Photos in top banner: Marrissa, Ryan and Nora (Regina's Son and family) on a hiking trip; Charlotte (Regina's grandniece) enjoys an ice cream cone; Matt Dolan and Grace (our graphic designer's family) enjoying Sesame Place!
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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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She Said to Get Out. I Said, I'm Not Going Anywhere.
By Bob DeMarco | Alzheimer's Reading Room
My mother was deeply forgetful and living with Alzheimer's. She did not seem to know or understand that she could no longer live or operate on her own.
Persons living with Alzheimer's can say mean things.
During the early years, my mother who was living with dementia would often say,
"Get out, I don't need you, I can take care of myself"
Like any typical person this hurt my feelings.
My mother did not seem to know or understand that she could no longer live or operate on her own. So what did I do, I tried to explain to her that she couldn't live alone without me.
More than once I answered her meanness with a meanness all my own. I told her if I left she would be put in a "home".
My mother's greatest fear in her adult life was that she would be put in "home". She had told me, I'll kill myself before I let anyone put me in a "home".
For my mother a home, an assisted living facility, was a nasty place.
I can only imagine what she saw when she was growing up. A person being put in a nasty place, a dirty place, where the care was pitiful and the person was abandoned and forgotten.
Fortunately, once I made it to Alzheimer's World I realized when my mother said, "Get out, I don't need you, I can take care of myself" that is not what she really meant.
What my mother was really saying was, Don't leave me alone, I'm scared, please don't put me away in a home.
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Stroke Awareness 
Reminder
Strokes are occurring earlier in life.
Stroke can happen to anyone,
at any time, at any age. In
America today, stroke in young
adults is increasing at an
alarming rate. On top of that,
73% of young Americans are
not familiar with stroke
symptoms and the need for
urgent medical attention.
Fewer than 50% of 9-1-1
calls are made within one
hour of symptom onset or aren't correctly identified by the caller seeking help. Plus, 73% of Americans under the age of 45 are not familiar with stroke symptoms and the critical need to seek urgent medical attention.
Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow in an area of the brain and cells begin to die and brain damage occurs - hence every moment that lapses before medical help arrives can lead to more severe damage.
Recognizing stroke symptoms is critical and can be easily remembered if you think FAST. ■
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KUDOS
from Kelly
By Kelly McNamara
Charles Darko & Stacey Soumahoron: Charles and Stacey have been the "power pair " who share the night care of a very special client GS for whom we have had the honor of caring since January 2016. These two outstanding caregivers provide companionship, assistance with personal care, and each in their own special way keep their beloved client safe and happy. They have used various creative strategies to help G achieve restful sleep. It is equally important that we insure that NS, his lovely wife, also enjoys a restful night herself.
One added benefit to the caregivers of having such a consistent client for a long period of time is that an attachment forms with not only the client but his wife as well. The lovely and generous NS has shared her expertise in cooking with Stacey and Charles (and with many of us as well). NS's enthusiasm with the new Instant Pot has many of us using them on a regular basis, and sharing recipes and hints with NS and each other. Charles on the other hand is primarily the recipient of NS' delicious meals and serves as the very enthusiastic taster of her new dishes.
Caring for this wonderful man and becoming a friend to his very special wife has enriched our caregivers and all of us as well.
Thank you Stacey and Charles ....And NS as well!
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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Home Health, The Main Thing
By: Elizabeth E. Hogue
Note from Regina:
My colleague Liz, a brilliant lawyer and experienced home care professional generously gave us permission to reprint this recent article:
I have a collection of buttons gathered over the years at various state and national meetings of home care associations at which I was a presenter. Three of them say:
"There's no place like home."
"Home care is where the heart is."
"Home care professionals keep families together."
All of the above was true when the buttons were received and remains true today!
IN ADDITION, THESE BUTTONS SAY THE MAIN THINGS ABOUT HOME CARE!
Home care providers of all types, including home health agencies, hospices, private duty agencies and home medical equipment (HME) companies must keep their eyes on the ball, and "the ball" is these three things!
YES! Home care providers must provide excellent care to patients!
YES! Home care providers must provide cost-effective care!
YES! Home care providers must keep patients out of emergency rooms!
YES! Home care providers must keep patients out of hospitals!
But the main thing is HOME!
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12 PRICELESS PIECES OF LIFE ADVICE
LEARNED BY SENIOR CITIZENS
Whoever said "Kids say the darnedest things" probably never gave second thought to another HUGE demographic so generous with witty wisdom. We often forget that our senior citizens have racked up years of worthy stories (after all, most of them lived through World Wars), that perhaps they're the ones we should look to for good advice and laughs. We've rallied up some poignant (also frank and funny) wisdom straight from the hearts of some of our residents for your daily inspiration.
12 Priceless Pieces of Life Advice Learned by Senior Citizens
- "The secret to happiness is love." - Bill L.
- The Dalai Lama also once said that love is a "necessity, not luxury."
- "Love a dog." - Don D. As if we needed another reason to be with our pets all day. And it's true-there are many proven health benefits with pet interaction, including lower blood pressure for dementia patients.
- "The secret to a happy marriage...never live with your in-laws." - Cecile G.
- "Be attentive to those you love." - Betty R. Quality time is key. So the extra effort to call and check-in, or to actually converse at dinner, all attribute to stronger connections and emotional health.
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Grandma Ends Sweet tradition
for College Grandkids By Stacy Julien, AARP
For the 12 grandkids of a Boston-area grandmother, a 20-year tradition they enjoyed throughout college has finally come to an end.
Mary LaCava, 92, has sent weekly "nanagrams," replete with a $20 bill and a sweet handwritten note, to all of her grandchildren during their years in college. The 12th grandchild graduates this year.
"When the first one went, I figured she could use it, so I just sent her a small note with a $20 bill, and that started it. To me it was just something not that I had to do, but I would never miss," LaCava told CBS affiliate WBZ-TV.
Some years were tough, especially when a few were in school at the same time. Sometimes she had to mail out $60 a week, but she stuck to her word, she said.
LaCava isn't sure how much money she's doled out to her 12 grandkids - some have done the math and calculated roughly $50,000. A few kids saved the money; others spent it. But they all appreciated her gesture. "It was really nice being 18, being away from home for the first time and having a weekly hello," said Lauren LaCava.
The generous grandma first began writing the notes on hotel pads, but she soon turned to custom stationery with "Nanagram" written at the top. LaCava also mailed the missives overseas if the kids were abroad, with nanagrams making it as far as London.
She recently sent off her last weekly letter, to grandson Ryan, who graduated this spring.
"That was last month, and I said goodbye - that was it. Short and sweet, but he got his $20," said LaCava. ■
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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
Kindred Care at Home / Formerly Gentiva Home Health Care Services Stratford, Old Saybrook,
Hamden, Farmington.
Their services include: Skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational and speech language therapy Neurorehabilitation, wound care, disease and pain management, medication management and education. They maintain a special expertise in dementia care.
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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 hours 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.
We are Always There!
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