In This Issue
FEATURE ARTICLE: Mom with Alzheimer's Marries and Finds New Joy
Kudos From Kelly
4 Reasons to Smile as a Grandparent
Loneliness a Bigger Killer Than Obesity, Say Researchers
5 Tragic Losses Caused by 'Someday Syndrome'
Providers We Love


Photos in top banner: Nora (Regina's granddaughter) with grandpop; Future super model Bella! (Jessica's daughter); Darcey, our therapy dog  with Wayne her favorite sitter.
 




























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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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Featured Article: Mom with Alzheimer's Marries and Finds New Joy Although the future is unknown, I believe that there can be new life after Alzheimer's and that falling in love can renew anyone's brain.
 
By: Dr. Agronin
 
My 89 year-old mother, deeply forgetful for eight years, improved significantly since meeting a kind 93 year-old man in the assisted living center where they each had lived for six months.

Does she look younger and more aware?

This reminded me of the change that came over Dotty's face from 2005 to 2012. As we After playing pool together every day and eating meals together in the dining room, the couple decided that they wanted to marry.

His mind is quite good, but my mom is challenged with short term memory loss and other issues related to Alzheimer's.

Although his daughter and I explained to him what could lie ahead, he ultimately decided he still wanted to marry her and spend their last few years together.

He had been married 72 years and mom 66 years before each being widowed. They joke that they had 138 years of combined marital experience at the time of their December 22, 2013 wedding.

Mom has been "glowing" since she fell in love with this man. Her eyes now sparkle and her smile is genuine.

Her husband has a witty sense of humor and he makes mom laugh. He is patient and tenderhearted in relating to her forgetfulness.


Kudos from Kelly
 KUDOS from Kelly
  By Kelly McNamara 
  
Jennifer Drouin: Jennifer has been with us for only a few months.  During that time she has made a tremendous impact on the life of her client GD.   With a seriously ill  husband, and several chronic diseases that presented challenges to her each day, GD nonetheless was good natured and grateful of all the assistance Jennifer provided.   A unique and very intuitive young woman, Jennifer was able to anticipate GD's needs  in her unique  low-key manner. Gerri's unique dining habits were new to Jennifer, a fine cook but unfamiliar with how a coffee percolator functioned or the fine points of making a seven-minute egg.   Knowing how important these seemingly small requests were to her client,  Jennifer became a wiling student and in no time was a breakfast pro.  Assisting with her daily care, supervising her ambulation to insure GD's safety and completing all household tasks were all an important part of Jennifer's job.  But given the fragile and changing state of her husband's health including changing diagnoses and transfers to a hospital far from home, Jennifer was also able to provide comfort and companionship to GD.  They often chatted like school girls, clearly  enjoying each other's company.

But the greatest challenge came one night when GD's husband took a turn for the worst and was in hospital 50  miles from their home.  Although Jennifer's shift was scheduled to end at 5 PM, she helped GD shower, dress and drove her to the hospital so that she could say goodbye to her husband.  According to Jennifer, he was waiting for her and died peacefully, once she arrived and spent some time with him.  Giving up her Saturday night to help her client spend time with her dying husband was a real gift to GD and an honor for Jennifer, who said she enjoys caring for GD as though she was her own grandmother.  Many many thanks to you Jennifer for going above and beyond  fulfilling a last wish for a couple married nearly 60 years!

All caregivers mentioned in this column will receive a gift card and our sincere appreciation!  Many many thanks to all of you for once again extending yourselves to ensure that we are of course We are Always There...!! ■

   4 Reasons to Smile as a Grandparent 
    Posted by Ken Canfield 
 
There are abundant blessings in being a grandparent. Granted, there are challenging family situations which take a toll on grandparents, however when you examine these benefits-and many are supported by research-there are many reasons to smile. Here are four to consider:

First, the power of touch. Research has demonstrated over and over that when we touch another person in a healthy and caring manner, the hemoglobin level in the bloodstream rises, which is a good thing. In addition, when people (in this case grandchildren and grandparents) are exposed to more touch, they often have a decrease in inflammatory cells and an increase in white blood cells, which are known as disease-fighter cells. What could be more beneficial than hugging, embracing and affirming our precious grandchildren?


Loneliness a Bigger Killer Than Obesity, Say Researchers By: Honor Whiteman
 
Obesity has become a major public health concern, affecting more than a third of adults in the United States. New research, however, suggests that there are two bigger threats: loneliness and social isolation.

Two new meta-analyses from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT, reveal that loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of premature death by up to 50 percent.

Study co-author Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at BYU, and colleagues recently presented their findings at the 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, held in Washington, D.C.

While loneliness and social isolation are often used interchangeably, there are notable differences between the two. Social isolation is defined as a lack of contact with other individuals, while loneliness is the feeling that one is emotionally disconnected from others. In essence, a person can be in the presence of others and still feel lonely.


5 Tragic Losses Caused by 'Someday Syndrome' 'Either get busy living or get busy dying.'
By: Ray Edwards
 
"You have Parkinson's Disease," said the doctor. It was September 22, 2011-the day before my 46th birthday. While not usually fatal, Parkinson's is a degenerative disease. This means it inevitably worsens over time. There is no cure. I was suddenly facing the prospect of limited mobility as my future unfolded.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne says to his pal Red as they sit in the prison yard, "It comes down to one simple decision. Either get busy living or get busy dying." My life had taken an unexpected and unpleasant turn, but it was not over.

I decided to get busy living.

Do you value your values?


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, and 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. operation with them...

McLean Hospice Palliative Care and Hospice, Simsbury
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 your last days may be spent with dignity and quality. Our goal is to provide satisfying days, fear-free nights and the richness of time with your loved ones, surrounded by a supportive team. Hospice nurses are available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year...


 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.

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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    /  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.

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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!