Caregiver Connection: January, February, March 2025

The Caregiver Connection Newsletter is a free publication of the Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA).

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STORIES IN THIS ISSUE:

Thank You Caregivers
New BCDA Director
January Spotlight On Your Health
February Is Heart Health Month
March Is Women's History Month
Trualta Website
The Book Nook

Thank you caregivers

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend “You Have a Voice: Navigating Difficult Conversations in Caregiving,” our Annual Caregiver Conference on November 17. It was an excellent day filled with educational speakers, community resources, fun raffle prizes and tasty food.
Here are some of the highlights from the day:

Kate DeBartolo from The Conversation Project discussed the importance of having those tough conversations around end-of-life
care and wishes
An insightful presentation from Lisa Clerman, Memory Care Resource and Volunteer Coordinator at Edenwald Senior Living, on
how to start talking about cognitive changes and declines with our loved ones
An informative discussion on estate planning and addressing the legal needs of caregivers with Aisha Snead from Maryland Volunteer
Lawyers Service
George Hennawi, MD, and Margi Lenz, LCSW-C, from MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital’s Center for Successful Aging reviewed
important topics for caregivers to discuss with their loved one’s healthcare providers

We enjoyed seeing so many caregivers being able to connect with peers in the community, sharing stories and resources, and becoming stronger together. Here are just a few of the wonderful things our attendees had to say after the conference:

“Thank you for coordinating and supporting this most important workshop.”
“Great to meet the speakers and other caregivers—we are not alone!”
“This conference was very helpful for me and the family members I care for. Thank you!”

Stay tuned for details on our upcoming Caregiver's Mini Conference this spring, dates and topics to be announced.

NEW BALTIMORE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGING DIRECTOR

We’re proud to announce and celebrate the confirmation of Heang Tan as our next director for the Department of Aging. With more than 20 years of experience in public service, Tan most recently served as Deputy Health Commissioner for the Division of Aging and Care Services in the Baltimore City Health Department. We are excited to embrace her leadership as she continues to grow the department, focusing on addressing the needs of our Baltimore County older adult population! Read more about our new director here: BCDA Announces New Director.

january SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR HEALTH

January—New Year, New Me

The new year is a popular time to set resolutions and start fresh with a healthier lifestyle. We all know that sticking to these new routines can be challenging though, especially as a busy caregiver. Here are some tips on how to build long-lasting healthy habits:

Know your current habits
- Building healthy habits around your current routine can improve your consistency. For example, if you always end up on the
  couch in front of the TV after dinner, try adding in a 30-minute walk before you head to the couch.
Set small, realistic goals. Starting with small goals that are realistically achievable increases your likelihood of success and longevity with new habits.
Surround yourself with people who support you. Research has shown that we tend to be more successful with change if we are in the company of others with similar goals. Find a buddy and help keep each other accountable.
Keep a log of all of the amazing work you’ve done for yourself. Keeping a journal or using an app to track your progress can help
reinforce how great you’re doing and inspire you to keep going!
Be kind to yourself. It may take a few tries to get on track, so be patient with yourself.

Source: Creating Healthy Habits

To learn more about building healthy habits, check out the upcoming webinar, “Self-Care: Creating Your Tool Kit,” presented by Jessica Chaney
from the Mental Health Association of Maryland, on Thursday, January 16, at 9:30 a.m. See the events page for details or call us at 410-887-4724.

February is heart month

Did you know that almost half of all adults have high blood pressure? Let’s learn more about it. What is it?

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is when the force of the blood moving through your arteries is too strong, causing high amounts of pressure on the artery walls, leading to damage over time. Many people don’t initially have any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to have your blood pressure regularly checked. A consistent reading higher than 130/80 mm Hg is considered hypertension.

What can I do?

If you want to lower your risk of developing high blood pressure or work on getting it under control once you’ve been diagnosed, the American Heart Association recommends the following:

Heart healthy diet—Increase your fiber (fruits, veggies, whole grains) and lean protein (fish, skinless chicken, beans & lentils) and reduce your intake of sodium, trans and saturated fats, and alcohol.
Increase your activity—Start gradually and add in daily activity, such as brisk walking and add strengthening activities like weight training.
Medications—If you are diagnosed with hypertension your doctor may recommend a medication. If you are concerned about cost, speak with your doctor about alternatives or patient assistance programs through the drug company or call Maryland Access Point at 410-887-2594, to see if you qualify for any savings programs for prescription drugs. Before starting any new health routines, be sure to speak with your doctor about recommendations specific to your needs.

Source: Heart Health Topics

Visit: Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA) for info on blood pressure screenings as well as fitness and nutrition classes being offered at your local Baltimore County Senior Center! Or check out our YouTube page for on-demand fitness & nutrition classes: BCDA YouTube Channel.

March is women's history month

March is a time to observe and highlight some of the important work that women have done throughout history. This includes the impactful role of caregivers. Did you know that approximately 66 percent of caregivers are female?

Being an unpaid caregiver can cause many women to prioritize others above themselves. This can lead to burnout, financial strain and neglecting one’s own health needs. One such health condition that many women experiences is incontinence. Bladder or bowel leakage can be a very common problem for women, especially as we age. Luckily though, there are solutions you can try to help reduce or control symptoms without medication or surgery.

To learn about strategies for women for managing incontinence, check out the included events page for Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder, an upcoming workshop being offered through the OPAL Center at BCDA, starting Monday, January 13! Registration at: BCDA OPAL center.

Source: Women and Caregiving: Facts and Figures

trualta website

Trualta is here. Trualta is a website with a virtual educational platform that helps families build skills and increase confidence in caregiving. Access will provide you with online webinars and articles on a variety of topics including:

Skills training based on your specific situation and needs
How to reduce caregiver isolation and burnout
Healthcare needs such as heart and lung health, safe transition from hospital to home, and fall prevention
Support groups with others in similar situations, providing emotional and social support
Tips on navigating changes in memory and behavior

The book nook

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Need more tips on how to build new healthy habits? This book teaches you practical strategies for forming new habits, breaking bad ones and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to long lasting results, getting you “one percent closer” to your goals every day.

PAST EDITIONS OF CAREGIVER CONNECTION

Read past editions of the Caregiver Connection newsletter: