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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 St. Patrick's Day! | | |
You don't have to be Irish to love March! Spring is right around the corner and most of us are making plans for Passover or Easter. This month, in recognition of St. Patrick's Day and the "Luck of the Irish", we are offering our caregivers 2 hours of complimentary respite care. We know that being a full-time caregiver is hard work. It's important for you to take some time for yourself. Please be sure to complete the information in the coupon below and schedule your respite break today!
Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at ElderCare at Home.
"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night."
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Hospitalization & Alzheimer's Disease | | |
A trip to the hospital with a person who has memory loss or dementia can be stressful for both of you.
The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center published a great brochure/booklet, which includes steps that you can take to make hospitals visits less traumatic; tips on making your relative or care partner more comfortable once you arrive at the hospital and suggestions on how to work with hospital staff and doctors.
To read more, please click here.
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How Do I Get Mom to Leave the House for Appointments? | | 
For someone suffering from dementia, leaving their home environment, whether it is to visit a doctor, attend a holiday event or simply to go to the store, can often lead to confusion and may cause the person to exhibit signs of agitation, stress and anxiety.
As caregivers, our role is not only to make sure that our loved one gets the medical care and cognitive stimulation that they need, but also that we do so in the most gentle manner possible.
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Alzheimer's Disease Research | | The release  of the first draft of the National Alzheimer's Plan is another positive step toward the nation's first-ever strategic plan for Alzheimer's. Comprehensive in scope, the draft plan addresses issues that are important to the Alzheimer's community including developing new treatments that prevent and effectively treat the disease, delivering much needed support to families, and enhancing care quality and effectiveness.
The release of the draft plan came following the Obama administration's important announcement earlier this month of committing new resources in the fight against Alzheimer's - an initial investment that is necessary to begin to address the broad impact of this disease.
"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." -Alzheimer's Association Click here to read the draft plan. |
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Forgetfulness: A Poem by Billy Collins | | Click here to read a touching poem written by Billy Collins. Enjoy!
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Who Can I Call? |
|  Sometimes it is hard for caregivers to reach out when they need help.
Keeping a list of people you can turn to in the event that you feel overwhelmed or just need a break, will remind you that there are people you can lean on and they are just a phone call away. hkj |
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Tips to Becoming a Better 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. While, 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.
Here are five things that make care giving easier:
1. Trust
When you are providing the most intimate care to an elderly person, they must trust you completely and you must trust yourself. Have faith in your ability to be a caregiver. No one is perfect. There are no rule books to prepare you for the role. Make decisions based on the situation and perform your role with confidence. It can be frightening, but you have to have the courage to do your best. Most importantly, seek help when you need it!2. Knowledge is Power
Learn all that you can about your loved one's condition. There is a lot of information out there. Many before you have had to deal with the same condition or ailment that your loved one suffers from. Find information from healthcare professionals, the internet or friends who have gone through similar situations. Knowledge is power. It can guide you and instill confidence. Furthermore, when you demonstrate that you are competent to make decisions about their care, your loved one will relax and become more compliant with the regimens that you develop.3. Look for Non-Verbal Clues
Body language is a big part of human communication and interaction. Your elderly parent may be visibly uncomfortable or agitated, but unable to express what is wrong. If you take the attitude of "well, if you're not going to tell me what's wrong, then I'm not going to worry about it," you might be missing a critical health problem or care need. Be sensitive to subtle non-verbal cues. Your loved one's responses, no matter how simple, open the door for you to more accurately understand what they need, or how much they need.4. Humility
Even though your elderly parent is impaired, he or she still has an opinion. They can still teach important lessons about life and love. Be willing to learn from your loved one and avoid arrogance that may stem from frustration. Don't disregard their opinion without giving it some thought. Take time to consider their point of view. Respond to your loved one as the individual human being they were before they became "the patient."5. Do It From the Heart
You may have taken on the role of caregiver because there was no one else to do it. You got the job whether you wanted it or not. But if it's yours, commit to it. Don't view caring for an elderly parent as an obligation. Approach caregiving as something you do from your heart. Your job is important. You are having a positive impact on the life of another. Caregiving is a selfless act. Make it something you want to do...not have to do. It's always easier to do something that you want to do. |
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ElderCare at Home CNA Spotlight
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Juliette Duffus
Juliette Duffus has been a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) at ElderCare at Home since October 2006. The CNA Spotlight should definitely be awarded to Juliette . She is the epitome of what an ElderCare caregiver should be!
 In review of the past year, ElderCare truly believes that Juliette has proven to be one of the most loving caregivers that we have. She started working for her client back in early August 2011. Since then, they have been with each other 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the time they spend together, they have really bonded.
Here's what we have to say about Juliette!
ElderCare knows that Juliette is an amazing caregiver. She has been reliable and fiercely loyal to her client since day one. We believe that when Juliette is caring for a patient, that person is most definitely getting the best care possible. Juliette 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 Juliette 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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Word Search: Stimulate the Mind | |
Click on the word search to print & complete the puzzle. |
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