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Page 10, RURAL-URBAN RECORD, December 5, 2022

4. Stay open to hearing their stories. Likewise, aging par- • North Ridgeville Home Instead – 35590 Center Ridge
ents may forget that they shared something moments ago Rd in North Ridgeville
and repeat themselves. Typically, stories from their young- • First Federal Lakewood – 33701 Center Ridge Rd in
er days are recalled more vividly and accurately than the North Ridgeville
events of the past 24 hours. Old stories may be familiar re- • Bread and Brew – 100 South Main St in Wellington
runs too. But with patience, you might learn something new • Village Market – 816 North Main St in Wellington
about your family’s history—a veritable gold nugget. • Little Green Apple Hallmark Shop – 35910 Detroit Rd
5. Remember gratitude. Caring for aging parents can be in Avon
mentally exhausting, even if you aren’t their primary care- • Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Center – 649 Leona St in
giver. If you’re feeling down, try recalling the many ways Elyria
your parents helped you and feel thankful for their gifts of “This program is so much more than gift-giving – it’s
time, energy, and devotion. Focusing on gratitude can light- about the special moments and joy shared between the old-
en your spirit and make it easier to return the love. er adults and the community around them,” said Fannin.
It can be hard to see someone you love struggle with men- “There is nothing better than seeing the smile on an older
tal decline as they age. Sadly, memory loss and other cog- adult’s face when they open their gift.”
nitive impairments are all too common. There are no easy Be a Santa to a Senior is a true community program,
5 Simple ways to provide solutions, but you can take these simple steps to treat aging with support from local businesses, nonprofit organiza-
parents with respect and compassion. If you find yourself tions, retailers, numerous volunteers, and members of the
loving support to parents in a situation where you need to help your loved one move community. The Home Instead office in North Ridgeville
and are looking for caring, compassionate, professional real has partnered with Lorain County Office on Aging, Welling-
with memory challenges estate help, consider giving me a call at 440-371-2862. ton Office on Aging, North Ridgeville Community Care,
Walmart (Elyria), City of Elyria (Civil, Criminal and Re-
By Jennifer Herron Underwood
cords Departments), First Federal of Lakewood (North Rid-
This is the time of the year where many of us will be Be a Santa to a Senior geville) and Community of Faith United Church of Chris
spending more time with our family, friends, and our par- (Elyria) to help with gift collection and distribution.
ents. Sometimes when we get caught up in the hustle and Since the program’s inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a
bustle of the holiday season it is easy to be overwhelmed As the community prepares to celebrate the season of Senior has mobilized more than 65,000 volunteers, provided
and to not be as patient as our loved ones need us to be. giving, Home Instead® encourages North Ridgeville resi- approximately 2.2 million gifts, and brightened the season
Now, more than ever, is the time that we adult children need dents to share the holiday spirit with older adults who may for more than 750,000 deserving older adults nationwide.
to slow down and support our parents especially if we are not have family and feel alone. Through Be a Santa to a Se- For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com.
seeing signs of memory challenges. Here are 5 tips to help nior®, community members can give a special holiday gift To learn more about helping older adults in North Rid-
show your loving support: to an older adult who may otherwise go without. geville, visit imreadytocare.com.
1. Speak slowly and clearly. Cognitive decline, potential- “A simple gift can bring such joy to older adults who may
ly coupled with hearing loss, makes it harder to process in- not have loved ones to celebrate with,” said Marny Fannin,
formation quickly. Make it easier for Mom or Dad to follow director of business development of the North Ridgeville
your words by slowing down, speaking clearly, and pausing Home Instead office. “Through Be a Santa to a Senior, we
between sentences. If you’re talking face-to-face instead of can help them feel the holiday spirit.” 440-355-4616
over the phone, sit close, so you don’t have to speak loudly. This year program coordinators hope to collect gifts for Keystone Pointe Offers:
2. Only correct them when it’s essential. If a parent’s 125 local older adults. This is the program’s 12 year in the •Large Private Rooms
memory is fragile, there will be numerous instances when area. •5 Star Rating - Medicare’s Highest
facts are confused, and details are forgotten, perhaps sec- To participate, shoppers can look for Be a Santa to a
onds later. Avoid correcting them unless it’s genuinely help- Senior trees or displays at locations around the area. Orna- •Secured Dementia Unit
ful to do so, enhancing their ability to enjoy the conversa- ments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult •Post Hospital & Long-term Care
tion. will be on display, and shoppers can buy the requested gift
3. Repeat things as often as necessary. It doesn’t card and return it to the location with the ornament attached.
matter that you’ve told the same story several times before. Ornaments will be available from November 1 to December
And, it’s irrelevant if you need to share important family 2. The gifts will be delivered to local older adults in time for 383 Opportunity Way
news more than once. Instead of showing any signs of frus- the holidays. LaGrange, OH 44050
tration over repeating yourself, be thankful that you’ll never Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following Near the intersection of 301 & 303
run out of things to talk about! locations:

May all that brings you joy be yours this

holiday season and throughout the coming year!

From your friends at Danbury North Ridgeville,

COURTNEY STANISLAW RACHEL WHEELER
Director of Sales & Marketing Director of Sales & Marketing

Villas | Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

Danbury takes your health and wellness seriously. While many other

senior living facilities offer on-call nurses, we are proud to continually offer
nurses on-site, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

440.596.3797 • 33770 Bagley Road, 44039 • DanburySeniorLiving.com