Caregivers October 2017

Caregivers October 23, 2017

• Group supports those dealing with heroin/opiate addiction • Heartland of Oregon resident treated to a day on the town • Anniversary wish comes true for Perrysburg Commons resident

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THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

The Press

Genacross

Heart’s Desire

Resident treated to a day on the town “SilverSneakers� walking challenge

Angela, a Heartland of Oregon resident, with Randy Fowler prepared for the Harley ride around town that capped off Angela’s Heart’s Desire day. (Submitted photo) Angela, a resident of Heartland at Oregon for almost three years, is known for her passion of overcoming challenges that were preventing her from accomplishing tasks most people take for granted – walking and taking care of herself.

In recognition of her spirit and determination, three Heartland employees – Jerri Bartko, medical records clerk; Patty Sanislo, environmental services director, and Tina Braun, housekeeping aide – made plans to take Angela out for a day on the town as part of the Heart’s Desire program.

The award-winning program is designed to enrich the lives of Heartland’s patients, encouraging them to take advantage of all that life has to offer and continue their active participation in the community. A Heart’s Desire can be something daring or something simple. What makes it special is that it is unique to that individual.

The trio worked for months to make the day perfect for Angela. Tina made it clear – there would be no rules for Angela

that day.

The day kicked off with a trip with Tina to Maumee Bay State Park, where Angela was able to feed the birds, enjoy a picnic and soak in the scenery.

Following the picnic, the pair went to Walmart to shop for an outfit that Angela would wear for dinner later on in the evening. Walmart donated a gift card to Angela to help make her Heart’s Desire day even more special.

For dinner, Angela was treated to Estella’s Mexican restaurant, where her nursing aides Mandy, Brittney, Julie and Jeannette were waiting to join her.

Before the night was over, there was one more surprise awaiting Angela – a motorcycle ride on a Harley Davidson. Randy Fowler, a friend of Tina’s, took Angela on a 20-minute ride around town.

Asked about her favorite part of the day, Angela said the entire day was special. “Tina made the day really fun and I was happy to get out and experience all of those things,� she said.

From May to October, residents of four Genacross Lutheran Services’ independent living communities were challenged by the rehabilitation team at The Labuhn Center on the Genacross Lutheran ServicesToledo Campus (formerly Lutheran Home at Toledo) to lace up their shoes and walk.

Residents from Luther Hills, Luther Grove, and Luther Ridge senior apartment communities near the Toledo Campus in East Toledo and Luther Haus senior community in Temperance, Michigan participated in the challenge to accumulate the most miles.

The competition was part of the SilverSneakers senior exercise program, which is conducted several times a week

by Genacross therapists at the independent living communities.

Residents used a map to log miles, and were awarded bonus miles for reaching group and individual benchmarks and milestones.

Residents at Luther Grove won the competition, logging 2,125 miles -- enough distance to walk to Las Vegas. They were awarded with a spaghetti lunch on Friday, Oct. 13. “We originally chose to walk enough miles for Florida, but when we surpassed that goal right away, we decided to go to

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Las Vegas,� said Betty Palmer, Luther Grove resident.

Palmer and her teammates didn’t let the rain stop them. They walked with umbrellas or paced the halls of their apartment complex. “My doctor told me I needed to lose weight and get in better shape, so I took this seriously. It was a success because I have lost a few inches since I started doing this,� she said. “There are so many benefits to walking, including enhancing circulation, reducing swelling to your lower legs, boosting your mood and strengthening your heart and bones,� said Angela Slovak, Genacross therapist. “When they say ‘use it or lose it,’ it really is true.� “As we age, our muscles become weak, and that can make us prone to frequent falls. Walking helps build strength and maintain endurance, which translates into a better quality of life and staying as independent as possible,� said Karie Sutton, Genacross director of rehabilitation.

Genacross offers several SilverSneakers programs for seniors in a variety of locations, as well as outpatient therapy services at The Labuhn Center, 131 N. Wheeling St., Toledo. For more information, call 419724-2638.

Therapist Angela Slovak (L) and resident Betty Palmer stand near the map used to track the team’s walking success.

(Submitted photo)

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THE PRESS

Caregivers

OCTOBER 23, 2017

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The Press

Love, friendship and perseverance never fail

Annual Expo event to support caregivers The Area Office on Aging’s 10th Annual Caregiver Expo, set for Saturday, Nov. 11, will connect family caregivers with resources to support them in their caregiving role. The expo will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Parkway Place, 2592 Parkway Plaza in Maumee. Admission and parking are free.

The event is designed to support the spouses, sons, daughters and other family caregivers who are helping their aging loved ones by taking them to doctor appointments, picking up their prescriptions, picking up groceries and paying their bills.

This selfless work caring for a loved one can be extremely stressful and can eventually take a toll on the health of the family caregivers if they don’t make a conscious effort to take care of themselves. The strains a caregiver experiences can be financial, emotional and/or physical and the event will have resources on-hand to help addresses all these different types of strain.

Area Office on Aging President/ CEO, Billie Johnson, said, “We realize that many caregivers take on the duties of a caregiver because they view it as a privilege and an honor to care for their parents, spouse or other loved one.

We respect and honor the dignity they make it possible for their aging loved ones to live with on a daily basis. We consider ourselves to be very fortunate to be able to support caregivers as they care for your aging loved one.”

For more info on the Area Office on Aging Caregiver Support Program, visit www.areaofficeonaging.com or call 419-382-0624 or 1-800-482-7277.

Celebrating 70 years

Robert and Blanche Hager celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a party Sept. 20 at Orchard Villa where they are both patients. The couple was married Sept. 20, 1947 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Robert worked at Ohio Bell. Blanche taught at St. Thomas Aquinas School. The couple has four children Carolyn (Marty) Marsh, Marilyn (Paul) Skotynsky, Beverly (Ray) Panning and Robert (Joy) Hager. They also have 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. (Submitted photo)

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THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

The Press

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Group supports those dealing with heroin/opiate addiction

out of jail and rehab.”

Thomas said her grandson started with drinking, marijuana, and he just snowballed into heroin.

“He is 29 years old now,” she said. “He started when he was 15 and has also been in and out of jail and rehab. I do not know really what to say about it.”

Thomas said her group is smaller and more intimate than group in Toledo. She does attend some groups in the city, she said.

“A lot of people like to come to smaller groups,” Thomas said. “I also can give information on what resources are out there to help people. There is a lot of stuff that people either do not know is going on or they have their eyes closed to it. I want to help people. You would be shocked to know how many addicts are children of addicts themselves. This epidemic is horrible.”

Thomas said she is now resigned to the fact that members of her family are addicts.

She understands everything that comes with that label, she said.

“I understand this epidemic and that they are addicts,” she said. “My son and grandson are again in recovery and rehab, but that can change in an instant. My family is supportive of their recovery and we hope this time they stay sober.

“This group I started it for everyone like me, us. We need to vent and then get support from others. My heart has broken, but God gave me strength. He graced me with the ability to help others.”

For more information on B.O.A.B, call 419-838-7600.

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Judi Thomas started B.O.A.B. (Bear One Another’s Burdens) last year to support others who, like her, have loved ones dealing with opioid addictions. Press photo

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Mainstreet Church has a group to help people struggling with heroin and opiate addiction in their family or among friends.

The group, called B.O.A.B. (Bear One Another’s Burdens), meets Mondays, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Municipal Building, located at 705 North Main St. in Walbridge.

The group was started in September 2016 by Judi Thomas, of Walbridge, who decided a group was needed closer to her.

“I have a son and grandson who are both addicts,” Thomas said. “I was tired of having to go into Toledo for a support group, so I decided to start one here.”

According to Thomas, coming out and telling her story has been helpful to her and to many who have been struggling with the heroin and opiate epidemic in their family or with friends.

“I figured there were many people out here who are in the same boat I was in,” she said. “I have had police officers tell me there is a problem here and other small towns that many people may not know about. I thought a group here would be convenient for people, as they do not have to go into town.”

Thomas said her son became addicted to opiates after being in a car accident and was prescribed pain medication.

“A couple of years ago, he went to heroin because he could not get enough of the opiates,” Thomas explained. “People who know my son cannot believe it. He had never been in trouble before.”

Thomas said her son left home at the age of 18. “He had a good job for 20 years, had his own home, a family, and kids,” she said.

“He had a squeaky-clean record,” Thomas said. “He began borrowing money, he got behind in his bills and things fell apart. I kind of found out about it in a round-about way. Now he has been in and

“

A lot of people like to come to smaller groups

“

By Melissa Burden Press Contributing Writer news@presspublications.com

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THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

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The Press

Anniversary wish comes true for Perrysburg Commons resident

Perrysburg Commons resident Fanchon Burgin longed to travel to Toledo Memorial Park to visit the grave of her late husband, Verrill, in observance of their 77th wedding anniversary. She and her son, Brian, made the trip in a special bus, thanks to the Heart’s Desire program. (Submitted photo) wanted to give something back to her.”

Fanchon met Verrill through her brother, and they dated about a year before

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It was a simple but heartfelt wish.

Fanchon Burgin, a resident at Perrysburg Commons Retirement Center, wanted to make a trip to the Toledo Memorial Park to visit her husband Verrill’s grave on what would have been their 77th anniversary. She has not been able to make the trip for many years, since she is in a wheelchair and did not have special means of transportation.

Perrysburg Commons made that happen with the use of their bus and wheelchair lift, as part of the Heart’s Desire program, which gives residents at Perrysburg Commons and other HCR ManorCare facilities nationwide the chance to fulfill their wishes with the helpful planning and support from the staff and surrounding community.

Thousands of Heart’s Desires have been granted since the program’s inception in 1997.

Fanchon and her son, Brian Burgin (director of maintenance at The Commons), visited the memorial, along with a wicker basket full of fall flowers to leave behind.

When they returned, the pair was treated to a surprise luncheon of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and banana cream pie – all the favorite things Fanchon loved to cook for her family.

The meal was prepared by Melissa Ault, director of activities.

“Fanchon was a full-time homemaker and always put her husband and children first,” said Perrysburg Commons Executive Director Kelly Ebersbach. “She always gave so much to her family over the years, and we

marrying. They both grew up in Toledo.

Verrill worked for Toledo Edison and was promoted 27 times within the company

before retiring after 45 years. Together they have four children – Bruce, David, Brian and Judy.

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THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

The Press

Many people struggle over long-term care planning decisions Beyond the Money

by Adam Cufr

“

We’re aging and living longer, and the statistics are not comforting

“

Of all the planning that we do for families, the one area that’s continued to haunt me has been that of long-term care (LTC).

By contrast, I feel great about the planning we do in the areas of retirement income planning and investment management for retirement.

For example, study after study shows that for people with reasonably-probable longevity (longer life expectancy), annuities provide income security unavailable elsewhere. The retirement income plans with the highest “retirement success” have a component of annuitization in them, provided by insurance companies’ guarantees and risk-sharing (sources available upon request).

In addition, the financial and psychological benefits of building consistent supplemental and inflation-hedging income with dividend-paying stocks and wellmanaged bond portfolios helps to provide sleep-filled nights for me and for the families we serve, even in the face of great cultural and political uncertainties.

It’s that nagging, always-present feeling of the growing need for LTC services that keeps me up at night. We’re aging and living longer, and the statistics are not comforting. Have I done enough to impress upon clients the potential need for LTC in their future? Is LTC insurance in

its various forms the best solution for this growing area of concern?

Am I being too idealistic to think that families, not institutions, will care for one

another when the need arises? How can we individually and collectively address LTC needs in the most efficient and effective ways possible?

With all of that said, we’ve done a fair amount of LTC planning over the years with the families we serve. For some, they’ve chosen one of several traditional LTC insurance options, paying premiums for the rest of their lives or until a qualifying care need arises and benefits are paid out.

For others, a hybrid asset-based option was chosen. These effectively pair life insurance with LTC benefits to allow all premiums to be received back, either in the form of LTC benefits while living or as a life insurance benefit at death. Others have chosen to self-insure with their often-substantial discretionary savings. By forgoing an insurance option, they retain control of their assets for possible use in a LTC scenario, otherwise passing savings on to heirs at their death.

Finally, some have resigned themselves to the reality that paying insurance premiums may not be an affordable option, meaning they’ll likely spend their assets down to zero if a care need arises, leading to Medicaid paying for their remaining needs.

I share all of this because there is no single best solution. And maybe that’s

the key to understanding my struggle and yours. If there were a simple answer to all of this, we’d simply do that and move on with our lives.

Aging is complex. Families are complex. Finances are complex. Combine those things and the result is a whole lot of good intentions and educated guesses; the very things that don’t sit well with me and my brain that seems to have equal parts analytic and empathy.

As an advisor, I strive for the perfect balance of protection and flexibility, security and sensitivity. Advisors have access to the statistics, the strategies, and the products; you need to share the care needs you’d like to plan for and the ways in which you’d like to prepare for those needs. Ultimately, you know your family best, so your approach is going to be the best for you and for them.

Please consider these matters and plan for them, even if that means you choose to wait.

Adam Cufr, RICP®, a Northwood native, is the owner of Fourth Dimension Financial Group, LLC in Perrysburg. He is a retirement planner, a monthly columnist for Retirement Advisor Magazine, and the author of “Off the Record – Secrets to Building a Successful Retirement and a Lasting Legacy.” To learn more, visit www.

OffTheRecordRetirement.com.

Seeing is Believing

Caption telephones open clear vital lines of communication

By Rebecca Krukemyer Today’s advanced hearing aid technology allows us to hear sounds and conversations that, not so many years ago, would have been impossible for those with moderate to severe hearing loss.

It is very gratifying to see the reaction of many of my patients when they are fit with hearing instruments for the first time.

Many find that they are finally able to hear their grandchildren, talk with people at family gatherings, listen to the message at church, watch TV at a normal volume, etc.

They feel like the whole world has opened up to them again. But for some, that means the whole world except the telephone.

Using the telephone can still be a problem for some people with hearing loss, even with the use of hearing aids. Finally, there is a solution. It’s called a caption phone which comes at no cost to the user through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal program which was created to pay

for the telephone and captioning service.

This innovative telephone allows a person to read the spoken word through voice recognition technology. It can transcribe spoken words almost instantaneously. The words appear in large print on the telephone, much like closed captioning on the television. The phone has many easy-touse features, including caption voicemail, speaker phone, and a phone book where you can save names and phone numbers for quick and easy dialing.

The phone also has the ability to save calls, allows the user to read missed calls, and much more.

If you are interested in obtaining one of these state-of-the-art caption telephones you can call or visit our office. We do have one on display in our office so you can see it in person.

Rebecca Krukemyer is an audiologist at Portage Valley Hearing , LLC, 133 E. Front St., Pemberville. Contact Rebecca@portagevalleyhearing.com or at 419-287-2201.

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Caption telephones open up the world for those with hearing impairments.

THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

B-7

The Press

Lupus teleconference The Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter will host its monthly “Ask the Experts Teleconference,” Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 7-8 p.m.

The topic is: “Wellness Coach: A Healthy Approach to Lupus.”

The “Ask the Experts” Teleconference is a series of presentations by a variety of experts in fields relating to lupus. The call-in programs include valuable information and insight from professionals in their related fields.

For more info or to register, call 888-NO-LUPUS or visit www.

LupusGreaterOhio.org/events.

Life Line screenings Residents living in and around the Northwood area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

Gracepointe Church, 4035 Williston Rd., Northwood, will host the screenings Thursday, Nov. 30.

Screenings can check for: • Level of plaque buildup in arteries, related to risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels • Diabetes risk • Bone density as a risk for possible osteoporosis • Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are accessible for wheelchairs and those with trouble walking. Packages start at $149.

Consultants will work with clients to create a package based on age and risk factors.

Pre-registration is required. Call 1-877- 237-1287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com to register or for more info.

Regain hope and strength while caregiving Caregivers are unpaid individuals, typically a spouse, child, neighbor or friend, who assist with activities of daily living and medical tasks. These informal caregivers often fill in gaps between medical professionals or paid aides to meet the needs of incapacitated individuals.

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP indicate approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months. Roughly 15.7 million adult family caregivers in the United States care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, states the Alzheimer’s Association. Though both men and women serve as caregivers, females are the largest segment of unpaid caregivers, handling some of the most difficult tasks, such as bathing and dressing.

Many caregivers selflessly give back by aiding a friend or family member, and view this type of service as a form of charitable giving. Others see it as simply being a good friend or family member. Although it can be rewarding to care for another person, caregiving also can be a stressful job that takes both a physical and emotional toll on caregivers. Caregiver stress is a very real side effect.

It is important for caregivers to recognize that offering medical care and support can leave them vulnerable to a wide range of consequences. These can include anxiety, depression, fatigue and even increased exposure to illness. It can be particularly sad to witness a loved one’s health gradually deteriorate.

The Office on Women’s Health says that anyone is susceptible to caregiver stress, but more female caregivers say they have stress and other health problems than male caregivers. Women who are caregivers of spouses are more likely to experience high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes than men. Depression is quite common among caregivers who spend a lot of time assisting those with various dementias because of the constant care such people require.

It’s important for family caregivers to take time to care for themselves to avoid health problems and burnout.

To remain as healthy as possible, caregivers should take steps to recognize symptoms of caregiver stress and avoid burnout. Here are some warning signs to be aware of: • Feelings of being overwhelmed • Feeling alone or deserted by others • Social withdrawal from friends or activities that used to make you feel good • Exhaustion that makes it challenging to complete necessary tasks • Sleeplessness or sleeping more than normal • Lack of concentration that impacts daily tasks • Overreaction to minor nuisances

• Cutting back on leisure activities • Neglecting things at home or other people who are well • An immune system that is run down, leading to constant illness The Alzheimer’s Association says it is important for caregivers to find time for themselves, apart from caregiving tasks.

Respite care or relying on others to fill in can free up time for a caregiver to relax and recharge. It is also important to prevent caregiving from becoming a person’s whole existence. Investing time in other things that provide meaning and purpose can help caregivers find balance. Also, focusing on the things that can be controlled and small victories can make a difference.

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3241 Navarre Ave. • Oregon, OH 43616

(419) 690-8267

www.oregonhearingcenter.com **Not Not valid valid for for current ed hearing loss; current patients; patients; must must be be 55 55 years years or orolder; older;must musthave havea aquali¿ qualified hearing loss; no-obligation to to purchase, purchase, hearing and demonstration must be completed; no-obligation hearingscreening, screening,consultation, consultation, and demonstration limit be onecompleted; per household; 3/31/2017.offer expires 10/31/2017. must limitoffer one expires per household; © 2017 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 2/17 51713-17

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THE PRESS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Caregivers

The Press

The Top 5 Reasons to Choose...

Our beautiful office is easily accessible from I-280 and 795.

4 We accept many insurances and will file your claims for you.

3 We have a friendly, long-term staff who care about your comfort.

2 We offer cutting-edge whitening and restorative procedures.

YOU’RE INVITED!

5

And the #1 reason is: You’ll love our warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Jody E. Freytag, D.D.S. Matthew D. Freytag, D.D.S.

Veterans Breakfast Thursday, November 9th • 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Genoa Retirement Village Genoa Retirement Village invites all veterans to join us for a delicious, chef-prepared breakfast.

RSVP by November 3rd to 419-855-7755.

*Handicap Accessible* *New Patients Welcome* *Emergencies Welcome* *Gift CertiÀcates Available*

3601 Ayers Rd. Millbury, Oh 43447

419-836-1033

www.walbridgedental.com

FREE EVENT TO ALL VETERANS!

419-855-7755 300 Cherry Street Genoa, OH 43430 genoahs.com •