From our 'Did You Know' department... Kidney Stones

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

 Kidney stones can be very painful, but there are things you can do to help prevent them.  Most doctors agree that you can cut your risk of kidney stones by drinking 12 glasses of water every day, and limit your intake of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks.  Also, during your next doctor visit, ask to see if you need to change your dietary habits.

 Kidney stones are not fun.  Why not take a few simple steps to avoid them.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Davis Regional Medical Center, Statesville N.C.

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  This past weekend (Sept. 18th), Home Helpers of LKN & Central NC was pleased to be able to participate in the Davis Regional Medical Center Health Fair in Statesville, NC.  What was most impressive about this event was the number of people that came out to visit the facility, as well as the availability of free tests and screenings that the center offered.  Davis Regional is a top notch facility, and their staff did an outstanding job of organizing the event.
  If a medical center near you offers a Health Fair, make plans to attend.  You'll likely be able to take advantage of free services, and you'll come away with a better understanding of the role the center plays in your community.  
  Many thanks to all of those volunteers, employees, etc., that came together this past weekend to make this Health Fair such a successful event. 

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

 

The Common Cold

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

 As we move into fall, we also move into the 'cold & flu' season.  Why anyone decided to honor these maladies with their own season is a mystery, but that's a moot point.  What is important is knowing some facts about the common cold.

  The big Number 1 about colds:  There's no cure.  You can relieve the symptoms somewhat with over the counter antihistamines  and decongestants, but you can't cure it.

  A cold is usually spread by direct hand to hand contact with infected secretions, or from contaminated surfaces.  A cold virus can live on the surface of objects like keyboards, pens/pencils, telephones, etc., for hours.  When you come into contact with these items, you pick up the virus.  Remember to keep your hands away from your face, and wash them frequently.  BTW, there's no evidence that antibacterial soap works any better than regular soap in protecting you from colds.

  Cold weather itself does not cause a cold.  However, people tend to be more confined, and in closer contact during cold weather.  This leads to a higher likelihood that you will contract a cold.

  The best treatment for a cold?  As mentioned in the big Number 1, there is no cure.  The best thing one can do when they have a cold is to rest and drink plenty of liquids.  Decongestants, throat lozenges, antihistamines, etc., all may help relieve symptoms.  But in the end, you just have to let it run it's course.  If your symptoms become severe, see your doctor.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

More from our 'Did You Know' department... Smoking

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  In addition to increasing one's likelihood of developing smoking related illnesses, persons who smoke are almost 3 times more likely to develop lower back pain than are non-smokers.  You can read the full report from Medical News Today at this url:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113492.php .

  While the relationship between smoking and back pain is not clear, it provides yet more incentive to stop.  By using proven treatments and medications, group and individual counseling, you can more than double your chances of quitting smoking successfully.  Ask your doctor for recommendations about the best way for you to stop.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

It's September!!!

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

  Well, Labor Day has come and gone, the kids are back in school, and fall is knocking on the door.  The days are a little cooler than they were in July.  Right?  Don't forget you can (and likely will) get sunburn that brings the same skin damage that you got early this year as we were rolling into summer!  Large brim hats, shade, sunblock, etc., are still very important to overall skin health. 

  As the season changes, get outside and enjoy it.  But don't forget to protect yourself from the sun!!

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445

Hiring someone to work in your home...

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .

   We often come across families that decide to hire a private individual to provide in home care for a loved one.  Frequently, it's a nurse, neighbor, friend, or "someone a friend of mine knows" that is brought in to help out.  Most often, the caregiver is not affiliated with any company or organization, and are usually hired without consideration of a background check or any type of screening process.  Family members likely do not understand the qualifications or legal status of the person they hire, and are unaware of their responsibilities towards taxes, insurance, or liability exposure.
  Unfortunately, we just as frequently hear of lawsuits pertaining to issues that may arise from doing this, along with the resultant lost of property and assets.  Home Helpers encourages you to give careful consideration to the process of hiring someone to come into your home.  Consider these basic questions:

1. Who will have the legal responsibility for federal and state taxes, as well as social security for the worker?
2. What happens if the person you hire becomes ill and cannot come to work?
3. What happens if the person is injured in your home?  Most homeowners policies exclude injury to domestic employees.  Be sure to check your policy!!
4. Is the person legal to work in the US?  
5. Are you confident about their background or qualifications?  Have references been verified, abuse records checked, or criminal backgrounds validated?
6. Do you or the employee have insurance to cover property damage, theft, mishaps, etc?  
7. Is the person bonded? If so, does the bond cover injury and damage related to working in someone's home?
8. Is documentation provided that covers the specific services that will be provided, and is there any way to verify this is happening?

  As you can see, there's more than meets the eye when  hiring someone to come into your home.  If you can't answer all of these questions with confidence, consider using a professional agency that can.

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445