If you have ever thought those words, you are not alone. As our parents age, their children find themselves “exploring” options where Mom or Dad will live? I call this the PAINT BY NUMBER experience. We are given a lot of lessons in life, but one that we are ill prepared for is the role of decision maker for our parents. We have always looked to our parents for guidance in all major decisions, where to go to school, where to live or purchase a new home, how to care for our children and what are the best jobs options available. We look up to our parents and see them as wise and strong.
The once strong parent is now forgetful, unsteady on their feet, losing weight and making perhaps some decisions that are not in their best interest.
Continue reading HELP, WHAT DO I DO WHEN LOOKING FOR PLACEMENT FOR MY ELDERLY PARENT? →

How much is there? Where is it? Who controls it? Discussing finances may be among the most difficult conversations a family may have but become increasingly important as we age. Bridging the gap between generations to talk about money can be awkward, embarrassing and frustrating for everyone.

Elderly adults may not be ready to have their adult children become their physical or financial caregivers and many seniors fiercely guard their financial privacy, perhaps to protect their loved ones or out of fear of loosing their independence. While those feelings are completely understandable, NJ Newsroom recently pointed out some of the perils of poor fiscal planning, such as inability to access bank accounts to pay bills if your name is not on the account or you may not be authorized to sell your home if your are both on the deed but your spouse is incapacitated.
Continue reading MONEY TALKS →

On a daily basis our Care Counselors receive requests from families and advocates for information about facilities that will be paid for by MEDI-CAL, easy to ask for difficult to supply. In order to qualify for long term care paid for MEDI-CAL you must apply and qualify with MEDI-CAL. This can be a complicated process, I will shorten the requirements. The individual must meet the physical and financial guidelines additionally you most likely will be required to “share the cost” meaning you must pay part of the daily rate out of pocket.
Continue reading A SHORT THOUGHT ON MEDI-CAL FOR LONG TERM PLACEMENT →

’Senior moments,’ ’old age’ dementia and Alzheimer’s are common, if distressing, issues of an aging population. While the symptoms of each of these conditions may initially appear to be similar – forgetfulness, short term memory loss and some confusion – according to the Alzheimer’s Association, the long-range prognosis and care requirements can be very different. Young and old alike may be disconcerted when you occasionally forget what you ate for lunch or the name of someone you had just been speaking with, that is a far cry from not recognizing your family members or yourself.

Fortunately, some good news was recently reported during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Vancouver, Canada. According to the July 18, 2012 press release, Newly Reported Research Advances from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2012, “four studies “begin to clarify exactly which types of physical activity are most effective, how much needs to be done, and for how long” to improve mental functions and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults who are currently cognitively healthy or who have mild cognitive impairment.
Continue reading NEW STUDIES RELEASED REGARDING EXERCISE AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE →

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
Continue reading DANCING IN THE RAIN →