THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER IDEAS-Libby Deege

I hope every one had a GREAT Thanksgiving Holiday! Now that our tummy's are full and we have plates of leftovers piled in the fridge, time to think about our next meal!!

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

3 T Butter                                                     2 T butter

2 T All-purpose flour                                     1 C finely crushed dry bread stuffing mix

1 can of evaporated milk                                1 C cooked diced turkey meat

1 C Water                                                      1 C shredded Cheddar cheese                              

1/4 t salt                                                          2 C leftover mashed potatoes

1/4 t black pepper

1/4 t onion powder

Pre heat over to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over low heat. Blend in the flour and slowly stir in evaporated milk and water. Season with salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir sauce over low heat for 5 minutes.

In a separate saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Blend in the dry stuffing mix. Place the turkey in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce over turkey, then sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Spread mashed potatoes over cheese. Top mashed potatoes with the stuffing mixture.

Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven!

Hope you enjoy this twist on leftovers! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Gobble Gobble

Libby



Early Signs of Alzheimers - Libby Deege

Recently my best friend was telling me about her mother in laws recent visit to the state. She was baffled by some changes she felt were taking place. She was telling me about how she would forget a recent conversation or ask the same question over and over again. She thought maybe it was the beginnings of "old age" but as I listened to more and more of the story, I asked her if anyone had taken her to see a doctor? Although I am still new to the Senior Care business I feel like I gain insight every day in talking with the loved ones of our clients with mild to extreme Alzheimer’s.

Last week my friend called to let me know her Mother in-law had left for church, less than a mile from her home. Time passed and her husband got worried. She drove from Oregon to California and couldn't remember how she got there. She was very upset and emotional when she discovered what she had done. My friend's husband is still not accepting that something maybe changing with his mother. He thinks it's just her getting older and not something serious. It is hard to look at your love one as anything but the strong confidant person who raised you!

Here is a list of early signs to look out for if you feel that someone close to you is being a little more than just "forgetful"

NORMAL AGING

Forgetting the names of people you rarely see

Briefly forgetting part of an experience

Not putting things away properly

Mood changes because of an appropriate cause

Changes in your interests

MILD ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Have memory loss and poor memory of recent events

Have trouble naming common items

Ask the same thing over and over again

Get lost easily

Lose interest in thing they once liked to do

Lose things more often than normal

Have personality changes

Be worried or depressed

Alzheimer's symptoms may not appear the same way in every person. The main thing you should watch for is a change from normal behavior in your loved one. If you're seeing any unusual lapses in cognition, which may include memory, or if your loved one experiences uncharacteristic mood swings, make a special appointment to see the doctor.

Here are some tips to help you talk to family members: 

• Tell them calmly that you are seeing changes that you think warrant a doctor visit. Ask if they would like to join you.
• Keep a log of symptoms to share. Perhaps those who do not live near your loved one haven't seen evidence of changes. Or, conversely, those who live nearest may not notice symptoms as much since symptoms progress very gradually.
• Explain that medication may help your loved one remain functional for longer than without medication.  Starting Alzheimer's treatment earlier means you may start slowing symptoms sooner.
• Being afraid of the diagnosis is normal. But keep in mind that receiving a diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer's related dementia, may be a relief. In one study, a diagnosis of dementia significantly decreased patient anxiety. Getting a diagnosis can be empowering, and might help you make informed decisions to help your loved one.

As we get together for the upcoming Holidays, we are often reunited with family members we don't see as much as we would like over the year. If you notice any changes with them perhaps these early warning signs will help you and your family discover the best course of action to help you loved one through this change!

Lack of Support Jeopardizes Health of Stroke Caregivers

Recently we received a call from a tired caregiver, let's call her Marge...Here is what she said.  "I have been caring for my husband, who suffered a stroke a year ago, and the strain is starting to wear on me. I used to be a healthy 75-year-old woman, but I don’t feel so great anymore. My family seems to think I can do it all. What should I do?"

Marge, you should attempt to get help right away before your own health deteriorates. New research from Northwestern Medicine shows that a lack of understanding and help from friends and relatives causes the most stress and the greatest threat to a caregiver’s own health and well-being.

These and other stressors, like simply trying to take care of themselves and their families along with the demands of caregiving, can cause caregivers to report signs of anxiety and depression. The study of 58 caregivers of stroke survivors identified 15 types of common problems caregivers face. The most stressful problems concerned friends and family who criticize, ignore or don’t help caregivers.

“Often families aren’t understanding or they might blame a caregiver for not doing more than they're doing,” said Rosemarie King, the study’s lead investigator and research professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “We had one caregiver in our study ask if we could send her a write-up that she could just hand to family members to explain how harassed and stressed caregivers are.”

The next most stressful problem category was the difficulty caregivers experienced in trying to sustain themselves and their families. Social isolation and changes in their relationship with the stroke survivor also top caregivers’ concerns.

Have a candid talk with your family and explain your dilemma. Tell them you could use an extra hand with groceries and meal preparation. If they can’t help, then take matters into your own hands. Join an online or in-person support group, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or call your local Home Instead Senior Care office. The organization’s CAREGiversSM are screened, trained, bonded and insured, and have passed thorough background checks. CAREGivers offer an important respite for family caregivers by providing services for just a few hours a week and up to 24 hours a day.

Senior Activities-By Libby Deege

As age catches up on you, you are bound to slow down. Although you might have a young mind and heart which are still racing, your body will just not be able to keep up. In the later years, it is common to be disheartened and depressed at not being able to do things you have always done when you were young. But this is certainly no reason for you to stop living!

A lot of the Seniors we work with do not have a lot of company in and out of their home on a daily or weekly basis. My CareGivers are sometimes the only people they may see in a given week. Although we are there to help with errands and cleaning around the house we always encourage that companionship component. I have been doing a lot of research lately, looking for fun activities my CareGivers could do with their client to tighten that bond of trust and friendship.

Today I have picked a fun baking activity that can be done in the home with little to no "baking" needed. Some of my greatest memories as a child were cooking with my Grandma, some of the best stories can be told from the kitchen table!

MATERIALS: ½ cup honey
1 cup quick cooking oat
1 cup nonfat dry milk
½ cup peanut butter
Wax Paper




Mix all ingredients and then roll the mixture into 1” balls.


Lay the balls on waxed paper. Refrigerate until set


Take treat out of the refrigerator and share with the client perhaps find some fun decorative bags to put them and share with family and friends.

How to Cope with Alzheimer's during the Holidays

With about 5.3 million Americans afflicted with Alzheimer's, a progressive, degenerative brain disease with no cure, the Galicias are not alone. For most of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas mean reconnecting with family over lavish meals, traditional football games and perhaps a gift exchange. But the hubbub of doors opening, pots clanging, TVs blaring and kids screaming is "just too much for most people with dementia in general," says Bedford clinical psychologist Dana Turnbull.


Read More Here:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/healthyliving/family/stories/DN-nh_alzheimersholiday_1109gd.ART.State.Edition1.238c116.html

National Caregiver Month- let's share a good laugh

November is National Caregiver Month.  We at Home Instead Senior Care want to applaud all the family and professional Caregivers out there!  We know first hand how important and how stressful your jobs can be.  Many of you are providing care to loved ones in ways you never dreamed possible.
One thing we want to stress to you as a Caregiver is to remember TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!  Know the warning signs of burnout and stress.  Visit our caregiver stress resource to test your level and find ways to help alleviate some of the stress of your caregiving position.
One of my favorite ways to lighten my load and the mood is to laugh!  Let's take a moment to do just that...share with us one of your favorite jokes.  Let's all laugh a little today!

Married Four Times The local news station was interviewing an 80 year old lady, because she had just gotten married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80 and then about her new husband's occupation! "He's a funeral director," she answered. "Interesting," the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her early 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, and a preacher when in her 60s, and now in her 80s, a funeral director. Astonished, the interviewer looked at her and asked, "Why did you marry four men with such diverse careers?" She smiled and explained, "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go."

Making Friends- by Janell, CAREGiver and Guest Blogger

I love the first day of meeting a new client. Today, I met Mrs. W a fiery little lady who has trouble getting around because of severe arthritis.

Note to self ~ be thankful every day.

Mrs. W is one of those women I immediately like. She speaks her mind. No two ways about it. She lets you know how things should be done. But in a nice way. She was a special education teacher for the same school for over 25 years. She knows patience and she’s seen a thing or two. She has learned to laugh and love and show discipline by using both. I watched as she showed me how she wanted her laundry done. Never mind the fact that she stood at the washer and did it all herself while I watched. “Call me crazy,” she said “but I like things a certain way.”
Note to self ~ Hot means Cold and Cold means Hot on her washing machine dial.

Mrs. W promptly showed me her cleaning supplies. “You can never go wrong with dusting,” she said. Mrs W is something of a collector. She collects nativity scenes, plants and lots and lots of family pictures. Shining faces, smiling, happy faces of those she loves and those who love her back. They were everywhere. The walls, every available shelf held photos of family members, young and old.
Note to self ~ Mrs. W is one loving lady with a lot of strong family ties.

As I remade her bed with clean linens fresh from the dryer, I carefully tried to reconstruct the bed just as I had taken apart. I wanted to remember which pillows went in the white pillow cases and which ones went in the colored pillow cases. I found myself really wanting to get it right to please her.
Note to self ~ Mrs. W really likes baby powder sprinkled on the bed BEFORE the sheets are put on.

So… she helped me take it apart and this time we did it the right way. And she laughed telling me she had no idea why she liked it that way. She had always done it that way. Her husband had asked her about it once and she had told him if he didn’t like it, he could sleep somewhere else!!! She grinned at me, “But he never did so I guess he learned to like it too!”

I never begrudge anyone the way they like to have things done. I just wish there was some magic way to know without having to be told. But it’s the learning about each other that makes it special and remembering that behind every little nuance of “how” something is done – there is more than likely a little humor to go with it. And that's what helps me remember for each client.

Like when Mrs. W and I went to the grocery store. Halfway, through the store, she suddenly remembered the bakery. Mrs. W LOVES the long johns from the bakery that are covered in frosting – not glazed. And she will buy all that the bakery has that day. Today, there are only 4 and I see disappointment in her face.
Note to self ~ Remind Mrs W to start on the bakery side next grocery trip before her favorite long johns are all gone!

And I can’t wait to remind her next trip so we can laugh about it together.