Category: News

While many people never plan to become a full-time caregiver, thousands across the country are quitting their jobs to take care of loved ones in need. The transition from a full-time job to caregiver can be stressful and even life-changing. In order to counteract the negative emotions that come with big change, it is important to focus on personal growth and new ways to better yourself.

In a recent article, AgingCare discusses different strategies for honing your career skills while caregiving, including:

• Narrow down your interests and become proactive in learning through new reading materials or online classes
• Discover new job opportunities that offer remote work
• Fine tune your communication skills

While your current career may be put on hold while taking care of a loved one, there are a variety of new career paths up for exploration that will fit into your caregiving schedule. Keeping your skills sharp and continuing to pursue your interest will help smooth out this transition.

Read the full article here.

Driving in winter weather conditions can be dangerous for everyone on the road, especially those maneuvering big vehicles like tractor-trailers. Traveling on snow-covered, icy roads requires undivided attention and proper safety precautions to avoid any accidents.

For truck drivers, frequent stopping, poor visibility and traction and the unpredictability of other drivers on the road all pose as threats when driving in the winter. Since large trucks and tractor-trailers are often fully loaded, carrying around extra weight can make stopping and turning on icy roads even more difficult.

In a recent article, Smart Trucking shares essential tips that truckers should follow when traveling in winter weather conditions, including:

• Keep a safe driving distance from other vehicles
• Don’t travel as part of a pack
• Keep the tractor-trailer lights clean for visibility
• Try to avoid overusing the foot brake

Through proper judgment and taking necessary safety precautions, you can put forth your best efforts to staying safe on the roads this winter.  

Read the full article here.

For many people, the flu is generally a mild illness, bringing on a fever, chills, and muscle fatigue. While these symptoms are unpleasant, they are generally manageable. However, for seniors and those with compromised immune systems, there are serious risks at stake.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of flu-related deaths are adults over the age of 65. As we age, our immune systems weaken and leave us more vulnerable to disease. Chronic health conditions intensify the flu, which can lead to serious complications.

In a recent article, AgingCare discusses the medical conditions that increase the risk of flu-related complications, including:

• Diabetes
• Asthma, chronic lung disease and COPD
• Heart disease
• Kidney disorders

To effectively reduce the risk of contracting the flu and related complications, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) recommends that elders and their family members receive annual flu vaccinations. Taking proper preventative measures are important to stay healthy during the flu season.

Read the full article here.

During the winter months, exposure to the cold can create many problems for workers, from slips on ice to hypothermia and frostbite. However, with the right precautions and preventative measures, both employers and employees can avoid these workplace injuries.

It is incredibly important to adopt and enforce safety protocols to ensure all employees are as careful as possible. Encouraging a strong safety culture within your company will help to significantly reduce seasonal workplace accidents.

In a recent blog post, EHS Today offers simple but important tips to implement into your workday to prevent winter-related accidents, including:

• Keep walkways, stairways and other work areas clear of snow and ice
• Know the signs of hypothermia, including lack of coordination and slurred speech
• Limit accessibility to higher-risk areas
• Provide appropriate footwear or personal protective equipment

Providing a comfortable and safe work environment takes planning and time. However, with the right safety plans in place, winter-related workplace accidents can often be avoided.

Read the full article here.

Andrea Conjerti, an attorney here at Brown Chiari, has been appointed to the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Andrea says she’s “grateful for the opportunity to promote equality and have a positive impact in the community.”

The commission works to promote equal participation and access throughout the court system for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The commission’s goal is to protect diversity and shed light on the presence of the LGBTQ judicial and non-judicial personnel within the court system.

Through Andrea’s years on the Brown Chiari team and her extensive devotion to practicing law, we know she will make a great addition to the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission.

Caregivers are responsible for creating a comfortable environment for whomever they look after. In order for this to be accomplished, a sense of trust and positive relationship needs to be established. The hiring process can be challenging, but with proper research and help from professional home care companies, finding the right fit can be easy.

The interviewing stage is an essential part of the process. This is the opportunity to get a feel for potential candidates and find the best fit for the patient. In a recent blog post, AgingCare highlighted qualities to look for when hiring a professional caregiver, including:

• Experience: Caregivers provide a number of different services. So, it is important to ask specific questions regarding previous services, to ensure they have the proper credentials.
• Compassion: When interviewing, ask questions regarding why they chose this profession, what interests they have, etc. This will provide insight into the caregiver’s empathy and attentiveness.
• Patience: Ask about tough experiences they’ve faced in the past. Their answer will reveal how they may react to certain situations in the future.

It is important to look for specific characteristics and qualities in caregivers in order to find the right fit.

Finding the caregiver who best matches what you’re looking for will ensure your loved one is in good hands.

Read the full article here  

As winter quickly approaches, safety on the roads will become a top priority, especially when driving through work zones. Construction zones can be a major hazard that causes drivers to put themselves, workers and other drivers at risk.

Although construction workers may seem more vulnerable to danger, drivers are still at a large risk. Driving carelessly through work zones can lead to serious consequences. In a recent blog post,  Safety+Health discusses important tips drivers should follow when passing through work zones, including:

• Pay attention behind the wheel
• Avoid changing the radio station, eating, drinking or using a cell phone while driving
• Be mindful when changing lanes
• Slow down and abide by the speed limit provided for work zones/construction areas

Roadway workers and drivers alike should remain mindful of their surroundings to avoid accidents. It is important to take necessary safety precautions when driving through construction zones that may have congested, blocked or narrowed roads with hazardous conditions.

Read the full article here

Commonly referred to as the silent killer, high blood pressure (HBP) affects nearly half of US adults. As we age, the chances of experiencing HBP increase, and it becomes difficult to decrease the chances of hypertension.

In a recent blog post, AgingCare discusses the issues associated with HBP and the steps we should take to lower our blood pressure as we get older. Some tips include:

• Following a heart-healthy diet
• Losing excess fat and maintaining a healthy weight
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Quit smoking

It is important to keep track of your blood pressure, especially as you get older. If you are experiencing complications with your heart, brain or kidneys, don’t hesitate to call a doctor and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent high blood pressure from occurring.

Read the full article here.

Caregivers often focus only on others and not enough on themselves. It can be a daunting task, taking care of the ones we love, but ignoring your own personal needs could create a toxic environment that is hard to fix.

Caregiver burnout can lead to real turmoil in your professional and personal life. In order to maintain healthy relationships with family and friends, it is important to properly gauge your stress levels and understand the warning signs of burnout.

In a recent blog post, AgingCare discusses the dangers of caregiver burden, and what can be done to reduce it, including:

• Consider changing your loved ones care plan to reduce responsibility
• Take a self-assessment to reflect on your stress levels and overall mood
• Make sure you do your part to sustain your own well being and preserve the integrity of your care plan.

Caregiver burnout can be painful and emotional. However, taking steps to improve your own health will greatly decrease the stress and anxiety associated with caring for others.

Read the full article here.

While food poisoning may be a blanket term for food-borne illness, there are many different causes and symptoms. Depending on the type of food and how it is prepared, there are various bacteria that can grow and infect consumers. 

Listeria is a bacteria that typically hides in dairy products and produce. This strand of food poisoning usually affects pregnant women, people 65 years and older and those with a compromised immune system. While contamination is sometimes difficult to avoid, there are preventative measures to be taken. The Center for Disease Control and Protection released an article discussing tips for protecting your health, including:

• Make sure any dairy products you consume are made with pasteurized milk
• Cut melon should not be left out at room temperature for more than four hours
• Sprouts need to be cooked thoroughly to avoid getting sick

Coming in contact with Listeria can be frightening and difficult to predict. However, taking proper preventative measures and understanding how to properly care for your food will help keep you safe and healthy.

Read the full article here.

Nutrition has a major impact on how our bodies operate and react to changes. Regardless of how our diets have worked for us in the past, dietary tweaks are inevitable as we continue to age.

Since everybody ages differently, there is no universal dietary plan for all to follow. Instead, it is important to be aware of the changes occurring in your body and what foods can work to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In a recent blog post, AgingCare lists some helpful tips for adults to follow to improve their diet and, ultimately, their health. Some of these tips include:

• Protect your bones by increasing calcium and vitamin D
• If you’re feeling low on energy, increase your vitamin B12 intake
• Swap out salt for other seasonings, like garlic or onion powder
• Probiotics can help improve digestive health

Living a healthy lifestyle and being proactive is important at any stage of life. However, as we continue to age, the changes we experience in our bodies can be largely impacted by the nutrients we are missing out on. Even a small dietary tweak can have a large effect on your overall health.

Read the full article here.

Companies that produce and sell consumer products have a duty to test and ensure product safety under specific guidelines. It is also required that products warn of side effects or safety hazards associated with their product to ensure consumer awareness.

However, when a company does not take the proper measures to test their product for safety, the consumer could be in danger. In a recent article, Find Law introduces tips to follow when experiencing a defective product and how to report it, including:

• Contact the appropriate agency for information about recalls or how to report a problem
• Keep as much of the packaging as possible, including purchase receipts
• Have a record of the incident involving the defective product

Injuries from defective products can be serious and lead to significant consequences down the line. It is important to know what to do when experiencing a defective product and how to immediately handle the situation.

Read the full article here.