Presenter:  Carol Bertsch - Elder Law Attorney 

What do you do when the person you are caring for is no longer able to stay in their own home and they do not have the resources to pay for a nursing home on their own?  While the laws can differ from state to state, elder law attorney Carol Bertsch explains what it takes to qualify for nursing home care with Medicaid. With real life scenarios - this informative video clearly explains this complex process of how Medicaid can help those without the financial resources to pay for nursing home care. 

Additional Videos Presented by Elder Care Attorney Carol Bertsch:

• Powers of Attorney - Give the Power to Someone You Trust
• Who Decides When You Can't? Advanced Directives

Presenter:  Dr. Thomas Weiss, Geriatric Psychologist

Loneliness can be described as the discrepancy between a person's desired and actual social relationship. It's a unique situation in which a person perceives themselves to be socially isolated even when among other people. This condition causes a person to be irritable, depressed, self-centered, and can lead to a 29% increase in premature mortality. It's estimated that 1/3 of the population suffers from loneliness and is especially prevalent among seniors.

Dr. Weiss's presentation will help you to better understand this widespread condition with the following information:

• How to Diagnose Loneliness
• The Risk Factors 
• Health Effects 
• The Biology of Loneliness
• Treatment Options 

"Loneliness breaks the spirit." - Jewish Proverb

Presenter:  Dr. George Perry, PhD

It's not often that we get to sit down with someone who is actually conducting Alzheimer's research. We were privileged to have an opportunity to sit down with Dr. George Perry, UTSA Dean of College of Sciences and Professor of Biology, Semmes Foundation Distinguished Chair in Neurobiology and talk about the Alzheimer's research he is doing. 

These are just a few of the questions he answered during our interview: 

• Do we know what causes Alzheimer's disease?
• What are the correlations between diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices play who is a potential to develop Alzheimer's?
• What is the possibility of finding a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease?
• What affects do the current medications have on the disease? 
• What kind of research is currently being done at UTSA?
• What is the process of approval for a drug?
• Why do you think early detection of Alzheimer's is critical?
• What screening tools are used to detect Alzheimer's disease?
• Do you see progress being done to reverse Alzheimer's disease?
  
  

Presenter:  Elizabeth Woods, RN

The inability to take medications as prescribed can have serious consequences. Improper medication management is the most common reason seniors are forced to move to assisted living. As caregivers you want to make sure that medications are being taken properly, but being available every time medication needs to be administered can be difficult. And what about those caregivers who are caring for someone long-distance? Fortunately, recent pill box technology has evolved and there are many new options available to help with medication management. 

This video provides examples of the many options now available, functionality, cost and will greatly assist you in determining which device is best for you or your loved one. 

Presenter:  Carol Bertsch, Elder Law Attorney

The job of a caregiver is difficult, but there are tools (Powers of Attorney) that can actually make your caregiving job easier. Having these tools in place before they are needed can alleviate already stressful and tense situations. Attorney Carol Bertsch explains the differences between various powers of attorney, the rights, limitations, what they cover, how to appoint your agent(s), why you need alternate agents, when the POW become effective and more. 

Presenter:  Maria W. Wellisch, RN, LNFA

For those who struggle to balance caregiving responsibilities with employment duties - life can be stressful and days can be long. There are only 24 hours in a day and when you have so much to do - you sometimes neglect yourself in order to get it all done. In this video Maria offers advice  for keeping your job and saving your sanity. 

• How to accept advice from friends and family?
• Resources that can help lighten the load.
• The importance of support groups and respite care.

Employed and Caring for a Loved One - Part 1

Presenter:  Maria W. Wellisch, RN, LNFA

Are you struggling to balance caregiving responsibilities with your employment duties. Do you feel one or the other is suffering from being stretched too far. If so you are not alone. In this video Maria Wellisch offers her advice for keeping your job and saving your sanity. 

• Using FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) effectively
• Tapping into your EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Consider a Geriatric Case Manager 

Employed and Caring for a Loved One - Part 2

Presenter:  Maria W. Wellisch, RN, LNFA

We don't often think of fraud when we think of charity - but unfortunately there is fraud in charitable giving. It's important to know if our donations are going to safe reputable organizations and that our credit card information is handled safely and securely. Our elderly population are often targets of this particular form of elder fraud. As caregivers it's important to learn to give safely and help those you care for stay safe as well.

Presenter:  Maria W. Wellisch, RN, LNFA

Seniors are not the only ones who are victims of scams, but unfortunately they are often considered easy targets. Scammers are always coming up with new ways to deceive people for their personal gain. In order to protect yourself and those you love you must be aware of the potential scams and how they work. Don't be the next victim of an unfortunate scam and share this information with those you love and want to protect. 

Presenter: Linda Sendaula

Linda openly admits that when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease she was in denial and unable to come to terms with what the diagnosis would mean for her and her family. Her husband was the one who researched and learned all he could about Alzheimer's and what his life would look like living with this disease. At her husband's insistence - Linda finally agreed to discuss the horror of the disease and talk about how they would handle his care as the disease progressed.

In this short video Linda shares her story of how she moved from a reluctant caregiver for her husband to being a "professional" Alzheimer's volunteer. 

Presenter: Linda Sendaula

Linda Sendaula cared for her husband who had Alzheimer's for seven years. She went from being a reluctant caregiver to being a "professional" Alzheimer's volunteer. In this video series, she shares some of the knowledge that she learned along the way in hopes of helping others who are traveling this journey.

In this short video, Linda tells us what surprised her the most as she cared for her husband and watched the progression of this disease. 

Presenter: Linda Sendaula

Linda Sendaula spent seven years as the primary caregiver for her husband who suffered with Alzheimer's. She went from being a reluctant caregiver to finding her voice as a caregiver through the difficult journey to becoming a "professional" Alzheimer's volunteer. She is now committed to helping others through the struggles and frustrations of caring for someone with Alzheimer's. 

In this short video Linda answers the following questions: 

• What advice would you give caregivers to help them cope with the guilt and frustration involved with caregiving?
• How did your children react to your husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis?