September is Healthy Aging Month - designed to help you focus on healthy ways of growing older. Healthy Aging Month was created over 15 years ago as a way of providing inspiration for those 50 and over to take charge of their physical, mental, social and finacial well being.
With fall in the air, its important to keep up your activity level even when its too cold to head outdoors. With school under way, why not get involved yourself? As a caregiver, your health is equally important. Take a look at today's tip and get started on creating a healthier future for the person you are caregiving - and you.
Jonnelle
Creating A Healthy Future For You
As a caregiver, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of caregiving. While the physical well being of the person you are caregiving is important, it's important to keep your own well being up as well.
Let's look at 4 things you can do to celebrate Healthy Aging Month. 
1. Physical Fitness
Exercise 30 to 60 minutes every day. It doesn't have to be a strenuous workout to keep you fit - do what you have time to do. A 30-minute power walk around the neighborhood can lift your spirits. Or try a yoga class at the local gym to release your tension.
If the person you are caregiving is able, involve them in light exercise. Try a walk in the park, or a tour of the zoo. They'll enjoy the sites and sounds, and you can get double the exercise by pushing them in a wheelchair.
2. Mental Fitness
The best way to sharpen your mental skills is to break away from the norm. What have you always wanted to try? Why not start those piano lessons you've always wanted to try? Or take a class. Check with the Colorado Free University, or Arapahoe Community College's Adult Education to sign up for something this fall.
Also look for ways to keep your loved ones mental fitness up too. While they may not be up for a class, how about reading a new book? The library offers thousands of choices, and can even provide books on tape.
3. Social Fitness
Feeling lonely? In order to feel happy, most adults state they need a social network to stay active in. Join a book club at your local library, or with a group of friends. Set up regular lunches with friends and family. And with the powers of the Internet, join a social group like Facebook, and use it to catch up with people far away. Even a 5-minute break looking at family photos online can put a smile on your face.
Its not just you who will benefit from social fitness. If your loved one is able, why not set up a lunch with a few of his or her friends? Meet at a local restaurant, or invite them in. You may even use this as a break for yourself knowing your loved one will be in capable hands.
4. Financial Fitness
Worrying about the state of the economy or your stock portfolio can add to the stress. Take an active roll in your financial direction. Hire a new financial advisor. Attend an investing class. Talk to your accountant about tax savings advice.
[Adeste In Home Care knows just how difficult it is to provide care for a family member or loved one. We can help you ease the burden of 24 hour round the clock care, and provide you with a break. Whether you need help every day, or just a few days of the week, we can create a schedule that will allow you to live healthy too.]
Reading Corner
Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide To Your Well-Being
Written by a physician with over 20 years of practice, this guide offers sound advice to growing old gracefully. Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide To Your Well-Being by Dr. Andrew Weil is written to achieve whole body wellness, regardless of your age. His book touches on a variety of subjects for every level, from nutrition, to exercise, to stress relieving activities. No matter what your condition, or what skill level your at, there is no better time than now to take control of your health, and move forward to a better you.
Eating Health: Winter Squash - Our Protector
Fall is upon us and winter squash is now coming into its peak This amazing vegetable, known as the protector, carries an array of good stuff for our bodies, and is an excellent source of Beta Carotene, Potassium, Vitamin C, fiber and anticancer nutrients. Eating 1 deep yellow vegetable a day carries nutrients to support our heart health, vision health, lung health and much more.
Try experimenting with a variety of different winter squash such as butternut, spaghetti, or hubbard. We enjoy oven roasted vegetables (green pepper, onion, garlic, egg plant) over spaghetti squash served with marinara sauce. Grate fresh butternut squash into a salad.
Here is a simple recipe for Acorn squash.
Baked Acorn Squash
INGREDIENTS
1 Acorn Squash washed, halved, and seeded
Salt and pepper
2 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons cinnamon
ΒΌ tsp cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place squash in a shallow baking pan, cut side down.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until tender.
4. Turn cut side up; season with salt and pepper, dot with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Bake for 20 minutes more.
At Adeste In Home Care, we're dedicated to helping people all over the Denver metropolitan area remain at home for as long as possible. Whether you have a short-term need, or a long-term concern, we can help you set up a plan to provide you with the care and comfort your family deserves.
www.AdesteInHomeCare.com