A Scoop of Caregivers Wisdom

Give the “Gift of Time” to the Caregiver in your life.

Published by Ann Short on December 18, 2020

I think at times we may feel Christmas gifts need to be wrapped and placed under the tree for our loved ones. But a gift you don’t have to unwrap may be just what Santa ordered for the caregivers in our life. Lack of time to run errands, spend time with friends or to just take a minute for themselves is challenging for most caregivers. Trying to meet all the demands in their lives while caring for a loved one can lead them feeling isolated, alone and overwhelmed. Giving the gift of time, companionship, or support could rate pretty high on the most “favorite gifts received” list for Caregivers in 2020.

Here are a few gift ideas that don’t need wrapping:

1. Prepare dinner for them. Go to their house and make dinner for them or prepare the meal and drop it off. Benefits of preparing the meal at their home gives you the opportunity to visit with them while making it for them or with them. You could also include the care receiver if they are able to help, the interaction and meaningful activity would be very beneficial to them as well.

2. Offer to clean their home, wash windows or help with simple repairs that need attention. These are the areas that get ignored by all of us when we have so much on our plate that demands our attention. Helping a caregiver clean could be scheduled on a regular basis, if you had the time to offer that type of help. If the caregiver in your life has a difficult time accepting help, offering to work along side of them instead of cleaning for them, may help them accept the offer more easily.

3. There are a number of traditions that we cherish about the holidays and preparing for the festivities is part of the tradition. Many caregivers still want to be part of their festive traditions but could use an extra hand so it is enjoyable and not so overwhelming. Grocery shopping for the holiday meal or going to get their Christmas tree may be more manageable with help. A trip to the tree farm may give the caregiver and receiver the opportunity to get out of the house and be part of the holiday hustle and bustle. If the caregiver is agreeable you could help prepare some of the holiday dinner ahead of time to make it easier on them the day of, helping to bake cookies or wrap presents are other tasks that can help reduce the stress of the season. I have one Christmas memory when I was still in high school. Because both of my parents worked and my youngest brothers were toddlers, we were way behind in some of our Christmas preparations. Finding time to get “Santa” related tasks done was difficult. I can remember it was Christmas Eve and my mom and I were up in her bedroom wrapping presents for hours. We laughed a lot that night because my parents had five kids to buy presents for and she was having trouble locating all the gifts she hid so that the kids wouldn’t find them.

4. If they care for someone that has dementia or a disorder where the individual requires support or supervision, offering to keep the individual company for a couple hours is a great gift. Having a few hours free gives the caregiver time to shop, pursue interests, rest, or work on their never ending to do list.

5. Taking the individual out to give the caregiver time at home alone is also another great gift idea. This allows the caregiver time in their own home to rest or focus on areas that need to be tended to. Caregivers often appreciate being able to stay home because they can relax and focus on areas that they’ve had to postpone for a while.

A few stories I recall where the gift of time really made a difference:

I recall a story of a college student that would come home on breaks and would visit with a one of our clients that she had become friends with from high school. Our client lived with her parents and on several occasions throughout the year, when the college student came home from school, she would take the young lady out to the movies, shopping or to get something to eat. This special time gave the young lady the opportunity to be around people her own age and participate in activities that she could enjoy with her peers. It also gave her parents time to participate in activities that interest them or to just relax at home.

I remember going and picking up my grand mom for doctor’s appointments. We would meet my mother at the doctor’s office for the appointment. This allowed my mom to finish her shift at work and still make it to my grand mom’s appointment on time.

I remember talking to a son whose mother was diagnosed with dementia. He took over the family business but would still pick up his mother once a week and take her into the office. His mom was forgetful but could still complete simple tasks with support from the office staff. This type of routine and structure helped his mom because she still felt she was contributing to the business and gave his sister that provided the primary care in the home a break to focus on her own family. As their mother worsened, they knew they would have to adjust the schedule to meet her needs.

These are just a few suggestions when giving the “Gift of Time”. In order to personalize this gift, think about your caregiver and what type of “gift of time” would benefit them the most? The answer to that question is your present.

Wishing you, your friends and family a Happy Holiday”.

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Anxiety

Published by Ann Short on December 2, 2021

Anxiety is defined as A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. You’re not alone if you suffer from anxiety. 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety. The WHO (World Health Organization) reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide.

Does anxiety creep into your life and interrupt your daily routine? Do you rearrange schedules and commitments due to anxiety? Do you find yourself stressing over upcoming events and things you have no control over? Do you have a difficult time sleeping at night because your worried?

My personal experience with anxiety seems to creep up on me when we plan a road trip. Any lengthy amount of time in a car is difficult for me, especially in stop and go traffic. We recently traveled on a nine-hour trip one way to visit with our son in North Carolina. To make the trip more bearable for me and my husband, who ends up driving most of the trip, we split the eight-hour drive to our destination by getting four hours behind us the afternoon we leave, and the remaining five hours the following day. On our way home we planned to make the entire trip in one day. We left on Sunday morning to return home because traffic would be lighter, and it would be less stressful on me. Making plans like this has become a normal part of our preparations when taking a trip.

When we are in heavy traffic or caught in stop and go traffic, I experience a few physical reactions to my stress. My palms sweat, my heart races, I constantly look in the rear-view mirror to make sure everyone is stopping. I can be short tempered and not much fun to be around when I am in these situations. I also recognize that if I am stressed over work, children, schedules, etc. my anxiety increases when I am put into these trigger situations.

Stress and anxiety controls many of us, whether we recognize it or not. I would like to start a conversation about the stress in your life, and the anxiety that you may experience daily. How often do you deal with anxiety, and the symptoms that you experience when experiencing your anxiety?

Are you able to function throughout the day with anxiety? What coping skills have you learned so that your able to function with the anxiety? For example, for me driving on days when traffic is less congested, helps to reduce my anxiety. Can you identify what increases your anxiety? I know stop and go traffic is a trigger for me because we have been rear ended in several car accidents.

What would you like to learn from others that also experience anxiety?

Please take the survey below so that we can begin our conversation.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TYLNGQX

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Benefits of Intergenerational Experiences.

Published by Ann Short on April 27, 2021

Many children have had the opportunity to spend time at our center throughout the years. We have had Children volunteer for Scouts, National Honor Society, and to complete requirements for high school. Our staff have been able to bring their children to work on special days like “bring your child to work day” and for special events such as Olympic Day, Prom and holiday festivities. As staff’s children get older, they are able to come to the center when their schools are closed due to snow and holidays. These children range in age from pre-school through 18 years of age. The younger kids join in activity and spend time with the clients while the older children not only spend time with the clients, they also help with running activities, filing, mailings, and yard work.

My older children grew up coming to the center every day. As toddlers they sat at tables in booster seats and would interact with the clients sitting around them. They would also move around in their walkers visiting each of the clients while clients sat in the recliners after lunch, or while they were waiting for activities to begin. You could see the pleasure the clients received as the boys approached each of them in their walker and the clients engaged with them.

My son Ryan, 22 years ago, hanging out with all the clients.

As my boys got older and became more comfortable in the center environment my oldest son, Ryan would arrive, and think nothing of making room for himself at a table filled with clients. He would often get involved in the board game they were playing or the craft project. Many of the children that come on a regular basis become extremely comfortable playing ball, helping clients hold a paint brush, collecting the bowling ball pins and setting them up after each client takes a turn, running the bases during a balloon baseball game, and taking part in our exercise program.

All these kids that get involved in our program become motivators for our clients. When kids are involved in our programming at the center you can see the following differences:

an increase in the number of clients involved in the activity.
clients tend to stay involved in the activity for longer periods of time.
The volume of the room rises when kids are in the center, and you can hear the excitement in the air and see the client’s spirit’s lift.

Rory sitting with Regina, Alyssa and Megan working on a craft.

Those of you that know me well, also know that I had a child late in life and he spends a lot of time at the center. Rory is 6 years old, with a ton of energy and a curiosity to match. Clients and staff have made a huge impression on him and he is always excited to come into the center and see everyone. (It took him a long time to understand that no one was in the building when we closed due to covid. The disappointment on his face when we opened the door and he realized that no one was inside was hard to manage.) It reminds me of when his older brothers spent time at the center.

Prior to the pandemic and our mandatory closure, Rory would come into the center, put his stuff down and we would not see him until it was time to leave at the end of the day. He has become such a part of the program and has made an impact on many of our clients. We have a client that attends with dementia and she lights up when she sees him. She enjoys the following activities when Rory is with her:

sitting and coloring with him
talking and answering his questions
tossing the ball around.
reading to him.

Rory helps her get through the last hour at the center because instead of watching other clients leave, and wondering where her ride is, she is focused on her time with Rory and the activities they are doing.

Rory and Larry having fun waiting for the activity to start.

Jan and our volunteer, Tommy looking for hidden Easter Eggs

Our male clients are drawn to the kids as much as the women are, each enjoying the time they spend with the children that visit our program. It is comforting to see a child sitting next to a client and observe the interaction that is taking place between them. The compassion and understanding that these children gain from spending time with seniors and disabled adults is something they will carry with them and will be able to think back on and draw from throughout their lives. We witness first hand the level of impact that spending time with our clients has on the children who spend time with us. Many of them are sad to leave at the end of their scheduled time with us and ask if they can return and visit the clients. We’ve also had a number of younger adults keep in touch with us through the years and inquire how clients they spent a lot of time with are doing.

Children, seniors and disabled adults all benefit from time spent together.

Benefits for Seniors:

it allows them to continue to be nurturing.
connecting with young people and discovering things they have in common.
reminicing and sharing past experiences with them.
improving their mental health.

Intergenerational programs benefit disabled adults because:

it gives them the opportunity to interact and spend time with children.
their sense of humor and ability to relate to children is visably clear when they get to spend time together.
they get a sence of belonging and being accepted for who they are.

Children benefit by:

learning to accept others for who they are.
learn the meaning of empathy, and being able to show sensitivity and compassion for others.
to breakdown the barriers that cause us to be distant or awkward around those with disabilities.

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Choosing a Day Program

Published by Ann Short on March 11, 2021

Questions you should ask when you call to inquire about a day program.

What disabilities or diagnosis do you provide services for? For example, our program offers services to individuals 18 years of age and older. We provide services to individuals that need assistance with ADL’s (bathing, dressing, ambulation) activities and benefit from socialization.

Hours and days the center operates. Our program is open Monday thru Friday. Our hours are from 7am until 5:30pm because we are a licensed Adult Day Program as well as an Adult Training Facility. Most day programs in our area operate on a shorter day.

What staff to client ratio does the program offer? This is important because you want your loved one to receive the attention they need so that their personal care needs are met as well as the support they may require to participate in activities fully.

Is this program licensed? Are they required to have a license to operate? Be sure to ask about a centers license and if its current. Many providers display their license in the entryway so that they are easily viewed by visitors. You can also view many licenses on line through the agency that licenses their center.

How long have they been in operation? Our center has been operation since 1992. This information is important because it shows how much experience and stability the program has.

What type of funding is available for services? There are waivers available to seniors and disabled adults for services if they qualify. The Veterans Administration and your local Department of aging also offer funding.

Additional services offered? Additional services may include therapies such as Physical, Occupational and Speech. We have nurses on staff which allow us to care for individuals that may be more medically needy. We also have a cook and offer lunch and snacks. We are able to provide special diets such as pureed, fine chopped and thickened liquids.

As you tour the program there are things you should look for and additional questions you may want to ask.

Once you enter the center does it have any odors, is it bright and cheerful, would you want to spend your day there? Is it clean?
Are you greeted by friendly, courteous staff?
As you watch the interaction between staff and clients, are they encouraging, supportive, and kind to the clients they are working with? Do the clients look happy? Are they smiling, laughing? Are all the clients included in the activity? Are there different activities to meet the different interests of the clients?
Ask about client to staff ratios. How many staff members are assigned to each group to meet the needs and health concerns of the individuals they serve. What is the protocol for the staff if a client is not feeling good or is not themselves? How often do they can go to the bathroom? Get a drink? Eat?
Interaction between staff is also important. While you are visiting take notice if they are assisting one another and communicating with each other?
How do the staff react to you when you enter their program area? Are they friendly, willing to answer questions? Do they greet your loved one, do they include them in the activity that is taking place or introduce them to the other clients?

Be sure to communicate your expectations to the center when you are filling out the application so that they understand the commitment they are making to you and your family member when they accept your loved one in their program.

Communication is also important. We establish an open line of communication with our families so that we can reach out to them if we have a concern about their loved one, but also when clients first begin or caregivers have expressed concern. Conveying to caregivers that their loved one is adjusting well, interacting with others and getting involved in the activities helps to reduce the anxiety they may be feeling and reassures them that their loved one is alright.

When you drop your loved one off at their program in the morning, you should be able to go to work or run errands confident that your individual is being cared for and all their physical and emotional needs are being met. The highest compliment that we receive is when caregivers tell us they no longer worry about their loved one after they drop them off to us. Trust is something we work hard at earning and continue to work hard to keep it.

Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose.

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Who plays an instrumental role in your child’s transition out of high school?

Published by Ann Short on February 16, 2021

The importance of a Support’s Coordinators role in your child’s future while they transition out of high school is key. When speaking to our Supports Coordination agencies they recommend signing your child up for services at the age of 14. Although, at this point the Supports Coordinator takes a small role in your child’s life, as they get older, they will become more involved especially when it gets closer for your child to transition.

Some students begin transitioning into programs once they are 18 years of age and fully transition by the time, they turn 21 years of age. Our program finds it greatly beneficial when students transition prior to graduating from high school. The student usually attends our program one or two days a week in the beginning and because we can reach out to their support system (parents, teacher, aids) this process allows us to learn about the student and gain knowledge into their likes, wants and needs very easily. A slow transition while the student is still in school has given us the opportunity to speak to their teachers and aid as questions or concerns arise which has been beneficial to our staff as well as the student.

To provide excellent care, you need to be able to understand the individual you are caring for. Many of the students that transition into our program are non-verbal, or have a difficult time expressing themselves. Some of these individuals have a high tolerance for pain, cannot express themselves when they are upset or do not feel well or have seizures throughout the day you would not recognize unless you knew what to look for. Having an aid accompany the student while transitioning benefits the student, our staff and the parents and teacher who worry about them during this new experience in their child’s life. The aid can translate the meaning behind a facial expression or sound. They can also explain how the individual expresses themselves when they are upset, tired or in pain. These are huge pieces to the whole puzzle that our staff need to provide seamless care each of these young adults deserve and their parents expect.

A supports coordinator can help initiate a student’s transition out of high school earlier rather than later. They work alongside the student’s teacher and play an instrumental role in getting parents out to visit the different day programs available to them. They will also have the knowledge of the various programs available, what they offer, and which ones will best suit your child’s needs and interests.

AJ, one of our youngest clients participates in an activity with our staff member, Becky.

We have received phone calls from teachers and supports coordinators that were calling to set up visits for families to come see our program. Many times, the supports coordinator and/or teacher attend the visit to help initiate questions about the program and what the program will be able to offer their child. We have had parents spend time in the center to observe how our staff interact with our clients and the type of programs and supports we offer to each of our participants. A visit also gives the parents the opportunity to interact with staff and ask them questions. The entire experience of the visit helps parents make a more informed decision as to which program is the most appropriate for their child.

Starting the transitioning process on a part time basis and slowly increasing the students time at the program while decreasing time at school may help make transitioning easier for the student especially if routine and structure is important to their wellbeing.

Parents and teachers are encouraged to call or e-mail us during the day when their son or daughter first begins attending our program. Our center understands it’s a huge step in the lives of the student and parents and we are more than happy to hear from the parents and are appreciative of the ability to communicate and reassure them on how their child is doing that day.

Toni and Natalie take a minute to pose for a quick picture while outside enjoying the weather.

Supports Coordinators also help the individual complete and submit all necessary paperwork to receive funding for services. Depending on the county or state, these processes may vary. Contact the Developmental Disabilities office in your county to learn about funding and the agencies available to help you. When choosing a support coordinator, it is important to feel comfortable and confident in the person and/or agency so that you feel you can advocate for your child without hesitation.

In our next post we will touch on day programs that are available to developmentally disabled adults and seniors and what you should be looking for and questions you should be asking when touring the center.

Links that you may find beneficial:

https://consortiuminc.info/supports-coordination/

https://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/18667/DD-Brochure-2020?bidId=

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Transitioning Your Disabled Child into Adulthood.

Published by Ann Short on January 28, 2021

When talking to parents that are caring for their disabled children you can hear in their voices and see on their faces the worry and motivation to find the best services and provide the highest level of care for their children.

Parents who have already spent years advocating for their child now take on these challenges independently of the school district when their child graduates and begins to transition out of high school at the age of 21. Once a disabled child graduates from their school, all services that they were entitled to no longer are available to them. At this point parents may find their roles have changed, not only do they need to continue to advocate for their child, but they may find themselves stepping into roles unfamiliar to them such as a social worker or financial planner for their children’s futures.

While their children are enrolled in school, they should choose a supports coordination agency to support them. These agencies can assist in securing funding for services and help find the services to support the child once they transition out of school. Securing a supports coordinator will help the caregiver with their child’s funding needs as well as day services or program needs or residential placement if they are ready for that step. Beginning this process several years prior to a child transitioning is important because funding is not always available and often times you will find a child is placed on a waiting list. It could take several months or years to secure funding depending on the needs of the child and situation. Also, depending on the funding, caregivers may find that their choices for services are limited and they need to be creative on how the funding is utilized. Even though your child may benefit from attending a day program or receiving specific services throughout the week, the funding amount may not allow for it.

Finding the right services for your child is so important for their continued growth, health, safety and wellbeing after graduating from high school.

Finding a program that is the best fit for their child after graduation is stressful for the caregiver and child. Finding a program that can meet all the child’s physical needs while fulfilling the interests, capabilities and growth of a child is a must for most caregivers. You will find that many caregivers begin this search for day services several years prior to their child’s graduation. In some instances, young adults begin transitioning while they are still attending high school, attending school for 3-4 days and their program or service for 1-2 days. If they begin this process early enough, they can expand the days they participate in the services and decrease the number of days in school.

The downside of a child transitioning and not attending school every day is that services like physical, occupational and speech therapy that prove to be beneficial to them decrease because they are not in school every day. Some parents limit the number of days a child transitions because they still want them to receive therapies while they can.

Finding services and programs that can meet your childs needs such as speech therapy after transitioing out of high school proves to be challenging for caregivers.

As children transition out of high school funding and services are available through county and state agencies. Services, supports and funding vary by your county and state. Caregivers that have disabled children can prepare themselves by researching how their school district handles transitioning out of high school and the funding opportunities that will be available for their children when the time comes. Securing a supports coordinator will help with this as well.

When talking with the caregivers that are going through this process with their child the top issues that concern them are: “the unknown” of their child’s future, trusting others with the care of their child, recognizing obstacles or surroundings that aren’t safe or good for their child, choosing the right services for their child which include supports coordination, supported employment, community participation supports, in home and community supports, respite services, transportation services and residential habilitation.

Graduating from high school should be a happy and exciting time for all students and parents. I believe for most caregivers of a disabled child it is bittersweet. In upcoming posts, we will focus on the services available to young adults transitioning out of high school and the challenges and accomplishments the parents and their child encounter throughout the process.

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The New Year’s Resolution Challenge

Published by Ann Short on December 31, 2020

I am not someone that traditionally makes a New Year’s resolution but as 2020 comes to an end and I look over the past year I realize that I persevered through this nightmare of a year because of the help and motivation of my family and the staff at Bon Homie.

Do you recall experiences in your life where you were too stubborn to accept help that was offered or to hesitant to ask for it?

Have you ever been in a situation where you are getting ready for a birthday party or family get together and someone offers to bring a dessert or come early and help decorate and you assure them you have it all under control? And then an hour before the party you quietly complain or maybe loudly complain that you should have accepted their help.

I always had a difficult time accepting offers from family and friends to stop at the store and pick up the few things I may have needed for the next day or I would turn them down when they offer to do something as simple as running to the post office for me.

I have also struggled with asking for help. I find it exceedingly difficult to ask for help and always need to talk myself into asking someone to help me before I verbally speak the words. Is it a sign of weakness when asking for help? As a mother or father are you supposed to be able to work full time, care for your children, be a part time taxi and still find a few minutes to relax at night?

Those of you that are caregivers know that not accepting help or asking for help does not improve your situation at all. You are working within limited constraints to begin with and having more tasks that need to be completed within a certain time frame only adds to your stress. Whether you are raising your children or caring for a parent time is always a valued treasure.

An example that I have, almost on a daily basis, is accepting help when I arrive at work and get ready to carry all my bags into the center. I typically carry several bags, including my computer bag and a toy bag for my 5-year-old son who spends time at the center throughout the week. I dislike making multiple trips to my car, so I load my shoulders up with bags, place my coffee in one hand, take my sons hand in the other and off we go. Staff who arrive at the same time as we do will often offer to help me, I joke with them about being a bag lady and of course refuse their help. By the time I make it to my office, my arms are shaking, and I am hoping I don’t drop my coffee. I know any rational, logical person would accept help the next time.

I have also come to realize especially during this very trying year that accepting help can make you stronger and make your situation better. I had this experience when our center was forced to close in March due to the Coronavirus. The staff at our center worked together and developed a remote program which has played a major role in our center’s survival. This virtual program that takes place on a computer through zoom has been the primary method that has allowed us to offer consistent services to our clients while our doors are closed. It has been a great experience to see staff take ownership of this program and to get behind a concept that they believe in. Having staff take the lead role in this program gave me the time to focus on other areas of our program that required my attention and helped me to manage the stress I felt during this transition period.

For my 2021 New Year’s resolution I am going to work on asking and accepting help in all areas of my life, I know this will bring a better balance to my life. I challenge each of you to work on accepting and asking for help in areas of your life that you and the individual you care for will benefit from. What will be your New Year’s Resolution for 2021?

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Pennsylvania lawmakers greatly affected Caregivers across the state when they voted to use the Cares Act funds that were earmarked to support industries to help balance PA’s budget.

Published by Ann Short on November 29, 2020

As we were shopping local businesses in our area yesterday I was reminded that our adult day care center isn’t the type of service that can be supported by “Small Business Saturday” and it made me realize how much our local lawmakers can really affect your business and ultimately your life and the lives of those that use your services.

Pennsylvania lawmakers made sure they disappointed small businesses across Pennsylvania by voting to use the remaining $1.3 billion from the Cares Act to help balance its budget. This move by the lawmakers makes me wonder if the politicians really understand the impact they have on their constituents with each vote they cast. We were hopeful that more funding would be allocated from the government to small businesses-like Ashley’s Chocolates the candy store we visited this morning. When I spoke to the owner she explained that due to Covid-19 and the limited number of customers allowed in its store at one time, they will rely on curb side pickup and online sales to maintain their existence. Restaurants like Piazza Presto and Giavanni’s Pizza and Restraurant and other establishments that we like in our neighborhood will continue to rely on take out orders since inside seating is limited due to covid-19. These businesses would have really benefited from additional Cares Act funds allocated for small businesses.

Find where Sweet Ashley’s is located and store hours at sweetashleys.com.

Find where Piazza Presto is located and hours of operation at Piazza-Presto.com.

Find where Giovanni’s Pizza and Restaurant is located and hours of operation at Pizzagio.net/home.

Retail businesses are not the only businesses feeling the pinch by the lawmakers vote, small businesses that provide services like our Adult Day Center that support people with dementia, autism, and intellectual disabilities also are scrambling to survive.

Voting to use those funds to balance the budget has forced us (Bon Homie Adult Day Center) to make tough decisions for our center. We have struggled with the options to ensure the future of Bon Homie and have decided that in order to give our center the best opportunity to re-open in the Spring we would have to close after the New Year’s Holiday. We have decided to remain closed through the end of February 2021 at least. We hope to re-open in the Spring but that will most likely be based on the availability of the vaccine.

The closure has significant impacts on our caregivers and clients. Many caregivers work and will need to find alternative care for the loved ones while working. For the clients that have been able to return to our program and thrive from the interaction and socialization, they will feel the isolation once again. Our clients that live with Alzheimer’s and dementia will be more affected because their routine and structure to their day will change, which will impact their behavior at home and will most likely make the change very difficult on both clients and caregivers.

The impact on our staff as we close again is vast. We were able to bring most of our staff back to work since July 2020 and off unemployment. Now they will be forced to go back to collecting once we close again in late December 2020. Many individuals working for small businesses, like our employees, need to make a tough decision, do they find new employment or do they try to wait it out to return to the job they love and are dedicated to?

We have learned many lessons as we continue to maneuver through this pandemic, one of the most important lessons is how important our vote is. We have all witnessed how important it is to vote in the presidential race but electing our state senators and representatives has a significant impact on all of us as well. Today many small business owners should be asking if their representatives are voting with their best interests in mind and if their representative is really the right person for the job. I am happy to report that the district our center is located in has a State Representative and a Senator that are incredibly supportive of small businesses. Thank you to State Representative Joe Ciresi and Senator Katie Muth for their continued support that they show the small businesses in their district.

Our center wants to survive this hurdle and be able to reopen in 2021 stronger than ever. We are working hard to provide alternative care options to our caregivers to support them while the center is closed and are hopeful that we will all come out on the winning side. Providing services outside our normal operations will also give our staff some opportunities to work in a limited capacity.

Every small business owner has experienced the ups and downs of their business and the effects of the pandemic on our business has been an overwhelming experience. I recently received an email from one of our caregivers and she shared a quote with me that I continue to reflect on as we make all these difficult decisions.

The quote one of our caregivers shared with me.

This quote is really the basis for all small businesses, you have to believe in what your doing in order to work your way through the ups and downs of being a small business owner and find success.

I hope in the Spring of 2021 we (caregivers, staff and owners) can say we believed we would survive this pandemic, and we did it together.

“Shop local businesses in your area, your support can make a difference.”

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Six simple activities for caregivers to have on hand for the holidays.

Published by Ann Short on November 19, 2020

The holidays are stressful on all of us. If you are caring for someone that has dementia, or a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, holiday gatherings can be difficult. Confusion and anxiety are most likely to increase when the structure and routine of someone with dementia is disrupted, especially during holiday get togethers. Adding masks and practicing social distancing just adds to the anxiety and confusion.

Having activities on hand that may help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and reduce confusion could make for a better experience for all involved. Remember when setting up these activities utilize an area away from the immediate gathering to improve your loved one’s participation and focus on the activity. Another suggestion would be to introduce the activity before everyone arrives. Individuals with dementia are typically more willing and cooperative to get involved an activity when they are in an environment that doesn’t overwhelm them.

Introducing our Six Simple Actiivities..

1. Coloring is the first of the six activities I would like to introduce. This is one of our “go to” activities in my household. Coloring can be enjoyed by friends and family of all ages; many people find this activity calming and relaxing. When we color we are focused as we participate in the activity; being focused helps us relax and reduce stress. Depending on your loved one’s capabilities, you can offer them simple pictures to color or more elaborate pictures if they can manage it. This is a wonderful activity that children can participate in along with loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Adult Coloring books are available in a variety of topics, Superhero’s have always been a favorite in our house.

2. Puzzles are a great activity because you can purchase them in different quantities of pieces and difficulty. I would recommend a puzzle with 24 pieces or even wooden puzzles for individuals with dementia: although difficulty depends on the level of your loved one’s disease or diagnosis. We all need to achieve some success while participating in an activity to stay engaged, individuals with dementia aren’t any different. If the pieces are too small or there are too many it can add to their stress and confusion and they will lose interest in the activity. You may also find that you need to remind your loved one how to put the puzzle pieces together to get them started, depending on their clarity that day.

Wooden puzzles are much easier for indiivduals with fine motor difficulties and short attention spans. Many of these puzzles play music or make animal or instrument sounds when the puzzle piece is placed in the correct spot.

3. Holiday Sensory Bin is something that can be a lot of fun, spark memories and initiate conversation. You can put anything in a sensory bin that reminds you of the holidays your family celebrated, traditions passed on for years or just seasonal items. Some suggestions include cookie cutters, stockings, candy canes, ornaments, cinnamon sticks, Christmas pajamas, a star, angel, Christmas music box, ribbon, Christmas cards (cards with texture man be a nice addition as well), elves, Nutcracker and bells are a few options.

A few examples of items that you can put in your holiday sensory bin.

4. Lacing cards come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and themes. This type of activity is a much simpler one and promotes eye-hand coordination, and focus while keeping your loved one active and engaged. If your love one sewed, it is a similar activity and may spark some memories they could share with you.

Lacing cards come in a variety of themes to keep the individual’s interest and promote conversation. You can also look for wooden puzzle pieces to lace together such as the houses, boat and star seen above.

5. Listening to music is another great activity, that appeals to everyone regardless of their diagnosis. If your loved one has dementia, and you can play music from their childhood or young adulthood, they usually recall the music and words much more easily. Music from their past is very comforting to them and many times you can get them to sing along. I recall two songs that really stirred memories in some of the clients we cared for with dementia. I still hum along to them when I hear them.

Hymns are also a great option to listen to. Many individuals with dementia recall hymns that they sang as a young child and adult while at church or in their home and find this music very soothing.

6. Folding items such as dish towels or matching socks is also a task that many individuals with dementia find comforting and are willing to participate in. Folding clothes gives individuals a sense of normalcy and helps them feel they are being productive and contributing members of the household. These tasks are chores they most likely did for years and most individuals with dementia remember how to complete these tasks with little oversight depending on the level of forgetfulness they are experiencing. At the center we purchased a bunch of toddler socks, put them in a laundry basket and many of our clients would match and fold them. To initiate this activity, tell your loved one you could use their help with folding clothes, most of them are eager to help and will not hesitate to get started.

A few thoughts to consider:

You may find that you need to introduce an activity to your loved one with dementia. Many of these individuals do not remember how to initiate activity for themselves and wouldn’t realize the basket of clothes sitting in front of them needs folding.
You may have to show them how to participate in the activity when you first sit the activity in from of them. You may also find that you need to support them throughout the activity to keep them engaged. For example: if they are going to color, open the coloring book and help them select a page to color. Once a page is selected, hand them a colored pencil and see how they progress with the activity.
It may be helpful to switch activities throughout the timeframe depending on your loved one’s attention span and cooperation.

These activities would also be great to introduce while you are getting ready for your holiday dinner and gatherings too.

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Coronavirus forces Caregivers to adjust.

Published by Ann Short on November 11, 2020

When the pandemic hit our area, it forced our center and centers all over Pennsylvania to close. The effect it had on our caregivers and our clients was extraordinary. We received the e-mail on a Thursday afternoon in March 2020 that our Adult Day Care Center and centers like ours were mandated to close end of business that day. We scrambled to write e-mails and make phone calls to all the caregivers and clients we supported as well as the agencies that relied on our services. When we closed that day, my staff along with the caregivers that use our services believed we would return to normal in two weeks.

Caregivers were incredibly supportive of the close of the center and for the first two weeks many families could work together and support their individual. As March turned to April, we realized our center wasn’t going to be able to open for a while and we needed to figure out a way we could support our caregivers and clients that no longer had the option of attending our program every day. Many of our caregivers needed to work and even though they were able to work from home at this time due to the Coronavirus it was difficult to care for their loved one and work at the same time. Caregivers also had their normal responsibilities like running errands, taking care of their households, cooking and raising kids. Routine and stability are two things that caregivers rely on greatly to keep their households running, and not knowing what the future held was very stressful on all of us.

Sidewalk Chalk Art is a great activity for everyone to enjoy outside.

In late March one of the first programs we began offering was “Operation Sunshine”. We reached out to all our caregivers to ask if they would like to participate in “Operation Sunshine”. We had 8-10 staff that were interested in corresponding with clients through e-mail. Everyone could share pictures, stories, videos, and activities with each other. We had over thirty caregivers and staff interacting through this program. This was a great way for us to stay connected and see how everyone was doing. Many of the caregivers and staff shared what they were doing at home which gave us all ideas of things we could do with our individuals at home. Activities ranged from baking, to virtual trips to zoo’s and Long Wood Gardens. One staff along with her children used their creativity and decorated their sidewalks with chalk art. Another shared her chicks that she is raising on her property while my son Rory set up his painting studio on our deck. Each week we would meet as a group on zoom, it was great to see everyone and to see how each client was doing. The zoom program was beneficial to clients that thrived on the social aspects of our program, you could see it in their faces once they heard familiar voices and saw their faces.

Our staff sharing her chicks with the clients .

At the end of March beginning of April, we began a program where our staff worked remotely with our clients that live at home with their families. Staff and caregivers have learned how to use zoom so that they are able to interact with each other. Cooking demonstrations, reading stories, science projects, and music are just a few activities that are taking place.

Rory and Larry participating in activity prior to our center closing.

Our staff met with clients virtually every day for an hour or several times a week for 30 minutes to an hour. They also ran small group virtual programs, 2-3 clients meet with 1-2 staff for an hour and they play games, socialize, make a craft, etc. This program has been well received and our clients are excited to interact with their friends. Those receiving this service range in supports needs. A few of our clients require total hand over hand support from their caregiver to participate where others once they are logged into zoom can participate independently.

Our staff Toni, on a zoom program with one of our clients at home.

These services do not give caregivers total relief of caregiving responsibilities like the day program did but it does offer their loved one a connection with friend’s, the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs which promotes a sense of community and helps with each client’s overall wellbeing.

Many of our clients have not been able to return to our center once we re-opened in July 2020 because they are medically fragile. Our remote program continues to be offered today and has grown since we began offering the services in March 2020.

Like I stated in my first blog I am not a typical caregiver, but my husband and I are struggling with raising a 5-year-old during a pandemic. Firstly, we have other adult children and thought we were soon to be empty nesters when I found out that I was pregnant. Although, we were happy and excited, we were also concerned because I was 44 at the time. We have experienced firsthand the effects of the pandemic on our son and how difficult it has been to lose the social outlets that he had in place for engaging with others. He loved interacting with the seniors and young adults at our center as well as attending pre-school and being around kids his own age. He also uses zoom to participate in his preschool class. His moods change often, his constant struggle for control of his environment is evident daily, as is his gift of pushing the limits with his caretakers (mom and dad). As older parents who have been raising kids for over 30 years, we struggle to meet his emotional needs as well as our own during this stressful time.

Remote programming will never replace the value of in person, face to face activity and interaction that we all crave and thrive on. However, all of these programs that are being utilized via zoom are wonderful tools for us to use as we need to keep everyone safe until the Coronavirus is under control.

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