour seniors spend sitting increases their risk of being disabled by 50% - limiting their ability to complete activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and walking. - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Too much sitting can lead to increased risk of heart failure, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke. - British Journal of Sports Medicine / American Journal of Epidemiology LIVE MORE
3yrs 2.5 yrs
If people spent fewer than three hours a day sitting, it 2 would add two years to the average life expectancy in 1.5 1 the United States. - Archives of Internal Medicine
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LIV MOR
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2.5 yrs 2yrs yrs 1 hr 31.5 1.5 hr 2hr 2.5 hr 3hr
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Follow this link https://goo.gl/ehEk0c to download a 1.5 .5 hr 1 hr 1.5 hr 2hr copy of your pledge sheet. 1 yrs
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AGING WITH PURPOSE
James Braxton Lubbock, Texas
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aving a sense of purpose can add years to your life. Research reveals people who felt they had a purpose or direction in life outlived those who did not. James Braxton, a client with SYNERGY HomeCare of Lubbock, Texas, seems to support this claim. The now 97-year-old has lived a life filled with music. His passion is to spread the sounds that bring him joy to younger generations. Braxton has been a musician since he was a boy. After leaving Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he joined the Army during World War II and played in the military band. He eventually earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Nebraska. Once Braxton settled in Lubbock, he helped create band and orchestra programs in area schools. Fifty years later Mr. Braxton is still a fixture in the public school system. With the help of his SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver, Ruth JacksonBrady, he visits Dunbar Middle School where he continues to mentor budding musicians. While his memory may fail him occasionally, the music never does. Mr. Braxton still plays the saxophone, violin, and piano. He doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, performing in his son Tom’s jazz band whenever possible. Mr. James Braxton continues to touch the lives, not only of those in the Lubbock community, but our SYNERGY HomeCare Team as well! We thank Mr. Braxton for his service as a veteran and for sharing his passion for music; he is truly living a purposeful life.
Aging With Purpose Now On YouTube https://goo.gl/ibpP8W Retirement today means something very different than it did even 15 years ago. Improved health and telecommuting technologies have changed the age of when we retire and the definition of retirement itself. This information will provide you an opportunity to explore how we are redefining what retirement means. We will consider the myths of retirement and how to plan for a meaningful and purposeful retirement. Spring 2017 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com
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HOME SAFETY FOR SENIORS
Seniors fall each year
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s people grow older, home sweet home can turn into a health hazard. A pretty throw rug can become a trip and fall waiting to happen. Staircases can become a slip and slide (not the fun kind). Even climbing a stepladder to change the batteries in the smoke detector can be a danger.
ATTEND OUR FREE WEBINAR Minimizing Risk And Enhancing Independence With Home Modifications Wednesday, June 14th 2017 4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT This webinar will identify key areas in the home that can be improved with minimal cost and skill, to better ensure a safe home. Please register: https://goo.gl/Mor5CS
June is National Home Safety Month and focuses on reducing the leading causes of injury in our homes. These tips will help to make your home sweet home, a home safe home.
Falls
#1 Risk of injury annually
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO MAKE HOME SWEET HOME, A HOME SAFE HOME. Bathrooms
Kitchen
• Install grab bars near toilets and showers to provide support.
• Place frequently used items in lower cabinets to eliminate the need to use a step ladder.
• Consider a walk-in shower/tub to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
• Plastic kitchenware reduces the risk of broken glass.
Stairwell
Other Tips
• Provide handrails on BOTH sides of stairs.
• Eliminate throw rugs, as they are a tripping hazard.
• Install a light at the top and bottom of staircases and throughout hallways. • Paint or place bright tape on the edge of steps so seniors can see where one step ends and another begins.
• Remove extension or power cords from walkways. • Wear nonslip socks around the house to reduce the risk of slipping on smooth surfaces.
• Keep stairs clutter-free.
Call today to schedule your free care assessment and home safety inspection. 1-877-325-6049
PETS: MORE THAN JUST COMPANIONS M
onths after her husband of 50 years passed away, 72-year-old Shirley Marker still found herself lonely and growing more depressed. After watching a local news show, she fell in love with a dog featured on the adopt-a-pet segment. Days later, the dog was part of Shirley’s life and gave her a reason to smile again. Reducing loneliness is just one of the benefits of pet ownership. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the idea that pets can even help people live longer. For seniors, this is one prescription with some great side effects. The American Heart Association has linked pet ownership to a reduced risk for heart disease, and research has also found that people with pets have lower blood pressure and elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine — brain chemicals that aid in relaxation. Call it the “cuddle chemical.”
HERE ARE SOME OTHER KNOWN BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP FOR SENIORS: • Social Opportunities – Pets make it easier for seniors to make friends, as pets are a great conversation starter. • Activity – Seniors who have dogs are more likely to take regular walks. Beyond dog walking, studies show dog owners are more active overall compared to people without dogs. • Love – Pets offer affection and unconditional love. A purring cat rubbing up against the leg or a sloppy kiss from a pup can send the heart soaring. • Consistency – Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day.
May is National Pet Month. If you have a special pet in your life, please share a picture with us on the SYNERGY HomeCare Facebook page. Use the hashtag #synergypets. /synergyhomecare
SENIORS KNOW BEST
Fred & Donna Harvey Lakewood, CO
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red & Donna Harvey are a delightful couple with 59 years of experience as husband and wife. Fred is a retired dentist and Donna was his office manager. They have two grown children and grandchildren. SYNERGY HomeCare of West Denver sat down with the couple recently and asked them about love and marriage. The following are their responses to our questions: Love – “Do not be fooled by instant love. Evaluate it and ask your friends. Once you find the person you want to marry then decide that you are going to be committed and work on your relationship every day. As you grow in your relationship your love will evolve and grow deeper oh and, marry a healthy person!” Marriage – “Don’t fall in love with the first person you meet. You can’t change anyone to your way of being or thinking. You can only change yourself, not someone else. Take your love around to your friends and parents and get their opinions because they can sometimes see things in a person that you can’t. Serve others together in your community and grow together in your community contributions.”
Scott & Muff McClintock Colorado Springs, CO
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cott McClintock age 66: “Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, and ask for help if you need direction. Seek out your dreams and immerse yourself in support, anytime you take on a new challenge in life so you can reach your full potential.” Muff McClintock age 69: “Words of Wisdom... whoa... the Big One... Always follow your Heart! There was a time that I thought I would be good at working with troubled kids. I took the easy way out, which turned out not to be so easy after all. BUT... and there is always a BUT... I would probably not have met my husband and have my current family. So there you have it... Live you life with no regrets, keep the home fires burning and strive to be content which adds up to happiness.”
Spring 2017 | SYNERGYHomeCare.com
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Life is better with SYNERGY HomeCare by your side.
Call anytime (877) 432-2692 or visit www.synergyhomecare.com Proudly Independently Owned & Operated