For Our Longer Lives
By Kathy Werle
Hiring a caregiver who cares
As Bette Davis phrased it, “getting old is not for sissies.” And although we
OPALS (older people with active lifestyles) are determined to live independently
forever, the clock does continue ticking and we or someone we love may need
additional care.
Angelia Pridgen, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman for Eastern Carolina
Council Area Agency on Aging, was guest speaker at the Third Thursday Forum
at Four in June and discussed just that. As Ms. Pridgen pointed out to the many
attendees at the forum, there is much to consider when hiring and overseeing a
caregiver.
Often an elderly person wanting to live independently and remain at home
may realize a need, at some point, for assistance with one or more daily or weekly
chores and decide to employ the services of a home health care provider. There
are a number of these services providing different levels of care in the home from
cooking meals and light housekeeping to personal hygiene. When such a service
is being considered, Ms. Pridgen said the elders family should interview agencies
that provide caregivers and give consideration to how they hire and train their
workers, their policy for replacement of the caregiver in the event a worker is tardy
or unavailable to perform, bonding and licensing information and references.
When home health care is being provided by a family member, Ms. Pridgen said
a family caregiver training program is offered as well as respite care, acknowledging
the physical, mental and emotional stress that may be endured. Frequently the
family member will also assist in financial matters such as paying bills, monitoring
cash flow, maintaining the checking account and filing tax returns. There are legal
documents that must be drafted to handle such delicate issues. Oversight is strongly
encouraged.
When the needs of an elderly person can no longer be met at home and the
difficult decision is made to move to a long-term care facility, the Agency on Aging
can be of assistance, providing a list of facilities available as well as identifying
home health care services. Ms. Pridgen is happy to talk with a family in their search
and can be reached at 638-3185, ext. 3007.
Whether an elderly citizen lives independently, has a home health care provider
or resides in a long-term care facility, abuses can occur. Unfortunately, there are
persons ready to take physical, financial and emotional advantage of our vulnerable
citizens. The elderly are also frequently targeted by various scams, including those
related to telemarketing, sweepstakes, investment, health care, charity, home
construction and repairs. At ncdoj.gov, the North Carolina Department of Justice
provides good information on protection against such violations. By diligent
oversight, being watchful and aware, we can minimize harm done by others to our
most treasured golden oldies.
The Age-Friendly Advisory Committee is grateful for the many speakers who
have given generously of their time and talent to bring topics of timely importance
to our forums and our citizens. As always, we are searching for topics of particular
interest to our citizens for future forums and welcome your suggestions as we all
continue growing healthier and smarter together.
Suggestions for future forums may be submitted to Sarah Williams at town hall
at swilliams@townofpks.com or 247-4353, ext. 13.
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town of
100 Municipal Circle • Main - 247-4353 • Fax - 247-4355» Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Ken Jones - 247-4353, ext. 17 - Two-year term - elected in 2015
mayorjones@townofpks.com
COMMISSIONERS
Four-year terms
John Brodman - 726-7643 - elected in 2013 - admin@townofpks.com
Larry Corsello - 247-0262 - elected in 2013 - admin@townofpks.com
Clark Edwards - 726-7429 - (Mayor pro tempore) elected in 2015 - admin@townofpks.com
Fred Fulcher - 808-2569 - elected in 2013 - admin@townofpks.com
Ted Goetzinger - 422-9879 - elected in 2015 - admin@townofpks.com
TOWN OFFICIALS
TOWN MANAGER: Brian Kramer - 247-4353, ext. 16 - manager@townofpks.com
TOWN PLANNER: Scott Sherrill - 247-4353, ext. 11 - admin@townofpks.com
TOWN CLERK: Sarah Williams - 247-4353, ext, 13 - swilliams@townofpks.com
FIN & ADMIN: Julie Anderson - 247-4353, ext. 14 - janderson@townofpks.com
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS: Jim Taylor - 247-4353, ext. 18 - biceo@townofpks.com
PUBLIC SERVICES: Sonny Cunningham, Director
247-4353, ext. 27 - psd@townofpks.com
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING - 314 Salter Path Road - 247-2268; Fax - 247-2897
POLICE: Chief Ryan Thompson - 247-2474 - rthompson@townofpks.com
FIRE & EMS: Fire Chief Jason Baker - 247-2268 - jbaker@townofpks.com
Emergency: Call 911
Emergency Communications Center (ECC) - 726-1911; Public Safety - 247-2474
12 The Shoreline I August 2016