The holidays should be a joyful time of homecoming for families, but sometimes those visits also reveal that elderly parents are more frail or more forgetful than before.
Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/geriatric-care-managers-ease-family-transitions-2009-12-10?pagenumber=1
December 8, 2010
November 24, 2010
Be a Good Advocate
Serving Seniors Blog: November, 2010
Healthcare in America is getting a lot of attention in today’s media. It’s a hot topic, filled with an overwhelming amount of information, which has resulted in people being thoroughly confused. When it comes to healthcare, when all of the facts, figures and opinions are tallied, did you know what really matters to consumers? It’s surprisingly simple. People simply want to feel good, they only want to pay appropriate costs, get help with resources available to them, understand what options they have, and to be able to trust a health care advisor.
That’s information that we can all relate to which is why, when your loved ones age in life, they need someone to help them, someone they can trust. Whether the aging loved one is your mom, dad, husband, wife, or grandparents, there comes a time when they need help navigating the healthcare that they need. In the world of healthcare, that trusted advisor is called a Patient Advocate.
There’s a good chance that you’ll end up being an advocate for your loved ones. It’s important that you’re educated so you can be a good advocate, because they’re not going to be able to do that for themselves. If it sounds as overwhelming as healthcare, it’s not. The more you’re educated, the better an advocate you can be.
There are many aspects of being a good advocate and many areas where your loved ones will need help. It’s important that you’re able to make an assessment of your loved one’s needs to be able to coordinate the proper care. It might require you to explore options and the related costs as well as explore both medical and behavioral health needs. It will be important to able to prioritize the health management issues so that the coordination of care is done to your satisfaction and more importantly, to your loved one’s best interests.
This could also include interpreting medical information, which might include diagnosis and treatment information. Other very important areas are insurance requirements, co-pays, benefits, and all related topics involving costs.
It will be important to know medications that are being prescribed, diet needs, habits, and end-of life needs and desires. While some of these topics might be difficult to discuss, they all need to be addressed at one time or another. It’s proven that the more educated and informed you are, the more proactive you can be. Being there for your loved ones when they need your help the most is an important part of their care. Being a good advocate for them requires planning, education, and preparation. Do it for them, do it for you and your entire family.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elderly care to get people the proper care that they need. As you navigate these rough waters that you’ve never experienced before, have comfort in knowing that we are great patient advocates for you and your family. Simply put, we offer you peace of mind. We’re proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Get educated and call us for a consultation on how we can help you and your loved ones. I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
Healthcare in America is getting a lot of attention in today’s media. It’s a hot topic, filled with an overwhelming amount of information, which has resulted in people being thoroughly confused. When it comes to healthcare, when all of the facts, figures and opinions are tallied, did you know what really matters to consumers? It’s surprisingly simple. People simply want to feel good, they only want to pay appropriate costs, get help with resources available to them, understand what options they have, and to be able to trust a health care advisor.
That’s information that we can all relate to which is why, when your loved ones age in life, they need someone to help them, someone they can trust. Whether the aging loved one is your mom, dad, husband, wife, or grandparents, there comes a time when they need help navigating the healthcare that they need. In the world of healthcare, that trusted advisor is called a Patient Advocate.
There’s a good chance that you’ll end up being an advocate for your loved ones. It’s important that you’re educated so you can be a good advocate, because they’re not going to be able to do that for themselves. If it sounds as overwhelming as healthcare, it’s not. The more you’re educated, the better an advocate you can be.
There are many aspects of being a good advocate and many areas where your loved ones will need help. It’s important that you’re able to make an assessment of your loved one’s needs to be able to coordinate the proper care. It might require you to explore options and the related costs as well as explore both medical and behavioral health needs. It will be important to able to prioritize the health management issues so that the coordination of care is done to your satisfaction and more importantly, to your loved one’s best interests.
This could also include interpreting medical information, which might include diagnosis and treatment information. Other very important areas are insurance requirements, co-pays, benefits, and all related topics involving costs.
It will be important to know medications that are being prescribed, diet needs, habits, and end-of life needs and desires. While some of these topics might be difficult to discuss, they all need to be addressed at one time or another. It’s proven that the more educated and informed you are, the more proactive you can be. Being there for your loved ones when they need your help the most is an important part of their care. Being a good advocate for them requires planning, education, and preparation. Do it for them, do it for you and your entire family.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elderly care to get people the proper care that they need. As you navigate these rough waters that you’ve never experienced before, have comfort in knowing that we are great patient advocates for you and your family. Simply put, we offer you peace of mind. We’re proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Get educated and call us for a consultation on how we can help you and your loved ones. I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
November 8, 2010
Deep Brain Stimulation
What are the Facts?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms—most commonly the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement, and walking problems.
Click on this link to read the entire article.
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Treatment/Surgical-Treatment-Options/Deep-Brain-Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms—most commonly the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement, and walking problems.
Click on this link to read the entire article.
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Treatment/Surgical-Treatment-Options/Deep-Brain-Stimulation
Are there other conditions that can mimic PD?
Essential Tremor (ET) is fairly common amongst the elderly population, yet may begin at any age. ET is different from the PD tremor in that it affects both hands, often involves head tremor and a shaky quality to the patient’s voice.
For more information on the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Diagnosis/Are-there-other-conditions-that-can-mimic-PD-
For more information on the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Diagnosis/Are-there-other-conditions-that-can-mimic-PD-
October 15, 2010
We all want to slow down. Or do we?
Serving Seniors Blog: October 15, 2010
Parkinson’s disease is a process which leads to impaired movement, affecting approximately one million Americans. Many patients who have Parkinson’s have symptoms such as lack of motivation and may be misdiagnosed with depression. It’s bad enough to have the symptoms, but to be misdiagnosed or thought to be lacking motivation seems to add insult to injury.
I have seen first hand the devastating effects of this disease on many patients. I currently have a new client who's in the later stage of this slow, progressive, physical disorder. Sadly, it reminds me of Alzheimer’s Disease. I’ve written about Alzheimer’s previously because it also has devastating effects for the whole family of the person who is suffering.
It’s quite common for Parkinson’s Disease to be slowly working, without notice
for months or years before the actual diagnosis is made. No one knows what actually causes Parkinson’s and to date it’s, unfortunately, incurable. However, there are treatments available to patients and their families. I’ve co-authored a book titled, “Parkinson’s Answer Book” and it’s available on our website. Just go to our website at www.servingseniors.net, sign up for free downloads and take it from there. It’s very informative and I’d highly recommend that people become familiar with Parkinson’s Disease. That will help inform families, so that they learn early signs of detection and know what to look for. Every person with Parkinson’s Disease will have a different experience, some more extreme than others. It’s so important for the patient, the person administering care, and the physician to work together. This will offer the best results and ensure the best treatments and continued functioning for the patient.
So while it’s important to stop and smell the roses or slow down from the frenzied pace of life, it’s important to count your blessing that your slowing down is voluntary. We’ll be covering Parkinson’s Disease in greater detail in our next newsletter, so stay tuned.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services. Until next time.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
Parkinson’s disease is a process which leads to impaired movement, affecting approximately one million Americans. Many patients who have Parkinson’s have symptoms such as lack of motivation and may be misdiagnosed with depression. It’s bad enough to have the symptoms, but to be misdiagnosed or thought to be lacking motivation seems to add insult to injury.
I have seen first hand the devastating effects of this disease on many patients. I currently have a new client who's in the later stage of this slow, progressive, physical disorder. Sadly, it reminds me of Alzheimer’s Disease. I’ve written about Alzheimer’s previously because it also has devastating effects for the whole family of the person who is suffering.
It’s quite common for Parkinson’s Disease to be slowly working, without notice
for months or years before the actual diagnosis is made. No one knows what actually causes Parkinson’s and to date it’s, unfortunately, incurable. However, there are treatments available to patients and their families. I’ve co-authored a book titled, “Parkinson’s Answer Book” and it’s available on our website. Just go to our website at www.servingseniors.net, sign up for free downloads and take it from there. It’s very informative and I’d highly recommend that people become familiar with Parkinson’s Disease. That will help inform families, so that they learn early signs of detection and know what to look for. Every person with Parkinson’s Disease will have a different experience, some more extreme than others. It’s so important for the patient, the person administering care, and the physician to work together. This will offer the best results and ensure the best treatments and continued functioning for the patient.
So while it’s important to stop and smell the roses or slow down from the frenzied pace of life, it’s important to count your blessing that your slowing down is voluntary. We’ll be covering Parkinson’s Disease in greater detail in our next newsletter, so stay tuned.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services. Until next time.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
September 29, 2010
An Alzheimer's Disease Bill of Rights
Virginia Bell and David Troxel, authors and public speakers on AD and caregiving, have established a Best Friends Bill of Rights for the Alzheimer's victim and caregiver. I personally struggled and learned about caregiving for my mother who had Alzheimer's. These "rights" are excellent guides for caring for your loved ones.
Click on the link below to view an article on Alzheimer's Disease Bill of Rights.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/07/01/Group-proposes-dementia-bill-of-ri%3Cbr%20/%3Eghts/UPI-59521277963541/
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Click on the link below to view an article on Alzheimer's Disease Bill of Rights.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/07/01/Group-proposes-dementia-bill-of-ri%3Cbr%20/%3Eghts/UPI-59521277963541/
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Alzheimer’s and the Brain
Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things.
For more information on entire article, click on this link:
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#brain
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For more information on entire article, click on this link:
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#brain
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Alzheimer's Overview
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it. Click on the link below to view the entire article.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#Introduction
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http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#Introduction
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September 28, 2010
Tough Decisions
Do you remember when your parents made the decisions in your life? They were in charge and your parent’s decisions on your behalf were to protect you from things and circumstances around you.
Now, fast forward and the same person who made life decisions for you is now dependent on you making big life decisions for them.
There are many barriers and emotional feelings that come to the front when an adult child or grandchild comes to the realization that they now need to make decisions for their elderly parents and loved ones. They see that their elderly parent or grandparent is no longer competent to make their own decisions.
One of the main obstacles in making those tough decisions is denial by the adult caregiver, usually the adult child or grandchild. There are very real emotional struggles to make the decision to have to do this. Questions like, “ Am I doing the right thing?” weigh heavily on adult children. Compound that with more thoughts on how to approach their parent, are they knowledgeable or capable of making that decision? Believe me, none of these things make it any easier to digest.
This is a subject that’s close to my heart which is why I’m speaking on this again. I call it, “To Move or Not to Move.” My presentation will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michigan. It’s this Thursday, September 30th and it starts at 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm. No advanced registration is needed.
I’ll be covering a broad range of informative topics and will include a checklist that can help families determine what resources might be appropriate now and help prepare for the future. Some of the areas I’ll be covering are things like;
What kind of help is needed?
Are they able to maintain their home and lawn?
How do they manage the housekeeping and laundry?
Are they able to recognize strangers and seek necessary help?
What is their ability to handle an emergency if one should arise?
Are they able to drive or do they use public transportation?
Other equally important areas that I also address are social activities, managing finances, getting groceries, preparing meals, eating, recognizing surroundings, ability to keep their appointments, following directions, wandering, their personal care and hygiene, dressing, bathing, medications and a few other important topics.
I’ll offer tips and advise for you and your family. I care about this important subject which is why I’ll be presentating on this and also writing about it.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services. Talk to you soon.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
Now, fast forward and the same person who made life decisions for you is now dependent on you making big life decisions for them.
There are many barriers and emotional feelings that come to the front when an adult child or grandchild comes to the realization that they now need to make decisions for their elderly parents and loved ones. They see that their elderly parent or grandparent is no longer competent to make their own decisions.
One of the main obstacles in making those tough decisions is denial by the adult caregiver, usually the adult child or grandchild. There are very real emotional struggles to make the decision to have to do this. Questions like, “ Am I doing the right thing?” weigh heavily on adult children. Compound that with more thoughts on how to approach their parent, are they knowledgeable or capable of making that decision? Believe me, none of these things make it any easier to digest.
This is a subject that’s close to my heart which is why I’m speaking on this again. I call it, “To Move or Not to Move.” My presentation will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michigan. It’s this Thursday, September 30th and it starts at 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm. No advanced registration is needed.
I’ll be covering a broad range of informative topics and will include a checklist that can help families determine what resources might be appropriate now and help prepare for the future. Some of the areas I’ll be covering are things like;
What kind of help is needed?
Are they able to maintain their home and lawn?
How do they manage the housekeeping and laundry?
Are they able to recognize strangers and seek necessary help?
What is their ability to handle an emergency if one should arise?
Are they able to drive or do they use public transportation?
Other equally important areas that I also address are social activities, managing finances, getting groceries, preparing meals, eating, recognizing surroundings, ability to keep their appointments, following directions, wandering, their personal care and hygiene, dressing, bathing, medications and a few other important topics.
I’ll offer tips and advise for you and your family. I care about this important subject which is why I’ll be presentating on this and also writing about it.
Serving Seniors professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services. Talk to you soon.
Thanks,
Diane Hischke
September 14, 2010
Alzheimer’s Awareness is a Good Thing.
Serving Seniors Blog: September 10, 2010
It’s hard to believe that Labor Day has come and gone. It’s been a very busy summer and now we’re getting ready for September. In our last blog, I wrote about the Annual Memory Walk at the Detroit Zoo which happened on August 28th. There was lots of walking, lots of talking and everyone had a great time. There were many stories and memories to share and even better, a total of $316, 282 in donations were given. It was a huge success thanks to people like you. All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.
But the fight for awareness and a cure never stops which is why I participated in another event that benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. On Sunday, September 12th, the 1st Annual Bakes & Barks event was held at Stoney Creek Metro Park. The expression of “the world is going to the dogs” came to life that day as people from all walks of life brought their dogs to compete in contests throughout the day.
There were great prizes, people brought their beloved dogs in costumes, even though it wasn’t required. Entertainment was provided by various dog organizations and many local organizations provided free information and services for seniors, families and pets. That’s where Serving Seniors got involved. I had a table at this great event where I offered information about Serving Seniors to help people become better educated and aware about many issues regarding seniors, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
If you attended the event, I hope you had as great a time as I did. It’s a great feeling to support this great cause with proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
We care about Alzheimer’s and know you do to, which is why I’ll be dedicating a lot of time to this cause and writing about it. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care, including Alzheimer’s, to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Look for our next newsletter, where I’ll be writing on Alzheimer’s and offering great articles that are sure to bring more awareness.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
It’s hard to believe that Labor Day has come and gone. It’s been a very busy summer and now we’re getting ready for September. In our last blog, I wrote about the Annual Memory Walk at the Detroit Zoo which happened on August 28th. There was lots of walking, lots of talking and everyone had a great time. There were many stories and memories to share and even better, a total of $316, 282 in donations were given. It was a huge success thanks to people like you. All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.
But the fight for awareness and a cure never stops which is why I participated in another event that benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. On Sunday, September 12th, the 1st Annual Bakes & Barks event was held at Stoney Creek Metro Park. The expression of “the world is going to the dogs” came to life that day as people from all walks of life brought their dogs to compete in contests throughout the day.
There were great prizes, people brought their beloved dogs in costumes, even though it wasn’t required. Entertainment was provided by various dog organizations and many local organizations provided free information and services for seniors, families and pets. That’s where Serving Seniors got involved. I had a table at this great event where I offered information about Serving Seniors to help people become better educated and aware about many issues regarding seniors, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
If you attended the event, I hope you had as great a time as I did. It’s a great feeling to support this great cause with proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
We care about Alzheimer’s and know you do to, which is why I’ll be dedicating a lot of time to this cause and writing about it. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care, including Alzheimer’s, to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Look for our next newsletter, where I’ll be writing on Alzheimer’s and offering great articles that are sure to bring more awareness.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
August 30, 2010
How Do You Know For Sure?
Knowledge is a great gift and the process to retain what we’ve learned is taken for granted most of the time.
Our September newsletter is about Alzheimer’s disease. We discuss what Alzheimer’s is, what the symptoms are plus knowing how to recognize the signs for early detection. This is an area that we all need to be informed about especially as we watch our elderly parents/ grandparents and loved ones age.
Things that we witness with aging parents and pass off as their frustration, mood swings, minor “senior moments” and the like could be indications of something else going on.
Have you ever thought about this? That our memory is the foundation for our exisitance. From our early years, all through our aging process to mature adulthood, is all made from our memories. “Who we are” is the compilation of all of our thoughts, experiences and the rich memories that go with everything in our lives. There’s a level of control and security that accompany our memories and when that starts to weaken over time, the results manifest themselves in different ways.
And now, that’s starting to happen in your elderly parents/ grandparents or loved ones. What you do about this and your ability to make informed decisions relies on your abilty to make the proper diagnosis. Or simply put, how you know for sure without guessing.
We’ve posted an article on this website that gives an overview on this topic titled: What is Alzheimer’s? Another article that’s very helpful on this subject is called 10 Signs of Alzheimers. We’ve also posted an article that gives great insights on early detection called: Earlier Diagnosis.
Our September newsletter is about Alzheimer’s disease. We discuss what Alzheimer’s is, what the symptoms are plus knowing how to recognize the signs for early detection. This is an area that we all need to be informed about especially as we watch our elderly parents/ grandparents and loved ones age.
Things that we witness with aging parents and pass off as their frustration, mood swings, minor “senior moments” and the like could be indications of something else going on.
Have you ever thought about this? That our memory is the foundation for our exisitance. From our early years, all through our aging process to mature adulthood, is all made from our memories. “Who we are” is the compilation of all of our thoughts, experiences and the rich memories that go with everything in our lives. There’s a level of control and security that accompany our memories and when that starts to weaken over time, the results manifest themselves in different ways.
And now, that’s starting to happen in your elderly parents/ grandparents or loved ones. What you do about this and your ability to make informed decisions relies on your abilty to make the proper diagnosis. Or simply put, how you know for sure without guessing.
We’ve posted an article on this website that gives an overview on this topic titled: What is Alzheimer’s? Another article that’s very helpful on this subject is called 10 Signs of Alzheimers. We’ve also posted an article that gives great insights on early detection called: Earlier Diagnosis.
August 27, 2010
You'll remember this walk
Serving Seniors Blog: August 27, 2010
For my September Newsletter, I chose the topic of Alzheimer’s disease as it affects so many people, and I’m surprised how little awareness there is on it. In the newsletter, we discuss what Alzheimer’s is, what the symptoms are, and how to recognize the signs for early detection. This is an area that we all need to be informed about, especially as we watch our elderly parents/ grandparents and loved ones age.
The timing for Alzheimer’s awareness is perfect because on Saturday, August 28, the 19th Annual Memory Walk at the Detroit Zoo is going on. There’s an ad in the Oakland Press highlighting the event, and it’s called Move a Nation to End Alzheimer’s.
It’s a great cause where you can get involved with others who care. It’s a 2K Fun walk so you don’t have to worry about running a marathon, but dealing with Alzheimer’s truly feels like a marathon for affected families.
Registration starts at 7:30 am and the walk begins at 8:30. When you register for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, you’re joining a nationwide community of thousands of people who are standing up and participating in the fight against this devastating disease. Registration only takes a few minutes, and you can walk as a group - family, work, etc. - if you want. You’ll be amazed at how many people really want to help.
Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. They’ve raised $300 million since they started in 1989. All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.
I don’t know what your plans were for Saturday, but if you can make it, great. I guarantee you that it’s a great feeling to support this great cause. You can call or e-mail the Greater Michigan Chapter at 248-351-0280 or e-mail at detroitmemorywalk@alz.org. Or, just show up at the Detoit Zoo.
We care about Alzheimer’s and know you do too. So get involved, get aware and remember the walk. Don’t let this fade away into your memory. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elderly care including Alzheimer’s to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences, and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, have a great walk and don’t forget, the family you help may be your own.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
For my September Newsletter, I chose the topic of Alzheimer’s disease as it affects so many people, and I’m surprised how little awareness there is on it. In the newsletter, we discuss what Alzheimer’s is, what the symptoms are, and how to recognize the signs for early detection. This is an area that we all need to be informed about, especially as we watch our elderly parents/ grandparents and loved ones age.
The timing for Alzheimer’s awareness is perfect because on Saturday, August 28, the 19th Annual Memory Walk at the Detroit Zoo is going on. There’s an ad in the Oakland Press highlighting the event, and it’s called Move a Nation to End Alzheimer’s.
It’s a great cause where you can get involved with others who care. It’s a 2K Fun walk so you don’t have to worry about running a marathon, but dealing with Alzheimer’s truly feels like a marathon for affected families.
Registration starts at 7:30 am and the walk begins at 8:30. When you register for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, you’re joining a nationwide community of thousands of people who are standing up and participating in the fight against this devastating disease. Registration only takes a few minutes, and you can walk as a group - family, work, etc. - if you want. You’ll be amazed at how many people really want to help.
Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. They’ve raised $300 million since they started in 1989. All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.
I don’t know what your plans were for Saturday, but if you can make it, great. I guarantee you that it’s a great feeling to support this great cause. You can call or e-mail the Greater Michigan Chapter at 248-351-0280 or e-mail at detroitmemorywalk@alz.org. Or, just show up at the Detoit Zoo.
We care about Alzheimer’s and know you do too. So get involved, get aware and remember the walk. Don’t let this fade away into your memory. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elderly care including Alzheimer’s to get people the proper care that they need. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences, and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, have a great walk and don’t forget, the family you help may be your own.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
August 24, 2010
Earlier Diagnosis.
What if we could diagnose Alzheimer's before symptoms started? The hope is, future treatments could then target the disease in its earliest stages, before irreversible brain damage or mental decline has occurred.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read entire article
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read entire article
10 Signs of Alzheimer’s:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read the entire article
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read the entire article
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to loss of memory, thinking and other brain functions. Alzheimer's is not a part of normal aging, but results from a complex pattern of abnormal changes.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read the entire article
To read the entire article, click on this link:
Click here to read the entire article
August 11, 2010
What's Big News Today? You'd Be Surprised
Serving Seniors Blog: August 5, 2010
I’m amazed at what makes big news and what makes small news in the media. The BP oil spill , the oil spill in Kalamazoo are important issues, no doubt. Robberies, car accidents, the struggling economy, as well as the Primary elections are important too. But when I see a tiny, little article, filled with disturbing details about elder abuse, conveniently tucked away at the bottom of the newspaper, I don’t like it. It’s kind of like a problem that we want to go away. We minimize the situation so it’s not important. It’s big news to someone in my line of work, and these situations are bigger than life, especially for the elderly, the silent majority.
Sometimes I take for granted that families know that there is professional help available for their elderly parents and grandparents. This is what I do, and while I know all too well of the dynamics involved in getting families "on board", I’m still saddened when I hear about abusive situations with the elderly. These can all be avoided with the proper education and guidance from a licensed and certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager.
I read a terrible story about an 80-year old woman in the Boston area who lay for a month in a recliner soaked with her own waste and her toenails so long that they were curling back, cutting into her skin. Can you imagine how painful and miserable she was? Who would allow that to happen to an elderly person? If she could have removed herself from that situation, she would have. Iinstead, she was a prisoner in a recliner. She was suffering from deep bedsores and was in critical condition when the authorities had her admitted into a local hospital.
To make matters worse, she had developed a bacterial infection in her bloodstream. She was covered with bedsores--one so deep tendons could be seen through her decomposing skin. I read on to discover that the elderly woman’s own 49-year old daughter and her 51-year old husband were charged with permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person. Plus, three of the woman’s grandsons were aso charged in the case.
How did this happen? How didn’t anyone notice that this neglect was going on? Why did this elderly woman’s own family allow the situation to go on this long?
I don’t have the answers to this, but I know from experience that not knowing what to do or trying to do everything yourself can have extremely bad outcomes. Yes, having elderly parents has many challenges, but that’s no excuse for not seeking the proper care or professionals who can help.
A very real issue is convincing adult children that they need to seek professional help for their elderly parents. I’ve seen scenarios similar to this many times as a PCGM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that if they really care about their parents or other elderly or impaired loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caregiving if they cannot.
A certified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PCGM) can help people and families avoid helpless situations like this. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care. We offer you, your parents or grandparents the best care possible in any and all situations, even if you’ve tried to offer care and realize that you can’t do it alone.
Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. When it comes to care for your parents, grandparents or loved ones, I would encourage all of you to locate the proper care. Do it for you, do it for them, and do it for your whole family.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences, and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, enjoy the great summer weather and tell your elderly parents that you love them.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
I’m amazed at what makes big news and what makes small news in the media. The BP oil spill , the oil spill in Kalamazoo are important issues, no doubt. Robberies, car accidents, the struggling economy, as well as the Primary elections are important too. But when I see a tiny, little article, filled with disturbing details about elder abuse, conveniently tucked away at the bottom of the newspaper, I don’t like it. It’s kind of like a problem that we want to go away. We minimize the situation so it’s not important. It’s big news to someone in my line of work, and these situations are bigger than life, especially for the elderly, the silent majority.
Sometimes I take for granted that families know that there is professional help available for their elderly parents and grandparents. This is what I do, and while I know all too well of the dynamics involved in getting families "on board", I’m still saddened when I hear about abusive situations with the elderly. These can all be avoided with the proper education and guidance from a licensed and certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager.
I read a terrible story about an 80-year old woman in the Boston area who lay for a month in a recliner soaked with her own waste and her toenails so long that they were curling back, cutting into her skin. Can you imagine how painful and miserable she was? Who would allow that to happen to an elderly person? If she could have removed herself from that situation, she would have. Iinstead, she was a prisoner in a recliner. She was suffering from deep bedsores and was in critical condition when the authorities had her admitted into a local hospital.
To make matters worse, she had developed a bacterial infection in her bloodstream. She was covered with bedsores--one so deep tendons could be seen through her decomposing skin. I read on to discover that the elderly woman’s own 49-year old daughter and her 51-year old husband were charged with permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person. Plus, three of the woman’s grandsons were aso charged in the case.
How did this happen? How didn’t anyone notice that this neglect was going on? Why did this elderly woman’s own family allow the situation to go on this long?
I don’t have the answers to this, but I know from experience that not knowing what to do or trying to do everything yourself can have extremely bad outcomes. Yes, having elderly parents has many challenges, but that’s no excuse for not seeking the proper care or professionals who can help.
A very real issue is convincing adult children that they need to seek professional help for their elderly parents. I’ve seen scenarios similar to this many times as a PCGM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that if they really care about their parents or other elderly or impaired loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caregiving if they cannot.
A certified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PCGM) can help people and families avoid helpless situations like this. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care. We offer you, your parents or grandparents the best care possible in any and all situations, even if you’ve tried to offer care and realize that you can’t do it alone.
Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. When it comes to care for your parents, grandparents or loved ones, I would encourage all of you to locate the proper care. Do it for you, do it for them, and do it for your whole family.
I hope you find all of our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences, and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, enjoy the great summer weather and tell your elderly parents that you love them.
Thanks again,
Diane Hischke
July 26, 2010
Deciding on Care for Elderly Parents in Declining Health.
Two years ago my father, then 83, became very ill. Until then, he had been living alone in a pleasant one-bedroom apartment on the Hudson River, an hour’s drive from my home in Brooklyn.
After a couple of months in the hospital it became clear that my dad, Harvey Alderman, could not return to solo living. He was fragile and forgetful, and there was no way he could keep track of the 14 or so pills he had to take each day.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/health/13patient.html?_r=1
After a couple of months in the hospital it became clear that my dad, Harvey Alderman, could not return to solo living. He was fragile and forgetful, and there was no way he could keep track of the 14 or so pills he had to take each day.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/health/13patient.html?_r=1
Admitting it's time to Move
In survey after survey, older Americans say they want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. Forget senior housing, they say. But many don't avoid time in a senior building, and the timing of a move can make a difference in their experience.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/newhomes/chi-0804100527apr13,0,7245811.story
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/newhomes/chi-0804100527apr13,0,7245811.story
July 16, 2010
Going it alone for Aging Parents Can Be Dangerous
Serving Seniors Blog: July 13, 2010
We’re enjoying a really hot summer in Michigan and from what I hear, the heat wave will continue. While many of us enjoy the heat and all that summer brings us, it can become extremely dangerous for elderly people. Especially, if they’re left unattended. If an elderly person has problems with their air conditioning, their home can become unbearably hot and they might not even realize that there’s a problem. In a short time, the heat building up can cause serious health problems, even death. Having elderly parents has many challenges in any kind of weather or situation.
What comes to mind is about getting parents to realize that they need help in the first place. Or another real issue is convincing their well-meaning adult children, that they need to seek professional help for their elderly parents.
I saw an article about a man whose parents are in their 80’s and while he tries to keep in touch with them as often as possible, he’s having a difficult time keeping them out of harm’s way. If his mother trips or falls, his father struggles as he tries to get her up and his concern is that both of them risk injury due to lack of strength or ability. He thinks having his elderly parents call 911 is the best answer and he can’t convince them to do so.
He’s also concerned when strangers come to his parents’ door or call them on the phone and ask about personal issues like their back accounts. The thought of strangers coming to the door of his elderly parents is truly scary. Strangers preying on the insecurities of his elderly parents on the phone scares him, as it should. Unfortunately, that is the world that we live in. You can encourage your elderly parents to call the police or other proper authorities when there’s a problem, but they can’t do that on a contstant basis. Let’s face it, when parents are elderly, these are short-term fixes to longer-term challenges.
We want to be there for our parents. But many times we simply cannot and many times there are many challenges to overcome beyond our abilities or areas of expertise. Elderly parents living alone is dangerous, and there are many risks that can go along with that scenario. If mom falls and hurts herself, what if dad doesn’t see her and a lot of time goes by? What if she loses consciousness or is unable to speak because she’s confused by the fall? What if she suffers a stroke? Or, what if dad does see her fall and lying on the floor, but he becomes hurt trying to lift her up which causes serious injury to himself and his elderly wife. What if he falls and cracks a bone? As you can see, it can quickly go from bad to worse. These are very traumatic situations. With the proper professional care, they can be avoided.
As I’ve said, calling 911 is an okay option if elderly parents fall, but if there’s a risk of this happening daily, other, more long-term solutions needs to be explored.
I’ve seen scenarios similar to this many times as a PCGM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that, if they really care about their parents or loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caring if they cannot. Most of the time, no matter how well-meaning the families are, they simply cannot offer their parents the best care.
A qualified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PCGM) can help people and families avoid helpless situations like this. They are trained in all areas of elderly care. A PCGM offers you and your parents the best care possible in any and all situations, even dealing with strangers at their door or mysterious calls on the phone.
I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That means when you and your family use our professional services, you’ll be securing the best care. That’s why I say, Serving Seniors offers you peace of mind, because we really do.
I hope you find our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, take care.
Diane Hischke
We’re enjoying a really hot summer in Michigan and from what I hear, the heat wave will continue. While many of us enjoy the heat and all that summer brings us, it can become extremely dangerous for elderly people. Especially, if they’re left unattended. If an elderly person has problems with their air conditioning, their home can become unbearably hot and they might not even realize that there’s a problem. In a short time, the heat building up can cause serious health problems, even death. Having elderly parents has many challenges in any kind of weather or situation.
What comes to mind is about getting parents to realize that they need help in the first place. Or another real issue is convincing their well-meaning adult children, that they need to seek professional help for their elderly parents.
I saw an article about a man whose parents are in their 80’s and while he tries to keep in touch with them as often as possible, he’s having a difficult time keeping them out of harm’s way. If his mother trips or falls, his father struggles as he tries to get her up and his concern is that both of them risk injury due to lack of strength or ability. He thinks having his elderly parents call 911 is the best answer and he can’t convince them to do so.
He’s also concerned when strangers come to his parents’ door or call them on the phone and ask about personal issues like their back accounts. The thought of strangers coming to the door of his elderly parents is truly scary. Strangers preying on the insecurities of his elderly parents on the phone scares him, as it should. Unfortunately, that is the world that we live in. You can encourage your elderly parents to call the police or other proper authorities when there’s a problem, but they can’t do that on a contstant basis. Let’s face it, when parents are elderly, these are short-term fixes to longer-term challenges.
We want to be there for our parents. But many times we simply cannot and many times there are many challenges to overcome beyond our abilities or areas of expertise. Elderly parents living alone is dangerous, and there are many risks that can go along with that scenario. If mom falls and hurts herself, what if dad doesn’t see her and a lot of time goes by? What if she loses consciousness or is unable to speak because she’s confused by the fall? What if she suffers a stroke? Or, what if dad does see her fall and lying on the floor, but he becomes hurt trying to lift her up which causes serious injury to himself and his elderly wife. What if he falls and cracks a bone? As you can see, it can quickly go from bad to worse. These are very traumatic situations. With the proper professional care, they can be avoided.
As I’ve said, calling 911 is an okay option if elderly parents fall, but if there’s a risk of this happening daily, other, more long-term solutions needs to be explored.
I’ve seen scenarios similar to this many times as a PCGM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that, if they really care about their parents or loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caring if they cannot. Most of the time, no matter how well-meaning the families are, they simply cannot offer their parents the best care.
A qualified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PCGM) can help people and families avoid helpless situations like this. They are trained in all areas of elderly care. A PCGM offers you and your parents the best care possible in any and all situations, even dealing with strangers at their door or mysterious calls on the phone.
I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That means when you and your family use our professional services, you’ll be securing the best care. That’s why I say, Serving Seniors offers you peace of mind, because we really do.
I hope you find our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Until the next time, take care.
Diane Hischke
July 7, 2010
No Independence for one 80 year old man.
Serving Seniors Blog: July 7, 2010
I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July celebration. I was thinking of the actual meaning of Independence Day and I came across an article in the newspaper that struck a nerve with me. It was about becoming totally dependent on others which means no independence.
The article was about an 80 year old man who was found trapped in his bed for two entire days as his arm was wedged between the mattress and the headboard of his bed. The sad discovery was made after an acqaintance from out of town tried unsuccessfully to call the elderly man for two days and he hadn’t answered the phone. Neighbors told officers that they hadn’t seen the man for two days. The windows and doors to the home were locked and the shades were drawn. No one answered the door when responding officers knocked, but the garage door had been left opened and a vehicle was parked inside.
The article continued to say that the officers were able to get inside the house where they discovered the man trapped in his bed. That poor man had been lying alone, a prisoner of his own bed for two days, was severly dehydrated and delusional. No food, no water, no bathroom, no one to see him trapped for two days and 80 years old. Just helplessness and in a panic. It saddened me to think of that poor man and what it must have been like for him. Or did he really grasp his situation over time because he became delusional?
Can you imagine what could have happened to that elderly man if no one called for him or never took action? He was lucky to have been found alive. There was a time when this man had his independence, but in his elderly state had become totally dependent on others to make critical decisions for him.
This type of situation happens all too often. It reminds me of adult children and grandchildren who become alienated from their parents or grandparents for many reasons. The outcome of these situations is never good as the elderly adult is often neglected, though that’s never anyone’s intent.
A qualified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) can help people and families avoid terrible situations like this. PCGM’s don’t have the emotional issues which many times, cause the family to stay away. They are trained in all areas of elder care so things like this never happen.
It’s situations like this that I’ve seen many times as a PGCM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that if they really care about their parents or loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caregiving if they cannot. As I’ve said before, so many times I see families try to take care of their aging parents or grandparents themselves only to find out that they’re really not qualified to do the job. Think about it. Would you want someone unqualified to care for you when you reach that stage in your life? Would you want to be helpless and a prisoner in your bed for two days like this poor man?
Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That means when you and your family use our professional services, you’ll be securing the best care for your parents or grandparents. That’s why I say Serving Seniors offers you peace of mind; we really do.
I hope you find our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Thanks again!
Diane Hischke
I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July celebration. I was thinking of the actual meaning of Independence Day and I came across an article in the newspaper that struck a nerve with me. It was about becoming totally dependent on others which means no independence.
The article was about an 80 year old man who was found trapped in his bed for two entire days as his arm was wedged between the mattress and the headboard of his bed. The sad discovery was made after an acqaintance from out of town tried unsuccessfully to call the elderly man for two days and he hadn’t answered the phone. Neighbors told officers that they hadn’t seen the man for two days. The windows and doors to the home were locked and the shades were drawn. No one answered the door when responding officers knocked, but the garage door had been left opened and a vehicle was parked inside.
The article continued to say that the officers were able to get inside the house where they discovered the man trapped in his bed. That poor man had been lying alone, a prisoner of his own bed for two days, was severly dehydrated and delusional. No food, no water, no bathroom, no one to see him trapped for two days and 80 years old. Just helplessness and in a panic. It saddened me to think of that poor man and what it must have been like for him. Or did he really grasp his situation over time because he became delusional?
Can you imagine what could have happened to that elderly man if no one called for him or never took action? He was lucky to have been found alive. There was a time when this man had his independence, but in his elderly state had become totally dependent on others to make critical decisions for him.
This type of situation happens all too often. It reminds me of adult children and grandchildren who become alienated from their parents or grandparents for many reasons. The outcome of these situations is never good as the elderly adult is often neglected, though that’s never anyone’s intent.
A qualified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) can help people and families avoid terrible situations like this. PCGM’s don’t have the emotional issues which many times, cause the family to stay away. They are trained in all areas of elder care so things like this never happen.
It’s situations like this that I’ve seen many times as a PGCM. It’s why I always stress repeatedly to families that if they really care about their parents or loved ones, they need to take the time to find someone else to do the caregiving if they cannot. As I’ve said before, so many times I see families try to take care of their aging parents or grandparents themselves only to find out that they’re really not qualified to do the job. Think about it. Would you want someone unqualified to care for you when you reach that stage in your life? Would you want to be helpless and a prisoner in your bed for two days like this poor man?
Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 20 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That means when you and your family use our professional services, you’ll be securing the best care for your parents or grandparents. That’s why I say Serving Seniors offers you peace of mind; we really do.
I hope you find our posts helpful. Please feel free to share your own experiences and we welcome your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Thanks again!
Diane Hischke
June 25, 2010
Preparing for Caregiving - New Book on the Market
Serving Seniors Blog: June 23, 2010
Happy Summer and welcome to Serving Seniors’ blog. My goal is to share with you the latest news in caring for seniors plus my insights from many years of helping people navigate the rough waters of caring for their elderly parents or loved ones. It’s been a while since I’ve written here and it’s great talking to you again. I’ll be updating my blog weekly, so I won’t make you wait this long for my next post. I’ve also been dealing with lots of positive changes at Serving Seniors with new professionals on board to help us care even better for your loved ones.
Father’s Day has come and gone and it reminded me of how many people are caring for their elderly fathers or mothers.
Most of us prepare for big moments in our family members' lives - the birth of a child, graduations, weddings. But, we really don’t prepare at all for the really big moment of taking care of our parents when they become elderly and in need of help. Many times we try to take care of them ourselves only to find out that we’re really not qualified. Couple that with unresolved issues with your siblings, siblings who don’t get involved, or geographical distance between you and your parents. I personally struggled with my own brother when it came to care for my mom. I resented for a long time my brother's lack of involvement in my mother's care and his infrequent visits.
Gail Sheehy is a best-selling author of 16 books and she’s changed the way millions of women and men around the world look at the stages of their lives. Gail also speaks highly of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCM’s) on talk shows nationwide. I love that, and I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
In 2010 Gail takes on the most challenging and personal issue in her latest book: Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos Into Confidence. She tells the inspiring story of her own journey of 17 years caring for her husband. She fills the book with stories of families that we can all relate to and their most creative strategies. She says it perfectly, “I had nine months to prepare for the birth of my child, I had nine hours to prepare to care for my husband. “
I’d highly recommend you read her book. I’m sure it’s full of life-changing events that can help you in your situation.
I hope you find our posts helpful as you consider all of the options of caring for your seniors and other loved ones. Please feel free to share your own experiences and write your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Talk to you soon and thanks again!
Diane Hischke
Happy Summer and welcome to Serving Seniors’ blog. My goal is to share with you the latest news in caring for seniors plus my insights from many years of helping people navigate the rough waters of caring for their elderly parents or loved ones. It’s been a while since I’ve written here and it’s great talking to you again. I’ll be updating my blog weekly, so I won’t make you wait this long for my next post. I’ve also been dealing with lots of positive changes at Serving Seniors with new professionals on board to help us care even better for your loved ones.
Father’s Day has come and gone and it reminded me of how many people are caring for their elderly fathers or mothers.
Most of us prepare for big moments in our family members' lives - the birth of a child, graduations, weddings. But, we really don’t prepare at all for the really big moment of taking care of our parents when they become elderly and in need of help. Many times we try to take care of them ourselves only to find out that we’re really not qualified. Couple that with unresolved issues with your siblings, siblings who don’t get involved, or geographical distance between you and your parents. I personally struggled with my own brother when it came to care for my mom. I resented for a long time my brother's lack of involvement in my mother's care and his infrequent visits.
Gail Sheehy is a best-selling author of 16 books and she’s changed the way millions of women and men around the world look at the stages of their lives. Gail also speaks highly of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCM’s) on talk shows nationwide. I love that, and I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
In 2010 Gail takes on the most challenging and personal issue in her latest book: Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos Into Confidence. She tells the inspiring story of her own journey of 17 years caring for her husband. She fills the book with stories of families that we can all relate to and their most creative strategies. She says it perfectly, “I had nine months to prepare for the birth of my child, I had nine hours to prepare to care for my husband. “
I’d highly recommend you read her book. I’m sure it’s full of life-changing events that can help you in your situation.
I hope you find our posts helpful as you consider all of the options of caring for your seniors and other loved ones. Please feel free to share your own experiences and write your comments below. We value your input and so do our readers.
Thank you for your interest in Serving Seniors and our professional geriatric care management services.
Talk to you soon and thanks again!
Diane Hischke
June 21, 2010
When Siblings Step Up
Sisters and brothers are finding new ways to circumvent old conflicts as they take on one of the toughest roles in their lives: caregiver.
Click on the link for the entire article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703503804575083992265508012.html#mod=todays_us_the_journal_report
Click on the link for the entire article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703503804575083992265508012.html#mod=todays_us_the_journal_report
March 10, 2010
Successful Communication
Look for this article written by Diane Hischke, in the March 2010 issue of "The American Senior Gazette", published in West Bloomfield, MI.
The Heart Remains
It is likely that an individual with Alzheimer’s disease often understands more than he/she is able to make known to others. It is also proven that he/she is aware of and experiences feelings elicited by others or events, even when he/she cannot articulate those feelings or describe what is happening. In other words, even if the mind is not there, the heart is. This is so important to remember and to celebrate. My mother could not always tell others my name, or that I was her daughter. However, I never doubted that when she looked at me, she knew I was someone she loved and who loved her.
Coping with the Alzheimer’s Victim’s Anger, Anxiety, and Paranoia
This professional geriatric care manager (GCM) and daughter of an Alzheimer’s victim well knows that coping with an Alzheimer’s patient’s overwhelming feelings, such as anger, anxiety, and paranoia, is difficult in many ways for the caregiver.
It is still fresh in my mind how I felt when my mother’s anger was inappropriately directed at me. And that was more than 15 years ago! I felt shocked, hurt, and confused. And, those personal feelings made it difficult for me to respond in a helpful way.
When responding to the ANGER of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO NOT take the emotion and associated behavior personally. It is a symptom of the illness being “played out” in your loved one. He/she has little control of the feeling or action. In fact, he or she will, afterwards, probably not even recall the incident.
DO validate or state in a calm manner and in simple words the feeling you think your loved one is experiencing. For example, state, “You must be feeling angry right now. I understand that.” Surprisingly, this may quickly dissipate the feeling the person is having–like you’ve suddenly stuck a pin in a balloon and the air deflates!
DO then reassure the person with a kind touch on the arm or shoulder and a statement such as, “I’m here to take care of you” or “There are many people here who care about you.”
DO remove the person from the stressful place or situation while guiding him/her in a calm and reassuring way.
DO then offer a distraction he/she is likely to accept, e.g. offer to sit with the person and read a book, look at pictures of their grandchildren, or go for a walk and smell the flowers.
DO NOT ask if he/she wants to do this distracting activity, but suggest, in a very kind and encouraging manner that they do it with you.
DO look for early signs of frustration in activities such as bathing, dressing, or directing movement from one location to another. If evident, delay the activity temporarily.
I can still recall the embarrassment and anxiety I felt when my mother became anxious about the ringing telephone in my kitchen (which she didn’t recognize as a phone any longer). She began trying to take the phone receiver apart, while the caller (one of my nursing students) was on the other end!
When responding to the ANXIETY of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO scan the environment to determine what may be triggering the anxiety. Can this be eliminated or can the person be gently removed from the environment?
DO maintain a calm and pleasant facial expression and tone of voice.
DO make reassuring comments, such as,“It’s okay” or “I’m here to help you.”
DO know that anxiety is most common in the early stages of dementia when the person still has a fair amount of awareness of his/her surroundings, but may misinterpret them as a danger to himself/herself, e.g. the ringing phone.
DO avoid situations and places where there are loud noises, many activities, and many people.
DO know that the stage where this is most common is usually temporary.
DO consult your doctor if the anxiety is unrelenting; interferes with necessary activities of daily living, such as bathing; or prevents adequate sleep of either the Alzheimer’s victim or the caregiver. Anti-anxiety medication may be ordered temporarily to ease the distress.
When responding to the PARANOIA of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO NOT argue with the person or try to convince him/her the paranoid belief is untrue. He/she has lost the ability to be rational.
DO look for lost articles or assist in looking.
DO acknowledge the feelings the person is having in relation to the object of their paranoia. If he/she thinks someone is coming into the house and taking belongings, state, “I know how important your things are to you.”
DO tell the person where their valuables are stored for safekeeping.
DO tell the person all of the precautions which are being taken to keep him/her safe.
DO consult a geropsychiatrist for medication management if the paranoia is severe, very disturbing, and unrelenting. Antipsychotic medication may very well be helpful and be required only temporarily.
Effective Communication Techniques
Effective communication techniques with persons with dementia are often the opposite of how one might speak with a well person. This professional GCM believes this is why it “does not come naturally” to many people. It may be totally foreign to what a caregiver is accustomed. However, it can be learned if the caregiver is open to change and learning.
DO always approach the person slowly and from the front.
DO make direct eye contact before speaking.
DO eliminate distracting noises. Turn off the radio or TV. Guide him/her to a quiet area.
DO remember that how you look and sound, i.e. facial expression, body language, tone of voice, calmness or tenseness, is more important than even what you say.
DO point or demonstrate where you want the person to go or what you want the person to do. Repeat this if necessary.
DO give one instruction at a time, e.g. “Please sit down here” and then, “Now you can eat your lunch.”
DON’T ask questions he/she is unlikely to be able to answer. For example, don’t ask if he/she recalls a daughter’s name or where he/she had lunch with his family.
DO use short, simple sentences and concrete, familiar words.
DO pause between sentences to give the person time to respond.
DO use another word with the same meaning if the person doesn’t seem to understand your first word.
DO always speak to the person in a respectful manner.
DON’T speak in front of the person as if he/she is not there.
This writer believes that the dementia patient’s anger, anxiety, paranoia, and difficulty speaking and understanding language are tremendous barriers to quality of life for both the Alzheimer’s victim and his/her caregivers. This mental and emotional distress can be diminished or eliminated through the caregiver’s acceptance, understanding, and knowledge of effective ways to communicate and intervene.
The Heart Remains
It is likely that an individual with Alzheimer’s disease often understands more than he/she is able to make known to others. It is also proven that he/she is aware of and experiences feelings elicited by others or events, even when he/she cannot articulate those feelings or describe what is happening. In other words, even if the mind is not there, the heart is. This is so important to remember and to celebrate. My mother could not always tell others my name, or that I was her daughter. However, I never doubted that when she looked at me, she knew I was someone she loved and who loved her.
Coping with the Alzheimer’s Victim’s Anger, Anxiety, and Paranoia
This professional geriatric care manager (GCM) and daughter of an Alzheimer’s victim well knows that coping with an Alzheimer’s patient’s overwhelming feelings, such as anger, anxiety, and paranoia, is difficult in many ways for the caregiver.
It is still fresh in my mind how I felt when my mother’s anger was inappropriately directed at me. And that was more than 15 years ago! I felt shocked, hurt, and confused. And, those personal feelings made it difficult for me to respond in a helpful way.
When responding to the ANGER of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO NOT take the emotion and associated behavior personally. It is a symptom of the illness being “played out” in your loved one. He/she has little control of the feeling or action. In fact, he or she will, afterwards, probably not even recall the incident.
DO validate or state in a calm manner and in simple words the feeling you think your loved one is experiencing. For example, state, “You must be feeling angry right now. I understand that.” Surprisingly, this may quickly dissipate the feeling the person is having–like you’ve suddenly stuck a pin in a balloon and the air deflates!
DO then reassure the person with a kind touch on the arm or shoulder and a statement such as, “I’m here to take care of you” or “There are many people here who care about you.”
DO remove the person from the stressful place or situation while guiding him/her in a calm and reassuring way.
DO then offer a distraction he/she is likely to accept, e.g. offer to sit with the person and read a book, look at pictures of their grandchildren, or go for a walk and smell the flowers.
DO NOT ask if he/she wants to do this distracting activity, but suggest, in a very kind and encouraging manner that they do it with you.
DO look for early signs of frustration in activities such as bathing, dressing, or directing movement from one location to another. If evident, delay the activity temporarily.
I can still recall the embarrassment and anxiety I felt when my mother became anxious about the ringing telephone in my kitchen (which she didn’t recognize as a phone any longer). She began trying to take the phone receiver apart, while the caller (one of my nursing students) was on the other end!
When responding to the ANXIETY of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO scan the environment to determine what may be triggering the anxiety. Can this be eliminated or can the person be gently removed from the environment?
DO maintain a calm and pleasant facial expression and tone of voice.
DO make reassuring comments, such as,“It’s okay” or “I’m here to help you.”
DO know that anxiety is most common in the early stages of dementia when the person still has a fair amount of awareness of his/her surroundings, but may misinterpret them as a danger to himself/herself, e.g. the ringing phone.
DO avoid situations and places where there are loud noises, many activities, and many people.
DO know that the stage where this is most common is usually temporary.
DO consult your doctor if the anxiety is unrelenting; interferes with necessary activities of daily living, such as bathing; or prevents adequate sleep of either the Alzheimer’s victim or the caregiver. Anti-anxiety medication may be ordered temporarily to ease the distress.
When responding to the PARANOIA of an Alzheimer’s victim:
DO NOT argue with the person or try to convince him/her the paranoid belief is untrue. He/she has lost the ability to be rational.
DO look for lost articles or assist in looking.
DO acknowledge the feelings the person is having in relation to the object of their paranoia. If he/she thinks someone is coming into the house and taking belongings, state, “I know how important your things are to you.”
DO tell the person where their valuables are stored for safekeeping.
DO tell the person all of the precautions which are being taken to keep him/her safe.
DO consult a geropsychiatrist for medication management if the paranoia is severe, very disturbing, and unrelenting. Antipsychotic medication may very well be helpful and be required only temporarily.
Effective Communication Techniques
Effective communication techniques with persons with dementia are often the opposite of how one might speak with a well person. This professional GCM believes this is why it “does not come naturally” to many people. It may be totally foreign to what a caregiver is accustomed. However, it can be learned if the caregiver is open to change and learning.
DO always approach the person slowly and from the front.
DO make direct eye contact before speaking.
DO eliminate distracting noises. Turn off the radio or TV. Guide him/her to a quiet area.
DO remember that how you look and sound, i.e. facial expression, body language, tone of voice, calmness or tenseness, is more important than even what you say.
DO point or demonstrate where you want the person to go or what you want the person to do. Repeat this if necessary.
DO give one instruction at a time, e.g. “Please sit down here” and then, “Now you can eat your lunch.”
DON’T ask questions he/she is unlikely to be able to answer. For example, don’t ask if he/she recalls a daughter’s name or where he/she had lunch with his family.
DO use short, simple sentences and concrete, familiar words.
DO pause between sentences to give the person time to respond.
DO use another word with the same meaning if the person doesn’t seem to understand your first word.
DO always speak to the person in a respectful manner.
DON’T speak in front of the person as if he/she is not there.
This writer believes that the dementia patient’s anger, anxiety, paranoia, and difficulty speaking and understanding language are tremendous barriers to quality of life for both the Alzheimer’s victim and his/her caregivers. This mental and emotional distress can be diminished or eliminated through the caregiver’s acceptance, understanding, and knowledge of effective ways to communicate and intervene.
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