A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.
 | A Message from the OfficeThe trees are bare. The holiday wreaths, twinkling lights, and passing “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas’s” are out in full force. The weekends |
  | are filling with festivities and family gatherings. The radio stations are playing the holiday classics 24/7. It is time to celebrate life and love! As we celebrate this holiday season, we must remember that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. The holidays can be tremendous, or tremendously hard. Some people may not have shelter or food; some can’t find work. Others may be grieving the loss of a loved one. |
| We began a tradition in my family: together we donate to a charity organization that provides water, education, food, medicine and more to those in need world-over. This is our little way to celebrate with eyes wide open. As you enjoy your family, consider how you can make a difference. You might just change someone’s life. ~ Golden Horizons Office Team Holiday Open House! |  |
 | Who likes holiday music, “ugly” sweaters, stockings, reindeer, decking the halls, figgy pudding and Andy Williams resurfacing on the radio? Me too! We invite you to visit us at the office on December 24, between 11am and 2pm, |
for festive treats and holiday merriment! 251 Main St., Ste 201, Old Saybrook. Happy Holidays!
Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration
I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year long.”
~ Charlies Dickens ~
| Cultural Tidbit: On December 19, 1843, a novella was published by Chapman & Hall in London. The first edition was sold out by Christmas Eve, five short days later. This novella tells the story of a miserly old man who cares |  |
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.
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.
Caregiver of the Month
December 2018 - Grace G: It’s hard to believe 3-and-a-half years have flown by since Grace joined our team. Since July, 2015, she has worked consistently to provide care to her clients with dignity and respect. Reliable, punctual, professional and committed, Grace has shown herself to be a model employee and excellent caregiver. Thank you for your hard-work and dedication Grace. Congratulations!
December BirthdaysIt is a short list for birthdays this month, but no less special. We would like to wish our caregiver, Amanda P, a happy birthday! May this year bring wonderful blessings and adventures. Enjoy! |  |
Worker's Compensation Trust Announcement
GH Caregivers, are you a TU graduate yet? TU stands for Trust University put out by the Worker’s Comp Trust. They have newly released “Tailgate Topics and Quick Courses”! These new trainings are designed to fit into your busy schedules and cover a range of subjects such as winter safety, cyber security, and defensive driving. The office will contact you soon with your login credentials so you can take full advantage of these valuable resources.
Scrub! Scrub! Scrub!
| Winter means cold weather. Cold weather means increased chances of getting colds. How can we prevent colds and other illnesses from running rampant? Getting your flu shot, yes. Get enough sleep, also a good |  |
answer. Eat healthy and keep exercising, also excellent answers, but the one we’re looking for: wash your hands! December 2-8, 2018, is National Handwashing Awareness Week. By scrubbing away with soap and warm water for about 20 seconds at least, you prevent the spread of germs and reduce the chances of getting sick. This holiday season, scrub, scrub, scrub!
From Agitation to Aleviation
Last month was Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. We talked about signs, symptoms and mood swings. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia can become easily anxious, agitated and even aggressive. It is important to keep them in comfortable, familiar surroundings and established routines to prevent these feelings and behavior. 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 while minimizing agitation, and how to deal if it occurs. Here are some tips.
a) Adjust 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. Take a deep breath. Be patient. You’ll do great and enjoy a lovely holiday. We will explore this topic more in coming blog posts. ~ Sources: www.nia.nih.gov, www.caregiver.org, www.alz.org
becomes how to celebrate the holidays while minimizing agitation, and how to deal if it occurs. Here are some tips.
a) Adjust 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. Take a deep breath. Be patient. You’ll do great and enjoy a lovely holiday. We will explore this topic more in coming blog posts. ~ Sources: www.nia.nih.gov, www.caregiver.org, www.alz.org
Santa's Prep Time
Find and circle the words in the search. They can be up, down, diagnol, backwords, forwards.
Have you ever seen the “Santa Clause” movies with Tim Allen? The elves were always making improvements to the sleigh. As we can see, Santa is fully decked out and ready for anything, whether he needs to make an emergency toy, manually go down the chimney, warm his reindeer, or has sleigh motor trouble. Let’s take our cue from him, and be prepared this winter.
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