In This Issue
FEATURE ARTICLE: 16 Things I Would Want, If I Get Dementia
On Resolutions
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Some Things I've Learned
Boosting Vitamin D Levels in Winter
Kudos From Kelly
Providers We Love
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Photos in top banner: Lillian Krumenacker on Christmas day; Scott McNamara with his son Ryan; Grace Dolan wearing her Cinderlla dress that Santa gave her.

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New people:
    
     Reindorf Nkansah
     (thanks anastasia)

     Laura L. Moty
     (thanks luenda)

     Beatrice Addo

     Ivy Oppong-Kyekyeku

     Florence Karikari

     Silvia Asare


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A Joyful Note for
the New Year:
Sound of Music | Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)












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Join Our List
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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:
16 Things I Would Want,
If I Get Dementia 
By Rachael Wonderlin | Alzheimer's Reading Room
www.alzheimersreading room.com

 

When you work in dementia care, people tend to ask you a lot of questions. Probably one of the most common questions that I hear is, "Are you afraid to get dementia when you're older?"

Honestly, there are many things that scare me much more than dementia does. Don't get me wrong: dementia is a terrible group of diseases. I've been fortunate, however, to see many of the beautiful moments that people with dementia can experience.

Just in case I do get dementia, I've written a list of rules I'd like to live by.

If I get dementia, I'd like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live.

If I Get Dementia

1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we're visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I'll be much happier for it.

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On Resolutions
by: Alan Weiss

This week's focus point: Do you know why resolutions are so popular this time of year? One reason is that people love the idea of a tabla rasa--a "clean slate" to begin anew. The second is that there are NO consequences for not living up to them. Who would run a company of any kind where there are no adverse consequences for inappropriate behavior?! If you really want to make changes in the New Year, I suggest you: A) Make evolutionary improvements, not radically new choices. Think of my 1% ruleŽ: Improve by 1% a day and in 70 days you're twice as good. B) Create consequences and accountabilities for not behaving or acting as you plan. Have someone critique you; deny yourself something important; make your progress public so others can see your improvement or lack thereof. Like strategy, resolutions never fail in their formulation. They fail in their implementation! Happy New Year! ■

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Being Mortal:
Medicine and What Matters in the End
HERE'S A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO CARES FOR SENIORS!  
by Regina McNamara
 
I have been a fan of Atul Gawande, a Boston surgeon and award-winning author for years.  His wisdom and breadth of caring for his patients is noteworthy.  His most recent work, Being Mortal was a Christmas gift from Marissa, my daughter in law, a physician and a new mom. 

After several hours of being unable to put down this compelling book, I need to share my thoughts.  Dr. Gawande explores the agonizing choices or lack thereof when patients and their loved ones are dealing with late in life medical issues. Our healthcare system, organized and motivated to "Do everything possible" more often than not unwittingly causes more pain, more complications and most seriously, often prevents patients from experiencing the end of life in a well planned, pain free manner in their choice of environment.

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 Some things I've Learned

I've learned...
That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned...
That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned...
That it's the small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...
That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned...
That the Lord didn't do it all in one day.  What makes me think I can?

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 Boosting Vitamin D Levels

Yes, it's snowy, but you can still get enough sun to boost your vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is a wonder vitamin that seems to cure a whole host of ailments. Research has linked the vitamin, which comes from sunlight, seafood, and mushrooms, to lower rates of cancer, bone fractures, diabetes, heart disease, and even anxiety and depression. However, with all the time we spend indoors nowadays, 75 percent of Americans aren't getting enough.

So what do we do? Turn to supplements. Effective, yes, but costly and potentially contaminated with heavy metals. There's a much cheaper and easier way that Dutch researchers have just uncovered-getting outside, even in winter.

Kudos from Kelly

 

 KUDOS from Kelly 

  by Kelly McNamara

  

Trevor Dube: We begin this lovely New Year with a rare caregiver.  Hardworking, caring, very intelligent, so perceptive, he can sense even the most insignificant change in his client... Actually make that TWO special clients, EZ, as well as his delightful, engaging wife. BZ.

Trevor has been the caregiver, friend, chauffer, and devoted companion for these two remarkable people for the past eighteen months.

His careful attentiveness to their needs, changes, and specific requirements have enabled them to remain comfortable in the lovely home thy have shared for decades. They remain remarkably healthy, in spite of some of their difficulties associated with aging and some chronic disease. Their good health is attributable to many factors, including careful attention to their meds and doctor appointments, not overdoing it and staying very mentally active.
But we believe it is Trevor's tender care, constant companionship and sincere respect or their need for privacy that has been their secret to their satisfying life. And similarly they have enriched his.
Trevor will never brag about his successes, his perfect attendance record over 18 months in any weather, the high regard on which his clients hold him. Among his many strengths, Trevor is humble. But we are not. You are wonderful Trevor and we are very very proud to have you on or team!

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...!! ■

leaf 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
 

 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.

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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.


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For more information or service needs, call 24 hours a day at: 800.348.0485 or visit www.AlwaysThereHomeCare-CT.com.

We are Always There!