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WILKES-BARRE — Phyllis Gallagher quietly told her story at Monday’s Conference on Aging at Wilkes University and the more than 200 in attendance could relate to it in one way or another.
Gallagher was one of several panelists who spoke at the conference sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton. Attendees included people who work with senior citizens, educators, civic leaders and members of the public.
Gallagher, of Frackville, has been caring for husband John for nearly 10 years. John, 58, began dealing with the onset of dementia when he was 49 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 52.
Gallagher told her story of caring for her husband 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the toll that can take on the caregiver. She participates in therapy to be able to express her feelings about the situation.
“Right now, my husband can’t talk and he can’t walk,” Gallagher said. “But he does smile when he sees me, but he also smiles when they bring him chocolate milk. I hope he recognizes me, but you never know.”
Gallagher said there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s, so people like her become their loved one’s “personal warrior.” She said she cared for her mother for years and now she is her husband’s primary caregiver.
“You don’t feel very empowered,” Gallagher said. “But by making appearances like this, I hope to make a difference.”
In April, Gallagher testified before the U.S. Senate Aging Committee about caring for her husband. Casey is the top-ranking Democrat on the committee. Gallagher told the Senate committee the only way to find a cure for Alzheimer’s is to invest in research. Casey said funding for Alzheimer’s research was increased by $400 million in 2017.
Gallagher said Monday that caregivers often encounter personal issues, like depression, fatigue and health problems because they never have time to see their own doctors. She said many caregivers die before their patients/loved ones.
“Caregivers need respite time,” she said. “We need time to be able to go to the supermarket, to do housework or to take a shower. These are all things that most people take for granted. You don’t know what it’s like until you’re in the middle of it.”
‘Make their voices heard’
Casey delivered the keynote address at the conference, vowing to continue fighting for seniors and programs essential to them, like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Casey said the current proposed federal budget call for cuts to key programs and elimination of others, such as Meals on Wheels, Community Development Block Grants, and LIHEAP — the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“We don’t want to hear about slashing programs like that,” Casey said. “And Pennsylvania’s seniors must continue to make their voices heard.”
Casey said Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are not “entitlement programs.” He said they are “earned benefits.”
“We will always fight to protect what you have earned,” he said, also promising to continue the fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
The first panel Monday — Pennsylvania Seniors in Action — consisted of Teresa Osborne, secretary of the state Department of Aging; Diane Menio, executive director of CARE — Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly; Dr. Sharon McDaniel, president/CEO of A Second Chance Inc.; Mark Smith, general manager at Pride Mobility; and Phyllis Gallagher.
The second panel — Aging in Pennsylvania: Looking Forward — included Casey, Joanne Grossi, president, AARP of Pennsylvania; Mary Roselle, executive director of the Luzerne/Wyoming Area Agency on Aging; Tim Camus, deputy inspector general for investigations at the U.S. Department of Treasury; and Gail Roddie-Hamlin, president/CEO, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater PA.
Topics ranged from scams that target the elderly to grandparents raising grandchildren and funding for devices for the disabled.
Casey said the number of grandparents or other family members raising children is on the rise due to the opioid epidemic. He has introduced the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act to create a one-stop-shop for information and support as a resource to those in need.
Casey said he also introduced the Senior$afe Act to encourage financial institutions to report fraud, scams and instances of elder abuse. Casey offered several tips on how to avoid phone scams. He said beware of callers who:
• Force you to make fast decisions and threaten you with police action.
• Pressure you not to tell friends and family about the call.
• Ask for personal information like Social Security or bank account numbers.
Casey said if a suspicious caller asks for personal or bank information, hang up immediately. He said if a person feels they have been a victim of fraud, contact the Senate Aging Committee Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.
