“I get these S.O.S. calls” from adult children visiting family at Thanksgiving, said Emily Saltz, who operates a practice called Elder Resources in Newton, Mass. “They’ve been talking with their parents all year, being told everything is fine. Then they get there, and it’s not fine. And the kids freak out.”
Click on this link for more
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/the-holiday-reality-check/
December 12, 2011
Elderly Depression and the Holidays
For many seniors, the holidays are not a time of celebration and joy, but only serve as reminders of how lonely he or she may be, the friends that may have passed on, the lack of family get-togethers and an inability to participate in such events.
Click to read the entire article
http://www.boomers-with-elderly-parents.com/elderly-depression-holidays.html
Click to read the entire article
http://www.boomers-with-elderly-parents.com/elderly-depression-holidays.html
Holiday Scams Target Elderly
Michigan State Police Trooper Rob Herbstreith said the Niles post recently received three complaints in one week from widowed seniors who were targeted by a similar scam. One of the three victims lost $3,000.
Click on this link for more
http://www.nilesstar.com/2011/11/30/holiday-scams-target-elderly/
Click on this link for more
http://www.nilesstar.com/2011/11/30/holiday-scams-target-elderly/
October 26, 2011
Reconciling With Siblings After a Fight Over Caregiving for a Parent
Some of the saddest care-giving stories concern brothers and sisters who come to loggerheads over some aspect of their parents' or another relative's care
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.caring.com/blogs/caring-currents/sibling-conflict-over-caregiving
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.caring.com/blogs/caring-currents/sibling-conflict-over-caregiving
How to Avoid Refighting Old Sibling Battles
The problem is that old discord between brothers and sisters tends to unleash old resentment and anger.
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.caring.com/tips/tip-how-to-avoid-refighting-old-sibling-battles
To read the entire article, click on this link:
http://www.caring.com/tips/tip-how-to-avoid-refighting-old-sibling-battles
Caring for Elderly Relatives: How to Handle Family Conflicts
It shouldn't surprise anyone that sensitive family dynamics can be one of the most challenging aspects of care-giving for an elder, given the tremendous financial, physical, and emotional demands involved.
To read the entire article, click on this link.
http://www.caring.com/articles/family-conflict
To read the entire article, click on this link.
http://www.caring.com/articles/family-conflict
September 21, 2011
Did you remember that September is World Alzheimer’s Month?
September 11 was the ten-year anniversary of 9/11. Anniversaries are about remembering. There’s one anniversary on September 21 that’s all about forgetting. That one is World Alzheimer’s Day. A day to remember, a month to remember for the millions of people who can’t.
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. There are many stories about elderly parents getting lost on walks, forgetting simple things, faces and family members.
How do you properly diagnose Alzheimer’s disease? There are many signs in Alzheimer’s disease detection and proper diagnosis isn’t easy. There’s no definitive test for Alzheimer’s and other tests are usually performed to rule out other medical conditions. The first thing doctors do is ask patients questions and fill out questionnaires that are used to assess memory and thinking. This helps to see if signs of Alzheimer’s are present or if it flags another type of brain disease. Second, doctors order a variety of tests that evaluate mental functions.
This past April, the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association released revised guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease that divide it into three phases.
The preclinical stage: No symptoms yet, but changes have occurred in the brain that might result in symptoms later on.
Mild cognitive impairment stage: Detections in thinking start to surface, like difficulty learning new information. People live relatively normal lives.
The final stage: Dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
The new guidelines emphasize testing that measures changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They include positron emission therapy (PET) scans of the brain. Most experts believe that accumulations of a protein called beta-amyloid in the brain indicate Alzheimer’s disease. The problem lies in the fact that 30% of people who test positive for beta-amyloid have no cognitive impairments, and additional factors may be needed for Alzheimer’s to develop. So, as I stated earlier, proper diagnosis isn’t easy.
The new guidelines might influence how doctors think about Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s not clear whether elaborate and expensive diagnosis would have a meaningful effect on Alzheimer’s treatment. The current drugs that are available to treat people with Alzheimer’s are modestly effective and simply put; the drugs don’t stop the disease process-taking place in the brain.
That’s not encouraging news for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s because none of the drugs aimed at slowing down this disease have worked. The good news is that the new guidelines could lead to earlier detection. And, experts hope that this will lead to clinical trials, involving people at earlier stages, when drugs and other interventions may be more effective.
So, what can you do? Get informed, get involved, and wear purple. Just like the color pink signifies breast cancer awareness, purple is the color to show support and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve included a link for World Alzheimer’s Month so you can get more informed: http://www.alz.org/wam/wam.asp
My goal is to direct you to get the help you need with Alzheimer’s disease or any other acute or chronic illness with which your loved one may be coping. We offer you and your family peace of mind by offering you the best care there is. There is so much to gain and so much to lose by hiring the wrong people.
Did you know that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. I welcome your comments to our posts. Let me know your thoughts and areas of interest and I’ll write on those topics.
Thanks,
Diane
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. There are many stories about elderly parents getting lost on walks, forgetting simple things, faces and family members.
How do you properly diagnose Alzheimer’s disease? There are many signs in Alzheimer’s disease detection and proper diagnosis isn’t easy. There’s no definitive test for Alzheimer’s and other tests are usually performed to rule out other medical conditions. The first thing doctors do is ask patients questions and fill out questionnaires that are used to assess memory and thinking. This helps to see if signs of Alzheimer’s are present or if it flags another type of brain disease. Second, doctors order a variety of tests that evaluate mental functions.
This past April, the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association released revised guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease that divide it into three phases.
The preclinical stage: No symptoms yet, but changes have occurred in the brain that might result in symptoms later on.
Mild cognitive impairment stage: Detections in thinking start to surface, like difficulty learning new information. People live relatively normal lives.
The final stage: Dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
The new guidelines emphasize testing that measures changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They include positron emission therapy (PET) scans of the brain. Most experts believe that accumulations of a protein called beta-amyloid in the brain indicate Alzheimer’s disease. The problem lies in the fact that 30% of people who test positive for beta-amyloid have no cognitive impairments, and additional factors may be needed for Alzheimer’s to develop. So, as I stated earlier, proper diagnosis isn’t easy.
The new guidelines might influence how doctors think about Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s not clear whether elaborate and expensive diagnosis would have a meaningful effect on Alzheimer’s treatment. The current drugs that are available to treat people with Alzheimer’s are modestly effective and simply put; the drugs don’t stop the disease process-taking place in the brain.
That’s not encouraging news for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s because none of the drugs aimed at slowing down this disease have worked. The good news is that the new guidelines could lead to earlier detection. And, experts hope that this will lead to clinical trials, involving people at earlier stages, when drugs and other interventions may be more effective.
So, what can you do? Get informed, get involved, and wear purple. Just like the color pink signifies breast cancer awareness, purple is the color to show support and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve included a link for World Alzheimer’s Month so you can get more informed: http://www.alz.org/wam/wam.asp
My goal is to direct you to get the help you need with Alzheimer’s disease or any other acute or chronic illness with which your loved one may be coping. We offer you and your family peace of mind by offering you the best care there is. There is so much to gain and so much to lose by hiring the wrong people.
Did you know that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. I welcome your comments to our posts. Let me know your thoughts and areas of interest and I’ll write on those topics.
Thanks,
Diane
September 14, 2011
A Squirt of Insulin May Delay Alzheimer’s
A small pilot study has found preliminary evidence that squirting insulin deep into the nose where it travels to the brain might hold early Alzheimer's disease at bay, researchers said on Monday.
Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/research/13alzheimers.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general
Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/research/13alzheimers.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general
August 31, 2011
Anxiety Disorders in the Elderly
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are typically divided into three categories:
Click here for more:
http://www.cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinBoard/anxietyDisordersInTheElderly.jsp
Anxiety disorders are typically divided into three categories:
Click here for more:
http://www.cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinBoard/anxietyDisordersInTheElderly.jsp
Elderly Anxiety and Depression
Many experts are recognizing the existence of elderly anxiety as very common similar to the younger generation. Elderly anxiety is real and treatable.
Find out more:
http://dev.affsphere.com/Health/Emotional-Disorders/Elderly-Anxiety-and-Depression.html
Find out more:
http://dev.affsphere.com/Health/Emotional-Disorders/Elderly-Anxiety-and-Depression.html
Elderly Parents Behavior- Dealing With Anxiety
Remember – in most elderly individuals, behaviors are a symptom of distress. Such behaviors are not personality flaws or stubbornness. They are merely expressions of anxiety. Elderly individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s are especially prone to anxiety.
To read more, click here:
http://www.boomers-with-elderly-parents.com/elderly-parents-behavior-anxiety.html
To read more, click here:
http://www.boomers-with-elderly-parents.com/elderly-parents-behavior-anxiety.html
Anxiety Often Missed in Elderly
Researchers say generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may be the most common mental disorder among the elderly, although little is known about how to treat the disorder among older adults.
Read the entire article here:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/20061101/anxiety-missed-elderly
Read the entire article here:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/20061101/anxiety-missed-elderly
August 30, 2011
July 25, 2011
Does your Mom or Dad have an alcohol problem?
Serving Seniors Blog: July, 2011
If your elderly parents had an alcohol problem, would you be able to tell? Do you know the symptoms to look for? Would you know what to do? I've worked in many areas in my career including alcohol treatment, which has given me great insights, especially when dealing with the elderly. I fully understand the devastating effects alcohol abuse can have on the elderly and their families.
Alcohol abuse and the elderly is a serious problem. It has its share of pitfalls and also, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The reasons range from denial, keeping secrets, elderly people out of view, the appearance of “good health” and as much as I don’t like to say it, family acceptance. Like many adult children of aging parents, they view these behaviors as normal signs of aging and this is not uncommon. Why? Because the effects of alcoholism may resemble those of aging, making diagnosis of alcoholism difficult with the elderly. Many symptoms - including aches and pains, insomnia, depression, anxiety, loss of memory and other mental problems - may be confused with normal signs of aging or side effects of medications. As a result, less than half of alcoholics over 65 are diagnosed and that’s not good news. While it is difficult to find hard statistics on today's elderly alcoholics, as much as 10% to 15% of health problems in this population may be linked to alcoholism.
This is becoming a baby boomer problem as the number of elderly alcoholics can be expected to increase due to the sheer number of baby boomers entering old age. To make matters worse, the baby boomer generation has higher rates of substance abuse than any previous generation and is a contributing factor.
The costs are great. Alcoholism in the elderly is dangerous to their health and safety, especially when they’re alone and in denial.
Get the help you need. If you know or suspect that your elderly parents have an alcohol problem, don’t ignore it, the problem won’t go away, and there’s professional help locally for you. My friend and business associate, Carol Glidden LMSW, CAADC, is a highly qualified therapist at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center in Warren, MI. She’s been working with older adults for over twenty years and recognizes that older adults who are 55+ years have multiple life changes that can lead to substance abuse, including alcohol. If you need her help, call her at 586-558-7472. I’ve also included this link to help you locate help in many different areas in MI if Warren isn’t convenient for you. Click on the area where you need assistance, the site will direct you to get the help you need: http://michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4871_4877-151431--,00.html
Serving Seniors understands the effects of alcoholism in the elderly and can help direct you to get the help you need. We have a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and we look forward to helping you and your family. We offer you and your family peace of mind by offering you the best care there is. There is so much to gain and so much to lose by hiring the wrong people.
I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of the Top 30 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. I welcome your comments to our posts. Let me know your thoughts and areas of interest and I’ll write on those topics.
Thanks,
Diane
If your elderly parents had an alcohol problem, would you be able to tell? Do you know the symptoms to look for? Would you know what to do? I've worked in many areas in my career including alcohol treatment, which has given me great insights, especially when dealing with the elderly. I fully understand the devastating effects alcohol abuse can have on the elderly and their families.
Alcohol abuse and the elderly is a serious problem. It has its share of pitfalls and also, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The reasons range from denial, keeping secrets, elderly people out of view, the appearance of “good health” and as much as I don’t like to say it, family acceptance. Like many adult children of aging parents, they view these behaviors as normal signs of aging and this is not uncommon. Why? Because the effects of alcoholism may resemble those of aging, making diagnosis of alcoholism difficult with the elderly. Many symptoms - including aches and pains, insomnia, depression, anxiety, loss of memory and other mental problems - may be confused with normal signs of aging or side effects of medications. As a result, less than half of alcoholics over 65 are diagnosed and that’s not good news. While it is difficult to find hard statistics on today's elderly alcoholics, as much as 10% to 15% of health problems in this population may be linked to alcoholism.
This is becoming a baby boomer problem as the number of elderly alcoholics can be expected to increase due to the sheer number of baby boomers entering old age. To make matters worse, the baby boomer generation has higher rates of substance abuse than any previous generation and is a contributing factor.
The costs are great. Alcoholism in the elderly is dangerous to their health and safety, especially when they’re alone and in denial.
Get the help you need. If you know or suspect that your elderly parents have an alcohol problem, don’t ignore it, the problem won’t go away, and there’s professional help locally for you. My friend and business associate, Carol Glidden LMSW, CAADC, is a highly qualified therapist at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center in Warren, MI. She’s been working with older adults for over twenty years and recognizes that older adults who are 55+ years have multiple life changes that can lead to substance abuse, including alcohol. If you need her help, call her at 586-558-7472. I’ve also included this link to help you locate help in many different areas in MI if Warren isn’t convenient for you. Click on the area where you need assistance, the site will direct you to get the help you need: http://michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4871_4877-151431--,00.html
Serving Seniors understands the effects of alcoholism in the elderly and can help direct you to get the help you need. We have a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and we look forward to helping you and your family. We offer you and your family peace of mind by offering you the best care there is. There is so much to gain and so much to lose by hiring the wrong people.
I’m proud to say that Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of the Top 30 Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. I welcome your comments to our posts. Let me know your thoughts and areas of interest and I’ll write on those topics.
Thanks,
Diane
July 13, 2011
When It Pays to Hire a Pro
(CBS News) You always want to save money where you can but there are certain tasks when hiring a pro is to your advantage
Click on the link below to see the full article by the CBS news staff
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/06/earlyshow/main20051284.shtml
Click on the link below to see the full article by the CBS news staff
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/06/earlyshow/main20051284.shtml
June 27, 2011
Locating Alcohol Treatment Programs
Use the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator to find an alcohol treatment program in your area.
http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/PrxInput.aspx?STATE=Michigan
http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/PrxInput.aspx?STATE=Michigan
Indentifying Elderly Alcoholics
Less than half of alcoholics over 65 are diagnosed, a Penn State study has shown, because often the telltale signs of alcohol dependence are masked by patient denial and seeming good health.
Click here for more: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/elder/a/blpenn030627.htm
Click here for more: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/elder/a/blpenn030627.htm
Alcohol and the Elderly.
Although alcohol and substance abuse is statistically at epidemic proportions among the elderly, it remains for the most part unreported, undiagnosed, or ignored.
Find out more: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/elder/a/aa981118.htm
Find out more: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/elder/a/aa981118.htm
Older Adults More Likely to Abuse Alcohol, Not Drugs.
Four out of five people of retirement age who seek substance abuse treatment do so because of alcohol problems, instead of abuse of drugs, indicating again that alcohol abuse by older adults is a growing and many times ignored problem.
Read the entire article here : http://alcoholism.about.com/od/elder/a/blsam020611.htm
Read the entire article here : http://alcoholism.about.com/od/elder/a/blsam020611.htm
May 25, 2011
What is Palliative Care?
The point of palliative care is to relieve suffering through pain and symptom management, communication and coordination of your care. But it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Read the entire article here :
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/whatis
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/whatis
How to get Palliative Care.
The first step is to talk to your own doctor. Most of the time, you have to ask your doctor for a palliative care referral to get palliative care services. Whether you are in the hospital or at home, a palliative care team can help you. Find out more:
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/howtoget
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/howtoget
Is Palliative Care Right For You?
Answer the following questions to determine whether palliative care might be right for you or someone close to you. Click here for more:
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/rightforyou
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/rightforyou
Palliative Care Resources.
For a complete list of Palliative Care Resources, click here
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/resources
http://www.getpalliativecare.org/resources
May 16, 2011
Older Michiganians Day 2011 – The Senior WAVE - Wednesday, June 15
Older Michiganians Day 2011 – The Senior WAVE: We Advocate, We Vote, We Enrich Communities
Wednesday, June 15
State Capitol Lawn
Lansing, Michigan
9:50 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Older Michiganians Day is an opportunity for people representing every aspect of the aging network - seniors, families, caregivers, service providers, and administrators to join forces and do the Senior WAVE by coming to the state capitol in Lansing to participate, or by contacting your state lawmakers by phone, e-mail or letter to thank them for their continued support of programs that benefit older adults and people with disabilities and to advocate for needed change when programs or services don’t work or are inadequate.
Please refer to the attached flyer for more information – and tell your friends and families to join the WAVE!
If you’d like to join us, you may find more information at oldermichiganiansday.com and http://www.mi-seniors.net.
If you can’t join us in Lansing, you can still participate. Call or write your state legislators and let them know how they can help support seniors in Michigan.
Find your state representative at: www.house.mi.gov. Find your state senator at: senate.michigan.gov
Wednesday, June 15
State Capitol Lawn
Lansing, Michigan
9:50 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Older Michiganians Day is an opportunity for people representing every aspect of the aging network - seniors, families, caregivers, service providers, and administrators to join forces and do the Senior WAVE by coming to the state capitol in Lansing to participate, or by contacting your state lawmakers by phone, e-mail or letter to thank them for their continued support of programs that benefit older adults and people with disabilities and to advocate for needed change when programs or services don’t work or are inadequate.
Please refer to the attached flyer for more information – and tell your friends and families to join the WAVE!
If you’d like to join us, you may find more information at oldermichiganiansday.com and http://www.mi-seniors.net.
If you can’t join us in Lansing, you can still participate. Call or write your state legislators and let them know how they can help support seniors in Michigan.
Find your state representative at: www.house.mi.gov. Find your state senator at: senate.michigan.gov
April 22, 2011
Pain management. One size doesn’t fit all.
Serving Seniors Blog: April, 2011
Having a serious illness is frightening. Your mind races, “what will life be like down the road?” and the mind-consuming, “what if’s” race through your brain. Add pain, lots of it, in all areas. You’re feel exhausted, nauseous, you have no appetite, and shortness of breath adds another, unwanted burden. Stress weighs on you. You need relief from all of this, but don’t know where to turn.
Having a better understanding of your condition, as well as knowing what choices you have for much needed care, can help. Care in improving your ability to tolerate your medical treatments, and care to help you carry on with the demands of everyday life are sorely needed. You simply want to feel better now.
You’ve probably heard of hospice care, but have you heard of Palliative care? Hospice focuses on quality of life care for people with a life expectancy of six months or less, and treatment is typically not wanted any longer.
Palliative care is different. It focuses on the quality of life for people with serious or chronic illnesses, including cancer, cardiac disease like Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Pulmonary Disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, and Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis.
Is Palliative care right for you? Palliative care relieves symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness along with the treatments meant to cure you. The good news is that usually, a team of experts, including Palliative care doctors, nurses, and social workers, provide this much needed care.
Serving Seniors understands individualized care completely. We have a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers that are custom fit to your elderly loved ones needs. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
Care for people with illnesses should be personal. Whether they need Palliative care, elder care, or both. Serving Seniors looks forward to helping you and your family navigate the tough decisions with the best, personalized care out there. We offer you and your family peace of mind. We welcome your comments to our posts. Let us know your thoughts and areas of interest.
Thanks,
Diane
Having a serious illness is frightening. Your mind races, “what will life be like down the road?” and the mind-consuming, “what if’s” race through your brain. Add pain, lots of it, in all areas. You’re feel exhausted, nauseous, you have no appetite, and shortness of breath adds another, unwanted burden. Stress weighs on you. You need relief from all of this, but don’t know where to turn.
Having a better understanding of your condition, as well as knowing what choices you have for much needed care, can help. Care in improving your ability to tolerate your medical treatments, and care to help you carry on with the demands of everyday life are sorely needed. You simply want to feel better now.
You’ve probably heard of hospice care, but have you heard of Palliative care? Hospice focuses on quality of life care for people with a life expectancy of six months or less, and treatment is typically not wanted any longer.
Palliative care is different. It focuses on the quality of life for people with serious or chronic illnesses, including cancer, cardiac disease like Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Pulmonary Disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, and Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis.
Is Palliative care right for you? Palliative care relieves symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness along with the treatments meant to cure you. The good news is that usually, a team of experts, including Palliative care doctors, nurses, and social workers, provide this much needed care.
Serving Seniors understands individualized care completely. We have a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers that are custom fit to your elderly loved ones needs. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
Care for people with illnesses should be personal. Whether they need Palliative care, elder care, or both. Serving Seniors looks forward to helping you and your family navigate the tough decisions with the best, personalized care out there. We offer you and your family peace of mind. We welcome your comments to our posts. Let us know your thoughts and areas of interest.
Thanks,
Diane
March 21, 2011
Medicare Coverage of Home Health Care
For information about Medicare’s home health benefit, including what’s covered and whether you’re eligible, click on this link
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/About/MedicareCoverage.aspx
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/About/MedicareCoverage.aspx
Home Health Agency Checklist
Use Home Health Compare and call the home health agency to complete this checklist. For the entire article, cick here:
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/About/FindanAgency/Checklist.aspx
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/About/FindanAgency/Checklist.aspx
Home Health Compare
Welcome to Home Health Compare. This tool has detailed information about every Medicare-certified home health agency in the country. Click on this link for more:
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/search.aspx
http://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/search.aspx
20 Practical Tips for Finding the Best Residential Care for Your Relative
It's a tough and troubling decision: Is it time to move your relative to a care home? You constantly try to balance your roller-coaster emotions with objective practical information. But once you've made the decision, what do you do next?
Click here to find out 20 practical tips
http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2048#article1
Click here to find out 20 practical tips
http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2048#article1
February 28, 2011
Upcoming Free Seminar - Planning for the Golden Years
Diane Hischke is guest speaker
Click on image to print the flyer
Click on image to print the flyer
February 23, 2011
Free Workshop for Caregivers on Difficult Decision Making as Your Loved One Ages
The Geriatric Care Management Network of Southeast Michigan and the Gerontology Department at Madonna University is hosting a free workshop entitled Difficult Decision Making as Your Loved One Ages: Medical, Legal,& Emotional Aspects on Saturday, March 5 from 8:45am-1pm. Topics include long term planning, advanced directives, and emotional stress.
Speakers include Dr. Patricia Schmidt, Medical Director of In-House Hospice, Katie Graham, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan Elder Law & Advocacy Center, and Peter Ostrow, Director of The Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program.
The workshop takes place in Kresge Hall Room 1316 at Madonna University located at 36600 Schoolcraft in Livonia. Continental breakfast is included. For more information, contact Serving Seniors at 248-375-9125.
About The Geriatric Care Management Network of Southeast Michigan
The Geriatric Care Management Network of Southeast Michigan is an affiliate of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. NAPGCM is the gold standard in the profession of geriatric care management. They provide leadership, education, and advocacy in the growing arena of geriatric care. A geriatric care manager is an experienced professional who specializes in assisting older adults and their families with elder care arrangements. Care managers have extensive knowledge about quality, costs, and availability of services in our community. They can connect you with the services which are right for you or your loved one. For more information, call 520-881-8008 or visit their website at www.caremanager.org.
Speakers include Dr. Patricia Schmidt, Medical Director of In-House Hospice, Katie Graham, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan Elder Law & Advocacy Center, and Peter Ostrow, Director of The Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program.
The workshop takes place in Kresge Hall Room 1316 at Madonna University located at 36600 Schoolcraft in Livonia. Continental breakfast is included. For more information, contact Serving Seniors at 248-375-9125.
About The Geriatric Care Management Network of Southeast Michigan
The Geriatric Care Management Network of Southeast Michigan is an affiliate of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. NAPGCM is the gold standard in the profession of geriatric care management. They provide leadership, education, and advocacy in the growing arena of geriatric care. A geriatric care manager is an experienced professional who specializes in assisting older adults and their families with elder care arrangements. Care managers have extensive knowledge about quality, costs, and availability of services in our community. They can connect you with the services which are right for you or your loved one. For more information, call 520-881-8008 or visit their website at www.caremanager.org.
February 14, 2011
Bigger is not better. It’s a personal issue.
Serving Seniors Blog: February, 2011
People have a distorted view that the bigger something is, the better it is, and the more we get. When it comes to caring for the elderly, bigger is not better. In fact, quite the opposite is true. New, geriatric care management services are being started by large home care companies in many areas. They are usually large, multi-layered companies that have the financial resources to operate, but lack the personalized, custom-tailored care that Professional Geriatric Care Managers like Serving Seniors offer.
Caring for the elderly is a complicated and deeply personal issue. Everyone’s needs are different and people deserve customized, personal care, that’s unique to their special needs. Large companies offer generalized care to handle large numbers of clients and they aren’t designed to offer personalized, customized care. In those big companies, your elderly loved one enters and quickly becomes a number in a one-size fits all, corporate mentality.
Serving Seniors is different. We treat our elderly clients with the respect, attention and dignity they deserve. We watch, we listen, we coach, we advise, and we become fierce advocates for them to guarantee they’ll get the personalized attention and the proper care they need from the health care system. We offer families and their loved one’s peace of mind. We are a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers who are custom fit to your elderly loved one’s needs.
It’s very common to encounter seniors who are resistant to help and afraid of their situation. Many times, their insurance doesn’t cover the care they need. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get seniors the proper one-on-one care that they need. And, we focus on prevention cost effectiveness as much as other aspects of elder care, which is why we offer a unique program, called Family Friends. We recently identified a Licensed, Personal Trainer who can help seniors with balance, which can prevent accidents while adding quality to their lives. You’d want that for your mom or dad or yourself, wouldn’t you?
There are many qualified, for-hire caregivers out there, but sometimes, they might not be the right fit for a person. Our Family Friends have a variety of backgrounds and one of them holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work, and has other skills like art, writing, and memory books. This came in handy when one of our elderly clients with whom we were entrusted was a woman in her late 80’s. She was single, no family nearby, alone and resistant to someone coming into her home. We found out that she was a writer in the past, loved to garden and cook. We matched her with one of our Family Friends, who was experienced as a journalist, gardener and had cooking skills. The results were a wonderful experience for this woman, which makes us feel like we are creating an environment where people benefit greatly. That makes our day. That’s what it’s all about at Serving Seniors.
There are many geriatric care managers for you to choose from and while it can be overwhelming, you need to make the right choice.You and your family deserve the best. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That’s why we say we offer you and your family peace of mind, because we do.
Elder care is personal. Smaller, more custom-tailored care is definitely better. Call us for a consultation so we can help you and your loved ones. I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and we’re looking forward to helping you and your family navigate these rough waters with the best personalized care out there.
Thanks,
Diane
People have a distorted view that the bigger something is, the better it is, and the more we get. When it comes to caring for the elderly, bigger is not better. In fact, quite the opposite is true. New, geriatric care management services are being started by large home care companies in many areas. They are usually large, multi-layered companies that have the financial resources to operate, but lack the personalized, custom-tailored care that Professional Geriatric Care Managers like Serving Seniors offer.
Caring for the elderly is a complicated and deeply personal issue. Everyone’s needs are different and people deserve customized, personal care, that’s unique to their special needs. Large companies offer generalized care to handle large numbers of clients and they aren’t designed to offer personalized, customized care. In those big companies, your elderly loved one enters and quickly becomes a number in a one-size fits all, corporate mentality.
Serving Seniors is different. We treat our elderly clients with the respect, attention and dignity they deserve. We watch, we listen, we coach, we advise, and we become fierce advocates for them to guarantee they’ll get the personalized attention and the proper care they need from the health care system. We offer families and their loved one’s peace of mind. We are a dedicated team of Professional Geriatric Care Managers who are custom fit to your elderly loved one’s needs.
It’s very common to encounter seniors who are resistant to help and afraid of their situation. Many times, their insurance doesn’t cover the care they need. Serving Seniors' professionals are trained in all areas of elder care to get seniors the proper one-on-one care that they need. And, we focus on prevention cost effectiveness as much as other aspects of elder care, which is why we offer a unique program, called Family Friends. We recently identified a Licensed, Personal Trainer who can help seniors with balance, which can prevent accidents while adding quality to their lives. You’d want that for your mom or dad or yourself, wouldn’t you?
There are many qualified, for-hire caregivers out there, but sometimes, they might not be the right fit for a person. Our Family Friends have a variety of backgrounds and one of them holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work, and has other skills like art, writing, and memory books. This came in handy when one of our elderly clients with whom we were entrusted was a woman in her late 80’s. She was single, no family nearby, alone and resistant to someone coming into her home. We found out that she was a writer in the past, loved to garden and cook. We matched her with one of our Family Friends, who was experienced as a journalist, gardener and had cooking skills. The results were a wonderful experience for this woman, which makes us feel like we are creating an environment where people benefit greatly. That makes our day. That’s what it’s all about at Serving Seniors.
There are many geriatric care managers for you to choose from and while it can be overwhelming, you need to make the right choice.You and your family deserve the best. Serving Seniors has been recognized as one of only 30 Fellow Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the USA as recognized by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. That’s why we say we offer you and your family peace of mind, because we do.
Elder care is personal. Smaller, more custom-tailored care is definitely better. Call us for a consultation so we can help you and your loved ones. I appreciate your interest in Serving Seniors and we’re looking forward to helping you and your family navigate these rough waters with the best personalized care out there.
Thanks,
Diane
January 11, 2011
Talk to relatives about care-giving before they need it; resources that can help.
For added support, consider hiring a geriatric care manager, a professional who specializes in helping families who are caring for older relatives. "When siblings are spread across the country, this person can help you come up with a game plan before something happens,"
For the entire article, cick here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060204497_2.html
For the entire article, cick here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060204497_2.html
Study assisted-living options for aging parents.
"Let's give our kids everything they want anytime they ask so they won't put us in a place like this," I whispered to my husband.
Click on this link for more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/29/AR2010052900288.html
Click on this link for more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/29/AR2010052900288.html
When the Assisted-Living Bill Balloons
The MetLife Mature Market Institute recently reported that assisted-living costs climbed 5.2 percent from 2009 to 2010, to a national monthly average of $3,293.
Click here for the entire article: .
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/when-the-assisted-living-bill-balloons/
Click here for the entire article: .
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/when-the-assisted-living-bill-balloons/
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