Home care assistance to families looking for help with elder family members
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC
Days are darker and shorter, the weather is cold or wet, and yes, it is winter. The holidays have come and gone and you find yourself feeling sad, tired and depleted. This is somewhat normal for many of us and even more so for the older population. They might have had lots of activity during November and December and now feel let down by the lack of stimulation and the inability to get outdoors.
Often, once you get back to your normal activities after the holidays this temporary “blues” feeling usually goes away. However, some individuals have enough symptoms to be diagnosed with “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD). This real illness is characterized by extreme lethargy and depression as well as some of the depressive symptoms like increased appetite, weight gain and difficulty concentrating. Sometimes those with SAD require medication and help should be sought from a physician. Talk therapy can also help during this time by giving one some strategies to deal with and overcome the symptoms.
How to beat the “Winter Blues”:
1) Exercise releases endorphins which improves mood. So, move – even if it is just doing a morning stretch with a television guide. If you can, take a short 30-minute walk every day. It might be all you need.
2) Stay clear of sweets and carbohydrate rich foods. Avoid alcohol because it is a depressant. Look for low fat protein snacks and meals.
3) Vitamin D is helpful. In the summer you might get all the vitamin D you need by being in the sun but in the winter you might need to boost your intake. Talk to your doctor about how much to take.
4) Try to expose yourself to sun light when it comes out. However, there are lights you can buy that have a similar effect as the sun.
The most important information is that Spring will come. You do not need to suffer. Seek a professional who can guide you to feeling better. This is a very common but not welcome cycle for many individuals.
Eldercare Services has several Care Managers on staff that are licensed therapists. Give us a call toll free at 866 760-1808 if we can help you in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC
“Clean out a room, change your schedule and your social life- Mom is moving in.”
Your mother has had a change of status and can no longer live alone. You think it is best that she move in with you because you just retired and have the time to care for her.
The desire and the passion to care for those we love sometimes pulls us to make decisions that can have a negative outcome to us and to our aging parent.
Before you decide to have a senior family member move in to your home, there are many facets to consider and organizations that can assist with the process. Do your homework, look at all the pros and cons before changing all of your lives. Is the decision going to add to the quality of life for all involved? Will it distract from what gives your life meaning or that of your parent?
Eldercare has a checklist of important items to think about before making such a decision. It you would like this checklist, send us your name and address and we will mail it out to you.
Intergenerational families can live together successfully but all parties must have their needs met and find peace in the arrangement. However, sometimes families just haven’t explored all the options first and make this decision without knowledge of our supportive services.
Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC
The Caregiving Legacy Award from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation is being given to the “Alzheimer’s Dementia Strategy and Dementia Summit”.
I had the honor of serving on this panel with many other leading Dementia experts in San Francisco. My role, based on expertise, was that of “Care Coordination and Professional Care Manager.” Most of the research we found pointed to the value and need of a central person to be the guide and contact for primary caregivers. Families who had Care Management worldwide were better able to cope with the changes and transitions this disease presents.
Our panel was charged to come up with a plan for the city of San Francisco to be pro-active in designing services needed by caregivers and organizations. The plan was to look at the needs of this growing population for the next 11 years – pro-active planning at its best.
The final report will be available soon from The San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services and/or The Family Caregiver Alliance.
It was truly an honor to work with experts in public policy, research, medicine, community services and the private sector. In this time of a down economy it was good to focus on what we can do, what we want to do and what is most needed. The Baby Boomers are aging. Everything we can do, for treatment, prevention, public policy, benefits and education of Alzheimer’s, now will prepare us for a future of “positive caring”!
Congratulations San Francisco! Thanks for letting me be a part of a pro-active plan.
