Aging Answers - May 2015

May 2015

Healing Well

Rehabilitation 101

Capture Moments Plus Perfect Parent Gifts

Just What They Wanted May 2015

with your loved ones Aging Answers

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Aging Answers

May 2015

Publisher’s Perspective

Honoring our Parents

By Brad Mitchell

S

ome of you may wonder what this Aging Answers supplement is all about and why we chose to include it in Northeast Ohio Parent. We want to recognize that many parents with children are also dealing with issues with their aging parents and other aging loved ones.

The term “Sandwich Generation” has been used to refer to this pressure parents feel as they try to meet the needs of both their children and parents. Your parents are one slice of bread and the other is your kids and spouse. You find yourself between the two walls of bread trying to stay vibrant and not be crushed in the process.

Where do you find your parents along the continuum of care today? Are they still independent, in need of some degree of assistance, or are they completely dependent upon outside care at this point? How can you find peace as their child and know just how and when to do the right thing?

Most of us are very familiar with the phrase “Honor your father and your mother.” But what does it really mean to honor your parents? Each of us must wrestle with this. You may say, “You just don’t understand my parents (or in-laws), they’re just not easy people to deal with.” Or, “They don’t want anyone’s help.” This may be true for today, but with each new day, new challenges can arise out of nowhere.

As a child, you were likely told to listen to your parents and now you probably recite the same principle to your own children. As life comes full circle, you are faced with honoring your parents as an adult. We parents must be keen enough to spot the changing circumstances, and bold enough to talk about important things despite any awkwardness.

It often is said that love is the choice. We are asked to view things with a longterm perspective, above the external commotion and emotions, and look to the heart.

Our hope with Aging Answers is to inspire, educate and encourage you as a caregiver. We don’t have all the answers, of course, but through information sharing, dialogue and open communication, we can all seek to get more solid footing dealing with the complex array of options and decisions.

The Aging Answers supplement appears in the center of our magazine every other month. In Northeast Ohio Parent, we also carry a monthly Aging Answers column to keep the flow of relevant content in front of readers.

There are some fantastic caregiver support groups in our area through hospitals, churches and synagogues, specific illness group networks, other non-profit organizations, and online. We plan to post an online guide of these in the near future.

We welcome your feedback on how we can help guide you in your journey with your parents.

Please write me at brad@northeastohioparent.com

May 2015

Supplement to Northeast Ohio Parent Aging Answers is a property of Mitchell Media LLC PUBLISHER:

Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohioparent.com EDITORIAL: Angela Gartner, Editor angela@northeastohioparent.com

Denise Koeth, Managing Editor denise@northeastohioparent.com ART & PRODUCTION:

Sherry Lundberg, Advertising/ Production Manager sherry@northeastohioparent.com OFFICE MANAGER:

Kathleen Coleman kathleen@northeastohioparent.com

Subscription Services: subscriptions@northeastohioparent.com

ADVERTISING SALES: Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohioparent.com Janyse Heidy, 330-671-3886 jaynse@northeastohioparent.com Tarah King, 216-403-3961 tarah@northeastohioparent.com Michelle Vacha, 440-463-0146 michelle@northeastohioparent.com

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Worth Noting

May is American Stroke Month

Older Americans Month photo project asks: How do you live “Well Beyond 60?”

To celebrate Older Americans Month in May, the Ohio Department of Aging is asking Ohioans of all ages to submit pictures that show how they or their loved ones are living “Well Beyond 60!” Through May 15, Ohioans can visit the Ohio Department of Aging on social media to share photos and short video clips that show the many things older Ohioans can do to be healthier, avoid injury, keep chronic conditions in check and contribute to their communities.

May is celebrated nationally as Older Americans Month to recognize the achievements of our elders and acknowledge the many organizations that serve them, care for them and provide them with opportunities to contribute. Ohio’s theme for 2015, “Well Beyond 60!” emphasizes the role that each of us plays in determining our own health and wellness.

Contribute to the Older Americans Month Photo Project on Facebook.com/OhioDepartmentOfAging or Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WellBeyond60 and mentioning @OhioDeptOfAging Submit photos by mail to: Ohio Department of Aging. ATTN: Older Americans Month Photo Project, 50 W. Broad St./9th Fl., Columbus OH 43215-3363. Visit aging.ohio.gov for more info.

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Knowing these three things may save a life from stroke.

Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, yet 80 percent of strokes are preventable. During American Stroke Month in May, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association asks Northeast Ohioians to know if they are at risk for stroke, warning signs and what to do in a stroke emergency.

Together to End Stroke, nationally sponsored by Covidien, teaches the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people recognize a stroke and what to do if one occurs: F - Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

A - Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S - Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?

T - Time to call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Additional stroke signs include: sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; or sudden confusion or trouble understanding.

Visit heart.org/cleveland or for a free stroke risk assessment, go to StrokeAssociation.org/strokemonth.

May 2015

Health & Well Being

Helpful Hearing Devices

By Bridgid M. Whitford Au.D, CCC-A Director of Hearing Services, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

An assistive listening device (ALD) is any type of amplification device that can help you communicate more effectively.

When you use these devices, you may notice less stress and fatigue in addition to improved hearing. Discuss with your audiologist what devices are appropriate for you.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES ALDs can be used with or without hearing aids and can improve hearing in the presence of background noise, listening on the phone or to television, as well as hearing at a distance. Here are some examples of these devices: ✱ FM systems consist of a microphone used by the speaker and a receiver (usually a small unit that hooks on the bottom of a behind-the-ear hearing aid or a neck loop) worn by the listener.

The speech signal is transmitted from the microphone to the receiver on a special radio frequency and then the sound is transmitted to your hearing aid or headset. FM systems are available in many public facilities such as schools, theatres, museums or places of worship, but also can be purchased for personal use.

May 2015

✱ Personal one-to-one assistive listening devices have a small amplifier box, headphones and a listening cord. Both the talker and the listener share this device. The listener wears the headphones and the talker speaks into the microphone attached to the listening cord. These devices are generally used at relatively close distances and are ideal in cars, restaurants, small meetings or with the television. ✱ Infrared systems are most commonly used with the television and send the TV sound, using infrared light waves, to your headset. The listener can then adjust the volume on the headset independently of the TV volume, so not to affect others in the room. ✱ Induction loop system is a permanent wired system. The induction loop creates an electromagnetic field that delivers the sound. Hearing aid users with a telecoil (“T”) can access this sound through their hearing aid and adjust the volume as needed. ✱ Amplified devices have an amplifier built into the device. These include amplified phones, doorbells, alarm clocks, etc. The listener can adjust the volume to the desired loudness level.

Photo courtesy of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

ALERTING DEVICES An alerting device can be a visual (flashing light or text) or vibrating system that helps alert people to sound. These systems can be used with or without hearing aids or in combination with other listening devices.

The following are some examples of alerting devices: Closed-captioning for the television.

The television dialogue is displayed at bottom of TV screen Text telephones (TTY). The talker types the phone conversation on the TTY; incoming messages are then read on the TTY display. They must communicate with another TTY device or use the relay service Light signaler for alarm clocks, telephones, smoke detectors and doorbells.

A light is plugged into the device and flashes when the designated sound is detected.

Vibrating signaler for wrist watches, timers, pillow alarms (baby monitor or alarm clock). A signaler vibrates when a sound or alarm is detected.

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Dad Doesn’t Need Another Tie Perfect gifts ideas for your aging loved ones.

by Jeanne Hoban

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other’s Day and Father’s Day are right around the corner. When you’re considering gifts for your older loved ones, be creative in your choices. Many seniors have accumulated years’ worth of “stuff ” so you don’t want to add to the clutter. And before you think about clothing purchases, sneak a peek into the closet to see if the tags have even been removed from the sweater you purchased for Mom last year. With a little imagination, and maybe some help from your kids, you can come up with the perfect gift. Here are some ideas to get you started:

CREATE A FUN AND USEFUL GIFT BASKET Fill a colorful gift basket with useful items that might not make perfect gifts on their own.

If your loved one is an avid reader, include a large magnifying glass and a book light or better yet, a lighted sheet magnifier. Many seniors take prescriptions at different times of day. Include pill organizers that can be color-coded for morning and evening pills. Add grocery and pharmacy gift cards. Other items could be an easy-to-use pill cutter, non-skid socks for wearing around the house, lotions, a jar opener, and compression socks, which are now available in a variety of colors and patterns.

SIGN UP FOR A CLASS TOGETHER Local arts organizations offer a plethora of course options, such as painting, drawing or ceramics. Register yourself and your loved one to take a class together. You’ll both have fun discovering new talents, and your loved one will benefit from staying active and engaged.

PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER Load portable media devices such as iPods or MP3 players with music from your loved one’s youth. Include comfortable headphones and/or a plug-in speaker. In addition to the entertain-

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ment value, music can have additional benefits.

The Music and Memory program featured in the film “Alive Inside” introduces iPods loaded with personalized music to seniors with severe dementia living in residential care facilities.

The simple and inexpensive intervention has a strong impact on the seniors, who become reconnected with their sense of self.

MAKE A PHOTO MEMORY BOOK Photos are wonderful to share, but there’s only so much wall and surface space for framed pictures, and digital photos are often accumulated and forgotten. A great way to make the photos – and the memories they conjure up – easily accessible is to create a photo memory book. Does your loved one have catch phrases they use often? Use those phrases as inspiration and find photos to illustrate them. Or maybe you’ll find inspiration in a vacation spot that the family returned to frequently. Services like Shutterfly allow you to create customized hardcover books, or you can create a book using scrapbook supplies from your local craft store.

A HOME SAFETY CHECKUP Offer your “handyman” (or woman) services to help make your loved one’s home safe for aging in place. Install appropriate lighting in stairways and hallways. Add grab bars to the tub and shower. Check appliances for frayed wires.

Check for working flashlights. Make sure smoke detectors are installed and are operating properly. Rearrange furniture and lamps to prevent tripping hazards, and make sure lamp switches are within easy reach. Install nightlights to make navigating to the bathroom or kitchen safe at night. Check carpeting for frays and tears (which should be repaired, or the entire carpet should be removed, depending on the damage).

Remove all throw rugs, which pose a fall risk.

May 2015

Furry Friends

Aging in America Conference 2015: What About 0lder Adults and Pets?

by Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren, MS, DVM at One Health Organization

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f you are planning to get older and stay as healthy as possible, you could benefit from lessons learned at this year’s Aging in America annual conference, during which my participation focused on older adults and pets.

The speakers of “Aging in Community with Pets: Insights, Innovations, & Advance Planning” consisted of Dianne McGill (past executive director of the Banfield Charitable Trust and current president of Senior Pet Care Resource Network), Rachel Duer (program specialist at Texas Department of Family and Adult Protective Services), Amy Shever (director of 2nd Chance 4 Pets), and Keith Greene (chief membership officer of Meals on Wheels America). They discussed resources from these and other organizations dedicated to ensuring that older adults can live healthy and happy lives with their pets.

The session that McGill and I co-chaired was the “Older Adults and Pets Peer Group.” It was an informal session where attendees could come together and discuss anything about how pets impact the older adults they serve. All who attended had pets, and we shared pictures of them. Each had a slightly different reason why they were interested in the topic but the common link was the importance of the human-animal bond and how pets can benefit people.

The voice from the veterinary and pet perspective was heard when I attended other sessions.

One speaker discussed city planning and mak-

May 2015

ing it livable for older adults (or any age for that matter). With nearly 70 percent of all households having a pet, city planners need to take into consideration that people have pets and there needs to be plans in place for them. Until I mentioned it, none had considered pets in their plans. I hope they do now.

Another speaker focused on surveys sent out to determine the needs of older adults. Not surprisingly, there were no questions about pets on the survey. Maybe now they will add a few key questions.

A major concern of mine is older adults who have trouble affording care for themselves and their pets. The two sessions “Helping lower-income seniors maintain financial independence” and “Let’s talk senior poverty: What are we doing about it?” were extremely informative. Did you know that money received from the Social Security Administration is NOT allowed to be touched by collection agencies? It’s the same with 401K and independent IRA accounts. Collection agents would prefer to have you think otherwise.

In these sessions, I also learned that 50 percent of people 65 and older are within 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Both sessions reinforced our commitment to the Veterinary Payment Program for our One Health Family Members.

For more information about this program, email info@OneHealth.org or visit OneHealth.org.

Aging Answers

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Feature Story

Rehabilitation 101:

A Course Families Need

By Maria Shine Stewart

functions of short-term rehabilitation.

The goal of rehabilitation, through all the varied forms it may take, is a gradual return to as many activities of daily living as possible with maximum independence.

Submitted by Montefiore in Chagrin Falls Photo by: McKinley Wiley

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ife brings accidents and illness, but also hope, healing and resilience. The need for rehabilitation may be sparked by a sudden and unexpected event – a stroke, a heart attack or an aneurysm, for example – or a planned surgery such as knee replacement or spinal fusion. A fall or an auto collision could start the quest for healing.

Returning to optimal functioning is not something that occurs overnight. The need for skilled speech, occupational and physical therapies, carefully coordinated, plus optimal nutrition, activity and medical management are among the key

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MAKING A CHOICE FOR HEALTH Some people may operate under the misconception that all rehabilitation facilities are the same. They are not.

One size does not fit all, and not every facility offers every specialty.

“If patients go to the wrong level of care, it will take them longer to get back home,” says Tony Mancuso, director of business development at Summa-Vibra Health in Akron. “Whenever a patient has something befall them that is not a planned event [fall, stroke, heart attack], they are given a list of options.”

It may be tempting to select a spot close to home but location is not the key factor, he advises. “Expertise is the most important thing.” Go where the patient’s specific needs can be addressed. Do not put off a Durable Power of Attorney for health care, which allows others to make decisions if necessary.

The clock is ticking. Medicare Part A provides 100 days a year of short-term rehabilitation, and co-pays kick in at day

21. Medicare might not cover all costs when going into a skilled nursing facility.

It’s important to ask questions so there is an understanding about why the doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.

On medicare.gov, families can review tips, along with information on patients’ rights in skilled nursing facilities.

Amanda Swaim, director of marketing at BraeView Care and Rehabilitation Center in Euclid, advises families to be “in tune with their loved ones’ needs.”

How many are willing to listen for the full answer when we ask an elder “how are you?” Are we willing to ask follow-up questions to elicit further information or to find out how they are doing – really doing? “There needs to be progress documented and the need for skilled therapy, not just simple exercises that anyone could teach,” Swaim notes.

TEAM UP FOR HEALING A good rehabilitation team can adapt to meet the needs of each patient while eliciting patient strengths.

Lucy Mullins, director of rehabilitation at Montefiore in Beachwood, and a physical therapist, defines rehabilitation as getting to “the best quality of life possible, with or without a device, with or

May 2015

without a wheelchair, to be as functional as possible. The strongest factor in rehabilitation is patient motivation.”

Family support is another huge factor, and while relatives should not coddle the patient, they should offer praise and genuine encouragement, she adds. Sometimes their gains may seem small, such as not wanting to get out of bed one day and taking three steps the next without giving up.

“The best part of my work as a physical therapist has been connecting with patients, getting to know them, helping them succeed,” she says. “(As a rehabilitation director,) the best part is creating an environment for the best possible outcomes.”

Consider making a health journey a shared activity, perhaps accompanying a relative on hospital visits or community events where health information is disseminated to learn what they are learning.

“Education is important for families – and friends, too,” Swaim says. “They can also urge compliance with patient therapies, diet and medications.”

She says visitors encourage normalcy and curb isolation while in rehabilitation.

Even phone calls to someone in rehabilitation help.

Denise Gannon, vice president of operations and chief operating officer at Eliza Jennings, says that a hospital-based rehabilitation followed by subacute-facility rehabilitation culminating with services at home “provides care in a continuum” moving toward the greatest level of independence. That’s three different types of settings, all staffed by caring, skilled professionals.

While the patient is recuperating, family members may experience sadness.

Lingering impairment in a loved one is not easy to face.

“For the family member it’s really hard not to look at the loss – whether it is a change to mom, dad, wife or husband. But what you need to focus on are abilities.

“It takes teaching the family and the resident to look at the situation differently.”

If families can’t reach consensus on a rehabilitation plan of action, “a geriatric assessment center, such as one at the Cleveland Clinic [Main Campus], can help,” Gannon adds. “And for that patient, there needs to be consensus and support.”

May 2015

Aging Answers

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Financial Matters

The 2 Most Important Documents You Should Have

By Laurie G. Steiner, Esq., CELA

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an you name the two most important legal documents you absolutely must have? I will give you a hint: a will and a trust are the wrong answers.

The right answer is you should have a financial durable power of attorney and a health care durable power of attorney.

Wills and trusts certainly are important, however, these documents plan for your estate at your death. The durable powers of attorney for finances and health care are designated to protect you during your lifetime.

YOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS The financial durable power of attorney authorizes someone you trust, usually a spouse or child, to handle your finances.

The agent you name can pay your bills, sign checks, sell stocks and generally handle your finances. If you become incapacitated and are unable to handle your financial affairs, your agent under the financial durable power of attorney can easily step in to handle things for you.

If you become incapacitated for any reason (stroke, accident, Alzheimer’s, etc.) and don’t have a financial durable power of attorney, you will have a disaster. If you’re incapacitated, you can’t take money from your IRAs or 401(k), sell your house or stocks, or endorse checks coming in — and no one else can, either. In this situation, your spouse or child would have to request

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to become your guardian through the county probate court. This process is costly, time consuming and requires you to hire an attorney.

HEALTH CARE DECISIONS A health care durable power of attorney lets you authorize someone to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them on your own. If, for example, you are in an auto accident, suffer a stroke or have Alzheimer’s and you can’t make health care decisions, doctors generally can’t treat you, give you medications or perform medical procedures on their own.

Nor can your spouse or children tell the doctors what to do without a health care durable power of attorney. You must give someone the legal authority, in writing, to make health decisions for you in this circumstance.

Without such a document, if you become incapacitated, a guardianship would have to be established through probate court, as discussed previously. You can get a health care durable power of attorney from the Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (ohpco.org). You should consult an attorney for a financial durable power of attorney.

If you haven’t made financial and health care durable powers of attorney, make them now. Without these two documents, you could find yourself facing disaster.

May 2015

SPONSORED CONTENT

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Terry and her management team are dedicated to helping residents and their

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by JEA Senior Living of Vancouver, Wash.

For more information, call Terry at 216-839-1300.

Get more Aging Answers articles and information online at NortheastOhioParent.com

May 2015

Aging Answers

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Health

Signs and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndromee It’s something no one likes to talk about, but if you’ve been experiencing abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, frequent loose stools or alternation between constipation and diarrhea, these could be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This common abdominal disorder affects up to 20 percent of adults. The exact cause of IBS is yet to be determined.

People with IBS have colon muscles and nerves that can be more sensitive than others, triggering pain as a result of stress or certain types of food. One of the most common triggers is stress, at which time the brain sends messages to the colon via nerves that affect the bowel and result in discomforting symptoms.

Seeking Medical Advice Diagnosis usually includes a detailed history and physical examination, labs, imaging and possibly a colonoscopy to evaluate for inflammation, abnormal growths or ulcers.

However, these symptoms also can be the signs of a more serious health problem such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease or colon cancer. If you have a family history of IBD or colon cancer and also are experiencing rectal bleeding, persistent severe pain, a change from your usual bowel pattern and/or unexplained weight loss, a colonoscopy

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by Dr. Maya Merheb

should be done right away to identify the cause and avoid delaying treatment.

It is important to see a physician to rule out other diseases because some patients are misdiagnosed with IBS when in fact they have IBD. People age 50 and older with IBS symptoms should definitely have a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer.

Getting Help Treatment for IBS can include a change in diet, medications and stress relief. Spicy, greasy, fatty foods, chocolate and milk products also can irritate the bowel and trigger IBS symptoms, as can alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Keeping a log of symptoms is a good way to help determine associated triggers.

Avoiding foods that aggravate symptoms; eating more fiber and less fat; and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids every day can be simple ways to ease the symptoms and help you feel better. Your physician may recommend a medication, if necessary.

Talk with your primary care doctor or a board-certified gastroenterologist and get the help you need — don’t let your symptoms interfere with the quality of your life.

May 2015

HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS ~ May/June 2015 MONDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. $20 each. First three Mondays in May. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Ignite Sports, 510 Center St., Chardon. Register, 440-279-2131, co.geauga.oh.us

west General is offering free seminars. May 6 - Strength and Balance, May 13 - Diabetes and Exercise, May 20 - Arthritis and Exercise and May 27 - Healthy Eating for the Older Adult. Southwest General, 7390 Old Oak Blvd., Middleburg Hts., 440-8164202, lifeworksfitness.net

Pickleball - Round Robin Court Time. Pickleball is a racquet

TUESDAYS

Heart Disease Support Group.

Heart patients, families and caregivers receive support in coping with diagnosis, treatment or surgery for heart disease. Second Tuesday of every month. 1-2 p.m.

Summa Rehab Hospital, 29 N. Adams St., Akron, 330-572-7300, summarehabhospital.com

Caregiver Support Group. Meets every Third Tuesday from 12:301:30 p.m. Geauga Dept. on Aging, 12555 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, 440-279-2130, co.geauga. oh.us

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. 50 percent off admission on Tuesdays for seniors 60 and older. 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-836-5533, stanhywet.org

May 2015

LifeWorks. LifeWorks of South-

THURSDAYS

Parkinson Group Exercise Program. A simple exercise program has the ability to help ease the daily struggles of Parkinson’s, and delays some of the more devastating results of the disease. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Summa Rehab Hospital, 29 N. Adams St., Akron, 330-572-7300, summarehabhospital.com

Laughter Club. Laughter is the best medicine. 11 a.m.-noon.

South Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Drive, Cleveland, 216-291-0771, communitypartnershiponaging. org

Spirituality & Cancer Group. For those interested in exploring and talking about spiritual issues and

how they relate to coping with cancer. Offered the first and third Thursdays in May. 9:30-11 a.m.

Stewart’s Caring Place, 2955 W. Market St., Suite R, Akron, 330836-1772, stewartscaringplace.org

Camp Wired. Adults 55 and older learn or brush up on computer basics along with a variety of skills and software. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Medina Library, Computer Lab, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina, 330-725-0588, mcdl.info

FRIDAYS

Intermediate Line Dancing. Remember oldies like the Bossa Nova or learn new dances such as Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide.

9:30-10:30 a.m. DeJohn Community Center, 6306 Marsol Road, Mayfield Hts., 216-291-3902, communitypartnershiponaging. org

DAY BY DAY May 2

Free Blood Pressure Screenings.

Lake Health offers free blood pressure checks during normal business hours. 9 a.m.-noon. TriPoint Medical Center, 7590 Auburn Road, Concord Township, lakehealth.org

May 3

2015 Golden Achievement Awards. Cocktail reception, silent auction and fine dining. 5 p.m.

The Country Club, 2825 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, rosecenters.org

May 6

WAKR Senior Luncheon. Enjoy lunch, entertainment and health information.

Reservation required. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the WAKR station, 1795 W. Market St., Akron.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron Peninsula Road, Akron, 330-869-9800, akrongeneral.org

May 7

Senior Health Fair. Entertainment and activities include senior line dancing, Sunshine Singers, and a lot surprises. Free admission. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Donna Smallwood Activities Center, 7001 W. Ridgewood Drive, Parma, 440-8858800, smallwoodcenter.com

May 14

Euclid Hospital Supper Club.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. to check in and collect your bingo cards.

Enjoy several games of bingo

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from 3-4 p.m. Dinner and dessert are offered after bingo. Special prizes. $5 each. Euclid Hospital Cafeteria, 18901 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid, 216-448-1210, myclevelandclinic.org

May 15

Cleveland Clinic’s Healthwise Connection - Trip to Playhouse Square. Numerous bus pickup locations are available on the east and west side of Cleveland to see “I Love Lucy.” $69 each. Space is limited. 440-942-5350, JKLtours.net

May 16

May 20

pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes, yet has no symptoms. Lake Health will offer free blood pressure checks during normal business hours. 9 a.m.- noon. West Medical Center, 36000 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, lakehealth.org

gram, lunch and entertainment. All seniors are invited to attend this free event beginning at 10 a.m. Cleveland Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, 216-664-2833, cleveland-oh.gov/aging

Free Blood Pressure Screenings. High blood

May 19

Spring Social. A Spirit of Clay paint-your-ownpottery studio. $4.50 studio time, projects start at $6. Reservations required. 828 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Village, 440-473-5138, communitypartnershiponaging.com

26th Annual Senior Day. Information fair, pro-

May 21

Mental Health and Memory Loss. Learn about the complex correlation between mental health and memory loss and the interventions that may assist individuals with memory retention.

1-4:15 p.m. $60. Conference Center at Benjamin Rose, 11890 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, 216-791-8000, benrose.org

May 27

Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Bus leaves Chardon Senior Center at 10 a.m. and returns by 2:30 p.m. for the Lake County Captains Game. $20 per Geauga County senior includes transportation, game ticket and food voucher.

Chardon Senior Center, 12555 Ravenwood Dr., Chardon, co.geauga.oh.us

Afternoon at the Cinema. Adults 55 and older can enjoy recent DVD releases and light refreshments. 1-3:30 p.m. Brunswick Library, Sycamore Room South, 3649 Center Road, Brunswick, 330-273-4150, mcdl.info

May 29

Cardiortho Symposium. There is a hot, healthy breakfast during the vendor fair featuring new technologies and screenings followed by a heart-healthy lunch and lectures focusing on keeping your heart and joints healthy. Quail Hollow Resort, 11080 Concord Hambden Road, Painesville, lakehealth.org

May 30

Family Wellness Day presented by Kindred Healthcare. Northeast Ohio Parent and Aging Answers brings you a wide variety of health and wellness exhibitors, sponsors, interactive activities and entertainment certain to make this a great afternoon for families. A special Aging Answers pavilion brought to you by Cuyahoga Community College will host expert talks, Q&A, demonstrations and informative presentations geared at the 55 and older 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Legacy Village, 25333 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, northeastohioparent.com

SAVE THE DATE

June 2

Breaking the Pain Chain. Four-week Arthritis Foundation educational series filled with tools, tips and techniques to help you manage chronic pain and create a personalized pain management plan. Free of charge for people who live or work in Lake County. Pre-registration required by May 22. Lake County Council on Aging, 8520 East Ave., Mentor, 440-205-8111

June 12

A New Era for Elder Justice Conference. Featuring Risa Breckman, LCSW-R, an elder justice advocate since 1982. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Hts., c3a5county.org

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Aging Answers

May 2015

SPONSORED CONTENT

Supporting the Family Caregiver “How do I know I am making the right decisions when it comes to my family’s care?”

When a loved one experiences a health crisis, determining where to turn next is critical and often challenging. Navigating the complex decisions that lie ahead can be difficult, but with Caregiver Concierge, you don’t have to go it alone.

As a caregiver, you are tasked with coordinating most aspects of your loved one’s lives. From healthcare appointments to nutritional support to home improvements, the role can begin to bear on you.

To meet the holistic needs of patients and families, Caregiver Concierge offers a single source solution and resource to those facing the various stages of health and wellness and the road back to independent living.

Provided by Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, Caregiver Concierge offers a comprehensive plan tailored to meet the needs of each family and includes full-year access to a Personal Health Concierge, who will serve as your one-stop connection.

“Caregivers are overwhelmed and they usually do not know how or where to begin making decisions. With so much information being thrown their way, managing it all can be exhausting. It is our focus to help them navigate through this challenging time and provide support in any way possible”, states Jenise Abdul-Razzaaq, LSW, CSA, VNA of Ohio Personal Health Concierge.

To learn more about Caregiver Concierge, contact VNA of Ohio at

1-855-VNACARES

May 2015

Services Supporting the Caregiver Services include health navigation, patient and family support, clinical care, and optimal wellness services, based on your family’s needs and desires. This privatepay service provides coordination of home care services, linkage to community partners, and 365 dayaccess to assistance.

Through Caregiver Concierge, your family has access to health navigation and coordination services, medication assessment and management, elder life advocacy referrals, wellness education and planning, and linkage to community partners, in addition to all of the traditional eldercare services offered by VNA of Ohio. As additional services are needed to maintain healthy and safe living at home, VNA of Ohio is here to help.

Whether recovering from surgery, living with a chronic illness, or requiring daily care assistance, Caregiver Concierge lets you focus on what really matters – your family’s health, safety, and independence at home.

Aging Answers

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May 2015

Aging Answers

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