When There is No Parade on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is typically an occasion that calls for big parades and parties in the streets. But since most of us have still not received vaccinations against COVID-19, social distancing is still vital — which means this St. Paddy’s Day will feel a little different. There can still be plenty of fun, safe ways to celebrate the luck o’ the Irish! Here are a few ideas.

1. Plan a Camping Trip

With the weather growing warmer, this is the perfect time to plan a camping trip. Buy some sunscreen at the pharmacy, as you can sunburn even when it’s cloudy. Bring along a propane tank and a small grill, and enjoy a weekend in the woods.

Here are a few fun ways to work a St. Patrick’s Day theme into your camping trip:

Have a contest to see who finds a 4-leaf clover first.
Prepare a traditional Irish dish, like boiled cabbage and bacon, over the fire.
Drink an Irish drink, like Guinness or Bailey’s, by the fire.

2. Have a Costume Party on Zoom

Have everyone in the family make their own St. Patrick’s Day costume. You can dress up like leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold, or even as a cabbages! Host a family Zoom call so everyone can admire each other’s customers from a safe distance. You could even have a costume content. Reward the winner with some Irish tea or a Guinness (depending on age).

3. Bake Green Cupcakes

This is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day activity for families with kids. Mix up a vanilla cake mix according to package instructions, but add about a half teaspoon of green food coloring to the batter. Bake and cool the cupcakes, then top them with green frosting.

You can also make green cookies and green soda simply by adding a few drops of food coloring.

4. Practice Irish Dancing

Irish dancing is lively, lighthearted, and fun — just what we all need right now! Look up some Irish dancing routines on YouTube, and do your best to follow along. It’s okay if you don’t master the steps. The goal is to have fun.

Hopefully we’ve inspired you to have some safe St. Paddy’s Day fun during these unusual times. At the end of the day, don’t sweat the cleanup. Save time by using alaundry delivery service, and revel in the luck and joy of the Irish a little longer.

Keeping the Family Safe in Winter

Winter is the perfect season to snuggle up inside and watch the snow fall through the winter. But winter also brings some risks associated with the snow and cold. Here are a few easy ways to reduce those risks, keeping yourself and your family members safe.

Keep Fire Safety in Mind

Fire is warm and comforting, but also dangerous. If you use a candle to create ambiance, make sure you put it out before you go to bed. Don’t leave a candle burning alone in a room, either.

Also, be careful with space heaters. Make sure you clear anything flammable away from them. If you use propane for heat, make sure your tank is secure. Establish a regular schedule with your propane delivery team, and have your tank serviced periodically to keep it in good shape.

Avoid Slips and Falls

To prevent slip-and-fall injuries, make sure you keep your walkways clear of snow. Use rock salt or another ice melting agent to get rid of slick ice. If you have an older loved one, make sure they have winter boots with good traction. Consider having your in-home care provider help you get your older family member in and out of the vehicle on slippery days.

Use Medications to Your Advantage

Visit your local pharmacy, and stock up on medications and remedies that are helpful for winter. Get your Rx refills in advance so you don’t run out of medication during a storm.

Purchase some skin cream to treat dry skin, which is common due to the dry winter air. It’s also smart to keep some cold medicine on-hand, and to use some capsaicin or menthol gel to ease muscles that are sore from shoveling snow and tackling other winter chores.

Dress Warmly

Make sure you and your loved ones have plenty of warm clothing on-hand to protect you from the snow and cold. Consider arranging for a dry cleaners nearby to pick up your laundry items so you can get them cleaned without having to leave your house. This way, you can look your best in clean clothing, but still stay warm.

On cold days, it is best to dress in layers. Opt for breathable fabrics, like wool and synthetics, over cotton.

Winter is a beautiful season, but it does bring about some risks. With the tips above, you can mitigate those risks and remain focused on the seasonal beauty and family time.

One Year into the Pandemic

It was back in January last year when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the U.S., and in March 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic. We are now one full year into the pandemic. It has been a hard year for everyone, but especially for our frontline workers, the elderly and their caregivers. We may be suffering from COVID fatigue but it is important that we remain vigilant and stay safe. I have some tips to share as we find our way through these difficult times.

Plan for Vaccination

Make a plan to get your COVID-19 vaccine, and help older adults in your life make a plan to get their vaccine. Find out if you can get vaccinated at your favorite local pharmacy; many are administering vaccines to at-risk individuals. Your local health department is another good resource to find vaccination sites in your area. If you live in Massachusetts like me, you can go on MA DPH website for clinics/sites that are currently accepting patients for vaccinations.

In Massachusetts, vaccines go to those who are most at risk first. Your elderly family members who are 75+ may get vaccinated in Phase 1 and those who are 65+ may get vaccinated in Phase 2. If your loved one has an in-home caregiver through a home care agency, they should be vaccinated in Phase 1, too.

Keep Your Home Clean

Although COVID-19 is different from the common cold and flu, the same cleaning practices that reduce the spread of those illnesses will also reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wash your bedding and comforters often, and wipe down surfaces daily.

If your dry cleaners offer germ-free laundry services, take advantage of them — and consider using a laundry pickup and delivery service to minimize interpersonal contact.

Take Care of Senior Loved Ones

If you have older loved ones, do their grocery shopping for them so they don’t have to risk catching COVID-19 in public. Pick up their mail, bring them takeout, and run other errands so they can stay home, where they’re safer.

Remember to support seniors’ mental health, too. Chat with them on the phone, play games together, or find a new TV show to enjoy together. If you’re feeling burned out caring for a loved one, consider signing up for senior respite care service.

Stay Informed

Dwelling on the news can be stressful, but you should check the news two or three days a week. This will ensure you stay informed about vaccine plans and safety protocols in your area.

New Year, New You

It’s a new year! That, of course, doesn’t mean that the hardships and uncertainty of 2020 will disappear. However, we can make a conscious effort to declutter our minds by simplifying our lives. So, to maintain that “New Year, New You” mentality, here are some great tips that are easy to implement.

Take Care of Your Health

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to focus on our health and the health of our loved ones. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be as easy as starting to take a multi-vitamin every day, if you don’t already. Talk to your doctor about any nutritional supplements that might be beneficial for your specific health concerns. Your local pharmacy should carry everything you need. And you may even be able to get a nutritional consultation from your pharmacy as well.

Don’t Stress About the Little Things

We all have daily chores that can get ahead of us if we let them. It’s silly to stress about things like housework and laundry. If clothes are piling up, and it’s just adding too much stress to your life, consider hiring a laundry service. Having someone pick up your dirty laundry, wash, dry and fold them and deliver them back to you can be quite a lifesaver. There’s no reason to feel guilty about spending money on something like that if it’s within your budget. Checking things off your list that add to your stress is a good thing.

Make an Effort to Improve the Lives of Others

There’s no better way to improve your own life than by improving the life of someone you love. This past year has probably been especially tough on your elderly loved ones and neighbors. Be sure to check in on them often. Even if they have a home health aide or caregiver, they may be missing that personal contact from their loved ones. Nothing can replace a phone call from someone you love. This goes for friends with little ones at home too. Parents have played both caregiver and teacher roles for the last year, and it can be incredibly stressful. Just ordering a meal or sending over a gift basket to a mom or dad in your life would be an incredible gesture.

Doing these simple things can lead to a new you in this coming year!

Dealing with Fall Allergies

Many people think of Spring and Summer as big allergy triggers. But actually, Fall can be quite the culprit as well. Ragweed is rampant in autumn and can cause all sorts of problems for allergy sufferers like coughing, red and itchy eyes, and sneezing. Mold and dust mites can be another Fall allergy trigger, especially since you tend to spend much more time indoors. Here are some ways to prepare for and deal with fall allergies.

Stock up on Allergy Meds

Having everything you need for an allergy attack ready and waiting is a good idea. Since we’re going into flu season, and still have the effects of the pandemic to contend with, stocking up on supplies is key. The local pharmacy near me has everything I need to get a Fall allergy kit ready. Over the counter medications like antihistamines, pain killers, nasal sprays and decongestants are all essential to have on hand. Your pharmacy probably carries some alternative health options that could be helpful as well. Look for vapor rubs and essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint that can alleviate respiratory allergy symptoms. On the other hand, if your allergies require prescriptions, then make sure you get your prescription refills.

Give Your House a Deep Clean

Since dust and allergens tend to accumulate in the fibers of your carpets, curtains, and linens, the Fall is a great time to deep clean your home. You could rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire a cleaning service to deep clean your carpets. For curtains and linens, I find that the local dry cleaner near me is the perfect spot for help. When I mentioned that I have allergies, they said they have hypoallergenic products they could use to treat my laundry items. And don’t forget the bedding! Most dry cleaners clean comforters, bedspreads and other household items. Just be sure to call ahead to check their policies.

Clean or Replace Your Vacuum

This is something that people don’t often think of. But your vacuum can be quite the collector of dust and allergens. If you own a vacuum with a replaceable or cleanable filter, the Fall is the perfect time to do that. Read the manufacturer instructions (you can find most online) for how to replace or clean your vacuum filter and also clean out the bottom brush head. This will not only get rid of stored dust and dirt, but it will ensure your vacuum is working at its maximum power to suck up all those allergens.

Now that you’ve done everything you can to prepare for allergies, enjoy the Fall!

Preparing For Your Labor Day BBQ

We made it to Labor Day, guys! Now, more than ever, it’s important to celebrate whenever we can, even if it’s a little differently than we’re used to. If you’re planning a Labor Day BBQ for your family, or a social distanced version with your neighbors, here are some tips to get you ready.

Prep That Grill!

Your grill is always the MVP of any BBQ, and this one is no exception. Make sure you have everything ready to grill up all your favorites. The first step is to make sure you have a full tank of propane, or a bag of fresh charcoal depending on your type of grill. Then make sure you have clean grill-ready utensils like tongs and spatulas.

Plan Your Menu

When planning your Labor Day BBQ menu, keep in mind that grocery stores still have limited supplies of certain ingredients, or that some may be hard to find. The regulars like ground beef for burgers and hot dogs should be readily available. But if you’re planning on something a little special like grilled salmon or kabobs, it’s best to have a Plan B, just in case.

Prep Those BBQ Linens

Now is the perfect time to pull out those red and white checked picnic linens! Your local dry cleaners is the perfect place to get them cleaned quickly. If there’s any stains leftover from last year, be sure to let the dry cleaners know, so they can properly treat them.

Stock Up on Essential Meds

Barbecue foods can mean heartburn for some of us. That’s why our favorite underrated tip is to stock up on antacid and stomach meds. The friendly community pharmacy near me has all the essentials that I need to enjoy our evening safely and comfortably. Yours probably does too.

Enlist Help

If you happen to be caring for an aging parent or family member, now is a great time to think about enlisting the help of a home care agency. Holidays sometimes remind us of all the extra things we’ve taken on over the pandemic, and it’s okay to take a break and get some help.

Once you’ve got everything ready, the fun can begin. Let’s enjoy the time we have with our friends and family and have a great Labor Day!

Support Your Local Businesses During the Pandemic

COVID-19 has changed the world, and changed the way we do just about everything. Local businesses are being hit hard, and now more than ever, we need to come together and support them. Here’s how.

Support Your Local Dry Cleaners

The dry cleaners near me are taking quite a beating right now, since the majority of the office work force is now operating remotely. You may not have suits or fancy work clothes to clean, but what else do you have lying around the house that could use refreshing? Comforters, linens and specialty fabrics maintain their shape and longevity the best when cleaned once a year. Call your local dry cleaners ahead of time to check on their current hours and policies.

Support Your Local Pharmacy

You may think that pharmacies are doing fine during the pandemic, but that may not be the case. Smaller, independent pharmacies are being hit just as hard as everyone else. Your local pharmacy isn’t just for prescriptions, they also carry most of the supplies you need for common illnesses and cuts and scrapes. And don’t forget that you can get most vaccinations and flu shots at your local pharmacy as well.

Support Your Local Restaurants

Restaurants are really struggling right now, especially the ones that usually feature fine dining. If you’ve been living off of cheap take out and more inexpensive fare, consider treating yourself once a week. Call your favorite fancy restaurant ahead of time and check to see if they’re offering take out specials. Most are, and you’ll be able to enjoy a gourmet meal in the safety of your own home.

Support Your Local Salons

Most salons are now open, although they have lots of new rules in place. If you’ve been putting off that haircut or beauty treatment, now may be the time to try. Call ahead of time to check on hours and protocols in place. Grab your mask and hand sanitizer and be sure to tip well. Most workers in the service industry are just getting back to steady income and could really use some extra support.

This is a hard time for all of us. So let’s all support each other and do what we can to make sure our favorite neighborhood spots can survive this pandemic.

Natural Products to Use on Your Skin

There is no need to spend tons of money on expensive skin products and lotions. But by stocking up on a few different natural ingredients that are inexpensive and easy to find at a local grocery store or community pharmacy near me, I can always be prepared for a variety of skin-related situations. Read on to learn more.

Witch Hazel

No, it’s not something to use to put a curse on someone. Witch hazel is actually a common astringent that used for many different topical needs. Besides being very inexpensive, you can usually find it in a few various forms at your local independent pharmacy. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, you can use witch hazel for a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes from allergic reactions and even hemorrhoids.

hands with beautiful skin — Photo by Lazar Gugleta on Unsplash

Aloe

Aloe vera is a handy thing to have in your cabinet, especially in the summertime. When rubbed gently on the skin, aloe vera is incredibly soothing to sunburns and can even help it heal faster. While I could easily pick up aloe vera lotions and creams in the grocery store or a drug store near me, having an aloe vera plant is another great way to reap its benefits in raw form. Simply use the gel-like substance directly from its thick leaves.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is great to cook and bake with, but it’s also amazing for your skin. Besides having natural anti-bacterial properties, it’s incredibly moisturizing and can be used even on sensitive skin. Use it when treating athletes foot or toe fungus, or for clearing up folliculitis, a common skin rash caused by inflamed hair follicles on the arms and legs. Coconut oil is very high in antioxidants, which means regular use can actually improve the texture and appearance of your skin.

So next time you’re at the drug store, pharmacy or grocery, keep a lookout for these natural ingredients that can help keep your skin healthy. But if you have more serious skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, warts, fungal infections, wounds and scars that require customized treatment, you should always consult a professional healthcare provider. Compounded medications can be ordered from a dermatology compounding pharmacy to contain ingredients to help with various skin conditions. They include topical delivery systems to provide localized treatments in many different forms, including ointments, gels and creams to enable better absorption into the skin.

Why Shop Local?

When you shop at your local pharmacy or drycleaner, you’re not only building relationships but also strengthening the fabric of your entire community. Local business owners know you, and you know them.

When you see someone frequently at the coffee shop, dry cleaner, or hardware store, you build relationships with people who have similar needs and interests. Shopping at local businesses connects neighbors with each other. It’s social networking without the screen!

You get better customer service when you shop local. When you fill a prescription at a community pharmacy you are likely to be served by the owner or a long-time employee who knows your medical history and medication needs. Many local pharmacies also offer specialties such as compounded medications. A local laundry service or dress shop knows your preferences so you get more personalized service.

Local businesses are more likely to donate to community events, local non-profits, and sports teams. Studies have shown that they do so at over twice the rate of large chains. This kind of participation brings the community closer together.

Did you know that each dollar you spend at a local independent business can bring as much as $3.50 into the local economy? Local businesses are customers of local ad agencies, insurance brokers, accountants, printers, lawyers and other services and often buy locally-made goods too. This creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to start more local businesses.

Some studies have reported that local businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue than national chains thus creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. But it’s not just the jobs at the independent pharmacy, the laundry pickup service, or the boutique that get created. As the local economy strengthens, you’re helping create jobs for firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public service employees as well!

Author: The WSI Touch is a digital marketing agency serving small and medium-sized businesses in Boston, Massachusetts.

Caring for an Aging Parent

Is your aging parent starting to need help with some of the everyday tasks at home? A change in functioning doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to move to assisted living or a nursing home. Sometimes all they need is a little help with chores or some extra support so they can continue to live in their home. Start by asking your loved one what they need help with, discuss your concerns with them, and coordinate with their primary care doctor. That way they’ll still feel like they’re in charge and you’ll get a good feel for what is really needed to keep them safe, comfortable, and happy.

Maybe a few modifications to the home, such as grab bars for the shower or a stair lift can make things safer for them and reduce the worry for you.

Maybe you can stop by once a week to do yard work or household chores and prepare some meals for them. If they have difficulty with bathing or dressing, you could stop by once a day to help. However, don’t be afraid to get some extra care giving help. Here are some ideas:

Use a laundry pickup and delivery service to take laundry day right off the chore list.
Set up a reminder schedule for medications using specially designed pill boxes or high-tech reminder devices.
To save time picking up the medications, choose a local pharmacy that offers prescription delivery service.
Hire a home health aide who can help with some of the household chores and meal preparation as well as some of the personal care tasks and medication reminders.
Use a grocery delivery or meal delivery service.
Take advantage of programs and services at the local senior center, especially for socialization and exercise.

For busy professionals living in cities like Boston, caring for an aging parent can be overwhelming. Don’t sweat it out all by yourself. A little extra help here and there can make all the difference in your quality of life, as well as your parent’s!