.11•• - Local History Archives

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GROSSE POINTE NEWS, OCTOBER 19, 2006
68 I HEALTH
Family meetings forge. relationships
T ·oday's
world leaves solving, anger and stress manus
feeling that we agement techniques as well as
lack time and re- leadership qualities.
sources for ourfam- Practically speaking, it is alilies.
so a time where schedules, ac-
One way to keep connected, tivities and vacations can be
deepen relationships and planned with everyone providstrengthen
the famlly is ing input.
through the family meeting The following suggestions
process. Family meetings can can be used as a framework for
be fun, intense, quirky, formal organizing your own family
or informal but quickly be- meetings.
come a basic building block for There are no hard and fast
the famllyas a whole. . rules other than encouraging
Stronger relationships are everyone to have input and the
forged within this respectful use of respectful, positive comenvironment
and it becomes a munication skills.
time to share success'!,sand u Meet regularly each week
support positive problem solv- and experiment with the
ing skills. Children can also length of time for each meetlearn
family values, strategies ing. Many families feel that befor
brainstorming and problem tween one-half to one hour is
appropriate, however smaller
children may not be able to sit
stillfor long periods of time.
Set time limits on topics so not
allthe time is spent on one
agenda item.
u Post an agenda on the ~frigerator
and ask everyone for
input.
Older children or parents
may need to assist younger
children in reading the agenda
to them.
u Rotate leadership with the
leader reading the agenda and
keeping track of time. Another
family member may want to
keep notes.
u Make sure everyone takes
an active part by asking each
member their opinion. If a
problem arises in the meeting,
a person talks too much or
complains too much, model
good communication skills by
asking ''What do you think you
can do about it?" or "How can
we help the situation?"
u Insist upon respectful communication,
no blaming or
Caregivers assistance fair on Saturday
By Debra Pascoe
Special Writer
Caregivers tend to forget
they too need to be healthy,
both physically and mentally.
"Statistics show caregivers
aren't caring for themselves
and suffer from stress and depression,"
said Sallie Justice,
pubic relations coordinator for
AM I-B. "Their health is extremely
important."
To help identify available resources,
the Area Agency on
Aging loB (AM I-B) is hosting
its free 7th annual
Solutions for Family
Caregivers Fair from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m., Saturday, Oct,21, at the
Best Western Sterling Heights
at 15Mile and Van Dyke.
Free parking and a complimentary
continental breakfast
are also offered.
The event features more
than 80 exhibitors who specialize
in products and services
that help alleviate the
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burden of caring for a loved
one and 12 presentations by
experts addressing such topics
as mana,ging medications, understanding
behavior links
with dementia, senior housing
options, legal tips and in-home
care options.
"We see a lot of tears at this
event; it is a release for caregivers
when they see all the
help that's available for them
and they have contact with
those in similar situations,"
Justice said.
She called attention to presenter
Paul Gladstone, a 25year
human resource professional
who cares for his wife
who has multiple sclerosis and
knows firsthand what it means
to be a caregiver and have a
demanding job.
He will share employer-employee
perspectives and offer
tips on how to communicate
and get support.
"There are so many people
who are caring for a loved one
who go to work everyday and
still take care of a loved and
need to know how to prioritize
their lives,"Justice said.
Local author Tim Bolus, a
CEO of two businesses, will also
discuss his book, "The Baby
Boomers Almanac," a how-to
handbook written to inspire
that generation to live a
healthy and more fulfilling life.
AAA loB will also be on
hand to support its services for
caregivers including a program
that offers the services of
a para-professional to visit the
loved one's home a couple of
hours a day one day a week or
several days a week.
"This gives the caregiver
time to have lunch with a
friend, run errands or pick up
medications," Justice said,
adding severai organizations
provide adult day care from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m.
The AM loB programengages'the
oilier adult in activities.
The biggest challenge,
she said, is getting the older
adult out of the house.
"This 'is very important," she
said. "Individuals left home
alone and isolated develop depression."
For those who would like to
attend but can't leave their
loved one behind, a respite
care room run by the
Alzheimer's Association is
available ,by reservation.
Justice said the Alzheimer's
Association arranges for entertainment,
breakfast and
lunch for participants and provides
activities such as crafts,
games and an opportunity for
participants to socialize.
"It has been a very positive
experience for both the caregiver
and the loved one,"
Justice said, adding the service
is free.
For more information or to
make reservations for respite
care, call (800) 852-7795. A
presentation schedule can be
viewed online at aaalb.com.
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