355 Harris Ave.
Having aging parents can be a time of new closeness but may also mean facing new challenges. How do you know if your parent needs help? What if they refuse the help they need? What if your parent lives far away? When should I worry?
This class will discuss the changes your parents (and other relatives) may experience with aging and how family relationships may change when a parent becomes dependent. It will also address why a parent may be difficult or refuse help and what tools and professionals may be available to assist you.
Topics to be covered include:
When to Worry –Facing failing health or failing memory. What are the signs of trouble?
Caregiving – Knowing what is needed and what is available, including long distance caregiving.
Dealing with resistance and difficult Parents, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in later years.
Instructor: Jane Relin
Jane Relin is a retired social worker, Geriatric Care Manager and Geriatric Mental Health Specialist. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an MSW from the University of Washington. Jane directed a team of Geriatric Care Managers at Jewish Family Service in Seattle, working with many holocaust survivors and low-income seniors with health or mental health problems. She also taught geriatric mental health to postgraduates at UW for 10 years.
