Author: Meghan Parsons

Caring for a loved one with memory loss: Are you ready to time travel?

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When caring for or visiting with a loved one with memory loss, try to meet them where they are. If he is in the war in 1940, be fighting right alongside him in 1940.

When caring for someone with memory loss, we must keep things in mind. Family and friends have special ways of reminiscing. There are shared memories which bubble to the surface with inside jokes and memories about each other that remain unspoken because of that shared history. We will never know what tales a loved one would share about us with a stranger.

Louise, a resident at the Cottages, was excited to have a visitor. She had donned her favorite scarf and made sure her nail polish matched. As she sat across from the beautiful younger woman, she caught a hint of familiarity as she noticed a silver elephant pendant sparkling on her necklace. Louise perked up, “My daughter Sarah loves to collect elephant figures and jewelry. She started gathering them when she was just three years old after she saw one at the zoo and her eyes lit up with such joy because it very carefully took a peanut from her outstretched hand. Every time I see an elephant I think of her and I see that look on her little face…”

This could go one of two ways…

Scenario 1

Holding Louise’s warm hands, Sarah felt simultaneously touched by the story and hurt that her mother didn’t recognize her. “Mom, it is me- Sarah- your daughter!” Flustered, Louise tried to gather herself as she wiped the tear from her eye, trying to regain her composure. She felt humiliation, suspicion, and confusion- my daughter? How is this her- how did she grow up so quickly? This is impossible. She is just three years old. This grown woman can’t be her, but there is something familiar about her so maybe she is right… “Oh, uh, yes, of… of course, dear. I knew that…”

Scenario 2:

Although Sarah felt disappointed that her mother didn’t recognize her, she decided to put her own feelings aside and instead assume the role of “Friendly Stranger” which her mother had assigned to her. She said “Tell me more about your daughter.” Louise lit up, her eyes sparkling like they did when she was younger “She is three years old and she has the most beautiful curly golden hair. Everyone says I should cut it, but I just couldn’t bear it so it has grown down to here…” Sarah listened intently, soaking up every word as she realized that she had never known exactly what she was like as a three year old, nor how her mother felt about her at the time. She felt like she was spying on the woman her mother was when Sarah was a young child- a woman that she as an adult had never known.

This Means…

When caring for or visiting with a loved one with memory loss, try to meet them where they are. If he is in the war in 1940, be fighting right alongside him in 1940. If she thinks she needs to get home to her young children, ask her about her children and find out more about them even if those “young children” she’s describing are yourself or your parents.

Typically, when two people are talking, one is remembering a moment from the past. However, when one of those people has memory loss they are living a moment from the past. If you go on that journey with them, you become a time traveler.

Article Provided by:
CarePartners Senior Living
www.CarePartnersLiving.com

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Aging: What are the warning signs?

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Don’t wait until something tragic happens. Go to a doctor to review medications and change of conditions. Build a safety net of attentive family and friends.

In today’s world, seniors are living longer, families are dispersed all over the country, and we all want to keep our independence. However, with phone relationships, we usually don’t get the whole picture. Adult children can struggle to come to terms with their parent’s aging process; and seniors of this generation often do not ask for help easily.

What are the warning signals?

First, what are the leading indicators that change may be on the way?  Death of a spouse, loss of one’s health, or family/friends moving away can be precursors to change.

Second, pause for a minute and determine what describes your senior? 
How would you describe their normal baseline? Are they normally organized, happy, groomed?  Quiet, hesitant, apprehensive? Messy, clumsy, disheveled? Confident, a conversationalist, assertive? Being any one of these things doesn’t indicate much, but if their behavior varies from the norm this may indicate a change of condition and/or suggest a downward trend.

With careful observation, research and discussion, note any changes in the three different dimensions- physical emotional, and cognitive. 

Physical warning signals include:  Unexplained weight loss, bruises or injuries, multiple falls, or changes in appearance.  Seniors’ skin can get very thin and is more susceptible to tearing.
Some medications can increase the potential for bruising.

Noted emotional changes include:  Fear of being alone; stops calling friends, not participating in things they enjoyed; not going to church; not coming to family dinners; not going out with friends for lunch; or wearing pajamas and slippers all day long. 

Some examples of Cognitive indicators: Unpaid bills, mountains of unopened mail, loss of money or questionable financial decisions, pets poorly cared for, vehicle is accumulating dents, food and medications are beyond pull dates, changes in sleep patterns such as increased sleep or any wakefulness.

Actions to take:

Don’t wait until something tragic happens. Go to a doctor to review medications and change of conditions. Build a safety net of attentive family and friends. Consider bringing care into the home or moving to a safer living situation. Be strong.

Article Provided by:
Garden Court Retirement
425-438-9080
www.GardenCourtRetirement.com

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3 Steps to lock in the best long-term care and save money

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It is easy to quickly find yourself sitting on top of a pile of bills. What is decided and disseminated while you are navigating housing and care options can ensure an outcome that will either save or cost you money.

For almost all, this is the first time you are navigating through the senior housing or in-home care process. Seniors often find themselves looking for housing options after a life changing event such as a serious fall, diagnosis of disease, or significant decline in health needs. It is easy to quickly find yourself sitting on top of a pile of bills. What is decided and disseminated while you are navigating housing and care options can ensure an outcome that will either save or cost you money.

Here are 3 steps to help you navigate the best long-term care solutions for you and keep you from spending excess funds.

Be Prepared, Educated, and Seek Guidance:

You are going to be faced with a large amount of information all at once. If you are at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, your social worker or discharge planner is the first step in preparing you for what’s to come next. You may be referred to agencies or consultants who specialize in educating and navigating you through this process. Trust their lead and contact an advisor who you connect with. If you are navigating this process alone, reach out to a Senior Living Advisor who can prepare you with the next steps and offer guidance along the way.

Think Long Term:

You will always hope for the best and everyone wants to return home, but it’s important to think about your long-term needs and be open to other possibilities. Be honest with yourself, social worker, and Senior Care Advisor in terms of your care needs and understand your situation can change at any moment and asking for help is not giving up independence, but ensuring you are heard. The more understanding around your current and potential future care needs, the more appropriate placement can be made the first time, saving you money.

Chart Your Own Course:

You may need to start the process of placement or care planning before leaving the hospital. This occurs especially if placement or care has been discussed, but it is unclear what is available. Because clients don’t know what they don’t know and hope for the best, they often make a mistake on what they plan on their own. Utilizing an agency that empowers you to Chart Your Own Course gives you the freedom and confidence to make the right choice for you and your loved ones while understanding the consequences and benefits of each decision you can make.

Article Provided by:
CayCare Elder Care & Senior Living Advisors
844-582-7767
www.CayCare.com

 

 

5 steps to help sell your home

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To circumvent that roadblock of “It’s all too much so I’ll just stay put!”Here’s a 5-step plan to help sell your home…

The process to sell your home can be intimidating. Are you like many folks looking at the many wonderful community options, thinking this could be a good fit for me and then hitting a total road block when you realize you need to sell your home as part of your move?  If you have you been in your home for many years, you have not only an accumulation of memories, but often an accumulation of stuff! To circumvent that roadblock of “It’s all too much so I’ll just stay put!”

Here’s a 5-step plan to help sell your home…

1. Learn about your Options – Today there are many great professional services and knowledgeable real estate brokers that can guide you to the help you need or want: Downsizers, Packers, Movers, Contractors, Elder care attorneys and Financial Planners to name a few. Most offer a free consultation so you can learn about their service. Your chosen community may be able to make referrals as well. You don’t have to do it all on your own or wait until family or friends are available.

2. Look at your Numbers – What’s your home worth in your local market? Your real estate broker can give you a current market value plus itemize the costs to sell. Would updates be worth the expense? What are the costs of moving, packing and unpacking assistance? Consider a financial planner to make the best use of your net proceeds.

3. Create a Home Sale Calendar – Schedule the time frame to sort, pack, move, and prepare the house for listing. Be honest about your energy and abilities & add fun and relaxation in as well. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to cram it all in a tight time frame. It may be well worth hiring professional assistance.

4. Start with a Master List–  Avoid the
“I wish I had thought of this”mindset. Do a mental walk-thru of your life, a physical walk-thru of your house and list what’s most important – what moves with me, what goes to family or friends, what can I sell, and what can I just get rid of. Your new community will be helpful in determining what you will need, what you may want, and what will fit in your new space. Share your list for feedback.

5. Acknowledge the Process – There will be ups and downs! No doubt that a home sale is stressful, so why not make it your goal to surround yourself throughout the process with those folks and professionals that can reduce the stress and help make the most of your home sale. They will also be able to assist you with touring, paperwork, and other resources surrounding a transition, in addition, to narrowing down the best options to consider.

Article Provided by:
Peter Gallagher
SASH Realty
206-501-4375
www.SashServices.com

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End-of-life planning: The final farewell

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Proactive seniors who prearrange end-of-life planning, protect their loved ones from additional stress at a difficult time.

Most seniors have a will and take other proactive steps for end-of-life planning. Surprisingly, far fewer seniors preplan their funeral arrangements. There are numerous benefits in preplanning. Seniors who make their own funeral arrangements ensure their final wishes, such as whether they want to be cremated or buried, are followed. This lifts a huge emotional burden off of their family members. 

While it is not necessary to prepay for a funeral service that is preplanned, doing so lifts a large financial worry off of loved ones. Another advantage of paying in advance, often referred to as prearranging, is that most funeral homes and cemeteries will lock in the purchase at today’s prices which guards against inflation.

One reason some seniors don’t prearrange their funerals is because they think they may eventually move. Some funeral providers offer portability of plans at no extra charge. For example, many prearranged funeral services are fully transferable and will be honored at 2,000 other providers throughout North America if the purchaser moves more than 75 miles from where the original arrangements were made. Always ask if this is possible and what limitations there may be.   

More and more people are choosing to enhance traditional funeral services with highly personalized life celebrations. Personalization can be as simple as requesting certain songs be played. Some people opt to have the procession from chapel to cemetery reflect their individuality. For example, an avid cyclist may have riding club friends escort the procession. Others want to give a special memento to guests. Many families hold catered receptions after the service to celebrate a loved one’s life.

A good first step in prearranging is to pick up a planning guide at a Dignity Memorial® or other provider.  It often includes an easy-to-use planner to record final wishes, family heritage, military history estate information and other vital end-of-life information in a single document. Seniors interested in preplanning also can get started at home with convenient on-line tools from some providers.

Proactive seniors who prearrange protect their loved ones from additional stress at a difficult time and choose the funeral arrangements they truly want for their final farewell.

Article Provided by:
Dignity Memorial
800-344-6489
www.DignityMemorial.com

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The hidden costs of caregiving

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The earlier you begin to explore your options the easier it is to understand your choices and make the best-informed decisions.

If you are taking responsibility for helping an aging relative get through the day, you may be shouldering a larger burden than you realize. Many caregivers don’t stop to consider the personal, financial and emotional costs of caregiving. New research is bringing those costs to light.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 44 million Americans provide unpaid care for a parent or other adult. These caregivers report higher levels of stress, depression, heart disease and diabetes than the population at large. They are also at higher risk for catching the flu or a cold.
Caregiving also takes a toll on the workplace. Fifty-seven percent of caretakers work outside the home and studies show a majority of those workers take at least some time off with many reducing hours at work or having to quit work altogether in order to provide care for a loved one. One study estimated that working caregivers lose a lifetime average of $303,880 in lost wages, benefits and retirement contributions.

Other studies show that what matters most to caregivers is lost time. Time spent providing care is often time that can’t be spent with your spouse or children, with friends, volunteering, attending church or relaxing.
If the hidden costs of caregiving are taking a toll on you and your family, you may reach a point when you should seek additional caregiver assistance. Remember there are many options available, ranging from in-home care to retirement and independent living, to assisted living, to skilled nursing homes.

The earlier you begin to explore your options the easier it is to understand your choices and make the best-informed decisions. As you explore housing options, think about your loved one’s current and future needs. Is your parent healthy, or managing a chronic condition that could require special care?

Article Provided by:
Enlivant
www.Enlivant.com

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5 Key factors in finding the right senior living option

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It can be overwhelming looking for the right senior living option, for many to know “Where do I start?”

There comes a time for many seniors when they need or want more care than they can receive at home.  It can be overwhelming looking for the right senior living option, for many to know “Where do I start?”

Here are 5 factors to consider:

1. Needs: Independent Living may be the right option if your loved one needs assistance with meals, housekeeping, transportation and activities. If your loved one needs help with medications, bathing, dressing, transferring or toileting an Assisted Living Community provides 24/7 care. If your loved one’s dementia has progressed to the point of wandering or exit seeking a secured memory care community is safest.

2. Preferences: This includes the style or aesthetics of a community: How does it look and feel?  Would your loved one enjoy a newer or established community.  Does your loved one desire a studio, one bedroom or two-bedroom apartment?  Also, would your loved one enjoy a more intimate community of 35-100 residents or would they prefer a larger setting of 100+ residents? Or perhaps a smaller Foster Care Home setting of 5 total residents might be a good fit if your loved one is not all that social and does not have any night time care needs.

3. Wants: Does your loved one like to attend or be a part of social events?  If so, what hobbies, events, or shopping would they like to be a part of? Determining how someone would enjoy day-to-day engagement goes a long way towards a successful move.  There are many communities that offer a variety of entertainment options.  If your loved one is more reclusive, there will also be many communities willing to accommodate a quieter lifestyle.

4.Finances: Based on what’s included in the rent, what is affordable with one’s income and assets? If I outlive my assets will I be able to remain in the community I move into? Do I qualify for VA or Medicaid and what do I need to do to apply?

5. Location: Based on the 4 factors above, how far from my ideal location would I or my loved ones be willing to consider potential communities?  Many times this becomes the most critical element in choosing an option.

Once these factors are determined it would be helpful to have a Senior Living Advisor inform you of which options fit your criteria.  A Senior Living Advisor will also be able to assist you with touring, paperwork and other resources surrounding a transition in addition to narrowing down the best options to consider.

Article provided by:
Senior One Source
Louis Johnson & Kelley Rogers,
Senior Living Advisors
503-420-9011
www.SeniorOneSource.net

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Benefits of a life plan community or continuing care retirement community

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Benefits of a life plan community or continuing care retirement community

Have you ever wondered what a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) or Life Plan Community is? Have you done your research, explored the benefits and know your options? The state registered CCRC’s in Oregon range in location from Medford all the way to Portland. Each retirement  community is different and will vary in amenities, so be sure to do your homework and ask lots of questions!

Benefits of a CCRC:

  • Entrance Fee: An entrance fee is a one-time fee that a resident pays to move to the community. You are not purchasing real estate but investing in a plan for your future. A portion of the entrance fee goes toward the cost of additional care, discounting it significantly should you need it in the future.
  • Taxes: The federal government sees both an entrance fee and monthly fees at a CCRC as a pre-paid medical expense, which may give you a significant deduction. Please see your tax advisor for specific details.
  • Foundation: If you outlive your resources through no fault of your own, some CCRC’s foundations may offer subsidy to help with your monthly expenses for the remainder of your life. Ask about the community’s foundation when visiting.
  • Yearly Audit: Financial audits occur every year and you should  have access
    to that information at a CCRC.
  • Disclosure Statement: Information about a community’s financial status, board members and licensures for its community. On your next tour, ask for this packet of information.
  • Multiple Levels of Care: Each CCRC has different licensed levels of care. It’s very important to know what each community offers and how it benefits you and your loved one.

Questions to ask on your next tour:

  • How does my long term care policy work in a CCRC?
  • Over the last 3-5 years, what is the average fee increase?
  • Are you For-profit or Not-for-profit?
  • What happens if I run out of money?
  • What licensed levels of care do you offer?
  • Get a copy of the disclosure statement and audited financials

Article Provided by:
Capital Manor
503-967-9247
www.capitalmanor.com

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Senior volunteer: Their rights, your voice

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Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteers advocate for the rights, dignity, and quality of life of adults in nursing homes, residential care and assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes.

Find meaningful volunteer work with the Long Term Care Ombudsman program

Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteers advocate for the rights, dignity, and quality of life of adults in nursing homes, residential care and assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes. Everything they do is free and confidential. Backed by a professional staff, they visit licensed facilities, get to know residents, investigate complaints (from residents, family, friends, facility staff, the public, or anyone), watch and listen for problems, and with the resident’s approval, work to resolve them.  A few examples:

  •  An assisted living resident with diabetes often receives her insulin medication much later than her doctor instructs which threatens her health.
  • An elderly woman is placed in memory care after a serious illness. As she recovers, her mind clears and she wishes to return home to a loved one, but her family is opposed.
  • A man in an adult foster care home needs help to find a cost-effective way to get a hearing aid, but his overworked caregivers seem too busy.
  • A man is back home after a stay in a residential care facility, but his final billing was in error, causing a problem with his insurance company.
  • Frequent intercom calls over loudspeakers in a memory care unit startle and annoy the residents and prevent the homelike atmosphere that state rules require.

The need for volunteer Certified Ombudsman in the Mid-Willamette Valley area is great.  While there are 384 licensed care facilities serving close to 9700 residents, there are only 19 volunteers.  This leaves vulnerable residents without the advocacy and protection they need.

You can make a real difference in ways large and small. To learn more, call the LTCO program office at 800-522-2602 and/or visit its website at www.oregon.gov/ltco.  Ombudsman volunteers receive initial training followed by regular support meetings and further training, make their own flexible schedules, and always have the professional staff to turn to. Many who volunteer are seeking ways to continue contributing to the community, often after retiring. Others volunteer because they have family experience with inadequate care facilities, they wish to honor deceased elders, wish to learn about issues affecting the elderly, or simply feel they would enjoy the work.

Article Provided by:
Long Term Care Ombudsman
800-522-2602
www.oregon.gov/ltco

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Exercise and aging

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There are numerous benefits of staying physically active as you age

While the fastest growing population segment in the United States is the 85+ age group, only about 25% of this population is currently exercising at recommended levels. Exercise has numerous benefits as you age:

Cardiovascular Health

  • Improved overall cardiac function
  • Improved blood pressure
  • Decreased risk of hospitalization rate for congestive heart failure
  • Improved lipid levels

Diabetes Management

  • Decreased incidence of diabetes
  • Improved glycemic control
  • Improved insulin sensitivity

Bone Health

  • Decreased bone density loss
  • Decreased fracture rate
  • Improved functioning with osteoarthritis

Cancer

  • Potentially decreases risk of colon, breast, prostate and rectal cancer

Other Benefits

  • Decreased fall risk
  • Improved balance
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved cognitive function and short-term memory
  • Decreased rate of depression
  • Decreased risk of obesity

The World Health Organization recommended activity levels for people age 65+ to achieve fitness benefits are

  • 150 min of moderate intensity aerobic activity or 75 min of vigorous intensity activity throughout the week
  • Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration
  • Older adults with poor mobility or balance should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week
  • Muscle strengthening activities involving major muscle groups should be done at least 2 days a week
  • When older adults cannot do the recommended amounts of physical activity due to health conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.
  • It’s never too late to start exercising! Just remember to consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. A physical therapy consult may also be beneficial to learn exercises specific for your needs.

Source: http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercise_and_aging_can_you_walk_away_from_father_time

Article Provided by:
PT Northwest
www.ptnorthwest.com

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