Celebrating working caregiversOctober is National Work and Family Month. More than 1 in 6 Americans are caregivers for an aging loved one. Working while being a caregiver can be overwhelming. There is no clear path to finding the right balance between meeting work obligations, family responsibilities, career development and personal fulfillment. But our upcoming Senior Caregiving Conference aims to support you. It consists of two great events: the senior resource fair and the dementia care workshop. The event, scheduled for November 30, can connect you with the information and resources you need. Elder Care Events Oct. 17: The Myths About HospiceHospice services are still a mystery to many of us. Join Laura Dake of Bluegrass Care Navigators as she debunks some of the many negative myths you may have heard about hospice and discusses the many services her organization offers. UK Events Oct. 27: Markesbery Symposium on Aging and DementiaThis event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Hear from experts on aging and dementia. There is also a Q&A session featuring a panel of experts from the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Work-Life fall eventsOctober 18: Families: Prepare for Your Worst-Case Scenario October 20-21: Hold Me Tight couples workshop October 23: Speed Friending October 30: Coping with Grief During the Holidays In the CommunityClick the links below to learn more News You'll Want to KnowStrategies for long-distance caregivingLiving far away from a loved one who needs care can be unsettling. This story from The New York Times offers tips for those who are struggling with caregiving responsibilities from a distance. Alzheimer's is surging in several statesSomeone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease every minute. By 2050, someone will develop dementia from the illness every 33 seconds. The disease is expected to become more common in the coming years. View this list of states with the highest expected increases in Alzheimer's cases. Medicare open enrollment begins Oct. 15This is the time of year when Medicare allows beneficiaries to compare and change their Medicare Part C (Advantage) or Part D (prescription drug) plan. Remember, a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap) can be changed any time during the year, not just during open enrollment. This year's Medicare open enrollment period is October 15-December 7. You can compare your current plan to others by using the online Plan Finder tool. You can also speak with a Medicare representative by calling 800-MEDICARE. SHIP, Kentucky's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, also provides information, counseling and assistance. To speak with a Bluegrass SHIP representative, call 800-928-4556. |