2016 Transitions Guide

Memory Care

Assisted Living

Independent Living

Long-Term Care

Home Plus

Bereavement& FuneralPlanning

Agingin Place

TransitionsLegal

Services

FinancialServices Hospice

the active age April 2016

using creativity and caregiving skills, caregivers can adapt routines and activities as needs change. The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer’s research, care and support, is dedicated to its mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease, to provide care and support to all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Central and Western Kansas Chapter provides sup-port groups, resources, educa-tion, music and art therapy programs, and a 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900. For more info visit the website at alz.org/cwkansas or call the local office at 316-267-7333.

Dementia is an illness that affects the brain and eventu-ally causes a person to lose ability to perform daily self care. All areas of daily living are affected over the course of the disease. People with de-mentia ultimately lose the ability to recognize the world around them. Over 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and 51,000 of those people are in Kansas. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s, or an-other form of dementia. Nearly 150,000 caregivers in Kansas go unpaid each year providing care for their loved ones. Caregiving for someone with dementia can be difficult. By

Join us for our annual Education

Conference on Dementia

November 1, 2016

8a-4p Kansas Star Event Center

A conference for Caregivers

and Professionals

Scholarships available for caregivers. Contact our office

at 316.267.7333 or email [email protected].

Provide companionshipProvide respite care for family/caregiversFoster contact with family and friendsEngage in enjoyable activitiesExercise and take walksProvide peer supportRReceive stipend and benefitsReceive training and staff support

Call today 316-651-1241To learn more

A community gatekeeper program designed to identify and make contact with seniors, 60 and older, living in Sedgwick County, who are experiencing difficulties that threaten their ability that threaten their ability to live independently and safely.

In-home Counseling Depression ScreeningCare Coordination Medical ReferralsSubstance Abuse Screening Abuse Education and InterventionGatekeeper Identification and Training

if you know a senior in need

Call 211 or 316-651-1211

www.mhasck.org

Senior Companion Program Mid-Kansas Senior OutreachHelping Seniors Maintain their IndependenceMake Independence a Reality

The soundtrack of my life...By Fran Kentling

Transitions: a passage in time, change.

We move from childhood to be-coming an adult. We enter middle age, progress into older middle age and fi-nally we reach senior hood in our 80s...or maybe our 70s or even our 90s.

As I age, I continue to measure my life’s passages in song lyrics. I remem-ber receiving a 45-rpm record player as a birthday gift in junior high school. That time of my life was filled with doo wap, blues and rock ‘n roll on my little record player. My mother was partial to classical music on the grown-up hi-fi in the living room.

In my 30s I discovered jazz and classical music, but maintained my

earlier favorites. I grew to love music from the 1940s. Who wouldn’t swoon over Frank Sinatra with his distinctive phrasing?

As I age, my musical tastes have expanded and have perhaps grown more eclectic. I think my life mirrors this passage of time.

In the past decade my lyrics have included a lullaby for a grandbaby, The Alphabet Song for twin preschoolers, an acceptance of rap and reggae from my teen grandchildren, a fondness for some county music with its words of heartbreak and life, and still the doo wap and blues from my teens.

One of my favorites for decades is September Song, sung by Sinatra. It certainly resonates more today than it

did 40 years ago:Oh, it’s a long, long while from May to DecemberBut the days grow short when you reach SeptemberWhen the autumn weather turns the leaves to flameOne hasn’t got time for the waiting gameOh, the days dwindle down to a precious fewSeptember, NovemberAnd these few precious days I’ll spend with youThese precious days I’ll spend with you.

Does your life have a soundtrack?Contact Fran Kentling [email protected]

Senior Resource Services

Life after 50Role differsFeelings differPerspective differsAttention to detail differsFrom high to low Low to highMy tide of anger My reason of happiness differsThis is what life all aboutToday I differMature enough to alter my lifeMy role differsTowards him, my children and grand-childrenMy role differsSometime I am tiredI march day and nightBut I do not forgetMy role differs-- Dr. Baljit Singh

Life After 50

April 2016 Transitions

When A Nursing Home Isn't the Answer

• For an aging parent who wants to remain home

• Relief for a wife or husband caring for an ailing spouse

• Alzheimer’s Care• Trained, bonded, insured caregivers

(medical and non-medical)24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEKCall for a FREE Information Packet

316-721-60017348 W 21st St N., Suite 101 • Wichita, KS

HomeCare You Can Trust And Afford

From a few hours a week to around the clock care, Right at Home’s trained caregivers can assist you with the everydayactivities of living including light housework, meal preparation, laundry, medication reminders, shopping and errands, local transportation and light exercise.

Maintaining Independence is an Option.

FiveWords Can Mean Everything To Seniors

Home, the place that is familiar and comfortable. Comfort,peace of mind and freedom from worry. Assistance, the helping

hand that allows you to meet your daily needs. Caring, the warm smile

of someone who has genuine concern for you. Independence,being able to maintain the lifestyle you choose.

To find out how we can help you maintain yourlifestyle in your home, please contact Right at Home.

Franchise NameCity, St 55555

(555) 555-5555


(555) 555-5555


(555) 555-5555

Aging in Place & Senior Resource Services


“The Nursing Home Alternative”316-773-2277Call for a tour

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West Wichita’s Largest Traditional Home Plus Provider• All levels of care accepted – independent through hospice• Weekly nurse practitioner visits• Delicious home-cooked meals, prepared daily• 24-Hour caring, dementia-trained, certified staff supervised

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Discounts are great, but you can't beat no cost at allBy MoneyTips.com

Once you’re in your 60s you start finding yourself eligible for discounts based on your age — from deals for AARP members to ones from retailers and service providers. In some cases, there are outright freebies.

Free admission: State parks, muse-ums, sporting events, state fairs…there are plenty of places that offer free entry to older Americans at specified times.

Check for special nights.

Free prescription drugs: If you qualify, you may be able to receive free prescription drugs through Patient Assistance Programs. Check to see if your prescription drugs are available through the Rxassist.org site.

Free education: Many states and colleges have tuition-waiver programs allowing people 60 and older to attend

you qualify.

Other programs: Some programs offer free assistance. Examples include assistance with simple home repairs to correct unsafe situations or building a wheelchair ramp. Call the Cen-tral Plains Area Agency on Aging at 1-855-200-2372 for guidance.

©Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.

some classes for free. They may not be for credit, but you can still explore areas that interest you or catch up on the latest technologies.

Free eye care: The American Acad-emy of Ophthalmology offers free eye exams and potentially up to a year of free care through EyeCare America to people 65 and older who have not seen an eye doctor in at least three years. Check the EyeCare website to see if


Efficiencies to PenthousesStarting from $425

10200 W. MapleWichita,KS 67209

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Pets Welcome Corporate Available

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Private Entrances

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Scenic westside location. Mature Landscape, fishing lakes

Scheduled activites. Three large community rooms,

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Aging Projects, friendship meals

Legal Services

Law offices of John JordanReal estate • Estate planning • Wills • Powers of Attorney

Trusts • Probate & Trust Administration • Medicaid Eligibility & Division of Assets • Guardianships &

Conservatorships • Other Senior issuesMember National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

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Adoption • Conservatorships/Guardianships • Medicaid Division of Assets

Cathleen A. Gulledge

Retirement

Ways to lesson fighting over your willBy Patrick O’BrienCEO and co-founder of Executor.org

It is your worst nightmare. You’ve passed away, and now your adult children no longer speak to each other. Circumstances around your death have destroyed the family you spent your life building.

Unfortunately, squabbling among grown kids surrounding the death of a parent happens frequently because the parents fail to take the basic steps necessary to minimize the upheaval.

I became an expert on this topic at a young age. I watched as both my parents’ families became permanently splintered surrounding their parents’ deaths. Some siblings never spoke to each other again.

In my family, as in many, one of the children was required to step up and

become a primary caregiver late in a parent’s life, a difficult “volunteer” job requiring time and sacrifice for that individual and his or her family.

When you add spouses of these caregivers to the mix, and factor in the sacrifices they often make as their hus-band or wife takes on this additional responsibility, the equation can become quickly combustible.

The hard work the caregiver puts in often skews his or her family’s perspec-tives on how they should be treated when the estate’s assets are divided.

Plus, if the aging parent begins giving the caregiver things that would otherwise be part of the estate at death, this can be viewed as a sign to the other beneficiaries that the parent will favor the caregiver when it’s time to settle the estate.

5 Rules to Prevent an Inheritance War 1. Talk to your adult children about

your estate wishes and about any changes to them as you age. There are benefits to starting this process as early as their 20s — even earlier if you have serious health issues.

Of course, you also should docu-ment your wishes in your will.

2. Ask if any items you own hold special meaning to them. Something as simple as an old baseball mitt may be of much more interest to one of your children than you anticipated. It is better to have the issues surface now while you’re still available to explain the rationale for your decisions.

When you decide how to distribute items of interest, document this in your will.

3. Try to get an appraisal for any-

thing that might have significant eco-nomic value. Being fair can also mean making sure each of your children receives a collection of items from your estate of similar monetary value, not just sentimental value.

4. Be detailed about your plans. While your children may not be satisfied with the choices you’ve made, they will be less likely to blame their siblings because they’ll know the allo-cations were what you wanted.

5. Write a letter to your children to be read when the will is shared. Tell them that you loved them and tried your best to be fair. Remind them that family goes a lot deeper than pos-sessions and that you hope they will remember that fact.©Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.


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Retirement continued


Retirement & Independent Living

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Continuing care retirement community questionsBy Harriet Edleson

If you have looked at options on where to live as you age, you may have considered continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

They typically offer different tiers of living situations, from indepen-dent to assisted to nursing care and, sometimes, a separate Alzheimer’s or dementia wing — all within the same campus.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services estimates that 52 percent of Americans turning 65 today will develop a disability serious enough

to require long-term services and sup-port in the future.

Applying for admission: Before admission, residents are often evaluat-ed to make sure they are healthy and independent. Some require a health screening or health records and a phys-ical exam.

Why choose a CCRC? Individuals who opt for a CCRC may no longer want the responsibility for mainte-nance and repairs on their own home. Others may want the advantages of a community and the activities that come with it.

Adult children sometimes initiate an older parent’s move, or if a spouse is declining — for example, can’t walk the stairs anymore — and that triggers the move.

How to check one out: Visiting during an open house, lunch or other activity is a good way to begin learning more.

The downside: A steep price: Costs tend to be commensurate with the median area housing prices. Typically, residents pay an entry fee upfront plus a monthly fee.

Entry fees can range from $50,000 to $200,000. Typically, residents sell their home to finance the entry fee.

What to ask about:• What services are available; which

ones cost extra• What amenities are offered• What are the fees for each type of

contract• Is any part of the entry fee refund-

able when you move or pass away

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.


Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

Moving is tough,We can help.

Call 316-655-3281 or visit ThreePeaSeniorMove.com for afree consultation & checklist to help coordinate your move.

Full Service Moving

Custom Floor Planning

Packing & Unpacking Services

Organizing & Home Setup

Steps to simplifying relocation, downsizing By Kirsten AweCertified Senior Relocation & Transition Specialist

Downsizing and transitioning into a smaller home can be a daunting process, but when you’ve been in your home several years, how do you even begin?

As a company that works with seniors, we are there to help you get through this difficult time. These are a few steps we’ve found helpful to make the transition process as smooth as possible.

Ask for help It’s wonderful when family wants

to rally together to help their loved ones downsize, but sometimes this can make for a stressful situation. We have found that an “outsider” can often help. Someone who is not connected physically or emotionally can look at the situation more objectively. We can ask the right questions, make appropri-ate suggestions and keep the end goal in mind.

Break the large project into smaller steps

Smaller, more manageable steps is key:

1. Contact the professionals. This

may be a Senior Move Manager, Realtor, Financial Planners, etc. These people are great resources and are more than likely willing to help and guide you through this process as much as they can.

2. Have an idea of where you want to move. Is it a retirement community, apartment, condo...? This decision will help guide your decision of what you can move with you

3. Get the floor plan of your new place and then figure out what furni-ture you want to take. Make a scaled drawing of the plan, and measure the furniture you would like to move with you. Now figure out where these items can be placed. Once the furniture is defined, you will know what you have room to display. You also can hire a company to do this for you.

4. Sort and pack one room at a time. Think of this move as a time to surround yourself with the things you really enjoy. Ask yourself:

a. Do I love it?b. Do I really need it?c. Is it worth the space it’s taking

up?Remember, when you say “yes” to

one item, you’re saying “no” to another. Make sure you’re saying yes to things that really matter to you.

5. Offer unwanted items to family, friends or a charity, or have an estate sale. Estate sales are a great way to get rid of unwanted items in one fell swoop

6. Check with your moving com-pany before you start to pack. Most companies do not insure items that they have not packed. Find out all the details about the moving process from

your mover.7. Most importantly, take care of

yourself ! Take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water and have healthy snacks on hand. Fatigue and dehydra-tion can interfere with making good decisions.

Contact Kirsten Awe at www.threepeaseniormove.com.


402 S. Martinson St., Wichita, Kansas 67213 • 316.269.7500 • kmh.orgFormerly known as Kansas Masonic Home

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Long-Term Care | Skilled Nursing | Rehabilitation

Wichita’s Most Visionary Senior Living Community, 120 Years in the Making.

When you and your family are going through a transition that means a move to Senior Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, or Rehabilitation, choose Wichita’s

newest, most complete, and most experienced community – Choose KMH.For over 120 years, KMH has been serving Wichita-area seniors and their

families with a legacy of care founded on a history of guiding principles.For more information, or for your personal tour, please call 316.269.7721.

When a loved one needs a little help, a nursing home doesn’t have to be the answer. The Bridge at Florissant offers a full range of Assisted Living services including assistance with personal needs, medication management, a 24-hour emergency response system and fresh, home-cooked meals. Call to learn how The Bridge enriches the lives of seniors today!

A nursing home doesn’t have to be the answer when assistance is needed.

When a loved one needs a little help, a nursing home doesn’t have to be the answer. Andover Court offers a full range of Assisted Living services

including assistance with personal needs, medication management, a 24-hour emergency response system and fresh, home-cooked meals.

721 West 21st Street • Andover, KS 67002 • www.andovercourtretirement.com

A nursing home doesn’t have to be the answer when assistance is needed.

(316) 733-2662

Call to learn how Andover Courtenriches the lives of seniors

Assisted & Independent Living


Catholic Care Center Celebrating over 25 years of

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Catholic Care Center is a joint venture between the Catholic Diocese of Wichita and Via Christi.

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Take guesswork out of funeral arrangementsBy Ashley Huntsberry-LettAgingCare.com editor-in-chief

Discussing the end of life can be an uncomfortable topic. However, it is something that we all will face. Conversations about death can help families to be better prepared emotion-ally and financially for a loved one's passing. Having ‘The Talk’ about end of life arrangements

Clearly express your preferences. Some people request a celebration of life in lieu of a funeral or want their remains to be cremated and scattered in a special place.

This discussion will ensure that your requests will be respected and give your family some solace in knowing exact-ly what steps to take when the time comes.

Furthermore, making your prefer-ences known ahead of time allows for adequate financial planning in order to fund the arrangements.

Most experts recommend preparing

or reviewing your end-of life docu-ments at least every five years or if you experience a major life event such as a marriage, divorce or a health scare.

Here are a few questions to address: Final gathering

Would you like no gathering, a small private gathering or one open to family and friends? Do you prefer a solemn occasion or a celebration? Do you wish to have a viewing, visitation and/or religious service? Where should it be located?

Who would you like to deliver your eulogy? Would you like a certain song played, poem read or religious passage recited? Personal preferences:Would you rath-er be buried or cremated? What should be done with your cremains? Would you like to be interred or cremated with any personal items or wearing a particular outfit or clothing item? Funeral planning

For some, pre-paying for a funeral is a viable option for saving money. Because of inflation, pre-paying locks in current prices for a service that may not be used for many years.

This option comes with a few risks, however. It is possible that the funeral home may go bankrupt or go out of business before you pass, losing you this investment.

Family members must know about your pre-paid arrangements to prevent them from unnecessarily paying at a different funeral home.

Burial alternativesThe average cost of cremation

ranges from $700 to $1,200 compared to $7,000 to $10,000 for a funeral and burial in a cemetery.

Making your final arrangements is a precious gift to your family members, giving them as much peace of mind as possible and limited financial responsi-bility at an already emotionally trying time.

AgingCare.com, connecting people caring for elderly parents.


A letter to my children...By Sandy Diel

First, I don’t want you to take this event of my dying too seriously. I promise you – it’s going to happen. So, why not make it a happy occasion?

I’ve had a good life and each of you is grown and a good, responsible person. You gave me joy and pride, and you rarely bored me.

The purpose of this epistle is to state how I would and would not like to die. Writing out my hopes and opinions at this time is supposed to help you and make me feel that even though I’ve had very little control over my life, I have a chance of being in command at/of my death.

I could sum it up rather briefly. The

Reasons to consider long-term care options By Dan Stockemer

In the summer of 2000, my wife Mary, our two youngest daughters and I were in a near fatal car accident. I failed to see a pickup truck as I glanced to the right while making a rolling stop at an intersection I had gone through thousands of times. It was only a mile from home.

The accident made me realize the fragility of life. I realized I could have become unable to work, becoming a severe burden to my family.

In 2001 I purchased a long-term care policy with a lifetime benefit and a home health care provision. I listed my wife as an additional insured think-ing when we were older we might need the policy.

In 2011, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has endured a long litany of efforts to eradicate and con-trol the cancer. A little over a year ago her right arm lost all movement.

As her condition deteriorated, I re-alized I needed assistance. I submitted her claim to our insurance company and she was approved for coverage. Af-ter I paid the first 30 days for a home health care provider, the policy came into force.

For more than a year the home health care provider has helped my wife, which has enabled me to go to work.

Over the last several years a num-ber of long-term care companies have developed alternatives for traditional

stand-alone policies. Today contracts are available that provide funds for an heir by paying a tax-free death benefit if long-term or chronic-illness care is not needed.

In addition, companies have devel-oped innovative fixed annuity policies that also provide increased monthly payments when long-term care is required. This additional income can help pay for home health care or addi-tional costs when entering a long-term care facility.

Medicare may pay a long-term care facility for the first 30 days after hospitalization, but then you pick up the cost.

If, over time, your assets are deplet-ed to $2,000, then the Kansas Medic-

aid program assumes the payment of your long-term care costs above what you are able to provide. At this time the state also can determine the kind of facility you will be required to live in.

Taking the time to visit with a professional on this subject could be one of the best decisions you will ever make. It certainly was for me.

Three of my closest family members have required assisted living. This, plus my personal experience, caused me to realize the importance of exploring long-term care options.

quicker the better. Or I could carry on a bit, which, of

course, is what I choose to do. Your first consideration is your-

selves. Do not think that you should sustain any form of long-term care. It would weary you beyond endurance.

It is a practice of sacrifice, not love. I don’t want to financially impoverish you in any way. Money does not alter the inevitable.

It would not be life to me to not be able to feel your touch or know your smile. I don’t want to exist confined to a room or small area, not watching the change of seasons, not breathing the good air and smelling the scent of the good earth. It would not be life if I

could not see children and crops grow. While I’ve always felt that I needn’t

participate in the sunrise, I need to know the special intensity of our sun’s heat. Part of the definition of “life” is the word “use.” I want to be of some use to life, in life. I want to use life.

This is my way of saying, “Do not resuscitate, do not put in a feeding tube, do not put me on a ventilator, do not torture me with any kind of thera-py or other things. Just let me go. Just let me go, even if you have to push a little.

If you feel the need to consult with a Rabbi or some other support author-ity, do so. But don’t do it for me.

If you want to bury me, I would

like it to be in the hay ground in Reno County. I have no objection to being cremated. If I am, I’d like my ashes scattered over the sand hills in Stanton County. Do not let any of them blow over on to that damned hog farm.

I have every confidence that all your decisions will be the right ones. I love you.

We thank Sandy Deil, director of Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, for sharing a portion of her letter to her children about her wishes when she makes her final transition. Contact her at [email protected].

Dan Stockemer is president of LifeAd-visors LLC. He can be contacted at [email protected].

55+

Resource

Guide

the acti

ve age’s

2015-16

Sponsors

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It’s that time again... We are taking reservations for advertising spots in the 2016

Advertisers contact: Teresa Schmied, Advertising Manager

316-942-5385 office

316-613-3547 direct line

email: [email protected]

or visit our website theactiveage.com

55+ Resource Guide

DeadlineAugust 25th


Tips to help find a home care provider By AgingCare.com

Most of us want to take care of our own families, so hiring a stranger to come into the home can be difficult. Still, once people find a good agency and regular caregivers, they often wish they'd taken action earlier.

It is a logical first step for someone who needs help for a few hours a day or when the family caregiver is at work or unavailable. It is also a good choice for elderly spouses, when bathing and heavy work is involved.

Even the government is getting wise to the benefits that in-home assistance offers. Funding is getting more attention as our aging population needs care, and staying at home longer is cheaper than a nursing home.Questions to ask the agency

• Is the agency licensed and bond-ed? Does it provide worker's compen-sation for their employees?

• What services are available? You may only want bathing and grooming services, or you may want someone for several hours of companionship and help with errands.

• Will more than one person come to my loved one's home? Be realistic in your expectations, but the care agency should be able to provide the same

TRUST HomeCare is a home healthcare agency providing our community with Home Health Aides (HHAs), Certified Nurses Assistants (CNAs), companionship, homemaker services and personal care solutions including Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Medical Alert/Medication Dispenser Systems.

We are much more affordable than medical care, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Why pay a medical staff or be on a medical staff ’s schedule when we can provide affordable care at your own schedule?

• FMS or AGENCY DIRECT

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people on a rotating basis.• What happens when the caregiver

doesn't show up? Is there backup staff available? This is where rotating with a couple of different people is beneficial.

• Are they specially trained to work with Alzheimer's or dementia patients? Agencies are increasingly aware that they need to train their employees to work with these patients. You should ask what they offer if you specifically want care for someone with Alzhei-mer's. What are the costs?

• Charges will vary depending on the level of care required. Some agen-cies charge different rates for different services. Get this information up front.

• What is the screening process for candidates? You want to know the agency does a thorough background check, and that the person can be bonded and licensed. Also ask for references and check them.

• What are the payment options; is any financial help available? The agency should be versed in what payment help is available. Many long-term care insurance policies help pay for these services. Ask the agency for payment options and help in exploring available subsidies.

• What if my elderly parent doesn't like a certain aide? This happens, and the agency should be willing to offer different people for you to try. Again, be realistic. Your elder may just be mad about getting outside care and refuse to "like" anyone who comes to help. Tell them that help is necessary, but that you are flexible about who is chosen to provide it. If there is one specific person who rubs your elder the wrong way, let the agency know.

• Does the home care agency pro-vide medical services or physical thera-

py? Most offer "custodial care" such as bathing, running errands and providing companionship. Some provide medica-tion services, shots and other nursing duties. For this, they need a skilled nurse. Physical therapy is difficult to find, but not impossible.

• What if I want to hire an inde-pendent caregiver? Be aware that you will assume all employer responsibili-ties or work on a contractor basis. You should do your own background check. AgingCare.com, connecting people caring for elderly parents.


Retirement

Hospice

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Hospice – something few people want to talk about.By Melody Dodge

When I haven’t seen someone for a while, a common question is, “So, what are you doing?” When I tell them I work in hospice, the reply I often hear is, “Oh, I could never do that.”

For me, working at a hospice is a blessing. I get to see a team of ex-perts and volunteers provide comfort, demonstrate compassion and are a

soothing presence to individuals facing a terminal illness.

Hospice is a specialized type of care for those facing a life-limit-ing illness. It addresses the patient's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, while supporting the family and caregivers.

It’s determined to be appropriate if the physician certifies that it is a

terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease or illness runs its normal course.

Hospice care is individualized to meet the distinct needs and goals of the patient, family and caregiver(s).

Often times the physician is the first to mention hospice care. Not always, however.

Some physicians want to preserve hope for a cure. They often continue to pursue treatment because they think that's what the patient and family want. It also may be difficult to predict the rate decline.

When a doctor mentions hospice care, he or she is simply presenting an option for comfort. It can sometimes lengthen life by increasing the quality of the time remaining.

Signs that hospice care should be considered include:

• An increase in pain, nausea, breathing distress or other symptoms

• Repeated hospitalizations or trips to the emergency room

• Failure to "bounce back" after medical set-backs occur

• A decrease in function requiring assistance for walking, eating, bathing, dressing and/or going to the toilet

• Decreasing alertness; the patient is emotionally withdrawn, sleeping more or having increased difficulty with comprehension

• Significantly decreased appetite and weight loss

To put it simply, hospice is care that can help someone live each day as fully as possible, focusing on comfort and quality of life.Contact Melody Dodge at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice: [email protected]


www.theactiveage.com

Nate and Apryl Partridge have been residing in the Norwich area for a little more than 12 years. They have two children who attend school in Norwich.

Recently they purchased into a franchise called Caring Transitions and are excited to be bringing a valu-able service to our community.

The following is a summary of how they came to know about Caring Transitions and what their business does for the seniors and families in our community.

Last June, the Partridge family lost a dear loved one who lived in Denver. Sadly, none of the family lived close by and so they were trying to take care of an estate from far away.

Statistically, they are not alone. About 50% of all elderly residents of the United States live in a differ-ent city or a different state than their children or other close relatives. This leaves families scrambling to find a solution during an already stressful time.

When the Partridges found them-selves in this position, they hired one

of the Caring Transitions franchises in Denver to help relieve some of that stress.

“Caring Transitions was a huge blessing to our family. The amount of stress they alleviated during a time when all we wanted to do was mourn, not deal with the physical needs of the estate, was a huge burden off of our shoulders. Apryl and I just found ourselves talking about what they were able to accomplish for our fami-ly constantly,” says Nate.

And so the journey to a Caring Transitions franchise in Wichita began. The couple did much praying and soul-searching before a decision was made. Once the franchise was purchased, they never looked back.

“It has been a large adjustment for our family. All of us have had to make sacrifices, including our kids,” says Apryl.

“We have learned to appreciate each others strengths and weaknesses to be able to grow our business wisely and continue to stay a family. All this is in an effort to help families like we were helped. To bring that high level of care and compassion to others.”

“Each of the employees hired on with Caring Transitions must go through a thorough background check and rigorous amounts of training so we can continue to uphold a high level of service for our clients.”

Moving: At Caring Transitions of Wichita, we pack, move and re-settle (or unpack) for our clients. We have a sophisticated piece of 3D soft-ware that allows us to virtually place furniture in the client’s new space so they do not take too much with them-that way their space is clean and safe.

All of this helps provide a one-stop-shop for our clients so they do not have to juggle several different service providers. This lessons the stress of an already difficult transi-tion.

Downsizing: Aging In Place has become a buzzword in the Senior Care industry. Caring Transitions can help a senior stay at home longer, if this is their wish; by helping them clear out the clutter. Most times, when someone decides to age in their home, changes to the layout and organiza-tion of the home need to be updated. This can be accomplished by helping

the client decide what items are most important to keep and what things can be given to family, donated to charity or sold for a little extra income.

On-line Auctions & Sales: Our on-line auctions and estate sales ben-efit our clients who have to downsize for various reasons. Traditional estate sales can be a great way to clear the clutter or relieve a family of estate items. On-line auctions are a unique aspect to Caring Transitions and provide our clients with a unique and secure way to liquidate items.

We find the on-line auction option appeals to most of our clients-even those who are not very computer sav-vy. In an effort to get the best value in a short amount of time, we advertise in a variety of places, but also send out e-mail reminders to our auction site and estate sale followers so they are aware when new auctions and sales are posted.

If you are interested in being added to our e-mail list, please send a shout out to [email protected] and you will be added to future mailings!

www.estatemovewichita.com www.ctonlineauctions.com/wichitaks

Caring Transitions takes the stress out of moving, downsizingMay 2015 the active age Page 11

2016 Transitions Guide

Documents

Transcript of 2016 Transitions Guide