University of Illinois Extension Kankakee County
Extension Link
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/kankakee/extlink/
For more information, please contact:
Kankakee County Unit
1650 Commerce Drive
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Phone: 815-933-8337 / Fax: 815-933-8532
E-mail: kankakee_co@extension.uiuc.edu
Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Series Provides Educational Information for Community
This four week educational series was very valuable for families, students, and professionals to learn more about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Caregivers learned how to better communicate with their loved one and understand various behaviors. Behaviors are often very hard for families to handle or understand. Challenging behaviors were addressed including what could trigger the behavior and suggestions to help prevent or decrease the frequency of the behavior. The final session focused on the caregiver since caregivers often do not take time for themselves while focusing all their efforts on the care receiver.
Caregiving can be very stressful and participants learned about the importance of respite or having some time for one's self during the caregiving process. Stress management is very important because stress build up can have a negative effect on both the caregiver and the individual needing the care.
"The best part of the presentation was learning to ask for help", stated one participant. As a whole, the participants reported that they felt the series was both informative and interactive. Many questions were aked which led to more information being shared, as well as, great discussion which encouraged participants to share their experiences with other participants.
Tasty Tuesdays for Seniors
Cooking for Singles or Doubles
May 13, 2008
10 a.m.
Tired of eating the same meal over and over again? Learn how to plan and make healthy meals for one or two people. Fee: $6.00 per class payable with pre-registration. Registration deadline for this session is: May 12, 2008.
Garden Goods
June 10, 2008
10 a.m.
Learn how to prepare some recipes using your spring produce such as asparagus, strawberries, early lettuce, etc. Fee: $6.00 per class payable with pre-registration. Registration deadline for this session is: June 11, 2008.
De-Light Desserts
July 8, 2008
10 a.m.
Many of us like a sweet treat; join us to learn about some healthy recipes by reducing fat and calories but maintaining the flavor.Fee: $6.00 per class payable with pre-registration. Registration deadline for this session is: July 7, 2008.
Chelsey Byers, Extension Adult Life & Aging Educator and Holly Froning, FNP/Youth Staff, will present information on these topics of interest for seniors at University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais. Call University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County at 815/933-8337 for more information.
Spring Cleaning
Ladies, as you clean your closets and drawers this spring, if you come across some yarn that you no longer want or need, don't throw it away. Please donate it to Kankakee County HCE. Drop it off at the Extension office and it will be used in our lap robe projects. All donations are appreciated and welcomed.
Reducing Falls
Falls can be prevented or at least the risk of falls can be decreased with a little awareness and prevention. Research shows that there are key areas that increase quality of life for individuals as they get older. These three important areas are reducing falls, maintaining brain health and improving one's care at the end of life. The reason that reducing falls is so important is because falls are the number one cause of injury to seniors and the leading reason they are being hospitalized. A senior is more likely to die, increase their disability, or lose their independence following a fall. A secondary issue due to the fall is that the individual then is more likely to need nursing home admission due to the consequences of the fall.
One of the first things to assess is the home environment. Is there enough light, meaning location and bulb wattage, to ensure that individuals can see when they are inside? Do they turn on the lights when walking about the house? There are also items that could increase the risk of a fall around the home. Throw rugs, stacks of newspapers or magazines, trash cans, small tables all can increase the risk of a fall if sitting in or close to a walking path through the home. Lots of furniture or clutter in small spaces can make it hard to maneuver around. Take a moment and walk around your home or a loved ones home and look for items that may increase their chance of falling.
Many falls occur in the bathroom. Sometimes a properly installed grab bar can help assist an individual in and out of a tub. If the tub or shower is slippery there are rubber mats that can help decrease the chance of a possible fall. There are minor things that can be done in a home to improve function and decrease the risk of a fall in the future.
Also one needs to discuss their medications with their pharmacist. Some medications can increase the risk of a fall due to side effects of the prescription. When starting a new medication be very careful and monitor how you feel or act on the new medication. Report any problems to your doctor.
Finally as we get older our vision and balance can change. It is important to have regular eye exams in order to detect and correct vision changes. Balance however can be maintained as we age with some effort. Talk to your doctor to before trying anything new.
Your are invited...
HCE Annual Meeting
May 21, 2008
Cost: $10 per person
Reservations are due by May 14, 2008.
Contact Mary Noble at (815) 936-1799.
Registration: 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Meeting: 10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Silent Auction
Location: University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County
1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
I would like each Unit to bring 2 – 4 items to donate for the Silent Auction. Remember, baskets are something that a couple of people can go together and work on.
