Spring 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.
|
|
Please take some time to watch our video!
|
|
Regina McNamara RN, MSN President & Kelly McNamara, Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Photos in top banner: Michelle practicing her modeling skills; The beautiful Caregiver Marisha showing off her new hair do for her client; Hockey fans rooting for their favorite team! (Regina’s son Scott, and grandchildren Ryan and Nora.)
|
|
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Animals as Caregivers
By Frances Maguire Paist
In 1991, Geriatrician Dr. William Thomas formulated the Eden Alternative, a long-term nursing care approach designed with the idea of “home sweet home” in mind. Dr. Thomas countered the long-held belief that disease, disability and decline are the purview of the older generation, stating instead that the real problems for our elders are loneliness, helplessness and boredom, all of which lead to spiritual decay.
In New York’s Chase Memorial Nursing Home where he piloted his program by introducing “close and continuing contact with plants, animals and children,” “the mortality rate (decreased) by more than 15%, medication use … declined significantly, nurse aide turnover dropped by 26% and residents’ loneliness, helplessness and boredom … yielded to companionship, self-sufficiency and … a sense of joy.”
Many senior living communities allow pets to live with their owners. For others, There are several credentialed Pt therapy dogs able to visit. Pet Partners International is a professional program providing training, and credentialing of companion animals and their owners. Their ongoing education of both pets and their handlers insures the safest and enjoyable of these animal visitors. Carefully selected animals, accompanied by their owners, visit a wide range of facilities including nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The result? Great happiness, contentment and sometimes even a rekindling of childhood memories from otherwise reticent elders.
Let’s face it. There’s just something about that furry paw on your leg or the soulful eyes of a much-loved dog. A 1999 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed independent seniors with pets tend to have better physical health and mental well-being, are more active and better handlers of stress.
The nearly two-year period of Covid - restricted visiting in elderly care facilities resulted in isolation, depression, mental and physical decline. For seniors accustomed to regular visits from a favorite trained therapy dog, their loneliness and disappointment is palpable. Although the idea of “Window Visits “seemed a good idea, we soon found neither humans nor animals understood or enjoyed these “visits”. It is long past time to return the joy of well-trained animals and the handlers who love them to senior living communities.
Many Thanks to the staff at Caregiver.com for their wonderful information and generosity.
|
|
Photos left to right: Most beautiful wedding of the year! Peter (Regina’s nephew) and his lovely bride, April at a touching ceremony where the bride’s talented 94 year old grandmother served as celebrant as well as singer (in an emotional rendition of “Sunrise Sunset). Not a dry eye in the crowd; Kelly and cousin Jake trying to stay out of trouble at the wedding; Boys being boys, second from left Jake brother of the groom; From left: Scott, Kelly’s brother all the way from Canada, Kelly, her cousins Billy and Basil; Heading back -Good time had by all . From right Michael partner of Regina’s brother Phil, Kelly, Phil, Regina,Tom, Julie, Regina’s sister in law, Ben, friend of Phil and Michael.
|
|
KUDOS from KELLY
Our Everyday Heroes
|
Abena Yeboah & Kishma Baijoe
We make every effort to ensure that all our clients have consistent caregivers. This is particularly essential with our hospice clients. We are so very proud of the special care we provide to both the hospice client as well as his/her family (and pets). Our very special client Jim F has grown quite fond of both his daytime caregiver Abena as well as his relief for days or nights, Kishma.
As his primary caregiver, Abena is Jim’s live-in and has the major role in his care including preparing his meals, insuring he takes his meds when necessary, that he is assisted to his wheelchair when he is ready to be up and about. An avid gardener with a magnificent home, overlooking a lovely forest, he also tended the yard and garden for years. His basement housed a large table used in days gone by as a spot for nurturing seedlings through the winter until spring planting. A brilliant man and former college professor, he liked to tell stories to his caregivers and visitors who enjoyed discussing his latest reading material.
Abena set a schedule according to Jim’s needs and preferences and Kishma was a quick learner. Her easy manner with Jim, appreciation of his needs for both company and privacy, she was able to fill in for Abena or take night shifts, allowing her to sleep. Jim is quite fortunate to have regular visits from his daughter, son-in-law, and son Nat, all lovely people...
|
THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP by Marlene Pyle
I’ve learned many things since I began taking care of my 85-year-old grandmother. I know which supermarkets offer senior citizens’ discounts. I know which drugstore has the most helpful pharmacist, and which beautician will fix my grandmother’s hair just the way she likes it. But one of the most important things I’ve learned isn’t really about caring for my grandmother; it’s about caring for myself. I’ve learned the value of true friendship.
When my grandmother moved here to Georgia in order to be nearer to me, I knew my busy life was about to get busier and more chaotic. I have a full-time job, two teenagers and (thankfully) a very supportive husband. My plate was already full.
I had long since given up on finding the time to do volunteer work, appeasing my pangs of guilt by donating clothing to my local battered women’s shelter and writing a yearly check to the American Cancer Society. I quit making excuses for not getting to the gym, and finally let my membership lapse. I made peace with the fact that my house may not be immaculate at all times, but is pretty clean most of the time. But one thing I always made time for was my girlfriends.
Going out to lunch with the girls was something I looked forward to. Our shopping trips and movie nights kept me sane. Even if we just met at the park for a quick walk, I always felt better and more relaxed after I’d spent time with them.
My grandmother’s arrival changed things. It was difficult for me to make last-minute plans with my friends, and I often had to cancel even long-standing dates if my grandmother was ill or had an appointment. For the first time in my life, I found myself buying greeting cards that read “Happy Belated Birthday.” Weeks or even months would go by when the only contact I had with some of my friends was a hurried email.
But there was also Paula, who sat me with me in the dingy hospital waiting room while my grandmother had surgery, and who spent an entire Saturday helping me paint my grandmother’s bedroom the perfect shade of yellow.
There is Pam, who leaves funny messages on my voice mail, even though she knows I may not get to call her back for a while, and who volunteered to take my grandmother to an appointment when I had a meeting I absolutely couldn’t miss.
What would I do without them? I don’t even want to know. As the song goes, I get by with a little help from my friends.
My grandmother’s taught me a lot over the years. My friends have taught me even more.
Many thanks to Gary Barg, CEO of Caregiver.com, one of the finest resources for family caregivers.
|
|
REGINA'S REFLECTIONS
We Grow Our Own!!
I still have clear, wonderful, yet scary memories of nursing school. My parents’ preference was a Catholic college. My first choice? Villanova University in Philadelphia. The reasons? Top rated, my grandmother and several other relatives lived in the area, it was beautiful and with 4,000 male students and 200 women, there would be no trouble finding a date. But there was scarce time for fun. The first day, we were warned that half the class would not graduate since they will fail the initial course, Organic Chemistry. Those of us who survived were admonished that we NEEDED to graduate on time since the country was suffering from a Critical Nursing Shortage.
Many decades later, we continue to find ourselves still in dire need of professional nurses.
To my young mind, there was a simple solution... Each of us, armed with degrees and a true dedication to healing would simply recruit one young woman into nursing. Problem solved!
It seemed simple; clearly far more complicated. A decade later, armed with a graduate degree, two young children, and a management role, I began the quest. Identify promising young women with brains, compassion, energy and empathy to join the ranks of nurses. I encouraged administration in hospitals to add tuition reimbursement for nursing students. I watched young aides, volunteers, transport staff and developed “shadowing” programs to help them appreciate the power and magic in nursing.
My daughter, husband, and I now lead one of the few nurse- owned home care companies focusing on the care of seniors and supporting their family members. We believe home is far preferable to facility care for many seniors. When my daughter Kelly and I opened our business in 2007 we began our search for the finest caregivers. We targeted churches, ethnic grocery stores, city schools. Quickly we learned the ideal path to good caregivers. Simply ask a solid caregiver to send us a friend/good caregiver and earn a bonus. We learned, as generations before us knew, that immigrants brought a great work ethic but more importantly, a sincere reverence for the elderly. They came to us from several countries in Africa, South America, as well as assorted islands... Puerto Rico, Jamaica, St Lucia, and many others.
Soon I began my search for future nurses among them. In nearly 15 years in business, we have sent over two dozen of our staff to nursing programs, and many became APRNs. From caregivers to APRNs !! Nursing is an arduous journey, so some have stepped off the track to respiratory therapy, radiology techs, and other areas. Home care was their foundation. We have received positive feedback from both nursing faculty and ancillary health programs. They consistently praise the clinical judgment, confidence, knowledge and critical thinking skills that their students (formerly our staff) possess. This is no surprise to us. Their caregiving with our company prepared them well.
We have lost track of many of our staff who grew into nurses, but there are a few special ones with whom we remain in contact. It is with pride and pleasure that I highlight a few here...
|
Lola was a medical student in Brazil. Her family emigrated here and settled. Foregoing med school, Lola joined us. Brazilians are among the world’s most beautiful people. That is clearly true of Lola and her family. She brought maturity, common sense, empathy and wisdom far beyond her years. Lola began at Western Connecticut University but proceeded slowly. She had many prerequisite courses, as well as some language difficulties. But she endured and pushed forward. She married and moved out of our area and I lost track of her. Then I texted her after several years. She had 2 beautiful children, finished her nursing degree. Her hospital employer helped with tuition. She now works part time in the ICU, allowing her time with her children and a challenging career. We wish her the best and are thrilled at her success!
|
Bridget earned her BSN, at American International college in Springfield, then her APRN, while raising three wonderful girls with help from her mother who left her native Ghana to assist her. Bridget worked with us as a caregiver during summers. Our clients would insist on her. Her wisdom is far beyond her years. As we were catching up recently after so many years in her nursing program, working summers, she had passed her APRN psych boards and landed her dream job.
When I asked her “Why Psych?”, Her reply: “I really do like Psych. Since childhood, I have wondered why people do what they do. Why they changed from being so happy and content to just letting themselves go to waste. I have wondered and nursing education has answered many WHYs I have been having as a child. Thank you boss for all you have done for me.”
We wish you the best, Bridget, as you make your mark on the world!
|
I have known Angie many years. For much of that time she has been a caregiver for us. She came to this country, found housing with several other Ghanaians and Jamaicans all of whom worked for us. She was a real favorite of all her clients… thorough, quick to note signs of trouble or decline, smart and compassionate. Angie came to this country alone, but she made friends quickly and found work easily in our company. Several years ago, I received Angie’s care following complex orthopedic surgery. I was impressed with her remarkable clinical skills, astute pain management, great care planning and valuable collaboration with the visiting nurse. As I progressed quickly to normal, I urged Angie to apply to nursing school, Immediately.
In the succeeding years she completed all her pre-req courses, started her family, and worked in a nursing home. She was one of the first pregnant women to have cardiac surgery in her 6th month of pregnancy, delivering a healthy baby boy a few months later. Angie has become a member of our family and vice versa. We cared for Michelle while Angie was in hospital with RJ, her baby brother, Michelle and Darcey (our therapy dog) are best friends, and are exactly the same age! We shared many meals as families. She has been accepted into The Central Connecticut nursing program and obtained some funding. We will help her find more.
Angie and Ray’s children consider us their grandparents (“the American ones “) Angie sees us as parents. Since both Angie and Ray recently became citizens, they too are Americans. We are so fond and proud of all of them as they work toward a promising future.
Angie’s recent note: Thank you to my sweet mom. It certainly was a great year. Next week, Tuesday, marks 8 years since I have been in this country. And that’s how long you have been a part of my life. I can never thank you enough.
Our pleasure Angie! ■
|
|
INTERESTING TAKE ON LIFE!!
The Magic Bank Account...
Imagine that you had won the Following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has Rules.
The set of Rules:
1. Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend It.
4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that Day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time, it can say, Game Over!” It can close the account And you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally Do?
|
|
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
- Masonicare Home Health and Hospice - Danielson, Derby, East Hartford, Mystic, Norwalk and Wallingford
- McLean Home Health and Hospice
- Brookdale Gables Senior Living, Farmington
- Vitas Palliative Care and Hospice, Middlebury, Glastonbury, Norwalk.
|
|
800.348.0485 ~ We are Always There
|
|
|
|
|
|
|