The

STELLAR CARE Chronicle

Stellar Care, Inc. * 4518 54th Street * San Diego, CA 92115 * p 619-287-2920 * f 619-286-8534 *

A Treasured Memory is Found The call came in mid January, a Manzanar Park ranger asking if we knew how to get in touch with Itoko Nojima. The voice went on to say that someone had contacted them, and had information about a portrait found in an antique shop in Solana Beach, a portrait with the words "Itoko Nojima, circa 1920, later interned at Manzanar". The ranger gave us the name and a contact number for the person who had contacted them, and Fred made the call. A woman said she had seen the portrait in a shop, and was curious to know if Itoko was still alive, or, if not, would there be a family member who might want the portrait back. Fred got the address of the antique shop, went to check it out, and of course ended up purchasing the portrait. The owner of the shop told Fred that the portrait was in a special "bubble frame", that those frames were very popular in the early 19th century, and the frame alone was worth almost $100. We were not positive that the portrait was really Itoko, and were eager to show it to her and get her reaction. Fred took the portrait to show her, and Itoko recognized it instantly! She said it was her christening portrait that her parents had purchased for her, and that It hung on her bedroom wall for 20 years, until she left to get married. It is once again hanging on her bedroom wall! A lovely story, with a happy ending; but opens a door to a 75 year old mystery! Where was the portrait all those years? Itoko was interned at Manzanar, where did all their household furnishings go? How did this portrait end up in an antique store in Solana Beach? Will we ever know? What we do know is that Itoko is happily reunited with a treasured childhood memory, and that is plenty enough!

Miscellaneous Announcements * * * * *

** Family Support Group meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Families are invited to join us in the Library on the first floor. ** When you bring new clothing items into the facility for your loved one, it needs to be labeled before it is taken to the room. Please bring the items to the front desk so laundry can label the items and deliver it to the appropriate room. ** Remember to check your family members’ mail on your next visit. ** Do you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who would like to receive this newsletter? Please leave a note or email Barbara (barbaram@stellarcaresd.com) with their name and address.

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April Birthdays In astrology, those born between April 1–19 are Rams of Aries. As the first sign of the zodiac, Arians charge out of the gate with energy, confidence, power, and zeal. As pioneers, Arians are unafraid of the unknown. As eternal optimists, no odds are ever considered insurmountable. Those born between April 20–30 are Bulls of Taurus. Bulls show a steady persistence in endeavors both professional and personal, and after working hard, are not shy about rewarding themselves for a job well done. Genevie J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 5th David D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 9th Gerald S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 14th Alice C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 15th Vonda R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 19th Shirley S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apr. 20th Nancy T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Apr. 22nd

April 2016

Celebrating April

Physical Wellness Month

Defeat Diabetes Month

April Fools’ Day April 1

World Health Day

April 7

Earth Day April 22

Passover

Begins Sundown April 22

Linda Cho Executive Director

Barbara Moore Business Director

Annelie Damasco Assisted Living Director

Susan O’Shaughnessy Marketing Director

Rachel Robinson Activities Director

Chris Cho Building & Maintenance Director

Chris Moore Culinary Services &

Laundry Director

Postage

Information

4518 54th Street San Diego, CA 92115

License # 374603625

To the Family Members of Stellar Care, I must say, “I am in awe of you.” Daily, I am touched by your strength and love as you navigate the stages of dementia. Usually, Annelie and I, are the first on our staff to meet you, and we listen diligently to what you are sharing as you begin to process that community living is now necessary for your loved one. We acknowledge your grief, sadness and immeasurable exhaustion. The next part of our process is to meet your loved one. This assessment or evaluation is accompanied by additional emotions on your part, usually nervousness, anxiousness and clarity that this is really happening. We meet loved ones at home (yours or theirs), in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and sometimes older adult behavioral units. Please know this never gets easy for Annelie and for me. We hear you, and see you, and we experience who your loved one was, as we prepare to care for who she is. Each and every one of you remains unique, special and respected as you define and find your “new normal.” Not only do we develop intimate relationships with your loved one, but many of us form a bond of solidarity with you. We go through this with you, as your support team, and there are serious, next-step conversations that have to take place. But there are also glorious, funny, and touching events that we get to share, too. By our staff finding that common place of trust and respect with you, your loved one has optimal experiences of dignity, purpose, engagement and joy, even with dementia. You each have such noble ways of channeling your advocacy when you become Stellar Care family members. Some of you join our support group, others raise money for our local organization, Alzheimer’s San Diego, many of you volunteer your time and talent. Recently, Shawn Walsh, family member and son of our beautiful resident, Lee, shared his Capstone Project paper with me. His research paper, “Disparity in Funding for Alzheimer’s Disease Research,” touched me to the core. It is a significant paper, well researched, and well written with charts and graphs addressing underfunding for research and care.

Included are a couple of interesting facts that Shawn writes. “AD affects 5.4 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. It is the most common and most dangerous form of dementia and accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementia patients. It is the only one of the top ten causes of death in the U.S. that has no cure, no prevention, and no treatment and it kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. In addition, the cost to treat AD far exceeds the amount of funding that is earmarked for research, ($584 million in 2014).” “The 5.4 million individuals diagnosed with AD are cared for by 15 million family member caregivers nation-wide that provide an estimated 17 billion hours of unpaid care for dementia patients, at a cost of about $200 billion per year.” Dear family members, YOU, are that living statistic. We at Stellar Care recognize your need and the need of your loved one when we first meet you. What touched me most was Shawn’s “Dedication” of his paper. He writes, “I would like to dedicate this work to my mother, Lee, who struggles every day with Alzheimer’s Disease and always told me to ‘do what you can today.’ Also to my family, especially to my sister-in-law, Josette, who still helps out immensely with Mom’s care; you are still our angel……Special thanks to the staff at Stellar Care for the love and care you provide every day. We’re all in this together.” Yes, we are all in this together but you each remain individuals, carrying your legacy and honoring your loved one, the best you can.

Susan O’Shaughnessy

HEREWEGOAGAIN…..

STELLAR CARE ISMAKINGIMPROVEMENTS …stay tuned for upcoming remodel and renovation to our front patio and courtyard.  You’ll love it!!! 

Volunteers Bring Joy

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We are Grateful… …to our partners and suppliers, vendors and friends who help us to do what we do.

Odos Home Health

“It takes a village” is a statement that truly reflects Stellar Care and its partners. Odos Home Health, led by the owner, Cynthia Fajardo, works closely with us, our residents, and their physicians, to bring wellness into our building. Their experienced and loving team of nurses, physical, speech and occupational therapists, come into our building to provide quality care “at home” for our residents. They understand the special care and understanding, as well as the patience that it takes to provide the services that are necessary.

Thank you, Odos!

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Martha Tesfamichael Among Stellar Care staff, we not only say that we are family, we, many times, actually are. Martha knew about Stellar Care from her longtime family friends, Alem and Amarsh, our caregivers. She joined our culinary staff soon after graduating high school. Born and raised in San Diego, her parents emigrated from Eritrea to provide better opportunities for their children. The youngest of six children, Martha grew up a vigorous reader, spending many of her summers in the library. In high school, she put her reading comprehension skills to good use, and graduated with honors while simultaneously participating in tennis and after school clubs. After graduating, Martha went straight into cosmetology school and received her license. Not one to stay still, Martha currently works at Stellar Care while going to school to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. Martha is a driven, people-person, and spends her free time socializing with her friends at home, or listening to music. While she may be a little shy around strangers, she turns on her smile and caring charm for our residents, as we are sure she will do with her future students when she achieves her dream. We are proud to have Martha as part of our Stellar Care family!

Stellar Care Employee of the Quarter

Michelle Horn-Gray Receptionist

Thank you, Michelle. You are STELLAR!!!

April 2016April 2016