In This Issue

Featured Article: 5 Things You Should Never Say to a Person with Alzheimer's

Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care

Kudos From Kelly

Providers We Love

WELCOME

NEW STAFF!

Ntuli Sipheler (Tuli)

(Thanks Cecilia!)

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes." ~ Unknown

Photo above: Jean, Regina's mom, with
her friends David and Violet at Michael's
(Regina's brother Phil's partner)
art show 2009

"A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have."

~ Unknown

Photo above: Krystle and Liz
enjoying a day trip to the beach!

"Originality
implies being bold enough to go beyond accepted norms."

~ Anthony Storr

Photos clockwise from left to right: The Dolan's attending Mary's brother-in Law's wedding; Jeanette, Regina's niece maid of honer at her sister Ellens's wedding and cousin Vera; Grace Dolan trying on her flower girl dress! Jeanette, her
cousin Anna and friend Sophie

"Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."

~ Henry Van Dyke

"The sweetest pleasure arises from difficulties overcome."

~ Publiluis Syrus

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Featured Article: 5 Things You Should Never Say to a Person with Alzheimer's

By Marie Marley, Alzheimer's Reading Room

When relating to a person with Alzheimer's there are many guidelines to follow. I'm going to discuss five of the most basic ones here.

Yesterday afternoon I walked into Mary's spacious room. Mary is a woman who has few visitors and whom I've volunteered to spend a little time with every week. I greeted her, complimented her on her beautiful turquoise sweater, and shook her hand.

Then I sat down at her little table that was overflowing with books, photographs, the newspaper and other items she wants to keep close at hand. I started off by picking up a small framed photo of Mary with her husband and three children - two sons and a daughter.

"Tell me about your daughter I said," using an open-ended question because they have no right or wrong answers. That's a tip I picked up from The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care by Virginia Bell and David Troxell.

"Oh, her name is Connie," she told me. "She has four children - two boys and two girls."

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Hospice Care Is More

Than Good Medicine

Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care

Honoring Life, Offering Hope

We are major fans of hospice care as many of our regular readers are well aware. We are blessed in Connecticut with many fine hospices from which family members can choose. We believe there is room for many hospices in the market since this the growing population of seniors and their families is seeking hospice information at earlier stages of illness. This is major progress.

We are pleased this month to highlight a newcomer to CT. Seasons Hospice.

The Seasons Hospice &

Palliative Care Team!

Hospice is not a place but a philosophy of caring that assists those nearing the end of life. It is a system of caring designed to restore dignity and provide a sense of personal fulfillment to the dying. The Seasons Hospice team believes we should all be born into and leave the world in comfort, warmth and love.

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On staying vibrant while aging

By Alan Weiss

One of my favorite quotes is George Bernard Shaw's "We don't stop playing games because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing games." We seem to be stunned at people in their 80s and 90s who are vibrant and sharp. I'm more stunned by people in their 30s and 40s who are stalled and stunted. My mantra has long been "constant reinvention." When you learn new things, test new ideas, and produce new work, you're exercising far more than any fitness trainer can ever provoke. Too many people feather a nest and then sit in it, sinking inexorably into what should have been temporary shelter. The young have flown, the materials have aged, and it's time to move on. Ironically, nothing facilitates reinvention more than failure, because if you never fail you become comfortable with increasingly minor victories. My dog doesn't catch every ball thrown at him, and I don't catch every ball life throws my way. But we both keep running for the mere thrill of it.

Thanks for your comments, Alan ■

Alan Weiss, colleague and international business consultant

I've Learned... by Andy Rooney

(excerpt)

I've learned... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned... That just one person saying to me: "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

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Kudos from Kelly

KUDOS from Kelly

By Kelly McNamara

Krystle Sweat

Krystle has been with us for nearly a year and has been a wonderful caregiver. Always willing to help out in whatever way she can, she has served as a relief caregiver to give our regular folks an opportunity to take some time off. She cared for a number of different clients and they all really enjoyed her care, attention and wonderful attitude. Krystle now shares a live in case with another caregiver, allowing her primary caregiver a chance to spend time with her young child for a few days each week. This arrangement works out well for everyone, especially for the client E M, who seems to revel in the attention of not one but 2 caregivers who enjoy her company and keep her safe and healthy. Krystle and her client look forward to weekend outings with Dawn on a regular basis. We all enjoy spoiling both caregiver and client. Thanks Krystle!

Ayele Sweety Akutu

Sweety, as we all like to call her, has been with us for nearly a year and has been the primary caregiver for MT for several months. MT is a very, very special client of ours and we wanted the best caregiver when her former caregiver left the case. Sweety was new to us at the time but displayed wisdom well beyond her years. Relatives and friends visiting MT are amazed at how well she looks for her age (99 years young). It may be good genes, or perhaps the attentive loving care she receives on a regular basis from a caregiver who truly adores her. When her dear brother died recently (at age 100) MT and Sweety planned on attending the funeral. Sweety then requested new outfits (and specific accessories) for BOTH of them so they could look their best. Our only choice was to fulfill her wishes. Clearly we all work for Sweety! Thanks a million for all you do every day, and for your beauty, both inside and out!

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. All About You has included as part of their network of services, APRNs who make house calls for those patients unable to travel to a doctor, as well as performing any testing required. It is a privilege to be referral partners with All About You Home Care.