SYNERGY HomeCare Magazine Summer 2021 by SYNERGY HomeCare

SUMMER 2021

the power of

anger and alzheimer’s: 5 ways to manage it

7 steps to your best

retirement life

positive thinking (tear out affirmation cards on back cover)

what is respite care ? from hospice to happiness

04 caregivers How do you know when a family caregiver needs help? When the family cargiver juggles a job, a house, a family and a loved one, when will he or she ever get some “me time?”

A message from our CEO

Charlie Young

elcome to the summer issue of our SYNERGY HomeCare Magazine. This issue is packed with information about living your life with passion and purpose, as we share a few examples of real-life clients who will inspire you to do the same. You will learn how to navigate through challenges related to aging and help you prepare for your retirement years. We also added positive affirmation cards to jumpstart your morning routine. At SYNERGY HomeCare, we have the privilege and honor to help the thousands of clients we serve each day. In most cases, we become their trusted friend, board game rival, personal trainer, assistant, chef, and most importantly, we are their caregiver. We bring joy to their days and reassurance to challenging times. The real magic happens when we inspire our clients to live days filled with their passion, purpose, and the things that bring them happiness. To summarize, what we really do is provide care that propels life forward. As you read about the come-back stories of Dr. Barnes and The Cookie Lady, we encourage you to think about what brings joy to you. What hobby or purpose may be missing in your life? Maybe you would like to be featured in one of our future magazine issues as a success story— together, we can make that happen!

07 retirement 7 steps to your best retirement life You’ve probably read some email subject lines like “Be 10 years younger in two days!” Or “Lose 40 pounds by drinking this at bedtime.”

08 giving back How a driven nonagenarian continues to give back to the world At 90, he does more than most, has done more than most and his story will intrigue you more than most.

table of contents

12 alzheimer’s

19 affirmations

Anger and Alzheimer’s: 5 ways to manage it

On back cover: Your own set of daily affirmation cards!

If you’ve experienced the anger from Alzheimer’s, you know it can be wicked and sharp. Here are a few tips to help quell the anger before it even begins.

Just fold and tear

15 cookies The Cookie Lady She’s famous, sassy and sweet, with a major lesson to share—for seniors only! She says you’ve got to be on her side of 60 before you’ll get it!

On the back cover of this issue, there’s a set of perforated affirmation cards for you to easily tear out to create a small deck. Use them however you’d like—on those days where you need an attitude adjustment or simply to pump yourself up with positivity. What is an affirmation? An affirmation is the starting point on the path to change. It’s like telling your subconscious mind, “I can fix this. I can do something to make change happen.” Have you ever felt that you needed to make a change? The secret to having affirmations work

17 respite care What is respite care? Family caregivers give so much of themselves that they need a break from everything to recharge their batteries, see a friend or get a massage.

World-renowned healer, teacher, author, Louise Hay, states in her book, The Power of Affirmations, “The secret to having your affirmations work quickly and consistently is to prepare an atmosphere for them to grow in. Affirmations are like seeds planted in soil. Poor soil, poor growth. Rich soil, abundant growth. The more you choose to think thoughts that make you feel good, the quicker the affirmations work.”

Published by SYNERGY HomeCare four times annually, serving the home care community. For questions, call 877.432.2692 or visit synergyhomecare.com.

How do you

know when the family

caregiver needs help?

“In many cases, family caregivers feel a sense of guilt when they are brought to the realization that they no longer have the mental or physical capacity for providing care,” said Gornick. “This is especially seen for adult children’s parents or parent figures. Growing up, their parents were by their side taking care of them throughout their ups and downs. Not being able to do the same for them when they are in need is a hard truth to swallow. However, home care services allow family members to continue their relationship with their loved ones, while also taking time off for much-needed respite.”

hen caregiving becomes your life’s new “normal,” it’s easy to forget the negative impact it can have. As a family caregiver, the amount of love and respect you feel for your senior loved one is immense. Although you may want to be there for them to provide care, it can sometimes be too much to handle. When the amount of attention that a family member requires begins to interfere with your work, mental health and everyday activities, you may want to consider looking into professional care services to aid you and your family.

Download our 20-page Family Caregiver Guide synergyhomecare.com

Similar to family caregivers, aging loved ones may resist or push back on offers of further assistance. They may believe it is not worth paying for, or they may have a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that extra help is necessary. Bringing this conversation up to an aging loved one can be a sensitive subject. When counseling the family members of potential clients, Garcia provides tips on how to overcome potential resistance, including:

Refrain from making complaints. Often, family caregivers will approach their loved ones and start the conversation by saying, “I can’t do this anymore” or “I need a break.” However, that only hurts the senior and leads them to believe they are a burden. This can also result in them refusing to accept any more help, as their guilt is too heavy.

Bring up old hobbies. When initiating the conversation, try mentioning your loved one’s old hobbies that they haven’t been able to engage in as much anymore. For example, “Wouldn’t it be fun to get back to gardening?”

Coming to terms with the need for professional caregiving assistance often happens in stages.

This is a great way to ease into the topic of receiving extra assistance.

First, it’s imperative to recognize your feelings and accept the hardships that come from caregiving to be true and valid.

Keep hope alive.

Next, accept that you can’t do this alone. Understand that it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for assistance when it’s needed.

If your loved one is recovering from an accident, illness, or surgery and refuses to accept help, speak in temporary terms like, “It’s just until you get better.” Using positive and hopeful words will allow them to feel more accepting of the situation.

Finally, be honest with yourself and your loved ones about your emotions.

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Help them understand the value. Many seniors fail to see how valuable caregivers can be to their lives. Determine how a caregiver might best improve their situation to help your family member recognize the value. For example, if their house is cluttered, remind them of a time when the house was neat and organized and explain to them that a caregiver can help return it to that state.

Reframe. Instead of saying to your parents, “You need help,” talk about how nice it would be to have an assistant to run errands or a personal chef to prepare meals. Call help with showering a “spa appointment” or assistance with dressing a “personal wardrobe consultation.” Arranging for “wake-up” and “tuck-in” service conjures up a hotel experience. Framing the experience as something that is deserved and earned can go a long way.

Final thoughts As our parents decline and we take on more of their care, it’s so important to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We want all family caregivers to know that we’re here to help give them a break so that they don’t feel like they’re running this race by themselves.

Free help for you and your family Download our 20-page Family Caregivers Ultimate Guide at synergyhomecare.com to learn about the four pillars of caregiving and how you can balance your life as the family caregiver, the mom or dad, the spouse and a full-time work schedule.

7 steps to your best

retirement life Y

moving. Swimming and biking are great ways to keep your body active and feel more energized. Plus, staying active is great for your overall health and mood. Try some new activities if you can’t think of one that you enjoy already.

ou’ve probably read some email subject lines like “Be 10 years younger in two days!” Or “lose 40 pounds by drinking this at bedtime.” And if those don’t work, try these seven steps to living your best life after retirement.

Get a dog - From health benefits to sheer huggability, dogs make great companions, plus they’re your motivation for walking around the block a few times a day. And that’s good for you!

It seems like everyone is searching for the best ways to maintain their youth. Thousands of miracle products target aging audiences that promise younger skin, a youthful glow, increased energy, no more wrinkles, and some too controversial to mention. Before you spend any hard-earned cash on these hopeful products, it may be more realistic to consider these seven steps to feel your best every day:

Join a class – You can find excellent adult education classes online and in your community. Take a course that allows you to develop a skill you haven’t been able to or learn something you’ve wanted to have since you were young. Learning a new skill and feeling productive can take years off your spirit and bring back a youthful zest for learning. Have you tried pickleball?

Get moving – If you aren’t already an active person, get into some low-impact sports or activities that will get you 7

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Be social – Socializing is a terrific way to bring back joy and humor and alleviate the stress of age. Join a community theater or choir group, or find local groups that participate in photography, yoga, or writing. Making new friends and sharing interests are great ways to remind your soul and body that age is just a number. But don’t limit your social group to people who are the same age. Younger people can give you a different perspective and introduce new ideas and activities.

Be picky about the company you keep – No doubt about it, through the course of your professional life, you likely had to deal with customers, co-workers, and maybe employers who were not that fun to be around. That was then. This is now. Retirement is fantastic because now you can choose how to spend your time and with whom. Surround yourself with fun, happy, optimistic people who elevate you and your attitude. Nothing says youth like a positive attitude.

Try not to focus on the negative – Getting older isn’t the easiest thing in life to do. Aging comes with some physical and health challenges that can put a damper on your spirit but do your best not to focus on those. Each day, wake up and think about what you are grateful for and what excites you. Your positive attitude will spread throughout your spirit, revitalizing and recharging you. Listening to music that elevates your mood (find it on YouTube) really does work. You may even find yourself dancing. Have fun – To indeed stay youthful and vigorous, you just need to make sure you are having fun and enjoying yourself. If you aren’t a very social person, that’s ok! If you are more introverted, think back to the passions you had when you were younger. Did you want to travel? Did you want to learn as much as you could? Did you have a bucket list that you just started? Everyone will find different activities that motivate, uplift, and inspire them to live life and find their youthful spirits. Do what works for you! The bottom line is, don’t waste your money on unrealistic promises. The only way you will defy aging is by truly being engaged in life—don’t let life happen! Make life happen!

How a

driven nonagenarian continues to give back

to the world

Know that he has spent a lifetime seeking the new or different, intrigued by the world around him. He is a selfproclaimed work in progress who will never stop fueling his thirst for learning, especially about what makes people tick. He’s an inspiration, one who is learning about the lives of others and how he can improve them. He’s an educator, leader, servant, author, husband, father, grandfather, friend and observer of life.

he last place one might expect to meet a new friend is from someone who is using a hospice service, right? But that’s exactly what happened to Alan Wikman, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Prescott. Alan had the pleasure to meet Dr. Ron Barnes, EdD, an iconic and compassionate leader who retired in Prescott, Ariz. in 1985 after a career devoted to change, community, youth and helping others while leading by example. When the hospice organization called Alan to initiate daily caregiving for Barnes, the friendship began.

Nonagenarian Dr. Ron Barnes wrote his last column for the Daily Courier newspaper in Prescott, while he had a hospice service helping him at home.

As Wikman got to know Barnes better, he knew this guy was someone special. Someone you should know, regardless of your age or where you live. Barnes has something to say, and soon you’ll learn he’s been saying it for quite a while—decades!

It was a beautifully articulate column that was loving and compassionate but there was fear laced within the words. Fear of the unknown of being in hospice. What will happen next? Will he be seeing his lovely wife Betsy who passed a few years ago soon? So much to consider, and so well written. His insightful compassion was honest. He laid it out, for himself and for his readers. Being a man who has never stopped pursuing his goals, being in hospice was a game-changer.

At 90, this man continues to pursue his life’s work. The guy is a legend.

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Upon reading his last column, the last thing you would have expected was to read that Dr. Barnes had been in hospice. When one hears the word “hospice,” most people immediately equate it with impending death. But that’s not always the case. Dr. Barnes had a hospice organization to help him in any way they could, hoping to bring him back to health. And they did. After several weeks with the hospice team, Dr. Barnes showed much improvement. So much that today he remains his sharp, thoughtful self, still driven to help others live better lives. The little smirk he often wore on his face was back and his humor began to resurface. Today, SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers visit daily to continue the type of care he received from hospice. He enjoys nutritional meals and appreciates reminders to take his medicine on time, plus the light housekeeping and laundry are done. This way, he can enjoy his favorite pastime of reading while enjoying the comfort of his favorite chair. Or he has time to write a letter or pen his most recent idea. He is comfortable. Who is Dr. Ron Barnes, EdD? If you’re a Prescott, Ariz. resident, you most likely know of Dr. Barnes from Prescott College, involvement in Prescott Area Leadership (PAL), or have read his thoughtful and witty columns published in the Daily Courier. While you’re probably not from Arizona, learning about Dr. Barnes may just be the burst of inspiration that provokes thought and may well help you to live your best life, regardless of age. SYNERGY HomeCare learned about Barnes’ fascinating story through Alan Wikman, owner of SYNERGY HomeCare of Prescott, Ariz. Wikman, arranged for us to interview Barnes. We spent hours learning about this vibrant individual who continues to live a purpose-driven life, dedicated to helping others live better lives. At 90, this extraordinary soul is a rare find, and we are pleased to share some of his adventures, wit and wisdom. If we told his entire story, we’d have to publish a book! We are honored to have met such a humble, visionary man who has inspired many and helped even more. In May of this year, 90-year-old Barnes published his second book, Best of Barnes: Granddaddyisms, Wit and Wisdom: Highlights from his Daily Courier columns 2013-

2020. The book is an enthralling roadmap of his life, wit and wisdom. He shares stories about aging gracefully, his childhood memories of growing up in the 1940s, advice to his grandson and observations of the world around him. It’s thoughtful, insightful and provides his vision of a life with a benevolent purpose. Meeting humble, 90-year-old Barnes may cause one to wish they had met him sooner. His purpose-driven life led his wife and two children to follow what he believed to be his next steps toward change for what he calls “the human condition.” His family supported his vision, always ready for the next adventure. It’s no surprise or coincidence that his daughter and two grandsons have followed in his footsteps. They, too, are changing lives. He was always drawn toward “the different,” mainly where peoples’ lives were involved, which took him to Prescott College. He was enamored with the prospect of Prescott College’s new approach to learning and accepted the position of Vice President of Prescott College. Although he eventually left Prescott, he and his wife vowed to return upon retirement. A few years later, his next adventure included developing a new learning system for an experimental city project in Minneapolis. Then on to Topeka, Kan., where he worked with the leadership of a psychiatry consortium to understand how the mind works and why people do what they do. Soon after that, he went out on his own, helping others make changes in their lives. Additionally, his global reputation warranted frequent speaking engagements around the world. He was on a crusade for change then and still is. And those are just highlights, a mere spattering of all that he contributed to the human condition. He did so much more and touched so many. One of his most interesting stories took place in the early 60s when he decided to teach at a black college in Alabama for the summer to see what he could do about helping integration and keeping black colleges alive. Because he held several national positions, he had access to black leaders in the civil rights movement to help him. He wanted to learn more about the problems of integration while teaching graduatelevel courses that addressed the psychological and educational issues related to black and white concerns. While heading back to Iowa at the end of summer, the gold from this experience allowed him to begin working with several collegiate institutions regarding integration issues. Tackling these issues at the height of the civil

been living on his own since, which might explain how he ended up in hospice care.

rights movement was not only helpful for Barnes; it was a statement that echoed his unfettered commitment to fostering change for the human condition.

Today, he’s back on his feet, thinking about new projects, reading voraciously and writing daily. But he did hit a wall recently that shook him to his core. His doctor announced he could no longer drive. Barnes said, “It was the toughest challenge I’ve had. It’s very difficult. While I understand it, it doesn’t mean I like it.”

His story and his life have a mirrored theme. He did what he loved, beginning as a young tennis player who received a full tennis scholarship to a prestigious East Coast college, where he fell in love with the Southern girl who later became his wife. He loved learning from experts, elaborating on their ideas, continuing his education until he earned his EdD, giving him the new moniker of “Dr. Ron Barnes.”

The loss of his driver’s license tethered his last true freedom. He could no longer enjoy the captivating beauty of Prescott Valley that had been one of the reasons he and his wife chose to retire there. Even with Betsy gone, he still took long drives to relive their joyful memories together. Their old haunts revived indelible

Fast-forward to 1985 when Betsy and Ron Barnes left Boulder, Colo., to retire in Prescott, Ariz. His truest love of 64 years, his Betsy, died several years ago, and he has

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memories they once shared. Taking a drive was what he looked forward to the most. It was the time he could freely talk to Betsy as though she was in the passenger seat. Losing those precious moments continues to be difficult for Barnes. Barnes will forever be an icon in Prescott. He loves his community. He often says, “Leave a place in better shape than you found it.” That’s exactly what he continues to do. After retiring, he put his magic to work, with emphasis on helping children. He founded Prescott Area Leadership for those who want to improve their leadership skills. He helped to secure funding for Youth Count, the local Boys and Girls Club, and MatForce, to help reduce substance abuse. Barnes founded the Hungry Kids program to provide meals for children in area schools, the Youth Leadership Academy and Prescott Area Leadership’s annual leadership scholarships for high school students. Is that commitment to the future leaders of our country, or is it leaving your country better than you found it? And he’s still giving—all proceeds from the sale of his new book go to the Ron and Betsy Youth Scholarship Foundation, which introduces high school students to what he lives by, servant leadership. They learn community responsibility and collaborative problem-solving, grounded by moral principles that support the development of others. Servant leadership has taken hold in Prescott and probably more locations than he can imagine. Oh, the gifts he has given. Fortunate to have had the gift of hospice and now caregivers visiting his home to help keep him healthy, stay tuned for what he does next. Whatever he does, we can count on it making a difference.

Anger & Alzheimer’s 5 Ways to Manage It 12

1. Understand the Disease People with dementia lash out at caregivers when they are frightened, confused, and/or disoriented. To manage anger and aggression, caregivers have to understand what triggers these episodes. This could take some time to understand, but it is extremely important in reducing stressors for the patient.

2. Calm Life Down, for Everyone Overstimulation is a trigger for people with dementia. They cannot process information quickly and need more time to respond. Reducing stimulation can reduce intense and violent episodes. Keep the TV or radio down. Minimize the number of visitors. Speak slowly, simply and directly. Be patient and wait for answers to questions.

hen a loved one is affected by dementia, everyone around them is affected. Children of elderly parents often find themselves struggling with how to handle the emotional extremes and outbursts that often come with dementia. Symptoms of dementia show up as memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and intense anger. Anger and aggression are the symptoms that can be challenging to manage for any caregiver, not just children of a parent with dementia.

3. Don’t Over-Complicate Tasks

Caregivers of those with dementia need a lot of patience – but patience isn’t all that caregivers have in their tool belts. Several other tools can help manage anger, aggression and alleviate intense outbursts.

The most simple of tasks are not that simple for people with dementia. For them, making decisions and choices is complicated and confusing. Overwhelming them with decision making can trigger anger and aggression. Instead of asking what they want for dinner, try giving them two choices instead. Make the choice simple.

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4. Make Space for

their Emotions You won’t be able to eliminate every angry, aggressive episode, but you can make room for them to get the anger out. Avoid arguments and ensure there are no safety concerns for them or anyone else. As long as they are safe, allowing time to themselves is fine.

5. Create Structured Routines Just like children, routines can help reduce stress. Routines eliminate an overwhelming number of choices for people with dementia and decrease confusion, as with routines they know what to expect next. Set appropriate times for dinner, activities, naps, television and exercise. Also consider keeping items in the same spot for easier location and to reduce confusion and stress. For example, keep the toothbrush on the left side of the sink, or set the TV remote on the table. If your loved one can access items more easily, you can keep aggressive episodes under control more often. Don’t forget that caregivers need to take time out for themselves too. The more you care for yourself, the better you can care for and support those who need your help. You can depend on experienced and qualified home care to relieve you for time to rest and recharge.

No Prescription Needed The benefits of music While your physician won’t write a prescription for music to treat dementia, music offers surprising benefits for one’s social, emotional and cognitive self. The calming properties of music often reduce behavioral problems and aggression in individuals with dementia. It can help relieve some of the behaviors associated with stress, anxiety and depression for the patient and the caregiver.For individuals with dementia who have trouble communicating, caregivers often can connect through music. It almost seems like magic as the music flips a switch where a good memory surfaces and the patient responds positively.

Consider these five thoughts when using music to connect and calm your loved one living with Alzheimer’s 1. Play music that they know and can sing along to. 2. Did you know that the part of the brain linked to music memory is not affected by Alzheimer’s? Singing along helps with memory functions, can enhance mood and create bonding moments.

4. Be sure to turn all other sounds off, like the TV, so they’re not interrupted or disturbed by outside noise. 5. If your loved one seems to enjoy calming music, try playing it during times that typically agitate them, like dinner. Give it a try for better sleep, too.

3. Pay close attention to their facial expressions to identify which music they enjoy the most

While music isn’t a sanctioned medical treatment, there are obvious benefits that can help comfort and ease your loved one’s emotions during periods of discomfort. Are you ready to dig into your record collection, find something your loved one listened to in their late teens or early twenties that raises everyone’s vibration as you sing along and take a cruise through the past. Enjoy watching your loved one sing, smile and forget about Alzheimer’s for a few minutes—and try it again tomorrow, same time, same place. 14

The

Cookie Lady W hen the Cookie Lady gave up, we jumped in. If you like stories about seniors helping seniors, you will love this one. Let me introduce you to the Cookie Lady. Above: Mark, Jeanette Cram, and her caregiver, Julia.

Jeanette Cram, now 78, exploded with national acclaim back in the 1990s when she began sending homemade cookies to troops overseas. She inspired hundreds of volunteers and passionate bakers to join her newly formed “Treat the Troops” organization and was honored by President George H.W. Bush at the White House and appeared on the Montel Williams Show and with Martha Stewart.

continuous pain, the admittedly stubborn Cram refused care at a nearby rehab facility and remained on her couch for hours, day after day. She even dismissed her cousin who visited for a few days with hopes that she could become Cram’s caregiver.

Cram continued to inspire from her Hilton Head, S.C., home even after losing her husband to cancer a few years ago. But then, last April, her world came crumbling down when she fractured her ankle while frying bacon. In

Unable to bake, the “extremely independent” Cram went into a deep depression, lost her will to live and rebuffed every opportunity for help. It was only when her family convinced her to call Mark Piegza, the owner of

SYNERGY HomeCare

Almost a year later, Cram is back baking and hopes that others in her situation can learn from her. She even offered three tips for those who may be experiencing similar challenges:

SYNERGY HomeCare of the Lowcountry, four months after the fall that things began to turn around, albeit slowly. Not happy needing assistance, Cram did not immediately accept the caregivers Piegza assigned to her. “Since my children don’t live nearby, it was important to find a caregiver who provided me with both support and companionship,” Cram said. “There wasn’t anything wrong with the first caregivers as people or as professionals, but it just wasn’t the right fit.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Spend on Yourself “As a woman who had been used to taking care of herself, I was initially reluctant to accept extra help. I’ve also always considered myself a frugal person, so I did not see the value in spending the extra money on a caregiver. That was wrong.”

And then Mark sent Julia. “At one of the lowest points in my life, Julia was there to save me,” Cram said. “She challenged me both physically and mentally and helped me get to a point where I was able to move around the house again. I could not be more thankful for the help that she and SYNERGY HomeCare were able to provide.”

Make Sure Your Caregiver is the Right Fit “You may have to go through a few different caregivers. SYNERGY HomeCare assured me that if our personalities or interests did not align, they would be able to find a different caregiver. That is how I met Julia.”

Julia Marshall came to the U.S. in 1988 from El Salvador, raised her family in New York and later had to spend significant time back in El Salvador, unable to find quality care for her ailing mother. That spurred her to help others and get her CNA license. She initially worked in a Long Island assisted living facility before her family moved to South Carolina to be closer to her husband’s mother.

You are NOT a Burden “I think it is especially important to remind seniors in the same position that they are not a burden. Isolating yourself when you’re in need is extremely dangerous and will only lead to despair. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because a little bit can go an exceptionally long way. Deciding to call SYNERGY HomeCare was one of the best decisions I could have made, and I owe my recovery to them.”

“I was very happy to join SYNERGY HomeCare,” Marshall said. “The owners Mark and Bob (Risk) are really nice people. They were so flexible with the hours that it was good for me. I loved working with Jeanette. She is a wonderful person and I’m so happy that she is doing so well now. Even though I’m not with her for work, we still talk often. We are now good friends.”

Julia, Mark, Bob and all of us at SYNERGY HomeCare are thrilled that you called!

“Julia is an amazing person, who is exceptionally kind and compassionate,” Piegza said. “She has a warm smile and a very gentle manner that puts people at ease immediately. Her relationship with Jeanette was incredible to witness, and I could see why she was able to restore Jeanette’s will to live.”

Welcome back, Jeanette!

What is

respite care ,

exactly?

Respite care time frame-when and how long?

he National Institute on Aging describes respite care as “short-term relief for primary caregivers.” Respite care is often provided for family members who are providing full-time care to aging family members. However, respite care can also be provided to caregivers of a family member with special needs.

Many people who are seeking respite care are curious about how long the care is provided. Respite care can range from a few hours a day to one or two days a week. Sometimes care is provided monthly or for weeks at a time – it really just depends on the type of support you are enlisting and how that particular service operates. Respite care is designed to meet your needs, so the respite program is made to fit each individual caregiver. Respite care can also be provided occasionally or on an on-going basis.

Respite care can come from friends or family who watch your loved one so you can take a personal break. Respite care might even be available through volunteer services. Oftentimes, full-time caregivers rely on home care services to provide respite care. These are paid caregivers who are trained and experienced to provide the support that you need.

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Types of respite care There are different types of respite care available to caregivers.

Facility Services

Adult Day Centers

Home Care

Respite care facilities are much like assisted living centers, but they provide short-term respite services instead of long-term support.

Adult day centers allow caregivers to drop off their loved one for a few hours or a whole day. They offer classes, meals, and some even provide transportation services and can pick-up your loved one.

Home care is often a preferred choice because it allows your loved one to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Home care providers come to you and can assist with a number of services from transportation, cooking, providing companionship, bathing, exercise and more.

Does insurance cover respite care?

the support that your loved one needs – and that you want to provide. Taking a break doesn’t mean that you don’t love your family member or that “you can’t do it,” it simply means that you know that you require a recharge so that you can continue to provide the loving care that you are so proud of giving. Seeking support is never a weakness – it is always a stepping block to support you in your full-time caregiving.

Depending on the type of services you are requesting and the type of agency you need – some insurances might cover it. Policies vary so it is always important to see what type of coverage you have. Most private insurances do not cover respite care. There are government and other private programs that do provide assistance. Each state’s developmental disabilities agencies can provide information to help you learn what type of respite care is available. There are also caregiver groups and non-profit organizations for specific conditions that have other resources, too.

Be nice to yourself and your family caregiver After all, caring for a family member, juggling a job and keeping your own family and household running are feats that almost require superhuman strength. It’s okay, even recommended, that you put yourself first sometimes by taking a much-earned respite from the stress that only a superhuman can fathom. If you let yourself get mired in the stress of managing so many lives, it will hurt you and your loved ones. Be nice to yourself!

When you need a break As a full-time caregiver, the most difficult part could be recognizing that respite care is needed and admitting that you need support. All caregivers need support and some time to themselves. Mental, physical and emotional stress is high for caregivers and breaks are necessary. Support yourself and your needs so that you can continue to provide

The power of positive thinking. As we age, it’s not uncommon to get a little down occasionally. By focusing on posiitive thoughts and affirmation we can create a path toward change into our live. Sit in your favorite chair, shut your eyes, say your affirmation out loud several times each day and feel optimism whoosh over your body and mind.

I am blessed.

I can. I will. End of story.

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These are the best

Life does not have to

years of my life.

be perfect to be wonderful.

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I AM ENOUGH. synergyhomecare.com

I’m thankful for today. synergyhomecare.com

I learn from challenges, they don’t define me. synergyhomecare.com

You do not find a happy life -

You Make It. synergyhomecare.com

Just fold and tear Below is a set of perforated affirmation cards to easily tear out and create a small deck. Use them however you’d like—on those days where you need an attitude adjustment or simply to pump yourself up with positivity.

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Start each day by saying a

happy thought.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

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No matter what happens

It will be. synergyhomecare.com

love me

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My family gives me

Art.

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I have people in my life who

I am a work of

I am not perfect--but darn close! synergyhomecare.com

I am never too old for a

J OY

new dream.

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