Happy Fall, what a beautiful time of year. This year has been especially challenging for me. It got me thinking about how we move forward with grief and loss. How do we return to work? How do our colleagues, friends, and family respond? What will our employer think? Will I be given some grace at work? This conversation is directed to anyone who has experienced a loss, and especially for those folks who are managing employees. At the end of the day, we are all human beings. I would love to know your thoughts. If you know anyone who would benefit from our community, please share this information with them.💕 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/caregiver-brief-fall-2025-kelli-bradley-szrcc/

Welcome to March in our Caregiver Brief Newsletter. This month, we're focusing on practical advice, community, insightful stories, and important dates that matter to our caregiving community. Let's support each other with resources and encouragement as we tackle the challenges and opportunities of caregiving. 💐 Embracing Spring💐 As spring's first flowers bravely emerge from beneath the snow's blanket, we're gifted a vivid reminder of life's relentless renewal. This season whispers promises of hope, breathes new life into our spirits, and nurtures the deep bonds we share with our loved ones. Let's seize these precious days, weaving them into a tapestry of memories that will warm our hearts for years. 🐣Holiday Memories🐣 One of my favorite holidays is Easter Sunday. This year, it falls on Sunday, March 31, 2024. My Gram's birthday was April 8, and my goddaughter was born April 10. It makes this time of year extra special, with many fond memories. Speaking of fond memories, I would love to share my favorite deviled egg recipe. It is genuinely delicious. https://thedevoteddaughter.com/delicious-deviled-eggs/ 🕒 Adjusting with Daylight Saving Time🕒 As we approach the shift to daylight saving time on March 10, 2024, for those states adjusting their clocks, it's not just our watches that will need resetting but potentially our entire routines. This change serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of adaptability in our caregiving journey. It gives us a unique opportunity to reassess and rejuvenate our caregiving practices, ensuring a harmonious balance between physical activity, adequate rest, and proper nutrition. This balance is essential for our well-being and empowers us to give our best to those who rely on us. For those caring for individuals with dementia-related illnesses, this time adjustment, though seemingly minor, can significantly disrupt their sense of routine and comfort. It's crucial to approach this transition with patience and flexibility, gently guiding our loved ones through the change. Consider gradually shifting routines in the days leading up to the time change to ease the transition.

February 1, 2024 Welcome to this edition of The Caregiver Brief, your go-to newsletter for ensuring the well-being of seniors in your care. A Crisis Unveiled at Mt. Hood Senior Living Sandy, Oregon The recent revelations from Mt. Hood Senior Living in Sandy, Oregon, are nothing short of shocking. The tragic discovery of a deceased resident who had Alzheimer's disease and wandered off on Christmas Eve underscores a series of egregious oversights and failures at this facility. Despite previous citations and a mandate for a corrective action plan, the necessary improvements were never made. The abrupt notice to vacate given to residents and their families—via email, with a mere midnight deadline—borders on the unimaginable; how could this happen? The aftermath of this evacuation was chaotic and distressing, with some residents being hastily relocated to other facilities or, alarmingly, left at hospitals. One particularly harrowing account involved a woman being placed in a makeshift room cluttered with storage items and unsuitable for living, only to be served food utterly inappropriate for her diabetic condition. This neglect and mistreatment reflect a dire lack of humanity and responsibility from those in charge. As we process this ordeal, the call to action becomes clear. It's imperative to demand accountability from both the State of Oregon and the operators of Mt. Hood Senior Living. Such inhumane treatment of our most vulnerable cannot go unchecked. Here is the link to the most recent news article: https://www.kgw.com/video/news/local/283-de7384cf-e183-49b3-a1f1-cc78f0463b50 Embracing Change Together: The Journey to In-Home Care Sally found herself facing a situation she had never anticipated. She lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, her mind reeling, her body sinking into the mattress from exhaustion. Just then, the phone flashed MOM. "Oh, god, what's wrong? I just left her fifteen minutes ago." There was nothing inherently wrong, but her mom was gripped by anxiety about being alone. She had worked herself into a frenzy. Life had taken an unexpected turn for Sally's family ever since they lost Dad in November.

A weekly newsletter passionately curated to address the unique needs and challenges faced by families and healthcare providers who are devotedly supporting aging adults. Each issue aims to offer support and invaluable insights, bringing you engaging and informative content to navigate the caregiving journey with empathy and resilience. 📅 September 28, 2023 📅 🌟 "Combating Loneliness: A Silent Epidemic with Serious Consequences" 🌟 We all lead hectic lives, and the whirlwind intensifies during the holiday season 🎄. Did I say holiday season? Indeed, I did! There are fifty-six days until Thanksgiving 🦃, so let's start our plans. Amidst the festive hustle and bustle, let's spare a moment of reflection for those who may be feeling isolated—individuals living alone, the chronically ill, or those grieving the loss of a loved one 💔. Did you know that the effects of loneliness can be more detrimental to one's Health than smoking fifteen cigarettes a day 🚬? It's a silent epidemic, and its impacts are profound and far-reaching. As family members and healthcare professionals 👩⚕️, the rush of daily life can easily make us overlook the immense power of human connection 💞. Let's pause our busy routines 🔄 to reflect and remember: every interaction can bring light 🌟 into someone's life. 🤝 Tips to Foster Connection: - Be Present 🧘♂️: Disconnect from technology 📱 in public and truly be with the people around you. - Spread Kindness 🌸: Give at least one compliment today; it might make someone's day brighter 🌞. - Express Gratitude 🙏: Reach out and thank someone today through a call 📞 or in person 🤗. - Offer a Friendly Ear 👂: Call someone who might need a cheerful conversation 🗣. - Pen a Note 💌: Send a handwritten note to someone you know living alone. Your words can bring warmth to their hearts 💕. 💬 Inspirational Quote: "A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings 🦋. Remember that next time you feel alone." —Mandy Hale 💭 Closing Thoughts: Let's step forward 🚶 and make a concerted effort to combat loneliness and isolation 🌍. In doing so, we enrich the lives of our aging population 🧓 and discover the transformative power of genuine connection and compassion 💖. I look forward to seeing all your warm gestures illuminate this holiday season! 🌟