 | | "When you're taking care of a loved one, you feel you are not adequate, that you should be doing better." |
Dear Reader,
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter called caregiving a universal subject. She was right. More than 60 million people - 1.3 million Ohioans - provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend each year. With numbers like this, odds are you know someone that is, has been, or will be a caregiver.
In honor of National Family Caregiver Month, we have filled our November newsletter with information about local programs and services for caregivers, articles about the act - or rather art - of caregiving, and other helpful resources to help caregivers on any stage of their journey.
Read more about National Family Caregiver Month and the role of your Area Agency on Aging in supporting family caregivers.
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Honor a caregiver with a nomination for OCA's annual awards program
When Ron Hitchcock's mother, Della, developed Alzheimer's disease, his family says he stepped up to the plate. Ron was honored with COA's 2013 Outstanding Caregiver Award for the extra steps he puts into her daily care - breakfast in bed, helping her dress and look her best for the day, and making sure she exercises daily.
If you know someone like Ron - a caregiver, volunteer or professional who goes above and beyond to make life better for older adults and people with disabilities - nominate them for Council on Aging's annual awards program. Nominations will be accepted through January 15, 2015. Click here for more information and a nomination form.
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COA program provides support for family caregivers
According to Clavilia, everybody needs a "go to" person. Clavilia is the go to person for lots of people, including her husband of nearly 32 years, Forrest.
Forrest has Alzheimer's disease and Clavilia is his full-time caregiver. When a doctor recently suggested it might be time for Forrest to live somewhere else, Clavilia said no. "God didn't tell me yet. Until I feel it in my heart, it's not going to happen."
A recent visit from a home health nurse in COA's Caregiver Education and Support Program has helped Clavilia get a better handle on her caregiving responsibilities and her own health needs. Read more...
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 Council on Aging shares facts about Clinton County Elderly Services ProgramOver the past year, changes to the Elderly Services Program in Clinton County have generated some rumors and misinformation. Because this program does so much good and is so important to seniors and their families, we at Council on Aging want to address concerns and questions that have been raised. Get the facts about the Clinton County Elderly Services Program
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This holiday season, give two gifts for the price of one through AmazonSmile
If you turn to Amazon.com for all or some of your holiday shopping needs, part of your purchase can go to Council on Aging - at no extra cost to you! It's like giving two gifts for the price of one! Learn how...
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Sponsorships now available for 2015 Forum on Aging
COA's 2015 Forum on Aging is March 3-4 and sponsorship opportunities are now available. The conference offers nationally recognized keynote speakers, specialized workshops, unlimited networking opportunities and draws more than 500 professionals from the field of aging.
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News, Tips and Resources for Caregivers
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 | | Liz Tassone |
Caregivers: This holiday season, give yourself the gift of mindful breathing
"Oxygen Mask Descending!"
Every time I travel by air, I am reminded by my flight attendant that, "in the unlikely event of loss of cabin pressure,"I will need to put on my own oxygen mask before helping someone else.
It's a great reminder for family caregivers. Secure your own oxygen-your own breath-and then you'll be of most help for your loved one. This sounds so simple, doesn't it? But we all know it's much harder to practice. In reality, when we take care of a loved one, we often forget to take care of ourselves. Read more...
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Council on Aging provides funding to a number of organizations in our community to provide services and support to family caregivers. The following articles were submitted by those organizations. Contact each organization for more information about their programs and services.
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Alzheimer's Association confronts impending crisis one person at a time
Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease, the nation's sixth-leading cause of death and the only disease among the top 10 that has no survivors, no cure or even a way to slow its progress. Read more...
Alzheimer's Association of Greater Cincinnati | 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900 | 644 Linn Street, Suite 1026, Cincinnati, OH 45203 | 513-721-4284
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Jewish Family Service focuses on needs of the caregiver
You're a caregiver. Whether you're making a weekly phone call across the miles to check in, or providing 24-hour direct, hands-on care, that's what you are. You may be caring for your aging parent or perhaps your spouse. There are no pre-requisites or time requirements; it only matters that you care. Read more...
Jewish Family Service of the Cincinnati Area | 8487 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 | 1-800-458-6233
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Senior Independence's adult day centers offer safe option for seniors, respite for caregivers
Senior Independence operates four adult day centers in our region. Adult day centers provide a safe environment, stimulating activities, nutritionally balanced meals, medical monitoring and personal care services for older adults who need some care and assistance during the day while their caregivers manage other responsibilities. Read more...
Senior Independence | 513-474-3100 | 9600 Colerain Ave. Suite 300, Cincinnati, OH 45251
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Oxford Seniors offers caregivers community support, individual counseling
Typically, one thinks of a caregiver as a person taking care of their ailing spouse or parent. But, a caregiver can also be a neighbor, a friend, or a distant relative. The care can be provided in home, across long-distances, or in a long-term care facility. Read more...
Oxford Seniors | 513-523-8100 | 922 Tollgate Drive, Oxford, OH 45056
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Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio offers valuable support through Caregiver Assistance Network
For many family members, there comes a time when they must become the primary caretaker of an aging parent or spouse. This life-course change may be minor or become all-consuming. These caregivers need somewhere to turn. Since 1996, the Caregiver Assistance Network, a service of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, has been there to help. Read more...
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio | 513-241-7745 | 100 E. Eighth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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How do you choose a skilled nursing facility?
Selecting the right facility for you or a loved one is an important decision with many factors that can make it a daunting task. You don't have to make that decision alone, as there are many tools available to help individuals and families find the right nursing facility. Learn more.
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Grandparents are becoming parents again
We hear a lot about multi-generational households - specifically older adults living with and receiving care from their adult children. But there's another type of multi-generational household - those in which the grandparent runs the household and has primary responsibility for the children who live there. This is often referred to as Kinship Care. Read more...
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Caregivers can have an impact, even from afar
According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 7 million adults are long-distance caregivers Long-distance caregiving comes with unique challenges. Long-distance caregivers might feel helpless because they don't live in the same city or state as their loved one, but there are many things they can do to help. Learn more...
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Two important family conversations to have over the holidays
As your family gathers for the holiday season, you might share stories, look at old family photos or watch home movies. It may seem unconventional - even taboo - but why not use this family time to have conversations about important caregiving and health care issues? Learn more...
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Caregiving advice from the BBB: build a trusted network
Many of us know first-hand how family and friends rally around a loved one in need of daily health care.But what if you need someone outside your care giving network to step in and help take care of your loved one? Read more...
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Cincinnati Children's offers resources for caregivers of children with special needs
Caring for a child with special needs creates a unique set of challenges and rewards. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides families with a variety of resources to assist with caring for a child with special needs. Read more...
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Worried about utility bills?
Help is available for low-income Ohioans who need assistance with winter heating bills and telephone or cell phone service.
Click here for information about Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (help with winter heating bills)
Click here for information about Lifeline - Ohio's telephone discount program |
Medicare open enrollment
Medicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. It's a good time to review your coverage because drug formularies, provider networks and plan benefits change from year to year. Use the Medicare plan finder at Medicare.gov to compare plans in your area.
Click here for additional information and resources |
Older adults at risk for complications from extreme cold and snow
Our bodies react differently to extreme conditions as we age and as a result, older adults are at higher risk for complications from hypothermia, frostbite and other cold-weather illnesses and injuries. Read more from the Ohio Department of Aging...
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Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities
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Visit the Events page on our website for a complete, up-to-date list of events for adults, caregivers and professionals. |
Healthy-U Chronic Disease Self Management Program
November 5 - December 11, 2014, 9 - 11:30 am | Middletown Senior Center 3907 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio 45044 | Register: 513-423-1734 x115 | Learn more
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Healthy-U Chronic Disease Self Management Program
November 10 - December 15, 2014, 10 am - 12:30 pm | Triple Creek Retirement, 11230 Pippen Road, Cincinnati , OH 45231 | Register: Nora Dashley (513) 923-4466 [email protected] | Learn more
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Medicare Check-up Event - Hamilton County
December 3, 2014, 10 am | Sycamore Senior Center, 4455 Carver Woods Drive
Cincinnati 45242 | Counseling only, by appointment: call 513-984-1234 | Learn more
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Cincinnati Volunteer Lawyers Project: Free Wills and Advanced Planning Clinic
December 5, 2014 9 AM - 4 PM, by appointment only | Hamilton County Community Action Agency, 1740 Langdon Farm Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237 | Eligibility requirements apply: (513) 361-8832 | No walk-ins.Must register by phone.
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OSHIIP Welcome to Medicare
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Aging and Disability Resource Directory Tip
Caregiving
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 Becoming a primary caregiver for another person is one of the most challenging roles a person can accept. There are daily demands on the caregiver`s time, patience, physical and emotional health. As a caregiver, one may need to help their loved one with a broad range of activities, such as bathing, dressing, cooking and eating. Our Resource Directory provides a variety of community services that are available to help the caregiver and the care recipient. The links and resources in this section will help you get started on your caregiving journey. Click here to access the caregiving section of our Resource Directory.
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