Page 16 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy Dear Wendy, Taking care of an aging parent over a period of time – especially when juggling work and other family obligations – can be exhausting. But help and resources are available. Here’s what you should know. Identify Your Needs To help you determine and prioritize the kinds of help you need, a good fi rst step is to make a detailed list of everything you do as your dad’s caregiver and the amount of time each task takes. Identify the times when you need help the most and which tasks others might be able to do for you. Then list the types of care needed, such as simple companionship or doing active chores, like shopping or running errands. Once you determine this, here are some tips and places you can reach out to for help. Care Helpers If you have siblings or other loved ones close by, start by asking them if they could come and help with specifi c tasks. And see if friends, neighbors or faith group members could help too. You also need to check into local resources that may be available. Many communities off er a range of free or subsidized services that help seniors and caregivers with basic needs such as home delivered meals, transportation, senior companion services and respite services, which off ers short-term care so you can take an occasional break. Call your nearby Area Aging Agency (800-677-1116) for referrals to services. There are also a bevy of online services you can use to help you save time on certain chores. For example, online grocery shopping and home deliveries, and online pharmacy medication refi lls and deliveries. You can also order meal-kits or pre-made meals online through numerous meal service delivery companies and arrange needed transportation with ride sharing services like Lyft or Uber. Or, if you can aff ord it, you may want to consider hiring someone a few hours a week to help with things like cooking, housekeeping or even personal care. Costs can run anywhere from $12 up to $25 per hour. Care.com or CareLinx.com are two good websites to help you fi nd someone, or you can work with a local home care agency. Financial Aids If you’re handling your dad’s fi nancial chores, make things easier by arranging for direct deposit for his income sources, and set up automatic payments for his utilities and other routine bills. You may also want to set up your dad’s online banking service, so you can pay bills and monitor his account anytime. Or, if you need help, consider hiring a bill paying service like Silver Bills (SilverBills.com), which charges a fl at fee of $150 per month. Benefi tsCheckup.org is another excellent tool to look for fi nancial assistance programs that may help your dad, particularly if he’s lower income. Technology Solutions To help you keep tabs on your dad when you are away at work or if he lives alone, there are aff ordable technology devices that can help. For example, there are medical alert systems and smart speakers that help with communication and allow him to call for help if needed. Home video cameras with two-way speakers that allow you to monitor and talk to him when you’re away. Electronic pill boxes that can notify you if he has taken his medications. And to help you coordinate his care with other members of his care team there are websites like LotsAHelpingHands.com. Other Resources There are also a number of other organizations you can draw on for additional information like the Family Care Alliance (Caregiver.org), which provides a state-by-state listing of caregiving programs and services; the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org/help-support/caregiving) that provides information unique to the challenges of dementia caregivers; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Aff airs (Caregiver.va.gov), which off ers caregiver support services to veterans and spouses. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. iori by Jim Miller Tips on Caring for an Aging Parent Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I turn to for caregiving help? I help take care of my 80-year-old father and work too, and it’s wearing me out. Worn Out Wendy CITY OF MALDEN Forest Dale Cemetery 150 Forest Street Malden, MA 02148 Telephone: 781-397-7191 / Fax: 781-388-0849 Christopher Rosa., Superintendent of Cemeteries / Tree Warden LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF MALDEN PUBLIC TREE HEARING In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87, Section 3, notice is herewith given that a public hearing will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, the 3rd day of January 2024 at Malden City Hall Conference Room 105, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts for the purpose of determining if the twenty-four (24) public shade trees shall be removed or remain per the Tree Warden of the City of Malden. The trees are located at or around the address identified below: Address Street ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK FITZGERALD PARK FITZGERALD PARK FITZGERALD PARK DBH (IN) 17 17 17 17 19 22 14 8 8 6 6 16 11 15 14 17 11 7 7 12 7 6 6 22 Common Name LITTLELEAF LINDEN LITTLELEAF LINDEN LITTLELEAF LINDEN WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) LITTLELEAF LINDEN HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST BRADFORD PEAR BRADFORD PEAR SUGAR MAPLE OBJECTIONS TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY TREE(S) MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY THE TREE WARDEN AT THE ABOVE LISTED ADDRESS PRIOR TO OR AT THE TREE HEARING. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 29, 2023 BBB | FROM PAGE 15 $100 each is a good range for this kind of service. • Mail and delivery service providers. U.S. Postal Service workers may not accept gifts of cash or gift cards, but they can accept small gifts worth $20 or less. FedEx and UPS employees are encouraged to decline cash gifts, but they can accept small personal gifts when making a delivery. • Professional service providers. Most professionals, such as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc., won’t accept cash gifts, so consider giving them a gift card or present instead, with a note of thanks. For more information Gift cards are a classic way to show your appreciation. But before buying, check out these tips from BBB at https://www. bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammedout-of-a-gift-card-this-season. Read this article for advice on picking corporate gifts at https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23398-bbbbusiness-tip-how-to-pick-theright-corporate-gift-this-holiday-season. Get more tips for the holiday season from BBB by visiting https://www.bbb.org/ all/holiday. Christopher Rosa City of Malden Tree Warden December 15, 22, 29, 2023 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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