Photos in top banner: Bella, Jessica's daughter looking beautiful as ever; Kim , our executive assistant, proud mom with her beautiful accomplished daughters: Ashlyn (on left),Aisha (on right). Aisha is a journalism major. Her club at Springfield College has this Legacy Ball every year, and she is on the board. Not too proud, huh lol; Wila, Regina's Grandniece, on her birthday.
Below: Joan with Ashaine after his return from Jamaica.
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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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FEATURE ARTICLE:
10 fun, No-Fail Activities for
People with Dementia
Seniors with dementia need activities where they're successful
Everyday activities can become too difficult for older adults with Alzheimer's-or dementia. But they still have the need to be successful at something.
That's why failure-free activities for people with dementia are so important - they always come out "right" no matter what.
Being happily engaged in a satisfying activity reduces agitation, anxiety, depression, and anger. It may even reduce sundowning behavior or the need for medication.
To keep your older adult feeling good, we've got 10 simple activity ideas that have no right or wrong way to do them. Plus, they're free or very low cost!
Note: Each person is different, so it might take some trial and error to find activities that appeal to them. As always, avoid sharp objects and only give items that will be safe for your older adult. For example, if they tend to put things in their mouth or tie up body parts, avoid small pieces or string.
10 fantastic, failure-free activities for people with dementia
1. Fold towels
Asking an older adult to help you fold laundry is a great way to keep them occupied, give them an activity they can feel successful at, and help them feel like they're contributing to the household.
The goal is just to keep them happily engaged. It's best to use hand towels because they're small and easily folded. No matter how well or poorly the towels are folded, the point is that your older adult feels good about the activity.
2. Create a memory box
A memory or rummage box can help your older adult feel connected to their past career and previous hobbies. Get any kind of box and fill it with things they would have used at work, copies of photos and non-important keepsakes, or objects from hobbies.
For example, for a former office worker, create a box that reminds them of their career. Include paper clips, pencils, erasers, paper, letters (junk mail), a calculator, file folders, notepads, etc. in the box.
If the person used to do handy work, put nuts, bolts, pvc pipe pieces and fittings, a piece of wood (no splinters), fine grit sandpaper, and twine in their box. Someone who enjoyed cooking or baking might enjoy measuring spoons, a whisk, a spatula, and other related items.
This can work for any type of job or hobby, just be creative about finding objects that will be safe to handle.
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KUDOS
from Kelly
By Kelly McNamara
Karenly Sanchez and Celine Murray: Our client Mr. B is a lucky man. He has had some health setbacks, lost his beloved wife of decades a short time ago. He is blessed with a loving supportive family of 4 sons and one daughter, who, based upon the stories he proudly relates about his wife, inherited many of her admirable traits. His children stop in regularly to check on him and join in the activities in the lovely senior community where he has lived for several years. Even his daughter who lives in California, makes regular visits. These routine family connections enrich his life in myriad ways. There are seniors living in communities such as Mr. B's who rarely take part in the wide array of activities. But Mr. B never misses a meal, and plans carefully, requesting substitutions at times. He attends daily exercise class, movies, varying widely in topic and theme. He is a whiz at words games as well. He never misses Friday Shabbat.
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20 Simple Ways to Bring Positive Energy into Your Life Right Now
By: Denise Hill
If you want to stay positive when facing challenges and negative situations, here are 20 things you can do to help revive your positive energy:
1. Enjoy nature
Spending time in serene natural environments has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, improve working memory and provide a sense of rejuvenation.
2. Perform random acts of kindness
Finding ways to put a smile on the face of others allows you to be a positive force in the lives of others.
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude
Noticing and appreciating the positives in our lives is a great way to lift your spirits and provide yourself a mental boost
4. Take a mental break
Exhaustion is the silent killer of positivity.
Learn to take breaks when things get overwhelming. Do something that gives your mind a break from whatever challenge you are facing-and that could just mean taking a nap.
5. Laugh
Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Find a way to laugh-often.
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Am I getting to that age?
Thanks to our Friend Al Nixon, former spouse of client, now friend and newsletter contributor
I found this timely, because today I was in a store that sells sunglasses, and only sunglasses. A young lady walked over to me and asked, "What brings you in today? I looked at her and said, "I'm interested in buying a refrigerator." She didn't quite know how to respond.
I was thinking about old age and decided that old age is when you still have something on the ball, but you are just too tired to bounce it.
When people see a cat's litter box they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?" Just once I want to say, "No, it's for company!
Employment application blanks always ask who is to be called in case of an emergency. I think you should write, "An ambulance."
The older you get the tougher it is to lose weight because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
Did you ever notice that when you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs?"
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
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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
Seabury Active Living Retirement Community, & Seabury at Home, Bloomfield One of Connecticut's first retirement communities, Seabury has grown impressively from its original facility. The sprawling campus now boasts several individual residences, from apartments to substantial single homes. Their memory care unit is superb. The surroundings provide lovely views in all seasons. An immense fitness facility, including a large pool promotes continued fitness of older adults. Seabury boasts an impressive participation of its residents in the fitness facility.
Seabury also has an innovative Life Care program and Seabury at Home service, which allows seniors to continue to live in their own homes while enjoying the benefits of Seabury services...
McLean Hospice Palliative Care & Hospice, Simsbury
McLean Home Care and Hospice enjoy the coveted highest Medicare rating of Five Stars based on outstanding patient outcomes as medication compliance, improved mobility and no hospital re admissions, as well as starting care in a timely manner.
McLean Hospice is dedicated to improving patients' comfort and supporting their families. Their team in helps patients you live as fully and comfortably as possible so their last days or months may be spent with dignity and quality. Their goal is to provide satisfying days; fear-free nights and the richness of time with loved ones, surrounded by a supportive team. Hospice nurses are available to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year...
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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
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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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