December 2013

December 2, 2013 by lisabarlage

It’s official; the holidays are here!  It’s a time for families, friends, fun; shopping, giving, cooking, eating, celebrating, decorating…and that decorating may likely include a variety of seasonal house plants.  They’re pretty, festive, colorful and traditional; they are great to enjoy ourselves or to give as gifts.

The poinsettia, everyone’s favorite holiday plant, has been falsely accused for a number of years of being poisonous, yet no deaths from this plant have ever been recorded.  In fact, research studies at The Ohio State University have proven that poinsettias present no health hazard.

Do you know which of these other holiday plants are safe?

•  Holly – berries are poisonous; the leaves are not.
• Mistletoe – its white berries are poisonous.
• Christmas cactus – is non-toxic.
• Christmas rose – is toxic.
• Amaryllis – is poisonous to human and animals.
• Jerusalem cherry – Every part of this plant contains toxic substances.
• Yew – The leaves, seeds, bark, and twigs of this evergreen can be toxic

To be on the safe side, keep holiday plants out of reach of children and pets. Remember to pick up and dispose of all leaves or berries that fall from your plant. Christmas trees are also a problem. The needles, even though they are not poisonous, are a choking hazard.

 For more details on the symptoms these plants may cause, check these websites:

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/flowers/holiplts.htm

http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/hazard.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555592/

http://news.psu.edu/story/186613/1997/12/02/myths-persist-about-poisonous-holiday-plants

http://mason.gmu.edu/~naznidi/projects/poison/amaryllis.html

http://lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/031.htm

Written by: Kathryn K Dodrill, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Washington County.

Reviewed by: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ross County.

November 18, 2013 by kathygreen24

Walk with others

“The police called; they have Mom.  It’s the third time this month that Mom got mixed up and was found in the neighbor’s house.  Mom is getting more and more confused.  She doesn’t prepare healthy meals and often forgets to turn the oven off when she cooks.  She misses doses of her medicine because she forgets.  I feel like she needs daily assistance, but I have to work…  What can I do?”

Does this scenario sound familiar?  It is difficult to think about the possibility that someday one or both of our parents won’t be self-sufficient and will develop an increased dependency in meeting his/her daily needs.  Situations such as these are becoming much more familiar to many working adults.  The percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 65 continues to increase, so does the number of adult workers who are involved in caregiving.  In addition, there has been an increase in persons providing care to disabled children and veterans.

The month of November is National Caregiver’s Month which gives us an even stronger reason to reflect on the stresses and strains associated with the responsibility of providing care for a loved one.   These strains can be particularly difficult for mid-lifers juggling work, marriage duties, caring for their aging parents and the needs of their own children.  Along with the physical demands, it is also difficult to see the loss of independence of our parents.  However, many Americans see the time spent caring for their aging parents as only a small sacrifice.  During this process, caring for an elderly parent can be satisfying and enjoyable often resulting in an improved relationship for both parties. Most children help their parents willingly when needed and feel a sense of satisfaction by doing so.

Some ways to reduce the stress and increase the satisfying aspect of caregiving are some simple ideas that can make the experience more enjoyable.

1. Set realistic goals and expectations and know your limitations.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Reach out to other family members and friends who can reduce the load of responsibilities.
3. Remember to take care of yourself.  Losing yourself during the process or not seeing to your own health demands, nor maintaining your own health will only be harmful to both you and your family.  And lastly, involve other people by holding a family conference, seeking professional assistance, and using community resources.

Many communities have resources available to assist in those facing caregiving issues. Contact your local Center for Aging or Board of Disability Services to find more information.

Writer:  Kathy Green, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Science, Ohio State University Extension, Butler County

Reviewer:  Cheryl Barber Spires, R.D., L.D., SNAP-Ed Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension, West Region