Best Summer Flowers to Plant

23rd of May, 2017

Best Summer Flowers to Plant:


Summer is just around the corner and a great summer activity is gardening. Gardening can be done alone, with a family member, friend or with a caregiver. You can grow fruits, vegetables or flowers that can freshen up the look of your garden.
Some flowers are easy to grow even if you are a beginner gardener.

Here are some of the easiest plants/flowers that you can grow this summer:

1. Sweet peas are a common flower for gardening. They need plenty of sunlight and water but not much of other maintenance. Some pesticides may need to be used with this flower as they do attract insects.

2. Marigolds are another beautiful flower that can be planted for a pop of color. They are a beautiful yellow flower that will brighten up even the dullest of gardens. Marigolds can survive the hottest weather and are low maintenance.

3. Pansies are a classic, simple flower for any beginner gardener. They grow very quickly and are easy to plant  - their seeds can be purchased anywhere and the flower comes in several different colors.

4. Lavender is a bright purple flower that smells absolutely exquisite. If you are into fragrant flower, this may be the perfect flower for you. Adding it to your garden will create a relaxing scent and the maintenance is not difficult once it is planted. Lavender can grow in wet and dry climates - so choose wisely.

Tips and Tricks for Beginners 

-Plant your plant in an optimal spot in your home or garden. Some plants thrive better in sunshine, others in rain - read the description prior to purchasing the plant and plant it accordingly. Some areas of your home are sunnier than others.

-If the leaves of your plants begin to turn yellow - that means you are watering your plant too much. Try to avoid watering the leaves directly when watering the plants.

-Check the requirements for watering your plants. Not all plants and flowers require the same amount of water. Check the requirements before purchasing. If you are a busy person, purchase flowers and plants that require minimal watering.

Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face

18th of April, 2017

Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face:

Alcohol dependence, also known as alcoholism, affects around 18 million Americans per year.*

Alcohol dependence doesn't have a face. People from all economic backgrounds, races, genders and countries can experience it. There are many factors affecting alcoholism including genetic predisposition, history of depression, and binge drinking regularly. If someone in your family suffers from alcoholism, then you are more likely to develop the same problem.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include: inability to stop drinking, constant thoughts about alcohol, binge drinking until you feel sick or throw up. Binge drinking is considered 5+ drinks in an hour for a male and 4+ drinks in an hour for a female, approximately.

Treating alcoholism is difficult but not impossible. There are many recovering alcoholics who lead normal lives. Therapy (group or individual) is helpful in treating alcoholism, as most people are not unable to kick the addiction themselves. Some individuals choose to join 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is very important to seek medical help when going through withdrawal from alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal causes the following symptoms: shaking, sweating, insomnia, increased depression and anxiety, seizures, suicidal thoughts, decreased appetite, anger and irritability, nausea. Everyone's withdrawal symptoms will be different but will require some form of medical supervision. A hospital stay and an IV may be needed in severe cases to replenish the body and keep the individual stable.  In worst case scenarios, alcoholism can be treated with certain medications.

If you feel like you may have an alcohol addiction, please contact a professional to get an assessment. To get more help you can visit the following websites:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/treatment/treatment.htm

http://www.aa.org/

https://aidinrecovery.com

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https://medlineplus.gov/alcoholismandalcoholabuse.html*

Osteoporosis in the Aging Population

11th of April, 2017

Osteoporosis in the Aging Population:


Osteoporosis is a condition of the skeletal system where bones become brittle, weak and porous. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men but can occur in both genders. It is more likely to develop in the aging population and in people 50 and older. The bones in people with osteoporosis become more brittle, soft and have a porous appearance.

Osteoporosis is more likely to occur in people with Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. The biggest danger of osteoporosis is the increased likelihood of broken bones. This can be extremely painful and irreversible because the bones are not able to repair very well.

Osteoporosis can also cause a decreased height in the individual and severe back pain. These are the primary and only signs of osteoporosis. Factors that can increase osteoporosis are aging, vitamin deficiency, lack of exercise, excess soda consumption and frequent tobacco and alcohol use.


There are ways to prevent osteoporosis:

Resistance exercise like walking, swimming and weight lifting. Exercise increases bone mass. The peak time to build bone mass is in your 20's. The higher your bone mass the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis.

A healthy and balanced diet. Most of us know what a healthy diet needs to consist of, but very few people can keep it up for long periods of time. Try to make it a lifestyle change. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water and less soda. Eat less processed foods and more fresh, whole foods. If it comes out of a box or a drive-through, it is not good for you.

Getting enough Vitamin D. Getting enough sunlight is important because vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption by the bones, making the bones stronger. Try exercising outside - it is a great way to get resistance training as well as sunlight.


Take all these factors into consideration and create a healthier lifestyle. Do it for the future you and to keep your bones strong and healthy for a long time!

What are Shingles?

6th of April, 2017

What is Shingles?

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a virus that occurs in individuals who had chicken pox as children. The chicken pox is dormant in your body, but once in awhile it travels down the nerves in the body and creates a very painful rash called shingles. This can happen to anyone but the likelihood increases with age. Individuals who take immunpsuppressing drugs or have HIV are also at an increased risk for shingles.

Shingles cannot be passed down from person to person, but it can pass on chicken pox to someone who has never had it before.

Shingles is incredibly painful but it presents other signs and symptoms as well. The most common ones are fever, nausea, red rash on body, itching, chills and aches all over the body. As the virus progresses, the blister-like rashes burst and crust over. 

Shingles can last anywhere between 2-5 weeks and although the recovery is not pleasant, most people get better.

The best way to prevent shingles is by getting a vaccine, especially if you are over 60 years old. Talk to your doctor and discuss getting a shingles vaccine. To treat shingles one must take anti-viral medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir. Pain medicine may also be provided to those who experience severe pain from the shingles virus.

The best way to diagnose and treat shingles is by seeing a trusted healthcare professional!

Seniors Behind the Wheel

20th of March, 2017

Seniors Behind the Wheel:


Seniors driving a car past a certain age can be worrisome for anyone; their loved ones, pedestrians and other drivers on the road. This is simply due to the fact that as we age, our vision, hearing and reflexes deteriorate.

So here are some tips for elderly and their loved ones to make driving safer for everyone.

Get a vision and hearing exam frequently. We recommend taking your older loved one to the doctor to get their hearing and vision tested at least 2 times a year. Rapid declines can occur for people ages 60 and above and this can increase with any kind of trauma.

Be aware of any side affects from medications. If your loved on is driving and is also on any medication that may cause sleepiness or drowsiness, please consult your doctor. It may be beneficial for them not to drive in this case if the medication needs to be taken frequently.

Drive during better conditions. Try to limit your loved one's driving to day time or morning driving when it is bright outside and it is easier to see. Encourage them not to drive during rainy or snowy weather conditions as factors such as poor weather and dark can increase the likelihood of an accident.

Check for stiffness in their joints. Does your loved one have symptoms of arthritis? It may be difficult to operate a vehicle with such conditions. Consult a doctor prior to allowing them to get behind the week.

It is also important to consider conditions such as dementia in an elderly driver. If they have beginning stages of dementia - it may be difficult to know when to take away their license. It may be very painful to see your parent or grandparent get older and not be able to maintain the same kind of abilities. However, it is in everyone's best interest if they do not drive and hurt themselves or someone else on the road.

Fall Prevention for the Elderly

8th of March, 2017


Fall Prevention for the Elderly:


A tumble can happen at any age. We learn to walk as little kids, and we fall quite often - its a natural part of life. Unfortunately when elderly people fall, it is much more dangerous because their brittle bones cannot withstand the impact.

As we age, our gait/balance changes and becomes more unstable due to lack of practice. Falling can also lead to anxiety, depression and a sense of vulnerability. Which is why it is so important to prevent falls.

There are several ways to prevent falls::

First, encourage the elderly person in your family to get an eye check up to make sure their vision is not deteriorating. Poor vision can affect their ability to walk and see what is in their path.

Second, be familiar with their medication. Some medicine does include sleep aids or can lead to drowsiness and disorientation. This is especially dangerous at night when the elderly may get up to use the restroom. Consider bed pans to reduce late-night walking.

Third, get companion care for your loved one. This is the easiest step but unfortunately people always hire help AFTER a serious fall has taken place. A companion will ensure your love one's safety and prevent falls.

Other tips and tricks to prevent falling:

• install grab bars in showers
• use non-slip rugs
• keep a well-lit home
• secure rails on stairs

Keep your loved one safe and healthy by using these tips to prevent falls!

Pet Therapy to Boost Mood for Older Adults

7th of March, 2017


Pet Therapy to Boost Mood for Older Adults:


Aging is something we all must endure at some point in our lives. It is a process that brings many ailments with it and the most common one is clinical depression. There are many ways to help alleviate the symptoms of depression: exercise, socializing, medication, sunlight therapy. However, one of the newest ways of battling depression in older adults is through Pet Therapy.

Owning a dog generally has positive side affects on people and especially on the elderly. It significantly lowers blood pressure, risk of heart disease, and encourages them to exercise because the dog must be walked. Owning a dog has even helped improve vital signs for elderly experiencing dementia. Although it is not a cure-all for disease, it certainly improves the situation for a lot of people!

Spending time with dogs and petting them, releases "feel good" chemicals such as serotonin, oxytocin (a bonding hormone) and prolactin. These chemicals critically improve mood and alleviate depression.
So the next time you sense your parent or grandparent is depressed, let them spend a little time with the neighbor's pooch! It will go a long way.

Elderly Companion Care in Brooklyn, NY

Comforcare companion home care provides outstanding companion-caregiver services 

at an affordable price. Our clients’ comfort and peace of mind is our top priority. We are there every step of the way to ensure your companion is not only an experienced one but also has an ideal personality match to complement our client. You will meet your caregiver prior the date of service, in your home or in another comfortable environment of your choice. With our free in-home consultation, we will be able to address your concerns and find you the best care possible at an affordable price!

We have a minimum of 12 hours per week and a minimum of 4 hours per day.