Caring for Aging Adults Everybody depends on me now…

CONCERN: EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM A Benefit for Employees and Families

3 CONCERN: EAP Services Work/Life Benefits –Parenting and Childcare Resources –Eldercare Services –Financial Counseling –Legal Consultations Short Term Counseling 1-5 visits per issue per 12-month period Free Confidential – 24/7 800 number answered “live”

4 Getting Started Call for an appointment 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday In crisis situations, call 24/7 for immediate telephone support For more information –Ask your HR/Benefits Department – –Call CONCERN at (800)

Caring for Aging Adults Everybody depends on me now…

Objectives To understand and address caregiver’s needs To understand the importance of a caregiver action plan To examine ways to take care of yourself as a caregiver 6

Red Flags Missed appointments Changes in personal hygiene Memory loss Isolation Hospitalization Unexplained injuries/bruises ANY change, especially if sudden 7

How Do I Proceed to the Next Step? Look around the house –Check food for freshness –Cleanliness Be a detective –Check with neighbors & friends Get permission to talk with the doctor Get a professional assessment by a geriatricians 8

Help IS Needed…. What’s Next? Inform and educate yourself – before a crisis occurs Gather information about resources in the area –Check out senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes –Look into caregiver support groups Find out if there is a local publication of senior resources Attend seminars and workshops on aging issues Locate health libraries in the area Check to see if your job provides elder care services with your benefit program Find an elder care consultant to assist with questions, information and referrals 9

The New Responsibilities Can Be Stressful Be realistic about how much you can do Delegate – family, paid help, volunteers Communicate – involve the older adult in the information gathering process 10

What Services are Available? Medicare & Medi-cal In home care / home health agencies Legal services Insurance counseling Senior Centers – meals & activities Transportation Housing Emergency response systems 11

Who Can Your Network Be? Neighbors Church Police 12

Family Dynamics How to Involve Others Family meetings List of tasks Schedules and sign-ups Distance doesn’t have to mean non-involvement 13

Making a Plan Plan for everyday management Plan for a crisis Have a back up plan 14

What Else Do I Need To Be Prepared? Know the names & phone numbers of local contacts –Neighbors, doctors, local hospitals Be familiar with insurance issues –Medicare, Medi-cal, additional policies (keep copies of these cards) Have a copy of the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (and other powers of attorney) List of medications and dosages Record of medical history KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER IN A FILE 15

How Will Your Take Care of Yourself? Health Social Life Sleep Diet Exercise Financial Time alone or with your own friends/family 16