CARING ConnectionsDecember 2010

In This Issue

Home Care Still a Bargain in 2010

Ten Warning Signs for Alzheimer's (Newly Revised)

Early Retirement and Early Mortality Linked

December Caregiver of the Month

The Spirit of Giving

Video of the Month

Have you ever wondered why men and women sometimes have trouble communicating? In this hilarious video from Laughyourway.com, comedian Mark Gungor gives you one theory having to do with the differences between men's brains and women's brains. Mark's presentation is a must see. This has got to be one of the very best explanations about the difference between men and women I've come across.

To watch this entertaining clip, click here.
The Flu IQ



Think you know all there is to know about the flu? Answer 10 easy questions and see how you do.


Learn more here.


A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's



This groundbreaking report by Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer's Association reveals the epidemic's effect on women as caregivers, advocates and people living with this disease.


View an article summarizing the report.

Brenda's Recipe Corner

 

Brenda's BEST
Cranberry Salad!

This is FABULOUS. I have had this recipe for 30 years, and I make it every year during Thanksgiving or Christmas. It is a tradition at our home and is greatly enjoyed by all. This year I am sharing it with you. Happy Holidays!

Ingredients

  • 1 package fresh cranberries (12 ounces)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 small can crushed pineapple, juice and all
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
     

Directions

  1. Grind cranberries with a food processor, a blender or some kind of chopper.
  2. Add sugar; mix well. Allow mixture to stand overnight.
  3. Next day, beat whipping cream with a mixer until it reaches a very stiff consistency.
  4. Add the crushed pineapple,marshmallows and chopped nuts, then slowly and gently fold in the whipped cream until it is completely mixed.
  5. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
     
Join Our Mailing List

Greetings!


Assisting Angels Home Care is pleased to announce our new Boise office location. As of December 1st, 2010, we are operating at our new location of 5979 West Overland Road, Boise, Idaho 83709. Our new & larger location will enable us to continue to grow and better serve the needs of the Treasure Valley. Phone, fax numbers, and office hours all remain the same. We welcome you to stop in & visit us at our new facility.
 
A special thanks to Lyn Dohrn of Boise Commercial Properties (208-447-8467) for helping us find this great new office!


Thank you,
The Team at Assisting Angels Home Care


oneHome Care Still a Bargain in 2010

The MetLife 2010 Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs compares nursing homes, assisted living, adult day services, and home care. Findings showed increased costs for all except home care, which was unchanged from the previous year.


Access the full survey here.


twoTen Warning Signs for Alzheimer's (Newly Revised)

The Alzheimer's Association of America has revised its 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease as follows:

  1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  4. Confusion with time or place
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  6. New problems with words while speaking or writing
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  8. Decreased or poor judgment
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
  10. Changes in mood or personality

Download a PDF here.


threeEarly Retirement and Early Mortality Linked

A new US-based study confirmed the theory that retiring early has an association with a higher rate of mortality because early retirees decrease their physical, social, and mental activities earlier than later retirees. These decreased activities put them at greater risk for recurring health problems. Yet another reason to adopt and promote active lifestyles and wellness behaviors into old age.


Read the full article.


oneDecember Caregiver of the Month: Sherman Newman

It's time again for us to recognize our caregiver of the month, and for the month of December, Assisting Angels is pleased to announce that Sherman (Sherm) Newman has earned the award!

Sherm drives all the way from his home in Horseshoe Bend to his 24/7 client in Nyssa, Oregon. He stays with his client round the clock for the better part of each week. Sherm does a marvelous job tending to his client's daily personal care needs. It's also worth mentioning that in addition to his wonderful caregiving, Sherm, hired August 2009, has perfect attendance; he's never called out sick!

Prior to coming to Assisting Angels, Sherman worked at Micron Technology. For over 23 years he operated all types of equipment and robotics. After leaving Micron, he wanted to reinvent himself and work in a totally different field. Sherm enrolled at College of Western Idaho (CWI) and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). In a way, he feels that he is still taking care of machines because according to Sherm, the human body is "the most magnificent machine on earth." Every day Sherm realizes his goal by making a difference in someone's life.

When he's not taking excellent care of our clients, Sherm and his wife of 16 years like to travel and enjoy dining on Thai food. Together, their blended family of three grown sons keeps them busy.

Assisting Angels is fortunate to have a caregiver of Sherm's quality on its staff, and wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to him for all of his hard work!

oneThe Spirit of Giving
by Donna Rodgers, Community Liason
Phone: 208-389-2276

For most of us, the holiday season turns our thoughts to giving. Although I work in an industry that is made up of people who have jobs that involve giving to others, I am constantly amazed by those who give of themselves and never receive a paycheck.

I would like to ask that we all take a moment to acknowledge these amazing angels that we call hospice volunteers. What I find to be of interest is that I have never met a volunteer that would trade our monetary paycheck for what they receive. As one volunteer so aptly put it, "The greatest reward of all is helping someone who can never repay you". That is a true act of selfless love.

When I decided to write an article about hospice volunteers, I looked up the word "giving" in the Thesaurus. I wasn't at all surprised to find another word for giving is "angel". How fitting for these remarkable people that describe their payment as a warm hug, an open heart and bright smiles from their patients.

A volunteer that took care of a patient for over a year told me that before her patient became very ill, he would play the piano and sing for her every day. After he passed away the volunteer said, "He gave me far more in return than I thought I gave him."

As Christmas approaches and our hearts are full of glad tidings and our thoughts turn to those who do so much for us throughout the year, please don't pass up a chance to give thanks to these special people. And remember, they love warm hugs and bright smiles as well.



 



Brenda Critell, President / CEO
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)�, A native of Boise, Idaho and a 4th generation Idahoan.





Skip Critell, Executive Vice President
Provides outreach and education to the community regarding our services. He presents educational seminars; conducts free memory screening for Dementia & Alzheimer's and related diseases, and in-home assessments.
                             


Diana Drake, Outreach Coordinator
Provides home assessments and information to guarantee quality care for our clients and provides outreach and education to the community regarding our services.




Joy Kelly, Client Care Coordinator
Provides quality client care and supervision of direct care services for the Treasure Valley.