County program available to check on seniors at home; Caregivers Corner

Dear Mary, My mother lives with me. We have no other family around and she has always been rather introverted so has not made any connections since moving in last year. Now my job is requiring me to be out of the country for the next several months. Mom doesn't need any care, but I'm concerned about her being alone all the time with no one close by. Are there any programs that could check in on her?

Dear Reader, Trained volunteers for Anne Arundel County's Telephone Reassurance Program make daily well-check telephone calls to seniors at home and adults with a disability. If a call is not answered, the volunteer will contact a person selected by the call recipient and ask them to check on the well-being of the client. If need be, emergency response personnel are dispatched to check on the individual.

To register your mother for the Telephone Reassurance Program, call 410-222-4257.

Dear Mary, My parents recently passed away within a few weeks of each other. Unfortunately, neither of them made their wishes known to my siblings or I, and neither did any legal or financial planning. Whenever the topic was broached, they refused to talk about it. Needless to say, these past few months have been extremely difficult for all of us. I know that you often advise people to plan for the future. I just want to strongly advise your readers to make their wishes known to spare their families the heartache my brother, sister and I have endured.

Dear Reader, I am so sorry for your loss and for the additional stress that you have all undergone.

April 16 has been designated at National Healthcare Decisions Day, meant to educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning. Advance care planning involves making future health care decisions like your health care preferences, values, and selecting an agent to express health care decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Making these decisions can be daunting. In an effort to help you understand these issues, Anne Arundel County is offering "Understanding the Advance Directive and Other Important End of Life Issues," a workshop open to the community. Participants will learn how to make sense of an advance directive. The Maryland Order for Life Sustaining Treatment form will also be explained, and attendees will learn what life-sustaining treatments are and whether or not they are helpful during the end of life.

This workshop is presented at no cost to the public. Join us from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Pascal Senior Activity Center, 125 Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie.

Dear Readers, There is still time to register for Anne Arundel County's 26th annual Caregivers Conference set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis, 210 Holiday Court.

Once again, family and professional caregivers, social workers, nurses, home care and long-term care facility workers, and others will gather to access information and resources.

In addition, caregivers will have a chance to network with fellow caregivers, both informal and professional. Vendors from local agencies and businesses will be on hand to share resources and information to assist caregivers with their caregiving needs.

Dr. Al Condeluci, CEO of Community Living and Support Services, is this year's keynote presenter. During his opening session, Condeluci will present "Social Capital: The Value of Relationships." He will also introduce "The Key to a Better Community" during one of the conference's breakout sessions.

Joanne Frankle, MSW, LCSW-C, will share information on how to connect with individuals living with dementia; Dr. Ann Morrison with share the differences between dementia, delirium and depression. Kim Burton will share tips with caregivers on adjusting to changes, and Teresa Robinson, a professional and family caregiver, will sort through the challenges of finding the right care at the right time.

Staff from the Maryland Insurance Administration will help you understand your rights when it comes to insurance, and staff from the Maryland Technology Assistance Program will share how assistive technology can help individuals stay in their homes.

In addition, Anne Arundel County's Crisis Response Team will provide you with information on who to call during a crisis situation, and Jennifer Sapp, MSW, MSG, will lead a panel discussion regarding setting boundaries in a toxic caregiving relationship. Singer-songwriter, entertainer and caregiver Christine Lavin will conclude the day on an upbeat and energetic note.

Registration is $20, with an additional $10 for three social work CEUs. The fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Anyone needing special accommodations must contact Mary Chaput at 410-222-4339 or [email protected] at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, please call Maryland Relay 7-1-1.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.aacounty.org/aging or call 410-222-4375.

Questions and comments can be sent to Mary Chaput at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, or by contacting 410-222-4339 or [email protected].

Credit: Mary Chaput - Questions and comments can be sent to Mary Chaput at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, or by contacting 410-222-4339 or [email protected].