July Minutes

July 12, 2011 Saratoga Aging & Disability Network Meeting Minutes


Present: Eva Weaver (Raymond Watkins), Jennifer Frigolette (Attentive Home Companions), Debra Obenhoff (Home Helpers), Linda Powers (Home Instead Senior Care), Karen Britt (Alzheimer's Assoc. of NENY), Cindy Harrington (Shelters of Saratoga), Ed Harrington (Volunteer), Richard Amico (St. Edward the Confessor Church), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Kim Swire (CHOICES of St. Peter's), Mary Rickard (Saratoga Co. Office for the Aging), Ann Quinn (Home Health Care Partners), Candy Rivera Whitehead (NYS EPIC), Ben Nichols (Saratoga Co. NY Connects), Robin Blostein (Eddy VNA), Rebecca Zohn (Concepts of Independent Choices, Inc.), Holly Pajack (Redesign in Mind)

Next meeting: Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Location: St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park
Topic: Medicare 101 - Bill Beregenzer, Health Insurance Counselor Assistance Program (HICAP) volunteer with Saratoga County Office for the Aging

**We will hold meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 2:00-3:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

“Our mission is to promote community awareness of the programs and services available to Saratoga County residents who are aging and/or disabled, and their caregivers, so as to better meet the needs of these ever increasing populations.”

Introductions & Announcements:
•  Opening/Introduction-Cindy Harrington
• Alzheimer's Association of NENY will be holding an educational forum on Monday, 9/12/11 9 a.m. - noon entitled "Survivor's Guide to Managing Stress and Long Term Care: How to Plot Your Own Course" to be held at First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa. Registration is required.
• Walk to End Alzheimer's to be held on 9/24/11 at Saratoga Gaming & Raceway

Topic and Speaker: "Practical Tips for Caregivers," presented and discussion facilitated by Kim Swire, Elder Care Consultant for CHOICES at St. Peter's Hospital.

The role of caregiving has changed over the years in the following ways:
• Outside agencies are more readily available and may be necessary to provide in-home care
• Education is instrumental (e.g. providing assistance to a caregiver in how to communicate effectively with someone who has dementia)
• Respite care availability
• Cost of care

Biggest obstacles for caregivers:
• Resistance to outside support
• Not realizing they need support
• Not knowing how to access support (NY Connects, VA information, etc.)
• Financial limitations for care

The group made the following suggestions for caregivers:
• Persuade caregivers to seek help when needed by putting things in practical terms for them and give them options so they can choose what will work best
• Electronic monitoring systems may provide an alternative to sensor behaviors instead of having a person there
• Sensors can be purchased to turn off stoves if they are on too long
• In some areas, sheriff's depts. have a wakeup call service. If no one answers, they will make a follow-up call to make sure everything is all right.
• Dentist in Schenectady will make house calls (unsure if he will serve Saratoga Co.)