Photos in top banner: Scott, Marissa Nora and Ryan (Regina's son and his children); Ashaine (caregiver Dellaine's son); Zoe adorable as ever! (Regina's grandniece).
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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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Featured Article:
6 Things That Taught Me to be a
Better Care Partner
By Mara Botonis | Alzheimer's Reading Room
The Benefit of Being Broken: What a Prolonged Period as a Patient Taught Me about Being a Better Care Partner
I had just undergone surgery to remove a tumor from my abdomen and yet another to open up both of my legs after an infection post op raged through my body requiring an additional 10 day hospital stay.
I had fresh incisions from my knees to my groin on the inside of both legs and stretching across my lower abdomen.
I had a catheter, a drain to remove blood and fluid inserted into both legs on the inside of my knees and another to drain fluid from my abdomen. I was covered in blood soaked 4 by 4 inch gauze bandages and hooked to IV antibiotics and pain medications.
If I could've moved around more I probably would've felt constricted by all of the tubes coming in and out of me, but I wasn't in any shape to even turn over on my side. I was hurting in every sense of the word, both inside and out.
I had always aspired to be a helpful person, a strong person. Someone others could count on, lean on, confide in and depend on.
Without the ability to take care of or focus on others in my personal or professional world, I was left with no choice but to take care of myself. Not only could I not be useful to others, but now I was almost completely dependent on them. I needed help from a team of people I had barely met to support me in the most moments of intimate of personal care and
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KUDOS
from Kelly
By Kelly McNamara
Ingrid Philips and Tanya Johnson, Caregiver Team for Phyllis Steel:
Every hour, every day of caregiving is important, special work. Each client presents an opportunity to gain a new friend, learn about his/her life, and meet all her physical, emotional and spiritual needs. When we know those days are limited, our caregivers are especially engaged with their clients to live their best possible remaining days.
When one entered Phyllis' apartment, the dignified lady who welcomed them did not appear to be a hospice patient. She was in curlers recently shampooed and hair set by Ingrid. Dressed for the day, she was planning on meeting with her Book Club friends and was already excited about another new book chosen. Phyllis had a lovely family so visitors were a regular event for her. When she remarked how she was a teacher, mother and grandmother, (AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER ) we asked if she would like a visit by one of our other caregivers Angie and her baby Mishelle. She readily agreed and enjoyed a fun filled visit. A long awaited field trip to a local popular thrift store had her planning and plotting her potential purchases in the preceding days. She and Ingrid were like teenagers, proudly showing off their purchases.
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 HOW WE WILL MISS
YOU PHYLLIS!
The first time I met Phyllis, on my assessment visit prior to bringing her on as a client, something became instantly clear.... She was in charge. She gave specific orders regarding her care activities, dietary preferences, books she enjoyed, and so much more. I took notes.
What a fascinating lady she was! Her stories were memorable, her sense of humor and ability to enjoy life was unsurpassed. Each day was an adventure. A trip to a famous thrift store in Waterbury was a much anticipated and planned out excursion. She taught us the beauty of family, the appreciation of the simple things and the importance of living each day to the fullest. Her days with us were not nearly long enough, but all were cherished.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Orchards as well as our colleagues at Vitas Hospice for their kindness, professionalism, accessibility and support to our caregivers, Ingrid and Tanya. There was superb teamwork involved with this very special client.
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A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said:
"Puppies For Sale."
Signs like this always have a way of attracting young children, and to no surprise, a boy saw the sign and approached the owner; "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" He asked.
The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."
The little boy pulled out some change from his pocket. "I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"
The shop owner smiled and whistled. Out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his shop followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"
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John Adams was 90, Thomas Jefferson 83, and Benjamin Franklin 84 when they died, contributing (and arguing and provoking) right up to the ends of their lives, in far harsher times than we have to endure today. They founded a country which is an historic experiment in democracy and freedom.
The least we can do for ourselves and our society is continue to create and contribute for as long as possible.
Maturity and its power is in recognizing that we need to continue to grow and exert our power. Not just for today, but for each day that we wake up and realize we've been gifted with yet another day.
One more opportunity to contribute.
One more opportunity to leave a legacy.
One more opportunity to fix and improve those issues crying out for resolution.
PS: Remember George Bernard Shaw's observation- We don't stop playing games because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing 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
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. Seabury also has an innovative Life Care program and Seabury at Home service. Their home care program provides both Medicare as well as home private duty services for the community and surrounding area. Their health care center boasts state of the art short-term rehab in a beautiful setting. There is excellent coordination with their Home Care agency, which provides nursing, and all therapies, following a comprehensive home safety assessment prior to discharge. It is a privilege to work in co-operation with them...
McLean Hospice Palliative Care and 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...
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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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