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
July 26, 2010
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
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