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Alzheimer's caregivers may qualify for help
Various organizations offer services and advice to people caring for Alzheimer’s sufferers.
and ELISE FRANCO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
A couple accused of tying an elderly relative to a chair in a Beaver Township garage told police it was because she suffered from dementia, and they wanted to keep her from wandering away when they weren’t home.
There are other options in such cases, social service providers say.
The Area Agency on Aging 11, for example, has several programs to assist families with long-term care and community-based options, especially for people with lower incomes, said Lisa Solley, the agency’s chief of community relations, wellness and training.
Anyone feeling overwhelmed by his or her role as caregiver for an elderly parent or other loved one can call the agency at (330) 746-2938.
“Before you get into a crisis situation, call us first so we can connect you to services. There are other options available before it comes to a situation where an older adult is mistreated,” added Lisa Argiro, the agency’s director of home and community-based services.
Charges were filed in the case Wednesday.
James Huish, 63, of Beaver Township, is charged with a nonsupportive dependence misdemeanor 1 and unlawful restraint misdemeanor 3 after leaving his 87-year-old mother tied to a chair inside a detached garage at their Western Reserve Road home Friday, said Beaver Township Police Chief Carl Frost.
He said Huish’s wife, Mary, 59, is charged with unlawful restraint, a third-degree misdemeanor.
James Huish told police they restrained his mother, who lived with them, because she suffers from dementia and wanted to keep her from wandering away when they weren’t home.
“They said they did this to keep her from wandering into the road,” Frost said. “However, her feet were not tied, so she could have gotten up and wandered into the road while still tied to the chair.”
Frost said the woman could have been tied up for an hour or more.
Boardman police, who assisted on the call, said the woman told officers a male relative had bound her to the chair and left her. Another relative called police late Friday afternoon to report the woman’s being in the garage, Boardman police said.
Frost said the woman suffered rope burns on her wrists and is now at a nursing home in North Lima.
Both Huish and his wife will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday in Mahoning County Area Court in Canfield. They could not be reached to comment.
Restraining a person with dementia is rarely reported to police, said Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, but he suspects “it goes on” and doesn’t get reported.
The chief said taking care of a person in that condition can be an “enormous burden, but tying someone goes too far. That’s abuse.”
“Placing someone in a nursing home isn’t the only option available anymore. Most people want to stay in their homes and communities, and we can help people ... whether it’s getting meals delivered, providing adult day care or caregiver support,” Argiro explained.
Planning is something that should be considered by caregivers, especially for people who have no other local family support. Such planning includes making arrangements with neighbors, church members or a network group to help in cases of an emergency.
“Take the time to know your neighbors or friends of the loved one you are caring for and have a phone-tree system in place,” Argiro said.
Long-term care includes many alternatives to placing someone in a nursing home.
The area agency’s screening supervisor, Zoanne Snider, said callers can get information from professional staff members or nurses and/or social workers. They are certified in taking information to see if a person qualifies for one of the agency’s programs.
If someone calls and a staff member is on the phone, the caller will receive a call back within a day — and no longer than three days. For people who want a free assessment in their home, a clinician will come within 10 days to link them to services or get them started on enrollment in a program, Snider said.
If a person doesn’t qualify for a Medicaid program, other federally funded programs exist that provide home-based community services such as meals and adult day care. If someone calls who isn’t interested in an Area Agency on Aging 11 program, the screener can link the caller to agencies and services available in the community or can mail out a resource guide with numbers and information on services available.
Callers also may schedule a long-term consultation in their home on services available if they do not qualify for a Medicaid program, Snider said.
Free services are also available through the Greater East Ohio Alzheimer’s Association, said its director, Pam Schuellerman.
She said a family-service coordinator will meet with families to explain the programs available. People can call to make an appointment at the office, or a family service coordinator can come to their home.
“Primarily, when we meet with people, we help them find community resources. We encourage families to educate themselves about Alzheimer’s; it will help them deal with it. More than half of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s,” Schuellerman said.
The local Greater East Ohio Alzheimer’s Association office is at 3695 Boardman-Canfield Road. Its phone numbers are (330) 533-3300 and (800) 272-3900.
One of the options available for some elderly clients, even those with dementia, is adult day care.
One of the agencies that provide adult day care Monday through Friday is Easter Seals Adult Day Services Weekend and In-Home Respite Care, 721 Boardman-Poland Road. The phone number is (330) 758-5503.
Easter Seals charges a daily rate, which for a number of clients is covered under the Passport program and some through Veterans Affairs. There is some funding available through the area agency, and a sliding-fee scale is available for private-pay clients.
Medicare, however, does not cover adult day care, said Diane Hardenbrook, Easter Seals chief financial officer.
Easter Seals also provides transportation on a sliding-fee schedule. If clients don’t have money for private pay, they are encouraged to contact the area agency to see if they are eligible for any funding.
Easter Seals also provides in-home services, such as homemaker and personal care. The purpose of the adult day-care program is to keep the client at home or living as independently as possible, Hardenbrook said.
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Programs include:
Information and referral from professional nurses and/or social workers who are certified at providing information and linking people to appropriate community resources.
Free face-to-face assessments in your home to collect information for proper placement and services.
PASSPORT, a Medicaid waiver program that provides home-based community services to assist people to live independently in their homes.
Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides assistance and respite care to families who are taking care of a family member.
Title III programs, ederally funded programs that can assist people who may not be Medicaid eligible to have home-based community services such as adult day care, personal care, transportation and home delivered meals.
Long-term care consultations for future planning purposes and assistance with prescription drugs and health care options.
To call for assistance:
211: Community services and information and referral in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. Crisis intervention specialists are available for callers.
(800) 686-7367: Area Agency on Aging 11 screening department, which provides professional consultation, information and referral.
(800) 686-7367: Resource guides for older adults with phone numbers from everything to meals to medical supplies.
(800) 589-5826: Long-term care ombudsman. Professional staff and volunteers assist consumers and advocates for residents in nursing homes and adult day care facilities.
(330) 788-9755: Alzheimer’s Assistance and Referral Network
Aging web sites include:
www.aaa11.org – Area Agency on Aging 11
www.goldenbuckeye.com – Ohio Department of Aging
www.thebenefitsbank.com – The Ohio Benefits Bank
To report elder abuse, call:
(330) 884-6952, Mahoning County.
(330) 424-1471, Columbiana County.
(330) 393-1565, Trumbull County.
(440) 994-2020, Ashtabula County.
Area Agency on Aging 11, 25 East Boardman St., Youngstown, Ohio 44503
Phone: (330) 746-2938.
Fax: (330) 746-6700.
Source: Area Agency on Aging 11