Grandparents Parenting Again

Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild?  If you are, you’re one of more than 2.4 million other grandparents nationwide doing the same.  When the children’s families needed help, the grandparents stepped up and volunteered to take care of grandchildren.  Sometimes, a parent has died; in other cases, substance abuse or mental health disorders have afflicted parents.  Some parents are incarcerated; and some are serving in the military.

According to the 2000 census, about 4.5 million children across the country (6.3% of all children under the age of 18) lived in households headed by grandparents.  That number increased by 30% since 1990.  In Oregon, 37,500 children lived in grandparent headed households.

Those grandparents are probably a lot like you. Most are younger than 60; many feel like they’re all alone; and many don’t know where to turn for the help they need.  There is so much to learn when you take over the raising of a grandchild, so much to think about, so many problems to solve.

By stepping in to care for their grandchildren when parents are absent, these caregivers provide stability for children and keep children out of the formal foster care system. They have made great sacrifices to help care for and protect these children, and would have it no other way.  They hope to be able to continue care for the children and keep them out of foster care, but they need help.

These family care givers have unique needs which are not adequately addressed by existing laws or policies governing non-parental care, which are often misunderstood, or which simply don’t exist.   The burdens can be immense.

When can you make decisions for the children?  What does it take to get them enrolled in school? Is there financial aid from the government?  Can you qualify for food stamps?  What do you do if the house isn’t big enough?

Currently, a few states have enacted legislation and created programs to ease some of these issues and to provide assistance.  Oregon has not yet done so.  However, there are numerous other resources.  Your grandchild may be eligible for Social Security or Medicaid, or able to get money from the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.   Websites to try include the AARP’s, and the Oregon State Department of Human Resources.  These will lead to many others.  Good Hunting.

Article Provided by:
Comfort Keepers
(503) 855-4415
www.ComfortKeepers.com

Oregon Gerontological Association (OGA) Celebrates 30 years

The Oregon Gerontological Association (OGA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuing education of professionals in gerontology field. OGA helps members enhance their knowledge, skills and effectiveness, with the goal of improving the quality of life for aging Oregonians.
OGA members work or volunteer in many types of organizations and professions: senior centers, home health care, hospitals, colleges and universities, social services, case management, social work, housing placement, consulting, long-term care facilities, marketing, financial, recreational, law enforcement, law practices, pharmaceutical, volunteer programs, advocacy programs, religious communities, and businesses.

The organization provides on-going education through educational forums and a full-day annual conference. All who have interest in senior issues are welcome to join OGA, attend educational events, or get involved by volunteering to serve on one of the various committees that support the organization. OGA strives to provide topics and presenters that are on the cutting edge of senior issues and concerns.

OGA celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2009. Founded in 1979 by a coalition of aging services professionals, it is Oregon’s largest interdisciplinary gerontological organization. OGA is managed by a volunteer board of professionals from various fields including, health care, academics, senior services and public and private sectors.

As we look forward to another 30 years of serving the needs of professionals in gerontology, we encourage those who have not yet been a part of OGA to come see what the organization has to offer. To those that have participated in the past, please join us again, as we are a stronger voice for seniors when we all work together. If have questions or are interested in becoming a member see contact information below.

Article Provided by:
Oregon Gerontological Association
7140 SW Fir Loop Ste 130 – Portland, OR 97223
(503) 598-0711
www.oregongero.org

What Is Telecare?

Telecare is the term used to describe remote care of elderly and disabled persons.  These systems provide the care and reassurance needed to allow seniors to stay in their own homes longer and more safely.

Telecare systems exist in many forms, from the very simple to the much more advanced.  The simplest systems consist of automated phone check in services.  These services are set up to call the clients home and require either a voice or touch tone response to the message.  If the proper response is not given an alert will be sent to the appropriate contact person.  The most advanced systems offer real time video monitoring by trained telecaregivers, two way video communication, multiple security sensors (heat, carbon monoxide, door and window alarms), and even a web portal where approved family and friends can virtually check in with loved ones.

Telecare may be an ideal solution for those who need 24-hour care but who resist continuous care-giving and do not want to move to a care facility.  Tele-caregivers are able to check in at regularly scheduled times and can fill the gaps between visits by paid in-home caregivers or families.  Through two-way video communication clients can receive medication reminders, meal reminders, and wake up calls.  Individuals can even be monitored for wandering through the use of door and window sensors.

In remote areas or in locations subject to extreme weather and shut in conditions telecaregivers can monitor the well being of clients even at times when caregivers or family members may not be able to reach clients.

When considering telecare systems it is important to consider the needs of the person who will be using the system.  Will that person be able to respond appropriately to an automated phone message or will they need further assistance such as a live person assisting via phone or two way video?  Equally important are capabilities and features of the system.  Is it customizable or more of a one size fits all approach?  Whatever your needs it is important to choose a company that will take the time to understand your situation and work with you to find the best solution.

Article Provided by
ResCare HomeCare
(503) 223-2936
www.ResCareHomecare.com

Six Out of Ten People with Alzheimer’s Will Wander

It is common for a person with dementia to wander and become lost; many do so repeatedly. You can not know when it will happen. In fact, over 60% of those with dementia will wander at some point during the course of the disease. Wandering can be dangerous – even life threatening – for the person who wanders. The stress can weigh heavily on caregivers and family.

There are various reasons for wandering which can include:

• Confusion at certain times of the day or night.
• Inability to recognize familiar people, places, and objects.
• Fear arising from the misinterpretation of sights and sounds.
• Desire to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work or looking after a child.
• In search of an object.

In an emergency every second counts. In a move to significantly improve the safety of individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, MedicAlert and the Alzheimer’s Association have formed an alliance to offer MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return. This is a live, 24-hour emergency response service for wandering and medical emergencies.

When a person with dementia wanders or becomes lost, his or her information and photo is provided to local law enforcement. When a person is found, a citizen or law official calls the 800-number on the identification product and the individual’s family or caregivers are contacted. The nearest Alzheimer’s Association office provides information and support during search and rescue efforts. In addition, should medical attention be required, access to a personal health record is immediately available.

To enroll a person with Alzheimer’s disease in MedicAlert + Safe Return, update a current enrollment with a member’s medical information or learn more about the program, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 1.800.272.3900, your local chapter or MedicAlert at 1.888.577.8566. You may enroll a person or update a member’s medical information online at www.alz.org/SafeReturn or www.medicalert.org.

Article Provided by:
Alzheimer’s Association
(800) 272-3900, (503) 413-6850
MedicAlert (888) 577-8566
www.alz.org/oregon

Posted April 2008. Markets: Oregon, Portland, Salem
Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Your Gift To Future Generations

What is whole-body donation?

We hardly think about our bodies when they feel good and function properly, but when a system goes wrong or disease develops, a trip to the doctor is in order to investigate what is wrong and how to treat it. The advice that our physician gives, the medication that is prescribed, the surgery and/or treatment that is recommended- all of the information that is known about your body was impacted by research and education made possible through whole-body donation. Whole-body donations are important in teaching medical professionals human anatomy, practicing and perfecting new surgical procedures, developing new medicines and finding cures for diseases and conditions that affect mankind today. What could your body contribute to the ever expanding knowledge of medicine?

How is organ donation different than whole-body donation?

Organ donation provides life saving organs and tissue for transplantation into another living human to save their life. Whole-body donation is similar to transplant donation in that it helps others, but instead of being transplanted into a living person, tissues and/or organs provide a unique opportunity for medical research and education to learn and support advancements in medicine. It is possible to be both an organ donor and a whole-body donor; however, separate registration is required. If a disease or another circumstance makes organ transplant donation unsuitable then whole-body donation is an option that supports humanity in a different, but equally important way.

The symbol on your driver’s license is not enough!

Anatomical tissue procurement agencies follow the Revised Anatomical Gift Act which mandates that consent for anatomical donation, whether for transplant or medical education and research be received from the donor’s legal next-of-kin after death. This applies even if the donor pre-registered or applied for anatomical donation themselves prior to death. For this reason, if you consent to anatomical donation but do not inform your legal next-of-kin about your decision, your wishes may not be carried out.

Anatomical donation for transplant and/or medical education and research is not only an individual decision but one that should be made with your family. In the event of your untimely death you will prevent further tragedy by communicating your final wishes to your family and prevent them from trying to force a decision at a highly emotional time.

For more information:

Anatomical donation for transplant = Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank – www.pntb.org – (800) 344-8916
Whole-body donation for medical education and research = MedCure – www.medcure.org – (866) 560-2525

Article Provided by:
MedCure
(866) 560-2525
www.medcure.org

Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Can Mom Give Me A Power of Attorney?

Diagnosis of Dementia May Not Preclude Signing POA and Health Care Directive

“I need to get a power of attorney for my mother. She’s in an Alzheimer’s unit and she can’t take care of her finances or make medical decisions any more.”

That is the most common first call we get. A caller has been told by a friend or a case manager the nursing home that a power of attorney is required, and that it will take a lawyer to write one up for them.

Can our caller “get” a power of attorney for her mother? Not exactly. Only her mother can “give” a power of attorney and her mother will need to make the decision herself – and she may (for whatever reason) refuse.

There is a lot of understandable confusion about powers of attorney, guardianship and conservatorship. It is important to understand the difference between them. A competent adult may sign a power of attorney giving another person the authority to make financial decisions. But once an individual has lost mental capacity to understand the nature of the power of attorney itself, it is too late to sign the document. At that point it will be necessary to have a court appoint a conservator to manage her finances and a guardian to manage her health care with authority to make a placement in a nursing home, a memory care unit or administer medications.

A “diagnosis” of Alzheimer’s may be confusing. It is often described as a “diagnosis of exclusion” because it is impossible to definitively diagnose during life. Instead, the physician must rule out the other possible causes of dementia before settling on Alzheimer’s. But the precise diagnosis is less important for our legal purposes – a diagnosis of dementia of any type has the same legal effect. It may raise concerns about capacity, but it primarily serves as a cue to the lawyer to ask more searching questions, testing for consistency and true understanding.

So, just because a diagnosis of dementia has been made, it does not necessarily follow that the patient can no longer make legal decisions. In our experience, in fact, most patients with recent diagnoses of dementia may still be able to discuss a power of attorney and health care directive (and other estate planning options, like wills and trusts) – perhaps for years. The legal issue is whether the person understands the effect of the documents he or she is signing. The level of capacity required to sign a power of attorney or health care directive is not terribly high, unless there are complicating circumstances in an individual case.

We can usually help the caller who asks for a power of attorney – by showing them how to cope with their legal issues. But it may not be as simple as having the family member sign a power of attorney.

Article Provided by:
Tom Pixton, The Pixton Law Firm
(503) 968-2020
www.PixtonLaw.com

Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Experience of Older Workers

Older workers have so much to offer as members of today’s workforce. While they possess the work ethic, loyalty and life experience necessary to be assets to any workplace, what they often lack is opportunity. The Easter Seals Oregon Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a Department of Labor grant designed to help mature workers re-enter the workforce. The goal of the program is to assist participants to gain the skills necessary to obtain permanent employment, while helping seniors achieve economic independence and an improved lifestyle. Many seniors have challenges to overcome before they find employment. Some of these include stereotypes related to age as well as issues regarding transportation, housing, work experience, disability, income, self-esteem, language, health and education. Easter Seals SCSEP helps participants rise above these obstacles by providing opportunities to enhance existing skills, train for a new career, and find a rewarding job.

To qualify for the program, participants must be low-income, 55+, unemployed and be willing and able to look for work. Seniors are assigned to a Program Coordinator who develops an Individual Employment Plan, places them in a Host Agency training site and enrolls them in Job Club. The program assists them in acquiring knowledge regarding the job market as well as learning how to write resumes, cover letters, apply for jobs on-line and discover their strengths and weaknesses in relation to an identified career focus. Participants are also enrolled in computer classes to enhance their technology skills to be competitive in the labor market. As one SCSEP participant stated, “I had worked most of my life, but was laid off several years ago. I have been unable to find work due to my inability to understand and operate computers. Now I am gaining the opportunity to learn how to use the computer to enhance my job search and improve my skills in this area”.

The SCSEP program holds monthly orientations to explain the program and set up intake appointments for those who qualify. Participants then enter into an assessment phase designed to take a “snapshot” of basic skills, computer abilities and vocational options. The participant is placed at a training site and reassessed at regular intervals to ensure they are making progress. To learn more about the program, contact the Easter Seals Oregon office at 503-228-5100 or visit us at 5757 SW Macadam, Portland, OR 97239.

Provided by:
Kathy Treves, Easter Seals Oregon Office
(503) 228-5100

Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Extra Help For Prescriptions

Do you or someone you know qualify for Extra Help for the Medicare Prescription Drug Program?

One of the ways you can stretch your dollars is to determine if you qualify for Extra Help from Medicare. CMS estimates that 21% of the people eligible for this program are not receiving it because they have not submitted the application.

Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for the Extra Help if they have limited income and resources. The Extra Help can increase their cost savings by paying for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. The Extra Help could be worth up to $3,600 per year.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173), enacted December 8, 2003, requires the Social Security Administration to undertake a number of additional Medicare-related responsibilities. The Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together to provide persons with limited income and resources Extra Help paying for their prescription drugs. Social Security’s role in this partnership is to help the public understand how they may qualify and apply.

You should complete this Application for Extra Help on the Internet if:

• You have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
• You live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; and
• Your combined savings, investments, and real estate are not worth more than $23,970, if you are married and living with your spouse, or $11,990 if you are not currently married or not living with your spouse. (DO NOT include the home you live in, vehicles, personal possessions, burial plots or irrevocable burial contracts.) If you have more than those amounts, you may not qualify for the Extra Help. However, you can still enroll in an approved Medicare prescription drug plan for coverage.

Article Provided by:
Family Care Health Plans
(866) 225-CARE
www.FamilyCareInc.org

If you or someone you know would like help about this program, or if you would like us to assist you in completing the application, please contact us at 1 866 225-CARE Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. TTY users should call 800-735-2900. FamilyCare offers a plan that combines your Medicare and Prescription Drug program with a $0 premium if you qualify for a 100% Extra Help (LIS).

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation website and the Social Security Administration website

Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

When To Take The Car Away?

Have you ever felt a concern for your senior’s ability to drive safely as they get older? Many caregivers and families of the senior population daily face this issue.

Sometimes we talk about taking away the keys, but lets face it what we really mean is actually taking the car away. Chances are if your senior is like mine, they have another set of keys and will find a way to drive again, when no one is looking. Here is some practical advice and tips that may help in making this decision together.

Tips for making the change:

• Always do things by keeping your senior’s dignity and quality of life in mind.
• Let your senior know why you feel this is necessary and be firm. It might help to have a friend, relative, or church pastor etc. takes away the keys.
• If your senior gets defiant, ask them if they would rather have the judge take them away, along with the court fees to go with it.
• Reasons for not driving- Number one is vision, as we age our vision fails us and we cannot take the risk of not seeing that unexpected stop sign or a child running between cars. Number two is typically for health reasons other than vision i.e. chance of stroke, seizures, narcolepsy, mental confusion etc… For more examples, see website listings and books.
• Plan alternative transportation before you have this discussion. Buses, taxes, shuttles, light rail or perhaps another relative. Keep in mind each ones schedules as well.
• It is always good to have this conversation long before it ever needs to happen with your senior about not driving anymore.
• Ask them when they think that would be, and how do they see it happening when the time comes. Encourage them to think about it seriously and not blow it off.
• Start gradually by pointing out to your senior each time you see something about their driving that sends a message, it is getting closer to them not being able to drive.
  Examples:
  – When they do not realize that, they are cutting someone off, while changing lanes let them know your concerns.
  – When they are having trouble seeing roads signs, suggest they are seeing well enough to drive.
  – When they are not stopping smoothly anymore and they end up halfway in and intersection before they stop point it out clearly to them what is wrong with their driving.
  – Especially when they forget where they are at and get lost getting to an appointment or going home. This can be very vexing for them as well as yourself.
• Sometimes its easier when their license expires or when the car registration expires to take the car away. This does not mean you won’t use the car to drive them instead.

Source: Staff Member at www.RetirementConnection.com
Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Food for Thought

Provided by: Dr. Kevin O’Neil, Medical Director for Brookdale senior Living
For more information: www.BrookdaleLiving.com

Crossword puzzles, bridge, Sudoku., learning a new language-all are good for stimulating the brain and may actually reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease in later life. The old age is true-“Use it or lose it.” Regular physical activity is also recommended. However, how often do you think about what you eat and drink and how that may affect the health of your brain? If good eating and nutrition are important to you, recent research related to food and brain health will get you excited.

Yes, your mother was right. Fish is a “brain food.” Cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, and lake trout are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which is not only good for your heart and blood vessels but very good for the brain. However, fish is not the only source of omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts are a good source as well, especially walnuts and almonds. Many experts recommend the Mediterranean diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and red wine (in moderation!). A daily handful of nuts (unsalted if you have high blood pressure or other conditions for which salt restriction is advised) may confer additional benefits.

Brain cell injury can occur through oxidative stress which is part of the normal metabolic process. However, dietary antioxidants can antagonize this process. Some studies suggest a protective effect of antioxidants on cognitive decline. Foods rich in antioxidants include cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, red onions, pomegranates, prunes, broccoli, grapes, and others. Prospective randomized controlled studies have not been done that conclusively demonstrate that antioxidants will protect against dementia. No benefit has been demonstrated from antioxidants in pill form. Until more research is available, it seems prudent that we consume wholesome foods rich in antioxidants.

Fruit and vegetable juices are a good source for beneficial nutrients. A study conducted at the University of South Florida concluded that those who consumer fruit and/or vegetable juices more than three times a week were significantly less likely to develop dementia including Alzheimer’s disease than those who consumed such juices less than once per week.

What about vitamins? Most of us will get adequate amounts of vitamins in a well-balanced diet. Vitamin C and vitamin E are potent antioxidants. Foods rich in vitamin C and E include vegetables and fruits such as citrus. Folic acid found in dark green vegetable, chickpeas, pinto beans, and sunflower seeds is important as deficiency may be associated with dementia. Although a multivitamin is reasonable, megadoses of vitamins are not recommended unless prescribed for a known deficiency since excess doses can actually be harmful. However, many geriatricians are now recommending 800-1000 units of vitamin D to older adults based on studies showing not only benefits with regard to bone health but also a reduced incidence of falls, breast cancer, and perhaps cognitive decline. What we don’t know for sure is whether the low vitamin D levels observed in some individuals with dementia are a cause or a result, as some persons with dementia may have poor dietary intake of vitamin D. Further studies should help clarify the association.

Are you hooked on that morning cup of Java? That may well be a good thing. A recent study published in The Journal of Alzheimer’s disease studied over 1400 people ages 65-79 over an average of 21 years. The individuals who drank 3-5 cups of coffee in midlife had a 65% lower risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life compared to those who drank little or no coffee. Research in animals has suggested a protective effect of caffeine on brain cells. Of course, everything we do should weigh benefits against risks. If your doctor has suggested you avoid caffeine due to heart rhythm disturbances, tremors, osteoporosis, or acid reflux disease, continue to follow that advice.

Although good nutrition is important, no less important to brain health is regular physical activity, social engagement, and good emotional health. Chronic stress and depression are now recognized as risk factors for stroke and dementia. So keep a positive attitude and good sense of humor. Stay connected with family and friends. Become a lifelong learner. Finally, start a regular physical activity program because something else we know to be true-“Move it or lose it!”

Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.