When a family member is diagnosed with a progressive dementia, it is challenging not only for the “patient” but even more so for the entire family system. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s impact everyone in the family and sometimes in the community (if the person doesn’t have family). Those who oversee the care of someone with Read More
Archives for May 2010
Applying for Medi-Cal or Medicaid Benefits for a Spouse or Aging Parents
It is true that couples don’t have to spend every last dollar in order to have the cost of skilled nursing covered by governmental benefits. Remember, Medicare does not cover the cost of custodial care in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare only covers short periods of time for rehab after surgery, an accident or other Read More
Children and Their Grandparents with Dementia
When a grandchild sees a grandparent losing the capacity to remember and they are less than 10 years of age, it is hard for them to understand what is happening to Grandma or Grandpa. Try to give the individual with dementia the pleasure of relationship with a younger family member – it just might be Read More
Senior, Elder or Older Adult: What do you want to be called when you are 55 or 65 years old?
We have a tendency to lump age groups together. We name groups “toddlers” or “teens”, which make common sense. Some individuals in our society who are over the age of 55 are annoyed if you call them senior or elder. I remember leaving a shopping trip at a local store thinking that they didn’t charge Read More
Attitude: Is Longevity Connected to How We Experience Life?
Those who live longer lives seem to have one thing in common – a great attitude and an acceptance to change and loss. Watching the ABC evening news one night recently, there was a lovely story of a Mrs. Matthews who was 100 years old and playing the piano. Yes, she was one of those Read More