Perhaps you’ve heard of “adult day care.” Although you may be reluctant to consider it for your parent, research shows the benefits are undeniable.

Three basic kinds of adult day programs are offered across the country.

• Adult social programs provide activities, meals, and personal care.
• Dementia-focused programs are like social programs but are geared for individuals with memory loss.
• Adult day health programs provide activities and meals, as well as therapeutic and social work services. They serve individuals with serious medical concerns and/or dementia.

Most programs provide transportation to and from the center. The average cost is $67/day, although you may be eligible for assistance. (If your loved one spends at least 8 hours a day living with you and is financially dependent, you may be eligible for Dependent Care Tax Credits from the IRS.

Day programs create a win:win for you and your parent. Researchers report:

• Reduced stress for family caregivers.
• Increased quality of life for program attendees.
• Fewer dementia-related behavior problems over time.

Concerned that your parent will say “no”? Studies of dementia-focused programs find this is not a common problem. Still, follow these tips for a successful transition:

• Start slowly. Have your loved one attend for a few hours at first, then a full day. Build up to several days a week.
• If your loved one has dementia, new places and faces may cause anxiety or resistance. Stay with them initially to ease their adjustment.
• If your loved one does not have dementia, be sure the program has other non-impaired attendees.
• Discuss your concerns with center staff. They are experienced at helping newcomers fit in.

See our Community Programs page on adult day centers for more details.

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It’s difficult to know what to anticipate when traveling with a frail family member. Here are tips from experienced, disabled travelers to reduce your road-trip stress this summer.

If your travel includes hotel lodging:

• Talk directly with the hotel. Many chains have a centralized reservation system. Get a direct, on-site number instead. Then ask to speak with the head of housekeeping or engineering. With their intimate knowledge of the building, you can ask them to describe the disability features: How wide are the doorways? Does the bathroom have grab bars? And don’t forget to ask about access to the hotel from the street!
• Reserve the room. Confirm that you are guaranteed an “accessible” room. Reconfirm a few days in advance of your arrival. If your room is not available or not accessible, ask to speak with the manager. It is the hotel’s responsibility to find you suitable alternate lodgings.

You might also consider bringing these items. You’ll find them sold online or at medical supply stores.

• A folding ramp. An easy way to eliminate a short flight of stairs.
• Safety items for the bathroom. Consider a lightweight toilet seat extender. For bathing, look for a suction-based grab bar, or folding shower bench and slip-on shower hose. Add nightlights to improve visibility after dark.
• Chair comfort. Bring a lap blanket and special pillows if your family member will be spending a lot of time sitting. Or a small fan to help with cooling. A swivel seat cushion may help a lot with getting in/out of the car.

To help your loved one join in excursions, consider a wheelchair. A wheelchair can preserve your family member’s energy. All transport chairs fold, but some are made for travel and pack easily in a small bag.

For more, Visit us online at: http://hospicecarecenter.org!

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1. Make sure you have an up-to-date will.
Your will is one of the most important documents you own. It provides clear direction for your family after you’re gone, when they’re making major decisions under stressful circumstances. When was the last time your will was updated? If it was years ago, you should arrange a meeting with your estate planning attorney to review your decisions. You might have overlooked a change that can affect your wishes, such as a move to another state, tax law changes, or the loss or addition of a family member.

2. Decide where the money goes.
Take some time to decide how you want to provide for the well-being of each of your family members. Don’t let your worries about fairness and equality discourage you. Simply start with the “big picture” items such as real estate, bank accounts, life insurance policies and retirement plan assets. This will help you prepare to meet with your estate planning attorney.

After you feel comfortable with your gifts for your family, you may begin to consider providing for Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and our mission to provide excellent health care in our communities. Within your estate, there are many assets, such as your IRA or life insurance, that can be used in whole or in part to help you make a big difference. Feel free to contact Ellen Coble at 336-331-1312 or ellen.coble@hospicecarecenter.org to learn about these options. Then, meet with your estate planning attorney to put your ideas into action.

3. Keep your loved ones informed.
Once you’re at peace with your decisions, gather your family and explain your choices. Help them understand your perspective to avoid any heartache later. Following are a few talking points to help you and your family feel more comfortable:

• Thank your family for recognizing what this meeting means to you.
• Emphasize your goals to be fair and your concerns for your loved ones’ futures.
• Detail the responsibilities, items and amounts you’ve chosen to give your family members and why.
• Express your desire to give to charity and your goals for your charitable gifts.

Request our FREE eBrochure on estate planning essentials.

For more, Visit us online at: http://hospicecarecenter.org!

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We’re all aware that diet affects health. But did you know that people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can help themselves breathe better by making simple changes to their eating habits?

What we eat

The food we eat combines with the oxygen we breathe to create energy and carbon dioxide. Our body needs the energy to function. The carbon dioxide is a waste product we need to dispose of. Too much of it is toxic. But having to exhale a lot can be tiring.

• Limit sugar and sugary foods such as candy, cake, and soft drinks. Carbohydrates (sugars and starch) produce more carbon dioxide than fats or proteins. They make more work for the lungs.
• Fats produce the least carbon dioxide. The best fats are polyunsaturated fats such as vegetable oils and soft margarine (look for those labeled “zero trans fat”).
• Protein is necessary to maintain the respiratory muscles. At least two servings a day is recommended: eggs, dried beans, dairy products, and meats.
• Limit foods that produce gas, such as carbonated beverages, dried beans, cauliflower, and broccoli. They cause the stomach to expand which puts pressure on the diaphragm.
• Limit salt. It can cause the body to retain fluid, making it harder to breathe. See our January 2010 article on reducing salt.

The way we eat

• Consider eating four to six small meals a day and minimizing fluid intake at mealtime. It’s harder to breathe when your stomach is full.
• Eat earlier in the day. If energy is generally low by dinnertime, focus on consuming more of the day’s calories in the morning and afternoon.

As always, check with a doctor or dietitian to determine the diet that is right for your loved one. You can search for a registered dietitian near you at www.eatright.org.

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These additional factors play a key role in adequately protecting you and your heirs.

1. Review ownership and beneficiary designations. You can unwittingly limit your power to distribute certain types of property through your will. In the case of a married couple that owns all property in joint tenancy, the will of the first spouse to die may lose its effectiveness.

2. State your health care wishes through a living will. This simple document outlines your preferences about lifesaving medical treatments in certain circumstances such as if you are terminally ill. Combine this with a durable power of attorney for health care to appoint someone to make your medical decisions if you cannot make them yourself.

3. Keep your financial affairs private. Unlike a will, a revocable living trust is not available under public records, and all assets in the trust are handled with the same privacy. Your personal family business is not exposed.

4. Include a trust in your estate plan. If you have substantial financial assets, consider creating a credit shelter trust in your plans. The potential benefits include estate tax-saving opportunities that can help ensure that your heirs will not have to liquidate those assets to pay estate taxes.1

5. Finally, allow yourself peace of mind. Seeking professional advice and looking at all your options can lead to a tax-wise estate plan that meets the needs of your heirs and your favorite charitable organizations, such as Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, giving you the comfort of knowing that your assets will benefit those you leave behind.

Have questions? We can help. Contact Ellen Coble at 336-331-1312 or ellen.coble@hospicecarecenter.org.

1Currently federal estate taxes are repealed for all deaths that occur in the calendar year 2010. In 2011, estate taxes are scheduled to be reinstated for estates worth more than $1 million at rates up to 55 percent. Congress, however, is likely to address reinstating estate taxes before 2011. What the final legislation will look like and when it might become effective is unknown at this point.

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