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Greetings!
ElderCare at Home brings you this newsletter in the spirit of cooperation and education. We hope you find this information useful and informative. Please give us a call or email us if there is anything we can do for you! |
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Happy Valentine's Day! | | |
Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at ElderCare at Home.
"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
-Franklin P. Jones |
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Healing Hearts™ | | |
In today's ever evolving health care field, the trend is for cardiac patients to be discharged earlier from hospitals. Patients now require more home based assistance as they overcome complications that historically have occurred during hospitalization, as well as to successfully complete the overall recovery process. ElderCare at Home is pleased to offer your patients Healing Hearts™, a home- based cardiac care program.
Services include:
- Complimentary Pre-operative home care consultation
- Complimentary Post-operative home care consultation
- Implementation of all Post-operative instructions
- Dressing Changes
- Medication Management
- Nutritious Meal Preparation
- Diet & Nutrition Instruction
- Transportation
- Education & Disease Management
- Family Support & Counseling
- Care Planning & Monitoring
- Risk Assesments
- Maintenance of a Quiet, Comfortable Environment, 24 Hours per Day, 7 Days per Week
To schedule a complimentary consultation please call us at
800-209-4342 |
| How To: Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies | | |
ElderCare at Home encourages our caregivers to really help our clients as well as their families. Part of care giving involves keeping your loved one happy. Here is a simple recipe that caregivers can perform with someone that has Alzheimer's disease.
Cooking and baking are great ways to pass the time, stimulate the mind, and create delicious meals.
Ingredients: 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup of butter, softened 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 egg yolk, 2 1/4 cups all- purpose flour
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond extract, vanilla extract and the egg yolk.
2. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended.
3. Chill the dough for 8 hours, or overnight. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/3 at a time to a 1/8 inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use.
5. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters (suggestion: hearts for Valentine's Day). Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Leave cookies plain for frosting, or brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or colored sugar.
7. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light and golden brown. Cool cookies completely before frosting.
8. Enjoy!
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Alzheimer's Disease Research | | There was a government meeting in Washington, where Healt h and Human Services officials gathered with other medical experts to discuss the framework for the first national plan to fight Alzheimer's disease. The number one goal stated in the early draft of the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) is to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025. Although the funding levels have not been determined, disease experts compare the multi-agency federal approach of NAPA to the wars on heart disease and cancer.
Alzheimer's disease, which is a form of dementia that causes progressive loss of intellectual and social skills, is the only disease among the top killers for which there is no prevention, cure or treatment that will slow its progression.
"I think the potential impact of this plan is huge," says Ron Peterson, chairman of the NAPA non-federal advisory council and director of the Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. "Given the economic problems, it's a bit of a challenge, but this is our chance to make a bold statement."
President Obama signed NAPA into law last January. Experts have spent a year formulating the framework for the plan, and the final draft is due on the desk of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this month or early February.
George Vradenburg, a member of the research committee with Peterson, says the early plan is good overall but needs to move faster: "It's the first time the government has talked about a time-based goal to stop Alzheimer's disease. I'm going to urge we accelerate the time. I'm committed to 2020."
-Alzheimer's Association
Click here to learn more about the treatment of Alzheimer's. |
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10 Tips to Becoming a Healthier Caregiver | | |
 In every 10 households, at least one of the family member's is a caregiver. In the United States today, there are 34 million of these caregivers.
Over half are women and many are children! They're looking after someone who can't fully take care of himself or herself. In some cases, it's a temporary disability. In other cases, it's a progressive disability, like Alzheimer's disease. In almost every case, the caregiver makes a huge and commendable effort looking after the care-receiver.
It's easy to become overwhelmed from being the primary caregiver to someone you know and who is ill. The stress of constantly worrying and depression can take a toll on caregiver's bodies. Sometimes caregivers tend to push their own needs aside in order to stay focused on the person their caring for. By doing this, they may be putting themselves and their health at risk. There is no need to neglact your own physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
1. Understand what's going on as early as possible
Symptoms of Alzheimer's may appear gradually. It can be easy to explain away changing or unusual behavior when a loved one seems physically healthy. Instead, consult a doctor when you see changes in memory, mood or behavior. Don't delay: some symptoms are treatable!
2. Know what community resources are available
Contact ElderCare at Home or Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. The staff can help you find Alzheimer's care resources in your community. Live-in care, geriatric care management and respite care are just a few of the services that can help you manage daily tasks.
3. Become an educated caregiver
As the disease progresses, new care giving skills may be necessary. ElderCare has a program called Coaching for Caregivers that can help you better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer's disease.
4. Get help
Trying to do everything by yourself will leave you exhausted. Seek the support of family, friends and community resources. Tell others exactly what they can do to help. ElderCare at Home has a 24 hour crisis help line and the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center holds local support groups which are a great source of comfort and reassurance.
5. Take care of yourself
Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you stay healthy will help you to be a better caregiver.
6. Manage your level of stress
Stress can cause physical problems (blurred vision, stomach irritation, high blood pressure) and changes in behavior (irritability, lack of concentration, change in appetite). Note your symptoms. Use relaxation or meditation techniques that work for you, and talk to a doctor.
To review the last four Caregiver Tips, click here now. |
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ElderCare at Home CNA Spotlight | | |
Silamene Desjardins
Silamene Desjardins has been a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) at ElderCare at Home since June 2011. The CNA Spotlight should definitely be awarded to Silamene . She is the epitome of what an ElderCare caregiver should be!
 In review of the past year, ElderCare truly believes that Silamene has proven to be one of the most loving caregivers that we have. She started working for her client back in early June 2011. Since then, they have been with each other 24 hours a day, six days a week. During the time they spend together, they have really bonded. In a recent visit from a Hospice doctor, Silamene was described as, "Selfless and loving towards her patient."
Here's what we have to say about Silamene!
ElderCare knows that Silamene is an amazing caregiver. She has been reliable and fiercely loyal to her client since day one. We believe that when Silamene is caring for a patient, that person is most definitely getting the best care possible. Silamene is proactive and quick to report any issues or concerns, which is extremely beneficial to the patient. Her work ethic is almost unmatched! The least we can say about Silamene is that she has truly been a blessing to this company, we appreciate everything she does and the reputation she upholds for ElderCare at Home.
ElderCare at Home is very proud to have her on our team!
For more testimonials, click here. |
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Tips for Caregivers of People with Alzheimer's Patients | |
Sleeping Problems
For the exhausted caregiver, sleep can't come too soon. For many people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, however, the approach of nighttime may be a difficult time. Many become restless, agitated and irritable around dinner time.
1. Encourage exercise during the day and limit daytime napping. Make sure the patient does not become too fatigued during the day because that may increase late afternoon restlessness.
2. Try to schedule more physically demanding activities earlier in the day. Bathing could be earlier in the morning, appointments and large family meals could be at mid-day.
3. Set a quiet, peaceful tone in the evening to encourage a standard sleep-schedule. Simple, calming activities in the afternoon and evening, keep the lights dim, eliminating loud noises and playing soothing music may help set the mood for sleep and relaxation.
4. Keep bedtime at a set time each evening. Developing a bedtime routine may help.
5. Restrict access to caffeine late in the day. Also restrict the intake of sugary foods and drinks.
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Word Search: Stimulate the Mind | |
Click on the word search to print & complete the puzzle. |
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