You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2636 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Helping Seniors Celebrate The Season (NAPSA)—When celebrating the holidays this year, don’t forget to check on elderly friends and family members. While the holidays are a happy time for most people, some seniors may find the season less than festive. The holidays can be difficult for a variety of reasons. For many seniors, the holidays are a reminder of parents, siblings and friends who are no longer alive. For others, the holidays are lonely, as relatives with whom they might celebrate live far away. Also, seniors who are ill or disabled may have difficulty getting out to shop or taking part in religious observances and seasonal festivities. And winter weather can further complicate travel, isolating seniors from the companionship and social interaction that are so essential to mental health. Even writing or reading a Christmas card can be difficult if your vision is affected. If you can, call, send a card or bring over a plate of cookies. At this time of the year, seniors can derive extra benefit from companion care. If you live far away or are unable to provide that kind of attention, you may consider companion care. A companion can do more than remind seniors about their medication and take care of household responsibilities; he or she can help make the holidays a little brighter. A companion can help write cards, prepare a festive meal and help decorate a home. The companion can also help alleviate seniors’ isolation by taking them out for seasonal shopping and shipping, and helping them to attend religious services and festive community events. Broaden Your Food Horizons (NAPSA)—Snack time can be a great time to broaden your food horizons and share new taste treats with friends and family. If you have never tried hummus or if you already love the delicious flavor, there are several new ways to enjoy it. For example, you could pair Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with some crunchy vegetables, such as carrots or celery, for a great alternative to traditional chips and dip. Or pair warm pita bread and heat up some Classic Hummus for a toasty treat on a cold winter day. A companion can help make the season brighter for seniors. Before you decide on a companion care agency, it’s important for the agency to first carefully assess the condition of the senior. Ask the agencies you research which services they will provide and how their caregivers are selected and are scheduled. Some agencies offer both companion care and home care to seniors. For example, Interim HealthCare, one of the leaders in the home care industry, provides both companion care (or nonmedical personal care and support services) and medical services to over 50,000 individuals nationwide. Through trained health care professionals, Interim provides a broad array of home care services including senior care and physical, occupational and speech therapy. When should a senior get such care and what kind does he or she need? The company offers a selfassessment test to help families identify factors that may place someone at home alone at risk. For more information, visit www.independentlivingassessment. com. A world of flavors awaits you. Hummus can also be a healthy way to add flavor to sandwiches. Try spreading Basil and Pesto Hummus on your favorite deli sandwich or using Supremely Spicy Hummus to kick up chicken salad instead of mayonnaise. You can also eat them as a dip with pretzels. Whether you choose to dip, spread or spice up your everyday snacks, dozens of flavor possibilities and taste adventures await you. Sabra offers more than 20 flavors of hummus, fresh salsas, guacamole and Greek yogurt vegetable dips. For more information and recipes, visit www.facebook.com/ sabra. What Teen Drivers Need To Know (NAPSA)—By improving their driving skills, teen drivers can reduce their risk of spinal cord injuries. According to the experts at Shriners Hospitals for Children, motor vehicle crashes are the No. one cause of death for those between the ages of 16 and 24. Motor vehicle crashes are also the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in all age groups. Being aware of the risk factors and improving driving skills may help reduce this risk—especially for young drivers. Factors that contribute to crashes include driver inexperience, distractions, speeding, peer pressure, driving with other teens in the car, and the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Tips for Safe Driving: •Give driving your full attention. Driving is a privilege. •Follow the rules of the road and obey speed limits. •Always wear a seat belt. •If transporting younger passengers, properly restrain children under age 12 in the backseat, and place children in ageand height- and weight-appropriate safety or booster seats. •Avoid distractions unrelated to driving. Distractions include texting or reading, talking on the phone—including using a headset, earpiece or speakerphone—eating, fatigue, arguing, an animal that is loose in the car, disruptive passengers, alcohol or other drugs, and loud music. •Never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Even a single drink, whether you can feel it or not, can affect your judgment enough to cause a crash. Talking on the phone—including using an earpiece or speakerphone—can be distracting while driving. •Be aware of the side effects of prescription medications before driving. •Use your side and rearview mirrors every five to seven seconds. •Never write, read or send text messages while driving. Thousands of fatal accidents have been linked to distractions like texting. •Always have a safety zone or safety hole: a space to your left or right to drive into during an emergency. For more information on safer driving, you can visit www. shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Shriners Hospitals for Children is one of the world’s largest pediatric subspecialty health care systems, helping thousands of kids every day. The health care system’s spinal cord injury rehabilitation program is well recognized nationally and internationally. The hospitals change lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care. You can donate by going to www.donate2SHC.org.
