Memory Cafes Reinforce Reminiscence Therapy
Recently, we promoted on our
Facebook page, a Memory Cafe event, held by
Heritage Monona, where caregivers and participants will socialize, talk about their favorite things about Wisconsin, and make Valentine's Day cards.
This posting seemed like a good opportunity to explore the idea of "reminiscence therapy," (RT) an approach between caregivers and clients that incorporates story telling, pictures, music, and all of the five senses to help individuals with dementia remember events, places, and people from their lives.
RT is utilized in memory cafes, which are designed as social gatherings for people with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's,dementia.
Midwest Family Care Director of Operations Lynn Cooper said memory cafes are a fun and interesting resource for clients and caregivers.
"This could be a good event to take clients to as well," Lynn said.
In addition to the Heritage Monona event, the Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance hosts memory cafes on the first Tuesday morning of every month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the BMO Harris Conference Room (located at 4726 East Towne Boulevard).
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Retirement was Just the Beginning for Caregiver of the Month Steve Skinner
My name is Steve and I am a recent retiree and married to my wife of nearly 44 years. We have three children and five grandchildren who I enjoy spending time with and visiting from time to time.
As I mentioned, I am recently retired after being employed most of my adult life in the auto service and business world as well as educated in small business and auto repair. Upon retiring, I realized that there was more that I wanted to do.
After taking care of my mother in her home and being with her through end of life, I realized that helping individuals and providing care to them to make their lives better was something I wanted to continue. I learned a lot from taking care of my mother and I wanted to continue with my experiences
—and becoming a caregiver is a way for me to do that.
In my spare time I enjoy golfing, cooking, and fishing. I’ve had a good life and a wonderful family. Through Midwest Family Care, I hope to help someone else enjoy life as much as I have. That is my small way of giving back!
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Happy Birthday!
Feb. 15:
Dawn Green
Feb. 17:
Tiva Adams
Feb. 27
: Sara Clark
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Robert and State Rep. Jon Plumer Talk Home Care
Midwest Family Care President
Robert Weink
met with Wisconsin State Representative
Jon Plumer
(R-Lodi) this afternoon to talk home care, the future of the care industry, and health care in Madison.
Neither ice nor snow could stop these leaders from discussing such important and far-reaching topics on such a blustery day.
Plumer has personal experience with home care in his own family.
He hired a home care company for his mother and understands the positive impact that caregivers can make in care planning.
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World Cancer Day Organizers Kick Off
New Campaign: #IAmAndIWill
World Cancer Day is an observance designed to resonate, to inspire, and to mobilize long-lasting impact on cancer awareness and prevention. Organizers strive to increase exposure, strengthen engagement, build global awareness, and drive action.
This year marks the launch of a three-year campaign, titled "I am and I will." Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself, for the people you love, and for the world.
You can involved in many ways, from posting on social media to attending an event to
Organizers want the public to know that whoever you are—a cancer survivor, a co-worker, a caregiver, a leader, a healthcare worker, a teacher, or a student—you have the power to take action for a cancer-free world.
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Heart Attack Warning Signs
February is
American Heart Month
. In observance,
we have some helpful and potentially life-saving information about heart attacks from Midwest Family Care LPN
Michele Klee
.
A
heart attack
is death of the heart muscle (usually the coronary artery) because of a blockage.
Symptoms vary between men and women. For both, common symptoms include
chest pain
(caused by the death of the heart muscle)
, chest discomfort, and arm pain.
Men experience discomfort or tingling in the arms, back, neck, shoulder, or jaw.
Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, heartburn-like feelings, cold sweats, unusual fatigue, back pain, or jaw pain.
Heart attacks
are diagnosed and treated with a
coronary angiogram
, PTCA (coronary
balloon angioplasty
), and a clot dissolving drug called TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) These treatments quickly open any blocked arteries, restore circulation to the heart, and limit heart muscle damage—and should be administered as soon as possible
Unfortunately, blood pressure is NOT a reliable measurement of whether or not someone is having a heart attack. Blood pressure during a heart attack can be low, normal, or elevated
Therefore, it is essential to call 911 as soon as you think you or your client are having a heart attack. As I always say: It's better to be safe than sorry.
If you have any questions or concerns, call Michele or call into the Midwest Family Care Administrative office at 608.276.6000. If you have general, non-emergency questions, feel free to email
Michele
.
Stay safe, stay warm, and have a great February!
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4916 E. Broadway, Suite A | Madison, WI 53716
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