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Five Healthy and Fun Family Activities for Fall

Fall is a time of beautiful colors and crisp, fresh air, especially in places like the Western slope in Colorado. There are many simple family activities you can do with children and grandchildren to take advantage of this time of year, from Halloween tricks and treats to Thanksgiving traditions. Here are some that our family enjoys.

Go apple-picking

There’s nothing like picking apples straight off the tree. Besides the amazement that a good fruit-bearing tree could actually feed a family all year with delicious fruit (provided you do the work of canning and freezing), you have the satisfaction of knowing right where the apples came from. No processing or waiting to see them in the grocery store. That is as healthy and fresh as it can get! Have the kids and grandkids help. Use laundry baskets to collect the apples, then take them home and wash thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Shine them up with a clean kitchen towel and store in the refrigerator to make them last longer. If you live in a cooperative climate, think about planting your own fruit trees. This year, one of our apple trees bore more than a thousand apples, and we picked them by hand, put them in cute bowls with scary spider rings and ribbons, then gave them to family members and friends. We had still plenty to eat, make pies and applesauce with, and experienced the joy of sharing with others.

Organize a costume exchange

A lovely tradition at some churches is the annual costume exchange. Throughout October, the church gathers donations of gently used costumes from willing donors. Flyers are distributed in the community to advertise free costumes on a Saturday at the church for any who needs one. The women of the church bake cookies and have special treats available for that day. People from the town who might not be able to afford costumes for their kids visit as a family and get costumes free of charge while enjoying a time of neighborly fellowship.

Decorate pumpkins

Whether you have small children, teens, or grandkids, visiting the pumpkin patch is a treat. Some local farms will offer hay rides out to the field for everyone to find their perfect pumpkin. Have apple cider and donuts afterwards. For older kids, try a challenging corn maze at night with flashlights and glow rings. At home, decorate pumpkins by carving (but be careful to supervise – those carving knives are sharp), coloring, painting, gluing with felt designs, or other age-appropriate items. Display your creations in the window or on the porch for others to enjoy.

Share homemade baked goods

Around Thanksgiving time, many communities offer a complete turkey dinner for the homeless or those in need. Other towns provide a lunch for anyone who wishes to come and be part of a larger feast on Thanksgiving day. In some cases, cookies are taken to those who are in prison to brighten their day. To make such ventures a success, the sponsors often ask community members to bake pies or other baked goods. This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn to give to others who may be less fortunate. The entire family can be involved in baking and sharing with others in the spirit of being thankful.

Visit a special place to look at the changing colors

Chances are, there is a special place near you that has especially vibrant Fall colors. Certain parts of Colorado attract people from miles around for picture-taking of our aspen and other trees at the peak of the season. A drive through the mountains or hills can be quality family time. Stop and take early senior-pictures of your graduates or a family portrait for a Thanksgiving or Christmas card. Post your pics on FaceBook for friends and family to enjoy or make a Fall scrapbook to preserve the memories.

There are many ways to celebrate our gratefulness for all that God has given us. No matter how you participate in the wonder of the Fall season, be sure to stop and take time to breathe in the beauty of our great country.

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By Jim|2020-09-21T12:57:16-05:00September 26th, 2020|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Post: 5 Things to Do If You Fall

Not only are 1 out of 4 seniors experiencing a fall each year, but new data shows that more seniors are dying from falls than were a decade ago. While you can absolutely take steps to help prevent falls like decluttering pathways in your house, installing grab bars and safety rails around the bathroom and stairs, utilizing mobility tools and orthopedic aids, and exercising regularly to maintain balance and coordination, it is also critical that seniors and their caregivers know what to do in the event of a fall.

Keep these important steps in mind to limit injuries and prevent critical complications if you fall:

1. Check for injuries – when you fall, you may know right away if you have hurt yourself. Pain, discomfort, swelling, blood, and bruising will signal that there is an injury. Sometimes, however, you may not see or feel any of these symptoms immediately because your adrenaline is rushing or you are confused or disoriented.

It is key that you take a few minutes to calm your breathing and get back in touch with your body. Slowly move your feet, legs, arms, and hands. Do not attempt getting back up if you are dizzy.

2. Roll onto your side – this will allow you to rest briefly and double check you are not injured.

3. Pull yourself up onto your knees and hands – from this position you can crawl to a nearby piece of sturdy furniture or stairs on which you can pull yourself up.

4. Support your weight with your hands – place one hand at a time on a flat surface of the piece of furniture and lift your strongest leg up so your knee is bent and your foot is pressed to the floor.

5. Slowly rise to your feet – using your arms and legs, push up slowly bringing both your feet under you to stand up. Find something to sit on nearby, i.e. a chair, to rest and catch your breath.

If you are unable to get up after a fall, call for help right away. If no one is with you but you are able to safely use your mobile phone, call 911 for help. Any potential injury to your neck, spine, or internal organs does require immediate attention so it is absolutely ok to call emergency services for help.

If you fall and are both by yourself and without a phone or medical alert device, on the other hand, keep calling out for help as your energy allows, banging on a nearby wall if reachable, and keep your body moving, even if only slightly, to stay warm.

By Jim|2020-09-21T12:57:04-05:00September 25th, 2020|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Common Fall Risk Factors in Acute and Long-Term Care – Pat Quigley | MedBridge

By Jim|2020-09-21T12:56:53-05:00September 24th, 2020|News Posts|Comments Off

Fall Prevention Tips (St. Elizabeth)

By Jim|2020-09-21T12:56:37-05:00September 23rd, 2020|News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: How Well Nursing Education Can Benefit You?

Nursing education applies to formal nursing science education and training. It includes the tasks and obligations of physical care for patients and several various fields that facilitate and help support a patient’s health. Over the years, there have been striking shifts in nursing education. A relentless fight for autonomy and professionalism exposes this past. There have been many strains on nursing practice in the past, including women’s struggle for professional recognition and rank, faith, war, technology, and social attitudes. And today, those variables continue to affect nursing.

Many looking to start or improve their careers in our increasingly fast-paced and busy world want as many opportunities as possible to get their education. Remarkably after recent world health events have changed so much in our everyday lives, it is more important than ever that schools allow potential students to earn their degrees while maintaining life’s other responsibilities. More and more schools are introducing online options that will enable students to complete their coursework when and where it works for them, whether you’re a single parent or need to work while you finish your education. Create a transition that you would like to create. But for nurses, does this apply, and, if so, how does it work? Many online schools allow nursing students to earn online, though not entirely, the associate, bachelor, or master’s degree. You will also need to acquire experience to prepare you to work directly with patients in the field since nursing is a hands-on career. So, though you can take much of your classroom coursework online, you will need to complete in-person clinics. If you already have an associate’s degree, a valid RN license, and a minimum amount of clinical hours under your belt, an exception maybe. You may find bachelor’s degree programs exclusively online. They will provide you with advanced nursing theory education and train you to take on higher responsibilities and management positions. Online programs allow students to obtain knowledge without giving up other things that matter in their lives. Online students also have full-time work prospects, save time and money on commuting, and don’t have to break their commitments to other responsibilities. Students taking online courses will also benefit from having the lectures of their professors in written form.

Benefits of nursing education:

Nursing has profound social implications. No, we’re not talking about Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, but rather nursing’s intrinsic social context. In its mission to support the public interest, nursing is accountable to society, specifically our society’s overall health. Nursing is a very fulfilling profession. Then a job as a public health nurse can appeal to you if you want to give back to your community. A public health nurse also works in undeserved environments, usually with low-income communities, reaching out to patients who need care. Your roles can include working at events to inform community members in your local area about health risks. For example, in the event of a virus or sickness outbreak in the region, you could provide the community members with a list of symptoms.

Nursing is a very active task. Not only must you be mentally engaged at all times, but you also have to be physically involved. Nurses must walk from room to room a lot. You will burn lots of calories, and you will probably have a much easier time staying in shape. It is perfect work for anyone who wouldn’t want to sit all day in front of a computer. Nurses advocate for the advancement of well being, educate patients and the public on disease and injury prevention, provide treatment and cure assistance, engage in recovery, and provide support. No other health care professional has such a far-reaching and diverse role. By helping them appreciate the variety of social, physical, mental, and cultural interactions they face through health and disease, nurses help families learn to become healthier. Nurses support patients, and parts of their lives can continue. Nurses do more than just caring for people. They have always been at the forefront of progress in public health and health care.
A nursing degree does not automatically mean you must follow a traditional path, and a hospital or doctor’s office is not the only place to find employment. You can work in a variety of different environments to develop your skills and build your resume. The trick is to get out of your comfort zone and search for alternatives that allow you to use your degree and enjoy an exciting career. Good nurses love patients and have the power to affect others in a way that leaves the hospital even after they leave. Nurses, everywhere they go, inside and outside the hospital, affect. We should all be honoring nurses and their commitment to the public on May 12th.

By Jim|2020-09-22T11:08:12-05:00September 22nd, 2020|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off