AOASCC News & Notes
Caregiver Corner - Caring for Someone with Dementia

If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you know it can be very frustrating. There are so many conversations that seem to be on an endless loop of you repeating the same thing over and over again and your loved one failing to respond or getting agitated. Caregivers of people with dementia report this is one of the most difficult aspects of their role. You can begin by making a commitment to stop using expressions that increase agitation:
  1. You’re wrong.
  2. Do you remember? 
  3. He/She passed away.
  4. What do you want to eat?

Think about it. How many times do these expressions pass your lips? They’re a basic part of communication in most of our lives, but they are triggers for people with dementia and shouldn’t be expressed. It takes reminding oneself, but you will get into the swing of it. Remember why you’re providing care for someone you love. Not to ensure that they’re fully aware of the facts of each situation, but to feel safe and loved. The rest doesn’t matter .

Care for the Caregiver Support Group

Please join Patricia and Kathi every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 4pm-5pm via Zoom for our virtual support group. Our goal is to explore many topics related to caregiving as well as sharing your experiences with other caregivers. Support groups provide a safe and supportive environment and can provide additional tools that can help throughout your caregiving journey.

Call Patricia Soos at 203-785-8533 X3159 or email at psoos@aoascc.org to register. Once you are registered the Zoom link will be provided. 
Did You Know?
  • 80% of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias are receiving care in their homes and are usually cared for by family members or friends.
  • Each year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for individuals with dementia. In 2019, these caregivers will provide an estimated 18.5 billion hours of care.
  • Approximately two-thirds of dementia caregivers are women.
  • One in three caregivers (34%) is age 65 or older.
  • Approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers, meaning that they care not only for an aging parent, but also for children under age 18.
Spotlight on Volunteers
The National Senior Citizen Day was on August 21, 2021, so we wanted to take this opportunity to recognize our amazing volunteers in the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs.

Why?
1.      Each volunteer is unique. They each have a story to tell and share their expertise with the older adults and children they serve.
2.      While the pandemic has halted direct services, many of our senior companions stayed involved with their clients by making phone calls, helping with errands, and even assisting with medical appointments on their own.
3.      All of our volunteers are eager for the anticipated resumption of services in October. They have been attending In-Service training through Zoom. While many struggled with the technology at the beginning, relying on assistance from children and grandchildren, most of our volunteers are now successfully attending online meetings independently.

We honor all our volunteers and appreciate them remaining true to our mission through these difficult months.
Foster Grandparents serve as mentors for young children who need special attention. Senior Companions provide companionship for lonely & isolated older adults. Find out more.

Both programs provide a stipend. To be eligible you must be 55 years of age, income eligible (no more than 200% of the poverty level), and pass a background check.
Is this You?

Less than half of eligible older adults; approximately three out of five seniors who qualify to receive SNAP are missing out on benefits—an estimated 5 million people in all.

Are you on of them? Visit our website for more information & to find out how SNAP can make your grocery dollars go further!
Watch for Fraud

Fraudsters are still trying to benefit from the COVID-19 pandemic by trying to steal Medicare numbers, selling fake vaccination cards, and even going door-to-door offering “vaccines”. Talk to your provider regarding all vaccine questions. Also check your billing statements for charges that relate to COVID-19 that look suspicious or billed in correctly. Watch the Video
The CHOICES program can provide you with individualized, and unbiased Medigap options counseling. You can reach a counselor at 800-994-9422. 

CHOICES is the state health insurance program where certified counselors are available to provide accurate, impartial information about Medicare.