| "Planning for Eldercare" February 6, 2008 | Return to Article Page | Veterans Benefits Book | Department Of Commerce Offers up to $80 to Help Seniors and Others Convert to HDTV Imagine watching your favorite primetime TV program, when all of a sudden your analog TV screen goes to black…for good. There is still time to prevent this situation, as long as you know your options. On February 17, 2009, all full-powered television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, as required by law. To assist U.S. households with this historic transition, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to help Americans continue receiving over-the-air television after February 17, 2009. Why is television going from analog broadcasting to digital? The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires broadcasters to broadcast only in digital after February 17, 2009. Digital television promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up some of the nation’s airwaves for use by emergency responders. What is the significance of the February 17, 2009 digital TV transition date? If households receive television programs over-the-air using “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, they must take action to continue using their analog TVs after February 17, 2009. Consumers have three options, which include 1) buying a converter box that will plug into their current analog TV, 2) buying a TV with a digital tuner or 3) connecting their analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service. How can the public obtain a $40 coupon toward purchasing an eligible converter box? From now through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households are able to request, on a firstcome, first-served basis, up to two, $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of a certified converter box. Converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70, however, it is a one-time cost with no monthly service charges. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed and cannot be replaced. For more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call toll free 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009). The hearing impaired may call the TTY number 1-877-530-2634 for information in English, and for information in Spanish, consumers can call TTY number 1-866-495-1161. You can also apply by mail at PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208 or by fax at 1-877-388-4632. Where can the public buy a coupon-eligible converter? Coupon-eligible converter boxes are only available at certified stores and online retailers where televisions and other consumer electronics are sold, as well as by mail-order. When the coupon is mailed to you, it will include an insert with a list of nearby, participating retailers. You can also go online at www.DTV2009.gov, enter your zip code, and locate participating retailers on a map. What can the public do to plan for the transition? Now is the time to identify whether any TV in your home is analog and receives overthe-air programming through “rabbit ears” or a roof-top antenna. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. It is important to know your options and make sure your family, friends and neighbors are aware of whether they need to take action before the transition date. The important thing is that no one is left in the dark on February 17, 2009. The TV transition deadline will be here soon. Working together, we can make this historic digital transition a success for all Americans. This article was provided courtesy of the National Care Planning Council, www.longtermcarelink.net. |
Caring for Your Parents Premiered on PBS
April 2, 2008 at 9:00 pm KETC Channel 9
WATCH ON-LINE
As the population ages, many adult children are grappling with an unprecedented social,
cultural, economic, and personal revolution as they transition into the primary caregiver role for
their aging parents. Produced, written, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Kirk,
Caring for Your Parents is a moving two-hour special that draws much-needed attention to this
universal reality.
The first 90-minutes of Caring for Your Parents underscores today's struggle to keep parents at
home, tensions between siblings, and the complexity of shifting caregiver roles through an
intimate look at five American families. In the end, the documentary contends successful
caregiving requires one primary ingredient—love.
Immediately after the 90-minute broadcast, former NBC medical correspondent Dr. Art Ulene
leads "A Conversation About Caring." This half-hour panel discussion offers concrete advice
and guidance on how to start the conversation—often the most difficult step in caregiving.
Caring for Your Parents is a Kirk Documentary Group, Ltd. Production for WGBH Boston. The executive producer is
Laurie Donnelly. Major funding is provided by Harrah's Foundation. Additional funding by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
April 2, 2008 at 9:00 pm KETC Channel 9
WATCH ON-LINE
As the population ages, many adult children are grappling with an unprecedented social,
cultural, economic, and personal revolution as they transition into the primary caregiver role for
their aging parents. Produced, written, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Kirk,
Caring for Your Parents is a moving two-hour special that draws much-needed attention to this
universal reality.
The first 90-minutes of Caring for Your Parents underscores today's struggle to keep parents at
home, tensions between siblings, and the complexity of shifting caregiver roles through an
intimate look at five American families. In the end, the documentary contends successful
caregiving requires one primary ingredient—love.
Immediately after the 90-minute broadcast, former NBC medical correspondent Dr. Art Ulene
leads "A Conversation About Caring." This half-hour panel discussion offers concrete advice
and guidance on how to start the conversation—often the most difficult step in caregiving.
Caring for Your Parents is a Kirk Documentary Group, Ltd. Production for WGBH Boston. The executive producer is
Laurie Donnelly. Major funding is provided by Harrah's Foundation. Additional funding by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
 | The Educated Caregiver DVD Video Series - $ 49.95 Providing care for a loved one is one of the toughest jobs you can ever have. In The Educated Caregiver video series, you'll meet others who know what you're going through - and who share their experiences, insights and advice. From them and from healthcare professionals, you'll learn skills and valuable strategies for taking care of yourself and your loved one. Coping Skills, Volume 1, 80 minutes From those who have shouldered it themselves, learn how to deal with the physical and emotional burden caregivers experience. The video's short, easily viewed segments let you focus on or review specific skills: ? Gaining control over a demanding daily routine ? Reducing stress ? Averting burnout, or "compassion fatigue" ? Preparing for when your loved one leaves home ? Dealing with natural feelings of helplessness, anger, resentment and guilt Hands-On Skills, Volume 2, 45 minutes You'll see step-by-step demonstrations of key caregiving skills you'll use every day, such as: ? Caring for bed-ridden patients ? Assistance with walking ? Transferring from a bed to a chair ? Dressing, grooming and hygiene ? Assessment techniques ? Home safety Essential Knowledge, Volume 3, 48 minutes Healthcare professionals share vital information every caregiver needs to know, including: ? Communicating with a loved one ? Administering medications and understanding interactions ? Avoiding and controlling infection ? Wound care and preventing bed sores ? Ensuring proper nutrition Available in DVD only. |
 | The Family Guide to Long Term Care DVD Video Series - $ 125.95 Solutions & Practical Advice for Older Adults and Their Families When older adults experience changes caused by the aging process, it's often difficult for families to know how to begin managing their loved ones' care, deal with difficult emotions, and make informed decisions. Through The Family Guide to Long-term Care series, you'll find answers to the questions that families so often encounter. These volumes are filled with indispensable knowledge that will benefit the entire family - not just at one point in time but throughout the entire process as a loved one experiences changes that come with aging. Getting Started, Volume 1, 34 minutes Learn what to do when an aging parent begins to need more assistance than you can provide. You'll benefit from detailed, step-by-step information on: Planning ahead as a family, Warning signs that your parent should no longer live alone, Assessing needs based on activities of daily living (ADLs), Safeguarding the home, Home-based services Making the Right Choice, Volume 2, 50 minutes When the time arrives for your parent to move from home, Making the Right Choice helps you understand the array of living options available - and find the one that best fits your situation. You'll learn about: Involving your loved one in the decision, The continuum of care, How to choose a facility, Dealing with natural feelings of guilt, Making the transition from home Staying Involved, Volume 3, 31 minutes Learn how the family's role remains critical to your loved one's well-being even after the transition to new surroundings. You'll get important information on: ? Care planning, Ways to keep the family involved, Becoming partners with the staff and other providers, Monitoring your loved one's care, Helping your parent stay emotionally healthy Understanding Long-term Care Insurance, Volume 4, 21 minutes This video will thoroughly prepare you to navigate an often bewildering maze of information - and make decisions that will preserve your assets and freedom of choice. You'll get expert guidance on: Gauging your need for LTC insurance, The limits of Medicare and Medicaid, Coverage for assisted living, home health and adult day care, What to look for in an insurer, Choosing coverage options that are best for you Legal Issues, Volume 5, 21 minutes None of us wants to give up the right to decide whether we should be kept alive on a machine, or how our estate will be passed along - or to put our families in the uncomfortable position of making such desiccations for us. You'll learn valuable information that will give you and your family more peace of mind: Making a will and keeping it up to date, Living Wills - making health care decisions in advance, Durable power of attorney, Designating others to make decisions on your behalf. Financial Planning, Volume 6,27 minutes After viewing this video, you'll have a clear picture of what to do if you someday have to manage a loved one's affairs. Whether you're planning for yourself or an aging parent, this video will give you the essential information you need: Organizing financial information and determining available assets, Principles of sound investing, Social Security benefits, Everything you need to know about Medicare: what it will (and will not)pay for, deductibles, Parts A & B, coverage options and supplemental insurance. Available in DVD only. |
 | Big Button Universal Remote - $ 24.95 Measures 2 1/4 inches wide, 9 1/2 inches long, 1 1/2 inches deep. Requires 2 AA batteries. Buttons are 5/8 inches. Large buttons and bold easy to read characters make these remotes user friendly. Touch sensitive lighted keypad for operation in the dark. Replaces up to 4 standard remotes and can be used with any combination of TVs, VCRs, and cable boxes. Extra large frames are easy to grasp and difficult to misplace. (Batteries not included). |
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| Snowy picture and poor sound quality are things of the past with Winegard’s Digital HD Receiver. Now you can see the clearest image available and hear DVD-quality sound, using your analog TV and crank- up antenna. The compact receiver connects easily between your antenna and your TV to deliver crystal clear digital channels. Video explains analog/digital conversion. |
| No more adjusting your volume control. You can stop constantly adjusting your TV volume; this innovative controller does it for you. Best of all, it connects easily to your television and other components using standard audio cables, so you just plug and play. The only requirements are that your VCR, DVD, or cable box has audio outputs and your TV has audio inputs (normally found on the back of your television). |
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| Watch video on how grass is mowed without a human pushing the mower! Invest in this time and labor saver... don't just watch the grass GROW... Watch your grass being cut on schedule by automatic mower! who'd da thunk it?! |
| Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program: Fact Sheet Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB) |
 | Adjustable Folding Flashlight Cane - $ 65.95 Adjustable Folding Flashlight Cane adjusts from 33 to 37 inches in length. Attractive Faux Burled Walnut Handle. Features Secret Storage Compartment. Flashing Rear Safety Light for Walking at Night. Black shaft. Great for Travel. Includes zippered nylon storage bag. Requires 2 AAA Batteries - not included. |
 | The Family Guide to Alzheimer's Disease DVD Video Series - $ 99.95 An indispensable resource offering encouragement and instruction to those affected by Alzheimer's Disease. For many families, Alzheimer's means a gradually diminishing quality of life both for the sufferer and caregivers. All too often, the disease has led to isolation,and even a certain social stigma. It can impose psychological and emotional burdens just as heavy as the physical one. The Family Guide to Alzheimer's Disease was created to help families understand what to expect; deal effectively with the challenge of this disease; help their loved ones meet each day more successfully; and enhance the quality of life for all involved. Understanding Alzheimer's, Volume 1, 62 minutes In this volume you'll learn about the nature of Alzheimer's, its causes and the stages of the disease. You'll also learn some of the typical symptoms, how to obtain a diagnosis and the current treatments. Finally, you'll learn how the disease affects our loved ones and alters the reality in which they live. Volume one covers: Overview of Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms Diagnosis Stages of Alzheimer's Treatment Telling Others Patient perspective Behavior Issues, Volume 2, 67 minutes Alzheimer's changes almost everything about the way our loved ones perceive the world?and how they respond to it. One of the keys to helping our loved ones continue to live as successfully as possible is to understand this changed, strange world. In this volume you'll learn more about how Alzheimer's affects our loved ones,and how those effects typically change the person's behavior. You'll also learn successful strategies for "redirecting" that behavior in ways that help your loved one and your family enjoy a better quality of life. Volume two covers: Overview, Agitation, Hallucinations, Wandering, Sleeplessness/Sundowning, Incontinence, Inappropriate Actions, Redirection, Fiblets, Daily Life, Volume 3, 42 minutes As you come to understand more about the altered world of an Alzheimer's sufferer, you'll learn effective strategies for making your home environment a safe place where your loved one can live successfully. You'll also learn key skills for communicating with persons suffering from Alzheimer's and how to create a daily routine that is nurturing for your loved one and manageable for you. Volume three covers: Home Environment Driving Adult Emotions Communication Daily Routine Family Caregiving, Volume 4, 62 minutes In this volume, you'll learn how to handle the daily responsibilities of caring for a loved one, such as eating, dressing, grooming and bathing. Just as important, you'll learn how to get the outside help from family, friends and other resources that can be critical for safeguarding your own health. Volume four covers: Role of the Caregiver, Taking Care of Yourself, Accepting Support, Respite, Sexual Relationships, Family Relationships, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Eating, Bathing, Dressing, Transitions, Volume 5, 44 minutes In this final volume, you'll learn how to make some difficult transitions. You'll learn how to adapt social activities to accommodate your loved one's increasing disability and isolation. You'll also learn how to recognize when the time has come to consider moving your loved one to a care facility (and how to evaluate these facilities). You'll learn how the disease affects a person's spirituality, and you'll gain insights from others who have gone through the process of grieving the loss of a loved one for whom they have provided years of care. Volume five covers: Social Activities, Spiritual Issues, Care Facilities, Grief. Available in DVD only. |
Watch Video From Your
Favorite PBS Programs
Favorite PBS Programs
Need help caregiving?
| Container Gardening Garden DVD Series Good Morning America's Gardening and Lifestyle Editor, Rebecca Koll has put together the most popular gardening and craft segments from her television show and incorporated them into a convenient DVD format. |
| The Personal Care Attendant Guide The Art of Finding, Keeping, or Being One by Katie Rodriguez Banister |
| Thank you Janet, for sharing this article with us! Janet L Heitzig, CLU, ChFC, CLTC Principal Financial Group 14755 N Outer 40-Ste 110 Chesterfield, MO 63017 Phone 636-449-0734 Fax 1-866-488-0903 Securities and advisory products offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-4123, member SIPC, Des Moines, IA 50392. Senior Strategies, L.L.C. is not an affiliate of Princor. Janet L Heitzig, Princor Registered Representative, Financial Advisor, Financial Representative, Principal Life Insurance Company. |
