“Care Notes” Blog
The power of smell – Essential Oils in Caregiving
How do you feel when you smell a familiar scent like cinnamon, vanilla, lemon or even peppermint? What scent brings back pleasant memories, decreases your pain, or even makes you hungry for something to eat? [...]
Connections Matter Try a Support Group – Even If You Don’t Want To
Connections Matter Try a Support Group – Even If You Don't Want To Are you caring for a person living with dementia? Feeling alone? Overwhelmed? Give our support group a try. There’s no charge and [...]
Stress Busting Retreat: Learn Practical Strategies for Caregivers and Receive Much-Needed Support
Taking on the role of caregiver for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s comes with a unique set of stressors. With your full-time job, your commitment to family and community projects, your own social [...]
6 Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays
6 Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays Christmas carols, a roaring fire, a table spread with delicious food, family smiling around the tree. This idyllic scene is the image that movies and advertisements tell us [...]
Celebrating Family Caregiver Month in November
Reaching out for help is not selfish. We’ll say it again because sometimes all the amazing caregivers out there need to be reminded. Reaching out for help is not selfish. If you don’t take care [...]
Caregiving…….Can I do it alone?
We may not all be as talented as the balance artist, but we can use our own inner resources and the help from others to attain steadiness in our lives. Providing care to someone in [...]
The Dangers of Social Isolation – And What You Can Do About It
Loneliness and social isolation were widespread problems long before the phrase “social distancing” was introduced into our daily vocabulary. But it’s fair to say that the pandemic has heightened and complicated the issues. We’ve [...]
The Mind, Body, Spirit Connection
By Gail Shaw, MPA Coordinator of Training & Support Dementia Care Specialist The connection between the mind, body, and spirit is a strong one. Think about this connection for a moment. When do you [...]
How To Talk To Your Loved One About Memory Issues: A Guide For Caregivers
How to Talk To Your Loved One About Memory Issues: A Guide For Caregivers For the fifth time this week, your dad is searching through the closets for an old chess board that he donated [...]
Let the sunshine in! Face it with a grin! Open your heart and let the sunshine in!
By Missy Athmer, Marketing Director I want to share that I know, as a family caregiver, fear often travels on my shoulder. I don't want to be as flip as to say that you will [...]
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Worldwide, nearly 50 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, and that number is expected to jump to 132 million by 2050. As a caregiver, you are already well aware of [...]
It’s Time For Spring Cleaning – Start With Your Mind
By Gail Shaw, MPA – Coordinator of Training & Support DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST What brings you joy? Comfort? Renewal? Could it be a cup of coffee while you watch the sun come up in all [...]
Choose JOY in 2021!
By Stacey Rhodes, MS - Adult Day Program Director DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST I’ve got the JOY! JOY! JOY! JOY! Down in my heart to stay! Has COVID got you down, down, down? Well, join the [...]
Finding & Maintaining Your Joy
Have you ever been caught off guard when someone asks you what they can do to help you? Most of us say thanks but don’t take them up on their offer to help. It could [...]
Looking for Answers?
By Gail Shaw, MPA - Coordinator of Training & Support DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST Have you ever had the feeling that something was not quite right, but you could not put your finger on what was [...]
Caregiving with a full cup.
You know that caregiving is draining. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so let us help you fill yourself back up! It might be gray and cold outside, but there is no need for [...]
Corona Virus – Updates / Resources / Activities
Here is a list of links to activities, information, resources to make the social isolation less stressful. St. John’s Community Care is focused on continuing to care as we focus on keeping those we [...]
When Is Forgetting Too Much?
BY STACEY RHODES, MS Adult Day Program Director / Dementia Care Specialist srhodes@stjohnscc.org Many people worry about becoming forgetful. They think forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. Forgetfulness can be a normal part of [...]
EXPLAINING DEMENTIA
BY GAIL SHAW — Certified Dementia Care Specialist - Everyone’s brain is affected differently by dementia. Research says there are over 80 different types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form and is said [...]
Life Is Better With Grandfriends
St. John’s Community Care and We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym are partnering to host intergenerational music classes called Grandfriends. Intergenerational music is the bringing together of children and their senior friends for an enjoyable [...]
Anticipatory Grieving
BY GAIL SHAW— Home Services Care Coordinator - A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be devastating for both the client and their family caregiver. Suddenly life changes and there is a reason to explain why one [...]
Keep Moving
BY MISSY ATHMER- Marketing Director - Being active and staying engaged socially can help in a wide range of ways, from improving your physical strength and enhancing your memory to preventing depression. St. John’s Community [...]
Change Stress Into Success
By Patti Haddick, Dementia Care Specialist - Chronic stress affects just about all of our body’s systems. The effects on the circulatory system can cause high blood pressure, angina, migraines or even heart attacks and [...]
It’s About Time: Plan Now to Age in a Supportive Community
BY KERRY SMITH - contributing writer - With 80 being the new 60 and many Americans living longer and more fully, the concept of planning for our aging years seems to be a responsibility that [...]
Adventures in Aging: “The Blessings of Aging”
BY DAVID PIEPLOW - contributing writer An elderly farmer in Florida had a large pond next to his fruit orchard. One early evening, he decided to go down to the pond to pick some fruit. [...]
A first-of-its-kind effort is about to Kick-Off in Madison County!
If you are a business owner, part of your city or county’s administration, a first responder, clergy or you just want to learn how to work more effectively with people with dementia, you will want [...]
Insight Into Repetition
By Gail J. Shaw, Members attending our Alzheimer’s Support Group discuss many different types of challenges they have in caring for their loved ones with memory loss. Two of the challenges most discussed have been [...]
Art is the expression of the soul
During the last year, participants at St. John’s Community Care Adult Day Center have been receiving individual and group Art Therapy sessions with SIUE masters level practicum student, Ashley Ramm. Participants from both the Collinsville [...]
Challenges of Communicating with People with Alzheimer’s
By Gail J. Shaw, Care Coordinator - "Don't underestimate me. I know more than I say, think more than I speak and notice more than you realize." I saw this quote of wisdom on Pinterest [...]
Urinary Tract Infections
Younger people tend to empty their bladder completely upon urination, which helps to keep bacteria from accumulating within the bladder. But elderly men and women experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder. Poor [...]
Caregiver Tips on Communicating with a Physician
If you are serving as a family caregiver then you are most likely taking on the household chores, shopping, transportation, and personal care for you and your loved one. Plus you may also be the [...]
Faith Plants the Seed…Love Makes It Grow
By Missy Athmer, Director of Marketing - It’s spring! And that means it’s time to grab a trowel and plant some seeds on a sunny day! Gardening is a wonderful way to re-connect and build on [...]
It’s A Brain Disease
By Gail J. Shaw, Dementia Care Specialist - The 2015 Alzheimer’s Association fact sheet states someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 67 seconds and goes on to state in 2050, someone in the [...]
What Is Dementia?
Written by: Gail Shaw, Care Coordinator -What do an umbrella and dementia have in common? One of the definitions under the word umbrella, in the Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary, defines an umbrella as something that [...]
Best Kept Secret
GET SMART Aging INSIGHT with Stacey Rhodes, Adult Day Program Director By Missy Athmer An Adult Day Program with specialized care can be the perfect way for your loved one to get the [...]
The Maze of Long-Term Care Insurance – We can be a Beacon of Hope
By Patti Haddick, Director of Home Services - The wave of the future for many has come to include Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance. Even in the recent past there are forward thinking people [...]
No More Bath Time Challenges
Written by: Gail Shaw, Care Coordinator - Bathing is something we all do, but as we age we may need some assistance with this daily activity. We may need assistance getting into the tub or shower. [...]
Aging and Driving—The Key is Conversations.
Aging INSIGHT with Gail Shaw, Home Service Care Coordinator By Missy Athmer -- Putting the brakes on driving can be one of the most difficult conversations you have with your parent or loved one. [...]
Good Balance Is Important
Have you ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or even thought the room was spinning around you? It can be troublesome and, if it happens often, it could be a sign of a balance problem. Having good [...]
Family Caregiver Support Groups
St. John’s support groups provide opportunities for families and friends to discuss their concerns and uncertainties, as well as find resources to help regain a sense of balance and hope. We also provide information about [...]
Relationships matter when dealing with aging and dementia
By Gail Shaw, Home Services Care Coordinator - It’s exciting to be celebrating our 30th anniversary. During this time, we have formed many relationships with individuals, families and other organizations. These relationships have helped our [...]
One Daughter’s Story
Story as told by Lisa Brennan. St. John's has been a wonderful part of our lives these past few months. My sister, Anita Schmitt, saw the marquee in front of St. John's when it had [...]
Did you know what is good for your heart is good for your brain?
February is National Heart Month and the human heart is seen as the symbol of love. So we hope you find time in February to show yourself a little love for your heart and brain! [...]
I’m Fine
There's nothing whatever the matter with me. I'm just as healthy as can be. I have arthritis in both my knees And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze. My pulse is weak and [...]
Does Christmas bring out your green and fuzzy side or are you Cindy Lou?
Missy Athmer -Director of Marketing: Of course I am talking about How The Grinch Stole Christmas! Even as an adult, I still love all the rhymes and the neat illustrations inside the famous Dr. Suess [...]
It’s A Family Affair
By Patti Haddick, Home Services Program Director: St. John’s Community Care is a top-notch agency, both in the quality of service we provide to our clients and in the quality of the Caregivers who provide [...]
A picture might be worth a thousand words
By Missy Athmer Marketing Director - If you are anything like me, you have lots of photos of your family and friends. Recently my sister, who is moving, decided to pass down our family album to [...]
Meet Our Caregivers
Caring compassionately for your aging and disabled loved one! Donna Bast Home Is Where The Heart Is Donna Bast, a caregiver for St. John’s, has been caring for aging and elder clients [...]
Hospital Patient Sitter / Companion Services
We know that when a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's is hospitalized for any length of time it can be frightening for your loved one and you. Especially knowing that you can't spend every [...]
Go Ahead – Make Plans – Have Some Fun!
It’s that time of the year when it seems every family is busy preparing to celebrate something. . . a wedding, graduation, family reunion, church picnic, barbeques on the 4th, the list goes on and [...]
Caregiver Support Groups
St. John’s support groups provide opportunities for families and friends to discuss their concerns and uncertainties, as well as find resources to help regain a sense of balance and hope. We also provide information about [...]