Did You Know Jackie Is a Speaker?

Jackie Verdoorn, owner of Hill Country Care Providers, has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas. She is certified to practice geriatric nursing in Texas and is certified by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers.

Not only does she have extensive experience in geriatric nursing, but she is also active on the speakers’ circuit for specialized educational programs. Jackie is very knowledgeable in all aspects of geriatric care with particular interest in dementia and Alzheimer’s. She has developed numerous presentations, and she wants to share her knowledge with you. She has participated in numerous speaking engagements for churches, civic organizations, private organizations, and long-term living facilities. The presentations are very informal, and are always well received by the audience. There are always numerous questions and discussions among the attendees. The presentations, included below, are CEU accredited for registered nurses, social workers, and home health administrators.

1. Understanding Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

2. Staging Activities in Persons with Alzheimer’s

3. Working with Combative Alzheimer’s Clients

4. Stages of Communication Breakdown in Persons with Alzheimer’s disease

5. The Global Deterioration Scale

6. The Four A’s of Alzheimer’s disease

7. Perceptions in the Alzheimer’s World

8. Physiological Changes in the Alzheimer’s Brain versus the Normally Aging Brain

9. The Long Goodbye, the Grieving Process for Families with Alzheimer’s

10. The Challenge of Sundown Syndrome

11. The Activities of Daily Living and Alzheimer’s Disease

12. Nutrition and Hydration for the Alzheimer’s Person

13. The Ethics of Nutrition & Hydration in the Actively Dying

Let us know if you would have any interest in having Jackie as a guest speaker for your group!

What People are saying about Hill Country Care Providers

Jackie, Just wanted to say "thank you" for all your help with my mother. All of this is so new to me. I was impressed because you helped me and you were so kind and knowledgeable about all of it. I'm just getting started and it's so refreshing to know that there are extraordinary people like you that really care about the existence and quality of care of others. With many thanks, - Daughter of an Ill Mother

Dear Jackie, Thanks so much for your help [with my mother's appointments]. As I have said before TGIJ (Thank God For Jackie). - A Grateful Son

Dear Jackie, My grandmother isn't doing very good - I really don't know how much longer she can hang on. Honestly I am amazed she is still here, but I am committed to being with her as much as I can WHILE she is here. She helped me my entire life and I intend on being there for her at the end of hers. At first, I didn't know how you guys could do what you do. NOW I know how you do it. You guys have been nothing but the best! I will refer you to everyone! Thanks for helping me keep my crazy schedule Beth! I really appreciate you. - Granddaughter of an Elderly Grandmother

Dear Jackie, You are a consummate professional and you have been an angel to my father and my entire family. There is no way we could have maintained our sanity during my Dad's last weeks without you or your staffs' unbelievable efforts. With your patient care ethics, I want people to have your name if they ever need assistance. - Son of a Father with Cancer

Dear Hill Country Care Providers, Thanks so much for the sincere care, friendship and support you provided to our mother and entire family. Your willingness to stay with our mother for long overnight shifts helped us from being overwhelmed. - Children of a Lady with Alzheimer's disease

Dear Jackie and all your wonderful staff, I don't know what I would have done without you. You were so informative and helped me understand what was going on. You were right on the ball, getting someone to the hospital right away when I was sick. - A Satisfied Client

Jackie, Thanks so much for making my trip to Europe possible. I seriously, probably wouldn't have gone if it weren't for you. I have no one else to trust my loved one to but you. Thanks for your friendship and professional help. - Daughter of a lady with Vascular Dementia

"To those who are given much ... much is expected."

The care given to someone you love in need of these services meets the highest of expectations.

I believe this company was founded on giving their best in the healthcare industry to the ones who could benefit the most by giving them the highest quality of life for each individual they treat. This company was responsible for my Uncle's care when he was living at The Heritage. When the time came, we asked for them to assess his situation and put in place things that would benefit his life the most during this difficult time. One who has been through this knows what it takes to help a family in crisis. It is with absolute professional responsibility this company takes command of and works closely in contact with the family and client. It is an open door policy and works hand in hand to be in sync with one another in order for it to be a successful endeavor. They maintain a well balanced re-pore with their staff in order to fulfill the needs of their clients and family as well as the standards she sets for this company. Things are always changing in this field and there is a need to find ways of improving this company and constantly raising the bar. Her reputation is on the line behind each patients care as they are hers to oversee. It is also their goal to always employ the most qualified people within her company. They are her reflection and her ethics reflect that. There is more overwhelming proof that we live in a time that it is essential to have home health care. The growth of this business continues as so many more people are in need of this type of care. Many of their patients are by referrals. It is one of the highest compliments to pay someone knowing you have put your trust in their hands.

-Past Client

Dear Jackie, This is just a note to tell you how much I appreciate your selection of caregivers. They have given me a sense of truly caring about my feelings and seeing that my needs are met. Just the kind way they speak when going down the hall. Sometimes just a quick hug or a sincere "hello" means so much. - A Grateful Client

What Is SilverSneakers®?

SilverSneakers® is a fun energizing program that helps older adults take a greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events.

More and more seniors are interested in developing a healthier lifestyle. With the partnership between Health Care Dimensions (developed the SilverSneakers program) and various major health plans* across the United States, Medicare-eligible members of these health plans can participate in fitness center memberships at no extra cost. These programs may be found at local YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, senior centers, and large family fitness centers. The benefits can include access to conditioning classes, exercise equipment, pool, sauna, as well as customized exercise classes specifically designed to help the seniors improve their strength, flexibility, endurance and balance. Additionally, some programs also offer health education seminars and other events that promote the benefits of healthy living such as weight loss programs, as well as quit-smoking and stress reduction programs. The outcomes of this program are measurable and have been most rewarding for the participants.

*In Texas, some of the insurance plans offering this program are certain AARP programs, Amerigroup, Humana, Unicare, and Universal. There is an excellent web site, SilverSneakers.com, for additional information on this great program.

SIlverSneakers is a registered trademark of Healthways Health Support, Inc.

If It Sounds Too Good, It Probably Isn’t (Good)!

Unfortunately, seniors are at high risk for certain scams. In fact, 1 in 4 seniors report being victims of scams (statistics-Texas Attorney General’s office). However, the real numbers may be even worse as many of these scams go unreported. Seniors are afraid they will lose their freedom and independence, and along with this, lose their self-respect and self-esteem. Most unfortunate is that seniors are cheated out of their hard-earned savings which is very difficult, if not impossible, to recover the lost money. These scams take every imaginable form, and the con artists’ stories are very persuasive and reasonable-sounding.

Here is a list of 5 warning signs that should make you think before you respond:

• · Unsolicited mail or phone call(s).

• · A promise that you will receive a large sum of money.

• · Any efforts to obtain personal financial information.

• · You have to pay money BEFORE you receive money, goods or service.

• · You are asked to wire money instead of using the US Mail.

Senior Alert from Texas Attorney General

Scams take all forms: check, purse, and identity theft; home repair, foreign lottery, sweepstake, healthcare, home repair (typically from unlicensed contractors), ”mystery shopper,” investment frauds; seasonal-type schemes like collecting for all types of children’s charities and environmental disasters; and all types of advertisements: direct mail, magazines, ads, newspapers.

Remember, under any circumstances never provide an unknown caller your bank account, credit card, PIN or social security number!

In addition, consider using some of these measures in order to avoid one of these scams:

• · Shred all papers with personal numbers before putting in trash.

• · Never keep all credit cards in same wallet or purse.

• · Don’t regularly carry your Social Security card or put the number on your checks.

• · Make photocopies of both sides of credit cards and keep them in a safe place in case they are misplaced.

• · Secure personal information in your home, especially if having service work done in home.

Consumer Alert from Texas Attorney General