Photos in top banner:
Marissa, Nora Auntie Shannon and Ryan at the St. Patty's Day Parade; Tom Regina's husband, our beloved client Murray, caregiver Karenly (half of the amazing caregiver team of Karenly and Celine ) on Murray's birthday; HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM FROM YOUR FAVORITE GUY!! (Jessica and son RJ)
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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:
What are the symptoms and early signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
By Bob Demarco | Alzheimer's Reading Room
Most of the Alzheimer's caregivers I know can look back and identify symptoms and behaviors that they now know were early signs of Alzheimer's or a related dementia.
The sooner that Alzheimer's is diagnosed the better the potential outcome. A failure to spot Alzheimer's early can be disastrous.
10 Symptoms of Dementia and Early Stage Alzheimer's
- Diminished short-term memory
- Misplacing belongings in odd places; losing valuable belongings, like wallet or purse
- Difficulty finding the right word: "Tip of the tongue" syndrome
- Person seems "not himself" and shows uncharacteristic behaviors
- Lapses in judgment
- Difficulty with mental arithmetic and handling money
- Disorientation in unfamiliar places or situations
- May become apathetic or withdrawn, avoiding social situations
- More difficulty with routine tasks at work or at home, or may take longer to complete tasks
- Irritation or anger in response to increasing memory lapses
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KUDOS
from Kelly
By Kelly McNamara
Care Team: Dawn Reed, Shelley Daley Kerr
and Dora Odura
Jack and Janet M are indeed fortunate to have this fine group of caregivers who have been with them for nearly 2 years. Initially their support extended only to Janet, who benefited from services since she was in early stages of dementia. Care focused on her safely, ambulation, med supervision, and management of daily activities. Most important to the family were the caregivers' cooking skills. Once this priority was well understood, the selection of caregivers was indeed quite simple. Dawn and Shelley are the "top chefs" at Always There Home Care. The care and enjoyment they took in preparing, cooking and serving meals became the focus of each day. Their clients of course enjoyed their excellent cooking and a well-balanced diet helped in maintaining their health as well.
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Bridget M. Perun
RN, BSN, CHPCA, ELNEC
Our new Community Ambassador
We are pleased to announce that Bridget is our new Business Development Director.
Bridget has an impressive background in staff nursing, management and sales. She has held positions of increasing responsibility in several hospice and home health care companies across the state.
Bridget is very impressed by our company's commitment to not only our care of clients but our extensive support to their families, case management, and assistance in navigating the health care system. As a certified trainer in hospice she shares our commitment to helping clients and families receive high quality compassionate end of life care. We are very excited about her joining our company and spreading the word about our services throughout Connecticut. ■
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International MeatOut Day
Compassion Over Killing
20, including benefit days kindly hosted by restaurants to support Compassion Over Killing and to put vegan foods in the spotlight on their menus.
These events expand the reach of this worldwide campaign, helping many to explore the benefits of leaving meat out of our shopping carts and off our plates -- for animals, our health, and the environment.
As MeatOut marks the beginning of spring this week, the season brings with it new hope and new chances to protect our planet and the many species - including us - that call it home.
Animal agriculture, which causes vast animal suffering, is also a leading cause of environmental destruction, and each one of us has the power to take a bite out of its harmful impact.
While young advocates are marching against climate change, we join them in marching forward too, by empowering thousands to take the most effective step to safeguard the future: Choosing vegan foods! ■
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A Guide for Finding Love Again
Four senior dating tips to guide your renewed quest
for love in your life.
Here's a senior dating dilemma: On one hand, the society we live in tells people of a certain age that their best opportunities for love and romance have come and gone. And maybe you've bought into that lie. On the other hand, a part of you still feels like an adventurous teenager, regardless of what age appears on your driver's license. Deep down, you know it's not too late-never too late-to find love. This is the "timeless you," who experiences a tingle of excitement at the thought of new romantic possibilities.
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Stop Taking People with Dementia to the Cemetery It will not go well
"Oh yeah, every time that dad forgets mom is dead, we head to the cemetery so he can see her gravestone."
WHAT. I can't tell you how many times I've heard some version of this awful story. Stop taking people with dementia to the cemetery. Seriously. I cringe every single time someone tells me about their "plan" to remind a loved one that their loved one is dead.
I also hear this a lot: "I keep reminding mom that her sister is dead, and sometimes she recalls it once I've said it." That's still not a good thing. Why are we trying to force people to remember that their loved ones have passed away?
If your loved one with dementia has lost track of their timeline, and forgotten that a loved one is dead, don't remind them. What's the point of reintroducing that kind of pain? Here's the thing: they will forget again, and they will ask again. You're never, ever, ever, going to "convince" them of something permanently.
Instead, do this: "Dad, where do you think mom is?"
When he tells you the answer, repeat that answer to him and assert that it sounds correct. For example, if he says, "I think mom is at work," say, "Yes, that sounds right, I think she must be at work." If he says, "I think she passed away," say, "Yes, she passed away."
www.dementia-by-day.com ■
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 For Men & Women with
a Sense of Humor
Another contribution by our friend Al Nixon, widower of a beloved former client, now a permanent friend of our company and a regular contributor to our newsletter - Once again, Thank you, Al!
Bookseller conducting a market survey asked a woman, "Which book has helped you most in your life?"
The woman replied, "My husband's cheque book!!"
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A prospective husband in a bookstore: "Do you have a book called 'Husband - the Master of the House?'"
Sales girl: "Sir, fiction and comics are on the 2nd floor!"
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Someone asked an old man: "Even after 70 years, you still call your wife - darling, honey, luv. What's the secret?"
Old man: "I forgot her name and I'm scared to ask her."
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Pharmacist to customer: "Sir, please understand, to buy an anti-depression pill you need a proper prescription. Simply showing your marriage certificate and wife's picture is not enough!
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A man was granted two wishes by God. He asked for the best drink and the best woman ever. Next moment he got mineral water & Mother Teresa.
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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, & 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...
McLean Hospice Palliative Care & 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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