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Photos in top banner: Grace Dolan trimming the Christmas tree; Chris takes his new car seat for a test drive!
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New people:
Edith Abakuri
Thandeka A Mkhungo
Gifty Brew
Justice Afrifa
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Regina McNamara RN, MSN President * Kelly McNamara, Chief Operating Officer
Here at Always There Home Care, we are grateful you are slowing down to read our newsletter full of items that relate to home care, home health care, aging and eldercare, as well as some useful tips for daily living. Please enjoy in the spirit of community and cooperation in which this newsletter was sent.
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Also, See Our Beautiful New Video, here!!!
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 Featured Article: Include your loved ones with Dementia in Holiday Celebrations... Please!
The holidays are a time when family and friends often come together. But for families living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, the holidays can be challenging. Take a deep breath. With some planning and adjusted expectations, your celebrations can still be happy, memorable occasions.
Familiarize others with the situation.
The holidays are full of emotions, so it can help to let guests know what to expect before they arrive.
If the person is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, relatives and friends might not notice any changes. But the person with dementia may have trouble following conversation or tend to repeat him/ herself. Family can help with communication by being patient, not interrupting or correcting, and giving the person time to finish his or her thoughts.
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Five (5) Lessons About The
Way We Treat People! (Part 5)
5. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving when it counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl name Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.
Then his face grew pale and his smiled faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Remember to Live with no regrets; Treat people the way you want to be treated; Work like you don't need the money; Love like you've never been hurt; and Dance like you do when nobody's watching. ■
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Comfy Cotton Compression Socks
To our loyal readers: We rarely promote a product. A movie or book, occasionally, but not usually a product. However, we are making an exception this month to promote an amazing addition to most people's wardrobes. These attractive and easy to wear compression socks are favored by athletes, young women who want to prevent varicose veins in later life and all who are on their feet all day or take long drives or flights. Traditionally, compression socks are uncomfortable, difficult to pull on and mostly VERY unattractive. Nancy Tella, a family member ( full disclosure ) is a veteran NICU ( Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ) Level 4 Nurse. She has developed a special type of compression sock and has introduced these to her colleagues who trialed them on their 12 hour shifts in her Boston Children's NICU. Testers of all ages are very impressed with the quality and comfort. And fun colors! We are especially interested in having our clients wear these and have one brave, smart, fashionable senior trying them out now. Her feedback was so valuable. Thanks B.Z ! |
On Real Happiness
By Alan Weiss
Our goal should be to build and sustain the kind of lifestyle we cherish, not to merely make as much money as we can. "Kerching" does nothing for me, but a beautiful sunset or great play does. TIAABB: There is always a bigger boat. Don't allow "yacht envy" to rule your life. "Getting comfortable in your own skin" doesn't mean the constant pursuit of money, but rather the rational pursuit of happiness. That differs for all of us, but for none of us is it simply a large bank account. I've met quite a few rich, unhappy people. ■
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KUDOS from Kelly
by Kelly McNamara
 Mabel Gonzalez: Mabel is relatively new to us. She began as a last minute hospice provider to an important client. The family quickly became impressed with her maturity, attentive care and outstanding assessment skills. Her ability to anticipate pain and symptom issues made her invaluable to the client and family. After her client passed away, Mabel did not have an immediate caregiving assignment. Since we learned that her background included extensive executive assistant roles, we brought her into office/recruitment and client work. Due to our company's current growth, the extra help was very much appreciated. In a relatively short time, her support skills have been put to very good use. She has become a valuable resource to our current staff as well as applicants for caregiver positions. She has also become a favorite visitor to our clients both existing as well as new. Mabel's experience as a caregiver along with her emerging administrative skills combine to make her a valued team member. Many of you will soon have the pleasure of meeting Mabel. We are certain you will find her as helpful and endearing as we ! 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
Vitas Innovative Hospice Care,
Middlebury, Fairfield, Hartford
Vitas Hospice is among our top choices for a wonderful hospice provider. 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.
Contact information: 1-866-418-4827
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About Always There Home Care
Always There Home Care provides compassionate, dependable and professional one-on-one care for seniors who need assistance in the comfort of their homes or residential care communities. Services from highly qualified and trained caregivers range from companionship, meal preparation and incidental transportation to personal care, medication management and RN-directed case management. Available 7 days a week, services range from a few hours a day to 24-hour care.
Always There Home Care understands that every situation is unique and creates individualized care plans to help improve a client's quality of life.
Our caregivers Our caregivers are totally committed, highly qualified and carefully selected individuals who are personally and thoroughly screened, bonded and insured. Most are Certified Nurse Assistants or Home Health Aides. Most importantly our caregivers are dependable and extraordinarily caring of others. In addition to their previous experience, our caregivers receive continuous training that includes dementia, hospice care, home safety, nutrition and other topics related to seniors. These highly qualified and trained caregivers are ready to help you and your loved ones with a variety of daily activities such as: Personal care / Meal planning and preparation Transportation to doctor appointments and other errands Caring companionship / Light housekeeping Medication reminders / Information and referral services Our personalized, nurse- supervised services are available 7 days a week and can range from a few hours a day to 24 hour and live in care.
For more information or service needs, call 24 hours a day at: 800.348.0485 or visit www.AlwaysThereHomeCare-CT.com.
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