Posts Tagged ‘eldercare’

Virginia Morris, Eldercare Expert, to Speak in Virginia

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

EldercareVirginia Morris, a nationally recognized authority on eldercare and author of How to Care for Aging Parents, will lead a discussion entitled “Our Parents, Our Selves: The Later Years” on March 19 at 2:00 in Culbreth Theater at the University of Virginia.

Ms. Morris will discuss how families can effectively engage in the difficult but necessary conversations about legal, financial and medical plans for aging parents and spouses. Her main message is “Plan ahead. If we could simply get people to think about all this sooner, to plan for it even a little bit, we could ease the strains enormously.”

Almost forty-four million Americans attend to the health care needs of a relative or another person.

Morris will set an optimistic yet realistic tone as she guides the audience through the morass of emotions and practical information which should be addressed among family members.

She emphasizes the importance of helping one’s parents retain independence and self respect while taking care of oneself.

Lois Shepherd, author of If That Ever Happens to Me: Making Life and Death Decisions After Terry Schiavo, will moderate this session. Ms. Shepherd is an associate professor in the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities, UVA Health System.

The Institute on Aging organized the session, which will be presented at the Virginia Festival of the Book. The program is sponsored by Genworth Financial and co-hosted by the Senior Center.

This free presentation and discussion takes place from 2:00 – 4:00 at the Culbreth Theater at the University of Virginia. There is no admission fee, but please RSVP at either “uvaging @ virginia.edu” (remove spaces and quotes) or (434) 243-5695 to reserve your space. The theater address is 109 Culbreth Road.

The University of Virginia Institute on Aging: The primary mission of the Institute on Aging is to understand and enhance the aging process throughout the human lifespan. The Institute acts as a catalyst and coordinator for interdisciplinary research, education, and service programs. For further information, please visit the Institute’s website at http://www.virginia.edu/aginginstitute/. A podcast of this event will be available on Institute website soon after her presentation.

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Aging in Stride

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Caregivers take note...

Caregivers and relatives of the elderly might be interested in a publication and Web site offered by Aging in Stride. The book is geared toward a wide range of seniors, including people in their 70s and older, as well as Baby Boomers who are using it as they care for aging parents, and as they themselves enter their senior years. The book, published by IlluminAge Communication Partners, a division of Caresource Healthcare Communications, Inc., offers the following information:

  • 45 aging issues discussed clearly and honestly
  • Strategies to help you plan ahead and make smart choices
  • Forms to help you get organized and stay on track
  • Access to more resources online and in your community
  • Online reader support center for extra copies of forms and direct click-through to online resources.

The site also offers information that is free for anyone who wants to know about emergency readiness for older adults and caregivers, information about how to improve your life as you age and information about laying a foundation for health and happiness in your retirement years. The site includes the ability to sign up for an eNewsletter along with free forms for information and courses.

For example, they states that although seniors made up only 15 percent of the population of New Orleans before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to Knight Ridder, 74 percent of the hurricane victims were older adults. These events served as a grim reminder that older adults are disproportionately at risk in disaster situations, and emergency preparation is an even greater concern for this population.

The U.S. Administration on Aging’s National Family Caregiver Support Program and Caresource Healthcare Communications, Inc. are pleased to announce the new consumer guide Just in Case: Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers. This free consumer resource includes a 12-page fact sheet and checklist that will help older adults and caregivers prepare for emergencies. Special emphasis is placed on issues that affect older adults, disabled persons, and their caregivers due to medical conditions, physical challenges, assistive devices, and mobility issues. Just in Case presents an easy-to-do three step approach to emergency preparedness:

  • Step 1 focuses on a handful of essential things a person should know
  • Step 2 covers emergency supplies, both for surviving at home and for evacuation if necessary
  • Step 3 is creating a personal plan that takes into account a person’s own unique medical and physical needs.

“Just in Case” is a supplement to Aging in Stride. The new supplement is available as a free consumer resource online at the Aging in Stride website www.aginginstride.org or on the Administration on Aging’s website www.aoa.gov. Purchasers of the book Aging in Stride will also receive a complementary hard copy with their purchase. Aging in Stride is available for $24.95 plus shipping and handling at www.aginginstride.org or by calling 800-448-5213.

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Wishes Aren’t Just for Kids…

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Tiny Evelyn, from Joliett, IL had always wanted to ride a camel. The police department raised the money to have Einstein the Camel take her for a ride.

Tiny Evelyn, from Joliett, IL had always wanted to ride a camel. The police department raised the money to have Einstein the Camel take her for a ride.

One day my father, in a fit of pique, stated, “Kids never ask their parents about their dreams.” I was floored…but, he was somewhat correct. On the other hand, parents often don’t share their dreams with their children, and sharing is what makes for closer connections. Now, however, I can meet my father head on if he ever ends up in an eldercare community or in hospice care – I can introduce him to Second Wind Dreams.

No, this is not a joke. Second Wind Dreams (SWD) was formed in 1997, and it grew from the work of geriatric specialist P.K. Beville, M.S. who co-authored Second Wind, a novel about people living in a nursing home. Over the last twelve years, SWD has become involved in more than 290 eldercare communities in 40 states, Canada and India. The mission that drives SWD is simple: through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of innovative educational opportunities to caregivers and communities, SWD seeks to change the perception and experience of aging, empowering elders to age with dignity, hope and joy.

Browsing through the site is enough to make someone smile, as the dreams (or, wishes) are both fantastic and simple. Sometimes, people ask to relive a past experience, such as a visit to a favorite vacation place. Other dreams are longer-lasting, such as learning how to play the piano. According to the Web site, “An unbelievable 46 percent of dreams fulfilled are just for fun. Our recipients want to go to the Price is Right, ride a go-cart, a camel or a rollercoaster. This proves we never lose the ‘kid’ in us.”

As for simplicity, wishes for something as simple as a cupholder for a wheelchair or a dress so you can attend church again can mean much to an elderly person.

In addition to fulfilling thousands of dreams, Second Wind Dreams has built an award-winning program that includes training and support for Dreamweavers, educational programs for eldercare professionals, a quarterly newsletter, a web site, and ongoing publicity efforts with local and national media. Support for making wishes come true is available through individual donations and through special events sponsored by SWD. SWD also is creating an option to sponsor a dream, if that’s your cup of tea.

Not only is the SWD site a great place to spend some time browsing, it’s a wonderful resource to learn more about what your elderly loved ones may want. This means a lot – especially to kids who have a parent who never shared his dreams (dad!).

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Government Web Sites on Aging

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
The U.S. Government can offer many resources for eldercare.

The U.S. Government can offer many resources for eldercare.

Are you afraid of getting older? Are you unsure about what opportunities might be available to your or your loved ones who also are aging? While many people seem to be distrustful of government entities, the U.S. government has produced some insightful Web sites that deal with aging. These sites are listed below, along with information about what they offer to the aging discussion nationwide.

The list is in alphabetical order for your convenience, and it includes a handful of the most important government agencies on aging, health and welfare.

  • Administration on Aging: The mission of the Administration on Aging (AoA) is to help elderly individuals maintain their dignity and independence in their homes and communities through comprehensive, coordinated, and cost effective systems of long-term care and livable communities across the U.S.
  • Aging: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. This page at HHS offers a variety of information about senior living, from care givers to resources such as assisted living information and much more.
  • Aging Initiative: This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website provides a wealth of information about the Agency’s efforts to protect the environmental health of older persons.
  • Aging Stats: The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (Forum) was initially established in 1986, with the goal of bringing together Federal agencies that share a common interest in improving aging-related data.
  • Eldercare Locator: Find a local or long-distance eldercare facility with this public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging (see above). The Eldercare Locator is your first step for finding local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services.
  • Healthy Aging for Older Adults: The Center for Disease Control (CDC), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers a site that focuses on health, aging and chronic disease. The Healthy Aging Program (HAP) serves as the focal point for older adult health at CDC, and establishes programs, develops innovative tools, and provides a comprehensive approach to helping older adults live longer, high-quality, productive, and independent lives. HAP collaborates with other CDC programs, such as those focusing on injury prevention, disability prevention, and adult immunizations, as well as key external partners.
  • Medicare: This is the official U.S. site for people with Medicare. Medicaid information is located as the Health and Human Services site.
  • National Institute on Aging: NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH (National Institutes of Health), leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. Subsequent amendments to this legislation designated the NIA as the primary Federal agency on Alzheimer’s disease research.
  • Senior Citizens’ Resources: This page, part of the U.S. Gov Web site, offers information ranging from caregivers’ resources to resources on travel and recreation for seniors. You can provide an email to be notified when any given page is updated with new information.
  • U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging: The Senate Special Committee on Aging was first established in 1961 as a temporary committee. It was granted permanent status on February 1, 1977. While special committees have no legislative authority, they can study issues, conduct oversight of programs, and investigate reports of fraud and waste. The Committee has a long and influential history. It has called the Congress’ and the nation’s attention to many problems affecting older Americans. The Committee was exploring health insurance coverage of older Americans prior to the enactment of Medicare in 1965.

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