senior

Happy Nurses Week! We Appreciate All That You Do!

Posted in Blog on May 7, 2013

In honor of Nurses Week 2013, Eldercare Services has announced a Special Offer to the Medical Partners of Eldercare Services!

How do you know your patient is following your care plan?

One Hour Complimentary Care Plan Review with a Professional Care Manager to ensure compliance with discharge instructions

Complimentary Professional Care Plan Review Includes:

 Review of MD Instructions
 Home Safety Evaluation
 Follow Up Appointments
 Medication Reminders
 Assessment of Physical & Well-Being

Have your patient or their family call Eldercare Services at (866) 760-1808 or email Info@EldercareAnswers.com to schedule a One Hour Complimentary Care Plan Review.

*A Professional Care Manager will provide any follow up with the responsible party.

“I didn’t think my family would be an elder care family!”

Posted in adult children, Blog, Care Management, Relationships on May 3, 2013

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

I heard this statement from one of our long time employees and remembered my recent journey as a caregiver daughter. I thought, every family caring for an aging family member is an “Eldercare” family because we are all faced with challenges not expected with the expansive decisions from medical to housing. The other issue that warrants some intervention is that most of us have other family members that have different views on what should and shouldn’t be done for mom or dad and, without a third party who is objective, it is hard to come to a solution.

We also don’t always share the care equally which might place a burden on one family member either by default or choice.

Everyone starting on the “Eldercare” path would benefit from a consultation with a Professional Care Manager but most of us think we know everything our parents need and it seems that it’s not until there is a conflict or a crisis without a solution that we call in the experts – I think it is just human nature and don’t fault any of us.

However, as supportive of a family you think you have, being an Eldercare Family is the good news – I know my good caregiving journey was positive because of “expert” peers in the office. Getting advice, having a sounding board and supporting my siblings came from my fellow team members – I am glad I had a place to guide me because I was blinded by my own history and needed the wisdom of objectivity.

Aging Families: Dilemmas, Concerns and Solutions

Posted in adult children, Age Related Issues, Alzheimer's, Blog, Care Management, Caregiving, Dementia and Memory Loss, home care, Relationships on April 19, 2013

Working adults in the “autumn” of their careers find that they are juggling work and aging family dilemmas — causing loss of pay or employer dissatisfaction with their performance or absence. Baby Boomers facing retirement also face the realities of still having to care for parents or other older relatives — this “care” duty can detour their dreams of the envisioned “retirement”.

Linda will talk about major issues facing families locally or at a distance. She will give Rotarians a list of resources to help them navigate the maze of resources available in order to find help that will respect the dignity of the elder and bring peace to the adult child. Linda will also talk about the realities of living longer lives and statistics that will affect all of us as we age.

Linda Fodrini-Johnson is a Licensed Family Therapist and a certified, Professional Care Manager. She founded Eldercare Services in 1989 — the first full service Geriatric Care Management and Home Care company in the East Bay. She has been guiding, coaching and counseling families in the Bay Area for 30 years. Linda is the recent past President of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).

Pickled Grapes – A Lesson in “Being in the Moment”

Posted in adult children, Age Related Issues, Alzheimer's, Blog, Dementia and Memory Loss on March 15, 2013

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

Visiting a small group home this past weekend, I arrived when three seniors were just finishing their lunch meal, so I joined the conversation. The first one (a new resident) asked me if this was a “boarding house” and I answered in the affirmative about everyone having their own rooms. One of the ladies answered, “They give us good food, too.” The conversation then went to their memories not being as good as they used to be, but it really didn’t matter now.

The oldest, age 95, asked the youngest, 85, how old she is and the 85 year old, a retired teacher and graduate of a very prestigious university, asked the staff for paperwork that would show her age; she was pleased and surprised to know that she is 85. She was neither embarrassed about having to ask nor did any of the residents question her for not knowing her age.

Somehow the conversation went to growing up on a California ranch. The 95 year old asked the 85 year old what they grew on the ranch and the answer was horses and grapes. She was then asked if she raced horses and she answered, “No” she just rode them, but not in “shows.”

A few minutes later this fractured, yet serious conversation, focused on those grapes, with the eldest asking, what color the grapes were, “Purple, burgundy?” “No”, the 85 year old answered, “Just plain grapes that were tied to wires.” She continued and said that when the grapes were ready to be picked, men would come pick them, put them in a big pot, add sugar and we would have “pickled grapes”.

I joined in some of the conversation and could not keep from smiling and being pleased that they were able to have a

Pickled Grapes

conversation, despite the memory deficits and/or dementia. Even though at times the conversation was disjointed, and sometimes they were not able to find the “correct words,” they were all very respectful, yet curious, with all of them willing to ask questions without questioning the answer. It was actually very uplifting and I was honored with the spirit, authenticity and just being in the moment with this trio of souls.

Being in the moment for the sake of the moment is just something we don’t take the time to do as often as we should. We all get caught up in the “to do” lists of our lives.

Have a glass of “pickled grapes” and savor the moment.

Eldercare Services Announces Caregiver of the Year Award

Posted in Blog on March 12, 2013

Linda Fodrini-Johnson and Eldercare Services Caregiver of the Year

Our caregiver of the year, Adeniyi Williams, has earned this distinction as a result of his devotion to his clients, his exemplary team work and his stellar performance.

Adeniyi has been with Eldercare Services a number of years as he attends school. Adeniyi always communicates clearly and frequently his needs and Home Care Services is able to adjust and modify his schedule so that his clients have the least amount of disruption and Adeniyi is able to obtain the hours he needs. Communication is one of Adeniyi’s strengths.

Adeniyi works with several clients with advanced dementia and very challenging behaviors. Rather than look at the clients or their behaviors as a problem, Adeniyi looks at working with all clients as an opportunity to enhance their quality of life and to improve his skills. Adeniyi is always looking for new information and finds new ways to handle challenging issues in a professional manner. There is not a case we would hesitate to assign him to. Adeniyi is a skilled caregiver in both assisting with physical care and emotional care needs.

Adeniyi works a variety of assignments and always devotes at least one week-end day to the client so that his job share partners also have a day off on a weekend. Adeniyi is a team player and values and respects his co-workers.

Adeniyi has assisted us many times in an emergency, this creates a disruption to his personal plans but ensures that his clients have a familiar face and an experienced care giver at all times. Adeniyi is a reliable employee and Home Care Services can count on his responsiveness. Whether he can or cannot accept assignments or help us in an emergency he always calls us back quickly and is always very polite.

Eldercare Services’ Home Care Services with the Caregiver of the Year

Adeniyi’s team work becomes obvious when he assists his co-workers and the office to ensure the client has consistent care and he communicates his experiences and the clients needs clearly to the office. Adeniyi always ensures, before he leaves his assignments and passes the responsibilities on to his co-workers that he has “left it as he found it” clean and neat. Adeniyi is a great team player.

Dementia and Glasses/Hearing Aids

Posted in Age Related Issues, Blog, Dementia and Memory Loss, Technology, Uncategorized on February 15, 2013

Director of Client Services, Chris Rose-Franks, PTA, MPA, CMC

Glasses and hearing aids: The unheralded quality of life features that, all too often, are taken for granted. My client recently had the unfortunate experience of having her glasses break – more specifically the frames. She has a dementia diagnosis and it was a very sudden and distinct change in her reaction to her surroundings and to her caregivers that was most striking. Since this frame breakage has happened before, I quickly got them repaired so her “world” could return to her “normal”. A person with dementia is so used to things in their environment maintaining a certain way that when any aspect of that equilibrium is disrupted it can have a very significant impact.

Vision and hearing are such simple yet very vital senses that must not be overlooked. Clearly labeling eyeglasses with a white out product so your permanent marker can show up is one trick. The same goes for taking a photo (so easy these days with smart phones) of the glasses on the person’s face so if they are ever lost in a hospital transition or misplaced in a congregate living environment you have an easy way to identify them. This trick was helpful with another client when her hearing aids went missing. Taking a photo (as well as keeping the model and style number handy) of those small devices made the search in Lost and Found a bit easier to rule out from the collection of hearing aids the nursing home had amassed.

Speaking of hearing aids – this is another area that, new batteries and plenty of them, can be so vital in assisting the person with dementia to really enjoy and participate in their surroundings. Like glasses, when a person can’t hear adequately, it adds to their confusion or desire to be reclusive and withdraw. Ensuring hearing aid batteries are unplugged at night and reinserted properly in the morning can be such a simple step and so necessary to ensure your loved one’s quality of life is maintained to the highest degree possible.

Mom is Gone

Posted in adult children, Age Related Issues, Blog, Care Management, Caregiving, Dementia and Memory Loss, End of Life, Relationships on January 31, 2013

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

You know the time will come. You have been through many big and small health care dilemmas. You have prepared for her final care and found caring and loving people to be with her. You wish you could have done more but know you did your best with the information and support of professionals and family. Yet, when the time comes, it still hits your heart and soul like having the wind knocked out of you.

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24. I can’t tell you why this scripture rings in me when I feel so much loss. But, it is a glorious sunny January day and though it began with her leaving, I think this Psalm is mom telling me, “I am at peace, dear family. Be glad in your life, rejoice with one another for I will always be part of each of you.” “Smile, joke, be positive and find the bright light in every day.”

We have been gifted by a mother who lit the way and guided each of her four children to be themselves, honor family, honor God and care for others. She has imprinted her hand on the hearts of us all.

So, the Academy Award and the Nobel Peace Medal for “Wonderful Mother” goes to Bernice Bidwell born on April 8, 1922 in San Francisco and died at peace, on January 30, 2013 in Walnut Creek.

Diagnosed with a Progressive Illness – Now What?

Posted in Blog, Care Management, Caregiving, Relationships on January 11, 2013

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

I had the honor of speaking to a group of individuals with Parkinson’s, as well as those who are caring for someone with this disease, this past week and I came away thinking about how much support these families need immediately after the diagnosis.

It is only natural to let emotions flood our mind when we get such news and it makes it hard for the patient or the care partner to truly take in what the physician is trying to tell us about the next step. We are somewhat “blown away” and either we are feeling great fear, we are in denial or thinking about the dreams we had for our lives.

And yes, there needs to be hope for a new treatment or a cure (if available).

Once this news sets in, we seem to go to a place of – what do I do next? And, what should we do to plan for our future.

This is the time I would encourage all individuals with a progressive illness diagnosis to meet with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager, even if they are not yet seniors. To look at options that will meet their needs and keep their values at the center of all planning. From this initial meeting, individuals will be well-informed when they meet with their financial planners, insurance professionals and estate planning attorneys – because now they will know what they want and the cost of those options.

There are many proactive lifestyle changes individuals and the partners can make to live life fully once they have done their planning for the “what ifs” of an unknown future.

All along this journey, both the individual with the illness and their care partner will need emotional support – so, find a support group early in the process. Support groups are wonderful settings to share how new treatments or approaches are working and will give us all hope and most of all “understanding”.

“Taking Me Home?” Redirecting the Conversation

Posted in adult children, Blog, Caregiving, Dementia and Memory Loss, Moving an Aging Adult, Relationships on January 9, 2013

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

Many individuals, with different forms of dementia, ask from time to time or sometimes on every visit, “Are you taking me home now?”

My advice has been most of the time to these family members to say, “When the doctor says you can leave” or “When the plumbing at your house is fixed”. And then I suggest using distraction to redirect the individual from being fixated on the thoughts of home.

As family members, we need to remember that our loved one with a dementia associates us with whatever that memory of “home” is and however hard it may be, we need to answer quickly and simply – and then use redirection.

My mother is doing so much better but since she has moved into her small residential care home she has asked me on the last three visits, “Have you come to take me home?” Interesting, she even whispered this to me the last time so as not to let the care workers or the other residents know what she was asking. I am able to say, “When you no longer need the oxygen”. And, in the moment, she understands and we just chat about recipes or gardening – me asking her advice – which gives me a reason to “thank her” instead of her always thanking me for my visit.

The dance of “elder care” has it smiles, grief, tears and is full of creative opportunities to protect dignity.

When Our Parents Become Sexual Beings on Our Watch

Posted in Blog on January 4, 2013

Eileen Zagelow, BA, CMC | Professional Geriatric Care Manager/Director of Care Management Services

Many jokes have been shared over the years regarding the idea of parents having sex. Everyone knows they must have but no one wants to think about it! And then one day there it is bigger than life!

I spoke with a daughter recently who received a call from a facility stating that her father was being sexually inappropriate with the caregivers. He was getting” overly friendly” in his words and in his touch. It was also reported that he now had a girlfriend and the staff had found them lying on the bed in his room on more than one occasion.

The daughter who was aghast upon hearing this, immediately shared the news with her brothers who were surprised, although not as anxious as she was about the report. And then she called me.

“Susan’s” father has dementia. He has been diagnosed with mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease and has always been completely socially appropriate. He never dated after his wife passed away 8 years ago. They were like “two peas in a pod” and this daughter was so taken aback that this was occurring and at this time in his life. She was saddened as she felt that the depth needed to engage in a “meaningful” relationship was lacking. The family had legal concerns as well.

It is so difficult and yet important to remember that sexual attraction is an innate part of our humanness. Unfortunately, loss of social inhibition can be a very large part of dementia. In addition, the need for partnership can be very strong for a person who is having much difficulty navigating through their memory loss and/or judgment issues, especially when the person has had a meaningful relationship previously.

As family members, we have to try to step back and view this piece of the process through a clinical eye or at least speak with someone who can assist in framing this picture more clearly. Most facilities are equipped to deal with such behaviors and have appropriately trained their staff. However, as with life, each situation is unique and may require a special care plan and/or oversight.

As a Certified Care Manager, I was able to assist Susan with her father’s journey and, by extension, with her own as well. Dementia can exhibit in many ways and is inconsistent from person to person. It is so important to digest and listen with a trained ear when sexual behavior presents itself. As with most behaviors, appropriate communication and environmental support are key factors in a successful care plan.