TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 - THE NEW SHOPPER - PAGE 7
Cameron Regional Medical Cente r & BlueCross/BlueShield of Kansas City Y O U R H O M E T O W N H E A L T H C A R E T E A M
are pleased to announce an expanded affiliation . . . Effective January 1, 2019, CRMC and its physicians are network providers under the following additional BC/BS plans:
►BlueSelect PPO ►BlueSelect Plus PPO ►Blue-Care HMO As always, CRMC and its physicians remain network providers under the following BC/BS plans:
►Preferred-Care ►Freedom Network ►Preferred-Care Blue
Cameron Regional Medical Center 1600 E. Evergreen; Cameron, MO
Exit 52 off I-35; (800) 852-0659
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 - THE NEW SHOPPER - PAGE 11
Quality Care For Our Loved Ones - Close To Home • Senior Living 2019 Photos courtesy of Dreamstime
Engage at Every Age You are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that enrich your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. No matter your age, there is no better time than now to start. To help do just that, consider these tips from the Administration for Community Living: Be Well •If you don’t usually exercise, choose a low-impact activity that you can do a little at a time. Walk for 10 minutes in the morning, sign up for a tai chi class or learn gentle stretches, for example. Remember, it is wise to consult a health care provider before beginning an exercise routine. •Exercising is less of a chore when you do it with people you enjoy. Gather a group of friends or join a class. Some senior and community centers even offer free or low-cost options. •Good nutrition is vital. Keep an honest record of what you eat. If you have a condition like diabetes, consult your doctor before changing your diet. Nutritionists can be excellent resources, whether you have special dietary needs or not. •Eating healthy foods and staying active may reduce physical health risks, and you also can exercise your mind by reading, playing games, taking a class or simply being social. Reinvent Yourself •Second or even third careers can be personally and financially rewarding. Determine whether you have the skills needed for something new. If not, seek out classes or training, and remember to ask whether financial assistance is available. •Express yourself through the arts. Learn to paint or draw, dust off those dancing shoes, take an acting class or finally write that novel. As a bonus, studies show the arts can improve brain health. •Keep expanding your knowledge and growing by learning a new language or taking a computer class. Or, if you’re more an adventurous type, maybe you’ve always wanted to travel and discover other cultures. Give Back •Consider using your experience to serve others. Volunteers meet a range of community needs, from mentoring atrisk youth and providing job training to helping families recover from disasters. Find opportunities by visiting local organizations or charities. •Pick and schedule service activities that match your skills and interests. If you are handy, assisting with a nonprofit housing organization may be most rewarding. If you enjoy working with kids, contact a local school to talk about ways you can help. •If you want to help others more informally, consider helpful tasks like driving neighbors to appointments, babysitting for working parents or tutoring kids in your neighborhood. If you are a member of a spiritual community or club, ask if there are outreach programs that need assistance. Increasing your well-being – physically, mentally and emotionally – can be made simpler by finding activities that fit your personality and interests. Visit oam.acl.gov to find more information and resources to engage at every age.
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FAMILY FEATURES
hile caring for an older family member – whether it be a spouse, parent or grandparent – can be a rewarding experience, it can also be a difficult and overwhelming task. This is especially true if your loved one lives with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementiarelated illnesses. Whether it’s out of love or obligation, caring for a chronically ill or disabled family member (and potentially his or her financial and legal interests) can come at the expense of the caregiver’s quality of life. In addition to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle outside of caregiving responsibilities, it is important for those caring for a loved one to learn ways to avoid health hazards and stay well-informed of any changes in their loved one’s condition. Add work and children to care for to the equation and it’s a formula that can lead to stress, exhaustion and even potential health issues. The additional duties often required to provide care for a loved one can lead to physical or emotional fatigue, often referred to as “caregiver burnout.” If you’re caring for an older adult, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recommends these tips to help manage stress before caregiving leads to burnout. Know the signs of burnout. By the time many caregivers suspect signs of burnout, they’re likely already suffering symptoms related to their responsibilities. Being aware of some of the warning signs can help caregivers properly manage stress and protect themselves. Warning signs include: n Overwhelming fatigue or lack of energy n Experiencing sleep issues n Significant changes in eating habits or weight n Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed n Neglecting personal physical and emotional needs n Becoming unusually impatient, irritable or argumentative n Having anxiety about the future or a feeling of hopelessness n Suffering from headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments
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Educate yourself about the disease. It’s likely the loved one you care for has several health problems, takes multiple medications and sees multiple health care providers to manage his or her conditions. As a first step in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses, visit alzfdn.org or nia.nih.gov/alzheimers for information. Support groups, educational workshops, community resources and professionals can also help increase your understanding of the disease and what to expect so you can be a better-informed and prepared caregiver. Be prepared for important decisions. Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues early on to help reduce stress later. Try to involve the individual in decision-making if he or she is capable, and consider personal wishes regarding future care and end-of-life issues. Build your care skills. Key skills for any caregiver include communication, understanding safety considerations and behaviors, and managing activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting and dressing. Some organizations and local hospitals may even offer classes specific to your loved one’s disease that can aid you in the process. Develop empathy. Try to understand what it is like to be a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Put yourself in the affected person’s shoes while also recognizing your own losses. Manage your expectations of your loved one and remain patient. Ask for help when you need it. Reach out to medical and mental health professionals as well as family and friends. They can assist you when things get tough. In addition, there are typically programs, agencies and organizations in your community that
can help manage the challenges of caring for older parents, grandparents, spouses and other older adults. Advocate for and connect with your loved one. Take an active role in the individual’s medical care. Get to know the care team, ask questions, express concerns and discuss treatment options. Also remember to connect on a personal level through kindness, humor and creativity, which are essential parts of caregiving and can help reduce stress. Think positive. Focus on the capabilities and strengths that are still intact and enjoy your relationship with your loved one while you are still together. Look for ways to include him or her in your daily routines and gatherings to make as many memories as possible. Find more caregiver resources and tips at alzfdn.org.
GETTING HELP WITH CAREGIVING
Tips for Managing Caregiver Stress
Stress can affect anyone and caregivers may find themselves faced with additional stressors. To help manage stress and avoid caregiver burnout, keep these tips from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in mind: n Maintain a positive attitude n Be flexible and accept the circumstances n Be honest and open about your feelings n Take it one day at a time n Get a good night’s sleep n Incorporate stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, as well as exercise into your daily routine n Drink plenty of water and eat a healthful diet full of fruits and vegetables n Set realistic goals and go slow
Experiencing depression or mood swings Having difficulty coping with everyday tasks Lower resistance to illnesses
Everyone needs a break from time to time, even caregivers. Look into respite programs for a chance to care for yourself. Types of respite include: Home Care n Home care is often initiated by a doctor’s order or hospital stay and administered by medical professionals who come into the home and help with personal care and housekeeping functions. n Medicare covers some home health services. Adult Day Programs n Social-model programs offer stimulation, socialization and therapeutic activities in a community-based group setting and often include meals. n Medical-model programs (adult day health care programs), offer health-based services as well as social activities in a group setting. n Some programs include assistance with activities of daily living and transportation.
5 Facts About Handicap-Accessible Parking Handicap-accessible parking plays a critical role in giving chair users independence and mobility, making it important to understand the rules of the parking lot. To bring awareness to the challenges wheelchair users face, BraunAbility offers these reminders: 1. The striped lines next to a handicap-accessible parking space indicate it is reserved for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. These spaces are wider than regular handicap accessible parking spaces, offering room for people to safely lower a ramp and enter and exit their vehicles. 2. There is a difference between handicap accessible parking for cars and wheelchair-accessible vans. When the parking sign says, “Accessible Vans,” it is reserved for wheelchair-accessible vehicles only. Van accessible spaces are easily identified by a striped access aisle on the passenger side. 3. Some people have hidden disabilities, and it may not be visibly apparent that they need a handicap-accessible spot. Not all people who require handicap parking access are reliant on wheelchairs. These spots are also intended for use by people with disabilities such as deafness or a recent injury. 4. Businesses are required to meet a quota for handicap accessible spots. The number of handicap accessible parking spaces required depends on the total number of parking spaces in the lot, but at least one in every six handicap accessible spaces must be designated for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, according to the American Disabilities Act. 5. Wheelchairs continue to increase in size, requiring more room to maneuver in and out of vehicles, and therefore need extra space in a parking spot for the wheelchair user to safely access a fully deployed ramp.
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Adult day services charge per hour and may be covered under some long-term care insurance policies. Medicaid covers some adult day health programs.
Facility-Based Respite n Provide a short stay for your loved one in a nursing home or another facility. n Facilities typically charge for each day your loved one is in their care. n Medicare or Medicaid may cover some costs of an inpatient facility. Family and Friends n Identify responsible family members and friends who can lend a hand in providing supervision for your loved one and create a rotating care schedule, if possible. n Enlist the help of family members living in different states by assigning them tasks such as legal or financial paperwork.
Going the extra mile so you don’t have to.
Outstanding care, close to home. When it comes to health care, Northwest Medical Center stands out by providing more than just family care. We know you well, and we treat you well. That means our commitment to being a part of your hometown makes us a convenient and trusted choice. From family care to surgery specialties to outpatient clinics, Northwest Medical Center truly is comprehensive care, close to home.
NorthwestMedicalCenter.org | 660.726.3941
United Methodist Church 302 N. Smith St Albany, MO 64402 Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Tuesday, February 26, 2019
S ’ E HER T’S A H . . . W N O G N I O G
ALBANY COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS...
GET YOUR FLU SHOTS! Jan. 21 School Board Meeting 6:30 PM Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 21 Courthouse Closed Jan. 21 Post Office Closed Jan. 21-26 King City Varsity Basketball Tournament Jan. 23 FFA Meeting Jan. 25 Booster Club Meet at 7:00 AM Jan. 25 FCW Meet at 7:00 AM Jan. 26 Grand River Conference Wrestling Tourn. at Gallatin 9:30 AM Jan. 29 Varsity Basketball at Braymer 6:00 PM Jan. 30 FFA NCMC Meeting State Degree & Nominations at Trenton LEGAL AID AT NW MO AREA AGENCY ON AGING EVERY 4TH FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
CALL 660-726-3800 OR 888-844-5626
Every Friday Rotary Club Meets At The Community Center At Noon Compliments of...
1204 W. Hwy 136 Albany, MO ~ 726-5577 HOURS 10 AM - 9 PM MON. - SAT.