February is the month of love, candy, and heart health. It has been consideredAmerican Heart Month since 1964, after President Lyndon B. Johnson suffered a heart attack and recognized the importance of heart health. The goal is to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease and encourage people to take care of their hearts through reducing and eliminating risks. Cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes don't only affect men though. Heart disease is the #1 killer in women and Go Red for Women is the initiative focused on changing that. You can Go Redby:
Go get your numbers: check your cholesterol and blood pressure
Own your lifestyle: stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy
Realize your risk: it could happen to you
Educate your family: involve them in your lifestyle change
Don't be silent: speak up about Go Red
Client Spotlight: Eileen De Santillana
Meeting Eileen De Santillana is a treat. She is lovely and sweet, just like candy, which is why we chose her to highlight this February.
Eileen was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She attended a school taught by nuns, where she became bilingual in both English and Spanish.
At the age of 20, she was working at the US Embassy as a Visa Clerk/Secretary where she met her husband Gerald De Santillana. They fell in love and married in 1968, and have now been together for 52 years! And what a life they’ve had together.
Gerry’s job with the State Department allowed him and Eileen to travel throughout the world, with new assignments being given to them every 2-4 years. One of their first and favorite places was Haiti, where they lived for 3 years, making many friends, eating wonderful food, and exploring the Caribbean. After Haiti, they moved to Madagascar for two years! In this beautiful country off the coast of Africa, Eileen was able to teach English at a cultural center. Eileen and Gerry returned to Haiti for another 2 years, then got the opportunity to move on to several new places, including Washington DC, Colombia, and Madrid, Spain. Eileen kept busy in each city they lived, often working in the Embassy as a Visa Clerk, doing translations, and learning the local language and culture.
After 35 years with the State Department, Gerry retired from the traveling portion of his job, leading them to settle down in northern Virginia for about 12 years. During those years Eileen (who is fluent in French in addition to her native Spanish and English) worked as a translator and as an interpreter for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She and Gerry also continued their travels, visiting China, Egypt, and Turkey, in addition to France and Italy, their favorite countries. They also made annual trips to Peru to visit Eileen’s mother, brother, and other relatives.
In 2010, they moved to Santa Barbara after Gerry inherited a home here. Eileen was able to remodel and decorate the home to her style, which she loved doing. Moving to a different city was nothing new to them and they knew the first steps to making connections and how to learn the area. They joined the Newcomers Club, creating friendships and bonds that would last throughout their time here. During the last few years, their life has quieted down greatly. But they are still able to dine out occasionally with friends and enjoy regular visits from their daughter, who comes all the way from Switzerland, where she works, to spend time with her mother.
We are so happy to work with Eileen De Santillana and have gotten the chance to get to know her. Elvira Moreno De Luna has been working with Eileen consistently for about 9 months now, and we thank her for her loyalty and care for Eileen.
We also thank Gerry De Santillana for sharing his wife’s amazing life with us.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday!!
Joelene Kosub, 2/6
Isabella Siering, 2/16
Rose Gonzalez, 2/20
Rosa Gutierrez, 2/21
Diane Wright, 2/27
Featured on the right is our Client Service Manager, Liah Ramirez, on her birthday 1/28.
W2s
Attention Caregivers: 2020 w2's were mailed to your home(or the address you have paychecks sent to) on January 31st, 2021. These were mailed from Infiniti HR Services Group, not from Senior Helpers. If you have not received your w2, please let someone in the office know so we can get one to you.
New Shirts
Attention Caregivers: We are planning on ordering new T-Shirts and Polos! If you would like a new one, please email Emalee at nkourani@seniorhelpers.com with your size and how many you'd like!
Look what the stork brought in...
Please meet Leon Jeffrey Workman born January 14, 2021 at 12:23pm, weighing 7 lbs 0 oz and measuring 20 inches long. His middle name is after my Dad. He is happy, healthy, and bringing us so much joy!
Leon is so excited to meet all of you and he actually already did meet one caregiver. As we were leaving Cottage hospital Hilda Gonzalez walked by! It was lovely to see a familiar face. Although I was quite dazed at the time!
I think of you all often and hope everyone is doing well!
-Shannon Workman
COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccines have begun being distributed in Santa Barbara County. We have had several caregivers sign up and receive their first dose! The COVID-19 Vaccine is a series of two shots, with the second dose taking place three weeks to one month after the first. Even with the vaccine it is important to continue wearing a face mask, practice social distancing, and wash hands often.
Here is a photo of our caregiver Laurel Allen after getting her COVID-19 Vaccine!
What to Expect After the Covid-19 Vaccine
Like most vaccinations, the COVID-19 Vaccine can have some side effects.
On the arm where the shot was received, there may be pain or swelling.
Throughout the rest of your body, you may feel side effects such as: fever, chills, tiredness, or headaches.
If you have pain or discomfort, speak with your primary care provider about taking an over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen.
To reduce pain or discomfort from spot where you received shot, apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth to the affected area or try using and exercising the arm.
To reduce discomfort from a fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
Contact your doctor if:
the redness or tenderness around the shot increases after 24 hours.
side effects are worrying or do not go away after a few days.
Senior Helpers Fasth, 1900 State Street Suite B, Santa Barbara, California 93101
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