Earlier this week, I hosted a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk that takes place here in Austin on October 4th.  The event was held in the lobby of the Assisted Living that I work at.  We had posted signs, baked cupcakes and desserts of all kind in hopes of raising $150 for the cause.  Before we could even open for business we had people dropping off money and showing interest in our event.  People would stop by and buy a loaf of strawberry bread for $20.  I was the one who had baked the strawberry bread, I knew it was yummy - but I couldn't believe it had sold for 20!  As the day went on and we started winding things down.  The grand total for our one day effort was $280.  Almost double what we thought we could make.  It made our group realize that we can make a difference.  We will continue to raise money up to October 4th.  We will reach our goal for this year for $1000!  Anyone can do it!  One cupake at a time!

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It is a Small World After All!

A few weeks ago, I packed my bags and headed to Mexico.   It was
time to leave work behind and head straight for Margaritaville. – Side note, I
work at an Assisted Living as an activity programmer in Austin, Texas.  My boyfriend and I decided to take the early
flight down to San Miguel De Allende, as we arrived at the airport in the early
morning we were greeted by long lines.  Not
just long lines but really long lines! We were running late and not getting
anywhere just standing there.  Then I saw
a familiar face, when a resident’s 0family member greeted me proudly wearing
her American Airline uniform. She looked at me and then my tickets and said,
“there must be a problem with your tickets”, she quickly took my bags to the head
of the line.  I began to thank her for
her fantastic service and she told me, “you do such an amazing job with my
mother and now I get to do something for you”. 
It was a very special moment and it made me realize how much value there
is to my job.  As my journey continued, I
enjoyed taking dance lessons and cooking classes. The whole time I was
thinking, I can’t wait to go back and tell my seniors about all of my
adventures.   One night, my family decided to head out to
Tio Lucas, a small little Mexican restaurant in downtown San Miguel.  As my family sat down for dinner, I heard my
name being called by a friendly voice. 
As I looked over my shoulder, I was greeted by two family members of
residents who used to live at my assisted living community.  They welcomed me with smiles and said, “We
treasured the time that our loved ones where at your community.  Thank you for being there for my loved
one.”  I guess, even though I was on
vacation in a foreign country, the message was so clear it is amazing to see
who I have touched through my job in Austin,
Texas.  It is a small world after all!

As students headed back to school today, I realized that I
am enrolled as a student of life at my work. 
The senior adults that I work for are my teachers.  They have studied relationships, families and
life for over 80 years, which makes them overqualified. Here are a few life lessons that I have learned.

1. Don’t
   tell other people your problems. 
   Half of them don’t care and the other half wish you were worse off.
2. A
   little learning is dangerous.
3. Love
   your family.-The are the only ones who will take care of you when you are old.
4. Live
   with regrets. – It makes you appreciate life. 
5. And my
   personal favorite…When ordering drinks, remember one is not enough and
   three is too many.  Just like
   women’s breast.

Everyday, I have the opportunity to learn from these professors of life!  School is in session!

The following tips will
allow a person with hearing loss to effectively use what hearing they
have and use visual cues to receive as much information as possible.
When dealing with senior adults, I have learned a few tricks on how to communicate properly with those who struggle with their hearing.  People with hearing loss often rely on visual cues for information. All of these tips are easy to do, but may require a
conscious effort at first.

• Choose a quiet environment.
  Avoid communicating where there is a lot of noise or visual activity.
  If there is a TV or radio in the room, consider turning it off.
• Avoid standing in front of a light source when speaking.
  The bright light behind you (from a window or desk lamp) will make it
  harder to see your face. Make sure the light is shining on your face,
  not behind you.
• Allow the person with hearing loss to choose their seating first. Most people know how the environment will help or interfere with communication.
• Make sure you have the person’s attention before speaking. Waving a hand, or a light touch on the shoulder or arm, is an acceptable way to get attention.
• Stand a normal distance from the person.
• Do not cover your mouth when you are speaking. This includes covering your mouth with a hand or a long mustache or beard!
• Do not have anything in your mouth when you are speaking.
• Look directly at the person you are speaking to and maintain eye contact.
• Ask the person what will make communication easier.
• State the topic of discussion as you begin. When you change the topic, make sure the listener is aware of the new topic.
• Speak clearly, at a normal pace.
  If you tend to speak quickly, slow down. Do not overly exaggerate or
  slow your speech at first. If the person has difficulty understanding,
  slow your speech more, break the sentences into smaller portions, and
  check for understanding again.
• Use open–ended questions to check for understanding.
• Repeat the statement, then re–phrase if the person is unable to hear the words spoken.
• Use shorter, simpler sentences if necessary.
• Do not shout. A loud voice may increase distortion or give the impression you are angry, without improving comprehension.
• Use gesture, facial expression and body language to assist with communication.
• Be patient and take time to communicate. Saying “never mind” or “it’s not important,” causes the person with hearing loss to feel they are not important.
• Be aware of fatigue. People who are Hard of Hearing must work harder to communicate, and this can be extremely tiring.

I hope these tips help!