Family Matters September 28, 2011

Family Matters Kooch County pushes to educate families on Tdap and Measles vaccines THE SANDWICH GENERATION: People taking care of their children and aging parents at the same time In a few short weeks, the Bjorkquist family of International Falls will be packing up and moving to a new home so that Bjorkquist’s mother, Sherry Wold, can live with them.

Inside: Coping with change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2A What you need to know about vaccines . .4A Teach kids to make healthy lunch choices .6A Help your teenager get more sleep . . . . . .7A

Senior LinkAge Line expands . . . . . . . . . . .8A Volunteering benefits everyone . . . . . . . . .9A Dealing with Alzheimers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10A

The Journal A special edition of The Journal September 28, 2011

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Matters

Coping with change

By EMILY GEDDE

Staff Writer

C

aregiving can bring on a number of mixed emotions.

From rewarding to exhausting, fulfilling to draining, the ups and downs of the deed can seem endless.

Caring for children can be one thing, but as reported by CBS News, 20 million of those people are also taking on the role as caregiver for their parents. These people are caught in what is called the “Sandwich Generation” — people taking care of their children and aging parents at the same time.

Robin Bjorkquist of International Falls lives with her husband, Steve, and their

“Sandwich Generation” — people taking care of their children and aging parents at the same time two young boys, Kylan, 12 and Kaden, 10.

Robin works part-time as the web coordinator for The Journal and Steve is a laborer at Boise Paper. Both boys are in school and are involved with a number of activities.

Life at the Bjorkquist household is busy and is about to pick up even more.

In a few short weeks, the family will be packing up and moving to a new home so that Bjorkquist’s mother, Sherry Wold, can live with them. Soon this family of four will be a party of five under a whole new roof.

“Because of mom’s deteriorating health, she is unable to live on her own,” Bjorkquist said.

Wold suffers from exercise-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension which hinders her breathing and limits what she can do. She also has other breathing and heart issues, Bjorkquist explained.

According to Bjorkquist, her mom is still very independent and can do things on her own. “Her independence doesn’t make her a candidate for assisted living or a nursing home. Plus, she has cats she doesn’t want to part with. As an only child,

I need to take care of her,” said Bjorkquist.

For Wold, it has been difficult to accept the fact that she will be leaving her home and that she is unable to do the things she once was able to, Bjorkquist noted. “Kylan has been up and down with moving,” said Bjorkquist. “It is hard for him to leave the only home he has ever known.”

Nonetheless, Bjorkquist knows that the move will be the right thing for everyone and that Wold’s health and well being is the top priority.

Making changes Although Wold’s mobility is limited, she has lived alone for almost a decade. But as her health continued to decline, it was clear she needed additional help.

“We can do more for her if we’re all

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn. 3

Family Matters their aging parents from a long distance away, according to the report.

Debra Landmark, Koochiching County Health Department nurse, stresses that a fine line must be established when it comes to caregiving for elderly parents.

“Do only what you’re comfortable with,” she said. “There need to be boundaries.”

While Landmark is surrounded with caregiving as a county nurse, it also affects her personally. She spent several years caring for her elderly father and father inlaw as well as her three children.

“It was a challenge,” she said of the split role.

Both Landmark’s father and father inlaw have died, but she sees many people walking in the shoes she once wore.

“There is a lot of support out there,” she explained. “Some times it takes just one phone call to start establishing contacts for help and advice. A lot of people don’t know what help is available.”

Landmark cautions caregivers to accept that specific situations can be stressful and to take time for themselves and their spouse.

From left, Kaden Bjorkquist, Sherry Wold, and Kylan Bjorkquist smile for a photo taken last Christmas at church. Soon, the trio will living together under one roof.

under one roof,” Bjorkquist said. “Our desire is for her to remain independent as long as she can, but with us close enough to help out when we need to. This is going to be the best thing for her and for all of us.”

Now, the family must sell their home and Wold’s home — hopefully sooner than later, Bjorkquist said. “It is scary stepping out on faith having not sold our houses yet,” Bjorkquist said.

On top of packing to move, marketing their homes, and working, Bjorkquist is juggling finding time to be a wife and a mother.

“Steve and I see each other whenever we can,” she said of her husband who works shift work. “I’m fortunate that I have a flexible job that I can go home to

see him on his days off.”

She added that she and Steve try to include Kylan and Kaden in decision making.

“We want them to understand why we’re making these changes,” Bjorkquist said. “Having them help also gives us time with them.”

Not alone Bjorkquist has a lot of company as a member of the sandwich generation. CBS News stated that Americans are living longer, and people are starting their families later. According to the Pew Research Center, one out of every eight Americans ages 40 to 60 is raising a child and caring for a parent at home. On top of that, seven to 10 million Americans are caring for

“Take time for relationships with your significant other. That relationship is very important and can be easily ignored during certain caregiving situations.

Communication is key.

What helped me was always talking with my Landmark husband and sometimes saying ‘I can’t do this.’”

Bjorkquist admitted that at times, she is guilty of feeling overwhelmed. “I’ve tried to remain very positive and upbeat and focus on my faith, but there are times when life beats me up, but I just have to get back on my faith horse and keep going,” she said.

In the end, the closeness of the Bjorkquist family and a strong faith is what Bjorkquist is confident will get them through this transformation.

“I don’t think it’ll be an issue for all of us to reside in the same space,” she said.

“We’re excited about being able to spend more quality time with each other — especially during football games.”

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Matters

County pushes to educate families on Tdap and Measles vaccines

By LIALA HELAL

Staff Writer

R

ecently, more and more babies are dying of whooping cough, said Nancy Lee, a public health nurse with the Koochiching County Health Department.

“Adults are passing it on to infants who cannot be vaccinated for it,” Lee said.

“There is a big push within the county for adults to get the Tdap vaccine.”

Tdap is a version of a tetanus shot with an added component to protect against whooping cough, Lee said. Tdap stands for tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis, and for adults who are exposed to younger children or infants, it’s a better option than getting a regular tetanus shot, according to the health department.

Another important vaccine for families to consider is one which protects children against measles.

“These (whooping cough and measles) are two diseases that we really haven’t seen in a long time,” Lee said. “Measles is resurfacing in kids and lots of kids in the U.S. are dying.”

The vaccine is called MMR, for measles, mumps and rubella. Measles recently made a comeback in Minnesota from children who travel to foreign countries and bring the virus back, Lee said.

Some parents are against having their child vaccinated for measles because of a rumor that the vaccine causes autism in children.

“It’s been disproved, but the question is still there in parents’ minds,” Lee said.

“Some groups have decided that they’d rather see their kids get measles than have autism, because autism can be a scary thing. But measles is coming back; these diseases are still there and kids should be vaccinated for it.”

Research has shown no valid evidence that the vaccine causes autism, or increas-

es the chance of a child becoming autistic, Lee said.

The measles virus causes a rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever, and can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death, according to the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Access to vaccines A statewide program called MnVFC, Minnesota Vaccines for Children helps families get free or low cost shots for children who do not have health insurance, have health insurance that doesn’t pay for all shots or have health insurance that has reached the cap for shots for the year.

The program covers the cost of the vaccine but there may be an additional cost for giving the shot and the office visit.

For more information, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 1800-657-3970 or visit www.health.state.mn.us/immunize.

In International Falls, a flu shot clinic for the combined flu shot, protecting against the seasonal flu and H1N1, will be conducted Sept. 30 at International Mall.

The vaccines will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This fall, the Koochiching County Health Department will also hold weekly flu shot clinics through the first two weeks of December.

“The challenge we had before, with a shortage of flu vaccines, was making people wait,” Lee said. “It’s never too late to get it. On the other hand, some people think they should wait to get it, they think, ‘I can’t get it too early or I won’t be protected.’”

Lee said vaccines don’t stop being effective a few months after they are given; they last up to one year.

The health department recommends anyone six months or older to be vaccinated for the flu.

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Reliable sources for immunization information: Websites: • National Network for Immunization Information - www.nnii.org • Immunization Action Coalition- www.immunize.org and www.vaccineinformation.org • Every Child by Two- www.ecbt.org and www.vaccinateyourbaby.org • Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Immunization- www.cdc.gov/vaccines • American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Initiatives- www.cispimmunize.org • National Vaccine Program Office- www.hhs.gov/nvpo • Minnesota Department of Health Immunization Program- www.health.state.mn.us/immunize Phone numbers: • Centers for Disease Control Immunization Information Hotline1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) • Minnesota Department of Health Immunization Program- 1-800-657-3970 Source: Minnesota Department of Health

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Matters

Teach children to make smart choices for healthy school lunches American Cancer Society Report

H

elp your child start off the school year on the right foot by making healthier choices in the cafeteria line. School lunches are designed to be well-balanced and healthy; they have to meet guidelines set by the federal government for vitamins, fat content, iron, and calcium. But, it’s still easy for kids to eat too much of the wrong foods and not enough of the right ones. So we’ve put together some suggestions to help you

make sure your child eats a healthy lunch when you’re not there to supervise.

• Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast every morning, so she or he is not overly hungry at lunch time and tempted to overeat or to crave the wrong foods.

• Look at the menu with your child before school starts each day, and come up with a plan for healthy foods that your child likes.

• Recommend fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Point out that healthy eating includes a lot of colors, like green salad,

orange carrots, and red strawberries.

• Suggest water, 100 percent juice, or plain low-fat or skim milk to drink.

Flavored milks and juice drinks have added sugar and a lot more calories.

• Make a rule that your child should get only one serving of fatty or high-calorie items like French fries or dessert. Federal guideline limit food portions to the right size for your child’s age, but that doesn’t keep your child from buying two of something.

• Encourage your child to try new foods.

Sometimes children are more likely to try

a new food at school than at home, because they see their friends eating it.

• Limit the money your child can spend on the vending machine and snack bar — those foods to not have to meet the federal guidelines for school lunches. However, regulations are currently under revision so that all food sold in schools will have to be healthy and nutritious.

If your child’s school allows it, arrange to eat lunch with your child in the cafeteria one day. Then you can see and taste the food for yourself and find out exactly what your child is eating.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn. 7

Family Matters

Help your teenager get more sleep American Cancer Society Report

I

f your teenager has trouble waking up in the morning and is grumpy during the day, it may be more than just typical teen behavior.

The National Sleep Foundation says most children in sixth through 12th grade do not get the recommended nine hours of sleep a night. In fact, almost half are getting less than eight hours. But most parents think their teens are getting more sleep than they really are.

Teens who do get enough sleep have been shown to get better grades in school, have a lower body mass index, and suffer less from depression and thoughts of suicide. They also report feeling happier and getting along better with other family members.

Those who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to become drowsy while driving,

To help your teen get more sleep at night: • Set a consistent bedtime, even on weekends.

• Keep computers, cell phones, and TV out of your teen’s bedroom.

• Help cut out caffeine after lunchtime.

• Encourage a relaxing bedtime routine (read, listen to music or take a bath).

• Be a good role model by getting enough sleep yourself.

• Talk to your teen about the importance of sleep.

If your teen still has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, talk with your family doctor.

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Matters New service to help seniors navigate state government, connect with volunteer and employment opportunities Expanded Senior LinkAge Line will be a one stop shop for Minnesota seniors and their families Senior LinkAge Line Report

F

urthering the Dayton administration’s commitment to transparency and accessibility, Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon recently announced the creation of the Senior LinkAge Line: A One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors.

The service will build on a legacy of providing Minnesota seniors with health care related information to include all government services, as well as to connect seniors

with volunteering and employment opportunities in their communities.

Prettner Solon demonstrated the service during Seniors Day at the Minnesota State Fair at the Minnesota Board on Aging/Senior LinkAge Line: A One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors booth in the Education Building.

“Throughout the campaign, Gov. Dayton and I heard a need from seniors and their families for a better way to navigate government and have their questions answered,” Prettner Solon said. “With this

service, we are making the Senior LinkAge Line a true one stop shop. Minnesota’s seniors are a critical resource to our state. They are concerned and engaged citizens, volunteers, grandparents, and an important part of our work force. It is essential that the right supports are in place to guarantee that Minnesota will continue to be a great place to age and live well.”

This expansion is a significant change for the line, which previously handled primarily health insurance and long-term care services related questions.

Now when Minnesota seniors call the Senior LinkAge Line: A One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors, they will be connected to a live person who will help them with

any government service related questions.

Line operators will utilize a specialized chat system, connecting them to representatives from all state departments and providing instant access to answers for callers.

In the near future, the line will also connect seniors to volunteer and employment opportunities that tap the talents of older Minnesotans.

Senior LinkAge Line: A One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors Line is a toll-free number (1-800-333-2433) and service that covers all 87 Minnesota counties. The service can also be accessed via a chat line at minnesotahelp.info.

It is operated by the Minnesota Board on Aging.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn. 9

Family Matters

Volunteering benefits everyone ave you ever heard yourself wonder, “But what can I do to help?”

The answer may be: “Plenty. Just ask.”

Volunteer opportunities abound in our area, said Douglas Skrief, executive director of Koochiching Aging Options.

“Many area organizations depend on volunteers to get their job done, from the Falls Hunger Coalition to the Backus Community Center,” he said. “Volunteering

H

has a huge, positive impact on our community. And not only for organizations and those they serve. The biggest volunteer efforts may be person to person.”

“We become a better connected community when neighbors show concern for neighbors and offer to help with grocery shopping, changing a light bulb or yard chores,” he said. “We hear many requests for help with ‘chores of daily living’ such as house cleaning, lawn care and snow shoveling. Sometimes all you need to do is ask

your neighbor what they need.”

Studies have shown that, in addition, volunteering also helps the volunteer.

“Volunteering benefits one’s own sense of well-being and adds to our sense of living a meaningful life,” Skrief said. “This can be especially important as people face a major change in their life such as retirement. It’s not only about keeping busy but also about feeling needed and connected. And you are bound to learn something in the meantime.”

“Volunteering benefits one’s own sense of well-being and adds to our sense of living a meaningful life. This can be especially important as people face a major change in their life such as retirement. It’s not only about keeping busy but also about feeling needed and connected. And you are bound to learn something in the meantime.”

Reasons, from the World Volunteer Web, to volunteer: • Learn or develop a new skill. It may lead to a job or a new hobby.

• Be part of your community. Meet new people and connect with others who have the same interests.

• Motivation and sense of achievement.

See the results of your efforts that make the little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.

• New interests and hobbies. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing.

• New experiences. There are infinite numbers and types of volunteer opportunities.

• Meet a diverse range of people.

Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Douglas Skrief, executive director of Koochiching Aging Options

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THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Matters

Alzheimer’s affects everyone In Koochiching County, nearly 350 seniors have the disease

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By KIMBERLY M. PERKINS

CEO Littlefork Medical Community

C

hances are you have a friend or loved one afflicted with some form of dementia, including the most prevalent, Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 14 percent of the Minnesota population segment aged 65 and older has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In Koochiching County, that’s roughly 350 seniors who are our friends, neighbors, parents, grandparents, co-workers, and fellow churchgoers.

With as many as 50 percent of individuals displaying criteria for Alzheimer’s disease never receiving a diagnosis, the total population is actually much larger.

Roughly 80 percent of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease receive care at home by a working family member. While it is never recommended to leave an individual with Alzheimer’s disease unattended, most families do because they are working children or grandchildren. Lack of supervision, even from a family member, can result in injury. In 2009, 26 percent of the Alzheimer’s population was hospitalized as a result of a fall. These injuries could have been prevented. The problem is most family members are not seasoned on the progression of the disease, the

effects the disease will have on their loved one, their role in caregiving, and ways to reduce stress which lead to abuse, neglect, or self-injury.

Having worked with individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease of all ages and demographic backgrounds, I would like to offer you researched strategies to better provide a quality lifestyle for your loved one, for as long as they can safely remain at home under the direct supervision of a family member. In the event a family caregiver is unable to continue providing care or the environment is no longer safe, it is recommended to seek professional medical care. Please note that experts advise family caregivers to decide when (not if) to place their loved one in a nursing home experienced with Alzheimer’s disease because of the steady progression of physical and mental decline.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease with no known cure. On average, Alzheimer’s disease has a 3 to 20 year trajectory.

Although memory impairment is the most common symptom, the disease affects judgment, orientation, comprehension, the ability to communicate, and can negatively alter personality and behaviors not previously displayed. Early detection is the key to coping with the disease. Family members are encouraged to learn the warning signs and seek medical

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

THE JOURNAL, International Falls, Minn. 11

Family Matters advice if present: • Misplacing things • Unable to retrace steps • Withdrawal from social activities • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding images • Changes in mood or personality Once diagnosed, family caregivers possess a unique challenge of providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to their loved one afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Family caregivers report high levels of stress, psychological and physical illness, and negative effects on their health, well-being, employment, income, and financial security.

The following caregiver strategies have helped reduce negative effects and are also foundational to providing high quality of care to a loved one who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease: • Communicate with eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and clear, short phrases

Strategies to help you cope with your recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease Effiective coping strategies: • Accept the reality of the disease and learn to live with it.

• Seek emotional support and understanding from others.

• Try to see things from a different perspective.

• Find comfort in your religious or spiritual beliefs.

• Concentrate your efforts on doing something about the situation to make it better - take action!

• Come up with a strategy about what to do and the steps to take.

Disfunctional coping strategies: • Giving up trying to cope with the disease.

• Telling yourself, “This isn’t real” or refusing to believe.

• Using drugs or alcohol to make yourself feel better.

• Trying to take your mind off the situation.

• Maintain a calm demeanor.

• Set up a structured, daily routine.

• Increase self-esteem of family member by praising and reassuring them of their successes.

• Encourage memory aids such as

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notes, signs, clocks, and calendars.

• Use short, simple words and sentences.

• Give one-step directions one step at a time.

• Repeat information or questions in the

same way, using the same words as before.

• Give simple explanations. Avoid using logic and reason at great length.

• Be aware of your tone of voice. Speak slowly and distinctly. Use a gentle and relaxed tone of voice (lower pitch is more calming).

• Pay attention to your body language.

Approach from the front. Avoid quick movements. Keep good eye contact. Get down to their level if they are sitting. Use positive, friendly facial expressions.

The most important component of continuing to provide care for a family member is identifying caregiver stress and burnout. Feelings of anger, anxiety, stress, or harm are not normal and require immediate attention. If a family caregiver shows signs of severe stress or burnout, they should remove themselves from the immediate environment and seek professional care for their loved one. Doing so will protect the family caregiver and ensure a quality lifestyle their loved one deserves.