Transition Aging Parents

 Transition Aging Parents

Your source of insight and information to help your aging parents "thrive and find joy" in every stage of their life!

 

Bi-Weekly Ezine Issue  March 21, 2010 Volume 2 Issue 6

• A Note from Dale - Spring, Aging in America conference
•  Featured Article - "How to Help Protect an Aging Parent from Census-related Scams"

• Media Review -   Website with customized care guide

• Seniors in the Spotlight -    

  Grandparents University

(This Ezine is published bi-weekly on Sundays.  You are on our list because you signed up for it at TransitionAgingParents.com.  To change your subscription, see link at the end of this email)

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A Note from Dale  

 Hello!  It's a beautiful but very chilly first weekend of spring here in the Midwest.   Birds are finally adjusting to our new squirrel-resistant feeder, and daffodils are popping up everywhere.  Hope it's nice wherever you are!

 

I spent all of last week at the Aging in America conference in Chicago. 4,000 professionals who serve older adults gathered there.  Keynote and session speakers were excellent and as always, networking and sharing with fellow attendees made it worthwhile.   I'll be sharing what I learned in future blog posts and interviewing some of my new found colleagues on my BlogTalkRadio show.  You'll hear about medication management strategies, new technologies for safety and social connectedness, new products and resources for you and your aging parent.

 

In today's ezine, I'm sharing ways to protect your aging parent from Census-related scams.  Last week, everyone should have received their Census forms.  With each passing day, I hear about a new scam.  So, armed with the facts about the Census process, let's all protect our parents and elderly neighbors. In our Media Review, I highlight a website that provides a personalized care guide based on your aging parent's health condition and location.  And, finally, our "Seniors in the Spotlight" is about a program at universities that brings together grandparents and grandchildren for a few days of learning, sharing and fun. The video interview is sure to make you smile.

 

 As always, my best wishes to you and your parent(s) as you journey together,

 

Dale Carter...

 

PS: Welcome to all my new subscribers!  I am so very grateful to have you as part of our Transition Aging Parents community. I think you'll love the information, tips, and inspiration you'll be receiving!

 

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."  ~Mother Teresa

 

(Note:  If there is a topic, resource or person that you would like me to highlight in future issues, please write to me at dale.carter@transitionagingparents.com)

 

Featured Article -

 

 "How to Protect Your Aging Parent Against Census-related Scams"

Census-related scams started weeks ago and will likely increase in frequency as the real Census employees start visiting homes around the country.  In our area, a scammer sent letters to senior citizens bearing our congressman's name.  The letters asked the seniors for credit card numbers or money.  Here's another scam story:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPHp3V1hEsc

 

The best way to protect your aging parents against Census-related scams is to educate them about the census.  Also, encourage them to complete and return the 10 question form as soon as they receive it in the mail, certainly no later than April 1st.  The homes that have not returned the form by April 1st will receive an in-person visit by a census taker.

 

Why do we have the census and how will it help the elderly?

The US Constitution requires a census be taken every 10 years.  It's what determines the allocation of $400 billion in federal funds each year. These funds go to the very services the elderly need and use:  hospitals, senior centers, emergency services and more.  By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with anyone, including federal agencies and law enforcement.

 

How will the elderly get their Census form and be counted?

A 10 question form will be mailed out in March.  All your parent has to do is complete and return the form by April 1st, National Census Day.  If they don't return the form, a census taker will visit their home during the months of April to July.

 

Share these facts with your parent.

·        All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name.  They may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag.

·        No census worker will enter a residence.

·        No census employee will ever ask for information such as social security, bank account or credit card numbers.

·        If there are any questions about a census taker, call the Census Call Bureau at 1-800-923-8282

·        If you do not respond to a census taker at your door, the census taker will leave a contact number for you to call and re-schedule a visit.  If they don't hear from you, they will return.

 

 

What are the key dates?

March 2010 - Census forms are mailed or delivered to households

April 1, 2010 - National Census Day--use this day as a point of reference for sending your completed forms back in the mail

April - July 2010 - Census takers visit households that did not return a form by mail

 

 

Note: If your parent maintains two separate residences (some call these folks "snowbirds"), read the special directions at the Census official web page.  http://blogs.census.gov/2010census/snowbirds/

 

  

Media Review -

 

I found a wonderful website recently, AgingCare.com.  I know.  There are so many websites out there for caregivers.  What makes this one different?

• It offers a personalized care guide based on criteria you enter about your parent.  I received a list of helpful articles specific to my mother's health condition.
• It provides a community for caregivers.  Recent discussions, questions and answers are provided. You can ask a question of an expert.
• The top 5 caregiver concerns are highlighted. Chances are you'll find one in that list that matches your concern.
• You'll also find well-organized information about housing, finding local care providers, money/legal, caregiver support and elderly health.

I give this site top marks for its personalized care guide, community and support for caregivers, and well-organized information.

http://www.agingcare.com/

 Hope you find it helpful.  If you have a favorite helpful website, please email me at dale.carter@transitionagingparents.com

 

Seniors in the Spotlight 

 

 In each issue, I want to spotlight a senior who inspires me and hopefully will warm your heart.  There are so many wonderful elderly role models.  May these stories help us keep a positive perspective on the aging process. 

 

Thanks to Steve Gurney for his recent blog post about a wonderful concept, Grandparents University.  I am happy to hear that the program is expanding to colleges around the country. Grandparents and grandchildren live in residence halls, share meals, attend classes, and enjoy campus and activities together for several days during the summer. 

 

In the YouTube video in Steve's post (link below), you'll learn that the classes are not watered-down versions of college courses.  They're a taste of the real thing!  Together, grandparent and grandchild learn about forensic anthropology, the care and management of horses, how to build a website and much more.  As I watched the video, I was struck by how much excitement and joy the seniors and children seemed to have.  It's an opportunity for grandparents to reflect back and share their experiences as well as planting the seed for learning and college in their grandchildren.

 

Source:  http://www.retirement-living.com/publisher/2010/03/12/grandparents-university-expanding-to-colleges-around-the-county

 

Forward to a Friend

 

Feel free to share this issue with friends and family, and invite them to subscribe.  I will never share email addresses with anyone.  And, folks can unsubscribe at any time.

 

 Note about Dale

 

Dale Carter is wife, mother of 3 grown children, and long-distance caregiver to her elderly mother.  She is a former educator and university IT consultant.  In the spring of 2008, a major life experience (helping her elderly mother through a health/life crisis) changed the course of Dale's life work. 

 

Dale created "Transition Aging Parents" as a way to share her experience and reach out to other adult children of aging parents.  She provides insight and shares information to help adult daughters and sons ensure their aging parents "thrive and find joy" in every stage of life.  

 

Her goal is two-fold: to serve as a resource for adult children as they help their aging parents through the many transitions in aging AND to highlight this time in their journey together as one of joy, renewed bonds and reflection of lives well-lived.

 

© 2010 Transition Aging Parents. All Rights Reserved.

 

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Dale Carter, founder of Transition Aging Parents, is dedicated to providing insight and information to adult children of aging parents so their parents may "thrive and find joy" in every stage of life. To get your F.R.E.E. 5-Part E-Course and receive her bi-weekly articles on resources, options, and new innovations for aging parents, visit http://www.transitionagingparents.com

 

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