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Senior Resources of Guilford
Caregiver Connections Newsletter
Your Community Resource Connection for Aging and Disability Resources
Fall /Winter 2017
The theme for National Family Caregivers Month November 2017 is
“Caregiving Around the Clock”
Caregiving can be a 24-hours a day/7-days a week job. Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s or a child
with special needs can be draining. Providing care around the clock can crowd out other important
areas of life. And you never know when you will need to rush to the hospital or leave work at the drop
of a hat. What challenges do family caregivers face, and how do they manage them day and night?
Morning: Getting off to work. The average family caregiver is a working mother of school-aged children. Mornings become a tricky balancing act of getting the kids ready for school, making sure your loved one has what they need for the day before getting yourself out the door for work.
All Day Long: Managing medications. Up to 70% of the time, the family caregiver – not the care recipient –manages the medications, especially when the care recipient has a more serious condition. This means ensuring your loved one is taking their medication correctly and maintaining an up-to-date medication list.
During the Workday: Juggling caregiving and work. Six out of 10 family caregivers work full- or part-time in addition to juggling their caregiving responsibilities at home. And most of them say they have to cut back on working hours, take a leave of absence, or quit their job entirely.
Evening: Family time and meal time. Ensuring that you get proper nutrition will help you maintain strength, energy, stamina, and a positive attitude. Nutrition is as important for you as the caregiver as it is for your loved one. Caregiving affects the whole family.
Late at Night: Taking time for yourself. Late at night might be the only time you get a few minutes for yourself. Make sure you take time to rest and recharge. The chance to take a breather and re-energize is vital in order for you to be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you were today.
The Middle of the Night: Emergency room visits. Have you ever had to take your loved one to the emergency room in the middle of the night? Be prepared ahead of time with what you need to know and what you need to have with you.
The Information in this article was adapted from the Caregiver Action Network, National Family Caregivers Month Theme, 2017.
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Alzheimer’s Disease– The Caregiver’s Journey
The brain scan last week told the story. Two years ago, my husband’s brain looked almost normal—a few blank spots
here and there, but on the whole, very few ‘holes’. Last week, it looked like he had a head full of Swiss cheese—typical for someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease. When he has memory gaps resulting in confusion as to time and place, I
explain it to him this way: a normal brain is like a block of cheddar—pretty solid; an Alzheimer’s brain is like Swiss
cheese—lots of holes. That pesky memory mouse pops up in one hole, then hides in another for a while. We never know
when (or where) he will pop back up again.
“What day is it?” “What time is it?” These are pretty common short-term memory gaps, easily resolved with calendar
and clock. Thinking he’s in another place and time, that’s a little harder to fathom. So, we get out the maps, peruse our memory book, go back in time for as long as the time takes until he comes back around to the here and now.
Confusing, yes, but much easier to go along for the ride, because there is no reasoning with someone who has
Alzheimer’s. To try is to frustrate you both. Might as well go with the flow and slip into their world for a while, because
they can’t travel in yours. Where he goes, and when, is interesting. What verbal triggers, visual cues, sent him back
there? What did I do or say that might have caused it? Can I undo it or maybe even direct the destination with specific actions or words? When my husband has it somewhat together, we examine where he went in his mind, try to figure it
out.
Eventually came a (dreaded, but not unexpected) moment when my husband didn’t recognize me. Right in the middle of
supper, in the middle of a sentence, like somebody flipped a switch, he was no longer at our dining room table, but
somewhere in Kansas, waiting to catch a flight to Wichita. “Really good food,” he said. “I like this restaurant.” The first
time he did that, I thought he was kidding.
Nope. Next night he was in Toledo. After supper, he asked for a cab to the airport. I got it then, so I said it was too late
to get a flight. “Is there is a motel nearby?” he asked. “I need a place to sleep.” “You are welcome to stay here,” I offered.
He gratefully accepted, thanking me for my hospitality. When I led him into the bedroom, he noted, “This is a nice
room, I think I’ve stayed here before.”
All this could be pretty scary—and it was. It might have sent me calling 911 for help—but I didn’t. What was happening was already in my ‘Get Prepared’ notebook I’d been working on for a few years.
After my husband’s initial dementia diagnosis, I began journaling his decline while learning all that I could about the
disease and how to manage it as his Caregiver. I attended Alzheimer’s Organization classes at Mesa, signed up for
Region 10’s REACH program, met with counselors, therapists, doctors, and nurses, and engaged a home care service. I
read everything I could about AD and joined online forums, including agingcare.com, Alzheimer's reading room,
Alzheimer’s Foundation (alzfdn.org), and more. I asked for help from my support group. Members are like family and are dealing with a range of disabilities and problems. They understand and their suggestions are invaluable.
*Kathryn R. Burke is a spousal caregiver and the author of The Caregiver’s Journey, Navigating the Path, available at
caregiver-journey.com.
Senior Resources of Guilford provides support to those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia through our Memory Café. The Memory Café provides a gathering place for friends with Alzheimer’s (or other
dementias) along with their caregivers and families to relax and enjoy socialization, refreshments, discussion and entertainment. The café is designed to provide peer support, valuable free information and education, and social contact
with others having similar experiences in an informal relaxed stigma free environment. The café meets the second Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1401 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro, NC 27408.
For assistance and information on programs and services available to family caregivers in Guilford County
contact the Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator at:
(336) 373-4816 or by email at [email protected]
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The Three “B’s of Caregiving”
Portable Pet Provisions Provides free pet food to the pets of our Meals on Wheels
Guilford County recipients on a monthly basis!
If you are interested in making a donation to the Portable Pet Provisions Program, volunteering with the program, or would like more information please contact Ashlyn Martin at (336) 373-4816 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Be Prepared:
What does the future hold for your care recipient? What will his or her care needs be? What community services are available to provide the needed care? If in-home care will not meet the care
needs, which housing options (assisted living facilities, nursing homes) will?
What can your care recipient afford in terms of care? If budget restrictions are a concern, what other community programs or services, including state and federal programs, can offset the cost of care?
What information or training do you need to be an effective caregiver? Where can you gather the information or learn the caregiving techniques?
Be Honest:
What are your limits as a caregiver? Can family members, friends or community services fill those voids?
If not, what other options are available?
How long can you afford (emotionally, financially, physically) to provide care in your home or in your care recipient’s home?
Be Well:
What interests and hobbies are important to you? How can you maintain these?
How can you integrate a fitness program into your routine?
How can you maintain a regular support system?
How can you release all those negative emotions of caregiving in a healthy way?
How can you better express your feelings and your beliefs so that family members and friends understand
your goals as a family caregiver?
In what areas do you need help? How can you get the help you need?
In what ways can you bring joy and laughter into your life (and your care recipient’s) on a regular basis?
The information in this article was adapted Caregiving.com, The 3 B’s, 2017.
Page 4
Senior Wheels Medical Transportation
Senior Wheels Medical Transportation provides rides for ambulatory seniors age 55 and over to medical appointments in Guilford County.
Requests should be made at least 10 business days before the appointment date and appointments are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. For more information contact:
Audrey McLaughlin by phone at (336) 373-4816 or by email at [email protected]
The Triad Retirement Living Association’s 2017
Elder Caregiver of the Year awards were held on
October 12, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at
Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro.
This year’s award winner, Ms. Theresa Ross, was
nominated by Senior Resources of Guilford’s Family
Caregiver Support Coordinator, Christianna Taylor.
Ms. Ross has been participating in Senior
Resources of Guilford’s Family Caregiver Program for a little over a year. Theresa is the primary caregiver for her
sister, Joyce, who was diagnosed with dementia. Theresa has attended many programs and events in the
community, and has been an advocate for older adults living with dementia. She expresses kindness and
empathy to those who are in similar caregiving situations. Theresa is a unique caregiver in that she cares for
her sister, but goes out of her way to ensure other caregivers in the community know what resources are
available to them and their loved ones, expecting nothing in return. Theresa takes flyers and pamphlets to
assisted living facilities, libraries, and other community centers throughout Guilford County, to promote the
importance of caregiver education and self-care. Theresa consistently promotes senior-friendly programs and
services, and continues to educate herself to ensure she is the best possible caregiver for her sister.
Congratulations to Ms. Theresa Ross!
TRLA Elder Caregiver of the Year Award
(Theresa Ross far left with four elder caregiver finalists)
Page 5
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
How to Raise Grateful Grandkids Excerpted from Grandparents.com
Teaching kids to be thankful can have a lasting effect on their level of happiness, grades, friendships, and more.
Part of being a grandparent is spoiling your grandkids, right? Especially around the holi-days and birthdays, it's easy to go overboard with gifts. But one of the most important gifts you can give your grandkids is gratitude. Research has shown that kids who practice gratitude are "more satisfied with their lives, have stronger peer and family relationships, have higher GPAs, and are less depressed," says Jeffrey Froh, an associate professor of psychol-ogy at Hofstra University and leading researcher on kids and gratitude. "And the thing about gratitude is, you can learn it
at any age.” stated Jeffery. So whether your grandkids are three or 13, you can teach them to be appreciative.
One obstacle that often stands in the way: our fast-paced, "I-want-it-now" lifestyle. "We are constantly pulled in so many directions and so many stimuli take us out of the moment," says Froh, who is coauthor of Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character. "One of the best ways to become more grateful is to slow down—immediacy and gratitude
do not go together." When you slow down, you can process things and savor them, whether it's a family night out or a conversation at the dinner table. Savoring things and being mindful bring feelings of gratitude. Here are four other things Froh suggests you can do to teach grandkids about gratitude:
Set limits on gifts - It's always fun to give your grandkids presents, but do it within reason. "My wife found a great
guide that says, 'Get one thing they need, some things to read, one thing they want, and some things to wear,'" says Froh. That way you limit toys and play up more important items like books and clothing. Another thing to consider: give the gift of experiences, such as going to the movies together or taking kids on a day trip, instead of giving toys. "Experiences are a hundred times better," says Froh. Kids can remember experiences forever and get happiness from them in both the short- and long-term. "With experiences kids can savor the past by reminiscing by how great the vacation was, savor the present by being mindful in the moment while it's happening, and savor the future by
anticipating the vacation to come," says Froh.
Model good behavior - It may be obvious, but this often gets overlooked, says Froh: Show kids what a grateful person
look like and does. "Let them see you be generous, include them in it," he says. You can do this by making sure kids
see you thanking friends and family members when they do something nice for you. When you write thank you notes,
read them to kids, and let kids know how important the act was.
Froh suggests using the following three-step approach when modeling good behavior:
a. Show the intent - If a friend, for example, comes over to help you fix something in your home, explain to your
grandchildren that your friend made a choice and went out of their way to do something nice for you.
b. Show the cost - Perhaps the friend missed a show they really wanted to see on television. Explain to your grandkids
that the person put helping you above doing something for themselves.
c. Show the benefit - "Talk about to what degree you benefited from the kind act," says Froh. Perhaps the friend's help saved you money, or time. You can also point out kind acts your grandkids have received. "You can say, 'Hey James, wasn't it nice for Ryan to come over and help you with your math? He gave up going to soccer practice, even though he
loves it, and he really helped you,'" says Froh.
Volunteer - Doing community service allows kids to see people who are less fortunate and puts kids' own lives into
perspective. It also gives kids an opportunity to be generous by reaching out to others and offering help. "This is a way for kids to create and strengthen relationships, and that is the number one way to make grateful kids," says Froh. He also points out that when kids are generous, they start to fully appreciate what goes into being generous and the
choices people make in helping others.
Ask kids what they are grateful for - Part of understanding gratitude is talking about it. If your grandkids have
friends overnight at your house, bedtime is their perfect quiet time to ask them to name three things they are grateful for. This will get them thinking about how much they have and how lucky they are. You can also buy a notebook and
give it to them as a gratitude journal, where they can jot down people, places, and things that they appreciate.
For more information on the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program please contact Maderia Lewis by phone at (336) 373-4816 or by email at [email protected]
By Ellen Breslau
Page 6
SeniorLine Information and Referral
SeniorLine’ s Information and Referral
Service is nationally accredited by the Alliance of
Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). SeniorLine provides
information and referral to a variety of community
resources such as: transportation, housing resources,
food assistance, and legal or medical assistance in an
effort to support older adults and adults with
disabilities in remaining independent, healthy, and to
improve their overall quality of life.
For questions related to Senior Resources of
Guilford, or other community programs in
Guilford County, please contact SeniorLine:
Greensboro/County: (336) 333-6981
High Point/Jamestown: (336) 884-6981
Dementia Support Groups Greensboro- 1st Tues. @ 10:30am- First Baptist Church, Rm 208 1000 W. Friendly Ave Contact: Lois Mezer (336) 852-7454 2nd Wed. @ 10:00am- Guilford College United Methodist, 1205 Fleming Rd Contact: Deborah Gregson (336) 656-7048 2nd Thur. @ 6:00pm- Brighton Gardens 1208 New Garden Rd Contact: Destiny Chapman (336) 297-4700 3rd Mon. @ 6:00pm- NC A&T Center for Outreach in Alzheimer's, Aging and Community Health- Dora Som-Pimpong (336) 285-2176
High Point- 4th Thur. @ 6:00pm- Lebanon United Methodist 237 Idol St Contact: Deborah Gregson (336) 656-7048
Jamestown- 1st Tues. @ 4:00pm- Jamestown United Methodist Church 403 East Main Street Rm. 113/115 Contact: Laura Gulledge (336) 906-0430
Oak Ridge- Last Wed. @ 6:00pm-
Oak Ridge United Methodist 2424 Oak Ridge Rd Contact: Scott Herrick (336) 285-5920
Stokesdale- 2nd Sat. @ 10:00am- Country Village Lodge 7700 US Hwy 158 Contact: Scott Herrick (336) 285-5920
Stroke Support Group
Greensboro- 3rd Sun @ 3:00pm- Moses Cone Hospital, Dept 4000, Rehabilitation Day Room- Jane Edwards (336) 832-8120 or (336) 832-4000
High Point- 2nd Tues. @ 12:00pm- Millis Regional Health Education Center Contact: The Stroke Center (336) 878-6888
Family Caregiver Support Groups
Greensboro- 2nd Tues. @ 12:30pm- First Baptist Church, Rm 112 1000 W. Friendly Ave Last Tues, 6:45pm- ACE Adult Center, 2710 Henry Street Contact: Jodi Kolada (336) 545-4245 2nd Thur. @6:30pm- Mt Zion Baptist Church Rm. 4 1301 Alamance Church Rd. RSVP encouraged as dinner is provided
Contact: Alexis Williams (336) 273-7930
High Point- 1st Wed. @ 1:00pm- Pennybyrn at Maryfield 109 Penny Rd Contact: Jodi Kolada (336) 545-4245
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Greensboro- 3rd Wed. @11:00am- Senior Resources Senior Center 1401 Benjamin Parkway Contact: Maderia Lewis (336) 373-4816
High Point- 2nd Tues. @ 11:00am- Macedonia Family Resource Center 401 Lake Ave Contact: Maderia Lewis (336) 373-4816
Support Group for Family Caregivers
Page 7
Upcoming Events
2017 Caregiver Connections Expo Hosted by Senior Resources of Guilford and Well-Spring Solutions
Friday, November 10, 2017 from 10:00am-3:00pm
First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
1000 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, 27401
Special Guests: Dr. Cheryl Greenberg, Ed.D, The Age Coach &
Dr. Leandra Bedini, PhD, LRT/CTRS, Professor in the UNCG Department of
Community and Therapeutic Recreation
∙ Sponsors/exhibitors with community resources
∙ Delicious lunch included
∙ Zumba Fitness session
Pre-registration to attend is REQUIRED
To register visit www.ACEcare.org/registration, contact Jodi at 336 274-3559
Memory Café Meetings
Second Thursday of every month from 10:00 am– 12:00 pm,
Senior Resources of Guilford, 1401 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro, NC 27408 Contact: Christianna Taylor by email at [email protected]
or by phone at (336) 373-4816.
Coping With Grief During the Holiday’s
This is a program to help adults plan for and cope with the holidays. Choose the date that works best for you:
Evening: Monday, November 13, 6 – 7 p.m. Daytime: Tuesday, November 14, 1 – 2 p.m.
The Lusk Center 2501 Summit Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405 There is no fee for this event. Light refreshments will be served.
To RSVP, please contact Tammy Chaput by phone at 336.621.5565 or by email at [email protected]
Income Tax Assistance For Seniors
Senior Resources of Guilford will begin scheduling appointments in January to assist seniors age
60 and over with their 2017 personal Federal and North Carolina State income tax returns.
For more information contact SeniorLine at: (336) 333-6981
www.guilfordboomers.org
@SrResourcesGuil
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Information & Referral
Have questions?
Need Answers?
Call SeniorLine!
Greensboro/County:
(336) 333-6981
High Point/Jamestown:
(336) 884-6981
To discontinue receiving this newsletter contact Christianna Taylor at Senior Resources of Guilford (336) 373-4816 or [email protected].
Senior Resources of Guilford PO Box 21993 Greensboro, NC 27420
Senior Resources of Guilford
301 E. Washington St.
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 373-4816
Fax: (336) 373-4922
600 N. Hamilton St.
High Point, NC 27262
(336) 883-3586
Caregiver’s Answers, Topics, and Helpful Information
In an effort to continually assist caregivers in the search for pertinent
information regarding eldercare, our Family Caregiver Support
Coordinator address topics of most frequently asked questions via CATHI.
Additionally, caregivers are also invited to e-mail individual questions to
the Family Caregiver Support Coordinator at
To find the latest CATHI article, visit our website and click on caregiver information.
www.senior-resources-guilford.org