LifeLinks for Caregivers is an educational outreach program to assist family caregivers by providing information on aging, caregiver issues and available resources within Allegheny County. This program is targeted to those currently caring for a loved one, those anticipating that responsibility in the future, and older adults themselves. (print pdf flyer)

Living a Safer Life: Home Safety, Fraud, Scams, Identity Theft and More presented by John Seitz, Program Coordinator of Home Safe Home, Valley Care Association
Thursday, February 28, 2008 • 7:00pm
Learn easy ways to make any home a safer place to live and prevent devastating injuries and the possible loss of independence. Fire safety, home security and fall prevention will be presented. Concise handouts will review the presentation and are your resource guide for future action. The session will be presented by Home Safe Home, a program of Valley Care Association. Please register online through the events calendar, or in person at the adult reference desk.

Ten Keys for Healthy Aging: Healthier Todays and Tomorrows
Thursday, March 13, 2008 • 7:00pm
What is healthy aging? What does it mean to live in a healthy way? How do we keep our bodies, minds, and spirits healthy as we age? These are questions that most of us ask at one time or another. This session will help participants to answer those questions. We will learn about the “10 Keys to Healthy Aging.” We will also explore the nature and role of spirituality in our lives. The session will be highly interactive with lots of opportunity for interaction among participants. The session will be presented by Dave Fetterman, M.Div., M.Ed., Director of Education and Community Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Healthy Aging, a Centers for Disease Control Prevention Research Center located at the University of Pittsburgh.

Understanding Memory Loss
Thursday, March 27, 2008 • 7:00pm
Many people worry about becoming more forgetful as they grow older. Our brains change as we age, just like the rest of our bodies. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and problems remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion, and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. This session will discuss the difference between mild forgetfulness and more serious memory problems as well as the medical causes of memory problems and how they can be treated. This session will be presented by Lois Lutz, Program and Outreach Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.

Caring for Another and for Yourself
Thursday, April 10, 2008 • 7:00 pm
This session will examine what can be involved in providing care to an elderly loved one. We’ll look at some of the physical tasks needed. But we’ll also consider the toll caregiving can take on the caregiver... a toll that can have physical, emotional and social ramifications. The caregiver has often been called “the silent victim.” As caregivers, we must take care of ourselves; for the sake of those for whom we care. This session will be pre- sented by Eileen Colianni, local mental health counselor, writer, and recent caregiver.

Community-Based Care: A Long-term Living Option
Thursday, April 24, 2008 • 7:00 pm
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has the mission of allowing older adults to ‘age in place’ with services appropriate for their situation. This session will include an overview of the AAA and its network of providers and include some tips for caregivers and potential consum- ers on how to navigate the system. Some information will be provided on private pay alternatives. This session will be presented by Darlene Burlazzi, MPH, Deputy Administrator, Area Agency on Aging.

Final Wishes: Legal Issues for Caregivers and Older Adults
Thursday, May 8, 2008 • 7:00 pm
Caregivers of older adults frequently encounter problems dealing with the outside world. Challenges to the caregiver’s authority to access financial, healthcare, insurance and other information, and to make decisions for their relatives are not uncommon. Without proper advance planning by the older adult, caregivers will face obstacles in providing care. This program will provide an overview of the common issues affecting older adults and their caregivers. The program will answer such frequently asked questions as: What legal documents should every older adult have? What is the difference between a Living Will and a Power of Attorney for Healthcare? Do I need a financial Power of Attorney? What are the responsibilities of an agent under a Power of Attorney? When is a court appointed guardian necessary? What is the court process for having a guardian appointed? This session will be presented by Martha Mannix, JD, Sikov Elder Law Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.