This November, we are grateful for all family caregivers! What are YOU grateful for? November kicks off the holiday season with high expectations for a festive time of year. But for caregivers, holidays can often be overwhelming or a reminder of days gone by. In the spirit of giving thanks, we’d like to share how expressions of gratitude can actually lift the spirit and help make your holidays brighter.

Brain and Health Benefits of Gratitude

1. Gratitude is good for the brain. Acts of kindness and feelings of gratitude flood our brains with a rewarding chemical called dopamine. When we are truly grateful for something (or someone) our brains reward us by giving us a natural high.

2. Gratitude improves physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier than others. They exercise more often and get regular check-ups.

3. Gratitude improves mental health. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. It increases happiness and reduces depression.

4. Gratitude enhances empathy. Grateful people are more likely to behave in a prosocial manner, even when others behave less kindly.

5. Grateful people sleep better. Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer.

6. Gratitude increases mental strength. Recognizing all that you have to be thankful for, even during the worst times, fosters resilience and reduces stress. Source: Psychology Today

Hours:

Mon - Fri 9am – 5pm

(803) 888-7525

201 St Andrews Rd

Columbia, SC 29210

LeezasCareConnection.org

Managing Director: Marti Colucci

Email: marti@leezascareconnection.org

Program Director: Kena Dill

Email: kena@leezascareconnection.org

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November 2018

MESSAGE FROM LEEZA

Get up to speed on technology and learn about the apps, websites, and gadgets that might really make your life easier as a caregiver. Whether it’s safely staying at home and being independent longer or managing medications, chances are there is technology that can help. Here is a great place to start online: www.FamilyCaregiverCouncil.com/technology/

Ever Forward,

Leeza

OUR MISSION is to help families cope with chronic illness through tips, strategies, and support.

LUNCH ‘N LEARN PRESENTATION

VA Family Caregiver Program Cristy Roberson, LISW-CP, from the Dorn VA

Caregiver Support Program will discuss VA Health

Care and address basic questions on VA Benefits

for those who are caring for a Veteran. The VA

hospital offers a number of services for enrolled

Veterans to help keep the Veteran at home for as

long as possible.

Wednesday, Nov 28th | 12 – 1:30 PM

SAVE THE DATE FOR GIVING TUESDAY!

Giving Tuesday is a global movement of giving celebrated after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, kicking off the charitable season when many focus on their end-of-year giving. When you’re planning your giving this year, don’t forget about Leeza’s Care Connection! Donate to LCC on Nov. 27 and get registered to win gift cards and other prizes! Help us reach our $5,000 goal and follow us on social media throughout the day!

Donate at LeezasCareConnection.org November 27

National Family Caregivers Month

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE MONTH

This yummy chili recipe will have you enveloped in the comfort of fall! Quinoa is an ancient gluten-free grain and one of the most protein-rich foods you can eat. It contains all 9 amino acids, has twice as much fiber as most other grains, contains iron, and is rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and other beneficial antioxidants. Like other orange foods, sweet potatoes contain lots of beta carotene and are filled with vitamins C and A, keys for maintaining skin, vision, and organ function. Sweet potatoes are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, reducing risk of most types of chronic diseases. And because they are a slow burning starch, they won’t spike blood sugar and insulin levels. So, grab an extra bowl – guilt free! Recipe Source: mymagazine.us

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HEALTHY BRAIN TIP: Free yourself from technology!

THE TASK: Go one day without technology and

social media on your smartphone and computer.

THE REASON: Like a muscle, the brain needs recovery time in order to develop and make new connections, making a little quiet time essential to optimizing brain function. “Unplugging” helps us develop new protocols for communicating and connecting, while reducing stress and enhancing creativity.

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BRAIN CHALLENGE:

I sound like one letter but I'm written with three. I show you things when

you look through me.

What am I?

Answer on bottom of page 5

Answer on bottom of page 5

Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili

Ingredients: ✓ 1Tbsp. olive oil ✓ 1 onion, diced ✓ 5–6 garlic cloves, minced ✓ 1 can (24 oz.) garlic and herb pasta sauce ✓ 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce ✓ 1–2 Tbsp. chili powder (according to taste) ✓ 1 Tbsp. cumin ✓ 1 tsp. dried oregano ✓ 1 tsp. garlic powder ✓ 1 Tbsp. onion powder ✓ 4 cups vegetable broth or water, plus

more as needed Directions: Add broth or water, beans and sweet potato, stir until combined. Add quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover slightly and cook for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender. Add additional broth or water if chili is too thick. Season with sugar and salt, if desired. Serve, refrigerating any leftovers.

✓ 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed ✓ 1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, drained and

rinsed ✓ 1–2 large sweet potatoes, diced (with or

without the skin) ✓ 1 cup dry quinoa (rinsed according to

package instructions) ✓ Sugar, to taste ✓ Kosher salt, to taste ✓ Avocado, cilantro and diced onion, for

garnish (optional)

MANAGING CAREGIVER STRESS: Calming Down Physically

When you feel yourself becoming frustrated, try counting from one to ten slowly and taking a few deep breaths. If you are able, take a brief walk or go to another room and collect your thoughts. It is better to leave the situation, even for a moment, than to lose control or react in a way you will regret. If you think someone may be offended when you leave the room, you can tell that person you need to go to the restroom. You can also try calling a friend, praying, meditating, singing, listening to music, or taking a bath. Try experimenting with different responses to find out what works best for you.

The regular practice of relaxation techniques can also help prepare you for frustrating situations. Try the following relaxation exercise for at least ten minutes each day: Sit in a comfortable position in a quiet place. Take slow, deep breaths and relax the tension in your body. While you continue to take slow, deep breaths, you may want to imagine a safe and restful place and repeat a calming word or phrase.

PICTURE THIS…

The little LCC engine that could! We had a blast

connecting with community members during the Okra Strut

Parade.

We are grateful and excited to announce our partnership with Carroll Campbell Place through a grant awarded by

the Lexington Medical Center Foundation!

Nothing brightens our day like seeing our community melting the stress away in

our Line Dancing class! Come join us on the 1st and

3rd Tuesday each month.

Team LCC was at it again for the 2018 Okra Strut Parade!

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We love seeing our

community grow! We had a great turnout for learning ways to handle

tricky caregiving situations.

Leeza’s Care Connection Night at the SC Philharmonic Orchestra!

Saturday | November 10th | 7:30pm LCC is the nonprofit organization of the night at the SC Philharmonic featuring 20th Century Classics! Tickets available now through the Koger Center at (803)251-2222. We’ll receive a portion of any tickets sales that mention “Leeza’s Care Connection Charity Ticket” at purchase!

Think you can’t paint? Think again! Join us

on Thursday mornings to learn simple paint

techniques that anyone can do to

relieve stress!

Follow us!

Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.

• Write a thank you note. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.

• Keep a gratitude journal. Short entries are okay!

• Count your blessings. Identify 3-5 things each week and write them down.

• Pray and/or meditate. Focus on the moment.

THIS MONTH’S EDUCATION & SPECIAL PROGRAMS

November 5th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, GRIEF SERIES: Finding After Loss

These drumming sessions will offer techniques to help lower stress and bring healing while journeying through the grieving process. Instruments are provided. No experience is needed, only a heart to join one another in learning a new beat in a new life. November 5th Session Topic: Breathing Through the Pain

November 7th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, LUNCH ‘N LEARN: Hospice. Because we all need to know.

Hospice is a subject that most people don’t like to talk about, but the truth is we all have a 100% of dying. So, let’s

face the hard facts together! What is Palliative Care? What does hospice pay for? Are their signs to let me know

my loved one is ready for hospice? Does hospice mean we’re giving up? Join Katie Arnett, hospice expert, to get

the answers to these questions and more.

November 14th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, LUNCH ‘N LEARN: Tackling Tough Dementia Challenges

Join dementia educator Tina Davis to learn practical yet effective strategies for managing tricky behavior and

communication challenges that often arise when caring for someone living with dementia.

November 16th from 11:00 – 12:00 pm, PARFAIT PARTY! Family Caregivers Month Celebration

The ladies of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are partnering with LCC to treat our caring community to a parfait bar

packed with goodies in recognition of caregivers and the important work they do for others! Join us for a tasty

treat and a few tricks. We’ll have a fun pumpkin rolling contest and cast the final ballots for the annual LCC

Scarecrow Contest. All caregivers and care-receivers welcome!

November 19th & December 3rd from 11:00 – 12:00 pm, FOCUS ON BITTER FOODS FOR PREVENTION AND

HEALTHY LONGEVITY, INCLUDING ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET TIPS

As we approach the holidays, food and drinks will be everywhere in mass quantities! These 2 sessions will focus on

nutritious foods and drinks that will help counteract the negative effects of your delicious but least nutritious

holiday foods. Enjoy your favorite holiday foods, but educate yourself on how your body reacts to your favorite

holiday foods while also learning to “eat real and live foods” to avoid holiday maladies like heart burn and weight

gain. Join Certified Fitness Trainer and healthy food promoter Stephanie DiMaggio to discuss these foods.

November 19th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, GRIEF SERIES: Finding After Loss

These drumming sessions will offer techniques to help lower stress and bring healing while journeying through the grieving process. Instruments are provided. No experience is needed, only a heart to join one another in learning a new beat in a new life. November 19th Session Topic: Relax and Release

November 21st from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, LUNCH ‘N LEARN: Senior Expert Panel

You’ve got questions. They’ve got answers! Join local experts on senior topics, Johnsie Douglas, LPC, Wendy

Weaver, Home Health Specialist, Will McNamara, Senior Living Specialist, and Daryl McNair, Community Resource

Specialist for answers to your burning questions on all matters related to caregiving and aging. Don’t forget to

bring your list of questions!

November 28th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, LUNCH ‘N LEARN: VA Caregiver Program

Cristy Roberson, LISW-CP, from the Dorn VA Caregiver Support Program will discuss VA Health Care and address

basic questions on VA Benefits for those who are caring for a Veteran. We’ll learn about a number of services

offered to enrolled Veterans to help keep your Veteran at home for as long as possible.

November 29th from 1:00 – 2:30 pm, VIDEO VIEWING: Dementia Care Tips featuring Teepa Snow

Learn techniques to improve communication, mutual understanding, and better manage distress in order to

properly adapt our behavior to increase communication and quality of life for the person living with dementia.

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Gratitude and Acknowledgements

~ Thanks to the Michael J. Mungo Foundation for giving life to our mission and for continual faith in our dream! ~ Thanks to our monthly Keeping Us Beautiful sponsor – The Cleaning Fairy ~ Thanks to our monthly lunch providers. We appreciate your support!

SUPPORT GROUPS

Caregiver Support Groups You are not alone! Connecting with other caregivers, sharing, venting, learning from each other and our facilitators help you

gain an understanding that you are not alone. Each of our groups below meet twice a month.

Evening group meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm – 7:15pm

Daytime group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 1:00pm – 2:15pm

Parkinson’s Caregiver Support Group – Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 11:30am–1:00pm

This is a group for caregivers who are caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease.

Caregiver Support Group for Early Stages of Dementia – Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 11:30am–1:00pm.

This is a group for caregivers and families adjusting to a new diagnosis of some form of dementia. It focuses on what you

need to know, plan and do in order to live the best life possible in the midst of this chronic illness.

Grief Support Group – Meets the 2nd & 4th Monday from 1:00 – 2:00pm

Connect with others who have experienced loss and challenges that living with grief brings.

Keeping the Faith – Meets the 1st & 3rd Thursday from 1:00 – 2:15pm

The 1st Thursday, we will talk about Victory over Fear using Isaiah 12:2 as our guide for discussion, and on the 3rd we will

discuss The Weaver’s Shuttle with Job 7:6 as our anchor. New caregivers welcome to join our faith-based community!

Breathe Easier Club – Meets the 1st Wednesday from 11:30 – 1:00pm

This group is for lung cancer survivors and their families. RSVP by calling 803-777-9736.

Art of Coping with Loss – Meets 4th Thursday from 6:30 – 8:00 pm – This group will not be meeting in November.

Dr. Delores Gulledge will teach us to use art as medicine when dealing with loss and grief. No experience required.

WELLNESS AND ENERGY PROGRAMS

Coffee & Canvas – Meets every Thursday from 10:00am – 11:30am Ever feel like you just don’t get a chance to connect with other women who get what it’s like to be a caregiver? Well, not

anymore! Join us on Thursdays for social time with ladies filled with smiles and friendship! Coffee and snacks provided.

Bring your own projects or just bring yourself as we let our creative juices flow!

Men’s Coffee Club– Meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 9:30am Connect with other caregivers who have walked the caregiving path over coffee and breakfast.

Healing Rhythms: Drumming Circle of FUN! – Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Cyndi Boot will lead us in the circle of drumming and experience its calming and energizing effects. Group drumming has

been shown to help lower stress, enhance the immune system, and it's FUN!

Beginner Line Dancing – Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Have fun and relieve stress by learning basic line dancing routines! No experience needed!

SharpFit Brains – Meets the 4th Tuesday from 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Did you know your brain has the incredible ability to reshape itself, to adapt and change IF you are willing to stretch it?

This is known as NeuroPLASTICity! You don’t have to sign up for a gym. You don’t need a hypnotist. You just need the

desire to maintain your brain health and 10 minutes a day exercising your brain! Senior Expert Marsha Clayman will teach

us everything we need to know about maintaining the brain while having a little fun!

Page 5 Brain Teaser Answer: a mailbox

CAUGHMAN-HARMAN

and

DUNBAR FUNERAL HOME