Greetings !
Here at Always There Home Care, we are grateful you are slowing down to read our newsletter, which is full of items that relate to home care, home health care, aging & 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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Please take some time to watch our video!
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Regina McNamara RN, MSN President & Kelly McNamara, Chief Operating Officer
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Photos in top banner: Ryan and Nora Rockin’ out at ski resort; Michelle Angie’s daughter thrilled are her new home.; Our graphic designer, Mary and her daughter Grace baking for Thanksgiving.
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FEATURE ARTICLE:
The Deeply Forgetful at the Holidays
By Bob DeMarco | Alzheimer's Reading Room
The Holidays can be a very difficult time for Alzheimer’s caregivers. Instead of being happy we often end up sad on Christmas or Hanukkah.
The thing is we actually get to choose between happiness or sadness.
During the first few years instead of Christmas being a happy day for me and my mom it turned into a day of sadness.
I would go to great lengths to get my mom a bunch of small presents and wrap them up. A watch, a bracelet, earrings, and some nice cloths. Then much to my chagrin she showed very little reaction while opening them. This hurt my heart.
After a few years I finally realized it was not about me - it was about my mom.
It was up to me to find a way to make it a good time for her, not the other way around. After I found my way into Alzheimer’s World I realized that my mom was deeply forgetful.
She just didn’t know it was Christmas. She forgot. She was nothing more than deeply forgetful.
I decided it was up to me to find a way to make Christmas day, and the Christmas season meaningful to her. The result - my heart stopped hurting...
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Photo left to right:Laura office manager center with daughter Lauren and son Nathan; Bonnie, Kelly’s partner,
at the animal sanctuary; Ryan hits the slopes with his family; The dogs take over Thanksgiving!
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KUDOS
from Kelly
All caregivers mentioned will receive a bonus and our sincere gratitude!
Many thanks to all, for extending yourselves to ensure that we are Always There!
Candy Francis & Nadine Meredith
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It is rare that we feature not one but TWO amazing caregivers in one Kudos column. But this month both these ladies have been outstanding contributors to our company by the level of care they provide to our clients, as well as the accessibility, helpfulness and teamwork they have consistently displayed.
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MOST OF MY GENERATION OF 60+ WERE HOME SCHOOLED IN MANY WAYS
Again, our thanks to Al Nixon, former client now newsletter contributor and forever friend.
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. - “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”
2. My mother taught me RELIGION - “You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”
3. My father taught me LOGIC - “ Because I said so, that’s why.”
4. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC - “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”
5. My mother taught me FORESIGHT - “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”
6. My mother taught me about the science of
OSMOSIS - “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”
7. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
“Just you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”
8. My mother taught me about STAMINA - “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
9. My mother taught me about WEATHER - “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”
10. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY -
“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!” ■
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REGINA'S
REFLECTIONS
The Abundance of Joy This Season
Christmas season finds most of us in a frenzy of shopping, baking, traveling to loved ones’ homes to celebrate, sending cards and well wishes, hurriedly moving from one task to the next, neglecting our own needs for relaxation and self-care, which sometimes leads to fatigue and stress. None of us needs more of these negative energies to dampen our holiday spirits.
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THE BIG LIST OF BEST GIFTS FOR SENIORS
If you’re looking for a wonderful gift that your older adult will use and enjoy, we’ve got you covered.
We rounded up 42 of our favorite gift ideas, ranging from products for independent older adults to gifts for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia or greater care needs.
These gifts are thoughtful, helpful, and can improve your older adult’s quality of life. You’re sure to find something they’ll be thrilled to receive.
5 keepsake gifts that celebrate special memories
- Custom photo album
- Custom photo calendar
- Custom photo blanket
- Custom photo puzzle
- $40 DBPOWER HD Digital 7 inch Photo Frame
5 gifts that entertain and engage
- Favorite songs and albums
- $50 Music player boombox with CD, cassette tape, and AM/FM radio
- From $4 Beautiful coloring books – These coloring books have beautiful, frame-worthy images and can provide hours of relaxing fun.
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Large-print or jumbo playing cards – Use these easy-to-see cards to play a variety of fun card games.
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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
- Kindred Home Health Care Services Stratford, Old Saybrook, Hamden, Farmington
- Masonicare Home Health and Hospice - Danielson, Derby, East Hartford, Mystic, Norwalk and Wallingford
- RVNA Health, Ridgefield (formerly known as Ridgefield VNA) Community Wellness, Home Health Care, Hospice, Comprehensive Out Patient services
- Regional Hospice Danbury Serving CT and NY
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WHY USE PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE?
Every person between the age of 70-80 is:
- On the path to a fall
- Will likely miss their medications and confuse their medicines all together
- Will go without meals on a regular basis
- May suffer depression due to life's losses
- Will miss out on life's joyful moments due to loneliness
We know that we can make that ten-year gap between 70-80 and well beyond that so much better, safer and more joy filled but many of you may not. You have many concerns and questions. But few answers.
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HERE'S WHY TO CHOOSE US
We have many of those answers. We improve life every day for seniors and provide support to their loved ones who are equally confused.
Navigating the increasingly complex healthcare system, understanding the benefits under long term care insurance and Medicare, establishing a safe, comfortable enjoyable environment in which to age in place with just the right caregivers to meet your needs are among the many complex issues facing seniors and their families.
We can help -
Always There Home Care is the only nurse owned and managed private duty company in Connecticut.
Our clinical expertise allows us to provide a wide range of services from providing personal care and meaningful engagement with seniors to managing complex chronic diseases in the home.
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GIVE US A CALL
together we will discover how we can best help you and your family.
Phone: 800.348.0485 ~ We are Always There
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