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Hello Caregivers,
As the leaves begin to change and the crisp autumn air settles in, we welcome you to a new season of our caregiver newsletter.
Fall is a beautiful reminder that change is a natural part of life. Just as the trees gently let go of what they no longer need, caregivers are encouraged to pause, reflect, and make space for their own well-being, too.
We know that caregiving is a journey filled with love, dedication, challenges, and many meaningful moments. Whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, grandparent, family member, or loved one, please know that you are not alone. Your compassion and commitment make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for and in our community.
This season, we encourage you to take time to enjoy the simple things; a warm cup of tea, a walk among the fall colors, a conversation with a friend, or simply a few quiet moments to yourself. Remember that caring for yourself is not selfish; it is an important part of being able to continue caring for others.
As we move through the autumn season together, may you find moments of comfort, connection, gratitude, and renewal.
| | Caregiver Training November 5 - Save the Date! | | |
The next biannual Caregiver Training at Cornerstone VNA, "Providing Personal Care for a Loved One and Understanding Behaviors" is set for November 5 from 10:00am - 3:15pm at Cornerstone VNA in Rochester, NH.
This FREE training is designed to empower family caregivers by equipping them with essential skills, competencies, and confidence needed to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities. Hands-on training for family caregivers by our clinical experts! We have one space left!
| | Caregiver Resources & Support | | As the leaves turn into bold and vibrant colors and the air becomes crisp October invites us to reset and recharge. We can focus on intentional practices to restore energy, improve mental clarity, and support overall well-being through rest, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. We can acknowledge our feelings, reframe our thoughts, and give ourselves a break. | We have many caregiver support resources on at the CVNA website. You can always reach out if you have any questions. | Hello from Caregiver Café Intern! | |
Hello everyone! My name is Anna, and I am excited to introduce myself as a social work intern with Cornerstone VNA. I've been with Cornerstone VNA since June of 2024, starting as a caregiver and ending up as a social worker in January of 2025 after I earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Southern New Hampshire University. I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Louisiana State University.
My caregiving background has played an important role in shaping my path toward social work and my desire to support caregivers and the individuals and families they care for. As part of my MSW program, I will be completing my social work internship with the Caregiver Cafés through April 2027. I am looking forward to getting to know you, our caregivers, learning from your experiences, and helping create a welcoming and supportive space where caregivers can connect with one another, share resources, and feel supported in the important work they do. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Caregiver Cafés and look forward to connecting with everyone over the coming months!
One quote that reflects what I hope to bring to this experience is:
“Caring for others is an expression of what it means to be fully human.”
-Hillary Clinton
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Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregiver Support
A heartfelt thank you to Melissa Grenier, LCSW, Regional Manager, State of NH and Northeastern MA, from the Alzheimer's Association for sharing the latest research with a wonderful, full room of community members and caregivers at Langdon Place of Dover! We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and raise awareness together.
We’re honored to collaborate with Langdon Place through the monthly Memory Café there, the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2pm. It is a welcoming space for families and caregivers to connect, share, and find support while navigating dementia, cognitive impairment, or Parkinson’s.
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NH SPCA Alzheimer's Café
An Alzheimer’s Café offers a community setting where people living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory issues and their caregivers gather, socialize and enjoy conversation. The SPCA Stratham location offers the fun and unique opportunity to see some of their resident animals and have possible visits from owned or adoptable animals as well.
This is a fun social event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month between 12:30pm and 2:00pm in their Training Room on the first floor of the Learning Center. There is no fee to attend.
For more information, please email Jill Sloan at jsloan@nhspca.org.
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Monarch Care Partners Dementia Support Groups
Debbie Kroner from Monarch Care Partners runs two support groups monthly in Portsmouth. These are free and open to any caregivers looking to share experiences and find support in a safe and inclusive environment.
- 2pm - 3:30pm (Second Thursday of the Month) Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth.
- 2pm - 3:30pm (Fourth Thursday of the Month) Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Portsmouth.
| | | | Cornerstone VNA Monthly Caregiver Cafés | | Our monthly Caregiver Cafés meet in person! The Caregiver Cafés provide support, education and companionship to family caregivers in the community. No RSVP Required. | | | |
Hill Library
1151 Parker Mountain Road
Strafford, NH
1st Wed. of the Month
10:30 am
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Dover Public Library
73 Locust Street
Dover, NH
3rd Wed. of the Month
10:30 am
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Goodwin Library
422 Main Street
Farmington, NH
2nd Fri. of the Month
1:00 pm
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Wolfeboro Public Library
259 South Main Street
Wolfeboro, NH
4th Thurs. of the Month
1:00 pm
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North Hampton Public Library
239 Atlantic Ave.
North Hampton, NH
2nd & 4th Weds. of the Month
10:30 am
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Barrington Public Library
426 Calef Highway
Barrington, NH
4th Tues. of the Month
11:30 am
| | NEW Pop Up Caregiver Café Nov 4 in Eliot, Maine! | We are thrilled to partner with our friends at AgeMaine and the William Fogg Library for this new caregiver support in the Eliot, Maine community! | Grief Webinar Coming in November - Stay Tuned! | | |
A number of you shared that you are grappling with various forms of grief, anticipatory, worry, frustration, trauma from loss, family situations, etc. We will be hosting a virtual grief webinar for caregivers with a member from our Pastoral Care/Spiritual Care team heading into the holidays where so many things will be different.
Stay tuned for details from your Caregiver Café facilitator!
| Special Messages From Our Café Facilitator Team | Each newsletter, we ask our wonderful volunteer Caregiver Café Facilitators to share a poem, quote, resource, recipe, event or tip with you all. See below! | | |
Autumn C.
Wolfeboro
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
| | Autumn C. is our wonderful gem contributor; she is stepping away from her role as Caregiver Café facilitator for the time being to tend to caregiving herself and will be training as 'A Matter of Balance' volunteer as that works better with her schedule but we will still be sharing her gems here! | | |
Jeanmarie P.
Farmington
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
| | At each Farmington Caregiver Café, Jeanmarie opens the meeting with the practice of using the square/box breathing which allows everyone to be in a calm state to help them maximize their ability to support each other. | | |
Louise B.
Strafford
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
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To My Caregiver - by Marcie Jones
When my eyesight fades and my hearing muffles,
My hands don't work well and my feet only shuffle,
You are here.
When my memory dims and I dwell in years gone by,
I ask the same questions or I just sit and sigh,
Still you are here.
When I need help to stand and the bathroom's too far,
When I want to go places, but I can't drive my car,
Thank goodness you are here.
I know it's not easy to see me this way,
When I don't remember the things that you say,
But, still you are here.
I may not express it, but my feelings are true.
I've been blessed with an angel, and that angel is YOU.
Thank God you are here.
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Louise shared a few takeaways from Katie’s presentation at the Strafford Caregiver Café recently:
- Notice when you or your loved one is hungry, thirsty, or tired. Hunger, thirst, and fatigue are basic signals from the body, but they can sometimes be mistaken for anger, irritability, or resistance. Recognizing these needs can help us respond more effectively and reduce unnecessary emotional and mental stress.
- Caregivers often need help sooner than they realize, so don’t be afraid to ask for support.
- Weighted blankets can help calm the central nervous system, and animals can have a similar effect. If you don’t have a cat or dog, holding and stroking a stuffed animal may help your loved one regulate.
- Studies show that people with Alzheimer’s may process less information, so keep directions brief-one or two words when possible. Visual cues can also be very helpful.
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Pam R.
Dover
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
| | Pam shared this awesome quote and remarked that "his words are a pretty powerful reminder." | | |
Janet
North Hampton
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
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Janet shared a resource one of the caregivers who attends the North Hampton Caregiver Café shared with her.
For caregivers of Veterans, there is a Department of Veterans Affairs Program of General Caregiver Support Services. The local Caregiver Support Program contact is Sandra D. Seebeck, LICSW, CCM, Caregiver Support Program Manager, VA Manchester Healthcare System, 603-289-9237.
- Manchester Caregiver Support Team: (603) 624-4366 x206895
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988, Press 1 or Text: 838255
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Lee M.
North Hampton
Caregiver Café Volunteer Co-Facilitator
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“What is mentionable is manageable."
A caregiver’s support group encourages us to mention the difficulties we are experiencing and the group will share the different coping skills they have found that work for them!
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Lisa
Barrington
Caregiver Café Volunteer Facilitator
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In addition to hosting the monthly Caregiver Café, the Barrington Public Library also host many wonderful programs and activities.
This coming Saturday, October 24, the fifth session of their End-of-Life Conversations is on Hospice Care. The program will take place from 1:00pm-2:30pm in the Program Room, Barrington Public Library, 426 Calef Highway, Barrington, NH. Join one of Cornerstone VNA's medical social workers for a conversation about Hospice Care. Learn about comfort care, symptom management and holistic support.
| | Community Activity Centers | | If you have a product or resource that has helped you in your caregiver journey, please email it to Ann so that we can share it next time! | | Home Care. Hospice Care. Palliative Care. Life Care - Private Duty. Community Care. | | |
Cornerstone VNA | Website | 603-332-1133 | |
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