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May 10, 2022 by Kirk Brechbiel

Fresh and Easy Spring Snacks to Enjoy this Season

Spring gives us every reason to want to refresh areas of our lives, homes, habits, and health. We can see so much new life in nature, feel the warmer weather, and look forward to the sunny months ahead. This is why spring is also a great time to add some fresh variety to your nutrition.

Try new snack ideas are also a great activity to enjoy with friends and family. It’s fun to discover a new recipe together, which also keeps you mentally sharp and uses fine motor skills. No matter your personal taste, dietary restrictions, or physical limitations, there are so many types of snack ideas out there that are sure to get you inspired. Pinterest is a great place to start. Keep reading for some healthy, tasty spring snacks that are easy to try!

Flower Pretzel Bites

Who doesn’t love a sweet and salty combo? This snack is easy to make and comes mostly prepared for you. All you have to do is assemble and heat. Start with your choice of small pretzels – anything with a shape or circle works best. Next, grab a bag of spring-colored chocolate candies, like M&Ms. You can get creative with your design and color combination to create a beautiful springtime snack that is as pretty as it is delicious. Click the link above to learn how to get started.

Spring Chex Mix

Sticking with the sweet and salty kick, this recipe puts a springtime twist on a tried-and-true favorite. Best of all, it can be fully customized to what you like! Mix a variety of small pretzels, crackers, and nuts with dried fruit and candies to create the perfect snack you can have out whenever guests come and visit. You can also easily package this snack to give out as small gifts to neighbors and friends. No baking required! Click above to see the recipe.

Fruit Pizza Crackers

Fruit pizza crackers can be made in infinitely different ways, all based on your personal preference and the ingredients you already have on hand. Check your pantry and fridge and decide what type of “pizza” you want to try today. The fine chopping and placement of fruit on the crackers is great for chefs young and old, to help refine their skills. It’s also a great activity to enjoy while sharing stories and memories! Click the link above to learn how to make this fun spring snack.

Lemon Raspberry Bars

What’s more spring than lemon and raspberry? This treat takes a little over an hour to prepare, making it a great activity when family visits. Gather everyone in the kitchen and assign duties! Best of all, you can experiment with new varieties, replacing the lemon and raspberry with alternatives like chocolate and peanut butter, strawberry and vanilla, or blueberry and lemon. You might just stumble upon a new favorite that becomes your family’s go-to recipe. Click the link above to see how this treat is made.

Fruit Salsa

Who doesn’t love salsa! Now, this great snack is made into a sweet treat by swapping in fruit. Similar to the fruit pizza, you can use what you already have on hand and try new varieties each time to make this recipe. What makes fruit salsa so fun is how small the fruit is chopped, so it’s unique from a traditional fruit salad. You can use graham crackers instead of chips or eat it with yogurt. It’s completely up to you! Click the link above to learn more.

Carrot Cake Bites (Gluten Free)

With just five ingredients you can make delicious carrot cake balls that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Best of all they are gluten-free and vegan, in case you or your loved one has dietary restrictions. No baking is required. Once you have all the ingredients mixed, it’s a great stress-relieving and finger strengthening activity to roll the balls. Simply freeze and enjoy! Click the link above for the full recipe and instructions.

What snack idea is your favorite? Do you have another recipe to share? Let’s get the ideas flowing – leave a comment below!

Filed Under: Blog

May 6, 2022 by Kirk Brechbiel

Advice on Seeking Second Opinions for Health and Home Care

There are many instances in life where it’s important to seek a second opinion. Most often we think of second opinions when we think of health decisions. A major surgery or treatment surely warrants a close examination of all possible options. And most people, even those who consider themselves “experts” in their field, would agree that they are just an opinion of one and others may have valuable insight and input that could quite literally save a life.

No matter what major decision you face right now, for you or a loved one, it’s important that you feel you have enough information to decide confidently. This could be moving to a new home, determining a course of medical care, hiring a professional caregiver, or working through a family matter. Below we share some key things to consider when going about navigating the process of seeking multiple opinions on an important issue.

Seek opinions strategically.

Opinions are great because they share alternate viewpoints and can shine a light on our blind spots. But they can also cause confusion and overwhelm quite quickly. Be strategic about the sources of your opinions and be sure to qualify the opinions you choose to trust. Even well-meaning friends and family members may not have the best opinions to offer because they lack experience with that particular issue, or have a close emotional tie. Consider where there could be bias or limitations to experience, and take all of this with a grain of salt when considering multiple opinions.

Find the balance between not enough and too much information.

How many opinions are too many? This is the golden question! There’s no one right answer, but rather you need to consider what’s best for your specific situation. If you are easily overwhelmed by information, you may want to limit the opinions you seek. Two may be all you need to feel confident that you are making a sound decision. Alternately, following just one opinion, without seeking another, may not be enough information to guide the best choice. Like most things in life, it’s a balance. While more information may be helpful, it can also be contradictory and confusing. Often, we need just enough outside perspective to reinforce that our gut instinct and intuition is correct.

Have an end goal in mind.

What do you hope to achieve by getting more than one opinion? Are you looking for alternative options that are different from one another, or do you want reinforcement that one, single option is the best choice? It’s important to know what you hope to achieve so you can remain focused on what you started down the path of seeking multiple opinions to begin with. More information is only good if you know what to do with it. You don’t want to put the time and effort into collecting it if you’re not sure it’s valuable to you. Identify your goal and stick to it!

Set boundaries and priorities.

And finally, set boundaries and priorities for the key steps in your decision-making process. You may find that your decision is time-sensitive. If this is the case, you don’t want to get hung up on seeking multiple opinions that could cost you weeks, even months of time and then lead to additional confusion that puts you essentially back where you started. Work backward from your deadline for a decision. Seek additional opinions, but if they jeopardize this deadline, consider what needs to give. Are you willing to be flexible you’re your decision-making timeline or do you need to move forward without this additional perspective? Your priorities will help you make the right decision.

If you face a major decision that warrants multiple opinions, consider the advice shared here as you move through the process. Do seek insight from multiple parties, if you feel it will be helpful, but don’t let it derail your decision-making process, especially if it is time-sensitive.

And if Ella Home Care can help offer an opinion on professional in-home caregiving, we’re here to help! Reach out to us today for helpful advice that is backed by extensive experience.

Filed Under: Advice, Blog

April 8, 2022 by Kirk Brechbiel

Best Practices for Seniors Using Social Media

Social media is a whole new universe – or should we say Metaverse – for keeping people connected and entertained. But it also comes with increased risks and triggers that can make it especially dangerous for senior adults. At worst, it can be a place where scams and false information runs rampant. People may try to obtain private information in deceptive ways. At a minimum, too much time spent on social media can be linked to stress, depression, and a disconnect from reality. For senior adults who may already be at risk for isolation, social media may seem like a great way to stay connected from the comfort of home. But like any technology, it must be used carefully and correctly to remain a positive influence in our lives. Keep reading for simple tips to encourage aging loved ones to follow when using social media.

Limit your screen time.

This advice is applicable to everyone of all ages! We must limit our screen time. Not only do we consume media and entertainment from television and computers, but we also then spend much of our free time glued to our phones. When are we not looking at screens? If you don’t have a clear answer to this question, it’s time to put some limits on your screen time. Make it a goal to spend equal parts away from a screen as in front of one – and sleeping hours don’t count! This is harder than it seems and will quickly put into perspective the time you’re spending on social media or other screen-based technology.

Know how to assess information.

Does your aging loved one know how to assess the information coming across their social media newsfeed as real or fake? Being “news literate” is so important in our society – now more than ever. If you worry that opinionated or altered news and facts are being taken as the truth, it could be time to deliver your own crash course on how to test and trust the news we see on social media. Consider the source, consider their possible motives, and test it against what else you’re finding on the internet. These are just some places to start, but there’s much more advice available from a simple Google search.

Be aware of common scams.

Next, be sure your senior family member or friend is aware of common scams and how they work. Even if it’s something fairly harmless, like a fake account trying to engage with them, it can lead to more troubling scenarios quickly. Teach them to be skeptical, cautious, and when in doubt, stop engaging with a person or business who feels fishy. You must be your own best advocate and protect your privacy and security at every turn. The more you know how common scams work, the better you can protect yourself.

Understand basic etiquette.

Social media has also blurred a lot of lines when it comes to basic etiquette. How we engage with one another, the types of things we say in response to content other people share (even people we call friends!) and the opinions freely shared can do more harm than good. We come to social media to feel connected, not judged and isolated. It’s important to learn basic etiquette, which looks a lot like the etiquette you’d use in person. If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online.

Have a trusted contact you can turn to for advice.

And most importantly, be sure any older adult using social media has someone they can turn to when they run into a question or concern. This could be as basic as getting locked out of an account, or as complex as feeling like you may be involved in a scam. It’s so important to have someone you trust who will quickly jump in, answer questions, find a solution, and never make you feel embarrassed for asking. Often, older adults feel embarrassed when it comes to technology. But it’s far more important to be safe! We should encourage one another to always speak up and seek advice when we feel like we’re in over our heads. That’s solid advice for every age and application!

Does this advice help shine a light on some areas you can improve in your own life? Which will be most beneficial for you or someone else you know? Let’s start a conversation on this important topic!

Filed Under: Blog

April 6, 2022 by Kirk Brechbiel

Warmer Weather Activities to Enjoy at Any Age

When the season turns to spring and the warmer weather becomes more frequent, this is the time of year when most of us start to feel re-energized to spend time outside. For our aging population, it can be challenging to find the right variety of outdoor activities that are accessible to various abilities, while also keeping things fun and fresh. We have some ideas to share to help overcome this challenge! Keep reading to get inspired by warmer weather activities you can enjoy at any age.

Fresh Air Stretching

Stretching is an activity that can and should be enjoyed regularly and at every age. Even the younger athlete would do well to add more stretching into his or her routine! This makes it the perfect warmer weather activity to enjoy across multiple generations. Everyone can stretch at their own comfort level, and possibly teach one another a thing or two. As the spring weather brings warm sunshine and a cool breeze, look for a partially sunny spot to set up a mat or blanket. Depending upon your ability you might look for a bench or bring a chair. Set a timer and switch positions at a pace that is comfortable for you. Make it a goal to stretch for 10 minutes each day to get fresh air while doing something good for your body. You’ll be amazed by how quickly you gain strength and flexibility!

Sketching Nature

Mother nature has so much to offer in way of fresh views in the springtime. Take advantage of this inspiration by setting up “shop” outside in a comfortable seat with a sketching pad and pencils. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like you’re an artist – it’s all in the eye of the beholder! Simply look around and get inspired by the shapes and colors of nature. Allow yourself time to observe animals and their behaviors, the shape of a flower, or the pattern of clouds. All of these are sure to offer ideas for sketching. The goal isn’t to produce something worthy of a museum, but rather to let the pen and paper be an outlet for your thoughts and emotions.

Sunshine Meditation

Like stretching, meditation is one of those activities that is proven to yield so many health benefits. Even just 10 minutes a day of meditation (bonus: add this on to your daily stretching) can strengthen the mind, improve the mood, and lower stress. Coming out of a long, cold winter, combine meditation with being outside. Look for a quiet spot so you won’t be distracted. If you can find a spot near water or other soothing sounds of nature, that’s great! Even your porch can be a quiet and peaceful spot to meditate while getting some fresh air.

Journaling

And finally, grab a blank journal and make it a goal to fill a page each day this spring. Each day will bring a unique approach to what you choose to write. Some days it might be creative, even poetic. On other days it might be a problem you want to talk through or simply acknowledge. The journal is for you and you alone. Sit in nature, take in the fresh air, and let the thoughts flow. No matter your age or ability, journaling will keep your mind sharp and young while keeping you in touch with your thoughts and emotions.

Which idea shared is your favorite? Or do you have something else to add to this list? Leave a comment or reach out to us to start a conversation! We’d love to hear from you.

Filed Under: Blog

March 7, 2022 by Kirk Brechbiel

Beyond the Paycheck: Why being a caregiver is about so much more than money

The professional career field is changing rapidly, and employment trends are evolving at record pace. It can be hard to keep a pulse on what might be the next best step in your career, especially if you’re considering the calling to become a professional caregiver. For any job opening, it’s natural to scan to the bottom line and first consider salary. While this is a very important consideration for any job, we urge you to think beyond the paycheck and to also consider the non-monetary aspects of the role as a caregiver.

Valuing Your Passion

It requires a special person to be a personal caregiver – someone who is both compassionate and passionate about serving others. If this resonates with you, you can appreciate that a career that allows you to use your natural skills and apply them toward your passion is a wonderful thing. Different career paths pay different wages, but knowing where you’re uniquely designed to thrive holds a high value. It’s the non-monetary and intangible benefits of being passionate about your career that makes each and every day something to look forward to. When you’re considering the career path of a professional caregiver, don’t forget to account for the value that the joy and satisfaction of your job will bring to your life.

Flexibility and Security

Every Home Care Agency is different, but at Ella Home Care we can confidently say that we understand the value of creating a work-life balance and take special care to create this for our team. This means flexible work schedules to fit your needs. Do you prefer fewer workdays with longer schedules each day, or the opposite? Do you want to avoid nights and weekends, or do you want to work these shifts? We get to know our caregivers and their needs as it relates to work schedules. And we do everything we can to work with you to create something that’s convenient, dependable, and sustainable for everyone.  When you’re choosing your career path, not all jobs will offer this flexibility, and there’s certainly a value to having it that goes well beyond what’s in a paycheck. An employer who is understanding and willing to adjust your work schedule to fit your needs is truly invaluable.

A Job that Feels Like Home

And most importantly, we all desire a calling and a career where we feel appreciated, loved, and respected. At Ella Home Care, we treat our staff just like we treat our family. In fact, we view our team as our family! This means celebrating your birthday and work milestones, collaborative problem solving when issues arise, and proactively seeking opportunities for continued growth. You’re not a number or another name on our payroll – you’re a unique person who provides value to our team. We need you and want you here, and we make sure you feel that at Ella Home Care! In addition to being fairly compensated for your time and talent – often well above market value – we feel this approach makes being a professional caregiver with Ella Home Care an exceptional career choice.

If you’re considering a career transition and would like to explore what it looks like to be a professional caregiver, let’s have a conversation! Our friendly staff at Ella Home Care would be happy to talk you through the options and opportunities to follow your passion while in a fulfilling career. Contact us today.

Filed Under: Blog, Career

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Ella Home Care
Address:
839 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043

Phone: (717) 963-7280
Fax: (717) 695-2892

Email: info@ellahc.com

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