The newest team member of the Sierra Vista Family is James Pingel also known as Jim, or to our elders “that nice young man.”

Jim comes to us from a background that didn’t deal with health care but felt it was time for a change he said there was a calling to make a difference in the lives of those around him. That is exactly what he does he brings a smile to the faces of elders with his stories and songs and acting monologues.  He in no way is shy to doing what he needs to do to get an elder laughing and enjoying that moment of their day.

We talk a lot about the engagement of our Elders here at Sierra Vista and how important that they feel connected and while we did it well before Jim joined us, we do it even better now with his energy and we are grateful to the love and care that Jim gives when he for the 100th time answers the same question or is followed around from room to room as he busily tries to keep all elders at different stages in their disease active and engaged. So when you come by for a tour don’t be surprised if he pulls you into song or dance as you walk by that is just the fun-loving guy he is.

This month is National Glaucoma month and we are happy to offer a caregiver tip for those who are mildly or even severely visually impaired. Not only glaucoma can affect vision, but cataracts, head injuries and even age affect vision.   Our wonderful caregiver Ivonne understands that if her elder has Alzheimer's there is a possibility he or she may either refuse to wear their glasses, misplace his or her glasses, break his or her glasses, or perhaps glasses don't improve vision at all.  Through hard work and training Ivonne understands the concept of cognitive blindness as well.  Meaning, the elder has no physiological impairment but due to the dementia cannot "see" what we need them to see (speaking figuratively).  She will find projects for the elder that don't require reading rather, Ivonne will find projects where they can use other senses to feel like they're contributing to a project.  Folding, stuffing envelopes, or handing over a sheet of paper.