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December, 2011 Edition
Greetings!
I hope this day of December is wonderful for you and your family! We are still feeling full from our big Thanksgiving dinner at Sunshine Gardens. The day was very special. Chef Jody Goodwin prepared an outstanding meal for residents, staff, families, and friends. We spent a pleasant afternoon enjoying excellent food and great company! We certainly hope your thanksgiving was wonderful, as well! Now we shift gears, preparing for Christmas. The holidays bring much joy and special times to many people. However, they can be a time of difficulty and grief for some. The holidays may remind people of a loved one who has recently passed. They may be a time that you once looked forward to and you are now dreading, because it is a reminder that your loved one is no longer with you. These emotions are common. It is important that you recognize your feelings of anxiety. Do not feel like you have to participate in holiday activities. However, you should try and focus on the current relationships that you do have. Nurture the time spent with people around you. Get involved in holiday charity and giving to others. This may help distract you and allow you to offer service to others who are less fortunate. It is also a good a idea to try and remember the special person or persons you've lost. Start traditions such as lighting candles in their honor, baking their favorite dish, or writing a note expressing your feelings to them. Allow yourself to grieve and mourn their loss. It is ok to feel "down" during the holidays; just remember, there are many positives to the holiday season. Try to embrace the goodness! Please know that you always have a friend at Sunshine Gardens. Our family is strong and supportive and we are here to offer an ear (maybe with a hearing aid in it)!! We guarantee friendship and holiday cheer!! From our Sunshine Gardens family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! |
| Caregiver's Corner
By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident This new caregiver impressed me by his rapid ability to learn his responsibilities. He is helpful and brilliant in the manner he handles residents. His name is Will Hurley.
Born in Pueblo, CO, Will subsequently resided in Monte Vista, Ireland, Buena Vista, and Durango. Prior to his caregiving responsibilities, Will was a raft guide, an instructor for outward-bound kids, and a ski instructor. Will Hurley's education includes attending college at Fort Lewis where he majored in Psychology and minored in Adventure Education. His father is Grant Hurley, an M.D. and his mother, April Hurley is a nurse and guide. His siblings Kelsey and Megan are also in the medical profession. Kelsey is in med-school in Fort Worth, Texas, and Megan is a nurse in Spokane, Washington.
Unmarried, Will is worth the grabbing! He's enjoyed visiting Mexico and California. He also spent time as an exchange student in Ireland. Will aspires to attain a Master's Degree in Counseling.
An interesting fact about Will, he once chased a bear with a cheese grater. He also flipped his boat through a wild rapid! Will is quite the adventure-man.
Will seeks to discover what to do with his life and future. Will, you will have no problem given your exploratory mind!
Caregiver Megan Patton recently joined our caregiving staff. She shows signs of willingness to learn and rapidly express her talent. We are already impressed.
Born in Libby, Montana, she later excursioned to Longmont, Fort Collins, Las Vegas, and Galena, Illinois.
The mountains attracted Megan to come to Durango. She has spent time working as a housekeeper and care giver. She also earned a GED at Front Range Community College. Megan's mom is Marilyn, she is a caregiver and QMAP (Qualified Medication Administration Professional).
Megan is un-married at his time, but is dating. Her siblings live in other mountain towns. Billy is in Longmont, CO, Cade is in Dacona, CO, and Michael in Troy, Montana.
Megan aspires to someday become a pharmacist. With your ambitions ahead, you will be sure to succeed. You've got what it takes! |
| Medicare Co-Pays for Brand-Name Drugs Going Up
Thanks to: ourparents.com and the Associated Press
Happy with your Medicare premium? Don't forget to check your drug copays.
Though some premiums are decreasing, many copays for brand-name medications are going up, according to a study from Avalere, a data analysis firm. The Associated Press reports:
The Avalere study found that copays for preferred brand-name drugs will increase to an average of $40.60 next year, up from $29.01 currently. Preferred brands are usually drugs for which the prescription drug plan has negotiated a discount with the manufacturer. Copays for non-preferred brand drugs will rise to $91.67 on average, from $71.52 this year. ... By contrast, copays for preferred generics will remain stable, averaging $3.79. And copays for non-preferred generics will drop to $9.90, a 43 percent reduction from the current $17.29.
According to the article, "Higher Copays Seen for Medicare Brand-Name Drugs," copays for generics are remaining the same or decreasing overall. Medicare open enrollment is going on right now. The deadline to switch plans is December 7.
*Contact Sheila Casey at the Durango Senior Center if you would like to review your current Medicare prescription plan. She can be reached at 970-382-6442. |
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Christmas Poem
Thanks to: familyfriendpoems.com
My mother means the world to me. She is fighting for her life because she has cancer. I wanted to honor her with this poem. She came from poverty beyond what most could imagine. When she was a little girl she wrote a letter to Santa. She didn't use postage. She just placed it in the mailbox. The mail man read the letter and got together with a local church to make mom's dream come true. Her dad was a very proud man that would not except charity, however this one time he graciously excepted.
Mama's Christmas Miracle
© Kathy J Parenteau
Mama told me a story a long long time ago not like any that I'd ever heard, all about a little girl mama used to know, how I remember every word. Seems like a lifetime ago, though I remember it so well, it was a Christmas eve I'll never forget as far as I can tell. We were sitting at the kitchen table, it was only my mother and me, I was dreaming of Christmas morning and all the presents under the tree. Dad wasn't doing that well and money was scarce that year, Mama found a way of telling me without me shedding one tear. She told me a story of a little girl and a Christmas long ago, who came from far away, a place where it rarely snowed. Santa was just a dream to her, but she believed so much inside, that Christmas was going to be special, so she knelt by her bed and she cried. "Lord let Santa remember me if not just this one time, I promise I won't ask for much, maybe a dolly I can call all mine." She closed her prayer and thanked the Lord for all that she received, she knew that Santa would really come if only she believed. She wrote a letter to Santa unfamiliar to most girls and boys, Though her list was long and full, on it there were no toys. Only things we take for granted, like new shoes or underpants, hair bows for her sisters and gloves to warm her brother's hands. At the bottom of her list she asked if it not be to much, for a brand new baby doll she could hold and love and touch. Then Christmas morning came and she looked beneath her tree, Not a present to be found as far as she could see. She didn't give up hope as she heard a knocking sound, When she opened up her door a great big box she found. She called out to her mother and dad, brothers and sisters too, She said "my prayers were answered, there's something in here for all of you. Her daddy got brand new boots, her mother new underpants, her sisters got beautiful hair bows, her brothers warm gloves for their hands. Buried deep beneath the box was a brand new baby doll and a note that said Merry Christmas I love you one and all. I'll never forget that story because much to my surprise, I saw the true meaning of Christmas shining in my mother's eyes. For those of you who are wondering, as if you didn't know, The little girl in Mama's story was my mother long ago.
This poem is about a childhood memory I will never forget. God bless all the mothers in this world and may all your Christmases be ones to remember! |
May this Christmas and Holiday year open your hearts with happiness, peace, and love! Sunshine Gardens is our happiness, peace, and love!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!

Trisha Kellogg
Marketing Director
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Our mission is to create a forum about senior citizen living care topics, as well as other adult assisted living news that matters most to you.
-Assistant to Editor: Lou Gans
-Monthly Writers: Charlie Mitz, Bill Steinberg, George Hayo, Allen Sapp-Freelance Writer: Gina Pruett *Other residents wishing to contribute, please contact Trisha Kellogg
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