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Senior Concierge Services
Senior Concierge Services
Live Life Your Way at Home
Live Life Your Way at Home
NEWS & BLOGS
NEWS & BLOGS
Blog
Pumpkins, Orange and Halloween...Oh My!
Posted on October 26, 2014 at 12:22 PM |
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Share these interesting facts with someone you know, love, care for or about. Did you Know? There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange? Hard to believe for such an important color? The same is true for the colors purple and silver. But, who cares about silver and purple...they are not pumpkin colors! Growing big pumpkins is a big time hobby. And, serious at that. Top prize money for the biggest giant pumpkin is as much as $25,000 dollars at fall festivals. The current world record for giant pumpkins is 1446 pounds. Now that's a lot of pumpkin pies!
The First Jack O'Lantern: The Irish carved turnips and put coals or small candles inside. They were placed outside their homes on All Hallow's Eve to ward off evil spirits. They were also known to use potatoes and rutabagas.
When Irish Immigrants came to America, they quickly discovered that Jack O'Lanterns were much easier to carve out and began using them. This truly neat tradition quickly spread to the general population in America and elsewhere. Happy Hallowday!
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National Grandparent's Day
Posted on September 3, 2014 at 9:31 AM |
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National
Grandparent’s Day…Making Memories
September
7, 2014 marks National Grandparent’s Day. The origin of this special time can
be traced back to 1973 and Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade. She envisioned this
holiday honoring
grandparents and the elderly. The day was a perfect opportunity for
grandparents to shower their love on their children's children and make fond
memories. The celebration would help children appreciate the strength, and
wisdom older people can offer. McQuade sought
acceptance for this celebration from President Jimmy Carter. He signed
the proclamation making the first Sunday of September after Labor Day National
Grandparents Day on August 3, 1978.
Today the legacy of Marian McQuade is
carried on by her children and grandchildren with some of them working on the
National Grandparents Day Council. Please write and tell me what you’re doing to
celebrate National Grandparents Day. If you’re fresh out of new ideas, visit Apples4theteacher.com.
There, you’ll find some delightful comments like the ones below that children
made when asked the question, “What is a grandparent?”
Taken from papers written by a class
of 8 year olds:
-When
they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and
caterpillars.
-They
don't say, "Hurry up."
-They wear glasses and funny underwear. -
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same
story over again.
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Heartfelt Moments - Preparing for Valentine's Day
Posted on January 17, 2014 at 11:49 AM |
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Heartfelt
Moments – Preparing for Valentine’s Day
Ah…Valentine’s Day, it
happens once a year. It’s a time for roses, chocolates and romance. A time to
celebrate a one-of-a-kind love with your sweetheart. A time to lavish that
special someone with hearts, flowers, and lacey “Be My Valentine” cards. But, true love is celebrated
365 days a year. For this, there is no greeting card, no heart shaped box of
chocolates or pink and red roses. This celebration is a time of caregiving,
compassion, and patience even in the most stressful of circumstances. It is
seeing beyond the dementia and recalling treasured memories. Memories that spur
you on to care and love for another day and beyond. In my time as a professional
caregiver, I have had the privilege of being in the presence of true love. I
have observed couples who after 60+ years of marriage remain deeply in love and
committed to one another. I’ve observed true love in the light kiss of a hand
or the loving and reassuring stroke of a loved one’s hair. The deep loving,
heartfelt link that transcends memory impairment and overcomes day-to-day
heartbreaks. Valentine’s Day is a few
weeks away. I encourage you to have fun with the traditional holiday
festivities. This year, also show your gratefulness to those individuals who
have been a shining example of love and light in your life. Those with whom you
have shared tender, heartfelt moments.
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Celebrate National Grandparent's Day
Posted on August 16, 2013 at 9:44 AM |
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September 8, 2013 marks National Grandparent’s Day. The
origin of this special time can be traced back to 1973 and Marian Lucille
Herndon McQuade. She wanted this holiday to:
She
painstakingly sought acceptance for this celebration and on August 3, 1978
President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation to make the first
Sunday of September after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.
Today
the legacy of Marian McQuade is
carried on by her children and grandchildren with some of them working on the
National Grandparents Day Council.
What will you do to commemorate this special time? |
A Labor of Love
Posted on September 2, 2012 at 9:31 AM |
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Happy Labor Day Weekend! It's a time to relax, enjoy family and friends, fire up the grill and just kick back. However, when you are caregiving, this may not be possible. For many, caregiving is a 24/7 responsibility. It truly is a "Labor of Love." For me, there is nothing more personally rewarding and more challenging than caregiving for a loved one" It's a daily workout of trying to achieve a balance that ensures that you have the time to love yourself and recharge your batteries so that you're in the game for the entire race, not just the sprint. So, when family and friends visit this weekend, be sure to let them help you. Ask them to each bring a dish. Make it a Labor Day Potluck. Let them assist with caregiving tasks which may include: preparing a plate, assisting with eating and other personal care needs. Allow your guests the pleasure of engaging your loved one. You can aid this process by having a few photo albums at the ready which are great conversation starters. Or how about a deck of cards or love letters to stimulate interaction. With a little fore thought, you can kick back, and get a much deserved break. Giving others an opportunity to become involved now and in the future. Wishing you a great holiday weekend! |
Happy Saint Patrick's Day
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 4:19 PM |
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day. My prayer for all who visit. A CELTIC BLESSING “May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine upon you and warm your heart till it glows, Like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, as well as the friend. And may the light shine out of the eyes of you, like a candle set in the windows of a house, Bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm. And may the blessing of the rain be on you - the soft sweet rain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up, And shed their sweetness on the air. And may the blessing of the great rains be on you, that they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool, and sometimes a star. And may the blessing of the earth be on you - the great round earth; May you ever have a kindly greeting for people you pass as you are going along the roads. And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.” |
Happy New Year
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:17 PM |
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Like many people, I too make New Year's resolutions. On the top of the list are usually to exercise more and eat healthier. As a caregiver, I've decided to do something completely different in 2012. Here are a few of my thoughts.
will look into other caregiving tools that will give me peace of mind. That will result in more time to myself which will lead to quiet moments and the ability to be present. TADAH!
With all this said, I'll be on my way now. I have said yes to a New Year's Eve party, where I will be present, celebrating the beginning of a new journey, and laughing it up with family and friends. May 2012 be a wonderful year for you and yours and may the joy and peace of Christmas remain with you. Jane |
Home for the Holidays
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 8:15 PM |
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Your bags are packed and the entire family is eager to visit Grandma. She is really a remarkable lady. At 85 she still is living in her own home alone. She likes it this way and has made it very clear that she never wants to move. The visit reveals that Grandma sounds much better on the phone. The reality is quite different. You see, it's easy for her to put on a good front during your ten minute telephone conversation. But, it can all unravel during a three day visit. Now what do you do? This is not an uncommon scenario. It's often at holiday time that families find themselves making decisions about a loved one's care and future. Frequently, because of time constraints, it feels rushed and no one is comfortable with the outcome. Most seniors and families that I have worked with often say, "I wish we would have planned for this." Or, "we should have discussed this before, taken some tours, and interviewed caregivers so that these important decisions would have already been made." That sage advice is right on target. Don't wait until a holiday visit or for something tragic to happen to face the facts about caregiving. Do your homework now and most importantly, involve the senior in the fact finding and decision making process. Consider involving a senior care professional in your discussions. He/she can offer objective guidance, facilitate conversations, set up tours and much more. Here's to planning in 2012, Jane Amata |
Making the Holidays Memorable
Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:35 AM |
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Making the Holidays Memorable The holidays can be such a special time. But, when you're a caregiver, thoughts of holiday dinners, and special time with family and friends can be daunting. To make sure that your holidays are memorable and positive, take a few minutes to plan ahead. Please consider the following:
This year, make a commitment to slow down and enjoy the holidays and your time together. Happy HallowThankMas, Jane ;) |
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