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

Watch the video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oltA6PVmEXo

Often families come to the conclusion that it’s a safety risk for their frail elder family member to stay at home yet 24/7 in-home care is not affordable.  The question arises: What is best for Mom or Dad?

Remember to think of future needs as you make a decision for the needs of today.  If your parent has a progressive illness, be certain that the retirement community you choose can meet the changing needs of your parent and know what the costs of that support might be.

It is helpful to have a skilled objective professional work with you and your family.  I highly recommend that you hire someone who will be your advocate in assessing Mom.  This will give you an environment that will enhance your senior family member’s life and give you all peace of mind.

This activity will usually be about 3 or 4 hours of professional geriatric care management time.  And many care managers will arrange for you to get a discount on your first months rent – so in the end you wind up getting more back than you paid for in advice and direction.  Be sure that the care manager you have hired is certified as a care manager and a member or part of a team that are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

A professional who does not receive a “kick back” for the referral is going to refer you to a home or community they are familiar with and help you look at all the variables before making this important decision.

]]> http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/07/finding-senior-housing-for-aging-parents/feed/ 0 http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/07/geriatric-care-managers/ http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/07/geriatric-care-managers/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:10:52 +0000 Linda Fodrini-Johnson http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/?p=391

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

Watch the video blog: Geriatric Care Managers

We are often asked about the background of our professional staff and I can proudly say they are all Certified as Care Managers, (CMC).  This means they have been tested and have passed an exam that says they have the knowledge to guide families with aging issues.  In order to take this test, you must have had at least 2 years of supervised care management experience and met the educational requirements.

Some professionals come to this type of work through different professional paths, such as nursing, social work, counseling, gerontology or related fields.   At Eldercare Services, we require at least 2 years in the field of elder care or senior services, but in reality, all the professional geriatric care managers on our staff currently exceed 10 years.

When families work with our agency, they not only get the care manager for their family member, but they get the experiences and wisdom of all 20 care managers.  This collective wisdom is what makes our delivery of care management attractive to families. They love the idea of knowing if their care manager is away, they have the resources of the other 19 who will know the needs and desires of their parent through our 24/7 client information system.

We are dedicated to the profession of care management and stay attuned to the latest changes in care and entitlements to older adults through on-going professional education. 

Currently, I am the President of The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), an organization of 2000 professionals across the nation.  We can help you move a parent to the Bay Area or help you move your mom to your location if it is the value and desire of your family.   Six of our professional staff members are enrolled as members of NAPGCM.

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

View this video blog: Memory Loss and Aging Parents

When one parent is exhibiting signs of memory loss the other parent can often cover up for the spouse who is losing the ability to care for themselves.   Adult children are often surprised when they hear about a diagnosis they never saw, sometimes because of denial and at other times because the well parent was doing such a good job of making excuses or covering for the ill parent. 

Often this is because of the well parent’s denial and fear of facing the truth of the pending loss.  Other times both parents might be experiencing a dementia and they need each other to maintain their independence.  It is fascinating for me as a professional, to see how we humans struggle to stay independent for fear of losing control.  Are we not really all interdependent?  Don’t we depend on others to produce our food, manufacture our clothing, build structures, secure our financial resources etc?  Would it not be a better world if we were all much more comfortable with the phrase “inter-dependence” instead of struggling to hold onto “independence” even to our own detriment?

Often adult children have a difficult time seeing the dementia for some of the same fears around loss and grief.  It is not easy to experience the loss of a parent in a way that robs them of self and leaves an empty shell of what was a beloved, intelligent being.  Rest assured that love can be experienced and expressed into the later stages of dementia and we can all learn the importance of just being in the moment – because truly that is all there really is.

Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor Eileen Zagelow, BA, CMC

How often I have heard from a family member that their mother is in the hospital and seems so confused! 

Patients who were functioning fairly well at home often seem unaware, forgetful or anxious when in the hospital. Sometimes there are reports of combative or agitated behavior; or concerns that a patient can no longer function in their current living situation.  Disorientation, unusual behaviors and the inability to follow directions are words that break families’ hearts and cause them enormous stress.

It is important to remember that even for slightly confused seniors being out of their regular environment and structure can be overly stimulating. When that is added to their current illness, treatment and a parade of strange people popping in and out of their room all day, confusion can rise dramatically.

Dementia has many faces. Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, medication related confusion and oxygen issues are just a few of these faces. When a person suffering from dementia finds themselves chemically altered, physically displaced and surrounded by unfamiliar faces it is “normal” for them to experience an exponential increase in confusion. 

When concerns arise about whether Mother or Dad can return home, it is very important to know that this is not a desirable time to make a placement decision.  Often times once seniors have been medically treated for their illness and return to the familiarity of their home they can recoup a level of function befitting their living environment, not necessarily back to their previous level, but possibly enough to manage. Indeed, the familiar environment itself can often help in stabilizing seniors.  This happened with my own father who had COPD.  The doctor said that although he would like to keep my father in the hospital a bit longer, he could see that his confusion and agitation were getting worse.  He thought Dad would improve more rapidly in his comfort zone – home.  And he did!

There are occasions when a temporary stay at a skilled nursing facility might be part of the “return to home” care plan and other times when bringing in live-in or hourly caregivers may be appropriate until the patient has an opportunity to stabilize. 

Fortunately, Geriatric Care Managers are highly skilled in navigating these waters. Their knowledge, empathy and organizational abilities can clarify options and assist families and patients in attaining the best solution for the senior.

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

Dr. Dennis McCullough has written a book on Embracing “Slow Medicine,” The Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones called “My Mother Your Mother”. 

Dr. McCullough’s approach is a gentle, kind common sense approach to extending medical care to the very frail elderly.   He calls for a movement in “attending” to seniors changing needs and not waiting for a crisis that can force extreme medical interventions.

In a nutshell, he is talking about quality of life during the final years. This is a book worth reading if you work in the field of geriatric medicine; eldercare or you are caring for a senior family member.

Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor Eileen Zagelow, BA, CMC

It is hard, as adult children, to know – Is my Mother tired? Or, is she depressed? Or, is she just not feeling well in general?

Viewing our parents objectively is challenging.  Parents often shield their children from negative thoughts, feelings, depression or discomfort. 

In addition, hearing is often diminished and being in a busy environment can leave a person feeling “left out” or exhausted trying to take it all in. The spiral continues because as the older adult becomes more fatigued they are less able to assimilate stimulating surroundings. And on it goes!

With all we have to take care of as adult children, it is sometimes hard to remember that listening to what the older adult in our life is saying to us, both verbally and somatically, is key. Although a person may have loved large parties with lots of activity over the years, it is now helpful to watch for signs of weariness.  A fixed gaze, slow responses and heavy eyelids are some of those indicators.  

Social activities can be tiring for all of us! Seniors will sometimes decline invitations because they know they will “wear out” and have to be driven home early, thereby interrupting someone else’s festivities.   Having a plan can help with this.  Perhaps pick Mom up ½ hour before dinner with a plan for a 2-hour visit.  Let her know that her ride is all set in both directions! 

This provides an opportunity to make the most of the moments you share with the person you care for and focusing more on quality of time than quantity!

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

There was recently an online streaming broadcast about Health Care Reform provided by the website www.healthreform.gov where some great information was obtained .  Below, I have summarized what was said about the most recent law affecting Health Care Reform:

1. This new bill does not eliminate anything Medicare currently offers.

2. Starting in 2011, Medicare will not charge for preventive care check-ups and regular physicals.  No co-pay and no deductible.  This includes colonoscopies, which are considered preventive.

3. Seniors who have hit the gap in drug coverage, known as the donut hole, will receive a $250 rebate starting in June or as soon as the donut hole is reached.

4. Senior Medicare Patrol is ramped up to prevent scam artists and fraud to seniors.  The Patrol will also be available to educate seniors on their Medicare benefits by helping them to read about their coverage and interpret their benefits.

5. Early retiree insurance pools will begin in 2014.  Medicare will be offered to those who are forced to retire early or decide to retire early.  New rules will be in place to employers and insurance companies so they do not prevent access to health care upon early retirement.

6. Retiree drug plans will continue to be fully protected.

7. The “high risk pool” are adults or seniors with pre-existing conditions.  This group of people will see a cap on their premiums as of 2014.

For more information look at the following credible website:  http://healthreform.gov/

Julianna Dickey, MSW, LCSW

A Youthful Aunt Frances (Top Left)

Aunt Frances, Playing the Piano at 100

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

Elder abuse is rising. Even though my mother is bright and doing well living alone, which she prefers, she is a target just because of her age!    Mom is almost 88 and out and about going to clubs and driving friends around.  She lives in a major urban city and has since her birth.  The only help I provide for her is a personal assistant who acts as her personal secretary making appointments, reviewing mail and helping her with phone calls – because of her hearing loss she can’t understand accents or phone tree instructions.

 A week ago, she had a knock at the door. A woman asked to use a portable phone because she said she was locked out of her home.  Mom gave her the phone but of course the number was busy.  Then she asked for water and when my mother went to give her a cup the woman followed her inside making comments on how my Mom’s home reminded her of her Grandmother’s.  My mother became suspicious at this point and told her she needed to leave. However, the woman saw the candy dish and asked for candy.  Again, Mom says, “Take some and get out of my house.”, not knowing Mom’s purse was now under the woman’s coat!

 Mom of course had her keys, checkbook and credit cards in that purse.  She changed her locks with the help of a grandson, notified all the credit card accounts and the bank.  She has received two calls, one to cash a check for under $200 and another to charge $4,000 at an appliance store.  Mom stopped those transactions. 

 This is a lot of stress on an elder.  Thank God she has her personal assistant to help with all the paperwork that this event brought to her.

 The bottom line is, tell the elders in your life not to open the door for strangers – especially if they live alone.  The police officers told my Mom this and I hope she listens.  It is hard for her not to always be kind.

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

Can’t open the container?  Heads up marketing, the Baby Boomers are coming!

 As our population ages, with the over 50 crowd growing by 50% this decade, I am hoping that the manufactures of packaging take into consideration the product they are selling and whether or not their target population open it.

 I purchased some body wash this past week and was able to open it in the store to smell it but with my hands wet there was no way could I open it.  I poured it into the container of another product I used previously and I just will not buy that one again.  It has a lovely fragrance but I need to get at it.

 I have found frustration with opening other items as well.  Like in the middle of the night when you want a Tylenol and you have to line up the arrows – it is dark and I can’t see.  Plus, you need to use your thumb to pry it up – hard for those of us with arthritis in our hands.

 What each of us can do is send off a letter to the manufacture of a product and tell them we won’t buy it any longer unless they have packaging we can open.

 There is power in numbers – become an advocate for all!