Sandi Gunnett, BS, Director of Staffing and Recruiting

As an employee of Eldercare Services and a consumer of Geriatric Care Management Services, I can empathize with anyone going through an emergency, status change, or strategic decision-making with a loved one. I often hear from clients or their families, what do I do first? Whom do I speak with, where do I find resources? Where do I begin?

When a member of our family is experiencing a crisis we often hesitate to obtain expert advice or help with his or her care plan or plan of action. Although, if we were experiencing a financial crisis or legal crisis, most of us would not hesitate to seek advice from a professional that relieves our burden, builds confidence, and helps us to avoid poor economic results.

When a family member in another area of the state was experiencing a health crisis, I asked for and received a referral to a Professional Geriatric Care Manager. The Geriatric Care Manager helped us to ensure that my family member received the level of care and concern that I could not provide personally without losing major time at work or at home. We cannot always be in two places at one time.

The Care Manager partnered with us to seek and provide answers to the questions we had, represented us when we could not be present, and advocated for my family member.  This ensured that our family member’s values, not the Care Manager’s, were represented.

The expertise was invaluable in obtaining a better outcome, ensuring better quality of life, and helping us to avoid costly financial mistakes often created by inappropriate placements or expenditures. The Professional Geriatric Care Manager was a valuable resource in a crisis and now as an ongoing basis. We do not feel replaced or delegated to a lack of authority or ability with our family member but empowered to make well-thought-out logical decisions that are based on expert advice or resourced information. The Professional Geriatric Care Manager is like the all-purpose tool in your bag.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Often those with dementia are excluded from social events because they become confused or anxious when they no longer can track conversations or follow directions for games such as Bridge.

I am often asked, “What can I do with my friend who has memory loss or dementia?”. A few simple ideas:Invite them to lunch but don’t confuse them with a menu just say, “let’s go get some spaghetti and meatballs” and you do the ordering. When you eliminate the overwhelming options you are more likely to get a “yes” to your invitation and reduce the anxiety that menus or choosing a restaurant present.When you get to the restaurant just say to the waiter, “We want the spaghetti and meat balls- no need for a menu.”

Another idea is to ask the person to take a walk with you and just stay present on the surroundings; focus on the flora and/or wildlife.No need to remember, you just need to feel the day.It is surprising how many people with dementia and/or memory loss can’t remember the outing but their family will report how relaxed they were when they had the experience of just enjoying the moment.This is a gift those with dementia give us – the moment.