In this issue
	Our Aging Workforce Helping Reach Hard-To-Reach Groups Surviving The Challenge Of Alzheimer's & Dementia Behind The Scenes With The Office Manager Making A Tough Decision

Helping Reach Hard-To-Reach Groups

Mystic Valley Elder Services prides itself on offering a variety of services and a wealth of information to elders and caregivers. However, within these groups are unique populations that require targeted attention. To reach these groups--groups that include elders who are blind, elders suffering from arthritis, and elder minorities--MVES receives funds through its Area Agency on Aging designation. As an "AAA," MVES completes an Area Plan every four years that, in part, identifies specific groups who may not be able to access services in the same way that the majority of elders do. By looking at Area Plans and their findings, the Administration on Aging, working with Massachusetts' Executive Office of Elder Affairs, distributes grant money to AAAs across the state. Read more... »

Surviving The Challenge Of Alzheimer's & Dementia

Caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia can be a difficult and demanding responsibility for caregivers. Understanding these diseases can help both caregiver and patient. Through a grant from Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES), Hallmark Health Visiting Nurse Association is sponsoring a caregiver expo entitled "Surviving the Challenge of Alzheimer's & Dementia: Tools for Successful Care Giving" on Saturday, October 23, at the Galvin Middle School in Wakefield. The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is designed to educate caregivers about Alzheimer's and dementia and to offer suggestions on how to deal with the challenges that the diseases bring. Read more... »

Behind The Scenes With The Office Manager

MVES' Office Manager Deb Pelletier is featured in this month's Behind the Scenes article. As the office manager, Deb tackles a wide variety of tasks in and around the entire MVES office. We spoke with Deb about the responsibilities and challenges of her position. Editor: Please describe your primary responsibilities as an office manager. D. Pelletier: As office manager, I am Dan O'Leary's executive assistant and serve as the staff liaison to the Board of Directors. These two aspects involve a variety of tasks such as coordinating agency-wide meetings and special events, large mailings, requests from Dan, and other managers. I've also learned a great deal about how our Board of Directors function. I attend Board and committee meetings and record minutes. Another main part of my position involves overseeing the administrative support staff and the office volunteers. I also help with building management issues. Read more... »

Making A Tough Decision

Question: My mother came to live with me four years ago when she was diagnosed with an Alzheimer's type dementia. The situation was relatively calm until she suddenly started wandering and her behavior became unmanageable. After listening to advice from her physician and family members, I made the decision to place her in a nursing home. I thought I would feel relieved but I don't. Is this typical? Answer: A recent study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows caregivers of dementia patients "suffered additional emotional trauma" following their decision to place their relative in a long-term institutional setting. Even caregivers who know without a doubt the outcome was in everyone's best interest can experience intense feelings of guilt, sadness, and remorse. Although the caregiver may no longer have the responsibility of providing direct care, they are not automatically relieved of the emotional stress related to the role. Read more... »