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Any Breakfast in This Joint?

  By Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room        

My mother Dorothy was born in south Philadelphia in 1916. To say the least, she has some interesting and colorful language. Four things she says all the time are: I'm hungry, did we eat, what day is it, and "kiss my *ss." Someday I might even tell you some of the more colorful things she says. Maybe.

Five years ago when she said these things they drove me crazy. Now, I just laugh. After all, she is a colorful character. My mother is small and sometimes I see her as a cartoon character. Don't take that the wrong way; it makes me laugh and smile.

This morning, Dorothy had the big Sunday breakfast. Egg, bacon, home fries, toast, coffee, orange juice, and for desert, two mini cinnamon donuts.

About 30 minutes after I had her situated on the sofa she asks, "can we get any breakfast in this joint?" Unlike in days gone by I did not get uptight. I actually thought to myself, well we made it 30 minutes today. You see, Dorothy is convinced she never eats. She can't remember when she ate or what she ate. This has been going on from day one. More than six years.

When she says this, I go over to the sofa and pat her hand a few times. I tell her gently, we had breakfast. She gets that bewildered look on her face and asks, what did we eat? I tell her. She responds, no we didn't.  

At this point while holding her hand, I put my head on her forehead. I say, think, did we eat? She tells me no. I finally say, ok, we will eat in a little while.

It is the touch and the sound of my voice that makes the difference. I am not uptight, not anymore. I sent the hamster within me away. Well, he sneaks back in once and a while. But not often.

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We Will Miss You Ed!

Edward John Wabrek, 92, of Bloomfield, died September 23, 2012 peacefully at home surrounded by family.

He was the beloved husband of the late Beverly Graham Wabrek. Ed was born March 13, 1920 in New Hartford, son of the late John and Katherine (Kuchta) Wabrek. He served in the Navy during World War II. He retired in 1982 from Stanadyne in Windsor after 43 years as a toolmaker/foreman. He was an avid gardener and skier into his 80s and a member of the Mountain Laurel and Newington Ski Clubs. He is survived by his children, Gayle Lavoie of East Haven and Kurt Wabrek and his wife, Elaine of Bloomfield; five grandchildren Amanda, Nicole, and Elizabeth Lavoie, Jonathan Wabrek and wife Karen, Kate Sargent and husband Benjamin and one great-grandchild, Morgan Wabrek. He also leaves two sisters, Pauline Barry of Tampa, FL and Eleanor Adams of Barkhamsted: and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Dori Anderson of Wethersfield and Ruth McCarthy of New Hartford, and three brothers Carl, Walter, and Ted

Wabrek of New Hartford.

Ed was a very fortunate man. Rich in

a wonderful supportive family, he enjoyed frequent visits from children, siblings, and grandchildren. He was able to live out his days in the beautiful house he built himself and shared with his family for so many years. He entertained us with stories, taught us about gardening, skiing, and home construction. Our thanks to our caregivers who helped him live his life in comfort to the end. And special final thanks to our colleagues at Vitas Hospice. ■

How Cranberry Juice Prevents Urinary Tract Infections      

The following recently released study shows that cranberry juice is an effective way to prevent urinary tract infections. Keep in mind this information is being gleaned from clinical trials, so the quality of the research is high.

Scientists today reported new scientific evidence on the effectiveness of that old folk remedy - cranberry juice - for urinary tract infections, at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), being held in Philadelphia this week.

"A number of controlled clinical trials - these are carefully designed and conducted scientific studies done in humans - have concluded that cranberry juice really is effective for preventing urinary tract infections," said Terri Anne Camesano, Ph.D., who led the study. "That has important implications, considering the size of the problem and the health care costs involved."

A glass of cranberry juice cocktail can fight urinary tract infections, researchers say.

Estimates suggest that urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for about 8 million medical visits each year, at a total cost of more than $1.6 billion.

UTIs involve bacterial infections of the urinary tract and can occur anywhere between the urethra, the opening where urine is excreted from the body, and the kidney. Women are frequent victims, with at least 1 in 3 experiencing a UTI. Studies suggest that only half of women with UTIs seek medical care for the mildest symptoms, which include burning and urgency.

Camesano, who is with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, said the study set out to shed light on how cranberry juice fights E. coli, the most common cause of UTIs.

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KUDOS from Kelly

         By Kelly McNamara

Edith Dorman (Edie)   

There are blessings and challenges in being a long-term caregiver for a special client. Since our business is caring for elderly folks with chronic diseases, there is often a shift in care, in focus, in the needs and wants of the client over a period of time. The wise caregiver shifts, changes, accommodates to the changing needs of her client. This is oh so much more easily said than done! Edie has been the live in caregiver for GL for several months. Their mutual attachment and caring is evident to anyone who is in the room with them for more than a few minutes. Edie has accommodated GL's needs and shifted her focus to better meet those needs. She is a superb cook, an astute observer of her client's changes in condition, a very attentive caregiver and a good listener. Her caring about her client is genuine. Edie even calls during her vacations to see how GL is doing with a relief caregiver. As an added bonus, Edie has become a valuable support to GL's family and considers them her relatives as well, a feeling shared by this family. From all of us, Thanks Edie !

All caregivers mentioned in this column will receive a gift card and our sincere appreciation! Many many thanks to all of you for once again extending yourselves to ensure that we are of course Always There...!!       

 Providers We Love   

We are privileged to have received referrals from and be able to coordinate care with many Assisted Living facilities, rehab facilities, and Medicare Home Care and Hospice agencies.   Our growth is in large part due to the trust the staff in these organizations have put in our caregivers. We are likewise impressed with them and we are committed to referring to them on a regular basis

Miller Memorial Community, Meriden   

Too many folks consider only the quality of interior décor when choosing a rehab facility. This is extremely short sighted. The real value and benefit in any rehab setting is the people. The therapists, the nurses, the aides. How attentive and responsive are they? How focused on the patient's success are they? Miller excels in this area. Their staff retention is high, they are all well experienced. Their patients do very well at home and do not return. Miller boasts an active and effective short-term rehab in addition to high quality long-term care. Miller also operates an active outpatient rehab facility for folks who have been discharged to home but miss the folks at Miller and can receive the same quality therapy in an outpatient setting. Our clients continue to visit after discharge, just to see their friends on the staff again!

Arbor Rose, Assisted Living, New Britain   

Arbor Rose boasts a wonderful and caring group of staff, activity folks who keep life interesting for residents and a very welcoming environment for our pet therapy program. Our caregivers who are providing service for some residents at Arbor Rose have determined that Arbor Rose serves the best food and has the friendliest and most attentive dining staff of any facility in which they've worked. High praise indeed! Arbor Rose is the perfect environment for those who want to age in place gracefully and well cared for. Thanks to our colleagues at Arbor Rose for their continued support and trust in our caregivers. It is always a pleasure to work with all of you!

Vitas Hospice, Waterbury, Fairfield, Hartford

We are always proud to refer our clients to Vitas Hospice. Their beautiful acute care inpatient unit at St Mary's is just another reason to refer folks there who are struggling with their family members care under hospice. Vitas has distinguished itself on its response time, its amazing and unique Veterans program and its commitment to providing continuous care (24 hour care by Vitas staff LPNs or CNAs at Medicare's expense). Continuous Care is provided by Vitas when clients are actively dying or need short-term symptom management. The vast majority of people have expressed their desire to end their lives at home in peace and comfort. Vitas excels in this area. We are proud to be a referral partner.

Seabury Active Living Retirement Community, Bloomfield

One of Connecticut's first retirement communities, Seabury has grown impressively from its original facility. The sprawling campus now boasts several individual residences, from apartments to substantial single homes. Their memory care unit is superb. The surroundings provide lovely views in all seasons. An immense fitness facility, including a large pool promotes continued fitness of older adults. Seabury boasts an impressive participation of its residents in the fitness facility. Seabury also has an innovative Life Care program and Seabury at Home service. Their home care program provides both Medicare as well as home private duty services for the community and surrounding area. Their health care center boasts state of the art short-term rehab in a beautiful setting. There is excellent coordination with their Home Care agency, which provides nursing, and all therapies, following a comprehensive home safety assessment prior to discharge. It is a privilege to work in co-operation with them.

Regional Hospice and Home Care of
Western CT, Danbury   

Regional Hospice has been serving the residents of Danbury and western CT for decades.  Their community programs areimpressive, they care for both children and adults and provide palliative and hospice care in a very professional and compassionate manner.  We have been so impressed with their end of life care to both patients and families. It is an honor to work with them to meet all the needs of their hospice clients.

We are happy to report that several folks have told us they use this column when seeking a provider for themselves or their family members. We take our recommendations of providers very seriously. Please consider our favorites in deciding care for yourself or your family members. We would choose any of them for our loved ones.■