Upcoming Events

Being a caregiver is a process of constant learning. We want to help you with this. Join us for the annual Finding Hope and Healing Caregiver Conference on November 1st at Courtyard at Jamestown.Spend the evening learning with and from other caregivers, enjoy respite, and explore resources with vendors who specialize in caregiving. Come see what you can learn to help make yourself the best and most sane caregiver you can be. 

For more information, please see the Finding Hope and Healing 2012 Caregiver Conference post listed under the Events section of this email. 

FREE Dementia/Alzheimer's Family Care Consultations

The Alzheimer's Association has received a grant to provide care consultations and resources for families of loved ones suffering with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Contact Sylvia Brunisholz at  801-265-1944 or sylvia.brunisholz@alz.org to set up an appointment at Mountainland Department of Aging & Family Services located at 586 E. 800 N. in Orem.

Events:

Finding Hope and Healing 2012 Caregiver Conference
Thursday, November 1st
LOCATION: Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living
3352 North 100 East Provo, Utah
Registration begins at 4:30 PM and dinner will be served at 5:00 PM

The Keynote Speaker this year will be Sharon Jarvis, she will be speaking on Keeping a Positive Attitude. There will also be two breakout discussion panels, a pediatric panel and an adult panel. They will be packed with information and community resources. Vendors will be available with information and there will be a raffle with great prizes!

To pre-register call Stephanie at  801-367-8133 or Carol at  801-229-3818
You're Not Alone: A Day For You Caregiver ConferenceTuesday, November 13
LOCATION: Salt Lake Community College, Larry H. Miller Campus, 
                Miller Free Enterprise Center, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The Keynote Speaker, Amanda Dixon, is the author of "Change It Up," "Wake Up to a Happier Life," and "A Gentle Thief". Enjoy her charming and talented radio "personality" as this amazing mother and caregiver starts us on a journey of celebration, elevation and education. Spend the day learning from and with other caregivers, enjoy respite, explore resources with vendors who specialize in caregiving, and take a chance on winning prizes!

Free for family caregivers ($5.00 lunch optional); $15 for students with I.D. (includes lunch and CEUs); $35 for professional caregivers (includes lunch and CEUs). 

For more information, call  801-538-3926

Classes:

Veterans Benefits

presented by: the VA Regional Office

Friday, November 9th at 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Springville Senior Center
65 East 200 South  Springville, Utah 84663

The VA Regional Office is coming to the Springville Senior Citizens Center for a benefits presentation and training. This is to make sure that the most current information is given and documentation completed free of charge (there have been reports of illegal charging of veterans). They are willing to assist the Veterans and dependents in attendance in filling out the required forms to obtain their benefits and to visit homes for those who are homebound.

 

Living Well with Chronic Conditions Workshop 

presented by: Utah County Health Department

LOCATION:  Orem Friendship Senior Center
93 N. 400 E., Orem 

Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4 and running through Nov. 8, 9:30 - 11:30 AM. 

Would you like to decrease your pain, decrease your doctors' visits and enjoy life more? The Utah Arthritis Program is promoting Living Well with Chronic Conditions, a self-management program. Join this informative series of classes that is meeting once a week for 6 weeks. Anyone with a chronic condition such as asthma, arthritis, joint pain, fibromyalgia, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, depression, chronic pain, etc. is welcome! Subjects covered in these classes include:

1. Techniques for frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation.
2. Appropriate exercise to maintain and  improve strength
3. Appropriate use of medications and proper nutrition
4. Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals
5. How to evaluate new treatments
For more information or to register for classes, please contact Marla at:   801-851-7082 or marlab@utahcounty.gov.

            

Next Week’s Support Groups:

Tuesday, November 6

Caregiver's Night Out

6:30 pm - 8:00pm

Eldred Senior Center

270 W 500 N, Provo

A light dinner will be served followed by a discussion of caregiver topics. For more details, call Geri Lehnardt at  801-229-3814

Wednesday, November 7 

CARE Meeting

6:00 pm 

Golden Living

960 South Geneva Rd, Orem

For details call Devin Sims  801-225-6559

Nurses Improve Health Outcomes for Cancer Patients

This article is on how having quality nursing plays a huge role for chronically ill patients. The article explains this to be especially true for cancer patients going through various types of treatments.

Nurses trained in the specialty of oncology have provided excellent care and improved the quality of life for many cancer patients. With cancer patients living longer and caring for what may now be a chronic condition, the instructions of knowledgeable nurses is necessary to maintain a healthy condition and prevent side effects of medical interventions. With more sophisticated and complex treatments and procedures, the care of a nurse at the bedside is vital to the health of the patient.

Complex Medical Interventions

During the course of treatment and cancer recovery, patients are challenged by medical interventions. A patient may be required to care for an IV port or central line catheter that requires sterile dressing changes and frequent flushes to maintain patency. Nurses not only care for these interventions, but also teach the patient to be aware of signs of infection, and care and maintenance of the potential dangers of IV catheters. The complexity of medical equipment and procedures take time to learn and a nurse is a natural teacher.

Side Effects of Chemotherapies

Serious complications of chemo and radiation therapies can also be avoided with a nurse at the bedside. For instance, people with mesothelioma have multiple treatments with radiation therapy, and can suffer from severe skin burns and pain that may cause infection.

A condition called neutropenia can develop after the white blood cells have been greatly affected by chemo medications. High fever and a dangerously impaired immune system may predispose the patient to potentially fatal infections. Nurses are attuned to possible effects on the body and can protect the patient from further harm.

Altered Body Image

Cancer survivors may have had surgeries or procedures that have changed their bodies for the rest of their lives. The altered body image can be devastating to many, and they usually don’t feel comfortable discussing an amputation or mastectomy with family and friends. Nurses provide a trusted and therapeutic relationship with patients that encourage them to express their negative feelings in a healthy manner.

Nurses Provide Better Outcomes for Patients’ Health

Patients experiencing cancer may be too weak or impaired to perform many self activities, much less the complexities of care. Side effects and dangerous complications from procedures and modalities are counteracted and reported by the nurse. As patient and nurse work through a therapeutic relationship, positive patient outcomes can be greatly increased. No matter what treatment or diagnosis you may be dealing with, find a nurse who not only cares about your health physically and
emotionally but also can get you back on the road to recovery. Never give up the fight.

For any questions or comments about this piece please visit Melanie Bowen at her homepage: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/melanie  or The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Center: http://www.mesothelioma.com/

Oct 22nd - 26th

Do you have questions about insurance? Are Medicaid and Medicare confusing? Do you just want to know your options? Mountainland Aging Department offers one-on-one health insurance counseling at no cost. The purpose is to assist older individuals in reviewing and understanding health insurance options that they have with Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance, medigap policies, managed care, and Medicare Prescription Drug Part D plans. For more details go to mountainland.org/aging, put the mouse cursor over the "services" tab and then click "Health Insurance Counseling".

FREE Dementia/Alzheimer's Family Care Consultations

The Alzheimer's Association has received a grant to provide care consultations and resources for families of loved ones suffering with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Contact Sylvia Brunisholz at  801-265-1944 or sylvia.brunisholz@alz.org to set up an appointment at Mountainland Department of Aging & Family Services located at 586 E. 800 N. in Orem.

Events:

Finding Hope and Healing 2012 Caregiver Conference
Thursday, November 1st
LOCATION: Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living
3352 North 100 East Provo, Utah
Registration begins at 4:30 PM and dinner will be served at 5:00 PM

The Keynote Speaker this year will be Sharon Jarvis, she will be speaking on Keeping a Positive Attitude. There will also be two breakout discussion panels, a pediatric panel and an adult panel. They will be packed with information and community resources. Vendors will be available with information and there will be a raffle with great prizes!

To pre-register call Stephanie at  801-367-8133 or Carol at  801-229-3818
You're Not Alone: A Day For You Caregiver ConferenceTuesday, November 13
LOCATION: Salt Lake Community College, Larry H. Miller Campus, 
                Miller Free Enterprise Center, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The Keynote Speaker, Amanda Dixon, is the author of "Change It Up," "Wake Up to a Happier Life," and "A Gentle Thief". Enjoy her charming and talented radio "personality" as this amazing mother and caregiver starts us on a journey of celebration, elevation and education. Spend the day learning from and with other caregivers, enjoy respite, explore resources with vendors who specialize in caregiving, and take a chance on winning prizes!

Free for family caregivers ($5.00 lunch optional); $15 for students with I.D. (includes lunch and CEUs); $35 for professional caregivers (includes lunch and CEUs). 

For more information, call  801-538-3926

  Support Groups:

Wednesday, October 24

Caregiver Support Group

6:00 pm

Bel Aire Senior Living

1088 E 390 S, American Fork

Complimentary refreshments and respite care for your loved one provided. For details, call  801-623-9595

   Classes:

Veterans Benefits

presented by: the VA Regional Office

Friday, November 9th at 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Springville Senior Center
65 East 200 South  Springville, Utah 84663

The VA Regional Office is coming to the Springville Senior Citizens Center for a benefits presentation and training. This is to make sure that the most current information is given and documentation completed free of charge (there have been reports of illegal charging of veterans). They are willing to assist the Veterans and dependents in attendance in filling out the required forms to obtain their benefits and to visit homes for those who are homebound.

 

Living Well with Chronic Conditions Workshop 

presented by: Utah County Health Department

LOCATION:  offered in 2 locations

Lindon Senior Center

25 N. Main, Lindon

Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 18 and running through Oct. 23, 10 am - 12 PM. 

Orem Friendship Senior Center
93 N. 400 E., Orem 

Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4 and running through Nov. 8, 9:30 - 11:30 AM. 

Would you like to decrease your pain, decrease your doctors' visits and enjoy life more? The Utah Arthritis Program is promoting Living Well with Chronic Conditions, a self-management program. Join this informative series of classes that is meeting once a week for 6 weeks. Anyone with a chronic condition such as asthma, arthritis, joint pain, fibromyalgia, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, depression, chronic pain, etc. is welcome! Subjects covered in these classes include:

1. Techniques for frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation.
2. Appropriate exercise to maintain and  improve strength
3. Appropriate use of medications and proper nutrition
4. Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals
5. How to evaluate new treatments
For more information or to register for classes, please contact Marla at:   801-851-7082 or marlab@utahcounty.gov.