Summer Caregiver Edition We hope your summer is off to a great start! This edition of the newsletter is all about our dedicated caregivers. Read on to learn about the annual winners of our Caregiver Scholarship Program, all the news from our recent Caregiver Appreciation Day festivities, information about the upcoming Walks to End Alzheimer’s, and all the C&H news.

Caregiver Scholarship Program 2018 Winners Announced

The Annual C&H Caregiver Scholarship Program was founded in 2015, and is open to caregivers, their children and grandchildren. The program awards funds that can be used towards tuition,

books, and expenses.

This year’s winners include field coordinator Astrid Pindo-Vasquez - who is studying at the University of Connecticut to become a doctor, Jessica Williams, daughter of caregiver Linda Williams - who is studying psychology at the University of Rhode Island, and caregiver Pamela Duncan - who is studying at Educational Training in Wethersfield to achieve her CNA Certificate. Congratulations! We wish all of them good luck with their studies!

 Caregiver Appreciation Day We set aside a special day each spring to celebrate Caregiver Appreciation Day. This year, our celebration took place on the

afternoon of May 2, 2018 in all 11 of our branch office locations. We welcomed a record number of caregivers and their clients to the receptions, which featured contests, prizes, refreshments, “Home is Possible” t-shirts, a caregiver essay contest with the chance to win an iPad, and the recognition of our eleven 2018 Caregivers of the Year, one from each office.

2018 Caregiver Appreciation Day: Meet Our Caregivers of the Year

As part of our Caregiver Appreciation Day celebration, each of our 11 branch offices nominated and recognized a “Caregiver of the Year”. Each of our winners received a certificate, personalized tote bag, flowers, and a $500 award. Pictured below are the eleven men and women who were chosen as our 2018 Caregivers of the Year:

(Left to right, top to bottom) Avon-Leroy S., Berlin-Honora T., Clinton-Ilene B., Enfield-Francis D., Farmington-Michelle W.,

Glastonbury-Esme H., Hamden-Zaydee G., Litchfield-Christina W., Middlebury-Savitre K., Norwich-Joyce C, Westport-Diana H.

Visit us on our Facebook page for the latest news! www.facebook.com/companionsandhomemakers

Caregiver Appreciation Day: Caregiver Essay Contest

Caregivers who joined us for Caregiver Appreciation Day were given the opportunity to participate in an essay contest for a chance to win an iPad. Caregivers were asked to share special things they do for their clients to support our belief that Home is Possible.

The Winning Essay and winner of the iPad was submitted by Hamden-based caregiver Gregory H., pictured at left: “My client Stanley with dementia would not be able to remain in his own home without my help as a caregiver. He needs friendly reminders to get organized for the day. I am able to provide a smile and a helping hand that makes him feel comfortable.

Outside in his garden, I assist him with his planting, something he’s done for over 50 years as he was a farmer on his property. Conversation about the past with his life makes him feel relaxed and is good for his sociability. At the end of the day he is safe and able to be in a familiar setting. The mission of “Home is Possible” has been achieved!”

More Smiles From Caregiver Appreciation Day

Walk to End Alzheimer’s C&H has supported the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s,

an annual event that raises money and awareness for Alzheimer’s research for many years. This fall, we hope to field teams for all 7 walks taking place in Connecticut. Our office staff, caregivers, clients,

and their families are eligible to walk. It’s a truly fun-filled day, and everyone who walks gets a commemorative t-shirt, and more importantly, gets to help C&H raise money and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. If you are interested in participating, please contact our Walk coordinator Dana at 860-677-4948, ext. 7430. If you reach Dana’s voicemail, please leave your full name and callback number, and make sure to mention which of the walks you’d like to participate in.

Date/Time City/Town Starting Point

Sun., 9/9/18 -8:30 am Enfield Enfield Town Green

Sat., 9/15/18 – 9:00 am New London Ocean Beach Park

Sun., 9/16/18 – 9:30 am Norwalk Calf Pasture Beach

Sun., 9/23/18 – 11:30 am Litchfield White Mem. Consv. Ctr.

Sun., 9/30/18 – 8:30 am Danbury Western CT State Univ.

Sun., 9/30/18 – 8:30 am New Haven Lighthouse Point Park

Sun., 10/14/18 – 8:30 am Hartford Rentschler Field

We Need Your Help With over 28 years of service to older adults across the state, we’re proud of our reputation as Connecticut’s most trusted home care agency. More and more, potential new clients and prospective new caregivers are using the internet to learn about our services and employment opportunities. If you find yourself on a website that offers reviews or feedback about C&H, we’d appreciate if you’d take a few minutes to leave a positive comment or two. Sometimes, it’s this type of honest feedback that helps families decide to become our clients… or helps a caring individual to become our newest caregiver!

Visit us on the web at:www.CompanionsandHomemakers.com

Team Enfield 2017