AprilEdition

Get a Grip!
By: Dan Hyde / Call to Action
Something quite nauseating is about to occur
again! Local municipal and state elections
featuring the same “political retreads” are soon
to aggravate your senses in the very near future.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for elections and the democratic
processes. It is clearly the American way.
My problem is that the same politicos keep rotating their insatiable
thirst for power in much the same ways as a player moves pawns on a
chess board. Once again, we have a soon to be former mayor running
for Lt. Governor, a former mayor elected to the County Commission
seeking re-election to the same seat, a Councilwoman trying to get
promoted to mayor, another Councilwoman seeking Secretary of State,
and nine time loser running for Congress (again).
Isn’t there any common sense from the voting public that we
are overdue for new faces with new ideas to move into the political
arena? Don’t give me the argument that those who have been in power
know the system and how to effectively operate within it. That’s garbage!
What’s even more repugnant - a statewide on-line news organization,
The Nevada Independent is going to arbitrarily determine “who is a
viable candidate” and eliminate any of those they consider “not credible
candidates” from their election coverage. That is pure censorship and
contradicts their mission statement that touts their “fairness and
transparency.”
There is nothing “fair” about excluding any candidate who files for
election to any office. It is their way of steering the election away from
any candidate they do not think is worthy of their time!
This is deplorable by any reasonable standard of common sense.
There is no excuse for attempting to justify this hypocrisy.
For all those who contributed to this news organization over the
years, from major corporations to the average citizen, you should be
demanding a refund and force them to cease their obviously biased
and unworthy business from continuing to operate. We deserve better!
Dan Hyde is a passionate and effective advocate for the senior
community. He can be reached at: dhyde9@cox.net.
38
April 2022
A Quick Guide for Family
Caregiving
By: Pat Landaker / Positive Aging
Caregiving is hard work that challenges
the heart, mind, and body of both parties
involved. And these challenges are compounded
when it’s family giving and receiving the care.
The emotional investment becomes greater and the boundaries
drawn are often very gray. Clear communication between all family
members involved is key!
The number one issue in family caregiving is lack of communication
or poor communication. Communication must be open, simple
and deliver a clear understanding of what the patient wants and the
caregiver needs to deliver.
Guilt-free, respectful, mindful engagements make for great family
caregiver/patient communications and planning. Discussing a plan,
then putting it into writing will level the playing field and ties each
family member to a standard, method and expectation of care.
It’s also important to remember your family members have their own
lives to live and bills to pay. Caregiving can encumber the caregiver’s
wallet, so there’s nothing wrong with establishing a paid arrangement.
Despite, a family member’s willingness to offer free services,
sometimes it’s better to pay them. It adds mutual and personal respect
and value on both sides of the relationship.
If you have Medicaid, the Medicaid PCS program may pay your
caregiver. A simple search will offer plenty of information about paid
caregiving and pay scales for family caregiver services.
Topics to include when discussing a patient/caregiver relationship:
1. Scope of duty
2. Frequency of care/schedule
3. Type/level of care
4. Involvement of other care providers (home health nurse, physical
therapist, care manager)
5. Caregiver expectations
Tips for any caregiver are:
1. Take care of yourself.
2. Don’t allow yourself to be abused verbally, mentally or physically.
3. Step away if discussions get heated.
4. Accept help from other family members or friends.
5. Give yourself refresh breaks.
6. Respect your limitations. Don’t take on too much.
7. Hire outside services for cleaning, cooking, etc., if possible.
8. Spend time in a supportive setting when you feel overwhelmed.
Though you’re not a professional caregiver, you can use the many
online resources available to help you navigate your new role, but
always make sure your patient’s needs are first and foremost.
Pat Landaker is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner
of Living La Vida Senior. She serves on the ASA’s Innovation and
Social Impact Council, the City of Henderson’s Senior Citizens
Advisory Commission and teaches Positive Aging at UNLV/OLLI.
Contact her at positiveaging54@gmail.com.