Aging Answers, May 2014

Sandwich Generation

Caregiver’s Place in the

Planning Ahead

Kids Learn the Pastfrom Grandparents

MAY 2014

New QuarterlySupplement to

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4 Aging Answers May 2014

8 Caregiver’s Place in theSandwich Generationby Karen DistelhorstTaking care of both children and parents canbe a stressful time. Inorder to navigate this timein your life, you will need aplan and some help.

11 Off to Grandparents’House We GoChildren can learn andhave fun during visitsthrough these activities.

12 Living WithAlzheimer’sby Angela GartnerJoan Uronis turns diagnosis into a way tohelp others.

Contents

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May 2014 Aging Answers 5

14 Seniors Going Digitalby Jesse WeinbergerAre you tech support toMom or Dad? Get help foryour parents

16 Planning for TheirNeedsby Mary EllenBramwellMake financial plans either for the future or forthose facing challengesnow.

2022

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My personal journey with my parents ended far too abruptly in 2010.

We didn’t recognize the strain caring for my father, who had con-

tracted leukemia, was taking on my 77-year-old mother. Sadly, she

suffered heart failure on my 46th birthday and passed away days later.

My father endured several more rounds of chemo and various care

and living arrangements until he passed away six months later. Those

days were filled with confusion, heartache and an overwhelming

amount of information, with even more decisions that had to be made.

My brother and I got a crash course in rehab hospitals, oncology,

platelet levels, visiting nurses, dementia, palliative care and hospice. I

clearly recall the cold fall day in Chicago when I realized that my dad

was incapable of making a rational decision about his care options

and it was my turn to be the parent for him.

We realize that many of you are currently raising children as well as

caring for aging parents. You’re not alone — you’re part of the “Sand-

wich Generation” — those squeezed by having to provide care for your

kids and their grandparents at the same time.

“Aging Answers” is a new quarterly supplement to Northeast Ohio

Parent that serves to educate and encourage you in your walk at what-

ever stage you find yourself with your parents and other aging loved

ones. We want to help you get out in front of the challenges by provid-

ing awareness, inspiration and education on the wide array of topics

such as financial planning, caregiver resources, housing decisions,

quality time with the grandkids, and insight into specific conditions

such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

You may be in crisis mode currently and my heart goes out to you

through this difficult time. Or, you may be blessed with healthy parents

who are able to make independent choices for health care, finances

and living situations. My hope is that in whatever stage you find your-

self, you will take the time to get informed and have the courage to

open a dialogue with those you love.

Most importantly, embrace the time you and your kids have with

your aging loved ones. The memories you create are truly the treas-

ures you and your children will cherish.

Aging Parents Can MeanRole Reversals, Tough Decisions

By Brad Mitchell

Supplement to Northeast Ohio Parent

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Contributors: Mary Ellen Bramwell, Karen Distlehorst,

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Caregiver’s Place in the

SandwichGeneBy Karen Distelhorst, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC | Clinical Nurse Specialist

“Wait…when did I become the mother in this relationship?” Many adult daughters (and sons, too) findthemselves in this awkward position of “role reversal” as parents age and health declines.

Being a part of the “sandwich generation” — taking

care of both children and parents — can be a

stressful time, but it can also be very re-

warding and the lessons that it can

teach your children are priceless. In

order to navigate this time in your

life, you will need some help

and a plan.

Priority One: Communication

A strategy to manage this

time in your life is com-

munication. Ask your

parents key questions

about what they would

want in their later

years:

• Where would

you want to live

if you cannot

take care of

8-10 sandwich_Layout 1 4/17/14 9:23 AM Page 8

yourself?

• How do you feel about other

people coming into your home to

help you?

• Who do you most trust to help

you make decisions about your

care?

Do not wait until there’s a prob-

lem to discuss this information. It’s

also important to communicate

with siblings and other family

members about any plans. Diffi-

culty occurs when you have to

make decisions quickly, for exam-

ple in a crisis, and when family

members are not “on the same

page.”

Becoming a CaregiverWhat does a caregiver do exactly?

You may find yourself helping with

meals, housekeeping, transporta-

tion, finances or even physical

care. You can also be a caregiver by

making sure that others provide

the care for your parent appropri-

ately. This is called being an advo-

cate, and it’s an important role.

Karen Mullen, president of Akron

General’s Visiting Nurse Service

and Affiliates, says it’s a good idea

to talk to the family physician who

can help identify resources such as

home care.

However, sometimes you may

feel like there are many similarities

between taking care of your chil-

dren and your parent. Remember

that your parent is an adult, so they

should respectfully be involved in

all decision making.

Promoting an Independent LifeMost people age 65 and older

want to remain in their home, ac-

cording to a study by AARP. Here

are a few things that you can eas-

ily do to help promote your

parent’s independence and safety

at home.

• Safety checks. Daily phone

calls can ease your mind that your

parent is safe, and can also serve

as a reminder for certain activi-

ties, such as taking medications, if

needed.

• Socialization. Seniors who so-

cialize have better mental health

than those who do not. Studies

have shown that social interaction

for older adults may even reduce

the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Encourage your parent to partici-

pate in local senior centers,

church groups or arrange lunch

dates with old friends.

• Daily routines. Maintaining a

consistent daily routine helps

memory and improves sleep qual-

ity for older adults, both of which

are important to maintain function

and independence. To be consis-

tent also helps for planning when

neration


“I have often joked with my

three teenagers, asking them

‘which one of you is going to

take care of me when I am

old?’ Fortunately, none of

them are appalled by idea.

They learned about

compassion and responsibility

each time that we took meals

to my parents or helped them

when they were ill. They

understand that families work

together to take care of each

other. Although this is a busy

time in your life, be sure to

take the time to appreciate all

that it means to you, your

parent and your children.”

— Karen Distelhorst

LifeLessons



outside assistance is needed.

• Family traditions and rituals.

Activities such as Sunday dinner

with extended family or baking holi-

day cookies with Grandma are tra-

ditions that improve the well-being

of an older adult through reminis-

cence and life review. It also pro-

vides an important family bond that

will benefit your children as they

grow.

• Divide and conquer. Some-

times older adults need a lot of

support to remain at home. If you

have siblings or other family

members who are willing to help,

make a list of who can do what.

One sibling may have a talent for

balancing a checkbook, while an-

other family member is handy

with repairs. Use your individual

talents. Don’t be afraid to dele-

gate; if your sister is organized,

have her plan the appointments.

Transitioning CareSometimes, even using all of the

strategies above, your parent’s

needs may be more than you and

your family can handle alone. For-

tunately, there are services avail-

able that bring additional help into

the home, including home health

care, home-delivered meals or an

emergency re-

sponse system

(such as Life-

line).

Mullen says

private home

health aides may

do light house-

keeping or help

with bathing, as it

depends on the level

of need.

That support can

also include a home

health provider. Older

adults who have re-

cently had major sur-

geries, but would like to stay

home during recovery, can seek

counsel from their doctor, if that’s

appropriate.

“With folks coming out the hos-

pital, home care bridges the gap

to make them successful at

home,” Mullen says.

Options for care outside of the

home range from senior inde-

pendent living apartments with

enhanced services (like group

meals and transportation), to as-

sisted living, to a long-term care

facility (nursing home). There are

also continuing care communities

that provide all of these levels in

one place.

When will you know if your par-

ent should not stay alone in their

home anymore?

A few “red flags” that you

should watch for include incor-

rectly taking medications for con-

ditions, frequent falling, memory

loss or the need for hands-on

physical care.

The Area Agency on Aging can

help you determine what the best

level of care is for your parent. The

AAOA is one of the non-profit

agencies that is a resource for

programs, services and informa-

tion for older adults and their

families.

Sandwich Generation


Visiting Grandma and Grandpa’s

house is always a treat. In fact,

many kids don’t only have one set

of grandparents, but have multi-

ples. Here are a few ways, from the

National Grandparents Council,

that your kids can remember these

special times with their grandpar-

ents — and they might learn a little

about them too.

• The grandchild can work with the

grandparents on a family tree chart.

• The grandchild can “interview”

the grandparent about his or her

life. Your child can record the ses-

sion to remember the conversa-

tion. Some questions would be

“What were your favorite games

and activities?” “Who was

more strict, your

mom or dad?”

“What were

your fa-

vorite

subjects

in school?” “What was your first

job?” “What was Mom or Dad like

growing up?” “How did you meet

Grandma or Grandpa?” “What

chores were assigned to you as a

kid?”

• Grandpar-

ents may help

grandchil-

dren write names and dates on

backs of old family photos. Grand-

parents can relate information

about ancestors, to preserve family

history.

“Hand in Hand” ActivitiesOne idea can be used to make a

refrigerator drawing, a framed

keepsake, a placemat, etc. The

child draws around grandparent’s

hand. Then places her own hand

inside the outline of the grandpar-

ent’s hand. Then child and grand-

parent work together to trace the

child’s hand.

Another “Hand in Hand” idea is

to make the grandparent’s hand-

print with red or yellow finger-

paint. After it dries, overlap the

child’s handprint using blue or

green finger-paint.

Traced handprints can also be

embroidered. This is an opportu-

nity for the grandparent to teach a

grandchild how to embroider.

Craft stores also have fabric

paints, which could be used to out-

line the handprints on T-shirts.

Visit

grandparents-

day.com for

more tips

and in-

forma-

tion.


To Grandparents’House We GoChildren can learn and have fun duringvisits through these activities.

Grandparent’s Day is Sept. 7 this year.

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A few years ago, Joan Uronis of Hudson started

noticing she was having trouble remembering

everyday things.

Her primary care physician at-

tributed it to possibly being job-

related, as she was a general

manager in a hospice facility. The

physician suggested that she

also go see a neurologist, who

determined her condition was a

mild cognitive impairment. The

doctor mentioned this could be a

precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

Two years later, after another

exam, along with a PET scan,

Uronis received a call from her

doctor, who said she did indeed

have Alzheimer’s.

“I was shocked. A terminal diagnosis is a hard

pill to swallow at age 62,” she says. “I had two

choices. I could sit there saying ‘poor me’ and

wait to die, or I could continue to

live. I am dying to live.”

Uronis is not alone,

more than 5 million peo-

ple in the U.S. are living

with the progressive dis-

ease, which causes loss

of memory and other in-

tellectual abilities. It is

the sixth-leading cause

of death in the country.

And Uronis isn’t a

stranger to this disease,

as she served as a caregiver

for her mother who was diagnosed with

Alzheimer’s. Her uncle also had the disease.

In response to her diagnosis and her will to make

the most of her life, Uronis has become a voice for

the people with the disease by getting involved in

the Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio

Chapter.

“I believe whatever is handed to me, I can turn it

into something that benefits others,”

she says. Working with the organi-

zation gives her a lot to do. “I

couldn’t be more pleased and hon-

ored to have the opportunity to

work with them and get their mis-

sion across.”

Helping Family Members UnderstandThrough taking care of her own

family as well as countless oth-

ers at hospice where she was

employed, Uronis understands

the difficulties in caring for and

communicating with loved ones

with Alzheimer’s.

“Be supportive of a person with Alzheimer’s,”

she advises. “Let that person express their feel-

ings. You need to be a good listener and listen to

their fears.”

In fact, she and her husband Al also learned

through the Alzheimer’s Association how to com-

municate with each other.

“I talk to him in a different way,” she says. “I let

him know what my frustrations are.”

Programs such as the SHARE (Supporting

Health, Activities, Resources and Education) pro-

gram at the association are designed to help fam-

ilies prepare for the future.

“With the SHARE program, they talked to me

and Al separately,” Uronis says. “To start plan-

ning. (They asked me) who I want to take care of

me, if I can’t take care of myself. The choice was

my husband’s and mine.”

Also try to still “take time for yourself, and live

the life (you want) with your partner as much as

you can. Make a bucket list of some of the things

(you) still want to do.”

Living With Joan Uronis turns Alzheimer’s diagnosis into away to help others.

By Angela Gartner | Editor

Joan Uronis

12-13 Alzheimer's Story_Layout 1 4/17/14 9:24 AM Page 12


Uronis says the

caregivers have to

come into that

person’s world

because they can’t

go back into

theirs. “It’s very

hard to under-

stand,” she says.

An example she

provides is by

using an ordinary occurrence in

everyone’s lives — losing your

keys. While most people can re-

trace their steps or look in com-

mon places the keys might have

been set, it’s not the same for

those living with the disease.

“We don’t know where to go or

where to start,” she says. “It’s a

blank slate. I would put it in the

same place all the time, if I could

remember that same place.”

Taking Care in AdvancedStages As Alzheimer’s disease becomes

more severe, cognitive thinking

worsens. According to the

Alzheimer’s Association, personal-

ity changes may take place and in-

dividuals may need extensive help

with daily activities at this stage.

Caregivers are not only dealing

with physical difficulties of their

loved ones, but are also struggling

with their own emotions.

“This disease not only impacts

the individual, but the whole fam-

ily,” Uronis says. “They can’t get

paid for what they do. It’s so much

work, time and energy and so

much out of their own pockets to

care for their loved ones.”

It’s OK to take a break from

everything. Area support services

help give the caregivers a

breather — time away to think or

just take care of themselves and

their own needs.

For more respite information,

Uronis suggests looking to local

churches, neigh bors and/or adult

daycare centers.

The Ohio Department of Aging is

working with the Ohio Family Chil-

dren First Council and the newly

formed Ohio Respite Coalition to

enhance respite services across

the state.

It’s also a difficult experience

when a mother, sister, father or

brother doesn’t remember loved

ones’ names.

“She may not know your name,

but you (still) have a special place

in her heart,” Uronis counsels.

“You are someone special to her.

It’s so important for people to un-

derstand, just because you lose

your memory, you don’t lose your

heart. The disease has taken their

memory, but you will always be in

their heart.”

Children not familiar with nurs-

ing home facilities, may be un-

comfortable on initial visits.

“You have to be realistic with

(the children).” she says. “Just sit

with Grandma or Grandpa, hold

their hand, tell them you’re their

grandchild.”

Top photo, Joan Uronis, husband Al,far left, with parents Cyril and Mary.

12-13 Alzheimer's Story_Layout 1 4/17/14 9:24 AM Page 13

Health & Fitness• Runtastic Pedometer (Android and Apple)

— Are you trying to get your tech-savvy senior

to get out and walk regularly? After installing

Runtastic Pedometer, they just need to drop

their phone in their pocket and every step will

be counted.

• MediSafe (Android and Apple) — MediSafe

is a fantastic tool for reminders to take med-

ications. Caregivers can sign up to receive an

alert when a loved one hasn’t taken their med-

ication on time, and provides an option to send

a digital reminder.

Safety • Red Panic Button (Android and Apple) —

When an emergency need arises, your parent

can very easily tap the panic button in this

simple-to-use app. Immediately, a distress

text message and email message (including

the exact GPS location) are sent out to the pre-

programmed list of contacts.

• Where Did I Park the Car? (Android)

— Using Android’s GPS features, your

senior can record where she parked

her car at the mall with a tap of a fin-

ger. When it’s time to leave, the app

will lead her right back to her car.

Entertainment• Social Media — Did you know that your

grandmother loved Bon Jovi? You’ll get to know

your family members better as you engage with

them on social media. Facebook is the best

choice for seniors; the interface is easy to navi-

gate and the privacy settings are the strongest of

all of the social media platforms.

• Gaming — Seniors love to play video games

just like the rest of us. Have your youngest chil-

dren teach Grandpa how to play Candy Crush.

Other games such as Words With Friends have a

social aspect as well — you can play each other

virtually.


Seniors engaging in the digital world is great news for caregivers.

In fact, a 2013 Pew Research Center survey shows that 59 percent of

senior citizens go online regularly — this is a 6-percent increase since

2012. In addition, 47 percent of seniors surveyed reported having a

high-speed broadband connection at home.

As caregivers, we are often called upon to offer 24/7 tech sup-

port. Luckily, app developers have made that role a bit easier.

If you are the de facto tech department for your beloved

family members, check out these helpful new digital tools

that would be great additions to their devices.

Caregivers can help their loved ones with new apps, also make sure

they stay safe online.

Seniors Going

DigitalBy Jesse Weinberger

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Digital Risks / Phishing ScamsIn the typical phishing scenario, a

victim receives an official-looking

email from his or her bank. The

email might warn them there is an

error in the account, which can only

be fixed by clicking on a link in the

email. This official-looking website

requests the victim’s username,

password and other personal infor-

mation. Once the data is entered

into the fake website, the victim’s

identity and/or property can be

stolen.

Bottom line: Do not ever click

through an email and enter per-

sonal information. If you receive an

email from your bank, call the bank

on the phone directly to address any

issue.

TMI on Public PlatformsGiving “too much information” on

social media is a very simple way to

increase chances of being robbed or

victimized. When Grandma posts a

note on her grandson’s Facebook

wall asking him to come over and fix

the broken lock on her back door

this weekend, she has accidentally

publicized her broken lock to all of

her grandson’s friends.

Bottom line: Warn your seniors not

to post private information on any

social platform, including upcoming

vacation plans.

Open Wi-FiUsing an unsecured Wi-Fi signal in

a public place (like a coffee shop or

airport) is a huge security risk. Any

data sent or received via that net-

work can be stolen by hackers who

will then use it to steal the victim’s

identity and property.

Bottom line: Never log into any

account while using a public Wi-Fi

account. This is especially true for

bank and brokerage accounts, but is

just as relevant for social media and

email accounts.

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When Time Is AvailableObviously, it’s best to make plans well in advance for

possible medical expenses, general care and end-of-

life costs. The hardest part of this might be just getting

started. As an adult child, your roles are reversing, and

it’s important to sit down and talk with your parents

about finances. While they may resist, even tell you it is

none of your business, you need to persist.

Try starting with an approach like, “What do you

think about long-term care insurance? Do you think

it’s a good value?” or “Do you have a good financial ad-

visor to recommend?” You may need to be more forth-

right and say something such as, “I’m planning for my

future and it made me wonder how you’re set and if I

might be able to help you down the road.” Regardless

of how you start the conversation, start it. You’ll get

nowhere on your journey without a beginning.

Basic Financial PlanningWhen you have time on your side, a good financial ad-

visor can steer your parents in the right direction. This

also will allow them autonomy, being able to make

these decisions without you. The best future plan in-

volves “not putting all of your eggs in one basket.” For

instance, money should be put into both savings and

investments.

Kent Harrison, a retired physics professor, took ad-

vantage of his university 401K savings plan, building

for the future when a steady income was assured. His

advice is to “do the hard thing — save early and often.”

He also says, “Get a financial advisor early, someone

you know and trust.” Years ago his advisor recom-

mended annuities with a floor. That meant that they

would not drop below a certain value. So, if the market

drops, you are not drastically affected by it. This piece

of advice saved him from losses that deeply affected

his friends.

It is also a good idea to mix your investments be-

tween conservative and high-risk. Again, this is a pro-

tection if things go poorly in a market that you don’t

control.

As you are looking into options for your parents, it

should become evident that these are things that you

should explore. Paula Kriz and her husband recently

retired. She said, you need to “start in your 30s and

40s,” making financial plans for the future. Besides

having a trusted financial advisor, they practice wise

spending. “We would save before we made a pur-

chase,” she says and they learned to “live within our

means.” Being on solid financial ground will also

make it possible to help out your parents, if it comes

to that.

Long-Term Care InsuranceYou might talk to your parents about investing in a

long-term care insurance plan. There are pros and

cons to this. The policies can be very expensive, and if

you don’t maintain the payments, all of that money

may be lost. Additionally, it depends on the individual

policy for what is covered and under what circum-

stances. However, if one of your parents needs long-

term care, the resulting bills can be financially


Planning Ahead

By Mary Ellen Bramwell

Dealing with aging parents presents many challenges.Making financial plans for the future can come in manyforms, and will vary greatly depending on whetheryou are planning for years in the future or facing concerns that are already ontop of you.

for Their Needs

16-17 fiancial planning_Layout 1 4/17/14 9:28 AM Page 16


devastating, wiping out all of their

retirement savings and impacting

you as well. It is something to con-

sider. Weigh the risks carefully be-

fore making a decision.

What If The Need Is Now?When you’re caring for aging par-

ents, often the time is already too

late to feasibly consider the above

options. Harrison’s wife recently

suffered a stroke and needed ex-

tensive care. After leaving the hos-

pital, she entered a skilled-nursing

facility. They took care of physical

therapy, doctor visits, monitoring

and care all in one place. But

Medicare only covers 100 days in

such a facility. At the end of the 100

days, hard decisions needed to be

made. He decided to move her

back home, hiring various nursing

and support staff to come in on a

regular basis. Some of these are

covered by his health insurance

and Medicare, and some are paid

out of his own pocket.

MedicaidWhat options might you consider in

the same situation? If finances are

problematic, you can apply for Med-

icaid. It is federally funded, but state

administered, so the program

varies from state to state. You would

need to explore what the require-

ments are for acceptance in the

state where your parents reside.

Reverse MortgageA reverse mortgage allows a

homeowner age 62 and older to

convert some of the equity in their

home to cash. The advantage of

this over a home equity line of

credit is that a reverse mortgage

requires no monthly payments. The

money is due back upon sale of the

home, death of the borrower or the

borrower moving, which would

include living in an assisted-care

facility for an extended length of

time.

There are several varieties of

reverse mortgages, for instance,

state-funded types have stricter

guidelines for approval, but offer

lower interest rates. The general

drawbacks are the high interest

rates and potential for the loss of

the home for the heirs.

End-of-Life CostsA life insurance policy, bought early

and maintained, can help with end-

of-life costs. But if it comes to

funeral costs, a small policy may

not be enough to cover all of it.

According to funeral-tips.com, the

average funeral costs run $8,000 to

$10,000. This includes a burial plot

and headstone. The drawback to

relying on life insurance to cover

this is lag time.

Many funeral homes require at

least some money upfront. A check

from the life insurance company

might not be quite as prompt.

16-17 fiancial planning_Layout 1 4/17/14 9:28 AM Page 17


MAY Event Listings Send your event listings to:[email protected]

1 Navigating theMedicare Maze, 6-7:30p.m.Sharon Honroth’s Medicarepresentation will guide youthrough the maze, answeryour questions and explainyour options regarding yourhealthcare benefits. Norton Branch Library, 3930S. Cleveland-Massillon Road,330-825-7800, nortonbranch.akronlibrary.org

1 Welcome toMedicare: 2014, 6 p.m.The Ohio Senior Health In-surance Information Pro-gram (OSHIIP) providesinformation and counselingto people covered byMedicare. New and soon-to-be beneficiaries can meetwith professional staff andlearn about Medicare bene-fits, supplemental insurancepolicies, Medicare Advantageplans and prescription drugcoverage. May 1: EhrnfeltSenior Center, 18100 Royal-ton Road, Strongsville; May6: The Gemini Center, 21225Lorain Road, Fairview Park;and May 12: Cleveland FoodBank, 15500 S. WaterlooRoad, Cleveland. 800-686-1578, insurance.ohio.gov.

6 The Mended HeartsGreater Akron Chapter #59, 1-2 p.m.Heart patients, caregivers re-ceive support in coping withstrong emotions that oftenaccompany diagnosis, treat-ment, or surgery for heartdisease. Summa Rehab Hos-pital, 29 N. Adams St.,Akron, 330-572-7300

6 Stroke – Risk, Prevention, Signs &Symptoms, 7-8:30 p.m.Neurologist Romeo Craciun,MD, from the Cleveland Clinicat Marymount Hospital, willdiscuss signs, symptoms andmore. Blood pressure screen-ings will be provided. Regis-tration required. GarfieldHeights Branch Library, 5409Turney Road, GarfieldHeights, 216-475-8178, cuyahogalibrary.org

7 Peace of Mind:Medicaid & Long-TermCare, 2 p.m.Attorney Linda Ulinskiguides you through all theimportant and useful infor-mation you need. PortageLakes Branch Library, 4261Manchester Road, Akron,330-644-7050, portagelakesbranch.akronlibrary.org

7 Affordable CareActAttorney Jim Koewler willspeak to the Richfield Cham-ber of Commerce about theAffordable Care Act and itsrequirements as well as op-portunities for employers.Open to the public. For moreevents for seniors hosted byKoewler, visit protecting

seniors.com. RichfieldChamber of Commerce,4300 W. Streetsboro Road,Richfield, 330-659-3300, richfieldchamber.com

8 Free Dementia CareWorkshop & Breakfast– 2 of 4, 8-9 a.m.Senior Helpers, 4807 Rockside Road, Independ-ence, Lower Level, 216-378-0022, RSVP requested.

8 Redefining Age, 4-6 p.m.Larry Minnix, president andCEO of LeadingAge, will dis-cuss “Redefining Age.”LeadingAge is an associationof 6,000 not-for-profit organ-izations dedicated to makingAmerica a better place togrow old. Benjamin Rose In-stitute, 11890 Fairhill Road,Cleveland, 216-791-8000,benrose.org

9 Life After Stroke,10 a.m.–noonProvides a forum for strokesurvivors and their familiesto share ideas and solveproblems after a stroke.Summa Rehab Hospital,29 N. Adams St., Akron, 330-572-7300.

12 Solving the Retirement IncomePuzzle, 7-8 p.m.Learn strategies and vehiclesto help maintain your incomeduring retirement. BrooklynBranch Library, 4480 RidgeRoad, Brooklyn, 216-398-4600, cuyahogalibrary.org.

13 Aging: ThrivingThrough Your GoldenYears, 6 p.m.Are you having trouble re-membering? Do you have awell-balanced diet? Need tostop driving? Find out waysto age healthier at this freeHealth Talk. 6 p.m. registra-tion; 6:30-8:30 p.m. pro-gram.Call 216-444-3641 or800-548-8502. Or registeronline at clevelandclinic.org/healthtalks. Cleveland ClinicWilloughby Hills FamilyHealth Center, Lower LevelConference Room, 2550SOM Center Road,Willoughby Hills, 440-943-2500, clevelandclinic.org

14Hearing HealthcareUpdate, 10-11 a.m.Join Sally Rachek, AuD,CCC-A, audiologist, EuclidHospital, to learn about thehuman auditory (hearing)

6 Free Dementia CareWorkshop & Dinner,5-6 p.m.Senior Helpers, TheGables of Hudson, 5400Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-653-9170, RSVP requested.

12 AARP MatureSafe DrivingCourse, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.The American Associa-tion of Retired Persons(AARP) Driver Safety Pro-gram offers this (nondriv-ing) refresher course todrivers 50 years of ageand older. In manycases, completion willresult in a discount on in-surance. Registration re-quired: 330-721-5987.Medina Hospital, EdwardA. Hall Conference Cen-ter, 1000 E. WashingtonSt., Medina, 330-725-1000, clevelandclinic.org

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system and the latest innova-tions in hearing aid technol-ogy. Have your earsexamined using video-oto-scopy. Space is limited. Free.Reservations required: 216-692-8760. Euclid Hospital,Human Resources Confer-ence Room, 18901 LakeShore Blvd., Euclid,216-531-9000,clevelandclinic.org

14 Lorain CountyArthritis Expo & Wellness Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.May is National ArthritisAwareness Month. The eventwill feature presentationsfrom three physicians and anarthritis speaker. Free healthscreenings, an ArthritisFoundation Aquatic Programdemonstration, exhibits frommore than 40 communitygroups and businesses, lightrefreshments and doorprizes. Registration is re-quired. Spitzer Center, 1005Abbe Road North, Elyria,800-245-2275 ext. 6420, loraincountyexpo.kintera.org

14 Senior Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.Join the City of Cleveland De-partment of Aging for an in-formation fair, program,lunch and entertainmentgeared toward seniors.Cleveland Public Hall, 500Lakeside Ave., Cleveland,216-664-3685

14 UnderstandingStroke, 5:30 p.m.Join Neurologist Megan Don-ahue, MD, and a panel ofhealthcare experts for an ed-ucational session on thesigns and symptoms ofstroke, as well as preventive

measures. Free. Registrationrequired: 877-243-3488, orvisit lakewoodhospital.org.Rocky River Civic Center,21016 Hilliard Blvd., RockyRiver

15 Skin Care as WeAge, 10:45 a.m.Join Cleveland Clinic derma-tologist John Anthony, MD,as he shares how to care foraging skin along with impor-tant skin cancer preventionand screening tips. Registerfor free skin cancer screen-ings 8:30-10:30 a.m. Free.Registration required: 330-721-5987. Cloverleaf Recreation Center, 8525Friendsville Road, Lodi

15 Benefits Check-Up, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.A Web-based program foradults 55 and over developedby the National Council onAging. Connect with govern-ment programs that can helppay for prescription drugs,healthcare, utilities and otherneeds. Stephanie TubbsJones Health Center, 1stFloor Lobby – NavigationCenter, 13944 Euclid Ave.,

East Cleveland, 216-767-4242, clevelandclinic.org

16 Senior Fraud,10:30 a.m.Join Medina Hospital Secu-rity Director Jim Bigam as hediscusses senior fraud andhow to stay safe. This is aHealthy Medina event. Free.For information, call 330-721-5987. Medina Commu-nity Recreation Center, 855Weymouth Road, Medina

20 Caregiver Support Group, 3 p.m.Professionally facilitatedsupport group meets thirdTuesday of each month todiscuss resources, tools andtechniques. Fee $2. OrangeCommunity Education andRecreation Center, 32000Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike.216-831-8601,orangerec.com

20 Stroke Prevention, 5:30 p.m.Education on stroke risksand prevention from BrianSummers, NREMT-P, EMS-I.Free. Call 216-587-8683.Maple Heights RecreationDepartment, 15901 LibbyRoad, Maple Heights, clevelandclinic.org

21 Better Balance,More Stable Life, 6 p.m.Are you having trouble main-taining your balance? Isdizziness a menace? Thesequestions and more will beaddressed at this free HealthTalk. Call 216-444-3641 orregister online at cleveland-clinic.org/healthtalks. RichardE. Jacobs Health Center,Conference Rooms A & B –1st Floor, 33100 ClevelandClinic Blvd., Avon

22 Free DementiaCare Workshop &Lunch, noon-1 p.m.Senior Helpers, Bath CreekEstates, 186 W. Bath Road,Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-9911, RSVP requested.

22 Ask the Experts:Relieving Your JointPain, 5:30 p.m.Complimentary healthscreenings and wellness in-formation. Sit-down dinnerand informal Q & A discus-sion with a panel of medicaland surgical physicians fromCleveland Clinic. Reserva-tions required. Cost: $15 (in-cludes meal). 700 BetaBanquet & Conference Cen-ter, 700 Beta Drive, MayfieldVillage, clevelandclinic.org

27 Southwest General HealthScreenings, 9-11 a.m.Stop in for a blood pressureand/or blood glucose screen-ing. Discuss other health top-ics with a Southwest Generalnurse. Brunswick Library,3649 Center Road, Brunswick,330-273-4150, mcdl.info

15 24th AnnualMature Workers’Job & Career Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. If you are a job seeker40 and older, this is agreat opportunity tomeet employers whowant to hire older adultswho bring with them ex-perience, dedication anda great work ethic. Freeparking and admission.Akron Fairlawn Hilton,3180 W. Market St.,Akron

21 Healthy Bones, 1–2 p.m.Elizabeth File, MD, discusses the effects ofosteoporosis and waysto maintain high bonedensity as you age. Freeon-site bone densityscreenings at the SeniorCenter from 12:30 to2:30 p.m. Free event. Registration suggested.Strongsville Senior

Center, 18100 RoyaltonRoad, Strongsville440-580-3275.

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One in eight people living in North-

east Ohio has diabetes — and it

can be a difficult disease to handle

alone. If you are a caregiver of a

loved one living with diabetes, you

can have a significant impact on

their well being. Diabetes is a dis-

ease involving a hormone called

insulin and its regulation. In dia-

betes, your body either does not

make enough insulin or does not

respond to the insulin it makes in

the usual way. As a result, you

have high blood sugar levels.

Diabetes affects about one in five

people age 65 and older. These

adults can develop either type 1 (in-

sulin-dependent) or type 2 dia-

betes. However, most elderly

people with diabetes have type 2.

As a caregiver, you can help

your loved one cope with their

disease. Oftentimes your loved

one won’t want to discuss their

diabetes and the consequences

of uncontrolled glucose levels,

however it’s important to remain

steadfast in your support and

discuss these matters.

Diabetes can affect older adults

in many different ways. If you notice

changes in their behavior it’s im-

portant to contact their physician.

• They may be taking over-the-

counter medications that

don’t interact well with their

diabetes medications.

• They may have a change in

appetite.

• High glucose levels may result

in conditions such as blurry

vision, and mobility issues due

to developing neuropathy.

• Uncontrolled glucose levels

may also cause confusion

and mask other medical

issues such as dementia.

There is a lot to learn about living

well with diabetes. As a caretaker

it’s important to be knowledgeable

about the complications of un-

treated diabetes. Complications

may include blindness, kidney dis-

ease, nerve disease, infections,

heart disease and strokes.

Below are some tips about how to

communicate with your loved one

about coping with diabetes. Ask

yourself the following questions:

• What things are hard/easy for

him or her to manage?

• How does he or she stay on

track to reach these goals?

• How can you help with

diabetes care tasks?

• Does your loved one feel down

sometimes?

• What can you do to help him or

her feel better?

• Does your loved one talk to his

or her doctor or other health

care team members about

feeling down?

Find out what your loved one

needs by asking these questions:

• What do I do that helps you with

your diabetes?

• What do I do that makes it

harder for you to manage your

diabetes?

• What can I do to help you more

than I do now?

Find ways to help. Nagging won’t

help either of you. When you’ve

found one way to help, add another

way. When it fits his or her lifestyle,

you could offer to:

• Keep track of health care visits.

• Make a list of questions for the

health care team.

• Go along on a visit to the

health care team.

• Find places to buy healthy,

low-cost foods.

• Prepare tasty, healthy meals.

• Find a safe place to walk or to

be more active.

For more information, contact the

Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland

at 216-591-0800.


Helping Care for a Loved One with Diabetes

By Lori Izeman

Are you the caregiver of a person living with diabetes? You are not alone.

20 diabetes_Layout 1 4/16/14 10:41 AM Page 20


DirectoryCOUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES

The Alzheimer’s Association of Cleveland23215 Commerce Park

Drive, Suite 300,

Beachwood,

216‐721‐8457, alzclv.org

Benjamin Rose Instituteon Aging11890 Fairhill Road,

Cleveland, 216‐791‐8000,

benrose.org

Caring Connections Geriatric Care Management9225 Cambridge Road,

Chardon, 216‐312‐7153,

clevelandcaring

connections.com

The Center for GeriatricPsychiatry at West Medical Center36000 Euclid Ave.,

Willoughby,

440‐918‐6366

Cleveland Clinic GeriatricEvaluation ProgramMain Campus: 9500 Euclid

Ave., Cleveland

Euclid Hospital: 18901 Lake

Shore Blvd., Euclid

Lakewood Hospital: 14519

Detroit Ave., Lakewood

clevelandclinic.org/

geriatrics

JFSA Care At Home3569 South Green Road,

Suite 316, Beachwood,

216‐378‐8660

The Gathering PlaceEast: 23300 Commerce

Park, Beachwood

West: 800 Sharon Drive,

Westlake, 216‐595‐9546,

touchedbycancer.org

National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners LLC,Alzheimer’s/DementiaTraining and Certifica-tions877‐729‐5191, nccdp.org

Parma Hospital GeriatricAssessment Medical Arts Center 4, 6115

Powers Blvd., Suite 202,

Parma, 440‐743‐2888

Psycho Social Therapies23715 Mercantile Road,

Suite 203A, Beachwood

216‐292‐2880,

pstofohio.com

Shaker Clinical Adult andGeriatric Psychiatry20600 Chagrin Blvd., Suite

620, Shaker Heights, 216‐

751‐4762, shakerclinic.com

University Hospitals Senior Adult Assessment

Program, 216‐844‐8447,

uhhospitals.org

Second Family AssistanceServices 30251 Euclid Ave., Suite A,

Wickliffe, 440‐943‐3025,

SecondFamily4U.com

Medina County Senior Services NetworkP.O. Box #1788, Medina,

medinaseniorservices.org

Geriatric AssesmentClinic- Akron GeneralMedical Center1 Akron General Ave.,

Akron, 330‐344‐6000,

akrongeneral.org

Brecksville Senior Center 49 Public Square,

Brecksville

Geauga County Dept. on Aging 12555 Ravenwood Drive,

Chardon, 440‐285‐2222

Elyria Senior Center 807 West Ave., Elyria,

440‐284‐9192

Soprema Senior Center & Café 617 School Drive,

Wadsworth, 330‐335‐1513,

wadsworthcity.com

Greenleaf Family Center580 Grant St., Akron,

330‐376‐9494,

greenleafctr.org

Community Support Services150 Cross St., Akron,

330‐253‐9388, cssbh.org

MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Keeping Us SafeCleveland,

877‐907‐8841

Miracle Medical Transportation

5001 Mayfield Road, Suite

100, Lyndhurst,

440‐995‐8888

Mobile Care Group1495 Warren Road,

Lakewood,

216‐513‐1630

VNA Home Assist2500 East 22nd St.,

Cleveland,

216‐694‐4260

American Medical Transport 934 Grant Street, Suite 101

Akron, 330‐752‐4477,

bluevan.org

ADULT DAY SERVICES

Gateway Family House3 Gateway Drive, Euclid,

216‐486‐4949

St. Anthony Adult Day Center19350 Euclid Ave., Euclid,

216‐481‐4823 ext. 104

Acacia Place10603 Detroit Ave.,

Cleveland, 216‐226‐6090

Anna Maria of Aurora889 N. Aurora Road,

Aurora, 330‐562‐0702

Adult Day Center Akron1250 W. Exchange St.,

Akron, 330‐836‐9657,

seniorindependence.org

21 directory_Layout 1 4/15/14 9:28 PM Page 21

According to Chef Judson Allen, a “Next

Food Network Star” finalist and chef who

has maintained a 150-pound weight loss,

Americans can take care of their hearts

without sacrificing their favorite foods.

For Chef Allen, those favorite foods in-

clude fried pork, greens and corn bread —

a meal he remembers enjoying with his

family on Sunday nights. “Just like so

many people across the country, there are

certain meals that I just don’t want to give

up,” Allen says. “When I decided to create

a healthier version of that dish, I used pork

tenderloin, which is certified as heart-

healthy by the American Heart Associa-

tion, and so flavorful and versatile enough

to include in any generational recipe.”

For a complete meal that everyone will

love, serve Chef Allen’s BBQ Roasted Pork

Tenderloin Stuffed with Braised Collard

Greens & Caramelized Onions with corn

bread and a salad on the side. And re-

member, for a tender eating experience,

cook pork loin roasts, chops and tender-

loins to an internal temperature between

145° F (medium rare), followed by a three-

minute rest, and 160° F (medium), using a

digital thermometer to ensure an accurate

reading.

Learn about all the leanest cuts of pork

and try even more great-tasting pork ten-

derloin recipes at porkbeinspired.com.


Article courtesy of Family Features.

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 c. onion, chopped

1/4 c. red bell pepper, finely

chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. sea salt to taste

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 c. low-sodium chicken stock

1/2 c. stout beer or 1 c. low-

sodium chicken broth

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. honey

1 lb. collard greens, washed

and cut

1 tsp. no-fat cream cheese

1 tsp. hot sauce

1 lb. pork tenderloin

1-1/2 c. any jarred BBQ sauce

Toothpicks

In a heavy pot, add oil and

onions and cook over medium

heat until caramelized. Add

red peppers, garlic, sea salt

and black pepper. Cook for

about 2 minutes.

Add chicken stock, beer,

vinegar and honey and bring

liquid to a boil. Add greens to

liquid. Cook for about 45 min-

utes to an hour or until tender.

Remove pot from heat and

drain remaining liquid. Add

cream cheese and hot sauce

and stir.

While greens cook, prepare

pork tenderloin. Butterfly your

pork tenderloin by cutting a

slit down the middle. Do not

cut through pork. Cover pork

with plastic wrap; pound with

flat side of meat mallet until

about 1/2-inch thick, starting

from middle and working out-

ward. Discard plastic wrap.

Spread collard green mix-

ture over tenderloin and tightly

roll. Secure seams with tooth-

picks.

Place pork in baking dish

and brush liberally with BBQ

sauce. Bake in 350° F pre-

heated oven for 25-30 minutes

or until internal temperature

of pork has reached 145° F.

Let pork rest for 5 minutes

and then slice and serve.

BBQ Roasted Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Braised Collard Greens & Caramelized Onions Yield: 4-5 servings

Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 6 g fat; 1 g saturated fat;

26 g protein; 330 mg sodium; 65 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrates; 4 g

fiber.

Love Your Heart withLean Pork Tenderloin

Photo courtesy of Family Features.

22 Recipe_Layout 1 4/16/14 10:42 AM Page 22

As the population continues to

age, the number of senior drivers

is increasing. Slower reaction

times, reduced eyesight and cop-

ing with a loss of independence,

are all issues that senior drivers

cope with daily.

Through the Geriatric Services

Department at Southwest General,

certified social workers are avail-

able to help families address the

key issues of safety and independ-

ence with Keeping Us Safe’s “Be-

yond Driving with Dignity” program.

The program was designed to

provide individuals with the tools

necessary to help older drivers and

their families work through the

complicated issue of age-related

diminishing driving skills. The pro-

gram is not built around the pre-

meditated goal of “taking the keys

away” from an older driver. Rather,

the program helps the older driver

and concerned family members

make appropriate

decisions on the future of the indi-

vidual’s safe driving career.

“Our program is designed to

save lives while simultaneously

helping to ease the burden of

family members as they find

themselves faced with this very

challenging issue,” says Matt Gur-

well, a retired Ohio State trooper

and CEO of Keeping Us Safe.

The Keeping Us Safe program

has three primary functions,

providing:

• Timely relief to families in

need as they face the challenging

issue of a loved one’s diminishing

driving skills as a result of the

natural aging process.

• Assistance and support to

older drivers as they face the emo-

tional issue of a driving retirement.

• Educational programs for pro-

fessionals as they find themselves

confronted with this issue in a

professional setting.

“Having received this

certification, we

feel confident in knowing that the

Geriatric Services Department at

Southwest General is now well-

suited to provide older drivers and

their families with a very specific

program that will help them make

decisions on how to keep the older

driver safe,” said Donna Barrett,

manager, Community Health and

Geriatric Services, Southwest

General. “Our goal through this

program is to provide as many

resources as possible to the older

driver and the family as well as to

serve as an emotional guide

throughout the process.”

If you would like to learn more

about Southwest General’s Beyond

Driving with Dignity program, call

the Health Connection at 440-816-

5050 or visit keepingussafe.org.

Helping Older Drivers Stay Safe


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4C ALZHEIMER 4/17/14 7:58 AM Page 4

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