National Expert to Share Insight with Baby Boomers on Caring for Aging Parents

April 26, 2012 - PRLog -- URBANDALE, Iowa -  They’re called the Sandwich Generation – Baby Boomers who are caring for both their parents and their own children. And it’s a phenomenon that continues to grow, as statistics show at least 25 percent of American families are caring for elderly loved ones.

   Dick Edwards, Administrator Emeritus – Mayo Clinic/Charter House and author of Mom, Dad… Can We Talk? will share knowledge gained from more than 35 years of experience working closely with older adults and their families. The presentation will be Thursday, May 3, at 6 p.m. at Deerfield senior living community, located at 13731 Hickman Road in Urbandale.

   During the presentations, Edwards will touch on such topics as gaining understanding and appreciation for one’s parents growing older, and learning to use “The Five ‘ates – Evaluate, Anticipate, Communicate, Navigate and Celebrate!”

       He’ll also provide practical advice for initiating caring conversations, such as: “Dad, I think it’s time for you to stop driving,” or “Mom, we’re worried about your safety; you need to move.”  

   “These are never easy subjects to bring up with your parents, but many times it’s something that has to be done,” said Edwards. “After years of seeing what works and what doesn’t work for families, it’s my privilege to share some insight and perspectives with others. My goal is to help adult children anticipate and communicate; to ‘stop and think’ and start the caring conversations that are the foundation for optimal travel through this stage of life.”

   Deerfield is a Life Care community that provides senior adults with a unique lifestyle experience and a variety of residential options, including maintenance-free independent living and residential care apartment homes and townhomes, and private and semi-private skilled nursing suites, if ever needed. Residents enjoy a full range of services and amenities, such as a café, library, hair salon, wellness center, game room, valet service and Lifespace Communities’ FitSixSM wellness program. More information about Deerfield is available by calling (515) 331-9676 or by visiting www.DeerfieldRC.com.

       Deerfield is owned and operated by Lifespace Communities, Inc. Founded in 1976, Lifespace Communities, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a not-for-profit corporation that has grown to operate 12 continuing care retirement communities in seven states, serving more than 5,000 residents and employing 2,500 team members. Communities are located in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Florida. The organization is recognized by the LeadingAge Ziegler Top 100 as the seventh largest not-for-profit senior living provider system in the country. For more information about Lifespace and its communities, visit www.LifespaceCommunities.com.