Online aging event on Aug. 17

Nebraskans who have questions or who are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency can get legal advice and help through the free COVID-19 Disaster Relief Hotline.

Hosted by Legal Aid of Nebraska, working closely with the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), this hotline aims to make key legal assistance easy and accessible.

If you’re a Nebraskan facing legal issues related to the virus, or the owner of a small, locally-owned business (less than 50 employees, and not a franchise) that’s closed, in risk of permanent closure due to the virus, and where the payment of fees would significantly deplete your resources, the hotline may be reached at 1-844-2685627.

Callers will be connected to the hotline’s voicemail. Callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what county they’re located.

Callers will receive a call back from an experienced Legal Aid staff member. Individuals and businesses that don’t qualify for Legal Aid’s free services will be directly referred to the VLP. The VLP will work to place cases with Nebraska volunteer lawyers who will provide free legal assistance.

The types of legal issues associated with COVID-19, and focused on by the hotline include: • Tenants with rent issues, including those facing eviction. • Debt problems, including debtors with garnishments or who are ordered to appear at a debtor’s exam. • Mortgage foreclosures, including advising on options for delinquent payments. • Unemployment insurance denials. • Employee rights, including sick leave and wage payments. • Government benefits available to low-income persons such as ADC, SNAP, AABD, and SSI • Medicaid and medical insurance claims. • Drafting wills, health care power of attorney, and transfer on death deeds. • Domestic abuse and safety issues. • Elder abuse and exploitation. • Access to education. • Helping small, locally-owned businesses with business and employment related matters, including human relations issues, unemployment benefits, and contracts.

More information on these legal issues, including ways you can directly help yourself, are available at legalaidofnebraska.org.

Arthritis is one of the most widespread health conditions in the United States, affecting about one in four adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The inflammation of one or more joints, arthritis can make doing everyday tasks unbearable due to the pain and stiffness it can cause.

People living with arthritis don’t have to give up their active lifestyle if they know how to manage their symptoms. CopperJoint shares these tips that can help alleviate the discomfort caused by arthritis. • Pump up the 3s. There are specific diets that can help with the symptoms associated with arthritis. Oily, omega-3 fatty acid rich fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel can help your body fight off inflammation. Ginger is another great, natural anti-inflammatory and can help with blood circulation. Avoid inflammation-triggering foods like sugar, trans fats, and gluten. • Stay active. While the pain may keep you from doing much physically, do what you can within your threshold. Sticking with low-impact activities that won’t stress the joints will help keep your muscle mass together and prevent further irritation. Water aerobics, walking, and yoga are a few examples of low-impact activities. • Squeeze out the aches and pains. Compression gear is known to help alleviate the stiffness, swelling, soreness, and pain associated with arthritis. These garments are commonly available for elbows, hands, wrists, knees, and feet, and provide support to the ailing area as well as help stimulate oxygen delivery to muscles. • Keep up with doctor’s orders. Your doctor may recommend regular massages or physical therapy appointments. Make sure to stick to your appointments and be proactive at home by doing the exercises you’re taught at physical therapy as well as by using ice compression and anti-inflammatory meds when needed.

For more information, visit CopperJoint.com.

On Nebraska Public Media Online presentation on caregiving, end-of-life planning set for Aug. 17

If you could see your future, what steps would you take now to prepare for your next chapter? Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. on Nebraska Public Media for an online virtual conversation about aging focused on caregiving and end-of-life planning, with information about resources available in Nebraska.

This event – titled Aging in Nebraska: Planning Your Future – will feature clips from Fast Forward, a new PBS documentary that takes a proactive look at aging.

The panelists are Michael Eric Hurting, Director/ Producer of Fast Forward; Susan Woodruff, a nurse and caregiver featured in Fast Forward; Margaret Schaefer, Managing Attorney of the Centralized Intake Unit for Legal Aid of Nebraska; and moderator Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, a Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate for Home Instead Senior Care.

Representatives from Nebraska’s eight Area Agencies on Aging, including the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, will be available in the chat during the online event to share information on local resources and to answer your questions.

To watch this event and explore more resources for seniors and caregivers, visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org/engage.

The event is hosted by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Nebraska Public Media, and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Department of Gerontology, with additional support from Nebraska’s eight Area Agencies on Aging.