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A Note From The PALS Board of Directors President—Tom Latimer

CHANGE

I have witnessed more change this year than in all of my years on earth. Great institutions that were the foundation of our financial society are no longer around. Our auto manufacturers, including Ford, who invented the car, are in jeopardy of no longer being in existence. Our White House in the nation’s capital, that was built by slaves, will have an Afro-American as the President. When we look through our “scrapbook” we see ourselves when we could run faster and jump higher. Those who were independent now must rely on support and assistance to complete their day.

PALS is here for our community and for our loved ones who have lost some of their ability to remain at home. Our Board of Directors will continue to work with staff and other agencies to insure that our loved ones are comfortable and engaged in mental activities. PALS has worked this year to improve the facilities with new furniture that will assist our participants in being comfortable . We have made plans to continue to educate and train our staff.

Our Board of Directors and staff are committed everyday to improve how we care for and engage our participants in stimulating activities. We are looking forward to a new year that will present us new challenges; that will brighten our customer’s day and put a smile on their faces as they leave to reunite with family in the evening. We thank our customers for the trust and support of permitting us to serve them and we look forward to continuing this relationship in 2009.

PALS will be closed, Thursday, January 1st for New Year’s Day.
PALS will also be closed Monday January 19th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Allstate has been a strong advocate for community involvement for many years. This $500 donation is designated for the Traumatic Brain Injury Therapy (TBI). This therapy is designed to improve cognizant ability in TBI patients. I am proud to be a part of a community which is sensitive to the needs of the surrounding community.

You know you’re getting older when ..
The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

Tiffany Durham , our Program supervisor/Social Worker and her husband welcomed 8 lbs. 3 oz. baby boy Xavier Armare Durham on December 8, 2008 at 7:32 pm. Mother and baby are doing great.

Tiffany wants to thank everyone for their love and concern over the past several months.

New Year Wishes
I wish you Health…
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Beauty of nature…
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities…
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share…
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy…
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything…
That you so well deserve.

Author Unknown

PALS held its annual Christmas celebration on Thursday, December 18th. The participants got into the Christmas spirit, singing their favorite Christmas Carols. Beautiful soul stirring singing was performed by Pauline Chinnis and Ron Taylor of the Opera Carolina while the participants feasted on a delicious meal of ham, turkey, macaroni & cheese, rice, green beans, mixed vegetables with pound cake and pumpkin pie. Serving the participants flowed very smoothly with the assistance of our volunteers from Pritchard Memorial. Everyone had a wonderful time but, of course, we ate too much!!

Donations

Joyce Molenaar with the Alpha Zeta Sorority made a donation of various games, diapers, etc.

Mrs. Lillie House donated a book entitled: “Billy Graham—God’s Ambassador”.

Thanks for your generous gifts.

Health Corner

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Test your knowledge about Glaucoma with the following True or False questions.

1. People with diabetes are more likely to develop glaucoma.
2. Headaches and fuzzy vision are common symptoms of glaucoma.
3. People who have close relatives with glaucoma are at greater risk of the disease.
4. Glaucoma occurs when the liquid that nourishes and bathes the eyes does not drain properly.
5. Glaucoma is a rare disease affecting only a few thousand Americans.
6. Glaucoma strikes all age groups the same.
7. African-Americans are at greater risk of blindness from glaucoma than any other ethnic group.
8. Eye doctors always check for glaucoma during a routine eye exam for new glasses.
9. Once glaucoma is detected it can be cured with medication.
10. Medicare covers a glaucoma screening for certain recipients.

Answers

1. True
2. False-very few symptoms in the early stages. By the time you notice symptoms, a large part of vision may be already lost.
3. True
4. True
5. False– more than 2.2 million Americans age 40 or older have glaucoma.
6. False
7. True– African-Americans are four to five times more likely to develop glaucoma.
8. False
9. False– At present, there is no cure. Eye drops, pills or surgery can help control the disease.
10. True– Medicare covers an annual glaucoma screening benefit since January 1, 2002.

Welcome to New Participants
Carolyn Landrus

Discharged
Frances Best
Willie Porter

We will miss two of our participants that passed away this month.
Emma Goodwin
Robert Howie

Caregivers Support Group
The Caregivers Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month (January 15th) and is open to all PALS caregivers and family members.

Sophia Parrow of the Geriatric/Adult Specialty Team of Carolinas HealthCare will have a presentation entitled: Helping Older Adults Overcome Anxiety.

Barber
If your loved one gets their hair cut at PALS please send a donation for the barber.
Thanks