• 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.

For many people in Oregon, dealing with the wildfires has been especially difficult.
For those directly affected by the fires and evacuations, these traumatic events can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, grief, worry and anger. Even those who were not directly affected by fires and evacuations this year but have experienced them in the past may feel these emotions again. Seeing news reports or images of current fires or hearing about fires affecting loved ones can drive feelings like anxiety and stress.
Click the number below to be connected with the Safe + Strong Helpline; someone to talk to or find mental health resources.

Being a primary caregiver, particularly for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other health conditions, isn’t an easy job. For many, the role can be emotionally, physically and financially taxing, which can lead to caregiver fatigue or burnout. 
Knowing how demanding caregiver roles can be, a recent study published in the scientific journal Nature highlights the importance of why caregivers need respite care, or a short-term break from their duties, which can be arranged for several days or weeks. 
Read the full synopsis by Alyssa Hui, a freelance journalist and a former TV reporter and radio host, by clicking the button below.

September 14, 2022 through November 2, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST | Online - FREE
 
The Dementia Information Series is a comprehensive 8-week series on Wednesday evenings is designed for families who are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. You can understand the disease, learn how it affects your relative, how to access support in the home and community, how to cope, and how to communicate.
 
Register as early as possible to reserve a spot for this popular education event.
 
To register for this event, click the button below.

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.

September 7, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST | Online
 
Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is important for early detection and diagnosis. Family members often are the first to notice the signs, but may struggle on how to approach their loved one about scheduling an appointment with their doctor. Once they do broach the subject, they may be met with resistance or denial. If a diagnosis is received, the individual and their family may be at a loss for what do next and what to expect for their loved one’s care needs. As professionals, it is important to help older adults and their families navigate life after a dementia diagnosis by providing them with useful information and support. Join this webinar during World Alzheimer’s Month to learn more about what to do next after a dementia diagnosis, what changes to expect and how to best care for someone living with dementia.
 
Participants in this webinar will be able to:

• Review the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of diagnosis
• Discuss what to expect after a diagnosis and what changes are likely to occur
• Learn communication strategies and care tips to best support the individual
• Discover resources for professionals and families for diagnosis, care and support

 
To register for this event, click the button below.

Caring for an older family member often requires teamwork. A primary caregiver — especially a parent — may be hesitant to ask for help or a break. A few ways you can help are:

• Provide emotional and moral support. Acknowledge how important the caregiver has been and discuss the physical and emotional effects of caregiving. Just listening may not sound like much help, but often it is.
• Offer to arrange for respite care. Respite care will give your parent a break from caregiving responsibilities and an opportunity to care for themselves.
• Help coordinate a move to assisted living or a nursing home. In time, the person receiving care may have to move to a residential facility. If that happens, you can help your parent by selecting a facility that fits everybody’s needs.
  

Click the button below to learn more about supporting a parent with caregiving responsibilities.

Caregiving responsibilities can cause a lot of stress. Jerry Fenter and Helen Bauer from The Heart of Hospice podcast will talk about the benefits of streamlining caregiving tasks and how to create a “caregiving village.” They’ll also share ways caregivers can reduce stress by caring for themselves – mind, body, and spirit.
 
Participants will learn about:

• How to streamline caregiving tasks
• How to create a caregiving village
• Caring for the caregiver – mind, body, and spirit
• How to utilize stress management techniques
  

 When: Wednesday, August 31, from 11am to Noon (Pacific)
Where: ONLINE
Cost: N o charge

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

Drafting a will is an important task that everyone should complete. Be sure to do your research to figure out what's right for you and your family. FreeWill is one online option to help you make your will - and its free. 

Meals can be a challenging time for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. However, there are steps caregivers can take to help make mealtimes successful. Consider these tips:

• Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and way whenever possible.
• Offer just one food at a time instead of filling the plate or table with too many options.
• Be patient and give the person enough time to finish the meal.

Check out NIA’s infographic to find more tips to make mealtimes easier for a person with Alzheimer’s.

Depression is a common ailment among adults in the United States. The National Institutes of Health estimates about eight percent of adults in the country suffered from depression in 2020. Family caregivers are no exception, and may be at increased risk due to the stresses and difficulties of caregiving. Unfortunately, many caregivers experiencing depression either may not recognize the signs of depression, be ashamed to admit their “weakness,” or feel they are too busy with work and caregiving responsibilities to seek help.

For caregivers who feel they may be or are suffering from depression, exercise, a healthy diet, the support of family and friends, and consultation with a trained mental health professional may help prevent depression from getting worse over time. Click 'More Information' below for an overview of the risk factors, signs, and treatment options for depression.

by Calvin Hu, Education Coordinator, Family Caregiver Alliance

A four-part series, each video covers a specific disease providing need-to-know information including guidance for every stage of each disease, what to expect, financial concerns, and how to prepare for your caregiving role. Every video is also accompanied by fact sheets and essential resources guides.

Although more than 1 million women in the United States experience menopause each year, little is known about its impact on health. National Institute on Aging (NIA) -funded researchers are working to better understand menopause and how women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds can benefit from that scientific knowledge to live healthier lives — before, during, and after their reproductive years.

This article explores some of the topics scientists are studying, including midlife-related changes and menopause, potential treatments for symptoms, and the connection between menopause and the brain.

Oregon Care Partners' featured webinar this week is "How Communication Influences Care in the Non-Dementia Adult Population" starting Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 pm. Join this webinar to learn how your personal communication style impacts interactions and outcomes with the person in your care and gain strategies to create more positive results.

The mistreatment of older adults can be by family members, strangers, health care providers, caregivers, or friends. Abuse can happen to any older adult, but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday life. Learn how to recognize some of the signs of elder abuse so you can step in and help. For example, you may notice that the older adult:

• Seems depressed, confused, or withdrawn
• Appears dirty, underfed, or dehydrated
• Has unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars
• Has unpaid bills or recent changes in banking or spending patterns 

There are several more signs of elder abuse. View the full list and find out how you can help if you see signs of abuse.

Older adults may be more likely to have heat-related health problems. Being hot for too long can cause hyperthermia — a heat-related illness. It is even riskier for older adults, who may be more likely to experience heat-related health problems compared to other adults. Learn how you can stay safe during hot weather with NIA’s latest infographic.