Realistic Tips and Ideas for Caregivers
February 2016
 The Care Connection at Shepherd's Center Central promotes and supports the advancement of skills, good  health, and resilience of caregivers for older adults .
   
Shepherd's Center Central  is a not-for-profit community-based organization that empowers mid-life and older adults to live healthy, engaged and  independent lives.
   
www.sccentral.org        816-444-1122
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS? THEY COULD JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE.
 
We women sure know a lot of numbers by heart, like phone numbers, birthdays,pin numbers and passwords. But do you know the most critical numbers for your heart health? That knowledge could just save your life.

That's why Go Red For Women and The Heart Truth are encouraging all women to schedule a visit with their doctor to learn their personal health numbers including Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI) and assess their risk for heart disease and stroke.

It's time to learn the most critical numbers in Your life. Your heart depends on it.

Switching Roles: Coping with Your Rebellious Aging Parent
By Carolyn Rosenblatt
www.agingcare.com 

You may be surprised or even a bit shocked to hear an aging parent say something rude to you. Or, you ask Mom or Dad politely to discuss finances with you and they stubbornly refuse. It's odd, but undeniable. They are going through some changes as they age.

At some point, the adult child who loves a parent must step in. You may end up setting limits, making new rules, or taking over certain decisions. This is not easy for most people. We are so accustomed to our parent making their own decisions, that to dare to tell them what to do is very uncomfortable.

 Continue Reading
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This Month's Tip
15 Home Modifications to Make Aging-in-Place Safe

Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, a place where you always feel comfortable and safe. As seniors get older though, that sanctuary can turn dangerous. Everyday items around your house and run-of-the mill tasks you do regularly at home start to come with a risk of falls. And a fall in your senior years can be serious.
For seniors that want to age in place, keeping your home safe and comfortable requires making a few home modifications.


We Have More Information to Share  
 
Remember...The Care Connection at Shepherd's Center Central is here to help anyone who is concerned about an aging parent, loved one, neighbor, or friend who needs referrals to resources, care planning, practical advice, guidance in balancing work and family, or stress relief. 
 
The Kansas City Caregiver Support Line provides resources and referrals for caregivers of older adults. Call 816-444-1122
 
Click for info on:    Care Connection

HEART SHAPED PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

PREP TIME   10 mins
COOK TIME   10 mins
TOTAL TIME   20 mins
Serves:  20-25

INGREDIENTS
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted (microwave for 25-30 seconds)
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a medium sized mixing bowl add sugar, brown sugar, & melted butter, stir until creamy. Add peanut butter, egg, & vanilla, stir until smooth & creamy.
  3. Add flour & baking soda & stir until well combined.
  4. Scoop or roll dough into 1½ inch balls & place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass (coated in sugar).
  5. To make the top of the heart use a butter knife or the handle of fork to cut into the top center of dough. Press it outwards to the right & left to make the "V" shape.
  6. Use your thumb & index finger to pinch the bottom of the dough to make the bottom "V" shape of the heart. You can use your hands to perfect the heart shape if needed.
  7. Take a fork & press the dough down on each side making a criss-cross on the heart.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to over bake them or your cookies will turn out hard.
Classes and Workshops

KC Elder Law Workshops
One of the biggest fears that many people have is fear of having their life savings wiped out if they need long term care. What a shame to see someone's life savings wiped out by the cost of care! Whether you or a family member is in crisis or not, it is important that you understand what you can do to protect your hard-earned assets! Click below to sign up for one of our free Elder Care and Asset Protection Workshops.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - 6:00
Sylvester Powell Community Center: 11902 6200 Martway Street, Mission, KS
Hosted by: William G. Hammond
 
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 6:00
Harris Park Community Center: 110 SW Blue Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO
Hosted by: Kenneth A. Herring

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Beginner Level Yoga Classes
6-week series
Tuesdays February 7 - March 14
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Westport Branch Library, 118 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Call the Westport Branch Library to RSVP (816) 701-3488
Bring your yoga mat, water and dress in layer. Regular attendees will be entered to win door prizes!
Our instructor Sally King is a registered Yoga teacher with 200 hours. She will be guiding us in a six week course designed to help participants relax and rejuvenate.  Arrive to class at least 5 minutes early.
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"6 Keys to Healthy Aging & Staying Mentally Strong"
Thursday, February 16, 2017
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Jewish Community Campus, MAC Room, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS
Presented by Sally King, LCSW
Cost: Free
Reservations Requested: (913) 327-8044
 
Never before in history have we had the luxury of extending our life past our 60s and utilizing state of the art medical care to improve both our quality and quantity of life. But with these perks comes questions about how functioning, independence, and even sexuality will play itself out as one extends their life! There is a lot of info out there about aging well or wisely, but is it all based on evidenced-based research and is it your best interests? Attend this course to take a honest inventory of your value system and how you want to spend the last 20 years of your life and make them good, leaving feeling hopeful with practical tips on how to age well.
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Mental Health and Aging Coalition of Eastern Kansas Meetings
10:00-11:30 AM
Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood, Roeland Park, KS
CEU CERTIFICATES PROVIDED
 
February    28, 2017
Speaker: Alex English, Kansas Legal Services
Title:  Power of Attorney, Guardianship and Vulnerable Adult Legal Issues
               
March    28, 2017
Speaker:  Laura Gilman, LMSW
Title:  Trauma Informed Care
               
For more info:  Nancy Luber, LSCSW (913) 715-7774
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Beyond Stinkin' Thinkin' -- An Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Mental Health Interventions
Friday, March 10, 2017
8:30am -11:30am
Johnson County Community College
Instructor: Sally King, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW

  If you're working with those who struggle with anxiety and depression and haven't gotten up to speed on the "third wave" of mindfulness-based interventions, now is your opportunity to come learn about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), two pragmatic and effective therapies for today's practitioners looking at mental and emotional pain in a different light. RNs, LPNs, LPCs, LCPCs, registered dieticians, and social workers, will earn 3 contact hours.
 
Consider a Planned Gift. Please donate. 

Please consider making a charitable bequest to Shepherd's Center of Kansas City Central in your will. Legacy gifts provide future support for charity. Any individual, at any time, can create a legacy gift. It can be as easy as naming a charity on the beneficiary form of a savings, checking or pension account, or through a more complex instrument such as a trust. 

To make a bequest to SCC, simply include these words in your will:
"I give to Shepherd Center of Kansas City Central, a
non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in Kansas City,
MO, __% of my estate for general purposes."

To create a residual charitable bequest, use these words:
"All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both
real and personal, I give to Shepherd Center of Kansas
City Central, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, located
in Kansas City, MO, for its general purposes." 

Visit us at 
www.sccentral.org.
     Call us at 816-444-1121.
Shepherd's Center Central |  816-444-1122 |   www.sccentral.org
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