COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 22, 2015
11A
Tips for grandparents helping to raise children
As retirement age approaches, many older
adults envision themselves downsizing and
moving to a quaint community to enjoy
their golden years in as relaxing a fashion as
possible. However, for a growing number of
seniors, their retirement years are being spent
helping to raise grandchildren.
United States Census data from 2010 indicates
4.9 million American children are being raised
solely by their grandparents. CanGrads, a
National Kinship Support organization, says
approximately 62,500 children are being
raised by grandparents and other family in
Canada. Many grandparents provide part-time
care when their older children have to move
back home with their families, as roughly 13
million children are now living in homes with
their grandparents.
Although being raised by grandparents
may not be the ideal situation for all parties
involved, such situations are a necessity for
many families. Seniors who are once again
thrown into the caregiver arena may need a
crash course in childcare or a few pointers on
parenting in the modern age.
• Get the right equipment. Children certainly
require a lot of gear, more than grandparents
likely used when raising their own children.
Certain safety requirements are in place to
safeguard young children, and that often
means investing in new cribs, car seats, high
chairs, and other items. Grandparents should
resist the temptation to use old items they may
have kept in storage, as such items may no
longer be safe and could put grandchildren at
risk for injury.
• Gather important documents. Grandparents
should keep pertinent documents in one
easily accessible place in their homes should
an emergency arise. These include birth
certifi cates, health immunization records,
death certifi cates (if the child’s parents are
deceased), dental records, school papers,
citizenship papers, and proof of income and
assets.
• Speak with an attorney. Lawyers can
help grandparents wade through legal
arrangements, such as fi ling for custody,
guardianship or adoption. Options vary
depending on where petitioners live, but
lawyers can provide peace of mind to
grandparents concerned about their grandkids’
futures.
• Investigate fi nancial assistance. Seniors may
not earn the income they once did and may
be on assistance programs or living off of
retirement savings. Grandparents who fi nd
themselves caring for a child may be eligible
for fi nancial assistance. The Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families is a joint
federal and state program that can provide
need-based fi nancial assistance. The AARP or
the organization GrandFamilies may be able
to put grandparents in touch with fi nancial
advisors in their areas.
• Contact schools and daycare centers.
School-aged children will need to be enrolled
in school. Grandparents should contact the
department of education where they live to
learn about local school systems, especially
when grandkids are moving in with their
grandparents. Some grandparents can qualify
for free or low-cost daycare, and such
programs can be discussed with local Social
Services offi ces. Enrollment in school or
daycare can provide grandparents with much-
needed free time during the day.
• Find emotional support. Taking care of
grandchildren is a full-time job. At times,
grandparents may feel stressed or out of sorts.
Having a strong support system available
can help grandparents work through the
peaks and valleys of this new and unexpected
stage in life. Church or community center-
based counseling services may be available.
Grandparents also can check with their
healthcare providers to determine if counseling
or therapy sessions are covered under their
plans.
Caring for grandchildren is a life-changing
event. Although it can be fulfi lling, it also
requires a lot of energy and commitment.
But grandparents needn’t go it alone, as there
are numerous resources available to seniors
who suddenly fi nd themselves caring for their
grandchildren.
How to protect your vision over the longhaul
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
eye diseases related to aging are the primary cause of vision
impairment in the United States. Many people consider vision
loss a natural side effect of aging, but there are ways men and
women can protect their vision and reduce their risk of vision
loss as they age.
• Quit smoking. According to the National Eye Institute,
smoking doubles a person’s risk for age-related macular
degeneration, or AMD. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss
in men and women over the age of 50. It causes damage to the
macula, which is the part of the eye needed for sharp, central
vision. If the macula is damaged, vision may be blurry, distorted
or dark.
• Protect eyes from ultraviolet light. The American Optometric
Association notes that UV-A and UV-B radiation can have
adverse effects on a person’s vision. A short-term effect of
excessive exposure to UV radiation is photokeratitis, a painful
condition that can lead to red eyes, extreme sensitivity to light
and excessive tearing. Long-term effects of such exposure
include a higher risk of
developing cataracts and damage
to the retina, which is the part of
the eye used for seeing. When
spending time outdoors, always
wear sunglasses that provide
protection against UV-A and
UV-B rays.
• Maintain a healthy blood
pressure. High blood pressure,
often referred to as HBP or
hypertension, can contribute to
vision loss as a person ages. The
American Heart Association
notes that HBP can strain blood
vessels in the eyes, causing
them to narrow or bleed. HBP also can cause the optic nerve to
swell, compromising a person’s vision as a result. Eye damage
that results from HBP is cumulative, which means the longer
it goes untreated, the more likely the damage to the eye will
be permanent. Men and women can maintain a healthy blood
pressure by eating right, exercising regularly and sustaining a
healthy weight.
• Take breaks from work. Computer vision syndrome, or CVS,
is a legitimate condition that can develop when a person spends
ample time staring at a computer screen. Adults and kids alike
are susceptible to CVS, which can cause symptoms such as
blurred vision, double vision, eye irritation, and headaches. One
way to reduce risk of developing
CVS is to take frequent breaks
from staring at the screen. A
handful of 20-second breaks over
the course of an hour can help
prevent CVS. In addition, change
lighting in the room where you
work so you can reduce glare on the computer screen.
Cottage Grove Community Hospital Auxiliary is hosting an
ITALIAN MEAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Friday, April 24th 6-8pm (doors open at 5pm)
at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
1025 N 19th Street - Cottage Grove
Ticket Price: $20
Tickets Available at: CG Community Hospital-Front Desk & The Bookmine
Come enjoy a great dinner and a silent auction!
Actual
Spectrum
Residents
Life with ...
laughter
Live in comfort. Make new friends.
Enjoy each day. It’s time to thrive!
• Anytime dining – our dining room is open from 7am-7pm, and three
meals a day are included in the monthly rent
• Washer & dryer in all apartments
• Wellness Center with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment
• Studio, one, and two bedroom apartments
• Large, walk-in closets
®
541.378.4332
2951 Coburg Road • Eugene, OR 97408
CrescentParkSeniorLiving.com
Half mile north of the Beltline on Coburg Road
Community fee
WAIVED
Move-in by 4/30/15
A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY