Posted on May 5th, 2011
Philly.com recently released an article that discussed an equality forum that was held to address problems of lesbian/gay/bisexual/trans-gender (LGBT) seniors. Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan weighs in on the issues:
“On November 16, 2010, Advocate On Aging posted a podcast about aging issues of LGBT seniors. The issues are enormous as noted in this article and often create fear and uncertainty at a time we are losing much of ourselves anyway – our jobs, our friends, our way of life. For LGBT seniors, they must face the added uncertainty of “coming out” again if they are forced to move into a retirement or continuum of care community. For transgendered seniors, health issues may require they see doctors other than their primary care providers. They will be required again to explain their outward presentation of one gender while coping with the illnesses associated with the other gender. Few people – heterosexual or LGBT — have the long-term, supportive relationship that Joel and Bob (the subjects of this article) have created. Given time I believe acceptance will occur. Until then, may we work harder to open our minds, talk, teach and provide non-judgmental support to all who do not fit into some predetermined set of ‘normal’ lifestyle choices.”
Tags: aging, aging advocate, deborah dolan, elder lgbt, GLBT, glbt aging issues, glbt caregiving, glbt community, glbt housing, glbt resources, kevyn burger, lgbt issues, problems for lgbt seniors, training to serve
Posted on April 27th, 2011
When it comes to elder care, independence can be a difficult issue to address. While seniors might need assistance with their daily tasks, it is necessary as a care giver to allow each elderly person to keep his or her dignity as much as possible. According to Rye.Patch.com, the organization SPRYE, a New York-based non-profit that aims to assist elderly Sound Shore Medical Center residents in remaining independent as they age, has received a state grant to pay for its start-up costs. SPRYE credits State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer with assistance in obtaining the $10,000 grant.
“My hat is off to Sound Shores, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and the State of New York for understanding the needs of their elder population and finding the funds to begin to take care of those needs,” said Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging. “The only problem I see is that $10,000 is a drop in the bucket for this huge issue. Not that I’d turn down $10,000 to help the elderly in any way, but there is a bushel basket of fast-growing needs to fill in order for seniors to remain in their homes and as independent as possible. I love volunteers and volunteerism; I hope some of our healthiest seniors who understand the needs of their peers will volunteer to help.”
Learn more about preserving dignity for seniors.
 Should other states follow New York's example to help seniors live independently?
Tags: advocate on aging, aging advocate, care givers, caregiving for seniors, deborah dolan, elder care, elder issues, gerentologist, gerentology, help for seniors, independence for seniors, Patch.com, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, senior blog, senior care, senior living, SPRYE
Posted on April 11th, 2011
Deborah Dolan, the Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss the new film “Over 90 and Loving It.” The two also discuss what it means to have a positive attitude about your current stage in life. As Deborah points out, getting older doesn’t mean that you have to become sedentary! Life after retirement should still be a great part of your life.
Tags: advocate on aging, blog for seniors, care giver, deborah dolan, gerentologist, geriatric care, info for care givers, kevyn burger, life after retirement, love your age, over 90 and loving it, senior blog, senior olympics
Posted on March 24th, 2011
 - Share photos of your grandkids – or furry friends – through the internet!
Just because you didn’t grow up learning how to use a computer, that doesn’t mean that it’s too late to try it now! Need a few reasons why? How about for communication purposes, to read research and reviews on doctors/medications, to find updated news, to order products/items online instead of having to drive or get a ride to the store – and there are many more reasons! Here are Advocate on Aging Debora Dolan’s top 5 reasons to become comfortable with a computer:
- The rest of the world depends on the computer for information and communication – time to join in!
- Your grandkids will say that they know more than you if you don’t become computer literate! Why not become computer savvy to be able to communicate with your family in a different way?
- It helps you connect with those places you no longer are able to travel to – from the grocery store to the Turkish flea market!
- The internet gives you the tools to care for yourself. For example, you can keep your medication list on file and current, research the reasons why you have been prescribed a certain medication, or view your medical records.
- Using a computer gives you reason to think, which means it allows your brain to organize information and solve problems. All of these activities promote mental acuity to help you stay mentally young.
Tags: advocate on aging, computer tips for seniors, computers seniors, deborah dolan, elder care, eldery computer use, gerentologist, geriatric care manager, senior care, senior friendly, senior friendly computer, seniors internet
Posted on March 21st, 2011
Some restaurant experiences can be all about the ambiance – the soft lighting, beautiful music and creatively designed menus. As you take your seat and begin to enjoy yourself with others at your table, you notice that it can be difficult to hold a conversation with loudness of the mood-setting music. Once you take a glance at the menu you notice that between the low-lighting small type, it can be hard to read the list of options.
 - Does your favorite restaurant have senior-friendly menus?
As the baby boomer population ages, will more restaurants need to cater to the needs of seniors?
“Fast forward 20 years, and we baby boomers will have yet another perspective to offer on many aspects of life!” said Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan. “Seriously, our citizens over 70 are frequent customers to various restaurants around town. It would be an excellent business practice to increase the size of the menu font to 14 instead of 12 or smaller, and be sure the font type is simple – straight lines and no curly-ques.”
As for using “cheaters,” or reading glasses, Deborah agrees that they can be very helpful. “Readers in a basket is a good idea. How about those flashlight with magnifying glass in a basket as well to help so the ambiance created by the low-lighting remains intact? Don’t forget the comfort foods on the menu! I rather like the idea of ‘prune brulee’! A little creative thinking increases the pleasure for everyone!”
Tags: advocate on aging, best restaurants for seniors, deborah dolan, elder care, gerentologist, geriatric care manager, restaurants for seniors, senior care, senior friendly, senior friendly restaurants, Star Tribune
Posted on March 16th, 2011
In a recent article from the Star Tribune, reporter Warren Wolfe dug deep into the issues that can arise while caring for elderly loved ones. The article features Dr. Robert Kane, a physician who heads the U of M Center on Aging. Kane was so frustrated with the problems he and his sister faced after caring for their aging mom that he wrote a book about the long-term care system.
Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan shared her thoughts on the article and Kane’s work. “Dr. Kane expresses beautifully from personal experience the essence of a geriatric care manager (GCM),” said Deborah. “He speaks well of the advocacy a strong, knowledgeable GCM can provide to elders and their family. Even in the best of circumstances when you are an adult child of an aging parent providing the daily love and support they need can be ‘grueling,’ and a geriatric care manager can help.”
Deborah had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Kane several years ago as she was growing her geriatric care management business, and he spoke of his experience with his mother. He had formed the on-line support group and found that he had many colleagues in a similar position of caregiving as he and his sister. Deborah was not sure if he was promoting his number one lesson just yet, but she is glad to know the importance of a GCM has found a prominent position on his list of lessons learned.
For Kane’s work, Deborah is appreciative. “Thank you, Dr. Kane, for your support both as a care manager and as a volunteer with the Senior Linkage Line. An additional resource of the Minnesota Board on Aging is www.minnesotahelp.info, an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help’ (taken from the website). It is a wonderful point of beginning when families are ready to take the first step in finding help for their aging loved ones.”
Tags: advocate on aging, aging advocate, care manager resources, center on aging, deborah dolan, dr robert kane, Elderly living, find help for aging family, GCM, general care manager, geriatric care manager, long term care for seniors, long-term care, MN board on aging, senior care, senior linkage line, senior living facilities, seniors, tips for seniors, U of M center of aging, warren wolfe
Posted on March 8th, 2011
In this podcast, Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan talks with Kevyn Burger about support groups. Support groups are made of people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. The purpose is to address what each person is dealing with in his or her own life, provide support, and often discuss techniques that can help one another cope with their problems. Sometimes the group is needed by someone who is dealing with issues, and sometimes it is needed by the loved one of a person that has issues. Deborah shares her advice on what to look for in a support group, as well as what they can do for you.
Tags: advice on aging, advocate on aging, advocate on aging advice, aging, common bond groups, deborah dolan, kevyn burger, resource of people, senior, senior living, senior support groups, seniors, support groups, support groups for seniors, support groups of people
Posted on March 2nd, 2011
Seniors, beware of fraudulent coin dealers. The Star Tribune recently reported that a coin and bullion dealer in MN allegedly defrauded clients, including many elderly persons. The accusations state “the coin company took money and property from senior citizens and failed to deliver the product.”
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson believes that Tony Hughes of Reputable Rare Coins and others associated with the company are “misrepresenting the value of the rare metals they sell.” The lawsuit against the company involves four separate clients who vary in age from 71 to 91. The combined loses between all four clients exceeds $84,300.
Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan has had experience with the issue of tricking seniors – she has seen a client deal with it first-hand. “One of my clients who was affected with dementia spent $10 to $500 monthly on ‘rare coins,’ ‘recently minted coins,’ or some other descriptor designed to draw her attention,” said Deborah. “Before I met her, she had given her name to a telephone solicitor of these coins, and he called frequently to inquire as to her health and to tell her of the next great deal. He played to her disease perfectly speaking to her by name in a tone of caring and compassion. I had the opportunity to hear a portion of a conversation. Fortunately, my client moved from her home and her phone was disconnected, but I’m sure her caller simply turned his charm toward another unassuming elderly client.”
Deborah also knows that this type of situation happens more often than many people realize. “From my perspective, these sales people are predators preying on the elderly. They have no idea – therefore I assume they do not care – if the elder person has plenty of money or if he is taking their last dime. There is nothing more deplorable than building a relationship built on false promises in an effort to deceive a vulnerable person. Needless to say, I feel very strongly about this situation.”
Posted on February 21st, 2011
Until very recently there has not been a national plan in the US to deal with the issues of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss the signing and launch of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and the effects it will have on research and support for Alzheimer’s Disease. The new plan is going to help develop the treatments that are designed to prevent, halt and reverse the course of Alzheimer’s.
Podcast Links:
National Alzheimers Project Act (NAPA) - On January 4, 2011, The National Alzheimer’s Project Act was signed into law by the President of the United States after having been passed unanimously in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Once enacted, NAPA will create a national strategic plan to address and overcome the rapidly escalating crisis of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association – Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support to all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Tags: advocate on aging, advocate on aging podcast, alzheimer's disease for seniors, Alzheimers Association, deborah dolan, kevyn burger, napa, napa recognizes severity of alzheimers disease, national alzheimers conference, national alzheimers project act, seniors with alzheimers disease
Posted on February 14th, 2011
During Valentine’s Day we often think of sweethearts and love. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, want to remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is not just for romantic relationships, but for friends and family as well. It is about love that can be shown in a variety of ways – not just smooching! Don’t forget about your loved ones because the thought of those you love can actually decrease pain, whether it is physical or emotional. Choose to live, love and laugh… it can be healing!
Link:
Why Love Doesn’t Hurt by: Sandeep Ravindran (Star Tribune)
Tags: advocate on aging, deborah dolan, happy valentines day, kevyn burger, sandeep ravindran, star tribune article, v day, valentines day, valentines for seniors, vday, why love doesnt hurt
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