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: Darcey overseeing planting; Our friend Gloria masked and ready!!; The beautiful Nijhea, Dawn’s ( our community liaison ) daughter, our friend, former junior caregiver, now glamour girl graduate headed for college. major: criminal justice ( was there ever a better time! ) We are all soooo proud of you !
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FEATURE ARTICLE:
Give Yourself a Break: Dementia Care Takes Practice
By
Rachael Wonderlin / Dementia by Day
I’ve had a lot of people over the years say to me, “Wow! Dementia care? You must be really patient!”
This is actually kind of funny to me, because one of the last ways I’d describe myself is “patient.” One of the main reasons I don’t want to work for someone else is because I can’t stand when things take a long time to accomplish. The corporate world is all about having meetings about having meetings about deciding things in a meeting. I can’t handle it.
Needless to say, I am not a patient person, albeit in ONE area of my life: dementia care. I am incredibly patient with people who have dementia. Even so, I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I’ve said the wrong thing, made the wrong choice, and upset a person living with dementia here or there.
It’s going to happen: you’re going to do the wrong thing. And that’s okay.
Dementia care takes practice. I like to tell people that it’s an art form. Most of us didn’t get really good at painting, playing an instrument, performing on stage, or doing anything else just by waking up and magically being great at it. Most of us have worked years at our craft, honing it, learning, experiencing, practicing. Dementia care is the same way.
So, give yourself a break. Maybe you said the wrong thing yesterday. Maybe you yelled at your loved one with dementia this morning because he asked (again) what time it was. These things happen.
You’re doing the best that you can. And you’ll keep getting better. ■
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Photo left to right: Puccini’s I and Verdi’s favorite cuddle spot...Darcey’s friend; Mishelle turns 3! Darcey and Mishelle share birthdays; Marissa’s LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! 7 years of medical school, training, fellowship Now the end of the tunnel Our pride and love celebrates your amazing accomplishments.
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June 19, 2020 - 155th Anniversary of Juneteenth
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the United States. For many Americans, this simple statement has been taught to us in grade school for decades. As a young Black girl growing up in Memphis, I remember my teachers teaching this, too. What I was not taught, however, was the story of American slavery and its slow and painful end, even after Lincoln’s Proclamation. At its best, this limited narrative reduces the struggle for Black liberation in America to a singular moment. And at its worst, it perpetuates an incomplete truth that robs every American of understanding what actually happened after slavery was reformed.
Over time, this growing awareness of Juneteenth has led to an exponential growth of events in cities across the nation. These celebrations have included rodeos featuring black cowboys, parades with gorgeous floats, readings of the Proclamation, songs like “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and much more.
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KUDOS
from Kelly
OUR EVERYDAY HEROES
Shelly Ann Daley Kerr: Shelly is fond of bragging that she is our only caregiver with FOUR Names. True enough, but she distinguishes herself in many other ways. So now it’s OUR turn to brag.
Shelly has been with our company for six years. Wow!
During that time, she has been flexible, interested and eager to learn new skills, approaches to care etc. She is quite accommodating and always eager to learn new skills which makes her very valuable caregiver. And a much-appreciated friend, support person and care provider for the many clients who have had the privilege of being under her care.
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BENEFITS OF FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
by Amanda Jillson - Executive director of Bridges by Epoch at Nashua | May 20, 2018
With spring in the air and summer on the horizon, there’s no excuse to spend the entire day inside. Studies have shown they can improve our quality of sleep, enhance our brain functioning, and help us feel calm and relaxed. Fresh air and sunshine can help seniors fight common aging challenges as well.
Spending time outdoors lifts our spirits, warding feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression. Research has also shown a link between low levels of Vitamin D in both people who already have Alzheimer’s and those who develop the disease later in life – daily time outside may help improve Vitamin D levels over time. That said, fresh air and sunshine can also benefit seniors living with memory loss. Being outdoors may help improve certain behavioral symptoms of dementia, including agitation, aggression and wandering.
Sensory activities - Age-related health changes and memory loss may alter certain aspects of our lives, but time spent outdoors shouldn’t be one of them. It’s important for seniors to continue enjoying outdoor activities they have done all their lives, as this helps them remain connected to the world around them...
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REGINA'S REFLECTIONS
We Need Fathers... Grandfathers... Uncles... and Solid Male Role Models
Now More Than Ever!
In the midst of the horrific demonstrations/riots that engulfed our country for the past several weeks, a ragged, tired looking middle-aged man assisted a homeless man to safety during one of the riots. He cleaned him up bought him a meal then once assured he was safe, moved on. By an odd stroke of luck, a nearby reporter quickly recognized the nice man as the veteran of 42 films, a director, a two-time Oscar winner, the extraordinary Denzel Washington. Full disclosure, I am a serious fan! I will occasionally search for a list of all his movies to see if I’d missed any, then find and enjoy it. The reporter, momentarily caught off guard, asked Mr. Washington “Why it was that many Black people rush to violence, lead dangerous, neglectful lives then others…. Like YOU, for example become enormous successes?”
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ATLANTA MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS...
DECENDANT OF SLAVES, MOTHER, MAYOR, CHAMPION OF PEACE
Since 2018, Keisha Lance Bottoms has served as the mayor of Atlanta, but it wasn’t until two weeks ago that she was catapulted into the national spotlight—thanks to a speech that lasted a little more than four minutes.
On May 29, as some of Atlanta’s peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent, Bottoms delivered an impassioned—and completely unscripted—speech in which she spoke as both a mayor, and a mother.
“When you burn down this city, you’re burning down our community,” she said. “If you want change in America, go and register to vote. Show up at the polls on June 9th. Do it in November. That is the change we need in this country.” She later added: “I am a mother to four Black children in America, one of whom is 18 years old. And when I saw the murder of George Floyd, I hurt like a mother would hurt.”
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FUNNIES FROM AL NIXON
From Al, Our former client now FFF (Forever Funny Friend) and regular contributor. During the time of Covid we have been so grateful to him for keeping us laughing!
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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
- Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, Middlebury CT
- Masonicare Home Health and Hospice - Danielson, Derby, East Hartford, Mystic, Norwalk and Wallingford
- Regional Hospice Danbury Serving CT and NY
- Farmington Valley Hospice
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Photo left to right: Top: Zoë (Regina’s grandniece) is ready for spring; Bottom: Zoë and Phoenix (Regina’s grandnieces) enjoying the pool with ice pops; Grace and Luke (our graphic designer’s children) go for a hike with Dad; Bottom: Former caregivers daughter Mishelle enjoying the spring weather.
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800.348.0485 ~ We are Always There
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