Continued from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

WHAT'S MY NEW ROLE?

Mom is acclimating to her new environment well enough.  What am I to do?  Well, some of my roles include mom’s advocate, her caregiver, her daughter and her laundress and personal shopper.

In my role as advocate, I keep abreast of what is going on with Alzheimer’s research, testing and locally through the Alzheimer’s Association and any local training available. I read profusely and I belong to two Alzheimer’s groups on Linked In and one support group at Menorah Manor. Gwen Kaldenberg, director of the Bresler Alzheimer’s program, hosts Menorah Manor’s support group that is held the first Thursday of each month. We are a small group – but we are mighty.  Sometimes one of us is “in need” and the group listens with care and compassion. Sometimes a relative has had “an event” and again we embrace the caregiver in a hug. Usually, we share articles that we have read or presentations we have attended or just go around the table to “catch up” on what is happening right now for each caregiver and their loved one.

Recipe Submitted by Menorah Manor Guild Publicity Chair, Barbara Baughman

This yummy pie is perfect for a light Spring/Summer supper...just add a salad and fresh, crusty bread and you have a wonderful meal.

Chocolate-Covered Caramelized Matzoh Crunch
Makes approximately 30 pieces of candy

Ingredients:

• 4 Eggs
• 1 1/4 C. Vegetable Oil
• 2 C. White Sugar
• 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 C. All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp. Baking Soda
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 3 C. Grated Carrots
• 1 C. Raisins
• 1/2 C. Butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 C. Confectioners' Sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions:

The following recipe is one of the many famous creations by Ricki Lewis, activity therapist, for the Monday morning Baking Buddies group at the Samson Nursing Center.

Note: You will need a greased 9x13 inch baking pan

Ingredients:

  I will probably never forget where I was on the morning
  of December 31, 2011. I attended Shabbat morning  
  services in the Ida and Jules Lowengard Synagogue at
  Menorah Manor, and what made that morning
  particularly memorable was the Bat Mitzvah of 96 year
  old Samson Nursing Center resident, Myrna Barg. 

Save the Date: February 15, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Menorah Manor and The Alzheimer's Association will be hosting another lecture in the series, Practical Approaches to Caregiving.

  Linda Burhans will speak on A Positive Journey through  
  Caregiving and her book, Good Night and God Bless.

We at Menorah Manor hope that you have had a wonderful Chanukah filled with friends, family and lots of food! Here are the last two Gourmet Latke Toppings that we picked up from the St. Pete Times: