Welcome to the 
September issue of the
We Care
Newsletter



Prevent Caregiver
Stress and Burnout

According to a recent study by AARP 792,000 Missourians and 345,000 Kansans are family caregivers. In 2013 these family caregivers logged over 1,000,000,000 hours caring for loved ones. Those who are primary caregivers are providing 21 or more hours of care per week.

Today family caregiving is more complex and stressful than ever before. While caregiving is an enriching experience that provides a deep satisfaction, many have no idea what to do, how to do it or where to go for help. This uncertainty, coupled with demands of caregiving can lead to anxiety and depression, isolation and exhaustion. Stress is inevitable when caregiving. Continuous stress, 24/7 will quickly lead to burnout. 

Signs of caregiver burnout include: 
  • Emotional depletion
  • Reduced resistance to common illnesses
  • Increased likelihood of chronic disease 
  • Lack of energy to care for your loved one 

Alzheimer's Music Connect offers several strategies on their website to help caregivers avoid the burnout stage:

  • Talk it out. Identify people you can talk with-friends, clergy, or join a support group.
  • Accept the situation. Acknowledge the grief, frustration and resentment you may feel.
  • Get others to help. Identify things others can do to care for your loved one. Consider tasks that can be taken over by someone else. 
  • Give yourself time away to renew. Engage in social activity, catch up on rest, read a book or whatever will recharge you.
  • Practice self care. Eat a healthy diet, sleep and exercise. Do not skip medical and dental appointments.
  • Maintain interests. Engage in a hobby you enjoy. Spend time with family and friends
  • Practice gratitude. Reflect on the ways that caregiving has helped you grow personally. 


Click here to read the
The Care Connection 
at
Shepherd's Center Central
 promotes and supports the advancement of skills, good 
health, and resilience of caregivers for older adults.
   
Shepherd's Center Central 

is a not-for-profit community-based organization that empowers mid-life and older adults to live healthy, engaged and 

independent lives.

   

www.sccentral.org

816-444-1122
  
  
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We Care
SPONSORS!
 
Click on the logo to visit their website. 

 








  

  
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We have More Info to Share 

Remember...The Care Connection at Shepherd's Center Central is here to help anyone who is concerned about an aging parent, loved one, neighbor, or friend who needs referrals to resources, care planning, practical advice, guidance in balancing work and family, or stress relief. 
 
The Kansas City Caregiver Support Line provides resources and referrals for caregivers of older adults. Call 816-444-1122
 
Click for info on: 
 
This Month's Tip

You Deserve A Break

Many businesses offer discounts to those 55 and over.Typically, one needs to ask for the discount. Below is a short list of local restaurants offering price breaks

Applebee's 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arbys 10% off (55+)
Burger King 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A 10% off or a free small drink or coffee (55+)
CiCi's Pizza 10% off (60+)
Dunkin' Donuts 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Golden Corral 10% off (60+)
Hardee's $.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP 10% off (55+)
McDonald's discounts on coffee everyday (55+)

Steak 'n Shake 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell 5% off; free beverages (65+)
Village Inn 10% off (60+)
Waffle House 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's 10% off (55+)



Choosing Healthy Meals

Healthy eating is a smart thing to do no matter how old we are. The ChooseMyPlate.gov nutrition education series suggests that your body changes through the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. Food provides essential nutrients for aging. 


 

Use these tips to choose foods for better health at each stage of life:

  1. Drink plenty of liquids-you may lose some of your sense of thirst with age
  2. Make eating a social event-meals are more enjoyable when shared with others
  3. Plan healthy meals-Choose MyPlate.gov gives advice on what to eat and how much based on the dietary guidelines
  4. Know how much to eat-learn to recognize proper portion size
  5. Vary your vegetables-include a variety of colors to brighten your plate
  6. Eat for your teeth and gums-teeth and gums change with age. Eat softer foods if necessary
  7. Use herbs and spices- foods often lose their flavor as you age
  8. Keep food safe-Throw out food that might not be safe and immediately refrigerate leftovers
  9. Read the nutrition facts label-pay attention to nutrients and calories
  10. Ask your doctor about vitamins or supplements-some can interfere with medications or affect medical conditions

 


 
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events 
   

CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
If you are living with an ongoing health condition or are a caregiver of someone who does, such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression, this is for you! Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) workshops are interactive learning opportunities that teach techniques to manage common symptoms. Workshops are low-cost and led by trained leaders who are also living with an ongoing heath condition. Workshops include: decision-making and problem-solving, fatigue management; dealing with anger, depression and difficult emotions; communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals; using prescribed medication appropriately; making informed decisions and healthy eating. 
Wednesdays, September 2 - October 7, 1:30 - 4 PM
Landon Center on Aging, 3599 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS
Contact Sara Kurtz at 913-945-6706 for more information
SENIOR MEDICARE PATROLS
Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. In this session you will learn about scams and frauds that could affect you or your loved one. Many of these scams and frauds are preventable, learn how to detect them and where to report them. Presentation by April Hazen, Senior Medicare Patrol Program Director, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. 
Wednesday, September 9, 12 Noon - 1 PM
Landon Center on Aging, 3599 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS
To register or for more information call 913.588.3094
QUALITY DEMENTIA CARE TRAINING
Families, Friends, Caregivers, Health Care Professionals, Social Workers and Attorneys are encouraged to attend this program. Topics include: The Legacy & Future of Better Elder Care, Nursing & Better Dementia Caregiving, Dementia & Better Care and Ethical Considerations. No cost to attend the training, $10 box lunch and fees for CEUs. 
Friday, September 11, 11 AM - 4 PM
Country Club Bank and Community Room, Village West, 11006 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS
To register and for more information email info@kabc.org or call 1-800-525-1783

MAKING CHOICES--CARING FOR YOUR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT
As your body's health declines due to illness, the mind and spirit need more attention. Examining your life, finding meaning, and coming to terms with what may be left unfinished is very natural and very important. Whether one is the patient or family member even the smallest decisions become meaningful. This program, led by Kathy Pohr, LSW and Shawn Mueller, Account Liaison, guides you in thinking about the choices available when facing decisions about end of life, whenever that time occurs. Discussion will include healthcare options, advanced directives, living wills and others.
Wednesday, September 16, 12 Noon - 1 PM
Landon Center on Aging, 3599 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS
To register or for more information call 913.588.3094

LIVING WITH LOSS, ONE DAY AT AT TIME-LEARN, LAUGH, LIVE
When life throws you a curve ball, the best way to approach the situation is to learn about it, laugh about it and find a way to live with it. Embracing the challenge is the healthiest, most productive and only way to survive a difficult diagnosis and live life to the fullest. Gain insight and ideas of integrating the challenge into your daily life. and communitye with those who are providing support.
Wednesday, September 16, 6 - 7:30 PM
Turning Point, 8900 Stateline Road, st. 240, Leawood KS
To register call 913-574-0900
 
  
     Consider a Planned Gift. Please donate. 


 

Please consider making a charitable bequest to Shepherd's Center of Kansas City Central in your will. Legacy gifts provide future support for charity. Any individual, at any time, can create a legacy gift. It can be as easy as naming a charity on the beneficiary form of a savings, checking or pension account, or through a more complex instrument such as a trust. 


To make a bequest to SCC, simply include these words in your will:
"I give to Shepherd Center of Kansas City Central, a
non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in Kansas City,
MO, __% of my estate for general purposes."

To create a residual charitable bequest, use these words:
"All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both
real and personal, I give to Shepherd Center of Kansas
City Central, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, located
in Kansas City, MO, for its general purposes."    

 

Visit us at www.sccentral.org. Call us at 816-444-1121.