Spring Caregiver Connection

Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2022

From the Desk of Janice

SPRING HAPPINESS...

Green grass is starting to show, flowers are blooming, songbirds have returned, and more daylight!

Dear Caregivers,

As most of you know I am on the laughter is the best medicine kick...

On that note, why do we feel happier once spring is upon us? Could it be the increased daylight, or the fact it is more comfortable to go outside?

It is both, and there is a scientific explanation. Studies show that our increased exposure to the sun produces a natural chemical reaction producing an increase in our vitamin D, a natural mood enhancer. Let us add to that our increase in physical activity which releases our happiness hormones, we know as endorphins. Sunlight will also increase our happiness by producing more serotonin in our bodies in the spring, and summer. Depression is often linked with low levels of serotonin.

Let us get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as we can. We will feel a bit happier and laugh more because we feel better about life and ourselves.

I cannot wait see you all at our Caregivers Connect Annual Event with Kay Francis. Please join us May 4^th from 10:00-11:30 AM. Registration details below!

Warm regards,

Janice Howard, Cornerstone VNA Life Care-Private Duty Director

603-994-6940, JHoward@cornerstonevna.org

They Say Laughter is the Best Medicine...

Caregiver Resources & Support News

The 6th Annual Caregivers Connect is May 4

Cornerstone VNA invites you to Caregivers Connect, a free virtual event on May 4, 2022, 10 am-11:30 am, with funny motivational speaker, Kay Frances. At her energetic, upbeat presentation, attendees will laugh while they learn without straining their brains. The first 50 registrants will receive a copy of Kay’s book, “The Funny Thing About Stress.” This event is made possible through First Seacoast Bank.

Word of Wellness

From Sandy Powers,RN, Wellness Nurse

How is your nutrition?

It’s almost spring, a great time to start eating healthier or at least thinking about it! Below are some healthier versions to stock in your pantries. Many condiments and other foods that you presently have may have questionable ingredients.

Here’s to healthy eating!!

Where do I begin?

A good place to start is to begin restocking your kitchen with healthy alternatives. Again start slow so that your grocery bill isn't crazy high. Try buying a few new condiments and spices every week or once a month. Here are to name a few. This should be a gradual process not to overwhelm:

Coconut Aminos instead of soy sauce
Any spices, experiment. read labels for the blended spices to be sure there isn't any unfavorable ingredients.
Good quality olive, sesame, coconut and avocado oil
Coconut sugar, stevia, local honey and real maple syrup instead of white sugar and artificial sweeteners
Nut (almond, hazelnut, cashew), oat, coconut flours instead of white flour-I love to bake with almond flour.
Plain oatmeal or buckwheat cereal, then add your own sweetener, nuts and fruit
Plain yogurt then add your own sweetener, nuts and fruit
Red boat fish sauce, rice vinegar
Cacao powder instead of cocoa powder
Whole grains such as amaranth, quinoa, brown rice, black rice, kasha, if you can get them sprouted, even better, instead of white rice
Beans, all kinds, bagged and canned varieties
Chickpea, lentil and edamame pasta instead of white pasta
Vegan options: Hemp seeds for protein, nutritional yeast for cheese flavor, organic tofu
Mayonnaise made with avocado oil
Nuts (raw are best), all kinds
Organic bone broths-or make your own
Nut butters that only have nuts in them (no added sugar/oils)
Canned coconut milk
Try making your own salad dressing or purchase made with avocado oil.

Arts for Angels - "Virtually" the coolest thing!

We are thrilled to be a part of the Arts for Angels program which provides art kits w therapeutic discussion questions for our caregivers to partake in. We have been alternating months with a clinician or therapist presenter and an art project.

This past month's Arts for Angels project was a mosaic light catcher.

Caregiver Café participants created beautiful light catchers using kits that had been delivered to their homes by a volunteer. While they created, they shared feedback.

The favorite question seemed to be:

"What is your favorite window to look out of? What if you could look out of a window into any landscape you want, what would it look like?"

Give some thought to what your response would be!

We are VERY excited to host in person, another Arts for Angels project in our wonderful new community room! Save the date of Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30am right here at Cornerstone VNA at 178 Farmington Road in Rochester!

Introducing Phlebotomy at Home Services

Cornerstone VNA is pleased to introduce a new mobile phlebotomy service for individuals who need lab draws done at home. We were able to launch this innovative service by using generous funding from FedPoint to purchase several mobile centrifuge machines, which are used to spin blood samples. The goal of this service is to make lab testing more convenient and comfortable for individuals needing routine lab work.

If an individual needs their blood drawn, but cannot get to a lab site due to mobility issues or other factors, Cornerstone VNA will go to wherever they call home. For some people, an illness or disability can make it hard to travel, and some may simply want to avoid crowded outpatient labs, driving, and wait times. It is also the perfect service for individuals who may prefer the convenience and privacy of receiving care in their own home. In-home phlebotomy services can also help individuals with anxiety and needle phobia, or who have standing orders for repeat testing.

For further information, please contact the Life Care – Private Duty department at Cornerstone VNA at 603-332-1133 Ext 1758.