Issue 3 - CAREGIVER Magazine - Providing Options and Support

CAREGIVER JULY 2019

Issue 3

PROVIDING OPTIONS AND SUPPORT

OUR NEW NORMAL P. 7

May 2019

THE POWER OF A HUG P. 10 BEING A SURVIVOR P. 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAREGIVER CAREGIVER

JULY 2019

Welcome

Being a Survivor

04

06, 07, 26, 27, 28 and 29

by John Spivey

Emerald Square AL, Welcome Home!

12, 13 and 14

by Lisa Sydnor The Power of Gratitude by Vicki Muir

16 and 17

2019 Oklahoma Senior Games

08

Event Schedule

Sunbeam Family Services: Powerful Tools!

32 and 33

by Lisa Sydnor

The Importance of Having a Plan

36 and 37

by Debbie Evers

Recapturing Your Youth!

38, 39 and 40

by John Spivey

Remember When?

by Lisa Sydnor

Ask Lisa

On the Lighter Side by

19

20, 21 and 22

Humorist, Robbie Lamberson

Safety Tips by Sheryl Presley TRIAD Coordinator, Oklahoma City Police Department

30 and 31

44 and 46

Independent Living

Assisted Living

Memory Care

EMERALD SQUARE ASSISTED LIVING, Welcome Home!

Written by Lisa Sydnor

Emerald Square is an assisted living facility in Oklahoma City, focused on aging in place. Emerald Square has 68 units with a capacity of 75 residents.

Currently more than half of the residents are veterans. Heart Living Centers acquired Emerald Square in December 2018, with plans to renovate the entire building; landscape the grounds; and add new, innovative programs and services. Renovation is schedule to begin in early August.

Pictured: (L-R) Polly Milligan Executive Director and Desiree Hernandez, Business Development Coordinator are excited by all the positive changes on the horizon.

The addition of a gated entry to the property and cameras covering the outside of the building and parking areas are part of the proposal. The design boards are stylish, with great colors and lovely furniture. The result should be a comfortable, senior friendly living space that invites you to “sit a spell.�

On-site staff includes a Registered Nurse and a physical therapist assistant who work closely with case managers, medical professionals and all staff. A VA case manager visits the Emerald Square weekly resolving issues for veterans, assisting in change of care management plans, accessing information and in general, caring for the veterans.

ASK Lisa

QUESTION: How much does it cost to have an attorney execute a Power of Attorney?

ANSWER: An attorney is not required for a simple financial Power of Attorney (POA).

Most banking institutions can provide the form or you may download from the internet or purchase at an office supply store. The form must be signed by all parties in the presence of a Notary Public and notarized with an impartial witness.

Most banking institutions have a Notary and will notarize for you. There may be a small fee.

RESOLUTION: Lisa, thank you for your guidance. I got the POA and it has been a life-saver as my father is making end-of-life decisions and I can handle all the financial dealings for him.

QUESTION: My father was dismissed from a hospitalization, admitted to a rehab center and has used all allotted rehab days. He is not well enough to go home alone. I have been told that I have to sell my father’s home and use all proceeds before he can get any additional assistance. He has UnitedHealth Supplemental Insurance. Where do I go for help?

ANSWER: First, contact the rehab center and get all the facts. Find out what alternatives are available to him. Contact his insurance provider and find out what they cover and alternatives available. If he has Medicaid, contact them, with all facts in hand. Usually, your insurance provider is a wealth of knowledge and will guide you through the process.

RESOLUTION: Lisa, Dad got the additional care he needed. His AARP UnitedHealth agent was amazing and walked me through all the paperwork and helped me make all the right contacts. Thank you!

If you have a question, call me at (405)314-7840 or email l.sydnor@betterwithageok.com. Please speak clearly include your name and phone number in the message. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please contact me again.

One of her meetings was fraught from beginning to end. The gentleman arrived ahead of her as she was inadvertently delayed by approximately six minutes.

When she got there, breathless, and apologetic she found him sitting in a booth with a half-eaten burger and a nod in her direction. He did not rise to greet her, only suggested that she go order whatever she intended to eat! Just as a side note to gentlemen new to the dating scene, do not treat a date as you treated your previous spouse. You can take that bit of advice to the bank unless you were totally devoted and cherished your wife all the days of her life. And if that is the case, barricade your front door and send for home delivery. You will be hounded by numerous adoring females willing to let you love and cherish them.

10. At night, leave your outside porch lights on.

Thieves do not like light.

Also, if you leave any vehicles out at night make sure all valuables are taken out. DO NOT leave purses, cell phones, electronics, tools, cash or change in your vehicle. Keep your doors locked. Also take out your garage door opener. It is very easy for a thief to break out window then they can use garage door opener to make entry into your home.

7. When doing yard work, keep your garage door down and keep your cell phone with you. If anyone comes up to you wanting to know if they can come in your house to get a drink of water or anything else, tell them no. Never let strangers in your home. When mowing in your back yard make sure garage door is down and your house is locked as if you were away.

8. Have nosy neighbors. Get to know who your neighbors are so you can share information and look out for each other. Exchange phone numbers and know what kind of vehicles they drive.

9. When you are going to be out of town, have someone pick up your mail or have your mail stopped, and don’t let newspapers pile up in your driveway.

Keep lights on so that it always appears as if someone is home. You can even leave your TV on so noise will be coming from the house.

erful erful

Tools for

Caregivers

WRITTEN BY: LISA SYDNOR

SUNBEAM FAMILY SERVICES POWERFUL TOOLS I had the opportunity to participate in the April/May session of Powerful Tools for Caregivers. It was educational, informative and right on target. There were six participants in that class. (I know have five new friends.) It was an exceptional experience; we shared our situations (past or present) in care giving, encouraged each other, offered advice, a shoulder to lean on and shed a few tears together.

Our facilitators, Talena Ford and Andrea Hughes, kept us on task and on target, gently guiding conversations, providing time for sharing and offering solutions to what seemed insurmountable obstacles. .

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidence-based educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself. This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced class leaders conduct the series (many are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach).

Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.

The next Powerful Tools for Caregivers starts August 5th and meets every Monday for 6 weeks from 9-11:30am at Sunbeam Family Services.

Call Talena Ford at 405.609.6551

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program, a program of Sunbeam’s Caregiver Fundamentals Program, makes no distinctions on the grounds of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, religion, or disability. A portion of the project costs are met by state and federal OAA funds from Areawide Aging Agency and OKDHS Aging Services Division. There are no costs to participants; however, donations are accepted.

The next Powerful Tools for Caregivers starts August 5th and meets every Monday for 6 weeks from 9-11:30am at Sunbeam Family Services. Call Talena Ford at 405.609.6551 or email ahughes@sunbeamfamilyservices.org to register. For more information about the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program, call 405.609.6551. Or you may visit www.powerfultoolsforcaregivers.org.

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