Making Good Decisions in Alzheimer's Care: Legal, Safety and Financial Issues

Noon to 12:30 pm Registration

12:30 – 12:45  Welcome & Case Presentation
Richard J. Ham, MD

A case will be presented, summarizing the journey from early symptoms,
when driving safety and gun safety became issues and led to a diagnosis, and
when education and support of the family members should begin, through
to the end of life. This case will connect the activities ideally carried out in
the earlier stages, when the patient can participate in discussion, and when a
well informed, well trained family can often succeed in producing a relatively
enjoyable and safe period, before the challenges of dependency and behavioral
problems loom. It will clarify the reliance such patients have on the quality and
strength of their caregivers, and the stress and illness this represents for many
individuals. The case will show that Alzheimer’s can be a bearable burden,
even a rewarding experience, for the many individuals who should be involved.

12:45 – 1:35 Safety Hazards: Think Prevention!
Melissa Gandee, Connie Hudson, Ken Stewart, WV Chapter Alz. Assoc.

Participants will be able to understand the hazards facing a person with
Alzheimer’s disease living at home; be able to identify the role of family
members in ensuring the safety of their love ones; and will learn how to
develop a plan to modify the home environment to provide for everyone’s
safety.

1:35 – 2:25 Planning for the Future: Legal and Financial Issues
Julie Gower Romain, RN, JD, Christopher Winton, JD

Participants will learn how to understand commonly used documents in legal
planning for people with Alzheimer’s; understand the options available for
financing long-term care; and identify issues family members need to address
as early as possible in the course of the disease.

2:25 – 2:40  Break

2:40 – 3:30  Alzheimer’s and Driving: When, Why and How to Give it Up!
Richard J. Ham, MD

Participants will learn about symptoms and characteristics of Alzheimer’s
which will interfere with driving skills; availability of formal assessment in
WV and how to utilize a family member to assess and reevaluate their loved
ones driving capacity; solutions to giving up driving and the steps that can be
taken to legally discontinue driving privileges.

3:30 — 4:20 Ensuring End of Life Care: A Process that Starts at Diagnosis!
Melissa Gandee, Jane Marks, Connie Hudson, Ken Stewart

While treatments in Alzheimer’s disease have advanced and hope for a cure
remains on the horizon, many of today’s patients will not live to see those
cures. Appropriate care at the end of life for dementia patients can ensure
comfort, dignity, and transcendence for both the patient and family. This
kind only happens with careful planning, patient advocacy, and care for the
caregiver. This session will demonstrate how the end of life can be better for
patients with dementia and their families through better advance care planning,
palliative care including pain management, and coordination of care.

4:20 – 5:00  Panel Discussion
Richard J. Ham – Moderator with Melissa Gandee, Connie Hudson, Jane
Marks, Julie Gower Romain, Jerry Townsend, Susie Layne and John Woodford
of WVDHHR.

Speakers will raise major issues derived from the case and sessions, as well as
provide an opportunity for the audience to participate.

Richard J. Ham, MD is the Director of the WVU Center on Aging and
Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Psychiatry at the WVU School of Medicine.
Dr. Ham is a nationally and internationally renowned educator, with an emphasis
in Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Jane Marks, Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association, WV Chapter. Jane has a long history of working in non-profit arena and history of public speaking.

Alzheimer’s Assoc. Staff include: Melissa Gandee, Program Director for the WV Alzheimer’s Association Chapter, Connie Hudson, CTRS, Southern Regional Coordinator and Training Specialist and Ken Stewart, Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia Chapter.

Jerry Townsend, graduated from the College of Wooster, earned his Doctor of
Jurisprudence degree from Vanderbilt University, and has done additional study
at the University of Sussex, England. He limits his law practice to Elder Law,
Guardianships, Estate Planning, and Probate in Ohio and West Virginia and has
over 36 years of experience in Elder Law issues.

Greg Lord, a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, is
recognized across the state for his knowledge and understanding of nursing
home and long-term estate planning. He has helped hundreds of families protect
their assets and understand Medicaid laws. Greg and his wife Sharon currently
maintain their practice in Charleston, West Virginia.

Julie Gower Romain, RN, JD, practices law in the Fairmont area concentrating
on Elderlaw and Consumer litigation. She has practiced as an assistant
prosecuting attorney for Marion County, general counsel for a local hospital and
as staff attorney for West Virginia Senior Legal Aid.

This training event has been approved for 4.5 hours of Continuing Education for
Social Workers and 4.8 hours of Continuing Education for Nursing. WVU Center
on Aging is an approved provider through the WVBoard of SW Examiners,
Provider Number: 400011 and is an approved Nursing Provider, Number: WV
2004-0458RN. For information please contact Sherry Kuhl at the WVU Center on
Aging at 304-293-1795.