Photos in top banner; Bella is school ready! (Jessica's daughter); Grace on her first day of school and Luke (our graphic designer's children); Savannah's first day of school! (Veronica's Daughter)
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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:
When People with Dementia
Can Only Say NO
From Dementia by Day | By Rachael Wonderlin
When you work in dementia care, you get used to hearing the word, "no."
"No, I don't want a shower."
"No, thanks, I don't want to go."
"No, I already took my pills."
"No, I don't want to do any crafts."
Sound familiar? While there are some people out there who say no just to be contrary, most people with dementia who say "no" do it because they don't really understand the question.
The best example of this is a female resident I had at one of my communities. Megan was really friendly and loved going on outings, but if you asked her if she wanted to join you, she'd say no. "Hey Megan!" the staff would say. "Do you want to go get ice cream with everyone?" Megan would pause, think for a second, and say, "No, thanks, I'll stay here." I came to realize that she didn't really understand what was being asked of her: instead of thinking about the ice cream, she got overwhelmed at the idea of "going anywhere" and left it at that.
When Megan was told to, "Come with me," or, "Can you help me?" she would join, no matter what it was. I began offering my hand, telling Megan to come with me, and leading her to the bus for outings. When she asked, "Where are we going?" I'd tell her that we were getting ice cream. She'd be thrilled.
Here's what I recommend: don't give someone with dementia the opportunity to say no. Avoid the ask. Asking someone with dementia if they "want" to do something is a sure-fire way to hear "nope!"
Instead, say, "Come with me," or ask that person for "help" with a task.
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 A Billionaire's Thoughts Near His Life's End
Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, died a billionaire. Here are some of his last thoughts and words:
"I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others' eyes, my life is the epitome of success.
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I have become accustomed to.
At this moment, I am on my sick bed, and recalling my life. I realize that all of the recognition and wealth in which I took so much pride, have become meaningless in the face of my impending death.
You can employ someone to drive a car for you, and to make money for you, but you cannot employ anyone to bear illness for you.
Material things, when lost, can be found, but the one thing, that can never be found when it is lost, is your health and eventually your life itself.
When a person goes into the operating room, he realizes that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading, "The Book of Healthy Life".
Whatever stage in life we are at currently, in time we all face that day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse and love for your friends. Treat yourself well, and cherish others.
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KUDOS
from Kelly
By Kelly McNamara
Brenda Ortiz:
It hardly seems possible that Brenda has been with us for only one year. During that time, she has proven herself time and time again to be versatile, hardworking, adaptable to every situation we have presented to her. She endears herself to the clients and families quickly and in such a short time on board, has become our best "utility player". No challenge is too great for her. No new clinical situation insurmountable.
No challenging circumstance causes her to pause and reconsider. Not Brenda, she simply heads right in and figures it all out.
She brings a maturity beyond her years and also possesses perhaps our most valued asset in a caregiver (or any human being)... a wealth of common sense.
Her first assignment was a very challenging one, where we had difficulty retaining caregivers. Brenda adored her lovely lady with dementia and quickly became a valued team member. Next, a very charming elderly physician client was losing his weekend live in since she was pursuing a different career beyond caregiving. So fond was he of this lovely caregiver, he was at first resistant to changing to a new one. Until Brenda started the assignment and quickly became enamored of him, his dog, his family, his lady friend, his lovely home.
She is always willing to help out in a case if the regular caregivers need a bit of as break. Wherever she lands, she is welcome.
We have yet to find a challenge that Brenda cannot achieve with her special brand of maturity, genuine caring, and extraordinary creativity and common sense. If only we could clone her!!
Thank you Brenda from our clients. Their families, and all of us for the wonderful contributions you make to our company every day!
All caregivers mentioned in this column will receive a bonus and our sincere gratitude! Many many thanks to all of you for once again extending yourselves to ensure that we are of course
Always There...!! ■
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Attention Baby Boomers - It's Time to Kick the Bucket List!
Joe Queenan
The American bucket list is in a state of crisis.
Americans are so obsessed with running a 100-mile marathon in the Outback, visiting every Double-A baseball stadium in the country or flying in a hot-air balloon over Fiji that all the fun has gone out of having a bucket list in the first place. Compiling a bucket list was once the perfect way to pass the dreamy days of summer vacation. Now it's just another form of work.
Today, everyone with a few bucks to spare seems to be fixated on bucket lists, given the many books on this topic.
You can't start crossing things off your bucket list when you're 29. People that young do not possess the moral authority to compile a bucket list. They should all go up to their rooms and play Warcraft for four decades. Mommy will call you back downstairs when you have reached full retirement age.
We are all familiar with the concepts of Too Much Too Soon (TMTS) and Too Little Too Late. (TLTL) Bucket lists are basically a clear-cut case of Way Too Much Far Too Late. They can seem like a consolation prize for not having a satisfactory life. If you are rapidly approaching the final curtain and you still have dozens of things pending on your bucket list, it raises the question of WHAT YOU WERE DOING ALL THAT TIME ??
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Welcome Kim Burnett!!!
We are very pleased to announce the addition of Kim Burnett as our new Executive Assistant. She will help out with scheduling and recruitment and will take on projects under Regina's direction as well. Our company is in growth mode now and more hands are welcome.
Kim was born in Brooklyn, NY. She is the middle child of two sisters. Her family moved to CT when she was 5 where she attended public schools in Meriden and Middletown. After graduating high school Kim attended and graduated from The Wilfred Academy of Cosmetology and for a short period of time she was a licensed hairdresser.
In March of 1987 Kim started a career at Aetna as a file clerk. After 30 years, having risen in the system to a research analyst position, early retirement was offered and Kim accepted this opportunity. It was always her intention to return to meaningful work.
Like many of us, Kim cites as her greatest accomplishment her children. She is the proud parent of 4 children, 1 cat (Simba), 3 grandchildren and 1 grand pup.
Her son Deron Jr, 28 served in the US Army as a military police officer at Ft Hood, Texas. He has since returned home and is currently managing a gym and also works in the kitchen of a local assisted living facility. His daughter Riley, 4 is the apple of his eye.
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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, 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. Seabury also has an innovative Life Care program and Seabury at Home service. Their home care program provides both Medicare as well as home private duty services for the community and surrounding area...
McLean Hospice Palliative Care and 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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