Caring for Aging Parents “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with

Caring for Aging Parents“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Caring for Aging Parents

2 Our Approach

Each class will have a panel of men and women who have experience with relevant topics; however, the most insightful comments and questions will come from those of you who have or are experiencing this special stage of life. We encourage you to invite your friends to join us. We will inform, we will encourage, and in some cases we will heal broken spirits.

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3 Our Purpose

Caring for Aging parents is not for the uninformed nor the faint of heart. The goal of this class is to inform and encourage all who have, are, or will be caring for aging parents. Of equal importance, this class is for all who are or will be aging parents…while we all hope to age gracefully, many find that aging is a very humbling experience. As family, physical or spiritual, we have a responsibility to care for one another, this is especially true for sons, daughters, and parents.

Our guiding passage:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

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4 Our Goals

Preparation

Perspective

Support and encouragement

Comfort

Healing

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5 Our Faith

FaithAttitu

de

Community

Knowledge

Action

Response

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6Schedule of TopicsYour questions and suggestions are appreciated

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7 INTRODUCTIONMARCH 8, 2015

Biblical foundation for family responsibilities

Overview of the series

The who, what, where, when, and why of caring for aging parents

Personal stories that help frame this multi-faceted, and sometimes confusing, stage of life

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8 Organizing and Planning AheadMarch 15, 2015

Moving from something we fear to something we can embrace

What to expect

Organizing and planning

What free resources are available

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9 Negotiating the Healthcare System, part 1

March 22, 2015 Medical insurance

Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental/gap insurance

Long-term care insurance

Medical savings accounts

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10 NEGOTIATING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, PART 2 MARCH 29, 2015

Coordination of care across multiple doctors (primary care physician, allergist, audiologist, cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, cardiothoracic vascular surgeon, chiropractor, dentist, dermatologist, electro physiologist, gastroenterologist, general surgeon, bariatric surgeon, gerontologist, ob-gyn, hematologist, internist, nephrologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist, ophthalmologist, orthopedist, otolaryngologist, pain management specialist, sleep specialist, physiatrist, reconstructive surgeon, podiatrist, psychiatrist, psychologist, radiation oncologist, rheumatologist, urologist, vascular surgeon, wound care specialist)

Managing prescriptions

Emergencies (when/who to call, transportation, hospital emergency departments)

Hospitalization, Rehabilitation, Transitions (to home, to long-term care)2015-03-08


11 Financial and Legal IssuesApril 5, 2015

Wills

Power of Attorney

Estate Planning

Protecting and preserving assets

Reverse mortgages?

Investment options appropriate for aging parents

Family members financial responsibilities (or potential responsibilities)

What should be considered when multiple children are involved

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12 Ensuring a Safe EnvironmentApril 12, 2015

Living at home of a family member or remaining in own home (alone or with spouse)

Security

Safe-proofing your home

Home modifications for seniors

Equipment for independent living

When to take the car keys away and how to plan for alternate transportation

How to protect seniors from wandering off/getting lost

Detecting warning signs and symptoms that need immediate intervention and care

Physically safe and emotionally safe (aging with dignity)

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13 Healthy Living for Older AdultsApril 19, 2015

Nutrition

Exercise

Preventive care

Physical therapy

Chiropractic care

Massage therapy

Focus on HEALTH to minimize need for healthcare

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14 Mental and Emotional HealthApril 26, 2015

Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease

Senility

Depression

Other common neurological disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, Neuropathy, Myopathy, ALS)

Abusive behavior that can accompany mental illness

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15 CaregivingMay 3, 2015

Who is responsible

Roles of family

Roles of friends

Roles of professionals

Roles of the Church

Coordinating caregiving

Ensuring that the senior feels loved, safe, well cared for; does not feel that he or she is a burden

Taking care of the caregiver (respites, support)

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16 Professional Care OptionsMay 10, 2015

In-home care

Assisted living

Skilled nursing facility (nursing home)

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Preparing for a move

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17 Preparing for a FuneralMay 17, 2015

Pre-planning

Knowing and honoring loved one’s wishes

Considering the needs of family and friends

Organ and body donor decisions (does parent want to be a donor; if so, in what capacity)

Options (burial, cremation, closed casket, open casket, visitation)

Additional considerations for out-of-state burials

Services (location, officiate, pall bearers, etc.)

What must be done upon death and who will do it (organ and body donation services, death certificate, contact service providers, burial clothing and jewelry, “in lieu of flowers”, obituary, etc.)

After the funeral (insurance, Social Security Administration and other government agencies, notification of doctors, thank you notes, transition of financial accounts, transition of non-financial accounts, etc.)

Support groups2015-03-08


18 End of Life QuestionsMay 24, 2015

Living will

Who will make decisions and how will they be made

Hospice (why hospice care, when is it time, and what services are provided)

How does our Christian faith inform end-of-life decisions

Ethics of end-of-life decisions (honoring parent’s wishes, removing life support, euthanasia)

Support groups

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19 Inform, Encourage, HealMay 31, 2015

Revisit previous 13 weeks; which topics warrant additional classes, seminars, etc.

Stories to share

Guilt and forgiveness

We are not alone in this journey

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20Headlines

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21StoriesProviding some context

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22 3 Stories from Steve

“Getting old is a humbling experience”

“I will never be better than I am today”

Milkshakes and regrets

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23 Debbi Lanham

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24 Mike Norwood

Mike Norwood retired from 12 years with TN Dept. of Health after being in retail 4 years and in ministry 32 years. He currently acts as Conservator and Guardian for his mother-in-law who resides at Claiborne Hughes in Franklin. She suffers from vascular dementia and has been in residential care for over 6 years.

“How often have I heard, ‘I just don’t want to be any trouble.’?”

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25Resources Available

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Documents

Caring for Aging Parents “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with