Pet Friendly Naples

Love for a pet is unlike any other. They would do anything for you and vice versa. You want to spend as much time with them as possible, but where is there to go?

We put together this list of pet friendly spots in Naples that accept you and your four legged friend. These include the beach, restaurants, and stores. Where will you take your pet first?

Dog Parks

The first spot you’d think to take your pooch is to a local dog park. Luckily Naples is home to a few.

Central Bark aka City of Naples Dog Park

This cleverly named dog park is located at Riverside Circle near the intersection of Goodlette-Frank Road and Central Avenue. It’s complete with 2.5 acres of room to roam as well as water fountains, dog wash stations and areas separated for big and small dogs.

Rover Run

Located in Veterans Community Park in North Naples, this dog park is one of the most popular. The park is open from 7:30am to dusk, and has an area for small dogs and one for bigger breeds.

The Beach

Keewaydin Island

Despite the large number of beaches in Naples, not many allow you to bring your dog. Keeywadin Island lets you bring your pooch as long as they are leashed. You’ll need a boat to get to the island, and there are no facilites. But come during a weekday when we’re not in season and you’ll have the island to yourself.

Dog Beach

It’s referred to as the dog beach. It’s the only one in the area that allows dogs and doesn’t require a boat to reach. It’s just north of Bonita Beach and south of Lover’s Key State Beach Park. It’s even off leash!

Stores

Pucci and Catana

This luxury pet boutique is right at home on 5th Avenue South. You can find luxury designer items for your pet like Gucci Pet, Burberry Pet, and more. Bring in your four-legged friend to truly enjoy the store.

Mercato Shops

Mercato is a favorite destination for humans and dogs alike. Many restaurants will allow you to dine with your dog on the patio, and quite a few shops including Charming Charlie’s, Nordstrom Rack, and Gallery on Fifth, even allow you to bring in your pet.

Fergie’s Closet Doggie Boutique

Formerly located at The Shoppes at Naples Bay Resort, this boutique caters to the pet who loves having a full closet. The store is relocating to a larger space, so check their website to find out when they re-open.

Restaurants

Dog-Friendly Patios at Mercato
There are over a dozen restaurants that allow you to dine with your pet on the patio including Masa, Naples Flatbread, Taps, The Capital Grille, and many more.

Fit & Fuel Cafe
This cafe is located right next to the Naples Cyclery at the Pavilion Shopping Center. They allow for outdoor seating with dogs and even have a water bowl outside to keep them hydrated.

M Waterfront Grille
Want something a little more upscale? Dine with your pup outside at this restaurant at the Village on Venetian Bay.

Fun Family Outings in Naples

 

Get out in Southwest Florida and spend time with your whole family! When you’re not working, you’re probably looking for ways to bond with your loved ones.

1. Explore new worlds at the Naples Zoo
2.  Beat the heat at Sun N Fun Lagoon
3. View beautiful flora at Naples Botanical Garden
4. Take the kids for some fun and education at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples.
5. Make something unique at Earth & Fire Ceramic Studio
6. Head outside for some sports or playground action at Cambier Park
7. Support your local Everblades hockey team
8. Bring your 4 legged family member for a day at the Dog Beach
9. Watch the Fort Myers Miracle in action
10. Bowl your heart out at Beacon Bowl
11. Hit the links with some mini golf at Congo River Golf or Golf Safari Minigolf
12. Do a little shopping, dining, and sightseeing at Tin City
13. Learn about our local natural life at Rookery Bay
14. Get up close with the birds at The Bird Gardens of Naples
15. Take a nature walk at Freedom Park

Don’t miss!

Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 12 11am-2pm
5th Avenue South
Wear your green and enjoy the revelry of the 40th annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade, followed by an all-day celebration at Sugden Plaza. The parade staging area and beginning of the parade will be at Saint Ann’s Church in Old Naples. The parade travels down 3rd Street South to 5th Avenue, then goes down 8th Street South to end at Crayton Cove.

Great Brunches in Naples

You may enjoy sleeping in on the weekends, but you won’t mind waking up early for brunch! It’s that favorite meal of many Americans that happens to be between lunch and breakfast and can include everything from sandwiches to waffles to crepes.

Now where should you spend your weekend brunch? Here’s our list of great brunch spots in Naples. Please comment with your favorite and we’ll be sure to add it! 🙂

EJ’s Bayfront Cafe

EJ’s Bayfront Cafe
Menu Highlights
Classic Benedict, Banana Stuffed French Toast Platter, Chunky Monkey Waffle Platter, Crab and Shrimp Omelet
469 Bayfront Pl
Naples, FL 34102
Phone number (239) 353-4444

Goldies Restaurant
Menu Highlights
Country Fried Steak, Ultimate Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy
Try the strawberry jam, and peanut butter fluff spread
5400 Taylor Rd
Naples, FL 34109
Phone number (239) 591-3400

Jane’s on 3rd

Jane’s Cafe on 3rd
Menu Highlights
Fresh Berry Blintz, Crazy Harry’s Nutella Crepes, Omelet
1209 3rd St S
Naples, FL 34102
Phone number (239) 261-2253

Skillets

Skillets
Menu Highlights
Denver Skillet, Potato Pancakes, Pecan Encrusted French Toast
4170 Tamiami Trl N
Naples, FL 34103
Phone number (239) 262-3788

First Watch

First Watch
Menu Highlights
Acapulco Express Omelet, French Toast Monte Cristo,
Key West Crepeggs
225 Banyan Boulevard
Naples, FL 34102
Phone number (239) 434-0005

Blueberry’s

Blueberry’s
Menu Highlights
Irish Skillet, Florentine Eggs Benedict, Blueberry Stuffed French Toast
3350 Tamiami Trail N
Naples, FL 34103
Phone number (239) 430-0700

Free Things to Do in Naples FL

Thank goodness for the nice, year-round weather we have in Collier County. It means we can be outside, enjoying the beach, going walking, heading out and exploring nature, or just dining out on the patio of our favorite restaurant.

There’s plenty to do in Collier County if you are itching to get out of the house. We have our list of fun outings to help you explore, create, dine, and relax in the area without spending much money.

The Naples Pier
Grab the camera, fishing pole, and some shades for a nice morning or afternoon on the newly rebuilt Naples Pier. You can watch the sunset, try your luck at catching something, or just people watch. The beach is just steps away so you can take a dip in the water or lounge about as well. Then walk on down to 3rd Street South for some food and drinks to finish off the day.

Take a Walk in Freedom Park
Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park is located along Golden Gate Parkway as you head towards the Coastland Center Mall. This nature park is open daily and consists of a 5 acre lake, 3500 feet of boardwalk, and an education facility with restrooms, water fountains, and pavilions. This is a great place to talk a walk or run through some of the wetlands and native vegetation in our area.

Stroll Through the Naples Preserve
The Naples Preserve is located on 9 1/2 acres at the corner of U.S. 41 and Fleischmann Boulevard. The site protects two unique Florida Upland Habitats: Pine Flatwoods and Oak-Rosemary Scrubs. Explore the 0.4 self-guided nature walk as it curves through the shaded woods. Then, sit, rest, and take in the surroundings while sitting on one of our many benches. The Preserve offers you one of your best opportunities in Southwest Florida to see gopher tortoises in their natural habitat, along with native wildflowers, trees, birds, butterflies, rabbits, and more. The peak months for viewing wildflowers and butterflies are between August and September.

Art Shows
There are plenty of art shows and festivals that take place throughout the year in Naples. They mainly happen downtown between November and April. Check out the Naples Art Association website for their schedule.

Live Entertainment
Mercato hosts their Mercato Nights Music Series every season. They have a free concert every 1st Thursday from October-April 6-9PM.
The Jazz Concert Series at Cambier Park features Sunday concerts from 2-4PM.

Movies on the Lawn at Mercato
Every once in a while, Mercato hosts a free outdoor movie. The genres vary from older films to kid-friendly. Bring some blankets or chairs to enjoy the show.

Museums
The Naples Depot Museum is free to the public and showcases much of the history of Naples.

Playgrounds
If you’re looking to head out with the kids, Cambier Park has an excellent playground for kids to spend hours in. There are also playgrounds at Veterans Park in North Naples, Eagle Lakes, East Naples Park, Golden Gate Park, Max Hasse Park, and Vineyards Park.

Fishing
Anthony Park located on the Gordon River offers walking trails, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a small fishing pier so you can cast out for snook, redfish, and others. Other great fishing spots include the Naples Pier, and even the pond or lake in your community will often be stocked with bass, catfish, or sunfish.

Flea Market
Flea markets offer things that cost money, but just walking around is free! You can head to the Flamingo Island Flea Market along Bonita Beach Road to browse the stalls of products, food, and produce.

The License Plate Game – Florida Style

Remember the old “license plate game” you played as a kid?  It occurs to us that there’s an easy, fun way to play this game with friends as an adult, and Florida’s unique status as “most visited” state makes it easy.  Go for a walk in Naples, or Fort Myers, or any other reasonably-sized city in Florida, and as you go, check out the plates on each car.

Be the first to call out plates from Florida, Georgia or Alabama, and give yourself one point.  For South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee or Mississippi, make that two points.  Three points for Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky or Virginia.  Four points for Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas.  Five points for Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, or New Mexico.  Six points for New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Utah, or Arizona.  Seven points for Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California.  Eight points for Rhode Island, New Hampshire, or Maine.  Nine points for the Canadian Provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.  And, finally, ten points for the three Canadian Territories, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, and for Alaska and Hawaii.  If, by some miracle, you spot a plate from one of the five US Territories, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa, you just win automatically!

If you call out one that’s already been called, or you mistake a plate for another, you lose the amount of points the ACTUAL plate is worth.

Pick a street to walk the length of, an area of a street to walk, or maybe even an entire neighborhood, and tally up your points at the end to see who won!

Need a primer on what all of those plates look like, to give yourself an advantage?  Or need the points handy?  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

1 POINT: AL, FL, GA

2 POINTS: MS, NC, SC, TN

3 POINTS: AR. KY, LA, MO, VA

4 POINTS: DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, MD, NE, OH, OK, TX, WV

5 POINTS: CO, DE, MI, MN, NM, PA, SD, WI, WY

6 POINTS: AZ, ID, MT, ND, NJ, NY, UT

7 POINTS: CA, CT, MA, NV, OR, VT, WA

8 POINTS: ME, NH, RI

9 POINTS: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK

10 POINTS: AK, HI, NT, NU, YT

AUTOMATIC WIN: AS, GU, MP, PR, VI

And, don’t forget to check the backs AND fronts of cars!

The Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Best Cell Phones for Seniors

It is hard to imagine a time when we didn’t have constant access to our phones. When was the last time you had to use a payphone? Most of them are gone now, because cell phones have become so ubiquitous. For many senior citizens though, cell phones are difficult to get used to. The buttons on many are small, the screen text is hard to read, and there are many complicated menu settings. It is a great idea to get for family member a cell phone, as it will ensure you have constant contact with them. If they are required to stay in bed, it may be difficult for them to get up and reach their home phone. Below we will go over two of the best cell phones for seniors.

Snapfon ezTWO3G

Snapfon styles itself as “the cellphone for seniors”. The phone was designed with large buttons and numbers for those with less than optimal sight. There are simple menus, an LED flashlight, enhanced volume and speaker capabilities, and a speaking keypad. The phone is also hearing aid compatible. A large SOS emergency button on the back of the phone, if help for 3-5 seconds will alert up to five responders by voice and text. A loud siren also goes off, so anyone nearby can hear that the user is in need of help. The phone can be used on Snapfon’s plan or, for an extra charge, unlocked to be used on a GSM cell provider (not Verizon or Sprint).

Jitterbug 5

This is a simple, affordable device is one of the best cell phones for seniors. The keypad features large numbers and buttons that are easy to see. They are even backlit so you can see them in the dark. You can use the Jitterbug with hearing aids (M4/T4). A great feature about this phone is that it can hold its charge in stand-by mode for up to 25 days. The screen features large text and the menu has Yes/No questions rather than a confusing menu. The phone also has a camera. The most basic plan starts at $14.99 a month.

The Age Factor: Changes in Nutritional Needs for Seniors

Lots of different factors make it difficult for seniors to eat healthy. Changing taste buds, medication side effects, and a lack of interest in cooking for just two people are all reasons that play a role. On top of that Seniors have different nutritional needs than younger people. Eating well is important at any age, but even more necessary for seniors because nutritional needs change as we age.

According to Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born, a licensed naturopathic physician, 3.7 million seniors are malnourished in America today. Dr. Jones-Born provides some great insight into why seniors have different nutritional needs:

How Do Our Bodies Change As We Age?

There are many reasons our bodies change as we get older, including physiological, perceptual and and general age-related conditions—such as gastrointestinal or dental conditions. These changes all influence the performance of our body as a whole, which in turn, influences our eating, nutritional intake and overall health.

Physiological Changes 

One reason nutritional needs change is due to physiological changes that occur later in life.  Energy expenditure generally decreases with advancing age because of a decrease in basal metabolic rate and physical activity, thus decreasing our caloric needs. Our bodies also begin to experience a decrease in kidney function, re-distribution of body composition and changes in our nervous system.

Perceptual Changes 

Perceptual changes later in life can also influence our nutrition, such as changes in hearing, taste, smell and vision.  One of the most common complaints is in regards to the diminished taste in food. As taste buds decrease, so does our taste for salty and sweet—often times making food taste more bitter or sour. Diminished or loss of hearing also affects our nutrition and food experience.  The difficulty and frustration from the inability to hold a conversation with our eating partner out at a restaurant or at a social function can limit one’s food experience.  And the loss of smell can also have a huge impact on the types of food one chooses to eat as there is a loss of satisfaction that can lead to poor food choices.

Other Aging-Related Changes 

Other changes in body function may impact nutritional intake, such as dentition, or the makeup of a set of teeth (including how many, their arrangement and their condition). The loss of teeth and/or ill-fitting dentures can lead to avoidance of hard and sticky foods. Gastrointestinal changes such as chronic gastritis, delayed stomach emptying, constipation and gas may lead to avoiding healthy foods, such a fruits and vegetables—the food categories that should be more emphasized rather than eliminated.

These factors alone may contribute to why 3.7 million seniors are malnourished and shed light on the importance of educating caregivers and aging seniors as to specific dietary need options, as well as, catered senior diets and nutritional needs.

Senior Citizens, Malnutrition—And  Vitamin Deficiencies

Malnutrition is seen in varying degrees in the elderly, along with varying vitamin deficiencies.  Malnutrition is due to under nutrition, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances. Most physicians do not see frank malnutrition anymore, such as scurvy; but more milder malnutrition symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss/gain, general malaise or lack of overall interest and wellness. Common nutrient deficiencies of dietary origin include inadequate intake of vitamin A, B, C, D, E, folic acid and niacin.  Malnutrition may also be the result of some socioeconomic risk factors, such as the following:

• Loss of a spouse or family member
• Lack of interest in cooking or eating alone
• Fear of personal safety (which affects their ability to go grocery shopping)
• Financial concerns
• Institutionalization or hospitalizations (that do not ensure adequate nutrition)

Clearly nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in older persons. This is why preventative medicine and focusing on good eating habits is crucial. It is recommended to follow a preventative health maintenance nutritional program, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which describes two eating plans.

1. The USDA food patterns
2. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan

*DASH is a lot like the Food Patterns, but focuses on lowering blood pressure.

The USDA food patterns suggests that people 50 or older choose healthy foods every day from the following:

• Fruits—1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cups
  What is the same as 1/2 cup of cut-up fruit? A 2-inch peach or 1/4 cup of dried fruit
• Vegetables—2 to 3-1/2 cups
  What is the same as a cup of cut-up vegetables? Two cups of uncooked leafy vegetable
• Grains—5 to 10 ounces
  What is the same as an ounce of grains? A small muffin, a slice of bread, a cup of flaked, ready-to-eat cereal, or ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta
• Protein foods—5 to 7 ounces
  What is the same as an ounce of meat, fish, or poultry? One egg, ¼ cup of cooked beans or tofu, ½ ounce of nuts or seeds, or 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• Dairy foods—3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk
  What is the same as 1 cup of milk? One cup of yogurt or 1-1/2 to 2 ounces of cheese. One cup of cottage cheese is the same as ½ cup of milk.
• Oils—5 to 8 teaspoons
  What is the same as oil added during cooking? Foods like olives, nuts, and avocado have a lot of oil in them.
• Solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS)—keep the amount of SoFAS small 
  If you eat too many foods containing SoFAS, you will not have enough calories for the nutritious foods you should be eating.

Learn more about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services DASH eating plan to decide whether it’s right for you or a loved one.

About the Author:

Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born is a licensed naturopathic physician in California and Connecticut, and is an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Born Naturopathic Associates, Inc. is the prime location in Alameda, CA for integrative medical care for patients off all ages and genders, for acute and chronic conditions. 

Calculating the Cost of Home Care Infographic

Delivering care to an ill or elderly loved one in their own home ensures their safety, preserves their independence and accommodates hardworking families who are unable to personally address all of their loved one’s needs. As a result, more families are finding that home care is the option their loved ones prefer and their budgets support.

At Just Like Family Home Care, we take pride in aligning the right star with each clients personalized preferences. We believe it is important, as a Naples home health care company, to maintain our clients lifestyle in the comfort of their home, hospital or facility.

Kelly Dillaha joins Just Like Family Home Care

Just Like Family Home Care, a family-owned and operated home care company servicing seven Southwest Florida counties, has announced that Kelly Dillaha joined the firm as a the Community Relations Representative for Lee County.

Dillaha previously spent three and a half years at Scotlynn USA Division Inc. in Fort Myers working as an Office Manager, Accountant and HR Manager. Previously she spent time as a Child Protective Investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Dillaha graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral before receiving her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Just Like Family Home Care owner Elisabeth Nassberg says, “Kelly portrays every quality we desire in our employees at Just Like Family Home Care. The combination of her work history and outgoing personality will make her a great fit at Just Like Family Home Care. I am confident that she will represent our company well in the Lee County area.” Nassberg and Dillaha met last year on the Love That Dress! 2013 in Collier County, and both are passionate about supporting local charities in Collier and Lee Counties.

Just Like Family Home Care is a personalized home care company dedicated to caring for its customer’s loved ones with an easy, professional and loving dedication to their clients. “I am beyond thrilled to join the Just Like Family team. I am excited that this new opportunity allows me to be out in the community that I grew up in,” says Dillaha. “Plus, JLF is one big family and it already feels like I am a part of it.”

In her free time, Dillaha enjoys dance, Zumba, going to the gym and spending time with her husband. Dillaha is currently the Silent Auction Chair for the 2014 Love That Dress! in Collier County.

 

11 Reasons Why Seniors Should Care About Social Media

At Just Like Family Home care we are affected by the ever-changing world of social media on the Internet. Sites such as, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest used to be a “young mans game.” However, the demographic in our society is changing drastically: 1 in every 4 people over the age of 65 is on a social media site. With technological advances happening everyday, we at Just Like Family Home care feel it is vital for seniors to be a part of social media. Behold 11 benefits to seniors being on social media:

1) Keep in Touch 

Social Media is an incredible tool for keeping in touch with others. Not only can seniors keep in touch with their kids and grandkids, but seniors are finding their best friends from high school, college roommates and old elementary school crushes. Social media allows us to read blog posts, view pictures and videos, and have conversations with people we never thought we’d see again.

2) Research 

Seniors use social media tools to learn more about topics that interest them. In some cases it can lead them to cultivate hobbies and business ideas, and in other cases, such as with all the inaccurate health information available, it can be a confusing mix of resources. However, the Internet is enabling the over 50 crowd to learn more about new products, work on their genecology, and learn something new.

3)  Ask questions

I don’t know about you, but I get frustrated navigating the phone menu to nowhere, and so do so many others. By using the online tools available, many senior citizens can reach out via Twitter, Facebook, videos, blogs and live chats. Being able to talk to representatives and have all their questions answered, without being intimidated by voices, attitudes and a phone menu that doesn’t seem to lead anywhere, gives folks more confidence in a product.

4) Entertainment
Senior citizens can watch old television shows and movies, as well as find videos from “back in the day.” They can read ebooks, articles and blog posts, find song lyrics and find out what their favorite entertainers are up to. They can play games, either by themselves or with family and friends. Shut ins or those who can’t get out and around as well as they used to no longer have to feel lonely when they’re home alone.

5) Start a new business
Being online allows folks of all ages to start a new business. Perhaps they can sell crafts or give coaching advice. Or maybe they want to get into freelance writing or some sort of consulting. Many senior citizens would love to work but companies don’t want to hire them as they feel they’re “too old.” With social media and so many online productivity and networking tools, senior citizens no longer have to be forced into retirement.

6) Grow an existing business
Seniors who are still in business need to keep up with new programs and technologies. Social media enables them to stay in the game and compete with younger businesses. Use social media tools to connect and share. Answer questions, promote events and sales and more.

7) Learn
Just because one is retired or out of school doesn’t necessarily mean one wants to stop learning. Seniors are now taking courses online and reading online books, posts, articles and more to keep their minds active. Because seniors are now better able to keep up with emerging technologies, they don’t have to be considered “old and out of touch” and can hold their own in a conversation.

8) Share
Senior citizens aren’t merely people who are older than us. They’re also people who have been in the trenches. They have amazing stories and brilliant ideas. Through social media they can share all that good stuff with others. Seniors can blog about how life was when they were growing up or how things have changed during their lifetime. They network online and offer advices and mentoring to younger people and students and they can start Facebook pages to talk to others their age.

9) Meet others
The social networks allow us to meet others, for both business and pleasure. From online meetings seniors can plan offline meetups and networking events with like minded people and people their age.

10) Find work
65 is no longer the age of retirement for active seniors. Many would like to continue working, if not full time with an established business, they can also consult and freelance. Various networks enable them to find opportunities, post online resumes and view and apply for job listings.

11) Take advantage of sales and online opportunities

By following their favorite businesses and brands, seniors can save money by taking advantage of promotional opportunities. Many times freebies and discounts are only available via a Facebook page or for Twitter followers.

For more information on places to get “social media training” call Just Like Family Home Care at 239. 431.6661