3 Ways You can Help a Senior Eat Well.

March is National Nutrition Month. 

Living in the United States, you have had a discussion, or two or million on the topic of nutrition and eating well. There isn't a day-time show, medical establishment, or magazine that doesn't tackle the subject, and the information can be confusing and contradictory.

If you are caring for a senior adult you may face even more challenges in the quest to eat well. Age and illness can significantly alter the ability to enjoy eating. Medications can change the taste of food and disturb normal appetites. Life long eating habits may conflict with dietary restrictions. What to do? Here are some tips to help you and your loved ones to eat well.

Spice it up.

No, not just salsa. Healthy food doesn't have to be bland and herbs have multiple dietary benefits. Rosemary, lemon juice and fresh garlic make a healthy and flavorful marinades for meat. Dried oregano flavors pasta and fresh oregano can be added to salad or cooked greens. Oregano naturally inhibits bacteria. Cinnamon can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Sprinkle it on toast, over a baked sweet potato or vanilla pudding. These strongly aromatic herbs also alert the brain; It's time to eat!

Make it Easy.

If your appetite is compromised, you are unlikely to eat a full-sized meal. Prepare or buy foods that can be eaten quickly and without much fuss. Stock the refrigerator with bite-sized fruits or soft vegies. Soft cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, jello or pudding are all easy to chew and eaten at any time during the day. Make ahead dishes like soup or casseroles can be portioned out during the week and available to eat whenever someone feels like eating.

Eat together.

Loneliness is a powerful deterrent to healthy eating. Much enjoyment of eating comes from sharing a meal. If at all possible, have at least one communal meal per day. If once a day is impossible on your own, ask for help from friends or neighbors. Investigate community meals sponsored at a church or senior center. Schedule some meal times as a celebration of friendship and love, set the table, bring some flowers, and if possible, pour some wine. Bon Appetit means good eating, and good eating means eating with others.

For more tips check out AgingCare.com

Dawn loves to cook and loves to include others in eating well. For more info, contact her at drozzo@abc-seniors.com

Alzheimers Male Caregiver Support Group

Men handle loss and sharing differently from women. Some don't share at all; some don't believe in sharing publicly. Our cultures (both eastern and western) expect men to be strong, figure things out by themselves, "be a rock" as some would say.

Truth is, as human beings (irrespective of gender), we have a tremendous need to have someone to talk to, rather, someone to listen to our story, interspersed with times when we want to be left alone. Depending on the "season of life" that you're in at any given moment, those times and needs vary.

The most important thing is to become aware of your needs, then accept them with kindness to yourself, and finally maybe do something about it.

When you do something for someone else (vs asking what's in it for me), you feel "wealthy"/"rich"; life becomes bigger than your own scarcities & problems; it becomes meaningful.

Mike Caldwell of Alzheimers Association hosts a Male Caregiver Experience Support Group at WakeMed Cary Hospital on the second Friday of each month. He's a veteran, has been a Caregiver for his mother, has experienced loss, and now enjoys being there for others who have and are walking the path of loss.

Remember, loss is not only about death; it can be slowly losing someone you love to Alzherimers or another form of dementia, other sicknesses, losing a spouse through divorce, losing a job, being diagnosed with a major illness yourself, and so on.

Reach out to Mike to learn more, visit one of his sessions, and experience how meaningful it can be to support someone else: 314.304.1635.

Stars & Charts and Activity Aprons

Did your elementary school teacher put a sticker on your papers when you had done a particularly good job? Was there a classroom chart which featured stars to record progress? Do you own a Little League award, a sports jersey, a framed commendation from work?

From childhood through adulthood we are hard-wired to respond to physical demonstrations of appreciation and praise; the more personal and sometimes conspicuous the better. Ponder the array of award shows on air today.

Motivational styles vary, but it is a rare person who does not appreciate a physical expression of recognition for work well-done.

How does one chart progress, growth, or accomplishment when caring for someone whose abilities are in decline?

You have to unwind the chart mentality. By this I don't mean resigning yourself to going backwards. I mean intentionally sitting with the star of a present moment to celebrate a present day victory.

Recently a caregiver and her family introduced the use of an activity or sensory apron. Activity aprons are garments made with sensory tasks sewn on; zippers, buttons, textured materials, pockets. They are designed to reduce agitation in person suffering from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

When this particular client had the apron placed upon her lap, she immediately became engaged in the tasks provided. She quieted and then became receptive to other directions. She ultimately allowed her caregiver to give her a bath, something she had been actively resisting for some time. I know we are disinclined to celebrate giving someone a bath. But for this family and their caregiver, this was a star moment. Shiny for the day. I've observed that caregiving brings joy to those who can collect those stars of mostly unobserved victories, and place them not on a chart, but in their hearts.

Activity Aprons can be bought or made. Sew Fishsticks shows you how to make a pretty one and Pinterest has various examples of activity pillows and lap blankets that serve the same purpose. Amazon features a few companies that sell them.

I would love to hear about your star moments.

Tell your story and laugh

In the second month of my new job as activities assistant and art teacher in a nursing home; I was arranging materials and tools on a long table. Directly in front of me, on the other side was an articulate and chatty gentleman who I knew had been the CEO of a large corporation. We discussed a current event while I prepared for the craft class.

I turned around to speak to someone and when I turned back I saw Mr. CEO using the scissors that I had placed in front of me to cut the pants he was wearing right along the thigh, slightly above the knee. Horrified, I hustled around the table and said "maybe that isn't a good idea, may I have the scissors back?". He cheerfully returned the scissors. As I returned to my spot at the table, I wondered how was I going to explain how Mr. CEO came to cut his pants. Then I glanced over to see he was now in the process of tearing his pants up to his crotch. A beautifully tailored pair of pants had just become an accessory to a strange strip-show. I put up my materials and suggested that we take a return ride to his room. He cheerfully agreed.

We exit the activity room, turn the corner, and greet the Administrator who arches her eyebrows in a question mark fashion.  "Mr. CEO was using scissors to cut his pants, I explained, but we have decided not to use scissors anymore." "An excellent idea," she dryly observes and continues on while I wonder if this is my last day on the job.

Later I spoke to the gentleman's wife who simply laughed. "I asked him what he was doing and he said he was making cut-off shorts because it was so hot!"

I've told this story on myself many times because it illustrates how fast behaviors can change with someone suffering with dementia. Mostly though it reminds me that a sense of humor saves your life as a caregiver. Surprise behaviors can derail your day if you lose your ability to laugh. A caregiver recently told me how she jokes and teases her client into laughing and mid-smile puts medicine on her tongue. Mission accomplished without the combative contest of wills.
Twilight Zone meets Buster Keaton when you care for someone suffering from dementia. On the days the front wall of your storefront falls down (Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928); maybe it's best to stand in the ruins and laugh.

Nearly everyone who has worked with others with chronic illness has a story of how sad intersects the hilarious. What's yours?

Committed to care-giving

Peris Dama is committed to care-giving. She has cared for others since she was a very young woman. Her father recognized her gift for wanting to help others. “My Father told me, “you have it in your heart to help.” 

Always Best Care in Raleigh understands this essential component of care-giving. We recognize that while many skills can be taught, this gift of having-it-in-your-heart to help must be present first.

We are pleased to honor Peris Dama as a woman who embodies this quality.

Peris originally worked with special needs children as a teacher in her native Kenya. It was there that she acquired the professional attitude that she brings to Always Best Care. “If I can bring about a positive change, even if it is just a little, I feel like I’ve succeeded.”

Her clients regularly benefit from her exceptional service. “When I have finished all my duties, and I have some extra time I ask; "Can I help you with something else?” She also makes sure she understands her clients' preferences. "Whether I am ironing a shirt or making a sandwich, I ask "How would you like this done?" "I know how I would iron a shirt, or fix a meal, but I want to know how my clients would like it performed."

In addition to her work, Peris pursues her studies in nursing. 

When she is not working or studying she enjoys wearing her colorful Kenyan dresses to church.

Providing getting-to-know-you care

What do you look for when you need help taking care of your loved one, whether for a short or long time? How you answer that of course, depends on the level of assistance you need. Do you need someone just to stay with Mom or give her medications? Does she need simple reminders or daily assistance with dressing, eating and personal care?

Always Best Care in Raleigh provides solutions to your care needs starting with two, always-in-place approaches. First, we help you assess the needs of your loved one by sending a well-qualified medical professional to ask questions and observe your loved one. She will make accurate and compassionate recommendations based on her years of knowledge and your budget and time contributions.

Denise knows her clients and knows their needs.   

Secondly we will provide a care-giver who not only knows how to help, they will be the person who wants to help. Denise exemplifies this essential quality.

When you first meet Denise, you will first notice her quick and friendly smile.  Her clients soon notice her patient and kind attentiveness to their needs. One client commented; “Once she knows my needs, she remembers.”  “I like working with people” Denise says, “I like getting to know them.”

This "getting to know" quality is what everyone who needs help desires. It brings comfort in a time of difficulty and often inspires hope when tempted to despair. Our core mission is to provide that kind of caring.

Denise is native to North Carolina. She’s a proud mother of her four children. She enjoys her pet Chihuahua named Missy who is just a tad protective. “She’s the one that takes care of me,” she says laughing. “She helps me unwind.” Always Best Care in Raleigh is proud of the special care Denise brings to everyone she serves.

5,000 Years of History in a Tea Bag

What do safe drinking water, workers' rights, women's rights, pottery manufacturing, the American Revolution, clipper ships, taxes, smuggling, beer, and ancient Chinese legends have in common? Tea!

Sponsored by Resources for Seniors (organized by Susan M, Senior Care Coordinator) and the NC Museum of History, senior attendees of this event learnt how these small dried leaves affect our past in a story worth raising a cup to!

They also enjoyed a cup of spiced tea that Susan had given us a recipe for. One of our Caregivers, Kim P prepared the tea onsite and served it as part of this well attended program. Here are some pictures and the recipe...

Moving Day 2014, Triangle (Cary)

This was the 2nd Moving Day organized by National Parkinson's Foundation in the Triangle. It was windy and cold, but about 500 people turned out.

There was someone I spoke with who came all the way from Virginia to attend this event! Wow!

We had a table, and who better to man it with me than one of our wonderful, passionate Caregivers who has had experience caring for seniors with Parkinson's, FeLicia M.