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Life by Design @yourlibrary

Helping Your Aging Parent

November is National Family Caregivers Month. This seven-part series will explore the issues and challenges of caring for an aging parent and will be helpful for anyone caring for another person.

Combining Work and Care for an Aging Parent

• Dr. Margaret Neal, director, Institute on Aging at Portland State University
• Working and caring for an aging parent presents unique challenges and opportunities. Dr. Neal will share her research about the impacts of working and caregiving, as well as offer effective coping strategies.

• Wednesday, October 28, 5:30–7 p.m.
• Central Library, U.S. Bank Room

Practical Tools to Help You Assist Your Aging Parent

• Loriann McNeill, program coordinator, Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
• Learn how to assess your parents' needs and get an overview of community and private resources to meet them.

• Saturday, October 31, 10–11:30 a.m.
• Midland Library

Alzheimer's 101

• Judy McKellar, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association – Oregon Chapter
• A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be daunting. Learn about signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and important things to remember when relating to a person with Alzheimer's.

• Tuesday, November 3, 5:30–7 p.m.
• Hollywood Library

Life-Enriching Activities for Your Aging Parent

• Chris Nelson, life enrichment director, Emerson House
• Nelson will focus on ways to keep seniors and their loved ones engaged with life together, including ideas for mutually beneficial activities that engage mind, body and spirit, while compensating for age-related losses.

• Monday, November 9, 6–7:30 p.m.
• Gresham Library

Helping Your Aging Parents Manage Their Possessions and a Later Life Move

• Bill Smith, owner, Take Care Move Assistance and Lorca Harrison, owner, DoughNation Services
• Gain tips on helping an aging parent downsize and move; explore options that can have financial and emotional rewards for a parent such as donating possessions. Develop a deeper appreciation for the difficult process of letting go.

• Monday, November 16, 6–7:30 p.m.
• Hollywood Library

Coffee and Conversation for Caretakers: Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First!

• Meagan Lawler, Life by Design Northwest
• In this interactive session, you will learn how to take care of yourself while taking care of others.

• Wednesday, November 18, 6–7:30 p.m.
• Belmont Library

Difficult Topics in Caregiving: A Practical and Heart-Centered Approach

• Kari Lyons, licensed clinical social worker
• Lyons will discuss difficult topics such as driving, what to do when your parents' needs increase, and the change in dependence in all areas. Learn how can you discuss these delicate issues while remaining calm, respectful, centered and helpful to your aging parents.

• Saturday, November 21, 10–11:30 a.m.
• Midland Library

Sponsored by Multnomah County Library, Life by Design Northwest and Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support Program.

 

Perspectives on Positive Aging: Living More Authentically As We Age

Aging is an opportunity to reclaim our own unique and eccentric qualities. Aging frees us to move out of our socialized consciousness and conditioning so we can reclaim our authentic selves

Recommended reading: From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Profound New Vision of Growing Older by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

Speaker Guadalupe Guajardo is a senior associate with TACS, an organization that serves and supports nonprofit organizations. She is also a cofounder of Tools for Diversity, a multicultural team that addresses problems caused by discrimination and prejudice and helps build culturally competent organizations. She is bilingual and bicultural, has advanced degrees in theology and organizational development and is a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names.

Thursday, December 3, noon–1 p.m.

• Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
• Call 503.988.6317 for more information.
• Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Perspectives on Positive Aging is a monthly series sponsored by Multnomah County Library, partners with Life by Design Northwest.

 

Finding Work at 50+

Have you or a loved one recently been laid off or still looking for work? Are you thinking about changing careers? What are the secrets to finding a great job in a down economy?

Join AARP Oregon, Life By Design Northwest and Multnomah County Library for a free workshop geared toward older job seekers.

Learn how to spiff up your resume, identify and incorporate key words in materials that job recruiters search for in finding the best applicant, boost your job interviewing skills, and get tips on self and health care in stressful times. You'll receive a job search packet from the state of Oregon, plus job hunting tips and resources from AARP and other partners.

Thursday, December 17, noon–4 p.m.

• Midland Library
• Registration required; register online.

 

These programs are made possible through a partnership with Life by Design Northwest and, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.