“Care Notes” Blog
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 [...]
Alzheimer Support Group
By Gail J. Shaw, Care Coordinator - Have you ever wondered what you could get out of attending a support group? You may already know first-hand that the life of a caregiver is [...]
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 [...]