Quarterly Employee Newsletter
Winter 2018
Cahoon Care Associates, LLC.
Corporate Office: 781.659.1877
133 Washington St, Norwell, MA
Our Featured Employee
Suzanne Furness
Please help us welcome Suzanne Furness as our new Scheduling Coordinator. She will be working full-time in our Norwell Office, and will be the primary contact for most scheduling questions. If you haven’t spoken to her yet, you may recognize her by her pleasant, reassuring voice.
For Suzanne, coming to work at Cahoon Care Associates is an exciting change of pace. For over 20 years, Suzanne has worked and volunteered in the non-profit and education sectors striving to make a difference for families and children.  She is very excited to turn her attention to the needs of our aging population and the dedicated caregivers of Cahoon Care Associates.
Suzanne brings a high level of compassion, commitment and attention to detail and we are excited to have her join our team.
Reminder!
We have a referral bonus program to refer new caregivers and new clients:


  • $75 referral bonus for each new client, after they have used our services for 1 month.
Open House at Our New Location
We've moved! Cahoon Care is now located at 133 Washington Street, Norwell, MA.

Please join us at our employee open house on April 5th from 9 - 11 am, and from 3 - 6:30 pm. Paul Cloutier will be present during the event to help anyone who wants to sign up for the Simple IRA program.

Drinks and refreshments will be offered.

We look forward to seeing you!
Video Corner:
 How to deal with aging parents that refuse help
Top Warning Signs & Symptoms of Stroke in Seniors
There are three common signs of stroke that you should be able to recognize, and they’re easy to remember by using the word “FAST.”


F – Face drooping. One side of the face may droop or be numb. If the person smiles, their smile may be uneven.
A – Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms. One arm may droop or drift down due to weakness.
S – Speech difficulty. A stroke victim’s speech may be slurred, and they may be unable to repeat simple words.
T – Time to call 911. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately and tell them that you think the person is having a stroke.
We want to hear from you!

As valued employees of Cahoon Care Associates, we would like to get your feedback on our new Employee Recognition Program and any ideas or topics you would like to see covered in the next newsletter.
Five Ways Caregivers Can Fight the Winter Blues
February and March are tough months. The winter seems to be never-ending, we’re tired of snow, and where are those spring flowers? Caregiving can become challenging during this time of year, especially if your clients are tired of being cooped up indoors and you’re feeling tired or worn out.

Try these five techniques to beat the winter blues and think spring – even if it’s still snowing out.

Pot bulbs indoors – The weather outside may not be ready for flowers, but you can pot bulbs indoors to bring some color and life into the space. This is a great activity for a quiet afternoon, especially if you’re missing being outdoors and spending time in the garden.

Lighting to brighten up rooms – Turning on the lights can make a big difference in the atmosphere – and our moods. Use lighting to brighten up any room that you’re spending time in. Small desk lamps can add atmosphere, while larger floor lamps are great for really adding brightness to a space.

You may also want to consider purchasing a light therapy lamp or light box to supplement the limited daylight that you’re exposed to during the winter. Light therapy may help with depression.

Play upbeat music – Don’t forget that your music choices can affect your mood, too. Play some of your favorite upbeat music, and get moving. Music can have a huge influence on how you’re feeling, so make a point of incorporating some up-tempo songs that you love each day.

Wear bright clothing – Not only will bright clothing have you thinking positively about spring’s arrival, but it can help to boost your mood, too. Pinks, yellows, light blues, oranges? It’s time to get them out of your closet and wear them proudly.

Wear fragrances and hand creams – Choosing a fragrance or hand cream with a scent you associate with spring can boost your mood.

Spring really will be here before we know it. Keep thinking positive and put these five tips to work to help beat the winter blues. 
The Latest Alzheimer's Research And Developments
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, but there’s lots of research currently being done on risk factors, identifying Alzheimer’s early on, and treating it. Here are four of the most recent research advancements to keep you informed.

Blood Tests May Reveal Alzheimer’s Risk – A team of scientists from Australia and Japan have developed a blood test to identify the protein amyloid beta. Amyloid beta buildup in the brain is one sign of Alzheimer’s disease, and the blood test proved to be 90% accurate in identifying the protein’s presence. Further work and testing are needed to determine how this test might predict which people will go on to develop Alzheimer’s in the future.

Brain Pacemaker May Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s - An electrical device implanted into the brain could slow the progression of certain Alzheimer’s symptoms. Deep brain stimulation has been used for years to treat issues like tremors, Parkinson’s, and walking difficulties. A new study used the device to stimulate the frontal lobe in Alzheimer’s patients. Two patients showed significantly less decline than similar Alzheimer’s patients.

Non-Drug Strategies to Help Alzheimer’s PatientsA study examined the effects of non-drug treatment strategies, including intensive diet, exercise, and brain training programs, on people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The results indicated that the lifestyle behavior changes were effective in some of the study participants, and highlights the potential value in studying both drug and non-drug treatment strategies.

Sugar May Lead to Faster Cognitive Decline – A 10-year study focused on the effects of high blood sugar on cognitive processes and decline. The study revealed that people with high blood sugar suffered more rapid cognitive declines than people with lower blood sugar.

We’ll continue to keep you up-to-date with advancements and important Alzheimer’s information. 
Spread the Word!