http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/aging-parents-blog.html Want the latest tips in how to start conversations with your aging parents about the future? Subscribe to this RSS/blog and get help. en-us aging parents Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:22:08 GMT Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:22:08 GMT talk-early-talk-often.com http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/heat-stroke-symptoms.html These heat stroke symptoms and signs of heat exhaustion could spell trouble for aging parents. In the summer, heat stroke and heat exertion can prove deadly for the elderly. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:51:15 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/aging-parents-blog.html#Advance-Care-Planning-Legislation-Supported-by-American-Academy-of-Hospice-and-Palliative-Care Advance Care Planning is a vital part of health care and end of life planning for every person. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR,3) is attempting to make the process more accessible by introducing the <b>Personalize Your Care Act of 2010 (H.R. 5795)</b>. The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine is supporting this bill and is advising the Congressman on the content. This bill encourages doctors to make the time for their patients who want to about their plans for the future. It offers reimbursement to doctors under Medicare and Medicaid for assisting people who want to start to talk about their own plans for the future, and standardizes a method to implement advance directives when needed. <br><br> <b>Other features of the bill will:</b><br><br> <li><b>allow portability of advance directives across states</b> - currently, every state has its own version of advance directives. Sometimes the provisions are different enough that they are not wholly embraced by every other state. This bill seeks to eliminate any question about whether a person's wishes will be respected, just because they may be away from home. <br><br> <li><b>require standards to include completed advance care planning documents within a patient's electronic health record</b> - universal electronic health records were provided in the health care reform legislation passed in 2010. Under the current proposal advance directives will be able to be included in everyone's electronic record, rather than being pieces of paper that must be carried or delivered by patients or their health care proxy. <br><br> <li><b>provide grants to states to create Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment(POLST)programs</b> - advance care planning is best done when adults are having conversations with their families and health care professionals early and often. Next creating documents that legally appoint a your Health Care Power of Attorney and creating a Living Will that puts your wishes int written form. But when a person actually develops a terminal illness and reaches the end stages, a POLST turns the patients <i>desires</i> into an actual Medical Order that must be followed by all medical personnel, including Emergency Medical Services. <b>Get Involved</b> Email your Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives to help them understand the importance of being able to talk to your doctor about advance care planning. Ask them to co-sponsor the bill. It's easy to use AAHPM's Legislative Action Center to email your Representative. Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:42:25 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/special-needs-families.html Special needs families have even more reason to get a head start on planning for the future. This book on <b>Planning for the Future</b> is the best that I've seen. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:50:26 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/family-legacy.html After you arrive at your vacation destination with Aging Parents, make sure you take time for those special conversations that may not take place in another setting. Try this -- with everyone sitting around after a meal, start asking the questions that may lead to wonderful stories about your family legacy. I was at a family reunion in Kentucky last week, and heard wonderful impromptu recollections from my mother and her sisters about my great-grandparents and how they used to dry fruit from their peach, apple and pear trees up on the tin roof of the house. The older grandchildren were responsible to climb up the two story ladder to check and make sure that the fruit had dried adequately. I'd not heard those stories in my 53 years, and I might have missed them if I was not open to those moments of quiet relaxation with no other pressing agenda. Don't get so caught up this summer with all the sight-seeing "plans" that you forget the true family riches that could be shared. For more tips on how to capture the family legacy, click below and scroll down the page... Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:06:58 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/travel-for-senior-citizens.html It's vacation season and a lot of us are heading out with aging parents. Remember to think ahead in setting up travel plans to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. <b>Packing</b> - Plan for the difference in the body's ability to regulate temperature as you age. You'll want a light jacket or sweater handy for when your father or grandfather is cold when everyone else is just right. <b>Remember the "Extras" </b> - Extra hearing aid batteries, extra flashlights, extra reading glasses, extra personal items. You'll be glad when you don't have to dash out looking for these things. <b>Medications</b> - In addition to all the pills, double check that you have a list of all the medications that your parent takes. You'll want to make sure that pills are in original bottles for easy identification through security checks at the airport. Have a list of all medications and a source of filling emergency prescriptions if meds are lost or forgotten. Carry on enough meds for 3 days if checking baggage -- you never know what may happen! <b>Special Interests</b> - Get your parent's input on some stops along the way. Their ideas of fun may have changed over the years. For additional travel tips for the airport click below: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:44:38 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/the-end-of-my-life.html The end of my life is not a topic of everyday discussion. Yet thesefilmakers show that death with dignity would be dramatically changed if we would talk about our end of life decisions now. Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:14:01 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/durable-medical-power-of-attorney.html Durable Medical Power of Attorney -- Who has health care power of attorney if your aging parent remarries? Here's a simple answer... Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:00:23 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/neurogenesis.html Neurogenesis reveals the lie that with an aging brain, memory is destined to fade. Good news for aging parents? Physical exercise can turn on the brain's ability to grow, heal and rewire itself. How? Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:18:06 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/brain-foods.html Brain foods are key. What you eat affects aging and the brain. Aging parents' brains can get added protection from Alzheimer's or other decline. Learn to improve brain fitness by what they eat. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:02:04 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/brain-plasticity.html Brain plasticity is good news for aging and the brain. Your parent's brain fitness can improve by continued learning. Watch these experts share some clues. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:30:57 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/brain-aging.html Brain aging is a trick. Nature sets your parents up for decline, but they have a choice. Brain fitness will allow them to strengthen new brain cells through developing cognitive reserve. Here's how. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:30:28 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/geriatric-assessment.html Learn how a Geriatric Assessment can help you and your aging parents decide the best senior housing options. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:09:40 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-driving-2.html Share your stories about senior driving and how you helped aging parents give up the keys and maintain their dignity and freedom Sat, 29 May 2010 16:02:20 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/Senior-Drivers.html How to help senior drivers in your life choose when it's time to stop driving...and preserve the peace! Sat, 29 May 2010 14:43:36 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-citizen-home-safety.html Senior citizen home safety can be compromised by "fake" contractors. Your aging parents are vulnerable to these door-to-door thieves. Sun, 23 May 2010 15:04:31 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/Florida-senior-services.html Find Florida senior services to help your aging parents plan for future elderly help Sun, 23 May 2010 14:29:08 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/seniors-housing.html Today, seniors housing choices are abundant - senior citizen apartments, senior care housing, aging-in-place? How to talk to aging parents. Sun, 16 May 2010 23:06:53 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/activities-of-daily-living-index.html Activities of daily living index should be used in helping to make future housing decisions for your aging parents. Sun, 16 May 2010 22:09:26 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-exercise.html Why senior exercise may be the key for your parents to regain aging fitness of body, brain, and spirit. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:31:06 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/water-aerobics-exercises.html Watch these water aerobics exercises that can provide many benefits to aging parents. Water and exercise improve flexibility and strength for arthritis and other damaged joints. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:23:10 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/water-aerobic-exercise.html Learn water aerobic exercise and other water exercises to help improve balance, strength, endurance and brain fitness for your aging parents. Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:26:45 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/best-water-exercises.html The best water exercises are good water exercises for seniors and can be used as water therapy exercises post -surgery. Water senior exercises help your aging parents with balance and strength. Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:21:35 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/advance-directives.html Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day and all Americans are encouraged to ensure that their future healthcare choices are known and protected. The process does not take long and it is free. This is something I have done for myself and hope you will, too. An advance directive is a legal document that tells healthcare providers who it is that you wish to make medical decisions for you and what treatments you would want or not want, if you are ever not able to tell us what you want for yourself. National Healthcare Decisions Day exists to remind all people, regardless of age or current health of the importance of making these decisions known. Please be sure to complete your advance directive today and also encourage your aging parents and all your loved ones to do the same. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:20:54 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/emergencyinformation.html HERES A QUIZ When is the right time to name someone to speak for your aging parent in case of serious illness? A: WHEN THEYRE IN GOOD HEALTH <br><br> B: WHEN THEYRE IN A COMA The answer of course, is A. The problem? We are reluctant to talk about our medical wishes in case of serious illness or end of life. Too often, the result is confusion and family conflict at a time when your family is most vulnerable -- when your loved one cannot speak for themselves. APRIL 16TH IS NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY the day to name someone to speak for our parents if they cannot speak for themselves. Talk to them about the importance of planning for the unexpected. Help them select someone who they trust to make medical decisions if they are unable to speak for themselves - even temporarily. Get more information on Advance Care Planning and the documents you need to name a Power of Attorney for Healthcare for your peace of mind and your family's. Think about what is important and help your parents talk about their life and what they value if they become ill. Share that with other family members and with the family doctor. AND -- don't forget to complete Advance Directives for yourself! Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:51:25 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/snow-shoveling.html Tips for snow shoveling safely and avoiding snow shoveling hazards for your aging parents Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:32:15 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/about-nursing-homes.html Books about nursing homes often emphasize the negative aspects. This book will help you understand ways that nursing homes can be beneficial for your aging parent and your family. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:01:24 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/national-grandparents-day.html Use National Grandparents Day to honor your aging parents by creating Grandparents Day memories Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:42:36 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/flu-protection.html Discuss essential flu protection with your aging parents during peak flu seasons. What to do during an outbreak. Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:42:37 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/About-Dale.html About Dale - Meet Rev. Dale Susan Edmonds, Family Communication Coach. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:33:13 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/radio-special-offer.html Dale Susan Edmonds will be interviewed by Dale Carter on BlogTalkRadio, Tuesday, Aug 11 2009 at 11:00 AM Eastern. 10:00 Central. How to "Talk Early, Talk Often with Your Aging Parents" Listen to the live feed here and ask your questions directly. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:06:39 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/radio-special-offer.html Radio Special Offer for listeners to our Radio and Podcast Interviews. What to Talk About First With Aging Parents Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:42:46 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/special-needs-adults.html Special needs adults and their future care are of great concern for aging parents. How to talk to your elderly parents about planning for siblings with special needs. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:20:53 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/advance-directives.html Advance Directives need more than a signed document. Who needs to have the conversations with your aging parents? What do they need to talk about? How do you start the talks? Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:03:56 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/health-care-reform-act.html Health Care Reform Act: Talk to Your Aging Parents About the Real Purpose of a Living Will Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:42:08 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/index.html How do you get your aging parents, who are now senior citizens, to talk about the future? Now is the time and here are the tools you'll need to start. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:45:53 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/DTV-Transition-and-Senior-Citizens.html The DTV Transition and Senior Citizens will have a hard time making peace. The change to Digital television is coming, but seniors are the least prepared. How to make sure your aging parents are ready Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:33:57 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/autistic-adults.html Autistic adults need creative solutions for housing after life with aging parents. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:23:09 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/autism-awareness.html How to build autism awareness in fire safety or medical autism emergency. Tips for you and aging parents. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:44:28 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/adult-autism-symptoms.html Adult autism symptoms need to be shared with police in an autism emergency. Ask aging parents for autism information. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:36:28 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/alzheimers-symptoms.html Alzheimers symptoms are important to share with kids in an alzheimers family. Sandwich generation must share alzheimers information. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:40:46 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-cycling.html Senior cycling is a great senior exercise for aging parents. Here's how to start. Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:08:45 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/exercises-for-senior-citizens.html Exercises for senior citizens will enhance independence and activities of daily living. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:11:08 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/aging-fitness.html Include this aging fitness exercise in a senior fitness routine for your aging parents. To pursue senior health and fitness -- begin today. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:10:36 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-fitness-exercise.html This senior fitness exercise is a good place for your aging parents to begin to pursue senior health and fitness. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:38:22 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/senior-citizens-swimming.html Senior citizens swimming: help your aging parents maintain senior health and fitness Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:48:38 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/elderly-exercise.html Use this elderly exercise for senior citizens as part of an Upper Body Workout for senior health and fitness. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:11:47 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/exercise-for-seniors.html Exercise for seniors helps your aging parents maintain functional independence. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:44:37 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/fitness-for-seniors.html Fitness for seniors is the goal of this Upper Body Workout. Elderly exercise is vital to maintain functional independence. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:17:42 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/georgia-senior-services.html Find Georgia senior services to help your aging parents plan for future elderly help Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:48:31 GMT http://www.talk-early-talk-often.com/exercise-for-senior-citizens.html Use this exercise for senior citizens as part of an Upper Body Workout for aging fitness. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:12:11 GMT