I have a small, compact device that helps me determine the authenticity of the beads and gemstones I sell. The machine is called a Presidium Gem Tester II. It runs on electricity or battery power (2 AAs). The technique is called thermal conductivity scale (TCS) testing. The scale reads Glass at one end (left side) and Diamond/Moissainte (right side) on the other. In between glass and diamond is a number of other semiprecious gemstones, including garnet, tourmaline, iolite; chyrsoprase, emerald, nephrite (greens); tanzanite, aquamarine; quartz, amethyst, citrine; jadeite, spinel; topaz; ruth, sapphire. (The red CAL stands for calibrate.)
To help me “measure” and record a reading of the thermal conductivity of the stones, I have decided to give them values from 0 – 6 (see the arched bars on top, like a rainbow). The first arched bar on the top left I will call value 1, next to the right is 2, and so on, until we get to the far right, which is 6 for diamond/moissanite. I will test three times, and use different beads from the same strand.
Each value (1-5) will be divided into quarters. So each stone will have a reading of a whole number (e.g. aquamarine could read as 2.0), or a portion of a whole number (e.g. jadeite could read at 2.75).
I will keep this listing updated as I test new stones.
AGATE: Bamboo Leaf (matte), 2.0; Black banded agate, 2.0; Yellow Fire Crackle Agate, 1.75
(An observation about agate: When the bead is broken, it looks like a glass substance. It is very shiny.)
AMETHYST (purple quartz): 2.5
CITRINE (yellow quartz): 2.5
HEMATITE: 3.0
JASPER (dalmation): 1.5-1.75
LAPIS LAZULI: 0.5
MOONSTONE: white with blue flash, rainbow, 0 – 0.25
QUARTZ (clear): 2.5
RHODOCHROSITE: 2.0
SHUNGITE: 2.25
SUNSTONE: 0.5
TIGER’S EYE: Natural matte, 2.25
To be identified:
Black stone 1 (opaque with minor white veining): 2.75-3.0
Black stone 2 (opaque with tiny chipped divits): 0.5
Testing the stone with the Presidium isn’t the only test I do to determine authenticity. There are other ways to examine beads, too!
If you would like to see my jewelry and gifts, check out “Gentle Angel Treasures” on Facebook and Instagram (@gatreasures).
YouTube video by Marilyn Christian: Sail on by Brent Hoag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyRAhRZ4ud0. Brent Hoag wrote a poem for his wife, Sally, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. The words were put to music by Songfinch and sung by Effee.
On page 92 of, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers, which Brent Hoag helped me with, I explain about ambiguous loss, a term coined in the 1970s by Dr. Pauline Boss. It is the unfortunate situation whereby a loved one is still alive, but “lost” at the same time. They are physically present but psychologically absent. This happens when someone is affected by a disease such as Alzheimer’s or one of the many other neurocognitive disorders. Damage to and dying parts of the brain ultimately affects one’s personality. Some caregivers find writing can help them cope with their grief. Brent Hoag wrote a poem in 2021 called “Sail On” which is dedicated to his wife Sally (see below). He then had it made into a song, then naturally a video on YouTube followed (see above).
The book, “Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers” that I helped author Angela G. Gentile in part to write, has been well-received with a lot of positive feedback. My original poem “Sail On,” which I dedicated to my wife Sally who is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, appears on page 93 which follows Chapter 9 that I wrote addressing humour and coping in relation to Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
For your ease of reference purposes, I am also including the original poem that I wrote that went viral across Canada, the USA, and beyond. I am so grateful to have heard back from countless people who thank me and let me know how much the poem (and now song) resonate with them. It is also great to learn that it has been disseminated/shared within the Alzheimer Society British Columbia and amongst personnel primarily at the renowned UBC Brain Health Centre. The song “Sail On” was also played at a national conference on-line discussion at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
Brent Hoag
Brent and Sally Hoag
DEDICATED TO SALLY
SAIL ON
So far from the shore
I feel like I am no more
So far from land
I am now a lost husband
I am losing you
You are going away
Like a lost horizon on a cloudy day
From the deck I will release a dove
As a sign for you the one I love
Even though you are still here
I find that you are no longer near
Because you went adrift at sea
I will never again really be me
I love you Sally wherever you are
My heart is broken because you have forever gone afar
Even though I have found the shore
The “we” and “us” are never more
Sail on my love
Sail on my love
I pray that you find my dove
That I sent to you my love
Sail on
Sail on
Until you are finally free
From the bonds of this cruel sea
I will see you one day beyond the horizon
And my heavy tears will be no more
As we join together once again
So far from the shore
Love, Brent 💙
A special thank you goes out to Brent for sharing his beautiful poem. My heart goes out to him.
Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
Note: Brent says, “Feel free to share and further disseminate this.”
Dry January is an annual event in which people choose to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. The campaign, which originated in the United Kingdom, encourages participants to give their bodies a break from alcohol and to reflect on their relationship with drinking.
The health benefits of abstaining from alcohol for a month are well-documented. Alcohol is a major contributor to liver disease, and giving the liver a break can help to reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Abstaining from alcohol can also improve sleep quality and help promote weight loss. It can help save money. Additionally, taking a break from drinking can help to improve mental clarity and reduce stress.
Participating in Dry January can also be an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their relationship with alcohol. Many people use alcohol as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues, but this can lead to a cycle of dependence that can be difficult to break. By abstaining from alcohol for a month, individuals can gain a new perspective on their drinking habits and determine if they need to make changes to their relationship with alcohol.
However, it is worth mentioning that for people with certain medical conditions, history of alcohol use disorder or those who are recovering from addiction, the decision to take part in Dry January should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
In addition to the personal benefits, Dry January also serves as a way to raise awareness about the negative effects of alcohol on health and society. The campaign encourages people to think critically about alcohol and its role in their lives, which can lead to long-term changes in attitudes and behaviors.
Overall, Dry January provides an opportunity for individuals to improve their health, reflect on their relationship with alcohol, and raise awareness about the negative effects of alcohol. It’s an annual tradition that allows people to start the new year with a healthier lifestyle and a new perspective on drinking habits.
I have decided to take a break from drinking alcohol for the month of January in the year 2023, starting on the 2nd. I know a few others who are on this journey with me. I consider it a reboot or reset of sorts. I am already well into the experience and I am reaping the benefits. I will report back in more detail when my 31 “dry” days are behind me.
You can start at any time. Who else wants to give it a go?
Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
Written with the help of ChatGPT, chat.openai.com.
Quality Senior Services – Trusted Professionals for All Your Needs. Member Angela G. Gentile.
Edit: I left the group on 12 Sep 2024.
Who can you trust to provide you with services and products that tried, tested, and true? Who do you call when you need professional services, products, or advice? If you are not sure, I have the answer for you!
I am proud to announce I am now a member of the Quality Senior Servicesnetwork of trusted professionals in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Who are we?
We are dedicated to providing quality products and services to seniors.
Are you a senior looking for assistance or someone caring for an older person? The goal of QSS is to help meet the diverse needs of older adults providing easy access to a variety of products and services. Call one of our trusted professionals or visit our website at qualityseniorservices.com to discover how SQQ members can help you or someone you care about.
Quality Senior Services, 2023
Our brochure and website lists an impressive variety of professionals, including:
Realtor
Financial Planner
Disability Tax Credit Advisor
Licensed Insolvency Trustee (Accountant)
Lawyer
Mortgage Broker
Clinical Social Worker (me!)
Dental Care
Nurse Practitioner
Pharmacist
Speech and Swallowing Therapy (SLP)
Private Home Care
Home Medical Supplies
Professional Movers, Transition Specialists, and Estate Sales
Funeral Services
and MORE!
Quality Seniors Services (QSS) was founded in 2007 to provide a trusted and reliable space for seniors and caregivers alike, to find credible professionals with a strong rapport in the older adult community. QSS strives to offer a comprehensive variety of health services providers, professional service providers, and quality of life services providers. Each member of QSS is held to a high standard and is required to have an up-to-date criminal record check, vulnerable persons abuse registry check, and industry certification and professional requirements.
Quality Senior Services, 2023
Many of our members provide mobile or home visits. Accessibility is key. We know.
Our membership is always evolving and we are open to having new members who provide services to older adults and their families. All service providers are vetted and trusted, whether they are health sector, quality of life, or general professionals. We all come with a wealth of experience.
You will see us out at the “Pros Know Expos” and we are always willing to chat with you about your needs.
Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
Clinical Social Worker for Quality Senior Services
For more information on QSS or email us at qseniorservice@gmail.com.
Here in Canada, January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month. To commemorate this event, I am thrilled to announce the release of my newest book, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss: A Helpful Guide for Caregivers (2022). This book has been in the making for a few years now and I am pleased with its completion. It is available for purchase on Amazon in paperback and ebook (Kindle) format.
Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss is a fully revised and expanded version of my book, Caring for a Husband with Dementia. Caring for a Husband with Dementia, written in 2015, has been my number one seller and this new book is sure to enlighten everyone. It is written in gender-neutral language and will be relevant for all care partners and those who provide assistance and help to those struggling with cognitive decline and neurocognitive disorders.
My idea for this book came to me not long after I published, Caring for a Husband with Dementia. I had people asking me, “Where is the book for us husbands?” and “Where is my book? I am a child of a parent with dementia.” This got me thinking. So I started by having men who were caregivers look over the book. I had one man who was unable to complete his mission. So I had to continue to search for the right person(s) to help me.
Dubbed the “first aid kit” and “quintessential survival guide” for caregivers.
Eventually, I developed a friendship (through an online caregiver support group) with a man named Brent Hoag, whose wife Sally had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years prior. He was very keen on helping me and agreed to review the book from a male caregiver’s perspective. He is a prolific writer in support groups and online, so I knew he would be a great choice. His contributions to this book project were so valuable that I included his name on the front cover!
Brent’s contributions to Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Memory Loss include a chapter on humour and his words of wisdom, experience, and advice are sprinkled throughout the book. You can sense the love for his wife in his words and the challenges he endured and how he handled them with loving care.
In this expanded volume I include special chapters on delirium, drinking, driving, and doggy dementia. In the seven years since I wrote my first book on dementia, caregivers have come to me with some very challenging situations that are unfortunately more common than we realize. The dementia-affected brain can pose so many difficult situations for caregivers, so this book is sure to shed some light on how to cope and manage.
Topics include:
Getting a Diagnosis
Understanding Dementia
Understanding Caregiving
Asking for Help
Practical and Emotional Support
Caregiver Burnout and Self Care
Humour as a Coping Strategy
Improving Self-Esteem
Long-Term Care Placement
Loss, Grief, and Bereavement
Communication (includes Therapeutic Reasoning®)
Coping with Difficult Behaviour (the biggest chapter with tons of tips!)
Abuse and Neglect
Legal and Financial Preparedness
Delirium and the Older Adult
Problem Drinking and Dementia
Unsafe Driving
Doggy Dementia
and more!
These 210 pages are full of support, tips, and advice that everyone can learn from whether you are a informal care provider or a formal caregiver. Problems with one’s memory and recalling recent events is often one of the first signs of dementia. I have included the term “memory loss” in the title in case a failing memory is the main problem one is having.
If you would like to purchase a copy, I always have some available on hand, or you can purchase the book online from Amazon. Contact me for any other inquiries, or click on these links to go to Amazon (USA – change country if needed):
Angela G. Gentile is a clinical social worker who has worked with thousands of clients and their families. She has a specialization in aging and has been working with older adults for more than 25 years. Angela is married, has two adult children, and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
I would like to tell you about my recent therapy experience. I believe in order to be a good therapist, one should be seeking therapy as needed to deal with their own issues. Even the best therapists need a therapist occasionally! To optimize my emotional and psychological health, I occasionally seek outside help. With this in mind, I saw Clinical Social Worker Ruth B.Z. Thomson of Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a therapy session. She used a therapy technique called “Brainspotting” (BSP) which was new to me and which I was very curious about.
“Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body, pain, trauma, disassociation, and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with bilateral sound, which is deep, direct, and powerful, yet focused and containing.”
David Grand, Phd, Brainspotting Developer and Trainer
By the way, bi-lateral and BIO-lateral are two different things. It sounds confusing, but here is a way to explain the difference. Also, there is a link between brainspotting and EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing).
After filling out forms and consenting to treatment I entered Ruth’s beautifully decorated and comfortable office. She said I could choose any chair to sit on. There were about six chairs. I scanned the room, chose a chair, sat down, and got comfortable. I rearranged the cushions and used a little step stool. She sat across from me. She told me after a brief talking session, I would be listening to music with headphones, and she would use a wand for me to look at and focus on. The wand looked like one of those telescopic back scratchers and it had a dark blue handle.
We chatted for a bit to discuss my issues and then she told me we were going to get started with the brainspotting treatment. She passed me the headphones and made sure I could hear the music in both ears. It was not too loud as she also wanted me to be able to hear her. She said she was going to be watching me and I was to focus on my physical and emotional responses related to the issues I had presented to her with.
The music she chose for me is called “bilateral” and it’s not exactly music. It was calming peaceful sounds such as chimes, waves, and birds chirping. The sounds alternated between the left and right ears.
The music was very relaxing and calming. I noticed a yellow “glow” around the wand. (It almost looked like a magic wand!) Ruth held the wand to the left of her, almost at an outstretched arm’s reach, at eye level and I stared at it. She moved the wand slowly and watched my physical reaction. Sometimes I blinked more or fidgeted or took deep breaths. She also watched my facial expressions.
After a few minutes she moved the wand and asked me to follow it. She moved it to the right of her body. It was about eye level. Very slowly and methodically she would move the wand up or down all the while watching my reaction.
She asked me what I was feeling and thinking. I shared my thoughts, then she took the wand and moved it back to her right side.
The music was very calming. I processed some feelings and thoughts. At one point I felt mad, and this was a bit of a revelation. This was good!
She then had me talk it out some more until I was done with my observations and feelings about the issue at hand.
Then Ruth had me close my eyes and brought the wand closer to me. She had me open my eyes and I followed the wand, and she brought it back to her right then circled downward and back up closer to me. She repeated this closeup – back to the right – downward swoop movement in a fluid moderately paced motion about 4-5 times. It was like drawing a sideways “D” in the air with the wand. We then paused for a bit.
She then had me do a relaxing visualization. I found myself on a hammock in Hawaii! All the while the bilateral music played quietly in my ears, alternating between left and right.
After the guided imagery was over, she had me take off my headphones. There was a long pause as we sat in silence. She then asked me for my thoughts.
I told her I like analogies to explain things when I can’t quite put my feelings and thoughts into words. I told her it felt like I was put into a long, dark tunnel and now I’ve come out of the tunnel and I’m not quite sure where I am. I’m looking around, but I’m not quite sure what just happened and where I ended up. It feels good though. I told her I think it’s going to take me a little while to process what just happened. She agreed and said that it will take a few days for the neural pathways to change. She told me to drink lots of water and gave me a couple pages to read on brainspotting.
I am hopeful that this treatment will help me with my issue, and I could already tell just a couple hours later that I was already feeling some benefit.
SKULL: Power to think, ward off illness, strength, intelligence. The symbol of the skull reminds us to live life to its fullest. Encourages is to reflect on our mortality. While the skull acts as a reminder of death, it also carries an important message. Your time is limited, so you should make the most of it. Seize every day you have and live life to the fullest. Skulls can also symbolize the power of life. Skulls can be a symbol of toughness.
SNAIL: Self-Assurance, healing, change, fertility
SNAKE: Fertility, rejuvenation, rebirth and the cycle of life, immortality, heightened perception, wisdom, and healing
SPOON: Strength; It’s okay to say No. Some people living with chronic illness, mental health issues, or neurodivergent diagnoses use something called Spoon Theory to manage energy levels on a daily basis. This Spoon Theory “Spoonie” charm is meant to symbolize your strength, but it is also meant to serve as a reminder that it is OK to say “no” because you just don’t have enough spoons in one day. In the disability community, wearing a spoon necklace can mean solidarity.
STAR: Courage and purity of spirit, to reach for the stars with dreams and desires
STARFISH: Patience, Healing, sensitive
SUITCASE: To help reduce your problems
SUN: Healer of people, uplifting, positive life giving, happiness
SUNFLOWER: Adoration, loyalty, and longevity
SWALLOW: Love, safety, security, compassion
SWAN: Dreams, love, grace, union, partnership
SWIMMER: Get to know, appreciate yourself more
TAPE MEASURE: Evaluation, judgement
TEAPOT: Friendship
TEETH: Change in emotion, helps you to stay away from harmful people
TIGER: Ability to trust yourself
TOADSTOOL: Happiness
TRAIN: To help you stay on track
TREE OF LIFE: Life, family, generations, growth. Family strength and ties, link between heaven and earth
As a good luck charm: This wise, gentle, kind, and strong little sea turtle is a natural navigator and will help you navigate life, bringing you good luck.
UNICORN: Purity, innocence, and enchantment
RAINDROP: Raindrops represent renewal. Raindrops symbolize getting rid of unhelpful ideas and feelings. Water symbolizes purification, rejuvenation, and rebirth. Water may erase previous mistakes and help you discover your real self.
Myself (Angela Gentile, left)and Cheryl Cels (right) holding her book, What a Journey! (2022)
It’s an amazing feat to publish your first book at age 76! I am very proud of my friend, Cheryl Cels, who has self-published her first children’s book which took her four years to complete. It stars her two grandchildren, Jake and Hudson, and takes them on a historical Canadian time-travel adventure.
What a Journey! is a work of historical fiction. The story is about two young teen siblings who fall into the river, magically taking them back to the early days of the Red River Settlement in Manitoba, around the year 1815. Their lives are saved over and over again by Chief Peguis and his family and the Anishinaabe people who are very hospitable and supportive.
What a Journey! is a paperback book with 102 pages.
What a Journey! back cover.
The history presented in the book has been well-researched and Cheryl states the facts are accurate. The information is based on published accounts of the early days of the Red River Settlement. Cheryl adds, “It’s not a boring story though, because it’s about two fun-loving young teens who the readers like to learn about as they follow them on their amazing journey.”
Cheryl states this easy-to-read book is very timely. People are opening their minds and their hearts to Indigenous people – wanting to know more about what they battled through. What a Journey! provides an opportunity for understanding with lots of good information. The photos and illustrations help bring the story to life.
Cheryl started writing her book in 2018. She took a class at McNally Robinson to learn how to write children’s books. She then was inspired by her two grandchildren, Jake and Hudson, who are the main characters. In real life, they currently live beside “The Passage” in Charleswood (a neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba) which is referred to in the book.
I was at “The Passage” and it was full of life.This young deer at The Passage was very curious about me.
Cheryl ran into some roadblocks in getting her book published. Prior to hiring an editor, she had sent the manuscript to a few publishers, but it was rejected. Cheryl got discouraged and so she put it away. She hadn’t touched it for a long time.
Her breakthrough came when Jamie Maes, a grade five teacher, asked her if she could read the book aloud to her class as part of the social studies curriculum. She found it helped her students learn about the Red River Settlers, the Hudson’s Bay Company, the NorthWest Company, and the Indigenous people who were so kind and helpful to the main characters, Jake and Hudson. Cheryl states, “Jamie Maes got me going again, and that’s when I finished it! If she hadn’t helped and encouraged me, this book would never have happened.”
Phoenix is one of the characters who Cheryl is very proud of.
Cheryl’s hopes are that the book will be widely enjoyed by all ages and she would love to see it used in Manitoba schools. Teacher are encouraged to put more Indigenous content into their classrooms and this book has Anishinaabe language, characters, and truth. It describes how very kind and helpful they were to the settlers.
Joe Cels (left), Cheryl’s husband, contributed many graphics, including the cover art.
Cheryl Cels is a University of Manitoba Social Work graduate, and has lived in Winnipeg most of her life. She has always enjoyed writing and has a strong interest in Canada’s history.
To purchase a copy of this book (for $20), you can contact myself (by using the contact form below) and I will get you connected with Cheryl.
Angela G. Gentile, BSW, MSW 