Autumn 2023

8 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Wandering

For those with Alzheimer's, wandering off and getting lost is a severe issue and a significant worry for their families. Statistics show that more than half of those with Alzheimer's will wander off at some point, and that this can occur during the disease, even if it hasn't happened in the past.

It may seem complicated to believe that someone frail or slow-moving could wander off without anyone noticing, but it happens more often than we'd like to think. Sadly, some of those who do wander off have dreadful experiences and outcomes as a result. As a caregiver, it's critical to do all you can to keep your older adult safe and home where s/he is supposed to be.

There are many reasons why someone with Alzheimer's might accidentally wander off. Those with dementia may revert to old routines, thinking it's time to pick a child up from school or go to work, so they head out the front door and down the street. They may also be bored and try to find something interesting to do.

They might simply be looking for a snack, a bathroom, or fresh air, and get lost along the way. They could react out of fear or stress, as if the environment is overstimulating, a loud noise confused them, or their surroundings are unfamiliar. Lastly, they might set out to look for someone or something and end up hopelessly lost.

Fortunately, there are several ways to try to prevent seniors from wandering off, or to keep them safe if they do get lost.

Learn more on our blog.

5 Benefits of an

Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's or Dementia

If your older adult is behaving oddly or showing signs of cognitive impairment, like memory or judgment problems, you might wonder if they have Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

It's a scary thought, but it's important to face these fears head-on and have them get a thorough doctor's exam and proper diagnosis.

If their dementia-like symptoms turn out to be caused by a treatable medical condition, seniors can get proper treatment and regain their lives faster.

If their symptoms are caused by Alzheimer's or dementia, getting a specific diagnosis as early as possible gives everyone time to evaluate treatment options, plan for the future, and find support and resources.

Here are five important reasons why a complete medical exam and proper diagnosis of their symptoms improves your older adult's quality of life.

Learn more at DailyCaring...

Anniversary Celebrations!

We're celebrating some important employee anniversaries over the past quarter:

Sara Bartels - 12 years

Kara Perkins - 9 years

Marion Brown - 5 years

Terry Bassett - 4 years

Yovemyl O'Connell - 4 years

Maria Luz Walsh - 4 years

Paula Calkins - 3 years

Eunice Dodenhoff - 3 years

Smiralda "Mimi" Joseph (CNA) - 3 years

Suzana Rosa (CNA) - 3 years

Christine Salvato - 3 years

Sheila Parenteau - 2 years

Kristina Straticoglu (CNA) - 2 years

Esther Antoine (HHA) - 1 year

Tammie Goggin - 1 year

Sheila Watson - 1 year

Tips for Managing

Caregiver Stress

There's no doubt about it - it can be stressful caring for an older adult. Feelings of overwhelm, frustration, anxiety, and exhaustion are common - and understandable.

To combat caregiver burnout, it's helpful to have a list of go-to coping activities or stress relief ideas, with enough choices that you can pick which is most useful or realistic for the situation you currently face. Here are some great places to start:

1. Breathe in deeply and slowly. This shifts your body out of stress mode, calming you down and relieving anxiety. If possible, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth to get more oxygen into your blood and give you something on which to focus.
2. Use aromatherapy. Smells instantly and effectively affect the body's nervous system and trigger significant memories. In fact, using lavender essential oil can be as calming to an individual as anti-anxiety medications. Here are a few suggestions: use a diffuser to scent the air with a relaxing essential oil; rub essential oil on your palms and then cup them to your face and inhale; or put drops of essential oil on cotton balls in a dish to diffuse the scent.

Learn more on our blog...

Daily Senior Care Tip: 7 Tips for Seniors and Caregivers Managing Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing food or liquids is a serious problem for seniors. This is often caused by a condition called dysphagia, resulting from the weakening of mouth and throat muscles, which could cause malnutrition, dehydration, or aspiration pneumonia.

It can be caused by aging, diseases (multiple sclerosis, cancer, or Alzheimer's), or medical trauma like a stroke. It's estimated that this condition affects 15% of seniors and up to 68% of nursing home residents (6 million seniors in the United States).

A dysphagia diagnosis is typically evaluated through a swallow test administered by a speech pathologist. In this type of test, your older adult will swallow a contrast solution (made of barium) and then be continually x-rayed while swallowing liquids of different consistencies - water (thin), nectar (thick), honey (thick), and pudding (spoon - thick).

If additional tests are needed, they may include a visual examination of your older adult's esophagus, an endoscopic swallowing evaluation, an esophageal muscle test, or further imaging scans.

Click here for more information.

__________________

DailyCaring provides practical caregiving tips for everyday challenges even the most experienced caregivers face. We hope you enjoy the content (like the article above) as much as we do! Topics range from Alzheimer's/dementia tips to stress relief pointers.

Sign up for DailyCaring, a daily e-newsletter filled with helpful news you can use, and inspirational senior care tips! You can also follow the DailyCaring Facebook page.

Video Tips:

What is Paratonia?

When someone with dementia is resisting when you're trying to help them, it actually might be paratonia.

Passive movement occurs when someone is lifting your arm without you engaging at all. Paratonia is defined as active resistance against passive movement. It is a reflex in late-stage dementia, and often cannot be controlled.

Ironically, someone with paratonia can often stand up and walk alone using active movement. The difficulty is only when passive movement is used.

Click here to learn more about how paratonia works from dementia consultant Adria Thompson.

Then watch her follow-up video for tips on how to move someone with paratonia by causing him or her to want to actively move.

It's Contest Time -

Win a $100 Gas

Gift Card!!!

Let's have a little fun with referrals!

* 1 TICKET for each person you refer to Cahoon Care as a caregiver

* 2 TICKETS for each referred person who completes an interview for a caregiver

* 5 TICKETS after the referred person works their first shift as a caregiver for CCA

The contest runs through October 15th, 2023. Two winners will be drawn: one from the Maine team and one from the Massachusetts team.

This is in addition to the referral bonus program explained below!

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU CAN EARN

UP TO $300 PER REFERRED CAREGIVER AND A $100 GAS

GIFT CARD!

$$$ Referral Bonus Recipients $$$

You may have heard our very own Allan Parker speak on the radio about the need for more wonderful caregivers such as you!

If you didn't, please click here and take a listen. Remember, we offer a $300 referral bonus. We know the best caregivers know the best caregivers! Please send them our way, and in turn, we'll send money your way.

Call Sheila at (207) 610-3280 in Maine, or Karen at (781) 635-4968 in Massachusetts with your referrals.

We're excited to announce 11 new members of the Cahoon Care team over the past quarter...and some were referred by YOU:

Kaylene Blanchard

Jasmin Botelho

Paleisa Brice

Stacey Brown

Kirsten Eichart

Jessica Flaherty

Christy Haskell

Sarah Moniz

Becky Rossi

Jon Stolley

Marie Sylvain

Irish Homecare Tech Company PacSana Signs Major U.S. Deal

Innovation, creativity, change, relevance, impactfulness...all are necessary to make a positive difference with meaningful impact.

The Cahoon Care leadership team has executed all those things and more as they embark on their partnership with European-based tech company PacSana with the launch of Cahoon Care's sister company, Gardeen.

Gardeen brings peace of mind to the loved ones of our aging community, utilizing revolutionary technology that gathers substantial data to provide necessary insight on aging individuals living independently to understand if they are thriving or instead need support to age in place safely in the comfort of their own homes.

Gardeen's non-invasive approach to gathering data using a lightweight bracelet allows loved ones to make decisions with their aging adult using data and facts as opposed to emotion or speculation for what support may or may not be needed. No cameras, no monitors, no audio recordings. Privacy and dignity for the aging adult as we better understand what, if any, support is needed.

Please join us in congratulating Margery, Carolyn, and Allan as they embark on this exciting new venture with the launch of Gardeen, and introduce amazing solutions-based technology to the U.S. market!

Below is the official press release:

Irish homecare technology company PacSana has signed a contract with Boston-based Gardeen to use the firm's technology as part of its monitoring solution for older adults.

The deal will see the PacSana smart bracelet technology form an integral part of the Gardeen system, which aims to deliver so-called preemptive care for those living at home, in independent living centers, and in assisted living facilities.

PacSana, which was established in 2019, offers products to help prolong independent living for older people, using its wearable technology to gather data on exercise, gait, falls, and location in the home to develop an accurate picture of care needs for individuals.

"A lot of the stuff we drive is prevention," said PacSana chief executive Fergal Duignan, noting that the technology could be used to ascertain the appropriate level of care for older people.

"From our first meeting, it was clear that the Gardeen team had the appetite and the ability to grasp this opportunity," he said. "They are steeped in the care business in New England and have a deep understanding of the client need and how to leverage technology to deliver value from PacSana data and insights. We look forward to working with them and supporting their ambitious growth plans."

Gardeen cofounder Allan Parker said the deal was a "key milestone" in the company's growth in the residential homecare and senior living communities market in New England.

Read more.

IYKYK

(If You Know,

You Know)

If this sounds only too familiar, don't worry - you're in good company!!

The Love / Hate Relationship with Texting

Texting: we love it because it's a convenient, non-intrusive method of communication, particularly for non-urgent matters.

Texting: we hate it because urgent matters may not be addressed with the sense of urgency required.

This is a friendly reminder to CALL the office in Massachusetts (781-659-1877) and in Maine (207-667-0870). These phone numbers do not accept text messages.

Below are some reasons to call vs. text:

• Calling out
• Time off requests less than two weeks out
• Reporting you will be late
• Unable to clock in or out
• Reporting an incident
• Unsure of how to handle something with a client
• Anything requiring timely action

This process is in place to ensure you and clients receive the support and/or action needed in real time after hours and on weekends. In Massachusetts, Sara, Pippa, Brianna, and Karen, and in Maine, Tammie and Sheila rotate on call after business hours and on weekends. It has become commonplace for those not on call to receive texts for matters that should be called into the on-call phone numbers, which are 781-659-1877 for Massachusetts and 207-667-0870 for Maine.

We understand and trust that all communications are done with the best of intentions while juggling competing priorities. This process is truly in place to serve everyone's needs in a timely manner. We promise we are not making rules just to be sticklers...pinky swear!