Ten Absolutes of Alzheimer's Caregiving for Andover, Massachusetts Caregivers

A former employee called me the other day looking for this. We always gave this out to our caregivers. People at the Caregiver Connections Conference in November came back to the Right at Home booth to say that this was the best thing that they had received at the conference. I am not sure where it comes from:

Ten Absolutes of Alzheimer's Caregiving

1. Never argue; instead, agree

2. Never reason; instead, divert

3. Never shame; instead, distract

4. Never lecture; instead, reassure

5. Never “remember”; instead, reminisce

6. Never “I told you”; instead, repeat

7. Never “You can’t”; instead, “Do what you can do”

8. Never command or demand; instead, ask or model

9. Never condescend; instead, encourage or praise

10. Never force; instead, reinforce

Family Caregivers in Andover, Massachusetts

Are you a caregiver for a family member? In the month of November during National Family Caregivers Month we celebrate YOU! As always, visit us at www.rightathomemass.net if you need help for an aging senior in your life.

Who are America's Family Caregivers?

Rosalyn Carter said it best: “There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers”. Caregivers are needed for family members of all ages. With appropriate information and support, family caregivers can help their loved ones across the lifespan.

So, who are family caregivers … It's a complicated question and answers may vary depending upon whom you ask. Physicians may give an answer different from social workers and researchers may undoubtedly quote statistics. However, if you really want to know who America's family caregivers are, you need to ask them directly.

Continue reading HERE.

Caring for an Alzheimer’s Patient in Andover, Massachusetts

Here is a great article from agingcare.com for anyone who has a friend or family member who may be suffering with Alzheimer’s. If you have questions, or need help for a senior loved one in the area, visit us at www.rightathomemass.net.

'Tough Love' - Caregiving For Alzheimer's Patients

It is an understatement to say that taking care of a loved one who is stricken with Alzheimer's Disease, also known as 'AD', is a tough job.

(AD is an illness which results in the progressive loss of brain nerve cells, leading to a gradual decline of mental functions and is the most common cause of dementia).

AD is considered to be among the most stressful illness a family caregiver can face and one of the most physically and mentally exhausting situations in a person's life.

Continue reading HERE.

Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month in Andover, Massachusetts!

November is National Family Caregivers Month! Below are 10 ways to celebrate. Visit us at www.rightathomemass.net if you need caregiving help in the area.

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month 2009

There are many ways to celebrate family caregivers and to take action and communicate the important messages of NFC Month.

The following are ideas and guides to help you create a successful National Family Caregivers Month in your community:

1. Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they spend time with friends, or simply relax.

2. Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.

3. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregivers through the month of November.

4. Participate in the National Family Caregivers Association’s FREE national teleclass: Safe & Sound: How to Prevent Medication Mishaps The free one hour teleclass/webinar will be November 12 at 2 p.m. ET. For more information visit: www.thefamilycaregiver.org.

5. Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.

6. Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite funny movie to view, or provide them an amusing audio book to listen to while doing their caregiving activities.

7. Find 12 different family photos and have a copy center create a monthly calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appointments and events.

8. Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday.

9. A United States postage stamp honoring the more than 50 million family caregivers in America is officially “under consideration” by the U.S. Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for introduction as early as 2011. Sign the petition at www.thefamilycaregiver.org and ask others to sign the petition letter.

10. Help a family caregiver find information and resources on the internet or to locate a local support group.

Original content can be found HERE.

Right at Home Care Memory Walkers in Andover October 4

Howard Aronson,one of our employees is walking the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Association on October 4th in Andover. I cannot walk that day with the Right at Home walkers, but I am going to donate. Lynne Nieman will be manning the Right at Home table, so say "hi" if you are up there.

Please walk if you can, if not, please consider donating in the name of a loved one. I have never met anyone who does not know someone (and usually someone close) with Alzheimer's Disease. It makes no sense to have our bodies grow so old, just to have our minds lose their memory. Help fund a cure...Memory Walks are happening all over the country!

Please click this LINK to donate to the Right at Home Walkers or find out more about the walk. Thanks for your consideration.

Taking Away the Keys- A Presentation Regarding Senior Driving from Right at Home Care- Marblehead, Newburyport, and Andover Areas

I put a presentation on Linked In regarding Seniors, Driving and Taking Away the Keys.

In the wake of so many reported senior driving accidents and fatalities here in Massachusetts, I am posting this presentation with good information for family members. THE PROBLEM is not seniors driving- the problem is impaired drivers driving.

If I just came out of a medical event and my leg had propensity to lose feeling, would you like me driving??? This facet of the conversation is the one we should be discussing...targeting age groups is not it, BUT if you are impaired to drive, you should not be behind the wheel.

Andover Caregiving - Right at Home

Check out Howard Aronson, our Merrimack Valley Community Relations Coordinator and the Right at Home, In Home Care booth at the expo at the Andover Senior Center tomorrow. This comes from their Boomer Venture program, so it is for all you Boomers who are taking care of frail parents.

May 28: Caregiving Expo.

A trade show event featuring numerous organizations providing elder services, including 50-plus communities, visiting nurses, assisted living, nursing home and hospice care. Hosted by the Town of Andover and the Andover Senior Center. Special time: 5:30-7:30PM.