Special Care Services Inc
(772) 222-7301
  • Home
  • Aging Life Care Professional
  • Homemaker Companion Services
  • Testimonials
  • Caregiver Support Group
  • Rose's Blog
  • Employment
  • Resources
  • Forms

Firework Safety 

6/29/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
PROMOTING SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS


Recommended Safety Tips
  • Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
  • Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
  • A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
  • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.  Save your alcohol for after the show.
  • Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
  • Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
  • Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
  • Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
  • Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
  • Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
  • FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
  • Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.


http://www.fireworkssafety.org/ 
0 Comments

Lightning Saftey

6/26/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Here are some ways to stay safe during a lightning storm.


Lightning: What You Need to Know
  • NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!
  • If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
  • When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
  • Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.



Indoor Lightning Safety
  • Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
  • Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
  • Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
  • Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.



Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

  • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
  • Never lie flat on the ground
  • Never shelter under an isolated tree
  • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
  • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)


NOAA Lightning Safety Website

NOAA Lightning Safety Brochure

0 Comments

Elder Abuse – A Harsh Reality

6/15/2015

0 Comments

 
National Center on Elder Abuse
  • 1 in 10 Americans age 60 and older experienced abuse over one year, and many experienced it in multiple forms[1].
  • Nearly 1 in 2 people who suffer from dementia experience some form of abuse by others.
  • Elder Abuse is under-reported. Nearly 1 in 14 cases ever comes to the attention of authorities.
  • Elder Abuse costs victims BILLIONS of dollars each year. 
  • Elder Abuse is associated with increased rates of hospitalization.
  • Elders who experience mistreatment and self-neglect face a greater risk of dying sooner.
  • Survivors of Elder mistreatment suffer significantly higher levels of psychological distress than non-victims.

What is Elder abuse?

Elder abuse is intentional or neglectful acts that lead to harm of a vulnerable older adult. Physical abuse, neglect, emotional or psychological abuse, financial abuse and exploitation, sexual abuse, and abandonment are considered forms of elder abuse. In many states, self-neglect is also considered mistreatment[2].

Who is at Risk?

Elder abuse can occur anywhere and to anyone. Elder abuse can occur in private residences and residential care facilities such as a nursing home or assisted living facility. Elder abuse affects seniors of all races and cultures, as wells as across all socioeconomic groups. Recent statistics has shown the greatest risk factors to be: older woman, those with dementia and those with mental health or substance abuse issues. Additionally, isolation can also contribute to risk.

What should you do if you suspect abuse?

REPORT your concerns immediately. You do not need to prove the abuse is occurring; that is up to the professionals to investigate. To report suspected elder abuse call 9-1-1.


[1]http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Resources/Publication/docs/NCEA_WhatYouMustKnow2013_508.pdf
[2] http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Resources/Publication/docs/NCEA_RedFlags_web508.pdf


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15.
0 Comments

National Ice Tea Month ~

6/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
A summertime treat, ice tea was made famous at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Ice tea is a great way to stay cool and hydrated during these warm summer days. Below are a few recipes to help you feel refreshed. Enjoy ~


Peach Ice Tea
3 cups boiling water
2 family size tea bags
1/3 cup sugar
1 (33 7/8) bottle peach nectar

Pour the boiling water over the 2 tea bags, then cover & let steep for 5 minutes.

Stir in the sugar, then pour into a pitcher & stir in the peach nectar. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea
1 (12-oz.) package frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3 family-size tea bags
3/4 cup sugar 

Garnishes: fresh blueberries, lemon rind strips

Bring blueberries and lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat; pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids. Rinse saucepan clean.

Bring 4 cups water to a boil in same saucepan; add 3 tea bags; let stand 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Stir in sugar and blueberry juice mixture. Pour into a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Ginger & Honey Sweet Tea
3 cups water
2 family-size tea bags
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
7 cups cold water

Garnish: lemon slices

Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; add tea bags. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat. Cover and steep 10 minutes.

Discard tea bags. Stir in honey and ginger. Pour into a 1-gal. container, and add 7 cups cold water. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Lipton Tea

The Tea Association of the USA
0 Comments

Are you at risk for a Stroke?

6/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is cut off for a period of time. Depending on how long the blood flow is obstructed and which part of the brain is affected, a person may experience paralysis, speech impairment, swallowing difficulty, vision changes or other effects.

Who is at risk?
Experts have identified many risk factors for stroke. Risk factors that cannot be reduced include, age 55 or older, black race and a family history of stroke. Other risk factors, many which can be minimized, include the following:

  • High blood pressure (the leading cause of stroke)
  • Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Excess alcohol use
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Excess dietary salt and fat
  • Circulation problems
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea)


Know the warning signs

Rapid treatment of stroke is essential to preventing death and disability, so it is important to know the warning signs of this event. The American Stroke Association works to make the public aware of the signs of stroke, so that they can seek and receive help quickly. The association states that the signs of stroke are as follows:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause


Know how to respond

If you experience any of the warnings signs of stroke, immediately call 911. Be sure to check a clock so you’ll know what time the first symptoms appeared. The American Stroke Association states that when treatment with a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is started within 3 hours of symptom onset, the long-term disability associated with the most common type of stroke may be reduced.

FAST
Another public health and awareness group, the National Stroke Association, recommends using the acronym FAST to evaluate anyone who might be experiencing a stroke.

F (face): Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?


A (arms): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?


S (speech): Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his/her speech slurred or strange?


T (time): If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately. Don’t spend time waiting to determine whether the symptoms are serious.

American Stroke Association www.strokeassociation.org
National Stroke Association www.stroke.org


0 Comments
    Picture

    Author

    Rose Ann Campellone is a Gerontologist, Certified Dementia Practitioner and Professional Geriatric Care Manager. She is a trusted expert on all aspects of aging and senior care.

    Archives

    April 2017
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Tweets by @SpecialCareServ
Serving Florida's Treasure Coast
Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, and Northern Palm Beach Counties
AHCA #: 232737
FDACS #: CH55317



​(772) 2 CARE 01 (772-222-7301)   Toll Free Fax (866) 371-0856
​Special Care Services, Inc. does not accept unsolicited fax advertisements.
Send us an Email
Special Care Services offers affordable non-medical care management and homemaker companion and sitter services to allow seniors to age in place.

DONATE NOW
Special Care Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization aimed at positively impacting the quality of life of seniors and disabled individuals; to remain effective, we depend solely upon financial support from generous local foundations, individuals, businesses, grants, as well as contributions from clients to support our mission and remain in operation.

“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
FDACS website is www.800helpfla.com.” 
Registration # CH55317




Special Care Services, Inc.. is a proud member of the following organizations.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

© 2004 - 2018 Special Care Services, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Treasure Coast Geriatric Care Management
Geriatric Care Management Port St Lucie, Geriatric Care Management Vero Beach, Geriatric Care Management Fort Pierce, Geriatric Care Management Hutchinson Island, Geriatric Care Management Stuart, Geriatric Care Management Okeechobee, Geriatric Care Management Jensen Beach, Geriatric Care Management Jupiter, Geriatric Care Management Hobe Sound, Geriatric Care Management Sebastian, Geriatric Care Management Port Salerno, Geriatric Care Management Palm City, Geriatric Care Management Tequesta, Geriatric Care Management Indiantown, Geriatric Care Management Stuart, Geriatric Care Management Orchid Island, Geriatric Care Management John’s Island, Geriatric Care Management Windsor, Geriatric Care Management Grand Harbor, Geriatric Care Management Port Saint Lucie, homemaker companion services port saint lucie, homemaker companion services port st lucie, homemaker companion services fort pierce, homemaker companion services vero beach, homemaker companion services orchid island, homemaker companion services john’s island, homemaker companion services Windsor, homemaker companion services grand harbor, homemaker companion services Okeechobee, homemaker companion services Jensen beach, homemaker companion services Jupiter, homemaker companion services hobe sound, homemaker companion services Sebastian, homemaker companion services port salerno, homemaker companion services palm city, homemaker companion services Tequesta, homemaker companion services indaintown, homemaker companion services stuart, homemaker companion services treasure coast, respite care services port st lucie, respite care services port saint lucie, respite care services vero beach, respite care services Sebastian, respite care services orchid island, respite care services john’s island, respite care services Windsor, respite care services grand harbor, respite care services Hutchinson island, respite care services stuart, respite care services Indiantown, respite care services Okeechobee, respite care services port salerno, respite care services palm city, respite care services Tequesta, respite care services treasure coast

Special Care Services