BrightStar Care - May 2019

BrightStar Care - May 2019

CARING IN DuPage

MAY 2019

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The Sandwich Generation

TAKING CARE OF OUR PARENTS AND OUR CHI LDREN

I n the health care profession, we have a common term to describe those who take care of their aging parents as well as their own children, whether at the same time or under the same roof. We call these families “the sandwich generation,” and the situation is becomingmore common. We work with a lot of members of that special “club” here at BrightStar Care, and I can definitely relate to the challenges associated withmanaging your caretaking responsibilities while also juggling family and career with what little time remains to take care of your marriage and yourself. My own story as a member of the sandwich generation came through the kind of hardship that may not be common for everyone, but which I hope nevertheless demonstrates that you can give yourself a little grace. You can get through with a little help and support from your family, friends, and faith. My dad struggled with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. It progressed in severity from the early 2000s until he passed away in August of 2018. For many years, my siblings and I took care of Dad, looking after his health and financial affairs andmoving him to different skilled nursing communities as needed. On top of that, though, I have two sons —one of whomwas diagnosed with autism a few years after he was born. For years, I balanced these responsibilities — getting the necessary care for my dad through multiple care facilities, doctors and specialists, emergency hospitalizations, court proceedings for guardianship, and financial accountability—all while wondering if my son would have to leave our family too. I wondered if his aggressive autistic behaviors and

additional neurological challenges would necessitate permanent placement in a group home campus setting so that he could receive the proper care, attention and behavior modifications. It was too overwhelming.

I think it helps to know that there are many of us in similar situations. When you’re taking care of a generation ahead of you and

behind you—both of which have dire needs at multiple levels of care— things aren’t always going to go the way you need them to go. Sometimes, for lack of a better way to put it, things break: families, finances, marriages, our own health and well-being. I think some of us have this idea that life is about pushing toward victory with a health issue, and that if we don’t reach resolution, we need to try something else or get more help. But it’s not that simple; life has hurdles. What’s really important is howwe respond to and rebound from adversity. When it comes to family, friends, and spiritual faith, life sometimes goes beyond human understanding. Is it not amazing how some people continue to overcome, despite prolonged seasons of challenge? Even though I no longer have to care for my dad, I treasure the memories we made together, and I honor his service to our country. Years before Dad passed away, my family found it best to place our son in a group home setting, and his mother or I visited him every 2 – 4 weeks. I lost my son to a group home at age 12, but at age 26 he is thriving; his quality of life today is something that neither his mother nor I could have provided for him. I look back on those years and think: How did I survive? How did I persevere and even find joy whenmany would find only despair and depression? I’ve found that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an end to hardship. The light is found in everyone who gathers around you and helps you through it. For years, my faith, family, and friends helpedme get up and move forward. Support is crucial when the suffering becomes unbearable. There’s nomanual for how to successfully get through life— the best thing I have found is to surround yourself with people who love you and bolster the faith that will help you persevere. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says there’s a time for everything—even suffering. When that time comes, don’t ask yourself, “Why me?” Ask yourself instead what kind of person you will be when you get through it, and you will get through this. —Leonard Sanchez Director of Business Development

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While it’s great not having your nose to the grindstone nine-to-five, leaving work also means leaving behind a lot of daily activities and social interaction. Eventually, having nothing but free time goes from relaxing to isolating, and that can be dangerous to your physical and mental health. When planning for retirement, it’s important to plan ways to stay active and engaged. Joining a new organization or club can be a huge benefit. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay active in retirement. Enjoy Your Hobbies Did you spend years dreaming about hitting the golf course every day? While it can be nice to spend some time alone on the green, consider joining a golfers club if you want to mix things up. Enjoy scrapbooking? Check for get-togethers at the craft shop. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, look for a class at the rec center. It’s easy to find groups dedicated to just about any activity. Get Involved Think of the causes you’re passionate about and get involved! Animal shelters and soup kitchens are always looking for volunteer help. Book lovers of all ages can join their local Friends of Libraries chapter. To make a difference through politics, help with fundraisers or join an active

THE BEST WAY TO STAY ACTIVE IN RETIREMENT CLUBS: NOT JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOL

ON YOUR NEW POSITION WITH BRIGHTSTAR CARE Congratulations, Diane!

Have You Heard the Good News?

This month, we are proud to announce that Diane

feels joy in being the voice of calm when she gets a call. Beyond that, she looks forward to getting to know patients and hear their unique stories. Some of them are close to 100 years old, so they have lived incredibly full lives. While Diane will still be able to talk to patients and their families — and looks forward to it — she now leads our staff of dedicated and experienced nurses, CNAs, and other healthcare professionals that work directly with clients and their families. She facilitates custom care solutions so clients have everything they need to “age in place,” or to age in the comfort of their own homes. There are lots of moving pieces involved in the Director of Nursing role, but Diane is undaunted. She's passionate about providing quality care that fits every patient’s individual needs as well as the needs of their family members. We here at BrightStar Care of Central Dupage have the utmost confidence in her ability to carry out our mission and be a shining example to the rest of our staff.

Thorson has officially begun her position as Director of Nursing at BrightStar Care of Central Dupage. She

Romans 11:36 — "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Mark 10:27 — “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’” John 16:33 — "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Philippians 4:19 — "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

is taking over the position from Kelly Honn after Kelly’s years of amazing work as director. Diane is excited to take on these responsibilities in addition to her role as Director of Clinical

Compliance. She has 30 years of nursing experience, and with that experience comes a passion to help not only patients but also their families. Many families are anxious when they first call BrightStar Care because they don’t know what to do about their aging family members. Sometimes the patient’s family has kids to take care of themselves, and they don’t have the capacity to take care of older relatives, too. Other times, a patient’s nearest family may live out of state. Diane

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The Lady With the Lamp REMEMBERING FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE DURING NATIONAL NURSES WEEK May is a particularly special month for nurses everywhere. May 6–12 is National Nurses Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the 4 million registered nurses who work tirelessly day in and day out around the country. While it is a week to appreciate all nurses, the week also contains days that honor school nurses and student nurses specifically. The reason National Nurses Week is observed in May is the day on which the week ends: May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who, among other accomplishments, founded the modern nursing profession. Her basic concepts of nursing remain foundational in nursing today. Florence Nightingale was born into a wealthy British family in 1820. When she was 16, she felt called to serve humankind through nursing, against her parents’ wishes. At that time, nursing was not a highly regarded vocation for an upper-class woman. But Nightingale persisted, and in 1844, she enrolled in a nursing program in Kaiserwerth, Germany. She eventually became a nurse at a hospital in London in the early 1850s and became a nursing superintendent in less than a year. When the Crimean War began in 1853, Nightingale led an expedition to a hospital near Istanbul to improve the sanitation conditions, where more soldiers were dying from disease than from wounds sustained in battle. Initially not welcomed by army doctors, Nightingale worked tirelessly to obtain supplies and care for wounded soldiers. She significantly reduced death rates at the hospital through her efforts. The soldiers called her “the lady with the lamp” and “the angel of Crimea,” and these venerable monikers followed her for the rest of her life. When Nightingale returned home, she received a hero’s welcome from the British government in the form of an engraved broach and a sum equal to $250,000. She used the money to establish St. Thomas’ Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses, elevating the status of nursing to a desirable profession among wealthy young women. Throughout the rest of her life, she received world renown for her strides in the healthcare industry, and she was the first woman to receive the Order of Merit from King Edward. She died in 1910 and was buried in her family’s plot.

campaign. If you want to stay closer to home, check out your local homeowners association. There are plenty of ways to engage with like-minded people while making a difference. Try Something New Don’t know where to start when looking for a group to join? Start online! Try searching “groups for retirees” and see what comes up. You might discover a travel group and start planning your trip to Asia. Or maybe you’ll have more fun mentoring young people in your professional field. Don’t be afraid to spend your retirement doing something new!

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your alone time, but don’t let your alone time turn into a lonely

retirement. Joining a group can help you broaden your social circle, stay active, and maybe even learn something new about yourself.

STRAWBERRY MANGO PALETAS Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 medium ripe

mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove fromheat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a mediumbowl and clean the blender. Then, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 5. Into 8 3-ounce ice popmolds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to eachmold, then top with remainingmango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 6. Using a small knife, gently swirl layers together. 7. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid. 8. Dipmolds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.

Florence Nightingale’s efforts made nursing what it is today, and she continues to be an example for everyone in the nursing profession.

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CARING IN DUPAGE SUBSCRIPTION

INSIDE

The Sandwich Generation 1 Which Club Is Right for You? Meet BrightStar’s New Director of Nursing 2 Strawberry Mango Paletas The Story of Florence Nightingale 3 What Is the World’s Best Exercise? 4

If you know someone in need of home care or more e-learning materials, contact [email protected].

THE WORLD’S BEST EXERCISE

Not all exercises are created equal. In fact, there is one form of exercise that is better than many others: walking. Harvard Medical School took a look at various exercises and concluded that walking is up there with swimming and tai chi in terms of health benefits. Regular walking can help maintain good cholesterol and blood pressure levels and keep your bones strong and healthy. One study showed that 40 minutes of walking every day helped people reduce blood pressure from hypertension to prehypertension, and then eventually to normal over several months. Walking can even keep many different kinds of diseases at bay, such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition to these physical benefits, walking daily can improve your mood and overall mental health. As simple and straightforward as walking is, it can be difficult for many people to find the time. Most experts agree that you need 30–60 minutes of physical activity per day, but the good news is that you can split those minutes up throughout your day. For example, you can take a brisk 20-minute walk in the morning

before work, followed by another one at lunch and one more after dinner. Those 60 minutes also don’t have to be strenuous; they just need to happen. However, the more time you put into walking, the more you will get out of it. If you slowly increase your distance and speed, you’ll end up burning more calories and strengthening your legs over time. The great thing about walking is that it’s not particularly taxing on the knees, and you can move at your own pace. It doesn’t get any better than that! To get the most out of walking, schedule your walks for after mealtimes, especially the ones that come later in the day, like lunch and dinner. It’s a great way to aid digestion and burn calories — which can’t hurt your waistline!

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