IN THIS ISSUE

• This Issue's Sponsor - Resources for the Web
• Feature Article - Teacher Regains Sight
• News - Sunrise Assisted Living
• Calendar of Events
• Resources for Caregivers and Seniors
• Unspoken Expectations
• Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

Resources for the Web

Seniors, family members and activity directors may complete a short questionnaire free and Voila' Seniors Approve creates a free web page just for you! See Seniors Approve Free Web Community

Building a web site for your business is a necessity these days. Building a web site that is actually visited by potential customers is more important - it doesn't matter how nice your web site appears to you - if search engines can not find it when your customers do a keyword search - it becomes useless. Easy, simple program solves all of that. You will not find a better program- see Site Build It

QCO Certified - Senior Approved Services qualify for a free one page web site! See Senior Approved Services to see samples of sites
and see Service Providers to learn how to become a 'Senior Approved Service'

Add voice to your web pages - or send a talking email! Simple program. See My Web Site Talks

Teacher Regains Sight

Gail Ranches is a teacher, trainer and speaker for the AMD (American Macular Degeneration Association). She is challenged with Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, Glaucoma, and a form of Macular Degeneration.

Before JORDY, she struggled with her loss of sight giving up many of the things she enjoyed. Gail's sight had deteriorated to the point that she began memorizing textbooks so she could continue teaching.

Gail sought out a portable low vision solution and was introduced to JORDY by Dr. Scott Hearing. The JORDY glasses incorporate a miniature, auto-focus digital video camera to project images directly on to the user's eye at up to 30x magnification, allowing those who have low vision conditions to see again.

Continue reading at Enhanced Vision

Sunrise Assisted Living of Rocky River Ohio

Many times, after surgery, the hospital discharge plan includes a recommendation for continued rehabilitation. Sunrise Assisted Living is now ready to welcome you for these short-term stays. Enjoy a friendly warm environment while completing your rehab - an alternative to a nursing home.

Special one-on-one care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of Dementia provided by the well trained staff at Sunrise - long-term and short-term stays. Very warm, home-like atmosphere eases stress for both the older adult and the family members.

Director of Community Relations, Lorice Dakdduk welcomes you to stop in and visit. Lorice mentioned that she can offer some super- summer-savings to the readers of the QCO News! Phone -440-356-9797 or visit Sunrise A 'Senior Approved' service

Caregivers Resources

Maintaining your health is obvious, however caregivers are famous for thinking of themselves - last. Who has time to care for yourself? Well,would you be willing to drink 2 oz of a whole liquid food every day to assist in maintaining your energy level? See Liquid Whole Food

Employing a bill-paying service may not appear to be a 'money-saver' - however, ask yourself these questions. Are your loved ones paying their bills on time, paying twice or three times, paying only legitimate medical bills, maintaining a balanced checkbook? For a 'Senior Approved' service see Birch Financial Services

Don't wait until a crisis before you learn whether your loved ones are legally protected. Many families do not begin to search for legal documentation regarding health care directives, living wills, wills, power of attorney and so forth, until they 'have to'. See Legal Documents Prepared without the high cost of attorney fees. Docupreppa is a 'Senior Approved' Service'

Calendar of Events

Events - JUNE

1 - ASNE General Membership Meeting 8am - 10am Healthcare professionals AND Seniors are welcome to attend the Aging Services Network of Euclid general meeting. Location 23131 LakeShore Blvd, Euclid Ohio 44123 at the Henn Mansion

1 -Grand Estate Tours-Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens 2:30pm - 3:30pm Expanded tour includes in-depth Manor House tour and a guided garden tour. Limited availability; no advance registration. 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, 330-836-5533

3- Aging in America: The Years Ahead-exhibition and film-HealthSpace, Cleveland OH A highly charged exhibition and film that journeys across the landscape of aging. see Calendar for details.

5 - Bellingham Scottish Highland Games, Bellingham WA Bagpipers, highland dance & athletic competitions, sheep dog trials, caber toss, food vendors and arts & crafts. see Calendar for details.

10 - Osteoporosis Screenings Parma Health Education Center 9am - 12pm For women only, call 440-734-4900 for an appointment. 7300 State Road, Parma, OH 44129

12- Pre-Fathers' Day Concert - Cambridge Community Outreach 6:30 pm- 10:00 pm This is a Free Will Concert. There Will Be Entertainment, Fashion Show And Many More Activities. Food Will Be On Sale Come Out And Celebrate With Us. see Calendar for details.

18 - 20 - Branford Festival- Connecticut Music, food, crafts, community expo, road race - three days of fun! see Calendar for details.

21 - Il Piccolo Caffe-Poetry Readings by Maggie Morely followed by 'open mic' Il Piccolo has been a coffee house in the Italian tradition since 1990. The perfect place to enjoy poetry, along with a biscotti and a creamy latté! See Calendar for details.

21 - Maintaining Your Edge! A Complimentary Seminar on Women's Health - Sarasota FL. Educating on concentration and memory, weight and skin changes, sexual desire, sleep and hot flashes, bong strength and mood swings. see Calendar for details.

22 - Survival Solutions for Stress (free CEU),sponsor Sunrise Assisted Living in Rocky River Ohio 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm This program looks at the unique demands placed on those who care for loved ones, and offers suggestions on ways to cope with this challenging experience. Presented by Laura Hazen, Education Director of Hanson Services, Inc. Free CEU credits, open to family caregivers and professionals. RSVP to Lorice Dakdduk at 440-356-9797 x 234 at Sunrise Assisted Living

24 - Music on the River -FREE Outdoor concert series-Indiana- Bring your own chair see Calendar for details.

25-26-27- Community Festival - Free Admission - Columbus Oh Ohio's biggest party of the year. It is a 3 day music and arts festival located in Goodale Park in the Short North/Victorian Village area of town. see Calendar for details.

29 - Caregiver Support and Educational Programs Sponsor: Maple Heights Ohio Office on Aging/WRAAA Family Caregiver Support Program Maple Heights Senior Center FREE Contact: Phone: 216-587-5481

Ongoing event: Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) The National Institute's of Health and St. Vincent Charity Hospital (Ohio) A project emphasizing excellent care and management of individual's living with Type 2 diabetes. Education, medication and ongoing support at no cost for eligible participants. Contact Ellen or Karen at 216-363-2732 for details

The Caregivers Guide to Cracking UP! Host this workshop and invite families to your place of business. Fun interactive workshop based on Therapeutic Laughter techniques and the science of Psychoneuroimmunology. Easy methods to ease the stress o life, especially for the caregiver - both family & professional. See Cracking UP!

Unspoken Expectations

Family members rarely identify themselves as a caregiver. The process unfolds slowly, small errands, arranging doctor appointments and then suddenly a social worker says to you, So, you're the primary caregiver?

Naturally, as the parent ages, they become increasingly dependent on their children. The thought of employing outside assistance is rarely discussed. In fact, the unspoken expectation (in many families) is that the adult children will meet the needs of the parents for an indefinite period of time.

When my mother needed my help, we moved her in with us. I took care of her ever day until she passed away, that's what family is supposed to do, is a common remark that we often hear from the lips of a senior and is usually stated with the underlining tone of judgment. What she is saying is, I did this for my mom and I expect it from my daughter or from my son.

Seniors often times have unrealistic expectations of their eldest child. Expectations are there for the children to 'do for them' as 'they did' for their parents. Frequently, our parents do not take in to consideration the fact that when they were caring for their parents, mom most likely was not employed outside of the home and her mother did not have the same life span. Living well in to your '80s and '90s these days is not unusual, it was unusual twenty years ago.

Can you lovingly help your parents and not personally perform every detail necessary to ensure their well-being, their safe and healthy environment?

Or, are you to become an expert caregiver, a bill-paying service, a financial planner, a medical care advocate, a handyman, and an expert in communication in the field of dementia or Alzheimer's?

Can you do it all, every day, for an undetermined amount of time?

Many caregivers feel trapped because the money is not there to engage outside help. Unfortunately, this is a fact and little can be done to change this. The cost of services for elder care is completely out of reach for many families. However, there may be assistance available, specific to your situation.

The federal government recognizes that unpaid family members preform billions of dollars of caregiving services each year. (You'd think you would receive a thank-you card from someone for this contribution to society, or perhaps a tax break?)

In response to the 'free-unpaid' services provided by family caregivers, there has been 'some' money set aside for training and ongoing support for the family caregiver. There may be other resources available to you and your family as well.

• Respite Care: Reimbursement funds may be available to pay for outside assistance to provide you, the family caregiver, with a rest or break.
  
• Low Income-Higher Assets: Consult with a financial planner with specialized training in assessing a seniors net worth. You will learn how to make that money work for the benefit of the senior.
  
• Money Management: Employing a bill-paying service may not appear to be a 'money saver', but it in fact can be. Are your parents paying bills on time? Are they paying the same bill twice or three times due to some confusion? Are they overpaying on their medical bills?
  
• Discounts: Do you know if your parents qualify for assistance with their utilities? Are they qualified for a property tax break? Can they purchase their prescriptions directly from the pharmaceutical manufacturer?
  
• VA Benefits: Did your parent serve in the military? Prescriptions through VA typically run for as little as a $6.00 co-pay and there may be funds available for home care and assisted living services.

Gathering the facts and resources are necessary to any effective decision-making process. Communicating openly with your parents allows both of you to mentally prepare for what may lay ahead.

You can save you and your family a lot of hurt feelings by openly discussing the 'what ifs'. You should know what your parents' unspoken expectations are of you. Just as important, your parents need the truth from you as to what your realistic limitations may be.

See Seniors Approve Free Web Community for phone numbers and links to these (and many more) resources.

Do you have a link to a resource that would be of interest to our readers? See QCO Link Request form at the bottom of the links page.

To review back issues of the QCO Ezine see Back Issues