Hello, Friend! Tips to decrease new work-from-home marital stress. New Furry Friends at Be Our Guest.

LCCC E-Newsletter

Vol. 43, August 2021

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

New Work/Life Marital Relationship Tips

Are you finding yourself down to your last nerve and snappier at your loved one?

Many couples are not used to being with each other 24/7 for more than a few weeks (vacation or holidays) let alone now almost 2 years. The pandemic has created a new work/lifestyle for many of us which includes working from home...together in the same house all day, every day. Thus, individuals do not have the typical work & life balance of days gone by.

Tips for decreasing marital stress during pandemic:

Be respectful – life has changed for all of us.
How each partner deals with stress, anxiety, uncertainty and loss varies.
Realize we are all processing past and current events and are each doing this differently.
Talk openly and communicate clearly what you need to process and cope and respect each other’s needs.

To read the full article with valuable tips to strengthen your marriage and work/home life, click here.

Understanding Alzheimer’s (Part 1 of 3) by Kim Bollom

The Warning Signs of Alzhemer's

Many times, forgetfulness and memory loss are shrugged off as a normal part of aging. While the brain does experience normal aging – there are reasons to be familiar with what is normal and when to become concerned.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that affects memory, cognition and eventually the ability to perform normal daily tasks. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s can be tricky to detect but even minor warning signs should not be ignored.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s:

Difficulty recalling names, conversations, dates, events (i.e. asking the same questions over and over).
Unable to follow a routine tasks or plan (i.e. unable to recall a favorite recipe)
Losing track of dates, time, seasons, or events that are not occurring in that moment (i.e. recalling where they are or how they got there)
Vision problems that lead to falling or difficulty driving
Struggling with familiar vocabulary
Losing items and being unable to retrace steps to locate them
Decrease in sound decision making (i.e. paying bills, keeping up with hygiene)
Consistent withdrawal from social interaction
Increased mood changes (i.e. confusion, depression, anxious)

Normal signs of aging:

Forgetting appointments but recalling them later
Occasionally needing assistance using a household item (i.e. TV, microwave, etc.)
Forgetting the day of the week but recalling it later
Vision changes that are treatable (i.e. cataracts)
Difficulty finding the right words to use on occasion
Losing items and being unable to retrace steps to locate them
Temporarily displacing items but appropriately retracing steps to locate item.
Occasional poor decisions (i.e. forgetting to have car maintenance performed)
Occasional disinterest in social interactions
Mood changes present when routine is disrupted but resumes to normal thereafter

If you or a loved one are experiencing warning signs of Alzheimer’s, seek out care with your primary care physician.

References:

“2021 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer's & Dementia, vol. 17, no. 3, 2021, pp. 327–406., doi:10.1002/alz.12328.

Ashford, Miriam T., et al. “The Search for a Convenient Procedure to Detect One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of the Prediction of Brain Amyloid Status.” Alzheimer's & Dementia, vol. 17, no. 5, 2021, pp. 866–887., doi:10.1002/alz.12253.

“Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease.” Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors.

Guest writer, Kim Bollom, is a Registered Nurse of 14 years and specializes in educating newly graduated nurses who are transitioning from nursing school into their first professional nursing role. Kim spent the first seven years of her career on Active Duty in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. where she learned more about herself that she ever thought possible.

Outside of work, Kim loves studying the Bible and teaching her kids the incredible impact God can make on the world. She loves all things “home” – interior decorating, designing and creating handmade signs and having a glass of wine and good conversation with friends.

Reality Tour - Last Chance!

1 Session Left...Sign up for one today!

Parents...this FREE program shares a Day in the Life of a Teen Who Chooses to Use Drugs...an Experiential Activity that Opens Conversations with Parents & Children in a Safe Space!

The tour is recommended for children age 10 and up when accompanied by their parent. Click here for full details.

Interested participants should register for the date and time they would like to attend at https://livcorealitytour2021.eventbrite.com. For any questions, please contact [email protected].

Cleaning Up and Saving Lives!

The Livingston County Hoarding Task Force

completed their first Safety Day Clean-Out for a Livingston County senior. The senior's house had become unlivable and unsafe. The Hoarding Task Force Team and volunteers (including some neighbors who saw what was happening, grabbed their gloves and jumped in) spent a Saturday filling 2 dumpsters of items and donating other items with the senior's permission.

While it was an emotional day, the senior at the end of the day pulled up a chair on her lawn and shared that she just wanted to sit and revel in this moment and enjoy talking to neighbors she had missed after having to move out due to safety reasons. She looks forward to moving back in and enjoying the home that she and her deceased husband raised their daughter in. After losing both her husband and daughter, she fell into a depression that ultimately led to her hoarding.

This major event could not have been completed if it was not for the great collaboration amongst the following Livingston County agencies: Habitat for Humanity, Community Mental Health, Livingston County Catholic Charities, Recycle Livingston, and St. Vincent DePaul - Holy Spirit. A local business, Home Depot of Howell, graciously donated supplies such as garbage bags, gloves, masks, water and other essentials. Most importantly, none of this could be done without the many volunteers who have helped with the clean out and providing food, drinks, and snacks to the hungry crew. Many hands make light work!

New Friends Have Arrived at Be Our Guest

Robotic pets were donated by Area Agency on Aging-1B. They help to address the social isolation of seniors caused by dementia and Alzheimers. Everyone (Guests & staff) at Be Our Guest Adult Day are really enjoying all the snuggles and cuddles!

These pets have many great therapeutic benefits!

Deliver innovative programming that increases meaningful interactions between residents, staff, and family members
Stimulate conversation and communication in withdrawn residents
Calm anxiety and soothe those that are agitated
Increase quality of life for those with dementia or who are socially isolated

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Be Our Guest Adult Day offers a safe and stimulating day in a club-like setting for persons with dementia and related memory diseases such as Lewy Bodies, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Chemo Brain and more.

Be Our Guest Adult Day has openings. Call Suzi or LeAnn today to schedule your tour - 517.546.9910. Visit our website to learn more.

Getting the Word Out and Preventing Elder Abuse

We are pleased to unveil our new Elder Abuse pamphlet! The PEANE team combined information from our old Red Flags of Abuse trifold and new information from the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force to create The Power to Prevent Elder Abuse. . .Is in Your Hands! This pamphlet will be circulated amongst the county by our team at the seven senior centers, doctor’s offices, banks, libraries, medical facilities, etc. to educate the community on how to recognize the different forms of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and how and where to report the concern.

By educating the community, PEANE has shown a 10% increase from 2016-present in the number of individuals that reported an increased awareness and understanding of elder abuse in our county. Getting the information out into the community is a vital part of decreasing elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

If you would like to learn more or schedule a presentation for your group or employees, call Beth at 517/545-5944 ext. 122 or email [email protected].

Foster Children in School

Did you know?

Children in foster care are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of foster parent income and should be prioritized for enrollment.

You may home school your own children, but may be required to send foster children to a regular, either public or private, school program.

All children in Foster Care qualify for FREE lunch.

Here is more information on navigating the school system with foster children.

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED!

Do you have room in your HEART for one more child?

Livingston County Catholic Charities seeks loving stable Livingston County residents to become Foster Parents and temporarily open their lives and home to a child in need.

We would love to hear from you at 517-545-5944 or [email protected]

This beautiful billboard located on Grand River by Dorr Rd and provided by The Kellogg Family Foundation. THANK YOU!!!

An Epidemic from the Pandemic

More than 93,000 people died of a drug overdose in the U.S. last year — a record number that reflects a rise of nearly 30% from 2019, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials said the increase was driven by the lethal prevalence of fentanyl as well as pandemic-related stressors and problems in accessing care. "This is the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, and the largest increase since at least 1999," Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told NPR. Read more...

Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction? LCCC offers FREE Engagement Group multiple times a week, in-person and via Zoom. Contact Jessica today at 517-375-1652 to reserve your spot!

Substance Abuse Engagement Groups

Mondays 5:00-6:30 pm & 6:30-8:00 pm (in-person)

Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am–11:30 pm (Zoom)

Michael Stuart - 20 Years of Service!

Michael Stuart retired on August 12 after 20 years as one of LCCC's most beloved therapists. He started at LCCC part-time while working at the Maxey Training School (DHHS) in Whitmore Lake as a Group Leader. Upon his retirement after 25 years there, he joined LCCC full-time. Additionally, Michael worked part-time for 9 years at LACASA, co-facilitating the Batterer's Intervention Group.

During part of Michael's tenure with LCCC, he ran our Anger Management Group and took training for helping those with Gambling Addictions. Michael's main focus as a Licensed Social Worker was on individual counseling for men, women and teens. He is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University (often seen wearing the Bronco mascot), where he earned his Bachelor's degree and Eastern Michigan University where he earned his MSW.

Michael is an amazing therapist and person who will be truly missed!!

LCCC Summer 2020 Newsletter