A New National Day of Giving: #GivingTuesday

The holidays are coming soon. So what does that really mean? Presents? Holiday lights? Candles? Tree decorations? To some that may be what the holidays mean, but for the children at the Murray Child Development Center it means receiving a book they can find adventures in or a teddy bear that can keep them safe at night. Giving them the joy and the comfort of the holiday spirit.

At the Altrusa House in Gainesville, members celebrate the holidays by giving their specially-handmade arts and crafts to their loved ones. Giving them independence and enjoyment of the company of their families during the holiday season.

But for some, the holiday season is giving back to the community through volunteerism and helping others during this time of year. Volunteering their time, energy, and laughter. Giving those we serve at Easter Seals Florida the blessings of their monetary donations, in-kind support, or volunteerism.

Join us on #GivingTuesday to really understand the meaning of giving back. Find more information, visit www.fl.easterseals.com/givingtuesday.

Guest Blogger: Margery Pabst- CAREGIVING: 3 Common Mistakes

November is National Caregivers Month, an appropriate time to reflect on our roles as caregivers, and a time to look forward to creating even more quality days and moments for ourselves and our loved ones.

If we work on improving three common mistakes, we can achieve more of those quality moments!

First, don’t avoid your feelings.  Keep in touch with your emotional self as you care for others and communicate those feelings directly and as candidly as possible.  It’s common to stifle your feelings and focus only on the needs and emotions of loved ones and family. 

As a caregiver, the situation you face is emotional and charged with underlying stress.  First get in touch with yourself, and expressing your fears, doubts, and needs is the first step.  Some tips to consider are:  Use statements like, “I am scared about the future” or “I feel so much pressure”, or “I am concerned about making a mistake with the medication.”  Your open acknowledgement will encourage others to be helpful and to be honest with you.  Encouraging your patient/care partner to express open and honest feelings is also healthy and helps you both to forge an even deeper relationship.

Second, don’t avoid dealing with family conflict.  Identifying problems early and dealing with them directly is the best plan.  A family conflict can cost everyone heartache, productivity, and money and rob the family of those quality days.

A strong foundation for dealing with family conflicts will exist if everyone shares feelings, concerns, and needs openly and honestly.  If the caregiver sets the stage for the exchange of ideas, a higher probability for success in saving time, money, and hurt feelings will result.  Some tips for dealing with family conflict:

• keep everyone informed.
• have frequent meetings/gatherings.
• seek common agreements before dealing with disagreements.

Third, don’t do everything yourself.  Build your caregiving community from your network of family, then friends, and then community and professional contacts.

Caregivers, particularly those dealing with chronic illness, can easily wear themselves out and it is a mistake to go it alone.  Other people may complete your tasks in a different way than you might, but let your feelings about “doing everything a certain way” go and roll with the flow.  Some tips for letting others help:

• begin with one trusted person and delegate a few, specific tasks.
• slowly develop a wider circle of friends, family, and community members to take on appropriate roles.
• write down your successes as others help you in your caregiving role.
• make sure to include professionals like attorneys, accountants, and spiritual advisors in your community circle.

Finally, always keep the goal in mind–creating quality moments and quality days for you and your loved ones.  Have a wonderful November and Happy Caregivers Month!

Margery Pabst is the author of “Words of Care”, her most recent book found on mycaregivingcoach.com, Amazon.com, and eCareDiary.com.  “Words of Care” is her fourth book on life transitions.  Margery is eCareDiary’s caregiving expert and the host of two BlogTalkRadio shows, Caregivers Speak! and Caregiver and Physician Conversations, sponsored by eCareDiary.com

Apple Team Makes Moves

It is more than just talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Today more than ever you see children 2-year old and up, playing on iPads and iPhones. It has become a social norm at dinner, turning breaks, etc. We ask ourselves:  why are we so glued to these devices? Are our children utilizing these devices like they should be? Sure, they have their ups and downs, but one thing I think we could all agree on is their Special Education Apps are incredibly beneficial.

 In 2010 Apple created a “Special Education” section in their apps for individuals with special needs, as reported by the DisabilityScoop. These 72 apps range from emotional to developmental to cognitive skills. These different apps will begin to open new possibilities for educational teachers and also for caregivers to help their child or adult develop needed skills.

In our Adult Day Break at the Miller Center in the Winter Park, we have used our iPads to help translate and build cognitive skills. At our Murray Child Development Center in Tampa, we've used iPads for therapy sessions.

Visit Apple’s Special Education section to find what app fits best for your child or adult.  #Caring4Others  #SpecialNeeds

Our Turn To Care For You

Over the 22 years of my life, I had never had to truly care for someone else other than myself it sounds selfish but it’s true. That all changed as the years flew by and I recently started to realize the aging and memory loss of my grandma. Even though she lives with my parents, she has always taken care of me and practically raised my brother and me when we were kids. It is our turn to care for her as she cared for us.

But what qualifies someone to be a caregiver and how do new caregivers learn what to do? Do they learn their skills from someone else or do they learn as they go?  Well it’s a little of both. Caregivers come in all different shapes and sizes, whether you are a spouse caring for a spouse or a sibling caring for another sibling.

I recently read in a Disability Scoop article that stated, “For those who are the primary caregiver for their brother or sister, three-quarters said the role is a full-time job.” The realistic expectation is that 75% of current caregivers believe this to be true and 55% of future caregivers believe it is a full-time job. Being a caregiver may limit your full potential and attention  or make you feel spread too thin at times, but there are services and resources that help you jump those hurdles…Easter Seals is one of them.

We try to help keep families together and take some of that stress off of caregivers. We give you the time to do the simple tasks you need to get done, like laundry, groceries, house cleaning, etc. It is our turn to care for you because you care for others. #SiblingsMatter #Care4Others +Easter Seals Florida Facebook 

Celebrating 23rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Life is about self-fulfillment and achieving goals. Whether it is as simple  as tying your shoe or running for president, we all have different goals in life. What if someone told you that assembling packages is like becoming president? For some individuals it is.

Today marks the 23^rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Without this civil rights legislation, there are many individuals that would not be able “to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services.” Easter Seals’ mission mirrors the ADA and what it stands for: To provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

If the ADA did not exist we wouldn't have our Vocational Services, which offers individuals with disabilities and special needs the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to deliver high quality work to companies in the community.

Today I want to remind you of this significant legislation that allowed people with disabilities to have the equal opportunities of employment. I want to share an article that lists the top 10 inspirational novels about disabilities and reality:

1. “Under the Eye of the Clock,” by Christopher Nolan (Skyhorse, 1987). This autobiographical novel by the late Irish poet Christopher Nolan, who had cerebral palsy, is a gorgeous and insightful book about the expansive life of a man who seemed entirely trapped in his chair. He pecked out this story with a pencil attached to his forehead. My wife and I have given away more copies than we can count.
   
2. “Lark and Termite,” by Jayne Anne Phillips (Vintage, 2009). This powerful, complex novel moves between two stories: the No Gun Ri massacre during the Korean War in 1950 and a devastating flood that confronts a West Virginia family in 1959. Termite, a profoundly and multiply handicapped boy, is cared for by his aunt and his devoted 17-year-old half-sister, Lark. Theirs is one of the most affecting sibling relationships in American literature.

For more novels see article: 10 Books to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

Dando es como recibimos

It’s better to give than to receive (English). 

Can you image being in another country and you don’t know the language? I must say it was difficult for me to communicate when I was in Hungary four summers ago, and I think the most difficult part was expressing my needs. Have you ever considered how this would feel on a day-to-day base? Sara Osleger does.  

Sara Osleger who is a mother of 3 year old twins and a volunteer at Easter Seals Florida’s Adult Day Break at the Miller Center, gave back to our members by going above and beyond. Upon her volunteering she found the need to break the language barrier between the staff and the clients. Seeing the need, she started a fundraising campaign, which raised the money to purchase four iPads, four iPads cases, and various apps. 

“I might have been the catalyst for this fundraiser but it’s the donors who directly impacted the center and made the difference," said Sara.                                                                

Bert playing a matching game app called Smiley Fruit.

This gave our staff the opportunity to communicate to those who are bilingual. Needless to say this was an amazing gift to our members and to the staff. For over 100 years Easter Seals has had countless volunteers give back to our members and over thousands of volunteer hours logged in. Sara is the definition of volunteerism. Giving back to the community and enriching the lives of others. She said: 

“I try to maintain a balanced life and that is why Easters Seals is a part of it. I’ve always been taught through my family and church how important it is to give back, and there is nothing more gratifying.” 

Whether it be a language barrier, disability, or a special need this could help Easter Seals members feel more involved and listened to because it’s better to give than receive. #VolunTweet  #DoGooder 

Dreams and Dementia

We've all known people that walk and talk in their sleep. It is a fascinating occurrence that is difficult to explain. Recently though, the Mayo clinic found that men who act out in their sleep are more likely to develop dementia. By no means is acting out in ones sleep a direct sign of dementia, but there has been a strong correlation. Seventy-five to eighty percent of men with dementia with Lewy bodies (a specific type of dementia) at the Mayo Clinic experience acting out in their sleep.

 

(Photo Credit: Health Guidance)

"So it is a very powerful marker for the disease," says lead investigator Melissa Murray, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. There will be future studies to determine more about this information. Below is a list of additional signs and symptoms that have been linked to dementia:

Dementia Symptoms:

1.      Frequently falling

2.      Mismanaging money

3.      Loss of humor

4.      Missing social queues

5.      Staring in space

6.      Eating strange objects

7.      Loss of memory

8.      Never embarrassed

9.      Lack of empathy

10. Hoarding

11. Difficulty speaking

12. Decrease in motor skills

13. Neglecting personal care

14. Hallucinations

If you suspect a loved one may be suffering from Dementia, it is recommended that you immediately contact your health care provider. There are many home preparations, medications, counseling and care options available for assisting individuals with dementia, including care at Easter Seals Day Break. 

(Easter Seals Day Break)

A heartwarming letter from Rina's family

Welcome to our kick off of Memories Monday!

It is important to reflect. Memory Mondays give us an opportunity to thank others and refresh ourselves on how we became what we are today. Who can think of a more encouraging way to start the week?

Today we want to thank Maria Arce and Elizabeth Arce-Ocampa. These two lovely ladies took the time to write us a very heart warming thank you note, so we want to thank them in return! They have said it is okay to share their note, so feel free to read it below.

Our mother, Rina, has been going to Easter Seals Day Break for three years and it has been a blessing. She has Alzheimer’s and needs a place that can meet her specific needs. My sister and I are so happy to have found this wonderful place for our mother. When we are at work, our minds are at peace because she is well cared for and safe. We know she loves it there.

The director, Jody Hampton and her staff are amazing. Jody is extremely knowledgeable in the field of care giving. She's comforting, energetic, focused, and efficient. She listens and works with the caregivers, which is very important. She always has time to update us. In addition, the staff members are attentive and dedicated.  

We feel the activities at Easter Seals Day Break have helped to slow down the Alzheimer’s. The staff helps our mother during lunch to make sure she has eaten and helps her with her personal needs. She has the opportunity to exercise, with supervision, on a Geri Walker, which is great for her arthritis. We are always told how she enjoys the quest speakers and how she can participate on her level or just observe. The interaction with others, plus the sights and sounds, keep her mind stimulated. The nurse is another benefit of Easter Seals, she helps with medications so there is less for us to do at home.

Finally, my sister and I are fortunate to have found Easter Seals Day Break. We are still able to keep our mother with us and she continues to enjoy life at her pace and own level.

Thank you,

Maria Arce & Elizabeth Arce-Ocampo

We are so pleased to have made a difference in these lives. They brighten our days too. Thank you for joining us on Memories Monday. Have a lovely week! 

Don’t forget to submit questions in the box to the right… we will post answers to the blog J

Health Care for Adults with Autism

Recently there has been a lot of discussion surrounding a need for improvement of healthcare for adults with autism. According to news articles such as Many Adults With Autism UnhappyWith Their Health Care, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have presented findings that adults with autism are experiencing higher levels of unmet health needs than adults without autism.



Photo Credit: Kurhan



Fortunately their situation is not going unnoticed. Though we are all discouraged by these reports, there are solutions and resources ready to help.  Adults with autism report significant shortcomings in their health care, a press release issued by the Autism Society of America, recently addressed the same report. Autism Society of America brought to light a grant given to AASPIRE by the National Institute of Mental Health aimed at creative interactive toolkit to improve primary care services for adults on the autism spectrum. AASPIRE is calling for participants. The first step in progress is to get involved.

There are also some preventative measures to be considered if you are a caregiver thinking of your child’s future. The SpecialCare (sm)Program designed by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) offers information, solutions and specialists to help you address many of the issues you face daily. MassMutual's team of financial professionals certified in SpecialCare can help you design a life plan that will assure the future financial security of your loved one with disabilities.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

~Easter Seals Florida