Guardian. TheProfessional. Calendar & Coming Events

Transcription

1 TheProfessional MARCH 2015 Guardian A publication by the Guardian Association of Pinellas County for the purpose of promoting advocacy & education. Calendar & Coming Events MARCH 17, 5:30 P.M. MEMBERSHIP MEETING JENNIFER SHAWEN Audit Supervisor Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas Co. JEROME JORDAN Probate Court Records Manager, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas Co. 1 CEU available Hors d oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., Cypress Palms RSVP to Association Website: MARCH 17, 3:30 P.M. GAPC BOARD MEETING REGAL PALMS VERANDAH ROOM MARCH 27, 9:00 A.M. GAPC NETWORKING BREAKFAST THE VILLAS AT LAKESIDE OAKS 1059 Virginia Street, Dunedin RSVP to Association Website Regular Monthly Meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Cypress Palms 400 Lake Avenue NE, Largo ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS P.O. Box 1826 Pinellas Park, FL GAPC (4272) Info@guardianassociation.org FEATURED SPEAKERS GAPC WELCOMES SPEAKERS FROM PINELLAS COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE The Guardian Association of Pinellas County is pleased to announce our March speakers will be Jennifer Shawen, Audit Supervisor and Jerome Jordan, Proabe Court Records Manager from the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court s office. Our speakers will focus primarily on the responsibilities of the Clerk s Office as it relates to guardianship. They will review the current forms used to audit a case, internal tracking mechanisms, annual reports, petitions for discharge, guardian fees and similar items. Jennifer Shawen began her career with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Court in 1998 as a CBE student and was hired full time after graduating from Northeast High School in She worked in the Probate section of the St Pete Branch office until her promotion to the Court Assistance Department in From 2004 until 2013 Jennifer worked as a Court Clerk keeping track of Jennifer Shawen the Court minutes for Criminal and Civil proceedings. In April of 2013, Jennifer was promoted to the Audit Supervisor in Probate Court Records. During her 15 plus years spent with the Clerk s Office, Jennifer earned a degree from St Petersburg College. Jerome Jordan began his career with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Court in 1999 as a full time employee in the Civil Court Records department. Since joining the Clerk s Office he has earned several promotions and has worked in numerous departments. In January 2015, he assumed his current role as the manager of the Probate Court Records Department. During his tenure with the Clerk s Office, Jerome has completed several degrees, to include an undergraduate degree in technology management and post graduate degrees in Jerome Jordan organizational management and business administration. Join us March 17th at Cypress Palms, 400 Lake Ave. N.E. in Largo for an informative presentation. Hors d oeuvres at 5:30. A great opportunity for networking. Please RSVP to the Association website at:

2 2015 Board of Directors Officers President...Cynthia Van Vliet Vice President...Ron Viele FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT Cynthia Van Vliet 2 Treasurer...LynnMarie Boltze lynnmarieguardian@gmail.com Board Members Tina Costa tcosta@arcadiahomecare.com Mark Grande mark@eternalcremations.com Fernando Gutierrez guardian@ .com Larry McDonough mcdonougholson@aol.com Trisha Randall trandall@seniorlivingonline.com Dale Smrekar das@ij.net.com Bruce Wallace pinellasguardian@yahoo.com Past President Sue Schramek advocaretrustinc@verizon.net Committees By-Laws/Ethics/Legislation Committee Ron Viele, Chair; Dale Smrekar, Co-Chair Conference Committee LynnMarie Boltze, Chair; Cynthia Van Vliet, Co-Chair Education Committee Fernando Gutierrez, Chair; Bruce Wallace, Co-Chair Membership/Public Relations Committee Trisha Randall, Chair; Mark Grande, Co-Chair New Member Mentoring Committee Cynthia Van Vliet, Fernando Guttierrez, Larry McDonough, Ron Viele Newsletter Editor & Breakfast Facilities Coordinator Phyllis Johnson or pjohns3@tampabay.rr.com Association Contact Information info@guardianassociation.org GAPC (4272) GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS... In advance of our 2015 State Legislative Session, we are facing a number of House and Senate bills regarding guardianship reform. As an Association we are in the process of preparing responses to these bills. HB5, supported by Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, gives clerks the authority to refer cases of wrongdoing for criminal prosecution; allows judges to order mediation at any point in the process; attempts to curb the practice of bickering over attorney and guardian fees; and defines a guardian s duties to honor a ward s desire and file accurate reports to the court. An identical companion Senate bill, SB 360, is sponsored by Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. An additional bill (SB1226) filed by Sen. Nancy Deter, R- Venice, would establish an Office of Public and Professional Guardians to certify and supervise the court-appointed guardians. Our Board of Directors will keep members apprised of any additional bills that may affect how Professional and Family guardians interact with the court system. The second in a series of "New Guardian luncheons" was held at Bayfront Center the end of February. We will alert new guardians regarding details for the next luncheon to be scheduled in the near future. CYNTHIA cynthiavanvliet@tampabay.rr.com At the March 17 General Membership Meeting we will have a drawing for a $25 gift card and the winner will be profiled in an article in the next e-newsletter.

3 ASSOCIATION INFO MARCH NETWORKING BREAKFAST As founder and CEO of Keeping Us Safe, Matt Gurwell s mission is to provide strategies and guidance to seniors that will help them to continue driving safely until the decision is made to retire from their driving career. He also provides an excellent array of services and resources for both families and professionals as they deal with topics related to the aging process and its adverse effects on driving' s very sensitive issues. Matt retired from a 24-year career as an Assistant District Commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in the spring of His creative, innovative and common sense approach, combined with his uncanny ability to bring calm and resolve to stressful situations without ever jeopardizing the dignity of others, has contributed greatly to the success of Keeping Us Safe's programs. WE ARE MAKING OURSELVES MORE VISIBLE! GuardianAssociation Pinellas Guardians and Healthcare professionals can exchange ideas, ask questions, seek solutions, and check out networking events. 3 SAY IT ISN T SO... LAVERNE WELCH RETIRES! Laverne Welch, who officially retired last month from her community relations coordinator post at Grand Villa of Largo, describes herself as a "Reliable, High-Energy Team Player". This certainly proved to be the case in the years she served on the Guardian Board of Directors as Education Committee chair. Laverne Welch Laverne has worked in various capacities throughout her career including nursing, sales and marketing, customer service, human resources, catering and hospitality and instructing in a geriatric aide course. Migrating from Canada to Florida, Laverne has also been co-owner/operator/administrator of nursing homes and health care services in Gagerstown, New Brunswick, Canada. Locally, she has been past chair of the Ambassador's Committee of the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, was on the Board of Directors for the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and Membership Chair on the Board for the Largo Rotary Club. Her retirement leaves a position open on the Guardian Board of Directors which we would like to fill as quickly as possible. Interested parties, please contact the GAPC office at GAPC (4272) or Info@guardianassociation.org. The Guardian Association of Pinellas County encourages all members and/or vendors to utilize PayPal for all transactions with the GAPC. IDENTIFICATION BADGE ORDER FORM Gold identification badges are available to members for $15 Badges will be mailed to your address. For information, contact LynnMarie Boltze at (813) Name on badge (Title will read Professional Guardian) Shipping address City, State, Zip or phone

4 Gay Lynne Inskeep Trial Courts Administrator IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Administrative Office of the Courts The Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida th Street North, Suite 2000 Clearwater, Florida (727) Suncom: Fax: (727) Judge Rondolino Elected Chief Judge of Sixth Judicial Circuit CLEARWATER Circuit Judge Anthony Rondolino on Wednesday was unanimously elected chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the court system for Pasco and Pinellas counties. Rondolino was elected by the 68 other judges in the circuit to succeed J. Thomas McGrady, who opted not to seek re-election after serving three two-year terms. The term for Rondolino, who has been a judge in the circuit since 1990, begins July 1, and will last until June 30, "I appreciate the confidence my fellow judges have shown in my ability to carry out this important responsibility," Judge Rondolino said today. "And I look forward to seeking ways to improve the service we provide the public." The chief judge is constitutionally responsible for the administrative supervision of the courts and court staff within the sixth circuit, which serves almost 1.5 million residents in the two counties. Forty-five circuit judges and 24 county judges preside over court proceedings in seven locations and are supported by an administrative staff of approximately 235. Judge Rondolino has served as a circuit judge longer than any other in the sixth circuit except for one, and he has played a role in roughly 300 jury trials, either during his 15 years as a lawyer or during his 25 years on the bench. While a judge, he has presided over a wide range of civil cases, including accident claims, medical malpractice actions and three lengthy tobacco litigation trials. Judge Rondolino has also served as the administrative judge for the circuit s civil division, and for the circuit s criminal and family divisions as well. Three times, the Florida Supreme Court appointed him an associate judge, to serve on the Second District Court of Appeals. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Judge Rondolino graduated with honors from the Florida State University School of Law in 1974, and shortly thereafter joined the local public defender s office, rising to the position of chief assistant public defender in a mere five years. He has taught courses as an adjunct professor at Stetson Law School, and has served on several boards and committees, including the Child Support Enforcement Coordinating Council, of which he was the chairman, and the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force; His awards include the St. Petersburg Bar Association s Judicial Appreciation Award, the William Castagna Award for Judicial Excellence, and in 1988 he was named Outstanding Assistant Public Defender in Florida. Judge Rondolino s predecessor, outgoing Chief Judge McGrady, leaves behind a string of accomplishments and some memories of some difficult times. "I think the greatest challenge in the last six years has been to fully serve the citizens and Pasco and Pinellas with limited resources," McGrady said. "We were able to succeed by providing timely justice to those who would appear before the courts thanks to a hard-working judiciary and an underpaid and overworked staff." During McGrady s tenure as chief judge, the circuit has, among other things, slashed a backlog of some 20,000 mortgage foreclosure cases, started up veterans treatment courts in both counties, and helped establish Pinellas Safe Harbor, the county s homeless shelter.

5 Regular Membership Meeting 5 Cypress Palms, Largo February 17th Don't wait until you are in a desperate situation to seek help, warned Nick Barton (pictured left), February speaker at the regular Guardian meeting, who is founder and CEO of AGED (Advocates and Guardians for the Elderly and Disabled). Illustrating how his company could alleviate certain problems, he gave a power point presentation with topics including: What is a Special Needs Trust; Federal, Social Security and Medicaid Codes; Disability; SSI/Medicaid related Programs and Benefits; Pooled Special Needs Trusts; Guardianship Benevolent Fund; Helpful Websites. Nick can be reached at (407) , nick@trustaged.org.

6 6 Join Grand Villa of St. Petersburg for a St. Patrick s Day Party, Tuesday, March 17, 2:00 PM. RSVP (727) (by March 15th). Bob Lonardo Licensed Insurance Agent Life / Health / Medicare / Long-Term Care CELL: OFFICE blonardo@healthmarkets.com

7 Important Information for Our Membership 7 Greetings fellow GAPC members, Another Florida Legislative session is well underway. Two major proposed pieces of legislation directly affecting guardians have emerged. The links for several documents are provided for your personal review throughout this letter. Each will be briefly addressed below. First, a little history: On November 19, 2014, House Bill 5 (HB5) was filed by co-sponsor Kathleen C. Passidomo, a House Representative, multiple committee member, Civil Justice Subcommittee Chair, Judicial Committee Vice Chair, and attorney from Naples, FL. NOTE: For those of you interested non-guardians, the link "HR Staff Analysis HB5.pdf " contains an educational overview of guardianship and how the proposed legislative changes will affect it. It may be the reading you would prefer to tackle in lieu of the myriad other links. Per the provided link s original filing "HB 5," some of the highlights I noted are as follows: Clarification of language in areas regarding guardians' duties and procedure for establishing guardianship and handling of transition of health care decision making from a previously established decision maker to an appointed guardian. New code requiring notification to ward of proceedings for emergency temporary guardianship (ETG), Additional language helping to open the door for interested parties to utilize expert testimony to protest "unreasonable fees" and designating parties responsible to pay ensuing court fees. Prohibition of preferential treatment toward an applicant for full guardianship based solely on the fact that they are/were the ETG. Code defining guardian abuse, neglect, and exploitation added to section 744 (guardianship) that was, in the past, generally covered and defined as elder abuse in other elder law sections and addressed in the Florida and National Guardian Codes of ethics. Adding language to 744 appears to open the door to greater scrutiny of guardians, specifically in the area of abuse, neglect and exploitation of wards. Codification of best practices (code of ethics material) to ensure maximum possible liberty for wards and protection of family visitation rights. New language adding clarity to health care decision-making and advocacy duties of guardians. Changes in Guardian of the Person annual plan reporting requirements to a more proactive approach by moving deadlines from after anniversary dates to before them. All in all, the effort appeared to be a "clean-up" of parts of section 744 and a measured response to the increasing publicity given to the "horror stories" of ward isolation and other ward exploitation by court appointed guardians. I personally would find the bill as originally submitted to contain changes that, aside from creating potential for future conflict over "reasonable fees," were understandable and generally somewhat acceptable to live with. However, a series of events and changes beginning in early January have raised some BIG red flags for guardians. I will focus on the most disturbing issues and let each reader elect to do his own research on other bill details. We continue: January 7, 2015, Florida House of Representatives Civil Justice Committee Workshop (attended by Ken Burke, among several others): Document linked, "overview of workshop on pdf " Document linked, "AAAPG White Paper.pdf " (Abusive Guardianship is a form of Institutional Elder Abuse and Human Trafficking) Review of the workshop overview quickly leads the reader to conclude that the workshop was the impetus for radical and unreasonable changes to HB 5 in committee. Incidentally, there was no guardianship representation continued page 8

8 Important Information for Our Membership...continued 8 at the workshop. Can we suspect that none were invited? Linked file, " memo to Bill Hennessey and Pete Dunbar.pdf " (Pete Dunbar, lobbyist and workshop attendee), Mitigating the "conspiracy" perception, dated January 12, 2015, apparently originated after the workshop from the Palm Beach Clerk's office of Anthony Palmieri - workshop attendee. It suggested the following very disturbing amendment to section : Appointments of professional guardianships by the court must be made on a rotating basis, taking into consideration conflicts arising under this chapter, unless the Court makes a determination that a specific professional guardian with specialized training, education or experiences is in the best interest of the Ward. Please read the attachment for adjoining text and other proposed changes dealing with guardian education requirements. As a result of the workshop, additional follow-up documents, and further correspondence, the following radical and detrimental subparagraphs were added to the committee's amended bill (excerpted from the link "PCS for HB 5 draft 02.pdf ", published on January 15, 2015): (5) Appointment of professional guardians by the court shall be on a rotating basis of professional guardians deemed qualified by the chief judge of the circuit. However, the court may appoint a professional guardian without reference to the rotation where the special requirements of the guardianship demand. (6) An emergency temporary guardian who is a professional guardian may not be appointed as the permanent guardian of the ward unless such professional guardian had been designated as a standby guardian or pre-need guardian. If you share my and other guardians' concerns over how this proposed legislation would hinder our ability to operate independently and build viable guardianship businesses through the individual relationships we cultivate, please join us by contacting your representatives: Find your State House Find your State The Florida Senate's bill, SB 318, link "SB 318.pdf," was filed on January 12, 2015 (after the House committee workshop), and is a sister bill to HB 5. Though it contains the amended language in (4) above, it currently does not contain (5) nor (6). It does contain some changes I personally find disturbing. I encourage you to read it and the other attached documents if you wish to have a deeper understanding of the underlying issues and the players in our state's guardianship legislative process. I am planning to prepare an official position paper from the board of the GAPC to approve and forward to Pinellas County representatives. Thank you all for your attention and future participation in our legislative process. Best regards, Ron Viele Chairman, BEL committee Professional Guardian VP, GAPC BOD Phn: Fax: ProGuardian.tb@gmail.com

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10 Clerk of the Circuit Court Office of Ken Burke Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller For Pinellas County, Florida 10 Happy New Year to all and thanks for a wonderful year in 2014! We are looking forward to another wonderful year in 2015 and to working with you to meet the needs of your clients. We are committed to continuing to provide the exceptional customer service that you have grown accustomed to over the years. A few updates and reminders: Bond Approval Fee: All guardianship bonds have an $8.50 bond approval fee. This fee is due when the bond is submitted to our office. When filing your guardianship bond please include a check or money order payable to Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Alternatively, you may note on your correspondence to the Clerk s Office your draw down account number and that you are authorizing the Clerk s Office to charge your account for the fees. This will save you time. Re-Location of Wards: When changes are made to the ward s address from one facility to another, please make sure you send notification of the change of address to our office as soon as possible. This will ensure that our records accurately reflect the location of your client. Annual Fees: Don t forget to pay your 2015 Annual Professional Guardianship maintenance fee of $7.50 to the Clerk of the Court. We do not want you to experience any unnecessary delays in the processing of your cases. Probate Forms: Be on the lookout for a change in the requirement to use the new Broward Smart Guardianship forms and to discontinue the use of the current forms. Until there is a certain date decided upon please continue using the forms you are currently providing. If there is a topic you would like discussed in any of our upcoming monthly newsletter articles please your suggestions to: jdjordan@pinellascounty.org. Additionally, we offer tours of the Clerk s Probate Department. Tours usually last between one and two hours, depending on what you and the other tour guests would like to see. Tours provide a good opportunity to meet staff assisting with your cases and to understand how we process the work submitted to our office. HOW TO CONTACT US: If we can be of assistance, please call: Probate Court Records (main line) Jerome D. Jordan, Probate Manager

11 "Sometimes all you need is someone to listen..really listen" by Mary Jane Cronin 11 Twenty-five percent of the working population on any given day would say they are stressed or overwhelmed. Work related stress can negatively affect the lives and health and safety of workers. Health care workers are subject to stresses that workers in other fields of work do not experience. Examples include the death of a patient, being responsible for the care of several patients in critical condition and being assaulted by a patient. Here are five ways that stress can affect the body and lead to an unproductive working experience. Cognitively or the way your brain thinks about things may be altered to the point of feeling like you are going crazy at times. Withdrawing into yourself and not wanting to talk to anyone, when you are usually a sociable kind of person. At times I couldn t find my keys when I wanted to go out of the house, or I would leave the house and forget where I was going. When the brain is on overload things get missed. Appointments, messages from phone calls may not get written down and are later forgotten. Physically our body responds to stress the same way we do with grief. Changes such as this in our lives can cause us headaches as well as heartaches. Headaches can come from not sleeping enough, from fear, or tension to resolve the situation. Heartaches or feeling weary due to heaviness in the chest is often experienced as a by-product of this exhaustion and can seem as if one is walking through a fog. The physical ability you once had may seem to have disappeared, only to be replaced by a desire to sleep more often. Emotional responses are familiar to anyone who has experienced stress. Those suffering from stress may be Mary Jane Cronin surprised at some of the emotions surfacing. I had bouts of crying, being angry at those close to me, and had a shorter temper. I did not trust my feelings or the intensions of others. Being responsible for someone else s care when you are emotionally absent can result in poor decision making and may put that recipient at risk. If not addressed and managed, these emotions can come to the surface as one struggles to make sense out of a senseless situation. Socially those suffering from stress may suddenly retreat inward and not want to be around anyone. The world they knew and trusted to be the same has now changed. The control I thought I had had become a fallacy. Not wanting to experience the hurt I was feeling now, l refused invitations of support and comfort. Spiritually or how a person has been raised and their faith beliefs can affect their response to stress. For some their upbringing and the life they are now living are out of balance, and they may find themselves angry with God. For others, their spiritually can be a comfort or cause as they feel God has a plan for them, and this too shall pass. Being aware and accepting that stress affects our body in various ways is important continued on page 12

12 12 SOMETIMES ALL YOU...continued to the healing process of stress and the selfcare that follows. Finding an activity that can take your mind off of your situation can bring some comfort. Journal writing is one of the activities that can be a helpful tool when one is feeling stressed. As one begins to list the problems, they also begin to formulate options and begin writing out a plan to reduce the stress. To reduce that stress you re feeling start by jotting it down - sorting it out and begin to relax. Mary Jane Cronin had been working for Suncoast Hospice as a Licensed Mental Health counselor for ten years.. She became aware of the lack of emotional support available for those providing care to others. Taking a leap of faith Mary Jane opened her own counseling office in February 2015, Cronin Counseling and Coaching at 1301 Seminole Blvd D-138 in Largo. Mary Jane is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has worked with various populations in Pinellas County for over 17 years. She raised four sons and has been a resident of Largo for 38 years. NEW RATE SPECIAL... LOCKED IN APARTMENT RATES FOR TWO YEARS! Offer Expires 3/31/15 Tele

13 GRACE is a 5 Letter Word Living it up to live longer by DAVID BERNSTEIN, M.D. 13 Dr. David Bernstein PART 2 - The first three elements in Dr. Bernstein's acronym GRACE (goals - roots - attitude) were discussed last month and conclude here with companionship and environment. C COMPANIONSHIP Companionship has to do with having strong personal relationships and intimacy. I have had the great fortune to observe this dynamic among many couples I have taken care of over the years. It is that special bond that holds people together, the sharing of raising children or having a pet or working together professionally or on community projects. Mary Brown brought her parents to my office one day after they moved them from Delaware to Florida. I had known Mary for many years as our children went to the same school, but prior to this visit I had never met her parents. They had been married for 60 years. He was a very intelligent man and had been involved in planning and engineering while living in Delaware. His wife, a very supportive woman, was his pride and joy. At their first visit, Mary told me how devoted they were to one another and how protective they were of one another as well. The reason they had moved was that they could no longer take care of themselves as they both had dementia and he had heart problems. They were a cute, adorable and endearing couple for the entire time I took care of them. Mary and others who knew them well would describe them as inseparable. They covered up for each other's cognitive shortcomings, which ultimately made it difficult to figure out exactly what was going on in their lives. As time went on, his bathing and grooming habits deteriorated and she became very protective of his desire to remain in the same clothes all the time. She would make excuses for this behavior. One day, she fell while getting into a car to come to my office and fractured her hip. This incident was the beginning of the end for this couple who had never been separated, except when she had been in the hospital to deliver their two children. Fortunately, her hospitalization was short but she needed to be in a nursing home to recover. The husband was beside himself with loneliness. I had never truly realized just how close these two people were until I learned from administrators at their retirement community and the nursing home that they were constantly holding hands. To my disbelief, when I inquired further, I was informed that despite their older age and maladies, they slept in the same bed and held hands all night long; when they were at the dinner table, they constantly gazed into each other's eyes. What love they had for each other! Their companionship supported them and kept them independent and alive. E ENVIRONMENT The environment in which we live plays a major role in how we maintain our health. The choices people make to practice healthy lifestyles are key attributes to a longer, happier and more fulfilling life. In my practice, I tend to see more people who have unhealthy habits because as people make poor or unhealthy choices, it leads to more illness and need for medical care. Did you know that over the past 50 years the following 5 things have grown at the same rate: the number of fast food restaurants, the number of television stations, the percentage of the population with obesity, the number of diabetics, and the number of prescriptions for antidepressants? These are alarming statistics that indicate the role of environment in health and longevity. Betty is a 72-year-old patient whom I have treated for several years. She has been resistant to accepting my interventions to improve her health and reduce her potential to die of a heart attack. She is obese, has diabetes and high continued on page 14 cholesterol and

14 GRACE is a 5 Letter Word...continued 14 she smokes. Her diet is unrestricted and she does not exercise. She pleads with me for one more chance every time I recommend placing her on more medication. She is unwilling or unable to make any lifestyle changes to reduce her risk she simply will not change her environment. Yet her environment will kill her. On the other hand, I do have countless patients who see me very infrequently as they have created favorable environments for themselves. Robin is one of my patients who takes her health very seriously. She is a slender, 48-year-old married woman and mother of 2 teenage boys. In the 20-plus years I have known her she has been a great example of what I mean by interacting well with the environment. She has maintained her ideal body weight, performs both cardiovascular exercises and yoga a minimum of 2 days each a week. She eats a low fat, mostly organic diet free of high-fructose products. She has an annual exam including a mammogram and takes the opportunity to review her tests results carefully. When I diagnosed her with an underactive thyroid condition she educated herself on the condition and resisted taking medication for a few months before consenting to follow the advice of her physician (me). She makes sure to get the proper amount of sleep every night (7 to 8 hours) and she flosses her teeth daily (no doubt because she is a dental hygienist). NOTES FOR LIVING LONGER 1. Have goals throughout your life. 2. Recognize how your family medical history (your "roots") might affect your health and work with your doctor to improve and protect your health. 3. Keep a positive attitude about life and also about being safely adventurous. 4. Nourish your connections with friends and family so that you can experience love, intimacy, and bonds throughout life. 5. Create a healthy life by paying attention to your environment; maintain fitness, be judicious in your lifestyle habits, and listen to the advice of health professionals who can help you live longer, and better! Extracted from the book entitled: I ve Got Some Good News and Some Bad News YOU RE OLD Tales of a Geriatrician What to Expect in your 60 s, 70 s 80 s and Beyond By David Bernstein, MD He is a graduate of Albany Medical College and is an associate clinical professor in the department of medicine at the University Of South Florida College Of Medicine. Dr Bernstein can be reached via his Website/Blog: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidbernstein2200 Facebook & Facebook Page: Twitter: Pinterest: MARCH is Brain Injury Awareness Month The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in observing Brain Injury Awareness Month by conducting an awareness campaign in March each year. The theme for the 2015 to 2017 campaign is: Not Alone. The campaign provides a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families. It also lends itself to outreach within the brain injury community to de-stigmatize the injury, empower those who have survived, and promote the many types of support that are available. According to the BIAA, each year an estimated 2.4 million children and adults in the US sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and another 795,000 individuals sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) from no traumatic causes. TBIs can affect the functionality of the brain affecting thinking, reasoning, and memory. Whether the victim is an adult, a child, or an infant, TBIs can have a major impact on individuals and their families.

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16 16 Computer Corner The Thinker by Bruce Wallace Professional Guardian Everyone uses stamps! Whether you travel to the post office and stand in line to purchase your stamps, fax an order to your local post office or use a service by you still depend on stamps to mail your ward s bills and documents to your attorney s office. I resorted to using a postage scale and the website supported by USPS.COM to apply the proper postage to envelopes of all sizes. If you wish to print your own postage you can certainly check out but be aware there is an ongoing monthly fee of $15.95 to use their service and system. I have faxed stamp orders in the past but it does involve more handling of forms and I chose to stick to the traditional postage scale and USPS s website to calculate postage. Obviously if the envelope is a number 10 (standard) you will probably only apply the current postage of 49 cents. Forever stamps come to mind? Who knows when the USPS will raise their rates again! Using a postage scale I incorporate USPS website at The first box that probably should always be used talks about Destination. The USA is the default. The second box talks about the From Zip code which should be your location. The destination zip code is the zip code you are mailing the item to. Question 5 relates to either Flat Rate Service or the shape (large mailing envelope), etc. Click the appropriate radio button. Question 6 relates to the weight. This is where my postage scale comes into play. Enter the weight and then click Continue. The next screen that appears refers to envelopes that may be too rigid, not square or rectangle or is thicker than?. Click the check box if appropriate. Click Continue. The final screen has a checkbox at the top Display all options. Click that box. You will be presented with an array of mailing choices. Locate the one that is appropriate and you will find how much postage to apply to your mailing piece. No guesswork and the correct amount of stamps are at your fingertips. If you need assistance or have any questions, please call or Linda Burhan's new company, "Caregivers, Connecting, Coaching and Resources" is a continuation of the work she has been doing with Harmony for the past 5 years. Linda is a best selling author and nationally renowned speaker and experienced caregiver coach. In Linda's new venture, she will continue to focus on supporting family caregivers as a caregiver coach, educator and advocate. She has a new book coming out called "Connecting Caregivers: Answers to Questions You Didn't Know That You Needed to Ask". She can be reached at This n That linda@harmonyhh.com or Mel Coppola, former Guardian Association Board member and former staff member of Griswold Home Care has also branched out to form her own company, Hearts In Care, LLC dedicated to enriching the care experience through advocacy, coaching and education. She will be a guest speaker at the March 4th Brunch 'n Learn, The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay to talk about her. transition. Frank Rodante will be with the Molina Healthcare team in Tallahassee on March 11th, to interact with our legislators to make them aware of the issues facing underserved seniors, families and children..

17 17 ADVERTISE In The Professional Guardian Newsletter Advertising Rates Full page, 1 month, Sponsoring $ /2 page $130.00* 1/4 page $ 80.00* 1/8 page business card $ 50.00* * Per month with 3 month minimum Send camera ready color ads and payment, as well as editorial copy to: Phyllis Johnson One Windrush Blvd., #55 Indian Rocks Beach, FL pjohns3@tampabay.rr.com telephone: (727) Deadline for ads with payment is the 25th of each month. Same deadline for editorial copy. A complimentary copy of each issue is sent to our advertisers. Our Mission is to affect positively the quality of life for our residents, meet their multiple needs and those of their families. TBI Residential Services is an all male facility that specializes in the care and services for individuals with: brain injury difficult dementia post traumatic stress disorder other behavioral associated conditions TBI Offers: Licensed assisted living community in a secure setting TOUR TODAY! (727) KEYSTONE ROAD TARPON SPRINGS, FL Computerized Medication Management to promote accuracy & timeliness Provides transportation to and from Doctors appointments. We will work with your long term care insurance provider We accept worker s compensation injury cases and veterans administration Day and Respite Care services Assisted Living Facility H 9034

18 FEBRUARY COMMUNITY CALENDAR To advertise your event on this calendar, submit information to Phyllis Johnson at by 3/ /5 Thurs. 4:30-6:00 PM Trinity Area Marketing Mix (TAMM) Brass Tap State Road 54 Trinity RSVP Monee (727) /6 Wed. 7:30 AM- 3:30 PM VA & SPC 16th Annual Psychiatric Update/Conference (Non VA Employees $64)) Banquet Masters th Street N. Clearwater Registration & Info, call (727) /11 Wed. 9:30 AM Rise & Shine! Motivational Marketing Breakfast Grand Villa - Largo 750 Starkey Road Largo RSVP by 3/10 (727) /11 Wed. 1:30-2:15 PM Catch Yourself Before You Fall Gulfport Senior Center th Avenue So. Gulfport For more info, contact Katherine (727) /11 Wed. 5:00 - Princeton Village 6:30 PM Wine Down Wednesday th Avenue S.E. Largo RSVP Cintia (727) /12 Thurs. 10:00 AM Referral Networking Group Princeton Village th Avenue S.E. Largo RSVP Cintia (727) /12 Thurs. 1:30-3:00 PM Medicaid & Asset Protection Speaker: Wa;t Shurden, Esq. Grand Villa - Largo 750 Starkey Road Largo RSVP by 3/11 (727) /12 Thurs. 4:30-7:00 PM Doctor s Choice Open House Doctor s Choice Starkey Road Largo For more info: (727) /13 Fri. 9:00-10:30 AM Chomp n Chat Horizon Bay Clearwater 3141 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwaterr RSVP Michelle (727) /17 Tues. 5:30 PM Guardian Association Regular Meeting Cypress Palms 400 Lake Avenue Largo RSVP to website: 3/17 Tues. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Networking Meeting Largo Medical Center th St. SW Largo RSVP to /18 Wed. 11:30 AM FALA - Pinellas Members $10/ Non-members $15 Location TBA RSVP Bijou (813)

19 FEBRUARY COMMUNITY CALENDAR To advertise your event on this calendar, submit information to Phyllis Johnson at by 3/ /18 Wed.. 4:30 PM No Name Marketing Group Rumba s Restaurant 3687 Tarpon Road Oldsmar for more info: call Terri: (727) /19 Thurs. 7:30-9:30 AM Pancake Breakfast for Professionals Brookdale - Countryside 3260 N McMullen Booth Rd Clearwater RSVP (727) /19 Thurs. 9:00-10:00 AM Casual Networking Breakfast Westminster Shores th Ave. S. St. Petersburg RSVP/ Into to Jennifer (727) /19 Thurs. 11:00 AM NEW TIME Professional Women in Healthcare (Mid-County) The Barrington 901 Seminole Blvd. Largo RSVP Dawn Gretter (727) /24 Tues. 10:00-11:30 AM Professional Women in Healthcare (South County) Grand Villa - St. Pete th Street South St. Petersburg RSVP (727) /25 Wed. 8:30 AM Monthly Networking Breakfast Arden Courts 9300 Antilles Dr. Seminole RSVP to Bernadette (727) /26 Thurs. 7:00 AM -4:30 PM Hurricanes & Healthcare (6 possible CEU s through SPC) $79 registration First Baptist Church St. Pete 1900 Gandy Blvd. N. St. Petersburg Registration / Info: (727) /27 Fri. 9:00 AM Guardian Association Monthly Breakfast The Villas at Lakeside Oaks 1059 Virginia Street Dunedin RSVP to website: 3/28 Sat. 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM 9th Annual Caregiver s Conference (registration required) Enoch Davis Center th Avenue So. St. Petersburg For info & registration by 3/20: (727) /1 Wed. 8:30-10:00 AM North County Guardian Support Group Perkins Restaurant 2375 Curlew Road Dunedin RSVP Irene Rausch (727) /1 Wed. 9:00-10:30 AM Brunch & Learn The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, 1255 Pasadena Ave., St. Petersburg RSVP (727) /1 Wed. 4:00-6:00 PM Belleair Besties - a new networking group Belleview Biltmore Golf Club 1501 Indian Rocks Rd. Belleair RSVP Gerri: gfortino@ belleviewbiltmoregolf.com

20 20 February Networking Breakfast Our Speaker (above), Arwyn Elden, LCSW Empath Health / Choices for Care Arwyn Elden, LCSW, Facilitator/Instructor for Empath Health / Choices for Care, effectively spelled out the benefits of an early health care plan to ensure wishes are honored based on a person's values and medical treatment preferences. Contact Arwyn at for questions. Her presentation is on the GAPC website. February 27th at WESTMINSTER SHORES

21 21 Guardian Association of Pinellas County, Inc. Membership Year: August 1 through July 31 Membership Application: New Renewal Date: Membership Request By joining the GAPC you are affirming that you have read the GAPC bylaws and the adopted Code of Ethics from the National Guardian Association. The GAPC Bylaws and NGA Code of Ethics are available on the Association website: Guardian $45.00 (must be a Guardian or taken the State Guardian Competency Exam) SPGO# Affiliate $60.00 (Non-guardian, Individual) Corporate $75.00 (company is owner of the membership, includes two members, transferable between employees) Category for listing on GAPC website (Please check appropriate boxes and print legibly) Professional Guardian Family Guardian Assisted Living Facility Nursing / Rehab Facility Health Care Agency Attorney Paralegal / Legal Assistant Power of Attorney (POA) Care Manager Finance / Banking Government / Court Personnel Other Name Business Name/Organization Address City State Zip County Home Phone Fax Address Website Address Please make check payable to Guardian Association. Mail to GAPC, P.O. Box 1826, Pinellas Park, FL To apply or renew membership online, please visit our website at Pay Pal Accepted. For more information contact: