Seminars

You and Your Aging Parent

Increasingly, individuals find themselves faced with the responsibility of caring for an aging family member. This workshop is designed to address those questions and concerns that accompany this difficult role.

Topics in this presentation include: myths and facts about the aging process. What will caregiving for an older person involve? What types of emotions and behaviors will emerge from this new “contract”? How do you make the decision about placement and how do you act upon it? How do you identify and utilize community programs and services to assist you?

Managing Difficult Conversations

Communicating with an aging parent can be challenging at best. As adult children become more involved in decisions related to elder caregiving, they find themselves faced with the need to communicate with their parents about decisions regarding long-term planning. This seminar provides helpful information about how to manage these difficult conversations with an elderly relative.

Topics in this session include starting the conversation with your parents, getting involved when you’re not nearby; decisions about home safety – are mom and dad still safe at home; managing in-home help for your parents; when your parents should stop driving; conducting family meetings.

Caregiving at a Distance

The primary providers of care for the elderly are family members. Unfortunately, in many cases, older people may live far away from their relatives. In spite of the distance, strong emotional ties keep families close over the years, so worry and concern trouble family members who are unable to be there in person.

This seminar is designed to assist those who are responsible for coordinating and monitoring the care of an aging relative when they live far away. The session will provide information about creating a network of assistance that includes family, friends, neighbors and professionals. Participants will also learn to identify problem areas and possible resources for support.

Community Resources for Caregivers

Oftentimes an individual is called upon to identify and coordinate services for an older family member. Most of us are very capable of making those decisions about how to proceed once we have adequate information about the options that are available.

This seminar will help participants to evaluate the types of supports they need, the programs that will address those needs, and how to access those resources.

Financial and Legal
Resources for the Elderly

Many of the decisions related to elder caregiving involve financial and legal issues. The responsibility of caring for an aging family member requires understanding the legal tools necessary for long-term planning. This workshop is designed to address financial and legal concerns that accompany the challenges of the difficult role of caring for an older family member.

Topics in this session include Advanced Directives - What are they and how do you use them. Understanding the levels of long-term care - what they include, how much do they cost and how are they paid for?

The Nature and Cost
of Long-Term Care

The major changes that are taking place in the health care industry as a result of managed care and capitation have had a profound influence on client needs in the area of long-term planning. This situation is made more complex because of the ongoing changes in who provides medical care and the expectation that individuals and their families must bear an increasing share of the cost for their own medical care.

This seminar will provide valuable insight as to how these changes have affected access to adequate health care services and the resources individuals can utilize to protect themselves.

Shopping for Long-Term
Care Insurance

Long-term care is the assistance an individual need when unable to care for oneself because of prolonged illness or disability. Long-term care can be expensive, depending upon the amount and type of care needed.

This seminar will help participants better understand long-term care insurance and be able to evaluate various alternatives and decide whether it makes sense, or not, to purchase long-term care insurance.

Retirement Housing:
Making the Right Decision

At some point in our lives, most of us will be faced with the decision to move to a retirement community or assisted living facility. Many factors may influence this transition, including health care concerns, family commitments, and leisure-time pursuits. The process can be complicated by several factors. The senior may have lived in the home for 30, 40, or 50 years and have no framework for living anywhere else, or a move may be necessary because the home is not accessible for a person with physical limitations.

This seminar will help participants better understand what they need to know before making the significant decision to move. Questions the seminar addresses are: What are the options? What you need to know about the cost of retirement housing. How do you pick a retirement Eden? What about pets, guests, and security issues? What should you know about health and personal care services? How does a person’s health status affect the choices that are available?

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that results in impairment of memory, thinking, and behavior. The problems brought on by Alzheimer’s disease create a tremendous burden on caregivers. As changes in a person’s personality and behavior occur, families are faced with difficult challenges regarding basic personal needs and full-time care.

This seminar addresses some of the complex issues that confront family members. Topics in this session include: Facts and myths -- what is the scope of the disease, what are the symptoms and causes? How will the disease affect patient’s personality and health? What are some of the specific ingredients of family conflict surrounding Alzheimer's disease? Where does a caregiver go to find assistance with decisions regarding competency? Resources for caregiving - how to identify supports in the community to assist with the caregiving role.

Defining and Recognizing
Financial Elder Abuse

The incidence of financial abuse has become a major problem. Despite the best efforts of financial specialists and family members, seniors continue to fall prey to illicit scams and dishonest individuals. This seminar is designed to address the causes of financial abuse and provide some useful information about steps you can take to reduce the risk of being a victim.

Topics in this presentation include: defining financial elder abuse and the kinds of abuse that occur. Possible indicators of financial elder abuse and the warning signs that signal that there may be problems. Important points to remember about financial abuse and how an individual can minimize the risk of being a victim of financial abuse. Resources in the community to address the issue.

Eldercare Services: What Are They Called and How Do You Use Them?

Oftentimes an individual is called upon to identify and coordinate services for an older family member. Most individuals are very capable of making those decisions about how to proceed once they have adequate information about the options that are available. This seminar will help participants to evaluate the types of supports they need, the programs that will address those needs, and how to access those resources.

Topics in this presentation include getting a handle on what you need - how do you evaluate the situation and decide how to proceed? Locating services in the community that can help you - how are these services paid for? Developing a plan to prepare you for your role as caregiver and decision maker?