By Dante Nunez, KTEN News

DENISON, Texas — Runners laced up their shoes for the 14th annual Texoma Caregiver Celebration Walk to raise funds and awareness for loved ones who have passed and those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“I really want to support caregivers in any way that I can,” said Olivia Lewis. “I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s when I was a kid.”

The Texoma Council of Governments aims to improve the quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses and other diseases.

“I remember the home-health caregivers coming and supporting him at his last years, so I really just want to do anything that I can to give back… even if it’s giving $20 to participate,” Lewis said.

The funds generated from Saturday’s event at Grayson College assist all individual caregivers and will remain in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties.

“It is an event to raise funds to help with programs, and programs that help caregivers of family members who have Alzheimer’s and dementia,” local elder care director Rick Wilson said.

The community also brought their furry friends for a dog costume contest to help raise more money.

“We’re all just trying to bring people out to participate in the Caregiver Walk to make money for TCOG, said Toni Wheeler of Home Hospice.

But for Olivia Lewis, events like these mean so much to her.

“I think it’s important, especially grateful for Grayson College for hosting this and sponsoring this and really showing support for our county and our local needs… especially needing health and wellness needs in our community,” she said.

The American Association of Retired Persons says caregiver services are valued at $470 billion annually.

Source: http://www.kten.com/story/41053434/celebrating-caregivers-at-denison-event

SHERMAN, MARCH 22, 2016 – Susan B. Thomas, PhD, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today a recent notification from the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS) regarding financial scams in Texas specifically targeting the elderly population.

“Financial exploitation of our elderly has become so prevalent that these acts are now considered the “crime of the 21st century” with American adults losing approximately $36.48 billion every year to elder fraud, exploitation and financial abuse according to the Report on Elder Abuse 2015,” stated Dr. Thomas.

The DADS notification included a report by an adult child on behalf of older parents and stated, “Yesterday mom received a call saying Joseph (another family member) was in jail and that he was his lawyer speaking on behalf of Joseph because he was in a car accident and broke his nose (they did put Joseph on the phone, but he sounded baffled). The lawyer then told mom it was because his nose is broken and he was crying. The lawyer told mom to send money to get him out of jail because he wanted to commit suicide. He said call this 1-800 number and send the money to the attention of Kristine in New York, New York. They told her to go to HEB and send the money via Western Union. Mom was sending the money, but the money would not go through because she couldn’t remember her pin number. I got off work early and texted Joseph’s friend. Joseph called me in surprise saying he was not in jail and never was and his nose was not broken. He drove to mom’s house right away. We went to the bank to change her account information to be safe.”

The Texas report above is commonly known as a ‘Grandparent Scam’ and first surfaced in the Texoma community several years ago. Someone posing as an attorney telephoned a widowed grandfather stating that his 30 year old grandson was in jail in Mexico and needed money wired to him immediately for his release. Fortunately, another family member was present at the time and phoned the grandson who stated he was not out of the country. When the grandfather then relayed the information that he had his grandson on another phone line, the “attorney” replied, “Have a good day, sir” and ended the call.

Scammers target older adults they perceive to be vulnerable; those isolated, lonely, physically or mentally disabled, unfamiliar with handling their own finances or have recently lost a spouse. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in a recent study identified characteristics of people 50 and older that can make them easy targets for financial abuse: 1) they expect honesty in the marketplace, 2) are less knowledgeable about their rights in an increasingly complex marketplace, and 3) are less likely to take action when defrauded. Those older adults with memory issues may also give out too much personal information during a phone call and/or make poor witnesses when recounting where and why they sent a large check to someone (in the DADS report above, the mom could not remember her pin number when trying to send the money through Western Union).

Combine these traits with frequent travel being very common in today’s world and it is no surprise when older adults believe the phone calls about relatives in foreign jail systems, as well as telemarketers offering ‘great opportunities’ of financial success and/or anti-aging medications. Older adults often believe the advertisements of a new product that will ease their symptoms of an illness or ‘erase’ the lines of aging, causing them to seek out new treatments and medications. For example, Botox scams are very unsettling as counterfeit labs create versions of the real thing and may still include the root ingredient, botulism neurotoxin, which is one of the most toxic substances known to science, with a bogus mixture that has very serious health consequences, sometimes even death.

Unfortunately, financial exploitation is also too common from even trusted family members. Use wise counseling when designating only one family member to a Power of Attorney, bank accounts, duplicate ATM cards and checks, property deeds and access to stored valuables. Effective ways to counteract financial abuse include working through multi-disciplinary teams with law enforcement, banks, attorneys, as well as trusted family members.

Education and awareness of potential scams and how to identify them is key in protecting yourself and your loved ones from great financial loss. For a complete list of the Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors, access the National Council on Aging website www.ncoa.org or for more information or counseling on elder exploitation, abuse or neglect, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 903-813.3505.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, TX—Saturday morning hundreds of people threw on their tennis shoes and grabbed their friends to help raise money for caregivers in Texoma.

Walkers spent a few minutes warming up their muscles before taking a quick lap around the Fairview Park in Sherman.

“We’re here to say thank you to all the caregivers around the county 24/7, 365 days a year,” Ron Keech with Grayson Place said.

For the 10th year in a row, Texoma Council of Governments has set up the “Texoma Caregiver Walk”. The walk raises money to help families caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.

“Those that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic illnesses,” Judy Conner with TCOG Aging Services said.

TCOG explains that studies show, Alzheimer’s affects 1 in 3 people. And over 4 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Many times the caregivers are unpaid friends and family members. The donations in turn give them a chance to take care of themselves.

“Just breaks from their care giving duties. So they can take care of their own doctor’s appointments. The caregivers can then go into the grocery store to pick up whatever they need,” Conner said.

Quality Home Health Care won the award for the most walkers at the event. They said they’re proud to raise money helping these volunteers get some rest.

“The caregivers that go into this respite that we’re sponsoring is to help give them relief,” Deborah Bates with Quality Home Health Care said.

TCOG said each $500 sponsorship provides about 33 hours of respite care to a caregiver.

All funds raised remain in the Grayson, Fannin and Cooke counties. Walkers hope to raise about $15,000 for caregivers.

Originally posted at http://www.kten.com/story/30017123/texoma-walks-to-raise-money-for-caregivers

SHERMAN, JUNE 19, 2015 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma has current availability in the Care Coordination services for Home Delivered Meals. These services help homebound seniors receive a nutritious meal each week day and are served to seniors in all three counties, Grayson, Fannin and Cooke.

“Adequate nutrition is necessary for health, functionality and the ability to remain independent,” says Dr. Thomas. “Healthy eating can increase mental acuity, resistance to illness and disease, energy levels, immune system strength, recuperation speed and the ability to manage chronic health problems. Home delivered meals ensures that seniors have access to adequate nutrition even when family support, mobility and resources are lacking.”

Meals on Wheels of Texoma serves over 30,000 meals per month to seniors most at risk for ages 60 and over who live alone and are challenged to the point that meal preparation is difficult or impossible. To find out if you or a loved one qualifies, please call the number listed below.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

Texoma Council of Governments and Local Elder Assistance Partners came together Thursday morning in the Sherman Municipal Ballroom to host the sixth annual LEAP Caregiver Luncheon to raise money for programs and resources for caregivers in the community.

All proceeds will benefit programs such as the TCOG’s Time Out Program, which allows caregivers to drop off their loved ones while they take care of their own health or other needs. The money will also fund conferences, support groups, respite care and reading materials for local caregivers. Several vendors lined the ballroom so caregivers could pick up information or ask questions about their services.

In the past five years, L.E.A.P. has raised $13,085 and it expects to reach or exceed $15,000 after the Caregiver Luncheon, TCOG Area Agency on Aging Program Manager Judy Conner said. According to L.E.A.P, $13,085 allows for 875 hours of in-home respite care.

“We’re trying to provide information, resource books and agencies,” Conner said. “We want them to put faces with the services so they will call. Sometimes it’s hard to call some place you don’t know anything about without meeting the people.”

Buddy Booher of Sherman attended the luncheon with his wife Dorothy. Buddy has been his wife’s caregiver for the past five years. Dorothy has dementia. Buddy said she struggles to remember and comprehend so he makes sure she is dressed, eats well and entertained every day.

“When you’re a caregiver it’s 24/7,” Buddy said.

With the help of Conner, Buddy said he has been able to use the Time Out program on Mondays and Wednesdays each week. He said the program allows him to go grocery shopping, mow the lawn and complete other errands.

In the future, Buddy said he hopes a city, church or organization would offer a place with no limited hours of operation so it would be easier for a caregiver to take care of themselves and know their loved one is in good hands.

Nancy Jackson, director of community development at Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin counties, also spoke at the luncheon. She shared “Five Things I Wish I Had Known About Caregiving” in hopes to help new caregivers who may have been in the audience. Jackson was a caregiver for her father 17 years ago.

Jackson said she wished she would have known to question doctors and nurses about her father’s condition after he had a stroke. She also wished she knew what to expect as a caregiver and the best ways to take care of her father.

She encouraged caregivers to utilize organizations such as L.E.A.P. and TCOG. It is OK for a caregiver to take care of themselves, Jackson said.

“There are people who really care. All (caregivers) have to do is call, and we will tell them where to go,” Conner said. “Sometimes they don’t even know the questions to ask. We can help them find the questions they need to ask and the answers to them that will help make their caregiving experience less frustrating.”

– See more at: http://heralddemocrat.com/news/local/caregiver-luncheon-raises-money-programs-resources#sthash.akmtpbaE.dpuf

Caregiver Gala

SHERMAN, February 25, 2015 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today the All That Jazz Caregiver Gala. The black tie dinner and dance will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Denison/Sherman Texoma Event Center, 5015 South US Hwy 75, Denison, Texas. Dr. Easwar Sundaram, Jr. and Dr. Bharathy Sundaram of Texas Institute of Neurological Disorders, hold the honor of Conductor Sponsorship for the event.

“The funds raised will give hope to family caregivers struggling to care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other neurological and chronic diseases who desperately need assistance. The Gala also supports our vision to build quality of life in a more meaningful and more sustainable way for all Texomans … for bringing additional resources to our region … for making life better for more people,” said Dr. Thomas.

Swing dance lessons in the ballroom and hors d’oeurves served in the lobby will precede the dinner. Participants will enjoy a unique meal prepared by Chef Jeff Walton and then dance to music featuring the popular Gainesville Swing Orchestra (GSO), www.gsobigbandswing.org. Radio personality Jason Taylor will be our emcee for the evening, with Rocking’ S Auctioneer Sara Jerome leading a live benefit auction with wonderful items on which to bid.

Rosalynn Carter said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.

“It is an honor to serve the caregivers in our area! We know everyone will enjoy the All That Jazz Gala providing a new era of entertainment for all community members. This Gala will bring recognition to the unsung heroes caring daily for their loved ones,” said Marilyn Bice, Director of Reba’s Ranch House in Denison.

To see how you can make your reservations for this new Texoma event go to www.tcog.com or you may call 903-813-3575 to reserve your tickets that will be held at the door.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.