the big picture
focusing on what really matters
TASTY TIME SAVERS
+ WHAT SHOULD A CAREGIVER BE DOING?
NOVEMBER 2020
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contents NOVEMBER 2020 Assorted Dessert Miniatures available at Ladyfingers Catering
spotlights
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ENCOURAGE
4 Manifesto INFORM
6 Today’s Woman In The Now 30 Things to be grateful for 50 28 Things Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month
38 I’m lonely...and thinking about my options.
INSPIRE
26 What is gratitude?
LIFESTYLE
42 Gift Guide 40 In the cards: Why my family is sending out holiday cards of gratitude 54 Oak leaves & acorns shortbread cookies
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features
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8 The Big Picture
See what really matters in life from 13 local women.
32 Tasty Time Savers Hosting a holiday party? Check out these party add-ons that will save you time in the kitchen. 58 Caregiver Guide
• Stir up your home
for better aging (p. 59)
• A basket full of care (p. 64)
Read more stories online at TodaysWomanNow.com Plus sign up for our Enewsletter and weekly giveaways!
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• 5 things to expect from a caregiver (p. 71) • Picking up easy entertainment ideas (p. 72)
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NOV. 2020 | VOL. 30 | NO. 12
PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com
November 2020 Today’s Woman Manifesto
WHAT REALLY We all need to look in the mirror and step up. The kinder, gentler ways, the appreciation for each other...
Constantly resetting my thoughts to positive.
Make people smile. Rising daily is a blessing.
I pray (for others) to have good health and happiness. Not hopeless.
A deeper sense of appreciation for the everyday things.
MATTERS?
I am not the one holding all things together, so I turn to God.
Radiate joy.
Focus on what you can do. It’s so beautifully overwhelming.
We took our manifesto words directly from the quotes of the local women interviewed for the The Big Picture feature (page 8). Read their entire answers at TodaysWomanNow.com during the month of November.
ON THE COVER:
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todaysmedianow.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR April Allman april@todaysmedianow.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com PHOTO DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER Melissa Donald melissa@todaysmedianow.com CAMPAIGN MANAGER Jessica Alyea jessica@todaysmedianow.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lindsay McDonald lindsay@todaysmedianow.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Susan Allen susan@todaysmedianow.com Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com Joyce Inman joyce@todaysmedianow.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9780 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 1400 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysWomanNow.com TodaysMediaNow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2020 by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.
Kristin Pierce has gained a deeper appreciation for what she values the most. Read more about her new perspective on page 20, and how she is finding joy in a challenging time.
ADVERTISE: Call 502.327.8855 or email advertising@todaysmedianow.com.
Photo by Melissa Donald
SUBSCRIBE: Send $18 to the above
REPRINTS: Call 502.327.8855 or email reprints@todaysmedianow.com.
address for 12 monthly issues.
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I N T H E N OW inform
|
inspire
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encourage
YOUR WORDS
One word to describe yourself: • Steadfast
• Mother
• Independent
• Dedicated
• Resilient
• ENDspired
• Energetic
#TodaysWomanLove
Anyone else ready for sweater weather? #Repost @KATEMORRISCREATIVE
One word to describe the upcoming holiday season: • Family
• Hopeful
• Blessed
• Too close!
• Different
We love hearing from you! Watch our Instagram stories for a monthly question! Tag photos on Instagram with #TodaysWomanLove or #TodaysWomanShareIdeas to also be featured.
#TodaysWomanLove
A little reminder when you visit YOGAST8... #Repost @MADY_MARTIN
UPCOMING EVENTS NOV. 6 | 8: 30- 9: 30 A M G IR L SCOU TS TOUG H CO O K I E AW AR D S V IRT UA L B R E A K FA ST This event celebrates the values of the important work of Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana and the many young women and volunteers who make a difference in our community. one.bidpad.net/toughcookie/welcome
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NOV. 13-15 F E STI VAL O F TRE E S AND LI G HTS B E NE F I TI NG NO RTO N CHI LDRE N’ S HO S P I TA L Join this year’s online event from the comfort of your home. Shop for beautifully decorated and themed trees, as well as wreaths, greenery, swags, mailbox decor, and more. FestivalOfTreesAndLights.org
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the big picture
what really matters?
Compiled by Tiffany White and Anita Oldham Photos by Melissa Donald
Today’s Woman checked in with 13 local women to see what really matters in their lives — to see their perspectives. Have their outlooks become clearer during this pandemic? Will they inspire you to step back and take a look at your own big picture? PAGE 10 >>
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I have always been a resolute advocate of diverse, inclusive practices and representation on the “other side” of the table. I feel it is extremely important to have diversity among the decision makers in business, at financial institutions, and within school administration, to name a few. I have been surprised by the number of citizens in our Photo submitted
community who are blissfully oblivious to the inequity of treatment and access to resources experienced by persons of color in
TO CARRY OUT MY FAITH AND SERVE OTHERS by making a positive difference — in many ways, large and small. The events of recent months have taught us that we cannot take things for granted — our world can change overnight. So now is the time to reflect on our life’s mission and do what we are called to do, even if it is as simple as calling up an ailing friend or coworker.
our city. Notwithstanding, I have been equally surprised by the extent of compassion, empathy, and collectiveness demonstrated during one of the most divisive periods of time our city has experienced. — Dr. Ebony Muldrow Assistant Provost at the University of Louisville; President, Beta Alpha Xi Zeta, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Mother to adult children Tahjená, Kieryn, and Shandin
— Mary Harville President & CEO of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation Married to Brad Harville, mother to adult sons Doug and Clay
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what really matters to you?
HEALTH AND HUMAN CONNECTION. I believe good health is necessary for happiness and success, but staying healthy has taken on a new meaning. The things we have to do to ensure our physical health take a toll on our mental state. With isolation now being a requirement, the importance of human connection has been made even more apparent. —Roslyn Mattingly Music Teacher, W.E.B. DuBois Academy Middle School
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LOVING UNCONDITIONALLY MATTERS because it makes us more aware of the fact that we all have been created the same way, and we all experience challenges in life. No matter where we come from our goal should always be to increase the welfare of another despite the evidence of benefit for oneself. That’s basically what mothers do. I’ve put a lot of emphasis on raising my children in a loving and inclusive environment where openness, empathy, love, and acceptance of one another are fundamental. I believe that we are the most valuable piece of God’s creation, and it is necessary to learn how to love and respect one another, no matter how we look, where we come from, how we sound, what we like or dislike. Loving unconditionally means that we are capable of accepting, forgiving, and learning from other people’s experiences, and that everyone brings value to the table. Having a voice and knowing when to use it is no longer a choice, but a responsibility. Educating ourselves by reading, asking questions, having empathy with those who think differently, and accepting the differences with an open mind are also fundamental to self-growth. — Beni Ivette Lopez Business Relationship Manager, JP Morgan Chase Bank Married to Gerry Lopez, mother to adult children Gerardo Jose, Valeria Victoria, and Luis Fernando
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MY FAMILY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS, but outside of that, pushing students to pursue higher education and working with small and black-owned businesses to help them succeed in this current climate. I’ve created some marketing concepts (502 Black Business Week & 502 Black Eats Week) to help highlight some of Louisville’s awesome black-owned businesses, and so the silver lining in all this has been how people of all races have been so receptive and supportive of them. It’s been so beautifully overwhelming.
I’ve spent 20 years in nonprofits that help to elevate the lives of vulnerable and at-risk populations. I am reminded daily that the things we often take for granted are what
— Tiandra M. Robinson College Access Counselor and Marketing Consultant, T. Marie Consulting Married to Calvin, mother to Tre, 12, and Reagan, 6
so many lack — simple things like walking/ hiking with our dogs (we have two 95-pound labs), harvesting baskets of tomatoes from our garden and turning them into sauces and salsas, unplugging from technology and playing board/card games, or finally using the stationery I bought in Italy and writing letters to catch up with friends/relatives. The things we put off because we were “too busy” suddenly became the things we needed to do to keep that sense of community present. — Amabelle Camba Director of Development, CASA of the River Region Married to Andrew Odom, mother to London, 18
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what really matters to you?
What matters to me is peace, justice, and equality for all people. I am looking forward to a better and more peaceful world, a world filled with joy and peace and absent from systemic and structural racism, hatred, bigotry, and violence in our communities and neighborhoods, in our city and across our nation — a world
BEING PRESENT IN THEMOMENT. Being a mother, wife, and working full-time makes for a busy schedule, and I was always thinking about the next thing on my list to accomplish. Then, the pandemic hit, limiting the places I could go and things I could do. Instead I slowed down, spent more time at home with my family, and had the opportunity to watch my toddler explore and absorb all that it means to be human. I cannot manufacture more time to accomplish all that I need to do, but I can make the most of the time that I have with loved ones. — Shanaka Winters Married to Michael Winters, mother to Noah, 2 and stepmother to Owen, 11 Project Engineer, Louisville Water Company
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our children and grandchildren deserve to inherit. — Kathleen Parks Jefferson County Commissioner District C & American Slaves Inc. First Lady of Reparations for Slavery; Adjunct Professor, Bellarmine University Married to Santino (Sonny), mother to Brian and daughter-in-law, Tanika and grandmother to Bria and Ayanna
The human spirit always surprises me, yet I am not sure why. I think it is that we are vulnerable yet resilient that surprises me. I loved that during the pandemic we made sure to see our loved ones through windows in nursing homes and in other creative ways. This all goes back to the fact that we need each other.
WE NEED CONNECTION. —Kyle Shepherd Media and Public Relations Manager, Louisville Zoo
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WE AS LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY NEED TO PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE and work together to create the same opportunities for everyone. We are not a unified community. We point to others to say it is their fault when we all need to look in the mirror and step up. — Karen Williams President & CEO of Louisville Tourism Married to Bill, stepmother to Marc Goetz and daughter-in-law
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What matters to me hasn’t changed in recent months, but I am more aware of how critical they are to For the past two years, Kentucky had the highest child abuse rates in the U.S., according to the child maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is unacceptable, and the work of
PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN AND WHAT MATTERS THE MOST.
my life. At a tragic time in life when people are losing family members, losing their jobs, and struggling mentally, it is a blessing to have the ‘small things’ in life that are truly the biggest things. — Kristin Pierce Morning news anchor, WHAS11 Mother to son Jayce, 8
— Sonja Grey Executive Director, ECHO — Exploited Children’s Help Organization
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WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO ME IS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, helping others understand this topic better, and creating positive changes for the health and wellbeing of individuals in our community. I lost my brother and best friend, Pete, to suicide a few years ago. My family and I started the Pete Foundation in his name to prevent suicides proactively by raising awareness and promoting education about mental health. I’m also a first-year medical student at the University of Louisville, which continues to drive my passion for wellness. The global pandemic and current social situation have only strengthened my passion and efforts in the area of mental health as its importance becomes more and more apparent in every facet of life during this difficult time. —Michelle Jones Executive Director, The Pete Foundation
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WHAT IS GRATITUDE? By Tonilyn Hornung
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piritual teacher Mahatma Gandhi described gratitude in a poetic fashion when he said, “We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” Author Melody Beattie touted the benefits of a life lived in gratitude by saying, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.” My 6-yearold dug deep when asked if he knew gratitude and said, “Mom, give me a gift, and I’ll let you know.” Implementing a daily gratitude practice can help you move to a happier emotional space, manage stress levels, and instill a deeper connection between you and your loved ones. Once acknowledging gratitude becomes a habit in your life, the only gift you’ll need is the one gratitude gives back to you. Living an “attitude of gratitude” has inspired authors and psychologists to write volumes about the best way to walk this road. Sifting through all the information to find a formula that works can feel daunting. This is the reason that Ruth Ward, associate pastor of The New Birth Church, has a practical definition that resonates.
“FOR ME, GRATITUDE IS A LIVING WORD. IT’S AN ACTION WORD. IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO,” RUTH SAYS. Ruth’s definition of gratitude as an “action word” motivates a person to “literally express” their gratitude to those around them. “Saying thank you to a family member for the simple things” is one way to ease into a daily practice. Continuing with this concept, she says, “Make an effort to express gratitude in your family once a day. You’d be surprised by the change it makes.” PAGE 28 >>
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As you become more comfortable focusing on the positive, phrases along the lines of, “I am grateful for my family. I am you can build on that foundation. Ruth suggests letting your grateful for my home. I am grateful for my career. I am grateful gratitude practice move you to a place of service. Some options for the people around me.” Each phrase can be repeated and for this are volunteering your time with local organizations you can say them throughout the day as often as needed. or creating opportunities while out and about by thanking Affirmations can be a ritual used to look for the bright spots in restaurant waitstaff and managers. Moving your thoughts your day. about gratitude into an active practice is Both Briania and Ruth encourage the use important because “it takes the focus off of a Gratitude Jar. This is an undertaking “JOURNALING AND of yourself and puts it onto others,” Ruth you can do alone, but it’s an easy way to WRITING DOWN ONE’S says. Expressing your gratitude to those introduce the concept of gratitude to the around you is how you plant the seeds that whole family. “My family and I wrote down THOUGHTS AS A grow your inner life to new heights. things we were grateful for on a piece of REFLECTION OF THE Briania Nicole Davis, MSMFT, and the paper and cut those into strips. Then we EVENTS OF THE DAY AND put those in a noticeable spot so anytime owner of Open Arms Wellness, a private mental health practice that focuses on we were feeling stressed we could pull one FINDING THE THINGS anxiety, depression, trauma, and mood out,” Ruth says. This is a tool to help make YOU ARE GRATEFUL disorders, says gratitude is essential to gratitude a practical part of everyday life. our lives because “it helps focus the mind “It puts my day into perspective and shifts FOR RIGHT BEFORE on the things we do have rather than the my mindset,” Ruth says. BED HAS SHOWN TO things we do not.” Bringing your mind Your daily gratitude practice will not only to a place of gratitude in the present can begin to shift your own emotional state, but IMPROVE SLEEP AND refocus that bad day or those competitive your newfound lightness will also benefit INCREASE JOY.” feelings of lack. “It’s easy to get wrapped those around you. Ruth says it takes time, up in arriving at one’s destination rather but, “when you begin to change yourself, than taking stock of the journey along the way,” Briania says. that change automatically affects the people around you.” Briania suggests intentional exercises like journaling or Practicing that “attitude of gratitude” is beneficial to you trying out affirmations as ways to incorporate gratitude into and those around you on many levels. Briania says, “Gratitude your life. “Journaling and writing down one’s thoughts as a has helped me appreciate and stay present in the moment reflection of the events of the day and finding the things you versus focusing on the past or future.” This resets your outlook are grateful for right before bed has shown to improve sleep and moves you to a place of action where Gandhi’s quote — and increase joy,” she says. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” — doesn’t feel so Working with gratitude affirmations can become a unattainable. cornerstone of your practice. Briania recommends saying short
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Things to Be Grateful For By Carrie Vittitoe Photo submitted
H
abitat for Humanity Louisville is an organization that relies heavily on and is grateful for its volunteers. Whether helping with a new build, sorting donations at ReStore locations, or acting as advocates for new homebuyers, volunteers make Habitat for Humanity a strong local presence.
RESTORE
HOMEBUYER ADVOCATE PROGRAM
Two local ReStore locations in Portland and Hikes Point resell donated items, and the proceeds are then used to build Habitat houses. Angela Brooks, ReStore director, says her personal goal is to have the proceeds from ReStores cover the costs of four Habitat builds each year. “We are on track to be there soon,” she says, although she acknowledges that COVID-19 hasn’t made that goal easy. Habitat is always in need of donations, and there is little the ReStores won’t accept. Some people erroneously think that Habitat ReStores refurbish items, but this is not the case, which means that donated items should be in working order. Habitat ReStores cannot accept mattresses, dishwashers, older faucets, and baby items. Furniture, housewares, appliances, tools, lawn and garden items, and cabinets are what sell especially well. “We ask that appliances be less than 10 years old,” Angela says. At the moment, Habitat is also not accepting paint because of COVID-19 and the labor intensive nature of the paint recycling program. The people who shop at Habitat ReStores vary. “We have all types of clients. We have a lot of people who are in there every day; they have rental properties,” she says. Resellers also like to shop ReStores for hidden treasures. “We don’t know the true value of everything; we don’t take into consideration if it’s a really valuable piece,” she says. Crafters often come to ReStores to find odds and ends for projects, and it can be pretty cool when they post on Habitat’s social media to show off what they’ve made using Habitat purchases. College students and families also regularly shop at ReStores. Like so many other organizations, Habitat’s ReStore volunteer network has been impacted by COVID-19, because many volunteers are retirees and, therefore, in the vulnerable category.
Another avenue for volunteers who want to partner with Habitat is through its Homebuyer Advocate Program. Purchasing a home can feel overwhelming, but this is especially the case if the homebuyer doesn’t have a family member or friend who has ever gone through the experience. If a homebuyer’s primary language isn’t English, this makes the home buying process that much more stressful. Trevor Loomis, the director of homebuyer services for Habitat for Humanity Louisville, says the Homebuyer Advocate program helps ensure new Habitat homebuyers have a mentor/ friend they can turn to for advice, suggestions, or simply a listening ear. “Buying your first house [or building your first house] is not something that comes naturally, so it really is helpful to have someone who has done it a time or two and can walk you through the process,” he says. Several things make someone an effective volunteer advocate, including having a heart for people and a willingness to build relationships. Trevor says being patient and a good communicator is also key. However, what is not necessary is having a background in construction, home financing, or homeowners’ insurance. A willingness to hunt down answers is sometimes a big part of what an advocate needs to be able to do. Some Habitat advocate volunteers have been offering this mentoring service for over 30 years, but there is always a need for more individuals or couples who are willing to partner with homebuyers. New advocates are partnered with a seasoned volunteer. “The number of families [and individuals] in our home buyer pipeline has gone up. We have more demand now than we’ve ever had, and we don’t have any more advocates than we’ve ever had,” Trevor says.
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GLUTEN FREE NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN AND WAFFLE The Silly Axe Cafe
PLACES WE SHOPPED: • Bourbon Baekery, bourbonbaekery.com • The Cafe, 502.589.9191 • Heitzman Traditional Bakery and Deli, 502.426.7736 • Ladyfingers Catering, 502.245.7734 • Lotsa Pasta, 502.896.6361 • Paul’s Fruit Market, various locations, Paulsfruit.com • The Silly Axe Cafe, 502.290.7197
Tasty TimeSavers By Lindsay McDonald Photos by Melissa Donald Styling by Emilie Nguyen
Hosting a holiday gathering? Here are some great party add-ons that will save you time in the kitchen while adding just the right amount of “yum” to your holiday spread. 32
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HAM WITH PINEAPPLE BROWN SUGAR GLAZE
Ladyfingers Catering
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CRANBERRY BBQ MEATBALLS Ladyfingers Catering
PAUL’S PIMENTO CHEESE WITH CRACKERS Paul’s Fruit Market
BOURBON SMOKED BEEF TENDERLOIN ON A KY PROUD BUTTER BUN Ladyfingers Catering
GOAT CHEESE STUFFED DATES WITH PISTACHIOS
Ladyfingers Catering
SMOKED TURKEY FOCACCIA SQUARES Ladyfingers Catering
Small Eats 34
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CRISPY BACON DEVILED EGGS
Ladyfingers Catering
HONEY SMOKED HAM ON PUMPKIN BISCUIT
Ladyfingers Catering
ANTIPASTO TRAY Lotsa Pasta
SALMON MOUSSE CUCUMBER CUPS Ladyfingers Catering
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STRAWBERRY JAM CAKE Heitzman Traditional Bakery and Deli
LEMON SHAKER PIE
Paul’s Fruit Market
CARROT CAKE COOKIE WITH CARROT CAKE OREO ON TOP Bourbon Baekery
CANNOLI Lotsa Pasta
Sweet Treats 36
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MINI TIRAMISU Lotsa Pasta
GLUTEN FREE COOKIE CAKE The Silly Axe Cafe
CHOCOLATE TUXEDO CAKE The Cafe
ASSORTED DESSERT MINIATURES
Ladyfingers Catering
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I’M LONELY... AND THINKING ABOUT MY OPTIONS. By Joyce Oglesby
Q:
“I’m in a difficult season in my life. I have been married for 16 years, but I am a lonely woman. My husband has always traveled during the week in his career, and he more than adequately provides for our family. He is a really good person, and I love him. I haven’t been unfaithful, but there is someone I have reconnected with on Facebook who makes me feel alive again. He’s married and has a family but seems unhappy as well. If my husband ever found out, it would devastate him, and our kids would never forgive me, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I don’t really want to divorce my husband, but I’m afraid I am falling out of love with him. Should I wait this out to see if this will pass for the sake of our kids? Struggling with a relationship issue? Write Joyce Oglesby, Family Life FIX-IT Pro at justaskjoyce@gmail.com and find a solution for life.
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Joyce’s FIX: This season in your life will define your next. Your dilemma has many tentacles, and each one should be explored and given appropriate weight. With the imprecise picture you’ve painted, perhaps I can point out the obvious while offering some insight to consider before choosing your path. 1. Marriage. It’s an institution of commitment. Is it something you can’t dissolve? Of course not. People divorce every day in courts all over the world. Is loneliness a good reason to call it quits with a “really good person”? It comes down to personal convictions. Your husband hasn’t been unfaithful, he’s a wonderful provider, but his work involves travel — something you obviously knew would be a part of the “package” when you agreed to become his bride. Now it could be a deal-breaker? 2. The children. It sounds like the kids really love their dad. But they also love their mom; otherwise, you would never be able to hurt them badly enough they couldn’t forgive you. More kids manage divorce than ever before. They seldom are in favor of it, and make no mistake — it complicates their lives, along with their parents.’ 3. The spouses. Your husband and the wife of your Facebook friend will both be greatly affected. I know nothing of his wife, but your husband was obviously someone worthy of your love at one time. He also sounds like someone who trusts his wife explicitly, thus his reaction to your newfound lease on life would be one of devastation. 4. Grass. It’s always greener on the other side of a Facebook exchange. You’re hearing the best this man has to offer in words, but he could be much different after 16 years. Or days. 5. You. Why are you unhappy? We know you’re lonely, but two unhappy people will likely still be sad after the new wears off. If your season ends in divorce, there will be many more issues you will be faced with. So will your acquaintance from the Facebook affair. (Yes, I said it. It’s emotional unfaithfulness.) You’ll also be dealing with the other man’s issues. Perhaps a self-evaluation of how you feel about who you are would help you define your next season. Why not pick up the phone or even Facebook your husband with some of the same conversation you’re having with your old friend? Find ways to fill your time in a positive manner. Spend more time with the kids. Send encouragement cards to friends. Take online classes. Volunteer in your church or some meaningful organization. Look forward to the weekends, planning encounters for the whole family to enjoy and private time for the two of you to rekindle the excitement you once enjoyed. The more you engage in your Facebook fling, the quicker you’ll forget your love for your husband.
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IT’S IN THE CARDS:
WHY MY FAMILY IS SENDING OUT HOLIDAY CARDS OF GRATITUDE By Tonilyn Hornung
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very holiday season, I’m afraid Santa is going to knock me off of his “nice” list. Even though I’ve done my best all year long to be a thoughtful person by yielding to oncoming traffic and by putting up the toilet seat for my husband and 7-year-old son, there’s one good deed I can’t manage to accomplish. I’m that friend who never sends out a holiday card. At least I’ve been consistent in my failing. Maybe this year, however, all that should change, because this is the year everything has changed. I’m not a grinch when it comes to spreading holiday cheer. From the time I was old enough to seasonally decorate, I did. As a child, this meant hanging handmade paper snowflakes in my room. As an adult, this means hanging holiday lights in all the rooms before my 7-year-old has taken off his Halloween costume or unwrapped his first treat from his candy stash. I enjoy immersing myself in all the joy, and all the baked goods this magical season has to offer. While I adore the celebrating, I can become overwhelmed with all the holidays expect of me. Normally, there are school functions, holiday soirées, shopping lists, and family plans that all compete for my attention. Like the Grinch’s heart in the classic cartoon, my usual To-Do list grows “three sizes bigger” and taking the time to write out stacks of holiday cards slips to the bottom of my list. However, this year is shaping up to be a whole lot different than the busy years of seasons past. Back in February, after I packed away my last string of blinking holiday lights, there was no way I could have predicted what the rest of the year would hold. It’s hard to believe that “social distancing” and “virtual homeschooling” are phrases that roll off my tongue as easily as “Elf on The
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Shelf” and “Wuzzle Wuzz.” My family’s holiday plans have changed. We won’t be traveling to visit extended family, and there aren’t school parties for which I must prepare. My To-Do list just got a whole lot shorter. All of this continued change has brought a great deal of uncertainty. I’m not sure what our holiday will look like (especially for my son) and this worry hangs around my heart like the smoke from my holiday candles hovers around our kitchen. I search for the familiar to keep my family grounded, but I can’t find it. Since we won’t be finding any normalcy in our holiday routine, perhaps it’s time to roll with the changes and change up our own seasonal rituals. During a time when bonds with friends and family have been difficult to maintain, finally sending out those holiday cards might be just the ticket to focus on something that hasn’t changed—the bond we have with those we love. Letters have always been a wonderful way to let loved ones know they’re remembered and designing our own cards together is a great way to keep our own family connection burning brightly. Not to mention, what better age to introduce this classic element of the holiday experience to our son? But with a newfangled twist. Included in each letter, we’re going to write a note explaining why our friend or family member is appreciated. Studies have shown that gratitude helps people focus on what they have instead of what they have not, and through all the change and uncertainty, we all have each other. And who knows? Maybe this year we'll start a new (soon-to-be old) family tradition. Now, to find my address book.
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Today’s Woman / November 2020
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28 THINGS (Why 28? Because we are 28 years old!)
Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month By Anita Oldham
one Changing
Perspective Compartmentalized Emotion — the third and final art piece of Project Uplift, a collaboration with Clark Memorial Health, the NoCo Arts Center, and the Jeffersonville Public Arts Commission — reframes negative words into positive feelings. The large, colorful agamographs were created by a team of NoCo resident artists working together over several months. The words displayed on the artwork came from asking Clark Memorial employees about their experiences with COVID-19. When you walk one way down the hall, you see the colorful depiction of the word STRESS, but when you walk the other way, it says FAITH. On the second piece, you read the word BATTLE, in the other direction it reads BREATHE.
l NoCo Artists involved in the project are (l-r) Malliccaaii Green, Jennie DiBeneditto, Sarah Young, Philip Collins, Lisa Fowler, Tammy Burke, Greg Rush.
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28 THINGS 2-12
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE
@workthemetal
@theherbshack
@harperselements
@sugarhighlouisville
@melaniejean.co
@tupacandbiggiedoods
@highfivefarmky
@southern_concierge
@arworkshopprospect
@thebluegrassbaker
@scoutonmarket
13. Don’t forget our Instagram @TodaysWomanNow
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INSPIRING GIRL
More than Virtual Hope
Check out young Louisvillian Prisha Hedau (prishahedau.com) who released her first book, PANDEMIC 2020: A 9 Year Old's Perspective.
15. Join the American Cancer Society as it celebrates the lives of cancer survivors and honors those whose contributions are helping to advance its mission at The Hope Gala, a free virtual event on December 9. HopeGalaLouisville.org
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28 THINGS
Gratitude /ˈɡradəˌt(y)ōōd/ noun
he quality of being thankful; T readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
16-23 I have an I Am Thankful jar, and each morning I write one thing I am most grateful for at that moment and place that in the jar. I make a conscious decision every day to let someone know I care about them.
MY FAMILY, FRIENDS,
our sweet dog Ruby, good health. — @fleurdelischic
I keep a note in my phone and add to it and check it as I need to. With technology, that has become my gratitude journal. It is true what you focus on is what you see. — Kyle Shepherd (Read more on page 17.)
— Sonja Grey (Read more on page 20.)
I like to send a handwritten note to an individual, letting them know I am
I’M GRATEFUL FOR GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE.
thankful for them and the impact they have had on me. If I have not already sent a letter during the year, then the holiday season is usually an ideal time. — Shanaka Winters (Read more on page 16.)
I’m grateful for my girls, sisters-in-law, and grandkiddos.
I’m grateful for my screened deck. It’s helped my sanity during COVID-19. I’m 72 and well, so I have so much to be thankful for. — Bonnie Denny
THE BLESSINGS EVERY DAY
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS... AND MY 3-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON,
My life and Christ
of family, health, smiles, sunshine, friends, my home, my job — and most of all, faith, hope, and love.
who told me (after I held him in my arms while he slept) that one day when he gets really big and I get really old, he will let me sleep on his lap.
— @ligon0616
— Patti Worley
— Carol Dawson
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28 THINGS
Fill ’Er Up You can go to the new Koko, a sustainable living shop and Louisville’s first refillery, to fill and refill your own container with products such as dish soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent. Stop in the sustainable shop at 1217 S. Fourth St. in Old Louisville, next to Forage, an interior plant shop. Both businesses are founded by Jamie Fairman and Adria Hall. “We are really happy to be a part of this special corner of Louisville. I live here, and now I can work here too, and share this beautiful area with our customers,” Jamie says. “It was really important for us to choose a storefront that supported our goal of making sustainability more accessible and where we felt like we could really be a part of the neighborhood.”
24 Photo by Melissa Donald
BOOSTING IMMUNITY:
4 QUESTIONS WITH JENNY Keeping your immunity in check can be easy if you know the right way to care for your body. Jenny Watson, owner of The Elderberry Co., shares some advice on staying healthy through the fall and winter months. 25. HOW DOES ELDERBERRY SYRUP BENEFIT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM? The berry is known for supporting our immune system through a high level of antioxidants. A few studies have also supported the idea that the elderberry, on a cellular level, will stop viruses from replicating in cells. Elderberry is a great way for our own God-given immune systems to continue doing what they were created to do, which is to keep us from getting sick. We always want to empower our customers to check with their care provider before starting elderberry, but personally, my doctors have always encouraged use of it and approved its use especially during the winter months. 26. HOW OFTEN AND HOW MUCH OF THE SYRUP SHOULD YOU TAKE? A lot of our customers will take one tablespoon daily to support their immune system, but you can take that serving size up to three times a day if you need extra support for your immune system.
Jenny Watson started The Elderberry Co. on Facebook by offering samples of what she was using to keep her young family healthy.
27. CAN YOU ADD IT INTO DRINKS? You can add it to water if the taste is too strong or you can add it to tea or put in a smoothie. I have added it as a cocktail ingredient to an Old Fashioned — instead of the simple syrup, I’ll use the elderberry syrup. 28. HOW MUCH ELDERBERRY SYRUP DO YOU SEND OUT? We sell about 6,000 jars a month. Most of this is our elderberry syrup, but some of it also includes our honey, syrup kit, and wellness tea. Today’s Woman / November 2020
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OAK LEAVES & ACORNS SHORTBREAD COOKIES Story and Photo by Madeleine Dee
T
his recipe makes shortbread cookies that are almost impossibly light and delicate. Since they are not super moist, I recommend enjoying them with a hearty spoonful of jam or icing and a nice cup of tea.
OAK LEAVES & ACORNS INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 4 oz unsalted European butter, room temperature
Madeleine Dee (AKA The Seasoned Cynic) is a chef, writer, actress, world traveler, and filmmaker who lives in Louisville. Watch her cooking show, Easy Elegance, on YouTube! Instagram: @TheSeasonedCynic ~ Website: TheSeasonedCynic.com
• 1/8 tsp table salt • 1/4 cup powdered sugar • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract • Generous 1/4 tsp GEL food coloring per batch of dough (you’ll need red, yellow, & blue) • Hershey’s Kisses • Mini Nutter Butter cookies • Chocolate chips (dark, milk, butterscotch, white, caramel, or cinnamon) • Icing with small piping tip Notes: To add extra sweetness and texture, sprinkle caster sugar over the tops before baking. Jazz up the flavor by adding fresh citrus zest, spices, or a combination of extracts that equal 3/4 tsp. (For example, use 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp almond extract.) My favorite flavor combo: Add the zest of a small lemon, 1/4 tsp almond extract, 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp lavender extract. So fragrant!
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INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Heat your oven to 325°F. 2. Mix the flour, butter, salt, powdered sugar, and food coloring on low until crumbly, about 30 seconds, then turn the mixer up to medium and simply combine until a dough forms. Use your hands to shape it into a soft ball. It will feel and look like playdough. Repeat 3 times so you end up with four batches of dough in fall colors: red, orange, yellow, and brown. (Red and yellow make orange, and a big squeeze of red with a small squeeze of yellow and a drop of blue makes brown.) 3. Once you have all four colors, lay out a sheet of parchment paper and begin to pinch off large pieces of dough, dropping them together into a colorful rectangular formation. Be sure to leave several inches of empty paper around the edges. Lay another sheet of parchment over the top and gently roll the dough out into a thick, even layer between the two sheets of paper. Transfer directly onto a clean cookie sheet. Remove the top layer of parchment, punch out leaves with a cookie cutter shaped like an oak leaf, and carefully remove the excess dough, setting it aside to roll out once more if you’d like to make additional cookies. This recipe will make 2-3 sheets. 4. Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes, or until the surfaces have a matte finish and no longer look wet or glossy. Allow to cool, then decorate or leave them just as they are. 5. To create the acorns, simply use your icing to fasten Hershey’s kisses to the Nutter Butter cookies. Allow them to sit upside down for a few minutes so the icing can firm up, then pipe tiny drops of icing onto the tops and add a chocolate chip to each one. Note: You can make these cookies with another shortbread recipe, but please do not use sugar cookie dough since it contains ingredients like baking powder or baking soda that cause it to puff up — you will lose the beautiful leaf shapes!
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– Promotion –
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p. 58-72
STIR UP YOUR
HOME FOR BETTER AGING
By Marie Bradby
Y
ou’ve been in your home for 25 plus years and want to age in your place. You might have arthritic hands or vision problems, but you are still kicking it. You’re still active and engaged in the community.
In order to continue to stay put, you will need some updating to improve the safety and function of your home. While it will be fun picking out new fixtures and decor, your priority should be on improving your home’s safety. “The goal is to create an environment that will foster a sense of safety and well being,” says Joan Waddell, certified interior designer and principal of her firm, J. Waddell Interiors. “It’s important to address the whole person, not just their physical health — their capabilities and limitations — but their mental health as well.” A designer who is familiar with design codes can perform a safety scan of your home. You may have doorways that are too narrow for a walker, counters that are too low, lighting that is too dim, or flooring that is slippery. “Your limitations might be more pronounced as you get older,” Joan says. “So you want to retro fit so that you are taking care of problems that may crop up 10 years from now. That will determine if you can stay in your home for 5 or 10 or 20 more years.” There are a number of basic design changes that you can tackle, such as changing out kitchen cabinet knobs for D-shaped handles, which are easier on arthritic hands, or replacing flick light switches with paddle switches. But with the bathroom potentially containing the most hazards, Joan says, “I would address the bathroom first, and in doing so I would be prepared to totally renovate it,” Joan says. “If it requires tearing it out to create a safer zone, it’s important to do that.” By the time you tear out the slippery tile floors, put in a comfort-height toilet, install a higher-height vanity, replace the tub with a curbless shower, add safety bars, widen the doorway for wheelchair access, change lighting fixtures, and switch out faucet knobs for faucet levers, you’ve done a full renovation, she says. “This is a huge topic in my industry,” Joan says. "We take continuing education classes on this all the time.”
Adaptations for your Home as You Age Here are some changes that can make your home safer and more stylish and have a significant impact on your quality of life. These suggestions can be applied throughout all the rooms of your home: • Lighting — Especially in the kitchen, lighting adjustments will make a world of difference. Add under-cabinet task lighting to make it easier to see as you prepare meals. Add recessed lighting for overall lighting and to eliminate shadows. Remove your old overhead light and replace it with an attractive new fixture that puts out more light. Throughout the house, change bulbs from incandescent to LED for brighter light. For your reading corner and your crafting nook, add stylish table and floor lamps. • Hardware — Round pull knobs on cabinets and drawers throughout the house can be difficult for arthritic hands to handle. Replace them with wide D-shaped drawer pulls. Switch out faucets with knobs and install faucets that have levers. • Non-slip flooring — Wood floors and vinyl floors have a certain amount of grip and are easier to push a walker over and easier to clean. Low pile, flat carpet has grip, too, is easier on the joints, and provides some cushion if you do fall. You can push a walker or wheelchair over flat carpet. • Doors — Round door knobs require that you tightly grasp and twist in order to open a door. Replace them with levers, which require only that you push down to open a door. You can even use your elbow to push down the lever. You can put door knob grips on round door knobs for more traction, as a temporary fix. • Narrow Doorways — In older homes, doorways often are too narrow to provide access for a walker or wheelchair. You have a few options: • ‘Swing clear' hinges allow the door to swing completely out of the door opening. In some cases, this can add a couple inches of badly needed clearance. • You can remove interior doors entirely. You can even remove the hinges and trim and put up drywall. • If you have enough room, you can make the opening larger and install a new, wider door with a pre-hung jam. • Take a good look at your sliding door, too. Sliding doors sometimes don’t work properly on their tracks, and the tracks also accumulate dirt and can be a tripping hazard. Consider removing your sliding doors and replacing them with a pair of French doors. Today’s Woman / November 2020
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ENIORS ARE EVALUATING THEIR CURRENT LIVING CIRCUMSTANCES, ASKING MORE QUESTIONS, AND THINKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT FUTURE PLANNING.” — Kathy Embry, Sales Director, The Forum at Brookside
By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
THE FORUM AT BROOKSIDE | We may
be tired of thinking and talking about COVID-19, but it has changed our lives dramatically in a few short months even if we haven’t been directly impacted by the virus. Some seniors and their families have looked at the pandemic as a wake-up call. The Forum at Brookside Sales Director Kathy Embry has seen numerous new faces become part of the community in recent months. “Many seniors are realizing that living in a senior living community can bring peace of mind for them and their adult children,” she says. This year’s public health situation has made seniors and their families consider what happens when life doesn’t go well or as planned.
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Older adults often spend years pondering whether to make the move to senior living, and they frequently develop a relationship with a community long before they make any firm decisions. Kathy keeps in contact with potential residents by mail and phone, and during the spring and height of quarantine, her connection helped relieve some anxiety and loneliness for seniors who were fully isolated. For some of them, this compassionate care offered to them even before they moved in showed them that The Forum is the place for them to be. “Our goal is to keep our residents as independent as possible for as long as possible, by surrounding them with support systems in place,” Kathy says.
The Forum offers numerous options for seniors to meet their needs: independent living apartments, patio villa homes, personal care, skilled care, and rehabilitation. Families, especially those who live out of town, know that their senior loved ones will have nutritious meals prepared for them as well as transportation to physicians and errands. The 40 acres of park-like green space at The Forum have been used more than ever before. Not only have seniors been able to visit their loved ones on the lush grounds for Sunshine Visits, they’ve even been able to have some equine friends visit, which was so popular and fun that staff asked
riders and their horses to visit a second time. One of the many lessons of 2020 has been to relish something as simple as petting a mare on its nose. Although life seemed to slow down in some ways this year, residents at The Forum have been able to stay occupied. The monthly calendar is chock full of activities that keep seniors mentally and socially engaged while staying physically distanced. Book lovers find lots to discuss each week in the book club, while individuals who enjoy learning about new topics find the weekly lecture series, Brookside U, fascinating. Kathy says a drama guild is in the works, as well. The Forum offers multiple exercise classes three times a week to ensure bodies stay flexible and strong as well, and there is also an indoor heated
“The Road Apple Gang” visited The Forum at Brookside in early summer. It is a group of riders who volunteer to go to different facilities and share their horses with residents via a horse parade. They rode throughout the campus for two hours, giving residents like Duane and Anne Murner (pictured, above right) the opportunity to not only see their horses but to get up close and personal with them. pool where residents can swim. Forum staff work hard to ensure the calendar stays full to keep everyone’s spirits up. “Lifting quarantine and isolation
restrictions have allowed us to begin offering some small group activities and programs,” Kathy says. Al and Myra Early have been residents of The Forum for close to five years and during a difficult 2020 have found it so helpful to have friends nearby. “We’ve found so many friends here, and that’s really the key,” Al says. The Earlys love the mature trees and creek system that runs through The Forum campus and get a special delight from watching the squirrels and the small deer population that calls the campus its home. The Earlys walk around the campus and enjoy its beauty several times a day when the weather is comfortable. The Forum takes pride in offering extraordinary care during extraordinary times.
200 Brookside Dr. | Louisville, KY 40243 | 502.245.3048 TheForumAtBrookside.com Today’s Woman / November 2020
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EETING THEIR NEEDS WHERE THEY ARE IS SO MUCH OF A FOCUS FOR US, BUT ADDING THE EXTRA LAYER OF TECHNOLOGY ON TOP OF THAT, IT’S GOING TO TURN AN ALREADY OUTSTANDING FACILITY TO AN UNMATCHED FACILITY.
— Roberta Steutermann, Director of Development, Nazareth Home By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
NAZARETH HOME | Nazareth Home has a mission-based, person-centered focus in all it does. In providing care to elders at its two campuses, administrators and staff utilize a variety of tools to ensure residents are having all of their needs met, whether those needs are physical, emotional, social, or spiritual. Technology has become increasingly necessary in 2020 because of social distancing and quarantining, and Nazareth Home has used it to foster connections between elders and their loved ones. However, a new virtual reality tool from Embodied Labs, which Nazareth Home was able to acquire as a result
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of a grant from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, has the potential to enhance compassionate care among its nurses and caregivers. The virtual reality training tool and software, which includes goggles and headphones, puts the caregiver into the experience of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, or at the end of life. “I had the opportunity last year to do the Alzheimer’s virtual reality session. As somebody who has been the caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, it was an amazing experience,” says Nazareth Home Director of Development Roberta Steutermann. The technology
helps caregivers understand the surreal and often frustrating experience of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. “It really puts you in the moment of how uncomfortable, upsetting, and confusing this is for the person,” she says. Although Nazareth Home staff already excel in offering compassionate care, the technology will be used as an additional training tool “to give them that added level of connection and empathy as they are dealing with our elders,” Roberta says. The hope is that once COVID-19 has abated, Nazareth Home can allow residents’ families and loved ones to use the technology so that they can better
Photos by Melissa Donald
understand what the elders experience. Through technology, Nazareth Home is giving staff the opportunity to walk in another person’s shoes. While Nazareth Home embraces technology to improve care, staff never forget the elders’ psychological and spiritual needs. Roberta says the pastoral care team is always providing prayer and ritual to elders at all times but especially as their lives near an end. In fact, staff is able to use technology in the form of the iN2L program to help elders tell their life stories as a way to pass on their legacies and provide a cherished gift to families once their loved one has passed on. The videos, enhanced with photos and music, offer elders a way to reflect on their lives and pass along their experiences and stories to loved ones in a format that can
Nazareth Home uses iN2L technology in a variety of ways, including helping residents explore the world through a large-screen tv, a smaller mobile screen, or android pads. “It is not virtual reality but is allowing our elders to travel the globe right now,” Roberta says. “They’ve been to Paris, and they’re going to Australia this week.”
be accessed and remembered. While families may have already heard these stories, having them documented and saved is a tremendous gift during the grieving process.
When it comes to spirituality, while Nazareth Home was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, a Catholic organization, Roberta says all faiths are embraced on both campuses. “Catholicism is not the only experience here,” she says. Residents enjoy learning something new about other faiths from their fellow residents. Whether elders are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or any other faith, their shared reverence for the spiritual lifts everyone. Church services are held as often as safely possible given the pandemic, and when elders aren’t able to gather in person, service is live-streamed. Residents say the rosary daily. At Nazareth Home, spirituality is a very intentional part of every day.
HIGHLANDS | 2000 Newburg Rd | Louisville, KY | 502.459.9681 | nazhome.org CLIFTON | 2120 Payne St | Louisville, KY | 502.895.9425 | nazhome.org Today’s Woman / November 2020
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A BASKETFUL OF CARE 11 PLACES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IF YOU ARE A CAREGIVER OR ARE LOOKING FOR HELP By Tiffany White
W
hether you’re a caregiver searching for support or who needs extra help, use this list as your guide for making life easier.
CHILL OUT
Glenda Hodges Cook, an instructor at Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, is showing people how to face aging with acceptance instead of fear. Her Unpacking the Gift of Aging Meditation class is divided into two 4-week sessions. Part one is a group discussion about the myths of aging while the second part uses mindfulness meditation as a method for embracing the aging process and understanding how to live in the moment. “The point is to let go into aging rather than resisting it,” she says. Glenda says most people feel uncomfortable talking about aging and death, but this class gives her participants an opportunity to address these topics in a constructive and healthy way. The class, which began last October, has been postponed because of COVID-19, but the center plans to resume the class in January 2021 and will be partnering with the University of Louisville Trager Institute and the Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic.
AGING SIMPLIFIED
The Thrive Center is introducing the community to innovative technology and solutions that promote healthy aging. Sheri Rose, CEO and executive director, says the center's objective is to give older adults the empowerment and independence they seek as they age. The center features multiple technologies that are changing the scope of aging, such as an assistive eating device. With the press of a button, it maneuvers food around the plate and lifts it to your mouth. The Audio Cardio is designed to improve hearing, and their Samsung Smart Home features an induction cooktop, which prevents people from getting burned. The center also has partnered with Bellarmine University to develop Strive to Thrive. “One of the biggest issues is mobility. In this program, we show people how to fall to avoid a fracture and how to get up if they fall,” she says.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
The Kentucky Area Agency on Aging wants caregivers and their loved ones to know help is not out of reach. KIPDA is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of programs for older adults, which include meal delivery, transportation, in-home care services, and caregiver support services. KIPDA serves Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Trimble, Shelby, Bullitt, and Spencer counties. Jessica Elkins, director of the division of special services at KIPDA, says the organization also provides case management and referral services for caregivers. When needed, the organization will refer caregivers to a support group or provide vouchers that allow them to purchase incontinence supplies for their loved one and medical assistive technology at a discounted price. Providing the right type of resources for families, says Jessica, has become more important in light of the pandemic. “We are looking for ways to partner with other organizations, and we are working to establish relationships with care coordinators and transitional services.” She adds, “We work with local hospitals and health plans to ensure that we are there from step one. When you are taking your loved one home, we want to make sure you are aware of the services that are available in this COVID-19 environment.”
EAT FOR CHEAP
The Jewish Community Center’s senior adult program offers a congregant lunch program, Jewish-based cultural programs, fitness classes, and entertainment for older adults throughout the year. Although most of these services are on hold because of COVID-19, their staff continues to provide meals for a donation of $3 to anyone 60+ regardless of whether they are homebound. As a designated Meals on Wheels site, they can deliver meals weekly and have served over 6,000 clients since the pandemic began. Members also have the option of participating in virtual fitness classes on Facebook Live.
HEALTHCARE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Using a holistic approach is how Dr. Anna Faul, executive director of the University of Louisville Trager Institute and the Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, ensures that older adults receive the best care possible. “We asked ourselves, ‘how can we make this a good experience — an experience of value?’” she says. Dr. Faul says her staff examines all of the factors that can influence a patient’s health and well-being. “Your doctor could tell you that you need to lose weight and exercise, but you might not know how to do it if you don’t have access to healthy food or transportation,” she says. The clinic pairs patients with navigators who identify their barriers and connect them with pertinent resources. The clinic, which opened in September 2019, has a laid-back environment featuring a demonstration kitchen, fitness classes, meditation classes, behavioral health services, and caregiver support. Their team meets weekly to discuss patient cases and develop care plans. Currently, they are developing mini-virtual clinics that will be located in senior centers within the rural areas of Kentucky and in West Louisville. People who use one of these virtual clinics can check their own blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Dr. Faul’s team receives the results remotely and can arrange a telehealth visit with the patient. “You are one person, but you have so many parts that play a role in your health and well-being, and we want to be there for you in that journey,” she says.
STAY SAFE
Empowering older adults to live independently and with dignity is the cornerstone of ElderServe. Drew Hight, director of development and marketing, says the organization has developed programming based on four pillars: supporting independence, overcoming social isolation, protecting seniors from crime, and promoting wellness. Through their care management program, on-staff social workers help clients find food, housing, and other resources to achieve stability. Caregivers who are in need of respite will be able to use their ElderServe Adult Day Health Center when it reopens in 2021. The center serves medically fragile people who aren’t ready for a nursing home or assisted living community. Their friendly-visitor program — now done virtually through Zoom or by phone — matches volunteers with an older adult based on proximity and common interests. Or clients can receive phone calls from a volunteer three days a week as part of their Telecare program. The senior companion program matches older adults with volunteers who are their peers and can assist them with housekeeping or other tasks. The organization is also committed to advocating for victims of scams, abuse, robbery, and neglect. “We can help them navigate the court process, file an EPO, and work with the Louisville Metro Police Department,” Drew says. For active older adults, ElderServe offers fitness classes, quilting classes, bingo, and provides meals for clients based on their income.
CONVENIENCE YOU CAN COUNT ON
Highland Community Ministries is filling the void for people who don’t have basic essentials. Their individual family and assistance program helps clients of all ages with paying their LG&E bill, water bill, rent payment, and certain medications. The income-based program is available to applicants who have a 40204, 40205, or 40218 zip code. HCM, which works with Meals on Wheels to deliver food to clients, makes it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle despite the pandemic. In-person fitness classes at the Highlands Community Campus have been canceled, but members can request to receive exercise videos through email. HCM staff are also using telephone reassurance as a way of keeping clients socially engaged. Volunteers call clients weekly to check on them and give them tips on how to cook nutritious meals and stay safe at home.
PLAY FOR A WHILE
If you’re looking for an escape from the mundane, a Jeffersontown Senior Center membership might add some excitement to your days. Typically, the center offers congregant meals, fitness classes, leisure activities, and overnight trips, but in adherence to social distancing guidelines, the staff has developed a new activity schedule. The center is now open daily for breakfast from 8-10:30am, and members can participate in a workout session where they are able to view an exercise video at the center. The staff sanitizes in between events to ensure the safety of their members. “We encourage social distancing and wearing masks. For activities such as Bingo, members bring their own dauber. We want them to have something to look forward to,” says Julie Guerin, center director.
THE MEMORY SAVER
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is life-changing, but the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging provides opportunities for those who are either at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s or are experiencing symptoms of dementia. They give patients the option of trying many of the leading experimental therapies in the world. “We’re here to understand aging and the potential for cognitive change, which robs older adults of their functional abilities,” says Dr. Gregory Jicha, professor of neurology at the University of Kentucky and director of the center. The center’s research program, Dr. Jicha says, also recruits people for annual memory and thinking testing — the majority of which are cognitively normal but may have a family history of Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. “While they are contributing to their own understanding, we’re also serving as a vital watchdog for them and assisting them should we see early signs of decline,” he says.
KEEPING YOU INDEPENDENT
Improving the quality of life for caregivers and their loved ones is one of the main objectives of Senior Care Experts. “We help seniors and adults stay at home to remain safe and independent, which allows them to maintain their self-respect and dignity,” says Patty Dissell, executive director. While the organization serves older adults, their client base includes people who are disabled or have other debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s. “We take a holistic approach, because we are very person-centered. When someone needs any kind of assistance, we are going to learn about the individual and recommend various services and programs for them,” she says. Their social workers work with clients and their families to examine all areas of the client’s life to develop a better living situation for them. “This includes their support system, psychosocial [issues], and finances. We determine what other resources they need and how we can help them get those resources,” she says. Their programs include home-delivered meals, which also serve as wellness checks, medical alert devices with GPS tracking, and programmable medication dispensers.
EMPOWERING CARE PROVIDERS
The Kentucky Senior Living Association is doing its part to ensure that residents in long-term care communities are receiving optimal care. “It is the only association in the state that represents assisted living, personal care, memory care, and independent living communities,” says Bob White, executive director. Long-term care communities that join the association participate in conferences and workshops. “We do a lot of staff development and staff training, because they are the key to our operations. On the clinical side, we go over a lot of training regarding executive directors who are in charge of those communities by teaching best practices and frequently asked questions,” he says. The association is also politically active in efforts to lobby bills that might affect the industry, and they encourage members to do the same. Today’s Woman / November 2020
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E’RE ASKING FAMILIES TO SHARE THEIR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WITH US AND ALLOW US TO INCORPORATE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY. — Anastasia Noffsinger, Executive Director, Anthology of Louisville
By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
ANTHOLOGY OF LOUISVILLE |
All throughout our lives it is important to be known by other people and not just known by name. To be truly known, we need to be recognized for our talents, our senses of humor, our likes and dislikes. Anthology of Louisville strives to truly know their residents so that staff can recognize and care for their needs as well as deepen relationships. Anthology is in the process of adopting an art program that is a means of socializing, learning about the person sitting next to you, and building selfconfidence. Residents will soon be able to participate in Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), which was created at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Ohio. Anastasia Noffsinger, executive director at Anthology of Louisville, says the art
program is unique because not only does it have residents actually creating art, but “they are relying on imagination rather than memory. It focuses on the skills they have instead of the skills they’ve lost.” She says that art opens up conversations among residents as to their interests and abilities that staff or other residents might not be aware of. An individual who is experiencing cognitive decline but has an aptitude in art may find themselves in a teaching role, which provides them with a renewed sense of purpose and gives a boost to their self-esteem.
Learning about residents is also key to how Anthology is preparing to celebrate the holidays, which will certainly look different due to COVID-19. “We’re asking families to share their holiday traditions with us and allow us to incorporate those in the community,” she says. Not only will these traditions benefit the individual resident whose family does the tradition, but it will benefit everyone in the community as a whole because they will learn about their peers and then share their own traditions.
Anthology of Louisville is committed to listening to the experts it hires, particularly those individuals who work in the community with residents on a day-to-day basis. These men and women know the residents, their needs, and what programs will best suit them.
1105 Dorsey Ln | Louisville, KY | 502.493.6919 | AnthologySeniorLiving.com/Louisville 66
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CAREGIVER GUIDE
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UR FOOD IS DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO OUR RESIDENTS, BE EATEN EASILY, AND BE EASILY DIGESTED AND ABSORBED.
Pictured from the Barton House dietary team are Chef George Maye (right) and Altease Williams.
— Amy Clark, Executive Director, Barton House By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
BARTON HOUSE | Most people realize
that nutrition can impact not only a person’s physical health but their mental and emotional health as well. Being dehydrated or having low blood sugar can make an individual feel sluggish and in a fog. For individuals with dementia, it is especially important to make nutrition a priority. At Barton House, staff put a special emphasis on nutrition and diet to ensure seniors in their care have the fuel they need to feel good and stay healthy. Water or caffeine-free alternatives such as fruit juice are an essential part of the day for Barton House residents. Staff regularly encourage hydration and even put small drops of food coloring into water glasses as a reminder to residents that it is there. “Often a resident with dementia will not drink water because they cannot see it, especially if it is served in a clear glass,” says Executive Director Amy Clark.
Hydration acts as a form of occupational therapy for residents as well. They frequently pour and serve drinks to each other with staff on standby for assistance. The act of serving is practical for retaining skills and it gives seniors a purpose of caring for their friends at Barton House. Meals are scheduled throughout the day to ensure residents’ blood sugar remains stable, and the food is “designer” in nature. “Our food is designed to appeal to our residents, be eaten easily, and be easily digested and absorbed,” Amy says. The meals are high in calories and fiber. Meals are very intentionally less about single servings of separate protein, vegetable, grain, and dairy and more about food combinations. For example, their “Chicken Almost Devine” meal combines chicken, rice, broccoli, milk-based sauce, and cheese. A resident who eats half a serving of this dish receives more nutrients than
if they nibbled from single servings of chicken and broccoli and a few sips of milk. While a focus on nutrition is important, Barton House staff realize that meals should be simplified so that seniors can relax and be as independent as their dementia will allow. Tables are uncluttered and meals are unhurried. Staff eat with residents to promote socialization and camaraderie, but they hope that once COVID-19 abates, families can once again rejoin their beloved seniors for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
6830 Overlook Dr | Louisville, KY | 502.423.7177 | bartonlouisville.com Today’s Woman / November 2020
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CAREGIVER GUIDE
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E CAN HELP THE CAREGIVER FOCUS MORE ON BEING THERE WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBER INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT OTHER THINGS. WE’RE THAT EXTRA SUPPORT FOR THEM TO TAKE THAT STRESS OFF.” — Toni Chaudoin, Clinical Supervisor, Hosparus Health
By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
HOSPARUS HEALTH | Long recognized
as a vital source of comfort and support for families whose loved one has received a terminal diagnosis, Hosparus Health also offers palliative care to help individuals with long-term conditions. Regardless of the type of care, Hosparus Health uses a team approach, which not only provides access to doctors and nurses but also to CNAs, chaplains, volunteers, grief counselors, and social workers to help patients and their families manage the stress of illness. Part of that care is helping families create more moments and lasting memories. Clinical Supervisor Toni Chaudoin says the loved ones of terminally ill patients spend a considerable amount of time worrying about all of their caregiving responsibilities. She says with Hosparus Health’s support, families can spend time together reminiscing, reading a book aloud,
or just sitting in each other’s presence for a while. Not every moment is consumed with the weight of providing end-of-life care. Navigating a terminal illness comes with all sorts of unknowns and questions, and Hosparus Health staff are equipped to address concerns or get families pointed in the right direction. “We can help get funeral arrangements set up; we can help get health care documents. Maybe the patient is worrying about what’s going to happen after they pass, what’s going to happen with their house, cars, and their belongings,” Toni says. One big way Hosparus Health helps alleviate stress for families is by being available 24/7/365. “We have a new app we just rolled out called TapCloud. It allows patients and family caregivers to send non-urgent messages to their care team,” she says.
with their family. “We have helped patients make trips, whether it is to the beach with their family or across the country to see family,” Toni says. Ensuring families have adequate supplies and medications is also important, as is an out-of-state travel contract with another hospice in the area where the patient is traveling. When a patient enters Hosparus Health’s care, their care team often can eliminate medications that are no longer effective or have side effects that make spending time and cherishing moments difficult. “That can improve their mood, comfort, or energy and allow them to be alert as much as possible, as much as their disease will allow,” Toni says.
Hosparus Health helps patients with making the most of the time they have
3532 Ephraim McDowell Dr. | Louisville, KY 40205 | 800.264.0521 | HosparusHealth.org 68 November 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com
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ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN COVID-19, AND WE’RE KEEPING [OUR EFFORTS] UP NOW THAT RATES ARE INCREASING.”
— Brad McCoy, Owner, Twinbrook Assisted Living By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
TWINBROOK | As Aesop’s fable notes, “Slow and steady wins the race,” and that is the approach Twinbrook has taken for ensuring the health and safety of its clients. Families have been appreciative of the efforts Twinbrook staff has taken to ensure clients remain COVID-19-free. “They say, ‘Thank you so much for taking it so seriously and being so attentive,” says Client Services Coordinator Adrienne Madden. Twinbrook employees are tested at least twice a month for the virus, and no resident has become infected — a trend that families, residents, and staff want to see continue. Twinbrook worked with Walgreens to have a pharmacist provide flu shots so that clients don’t have to visit their own physicians, thereby limiting their potential exposure. Adrienne says she has increased her personal shopping for residents to pick
up any needed items for them at nearby grocery stores. Twinbrook staff has taken over the responsibility of ensuring residents get to any essential physician visits.
on everyone virtually all the time. With residents spending more time in their apartments, it was prudent for staff to be able to respond even more quickly should a need arise.
As Twinbrook has worked to bring small groups of residents back together, it has taken gradual steps. When they reestablished some group games, they waited a month before attempting anything new to ensure procedures were established, everyone followed the guidelines, and no one became ill. They are now working with the Ursuline community to reestablish mass in a safe manner.
Residents have risen to the challenge of making changes in their lives in a way that some might find unexpected. Some of the Ursuline Sisters who reside at Twinbrook participated in a Zoom meeting with others in their order to hold elections. Residents have adapted well to wearing masks when they are outside their apartments. “People think older folks are rigid and inflexible, but they’re doing very well,” Adrienne says.
Owner Brad McCoy says Twinbrook recently purchased a new call system with alert pendants for residents. Prior to COVID-19, residents were rarely in their apartments, so staff had their eyes
3525 Ephraim McDowell Dr | Louisville, KY | 502.452.6330 | twinbrookassistedliving.com Today’s Woman / November 2020
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RILOGY SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES HAVE DESIGNATED DIFFERENT ZONES THAT ALLOW US TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE WHILE UPHOLDING GUIDANCE AS IT PERTAINS TO QUARANTINE MEASURES.”
— Brittany Hanson, Director of Communications, Trilogy Health Services, LLC By Carrie Vittitoe | Promotion
TRILOGY HEALTH SERVICES |
Trilogy Health Services’ two-pronged mission since March 2020 has been to protect residents from the virus and find meaningful ways to show compassion and care in the midst of mask-adoption and physical distancing. As a result, the team at Trilogy puts the health and wellbeing of their residents and families first, while also ensuring that their emotional needs continue to be met during a time of change and stress. Just as the virus is invisible, much of what Trilogy does to keep residents safe is invisible to most people. The company created the The Trilogy SHIELD Program in conjunction with the 3M Commercial Solutions division to acquire and use hospital-grade disinfectants at its senior communities. “We are piloting the use of 3M’s CleanTrace™ technology, cold plasma air purification, and in-room UV-C sanitization,” commented Brittany Hanson, Director of Communications at Trilogy.
Trilogy was one of the first senior living providers to publish its campus’ COVID-19 statistics publicly, and it sends daily text notifications to families regarding the COVID-19 status of their respective campus. In a year when everything feels uncertain, having up-to-date information sets families at ease. While all of these efforts have been critical to mitigating the physical impacts of COVID-19, Trilogy knows that consistent and reliable care for residents is essential. Residents develop relationships with staff that deepen over time. These relationships are strengthened by Trilogy’s education assistance program, which helps dedicated employees obtain more training so that they can grow with the company and continue to provide companionship to residents. Delaney McCarley is one such employee.
years. Since joining the team, she has utilized Trilogy’s education assistance program to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credentials, and is now on her way to becoming a Certified Medication Technician (CMT). “While life in long-term care continues to change, Trilogy continues to be the best in the business — both for its residents and its employees. Whether they’re getting the care they need or getting their hair and nails done, our residents are still being treated to the best that life has to offer, all while employees like me continue to have opportunities for growth and development.” For a full list of Trilogy locations in Louisville, please visit trilogyhs.com.
Beginning as a dietary aide, Delaney has been a part of the Trilogy family for two
303 N Hurstbourne Pkwy Ste 200 | Louisville, KY 40222 | 502.907.1180 | trilogyhs.com 70 November 2020 / TodaysWomanNow.com
5 THINGS TO EXPECT FROM A CARE PROVIDER By Kym Voorhees Raque
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hen an older loved one needs extra care, deciding what that care looks like can be stressful. Will in-home nursing care work for your family and budget, or is a nursing home the best option? Once you have a plan in place and your loved one is settled, you may think your work is done, but according to experts, this is where the real work begins. To ensure your loved one is getting proper care, you need to be vigilant and communicate openly and often with their care providers.
1 | OPEN COMMUNICATION It’s important to communicate with those providing care and let them know what you expect and what you want your loved one’s care to look like, says Zachary Cattell, president of the Indiana Healthcare Association/Indiana Center for Assisted Living. Be honest about their condition and any physical or mental limitations. Betsy Johnson, president/executive director of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities and Kentucky Center for Assisted Living, recommends developing a care plan with your loved one and the care providers. Be specific and make sure everyone agrees to the plan and what is expected, then hold the providers accountable to the plan, she says.
2 | CONTACT DURING FACILITY CLOSURES During the pandemic, longterm care communities have severely limited contact with residents for their safety. “Longterm care communities should help you maintain contact if you are unable to visit, either via phone, video conference such as FaceTime, or other means,” Johnson says. Carrie Orman, executive director, Kentuckiana Stroke Association, says, “Get to know your loved one's caregiver or someone in the community who you can count on to check in on them and get information from them on how your loved one is functioning." In home health situations, communicate the needs of your loved one and your expectations to the caregiver, Johnson says. For families living out of town it can be especially stressful. “If you’re unable to visit regularly, contact the long-term care ombudsman at the facility and check in with them frequently,” Johnson says.
3 | SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Caregivers should provide daily activities that engage the mind and body and give your loved one something to look forward to, Orman says. “You want to see residents out of their rooms and active. If they’re always in their rooms that may be a sign that something’s not right,” Johnson says. Cattell says to ask providers what types of activities and
social engagements are provided while facilities are under pandemic restrictions.
4 | CLEAN, WELL-MAINTAINED ROOMS, COMMON AREAS Families should see the facility ahead of time and make sure to see resident rooms, including the room they may be assigned to, says Dan Heins, president, Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana. He says to check for head rails and handrails on the beds and cleanliness of the rooms. He also recommends sampling the food for quality and healthiness.
5 | QUICK RESPONSE TIMES “You need to make sure calls from the bedside or bathroom are answered quickly by attendants. You never know what the call will be for. Patients should not have to wait 10 or 15 minutes for help in the bathroom,” Heins says. Today’s Woman / November 2020
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offerings that greatly benefit those who can’t physically get around. LFPL.org offers over 18,000 downloadable audiobooks, and its “Books To You” service delivers library materials to those who aren’t physically able to visit their local branch.
INVEST IN A BIRDSONG TABLET
The Birdsong Tablet is an affordable and senior-friendly device that offers unlimited entertainment and engagement for our loved ones. “Right from the onset, we knew that in order to serve this population, it needed to be far simpler than an iPad but not insulting,” states Benjamin Unkle, CEO of Birdsong Tablet. Some of Birdsong’s senior-friendly features include: large touch buttons, picture navigation, a very intuitive interface, and research-backed colors and color contrasts specifically for older adults. Birdsong is also in the process of patenting a persistent home button so that every screen has the red home button in the lower left corner. “If you push the red home button, you go right back to the opening screen. You can never get lost, stuck, or frustrated,” Benjamin states. On top of its easy-to-use capabilities, the Birdsong Tablet offers over 8,000 different experiences that older adults like. With the purchase of the hardware and the $19/month subscription, your loved one is equipped with movies/TV shows, word games, learning courses, video chat features, internet access, cooking tutorials, virtual tours, and more.
TRY VIRTUAL REALITY
PICKING UP EASY ENTERTAINMENT IDEAS By Brittani Dick
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inding accessible entertainment for our loved ones who have limited mobility is more important than ever in the current age of COVID-19. Here are some ideas for keeping our loved ones involved and energized.
SIMPLE BALLOON
Katherine Autin, founder of Parkinson Partners, once had a client who couldn’t move around too much. To keep her client entertained while she was confined to her bed, Katherine tied a colorful balloon filled with helium to her bedpost. “She could pull it down and bat at it with her hands. It was so fun for her,” Katherine states.
KEEP DANCING
Katherine also suggested searching the internet for dance programs that are catered to those who cannot move around as much. “People can use dance steps even when they are sitting,” she states. “They can move their arms, tap their feet, and move their head back and forth.” Dance for PD (danceforparkinsons.org) is currently offering free online dance classes, which can be accessed via a link on their website.
ENCOURAGE READING
Paul Burns, from the Community Relations Department at Louisville Free Public Libraries, gave us all the details on their digital and delivery
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Engagement is as simple as putting on a headset. Rendever has a passion for reducing isolation and depression for our senior loved ones, and its virtual reality headset is proven to do just that. The headset is controlled by a caregiver, who can choose from a wide range of experiences in which to immerse their loved one. What sets Rendever apart is its personalized experiences. Using the control tablet, a caregiver can type in a street address and transport their loved one back to their childhood home. Or search for their favorite vacation spots and talk to them about past memories and experiences that still mean so much to them. Rendever headsets can be used in group settings (nursing homes, chemotherapy units, assisted living facilities, etc.), and help keep seniors engaged and communicating. “We sell 'systems,' or groups of headsets,” states Grace Andruszkiewicz, director of marketing and partnerships. “The control tablet shoots the experience to all of the headsets simultaneously. And what’s special is that in this group setting, all users are going to, let’s say, the Pyramids of Giza together. They can talk about the camels they see, the weather there, and have conversations about the experience together. What we see, organically, is that people start telling each other stories about their own experiences, and these relationships and connections last long after the VR experience is over. It truly is helping people build relationships."
ENROLL IN A MUSIC THERAPY SESSION
“Depending on the client, music therapy can assist with social/ emotional, physical, behavioral, and even academic needs,” says Julia Carpenter, MT-DC. “It can also be used for pain management, relaxation, and expression of emotions." Julia, who is part of the team at Louisville Expressive Therapies, often works with the elderly population and credits music therapy with facilitating engagement between the family and the client. “A lot of times, I come to families who aren’t able to communicate with their elderly loved one. Music therapy really helps them to engage in communication, and it’s truly a positive experience for them to be able to create those memories with their loved one.” Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, your loved one can still participate safely. Group therapy can be held outside with adequate spacing, or a therapist can even conduct a session through a window, using a phone to communicate with their client on the other side.
