HESSCO Elder Services
The Journey 
Care. Support. Solutions.
August 2011
Care for the Caregiver
Greetings!  

We very often put a lot of energy and effort into planning for summer. Before we can put into action our big plans, summer is over. During the winter, we put off tasks until summer, thinking that everything gets easier in the summer. Sometimes we forget to simply enjoy the summer, even as it comes to a close.

In this issue of The Journey, learn about some fun and local places to go where you can enjoy these waning days of summer. Excitement is building at HESSCO for the upcoming Caregiver Day of Resources and Relaxation. This special day for caregivers will be a wonderful way to finish your summer and usher in the fall with a renewed energy.

Sincerely,                                                          

Sheryl Leary
Family Caregiver Support 
Program Coordinator
          

Caregiver Day of R & R

  
The Caregiver Day of R & R (Resources and Relaxation) is a much anticipated event that HESSCO offers annually. It will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood on September 20, 2011.

This special day offers  caregiver the chance to attend educational and supportive programs as well as relax and connect with others. Our keynote speaker, Crystal Thorpe from Elder Decisions - a division of Agreement Resources,  LLC,  will explore how we make tough decisions as caregivers with her talk "Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Managing Difficult Decisions". HESSCO staff and many area experts are offering 8 different breakout sessions with topics ranging from "Self Care Survival Skills for Caregivers" to "Caregiver Nutrition: Your Health Counts Too". HESSCO will host over 40 different area businesses and agencies that can offer valuable support to caregivers. Our platinum sponsors are committed to helping area caregivers, their websites are only a "click" away on this newsletter's sidebar.

The Relaxation Room makes this day extra special. This special room offers caregivers the chance to experience a 15 minute chair massage or reiki session. There will  also be an art and knitting demonstration for stress relief. The extraordinary lunch buffet from Four Points by Sheraton allows HESSCO to feed both body and soul on this wonderful day.
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For the brochure and registration information, go to: http://www.hessco.org/files/Caregiver-Day-of-RR-2011.pdf
or email Sheryl Leary at sleary@hessco.org.

 

 

Where to go, What to do 
As summer comes to a close, we sometimes scramble to make up for all the things we thought we were going to get done. Many caregivers have difficulty planning extensive vacations around their family members' needs. If you thought you would plan more fun day trips than you actually accomplished, try this website with 50 Massachusetts attractions that are under $50.00.


city street


Spur of the moment day trips are both fun and relaxing. If your family member can't come along or you need the break, talk to friends and family about providing you with some respite. Sometimes providing care for one day is easier for other family members to coordinate than overnight or extensive vacations. For ideas on how to expand your support network so that you can have some respite, contact Caregiver Specialist Christina Smith at csmith@hessco.org.


 

  

 

10 Stress Relief Tips

Sometimes even a basic activity can become stress relieving when you put your focus into it. Here are 10 simple tasks that can become stress relieving when done with the intent of helping you relax and consciously spending time on yourself.

  • Yoga at homeGo for a walk
  • Bake cookies
  • Have a cup of coffee/tea
  • Light a candle
  • Sing a song from childhood
  • Re-read a chapter from your favorite book
  • Pull weeds in the garden
  • Watch your favorite old film
  • Play a game of solitaire
  • Go for a drive

Sometimes what is important is not the activity, but how it is done. Pick something that you enjoy and give yourself the time to do it. Sometimes, your stress relief activity may only take 10 minutes, other times it may take longer. Many brief periods of stress relief can be just as helpful as one long period. Do not discount the value of 10 minutes for yourself.  A well rested caregiver is a better caregiver.

Know Another Caregiver? 

Do you know someone else who could benefit from this newsletter?  Click on the "Forward Email" on the bottom of this email.

Upcoming Events

August 25 Grief and the Alzheimer's Caregiver by Scott Ciosek for the Neponset Valley Alzheimer's Partnership, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Foxboro COA, 75 Central Street, Foxboro, MA; No RSVP necessary.

 

September 20 Caregiver Day of Resources and Relaxation, 8:15 AM - 2:30 PM annual caregiver conference by HESSCO Elder Services at Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, MA, download brochure at http://www.hessco.org/files/Caregiver-Day-of-RR-2011.pdf

 

September 21 Is the Veteran's Aid & Attendance Program a Resource for You? by Deborah Blum-Shore, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA; RSVP to register@communityvna.com or 774-203-1311.

 

October 6 My Life My Health, 6 week workshop offered to adults living with the challenges of one or more persistent health conditions and/or their caregivers. Thursdays 1:00 - 3:30 at Millis Council on Aging, 900 Main Street, Millis, MA 02054 RSVP to Sheryl Leary at 781-784-4944 Ext 238 or sleary@hessco.org.

 

October 12 Powerful Tools for Caregivers, 6 week workshop for family who are caring for aging relatives or adults with disabilities. Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Hockomock Area YMCA - Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic Street, Foxboro, MA; RSVP to Christina Smith at 781-784-4944 Ext 253 or csmith@hessco.org.

 

October 27 Dementia and Driving, panel presentation for the Neponset Valley  Alzheimer's Partnership, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Attleboro Council on Aging, 25 South Main Street, Attleboro, MA; No RSVP Necessary.

 

October 27 Lifestyle Options for Aging Loved Ones by Carol Falcone, RN and Karole Nicholson of Community VNA, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield, MA; To register go to www.harboroneu.com and click "classes".

 

November 4 Finding the Balance: Caregiving and Employment by HESSCO Elder Services, 1 Merchant Street, Sharon MA, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM; RSVP to Christina Smith at 781-784-4944 Ext 253 or csmith@hessco.org.

 

November 16 A Dementia Family Forum by Michelle Wyman, LSW 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Mansfield Adult Day Health Center, 300 Branch Street, Mansfield, MA; To Register call Michelle Wyman at 508-641-4707.

 

Ongoing, Stress Management Program, by Jim Sheehan at Norwood Hospital, 800 Washington Street, Norwood, MA, For more information and complete schedule call 781-278-6235

 

 
In This Issue
Caregiver Day of R & R
Where to go, What to do
10 Stress Relief Tips
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
What's New 

 

 

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Do you want to learn more about help that is available to caregivers? Whether you are caring for someone age 60 and over, an individual with dementia, or if you are a grandparent raising a grandchild, there is support available to you. The Family Caregiver Support Program connects caregivers to services and gives caregivers the tools they need to manage the stress in their lives. For more information visit the Support For Caregivers tab under Services at www.hessco.org.