ATTN: HEALTH, FAMILY EDITORS November 30, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ryan Schwartz 713.446.3736 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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 Boomerʼs 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 be 65 and older, representing nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, 2008). • In November 2006, between 30-38 million US adults provided care to elders, with an average 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 of Family Caregiving, 2006). • In one of the most recent studies, 6% of sampled elders reported significant abuse in the 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 devastating emotional consequences. The incidence is growing as our population ages, and in the U.S., the increase comes at the exact time when we need to spend more resources to safeguard our elders while our country faces unprecedented economic conditions. If we donʼt 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 “Donʼt be discouraged if your aging loved one resists; itʼs 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 ʻtoken,ʼ 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 help and 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 are losing their ability to drive safely donʼt recognize it or are in denial and canʼt 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, but assisted living facilities are not licensed to give nursing care. Nursing homes are more like hospitals, which they must be to deliver skilled care to frail seniors,” said Rosenblatt. ###
