These challenges include, but are not limited to, needs for powers of attorney, guardianships, abuse and neglect matters, healthcare, billing problems, scams, government and pension benefits, long-term care insurance and estate planning. These issues are often intertwined, can be extremely complex and become even more difficult to manage if a major cognitive health issue such as dementia or Alzheimer’s is involved.

For example, many think a power of attorney can be given at any time. This is not accurate. Only a person of sound mind can give a power of attorney. Dementia or Alzheimer’s can make this impossible. A power not given or not properly given can cause family members to undertake a costly and emotional court process to appoint a guardian to handle the affairs of their relative.

Seniors and their children who do not prepare in advance for the legal challenges of aging are extremely vulnerable. Do not become one of those heartbreaking stories. Here are common examples of the consequences of failing to prepare.

A mother could no longer remember her own name. She had no designated guardian or power of attorney. Her finances and health quickly deteriorated. Had she given her daughter a power of attorney, her daughter could have acted quickly to protect her finances and get her the healthcare she needed.

An elderly father lived alone. He could take care of his physical needs, but he became confused easily. An unscrupulous “financial planner” visited him in his home and convinced him to agree to a “financial plan” that cost him his life savings. With no one empowered to help him with his affairs or act on his behalf, the father lost his savings, the children lost their inheritance and had to support their penniless father for the balance of his life. This could have been prevented if he had given someone he trusted his power of attorney to handle his affairs or if the children had sought the appointment by the court of a guardian of his financial affairs.

On the other hand, good planning can help avoid uncertainty and make difficult decisions easier.

An elderly wife suffered a massive stroke and went into an irreversible coma. The husband and wife had executed advanced medical directives (also known as living wills) that set out how they wanted to be treated if they were severely and permanently comatose. Her living will saved the family from the anguish of not knowing what her wishes were for treatment and, worse yet, from the possibility of an extended court fight between family members over the issue.

Many difficult situations can be avoided if the senior and their children work together to craft a plan for long-term security. A well-drafted estate plan, an advanced medical directive and a power of attorney given to someone trusted is the first step, but your LegalShield provider law firm can also help you navigate health insurance, government benefit concerns, guardianships and so much more. Avoid the disastrous consequences that can occur to seniors and their children without proper planning.

Whether you are a senior or a child of a senior, do not be among the many who suffer because of their failure to plan. Please call ADG Referral Services at 925-262-4200 to learn more on how to get in contact with a LegalShield provider law firm today and take the first step to secure the future.

By Legal Shield

1. Prepare a will and estate plan so that upon your death your assets will pass exactly as you intend. Do you want a state law, rather than you, to decide who inherits your estate?

2. Prepare a durable power of attorney so that someone you trust can make decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to do so. Who do you want to handle your affairs if you are unable to?

3. Prepare an advanced medical directive (living will) so that someone is empowered to make medical decisions on your behalf and in accordance with your wishes if you cannot. Do you want life support if you become totally and permanently incapacitated?

4. Prepare retirement and disability plans so that your care upon retirement or disability is not left to chance. Is Social Security enough to sustain you?

5. Review all private and governmental benefits to which you may be entitled, including life and health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, private pension and benefit plans to insure that you receive the maximum benefits to which you are entitled. Do you know all of the military, retirement and other benefits you are entitled to?

6. Prepare a comprehensive summary of assets and benefits, including all bank accounts, savings accounts, CDs and other assets together with all benefits for which you are or may be eligible. Can your attorney in fact readily identify all of your assets and benefits?

7. Prepare an Important Papers Packet containing vital documents and your comprehensive summary of assets and benefits. The packet should include copies of your Social Security card, life insurance policies, will, military discharge papers, medical alerts, names and addresses of your physicians, immunization records, other important medical information, including allergies, deeds, and titles or bills of sale of particularly valuable property such as fine jewelry. How will your attorney in fact or executor find your important papers?

By Legal Shield

Let you voice be heard! Tell them your concerns, What would make your life better, and how can the United Seniors help?

February 29, 2012/10am-12pm
Fremont Senior Center 40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont

USOAC
Empowering Seniors. Enriching Youth. Empowering Community.
7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite #251
Oakland, CA 94605
P: 510-729-0852
F: 510-729-0796
E-mail: usoac@usoac.org

•Teach steps toward positive choices.

•Support face-to-face education by lay-health workers.

•Reinforce clinical recommendations.

•Initiate discussion among a group or at meetings.

•Encourage self-identification of risk factors.

•Raise awareness.

•Support community education outreach.

If you have questions e-mail Betsy Rodriguez, Deputy Director NDEP at bjr6@cdc.gov

California AgrAbility Program
Toll free: 1800-477-6129

Free Hard of Hearing Forum and Public Panel Discussion

Saturday, February 18, 2012, From 8:30 am to 11:15 am at the Oakland Airport Hilton, Empire Room, 1 Hegenberger Road , Oakland , CA 94612

During the California Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Statewide Conference

Join TADDAC and EPAC in the EMPIRE ROOM to learn more about how equipment and services offered by the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) can help improve communication for the Hard of Hearing community.

ASL INTERPRETERS AND CAPTIONING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

*TADDAC and EPAC, which are holding this public meeting, are Advisory committees to the CPUC and its Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) regarding policies, quality of service, equipment distribution, and new telecommunications technology.

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Where: Linen Life Gallery
770 E. 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577

Complimentary Breakfast Served

RSVP: Maecity@aol.com

www.rememberseniormoments.com

Recognizing Black History Month
Dr. Charles Henry
UC Berkeley African American Department Chair
In 1994, President Clinton appointed him to the National Council on the Humanities for a six-year term. He was
also the former president of the National Council for Black Studies, Henry is the author/editor of seven books and
more than 80 articles and reviews on Black politics, public policy, and human rights.

Betty Reid Soskin
National Park Service Ranger
Betty will share her work on Richmond’s WWII home front and the enormous impact the development of the
wartime boomtowns. She will also be discussing the experiences of being left out of the first draft of that history,
of Jim Crow segregation in CA, the sudden end to wartime opportunities for many women and African Americans
and the work of constructing a historical park.

Jerri Lange
Senior Moments Spotlight
Jerri has a wealth of experience in television both on and off the camera. She was the host of many television
shows that involved community issues. Jerri has always celebrated and valued diversity through all of her
different career paths.

Supported by Carmen’s Connections – carmenstone777@sbcglobal.net

Click here to download flyer!

A Community for Adults Ages 55 Years and Older

ALC Programs:

• Housing
• Health & Wellness
• Transportation

ALC is an entity dedicated to providing supportive programs to individuals that would otherwise be living on the streets or relying on already overly-burdened government programs.

They provide shared and private housing, consisting of; single family homes, cottages, studios, and in-law units.  ALC also provide additional services such as; housing counseling, Season of Sharing program, transportation and health & wellness classes.

Health & Wellness Program Classes Begin January 5th

• InVisible Memoir Writing Project
• Cooking Workshops
• Massage Workshops
• Health & Nutrition Classes
• Gardening
• & More . . .

For more information on how to join the program, please call

510-331- 4900 or visit www.alelaindcommunity.org or contact ADG Referral Services, Inc at 925-262-4200 for any assistance.

This free private space allows caregivers and loved ones of stroke survivors to connect, share advice and swap stories through a discussion forum. Careliving also offers a blog written by fellow caregivers and live chats with experts on caregiving.

Careliving was developed based on a serious need among caregivers for a private online support space where individuals can find peer-level support and also learn to take better care of themselves.

Dozens have already joined, so please consider recommending our site to caregivers of stroke survivors that you work with. Caregivers can join the Careliving Community at www.stroke.org/careliving .

Please contact us if you have any questions at caregivers@stroke.org .

Cancer caregivers are distinguished from other family caregivers due to the unique nature of cancer and its treatments. Cancer family caregivers can feel challenged to assume complex and multiple responsibilities including medical decision-making, activities of daily living care, financial and emotional support. Yet who cares for the caregiver? You are invited to join this support group dedicated to your needs.
Facilitated by Carrie Evenden Psy. D.

1st Tuesday Each Month
12:30-1:45
Markstein Cancer Education
and Prevention Services

Providence Pavilion
3100 Summit St, Oakland
(enter through Family Resource Center)
To register, please phone:
510-869-8833

Telephone Support

If you are feeling distressed and need to talk to someone, 24-hour support is available. Call the Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line at 1-800-971-0016 or the Crisis Support Services Line at 1-800-309-2131 for help.

Most communities also have telephone reassurance programs that will call to check in with you everyday. Call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-510-2020 for referrals to these programs.

Adapted Telephones

Free adapted phones are available from California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) to assist people with vision, hearing, speech, and mobility difficulties. Call them at 1-800-806-1191 for more information.

Skype Users

If you are already a big fan and user of SKYPE (the computer software application) and want to try video conferencing on SCWW, please let us know.

Pen Pals

Tired of getting just bills and junk mail? Please let us know if you would like to be matched with a pen pal in another part of the country.

Talking Books:

Northern California: 1-800-952-5666 (California State Library, Braille and Talking Book Library)

Southern California: 1-800-808-2555 (Braille Institute Santa Barbara)

Call us to help you register and obtain a copy of a catalog for Winter Spring 2012 Session, starts on  January 30 through April 22!

Do you need more information?

Contact: Senior Center Without Walls

www.SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org

1-877-797-7299