Backgrounder

ATTN: HEALTH, FAMILY EDITORS

November 30, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Ryan Schwartz 713.446.3736

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AVAILABLE TO COMMENT:
UNIQUE NURSING/LEGAL/PSYCHOLOGIST TEAM HELPS FAMILIES
PLAN AND ADDRESS ELDER CARE / ABUSE ISSUES

Conflict Resolution, Communication with Elders, Long-Term Care Solutions,
and Planning Advice Helps Overwhelmed Families Cope with Aging Parents

• Experienced Expert Spokespeople Available to Comment
• Free articles, tools, podcasts/audio available at www.AgingParents.com
San Rafael, CA…..As an increasing number of baby boomers struggle to care for their
older parents, AgingParents.com helps families come together to address legal, health,
and physiological/emotional needs of both adult children and elders. AgingParents.com offers specialized advising and online resources on conflict, communication, and planning issues related to elder care.

Interviews are Available With the Following Experts:

Carolyn Rosenblatt, R.N., Attorney at Law, author of The Boomer’s Guide to Aging
Parents. Familiar with health, legal, financial, and insurance issues.

Dr. Mikol Davis, clinical psychologist with 30+ years of experience addressing family
conflicts, caregiver stress, and the mental competence of elders.

Interesting Facts

• Federal projections forecast that by 2030, approximately 71.5 million people will be65 and older, representing nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population (FederalInteragency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, 2008).
• In November 2006, between 30-38 million US adults provided care to elders, with anaverage of 21 hours per week, adding up to a total estimated economic value of$350 billion (AARP, Valuing the Invaluable: A New Look at the Economic Value ofFamily Caregiving, 2006).
• In one of the most recent studies, 6% of sampled elders reported significant abuse inthe previous 30 days (Cooper, Selwood, and Livingston. The Prevalence of Elder
Abuse and Neglect: a Systematic Review. Age and Ageing 2008 37(2): 151-160).

AgingParents.com Issues and Quotes:

Elder Abuse Prevention
“Financial abuse is estimated to cost elders $2.6 billion a year, and has devastatingemotional consequences. The incidence is growing as our population ages, and in theU.S., the increase comes at the exact time when we need to spend more resources tosafeguard our elders while our country faces unprecedented economic conditions. If we don’t spend budget dollars on prevention and protection as well as law enforcement,
this will become even more of a rampage than it already is,” said Rosenblatt

Communication with Elders
“Don’t be discouraged if your aging loved one resists; it’s normal and is fundamentally
about loss of control. Keep bringing the topic up, and mention that it is for your peace of mind and perhaps they will do it just for you. Involve your aging parent or loved one as
much as you can in the process. Even if the participation of your elder is taken, it is
respectful and kind to help the elder feel a degree of control in the process,” said Rosenblatt.

“For many elders, there has never been a focus on feelings or emotional difficulty.
Unlike the baby boomer children they produced, elders may lack the “emotional vocabulary” to put feelings into words. Therefore, they may lack the ability to seek helpand to identify problems such as depression,” said Davis.

Driving“The subject of driving is a “charged” one and sparks can fly. Most older drivers who arelosing their ability to drive safely don’t recognize it or are in denial and can’t face the terrible thought of giving up their independence and control. Yet if you avoid it, every person walking on the street and every driver on the road is put at risk,” said Rosenblatt.

Long-Term Care Solutions “If your parent is in fragile health and seems to be steadily declining physically or mentally, be cautious about choosing an assisted living facility over a nursing home(also known as a skilled nursing facility). No one chooses a nursing home first, butassisted living facilities are not licensed to give nursing care. Nursing homes are morelike hospitals, which they must be to deliver skilled care to frail seniors,” said Rosenblatt.

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