Daughters in the Waiting Room

Posted in adult children, Age Related Issues, Blog, Care Management, Caregiving, Dementia and Memory Loss, Relationships on January 20, 2012
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

As I move more and more into the role of a family caregiver and take my mother to her doctor appointments, I have been acutely aware of the conversations of daughters and occasionally a son to mom or dad.

The conversation seems to go; “Mom, you need to wear those glasses because you had drops put in your eyes” or “No, this isn’t the dentist, it is the cardiologist’s office”. They sit in the waiting rooms explaining and sometimes over explaining why they are waiting.
I watch and wonder, do they know how to talk to someone with a memory disorder? Maybe I should tell them about the classes we teach in our office – which are free (but I stay silent because Mom is with me).

Then I remember the last time I took mom to an appointment – seems to be about every 10 days to 2 weeks. Yes, even with 30 years experience I still answer those repetitive questions as kindly as I can and inside I feel pain for the mother I have lost due to the devastation of a dementia. I must admit I have the tools to use to divert and redirect the conversations, yet inside at the core of my being, I feel grief (and with a smile).

I don’t think my mother has a clue how her changes affect me – however she seems to tell each doctor, “I don’t have to worry, I have her” – she says as she points to me! And with that, I know my love is visible and my grief is hidden.

Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 | 7:00am to 8:30am

Where: Rotary Club of Danville/Sycamore Valley | Crow Canyon Country Club | 711 Silver Lake Dr, Danville, CA

What: Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Working adults in the “autumn” of their careers find that they are juggling work and aging family dilemmas – causing loss of pay or employer dissatisfaction with their performance or absence. Baby Boomers facing retirement also face the realities of still having to care for parents or other older relatives – this “care” duty can detour their dreams of the envisioned “retirement”.

Linda will talk about major issues facing families locally or at a distance. She will give Rotarians a list of resources to help them navigate the maze of resources available in order to find help that will respect the dignity of the elder and bring peace to the adult child. Linda will also talk about the realities of living longer lives and statistics that will affect all of us as we age.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson is a Licensed Family Therapist and a certified, Professional Care Manager. She founded Eldercare Services in 1989 – the first full service Geriatric Care Management and Home Care company in the East Bay. She has been guiding, coaching and counseling families in the Bay Area for 30 years. Linda is the recent past President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).

Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

When:

Thursday, May 31, 2012 | Noon to 1:30pm

Where: Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church| 1601 Mary Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA

Club/Membership Information: 925-937-8283

What: Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Working adults in the “autumn” of their careers find that they are juggling work and aging family dilemmas – causing loss of pay or employer dissatisfaction with their performance or absence. Baby Boomers facing retirement also face the realities of still having to care for parents or other older relatives – this “care” duty can detour their dreams of the envisioned “retirement”.

Linda will talk about major issues facing families locally or at a distance. She will give Rotarians a list of resources to help them navigate the maze of resources available in order to find help that will respect the dignity of the elder and bring peace to the adult child. Linda will also talk about the realities of living longer lives and statistics that will affect all of us as we age.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson is a Licensed Family Therapist and a certified, Professional Care Manager. She founded Eldercare Services in 1989 – the first full service Geriatric Care Management and Home Care company in the East Bay. She has been guiding, coaching and counseling families in the Bay Area for 30 years. Linda is the recent past President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).

Laugh, Love and Learn – Senior Live Well Forum

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Come visit the Eldercare Services’ booth!

The “Laugh, Love and Learn” Senior Live Well Forum on Friday, April 13, 2012.  This forum raises funds to help support the Pleasant Hill Senior Center’s Care Management Program.  This program is free to seniors and has the professional resources and staff to aid in preventing premature placement of seniors in nursing homes.

The program also provides resources for many more services including, but not limited to: grief support, bill paying assistance, errand assistance, yard maintenance, minor home repairs, Home Delivered Meals, in-home care, Board and Care Facilities and a number of social activities.

The fair takes place from 8:30am -2:00pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, located at 1601 Mary Drive, in Pleasant Hill, CA.  For more information, please call the Pleasant Hill Senior Center at 925-798-8788.

Art of Aging Gracefully (AGRACE)

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Come visit the Eldercare Services’ booth!

Art of Aging Gracefully (AGRACE)

Hear UCSF Medical Center professionals present the latest on healthy living. Engage with local businesses and organizations, accessing valuable resources for staying healthy and fit. Gain insights on life changes and take advantage of opportunities to remain active and creative. Take advantage of health screenings, chair massages, raffles, giveaways and much more! Call 415.292.1200.

Aging Families: Dilemmas, Knowledge & Resources

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

When:Wednesday, April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 2012 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Where: Community Presbyterian Church | 222 West El Pintado | Danville, CA
What: Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources
RSVP: (925) 837-3316
Working adults in the “autumn” of their careers find that they are juggling work and aging family dilemmas – causing loss of pay or employer dissatisfaction with their performance or absence. Baby Boomers facing retirement also face the realities of still having to care for parents or other older relatives – this “care” duty can detour their dreams of the envisioned “retirement”.
Linda will talk about major issues facing families locally or at a distance. She will provide a list of resources to help navigate the maze of resources available in order to find help that will respect the dignity of the elder and bring peace to the adult child. Linda will also talk about the realities of living longer lives and statistics that will affect all of us as we age.
Linda Fodrini-Johnson is a Licensed Family Therapist and a certified, Professional Care Manager. She founded Eldercare Services in 1989 – the first full service Geriatric Care Management and Home Care company in the East Bay. She has been guiding, coaching and counseling families in the Bay Area for 30 years. Linda is the recent past President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).

The Family Circus: Walking the Tightrope of Elder Care and Aging

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

The Family Circus:  “Walking the Tightrope of Elder Care and Aging

Community Seminar at Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA  – Invite your friends & neighbors!

Saturday, April 28, 2012| 8:30 – 3:30 – no charge, refreshments provided.

RSVP:  Eldercare Services 415.469.8300 or Info@EldercareAnswers.com.

Why Attend?

In order to…

  • Become aware of entitlements and benefits that will help pay for long term care.  What legal tools do you need?
  • Become prepared to be a family caregiver with information that will save you time, stress and resources.
  • Learn what Alzheimer’s is and isn’t and what can be done.
  • Gain tools to help with challenging behaviors, resistance and family discord.
  • Find answers to emotional dilemmas that caregiving presents.

Don’t lose time away from work or extended family – become an empowered family.

This is a day of lectures and breakout sessions presented by professionals focused on positive Aging.  We will have an Elder Law Attorney, Certified Geriatric Care Managers, Physicians, Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Family Therapists, who are all local and experienced in working with families present their knowledge to empower you.  This knowledge will allow you to find a balance and affirm your need for self-care as well.

Local providers of support to Elders and their families are sponsoring this event and will be available to answer your questions prior to the sessions starting and during our breaks.

It takes village to provide good care and we live in a supportive community.

Caregiving Statistics

Caregiving increases with age: 78% of all caregiving is provided by the family (mostly spouse or adult child). The average age of a caregiver who is caring for someone over 50 is 63.  The average length of caregiving is 10 years.

Speakers:
Paula Span, Author & Journalist
“On the Flying Trapeze: Twenty-First Century Caregiving – What’s Changed & What Hasn’t”

Cynthia Barton, RN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Memory & Aging Center
“Not All Memory Loss Is Alzheimer’s: Understanding Cognitive Changes in Aging”

Heather Campopiano, Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney
“Protect Your Family & Your Assets – Medi-Cal Planning for Long Term Care”

Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Executive Director, Eldercare Services
“The Power of Love/Care & Forgiveness”

Breakout Session Leaders: Elizabeth Krivatsy, Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney | Holly S. Galbrecht, CFP®, Senior Investment Associate, Wetherby Asset Management | Nancy Rowland, Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual | Sylvia Gandolfo, MSW, CMC, Eldercare Services | Anne Rosenthal, PhD, MFT, CMC, Eldercare Services | Nate Hinerman, PhD, Nursing/Theology & Religious Studies, USF

 

Please contact Info@EldercareAnswers.com to register.


Visit The Family Circus Elite Sponsors’ websites:
Eldercare Services | MedFolio | The Sequoias SF | California Pacific Medical Center | The Tamalpais Marin | Institute on Aging | Northwestern Mutual | Genworth | Vintage Coventry

Our Aging Nation 2012 | What We Need to Know as Care Providers

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Presented by Hospice of the East Bay and Eldercare Services

MFT, RN, LCSW, RCFE Seminar
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
ITT Technical Institute | 1140 Galaxy Way, Ste. 400 | Concord

For more information or to RSVP, contact Karen Barnes-Jarvis at KarenB@HospiceEastBay.org | 925.382.5827

Attendees will receive 6 CE Credits

Course Topics Include:

Dementia | Differential Diagnosis | Behavioral Issues | Health Issues | Nutrition, Hydration & Infection Control | Pain & Medication Management | End of Life & Hospice Care | Ethical & Legal Issues | POLST | DPOA/Advanced Directive

Presenters:

Dr. Sherellen Gerhart | Barbara Faraone, RN | Shoshanna Gard, RN |
Jean Tokarek, MPA, CMC | Sylvia Gandolfo, LCSW, ACSW,CMC

Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch provided

East Bay Women’s Conference

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Come visit the Eldercare Services’ booth!

When: Monday, March 5, 2012 | 7th Annual East Bay Women’s Conference | 8:00 – 5:30 PM

Where: San Ramon Marriott: 2600 Bishop Drive in San Ramon

What: Now in its 7th year, the EBWC is the only conference of its kind in San Francisco’s East Bay that provides women opportunities to come together and participate in programs of personal and professional enrichment and development. Recognized by the community for programming excellence, the EBWC has enjoyed sold out attendance of 525+ since is 2006 inaugural event.

Joining keynote speakers GLORIA STEINEM and ALICE WATERS is Emcee JAN WAHL, SF Bay Area film critic and historian.

The 2012 EBWC is sure to be an early sellout — register now.

Online Attendee Registration {click here} | Download Attendee Registration Form {click here}. $175.00 per person / $1750.00 per table of 10

Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Posted in Events on January 19, 2012

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

When: Friday, February 10, 2012 | Noon to 1:30pm

Where: Rotary Club of Concord | Concord Hilton | 1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord, CA

Club/Membership Information: 925.930.7133

What: Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Resources

Working adults in the “autumn” of their careers find that they are juggling work and aging family dilemmas – causing loss of pay or employer dissatisfaction with their performance or absence. Baby Boomers facing retirement also face the realities of still having to care for parents or other older relatives – this “care” duty can detour their dreams of the envisioned “retirement”.

Linda will talk about major issues facing families locally or at a distance. She will give Rotarians a list of resources to help them navigate the maze of resources available in order to find help that will respect the dignity of the elder and bring peace to the adult child. Linda will also talk about the realities of living longer lives and statistics that will affect all of us as we age.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson is a Licensed Family Therapist and a certified, Professional Care Manager. She founded Eldercare Services in 1989 – the first full service Geriatric Care Management and Home Care company in the East Bay. She has been guiding, coaching and counseling families in the Bay Area for 30 years. Linda is the recent past President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

(NAPGCM).

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