UK Human Resources Elder Care Program to Host Several Events This Spring

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 11, 2018) — University of Kentucky Human Resources Work-Life’s Elder Care program is hosting several events this spring for employees who provide care for older adults.

Elder Care invites employees to bring a lunch and learn about important topics at Elder Care’s 2018 Spring Lunch & Learn series. Each session is free and open to all UK faculty, staff, retirees, spouses and sponsored dependents. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information and to register for sessions visit: www.uky.edu/hr/work-life/elder-care/elder-care-events.

Lunch & Learn: “When Is It Time to Consider Placement?”

William T. Young Library Gallery Room

12:10-12:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18

The decision on if, or when, to move your loved one into a care facility will be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make as a caregiver. Caregivers often promise themselves and their loved one this decision will never be made. A promise like that, even though made with the best intentions, is based on unforeseeable and unpredictable events. How do you know when it is time to consider placement? How do you cope with the stress and guilt that accompanies this decision? Hear from Marie Smart, retired family care specialist, from Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, and learn about taking that next step.

Lunch & Learn: “The MIND Diet: Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer’s”

William T. Young Library Gallery Room

12:10-12:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15

The MIND Diet, which is short for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is a hybrid of two balanced, heart-healthy diets. Find out from Karen Bryla McNees, HR Health & Wellness, how this diet has been proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and the decline in brain health that often occurs as people get older.

“Virtual Dementia Tour”

UK Gaines Center Commonwealth House (second floor), 226 East Maxwell St.

Appointments from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21

The Virtual Dementia Tour is a unique simulation experience that allows participants to experience life through the eyes of their friends and loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The simulations run about 30 minutes. Email Terri Weber, UK Elder Care coordinator, at terri.weber@uky.edu to schedule an appointment.

Lunch & Learn: “Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care”

William T. Young Library Gallery Room

12:10-12:50 p.m. Thursday, March 22

The Best Friend's Approach is a care philosophy that enhances the life of our loved one living with Alzheimer's or other form of dementia. It teaches us to accept our loved one unconditionally, no matter what the behavior, and helps us stay connected to him or her as the disease progresses. Tracy Byrne, master Best Friends trainer, Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods, will share what the approach is all about and how we can incorporate it into our day-to-day interactions with our loved one. 

Lunch & Learn: “Importance of Advance Directives”

William T. Young Library Gallery Room

12:10-12:50 p.m. Thursday, April 12

When it comes to serious illness care, one conversation can make all the difference. Ninety percent of people say talking with their loved ones about serious illness care and advanced directives is important. Having conversations on values — what matters to you, not what is the matter with you — can make it easier for families to make decisions when the time comes. Debra Gleason from UK Palliative Care will talk about how to have the conversation and take the next steps to complete an advanced directive, which will make sure wishes are respected and clearly stated. 

Lunch & Learn – “UK Retiree Health Benefits 101”

William T. Young Library Gallery Room

12:10-12:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 25

Terri Kanatzar and Hannah Farmer, retirement officers with HR Benefits, will review the retirement process for employees eligible to retire from UK including: administrative regulations with early retirement and normal retirement; current retiree health benefits; phased retirement; and payouts and other benefits. Time will be allowed for questions and answers.

UK Elder Care has a monthly e-newsletter, “In the Know,” which features news on elder care events at UK as well as the latest articles about caregiving and elder care. To subscribe to the newsletter and to view past issues visit www.uky.edu/hr/work-life/elder-care/news/in-know-elder-care-news.