In This Issue

• Words of Wisdom
• Welcome Jim, Kathie, Ethan, Janet and Gloria Anne
• Welcome New Senior Approved Services
• Marketing Elder Care Services
• Calendar of Events
• All I Want For Christmas...
• Jokes

Words of Wisdom

Earl sent in a list of quotes that he's accumulated over the years. He entitled it THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IS ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION A sample of the quotes are

Money talks and often just says, "Good-bye".
Birds have bills too and they keep on singing.
Forbidden fruit is responsible for many a bad jam.
God's retirement plan is out of this world.
A good example is the best sermon.
The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice.
Well done! is better than, Well said!
Minds are like parachutes - they function only when open.
Check out his page for many more!

Charlene also offered a variety of quotes. She's calling hers' Family Quotes A sample of her quotes are

Some family trees bear an enormous crop of nuts.
--Wayne H

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
--Confucius

Check out her page for much more! Feel free to submit your words of wisdom! It's easy! See Words of Wisdom

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Welcome

Welcome Jim Miller and Kathie Crombie to the Quality Care Options staff. Send them an email and say hi! You can read about each of our new associates by going to QCO Staff Members

A big warm welcome to our latest Senior additions! These folks have used our free web creation service and so can you! See Meet our seniors for easy instructions.

Gloria Anne a 79 year old retired schoolteacher. Ethan a web page created in memory of a grandmothers' memory of her grandfather and Janet who lives in Texas with her husband and they are looking for groups to have lunch together.

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Newly Certified as Senior Approved

Welcome! Jean F. Wales author of Do It Now! a comprehensive resource guide, including a CD ROM, that provides information for senior citizens and their families to organize and prepare for the various transitions we face as we age. The CD ROM contains checklists that can be customized to each individual's needs. The survey results from those that have purchased her handbook were superior!

Welcome! Advanced Laser Solutions Not only were the survey results fantastic, but I (Barbara Mascio) can personally attest to the effectiveness of this laser treatment. If you want to quit smoking and do it in one day, this treatment removes (I'm not kidding) all physical cravings. Now, you will still have the mental thoughts associated with the actual habit, but the 'cravings' are gone. This allows you to calmly, without going nuts, quit smoking for good. Seriously. I'm embarrassed to admit how long I've smoked and how many times I've tried and failed here in print. But if you want to discuss this with me personally, call me. 216-883-3163.

Read the Advanced Laser Solutions Newsletter

Welcome! Occasional Help For Cleveland Seniors At last! A general handyman/cleaning service in our network of Senior Approved Services. This small company had one of the best overall survey results we've ever had. Their customers love them.

Coming soon, in survey process: M&M Partnership in Shaker Hts OH offering affordable room and board in an historical home for independent seniors, Elite Elder Care offering adult day services in Perry OH and My Home Care, Inc. offering home care services for seniors in Springfield IL.

For these and other Certified Senior Approved Services, see our directory at Approved Services

We have; financial planners, bill paying services, document preparation services, home care, assisted living, Alzheimer's care, home medical equipment and supplies, elder mediation services, adult day services and much more!

NOTE: We are in great need of the following services to recommend to our seniors and family members: Snow removal companies, handyman services, maid services, Alternative health services, and heating/cooling contractors. If you are aware of a good company, please refer them to our web site at

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Marketing Elder Care Services

We continue to collect 'self-help' resources for the service providers marketing to the senior market. We've added a few more resources for you. See Marketing Tools

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Calendar of Events

Your RSVP should have been made already, but there's still time if you want to attend the Annual ASNE Holiday/Networking Party! See the December 7th on the calendar for details.

Curious about the Stop Smoking Laser Treatment? See December the 27th on the calendar for details about a free one-hour (no pressure) seminar!

See December 22 for details on a workshop every caregiver should consider. It's called, The Spirituality of Caregiving and presented by Patti Bertschler of Northcoast Conflict Solutions (A Senior Approved Service)

FYI - Have you ordered a copy of 'Truce!'? Patti co-authored this book. What happens when the family roles are turned upside down? When the adult child becomes the caregiver for a parent or grandparent? How do you resolve conflicts that naturally arise in these situations while keeping the peace?

This book will walk you and your family through the process. Highly Recommend it! Read more about the book by going to Patti's main web site at NCS

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All I Want For Christmas

Before I begin this article, please know that this encompasses not just the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, but also the hopes and promises offered in all religions and spiritual and pagan practices. We may use different names, choose different focus points and celebrate on different days, but when you get down to it, the message is the same. Peace, Hope, Love and Joy.

I spent the last few weeks calling on our elderly clients that live alone and either don't have family members at all, or the family is very distant. I do this from time to time, especially as we begin to go through weather changes. I worry. It's my nature. I just want to be certain the heat is on in the winter, the air is on in the summer and that each of our seniors are 'okay'.

This time, I asked 'What do you want for Christmas this year?' Do you remember that old song, where one of the lyrics is 'All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?' Simple request. Sometimes it's the purity of a simple gift that means so much. Remember this Truth as you begin to shop and stress out over time and money.

'All I want for Christmas'

• George - "All I want is to wake up on December 26th, I can take it from there."
• Anita - " All I want is a card addressed to me. Just me. Not 'occupant'.
• Ola - "All I want is my sister to visit with me." "Oh, and she should bring me a pack of cigarettes."
• Frank - "All I want is to share a meal, even a TV dinner will do, with a pretty girl, wanna come over?"
• Marilyn -"All I want is to be kissed under the mistletoe by someone other than my sister"
• Marilyn's sister Esther - "All I want is to have Marilyn quit talking about getting kissed. Who's gonna kiss her?"
• Jackie - "All I want is what I have, I have all that I want. Sharing it with someone would be nice though."
• Rene - "All I want is my son to visit, you know, for just a short visit."
• Sharon - "All I want is a present, anything will do. I might not even open it. Just to see a wrapped up present with a bow and my name on it. That's all"
• Lester - "All I want is to go on a ride. Anywhere. Just out there."
• Elizabeth -"All I want is peace. Peace here and peace everywhere. My grandson is over there you know. We want him back."
• Lorita Ann - "All I want is to win the lottery. But I need a dollar to buy a ticket. Guess I want a dollar!"
• Marjorie- "All I want is a new lip stick. It's not something I buy anymore, it's just too expensive."
• David - "All I want is a good foot massage."

Do you have an elderly neighbor? Maybe this year, you could be a secret Santa and give of yourself, just a little tiny bit. It doesn't have to be much. A card, a small gift. You don't have to even make yourself known. Just put something in front of their door. Something really simple, and inexpensive. Too much and you make your neighbor feel uncomfortable. You don't want them to feel like a charity case.

You may want to call your local senior center. They will have plenty of opportunity for you to give of yourself! One hour of your time. One small wrapped gift. A bag of groceries.

Giving anonymously is a cool thing to do. Try it sometime. It breathes love right into your very soul! Once you try it, you'll find that you will want to do it more often. In fact, you won't have to wait for a holiday to prompt you in to the 'spirit.' Keep the spirit of giving alive in 2005!

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Jokes

Did you hear that one of Santa's reindeer now works for Procter and Gamble? It's true....Comet cleans sinks!

The 3 stages of man
He believes in Santa Claus.
He doesn't believe in Santa Claus.
He is Santa Claus

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. --Jay Leno

Submit your jokes for everyone to enjoy on our forum at Seniors Forum

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Great Gifts Under $50!