[November 13, 2011] Webinars to instruct on elder care issues Tweet Nov 13, 2011 (The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- An elderly in-home care provider will offer free webinars with information about the tell-tale signs that indicate an elderly family member or friend may need help to remain safe at home. Mary Alexander of the Home Instead Senior Care network and a family caregiver will moderate the webinars, which are hosted by the American Society on Aging and co-sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving. The first is scheduled Tuesday and another in early December. It's easy for busy caregivers to overlook the subtle signs that a senior loved one needs extra help, said David Phillips, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Modesto. "Signs of potential trouble can be evident in a senior's home - such as spoiled food in the refrigerator and piles of unpaid bills - or personal indicators such as episodes of confusion or dirty and unkempt clothing," Phillips said. Countering resistance to help can be a challenge, said Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of the National Family Caregivers Association. "Family caregivers must recognize that their parents are adults and -- unless there are cognitive or emotional problems -- they can make their own decisions," Mintz said. "We must remember we will always be their children." The holidays are usually a time when family caregivers recognize these problems, said Gail Hunt, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving. "If you're a long-distance caregiver, perhaps you haven't seen your loved one in a while," Hunt said. "You may notice some real differences since a few months ago. The hometown caregivers might not see the signs because they're so busy and the changes are so subtle." The hourlong webinars will be available at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Register at www.caregiverstress.com/familyeducation. Copyright 2011 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ___ (c)2011 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]