Life blindsided our family in the fall of 2018 when my wife, Pat, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that quickly progressed to stage IV. After a torturous 17-month journey of tests, chemotherapy, ER visits, surgeries, extended hospital stays, and clinical trials, Pat went to her heavenly home. But the chaos pancreatic cancer tried to create could not steal our joy of life, kill our faith or destroy our hope for the future.
My bride of over 35 years blessed us with three terrific children. They, in turn, have blessed us with seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 9 to 1 year old. Close geographic proximity and strong relationships allowed us to help care for our six oldest grandchildren together before cancer took Pat’s life in 2020. It is one of the greatest blessings we have ever had. Our grandchildren truly stole our hearts.
I learned a few key lessons from caring for our grandkids that helped me care for my beautiful spouse. Now, I am absolutely not implying to ever treat an adult like a child. Adults who need assistance in daily life deserve respect, dignity and the ability to maintain some type of independence. They have feelings, thoughts and opinions that must always be considered. However, beginning-of-life and end-of-life care share some characteristics.

November 9, 2022 | 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM PST | Online
 
November is National Family Caregivers Month.
 
Caregiving can feel at times like a thankless job. This November, we celebrate those who lovingly take on extra everyday tasks for those who may not be able to do so for themselves. Whether it's bathing; cleaning; cooking; shopping; or comforting family or the friends we consider family, caregivers need our support too. These individuals often dedicate much of their free time caring for others. This workshop will take a closer look at resources available to those who give that extra care, as well as offer tips for self-care, advocacy, and ways to de-stress.
 
Virtual Presentation via Zoom
Audience: Caregivers and Friends & Family of Caregivers
Duration: 45 Minutes
Hosted by: Glenn Ellis, MPH, CHCE
 
To register for this event, click the button below.

November 8, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PST | Online
 
For centuries, we've known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
 
To register, click the button below.

October 26, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST | Online
 
Maintaining a balance between taking care of loved ones and setting healthy boundaries for yourself can be challenging. Learn how to express your own needs without guilt, strike a healthy balance between caregiving and self-care, and tips for negotiating compromises with a licensed therapist.
 
Fine print: Certificates of attendance are provided at no cost. CEUs are not provided. Everyone who registers will receive the webinar recording & resource info 24 hours after the live event.
 
About the instructor: Jaymi Dormaier is a Licensed Master Social Worker with ten years of experience in the mental health field. In Jaymi's career as a social worker and therapist she has worked with diverse populations focusing on anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, foster care, adoption, homelessness, and addiction. She is passionate about helping others live a life they love.
 
To register for this webinar, click the button below.

If you have older family members or loved ones, you may worry about their health as they age. Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and dementia. The good news is that adopting and maintaining a few key behaviors can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. As a family member, it’s important to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in your loved ones — it’s never too late to start!
 
For tips on healthy aging, click the button below.

Deciding to become physically active can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercise and physical activity are not only great for your mental and physical health, but they can help keep you independent as you age.  
 
To learn more, click the button below.

Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern.
 
Click the button below for tips to plan healthy and delicious meals.

Many factors may influence your risk of dementia, including genes, environment, and lifestyle. You can’t change some factors, but, as with many diseases, there may be steps you can take to help lower your risk. Learn more about how leading a healthy lifestyle is important for your health.
 
To learn more, click the button below.

If you do not see an aging friend or relative often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing. 
 
As a caregiver, you can provide support by helping an aging friend or relative get the care they need.
 
To learn more, click the button below.

Shadow comforts and quick fixes deplete and exhaust.
Check out these ten ways to solve the self-care conundrum.

"Delirium is a sudden change in your alertness and thinking. People with delirium typically become confused and have trouble paying attention."

Healthline's Chitra Badii continues, "Delirium is an abrupt change to your mental state. It makes it difficult to think, remember, focus, and more. Some people with delirium become drowsy and quiet, while others can become agitated."

Badii expands her article to cover:

• Types
  
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Outlook

Build drinking water into your routine.

• Flavor water with lemon, lime, melon, or herbs to create a special drink.
  
• Make hot or iced tea as an alternative to water.
  
• In the United States, tap water is safe and cheap!
• Carry around a reusable water bottle with you all day.
• Offer water to your child throughout the day.
• Make water your beverage of choice between meals.
  

• Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after the loss of power.
• During power outages, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep the cold in.
• Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and any leftovers) after 4 hours without power. A freezer can stay cold for up to 48 hours, but any frozen perishable foods should be thrown away if they thawed. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment. Unplugging your medical devices, appliances, computers and other sensitive electronics can protect them from damage when the power returns.
• If you use a generator during the public safety power shutoff, never use it inside your home, basement or garage.
• Run your generator more than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Generators can produce carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide builds up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, it can be lethal to people and animals.
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home, especially in sleeping areas.

Click the button below for more information from the CDC.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog (oregonsmoke.org).
Remember that cloth, dust and surgical masks do NOT protect from the harmful particles in smoke.
N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children.
Here's how you can protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

• Stay inside if possible.
• Follow your breathing plan if you have one. Wildfires and pollution contain small particles that can make asthma and other chronic diseases worse.
• Make sure you have enough medication and monitor your health. Call your health care provider if your asthma gets worse or you’re exposed to smoke.
• If you can, create a cleaner air space.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • If available, use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers.
  • You can also create a DIY box fan filter.
    
• If you are unable to create a cleaner air space, many communities open cleaner air spaces during severe smoke events. In partnership with local officials and organizations, 211Info maintains a list of public cleaner air spaces. You can learn more about cleaner air spaces:
  
• Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155- available 24 hours a day.
  • Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – available M-F from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Check www.211info.org

• Click the button below for more information on protecting your health during wildfires.
  

September 13, 2022 |9:45 AM - 11:30 15 PST | Online
 
This webinar hosted by the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio will discuss incontinence products in the context of caregiving. It will be presented by Janet Firestone, National Account Executive Medicaid, Principle Business Enterprises/ Tranquility Products.
 
To RSVP and obtain access instructions, call Jennifer Forshey at (419) 725-6983, or email her by clicking on the button below
 
To register for this event, click the button below.

Some people perform incredible feats of strength and endurance well into their retirement years. The great news is: You don’t have to bench press 300 pounds or run a marathon to benefit from strength training.

NIA-funded researchers have been studying the effects of strength training for more than 40 years and have identified multiple ways it can benefit older adults, including maintaining muscle mass, improving mobility, and increasing the healthy years of life.

Click below to learn more about the findings, along with tips for maintaining strength or becoming stronger as you age.

Your skin changes as you age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily, and scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. A few things you can do to keep your skin healthy and protected this summer are:

• Limit your time in the sun. Try to avoid being in the sun during peak times when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Use sunscreen. Look for sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label.
• Wear protective clothing. Choosing the proper clothing can help protect your skin. For example, consider wearing loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

It’s important to understand what is and isn’t a normal part of aging. Many people make assumptions about what it’s like to grow “old” and how older age will affect them. Research has shown that you can help preserve your health and mobility as you age by adopting or continuing healthy habits and lifestyle choices. A few common myths about aging are:

• The older I get, the less sleep I need. Older adults need the same amount of sleep as all adults — seven to nine hours each night.
• Only women need to worry about osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis is more common in women, this disease still affects many men and could be underdiagnosed.
• It’s inevitable that older people will get dementia. Dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. Although the risk of dementia grows as people get older, it’s not inevitable, and many people live into their 90s and beyond without the significant declines in thinking and behavior that characterize dementia.

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon Inc. Presents - Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Free 6-week Class Series
 
This FREE class series meets once a week for 6 weeks. Lean ways to cope with the challenges and meet the needs of family caregiving. Class size is limited, and registration is required. This course will be held virtually via ZOOM at a computer near you!
 
1st class starts September 13, 2022, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM PST and runs for 6 weeks.
 
Register now - Kathy @ 541-963-3186 or kathyg@ccno.org

National Council on Aging Presents - National Falls Prevention Awareness Week
 
The National Council on Aging has sponsored National Falls Prevention Awareness week for the past 15 years. The goal of this campaign is to provide older adults with valuable information on how to reduce their risk of falling, and spread awareness about why this matters. NCOA's Falls Free CheckUp is an online screening tool that can serve as a first step for older adults to learn more about falls risk and steps to prevent falls and accidents.
 
National Falls Prevention Awareness Week will be held on September 18-24, 2022.