Month: December 2024

I am a Dementia Friend

I am a Dementia Friend

There are almost 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common cause of dementia, and that figure is expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. Nearly everyone knows someone living with dementia – a loved one, a coworker, a friend, or a neighbor.

Have you ever wondered how to support people in your community who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease? The Dementia Friends program is a social action movement developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom. It aims to equip people to better support individuals in their communities living with dementia through awareness, understanding, and action. The Dementia Friends program focuses on five facts they believe everyone should know about dementia:

  1. Dementia is not a natural part of aging.
  2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
  3. Dementia is not just about losing your memory.
  4. It’s possible to live well with dementia.
  5. There is more to the person than the dementia.

You can learn more about dementia and become a dementia friend by participating in a 75-minute virtual training session through the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. Whether you become an official dementia friend or not, some of the small actions you can take to better support individuals in your community living with dementia include:  

  • Offering to call someone with dementia once a week to chat
  • Including a person with dementia in conversations
  • Asking a person with dementia for advice
  • Playing a board or card game together
  • Inviting a person with dementia to join you for a cup of coffee
  • Listening, smiling, and showing you care
  • Offering to pick up groceries or run an errand
  • Offering support to caregivers of people living with dementia
  • Volunteering for an organization that helps people living with dementia or their caregivers
  • Making your home more dementia friendly
  • Encouraging your friends to become dementia friendly
  • Being more patient with people living with dementia when out in the community
  • Making your workplace more dementia friendly
  • Campaigning for change (e.g., by participating in local advocacy events)

To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and advocate for change, consider reaching out to your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for current resources and events.

Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

Reviewed by: Alexus Masterson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County

Keeping Kids Entertained During the Holidays

Family enjoying christmas

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we are thinking about planning, hosting, and travelling with our families. If you have little ones, you may find yourself asking what you should do with your kids so that they can stay entertained while you are doing holiday tasks and spend quality time together during their winter break. Children may also feel the effects of holiday stress, which can cause them to act out, become more irritable, or regress from normal behaviors. Think back to a time in your childhood during the holidays, remember what it was like engaging with family members you rarely see, having so much attention paid to how much you’ve grown or what you’ve achieved in the last year, and the challenge of keeping a smile on your face when receiving an itchy sweater. With these thoughts in mind, let’s look at ways to help kids balanced while having fun.

                  First, managing your stress is important as it can set the tone for the day or event. Children are very insightful and can see when adults are stressed. Maintaining routines can also be helpful such as consistent bedtimes, snack times, and screen time. Kids prioritize routine and predictability in their schedules, and the holiday events may disrupt that. Put down the screens and try to spend as much time together as you can. While electronics provide awesome learning tools and entertainment for kids of all ages, being mindful of how much time they are spending with electronics during break will allow you to transition back to a normal routine after break. Creating new traditions together as a family or with your child is another option to help spark creativity and critical thinking skills. It can be things such as Christmas cookies, family games, creating new recipes, or even a service activity, like volunteering at a local organization. Seeing relatives around the holidays can be stressful, especially ones that we don’t get to see as often as immediate family. While it may be hectic during the get together, it is important to be mindful. If you feel yourself or your children getting lost in the hustle, take some time to go outside and get some air, or utilize your five sense to help calm you mind. Spending time with family benefits people in many ways, especially kids. Performing well in school, lowering the risk of behavior issues, and teaching effective conflict resolution skills are just a few ways! Whichever ways you and yours like to celebrate this time of year, may it be full of great memories and time with those you care about!

Written By: Alexus Masterson, MPH, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension, Muskingum County

Reviewed By: Jenny Lobb, MPH, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension, Franklin County

The Gift of Gift Cards

Do you have a loved one who you’re never quite sure what to get them for the holidays? If so, you may be considering gifting them a gift card, so that they can get something they truly want or need. There are two common gift cards that are sold at many retailers: Store cards – gift cards that can only be used at a specific store or merchant, and network-branded cards – gift cards that can be used with many different merchants and are usually issued by banks or large financial institutions. When purchasing gift cards, consider which type would be most beneficial to the person receiving the card.

Hands holding a wrapped gift card in front of a Christmas tree.

Most store gift cards and network-branded gift cards are covered by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act. This means that your gift card cannot expire until at least 5 years after it was activated. The merchant or institution that issued the card also cannot charge any inactivity fees for at least one year if your loved one chooses to hang on to the card for a while.

A few other tips when buying gift cards:

  • Check the card before you buy it. Make sure it isn’t damaged and the PIN number on the back of the card hasn’t been revealed.
  • Buy gift cards from trusted stores and sites. Gift cards can be counterfeited or stolen, so do not buy from unfamiliar sources.
  • Give the receipt to the recipient of the gift card as well as the terms and conditions so they are aware of the fine print.

If this holiday season you or your children are given a gift card as a gift, remember to protect the gift card like it is cash. There is a good chance you will not get your money back if the gift card is accidentally lost or stolen. If the issuer offers it, you may be able to register your gift card so that you can better protect your money if the card is lost. 

For youth, gift cards can be a great way to teach about money management. Be sure to talk with your child about how and where they can use the card as well as how much money is on the card. Remind them to consider sales tax when purchasing an item. Encourage your child to complete the purchase from start to finish (it is their money, after all!). Have them bring their item to the register, pay for their item by handing the gift card to the cashier, and collect the receipt and item from the check out. This will help prepare children for making purchases on their own later in their lives.

Whether giving or receiving gift cards this holiday season, remember to keep your money safe for a happy shopping and gift-giving experience!

Written By:  Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Pickaway County, Ohio State University Extension, lowe.495@osu.edu

Reviewed By: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences, Guernsey County, Ohio State University Extension, mathews-smith.1@osu.edu

 

Leaving Plastics in the Past

Plastic, a ubiquitous material that was once admired for its durability, flexibility, and endless number of uses. Historically, plastic was developed as an alternative to natural ivory in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. The popularity of the game billiards contributed to the strain of the supply of ivory, leading to a New York firm offering $10,000 to anyone who could find a suitable replacement (www.sciencehistory.org), and the rest is history. Fast forward approximately 150 years later and plastics are used in:

  • Appliances
  • Bags, sacks and wraps
  • Bottles and jars
  • Casing of lead-acid batteries
  • Clothing and fabrics
  • Cups
  • Disposable diapers
  • Furniture
  • Household items such as shower curtains
  • Medical devices
  • Toys
  • Trash bags
  • Utensils

Production of plastic surged over decades, and per Science History Institute Museum & Library, “The possibilities of plastics gave some observers an almost utopian future with abundant material wealth thanks to an inexpensive, safe, sanitary substance that could be shaped by humans to their every whim.”

Plastic containers in bright colors.

Concerns began to arise in the 1960s, a decade noted for environmental conscientiousness, when people noticed plastic debris accumulating in the oceans. Despite plastic items ending up in landfills, plastic particles ended up in the air, soil, and water.  Compounded with the release of the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson–a work detailing the dangers of chemical pesticides, and the Cuyahoga River fire, people began to question the sustainability of long-term plastic usage and its impact on the environment.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “microplastic” as plastic particles ranging from 5 millimeters (mm) to 1 nanometer (nm) in size. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) cites a 2023 study by Bartman, Copotelli, Gaspar, and Ross, where microplastics were present in the drinking water of mice then detected in their tissue. AAMC further states “Microplastics have been detected in fruits and vegetables, plastic water bottles, the air, cosmetics, and household dust. Now, researchers are finding them in almost every part of the human body, including in breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, and kidneys.”

Microplastics can be found “everywhere: from trash, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, cleaning products, rain, seafood, produce, tables salt, and more.” (www.harvard.edu). This is alarming, considering microplastics found in the body contain chemicals that have been linked to multiple diseases including (Ocean Blue Project):

  • Three forms of cancer
  • Disruptions to the endocrine system and hormone imbalances
  • Endometriosis
  • Male fertility struggles
  • Problems for fetus development
  • Respiratory disease
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular disease

Though it’s unlikely we can completely eliminate our exposure to plastics, there are certainly actions we can take to reduce the plastic use in our personal lives.

  • Avoid single-use food/beverage containers, like bottled water.
  • Avoid highly-processed foods.
  • Utilize wooden cutting boards.
  • Use glass storage containers or another non-plastic alternative.
  • If you drink tea, consuming loose-leaf teas.
  • Vacuum often to reduce airborne microplastics.
  • Consider purchasing organic materials: cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and other natural fibers.
  • Wash clothing less frequently, run full loads, and dry clothes on a clothesline.
  • Research political candidates who support plastic-free initiatives for the future.
Recycled colorful plastic lid decorations riveted to ceiling.

As for reducing environmental plastic waste, there is hope for the future. We can take action into our own hands by practicing the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce plastic waste using the tips mentioned above. Reuse plastic by using old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips, as trash liners or for pet waste. Recycle plastics accepted by your local recycling facilities. Identify these items by the number of the plastic, located on the bottom of the container. To quote Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “Everything great must be dealt with while it is still small.”

Written by: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University, Guernsey County, mathews-smith.1@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu

Not Cute as a Button!

 

child with button battery near mouth

With the holidays just around the corner, parents should be extra cautious about the dangers of button batteries. Unlike the cylinder type, button batteries can be easily swallowed by young children who are often attracted to their shiny round appearance. Button batteries are also dangerous if inserted into the nose or ears.

Button batteries are found in many household items such as remote controls, key fobs, hearing aids, toys, and even singing greeting cards, costume jewelry, or holiday ornaments.

Boston Children’s Hospital reports every three hours, a child arrives at an emergency department having ingested a battery. Because parents may not witness their child swallow a button battery, it is important to know some warning signs that may indicate they need medical attention. These signs include:

  • sudden crying
  • drooling
  • decreased eating or drinking
  • difficulty swallowing
  • hoarse voice
  • vomiting
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • abdominal pain
  • blood in saliva or stool (poop)

According to HealthyChildren.org, “when a button or lithium battery comes into contact with body fluids, the battery generates a current. That current produces small amounts of sodium hydroxide, a harsh corrosive similar to lye. If the battery gets stuck somewhere in the body, the lye burns a hole at that spot. Infection usually follows. The result can be serious injury and illness, long-term disability or even death.”

If you believe a child has swallowed a battery, do not delay in getting them to the hospital. The National Safety Council also recommends you:

  • Call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800) 498-8666.
  • If available, provide the battery identification number, found on the package or from a matching battery.
  • In most cases, an X-ray must be obtained to determine whether the battery has passed through the esophagus into the stomach; if the battery remains in the esophagus, it must be removed immediately.
  • Don’t induce vomiting; don’t eat or drink until the X-ray shows the battery is beyond the esophagus.
  • Report fever, abdominal pain, vomiting or blood in stools immediately.

If your child is at least one year old, is not allergic and can swallow liquids, give them two teaspoons of honey and take them to the ER immediately.

To prevent batteries from being swallowed, never allow young children to chew on household items that contain batteries such as key fobs, remote controls, and cell phones. Routinely inspect all toys with batteries to ensure compartments are secure and there is no corrosion. 

 

Author:  Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County. 

Reviewer:  Laura Stanton, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Warren County 

A 2024 Winter Solstice Primer

The sun shining through snow-covered trees.

Crank up Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, grab something warm to drink, and enjoy this quick primer on the 2024 Winter Solstice and how to celebrate this passage of time.

What is the Winter Solstice? The Winter Solstice occurs the moment the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, which is the maximum tilt away from the sun. The significance of this event is that, in terms of sunlight, everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and longest night of the year.

In meteorological terms, the Winter Solstice marks the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In Ohio, this will occur on Saturday, December 21st at 4:19 AM.

Here are four ways you and your family can observe and celebrate the Winter Solstice, indoors and outdoors:

Long winter shadows in the snow.

1. Look At Your Shadow
If it is a sunny day, go outside around noon and check your shadow on the Winter Solstice. Even better, measure your shadow and remember how long it is. You can measure your shadow on other days of the year, but it will never be as long as it is on the Winter Solstice. This is because the sun is at its lowest point in the sky and therefore, casts the longest shadows of the year. Visit this NASA link to see a beautiful image that shows how the sun moves across the sky throughout the year and creates a fascinating pattern called an analemma.

2. Attend a Winter Solstice Celebration
Many parks, nature centers, and other outdoor venues hold Winter Solstice events. For example, in southwest Ohio, Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve holds an annual sunrise celebration. On the morning of the Winter Solstice, the sun strategically rises through a gap in the Fort Ancient earthworks. In central Ohio, the Chadwick Arboretum hosts an annual Labyrinth Walk and Conifer Tour. For events close to you, try a quick internet search to find a Winter Solstice celebration near you.

3. Read About the Winter Solstice
Make a trip to your local library to find children’s books about the Winter Solstice. Snuggle up, light a fire or a candle, drink hot cocoa, and read a book together. Some book suggestions are:

  • The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer
  • The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
  • The Solstice Badger by Robin McFadden

4. Rest and Reflect
Paying attention to nature and the four seasons is a healthy way to be mindful. It allows you to be fully present in the moment and recognize that life is about change. We change and the seasons change. Pausing to recognize the Winter Solstice connects us to the people, traditions, and memories that have come before us. The cold days and the long nights are perfect for rest, reflection, and setting your intentions for the new year and the next season of life.

Wishing you a wonderful and cheerful Winter Solstice! May the coming days bring warmth, light, and peace.

Winter Solstice Greetings

Written by: Laura Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County, stanton.60@osu.edu.

Reviewed by: Heather Reister, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Butler County.