1. 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)
Week 6 | Ensuring a Safe Environment| April 12, 2015

2. Ensuring a Safe Environment April 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)
Caring for Aging Parents

3. Our Faith
I'll help the blind walk, even on a road they do not know; I'll guide them in directions they do not know. I'll turn the dark places into light in front of them, and the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I won't abandon them. (Isaiah 42:16, ISV)
Caring for Aging Parents

4. Our Prayer today Open our eyes to the dangers ahead
Open our hearts to the care of our parents
Caring for Aging Parents

5. Comments from our panelists…
Caring for Aging Parents

6. Rhonda Wood
Rhonda has been a Registered Nurse for 35 years, and currently works as a health coach with CareHere in Brentwood since 2006.  Rhonda's introduction to caregiving began in 2006 when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and once again when her mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008.  Logistically, both parents were cared for remotely with coordinated efforts from family, friends, and loved ones.
Caring for Aging Parents

7. Rhonda Wood
When you are struggling with decisions about care intervention, or “role reversal”, it is comforting to know that providing SAFETY for your loved one may be something they can no longer do for themselves.
Caring for Aging Parents

8. “I can’t believe I just had to call the police to look for my dad who drove off several hours ago unannounced, in the icy temperatures with no socks, cell phone or coat, and running on an almost flat tire… It’s after dark now…”
Caring for Aging Parents

9. “My parents have always been very private about their finances…always paid cash, never borrowed money…now they are signed up for 23 credit cards!”
Caring for Aging Parents

10. “A recent annual visit reveals that Mom can’t keep house anymore…food expired in the pantry in 2003…nothing is in its place anymore….”
Caring for Aging Parents

11. Don’t miss fleeting opportunities
Conversation
Don’t miss fleeting opportunities
Caring for Aging Parents

12. Preparation Geriatrician Geriatric Specialist
Primary care doctor with an interest in, AND special training in skills for directing care for aging adults
Caring for Aging Parents

13. Safety Safety of the loved one
Safety from changes in loved one’s behaviors that can jeopardize the caregiver
Caring for Aging Parents

14. Elder Law Attorney, Timothy L. Takacs
The Elder Law Practice of Timothy L. Takacs
Serving Middle Tennessee Walton Ferry Road Hendersonville, Tennessee Voice: (615) Fax: (615)
Toll-free: (866)
If you are an attorney or other professional who serves the elderly, disabled or chronically-ill, visit our Professional Education website at
Caring for Aging Parents

15. Warning Signs Recent falls, unsteadiness
Poor grooming or personal hygiene…soiled clothing
Loss of appetite, changes in eating or cooking habits
Spoiled or outdated food in refrigerator, or little nutritious food in the home
Diminished driving skills, recent accidents, near misses
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Reluctance to socialize
Difficulty concentrating, poor judgment
Reprinted with the permission of Aging Parents and Elder Care. More helpful solutions can be found online at CareHere LLC does not endorse any products that may be sold at any of the websites cited in this presentation
Caring for Aging Parents

16. Denise Becker
Denise Becker is a Project Manager for A Better Nest, and has worked in housing for more than 30 years. Formerly a clinical social worker, she developed award-winning programs for home-based and residential care that included tailoring living environments to meet both the physical and emotional needs of residents. Denise comes from a long line of aging-in-placers and has been a family caregiver for many years. She is trained in construction, home inspection, and home modifications to accommodate aging and physical challenges. Denise is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist.
Caring for Aging Parents

17. Denise Becker
“It is a beautiful thing to see the transformation in people when they rediscover daily life without so many struggles.”
Caring for Aging Parents

18. Christy Horner
Christy Sanders Horner is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  Having worked at Vanderbilt the past 17 years, she works with clients and their families to face driving concerns.  Her services include formal driver evaluations and driver training services.
Caring for Aging Parents

19. Christy Horner
”According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, most older drivers are expected to outlive their ability to drive by 7-10 years. We want our aging parents to drive as long as possible, but we want them to be safe. Having the conversation about giving up the car keys can be a daunting one. Careful consideration of this topic can help the seniors in our lives to relinquish driving with dignity.”
Caring for Aging Parents

20. Elizabeth Welch
Dr. Elizabeth Welch is an audiologist in Franklin, TN who specializes in hearing and balance disorders. She has been practicing in Williamson County for 17 years. Elizabeth is the owner of Hearing Services of Franklin.
Caring for Aging Parents

21. Elizabeth Welch
“Hearing problems can lead to individuals not feeling safe in their own homes. Assistive listening devices may be recommended to help patients hear the doorbell, the fire alarm, the security alarm, to name a few. Amplified or voice carryover phones are also available so individuals do not miss important calls. Balance: Falls are the leading cause of injury and death of individuals over the age of 65. Balance disorders are the #1 health care complaint of those over the age of 70. Falls prevention is essential for those with balance trouble.”
Caring for Aging Parents

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25. Resources Available
Caring for Aging Parents

26. Contact Information
Denise Becker
A Better Nest, LLC
(615)
Christy Horner, OTR/L, CDRS
Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences
Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute
Medical Center East - South Tower
st Avenue South, Suite 9211
Nashville, TN
(615)
Dr. Elizabeth Welch
Audiologist
hearingservicesoffranklin.com
Caring for Aging Parents

27. Everything in One Place
Caring for Aging Parents