ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OFFERS GUIDELINES AND TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OFFERS GUIDELINES AND TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Helping people care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease

LOS ANGELES, CA – The holidays are a time full of celebration, joy and special occasions with family and friends. But for people living with Alzheimer’s disease the season can present special challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter has prepared “Home For The Holidays,” a handy guide with tips and advice for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

The guide shows how, with careful planning, family celebrations can be a meaningful part of the holidays while ensuring safety, comfort and enjoyment for everyone. Its purpose is to help alleviate some of the stress associated with the additional activities and changes in routine at this time of year.

“Home for the Holidays” is available for download through the chapter Web site, www.alz.org/socal or by calling the Chapter’s 24-hour helpline at (800) 272-3900.

Anyone with questions about Alzheimer’s disease is encouraged to call. Experts are available to speak with people who are concerned with their own cognitive health, and can assist family members and friends seeking information or resources for loved ones.

Highlights from the Alzheimer’s Association “Home for the Holiday” Guide:

Caregiving responsibilities layered on top of keeping up with holiday traditions can take their toll on Alzheimer families, especially on the caregivers. With some preparation, your celebrations can be filled with joy and magical moments to cherish.

Adjust your expectations
No one, including yourself, should expect you to maintain every holiday tradition or event.

Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably manage
Choose holiday activities and traditions that are most important to you
Host a small family dinner instead of a throwing a big holiday party
Consider serving a catered or takeout holiday meal. Many grocery stores and restaurants offer meals to go.
Start a new tradition. Host a potluck dinner where family or friends each bring a dish

Involve the affected individual in holiday festivities
People with memory loss can often share in activities. Here are a few ideas:

Wrap gifts
Bake favorite holiday recipes together. The person can stir batter or decorate cookies.
Set the table. Avoid centerpieces with candles and artificial fruits and berries that could be mistaken for edible
snacks.
Talk about events to include in a holiday letter
Prepare simple foods such as appetizers
Read holiday cards you receive together
Look through photo albums or scrapbooks. Reminisce about people in the pictures and past events.
Watch a favorite holiday movie together
Sing seasonal carols or read passages from favorite books

When the individual lives in a care facility
A holiday is still a holiday whether it is celebrated at home or at a care facility. Here are some ways to celebrate together:

Join your loved one at the facility-planned holiday activities
Bring a favorite holiday food to share
Sing holiday songs. Ask if other residents can join in.
Read a favorite holiday story or poem out loud

For more tips and information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Web site (www.alz.org/socal) or call (800) 272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization committed to research, care and support for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. For 30 years, the California Southland chapter has provided critical services and programs to thousands of families in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These services and programs include care consultation, support groups, the Medic Alert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® Identification Registry, and a 24-hour Helpline for information and referral at (800) 272-3900. The Alzheimer’s Association also provides education for health care professionals, caregivers and the general public; advocacy for improved public policy and legislation; and financial support to increase research to find the cause and cure for this devastating disease. For more information, visit www.alz.org/socal.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

PDF of News Release, “Home for the Holidays”
PDF of “Home for the Holidays” booklet

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 314642

Families invited to Free Webinar and Live Event - November 8 - Free CEU for CCMC, NURSE AND SOCIAL WORK

Free CEU Seminar & Networking Reception
Empowering Caregivers of Dementia Patients on Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Viki Kind - Author of The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making - Making Choices for Those Who Can’t
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST

or Join via Webinar
RSVP Today at SeniorBridge.com/Seminar - Program Starts at 6:00 p.m. EST

Join Us In-Person at SeniorBridge
845 Third Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Wine & Appetizer Reception Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Adults age 85+ are the fastest growing segment of our population - and half of them have Alzheimer’s. This seminar
will help professionals and families struggling to make decisions for those without capacity develop a pathway,
framework and tools for making thoughtful, ethical decisions. These tools are designed to be tailored to individual levels of incapacity and situations and to give voice to those who can’t speak for themselves. Respect and compassion will be the core values of this decision making process.

CCMC, NURSE AND SOCIAL WORK CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS PROVIDED BY SENIORBRIDGE*
Nurse contact hours pending by State of Florida Nursing Board for RN, ARNP, CNS, LPN. Social Work credits
pending by State of Florida Social Work Board for LCSW, LMFT, LMHC.
CCMC credits pending by the Commission for Case Manager Certification.
*Professionals should confirm acceptance of CCMC & Florida State approved CEUs with their licensing board.
For more information, email webinars@SeniorBridge.com or call 212-994-6153

Have a kind and respectful day.

Join me at the California Women Business Owners meeting in Woodland Hills, CA on Oct. 10 at 6PM

Join me at the California Women Business Owners meeting in Woodland Hills, CA on Oct. 10 at 6PM.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, #1330
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone: 818.887.3777

California Women Business Owners is a non profit organization that serves women business owners and professionals in the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area. California Women Business Owners was founded by four women in 1981 to help find answers to the following:

How to be successful as an entrepreneur.
Where to go for help.
How to establish beneficial contacts with a variety of professional business people.
How to find helpful information and supportive business colleagues.

CWBO Objectives

To encourage business ownership by women.
To be supportive of women business owners.
To promote economic stability in businesses owned and operated by women.
To share information of interest to women business owners.
To support legislation at the local, state and federal levels which will benefit women business owners.

CWBO meets the second Monday of the month to enjoy dinner, networking, and a speaker on topics of interest to women entrepreneurs. We share referrals, leads and the benefits of business ownership and support each other in our professional endeavors. We are women business owners in a women’s group dedicated to supporting our business colleagues in meeting our personal and professional objectives.

California Women Business Owners. cwbo.org
Los Angeles
P.O. Box 570514
Tarzana, CA 91357
818-773-1976
info@cwbo.org

Serving Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Studio City and Toluca Lake, Burbank Glendale, Encino and all the surrounding communities in the greater Los Angeles area.

Viki will be speaking at the Dallas Area Agency on Aging, Event SOLD OUT

Viki will be speaking at the Dallas Area Agency on Aging on October 7.
EVENT SOLD OUT

The Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (AAATC) is part of United Way of Tarrant County and receives funding from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. For more information, call 817-258-8081 or 817-258-8082. http://unitedwaytarrant.org/

Our Mission
To be the visible leader and advocate in the creation and delivery of services that promote empowerment, independence and dignity for older citizens, persons with disabilities and caregivers.

Medicare Enrollment Counseling
Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to choose their prescription drug and health plans during the Medicare open enrollment period October 15 to December 7, 2011. Whether you are new to Medicare or changing plans, you can receive free one-on-one counseling from a State-certified benefits counselor by calling United Way’s Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County at 817-258-8125. If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible to receive extra help with your Medicare prescription drug expenses. Counseling is available to both Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Join me in Dallas at the Lewisville Estates Retirement and Assisted Living on Oct. 6, 11:30

Join me in Dallas at the Lewisville Estates Retirement and Assisted Living on Oct. 6, 11:30. I will be speaking at this networking event. http://www.seniorlifestyle.com/senior_living/Lewisville_TX/zip_75077/the_senior_lifestyle_corporation/5033

Guests arrive at 11:30 and are invited to get a great meal at $7.
800 College Parkway
Lewisville, TX 75077

The networking luncheon starts at 1130. Lori Williams, A Place for Mom Eldercare Advisor, co-hosts the event with Jerald Black from Lewisville Estates Retirement and Assisted Living. It’s a great opportunity to meet local professionals.

About the Lewisville Estates:
Find peace of mind, as well as comfort and convenience at a Senior Lifestyle community. As a resident in our hospitality-centered community, you will find socially engaging and comforting lifestyle options that experts say are so important to healthy aging.

Our community offers you a whole new world of friendship, gracious living, assisted living options, comfort and convenience in an ultimate location. Put them together and you have the perfect combination for an independent, rewarding and fulfilling retirement. We invite you to call and schedule a personal visit…stay for lunch, we’re proud of our dining service team. Experience for yourself the warm hospitality and high quality that is a way of life for our residents. Your lifestyle is waiting.

Have a kind and respectful day.

I will be at the Fearless Caregiver Conference in Boca Raton on Thursday to receive the 2011 Caregiver Friendly Award my book just won!

THE CAREGIVER’S PATH TO COMPASSIONATE DECISION MAKE: Making Choices For Those Who Can’t IS THE WINNER OF THE 2011 CAREGIVER FRIENDLY® AWARD FROM TODAY’S CAREGIVER MAGAZINE.

Today’s Caregiver, the first national magazine for all family and professional caregivers, and caregiver.com announce the 2011 Caregiver Friendly® Award recipients. The Caregiver FRIENDLY® Awards are designed to celebrate products, services, books and media created with the needs of caregivers in mind.

About The Caregiver Friendly Awards:
Caregiver Friendly® Awards are presented by Today’s Caregiver magazine to celebrate outstanding books, media, products and services designed with the best interest of the family caregiver in mind. Today’s Caregiver, launched in 1995, is published by Caregiver Media Group, which also produces the Fearless Caregiver Conferences, www.caregiver.com and The Fearless Caregiver book, which teaches caregivers how to become their loved one’s fearless advocates within the healthcare system.
http://www.caregiver.com/caregiverfriendly/2011/2011_winners.htm

“The average caregiver is responsible for over $40,000 in health related expenditures each year, in either personal or directed funds,” says Gary Barg, Today’s Caregiver editor-in-chief. “This award is designed to help family caregivers recognize and reward those organizations who will care for them in as committed a manner as they care for their loved ones.”

Fearless Caregiver Conference in Boca Raton, FL
Thursday July 14, 2011
8:00am - 2:30pm
Family Track and Professional Track with CEUs
Embassy Suites Hotel
661 NW 53rd Street
Boca Raton, FL 33487
http://www.caregiver.com/fearlessconference/index.htm
Have a kind and respectful day.

Join me in Portland on June 30th - Sponsored by AARP, Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support and Providence Home Services

AARP, Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support and Providence Home Services invite you to attend the program:

“Empowering Caregivers Who Have to Make Difficult Choices”
Thursday, June 30th
7:00 pm
Providence Cancer Center Auditorium
4805 NE Glisan—Portland
Doors open at 6:30 - Lecture begins at 7PM
The event is free, but space is limited. Please rsvp to:
http://aarpor-empowering-caregivers.eventbrite.com/
or call 503-988-3646

Join me on a teleconference call with The Purposeful Planning Institute on June 10th.

I am honored to be the guest speaker on a teleconference call with The Purposeful Planning Institute. They are an amazing group of people dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.

Empowering Family Caregivers who are Making the Difficult Decisions
Date: Friday, June 10th
Time: 11:00am ET
http://www.johnawarnick.com/kind10june2011/
See registration information below.

The Purposeful Planning Institute offers a variety of services and learning opportunities designed for professionals who serve families of wealth through the Purposeful Planning Collaboration, The Learning Academy and Purposeful Planning Conferences and Workshops.

The Institute also offers an invaluable and unique service for planned giving professionals, community & family foundation leaders, philanthropic consultants, and other advisors who are genuinely dedicated to philanthropy through the Purposeful Philanthropy Forum.

Registration & Participation
If you are not a member of the Purposeful Planning Collaboration and would like to request a guest PIN, or if you would like to have your PIN resent to you, please contact us or visit http://maestroconference.com/dashboard and enter your email address in the ‘Forgot PIN’ section on the right side of the page.

Important Note: The Maestro Conference system does not always recognize PINs from participants calling in on internet based phones, VOIP or Magic Jacks. However, it does integrate well with Skype. We apologize for any inconvenience and encourage you to let us know if this affects your ability to participate in any of our teleconferences.

Participant Dashboard
If you are at a computer during the call you may access the participant dashboard by clicking on this link: http://maestroconference.com/dashboard. Logging on to the participant dashboard allows you to send messages to the conference host, view PDFs, Power Point presentations and other materials that may be posted there.

If you would like to invite a guest to call in, please feel free to do so, but please ask them to contact us to obtain the call-in number and a personal PIN.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Why I Love Geriatric Care Managers!!

Why I love Geriatric Care Managers

Recently, a friend of ours told us that she couldn’t keep her cat, “Ms. Go,” anymore. Ms. Go loves to be held and to give love. So, I thought about who should get this wonderful cat and I realized that this sweet kitty would be great for a senior. Right then, I knew who to ask for help — My friend, geriatric care manager, Sylvia Thompson from LivHome.com.

I asked her if she could help me find a great person who would appreciate this cat. Sylvia found a dementia care community that was thrilled to have a community cat and she delivered the cat personally. Ms. Go is fitting in beautifully and is bring joy and comfort to both the staff and residents. Nobody paid her to help this kitty, she just did it because this is the kind of person she is.

This is why I love geriatric care managers. They are wonderful problem solvers and have the biggest hearts. Sylvia took the time and knew who to contact. She went the extra mile to make sure that the solution was a good fit for everyone involved. If you would like to hire a geriatric care manager in your town to help you find the right solutions for your loved one, go to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at www.napgcm.org.

If you are in the Southern California area, you can call Sylvia at 323-933-5880 or go to http://www.livhome.com/losangeles_seniorcare/c310/About_LivHOME/Regional_Locations/Los_Angeles_Senior_Care_.html..

Have a kind and respectful day.

5 Stars!!! - National Book Critic Review Just In

THE CAREGIVER’S PATH to COMPASSIONATE DECISION MAKING: Making Choices for Those Who Can’t
Publisher: Greanleaf Book Group LLC Paperback July 1, 2010 Price: $14.95 USA

“From the front cover which shows two hands in the shape of a heart holding a rock which is also in the shape of a heart, THE CAREGIVER’S PATH to COMPASSIONATE DECISION MAKING: Making Choices for Those Who Can’t no doubt is a rock size lump in the throat to all who deny they will eventually need this book.

THE CAREGIVER’S PATH to COMPASSIONATE DECISION MAKING is a great book and a KIND tearjerker too! Where no tomorrow is guaranteed, our loved ones might get to where they are without full faculties and can?t answer the questions or direct others to who they want to answer questions in their best interests or have documentation which represents such and their convictions. Author Viki Kind?s mastery is in getting the reader through the battling of keeping one?s composure to making the tough choices when a loved one whose outlook is tainted from dying needs support. The fourteen chapters could stand alone, each as a teaching tool, for care givers.

The first part of the book concerns medical decisions and the second part concerns death. “Did I matter?” is a heartfelt question no one wants to be unable to answer at the destination life holds. Anyone with a heart will see through watery eyes reading Author Viki Kind’s The Journey Through The Early Days of Dying and The Final Days of Dying. Kind?s step-by-step process for caregivers to use is simple: 1) a decision making framework of 2) Shared Decision Making Model 3) Sliding Scale for Decision Making 4) The Assent Tool Author Viki Kind provides an authentic knowing voice on the necessities of a compassionate outlook on the growing problem. It is a problem now affecting the whole mass of baby boomers seeking and searching for these very same tough questions and one day will too be faced with the bittersweet answers because they get one to fess up to mortality?s limits, timeliness of determining a loved one’s competency and capacity, and the need to at least have an understanding enough to lead one to valid choices.

Baby Boomers of late are that aging escapes no one. In regencies of “60 is the new 50,? that only goes so far in winning but a mind game not the war of health and longevity. Sooner or later there is no candy-coating that 100 is not the new 90 because that is a mute point; most don?t make it to that age. Likewise, in the best interest of loved ones is this “tell it like it is,? pull no punches, optimal reference guide as a companion to those readers during the tough times they will eventually face; when a test of courage and on what basis the most difficult medical decisions are made. Unequivocally, then the answer to “Did I matter?? is answered by actions of the caregiver and is brought into the present tense. Meaning that, that is when author Viki Kind’s book, and its bittersweet bread and butter and not a lot of fluff, go a long way into making that very last release of a loved one’s grip from your hand be one in which you knew you did the best you could (do) until the end. THE CAREGIVER’S PATH to COMPASSIONATE DECISION MAKING: Making Choices for Those Who Can’t is a rare find with great merit worth (and worthy of) holding onto the rest of one’s life.”

Salvador SeBasco Literary Director and host of THE INSIDE VIEW SHOW (TM) BROADCAST book critic, on staff with a CNN affiliate station.
April 10, 2011

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