Gen 50 + Spring 2018 by Pacific Publishing Company

SPRING 2018

Generation 50+ Get Active for a Healthy Heart Page 6

Stuck in the Middle: What You Need to Know About Caregiving Page 3

Senior Caregiving: How Guilt Can Take

a Toll on You and Slows Decision-Making

Page 11 QUARTERLY SPECIAL: A PUBLICATION OF THE QUEEN ANNE & MAGNOLIA NEWS, CITY LIVING SEATTLE, CAPITOL HILL TIMES AND MADISON PARK TIMES

GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

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GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

Stuck in the Middle: What You Need to Know About Caregiving (StatePoint) As the population ages, more people (particularly women) will be “sandwiched” in between taking care of their parents or other family members in need, and their children. Take telenurse and nurse educator Kathie Wells, RN, BSN, CCM. At age 55, she is juggling full-time work, while raising school-age kids and caring for her husband Robert, 64, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2002. As a nurse, Wells understood the onset and progression of PD, which often includes motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity and balance issues. But her husband’s disease progressed in a surprising way when he began to see and believe things that weren’t real. PD is a neurodegenerative brain disorder often involving both motor and non-motor symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. When those symptoms appear, it may be Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) and it occurs in more than half the people with Parkinson’s during the course of their disease. Yet, only 10 to 20 percent of patients will proactively report their hallucinations and delusions to their doctor. When Wells’ husband began to experience delusions, she found his behavior frustrating and alarming. For example, Robert would spend hours in the yard digging up garden stones, convinced he’d found valuable “treasure.” Neighbors remarked on Robert’s behavior and his children wouldn’t invite

Two Drugs Offer Hope Against a Tough-to-Treat Prostate Cancer By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

friends over to avoid them seeing their dad relentlessly digging. Robert’s delusions combined with his other PD motor symptoms were hard for Wells to manage. She struggled to get enough sleep caring for Robert, and their children were hesitant to go out in public with their father because he shared his treasure hunting stories with strangers all the time. While there’s currently no cure for PD, there are different treatment options to address both motor and non-motor symptoms. Wells says it was a relief when her husband’s neurologist suggested an FDA-approved medication indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with PDP. Wells recommends the following to caregivers of people with Parkinson’s. • Consider talking to a professional, as caregivers are more likely to experience relationships or social life suffering and emotional stress than non-caregivers. ➧ CAREGIVING, Page 9

(Re-print from HealthDay News) -- Two cancer drugs can stall the progression of a particularly hard-to-treat form of prostate cancer, a pair of new trials shows. Both a newly developed drug called apalutamide and an already approved drug called enzalutamide (Xtandi) kept prostate cancer from spreading for two years in men whose disease had not yet traveled to other parts of their bodies. Men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer that hasn’t spread are first treated with androgen-deprivation therapy -- a medication that robs the tumor of the testosterone that helps fuel its growth, said Dr. Matthew Smith, lead researcher of the apalutamide trial. He is director of the genitourinary malignancies program at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston. “It always works, and it almost always stops working,” Smith said. “And when it stops working, that’s what we call castrationresistant prostate cancer.” Until now, there have been no approved treatments for prostate cancer at that stage, Smith said. The men are put under observation until their cancer migrates, at which point treatment resumes. Tens of thousands of men in the United States are estimated to be in this situation and they have a very poor prognosis, particularly if their levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are rapidly rising, Smith said. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate; a sudden elevation of PSA levels has been linked to increased prostate cancer risk. “There’s an unmet need there,” Smith

said. “Their expected survival is similar to that of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer that has already spread to bone.” Both apalutamide and enzalutamide battle prostate cancer by binding to the androgen receptor on tumor cells, blocking its activation by testosterone and other male hormones, explained Dr. Oliver Sartor, medical director of the Tulane Cancer Center in New Orleans. He co-wrote a commentary accompanying the apalutamide trial. “Both the drugs are incredibly similar to one another,” Sartor said. “If you look at the chemical structure, they’re extremely close to one another. Mechanistically, they operate the same way.” Dual trials Two separate clinical trials were launched to see if either oral drug would help men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Both drugs were tested against a placebo. Apalutamide extended progression-free survival by about two years over placebo, researchers found; 40.5 months versus 16.2 months. Men taking apalutamide had a 72 percent lower risk of invasive cancer or death, based on results from more than 1,200 patients at 322 sites in 26 countries. Enzalutamide also showed promise. The drug extended progression-free survival by nearly two years over placebo -- 39.6 months versus 17.7 months -- and decreased risk of cancer migration by 71 percent, according to results from more than 1,400 patients. Results from both trials were to be presented Thursday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Genitourinary ➧ PROSTATE CANCER, Page 9

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GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018 FAMILY RESOURCE HOME CARE

Dear Sheila: After a Devoted Spouse Dies especially if she hasn’t Dear Sheila, been going annually. It My parents just moved will be helpful to have into a retirement coma doctor who can guide munity because my dad your mother as she navhas cancer and they igates her physical and wanted to get settled mental health now and somewhere safe so my after your father dies. It mom won’t be left alone is a good idea to solicit after he dies. They were a companion who can never, and are not very visit both your parents social and they had no now, check in on your hobbies. My parents are mother, someone to devoted to each other become a familiar face. and that is enough for Sheila McKannay Your mother may not them. Do you have any appreciate it now, but that suggestions of ways to help my familiar face will be a blessing after your mom have some human interaction once father dies. Lastly, after your father’s death, my dad dies? Things that don’t require it is the time to move your mother closer making friends with other widows in the to you. As she continues to age, it will dining room or going to a book club? — Loner’s Daughter be easier to have your mother near you. Check out WAHCA.org for information Dear Loner, and as a resource. You know the saying, “It’s hard to teach —Sheila an old dog new tricks”? I’m afraid your mother will not change nor will you have Sheila McKannay, MA, CMC, is Vice the ability to wave your magic wand and President of Client Care for Family Resource change the situation. I do think you can, Home Care, greater Seattle’s largest provider however, take some action now that may of private caregiving services for seniors. For be useful in the event your father dies. more Dear Sheila letters or other helpful Make sure your mother makes an appointarticles, visit our website: ment with her primary physician now, www.familyresourcehomecare.com/blog

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What to Ask Your Doctor About Parkinson’s Disease (StatePoint) Talking to your doctor about any health concern can be tough, particularly when symptoms catch you by surprise or cause concern. And when it comes to Parkinson’s disease (PD), experts say there are many symptoms that often go unreported at doctor’s appointments, making them difficult to diagnose and treat. For example, many people are aware of visible symptoms associated with PD, like resting tremors and loss of balance. However, more than half of people living with Parkinson’s also experience a lesser known aspect of the disease -- hallucinations and delusions. “Over time, these symptoms may increase in frequency or become bothersome, as a person with Parkinson’s becomes less able to distinguish between what is real and what’s not. Fortunately, these symptoms often can be addressed.” says Neal Hermanowicz, MD, director of the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Program at the University of California, Irvine. To help you prepare for your appointment with a PD specialist, Dr. Hermanowicz says to consider the following statements, and if they apply to you, to tell your doctor at your next appointment. • I sometimes feel out of touch with reality. • Others tell me that what I am hearing, seeing or sensing (e.g., people, animals or objects) are not actually there

(hallucinations). • I have beliefs or fears that a loved one (perhaps a spouse, caregiver or friend) is stealing from me or being unfaithful (delusions). Dr. Hermanowicz also suggests that caregivers prepare for the next appointment by considering the following statements and speaking to their loved one’s PD specialist if any of them apply. • I have observed my loved one interacting with things, seeing things or sensing things that are not there (hallucinations). • My loved one has had false beliefs toward me or others, such as believing someone is stealing from them or being unfaithful (delusions). • These experiences have affected our daily life. Learn more about hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s and download resources that will help initiate these critical conversations at MoretoParkinsons.com. If you or someone you care for is experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone and you may be able to get help. Talk to a PD specialist to learn more about available treatment options. Be prepared for your next appointment by ensuring the conversation first starts at home.

GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

New Shingles Vaccine Urged for Adults 50+ If you are in your fifties, there’s a new shingles vaccine recommendation for you. In January 2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally recommended that all healthy adults 50 and older get two doses of a newly approved vaccine for shingles called Shingrix. It is more effective than the older vaccine, Zostavax; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in October. Consumer Reports says health insurers will likely cover the cost of the new vaccine, which is $280 for its two shots. One out of every three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. “If you’ve had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles,” said Dr. William Shaffner, medical director and former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). “Your risk of getting shingles increases as you age, especially after age 50.” It is not passed from person to person. The full updated immunization schedule for adults was published on the CDC website this week. Read on for more details on the most common vaccines for older adults — shingles, influenza (flu) and pneumococcal pneumonia — plus boosters you need for tetanus and pertussis.

Shingles

The virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles, a blistering rash that can produce a burning, electric shock or stabbing pain where it erupts. Also called herpes zoster, it can lie dormant for years. Some people who got the chickenpox as a kid will never develop shingles. Others might get it as an adult multiple times. No one knows why someone has a shingles outbreak, though some believe a stressful event can bring it on. The complications of shingles increase in severity as you age, says Dr. Dana Hawkinson, infectious disease specialist at The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas. One of those complications is postherpetic neuralgia: a burning pain that lasts months or years after the rash has healed. The risk of neuralgia is decreased if you begin taking antiviral drugs within 72 hours of developing the shingles rash, according to the Mayo Clinic. A 2005 New England Journal of Medicine article underscores the severity of the disease: “The pain and discomfort associated with herpes zoster can be prolonged and disabling, diminishing the patient’s quality of life and ability to function

to a degree comparable to that in diseases such as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction [heart attack], diabetes mellitus type 2 and major depression.”

T in the shot — and pertussis or whooping cough — the P in the shot. “As we age, we become more susceptible

Influenza

If you don’t know by now, influenza or the flu is nothing to sneeze at. It can be a killer, especially for those 65 and older. Flu season typically lasts from fall through spring; the 2017-18 season is not yet over, and it has been particularly harsh. “Influenza is a dangerous disease that can lead to pneumonia and fatal outcomes,” warns Hawkinson. Because the flu virus changes every year, you need to get a flu shot annually. It is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. The shot typically becomes available in late August, and Hawkinson recommends getting immunized in September or October so your body has enough time to build up immunity after the shot. That can take a few weeks. However, if you miss this window, don’t forego the shot altogether. “[People should] still continue to get it until the end of flu season,” Hawkinson adds, “because it can have so many important effects.” While you can still contract the flu after getting the vaccine, the severity of the illness may be lessened. “Also, patients who have gotten the vaccine have fewer days being ill, and they have even fewer days missing work,” Hawkinson says. Having an egg allergy does not mean you can’t get the shot: there is an egg-free, FDAapproved influenza vaccine.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

This vaccine is known under the brand names Pneumovax and Prevnar, according to the CDC, and each prevents different strains of strep pneumonia. The Prevnar version of the vaccine is given starting in childhood and then again as an adult 65 or older. The Pneumovax version is usually for adults only. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a bacterial infection that can have dire consequences, especially for those with certain health conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, or diabetes.

to pertussis, and we can spread it to the younger generation that hasn’t yet been immunized against whooping cough,” says Hawkinson. Another thing to consider: While it is recommended you get this booster every 10 years, with regards to tetanus, if you are injured (by an animal bite or a cut from metal) more than five years after your last booster, you should get another one just to be safe. By Leah Ingram Leah Ingram is a health, lifestyle and frugal-living writer and the author of Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier on Less. She is also founder of the moneysaving blog, Suddenly Frugal, and writes for magazines and websites including Good Housekeeping and Parade.com.@suddenlyfrugal

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Why we need to get our affairs in order-now! So often I am asked, why do I need to have a Will? Or a Power of Attorney? Or a Community Property Agreement? Everything passes to my spouse or children anyway, right? And if so, why do we need do life and estate planning anyway? These are great questions that we are going to tackle in this article. The reason we plan is so that we will have in place the legal documents that will work the way they are supposed to, and most importantly, when we need them to. And when is that? When you or a loved one find yourself in a pickle and need them the most. A spouse has a stroke and you need to access funds for a rehab facility deposit that are just in your spouse’s name. You need to speak with Mom’s pharmacist about her med’s but the pharmacist refuses unless you can show you have the authority or right to do so. The examples go on and on. There are five (5) basic documents we all need regardless of whether we have little or are millionaires. They are a Last Will and Testament, a Durable General Power of Attorney for Financial Matters, Health Care Power of Attorney with HIPPA form, Health Care Directive (Living Will) and if married a Community Property Agreement. Keep in mind not all documents are created equal. Words matter a lot in these. Work with someone who knows what they are doing when preparing these. After all, the purpose is to have documents that will work in a pickle. It gets messy fast when these do not work. Which of these documents is the most important when we are alive? Without

Robert L. Michaels Attorney hesitation the Durable General Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney are. These documents empower someone to act for you legally as if they were you. We all need someone so empowered because we most likely at some point will find ourselves unable to speak or act for ourselves. For you wives, ever tried to cancel the Comcast only to be told the account is in your husband’s name and they can only speak with him? Frustrating isn’t it? A Durable General Power of Attorney does away with this problem. Rush to get your Powers of Attorneys done correctly. Again, words matter. If what you are trying to do for someone through that persons Power of Attorney is not clearly spelled out in the document, you do not have the power to act. What about a Last Will and Testament? Yes, an important document to have—when we die. This document will name who will administer your “estate”. This document will provide the person acting for your estate to do so without posting a bond or intervention of the court. ➧ AFFAIRS, Page 9

Get Active for a Healthy Heart (Family Features) While heart health and how to prevent heart disease are important topics, many people in the United States, including Hispanics and Latinos, remain at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 23 percent of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States have high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke if untreated, and nearly 9 percent have heart disease. However, you can lower your risk for heart disease in a variety of ways, and one of the most important is by becoming physically active. National guidelines recommend at least 2 hours, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults, like brisk walking where your blood gets pumping and you are a little breathless. If you find yourself short of time, you can incorporate physical activity in small chunks, such as three 10-minute

intervals per day, and still achieve some heart health benefits.

How Moving More Helps

When done regularly, physical activity can give your entire body – not just your heart – a boost. Getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat can: • Strengthen heart muscles • Improve blood flow • Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels • Help control weight

Ways to Become More Active Every Day

In addition to working toward at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, it’s important to avoid being sedentary, when possible. You can do that by making choices that build activity in your day. Some ➧ HEALTHY HEART, Page 9

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WINTER OLYMPICS STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Nordic gl¸hwein 6. *It last broadcast the Olympics in 1988 9. Sigma Phi Epsilon 13. Yokel’s holler 14. Promise to pay 15. Pre-bun state 16. Dug up 17. Luftwaffe’s WWII enemy 18. Provide with ability 19. *Country with most Winter Olympic gold medals 21. *Number of 2018 Winter Olympics sports 23. Dog command 24. Small island 25. Cul de ____ 28. Partial haircut 30. Geek and jock, e.g. 35. S-shaped molding 37. International Civil Aviation Org. 39. Best not mentioned 40. Pakistani language 41. *American skating icon 43. College cadet program 44. Crocodile ones are insincere 46. Make children 47. This and the other 48. Praise for a fearless one 50. Dispatch 52. Ornamental pond-dweller 53. Classic sci-fi video game 55. Drag behind 57. *Done on 90m hill 61. “I love the smell of ____ in the morning.” 64. UFO pilot? 65. 1973 Supreme Court decision name 67. “Complete ____’s Guides” 69. Short for incognito 70. Tokyo, in the olden days 71. Impulse transmitter 72. Indian restaurant staple 73. D.C. bigwig

74. Like a rookie DOWN 1. *Olympic participant’s hangout 2. Been in bed 3. *8-time American speed skating medalist 4. Regular visitors 5. Long-billed shore bird 6. Well-ventilated 7. Flapper’s neckwear 8. Spots for links 9. Arial, e.g. 10. Ill-mannered 11. Malaria symptom 12. Subsequently 15. *”Agony of ____” 20. Like anchor aweigh 22. Not well 24. Ezra Pounds’ poetry movement 25. *Which Korea is 2018 Winter host? 26. Come to terms 27. Closet wood 29. Frosts a cake 31. Fence prickle 32. Kindle content 33. Powerball, e.g. 34. *2014 Winter host city 36. France’s currency 38. Shrek 42. Busybody, in yiddish 45. House cover 49. Opposite of pro 51. *Olympic no-no 54. Shrek and Fiona 56. Crane or heron 57. Jainism follower 58. Arm part 59. Isinglass 60. Lowly laborer 61. Rhymes with #60 Down 62. Plural of lira 63. Change of address 66. Lyric poem 68. X Answers to this puzzle on page 9

GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018 ➧ AFFAIRS, from Page 3 Your Will provides who gets what (or who does not get anything). Your Will should identify whether you wish to be buried/cremated and donate organs (or not). Without a Will, you leave a mess that may have to be cleaned up through the Courts. Leave a plan. Not a mess! Remember a Will does not transfer anything. Rather a Will is your set of instructions as to what happens when you pass. Why have Community Property Agreement if you are married? The simple answer is that property of a marriage does not automatically transfer to the surviving spouse upon the first spouse’s death. Even though Washington is one of eight Community Property states, it is still possible for a person in Washington to have separate property. So to eliminate a legal process known as “probate” on the first spouse to die, get a Community Property Agreement which will, by law, vest all property in the surviving spouse without Court intervention. Finally, if you have ever had surgery or

➧ HEALTHY HEART, from Page 6 examples include: • Taking the stairs • Printing to the printer farthest away from your desk at work • Getting off the bus or subway one stop early • Parking in the farthest space from the door • Walking around while you are on the phone or having walking meetings • Being active with your children, including playing outdoors • Planning a vacation that includes physical activities • Playing soccer or taking a Zumba class with friends instead of meeting up for

been admitted to a hospital, you know what a Living Will or Health Care Directive is. Hospitals/doctors want to know your wishes should you become permanently unconscious or in a persistent vegetative state. This is an “end of life” document that applies to specific circumstance while being cared for. Additional end of life planning with “POLST” or “DNR” should be undertaken. I hope the above overview has helped shed light on the importance of having our affairs in order. Life has this way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect such. Stay tuned for further articles discussing how best to plan for both life and “long term care” needs. Mr. Michaels is a principal with the law firm of Smith Alling, P.S. in Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Michaels has been practicing law in the State of Washington since 1984. The emphasis of his practice is elder/estate planning, business, and real estate matters. Mr. Michaels serves as a Judge Pro Tempore in Fircrest and Fife, Washington.

drinks or a meal • Putting on some music and dancing

Check with Your Doctor

Certain physical activities are safe for most people. However, if you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, arthritis or diabetes, talk with your doctor about the type and amount of activity that is right for your health. Incorporating regular physical activity into your life can help your health in many ways, but it can be especially helpful for your heart. Find more heart-healthy facts and tips from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at nhlbi.nih.gov.

➧ CAREGIVING, from Page 3 Likewise, caregiving can take a toll on physical health. Take time to sleep, de-stress, eat well and exercise. • Seek logistical and emotional help from family, friends, support groups and advocacy groups, who often have free resources available. For example, the Parkinson’s Foundation has advice for caregivers and a helpline staffed by nurses, social workers and therapists. • Even if you understand your loved

one’s condition, report new symptoms or concerns to a healthcare provider as they arise. “I now know that delusions along with hallucinations are telltale signs of Parkinson’s disease psychosis, however, I didn’t recognize those symptoms immediately,” says Wells. For more information visit www. moretoparkinsons.com. Remember that you’re not alone. Support exists to help you manage the struggles associated with caring for loved ones.

➧ PROSTATE CANCER, from Page 3 Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, and the apalutamide study was also published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. “It was a very big effect,” Smith said, adding that apalutamide’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its approval based on these findings. Smith said he expects that apalutamide will become the standard of care for men with this form of prostate cancer, but other experts think enzalutamide could steal the new drug’s thunder. New first-line therapies? Dr. Alexander Kutikov, chief of urologic oncology with Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, noted that the enzalutamide trial demonstrated similar results, and that drug is already in use as a prostate cancer therapy. “Unlike apalutamide, the anti-androgen enzalutamide is a firmly established agent in the metastatic prostate cancer space, and is very familiar to clinicians caring for patients with advanced prostate cancer,” Kutikov said. “I suspect barriers to its use, at least initially, will be much lower than to that of apalutamide.” Sartor agreed. “I think it will become a standard of care. I hesitate to think it will be thestandard of care,” he said. Sartor noted that both drugs come with significant side effects -- most commonly rash and increased risk of fracture -- and men not suffering any symptoms might not

want to take the risk of drug-related adverse events. For example, rash occurred in almost 24 percent of men taking apalutamide versus 5.5 percent in the placebo group. And fractures occurred in close to 12 percent on apalutamide versus 6.5 percent in the placebo group. However, in both trials only about 10 percent of men taking the cancer drug dropped out due to side effects, compared with 7 percent and 8 percent of the placebo groups. Further, neither trial was designed to test whether these men gained any overall survival benefit by having their prostate cancer treated before it spread to other parts of their bodies, Sartor said. “Which drug is best and how does it compare to the current standard of care, that’s still a little bit more of an open question,” Sartor said. “I think these trials absolutely are providing new data, but I’m not personally convinced that someone with non-metastatic disease ought to be receiving these drugs.” The trials were paid for by pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. More information For more on prostate cancer, visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute. SOURCES: Matthew Smith, M.D., Ph.D., director, genitourinary malignancies program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Oliver Sartor, M.D., medical director, Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans; Alexander Kutikov, M.D., chief, urologic oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia; Feb. 8, 2018, presentations, American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, San Francisco; Feb. 8, 2018, New England Journal of Medicine

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GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

Assistive Technology Tools to improve the everyday

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

(Family Features) Most Americans want to stay in their homes as they age. Not a bad plan, but what if your home doesn’t fit you as well as it once did? Often, aging can be accompanied by a change in your ability to manage and move around in your home. That’s where assistive technology – better known as AT – comes in. No matter your age or what type of disability you may have, chances are there is an AT device out there that can help you with everyday tasks. AT isn’t a new concept. In fact, most people have probably used an assistive device without realizing it. Smartphones, voice command technology and certain types of software all fall under the AT umbrella. AT also includes plenty of low-tech devices, like adapted pencil grips for students with disabilities. There’s an ever-growing variety of AT tools available to help with household chores, work functions, getting around, seeing, hearing, learning and living independently in general. These devices and technologies are designed to help older adults and people with disabilities, but you may find that these tools can make life easier for anyone.

The right AT for you

At first, trying to find the right AT tools and solutions can feel overwhelming. The network of State Assistive Technology Act Programs is a good place to start. Your state AT Act program can provide information and support to help you identify and acquire AT that meets your needs.

These programs offer:

Device demonstration and short-term loan programs that allow you to try out equipment before purchasing Reuse programs that provide gently used

We help people age where they’re most comfortable. At home. Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of people receive the companionship and care they need in their own homes. See if we’re the right choice for you. Seattle and Snohomish County: 206.545.1092 Bellevue and Eastside: 425.455.2004 Tacoma and Pierce County: 253.761.8019

www.familyresourcehomecare.com A Washington State Licensed Home Care Agency

EXAMPLES OF AT DEVICES AND TOOLS INCLUDE: • Hearing aids • Vehicle modifications, such as hand controls or wheelchair lifts • Devices that help with bathing and eating • Software modifications for those with hearing and visual challenges • Equipment, such as grab bars in a shower, to help prevent falls • Eye glasses and magnification devices to help individuals with low vision • Communication devices for individuals with speech disabilities • Wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices devices at substantial savings Financing options, such as cash loan programs, that can help you get the AT devices you need You can find the AT Act Program in your state or territory at acl.gov/AT. You’ll also find additional information on state AT programs, data about the network of state AT programs and additional resources to help you find and obtain AT that fits your needs. With more research and awareness around the importance of AT, the future possibilities for living independently in the place of your choosing are almost limitless.

Magnolia Adult Family Home, Inc. Assisted Living Dementia Care Post-Hospitalization Respite Hospice

Mary Cruise, B.A., B.S.N, R.N. 206-285-8550 mcruisern@comcast.net Visist us at:

MagnoliaAdultFamilyHome.com

GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

Senior Caregiving: How Guilt Can Take a Toll on You and Slows Decision-Making

Kathy Stewart RN, Vice President of Nursing, Aegis Living

community. There are many reasons you might feel guilty, but most are unfounded or inaccurate. When your aging parent can no longer live on their own, you and your family will face some difficult decisions. But those decisions can be exponentially more difficult when compounded with feelings of guilt. Every day, the nursing and care staffs at Aegis Living Communities help families navigate the emotional roller coaster and there are some things for families to know. First of all, you’re not alone.

A delay of necessary care.

If you are a caregiver or an adult child concerned about the health of your parent, you probably have experienced a common emotion: guilt. Guilt over if you’ve made the right decision about the care of your parent. Guilt that your parent or siblings won’t approve. Guilt because you need to move them into an assisted living or memory care

Guilt can cause people to avoid making a decision about care. It can cloud your judgment. Waiting too long can cause a medical condition to progress or a home to deteriorate from neglect. Postponing a decision due to guilt won’t make it go away, and in some cases can cause more harm.

You may feel selfish.

Many caregivers neglect their own health while caring for a parent. With your parent no longer in your full-time care, you can make yourself a priority again. You should not feel guilty about reclaiming your time and energy. Understand this is the next step in their care. Conflict among the family. Perhaps you may see your parent’s situation clearly, but other family members’ choices are veiled in guilt or denial. Acknowledge their emotions and concerns, but be firm about the facts of your parent’s health and living situation. Family members have the best intentions, but guilt can delay decision-making.

Limiting your parent’s happiness and well-being.

If guilt limits the housing and care options for your parent, you may be hindering their ability to thrive. Moving into an assisted living or memory care community means new friendships, less stress, shared joy, and laughter. Assisted living and memory

care communities have significantly changed from “the sad old folk’s homes” of years past. They are now comfortable, warm, friendly homes.

Feeling like you failed them.

Your parent may have said they never want to live in an assisted living community, but this is often said before they get sick, become immobile, or suffer from memory loss. As our parents live longer, the fact is that they may need more specialized expertise and time. Release your feelings of guilt that can cloud your better judgment. You are not the cause of your parent’s health issues, frailty, or lack of mobility. You are problem-solving for your family based on the current situation. Never feel guilty about that! For more assistance, contact experts at Aegis of Queen Anne on Galer at (206) 2749440 OR Aegis of Queen Anne at Rodgers Park (206) 455-6464.

GENERATION 50+ | SPRING 2018

Living Life on Queen Anne! Visit Our Two Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities on Queen Anne Hill

Start your day with new friends and a fresh cup of coffee. Our dedicated staff are committed to serving our residents through all lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transitions. Choose between the intimate elegant boutique hotel feel of Ă egis of Queen Anne on Galer, complete with the warm Seattle marketplace activity spaces. Or, explore the grand Victorian style community at Rodgers Park. Both communities feature 24/7 care, excellent cuisine and daily activities to nurture the mind, body and spirit.

Call for lunch and a tour today.

223 West Galer St. | Seattle WA 98119

2900 3rd Ave W | Seattle, WA 98119

206-274-9440

206-455-6494 AegisLiving.com