eldercaresolve

Personal Note from Jeanne:

Today I am sharing to inform all my readers that I have been blessed beyond belief in the last few weeks!

I am still able to get out and market for Adapt 2 It (a Home Medical Supply Store in Laguna Woods, CA), but I have now begun working as the Director of Volunteers for a brand new Orange County California Hospice.

This new hospice (OC Hospice) fills yet another gap in my eldercare experience.  Having worked for an Assisted Living Community, a Home Care Company and a Medical Supply Store, I am ready for my new role in hospice.

In many ways I think this will be my most critical position in the broader field of caring for the elderly and ministering to their families.  I now have an important role in beginning a community awareness of hospice, which is so often misunderstood.

Hospice adds to the quality of life for both patients and families.  Family and professional caregivers receive the support and care they also need during a difficult and emotional time.

After going through our own family experience with hospice this past summer, I look forward to training and coordinating the volunteers who will go out to serve our hospice patients and their families.

I look forward to researching and sharing more articles that relate to another piece of the puzzle faced by those who are caring for aging relatives.

If you don’t hear from me as consistently as before, please know I am passionately serving those who need our care.

posted on March 11, 2013 by TrusteeNation Utilizing Technology

When You’re Far From Your Aging Loved One

When an aging loved one begins to show signs of decline, it is hard to know how to keep tabs on them. Sometimes circumstances may be such that you are unable to be present with them and, sometimes, they may flat-out refuse outside care. If this is the case, there are other ways to keep track.

One set of siblings came up with a plan to monitor their father from afar, while also chronicling the last year of his life. Both siblings lived in different parts of the country and their father refused to move in with either of them. Upon his refusal, they began a shared Google calendar (a calendar kept online that multiple people can add to) and would mark when each would speak to their father, what was talked about, how he was feeling and how he sounded, both physically and emotionally.

In doing this, they were able to have an excellent record of how he was doing. They knew when he changed his medicines, could track his emotions and were able to record how many falls he had. In turn, the siblings were also able to remind him of appointments and make him aware of any frequent symptoms (such as increased falls, or frequent days of depression).

After his passing, the siblings had a very clear picture of his decline. And, since they took notes on the conversations, memories of their last year with their father. This is a great example of utilizing technology when you can’t be ever-present with your aging loved one.

Multigenerational Households
from Susan Geffen’s Featured Article e-Newsletter Magazine, Nov 2012 

According to U.S. Census Bureau, the number of multigenerational households has grown by 60% since 1990.   

The Pew Research Center has reported that one in eight Americans between the ages of 40 and 60 is now caring for a parent at home. This is partly attributable to the recent economic downturn that has affected both baby boomers that see failing pensions and higher healthcare costs as well as college graduates who cannot afford their student debt and housing.   

There are cultural reasons for this demographic trend as well. There is an increase in the numbers of Latino and Asian households in the United States – both native-born and immigrant, who have been culturally indoctrinated into traditions of caring for young and old in multigenerational settings. 

And then there is love. (Susan speaks about) a family, ages 8-80 that are doing so for love; the pure and beautifully simple desire to be in it together. Each member of this family in their own way expressed that living to together has enhanced family bonds and relationships. Importantly, studies that have demonstrated that older adults who engage with children have numerous positive outcomes, including decreased depression, better health, and a renewed sense of purpose.  

(Click here to see the rest of this article) 

Comfort Keepers^® would like to both recognize and thank all of its caregivers – including your family members and our Comfort Keepers^®– for all they do for loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is perhaps one of the most unpleasant for all concerned. There is no cure but rather, a steady progression of debilitating symptoms which include erratic and difficult behavior that can be hard to manage for even the most seasoned professional.

In order to learn how to deal with difficult behavior that presents in seniors suffering Alzheimer’s disease you must first know and understand the disease. Additionally, learning the different types of behaviors indicative to Alzheimer’s is crucial so caregiving can be administered safely and comfortably for all concerned.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association^® the following are symptoms or behaviors that sufferers can exhibit:

• Aggression and anger that can appear suddenly with little or no obvious cause.
• Anxiety or agitation in facing or comprehending either new or confusing situations.
• Memory loss and confusion present in the early stages of the disease that worsen with time. Late-stage sufferers may be unable to remember family, friends, or even familiar places. They forget words, become lost within a conversation due to lack of comprehension, and may forget how to use common items such as a brush or eating utensils.
• Depression that can be hard to detect, due to the challenge of understanding and communicating with those who have Alzheimer’s disease.
• Hallucinations and delusions which can occur and are difficult to diagnose, as these are also symptoms of other mental disorders. Hallucinations involve the senses such as seeing or smelling something that is not there. Delusions entail thoughts and beliefs of things that are not real, which can cause those with Alzheimer’s to be suspicious of family, friends and others. Seek professional help for proper diagnosis and treatment of these symptoms.
• Changes in sleep patterns. Some sufferers of Alzheimer’s experience “sundowning,” a term used for those who become agitated and restless during the later hours of the day.
• Repetition of words and questions due to brain deterioration as Alzheimer’s progresses, making it even harder for sufferers to comprehend the world around them.
• Wandering and getting lost. The problem can become serious since many with Alzheimer’s disease are unable to remember their names, addresses, or even recognize familiar places.

When dealing with these difficult behaviors it is critical that caregivers, family members and friends learn what the triggers may be, acquire the skill to diffuse and divert uncomfortable situations, and to stay calm during bouts of behavioral outbursts.

Triggers can present when those with Alzheimer’s become over-stimulated, are physically uncomfortable, or exhausted from changes in sleep-wake patterns. Medications can also cause some of these symptoms. Changes in routines can increase irritability and confusion. Triggers vary from person to person so careful observation is required to determine triggers for individuals with Alzheimer’s.

The most important thing caregivers should know is when Alzheimer’s patients act out it is neither the patient’s fault nor the caregiver’s. Try not take things personally. Instead, understand these behavioral patterns are simply a product of the disease. While there is no cure, caregivers can learn calming maneuvers that can help Alzheimer’s sufferers feel safe and secure in times of need and possibly alleviate progression of difficult behavior in the moment. For each person the tactics may be different. However, with a broad understanding of the intricacies of the disease, the caregiver is better able to help Alzheimer’s patients safely navigate difficult times.

^{Alzheimer’s Association. How to respond when dementia causes unpredictable behaviors. Retrieved on October 10, 2012 from http://www.alz.org/national/
documents/brochure_behaviors.pdf.
Alzheimer’s Association. Difficult behaviors. Retrieved on October 10, 2012 from http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-stages-behaviors.asp}

Songs of Faith – Anchors the Soul

By Karen Everett Watson, Legacy Letters

Has your faith gotten stronger, as you’ve gotten older? I know mine has. Many of the elders I talk to and interview are quick to share that their belief in God gives them a deep sense of solace. They also say that their faith has never been stronger than it is now… Read More

What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?

by Home Instead Senior Care – source site: CaregiverStress.com

 Watching a loved one’s health decline is a difficult process and can be made even more stressful if he or she has not set up a health care power of attorney. A health care power of attorney, also called a health care proxy or a durable power of attorney for health care, helps protect your loved one’s end-of-life wishes…. Read More

A Plan For Senior Care’s Guide On What Documents Are Important To Keep

 Having your senior loved one’s important documents organized will help your family navigate through any situation.  Whether you are dealing with a move to senior care and housing, illness or the stress of a natural disaster, many of these documents may be needed.  Use our guide below for some ideas of what documents are important to keep. Once you have gathered the documents that apply to your senior, it is wise to keep them in one location. A binder, fire safe box, safety deposit box are some good locations. Also, make sure his/her power of attorney has a copy of the documents as well.  

Financial Documents:

• Business ownership or corporation documents
• Tax returns
• Property deeds and/or lease agreements
• Automobile insurance, registration and loans
• Bank account information-or sources of money
• Pension, 401(k) and annuity information
• List of revolving debt (credit) and loans
• Stock, bond or brokerage holdings
• Power of Attorney (financial)

Healthcare Documents:

• Documents relating to medical history
• Authorized individual to make decisions
• Advanced health care directive
• Durable power of attorney
• Medical insurance documentation
• Long term care insurance information
• Medicare and Medicaid documents
• List of current medical providers and phone numbers

 Estate Documents: 

• Phone numbers or contact list of friends and family
• Life insurance documents
• Organ donor information
• Will
• Trust documents
• End of life planning documents
• Funeral arrangement documents
• List of collectibles or hidden valuables
• Spouses death certificate (if applicable) 

Personal Documents:

• Birth certificate
• Driver’s license
• Marriage/divorce documents
• Military documents
• Safe deposit boxes & key information
• Social Security card
• Usernames and passwords (online usage)
• Documents not listed that you feel you will need in the future (this list is not inclusive of all documents)

Compliments Of 

A Plan For Senior Care’s “Guiding Your Search” Library

www.aPlanForSeniorCare.com

Chere Vought                                               Barbara Chiono

(949) 313-7965                                            (949) 313-7961 

Chere@aPlanForSeniorCare.com          Barbara@aPlanForSeniorCare.com

If you are in the Orange County area of Southern California, I thought you might be interested in this.  It’s a great way to deal with your senior’s clutter control and help those in need at the same time.

“HOW TO HAVE A HEART – DONATION DAY”

Adapt 2 It has partnered with United Cerebral Palsy and Wheels for Humanity (http://www.ucpwfh.org/) to get this much need equipment into the hands of the needy.

The community is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to get rid of any Medical Equipment they no longer need, but that would help a person in need.

For further information, please call Adapt 2 It at (949) 457-1600.

My Tip of the Week: How To Avoid Fundraising Fatigue

January 18th, 2012 by Tim Sullivan

Fundraising fatigue is one of those alliterative terms that newspaper editors love. And the story of parents tired of getting hit up for more dollars seems to appear in one paper or another almost every month.

But is it true? And can your group overcome it?

I wrote a longer column on this topic, but in a nutshell, I think fundraising fatigue is way overstated and — where it does exist — most often self-inflicted.

It’s simple: If you want to have parents who complain less (and support more), then fundraise less but fundraise better. Stick to that mantra even when your budget gets low and even when the next neat idea is proposed at your meeting. Groups that have a higher fun and involvement quotient almost always raise more dollars, too. And groups that seem to fundraise all year long almost always see diminishing returns and a less effective parent group in the long term.

As you start thinking about your spring fundraisers or start reviewing choices for your next big fall fundraiser, check out these resources:

1.      Our Fundraising Yellow Pages on ptotoday.com

2.      This article on choosing the best fundraisers for your group

3.      This additional column I wrote on ”profit percent” (and why it can be a bad measuring stick)

Good luck!

• Please check out our book, Putting FUN Back into FUNdraising by Cal and Jeanne Gormick  to help you stay organized, on target and de-stressed! 
• Just click the Amazon.com icon in the upper right side of our blog.