Bernice Addo: When trying to come up with what to say about Bernice…...I ask myself “what can not be said about Bernice?”

Bernice has been EVERYTHING to her client, Dr. P. for over 3 years. The bond between these two is amazing. Anytime you speak with Bernice, you can hear the pure joy in her voice. They act like two teenagers off on an adventure! When they drive up to peep through our office window, they are both always smiling, the highlight of any day.

Bernice has become more than a caregiver... she has become a member of the family, always going above and beyond, stepping up when there is a need. She is even willing to stay on when a covering caregiver is needed. Bernice and her client have even quarantined together during this pandemic. Bernice is always right there making sure all her client’s needs are met.

The holidays can be a time of equal parts sentimentality and stress for any family. But, when you add in a loved one with dementia, those experiences can intensify.

Spending the Holidays with Loved Ones - It seems like every commercial and cover is heralding the holiday season with picture-perfect images to strive for. Ideas for enjoying the holidays all seem to center around the kind of traditions that you can see and touch. But what if all that really matters to you is how you and those around you feel?

Ways to Help Loved Ones with Dementia Enjoy the Holidays - Although your holidays may not be as picture-perfect as those portrayed in the media, you can still help loved ones with dementia enjoy the season by using these tips:

1. Be forgiving: Forgiving of yourself, your family, your loved one. No one is perfect. Mistakes are going to happen, things may have been said or done by your loved one or other family members that caused stress, but your ability to move past that can only support a happier holiday for all of you. Let go of past hurts, at least for now.

2. Be inclusive: Help your loved one feel like they are involved no matter where they are in the disease process by: Asking for their help with easy activities ; Encouraging reminiscing; Including them in conversations; In later stages, simply offering a gentle touch or reassuring word.

Voices of...

For this month I decided to turn this column over to our caregivers, to honor them and their contributions. I sent all caregivers a text asking them to respond to the following question:  “What are you thankful for this year?”

Much to my surprise and joy, many caregivers quickly responded. Their texts were beautiful, heartwarming, spontaneous reminders to me of why we so value them all so highly.

Najilah Malika Allen. Hey Regina thanks for the mention in the newsletter! That’s cool. I’m so thankful firstly to God and my always supportive family and for having a job while so many are without one. I’m grateful for good health, happiness and overall prosperity despite what’s going on in the world these days. May everyone have a great holiday season and a happy new year!

Stacey Grizzle. I’m thankful for life in this time we are living in Jesus name. And for Always There Home Care to everyone that works with the agency to you, Kim and all the caregivers that’s on the job giving our all to take care of our clients.

Lawrentia Hawkson. I’m so thankful for my life and my children and the good people around me and job. I’m thankful for you been my supervisor.

Novia Reid. WOW!! I’m honored, I wasn’t expecting anything close to this, but thank you Regina. I’m thankful for you and the inspiration behind you starting Always There. You have not only created many job opportunities and also assisted numerous families who needed care. I’m especially thankful for Kim, because she goes above and beyond and she tries her hardest to match us with the right family. It has been a blessing, being able to stay employed in this pandemic and thankful that through it all I’ve been taking all the necessary precautions to stay safe. So, I’m beyond thankful for life, family and an income. Thanks.

“Be thankful for what you have;

you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

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