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Where Do You Go When You Need Help?
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Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia can tax all of your abilities. When taking care of a loved one on your own, it can be difficult to know where to get help or who can assist. While we don't have all of the answers, we do have some great resources that we wanted to share with you.
In this newsletter you will find this helpful information:
- Links to some great services that are available to you.
- Understanding what Medicare covers and what it doesn't.
- The Perfect Answer when someone asks if they can help you.
- Plus, some fun trivia about where we live that you might not know.
On a special note, ActivCare wishes all mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers and godmothers, the happiest of Mother's Days. Where would we be without you?
Read on.
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Construction Update
The exterior of ActivCare at Yorba Linda is really taking shape. Inside, we are diligently working on the amenities that make our community warm and welcoming. Our entry will greet guests with a statement fireplace. over-sized windows in the resident's room provide plenty of light, interior courtyards offer pleasant paths for residents to wander.
Custom murals will be painted on the walls providing colorful additions to the Great Rooms and aid in way-finding for the residents.
The community is slated for a grand opening in the Summer. If you would like more information, please stop by our information center between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays, except Wednesdays. Or call (714) 312-3797 for an appointment at another time.
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Where Can I Find Information About...
As a family caregiver, you are wear many hats: Behaviorist, Health & Wellness Manager, Nutritionist, Companion and Financial Guru. And, more than likely, without formal training, you have learned by doing.
In this issue, we are going to share some of the many resources we rely on to provide insight for the caregiver..
Family Caregiver Resource Center - This local organization offers free supportive services to family caregivers. From support groups to educational programs to factsheets with caregiving strategies, you can find information on many issues that you face. Plus, they have a great listing of other organizations that may provide you assistance along your journey.
Bookmark this link.
Alzheimer's Orange County - This resource focuses on helping local families affected by Alzheimer's with information, education, care and vital support. They offer
educational classes about communication and behavioral changes as well as other relevant topics for family caregivers.
Alzheimer's Association - They have an online network devoted just to caregivers. You can find practical advice for many situations via this source. Or, try posting a comment on their
AlzConnected message board to get input from other caregivers.
Alzheimer's Reading Room - This site provides blog posts addressing common issues faced by caregivers. Does this sound familiar, "What to Do When Dementia Patients Wear the Same Outfit Day After Day"? They have a post about that. Other articles that can address some of the unusual behaviors that you face can also be found there.
Need direction or additional resources? We can help. Contact us at
(714) 312-3797.
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What Medicare Covers and Doesn't
Disclaimer: This article is designed to provide a cursory overview of this governmental program and is not comprehensive. For specifics, please consult the Medicare website.
In a nutshell, Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, and people under 65 with certain disabilities including those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure). The program
helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
The Medicare website can help you identify what care and tests are covered. It also addresses s
ome of the items and services that Medicare does not cover including:
- Long-term care (also called custodial care)
- Most dental care
- Eye examinations related to prescribing glasses
- Dentures
- Cosmetic surgery
- Acupuncture
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
- Routine foot care
As stated by the first bullet point above, long-term care such as retirement living, assisted living, memory care, and in-home care are not included in Medicare. This is a common misconception about this benefit. To learn more about Medicare, check out the 2017 guide.
Medicare and You 2017
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How many times has a friend asked if you need help? How many times have you said, "No Thanks, I'm Fine."
According to an article in Psychology Today, people who offer to help are:
- Sincere; they want to assist you.
- Waiting for your permission and an assignment. You need to react.
- Going to help you best when given a specific task to do.
With our magic wand, we are granting you the right to ask for help and we have a creative solution for you.
- Take an ordinary piece of paper and stick it to your refrigerator.
- Throughout the day, jot down something that you didn't get a chance to do, that you could really use help with. This could be: grocery shopping, gardening, picking up stamps, picking up pet food, or any errand that you cannot get to.
- Next time someone, anyone, asks if they can help. Share the list with them and ask what they would like to do.
- Not only will you cross a task off your list, you will provide an opportunity for a friend/family member to contribute, which is rewarding for them.
So the next time someone offers you help, say, "Yes!" Try it.
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Did You Know...?
Here's a little trivia about where we live.
California is the first state ever to become a trillion dollar economy in gross state product. If it were a country, it would be the sixth-largest economy in the world.
Apple computer, Barbie doll, theme park (Disneyland), Frisbee, blue jeans and Fortune cookie are only a few of many things invented in California.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States in terms of land area. Its area is larger than the combined area of the states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island!
California has more national parks than any other state in the USA.9 of the nations 59 national parks are within the state.
California has a larger population than all of Canada.
One out of every eight music festivals in the United States is held in California.
Walter Knott, the founder of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, named and perfected the boysenberry before he converted his farm into a theme park.
Los Angeles lays claim to the world's largest outdoor amphitheater, the Hollywood Bowl.
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ActivCare at Yorba Linda | 4725 Valley View Avenue | Yorba Linda, CA 92886
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