 HOME CAREtoday
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Dear Friend:
Happy Twenty Eleven!
It's a whole new year -- a clean slate filled with hope and possibilities for the future, the chance to start all fresh and new.
For us, at AHCS, that means more opportunities to help seniors enjoy life in their own home.
We've been matching only experienced and compassionate caregivers with seniors for a near decade in Atlanta. And now, that we've launched AHCS as a franchise, we'll soon be assisting seniors in more of the U.S.'s southeastern cities, too. Stay posted for exciting news about our 2nd AHCS office coming soon! We also believe fervently that our business of helping seniors goes beyond "the business." That's why, a few years ago, we started "Sweaters For Seniors," a community service program. Thanks to civic and women's groups, schools and individuals, we've collected more than 2,000 sweaters since 2008. According to Gary Galloway at Gwinnett County Senior Services, "A sweater can be a big help to a senior...especially during these cold winter months."
"Sweaters" even went a bit further this year with our "Create-A-Sweater" Pinup program. By creating and taking this hands-on interactive art project into the schools, students were further drawn towards towards the needs of seniors in our community. CBS Atlanta also supported our efforts for the 3rd year in a row with televised coverage and Sweaters For Seniors received national recognition from a national cause marketing expert as you'll see below.
Finally, we can't start the new year without a word about the importance of caregivers. So in this issue, we've included a Caregiver Q&A with our co-owner, Derrick Merchant. Whether you're a CNA who works for AHCS or you have an elderly parent you're taking care of, we understand and appreciate your caring nature for others. And we want to remind you to take some most important time for yourself, too with a few helpful ideas in HOME CAREtoday
Be well, Sharna Fulton, Director of Marketing
404-663-8450
Alternative Home Care for Seniors (AHCS), 2386 Clower St. E-202, Snellville, GA 30078
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Our gift to you:
FREE 2011 Women's Monthly Planner
This book has valuable health care tips and will help you plan your year. If you'd like us to put one in the mail to you, please send an email with your address to: sharna@alternative4seniors.com
Offer good while supply lasts.
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A Caregiver's New Year's Resolution. Put Yourself First!
It's only natural. As a person who cares for others, it's easy to put everyone else's needs ahead of your own. But thinking of yourself first often benefits others in the long run. It helps you re-energize and become more self aware of all the special things that make you YOU. Here's a few tips to help you relieve stress, warm-up and welcome in your new year.
- Try a little yoga and take a deep breath.
- Treat your lovely helping hands to a manicure.
- Trim the tresses. A new coif does wonders for one's mood.
- Bubble up the bath. Bring candles, a CD and cup of tea.
- Don those woolie gifts from Santa and go for a walk. Work up to 3 times a week if you can. It's good for your health and it'll make you happy. (Make sure to check with your doctor first.)
- Meet your most upbeat friend at a local cafe. Buy him or her a latte. Then plan your next visit and let them treat you the next time.
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 A Caregiver Q&A
with Derrick Merchant
Q: You've (co-)owned your agency for over eight years. What do you attribute your success in the home care industry?
We've been able to grow and nurture a wonderful network of caregivers. We have over 100 CNA's on our roster right now.
Q: How did you grow your network of caregivers?
Over time, word of mouth leads them to us. The ability to retain their services is key. We're here at all times to address their questions and concerns. We also create accountability for them.
Q: Give an example of how you create accountability.
Before we assign a case, we have them call the client in order to establish a relationship. This helps them take responsibility right away for their assignment. We also communicate with them before the weekend and ask them things like 'How's your car working' and 'Do you have a babysitter lined up'?
Q: What exactly is a CNA? What unique qualities do they have?
The job of a certified nursing assistant is challenging both physically and psychologically. A CNA helps with a variety of things depending on the situation-housekeeping, errands, companionship, lifting the client in and out of bed, preparing meals, personal hygiene.
Click here to read more: |
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Contact Derrick Merchant @ 770-736-7977 or derrick@alternative4seniors.com
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Home Care Today is an e-news publication of Alternative Home Care for Seniors (AHCS). Each monthly issue features quick-read information pertaining to seniors, caregivers and community involvement. To see archived e-newsletters, click here. All articles copyright Alternative Home Care for Seniors 2010. To request permission to reprint articles or content from past issues, please contact sharna@alternative4seniors.com
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What does Alternative Home Care for Seniors have in common with Dunkin Donuts, New Balance and Whole Foods? Just ask Joe Waters of Selfish Giving,
a cause marketer's musings on doing well
and good. According to Joe, we're one of the best local cause marketers in the U.S. for 2010.
So what is this "Cause Marketing" thing you ask. Defined by Joe, co-author of the upcoming book, Cause Marketing for Dummies, (an obvious expert on the term),
cause marketing is when
a for profit business
works with a nonprofit
for mutual benefit.
And the reason we made Joe's list? Our new "Sweaters For Seniors: Create-A-Sweater" pinup program in 2010.
"This is grassroots
cause marketing
at its best."
Joe Waters
Selfish Giving
Having noticed in past years it was schools and students who made "Sweaters" special, we changed its focus to "a youth based collection to warm Atlanta's seniors." Working with a Gwinnett County Elementary school, we had students color and design blank paper sweater pinups to sell to their PTA to benefit Gwinnett County Senior Services.
In addition, to the pilot program, other metro Atlanta schools collected more than 600 sweaters for Gwinnett County
Senior Services and Senior Citizen Services
of Metro Atlanta.We'd
like to thank Joe Waters for recognizing all of our efforts here in Atlanta.
(Joe is Boston based as you can see by his cap.)
| | Joe Waters |
We look forward to
reading his book,
Cause Marketing for Dummies in the spring
to get more ideas for our 4th Annual Sweaters
For Seniors. (Coming
Fall 2011!)
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