Archive for September, 2007

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletters worth noting… This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Don’t freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic.

Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard. (He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital.)

He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.

This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, without the dioxins.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.

Pass this on to your family & friends & those that are important in your life

Ofra Garmaise cares for people in the comfort of their homes.

As government budgets for home care are shrinking rapidly, there is a huge need for support services for seniors.

Business Truly Cares for its Clients

April 18,2007, Toronto Sun

“The parents of the baby boomers need someone qualified to look them in the comfort of their own home,” says [director] Ofra Garmaise.

She is the owner of Homestead Care Providers Inc. (www.homesteadcareproviders.com), a company providing in-home, non-medical support services to seniors, the chronically ill and convalescents.

Family-owned and operated, the company offers services ranging from personal support to homemaking, and can help a client in their home or hospital room.

Its 24-hour services are delivered by highly skilled and carefully screened personal support workers who are supervised by a registered nurse.

“Our clients may ask us to provide personal hygiene services, light meal preparation, exercise or, simply, good companionship,” Garmaise says. “Whatever our clients’ needs, we do our best to provide warm and professional care that respects our clients’ privacy and dignity.”

She says customers find her business through referrals from health-care professionals. “Word of mouth marketing is very powerful, but you’ve got to get the right people to talk about your business,” Garmaise says. “Once you get a referral, your business is on the hook to deliver truly top-notch service.”

Knowing the importance of a stellar business reputation, Germaise plans to grow her company by building a quality management team. “You’ve got to hire good people who will carry out your values of service excellence.”

read full article at Canoe

Dear Robert, Norma & Ofra,

I believe that caring for my father was the most difficult thing I have ever faced. The one thing I was certain of was that my father wanted to be at home. As his care needs increased, we called out for help. Most were not able to help. Then I called Ofra.

My father was a smoker and, acknowledging it as a difficulty, Ofra said she would try to help. Within hours, she returned a call and introduced Robert. Robert could have followed the rules of our province, but instead chose the rules in his heart. Robert too was a smoker. When he wanted a cigarette he went outside. My father couldn’t go outside, and when Dad
wanted a cigarette Robert sat beside him.

On Robert’s first day, Norma came by to see what else she could do. I don’t know how to put into words how much she really did. We called out to Homestead when we really needed help. We knew Dad wanted to be at home but didn’t really know what that required. We didn’t know what was available and we didn’t know who to call. Norma had all the answers. Some we didn’t like but we needed to hear, so that we could do what was right for Dad. Norma was like an angel that finds you when you are lost,
gives you directions and then slips away.

I pray that memories of my father will last forever. For me that may mean remembering some of the difficulties too—and that won’t let me forget three people at Homestead.

On behalf of my father, Rocco, and my mother, Anna, and the rest of our family, I would like once again to thank Homestead for all that they did in helping us.

Thank you, Robert, for demonstrating true personal support.

Thank you, Norma, for being our angel.

Sincerely,

Albert DeNovellis