Reading is an excellent way to exercise your brain. Studies have shown that extensive reading, especially as we get older, saw a 30% reduction in memory decline. Reading also contributes to greater social skills and mental processing.

Have you ever watched an outerspace-themed show or movie like Star Wars or Star Trek? We know from watching these shows that the captains of space ships command their vessels from the bridge (usually with big windows and incredible views of the universe). 

Imagine your body is a space ship and our surrounding environments (outside, our home, our work space etc.) are the epic frontiers of space. What is our bridge and our captain? If you answered with "your head" and "your brain" respectively, you would be correct. The brain captains the body. It houses our minds, our processes for thinking, memory, problem-solving, learning, creativity. It communicates millions of messages with every cell in every body part and oversees all functions for every other system in the body. The brain translates what it sees through our eyes. The brain is the most important muscle in the body.

Like with any muscle, we have to exercise it to keep it healthy, sharp and functioning properly. A great way to do this is through brain training. Yes, you read that correctly. Brain training refers to practicing and improving cognitive functions through mental exercises. Such mental exercises target core brain functions including attention, long-term and short-term memory, creativity, auditory processing, cognitive processing speed, logic, reasoning, emotional processing, strategy etc.

sharp and reduces cognitive decline, not-to-mention all these different activities are rather enjoyable. Give your brain a boost this January (and every day for the rest of your life)! Happy training!

We are starting off 2019 with honoring two caregivers who are proving themselves to be an exceptional team. Emily and Queen joined the Golden Horizons team three years ago, in December 2015 and February 2016 respectively. Individually, they demonstrated positive attitudes, professionalism, and care for their clients, but as a team, they stand out in their abilities. They are both punctual, reliable, and unfailingly attentive to their client. Together, they are a well-oiled machine in providing exceptional care to their client and representing Golden Horizons. Thank you for your hard work and dedication ladies! Congratulations!

It's that time of year again folks!
Holiday cheer, glittering lights, candles, presents, good food, warm hearths, friends and family. It is a time to celebrate life, love, joy and thankfulness for the blessings we have. 

In this holiday season, we cannot forget those who around us who haven't been as fortunate as us. Sometimes people need help turning their lemons into lemonade. This morning, a fellow member of a group I am in stood up and asked for help for a family they know of who is struggling to make ends meet this holiday season. Through collective compassion, and a little action, she is collecting and distributing major blessings for this family. We in the group were glad to help.

Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hannukah! Happy life, love, family gathering...whatever it is, Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

schedules, it can be overwhelming. And if it is overwhelming for us, how much more so for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can become easily anxious, agitated and even aggressive, especially if they are in unfamiliar environments. It's important to keep them in comfortable, familiar surroundings and established routines to prevent these feelings and behavior from taking hold. Of course, with the holiday season in full swing, normal routines and settings are being thrown into festive chaos. The question now becomes how to celebrate the holidays with joy and peace while minimizing agitation, and how to deal if it occurs. Here are some tips.

a) Adjust your expectations. The stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia that a person has will determine largely how they participate in holidays. Traditions might have to be adjusted. If they are prone to agitation at a certain time of day ie. evening, perhaps open presents or have a gathering earlier in the day.

b) Set the tone, get their attention and state your message clearly, listen.  The holidays are happy and festive. Speak calmly and pleasantly with the person. Get their attention by reducing distractions like turning off the radio or TV, closing blinds etc. Address them by name, identify yourself and your relation to them. Communicate clearly using simple words and sentences. Get on their level and maintain eye contact. Use nonverbal cues; a calm, reassuring vocal tone; and gentle touch to help convey your message. Ask simple questions, keeping answers often to yes or no.

c) Keep a familiar environment.  Gentle holiday music, reduced distractions. Maintain as much of a familiar routine as possible. Keep family pictures and other keepsakes where they can see them. Reminisce with them. Ask questions about their lives that rely on long term memory.

d) Be patient. If they get agitated, redirect and reassure them. When doing holiday activities, break  them down into little steps. It’ll be easier to understand and they can participate more. If they get anxious or agitated, redirect to other subjects or activities ie. suggest going for a walk instead.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be stressful, especially during the holidays. Take a deep breath. Be patient. You’ll do great and enjoy a lovely holiday. 

Washing hands with soap and clean water (hot or cold) or at least hand sanitizer can help in avoiding getting those contacted sick especially senior citizens. The CDC has provided some guidelines for best practices. Click/tap here.

More About Washing Hands & Community Settings

more for his money than family, friends or fellow man. He declines Christmas dinner with his nephew, and only begrudgingly gives his employee the Christmas off to be with his family. That night, he is visited by the ghost of his dead business partner, in chains, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. They show him scenes from his past, his present, and his future. They 
reveal what people really think of him and how they will rejoice at his death. He wakes a changed man, generous, compassionate, caring for the plight of others. We know this classic as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It has been adapted countless times for stage and screen, and the message rings true today, 175 years since it’s first publication, as it did then. The holidays are a time to 
celebrate, and they are a time to remember and give to those in need. Timeless lessons indeed. ​

to be a devastating, debilitating disease. Like diseases, it presents certain signs or symtoms; and like most signs and symptoms, they may indicate any number of issues - they overlap. You can't always tell the difference, and that is where a doctor comes in. If you, your loved one or a friend is showing any of these signs below, visit your doctor.

1. Memory loss that causes issues in daily living. 
Example: Forgetting recently gotten information - dates, places, names; needing to rely on reminders like sticky notes.

2. Issues with solving problems or planning things.
Example: Trouble following simple recipes when cooking; issues with concentrating for long.

3. Having trouble with completing familiar tasks at home, work, in free, leisurely time.
Example: A person can't remember the rules to a game they nornally play and enjoy.

4. Confused about places, times, seasons.
Example: A person forgets something is happening if it doesn't happen immediately.

5. Issues following and understanding the visual and spatial.
Example: A person may have issues seeing color contrast in favored art pieces.

6. Problems with speaking and writing.
Example: A person may stop talking in the middle of a conversation and not remember what they were saying or why.

7. Losing items and not being able to "retrace" their steps to find it.
Example: A person with Alzheimer's may missplace an item and then accuse someone of stealing.

8. Impaired judgment.
Example: Someone might easily succumb to telemarketing schemes if they get on the phone with one because they lose the ability to reason well with financial matters.

9. Isolating themselves and withdrawing from social settings.
Example: Someone will likely show lack of interest in hobbies and social activities they normally love.

10. Mood swings and personality changes. 
Example: Someone will often experience personality and mood changes from normally easy going to anxious or upset or confused.

Alzheimer's has no cure. But we can fight back. Donate to the cause and educate yourself. Eat right, exercise, stay sharp and active.

Source: Alzheimer's Association

other disease. I don't say this to belittle the loss people suffer at the hands of other diseases and illnesses, but to emphasize further the need to raise awareness and end Alzheimers. The difference with Alzheimers is that it steals not only the life of the person diagnosed, but both they, and their family and friends have to suffer through the loss of the memory, the personality, the essence of that person in this life while the brain is slowly taken over by the protein plaque build up that interferes with the regular functions.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November to be National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. At that time, there were fewer than 2 million Americans being diagnosed with the disease. That amount has steadily climbed to where Alzheimer's is now the 6th leading cause of death in Americans.

• Between 2000 and 2015, deaths due to Alzheimer's Disease rose 123%.
• Someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's every 65 seconds.
• There are about 5.7 million Americans living with the disease.
• In 2018, the projected cost of care for Alzheimer's Disease was $277 billion. The forecast is that it will reach $1.1 trillion by 2050 in America.
• 10% of people over 65 has been diagnosed.
• Approximately 2/3 of all Americans with Alzheimers are women. 
• Alzheimer's Disease is the only one in the top 10 leading causes of death that can't be prevented or cured.
• About 16.1 million people provide unpaid care to those with Alzheimers, with about 18.4 million hours being invested at a value of $232 billion.

There is no cure. But we are working toward one. The Alzheimer's Association is a national nonprofit leading the fight against Alzheimers. They have designated purple as the official awareness color for Alzheimer's Awareness Month and for all campaigns. Their mission:

They have chapters throughout the 50 states. Here in CT, you can reach out to local chapters in South Central Regional Office, Hamden, CT, Southwest Regional Office, Norwalk, CT, Eastern Regional Office, Norwich, CT, Northwest Regional Office, New Milford, CT. Find out about local fundraisers, make a donation, raise awareness. Let's band together to #EndAlz.

Sources:
- Alzheimer's Association, About
- Alzheimer's Association, Facts & Figures
- Alzheimer's Association, Find Your Chapter
- History of Alzheimer's, Rochester Elder Law

I could hardly believe it when I saw the projected temperature for Thanksgiving Day. 27 °F! It is the coldest Thanksgiving Day that I can remember for years. I mean, we just had our first snow storm last Thursday, one week before Thanksgiving. Now I'm not someone who particularly likes the cold, but this year, I am choosing to be thankful for the season and the positives it brings, such as the opportunity to learn snow sports like skiing and snowboarding.

The Pilgrims never had winter easy. In fact, they never had anything easy when they came to America. Yet, they set aside a day to be grateful for all they had, and shared the day with neighboring Native American tribes. They began the tradition of Thanksgiving.

November 2018: Kellyann H - From the moment she joined the Golden Horizons team in January 2018, Kellyann jumped right into the fray. Her friendly disposition and willingness to work have shown her to be invaluable to clients and the company alike. Thank you, Kellyann, for your hard work and dedication to your clients and to Golden Horizons. Congratulations!