In This Issue
FEATURE ARTICLE: The Alzheimer's Caregiver Can Become the Patient
Put Power to Good Use
Who Needs a Senior Care Consultant?... Everyone!
Some of The Things I've Learned
The Power of Warm Hands
Kudos From Kelly
Providers We Love
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Photos in top banner: Jessica Krumenacker's daughter Lillian; Regina's grandson Ryan; and Mabel's son, Chris.  

 

 

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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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Featured Article:

The Alzheimer's Caregiver  

Can Become the Patient
By Bob DeMarco | Alzheimer's Reading Room
www.alzheimersreadingroom.com

 

The Alzheimer's caregiver can become the patient. I don't think this is well known by families of caregivers. Over the last few years I heard too many stories of caregivers going it alone while their family looks on. Patting the caregiver on the back while you sit on your butt is not enough.

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that caregiving needs to be done in teams. Don't get me wrong here, I do know families that work together when someone becomes ill; but this seems to be the exception rather then the rule. How else can you explain why more than 60 percent of stand-alone Alzheimer's caregivers say they need help?

Some families have the financial ability to put the Alzheimer's sufferer in day care or in an Alzheimer's facility. Others can't or won't.

I often think about that "GUT wrenching" day when I won't be able to do it. I try to prepare myself in advance in case it happens. In the meantime I intend to keep on going and doing the best I can.

 

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Put Power to Good Use by: Alan Weiss 

 
We are fond of pointing out that there is more power in our cell phones today than in the computers that first put a man on the moon. We've produced cars with over 1,000 horsepower, not because they're useful for transportation, but because we can. Yet the power of the written word seems to have diminished, with a proliferation of publication without scrutiny over quality or even facts. The power of privacy is a distant memory, with searches at every airport and broadcasting of photos and videos without permission. Lobbyists, false advertising, PACs, and gerrymandering have attenuated the power of the vote. The power of the force of arms has been blunted by asymmetric warfare and fanatic terrorism. It's not power that we're missing or should be developing. It's the wisdom to intelligently apply power that seems to be sorely lacking.

Alan is a colleague and friend and a successful international business consultant ■

 

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Who Needs a Senior Care Consultant?...Everyone! 

By: Regina McNamara


We are very excited to announce our new affiliation with SLM Senior Options, owned by Sheri Morris MSW, ACSW,  LCSW.


Sheri's decades of experience in senior care has prepared her well to assist seniors and their families in managing the challenges of aging.

 

Among the services she offers include: 

  • Home assessments for safety and options for care
  • Family counseling and support in assisting their elderly family members

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Some of The Things I've Learned
 
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?

I've learned... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned... That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occur while you're climbing it.

Source: Welcome to TIPS for Extraordinary Living!  Sunday, October 5, 2014
Written & Published by Philip E. Humbert, PhD Visit our website at:
Special thanks to our friends  at Boyd and Nicholas ■

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The Power  

of Warm Hands 
By Marilyn Raichle 
Alzheimer's Reading Room

It is all too easy in our everyday busyness to neglect an essential human need that is especially appreciated in elderly folks, many of whom suffer from dementia.

Marilyn illustrates this beautifully in her simple story about neck massages.  It is a reminder to all of us. Slow down.  Touch more often.   

When I visit Mom in Assisted Living, I try to arrive at the end of lunch. That is when I am most likely to find all of Mom's neighbors in a relaxed and happy mood.

 

Kudos from Kelly

 

 KUDOS from Kelly 

  by Kelly McNamara

  

Hanne Billie: Hanne was generous enough to cut short a trip visiting her out of state family in order to help us out with a live in case that required a very special caregiver.  FD is a lovely lady with dementia who lives with her husband and requires very attentive loving care. As much as we hate to disrupt a caregiver's vacation, we were certain that Hanne was perfect for this particular assignment. 

We were right on target. Hanne hit the ground running.  Hanne insures that F has all her needs met every day, that she has nutritious meals and adequate fluids.  She keeps F's husband company when he retunes from long day of work.  F is very happy, staying busy with her dementia games that Hanne plays with her.  F has a large family all of whom are very fond of Hanne. 

Thanks Hanne for being a wonderful caregivers and a support to the family as well.  We are so glad you are on our 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

Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, Middlebury CT

The Seasons Hospice team believes we should all be born into and leave the world in comfort, warmth and love.

The caregivers at Seasons Hospice hold steadfast to placing patients and their loved ones at the center of hospice care. A team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, music therapists and volunteers provide compassionate clinical Seasons Hospice is a community-based organization with a mission to find creative solutions that add quality to end-of-life care. It has special programs that go above and beyond traditional hospice care.

Some of their specialty programs include:

A Touch for All Seasons - Uses a person centered approach to improve quality of life through meaningful sensory activities that stimulate the senses, promotes relaxation, and offers comfort and serenity to those living with dementia and other diseases. 

Leaving A Legacy - offers people the opportunity to share important stories, family traditions or messages of love via audio or video recordings

Music Therapy - Seasons Hospice has more Certified Music Therapists on its staff than any other hospice in the nation. Even when people are no longer conscious or speaking, we console and comfort them with music. Research has shown that music is the last sense that registers with a dying patient. It is especially helpful in connecting people to happy memories of the past, reducing anxiety, and communicating with people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The Seasons Hospice care team is available 24 hours a day by phone to answer questions or assist with a referral. 

* 1579 Straits Turnpike Unit 1-E, Middlebury, CT  06762
* 203-490-1000 (P)
* www.seasons.org & www.seasonshospicefoundation.org

 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!