News from Always There Home Care

In This Issue

Featured Article: Mother's Day Without My Mom, Dotty

Farewell Ray Dovell

Getting Outdoors with Limited Mobility

Kudos From Kelly

Providers We Love

Photo right: Gentry Eramian known as "pork chop" by his adoring grandfather.

"When nothing is sure everything is possible."

~ Margaret Drabble

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Happy 99th and 100th Birthday!! Turning 100 Collage

Photo left: Elizabeth Turns 99! Pictured at her party with her daughter and granddaughter.

Photo right: Marianna's brother turns 100!

Photo left: Regina's Mother; Kelly's
Grandmother, Jean at the beach.

"Never fear shadows...
that always means there
is a light

shining somewhere."

~ Jonathan Santos

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Featured Article:

Mother's Day Without My Mom, Dotty

By Dorothy DeMarco

Note from Regina: Yes, we know Mother's Day was last month. But I also know that my family is not alone in celebrating Mother's Day for the first time without a mother. So this is dedicated to all of you who made it through your first Mother's Day without your mom as we once again enjoy my friend Bob's wise advice.

I really missed the remarks that I know Dotty would have made if she had been walking with me (or riding in the wheelchair). Dotty would have had something to say about the people, or the dogs, or the tattoos, or the flowers. Dotty always had observations all her own.

My mother, Dotty, went to Heaven on May 25, 2012. This was my first Mother's Day without her.

To be honest last year's Mother's Day wasn't very good as Dotty was confined to bed and dying. I really don't remember much if anything about that day.

This year it was if the idea of Mother's Day just wouldn't stick in my mind. It just wouldn't stick. I didn't wake up thinking its Mother's Day like I did on Christmas day, or New Year's Day, or Valentine's Day.

I have Dotty here with me, so once I realized it was Mother's Day I did say, Happy Mother's Day Dotty.

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"The first duty of love is to listen."

~ Paul Tillich

Ray Dovell

January 3, 1925 - May 19, 2013

Photo Above: Ray and his caregiver Antoinette

Long time Wilton resident Ray H. Dovell, age 88, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on May 19, 2013. Ray was born in Houston, Texas in 1925, where his parents spent the early years of their marriage as reporters on the Houston Star. Ray grew up in Bronxville, New York where he was active in the Boy Scouts, hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in his teenage years, and serving on Appalachian Mountain Club crews as a "hut boy".

Ray's college years at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, were interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy.

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Getting Outdoors

with Limited Mobility

By Caren Parnes - For the Senior's Choice

Enjoying the outdoors during the summer provides many benefits to seniors, and is worth a bit of extra time and planning for those experiencing mobility problems. A main advantage of heading outdoors, even for a short period of time, is being able to soak up the sunlight, which generates Vitamin D, essential for the brain, bones and for muscle function. It also often gives seniors an opportunity to socialize with other people, children and animals. Additionally, experiencing a fresh breeze and being surrounded by nature-even if that is just your backyard garden-can be rejuvenating and offer a much-needed change for seniors who are often cooped up indoors for the majority of their time.

How can you begin the process of getting your loved one outdoors? If he or she is resistant to the idea of going outside, you might need to look for ways to develop a desire for fresh air.

Set up a window box or bird feeder outside a window and serve meals at the window.
f you have the space, consider planting a small garden. Not only will it bring some nature close to home, but new seedlings are exciting to watch as they grow and change each day. With a garden in the yard, the elder doesn't have to go far, and a reward awaits them-seeing the blooms.
If your loved one is bedridden and getting outdoors is not an option, bring the outside in. A plant or vase of flowers on a nightstand can help.

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Kudos from Kelly

KUDOS from Kelly

By Kelly McNamara

Gloria Diamuka

Gloria had been a great relief live-in caregiver for us, but when a special lady needed a permanent live in, she had her opportunity for a new case. In the short time she has been with E M, she has endeared herself not only to E herself, but her family as well. E's daughter appreciates the time that Gloria takes to bring E on outings and errands, to doctor appointments, wherever she likes to go. From E's point of view, they are just 2 girls out to have fun and they find it every day in their travels around her city. Gloria has now arranged a schedule so that another caregiver can take care of E for 3 days a week to allow her to spend time with her child. It is our first job-sharing arrangement, and thanks to Gloria and Krystle's skills and great communicating, it is working out well for all. Thanks Gloria for being a great caregiver and a pioneer in case-sharing, and of course a wonderful support to EM and her family.

Bridgette F Ackeifi

Bridget is an hourly CNA and takes on challenging cases as a matter of course. She has been an important member of the care team for DC, a young stroke client who has made enormous strides in his recovery thanks to Bridget and her colleagues. She is now assisting a very special professor in his recovery from an episode of illness. Her gentle persuasive tactics and caring manner have helped him to take on challenges of walking at regular intervals and adhering to his liquid and nutrition requirements. His achievements in his recovery process have impressed the nurses at All About You Home Care who meet his nursing and therapy needs. Bridgett also has 3 beautiful little girls and is a Baccalaureate nursing student. Lucky for us, she excels in all areas of her life. Thanks Bridget, we are so very lucky to have you!

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...!!

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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

All About You Home Care Services

Naugatuck, East Haven and Torrington

All About You has dedicated professionals, specializing in providing quality home health care. RN's, LPN's, nurse's aides, homemakers, social workers and speech, physical and occupational therapies are all available to meet any needs. They also provide case management to help patients and families navigate the health care system. Medicare and all insurance plans cover their services. They will handle your particular requirements in a professional, confident manner. Every patient and family has unique needs their dedicated personnel can provide families with an individualized care plan reflecting all their health needs. For our clients and friends, high quality physical and occupational therapy and rapid response service on weekends especially are essential elements of a great Medicare home care agency. It is a privilege to be referral partners with All About You Home Care.