Elder E-Letter: Winter 2019

When:
Friday, March 29, 2019
7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Family Caregivers, Professionals, and the General Public are invited to attend the Alzheimer’s Association Annual Educational Summit. For those of you who came last year, you already know this is going to be an awesome event. Registration includes: educational materials, food, CEU’s for professionals, and access to experts in the field. This event is free for caregivers.

Register here

Location:
Oblate School of Theology Whitley Center
285 Oblate Drive
San Antonio, TX 78216

Toni O’Brien was elected as First Friday Treasurer. First Friday is a business networking group for senior care professionals in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.

By, Jody Hudspeth, Paralegal for The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC
One of the many hats I wear as a paralegal is answering phone calls and emails from concerned loved ones and caregivers. This column, “The Elder Law Askit Basket”, features some of the scenarios we hear on a frequent basis. If you have a question you’d like to see answered here, please email me at: jhudspeth@assistingseniors.com.

I went home for the holidays to see my mom. She’s a 75-year-old widow who’s always been very independent. I was really surprised when I saw her. She’s lost a lot of weight and her house is really messy. She seems to have given up on life since my dad died 2 years ago. She’s depressed and a little forgetful, but I don’t think she has dementia. I tried talking to her about going to an assisted living facility, but she won’t listen to me. Should I get guardianship of her?

I’m sorry to hear your mom isn’t taking care of herself. I know you care about your mom and you want to help her; however, the court will not appoint a guardian for someone who’s merely depressed. Guardianship is reserved for people who are incapacitated and cannot manage their own affairs. Instead of guardianship, you may want to consider talking to an Aging Life Care Professional.

Aging Life Care, also known as geriatric care management, is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. We’ve referred a lot of people to Aging Life Care Professionals who have been successful in establishing a care plan with their loved one.

No one likes to be told what to do. Your mom might be resistant to going to an assisted living because you (her child) are telling her she needs to go to one. Getting an Aging Life Care Professional involved would be a good idea because your mom would have direct input in her own care plan, so she’ll feel more in control of her life. She might be more inclined to listen to a disinterested third party who’s not her child.

If you’d like to contact an Aging Life Care Professional, please contact Gray Matters, Sage Care Management, or Accountable Aging Care Management. I hope you find this information helpful. If you still have guardianship-related questions, feel free to email or call our office at (210)892-4555.

Jan. 1 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC observes New Years Day

Jan. 18-19 – Attorneys Ellen G. Patterson and Carol Bertsch attend the Texas NAELA UnProgram 2019

Jan 19 – The most important day of the year—Carol’s birthday, of course! Happy Birthday, Carol!

Jan 21 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will be walking with the NAACP at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March

Feb. 7-8 – Attorneys Ellen G. Patterson and Carol Bertsch attend the UT Law CLE on Special Needs Trusts

Feb. 19 – Carol speaks at Oasis: Morningside about “Estate Planning: Wills & Trusts” (Register here by searching “Estate planning”. Registration opens 1/04/19)

Mar. 1 – Paralegal Toni O’Brien will be at The San Antonio Bar Association’s Extreme Family Law Makeover representing The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC

Mar. 28 – Carol presents Special Needs Trusts to UT Health Science Center

Mar. 29 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC sponsors Alzheimer’s Association Annual Education Summit. Come say hi to Paralegal Jody Hudspeth as she staffs the table!

Nov. 1 – Carol spoke at the Caregiver SOS Summit on End of Life Planning

Nov. 10 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC supported the Run for Mom 5K for the Sarah Roberts French Home

Nov. 17 – Paralegal Toni O’Brien and Attorney Ellen Patterson ran the Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas Run the River 5K representing the Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC

Dec. 1 – Carol presented Getting Your Affairs in Order to seniors at the NAACP San Antonio Branch

Dec. 7 – The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC was a Diamond sponsor for the AAHCC Winter Wonderland Christmas Party benefiting Jefferson Outreach

Caring for the Caregiver is a great educational resource for caregivers. To view upcoming events visit the UT Caregivers Events Page.

UT Health’s Glenn Brigg’s Institute is another fantastic resource that hosts lectures about Alzheimer’s. Visit the Brigg’s Institute Events Page to view upcoming events.

Click here for caregiver resources in Bexar County that are sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Senior Planet hosts technology and computer courses geared to people who are over 60. All of Senior Planet’s courses and events are free. Classes will begin in January 2019 that cover a range of topics, from health and wellness to social engagement. Please call (210)504-4862 for more information.

Medicare Interactive is a clearly written and easy-to-understand website sponsored by the Medicare Rights Center. The website is a great information resource.

We appreciate your feedback. Do you have a book or a topic you’d like to see featured in our newsletter? Please email your suggestions to jhudspeth@assistingseniors.com. All ideas are welcome.