Elite Life Care Services, LLC Newsletter – May/June 2022

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.""

-Mark Twain

Monday, May 30 marks Memorial Day 2022, a time to remember the men and women who have perished while serving in the United States military. We see our fair share of veterans in our industry. We recognize the importance of our beloved veterans who fought for and died for this country. That’s why we believe our still-living veterans should be treated and cared for with the utmost compassion, respect and dignity, in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day to many is a day off from work and school, the unofficial kickoff to the start of summer, and a time to gather with friends and family for a barbecue. But it’s so much more than that. For many families, it’s a time of somber commemoration.

Did you know Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, the custom of setting aside one day a year to honor the country’s war dead started in the 1860s near the time of the Civil War.

Have a grateful, peaceful and safe holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Troy Kerber
Executive Director
630-470-3893
Elite Life Care Services
Elite Guardian Services
www.elitelcs.com

Here are some tips on what you and your family can do to make Memorial Day special, to show your support, and to teach your little ones about the holiday and what it truly means.

• Fly the Flag: Sounds simple but it’s one of the best ways to show your support. Proudly decorate your home, porch, front lawn or vehicle with the red, white and blue. Got a flag pole? Raise the flag up high! However, just remember that you should put it at half mast from dawn til noon out of respect. Check out more Memorial Day flag etiquette guidelines here.
• Attend a Parade: The last couple of years have been unique in that not many parades have been permitted to happen due to COVID-19 protocols, but when all the restrictions are lifted, we can all go back to attending or participating in Memorial Day parades, filled with decorative floats, music, and flags. Cheer on the veterans, active service members, bands and patriotic organizations as they pass by.
• Visit a Cemetery: You can honor a fallen hero by taking the time to visit your local cemetery and place flowers and flags on the graves of veterans. Check out VA National Cemeteries to find national cemeteries near you that have designated veterans areas. They will conduct special ceremonies with speeches, choirs, wreath layings and color guards.
• Have a Moment of Silence: Pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time, along with millions of other Americans, to reflect on their sacrifices that made way for the freedoms we have today.
• Visit a Veteran’s Hospital: Stop by your local veteran’s hospital to visit with veterans.
• Volunteer: Volunteering your time, money or clothing to veterans’ causes is a great way to show your appreciation.
• Take a Virtual Tour of the White House: Learn about the history of our nation by checking out this iconic landmark virtually.
• Shop Veteran-Owned Businesses: Learn where there are veteran-owned shops and other businesses near you that you can patronize this Memorial Day. Whether you want to eat at a local restaurant or buy some clothes, this is a simple way you can show your support to our nation’s veterans.

Summer Cleaning Tips

It’s could become a hot and humid summer, and you know there are ways that you should be cleaning to prepare -- but you don’t know where to start. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of simple summer cleaning tips so your home maintenance is the last thing you need to worry about. These practical summer home maintenance tips keep your home working, your air conditioning pumping, and you relaxing on vacation without worrying about coming back to a mess.

#1: Clean the air conditioner filter.

This is probably the most important item on this list. An air conditioner that is clogged up with dust and dirt won’t function as well or -- even worse -- could break and leave you seriously uncomfortable in the summer heat. Simply clean the filter with warm soapy water or with a vacuum cleaner.

#2: Clean & reverse the fan

Dusty fans only enhance summer allergies and hay fever symptoms. Without proper cleaning, fans will continue to spread dust and pollen as they rotate. While you’re cleaning the fan, make sure you also change the direction of the blades to counterclockwise. This trick pushes the cold air down ultimately saving you money on energy costs by making your air conditioner more effective.

#3: Wash the windows

Take advantage of the good weather and spend a morning cleaning your windows. Much better to do this now than in the middle of winter! If it’s been a while since you cleaned your windows, opt for soapy water and a sponge instead of just relying on window cleaner. You may need to really scrub to get the dirt out.

#4: Get sudsy with the window screens

This is also a crucial step during the summer when your windows are open more and the humidity can encourage mold growth. Take the time to suds-up your window screens to keep your breathing easy and enjoy the fresh air.

#5: Clean the fridge

In hotter climates, bacteria grow faster -- even in the refrigerator. Take the time to clean out your fridge, rinsing down the surfaces with gentle antibacterial soap and throwing out anything expired or moldy. This is also important during the season of fruits and veggies – consider investing in a food-grade cleaner to wash your produce and avoid any of the nasty bacteria that could be lurking, like salmonella.

#6: Make the patio a great place to spend the evenings

Patios are perfect for grilling and chilling with family and friends. But to make the patio a really enjoyable space, consider getting rid of moss and lichen with a quick spritz of a bleach/water mixture or soda crystals. Both natural methods will kill and dry out the lichen, leaving you with the quick task of raking the patio clear and enjoying your like-new outdoor space.

#7: Clear out the freezer

This cleaning task is not only useful but also will keep you cool in the process! Save this for a very hot day. Empty all the ice cubes into the clean sink. Take all of the frozen items and put it in the sink, covered with ice, to keep them frosty while you chip the freezer clean. Remove the built-up frost with your car ice scraper and a little hot water. Clean up any slow-moving liquid spills. Now turn your attention to the frozen food. Throw out anything with obvious signs of freezer burn like grayish-brown spots and thick layers of frost. If anything is open, it’s probably best to ditch it.

#8: Clean out the drain and garbage disposal

In the hot summer months, food rots more quickly, and smells tend to fester more easily. It’s important to clean out your drain and garbage disposal to make sure no food is stuck and causing unpleasant smells in the humidity of the summer. Naturally clean your drain without sticking your hands in the garbage disposal (!) by pouring baking soda followed by vinegar into your drain, letting it bubble for five minutes, and then following with boiling water. Repeat this as necessary, every two weeks or so to really ward off smells.

#9: Sweep and clean counters DAILY

This is, unfortunately, the season for ants and all sorts of creepy crawlies. The warm, humid weather is the perfect environment for all sorts of bugs that you definitely don’t want to be inviting into your home. Cut the creepies off from their food source by cleaning the counters of crumbs and sweeping the floors every night. These small habits pay off big time by warding off the bugs that can be attracted by your messy leftovers.

#10: Inspect for leaks

This is especially important during the summer months when you’re using your hose and outdoor faucets more often! An undiscovered leak can cost you big time in surprise fees when the water bill comes at the end of the month. Take the time to inspect your hose and faucets for leaks and dampness and make a quick fix with water-proof gardening tape if you discover any leaky spots.

Why You Should Keep Medicines Out Of Summer Heat

When the outside temperature feels like a fever, your medicines are at risk. As record-breaking temperatures could sweep the nation this summer, it's may become hard to keep anything cool, especially if the power goes out.

And, try as you might, it's hard to find health products — from prescription drugs to over-the-counter pain relievers — that don't caution against storage in high temperatures.

The labels on many products specify storage at room temperature. What does that mean? Well, the Food and Drug Administration has told its inspectors that 75 to 77 degrees is the sweet spot.

Though the future may bring medicines that are resistant to heat, we wondered: What happens if you can't keep medicines at the recommended temperature?

We turned to Dr. Sarah Westberg, associate professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, for some answers.

Here are highlights from the conversation:

Q: Where is the best place to store prescription medications?

A: "Any medication, unless it specifies that it needs to be refrigerated, really needs to be kept at room temperature in a dry place away from heat, humidity and light. So the best place to keep medicines is in a medicine cabinet that's outside of the bathroom and not on top of a refrigerator where there's heat."

Q: What happens to medicine in the heat?

A: "You may lose some efficacy of that medication, but it's probably not going to be harmful. But nitroglycerin [used to treat chest pain in people with cardiovascular disease] is an important example. That could be potentially a life-saving medicine, and if it doesn't work that's a big problem, versus if your ibuprofen doesn't treat your headache as well, that's an inconvenience, but you'll survive."

Q: Are there any specific drugs that are extremely sensitive to heat, moisture, or sunlight?

A: "It's not great to leave any medicine in a locked car on a 100 degree summer day. The first one that comes to mind is nitroglycerin. People need to keep it in the original bottle, follow storage instructions, and replace it regularly, especially if it's exposed to heat or light, because it can degrade really quickly. Also, levothyroxine [a thyroid drug], not because it's particularly sensitive, but because people are sometimes sensitive to the dosing. So if they lose some of the efficacy of the drug, a small change in dose can sometimes cause a change in the way they are feeling."

Q: Do you have any advice for people who must carry medications with them in the heat of summer, like insulin, asthma inhalers or EpiPens?

A: "Pay attention to expiration dates. Expiration dates are always important, but especially if drugs aren't being kept at ideal conditions. Those expiration dates are based on storing as recommended. Keep them with you, and try to do the best you can. Don't leave them in your car. Take them with you in the more comfortable temperatures."

Q: What special medication storage precautions should be taken during power outages?

A: "The things to be most cautious with are medications that have to be refrigerated. If someone has rheumatoid arthritis and is on injectable medications that need to be refrigerated and their power goes out for a week, then they should be calling their pharmacy or calling the manufacturer of that drug to see what they recommend, especially because a lot of the injectables that require refrigeration are really expensive. In some cases they might last longer at room temperature than you might think, in other cases they only have a 24 to 48 hour window before that drug is no longer good."

Q: Are there any drugs that are pretty impervious to summer heat?

A: "There probably are some, but most things are only tested for stability at room temperature. We don't always know how far you can push that one way or another, based on the science because there's not always a need to test it further."