Moving between hospitals or into rehabilitation and other care centers can be a stressful time, especially for an elderly loved one. Unfortunately, too, these “care transitions” can create far greater problems than stress, as they also are prone to creating problems with the patient’s care. Potentially, these problems can have long-term affects. Care transitions are not a recent concern of health professionals, but been on their radar screen for some time. In fact, a recent study is the subject of a recent post on the New York Times’s blog series, “The New Old Age.” According to the study, a very…
Being responsible for an elderly loved one can mean adopting a rather rigid schedule and lifestyle, especially if you are the primary caregiver. How, then, do you travel? It can be a logistical nightmare, whether the travel is elective or necessary. Regardless, understanding some of the challenges and workarounds in advance can make the travel more manageable. The New Old Age blog at The New York Times recently offered some food for thought on this important subject. The big question is whether your elderly parent is traveling with you. If the travel involves you alone for business or pleasure, then…
Do you have the time, inclination, or the ability to manage the affairs of your aging parents? Are the issues that your aging parents are facing becoming bigger and more complicated than you can comfortably manage? Are the other demands and responsibilities of family, work and day to day life, so abundant that you are not able to provide the desired level of control, supervision, and attention to your aging parent’s issues and crises? If you are not sure, please call our office for a consultation, or visit our website, so we can help you decide if our office may…
In the not too distant past residential options, for your aging parents, were a move to a nursing home or living with you. However, times have changed with assisted living facilities and home care agencies. Consequently, these options can potentially provide a new lease on life, for your parents, whether it be for a short time or for many years. Home care varies, depending on your parent’s needs and resources, from full-time or part-time assistance. Are you're parents unsteady on their feet, a fall risk, not taking their medications, eating enough, require some caregiving assistance, or help with housework? Therefore,…
When the time comes, as does for most of us, that we need assistance in our daily living, the unfortunate fact is that too many of us end up in nursing homes – not because we need constant nursing care, but because there no other good options. A provision of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may help change that. According to a recent article in the LA times, the most ambitious part of the Act, as it relates to long-term care is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS – a voluntary, consumer-financed insurance…
Unfortunately, caregivers are financially burdened by their caregiving duties. While caregiving creates a financial burden, caregiving has a big impact on work and life. Most caregivers are working, either full or part-time, or have worked at some point while caregiving. It is estimated that more than 60 percent of working caregivers have made adjustments to their work schedule, such as leaving early, arriving late, or taking time off. With the current financial situation, can you afford to loose your job because you are worried about your loved one? Caregivers also report they have less time for family or friends, have…
Prescription drugs are of particular concern. In a recent survey, 49% couldn't name a single drug their parents took. Ask parents about their medications and, if necessary, do research, experts say. Find out the dose, what it's for, who prescribed it and why. People 65 and older account for about a third of all medications prescribed in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health, and older patients are more likely to have long-term and multiple prescriptions, which could lead to unintentional misuse. "It's kind of a never-ending process for caregivers," says Sandy Markwood, head of the National Association…
Over the next quarter century, the number of older Americans is projected to grow from 12 percent to 20 percent of the total population, and various estimates indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals will comprise 7–10 percent of that older population. By the year 2030, the LGBT community age 65 and above is expected to almost double, from 2.5 million to as many as 4.7 million. In honor of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, AARP has launched a new portal within their website dedicated to LGBT elders. The portal is designed to accommodate and offer advice on the…
Caring for an aging loved one can be emotionally and financially difficult. Unfortunately, the ordeal is frequently exacerbated by healthcare problems ranging from issues with the physician to end-of-life or funeral decisions. Having recently dealt with the loss of her father, writer Jennifer Openshaw of The Wall Street Journal offers five tips on caring for elderly loved ones Fire Your Doctor. Well, you may not have to fire your doctor, but realize that you can – and maybe you should. Many people don’t realize they can just fire a doctor who is not providing the care and attention their…
Senior Life Care Planning’s Elder Care Coordinators are specialists who help family members find the right sources and services for their aging parents. Additionally, they provide care coordination and advocacy, be it home care, assisted living or nursing home facilities. We help family member’s cope with their burden. Let’s look at a hypothetical example to see how valuable Senior Life Care Planning’s care coordinators can be. Wife is providing extensive care for her housebound husband. Wife has difficulty getting her husband out of bed, bathed and dressed. Additionally, Wife relies on her son who lives nearby to help her manage…
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