Program to focus on need to care for the caregivers

This Thursday, March 21 we are offering a special program, “Caring for the Caregiver” at 6 p.m. at the Extension office.

Chet Mit-chell, executive director of Fairview Place Senior Living, will present an interactive workshop, “Caring for the Caregiver” providing resources, tips and examples of how the caregiver can care for himself.  Chet has been a senior care professional for more than 20 years and has provided counseling services to long term care facilities, presented seminars at Indiania and Kentucky Assisted Living Conferences and the Kentucky Alzheimer’s Conference. Confidentiality will be respected. Light refreshments served. 

In one of every three households, at least one of the members is a caregiver. In the U.S. today, there are 44 million of them. More than half are women, some men and, unfortunately, some are children. They’re looking after someone who can’t fully care for himself or herself. In some cases, it’s a temporary disability. In other cases, it’s a progressive disability, such as Alzheimer’s. In many, it is terminal.

Caregivers make a huge and commendable effort looking after their care-receiver. Caregiving often leaves little personal time for caregivers for themselves. Caregiving can lead to stress and frustration as caregivers manage the responsibilities of caregiving. We invite you to attend this special program.

Backyard vacations

Today, Wednesday, March 20 at noon the “Lunch and Learn” session at the Extension office features Joan Bowling, Kenton County family and consumer sciences Extension agent. She will highlight places in Kentucky for great family vacations. State parks and other areas of the state will be featured giving ideas for vacations closer to home and within driving distance. This is a “Learn with Us” program of the Carroll County Extension Homemakers.  All interested residents invited.

Homemakers
at Fairview Place

Also today, the Carroll County Extension Homemakers will make their monthly visit to Fairview Place Assisted Living where they will provide an interactive spring activity for the residents to enjoy. Spring refreshments also will be provided for the residents.

Leftover safety

Leftovers are great. They can save time and money, providing ready-made meals in a hurry and helping stretch our food dollars.

But they must be handled safely. To make the most of leftovers and prevent food borne illness, be sure to follow these recommendations from the Partnership for Food Safety Education:

• Always wash your hands before and after handling food. Use soap and warm water, and scrub for 20 seconds.

• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours (within one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees). Bacteria grow best at 40‑140 degrees; use an appliance thermometer to make sure your refrigerator is at 40 degrees or below.

For quicker cooling in the refrigerator, divide leftovers into smaller portions. Use shallow containers. Hot food can be placed directly into the refrigerator—it is unsafe to cool on the counter.

• Before eating, heat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature. To reheat soups, sauces and gravies, bring them to a boil.

• When heating leftovers in the microwave, make sure there are no cold spots where bacteria could survive. Cover, stir and rotate food for even heating.

• Use or discard refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.

Enjoy your leftovers, but be sure to use them safely!

Reference: Partnership for Food Safety Education. (n.d.). Limits to Leftovers. www.fightbac.org.

Dates of interest

March 20:Kentucky Vacations in Your Own Back Yard, Lunch n’ Learn, noon, Carroll County Extension Office.

March 20:Extension Homemakers visit Fairview Place Assisted Living, 2 p.m.

March 21: Caring for the Caregiver, 6 p.m., Carroll County Extension Office

March 27:Carroll County Homemakers Council Meeting, 1:30 p.m., Carroll County Extension Office.

April 5, 12, 19 and 26:Senior Computer Basics Class, 10 a.m.-noon, Carroll County Public Library (co-sponsored by Carroll County Cooperative Extension).

Grace Angotti is Carroll Co. Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. Call her at (502) 732-7030 or send e-mail to gangotti@uky.edu.