Read the Article - Ageless Grace

16 Pages·2013·5.37 MB·English

FEBRUARY 2013
Guardian
G uardian
A publication by the Guardian Association of Pinellas County for the purpose of promoting advocacy & education
FEJABNRUUAARRYY SSPPEEAAKKEERR S

Mark Your

“The Growing Epidemic in America:

Calendar

The social and economic cost of obesity”

Tuesday 2/19 5:30pm
Our presenter, Grant Corrigan, graduated from Georgian Col-
MEMBERSHIP MEETING lege School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. He worked for four dif-
ferent acute care hospitals in Southern Ontario, then came to Florida in
“The Growing Epidemic in
1997 to work for Bayfront Medical Center and in l999 moved to Mor-
America: the social and
ton Plant Hospital in Clearwater.
economic cost of obesity”

1 CEU available In 2001 Grant started the nursing specialty program of Faith
Hors d’oeuvres at 5:30pm Community Nursing for Morton Plant Mease and grew the program
into the largest in the BayCare Health System.
Cypress Palms

400 Lake Avenue NE After taking the steps to improve his health and losing 107
Largo
pounds Grant became a health coach. Now working with clients all
across the country Grant is helping others take control of their own

Friday 2/25, 9:00am health.

In his talk, he will provide an introduction to
MONTHLY BREAKFAST the problem of obesity and explain the CDC
“Ethics Case Study” Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
(See page 8) Grant will also discuss the health, emotional
Regency Oaks and social risks for the individual and the im-
2751 Regency Oaks Blvd, Clear- pact of obesity on our society. Is there any
water (North building Regency hope? Grant will provide information on the
Room, 2nd floor) National Weight Control Registry and its im-
pact on this problem.
Welcome to the E-Newsletter!
Tuesday 3/19 3:30pm
Articles and Community Events Welcome
BOARD MEETING
As a member of the Guardian Association you will continue to receive an
Cypress Palms
issue each month with a variety of articles, community events and adver-
400 Lake Avenue NE, Largo
tisers whose services you might require. We also encourage you to submit

Association Communications articles that reflect your experiences or suggestions to share with other
P.O. Box 1826 readers in this new format. Please submit by the 25th of each month to
Pinellas Park, FL 33780 Phyllis Johnson at [email protected]. Please be patient as we
Phone [phone] work out some technical problems; we hope to have them resolved by the
[email protected] next issue.
2
2013 Board of Directors
From the
President’s Desk
Officers

Irene Rausch, President 784-4200
[email protected]

Susan Ugan, Vice President 742-4546 GREETINGS,
[email protected]

The Board of Directors met on January 9 for the annual
Sherry Dunn, Secretary 392-3374
planning retreat to review the Association’s progress for the past
[email protected]
year and to develop goals for this year. Our host, Inn on the Pond,

Sue Schramek, Treasurer 791-3972 a beautiful facility in Dunedin, provided a great meeting room
[email protected] and a delicious lunch. Thank you Linda Miller for your gracious
hospitality.

Board Members
Outlined below are our Objectives for 2013:

Mark Grande 785-0973 Administration Committee—Hire an independent contractor to
[email protected] assist with Association activities; Locate new office for GAPC;

Oversee Association telephone
Trisha Randall 553-5100
Budget and Finance Committee—File 990 PF in a timely man-
[email protected]
ner; send out 1099 to independent contractor; File corporate re-

Will Slicker 322-2795 port to Florida State Dept of corporations timely (prior to May 1);
[email protected] Purchase laptop, printer, Quicken; Training on Paypal and Wild

Apricot; Financial reports will be made in February, May, Au-
Dale Smrekar 813-244-4160
gust, December, end of year due by February
[email protected]
ByLaws/Legislation Committee—Create Policy and Procedures

Ralph Spencer 531-0225 Book; Revise bylaws (date new Board Members take office,
[email protected] Treasurer transition); Provide updates on pending legislation

Education/Conference Committee—Set up calendar of speakers
Cynthia Van Vliet 253-3735
for meetings and breakfasts early; Solicit members only as break-
[email protected]

fast hosts; Apply for ceu’s in a timely manner; Utilize Survey

Rebecca Weitzel 467-9464 Monkey to obtain members ideas for meetings; Enhance content
[email protected] and attendance and obtain new speakers for 2013 conference

Public Relations/Membership—Change ad fees, method of bill-
Past President
Correy Pastore 823-7033 ing advertisers; Revise brochure; Produce quarterly journal (1st
one April); Partner with BLS for speaker bureau; Increase mem-
[email protected]
bership 5% (12 new members); Retain 20% of the 63 non-
Committees renewals (13 members); Publicize website forum;
Change in Board meeting dates/times—BOD will meet at
Administration Committee
3:30pm prior to general meeting during the months of March,
Chair—Irene Rausch
May, July, August, September; Board retreat will be held in Janu-

ary; Board may add additional meetings if necessary
Budget & Finance Committee

Chair—Sue Schramek
IDENTIFICATION BADGE ORDER FORM
By-Laws Committee/Legislation

Co-chair—Will Slicker, Cynthia VanVliet
Gold identification badges are available to members for $ 10 plus

Education & Conference Committee $ 2 for postage (or may be picked up at the membership meeting).
For information contact Susan Ugan [phone]
Chair—Rebecca Weitzel

Membership/Public Relations Committee ________________________________
Co-Chair—Mark Grande, Trisha Randall Name on Badge
(Title will read Professional Guardian)
Newsletter Editor and Breakfast Facili- _________________________________________________
ties Coordinator—Phyllis Johnson Shipping Address
596-8919 or [email protected] __________________________________________
City, State, Zip
Association phone: [phone]
________________________________
[email protected] Email or phone
3

Unique Program Designed to
Help Keep Florida’s Older Drivers Safe

Matt Gurwell, Founder & CEO, Keeping Us Safe, LLC

Anymore it seems our newspaper headlines, tele- come the challenges of an older driver’s dimin-
vision reports and internet stories are populated with ished driving skills.
headlines related to older driver tragedies.
“Both the self-assessment program and the
Keeping Us Safe, a national organization head- workbook are designed to keep our highways and
quartered in Cleveland, Ohio, has developed a program communities safer places to live, work and recre-
specifically designed to prevent such tragedies. The pro- ate. The Beyond Driving with Dignity programs
gram, titled “Beyond Driving with Dignity”, is a self- are also designed to help the older driver maintain
assessment program designed to help older drivers and their independence and dignity as they transition
their families make appropriate driving decisions in re- into a driving retirement,.” explains Gurwell.
sponse to age-related diminishing driving skills.
The turning point for starting Keeping Us
"The primary purpose of the self-assessment pro- Safe, Gurwell explains: "There was never one par-
gram for older drivers is designed to save lives," says ticular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of
Gurwell, a retired Ohio State Trooper and founder of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car
Keeping Us Safe. accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of
death notifications to families. I would much ra-
The 3-hour individualized sessions include an in- ther work with families bringing a peaceful resolve
depth interview with the older driver, input from con- to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, ra-
cerned family members, several cognitively based ther than have them deal with it when a State
screening tools, a review of one’s medical history and Trooper is knocking on their front door".
an actual on-road driving exercise.
To learn more about becoming a Certified
The session takes place in the older driver’s “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional or to
home, typically at the individual’s kitchen table, where schedule a self-assessment for your loved one, vis-
they are most comfortable. The sessions are conducted it Keeping Us Safe at http://www.keepingussafe.
by one of Keeping Us Safe’s Certified “Beyond Driving org, phone [phone] or email in-
with Dignity” Professionals currently deployed through- [email protected]
out the United States and Canada.

Gurwell adds, “The “Beyond Driving with Dig-
nity” Professional Certification program was developed
to arm qualifying professionals with the tools necessary
to help older drivers and their families work through the
complicated issue of age-related diminishing driving
skills.”

In addition, Keeping Us Safe offers the national-
ly-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity: The work-
book for the families of older drivers”. The workbook
was designed to help concerned families by providing
them with a “roadmap to success” in their quest to over-
4
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February brings us Valentine’s Day with all its How to Beat Those
commercial grandeur of chocolate hearts, fine dining,
red roses, cards and other gifts of love and romance.
Valentine's Day Blues
However, with all its magic, it can also be a time of
heartache for couples when expectations go unmet or

of deep loneliness for singles or widows aching for the
by Roslyn Franken
romance missing from their lives.

Whether attached or single, this can be a chal- maybe your partner doesn’t realize how happy it
lenging time especially for those who turn to comfort would make you to receive that special gift, card or
food, alcohol or other unhealthy crutches for instant romantic attention. Perhaps if he or she understood
relief from the kind of emotional heartache felt by how much it means to you and the acts of gratitude
many at this time of year. Here are some tips on how and appreciation he or she may receive in return, he or
to stay healthy, happy and beat the Valentine’s Day she would gladly go the extra mile to give you what
blues. you want.
Communicate
SOME TIPS IF YOU'RE ATTACHED

The important thing is to communicate your
Don’t expect your mate to read your mind. BE-
needs and expectations and come to a shared under-
FORE February 14th, sit down with your mate and
standing. This way, feelings don’t get hurt and the
share each other’s expectations for how you want to
health of your relationship may not be compromised.
celebrate this holiday as a couple.

If you’re expecting special gifts and a night of If you struggle with food, weight issues or some other
romance, then let your partner know what you wish addictive behaviour, this is especially important to
for and how important this is to you. If your health, because when you're un-
there’s something specific you want, satisfied in your relationship, you
tell your mate. Don’t expect your mate may feed your lack of love and joy
to read your mind and automatically with food or alcohol. The resulting
know what you want and how mean- weight gain may make you feel even
ingful this day is to you. Otherwise more undeserving of your mate's love
you may be hurt and disappointed and affection. By continuing to feed
when your mate fails to buy you a gift this void with food or other unhealthy
or live up to your expectations. crutches, you are perpetuating the
unhealthy cycle.

Okay, so maybe you wish that you didn't have
to spell things out to your mate, wishing that if only he TIPS IF YOU'RE SINGLE
or she could just know what to do, or what to buy for
Focus on the love you already have in your
you on their own. However, if that's what you've done
life. Instead of over-focusing on what you feel is miss-
in the past and it has repeatedly left you hurt and dis-
ing from your life, think about all the wonderful things
appointed, then perhaps it's time to try my new ap-
you already have. Focus on appreciation and gratitude
proach as outlined above.
instead for all the love you already have around you.

A little communication can go a long way to Get a group of family or and/or friends together and
save you this type of heartache that can send you go out for a special dinner or do a fun social activity.
straight to the fridge or cupboard for your favorite un- If you have other single friends, then invite them as
healthy comfort foods, or over-indulging at meal time they too may not wish to be alone on this day.
or having the extra alcohol.
Indulge

Keep things in a healthy perspective
Give YOURSELF a gift of love such as a day

Not buying you a gift doesn’t necessarily mean at the spa or some cheerful flowers. If you’re trying to
your mate doesn’t love you. Perhaps your partner control your weight and want to try your hand at por-
doesn't believe in Valentine's Day and instead prefers tion control, then spoil yourself with the best high
to demonstrate his or her love for you year round. Or
Continued on the next page
6
C ’ C
LERK S ORNER

GUARDIAN FEES AND COSTS

Why are guardians limited to billing for their guardian fees and costs to twice a year?

Pinellas County follows the memo issued by Judge Greer regarding guardian fee petitions and ac-
tivity logs effective May 15, 2007. A copy of the memo is available on the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s website.
Florida Statute 744.108 states a guardian is entitled to a reasonable fee for services rendered and reim-
bursements for costs incurred on behalf of the ward. A guardian’s fee petition should be filed six months
after the last petition was submitted.

Pinellas County has two full-time judges, one part-time judge, two General Magistrates, and one
Court Monitor who oversee approximately 2,300 guardianship cases requiring a number of reviews and
considerations by the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which includes the review of the following:

Annual Accountings Petitions and Orders for Guardian Fees and Attorney Fees
Annual Plans Petitions and Orders for Disbursements
Initial Inventories Petitions and Orders for Sale of Real Property
Initial Plans Petitions and Orders for Receipt of Depository (assets frozen)
Trust Accountings Emergency Filings

In addition, the Sixth Judicial Circuit workload includes hearings and conferences resulting when a
guardian fails to adhere to their statutory and/or Court ordered responsibilities, such as:

Repeated late filings or responses to Court Orders, Failure to notify the court of the ward’s reloca-
tion or the current address and telephone number of the guardian, Failure to timely close the guardianship
or to transfer the guardianship/assets to the appropriate jurisdiction. Failure to provide required copies of
documents/pleadings to all interested parties, including the ward, when applicable.

There is no administrative order for guardian fees; however, the guardians are following Judge
Greer’s memorandum (2005 and 2007) on the determination of guardian fees, which is listed on Sixth Judi-
cial Circuit website (jud6.org).

While the volume of work being processed at any particular time may cause delay in the review of a
guardian’s fee petition, some causes of delay are within the control of the guardian. A fee petition will not
be processed until a professional guardian is registered with the Statewide Public Guardianship Office. A
guardian is always entitled to a hearing on their fee petition before any final reduction is made by the
Court. If we can be of assistance, please call:

Division of Inspector General, PIU 464-8371 Probate Court Records 464-3321
Division of Inspector General, Fax [phone] Guardianship Hotline 453-FRAUD

How to beat the Holiday Blues, continued from page This is only one day in the year so to avoid the Val-
entine’s Day blues, plan ahead, communicate with
quality dark chocolate you can find or whatever your your partner, celebrate the love you do have and
favorite treat might be. Give yourself permission to en- have some fun!

joy a small portion and truly taste and savor every

mouthful. Just be careful not to over-indulge. Instead of Roslyn Franken is a Motivational Speaker, best-
buying a whole box of chocolate, choose a few very selling Author, proud Cancer Survivor and Personal
special chocolates and stick to those. That way you Coach who helps people lighten up for good to live a
won’t have the whole box there to tempt you. healthy, happy life. To obtain more information and
Whether single or attached, keep things in perspective. a FREE Newsletter, visit www.roslynfranken.com.
7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Time Event Location Contact/RSVP
2/5 8:00 North County Networking Freedom Inn Countryside Terri Bolander
Tues Meeting 727-768-2928 or
[email protected]
2/6 5:30pm- Grand Opening 7821 Seminole Blvd, Karen Rizzo-Jumenez
Wed 8:30pm Maria’s Adult Day Care Seminole [phone] or
Center emceventsonline.com
2/7 2:00pm- “Fall Prevention Education” Freedom Inn Tarpon Springs [phone]
Thur 5:00pm Speakers, exhibits, Exercise 1651 So Pinellas Avenue
demo, health screenings, ex-
pert Q & A, door prizes
2/7 1:30pm- VA Aid and Attendance Grand Villa Laverne Welch
Thur 3:00pm benefits • Medicaid Waiver • 750 Starkey Road [phone]
Diversion Seminar Largo www.LargoSeniorLiving.com
2/11 9:00a “Healthy Diabetic Experience 5413 US Hwy 19 Kathryn Sille
Mon & Expo”, health screenings, New Port Richey [phone]
1:00pm door prizes [email protected]
2/11 6:30pm- “How does the Environment Arbor Terrace Diane McGauley
Mon 7:30pm Affect Abilities and (formerly Barrington Terrace) [phone] or dmcgaul-
or Behaviors?” Dementia 333 16th Ave SE, Largo [email protected]
2/12 10:00am expert Teepa Snow
Tues 11:00am
2/13 9:30a Rise and Shine Breakfast, Grand Villa Laverne Welch
Wed Patricia Vaillancourt of 750 Starkey Road [phone]
PowerSense Training Largo www.LargoSeniorLiving.com
2/13 8:30am Pasco Aging Network Medical Center of Bayonet Pt, Dr Mark Therrell III
Wed (PAN-NET) Rao Musunuru Educ. Ctr 727-847-1059
2/18 Observance of Courts, State and Federal Agen-
Mon President’s Day cies closed
2/18 Noon- Education Committee SPC Corporate Training Ctr Rebecca Weitzel 418-6340
Mon 1:00pm Guardian Association of 13805 58th St. No Bring bag lunch if you wish
Pinellas County St. Petersburg
2/19 5:30pm Guardian Association Monthly Cypress Palms www.guardianassociation.org
Tue Meeting Lake Ave NE, Please register on website
“The Growing Epidemic in Largo
America”
2/20 9:00am Referral Networking Group Arbor Terrace Diane McGauley
Wed Breakfast 333 16th Avenue SE [phone] or dmcgaul-
Largo [email protected]
2/22 9am Guardian Association Regency Oaks www.guardianassociation.org
Fri Networking Breakfast 2751 Regency Oaks Blvd, Clear- Please register on website
“Ethics Case Study” water (North building Regency
(see page 8) Room, 2nd floor)
2/27 8:30am South Pinellas Networking Arden Courts Bernadette Homan
Wed Breakfast Seminole 727-517-7800
3//16- 7:45am- 40 hour Professional Palm Harbor Irene Rausch
4/20 6:30pm Guardian Training Course www.guardiantraining.com
Sat
8

February Breakfast
Meeting
Case Study—An open
discussion on making
difficult decisions
A 42 year old female with previously con- rective is discovered that prohibits mechanical life
firmed stage 4 breast cancer, arrives at the nearest support procedures and all intravenous efforts. What
hospital Emergency Room complaining of short- issues are now present?
ness of breath. She is confused and delirious
claiming she is pregnant and tells the Healthcare After 48 hours, the patient becomes lucid but
advocate she does not want any medicine and is the long term prognosis is guarded. Does the pa-
seeking an abortion. tient’s religious beliefs or the philosophy of the
Catholic Hospital, where the patient is admitted
Diagnosis: test results confirm carcinoma
matter?
has spread to the lungs causing breathing issues

Unexpectedly, her vital signs start to decom-
associated with pneumonia, and the leading cause
pensate and are at critical levels. Doctors suspect
for her confusion is a Urinary Tract Infection.
some internal bleeding. The physician states that the
Pregnancy tests are positive.
choice is now to save the patient or the unborn child,

The E.R. Physician consults with the what are your recommendations?
Healthcare Advocate, explaining a recommended
treatment plan; first address breathing with a neb- If her condition improves, do you continue
ulizer treatment every four hours and antibiotics chemotherapy? Choose Radiation? Do nothing? If
for the infection via IV fluids. she wasn’t pregnant, what would you do?

Patient has a DNR, what role if any, does The patient never regains consciousness;
this play? Later an Advanced Health Care Di- what course of action would you proceed with?

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9
Heads Up, Guardians!

By Sherry Dunn, Professional Guardian
The other day I received a phone call from The owner of the group home runs a tight
the caregiver in a group home. Here's how it went: ship so I called her and discussed the incident, spe-
cifically the self-fulfilling commands that the care-
Caregiver: “Your ward fell out of her chair today
giver was saying to my ward.
but she's not hurt.”

It's Psychology 101.…... tell someone
I asked her “What happened?”
long enough what they're going to do and they

Caregiver: “Well, you know how she gets will do it, every time. The owner fully agreed
up out of a chair. I kept tellin' her, you're with me and has been working on re-training
gonna fall, you're gonna fall, you're gonna the caregivers regarding the choice of
fall! And guess what? She did!” words that the caregivers use when
dealing with the residents.
Me: (Deep sigh)

So heads-up, guardians! Listen
She did bump her head so para-
to what caregivers are saying to your
medics were called and the caregiver
wards and take the necessary action to
called me back so I could speak to
make changes in what is being said.
them. Her BP was coming down, the bump on her

head wasn't significant and there was no pain in her That's all I'm sayin'.
range of motion, so I elected not to send her out.

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mentary copy of each issue is sent to our advertis-
10

Have You Visited the Association Website lately?

Check out what’s New
Member Forum

Do you have a question or
comment you would like to share with
other members? Login with your
email address and password then a
new page with a members only menu
will appear on the left side of the
page. Click on “Members-Only Sec-
tion.” There is a variety of topics that
you can respond to or create your own
topic. Click on “subscribe to topic”
and you will receive an email when
there is a response.

If you are planning to attend an Asso-
ciation event, please click on the event
(listed in blue) and register. You will
then receive a reminder automatically
for that event.
AV® Preeminent Peer Review
PEARSE & STINSON, P.A. Rating by Martindale-Hubbell,®
With 40 years of combined
PROBATE & GUARDIANSHIP LAW Legal experience.
Probate, Trust &

Richard L. Pearse, Jr.
Guardianship Administration

Sherri M. Stinson
Probate, Trust & Guardian-

ship Litigation
569 S. Duncan Avenue

Clearwater, FL 33756-6255
Probate, Guardianship Trust

Phone [phone]
Appeals
www.PearseLawFirm.com
Representing guardians in Pinellas and Pasco Counties since 1982.