January 2013

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A New Message – Leeza’s Care Connection

As we kick off a new year, we are transitioning into our new name – Leeza's Care Connection at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. We've learned through almost a decade of working with families at Leeza's Place, that caregivers are best when they are connected to each other, to support services and to their own strength of spirit.

Now, in addition to offering education, empowerment and energy, through Leeza's Place, we are excited to introduce Leeza's Care Connection; a place where caregivers come together to become stronger, more resilient and grounded, developing a set of skills that help them handle their new life of change.

 

MONTH AT A GLANCE

EDUCATION:

• A New Year… A New Name
  
  
• Caregiver’s Resolutions – A Renewed You
  
  
• Exercise Your Mind: Gearing Up
  Thursday, January 3 at 9:45 AM

EMPOWERMENT:

• Empowered Caregivers Support Group
  Tuesdays at 11 AM and Thursdays at 6:30 PM
  
  
• Memory Preservation Through Scrapbooking
  Wednesdays at 10 AM
  
  
• Brain Injury Support Group
  Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
  
  
• Life After Stroke Support Group
  Thursday, January 31 at 3 PM

ENERGY:

• Crochet Stress Away
  Tuesdays at 1 PM
  
  
• Angel Wings on Panels of Peace (See flyer)
  

PROGRAM DETAILS

EDUCATION

• A New Year… A New Name – The Journey Continues

  As we kick off a new year, we are transitioning into our new name – Leeza’s Care Connection at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. We've learned through almost a decade of working with families at Leeza's Place, that caregivers are best when they are connected to each other, to support services and to their own strength of spirit.

  Now, in addition to offering education, empowerment and energy, through Leeza’s Place, we are excited to introduce Leeza’s Care Connection; a place where caregivers come together to become stronger, more resilient and grounded, developing a set of skills that help them handle their new life of change.

  Throughout the first quarter of 2013, we will be transitioning our signage, marketing materials, and e-mail addresses to reflect our new name. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these changes.

 

• Caregiver’s Resolutions – A New Year…  A Renewed You!

  • I will learn to Breathe, Believe, and Receive.
  • I will pay attention to my own health in the same way I attend to the health of my loved one. While caring for others, I will remember to take care of myself.
  • I will find the time to rest, eat correctly and exercise… even if I have to do things a little at a time.  
  • I will look at my life and my loved one with fresh eyes and see the benefits of caregiving rather than the burdens. I will face the most extreme challenges with unshakeable courage.
  • I will look for the good in my caregiving activities and recognize that I do them well. I will release all guilt. I will love and accept myself.
  • I will learn to play; to see the amusing, the funny and the absurd in our lives as things to laugh about.
  • I will undertake new ways this year to help reduce my stress.
  • I will ask for help and be specific about what I need help with.
  • I will honor and thank those who help my loved one and me.
  • I will do my best and bless the rest.

• Exercise Your Mind – Gearing Up
  Mind Maneuvers… Story Telling
  Thursday, January 3, 2013 ~ 9:45 AM – 11:30 AM

  Today we will search deep in our minds. We will get those gears moving. Through creative maneuvers we will share stories, encourage others to tell their tales and rekindle the magic of memories. It’s a chain reaction! One person starts to talk, this triggers a memory for another, and before you know it more stories will be shared. It is amazing how real life stores can affect the minds of those who listen.

  Quotes to Think About:

  If you don’t know the trees you may be lost in the forest,
  but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life.  ~ Siberian Elder

  Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale of all. ~ Hans Christian Andersen

  If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.
  ~ Barry Lopez, in Crow and Weasel

EMPOWERMENT

• Empowered Caregivers Support Group – Help, Hope, and Healing
  Thursday, January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2013 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  Tuesday, January 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2013 ~ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  Caregiver Support Group sessions provide an atmosphere of understanding and support for caregivers to explore common difficulties and experiences that come with being the primary caregiver. Group discussions will be facilitated by Kim Jackson, Leeza's Care Connection Program and Outreach Assistant Director. You are welcome to join us for a time of education, sharing, caregiver support, and to enjoy the company of other caregivers.

• Memory Preservation Through Scrapbooking – Preserving Family Memories
  Wednesday, January 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2013 ~ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  An on-going Memory Preservation Workshop for the caregiver and their recently diagnosed loved one. Each workshop is designed to help families create Family Memory Books. Instructor Kathy Mueller teaches participants how to use materials in an artistic way providing an enjoyable and uplifting experience. Scrapbooking materials are provided; just bring your family photos and enjoy!

• Brain Injury Support Group – You Are Not Alone
  Wednesday, January 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2013 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

  A weekly support group for persons who have suffered a brain injury. Support groups enable individuals to exchange ideas in a confidential atmosphere where both positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged. Remember – you are not alone. Support groups provide: hope, information, friendship, sharing, problem-solving, personal growth, and self-advocacy.

   

• Life After Stroke Support Group – You Have the Power to End Stroke!
  Thursday, January 31, 2013 ~ 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  A monthly support group for stroke survivors and their families. Guests will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of diagnostic and treatment options and to develop problem-solving and coping skills. This is a monthly support group and is held the last Thursday of the month.

ENERGY

• Crochet Stress Away – Crochet, Coffee, and Carefree Fun
  Tuesday, January 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2013 ~ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  Join us for our Crochet (STRESS) Away Club. It doesn't matter whether you've never held a crochet hook in your hand before or you whiz through crochet projects daily, join us for an afternoon of carefree sharing and fun (knitters welcome as well)!

This Month's Quotes

When I walk into my kitchen today, I am not alone. Whether we know it or not, none of us is. We bring fathers and mothers and kitchen tables, and every meal we have ever eaten. Food is never just food. It's also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.

~ Molly Wizenberg
A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table

If you've ever been to Leeza's Place (Leeza's Care Connection), it feels like you're sitting around the kitchen table… sharing stories, talking about the day's events, laughing, crying, sharing a cup of coffee or cup of tea, and of course comfort food. Our table is the core of Leeza's Care Connection, where families gather together and none of us are alone. There's always a seat at our table.

This month, by special request, I am sharing a recipe from the kitchen of Chris Rickert, a guest of Leeza's Care Connection. Chris made her yummy (yes, it is yummy) Sweet Potato Casserole—the essential Caregiver Comfort Food—for our 2012 Holiday Party.

~ Kathy A. Miller
Leeza's Place Program & Outreach Director

Goodies & Treats Provided By:

Vital Wellness Home Health was founded by a nurse and is grounded in the belief that every patient should be cared for as if we were caring for a member of our own family. Patients are welcoming us into their private residence and we honor the importance of trust as the first step towards healing. Vital Wellness staff will always go the extra mile to meet the patient’s satisfaction. Vital Wellness currently covers twenty three counties with three offices in Illinois, one in Arizona and one opening in Colorado. The term home health means that a nurse and/or therapist will come to the home and work with the patients until they reach their maximum potential or no longer need the nursing care. Home health is covered by Medicare and some insurance plans depending on benefits. An intake specialist will be able to look up your insurance and answer any questions you may have.

Vital Wellness also offers private duty services which are paid for out of pocket. We know that no two patients are the same and we tailor our services according to each patients needs. We know that your questions and concerns are important so we have a nurse on call 24 hours a day. Getting started is easy, we'll complete a risk assessment that can help you proactively manage everything in your home and send out appropriate staff as needed. We are only a phone call away!

Vital Wellness
651 Amersale Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: 630-369-8450
Fax: 630-369-6984
www.vitalwellnessinc.com

Julie Freza
Joliet Area Liaison
Cell: 815-409-1567

If you can’t make it for one of our workshops or education sessions, please feel free to stop by anytime to say hello, visit, or use any of our resources.

BUSINESS HOURS:
Monday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Other hours available by appointment.
The coffee pot (and tea pot) are always on!!

A PLACE FOR CAREGIVERS
Leeza’s Place at  Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center
50 Uno Circle
Joliet, IL  60435
Ph: 815-741-0077 ~ Fax: 815-741-7069
E-Mail: kmiller@leezasplace.org