Series offers support on helping aging parents

Boom!, Oct 30, 2009

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and the Multnomah County Library is hosting a series of free talks exploring the issues and challenges of caring for an aging parent.

The sessions listed below are free, and registration is not required. For more information, contact Bess Piñón at bessp@multcolib.org or 503-988-6317.

Life by Design NW and the Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support Program are co-sponsoring the series with the library.

• Alzheimer’s 101 – Judy McKellar, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association-Oregon Chapter 
Tuesday, Nov. 3; 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hollywood Library, 4040 N.E. Tillamook St. Learn about signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, risk factors, treatment, and important things to remember when relating to a person with Alzheimer’s.

• Life-Enriching Activities for Your Aging Parent – Monday, Nov. 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gresham Library, 385 N.W. Miller 
St. Chris Nelson, life enrichment director of Emerson House, will focus on ways to keep seniors and their loved ones engaged with life together including ideas for mutually beneficial activities that engage mind, body and spirit, while compensating for age-related losses.



• Helping Your Aging Parents Manage Their Possessions and a Later Life Move – Monday, Nov. 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Library, 4040 N.E. Tillamook St. Bill Smith, owner of Take Care Move Assistance, and Lorca Harrison, owner of DoughNation Services, will offer tips on helping an aging parent downsize and move; explore options that can have financial and emotional rewards for a parent such as donating possessions.

• Coffee and Conversation for Caretakers: Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First! – Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Belmont Library, 1038 S.E. 39th Ave. 
In this interactive session led by Meagan Lawler, Life by Design NW, learn how to take care of yourself while taking care of others.

• Difficult Topics in Caregiving: A Practical and Heart-Centered Approach – Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Midland Library, 805 S.E. 122nd Ave. (large meeting room), Kari Lyons, a licensed clinical social worker, will discuss difficult topics such as driving, what to do when your parents’ needs increase, and the change in dependence in all areas.  Learn how can you discuss these delicate issues while remaining calm, respectful, centered and helpful to your aging parents.

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