From the New York Times about frontal lobe dementia and caregiving.
click here to read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/health/a-rare-form-of-dementia-tests-a-vow-of-for-better-for-worse.html?_r=1&src=twrhp
Excerpt:
“What made her lose control, she (caregiver) said, was a toxic mix of frustration and fear — fear of what was happening to him, and fear that she would not know what to do, how to help. No amount of information from his doctors could put her at ease.”
Frontotemporal Dementia: “This disease is different fromAlzheimer’s, the most common form ofdementia. But it is perhaps even more devastating, because it strikes younger people, progresses faster and, unlike Alzheimer’s, does not attackmemoryat first but begins with silence, apathy or bizarre personality changes.”
When: May 22nd, 2012
Time: 6pm-7pm with time afterwards for questions
Topic: Legal Issues of Medicaid Planning and Long Term Care Including Programs to Help You Stay Living at Home
Where: Springwell/ 125 Walnut St/ Watertown
Speaker: Attorney John Hope from Hope Elder Law
Medicaid/MassHealth, Long Term Care (“LTC”) Insurance , Medicare, Funeral Planning, Asset Protection- Often we hear these terms but do not fully comprehend their meaning. What does it mean to be prepared for long term care? How can you get in-home care? Is LTC insurance necessary? How and when do you protect assets? What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? How early should you start planning?
If these questions are familiar to you and you need answers whether for yourself or a loved one, you are welcome to come to Springwell for an informational session on long term care. Attorney John Hope will present legal issues of long-term care affecting the lives of seniors.
Light refreshments will be provided. To RSVP call or email Emily Kuhl at (617) 972-5606 or ekuhl@springwell.com.
April 16, 2012, has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day, part of a nationwide campaign to increase awareness of the need for advance care planning. Talking about end-of-life decisions can be uncomfortable whether for our loved ones or for ourselves but it is important. Advance Directive is a general term for written documents regarding future medical care in the event a person loses capacity to make health care decisions.
Below are some resources on Advanced Care Planning:
National Health Decisions Day - The official website offers a list of resources as well as the history of this day.
Massachusetts Medical Society - This website offers resources as well as printable Health Care Proxy.
Aging with Dignity - The Five Wishes document helps individuals express care options and preferences. This document meets the legal requirements for Massachusetts and is available in 20 languages. The cost of the document is $5.00. You may order on-line or call 850-681-2010.
Hospice Federation of Massachusetts - This website also has a free Health Care Proxy form and infomation on hospice and palliative care.
Caring Connections - Offers free state advance directive documents that you may download or call 850-658-8898 to have a copy mailed to you.
Center for Practical Bioethics - Caring Conversations offered on this website is a workbook to help individuals and families communicate with each other about their healthcare preferences and contains advance directive documents. You may download free or call 800-244-3829.
You may also obtain a Health Care Proxy Form from your doctor, health clinic, or prepare one with a lawyer.
Story by CNN about caregiver’s in the Boomer generation. Click here to read the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/09/living/baby-boomer-caregivers/index.html
“It’s not just their parents: With about 10,000 baby boomers hitting age 65 each day, they’re becoming caregivers and also those needing care. With people living longer than ever, this is the first generation that might care for its parents as long as it cared for its children, experts said.”
It’s finally here!
This class will give YOU, the family caregiver, tools to:
- Help reduce stress
- Communicate Effectively
- Take Care of Yourself
- Reduce Guilt, Anger, and Depression
- Help you Relax
- Make Tough Decisions
- Set Goals and Problem-Solve
This class meets once a week for six weeks starting
April 13 -May 18th.
Springwell, 125 Walnut St, Watertown, MA
1:30-3:00pm
To Register for this class please call Springwell’s Information and Referral Department at (617) 926-4100
For questions or more information regarding this class, call or email Emily Kuhl, Caregiver Advisor at (617) 972-5606 or ekuhl@springwell.com.
This class is intended for family caregivers, no professionals please.
This 6 week educational series isdesigned to provide education, emotional, and social support for male caregivers caring for someone in the community diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Habilitation Therapy will be used as the teaching tool.
The participants will learn a variety of skills and strategies including:
§ Communication Strategies
§ Environment Modifications
§ Personal Care Techniques
§ Behavior Management
Presented by Dr. Paul Raia, VP of Clinical Services, Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter
This group will meet on Tuesdays, beginning March 13th until
April 17th from 2 pm- 4 pm in our Watertown, MA office.
Registration is limited.
Contact: Maura Moxley
Support Groups Manager maura.moxley@alz.org or
617 868 6718/800 272 3900
The 2012 theme for African American History Month is “Black Women in American Culture and History.” As with many cultures, throughout history, African American women have played a defining role in family, church and community. From Harriet Tubman who after escaping from slavery, made thirteen return missions to the south to rescue more than 70 slaves using the Underground Railroad Network, and in the post-Civil War era struggled for women’s suffrage, to educator and social activist Dr. Dorothy Height who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004, to First Lady Michele Obama, African American Women have had a significant role in shaping who we are as a Nation today.
African American women have made great strides but many continue to suffer. Three in five older African Americans are women, and their median income is $35,049. The great majority of African American caregivers are women, many of whom have multiple chronic conditions themselves as well as a variety of family responsibilities. The 33 percent poverty rate of older African American women who live alone is second only to older Hispanic women (44 percent).
The Administration on Aging and the National Aging Services Network, through the services of the Older Americans Act, work to ensure that elder African Americans and all older Americans maintain their well-being and independence with value and dignity. As the provisions of the Affordable Care Act are implemented, we will continue to develop and advance a nationwide system of home & community-based long-term services and support that is first and foremost responsive to the needs & preferences of older Americans and their caregivers.
To read the President’s proclamation, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/presidential-proclamation-national-african-american-history-month-2012
The Caregiver Respite Questionnaire has been reopened in an effort to reach more caregivers … there is a particular interest in caregivers of elders with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition hopes to reach caregivers who attend support groups, info or training sessions, and have a connection with day programs.
This survey will be open until March 12, 2012. Please consider filling out the survey to help show respite needs of caregivers. These surveys often help to determine where funding is needed and programs to be put in place.
https://www.keysurvey.com/survey/384569/29b1
Thank you!
