If you are trying to oversee care for a confused or memory impaired parent who lives far away, this session is for you! Come and explore strategies for planning ahead, preventing crises and managing care. Find out how to identify and locate available services before they are needed. And, learn how to coordinate and oversee care from hundreds of miles away.

Speaker:

Joan Richardson, RN, MSN, CS
Advanced Care Management
Reston, Virginia

Working full- or part-time while caring for an elder relative is common in society today. Managing work life while providing care for a family member is difficult at best. The essential balance can be lost quickly, especially when the employee is caring for a person with memory impairment or dementia.

This forum will explore how employees can work with employers to maintain both caregiving responsibilities and work productivity. Key elements in the employer-employee "partnership," and making the Family Medical Leave Act work for you and your employer will be addressed.

Speakers:

Monica Woropaj
Caregiver and Information Specialist
Society for Human Resource Management
Alexandria, Virginia

Sandra O'Connell
Caregiver and Consultant
HR Technology Advisory Services
Reston, Virginia

Medicaid is a federal/state program that pays for medical care for persons who meet income and resource limits. It is the largest source of funding for persons who receive care in nursing facilities; it also can cover personal care, adult day services and respite care.

It is important that families who need long-term care coverage under Medicaid understand the reality behind the popular myths about Medicaid. This forum will look at some of the myths, outline eligibility requirements, explore transfer of asset issues, and address the application process.

Speakers:

Gail Hansen
Long-term Care Benefits Supervisor
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
Fairfax, Virginia

Gene Coffey
Elderlaw Attorney
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Falls Church, Virginia

One of the toughest decisions families face is to move a loved one with dementia from home to a nursing home or assisted living facility. How to know when being at home no longer benefits the person with dementia, things to consider when choosing a residential facility, and how to judge the quality of care are among issues to be addressed in this forum.

Speakers:

Mariette Klein, MSW
Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area
Fairfax, Virginia

Betty Ransom
Director of Education
Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area
Fairfax, Virginia