The Caregivers Corner

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It's a day to focus on legal and medical directives in case of emergency. To no surprise lots of us don't want to think about death and dying. But guess what? If you ignore it, it won't simply go away. Learn about of some the different documents and directives and the importance they play in life and death for you and a loved one. For more information and to access downloadable living wills/advance directives or a healthcare power of attorney, check out the following websites:

-National Healthcare Decisions Day website- nhdd.org/

-Caring Connections PA Advance Directive- caringinfo.org/files/public/ad/Pennsylvania.pdf

-PA Department of Health website sample advance directive and durable healthcare power of attorney - dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/publicnotices/Sample_Forms_for_Advance_Directives.pdf

-Medicare.gov website- medicare.gov/manage-your-health/advance-directives/advance-directives-and-long-term-care.html

www.legalzoom.com

www.rocketlawyer.com

www.upmc.com (free advance directive form)

www.polst.org

www.funeralwise.com

For the most comprehensive and crucial decision making I would recommend consulting with an attorney, particularly an eldercare attorney.

Staying active and healthy is important no matter your age, but it’s especially important as we get older. Regular exercise is an obvious key to staying healthy, but it can also combat depression, manage and even stave off many illnesses. Join me as I learn some 55+ focused exercise tips from Allie Perkins, Messiah Lifeways Wellness Manager. Allie will touch on programs specific to older adults with tips on how to get into the exercise groove whether you are a novice or a former fitness buff. We’ll also cover recommended exercises to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and poor balance.

For more details, rates, and membership information, please visit https://www.messiahlifeways.org/lifestyle/wellness/

Contact Info: Alessandra Perkins, Wellness Manager

Call: 717.591-7222 Email: [email protected]

Over 44 million Americans serve as caregivers for older adults and those with disabilities living in the community. Caring for a loved one, aging parent or spouse can be very stressful and overwhelming. Listen and learn how to spot and avoid caregiver burnout, practice self-care, and explore solutions and resources to alleviate the burden of caregiving.

Show notes: Online Caregiving Resources - www.agingcare.com, alz.org/carefinder, medicare.gov/caregivers, www.caregiving.com, www.caregiverstress.com, www.caring.com, www.caregiver.org, www.healthinaging.org, PA Dept. of Aging: www.aging.state.pa.us

Choosing the right personal care home or assisted living can be challenging. Listen in as special guest Robyn Wertz, Director of Admissions at Messiah Village, talks about overcoming some of those challenges. We also clarify some common misconceptions about personal care and assisted living, discuss the importance of planning ahead, and more.

For more information or additional guidance from Robyn, call 717-790-8201. You can also visit www.MessiahLifeways.org

We talk about the book "What to do About Mama?" Expectations & Realities of Caregiving with co-author Barb Matthews. She along with Barbara Trainin Blank open their hearts and bear their souls to share their challenging, heart wrenching, and insightful journeys as caregivers. Their personal stories, along with a host of other caregiving contributors, give detailed perspective on this physical, mental, and emotional roller coaster that caregiving entails.

SHOW NOTES:

To purchase a copy, visit: Sunbury Press (publisher):

https://www.sunburypressstore.com/What-to-Do-About-Mama-9781620061985.htm?categoryId=-1

or

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620061988/

As much of the country looks to get back to normal, nursing homes, personal care homes, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) face a different timeline and set of rules on reopening. Therefore, long-term care communities won't follow at a pace like most other businesses and industries. We are joined by Kelli Mills, VP of Operations and Kim Valvo, Exec. Dir. of Resident Communities at Messiah Lifeways to discuss the topic and our ongoing approach to fight COVID-19.

For more help and guidance on COVID-19 and older adults, visit:

https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx

https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#PhasedReopening

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/nursing-homes-responding.html

Today’s podcast is audio from a video we did back in early March to provide a little more clarity and additional information regarding COVID-19. We were pleased to have Dr. Tom Stoner, VP of System Hospital Services at UPMC Pinnacle for this discussion. He addresses a number of questions and concerns and was interviewed by Messiah Lifeways President & CEO, Curt Stutzman, as they discuss some of the reasons why we’ve taken the precautions that we have, and offers some encouragement for residents.

Today’s podcast is audio from a video we did back in early March to provide a little more clarity and additional information regarding COVID-19. We were pleased to have Dr. Tom Stoner, VP of System Hospital Services at UPMC Pinnacle for this discussion. He addresses a number of questions and concerns and was interviewed by Messiah Lifeways President & CEO, Curt Stutzman, as they discuss some of the reasons why we’ve taken the precautions that we have, and offers some encouragement for residents.

Snowy, icy, bitter cold conditions can be hazardous for anyone, but they can be downright dangerous for older adults. So this winter, we all have to be smart when battling winter weather. Hear some great tips to help older adults stay safe this winter.

Show notes:

1. Winter Safety Tips For Older Adults from HealthInAging.org https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/winter-safety-tips-older-adults

2. Great suggestions from the National Institute on Aging to stay safe inside the home and through the entire winter https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults

Community HealthChoices (CHC)is Pennsylvania's new mandatory Medicaid managed care program. On today’s podcast we’re talking with Jolene Cala, Vice Pres. of Health Care Finance & Insurance for The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, about how Medicaid is changing here in Pennsylvania to the new CHC format.

www.HealthChoices.pa.gov

Call 1-844-824-3655

or visit

www.EnrollCHC.com

AmeriHealth Caritas

PA Health & Wellness

UPMC Community HealthChoices

Jolene H. Calla, Esquire, Vice President, Health Care Finance & Insurance

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

www.haponline.org