October/November 2022, Vol. XXIII, No. 3 |
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Caregivers Need Care, Too |
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The number of family members, friends, and others providing some type of ‘care’ to older adults continues to grow at a staggering rate. As we know, this is due to the growing number of older adults needing a some amount of care, as well as the current shortage of caregivers in the home care industry.
Caring for your spouse, parent, sibling, uncle, neighbor or whomever it may be, is so very important. The time, energy and financial resources you give and share cannot be accurately measured, but there is no question that it is massive.
Caregiver tasks are many and vary for each situation. Check-in calls, grocery shopping and picking up prescript-tions, meal preparation, housecleaning and laundry, helping with bills, coordinating health insurance, benefits and other types of paperwork, participating in healthcare visits and treatments, providing personal care, and the list goes on.
This list does not even account for the critical social interaction that is provided and our loved ones so desperately need. Unfortunately it is this social interaction that is often shortchanged because the day-to-day list of tasks are such a priority.
Providing support to these caregivers is paramount and something Your Council takes seriously. It is our belief that information, education and emotional support are key to
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keeping caregivers afloat. This may not reduce the number of tasks and responsibilities, but it may provide strategies for being more efficient, reducing stress and anxiety, and prioritizing the health and wellness of the caregivers—something that is pushed to the side.
Below you will find information about the Council’s five support groups, including one online, the monthly newsletter, and how to contact the Council to talk or meet with a care manager.
Caregivers need support, just as the older adults in their care need support. We acknowledge, however, that asking for help is difficult for many. As we look to National Family Caregivers Month in November, we encourage caregivers to reach out to the Council, friends, clergy and others for support. Allow others to share the care in whatever way they can, even if it isn’t exactly what you feel you need. Create a list of tasks to be shared, if an offer is made. You might be surprised just how much of a difference accepting a bit of support can have!
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A support group is a gathering of people facing a common issue to share experiences, offer support, encouragement, and comfort to group members, and receive the same in return. The Council facilitates a Caregivers Support Group that is open to individuals caring for an older loved one, friend or neighbor. Please join us to share your stories, your successes, and your challenges. Learn from others and provide invaluable support to other caregivers.
For more information or to sign up for the monthly caregiver newsletter In Care of You, please contact the Council at 937-376-5486 or yourfriends@gccoa.org
Support Groups
1st Monday at 6pm,
First Presbyterian Church
314 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs
1st Tuesday at 11:30 pm,
GCCOA Xenia office
2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 9:30 am
Peace Lutheran Church
3530 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek
3rd Wednesday at 10:30am
Xenia Community Center, for Caregivers of those with Parkinson’s Disease
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Spooktacular Drive-By Shredding Event |
We hope you have been boxing or bagging up those old and unwanted piles of papers, statements and canceled checks that should not find their way into the hands of others, ‘boocause’ we are ready for you!
Your Council team will be on hand to greet you at the October 29th Drive-By Shredding Event. You may bring up to 3 boxes of personal medical or financial papers. If you aren’t sure about a paper, it is best to keep it.
You will find us in our friendly ghost attire, ready to transfer your boxes or bags into the bins for safe onsite destruction (please no binders or recycling). We will also be giving out some prizes for your friendliest ghost costumes and vehicle décor, and will have available printed copies of the Service & Support Directory and possibly the 2023 GCCOA Calendar.
Saturday, October 29th ~ 9am to 12pm
Xenia Community Center Parking Lot
1265 W. Second Street
(next to the Council’s office)
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Medicare Open Enrollment 2022
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15th through December 7th. During this time you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Health Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. Reviewing your current plan and available options is key to making the best decision for your individual situation.
Advantage plans and Part-D (prescription) plans change every year and we often see increased premiums and co-pays, drugs no longer covered or at a different cost, and changes in what providers may or may not be contracted with your plan. This is why an annual review of options is critical.
The Council is processing reviews over the phone. Information packets were mailed to those previously assisted, and we are currently conducting phone calls with the respondents. If you are new to this assistance, you may contact the Council to request a packet but we ask that you do this as soon as possible.
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2022 Holiday Gift Soiree
Please mark your calendar and join us for our
2022 Holiday Gift Soiree
Wednesday, November 30th
10 am to 6 pm
Xenia Community Center
(next to the Council’s office)
We have a very special and beautiful experience planned, along with the opportunity to purchase some one-of-a-kind handcrafted items and homemade treats.
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It's Your Money ~ Things To Do After the Passing of a Loved One
Almost all of us have experienced the loss of a loved one, and therefore know it is not the best time to be making important financial decisions. When you have such a loss it is important to take time to grieve, and ‘most’ tasks related to this death do not need to be dealt with immediately. Click here for a list, in no particular order, that can help you manage your financial affairs after someone passes.
The Council’s Financial Advocate is a volunteer who can help with financial matters. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the Council.
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Letters From Friends
Loneliness and social isolation among seniors are significant problems, made worse by the pandemic. The Greene County Council on Aging is dedicated to keeping seniors in their homes as they age, and we want to help lonely seniors. We have these programs:
· Friendly Calls — Seniors receive a phone call from a Council team member.
· Friendly Visits — Volunteers visit seniors at their homes.
We are considering a new program to reach out to seniors, and want to know if there is any interest.
Would you like to volunteer to write cards, notes or letters to people you don’t know?
Would you like to receive cards, notes or letters?
If we get enough interest, we’d also be looking for donations of blank, unused greeting cards for the program.
Interested?
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JamFest Thanks
We would like to thank everyone who supported the 2022 JamFest. And congratulations to Fairborn Mayor Paul Keller who took home the Cloud Race Trophy! It was wonderful afternoon and a tremendous success!
Paul Newman Jr
Mayors Pam Conine, Paul Keller, Sarah Mays & Bob Stone
Anderson-Williamson Insurance Agency
Fairborn Senior Center
Yellow Springs Senior Center
Xenia Adult & Recreation Services Center
WBZI—Real Roots Radio
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2023 Calendar and Community Directory
The Council’s 2023 calendar is in production and we hope to have it available at the October 29th Shredding Event. It will then be distributed to the senior centers, libraries and other locations.
The 2022 Service & Support Directory will also be available.
We still have three more months of the beautiful 2022 calendar, but many of us are already scheduling appointments and activities into 2023 and there is no better place to record these than the Council’s printed calendar!
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Please join us in thanking these generous donors who shared their financial gifts since the last newsletter.
In Memory Of:
Glen P. Allen
Beverly Jean Cook
Harold “Junior” McCoy
Donors:
Paula Adams
Brooks Allen
Stephanie Allen-Pummell
Jean Clements
Rita Duncan
Mary C. Graves
Mary Hamer
Teddy & Shirley Hoffer
Jeanette Johannes
Lauren Myers
Vicky L. Schafer
Nancy S. Trimble
Amazon Smile
Kroger Community
United Way of Greater Dayton
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Volunteers:
Diana Adkins
Greg Atwood
Sharon Benedict
Jennifer Eddy
Kyle & Stacie Davis
Barb Hawk
Marty Heide
Roger Hilbig
Linda Jones
Anita Kuntz
Stephanie Lawson
Amy Margolin
Sherri Martin
Sherry Matsel
Kelly Rickabaugh
Tracey Rickey
Chandra Shrader
Lisa Weinstein
Polly Werth
Dee Willis
Barbara Vandecreek
Be Hope Church
Clay Swafford Benefit Services
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For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at yourfriends@gccoa.org, or 937-376-5486.
◊ Medicare Open Enrollment
October 15th through December 7th
◊ Medicare 101
Wed, October 12th, 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Drive-by Shredding Event
Saturday, October 29th, 9:00 am to Noon, Xenia Community Center
◊ Legal Chat - Safeguarding Our Personal Information
Thursday, October 20th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
Wednesday, November 16th, 2:30-4:30pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Holiday Gift Soiree
Wednesday, November 30th, 10 am - 6 pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Grief & Loss Group
2nd Mondays (Oct 10th, Nov 14th), 10am-Noon, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
◊ In-Person Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05 pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00 pm
Please be on alert regarding Medicare, Social Security, and other scams.
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Greene County Council on Aging
937-376-5486
Committed to Seniors and Caregivers
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Our mission: To promote independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers by facilitating and supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a comprehensive and coordinated system of contact and care.
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