Workshops Help Families Address Concerns on Aging

Aging is a natural process that everyone goes through. And in the next 25 years, one out of every five Americans (72 million people) will be 65 years or older.

Aging brings physical and emotional changes, but what’s normal and what’s not? What challenges could you face? What resources are available to you?

The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing is helping people who are aging or chronically ill, as well as their families, answer these and other questions through its Center for Aging with Dignity.

The center is kicking off a free aging and care workshop series in April to help people anticipate, understand and address the struggles they are likely to face as loved ones age or become ill.

“The health-care system is complex and fragmented,” says Charles Puchta, director of the center. “A variety of organizations are offering programs and services that address specific issues, such as diseases, acute medical care and adult day services, but many basic concerns are not adequately addressed.

“We’re focusing on how to help people make sense of their situation so they are better able to take the appropriate action and make informed decisions,” says Puchta, a certified senior advisor (CSA). “Everything we do is designed to complement existing services and organizations.”

The workshops, called “Live for Today, Prepare for Tomorrow,” are a two-part series. The first workshop, “Challenges and Choices,” provides insight and tips for daily living, driving, preserving dignity and determining what’s best for your situation.

The second workshop, “Difficult Decisions,” is designed to help people cope with life-changing health concerns and participate in the health-care process.

In addition to workshops for the public, the center is offering a professional development series that provides continuing education units for nurses and social workers.

According to Puchta, people often find themselves overwhelmed and uninformed when thrust into the role of providing or receiving care. “That’s why it’s important for health-care professionals to know and understand techniques and interventions that can help them support the needs of their patients and clients,” he says.

For more information on the workshops (details below) or the center, contact Charles Puchta at (513) 558-2428, e-mail charles.puchta@uc.eduor visit www.careadvocate.org.

General public workshops
Session 1—“Challenges and Choices” 
April 3, 6:15–8:30 p.m., Mercy Anderson (Health Plex)
April 17, 6:15¬–8:30 p.m., Drake Center (conference center, A-level)

Session 2—“Difficult Decisions”
April 10, 6:15–8:30 p.m., Mercy Anderson (Health Plex)
April 24, 6:15–8:30 p.m., Drake Center (conference center, A-level)

Health-care professional workshops (two-part series)
April 3 and 10, noon–1 p.m., Mercy Anderson (Health Plex)
April 17 and 24, noon–1 p.m., Drake Center (conference center, A-level)