Getting good information is critical for family caregivers. It empowers us to act. It presents us with choices, and helps us make good decisions. The quandary is often where to find that good information. It's nice to know there are multiple sources.

First, other caregivers have walked down the path before us and know many things through experience. I recently talked to a caregiver who needed a good physician who could help the entire family cope with a new Alzheimer's diagnosis.  

The family had tried several different physicians, but they liked the one they learned about from another caregiver at a support group. Other caregivers know everything from reliable professionals in the area, to skin care, to dealing with challenging behaviors. Other caregivers can help point out the pitfalls and may even know the shortcuts to hidden treasures.

Next, there are organizations like the local Area Agency on Aging or the Aging and Disability Resource Centers that are federally funded to be a source of information on services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers. They can automatically be located by going to www.eldercare.gov or by calling 1-800-677-1116. The inquiry is automatically routed to your local agency in your geographic area.  

Other organizations would include those that are "disease specific" like the Alzheimer's Association, the ALS Association, and local Parkinson's Association and Stroke Association affiliates. These agencies can often tell us about financial requirements for assistance, disease-specific information and resources, and local supports.

Finally, there are professionals who are experts in geriatrics/ gerontology - in other words, they specialize in dealing with issues affecting older persons. An elder law attorney, a geriatric care manager, a senior financial advisor - these are people we need to seek out when we are planning our long-term care needs, estate planning, and retirement planning.  

There are times when we do need professional help, and it's important to seek someone who has expertise in aging. It's like having the right tool for the right job. Aging services professionals have the right skill set.

Carol Zernial

Executive Director  

• The next two-day Master Training Class is set in San Antonio, TX, on February 13-14, 2013. Master Training can be provided in other locations upon request with at least 8-10 participants enrolled and the sponsoring organization underwriting travel expenses for the Lead Trainers.

To schedule a Master Training Class or obtain more information, contact Debbie Billa, WCF Grants Manager; voice: 210-877-7752; toll free: 1-866-390-6491; email: dbilla@wellmed.net, or click on the Stress-Busting website.

Seniors are of ten the target of scam artists wanting to make a quick buck. Investment schemes are especially prevalent. In order to protect vulnerable citizens, all states have offices that regulate securities. Click here for this listing to contact your state's regulators.

February 3 - Dr. Laura Huete, WellMed Medical Director: "It Only Hurts For A Little While - Exercising with Arthritis"

February 10 - Dr. Fernando Martinez, WellMed Medical Director: "Catching Your Breath - Coping With COPD"

February 17 - Dr. Roberto Ruiz, WellMed at San Jose: "Eating Right For Healthy Caregiving"

February 24 - Debbie Billa, WellMed Charitable Foundation: Making The Call - The Caregiver Teleconnection.

More influenza (aka flu) talk. If you are a family caregiver, you can reduce the chances that both you and your loved one will get the dreaded virus. It's about vigilance and, yes, luck. But regardless, tissues and hand sanitizer need to be your best friends.

Older people can have weakened immune systems, making them susceptible to flu and complications. Nearly 90 percent of flu deaths and 60 percent of flu hospitalizations happen to those age 65-plus. And if you, the caregiver, get it, who will step in?

Welcome to MyMoney.gov: This is a U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are buying a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401(k), the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you maximize your financial decisions. Throughout the site, you will find important information from 20 Federal agencies and Bureaus designed to help you make smart financial choices. Click here for the section designed especially for retirees. Click here for the Spanish version.

Texas Kincare Primer: Click here for the updated "Texas Kincare Primer" developed by the Texas Legal Center and Department of Aging and Disabilities service on behalf of Texas Kincare Task Force. This booklet provides resources and information on legal and public benefits that Texas Grandparents raising children may qualify. 

 

You've Earned a Say. Take the Post-election Questionnaire: After months of campaign ads and political spin, the election is over. Now it's time to get down to business. Tell President Obama what you think he should do about Social Security and Medicare during his second term.

 

STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) Tool Kit for Health Care Providers from CDC: Did you realize that one out of three people 65 and older falls each year? The good news is that health care providers can help reduce their patients' chances of falling and of suffering serious injuries like hip fractures and traumatic brain damage.

 

CDC's Injury Center created the STEADI Tool Kit for health care providers who see older adults in their practice who are at risk of falling or who may have fallen in the past. Click here to learn about he STEADI Tool Kit gives health care providers the information and tools they need to assess and address their older patients' fall risk.

 

Drugs and Older People: Americans who are 65 and older are soon to be the fastest growing segment of the population. And yet many physicians still know relatively little about caring and prescribing for older adults. The outcome, unfortunately, is many very serious-and avoidable-medical errors. Seniors who are prescribed inappropriate drugs can develop dementia-type symptoms or exhibit other adverse effects. Click here to read the entire article.

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the agency is expanding the services available with a my Social Security account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or change direct deposit information online. Click here for more information. Click here for Spanish.    

 

The National Alliance for Caregiving is partnering with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and 24 other organizations representing providers, patients, consumers and payers to bring you Care About Your Care. During the month of February,  the Care About Your Care effort and the participating organizations will address a growing concern in the U.S. health care system-avoidable readmissions. Avoidable, unnecessary readmissions cause poor health for patients and create a cost burden on the economy. But communities across the U.S. are stepping up to the challenge to improve care transitions and we're joining them to make sure that when patients leave the hospital, they stay healthy.

 

You can learn more about the Care About Your Care effort by going to www.CareAboutYourCare.org. Visit the site to discover useful resources for providers and patients, learn what others in health care field are doing to improve the care transition process, and watch as communities prove that although the challenge is steep, solving the readmissions crisis is possible.