The Union County Falls Coalition is hosting a question and answer event on the topic of helping aging parents on May 3 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Union County Health Department, 940 London Ave.
A panel of local experts will address the tough questions and conversations that adult children may face when their parents start to need their help, including legal and financial concerns, maintaining independence, home and driving safety, fall prevention, and decisions about care.
The free event is designed to assist those who are caring for an aging loved one or anyone who simply wishes to prepare for the future. The panel of experts includes:
-Tom McCarthy, Certified Financial Planner, McCarthy & Cox
-Tony Eufinger, Attorney at Law, Eufinger Law Offices, LLC
-Craig Baker, Pharmacist, Memorial Health
-Kathy Titmuss-Smith, Service Coordinator, Union County Senior Services
-Shirley Leibold, Director of Community Affairs, Bluebird Retirement Community
-Rachel Columber, Inpatient Physical Therapist, Memorial Health
-Heather L. Adcock, Administrator, Memorial Gables
“While falls among older adults is our focus as a coalition, we saw a need for an event like this in our community,” said Rebecca Honaker, chair of the Union County Falls Coalition and health planner for the Union County Health Department. “As the population in our county gets older, more of us are caring for our parents in some way and it can come with a wide variety of challenges.”
Honaker elaborated that one of the biggest challenges people face is how to have these conversations with a loved one.
“The panel will address how to start the conversation with your parent, as well as common questions like what legal documents need to be in place, how to determine if a loved one needs more care or assistance around the home, how to help your loved one remain as independent as possible, and how to plan for the costs of care,” said Honaker.
Each panelist will briefly speak to their area of expertise before answering audience questions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions. No registration is required for this event and all are welcome. For more information about the even may contact Rebecca Honaker at the Union County Health Department at 642-2053.