Author: Meghan Parsons

What is a Geriatric Care Manager and Why Do You Need One?

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A geriatric care manager is a specially trained professional elder care advocate who will make your daily life care easier for yourself or a loved one. They will work with you to help you form short and/or long-term plans and connect you with services that match your finances. Whether you live in the same town as your loved one or if they live far away, these ‘professional relatives’ can help you target and assist with your needs. 

What Can They Help with?

Geriatric care managers offer expertise navigating our confusing healthcare system during stressful and unexpected situations.  They can help you make more informed decisions in the following areas:

  • Life planning – creating and executing a holistic care plan for a senior’s future
  • Housing – help families evaluate the appropriate level of housing or residential option, including “aging in place”
  • Home care services – determine the appropriate services for obtaining and monitoring those services
  • Medical management – attending medical appointments to facilitate communication between doctor, client, and family
  • Communication – keeping family members and professionals informed about changing needs of the client
  • Social activities – help provide opportunities to engage in social, recreational, or cultural activities that enrich the quality of life
  • Legal concerns – assist with referrals for an elder law attorney 
  • Financial issues – can help with bill paying or consultation with the client’s accountant or Power of Attorney
  • Entitlements – provide information on federal/state/local entitlements, social services, and programs
  • Long-distance care – coordinate the care of a loved one for families that live at a distance 
  • Crisis management

How Do I find A Geriatric Care Manager? What Do They Cost?

The federal government’s National Institute on Aging suggests consulting the Aging Life Care website (www.aginglifecare.org) to help you find a local Geriatric Care Manager. They come from a variety of professional backgrounds including nursing, gerontology and social work. Questions to ask:

  • Training, experience, educational background 
  • Accessibility – are they accessible 24/7
  • Licensing and/or certification
  • Rates – rates will vary and many Geriatric Care Managers will offer you a free initial consultation
  • Do they have references and/or online reviews 

Navigating the complex healthcare system can be overwhelming. However, engaging an experienced and compassionate Geriatric Care Manager can provide security and peace of mind in knowing that your loved one is being well taken care of. 

Article Provided by:
Eldercare Navigators
206-456-4410
www.EldercareNavigators.com

Loneliness

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“Loneliness is not a lack of company, loneliness is a lack of purpose. ” – Guillermo Maldonado

I often feel that I am best when helping others make connections, and being a resource. Lately with the Stay at Home order, I am struggling to feel the same sense of purpose. It has made me look at how I identify my role. I am needing to shift gears and see what is possible online and with virtual opportunities. As my team has moved to working remotely, we are all feeling the effects a bit differently. I may be the most extroverted member of our team and I have had to ask for and accept their emotional support at this time.

Comcast Internet Essentials offering two months free service

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As our country continues to navigate the COVID-19 emergency, we recognize that our company plays an important role in helping connect low-income seniors to the internet. That way, they can remain safely at home and be in constant contact with their families and doctors, as well as to the latest health news and information about the virus.

To help do our part, yesterday we announced the following:

  • All new Internet Essentials customers will receive two months of Internet service for free. After the second month, customers are free to cancel their service, as the program never requires a contract, or remain in the program as paying customers at the heavily discounted Internet Essentials rate of $9.95 a month.
  • We’re increasing the speed of the program’s Internet service to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream for all new and existing customers. This increase will go into effect for no additional fee and customers won’t have to do a thing. The speed will roll out over the next few days and will become the new base speed for the program going forward.

To check eligibility and sign up, applicants can visit www.internetessentials.com on any web-enabled device, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Research on the digital divide for seniors is very clear. According to the Pew Research Center, just 51 percent of seniors (aged 65 and older) have broadband Internet at home.

The picture for low-income seniors is much worse. 27 percent of seniors with household incomes below $30,000 have home broadband, compared to 87 percent of seniors with household incomes at or above $75,000.

In addition to our new Internet Essentials offerings, our company is also opening our Xfinity WiFi hot spots across the country for free for the next two months. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi.

Article Provided by:
Amy Keiter, Director, External Communications
Comcast Oregon/SW Washington
503-605-6350

Forgiveness 

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“Today I decide to forgive you. Not because you apologized or because you acknowledged the pain that you caused me, but because my soul deserves peace.” – Najwa Zebian

Forgiveness helps us take control of our story. The change in outlook moves us beyond feeling like a victim and prevents negative emotions and resentment from taking over. Not forgiving someone punishes you much more than the offender.

 

Starting the Tough Conversation is Easier Than You Think

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Family visits are a time of togetherness to share stories and reminisce with loved ones, celebrate traditions and strengthen relationships. Often, these gatherings come with the recognition that too much time has passed –and a lot has changed. The time together may spark awareness that your aging loved ones need additional help.

Timing Is Everything Pick a time when there are no distractions or other obligations, so you can focus entirely on the conversation and give it your undivided attention. For example, the middle of Thanksgiving dinner is likely not the right occasion for this discussion. A quiet moment during the weekend when there is a lull in activity can present a wonderful opportunity to connect with your loved ones on these issues.

Share Your Observations, Concerns, and Feelings

Maybe you have noticed that Mom or Dad seems to be struggling to keep up the house, or there is a lack of food. It can be hard to address these topics, but your loved ones want to know that you care. If you notice a problem, you often need to stay persistent, empathetic and strong as you work with them to find the right solutions.

A visit home offers a great opportunity for families to have important – and sometimes tough – conversations. Getting started with these conversations is easier than you may think. And taking the time to connect on critical matters will help lead to better outcomes. Here are five ways to successfully navigate these conversations.

Emphasize Your Roll as an Advocate

Explicitly state that you want to fulfill their wishes and they can depend on you and that you want to maintain their way of life and need their help to make the right decisions.

Listen to Their Concerns and Wishes

Make a list of the apprehensions your loved ones have in order to validate their concerns and guide you in finding the most appropriate solutions based on their preferences. In addition, gaining an understanding of the types of lifestyle they wish to maintain can help with planning and lead to positive outcomes.

End The Conversation With A Plan

This will ensure there are shared expectations around next steps. You also want to make sure you have an agreed-upon plan if your loved ones can no longer make decisions or in the event of an emergency.

Article Provided by:
Marquis Companies
503-CONNECT
www.MarquisCompanies.com

Aging Alone Doesn’t Have to be Lonely

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As we age, our social circles can often dwindle down for various reasons, but luckily there are more ways than ever to stay connected with friends and make new ones, primarily thanks to the internet. Whether you’d like to meet a new love interest or connect with old friends you’ve lost touch with, stepping outside of your comfort zone online can mean real connections with others like you.

How to Enliven Your Social Network:

Facebook: Often called The Social Network, staying in touch with friends is easy on Facebook, and finding new friends can be quite easy too. There are thousands of groups that you can request to join, some popular ones senior ones being: Activities for Seniors or Friendly Senior Citizens International.

Volunteer:

There is an abundance of ways for seniors to get out and volunteer, and who knows? You may end up making a few friends! Some popular options to find reputable volunteer options would be: Volunteer International and VolunteerMatch. Some volunteer options are recurring and can be wonderful ways to get involved with the local or global community.

Meetup:

Meetup is a popular outlet for almost anyone looking to expand their social network, especially if you live near a major metropolitan area. Here in the Portland area, popular senior groups include Seniors on Steroids and Portland Theater Meetup for 55+ Singles.

Consider getting a part-time job:

Sometimes just getting out of the house for a few hours a day (or even a few hours a week) can expose us to situations and people that we normally wouldn’t be involved in. Even teaching English online with young students can be a fun and interesting way to interact with others who are grateful for your knowledge and expertise! Check out RetiredBrains for available jobs and tips on job searching.

Travel together:

Websites like Travel Chum or Thelma & Louise (for women) can help connect like-minded travelers who don’t want to see the world alone. So, if you’ve ever wanted to see the Egyptian Pyramids or visit the Galapagos Islands, but want to have a friend with you—look no further!

Hopefully, this list helped to get you thinking about ways you can invigorate your social life, whether in your hometown, online, or abroad!

Article Provided by:
The Grove and Gardens
503-433-8403
www.TheGroveAndGardens.com

3 Considerations when Contemplating Downsizing and Selling Your home

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In 2003, when I started my career in the Senior Living Industry, the housing market made it easy for the seniors I was helping to sell their homes for a great price and move into a Senior Living Community fairly quickly.

Following the Housing Market decline in 2008, I started seeing a shift in more seniors holding off on selling their homes, which resulted in more emergent moves and a significant decrease in the amount they received for the sale of their home.

As you consider whether to stay at home longer or sell your home while it’s a sellers-market, below are 3 things to consider that can help you make this life-changing decision.

1. Current Housing Market

Diane Peterson a Realtor with Premiere Property Group says, “It’s still a seller’s market. The big change is that buyers are not panicking as they have in the past; they’re taking their time, and homes are spending more time on the market. Multiple offers are becoming a thing of the past. Homes are selling at or below their asking price. Home sales have slowed in 2019 compared to this time in 2018, with closed sales down 2.5%. The housing market has shifted. So looking into my crystal ball, what do I see for the 2020 housing market? Continued slowing.”

2. Interest Rates

a. Interest rates impact the number of qualified buyers.

b. Interest rates are expected to increase in 2020 and 2021, which will reduce the number of qualified buyers translating to slowing housing sales in many areas.

3. Planning ahead

a. The housing market forecast can and will have an impact on the number of assets you or a loved one will have to utilize for Senior Housing and Care, based on when the home is sold and how much is received from the sale.

b. If you believe you will want or need to downsize and move out of your home in the next year or two, now is the time to sell your home rather than wait knowing that the housing market is slowing and it could cause a significant decrease in the amount you will gain from selling your home while the market is good.

Article Provided by:
Senior One Source
503-420-9011
www.SeniorOneSource.net

End-of-Life Doula 101

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The word DOULA has been used for decades in the US to mean “one who serves”. Just as a birth doula supports the labor that culminates in a baby’s first breath, End-of-Life Doulas support the labor involved when dying people, and their loved ones, prepare for the final breath.

The role of End-of-Life Doula is experiencing a revival in our culture, even as it is, in reality, a most ancient contribution to many world societies. Historically, families and communities took care of their dead. In the US, the introduction of embalming during the Civil War led to death and dying becoming medicalized and moved out of the community and into the hands of professionals. EOL Doulas place choice and empowerment back into the hands of families and community.

End-of-Life Doulas are being trained around the world by various training organizations. Each has its own criteria for meeting certification requirements. Trainings range from 3-6 month online programs to 3-8 day in-person trainings. In the US, NEDA (The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) is consolidating standards of knowledge into one competency test.

End-of-Life Doulas provide non-medical, holistic support, and comfort to the dying person and their family, which may include education and guidance as well as emotional, spiritual or practical care. End-of-Life Doulas provide valuable complementary services to patients and their families during life-limiting illness, and the dying process, in partnership with hospice personnel and other medical teams.

When we are afraid to talk about death, we deny death. Death denial can lead to trauma and chaos in the final days if a dying person’s wishes have not been expressed. Through education, preparation, and coaching, EOL Doulas help answer questions, lower anxiety, and foster healing.

“I am pleased to be involved in this new movement. From my many years of working with end of life, I have come to see that families, as well as patients, still bring fear and lack of knowledge to the end of life experience. It is education, support, and tender guidance during that time that brings comfort. It is the presence of someone who understands that what is happening is not pathological, is not bad, that turns an otherwise frightening experience into a sacred time and creates a sacred memory for the family. That is the goal, the mission of an End-of-Life Doula.”

Article Provided by:
Evening Star End-of-Life Doula Services
503.395.7305
www.EveningStar-EOL-Doula.com

The Emotional & Physical Toll of Worry

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Worrying takes an emotional and physical toll and can lead to serious medical issues. Unfortunately, just telling ourselves to chill out doesn’t stop the worry. And, when a loved one is aging and needs more help than they’re willing to accept, there is a real cause for concern.

Fortunately, you can increase your peace of mind. First, there are ways to be reassured that your loved one is safe, even when you’re not with them. Are they willing to wear a medical alert device? If so, there are many to choose from, and some include fall detection that allows the medical alert company to be notified in the event of a fall, even if the wearer doesn’t push a Help button.

If your loved one is resistant to a medical alert device, perhaps they will allow a daily check-in phone call. LollyCall makes an automated check-in phone call one or more times a day. This requires only a telephone and your loved one doesn’t have to wear a pendant or bracelet.

Still a no go? Many older people have systems with their neighbors that involve raising window blinds. If the blinds are up, the neighbor knows your loved one is okay. You can ask the neighbor to notify you if the blinds are not up. Or, if your loved one has a computer or an iPad, you can play games such as Words With Friends. If they stop playing the game, then you know to check on them.

It’s also important for you to get help. There are many services that can help you, and the book you are holding in your hands (or the web site you are browsing) is an amazing compilation of resources. Some examples? Meals on Wheels will deliver nutritious food to your loved one and notify you if they notice anything is astray. Store to Door is a service in Multnomah County that calls homebound seniors to get their grocery orders and then delivers the groceries the following day. There are senior loneliness lines that your loved one can call if they want someone to talk to, and there is a new service in Washington County, run by peer volunteers, who will call your loved one once a week to chat.

Finally, consider the Serenity Prayer: grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I wanted my aging parents to accept the things I thought they should do, have the courage to do what I told them, and the wisdom to know that I was right. But the more I fought the reality of who they were and how they were choosing to live their lives, the harder things were. Ultimately, peace of mind is a delicate balance between your loved ones accepting your help and you accept that they are who they are and nothing will ever be perfect.

Article Provided by:
LollyCall
503-334-3596
www.LollyCall.com

Recession and Dementia: Reasons to Plan

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Financial Insecurity

As of December 2019, market volatility is rocking the world and it appears that this may be the norm going into 2020 and many experts fear a recession is imminent. Whether a family member is already in long term care (LTC) or merely concerned LTC is on the horizon, a recession can severely impact financial resources and a family’s ability to pay for help. Planning for LTC now can protect families and their precious assets regardless of the financial weather.

Two Available Benefits

1. Military veterans may be entitled to Aid and Attendance which can provide over $2,000.00 a month of additional income to help pay for LTC.

2. For all others, Medicaid may be available to pay for LTC.

Medicaid Rumors

There are many rumors about Oregon Medicaid. While some are seeded in fact, they rarely tell the whole story. For example, while a Medicaid recipient may not have more than $2,000.00 in available resources, with proper planning their healthy spouse can keep significantly more. Also, did you know that even if you have more income than Medicaid’s maximum you may still be able to qualify? And, your home is an exempt asset if you or your spouse continue to live in the home.

Plan Now!

Whether you are in care now or care is still years down the road, the time to plan is now. Only an elder law attorney can assist families when planning for LTC. And whether a serious medical condition exists or not, those that seek help right away are significantly better off than those that do nothing.

Planning for LTC takes many forms. However, the goal is always the same, to receive the best care possible without jeopardizing our loved ones. Such plans will include documents you may think you already have like a power of attorney or a trust. However, these documents can be deceptive. Estate plans that are not prepared by an elder law attorney, are likely inadequate to protect a family. Unfortunately, many families that find themselves rocked by healthcare costs are unable to prevent impoverishment because their estate planning documents are insufficient.

Planning for the Unknown

Although market gyrations will continue, families that have a plan in place are less likely to be affected by a market downturn and will have greater peace of mind regardless of the financial weather.

Article Provided by:
Michael J. Rose, Attorney Rose Elder Law, LLC
971-865-3171
www.RoseElderLaw.org