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Sessions Calendar "At a Glance" | |
A free telephone learning
and support program.
Select a session right for you.
For more details, click here:
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5/01/12 (Tues) 10 a.m.:
"Enhancing Caregiving: Nutritional Strategies for Dementia" with Lisa Zullig, MS, RD, CDN.
"Cómo busco un alivio: una guía para el cuidador sobre el control del estrés," con Edgar Rivas.
"Benefits and Services for Veterans," with Mary Simek, LCSW.
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5/21/12 (Mon) 10 a.m.:
"Ideas for Increased Family Involvement" with Evalyn Greb, LMSW.
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5/30/12 (Wed) 10 a.m.:
"Para bien o para mal: los retos de cuidar a un esposo o a una esposa," con Edgar Rivas
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5/31/12 (Thur) 7 p.m.:
"Recognizing and Treating Caregiver Stress" with Tam Cummings, M.S.
Sign Up
By Phone, Email or Online:
Register for any of the above
TeleLearning Sessions by phone: San Antonio Area--871-7SOS (7767) or 1 (866) 390-6491 (toll-free) (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.
to 4:45 p.m.); by email, or go to our website.
The hour long, free phone-based sessions are designed to help enhance the quality of life for caregivers by providing needed emotional, educational and social support.
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Spanish Newsletter
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Carol's Column
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In the spirit of Older Americans Month, we're never too old for so many things.
We're never too old to learn something new, to take care of ourselves, to make new friends, and to be the captain of our caregiving journey.
On difficult days, we may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and "old." Taking time for ourselves, reaching out to others so we're not alone with our caregiving, and using community resources available to us are great ways to lift our spirits and replenish our energy.
This month, we'll take the time. It is never too late, after all.
Also, don't forget to tune to the radio show, Caregiver SOS: On Air, with expert guests and timely topics of interest to caregivers.
Carol Zernial
Executive Director |
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Join the Conversation
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Non-profits and organizations, along with state, regional, and local agencies are encouraged to submit for consideration their information on meetings, educational sessions, or resources for caregivers (of seniors, members of the military, and children or adults who have a disability).
Please email details and documents (as a pdf or MS Office document--Word, Publisher, or Excel) promoting the item, along with a contact name, email address, and phone number to: Sue Ellen Lewis, Editor, Caregiver SOS Signals Newsletter/eMail Blasts SueEllenLewis@msn.com, voice-210-637-5116.
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Greetings!
May is Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our communities. Since 1963, communities across the nation have come together to celebrate Older Americans Month--a proud tradition that shows our nation's commitment to recognizing the contributions and achievements of older Americans.
 The theme for Older Americans Month 2012, Never Too Old to Play...encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities. For more information, click here. Link to Poster.
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HEALTH SAVVY
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Nutrition for Alzheimer's Patients
from LiveStrong.com
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease of the brain that affects memory, thinking and comprehension, language and judgment. The progression of the disease begins to interfere with daily functioning, including the ability to prepare meals or even realize the need to eat.
Significance
As noted in a March 2010 article in "Nursing & Residential Care," Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. As the disease progresses, changes occur in the individual's nutritional status. The patient may forget the steps involved in preparing a meal and forget to shop for food. Safety concerns arise, as the individual may forget how to work the stove, may not recognize when food has spoiled and may not be able to pay attention throughout a meal. To read more, click here.
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LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD | |
You Are Not In This Alone
from Share the Care
It would seem that we will all be called upon to care for someone during our lives. It could be, a wife, husband, partner, child, parent, friend, co-worker or neighbor. When called upon to help, most of us will be unprepared. Now, there is help and you don't have to suffer through this alone. ShareTheCaregiving™ , Inc. believes in the effectiveness of the group to give perhaps the best care for seriously ill.
Dr. Sukie Miller writes in the group's handbook FORWARD: "The small group can work miracles, as our common experience show us. We know this even from the creaky, lurching successes of the bureaucracies that characterize most of our public institutions, from business to politics. To read more, click here.
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WANT TO FEEL BETTER? |
How to Be A Caregiver for a Spouse from ehow.com Under the best of circumstances, acting as a caregiver for a spouse can be stressful. However, with the right set of information and realistic expectations, caregiving can be a rewarding experience. Generally, being a caregiver for a spouse is not something you plan on; it just happens, either through an accident, an injury or a health challenge. According to "The Caregiver HelpBook: Powerful Tools for Caregivers," "When one partner is significantly healthier than the other, the couple may face unique challenges."
Read more: How to Be a Caregiver for a Spouse |
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CONCERNED ABOUT MONEY? | |
Social Security: Compassionate Allowances
On April 11, 2012, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 52 new conditions for Compassionate Allowances, primarily involving neurological disorders, cancers and rare diseases.
The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. For the Social Security website, click here.
For the news release about this change, click the following: In English; En español
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MIND, BODY, SPIRIT |
The Stress-Busting Program provides caregivers information about stress (particularly stress associated with caregiving), how to deal with stress through relaxation and problem solving, and how to care for themselves while caring for a loved one with dementia. In addition, there is information about caring for a person with dementia.
The program consists of 90-minute sessions that occur once per week for 9 weeks. The program is conducted in a small group setting with two group facilitators.
Participants will be provided many resources including a handbook covering class material, a meditation CD, and a relaxation strategies DVD. Click here for more information.
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'TAKE 10' WITH DR. JAMIE | |
Pets and Seniors
(Jamie Huysman, PsyD, LCSW, CAP, CFT)
 This month, caregiving is "going to the dogs (and cats, of course)." And, well it should.
We now know that isolation is a curse for caregivers. Thus, what better way to remain calm, cool, collected and connected with a "care receiver" who looks at you with grateful puppy dog eyes or purrs and circles around you carefully with unconditional love and utters only a "meow."
These "connected" experiences are few and far between either for a caregiver or their loved one. Before we run down to the pet store, let's talk a bit about the pros and cons of pets and senior care. Click here to continue.
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TELELEARNING SESSION DETAILS | |
These hour long, free phone-based sessions are designed to help enhance the quality of life for caregivers by providing needed emotional, educational and social support.
Register for any TeleLearning Sessions by phone: San Antonio Area--871-7SOS (7767) or 1 (866) 390-6491 (toll-free) (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.); by email or go to our website.
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5/01/12 (Tues) 10 a.m.:
*"Enhancing Caregiving: Nutritional Strategies for Dementia" 
with Lisa Zullig, MS, RD, CDN.
Participants will learn how dementia affects both a patient's nutritional needs of and their ability to consume enough food safely. Strategies to work around these challenges will be discussed in order to help caregivers keep their loved ones as healthy as possible. *This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting. ____________________________________
*"Cómo busco un alivio: una guía para el cuidad or sobre el control del estrés," con Edgar Rivas.
¿Cómo calificaría usted su habilidad para controlar el estrés que siente a medida que cuida a su ser querido o familiar? Durante esta sesión, infórmese sobre estrategias y técnicas saludables para controlar el estrés. Además, escuchará lo importante que es prepararse para eventos estresantes, maneniendo un equilibiro emocional y físico todos los días. *Esta sesión es GRATIS y para todos. Para inscribirse, haga clic aqui. Volante para imprimir/publicar.
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*"Benefits and Services for Veterans," with Mary Simek,  LCSW.
Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service. Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Join this session to learn about available programs and services for veterans.*This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting.
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*"Ideas for Increased Family Involvement" with Evalyn Greb,  LMSW.
This session was developed at the request of other caregivers who need more assistance from family, but may not know how to ask, or have asked without success. Learn more about family dynamics, their positive use, and hear other caregivers share their methods of getting more family engagement.*This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting.
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5/30/12 (Wed) 10 a.m.:
*"Para bien o para mal: los retos de cuidar a un esposo o a una esposa," con Edgar Rivas
¿Sabía usted que cuidar a su esposo o a su esposa es diferente a otros tipos de cuidado de personas? Esta sesión cubrirá los retos financieros, físicos, emocionales, sociales, familiares, sexuales y cómo usted puede enfrentarlos directamente.*Esta sesión es GRATIS y para todos. Para inscribirse, haga clic aqui. Volante para imprimir/publicar.
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5/31/12 (Thur) 7 p.m.:
*"Recognizing and Treating Caregiver Stress" with Tam  Cummings, M.S.
This session will allow caregivers to actually take a test to alert them to their situation when stress has become overwhelming. Tam will also offer exercises and suggestions for reducing internal stress. *This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting.
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Caregiver SOS: On Air | |
Featured Guests in May
from the WellMed Charitable Foundation
May 6 - Chris Alderete, Access Quality Therapy Services: "What to Look for in Professional Caregiver Support Services."
May 13 - Helen Flores, Caring Companions: "Training for Family Caregivers."
May 20 - Evalyn Greb, LCSW - "When and how counseling can help a caregiver."
May 27 - Debbie Billa, WellMed Charitable Foundation and former AAA Director: Topic to be announced
 Caregiver SOS: On Air is an hour-long weekly program
that airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on NewsTalk 930-AM KLUP. The program is sponsored and presented by the WellMed Charitable Foundation. Each show is available to download by visiting the Caregiver SOS website.
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Caregiver SOS Resource Centers | |
Caregiver SOS Centers
from the. WellMed Charitable Foundation
On a regular basis, Caregiver SOS Community Resource Centers offer new programs, this month focusing on activities in recognition of May as Older Americans Month.
Other programs include "A Matter of Balance" and "Stress Busters," along with crafts, movies, health-related events. A resource library is also available. See the Activity Calendars below for the current schedule.
For locations and other information, go to the Caregiver SOS website. The Calendars below can be printed and posted:
San Antonio Center at Northern Hills
San Antonio Lopez Senior Center
Harlingen Senior Center
Hildalgo County
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Resources and References | |
Services and Benefits for Veterans (and Their Caregivers): Below are links to websites providing this information.
National Toll-Free Support Line for Caregivers of Military Veterans: 1 (855) 260-3274. Open Mon -Fri.: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat: 10:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. EST.
The Texas Inventory of Respite Services is a searchable, comprehensive dataset of more than 900 respite providers throughout the state of Texas. This database is located on the new Take Time Texas website. Each provider record contains helpful information about the services provided, languages spoken, any specialties, and contact information. You can use the Inventory to find the right respite services for you and your loved one. To view the Inventory, click here.
mmLearn.org (a program of Morningside Ministries), has an extensive catalog of free videos and webcasts designed for caregivers. To view the catalog, click here. Once you have selected the video or webcast you wish to view, go to mmLearn.org and start the process.
May 2012: Never Too Old to Play: The Administration on Aging has announced the theme for Older Americans Month 2012, to be celebrated in May. This year's theme is "Never Too Old to Play" and is designed to encourage older Americans to stay engaged, active, and involved in their own lives and in their communities. For more information, click here.
Need A Little Extra Help? BenefitsCheckUp.org is free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Many adults over 55 need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other basic needs. There are over 2,000 federal, state and private benefits programs available to help. But many people don't know these programs exist or how they can apply. For more information, click here.
Eldercarelocator.org is a a public service website from the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is designed to help older adults and their families and caregivers find their way through the maze of services for seniors by identifying trustworthy local support resources. The goal is to provide users with the information and resources that will help older persons live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For more information, click here.
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We hope you found this Signals newsletter both informative and useful. Please share it with caregivers that you know, your friends, and colleagues by clicking on 'Forward to a Friend'. (Since Signals is optimized for the Internet, forwarding it through your email system seriously alters the appearance.)
Sincerely,
Carol Zernial, Executive Director
WellMed Charitable Foundation |
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