Independence

December 2023

AOASCC News & Notes

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Join us for a Free Caregivers Workshop Series-2024. Our six 2-hour sessions begin on January 12th, 2024 and will be presented by Patricia Soos and Cassandra Brunson.

To register call or e-mail Patricia Soos at (203) 785-8533 x. 3159, psoos@aoascc.org

Read more.

Spotlight on Volunteering

"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." — G.K. Chesterton

With the holidays approaching, the volunteer program staff would like to give thanks to those who help us make a difference in our community. First, we want to honor the tremendous work our volunteers do throughout the year. You make it possible for us to reach and help many families in need, and we are so very grateful for your generosity, dedication and compassion.

The Agency also wants to recognize the help and support we receive from numerous community partners. Your valuable collaboration helps reduce barriers to care and advances the quality of life of those we serve. To give thanks and honor your support, here is a roll call (listed in alphabetical order) of our wonderful volunteer program partners:

Chaperone Partners: Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Greater New Haven, Mary Wade and Team, Inc.

Experience Corps Partners: Dunbar Hill School, Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration (FAME), Helen St School, Ridge Hill School, Shepard Glenn School, YMCA, and Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School

Foster Grandparent Partners: Barnard School, Brennan-Rogers School, Centro San Jose, FAME, Fair Haven Resource Center, Friends Center for Children, Harris Tucker, Lulac- Cedar Street, Lulac- East Haven, Lulac- Haven Street, New Haven Reads- Bristol St., New Haven Reads- Science Park, St. Francis School, Troup School.

RSVP Partners: Branford Middle School, Canoe Brook Senior Center, Hamden Senior Center, Hamden Veterans Commission, Mercy Center, and Slate School.

Senior Companion Partners: Atwater Senior Center, Bella Vista, Casa Boricua, Casa Otonal, Davenport Dunbar, Dixwell/Newhallville Senior Center Fairbanks Apartments, Mary Wade, The Towers, Wallingford Senior Center, West Haven Senior Center.

We salute all of you and together, in partnership, we look forward to making our community even better.

Happy Holidays!

Find out more about the Volunteer Program and other support programs. Visit our website or call the volunteer team at 203-752-3059.

CHOICES Corner: Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling

Did you know that Medicare.gov includes information about alcohol screening and counseling? It reports that “Medicare covers an alcohol misuse screening for adults on Medicare (including pregnant individuals) who use alcohol, but don’t meet the medical criteria for alcohol dependency. If your primary care doctor or other health care provider determines you’re misusing alcohol, you can get up to 4 brief face-to-face counseling sessions each year (if you’re competent and alert during counseling).”

Alcohol misuse is a problem for many people on Medicare. The body changes the way it processes alcohol as we age. For many older adults, this means that even though they may not have increased the amount of alcohol they drink, they may be experiencing negative health impacts as a result of the alcohol. Alcohol can interact with prescribed medications creating risk and/or reducing the effectiveness of the prescribed medications. It is important to ensure that you are not misusing alcohol to avoid negative health outcomes.

Medicare.gov further indicates, “Medicare will cover an alcohol misuse screening once each year. You pay nothing, if your primary care doctor or other health care provider accepts Assignment. You must get the counseling in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).”

*This article is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $577,477 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Caregiver Corner

Winter is associated with holiday celebrations for many families, from many cultures. When one is a caregiver for a person with dementia, the holidays can become a time of stress. The person for whom you care has changed, and their ability to participate in holiday celebrations is part of the change. Celebrations, special events, or holidays, which may include other people, can cause confusion and anxiety for a person with Alzheimer’s. 

However, that doesn’t mean they can’t continue to participate in holidays and enjoy them. It does mean that you should revise your expectations of holiday celebrations and change some of the things you do to celebrate holidays. Keeping family and traditions helps all family members feel a sense of belonging and family identity. For a person with Alzheimer’s, this link with a familiar past is reassuring.

How do you keep celebrations festive without becoming overwhelming?

• Include the person with Alzheimer’s as much as possible. Participating with you may give the person the pleasure of helping and the fun of anticipating and reminiscing.
• Limit the number of visitors at any one time.
• Prepare quiet distractions.
• Watch for signs that the person with dementia is becoming overstimulated.

How do you prepare guests to interact with your loved one?

• Explain to guests that the person with Alzheimer’s disease does not always remember events or people.
• Describe what behavior is expected and acceptable.
• Explain that enjoying the moment together matters more than what the person remembers.

You can continue to honor holiday traditions and create new family memories if you limit your expectations to align with the changes in your family life. You can’t do everything you used to do in the same way you used to do it, but you can enjoy the company of your family and celebrate the love you feel for family and tradition, by making new traditions.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can stretch your grocery dollars. For older adults with low income, the $1,416 in average annual benefits makes a significant difference in what goes in the shopping cart. Connect with us and find out more. 

 You can reach our information counselors

at 203-785-8533 - select option 4.