Happy New Years!

New Ezine Format
New Web Site Format
Collaborative Partners
Featured Articles
Questions-Ask the Expert
Flu and Cold Season
Calendar of Events
New Years Resolutions

New Ezine Format

As you know we host two web sites. The Senior Approved web site offers information, resources and links to Certified Senior Approved services for our seniors and their family caregivers. The Certified Quality Elder Care site explains how an elder care business can apply for the Senior Approved Certification and provides additional business related tips and marketing how to’s.

Our free monthly ezine has always been shared by both web sites. We felt that bringing this combined audience together – the businesses serving the older adult and the seniors and family caregivers in search of these businesses - made sense.

We consistently receive far more responses, interest, and specific requests from seniors and their family caregivers than we do from the business community. Since our main purpose is to serve the senior population and to help the families caring for older adults, we want to respond to this interest.

It is this reason that we have decided to begin offering two distinctly different ezines. You will now have the option to sign up to receive one or both.

The Ezine for Seniors and Family Caregivers
If you would like to receive this specific ezine, please go to The Ezine for Seniors And Family Caregivers The sign up box is located just under the navigational buttons. Our official launch date for the new format is February the 1st 2006.

This ezine will include articles of interest for the senior population and the families caring for loved ones. We will also include within this ezine the questions and answers submitted within our ASK the EXPERT feature along with other helpful hints, ideas and resources.

Elder Care Industry Ezine
This format (currently under development) will focus entirely on matters of interest to the businesses serving the senior population. Employee and staffing concerns, quality issues, marketing tips, ideas and resources and articles of interest to the business of elder care.

If you would like to receive this specific ezine, please go to Ezine for the Elder Care Professional . Official launch date – March the 1st 2006

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New Web Site Format

We are currently changing the formats of both web sites. We began working on the senior approved web site and all of our updates should be completed within the next thirty days. Once complete, our business related site, Certified Quality Elder Care, will undergo a ‘face lift’.

We have added a site map to the Senior Approved Web community with all-important links listed in alphabetical order. This site has over 200 pages now and we know the site map will help you maneuver with greater ease.

The entire reason we started Senior Approved Services was to have a viable method by which we could advocate for the right of all seniors to receive excellent care ~ and most importantly remain safe in the receiving of that care.

Not only do families want a safe reliable service to contract with and an independent method to verify this history; they also need a source that will provide additional education and resources. It is this reason that we continue to bring in collaborative partners to Senior Approved Services.

These collaborations allow us to expand our resource base without duplicating services. Including other excellent senior related or caregiving related companies that offer a service that we do not provide makes logical sense. And it furthers our long-term goal of becoming the ultimate one-call solution.

Each of our collaborative partners hosts a page within the Senior Approved Web community. With our new format, you are able to read about their services directly from our home page.

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Collaborative Partners

Life-Ledger – a safe reliable method to record and maintain vital records

The Caregiver’s Resource Helpline – a 24-hour convenient toll free number to empower family caregivers with information and resources

Today’s Seniors – Designed especially for today's active seniors, it is filled with advice, tips, and articles about retirement, personal finances, Medicare benefits, and more -- with solutions to help seniors simplify their lives, eliminate the hassles, and get the most out of retirement.

If you are in the middle of a crisis and decisions have to be made quickly, or are planning ahead for an elderly loved one because of unsettling warning signs, Aging-Parents-and-Elder-Care can help you with a variety of articles and helpful tools, and free checklists.

The Coalition for Senior Safety provides simple how to instructions to start senior safety programs within your own local community.

The Caring for Elderly Family Members On Line Support Group – a place for family caregivers to share and learn from one another

Coming Soon! The National Caregivers Today Magazine

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Featured Articles

Stop Smoking - Without Gaining Weight
From Advanced Laser Solutions, a Certified Senior Approved Service

Stand outside during a smoke break and it won’t be long until you hear every smoker begin to declare that he or she knows quitting is inevitable. The increasing cost of cigarettes alone has made a financial impact on the smoker.

“I quit, then I gained 20 pounds. I can’t afford to gain weight with my medical history, so I started smoking again ... Continue Reading

Depression and Older Adults- You can feel better
By Rebecca Allgeier, LISW of Northcoast Conflict Solutions A Certified Senior Approved Service

Feeling sad and depressed is something we all experience at times throughout our lives. However, when these feelings persist over a long period of time interfering with relationships and your daily routine, then you may be experiencing a clinical depression. The good news about depression is that it is usually very treatable and offers good prognosis. Continue Reading

Steps to Prevent Identity Theft
Submitted by Kevin Plank, Certified Financial Planner and Certified Senior Approved Service.

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed by stealing our name, address, Social Security number, and credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone. Continue Reading

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Questions-Ask the Expert

Patrick O. writes
Dear Kendra,
If my mother sells her house she's been living in for 40 years with a big taxable gain, will she save tax money if she buys a smaller property rather than rent an apartment?

Hi Patrick,
Thank you for this question. The answer depends on the size of the gain.

Assuming that your mother has been occupying the property as her primary residence for at least two of the past five years, she is forgiven from paying taxes on any gain up to $250,000. For a single person and up to $500,000. For a married couple under the 1997 Tax Act.

This privilege is not limited to persons over age 55, nor is a once in a lifetime exemption- but can be used as often as every two years. As with all questions regarding federal and state tax laws I advise you to obtain the advice of a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Do you have a real estate related question?

Kendra Shearer is a SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) and is a Certified Senior Approved Service. See Ask Kendra

Kendra Shearer, Realtor, RN, MBA, SRES, CAPS, is the President and founder of The Shearer Group, Inc., and partners with her husband Paul and her daughter Katie to oversee all aspects of real estate services to both active adults and to seniors with highly specialized needs, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, or stroke. See The Shearer Group

Janie M. writes
Dear Bobbi,
As the durable POA Healthcare for friend, I researched/enacted/transferred her to facility. Now they say she is her own guardian and making her own healthcare decision, they are going by an affidavit early in illness (after 2 strokes), as competent to do so, although, she since has had 2 invasive neuro surgeries, vp/va shunts, leaving her handicapped/disabled/no cognitive skills etc.

Do I have the right to have her RE-EVALUATED BY AN EXPERT I HAVE? My advisor, head neuro St. Louis retired, says those invasive brain surgeries left her severely damaged since first document signed by her neurosurgeon. Condition is CNSVasculits, autoimmune disorder, I believe a Rheumatologist I am aware of would be the one to lead her case, thus re-evaluate her for the facility if this is possible. Do I have the power to bring in this professional Rheumy specializing in CNSV or PACNS to re-assess and sign an update? She cannot care for herself in the least. Thank you.

Hi Janie,
It sounds like your friend is very lucky to have you looking out for her!! To answer your question-in general, if the POA is Durable it means that is legally binding through incapacity to death. If it is not Durable it is not. A lot of what you are doing is dependent on when the document was actually signed and put into effect. If the facility is claiming your friend can make her own health care decisions, you would have to get her permission to get her re-evaluated (at your own expense). Let me add though, that each state is different and has different regulations/laws. So, for your friend's sake, I would strongly urge you to consult with either an elder attorney or health care attorney to help you decide what you need to do or not do. Do you have a question reqarding legal documents or home care issues?

Bobbi Root, R.N., B.S., M.B.A. and CEO of Stellar Living Assistance is a Certified Senior Approved Service.

She will answer your questions, see , Ask Bobbi

Bobbi is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Business Administration. She has been a nurse for 36 years. In the past decade, she has exclusively specialized in home care and hospice with jobs ranging from field nurse to management positions. It is because of her difficulty caring for her mother-in-law, even with all her contacts in the home care industry, that she realized families need help and began Stellar Living Assistance in her hometown Downers Grove, IL. See Stellar Living Assistance

Dear Sheila,
Your situation regarding your mother's deteriorating memory loss and behavorioral changes must be so frustrating to you, especially since she is refusing doctor's care. I hear this kind of story so often from caregivers at their wits' end to want to intervene, know that help is needed, but their hands are tied when their loved ones deny treatment.

The first indicator you mentioned in your email is "she has been going through feelings of loss of control of her life."

My recommendation first and foremost is to take the wind out of her sail, so to speak, by not arguing with her. Focus on and validate mother's feelings. "Mom, this must be so hard for you to pack up and move to Ohio to live with me. What do you miss most about (the town she used to live in)?" Let your mother reminisce, cry, grieve. When we try to reason with someone on a cognitive level who is clearly in a feeling state, our words are in vain. Address mother's feelings first. Get your brother and others in the family on the same page, here, too, as to how to approach mother.

Second, try to help mother organize her papers in such a way that she can refer to them when she forgets. What medicine's she takes, her password, phone numbers that are new to her since her move, etc. In the back of our book, TRUCE! Using Elder Mediation to Resolve Conflict among Families, Seniors, and Organizations, Chapter 7 and Appendices one through ten offer a variety of helps for communicating with older adults, organizing information, and offering a variety of resources for caregivers to get help.

Third, if mother becomes agitated often, check the noise level around her. Don't try to have a conversation about important matters if the TV or radio is on. Again, even if it is quiet in the house and she becomes angry, address her feelings first.

Fourthly, IF your mother agrees to see a doctor, make an appointment for a Geriatric Assessment. Many hospitals or private physician practices catering to elders offer this comprehensive screening which includes physical, mental, neurologic, emotional, psychosocial and behavioral components. This is preferred to taking her to general practioners or internists who do not specialize in late life care. Medication dosages are different for seniors than for those younger, as well as the types of testing that are done. At times you can find non-medical Geriatric Assessment screeners who come to your home, as our practice does, to offer depression screening, mental status exams, risk for fall assessment, and so forth. If your mother is in a state of dementia, and depending on the cause (there are at least over 100 known causes of memory loss). Ruling out any organic causes allows physicians and therapists both to diagnose accurately and to plan the most effective treatment strategy.

Lastly, if your mother refuses to see a doctor, unfortunately there is not much to do until a "crisis" of some sort occurs. Since you work full time, you may want to consider having an in-home caregiver with mother during the day until you arrive home. In many areas, there are also Adult Day Care Centers offering a host of services.

I will pray for your situation, Sheila. Please be sure to take care of YOURSELF as well.

Do you have a question regarding conflict resolution, family issues, elder mediation?

Patti Bertschler, MA, LPCC of Northcoast Conflict Solutions, a Certified Senior Approved Service answers your questions. See Ask Patti

Patricia (Patti) Bertschler, founding partner of NCS, speaks extensively throughout Ohio on topics related to behavioral health and conflict in the workplace with her background as a licensed clinical counselor (Ohio #E1638), trained mediator, and her work at Parma Community General Hospital’s Behavioral Center for Older Adults and at Windsor Behavioral Health Center, Chagrin Falls, OH. Patti is co-author of TRUCE! Using Elder Mediation to Resolve Conflict among Families, Seniors, and Organizations published in 2004. See Northcoast Conflict Solutions

We feature Certified Senior Approved Services to answer your questions. Not only are they experts in their fields, they have proven their commitment to serving both the senior and their families with the highest of quality care.

If you have questions regarding how to organize important documents, how to encourage your loved ones to let you help then you will want to ask Jean F. Wales, CEO of Wales Consulting. See Ask Jean

Jean has 35+ years of experience in the business world working for both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

She has been a paramedic with a fire department, an adult vocational instructor and the director of a community senior citizens center.

Jean manages the care for her 91 yr old father who has lived in a long-term care facility for over four years and also provides care for other family members and friends. Jean is the author of 'Do it Now' an organizational how-to book for seniors and family caregivers.

If you want to understand how Adult Day Services serves the older adult and the family members, or if you have a question regarding Adult Day Services then you want to ask Robert Phillips of S.A.R.A.H. Adult Day Services located in Strongsville Ohio. See Ask Robert

Robert M. Phillips opened S.A.R.A.H. Adult Day Services in 2001 based on the experience of trying to find daytime care for his mother. The S.A.R.A.H.Care Center in Strongsville, Ohio, serves families from the southwest Cleveland area (Cuyahoga County) as well as those from nothern Medina County and eastern Lorain County.

S.A.R.A.H. (Senior Adult Recreation And Health) was founded in 1985 in Canton, Ohio, by Dr. Merle Griff and the S.A.R.A.H. Care Center's attendees benefit from the over 20 years of experience learned through the caring of adults with various medical and social needs such as Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Developmental Disabilities, Stroke and various physical impairments including Incontinency problems.

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Flu and Cold Season

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Calendar of Events

Do you have an event that you would like to promote? This is a free community service. To list your event, simply go to Calendar of Events for instructions.

(OH) Northcoast Conflict Solutions is offering Depression Screenings on Tuesdays this month. See for details.

(OH) Chair Yoga Classes are offered on Wednesdays during the afternoon. See for details.

(OH) Caregivers Guide to Cracking UP! presentation at Euclid Hospital See for details.

(MA) 'Tools for Maintaining Sanity for Family Caregivers' See for details.

(OH) Beginning in February, Senior Lunch and Learn Programs UHHS Richmond Heights See for details.

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Starting a new year has always been an opportunity (in my opinion) to start with a clean slate. It's the time to evaluate last year and decide if I've made good use of my time and the life skills that I've acquired. It is my time to give myself the permission to 'let go' of what I did that clearly isn't working for me and to initiate a new plan of action.

I've learned to keep these promises to myself as simple as possible. Too many proclamation of change doesn't seem to work well for me.

My personal resolution for the year 2006 can be summed up in one word - Balance. I've been working night and day towards making Senior Approved Services a viable service for our elder population. In the process, I've ignored the little things that keeps one in balance. I've lived long enough to know that it is all of those 'little things' that become the big picture over time. I've had more colds and silly illnesses this year then I ought to have.

Though my inner drive is strong, my body has been weakended by not paying attention to it.

I share my promise to myself with all of you. I am beginning fresh this year by doing a much better job with food choices, exercise, meditation, and making the time to spend with those I love and care about.

Have you resolved to make a change? If you would like to share that with me - I promise to be a 'cheer-leader' for you and will send you an encouraging note from time to time to remind you. If interested, send me your resolution. I won't share it with anyone else. You can email it to my personal email address: bmascio@wowway.com

Blessings!

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