Death and Dying

In our society, showing grief is a sign of weakness. Many of us have a hard time learning to deal with our emotions after a loved one has passed away. A positive way to grieve can include these aspects:

• Accept the reality of death
• Experience pain and grief - do not try avoid the grieving process, it allow for a healthy way to relieve emotions, however, a balance of grief is necessary
• Adjust to a new environment without our loved one

When someone comes to you with grief, the best way to help them is to listen. Making jokes can come off as insincere; allow the person to experience grief for a moment.  Grieving allows us to heal.

"Every great loss demands that we choose life again. Grieving is not about forgetting. It is a sorting process. One by one you let go of the things that are gone and you mourn for them. One by one you take hold of the things that have become a part of who you are and build again."    - Rachel Naomi Remen

Upcoming Caregiver Events
Tuesday, April, 3 2012
Caregiver's Night Out
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Eldred Senior Center
270 W 500 N Provo

Wednesday April, 5, 2012
11:00 am or 6:00 pm (you can choose either one)
Golden Living
960 S Geneva Rd, Orem

CARE Meetings
2:00 pm
Beehive Homes of Provo
2877 W Center St, Provo

Alzheimer's Care

Thank you for all of those who attended the gerontoloy conference this year! It was well received and our guest speaker gave us awesome insights into his work and progress with preventing Alzheimer's.  Additionally, Dr. Morris explained that there is genetic mutation that can cause Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's deteriates the brain, and can leave our loved ones feeling lost and confused.

Causes and risk factors

• Older age
• Close blood relative has developed Alzheimer's
• Certain genes (APOE epsilon4 allele)
• Female
• High blood pressure over a long period of time
• History of head trauma

Symptoms, manifesting difficulty in

• Emotaional behavior and personality
• Language
• Memory
• Perception
• Judgement

For more information about Alzheimer's click here.

Opportunities are available to give special care to adults who have Alzheimer's from special care in assisted living to day centers to releive caregivers. Here are some potential opportunities for you to work with seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia.
  - Golden Living Orem
  - Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living
  - Ashford Alzheiemer's and Memory Care
  - Aspen Senior Center
  - Orchard Park Care Center
  - Medallion Manor Inc.
For a more indepth list, click here.

If have never worked with seniors with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, you will soon learn that they still have unique and fun personalities and love interaction, just like you.

Aging in Place

Your physical environment determines your quality of life. This is also true inside our own homes. As we age, our homes can impair us from living a higher quality of life. Preventing falls and injuries in older adults can allow them to live longer lives free from disease and disability.

Believe it or not, there are businesses that specialize in remodeling homes to help older adults live in their homes independently for as long as they can. As Americans, we value our independence, and recreating our homes to adapt to our new needs allows us to hold on to our independence longer.

Such Adaptions can include:

• Taller toilets
• Hand rails
• Main level living quarters
• Kitchen space in between counters and appliances for wheelcharis
• No lip showers

Their are contractors who specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathroom areas, areas that generally require the most work to age in place.

Learn more about the aging in place movement here:
  - 101 Mobility 
  - Lowe's Commercial Services
  - Local Chapters
  - Top Retirements

Levels of Care

Everyone wants to age in place, especially in a place they feel comfortable with. There are different levels of aging to accommodate seniors' needs as they decline with age. This means there are ample opportunities for you to gain experience in working with seniors. Below are the different levels of aging as well as a link to the different services in Utah County.

Levels of Care:
  - Independent Living (in their homes or communities)
  - Informal Help
  - Formal Help (some in home care, meals on wheels)
  - In Home Care
  - Assisted Living (ranges of care as well)
  - Full Time Nursing Care

If ever working with families who have to make the hard decision to put their loved ones in a home, it's important to keep their values, affordability, and family dynamics in mind. It's the administration's responsibility to ensure that the families can make the transition easier. It is our responsibility to not judge families for making a tough decision.

Art at Aspen Day Center

Red Cross Telecare Program & Upcoming Events

Have you ever heard of the Red Cross Telecare Program??

This is a special program where volunteers call seniors everyday in their homes to check in on them. The Red Cross Telecare Program provides emotional support, ensures safety, and helps avoid emergencies to shut-in elderly clients. If an emergency arises, family members are contacted, as well as doctors, hospitals, and ambulances. This program allows seniors and their families feel more safe. Additionally, this program is free to seniors!

• Telecare volunteers must be friendly and outgoing!

• Locations include: Provo, Orem, Springville, and Lindon

• To become a volunteer, contact Priscila Konishi (Emergency Services Administrative Assistant) at 801.373.8580

EVENTS
Caring for Loved one with Dementia Webinar
March 25 at 3:00 pm
This is an informational session that teaches how to care for someone with dementia and still find joy in them.
To register click here

Parkinson's Disease Support Group
March 15 at 7:00 pm
Utah Valley Specialty Hospital
306 W River Bend Ln, Provo

Alzheimer's Association Support Group
March 15 at 1:00 pm
Courtyard at Jamestown 

Don't Forget. . .

Remember that the BYU Gerontology Conference is this week - Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Our guest speaker, Dr. John C. Morris, will address what's new with Alzheimer's. Please attend Dr. Morris' presentations.

Keynote Address:
"Advances in Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Therapy" 
14 Mar, 7:00 pm
1060 HBLL Auditorium
Reception will follow

Research Presentation:
"Preclinical Alzheimer Disease: The New Research Frontier"
15 Mar, 11:00 am
B037 JFSB 

 Also, if you're in health 466, there is no class this week so you can attend the conference. You will need to turn in a report about your experience at the conference.

Ashford Memory Care

Do you have a special interest in working with seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's?

Ashford Alzheimer's/Dementia Care provides a safe environment and place to live with seniors with memory impairments. It is more than assisted living; Ashford is a secured unit to monitor residents safety. Memory care communities have a higher staff ratio to ensure residents safety and quality of care.

The Ashford facility also offers an adult day care. Their hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Ashford's facility is brand new and may have need for extra assistance in the form of an intern! Doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Location:
10322 N 4800 W
Highland, UT 84003
Across the street from Lone Peak High

Upcoming Events

The Alzheimer's Assocition is searching for people to sign an online petition urging the President to issue a strong National Alzheimer's Plan. So support this plan click this link: http://www.alz.org/petition/?WT.mc_id=walkpetition

Caregiver's Night Out Support Group
Tuesday, March 6
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Eldred Senior Center
270 W 500 N Provo
A light dinner will follow

Adult Protective Services Class
Wednesday March 21
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Provo Regional Center Room #5060
150 E Center St. Provo

Caregiver Guide Classes
Fridays, March 30 - May 25
10:30 - 11:30 am
Courtyard at Jamestown
3352 N 100 E Provo

Tuesdays, March 27 - May 22
6:30 - 8:00 pm
American Fork Library Gardner Community Room
64 S 100 E American Fork

Don't forget about the Gerontology Conference next week (March 14 &15) held at BYU! For more information click here.