Author: Meghan Parsons

Judgement

Posted on


 

“Do not judge others by your own standards, for everyone is making their way home, the way they know best.”
– Leon Brown

I have a secret… this Thanksgiving I went to Hawaii with my family for vacation. I was afraid to post a single photo on social media because of the judgement of others for traveling during COVID. We did everything possible to be safe for ourselves and others. Quarantined, tested before leaving, direct flights, masks and face shields, testing after arrival, all activities were outdoors with my family only, testing upon return, and quarantine now. For those that sit in judgement…I get it; my family is managing stage 4 cancer and have rescheduled this trip 3 times since diagnosis due to the pandemic. Remember when judging others… we never know the choices another person is making and what they are weighing

Disagree without being Disagreeable

Posted on

“You can disagree without being disagreeable.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

With the election results looming, this seemed like a fitting reminder for all of us. We do not need to agree, we don’t even need to debate, but we should try for a bit more civility. I don’t agree with most of my family on political issues, but that does not mean that I don’t love them. We can still value the person, and dissent with an opinion.

Have You Ever Heard of Reversible Dementia?

Posted on

The answer to this question may surprise you. There are some conditions that mimic dementia and cause cognitive impairment. This is what we refer to as reversible dementia. In order to define the term, we first must understand what dementia is. Dementia is a collection of disorders involving cognitive impairment, and there are many different types. Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent diagnosis, but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s cannot be improved and is irreversible dementia.  Reversible dementias on the other hand can be improved or eliminated. As we care for people with all sorts of conditions and diseases it is important to be aware of any behaviors or issues that we observe so we can inform healthcare professionals and an accurate diagnosis can be given to the patient. Let us define reversible dementia.

Reversible dementia is any type of dementia caused by a condition or agent that, once treated, or removed, can be controlled, cured, or improved.  There are many different conditions that cause potentially reversible dementia. The most common conditions are:

  • Depression
  • Alcohol-induced cognitive impairment
  • Nutritional deficiencies (including vitamin B12 and dehydration)
  • Medication side effects and interactions
  • Metabolic disorders
  • A variety of infections, especially chronic ones
  • Delirium
  • Heart disease
  • Brain tumors
  • Environmental toxins
  • Subdural hematomas
  • Sleep disorders
  • Brain trauma
  • Drug abuse

So, are these dementias always reversible? Sadly, no, not always. Because in order to be reversed, the underlying condition causing dementia must be diagnosed and treated correctly early on in its presence. If these conditions are not brought under control or cured, or are left untreated, then brain damage can result, and that can be permanent. Many cases cannot be reversed because people assume that since the condition is dementia it cannot be cured. However, if the dementia diagnosis is in question the next step should include a physical exam, bloodwork, imaging, and neuropsychological testing. Once a diagnosis has been made, it must be followed by proper treatment of the underlying condition. Then, and only over time, might it possibly be reversed.

Getting a memory screening is a simple and safe “healthy brain check-up” that tests memory skills and other thinking skills. A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a physician; however, it is an important first step toward finding out if an individual may have a memory problem. Individuals who score below the normal threshold, or who still have concerns about their memory, are advised to follow up with their physician for a thorough evaluation.  A memory screening once a year, like an annual physical, is an effective way to determine if your cognitive skills are changing.

Article Provide By:
ComForCare Home Care
503-400-6637
www.ComForCare.com/Oregon/Salem

Lifting Others Up

Posted on

 

“A rising tide lifts all boats.” -John F Kennedy

This quote was shared with me after our last sponsor breakfast call, and I think it really speaks to our efforts surrounding case management week, managing COVID updates online, and postings about Fire resources this past month. When we all work together- every one of us benefits. Not every provider is able to be a sponsor in our Retirement Connection Guide, but everyone of us has an opportunity to be a resource.

People Cry

Posted on

“People cry, not because they’re weak. It’s because they’ve been strong for too long.” -Johnny Depp

This weekend I had a minor (very, very minor) miscommunication with my husband about dinner, followed by my uncontrollable crying. Needless to say, he was confused! I wasn’t really crying over what was for dinner- as it may have seemed. Maybe… I was crying because cancer has altered so many of our other plans; or because COVID doesn’t allow us to go to “our place” for our anniversary; or… who the hell knows. In reality, I was crying because I had kept it together long enough and it had to come out. Our feelings have to go somewhere, find a safe place for them. Thanks Lyman for being that safe place!

 

Attitude

Posted on

“The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort.” –Billy Cox

Lately, I have felt that I do not have as much “control” as I want or need. The best I can do right now is to stay focused on what I am able to manage and accomplish. I don’t need to do more, I just need to remove the clutter and distractions; stay focused on the most important goals; then put all my effort into achieving them. I can at least control two things- my attitude and effort!

 

Follow Through

Posted on

“If you say you will, be sure you do.”

On our team, If you say it.. you are doing it. This doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally overcommit, or run late- but I will always follow through. Our word represents our integrity and that is the most important value for our team, everything else is secondary. We committed to having the new CareAvailability.com site live by mid June. It is live. It has some flaws we are working through- but it is live!

Winners

Posted on

“Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until they succeed.” – Robert Kiyosaki

This quote seemed very fitting as we launch CareAvailability.com. Our team started to work on this project quite a while ago and had to adjust the course along the way. I am proud that the website we are releasing next week has more features and customization than we initially planned. We did not give up on bringing the idea to fruition and it shows.

Finding Yourself

Posted on

 

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose. ” – Dolly Parton

During the Stay at Home order many of us have had time to reflect (maybe more than some of us would prefer). Take some time this week to think about who you are, the person you want to be, and decide how to be the best version of that. To be successful you need to be true to yourself first.

Conversations to Have with Your Parents

Posted on

We strongly encourage that families adopt the 40/60 rule guideline as the perfect time to start discussions concerning potentially sensitive topics around aging. That simply means that when the children are around 40 and/or the parents are around 60, these discussions should begin. Ideally, the whole family should be involved. It’s often least stressful to begin with a simple discussion of how and where your parents see themselves living in the next few years, but eventually, and sooner is better, it would be prudent to talk about a whole host of things, for example:

  • How to handle lifestyles issues that arise due to changes in health
  • How to take care of their home and property
  • Concerns about dementia
  • Financial concerns
  • Creating a safe home environment
  • Responsible driving

A Geriatric Care Manager can guide you in how to effectively have these discussions and what specific topics are relevant to your family by:

  • Researching and creating an action plan with all options for discussion
  • Ensuring that each health, financial and safety matter is properly addressed
  • Discussing crisis management scenarios

Do your parents have all the necessary documents in place? Where are they kept?

Living Wills including a POLST form

  • Healthcare Power of Attorney
  • Financial Power of Attorney
  • Last Will and Testament

Original documents should be given to your physician and their appointed healthcare decision maker, they can keep the original financial documents with a lawyer. If original documents are left in the home, they must be accessible to the appropriate family members.

Is Your Parent’s House Age Friendly?

Housing choices available to aging parents essentially boiled down to these options:

  • They could age in place
  • Move in with another family member
  • Move to a retirement community
  • Move into a facility that provides hands-on assistance with care

If your parents choose to stay at home subtle design choices can have a profound impact on how long they can comfortably live in their home, that don’t have to compromise their aesthetic. Some things to think about:

  • Eliminate potential obstacles, clutter and trip hazards
  • Ensure showers are easy to get in and out of, with room for grab bars when needed
  • Can bedrooms be moved downstairs if needed
  • Plan ahead when remodeling
  • Consult with a Geriatric Care Manager for guidance

Do you know your parent’s funeral plans?

Have they formally prearranged their funeral or memorial service with a provider? If so, these documents should be kept with their other important papers, so you have timely access to them when necessary. Remember, you don’t have to pre-pay, but you should definitely preplan.

In Summary

Having a Geriatric Care Manager assist you with these conversations can be beneficial, as they are experts in their fields and have no emotional ties or unseen benefits. Their objectivity is valuable to aid in navigating uncomfortable family conversations about the future and wellbeing of a parent or loved one.

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