Piedmont Adult Living Services

My Two Cents…

At PALS we are always searching for improved ways of serving our participants as well as their families and caregivers.

Our Caregiver Support Vision Statement: Piedmont Adult Living Services Inc. is dedicated to meeting various health and psychological needs of the participants’ families/caregivers.

I am extremely proud to introduce PALS’ NEWLY added therapeutic program “Stress Management” facilitated by Dr. Deirdre Clark, my oldest daughter and the mother of my granddaughter, you know the one that I am always referencing in my articles. Deirdre (to Mom-Dee Dee) has over 17 years of experience in both professional and scholastic achievements, Dr. Clark’s extensive knowledge gives her the opportunity to assist and change the current state of gerontology with a focus on Caregiver Support services. Deidre devotes herself to finding realistic and inexpensive tools and techniques for caregivers to control and eliminate their stress levels without sacrificing their personal commitments to their loved ones. As a Hypnotherapist in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, she was chosen to create a Stress Management Resource Program and guided imagery tools for our Families/Caregivers. PALS is always searching for individuals with special talent to address the needs of not only our participants, but also their family members. PALS and Dr. Clark have partnered to create an additional level of support designed especially for caregivers. Caregiver stress doesn’t just affect you emotionally. It has physical consequences such as high blood pressure, loss of sleep, etc. Furthermore, support for caregivers of elderly loved ones can be difficult to find. If you feel you’ve run out of external options for stress relief there is an internal technique called guided imagery. Dr. Clark will offer monthly support groups for caregivers through Guided Imagery Techniques.

What is the Guided Imagery Technique?

It’s a method to relax the mind and body, which is often incorrectly referred to as ‘visualization’ or ‘mental imagery’. Guided imagery goes beyond just forming pictures in your mind—it invokes all your senses. Although the history of guided imagery goes back centuries, it’s only in the last 25 years that researchers are learning the positive impact it has on health, creativity and performance. In addition to lowering your stress levels, reports have shown that guided imagery also helps...reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower glucose levels in the blood , heighten short-term immune cell activity, lessen headaches and pain, decrease feelings of depression, increase energy and best of all...anyone, regardless of sex, age or circumstance, can use guided imagery. So if you’re someone suffering from caregiver stress, it can help you lead a happier, and even healthier life.

How to Perform the Guided Imagery Technique:

Those looking to relieve caregiver stress through guided imagery achieve three principals:

The Mind-Body Connection—Your mind can create events that feel like actual experiences in real time, even if it happened long ago. This principal taps into your creative mind power.

The Altered State—Using that creative power you unlock your internal strength and skill since your brainwave activity and biochemistry shift and become more powerful in this state.

Locus of Control—When you master control of your thoughts you also unleash your potential. You’ll achieve higher optimism and self– esteem, as well as a greater ability to tolerate physical pain and emotional stress.

The methods to these steps is entirely up to you, but it usually works best in a relaxed atmosphere—before you start your day or before going to bed are the best times. You’ll also achieve greater results when exercising a couple of times daily in 15-minute intervals for at least 3—4 weeks. The most important tip of all is don’t worry if you’re doing it correctly—find ways that you’re comfortable with, because there is no “right or wrong way” when using guided imagery.

PALS will be offering this Caregiver Group Therapy the 3rd Thursday of each month at no cost to the families. The start date is scheduled for August 19th at the PALS location.

This service normally costs from $350 to $400 per hour based on the number of people in the group. The only cost PALS is requesting is your time and commitment for the effort that we are putting forward. Therefore we encourage each of you to take advantage of this opportunity as we are the only adult day health program offering this much needed service.

For those individuals wanting more of a one-on-one session: To help those trying to manage caregiver stress and who wants a little extra help please visit her website at www.matthewshypnosis.com or call (704) 845-5705 or (704) 707-4860. She also makes customized individually guided CDs that have an amazingly effective guided voice- - - -to listen to at your computer or to download to your IPod. Dr. Clark is available for public speaking and is developing a Caregiver Coaching Practice. The model is based on life coaching principles, but tailored for the unique circumstances of caregivers.

Bettye Mills

You know you’re getting old when:
Everyone is happy to give you a ride because they don’t want You behind the wheel!

News You Can Use

Effective August 1, 2010 participants who currently use the transportation services of a taxi company or MTS (county bus) to come to PALS, May no longer be able to, due to program changes at the Department of Social Services. If you live farther than 3/4 of a mile away from the nearest bus stop, you will automatically keep your current transportation carrier.

For all of you that live close to a city bus stop or to the LYNX Blue Line, you will have to get assistance at the transit office. The process is, the transit office will contact me (Tiffany Durham) with your loved ones scheduled appointment. I will contact you with the information as I receive it.

Once Special Transportation Services (STS) has made you aware that your application is received and accepted, STS requires that the family contact them at least 5 days in advance for a ride. This is very important because, if you do not schedule a ride for your loved one STS will not automatically pick them up for adult day care.

The dispatch operator at STS may tell you from time to time that your loved one has been placed on standby, this means that you will have to call back until a ride can be scheduled for them. If you are unable to get a confirmation on your ride, you may want to find other means of transportation for that day.

This is how I understand the changes are going to occur, but I just may have some information based on case by case situations. Stay in contact with me as we all grow through this process.

Please if you have any questions feel free to contact us here at PALS (704) 370-0093.

Goodbye to a Good Friend

We would like to extend our thanks to Librarian Annie Jordan for her devotion to our program. She has been coming to PALS for several years from the West Blvd. Branch of the CMC Library. But due to the recent cuts her position has be eliminated. She will be missed by everyone at PALS. We wish her the best.

Goodbye:
Vickie Baxter

Welcome:
Pauline Sammons

Donations:
Tinder Box & McCranie’s– Cigar Boxes
Betty Paysinger & Julia Passmore—Watermellons
Pat Linton- Games
Helen Adkins—Magazines & Cards
Thanks to the following for their time & effort:
Elaine Morgan-Betty Woods
Linda McGee-James Hobson

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

Important Reminder:
If a participant stays past 6 pm
There is a charge of $1 per minute.

Please remember if any information changes to let PALS know immediately: (phone, address, medications, etc.)