Mark Your Calendars for the Senior Resource Fair

UK Elder Care is hosting a Senior Resource Fair on Friday, November 18th from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the Hilary J. Boone Center. The Senior Resource Fair is an opportunity for you to meet with a variety of community agencies that provide valuable caregiving resources. More details and registration information will be available soon.

UK Elder Care is hosting this event because we recognize that caregivers want to provide the best care possible for their loved one. And in order to provide that level of care you need to know what tools, help and support are available and will allow you to make the best care choice for both you and your loved one. For most of us, caring for an elderly parent or loved one is unfamiliar territory. It comes with new responsibilities and tasks that we are not prepared for. We want to do what's best for our loved one but we need to keep in mind the responsibilities and obligations we have to our self, our family and our job. The right tools can help you balance your different responsibilities. Finding out what tools, help and support are available - whether it's for future reference or for an immediate need - is an important caregiving step.

Between now and November, here are a few things you can do to get the most out of the Senior Resource Fair:

• Talk with your loved one about their future care plans and what they envision for their living arrangements and lifestyle.

• Have an open and honest discussion about your loved one's financial position, resources and assets. This will not be an easy conversation. Learn as much as you can about your loved one's finances before they are no longer able to manage their finances on their own.

• Ask yourself if your loved one's physical and mental abilities have changed over the last 12 to 6 months? Has their doctor mentioned concerns about their well-being?

• Take notes about what's going on in your loved one's home and write down any questions you have for the experts you will meet at the Senior Resource Fair.

Expertise available at the Senior Resource Fair:

Financial Information: Finances often influence what services are available to your loved one. Depending on their financial situation it may be beneficial to speak with a financial planner or an elder law attorney for advice on how to protect their financial assets and stretch the funds over time.

Government Programs: If you are looking into what government programs your loved one might qualify for you might start with talking to the folks at SHIP - State Health Insurance counseling and assistance Program. If your loved one was a military veteran you will want to speak with a representative from the Veterans Affairs about the Aid and Attendance Pension program to see if your loved one qualifies.

Legal Information: An elder law attorney can prepare the documents needed in order for you to help your loved one in the event of a medical or financial emergency. Does your loved one have an Advanced Health Care Directive/Living Will, a durable POA (power of attorney), a Medical Power of Attorney/Health Care Surrogate and a Will?

In-Home Assistance: In-Home Care Agencies can provide non-medical assistance to your loved one in their home. They can help with meal preparation, shopping, transportation, light housekeeping, laundry, and provide companionship.

Adult Day Care: It's a place for your loved one to go to during the day with planned activities and programs that promote socialization while still attending to your loved one's needed physical care.

Long Term Care Facilities: There are a number of options for senior alternative housing in Kentucky depending on your loved ones needs and finances. These include independent communities, assisted care, personal care and memory care facilities and long term skilled nursing care options.

Join us on Friday, November 18th to talk with the experts and find the 'tools' that are right for your caregiving situation.

Next month, we will discuss how to deal with your loved one's resistance to accepting the inevitable changes that come with aging.