Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/710175
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband's grandmother "Jenny" is 94 and lives alone. Up until three years ago, her son was her main caregiv- er. When he passed away, her daughter offered to take her in, but she lives a few states away and Jenny wasn't interested in moving. Currently her support system consists of a woman who comes once a month to clean, and weekly visits from either my mother-in-law or my- self to drop off groceries and supplies. She has friends from her church take her to doctor appointments. She doesn't want family to go, probably because her front of being able to live alone would be blown. She uses a walker and cannot drive. Mentally she is still fairly alert, but her living situation isn't pleasant because of her limited mobility and incontinence issues. Good, kind, reasonable caregivers have been ar- ranged with her consent to help for a few hours a week, but she'll cancel because she feels she can- not afford them, although she can. Her daughter calls weekly to check in, but she can't do much beyond that, because Jenny won't agree to have help. If someone wandered in off the street, they'd most likely be horrified by the smell of her house, the condition of her clothing and her general hygiene. From our point of view we have two choices: maintain the status quo with grocery deliveries and regular check-ins, or notify her doctors and perhaps social services, which would force her to accept additional help bu t wo u ld m ak e u s th e bad guys and possibly alienate her. —Worried DEAR WORRIED » "Drop- ping off groceries and supplies" once a week is not caregiving. It is negl ect. You sho uld be entering the house, going through the refrigerator for expired foods, helping to put things away and helping "Jenny" in lots of little and large ways while you are there. Dropping things off only highlights your family's neglect of this elderly woman. The daughter who calls her 94-year-old mother once a week(!) should visit in person. If she can't afford the trip, fam- ily members should assist. During this visit, the family should gather as a group, along with a social worker, to discuss local programs and services available to her, such as Meals on Wheels. Your local Office on Aging can help you get started. A family member should accompany her to doctor's visits. If she doesn't want you in the exam room, sit in the waiting room and ask to speak with the doctor. You simply have to be brave enough to have her be mad at you in order to assume some responsibil- ity for her well-being. Not knowing what to do is no excuse for doing so little. A concerned party can make an anony- mous report of elder ne- glect by contacting Adult Protective Services. Careforelderlygrandmother needs to be stepped up a bit You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Leo(July23-Aug.22)— Make a personal change that will make you look and feel good. Projecting your image and skills in an unexpected manner will raise eyebrows. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Lighten up and make plans to do something you enjoy with someone special. Try something more unusual than anything you've done in the past. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You'll dazzle everyone with your upbeat attitude and savvy way of handling situations and people. A well-deserved pro- posal will change your life. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Jealousy will turn into a costly emotional dispute. Think before you do or say something you might regret. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Plan to have some fun and to make improvements that will boost your ego. Present- ing what you have to offer in a dynamic fashion will be fruitful and upset your competition. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A chance to get involved in an interesting project with someone from your past will be inviting, but at the same time, risky. Weigh the pros and cons. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You'll stand out and be recognized for your ideas, ac- complishments and skills. Once you have taken care of business, romance and physical improve- ments should be a priority. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Travel is best kept to a minimum. You can accomplish more sticking close to home. An unusual partnership will develop if you do something to enrich your community or a worthy cause. Aries (March 21-April 19) — A romantic opportunity can lead to some very cost-efficient changes in your life. Self- improvements will give you the confidence to present your skills and ideas with ease. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Discussions will lead to improvements that will make your life easier. Don't give in to emotional manipulation. Present a solution that is within your means. Learn from the way oth- ers respond. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You will find it difficult to ex- press yourself verbally. Let your actions speak for you by bring- ing about personal changes that will show how much you care. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Opportunities will develop through courses or organiza- tions offering self-help tech- niques. A creative endeavor will turn into an unusual opportunity or partnership. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, AUG. 2 TUESDAY,AUGUST2,2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B