Norwell, MA: (781) 659-1877

Sandwich, MA: (774) 994-2212

71 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA 02563

Ellsworth, ME: (207) 667-0870

It's truly our good fortune to have a team of incredibly caring, compassionate, and skilled caregivers. For that reason, it's never easy to recognize just one individual who has consistently shined for our clients. So it is with immense pride and gratitude that we present this quarter's Cahoon Care "Caregiver of the Quarter" recognition to Tyler Skillings.

It is a rarity when someone finds his or her calling as a teenager, but then again, Tyler is a unique individual - which is precisely why he is being recognized. Tyler has had the heart and soul of a caregiver from an early age when he volunteered in local nursing homes during his high school years. There he provided companionship, played games, and listened intently to the captivating stories of the residents' lives. Tyler would be the first to say that he enjoyed these visits as much as, if not more than, the residents.

Tyler is a thoughtful person who is as analytical as he is compassionate. He demonstrated this right out of the gate with his systematic approach to assessing his career options with all the local agencies before making the decision to join Cahoon Care. This distinctive combination of qualities has been a brilliant recipe for professional, skilled, and thoughtful client care.

Tyler is compassionate and warm-hearted, naturally going the extra mile to make his clients happy. One of many examples of this trait is the way in which he supported a client whose condition had declined rapidly. Tyler's lighthearted spirit, kind heart, and the dignity with which he cared for this client provided comfort and confidence for both the client and family through an exceedingly challenging time. As if that was not enough, Tyler was always the first to volunteer for extra shifts, stay late, or come in early to accommodate the client's ever-changing care needs.

One especially meaningful testimonial of Tyler's extraordinary caregiving comes from a family who was profoundly grateful to have had Tyler with their uncle in his final days. They felt deeply comforted knowing the special bond Tyler and their uncle shared, and the genuine care he displayed for their uncle was priceless.

One of the many gifts a caregiver provides is peace of mind for the family. Thank you for sharing that gift (among many others), Tyler!

The month of June is Open Enrollment for Cahoon Care's 401(k). As part of our commitment to you, Cahoon Care will match up to 4% of your 401(k) contributions.

Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to save for your future and take care of yourself. After all, you are always taking care of others...this is your opportunity for you.

Eligible employees have been employed with Cahoon Care for one year as of June 1, 2022. Please contact Karen for more information and/or to sign up: (781) 635-4968 or karen@cahooncare.com.

We're celebrating some important employee anniversaries this quarter:

Nakitto "Sarah" Mukasa (HHA) - 8 years

Marion Brown - 4 years

Yovemyl O'Connell - 3 years

Guerline Jean (CNA) - 3 years

Tiffany Ricci - 3 years

Maria Luz Walsh (CNA/HHA) - 2 years

Eunice Dodenhoff - 2 years

Kerrin Place (HHA/CNA) - 2 years

Suzana Rosa (CNA) - 2 years

Smiralda"Mimi" Joseph - 2 years

Youdeline Joseph - 2 years

Steve Roberson - 2 years

Maria J.Carvalho (CNA) - 1 year

Kara Perkins - 1 year

Kristen Ramos (HHA) - 1 year

Donna Iovanni (HHA) - 1 year

Kayla Durkee - 1 year

Amber Ames - 1 year

Heather Lounder - 1 year

Tyler Skillings - 1 year

Jaime Barry - 7 years (NOT 6)

Everyday life can be very challenging for someone suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia. As the disease progresses, older adults begin to have even more trouble with mental issues such as remembering, reasoning, thinking, and processing.

While there's not much caregivers can do to slow the progression of the disease, they can make adaptations at home that cause navigating and completing daily tasks to be much more manageable. This allows individuals to remain as independent as possible and goes a long way towards reducing their frustration and anxiety.

Here are some steps you can take to make the home area of your loved one or person you're caring for more dementia-friendly:

Read more on our blog...

Gardening is an excellent form of both exercise and sensory stimulation for the elderly. This is especially true for those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's, since gardening keeps the brain active, helps create routine, stimulates the mind and senses, and provides a feeling of purpose.

In fact, studies have found that gardening can reduce the risk of dementia by as much as 36% by engaging critical functions like dexterity, problem-solving, endurance, and sensory awareness.

Among the numerous physical and mental health benefits of gardening for seniors is the fact that gardening can lower levels of cortisol, which can alleviate stress and even reduce high blood pressure. Being out in the sunshine to create a beautiful space will also bring peace and reduce anxiety by increasing serotonin. In fact, horticulture therapy often works as a natural antidepressant.

Gardening boosts heart health and reduces the risk of stroke, partly by increasing Vitamin D levels, and counts towards the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise. It also increases mobility, balance, and strength, giving seniors an increased sense of independence and self-esteem. Gardening can even enhance memories of happy gardening days in the past.

Learn more on our blog...

Referrals are a great way to earn EASY MONEY! You can earn up to $300 per referral. Maine Caregivers, call Stacey (207) 801-1633 and Massachusetts Caregivers, call Karen at (781) 635-4968 for details.

Below are recent referrals. Thank you to all who passed along a referral - and enjoy your referral payout!!

(referred Anastasia Kamau)

(referred Cynthia Northrup)

(referred Marly Adolphe)

We're excited to announce 16 new members of the Cahoon Care team this past quarter...and some were referred by YOU:

JoAnn Ashfaq

Christy Barros (CNA)

Libby Bishop

Ruth Chandler (HHA)

Deirdre "Sara" Cole

Ruby Corey

Larysa Davis (CNA)

Elizabeth Dedam-Campbell

Ann-Marie Dayley (CNA)

Anastasia Kamau (CNA)

Raineria "Rainy" Laftsidis

Erica Lanpher

Nadia Oliveira (HHA)

Scarlet Stark

Josiane "Jo" Tavares

Madison Worcester

We're pleased to announce that Cassandra Stewart-Palmer, Donna Gibson, and Tina Boslee received employee appreciation baskets for their outstanding service!

When someone suffering from dementia forgets something they're supposed to do or thinks they're still living in the past, it can be tempting to try to orient them to reality, argue, or reason with them.

Brain change experts advocate that it can be far more effective to simply go along with the delusion while calmly and gently redirecting the individual into doing what is supposed to be done.

Click here or on the video above to learn more about why this strategy is so effective!

Last quarter's shell game winners were:

Mimi Matthes Lippman

Suzana Rosa

Teresa Sholomith

Scarlet Stark

Penny Winters

We hope you had fun playing and enjoyed your treat!

Caregiving is challenging work. Sometimes we all need to vent and get support. It's important to find an objective audience who is not as close to our experiences as we are, but who can still relate by experiencing similar situations.

If you are on Facebook, take a peek at this amazing support group. You never know - the message you need to hear may be shared there. You'll also have an opportunity to vent to people who will understand and embrace you with open arms.

Did you know that studies have shown that brain exercises can keep seniors sharper for up to 10 years longer?

Not to mention, games like crosswords may even help older adults prevent brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease!

To keep your older adult engaged and exercising their brain, check out this great source for free, large-print, printable crossword and word search puzzles.

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