community resources

Veteran Suicide Warning Signs

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If you are in crisis and need to speak with a crisis responder, please call 1-800-273- 8255 and Press 1.

Suicide is a national public health issue that affects all Americans. At VA, the health and well-being of our Nation’s Veterans is our highest priority.

Veterans in crisis and their loved ones can call, text, or chat to connect with caring VA responders at the free and confidential Veterans Crisis Line. Responders are qualified to deal with any immediate crisis.

If you are in crisis and need to speak with a crisis responder, please call 1-800-273- 8255 and Press 1.

In addition to the Veterans Crisis Line, VA offers a network of support and mental health resources for all Veterans and their families and friends. Every day, more than 400 VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators and their teams, located at every VA medical center, connect Veterans with care and educate the community about suicide prevention programs and resources.

To learn more about the issue of Veteran suicide as well as VA mental health resources, please visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov, where you’ll find the latest national and state-level research.

Learn to recognize red flags

People can experience an emotional or mental health crisis due to a wide range of situations. For some, it might be the end of a personal relationship. For others, it might be the loss of a job. For Veterans, these crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service.

When emotional issues reach a crisis point, Veterans and their loved ones should contact the Veterans Crisis Line.

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press “!”

Many Veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves before doing so, but some actions can be a sign that a person needs help. Veterans in crisis may show behaviors that indicate a risk of self-harm. The following can all be warning signs:

  • Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
  • Hopelessness; feeling like there’s no way out
  • Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
  • Feeling as if there is no reason to live
  • Feeling excessive guilt, shame, or sense of failure
  • Rage or anger
  • Engaging in risky activities without thinking
  • Losing interest in hobbies, work, or school
  • Increasing alcohol or drug misuse
  • Neglecting personal welfare; a deteriorating physical appearance
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Showing violent behavior, like punching a hole in the wall or getting into fights
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Getting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, or writing a will

The following signs require immediate attention:

  • Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
  • Looking for ways to kill yourself
  • Talking about death, dying, or suicide
  • Self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse, weapons, etc.

Article Taken From:
 800-273-8255
https://www.VeteransCrisisLine.net

Article Provided By
Holmes Park House
The new Holmes Park House in Southern Oregon offers 24/7 physical and emotional care by compassionate and knowledgeable hospice-trained certified nurse assistants and universal caregivers that are managed by a registered nurse and supported by a full-time administrator, hospice-trained volunteers, and an activities director. Call today: 541-613-0543

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3 steps to feeling less lonely

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Loneliness is nothing to be ashamed of. And if you educate yourself about loneliness, you can recognize and combat its effects before it becomes a major problem.

Are you a senior who sometimes feels a deep sense of loneliness? Are you someone who worries about a senior who seems lonely?

Loneliness is nothing to be ashamed of. And if you educate yourself about loneliness, you can recognize and combat its effects before it becomes a major problem.

Loneliness in medical studies

Research shows that loneliness poses a true health risk for elderly people — one that can lead to higher blood pressure, greater stress, reduced immune defense (lowered production of white blood cells) and earlier death in some cases.

The study also revealed the startling fact that loneliness is a better predictor of early death than obesity. Those who felt lonely were more likely to die within six years than their nonlonely counterparts even when the study adjusted the results based on individuals’ ages, health problems and other factors.

Three steps to beat loneliness

1. Seek companionship. Many people look only to caregivers and family members for friendship, but local support groups, senior centers or faith-based organizations can be wonderful places to make new friends.

If you are a friend or caregiver to an elderly person, encourage them to lead an active social life and look for opportunities to help them connect with others.

2. Rediscover interests. After retirement, seniors may find they finally have time to take up hobbies that career or family responsibilities made difficult. Consider volunteering, caring for a pet, gardening, arts and crafts, reading, following sports or playing an instrument.

Having a hobby helps people of all ages stay motivated and keep an eye toward the future.

3. Be patient. The process can take time. A casual acquaintance can slowly become a close friend. A new hobby may take a little dedication. But loneliness is preventable. Taking steps to avoid loneliness helps your emotional and physical health.

Article Provided by:
Salem Health
503-814-5554
www.SalemHealth.org

Article Provided By
Holmes Park House
The new Holmes Park House in Southern Oregon offers 24/7 physical and emotional care by compassionate and knowledgeable hospice-trained certified nurse assistants and universal caregivers that are managed by a registered nurse and supported by a full-time administrator, hospice-trained volunteers, and an activities director. Call today: 541-613-0543

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6 tips to prevent pneumonia

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A healthy diet, as well as getting plenty of rest and physical exercise will decrease the risk of getting pneumonia.

Here are 6 tips to prevent pneumonia!

1. Know the Symptoms of Pneumonia in the Elderly

According to the Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, sometimes there are challenges to the diagnosis of pneumonia in seniors because they may not suffer the classic symptoms like fever, chills and cough. Also, watch for non-respiratory symptoms like weakness, confusion, delirium or dizziness, or other, more vague symptoms — especially in those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which can impair the accurate reporting of pneumonia symptoms.

2. Practice Good Hand Hygiene

Ordinary respiratory infections, colds and influenza can sometimes lead to pneumonia; the Mayo Clinic advises that you wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer to help prevent the spread of these illnesses.

3. Practice Good Oral Care

Bacteria from the mouth can be aspirated into the lungs, especially in people who may not be able to swallow effectively. Good oral care will decrease the bacteria that could cause aspiration pneumonia.

4. Make Sure Seniors Get Immunized

The Mayo Clinic and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute both advise seniors and others at risk for pneumonia to get vaccinated against bacterial pneumococcal pneumonia. It’s a one-time vaccine that can prevent or reduce the severity of pneumonia. Your doctor may also suggest a booster vaccine after 5 years. It’s also a good idea to vaccinate seniors against influenza.

5. Don’t Smoke

Smoking is a major risk factor for pneumonia — it greatly increases a person’s likelihood of getting the disease, because it harms the ability of the lungs to defend against infection. Quitting smoking can help at-risk seniors defend against pneumonia.

6. Stay in Good General Health and be Active

Good overall health habits are critical to preventing pneumonia in seniors and in everybody, because they keep the immune system strong and able to fight off infection. A healthy diet, as well as getting plenty of rest and physical exercise will decrease the risk of getting pneumonia.

Article Provided by:
Advanced Lifeline Respiratory Services
800-928-9036
www.ALSVents.com

Article Provided By
Holmes Park House
The new Holmes Park House in Southern Oregon offers 24/7 physical and emotional care by compassionate and knowledgeable hospice-trained certified nurse assistants and universal caregivers that are managed by a registered nurse and supported by a full-time administrator, hospice-trained volunteers, and an activities director. Call today: 541-613-0543

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Why choose an Elder Law Attorney?

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The Elder law attorneys solid understanding of these issues allows them to better serve the unique needs of older individuals and their loved ones and to access needed benefits and resources.

Elder law attorneys are essentially advocates for older individuals and their loved ones. Focusing on the areas of the law that impact people most as they age, these attorneys help with estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives for health care, and special needs planning. They preemptively protect people and their loved ones from the uncertainty and chaos that can come from losing capacity or death. They also provide guidance and help bring peace to situations when matters become too difficult to handle. Situations such as when a loved one loses capacity, dies, or has medical and long term care expenses that exceed their own resources. An Elder law attorney will walk you through the complexities of guardianships, conservatorships, probate, trust administration, and assist with Medicaid or veterans’ benefit planning and applications. The Elder law attorneys solid understanding of these issues allows them to better serve the unique needs of older individuals and their loved ones and to access needed benefits and resources.

What do all of those terms mean?

  • Estate Planning: Preparing a plan for what will happen to a person and their assets if they lose capacity or die.
  • Will: A legal document dictating who will receive a person’s assets at their death and who will guide those assets through probate.
  • Trust: A legal agreement naming someone to hold a person’s assets and use them as directed during and after their lifetime that allows for more control than a will and avoids probate at death. Special types of trusts can also be used to help with special needs and Medicaid planning
  • Power of Attorney: A legal agreement that authorizes someone else to manage a person’s assets on their behalf.
  • Advance Directive for Health Care: A legal document naming someone to make health care decisions for a person if they are unable to and giving that person instructions.
  • Special Needs Planning: Planning for benefits and other issues that arise when a child or loved one has a disability, can include supplemental needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and other tools to protect and empower.
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship: The court appoints someone to make financial (conservator) or health care and other (guardian) decisions for a person who lacks capacity.
  • Probate: The court process of administering a deceased person’s estate to pay creditors and distribute remaining property.
  • Trust Administration: The private process of administering a trust, frequently after a death as an alternative to probate.
  • Medicaid: The state/federal program responsible for, among other things, helping individuals pay for long term care if they cannot afford it.
  • Veterans’ Benefits: Various benefits available to military veterans to help pay for medical and other costs.

Article Provided by:
McGinty & Belcher Attorneys
503-371-9636
www.Mcginty-Belcher.com

Article Provided By
Holmes Park House
The new Holmes Park House in Southern Oregon offers 24/7 physical and emotional care by compassionate and knowledgeable hospice-trained certified nurse assistants and universal caregivers that are managed by a registered nurse and supported by a full-time administrator, hospice-trained volunteers, and an activities director. Call today: 541-613-0543

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How to build a disaster supplies kit

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After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your disaster supplies kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

  • Water – one gallon of water per  person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic  sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Glasses and contact lens solution
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies,  identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  •  Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  • Paper, pencil, books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
  • Replace expired items as needed.
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

  • Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
  • Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
  • Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

Make a Plan

Next, determine any special assistance you may need, and include in your emergency plan.

Create a support network of family, friends, and others who can assist you during an emergency, and share your disaster plans with them. Practice your plan with them.

Make sure they have an extra key to your home, know where you keep your emergency supplies and how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine.

If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.

If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you.

Don’t forget your pets or service animals. Not all shelters accept pets, so plan for alternatives. Prepare and emergency kit for your pet.

Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795.

The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper.

Article Resource:
Department of Homeland Security
www.Ready.gov

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Why your Will needs the advice of an attorney

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Writing your own Will can be like pulling your own tooth with a pair of pliers rather than going to the dentist.

Your will needs the advice of an attorney. It is possible to buy a Will form on-line and complete it on your own, without the help of an attorney. However, there are just so many things that can go wrong, from the wording of the document, to the required formalities of how it must be signed and witnessed before it can be valid. In spite of your best efforts, you may end up with a document that is no more effective than a notarized grocery list. Writing your own Will can be like pulling your own tooth with a pair of pliers rather than going to the dentist.

Most people that opt to prepare their own Will do so because they want to save money and don’t want to have to pay an attorney.  But, when mistakes are made, it is possible for their heirs and beneficiaries to spend thousands of dollars on court costs and attorney fees contesting a Will.  Even if no one contests your Will, the Court still has to follow the letter of the law. Many courts will not accept a Will if the Will is not properly executed (with the proper notarization and number of witnesses). Courts will also reject Will provisions that do not make sense. Even uncontested Wills can remain in expensive probate limbo.

Here are a few areas where things can go drastically wrong and where the advice of an attorney can be helpful:

1. Picking the right person as your Executor or Personal Representative.

2.  Putting conditions on a beneficiary’s right to receive inheritance.

3. Designating unusual end-of-life decisions.

4. Designating guardians for children.

5.  Coordinating beneficiary designations and your Will.

6. Dealing with blended families.

Even if your situation seems not that complicated, you can easily screw up filling out the forms.  I know of one situation where a Will left $200,000 to “{Insert name here}” rather than the intended beneficiary.  Also an attorney can flag issues that might be unique to your situation, such as providing for a disabled beneficiary or addressing long term care issues and Medicaid planning. Sometimes a trust will be the preferred method for managing an estate and avoiding probate.

On-line providers acknowledge that their services are “not a substitute for legal advice” and will often recommend that you consult your attorney before considering using their services.  For the cost of a few hours of attorney time, you can get an expertly drafted Will and legal advice, saving your heirs and beneficiaries confusion, time, and money.

Article Provided by:
Kathy Belcher
McGinty & Belcher Attorneys
503-371-9636
www.Mcginty-Belcher.com

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 Creative ways to save on healthcare costs for seniors

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Feeling the pinch on your retirement pocketbook because of medical bills and healthcare needs? There are easier ways for seniors to stretch a dollar when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Don’t miss these 9 go-to tips:

Feeling the pinch on your retirement pocketbook because of medical bills and healthcare needs? There are easier ways for seniors to stretch a dollar when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Don’t miss these 9 go-to tips:

Find Out What Insurance Will Cover

Before you head to the pharmacy to buy a cane or walker over the counter, for example, find out if your insurance will cover the cost of one. With a direct medical order from a treating physician, insurance companies can cover some if not all of the cost of durable medical equipment or other healthcare products you may require.

Ask Your Doctor for Free Samples

One of those most expensive costs seniors cover is on medicine. Whether in need of a refill or starting a new prescription, it is worth asking your general practitioner or prescribing specialist if they have free samples in your dosage at their office that they can give you.

Get Free Preventative Care

An array of free preventative screenings, tests, and vaccinations are available to many seniors via their private health plans or Medicare. Save on medical costs down the line by taking preventative steps now with covered wellness checkups, colon, prostate, and breast cancer screenings, flu and pneumonia vaccines, and smoking-cessation counseling.

Rent Instead of Buy

Did you know that medical equipment is sometimes available to lease instead of purchasing? Mobility aids in particular are often available on a rent-to-buy basis, like a rental knee scooter or wheelchair. If recovering from injury or surgery, rental options might be more cost effective than a large upfront investment for medical equipment you will only need temporarily.

Offset Costs With Supplemental Income

Stretch your healthcare dollar by supplementing expenses with fresh income. Short of picking up a part-time job, seniors can also make extra cash selling collectibles and gently-used high dollar items online, tutoring or giving lessons for money, or renting out an extra room in their home.

Shop Online

Whether you’re looking to fill a doctor’s prescription or in need of a medical device you are paying for out of pocket, always look online. Prescription drugs are available internationally at a fraction of the cost you might pay at your own U.S. pharmacy, and with sites like PlanetDrugsDirect.com which require a prescription to process an order, the cheaper alternative is safe and legal. Online websites that sell medical equipment, vitamins, and other non-prescribed items often offer free shipping deals and discount promotions for first-time buyers too.

Get a Second Opinion

Thinking about investing in a high dollar piece of medical equipment or procedure your doctor has recommended? Sometimes it pays big to get a second opinion that helps you find a less expensive but just as effective alternative.

Use Coupons

Don’t pass by the coupon books and fliers your home pharmacy issues each month – they could help you with health care costs on vitamins, simple medical equipment, pain relief medications, incontinence supplies, and more. Websites like InternetDrugCoupons.com also offer you access to printable coupons you can use on a variety of medicines.

Get a Prescription

Some over the counter medicines, like those used to treat allergies, are also still available via prescription and can end up costing you way less when insurance is helping pick up the tab. In the same vein, generic versions of your brand name prescription might be just as effective for you but cost way less. Do a little research with your insurance provider and ask your physician to write you a prescription for effective, cheaper medicine that might otherwise cost you 5x as much off the aisle shelf.

Staying healthy as a senior shouldn’t break the bank. Simple tips, tricks and reminders can save you hundreds of dollars a year, if not more.

Article Provided by:
Joe Fleming
Co-Founder, Vive Health

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There’s an app for that

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You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Apps are for people that have ever thought, I just don’t have enough time in the day? When you provide care for someone, this is a question that is often at the top of mind. The hours of the day just simply run out and there is still more to do on the ever running list of things to do. You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Staying Connected

When you’re in a time crunch – there is an for app that, check out these tools that are helpful in coordinating tasks, receiving support, staying connected and planning outings. Lotsa Helping Hands, CaregivingApp Caregiver and Senior Care Manager are a few apps that can help you do just that. These apps allow you to: coordinate help, schedule meal deliveries and rides to appointments, and connect with your support network. They allow for families to communicate in a central location regarding updates, save time on communicating unmet needs, and leave uplifting messages for each other.
Additional features for caregivers that may be handy when monitoring a loved one’s health are the ability to schedule medication reminders and monitor vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugars, and weights). Several apps include this feature as a part of the application so there is no further need for additional apps.

Relaxation

While caregiving has many rewards, the burnout and stress of caring for someone can leave one needing to stop and take a moment for themselves. Several apps offer relaxation techniques that are often helpful in lowering stress levels and inspiring a sense of renewal. Many of these apps focus on activities that produce relaxation responses from the brain. Apps such as The Mindfulness App, Meditation Studio, and Relax Sounds are three examples of apps like this. They offer one more tool a caregiver can add to their tool box and they support learning about techniques that reduce stress.
For information regarding additional resources, email or call the author directly with the specific type of resource you are interested in learning about.

Article Provided by: Amy Osborn,
The Hampton and Ashley Inn
A Koelsch Community
360-480-5939
www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Why should I use a Referral Agency?

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The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.

Benefits of a Referral Agency.

People tend to fall into two broad categories when it comes to big decisions or difficult tasks… the first camp is those who are determined to take care of it themselves, just wade right in and see what happens; the second camp are those who look for input from those who may have been there before or at least have seen how things turned out.

Neither one is right or wrong, just different.  For example: there are two families needing to find suitable housing for an elderly parent who has specific needs and definite preferences to be addressed, referral agencies are well-equipped to be of help to both camps.

For the “do-it-myselfer”, the referral agency can help by giving information on what the senior housing industry looks like, what major things to look for, and avoid, and to provide some explanation of terminology.  This family is then better prepared to go out and find options for their elder.

For the “I-could-use-some-help” types, the referral agency is a trove of information and experience regarding the whole issue of helping seniors move along on their journey.  The agency gathers pertinent information regarding care needs, likes, dislikes, geographic preferences and financial parameters.  With this information the agency provides the senior and/or family with options, tours the options with the family, answers their questions and provides a sounding board to allow them to make an informed decision.

The best parts about actively taking a referral agency’s help are: (1) they know the options, (2) they know the providers and (3) they take on the leg-work.  The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.  Oh, and the best part, (4) the referral agency helps you for free.  The agency is compensated for their assistance by the provider the family selects from the options they were given.  Whether you opt to do it on your own or enlist the help of a referral agency, the monthly fees you pay to the care provider are the same.

Article Provided by:
CHOICE Advisory Services
503-353-7870
www.choiceadvisory.com

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Eldercare’s best kept secret!

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Many families think they can coordinate the care themselves, but what they find is that the eldercare world is complex.

Jane woke up and knew this was going to be a tough day. Her father was just admitted to the hospital with a stroke. She is the only adult child who could help him and was just promoted at her job. Her life’s stresses had already been piling up and now this. How could she possibly help her father perform well in her new job and still have her own family life with her husband and three children? After a couple weeks and many sleepless nights, Jane talked with her best friend who suggested that she hire a geriatric care manager. Jane made the call for eldercare the next day and it was the best thing she ever did.
A care manager or geriatric care manager is a professional who helps to establish stability in your chronically ill or older adult parent’s life. Usually the care manager is an RN or social worker knowledgeable in the field of long-term care services, diseases, living options, insurance and the best part – critical thinking. They encourage the adult child to consider many facets of care, creating solutions and a plan that matches the older adult’s needs and wishes.
Many families think they can coordinate the care themselves, but what they find is that the eldercare world is complex. With all the time it takes to coordinate all areas of care, hiring a care manager can actually be more cost effective. The benefits of this service to the adult child are invaluable.

What a Care Manager can do for you:  

  • Assess the level of care needed and develop a tailored care plan
  • Take steps to implement the care plan
  • Make sure care is received in a safe environment
  • Resolve family conflicts and other family issues relating to long-term care
  • Become an advocate for the care recipient and the family caregiver
  • Conduct ongoing assessments to monitor and implement changes in care
  • Oversee and direct care provided at home
  • Coordination of key support systems
  • Provide personal counseling
  • Arrange for services of legal and financial advisors
  • Provide assistance with placement in assisted living facilities or nursing homes
  • Assist with the monitoring of medications
  • Find appropriate solutions in times of a crisis
  • Coordinate medical appointments and consolidate medical information
  • Assist families in positive decision making
  • Develop long-range preventative planning

Article Provided by:
Mary Lynn Pannen, RN, CCM
Sound Options Care Management &
In-Home Care
800-628-7649
www.SoundOptions.com

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