National Aging in Place Week in the Greater Charleston area
October 31, 2009
Care For Life participated in the National Aging in Place Week in the Greater Charleston area in October. Locations in Summerville, Mount Pleasant and James Island were utilized to host the events during the week. A letter the SC Aging in Place Council (www.scaipc.org) received tells the wonderful story:
“Yesterday (October 15) I went to play bridge at the Lowcountry Senior Center (James Island). Your program was there instead. My good luck! Thanks for being a program for seniors in this transitional stage of life! I’ve shared the information brochures, addresses, etc. with my husband along with notes I took at each of the five presentations and from the AIP Council representatives.
As newcomers, and in the right age group (84 and 86) we are naturally making mental notes and possible plans for our next step. You provided answers in many areas….and we met many dedicated, genuine and caring people during those few hours. You provide such a great atmosphere of hope and help!! I came away reassured, even during this time of doubt and fear that our country is experiencing. [The sing-along was fun, too!]
We are keeping the list of sponsors in a prominent place and have even zeroed in on the transportation area for the day when we have to stop driving and for the evenings when we do not drive. Many, many thanks for your help in providing resources for us and all who come your way.”
Sincerely, Clare from Charleston
Essential Eldercare Links
October 31, 2009
We found these great links for Essential Eldercare Links from www.Bestassistedliving.com.
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Lowcountry’s 1st Annual Independent Living & Mobility Expo Video
October 31, 2009
1st Annual Low Country Independent Living & Mobility
October 29, 2009
1st Annual Low Country Independent Living & Mobility
S ATU RD AY, O C T OB E R 3 1
10 am to 3 pm
At Care For Life Plaza
1033 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC
great video about Caregiver
October 26, 2009
Natalie gives thanks to a caring woman
Helping your parent remain home in Comfort and Safety presentation
October 9, 2009
October 14, 2009 – Women Leading Wellness, a free workshop series by women faculty of MUSC and co-sponsored by the Center for Women, kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday with an event called Women as Daughters, The last big role reversal: when your parents become your children. Moderators are Darlene Shaw, PhD, Associate Provost for Student Services at MUSC, and Jennet Alterman, Director of Center for Women. Presentations include “Caring for the Caregivers” by Barbara Edlund, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing; “Transitions in the Aging Process” by Linda Austin, MD, psychiatrist; “Asking Your Doctor for Help with Your Parents” by Kathy Wiley, MD, internist; “Helping Your Parents Remain Home in Comfort and Safety” by Sheryl O’Neal, Marketing Director of Care For Life, a geriatric care management and homecare agency; and “Financial Planning for Aging Parents” by Barbara Franklin, Long Term Care Professional, Franklin & Associates. The event will be held at the Basic Science Auditorium on Ashley Avenue near Bee Street. For info and to register: 763-7333 or c4women.org.
Know someone who needs safe, dignified transportation resource in Charleston, SC area
October 8, 2009
I came across some great information for a group that provides transportation for seniors.
The Independent Transportation Network ITN is a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to helping seniors (65 and older) and the visually impaired with their transportation needs. Using private automobiles and both volunteer and paid drivers, the ITN will transport these community members 24 hours a day, seven days a week anywhere within the ITN service area. Known as ITNCharlestonTrident™, the initiative offers door-through-door, arm-through-arm, dignified transportation service to seniors and the visually impaired, and peace of mind to their families.
read more about ITN
Considerations before moving to a residential facility
October 6, 2009
When you are considering a move to assisted living there are several points for families to consider:
•Start the conversation about options for parents’ with them and siblings long before a move is necessitated by medical condition or cognitive impairment. Decide:
•Will parent be able to live on her own with assistance by family or paid caregiver?
•What adaptations are recommended in the parent’s home in order for them to remain there? Or,
•Can the parent live with an adult child? Personalities are huge consideration.
•Is a residential community the best option?
Next,
•Have a family meeting (adult children with or without parents) with a Geriatric Nurse Care Manager to explore the above three options. Work together to create a flexible, written plan for aged parents’ holistic well-being.
•Moving is a stressor on all ages, but even more so for an aged parent who has lived in the same house for decades. Be kind and considerate, but assertive, if needed, to do best thing for parents.
•A deep and very real fear of loss of control of own life is a tremendous obstacle to moving to new environment
The Search begins:
•Tour several facilities, take notes and do comparisons. Try to visualize your parent or yourself in the residence
•Be mindful of proximity to your home or work so that seeing your parent is made easier
• Trust your senses, feelings and your initial reaction to what you see, hear and smell
•Discuss whether your cognitive parent will be placed with persons with dementia. It is best not to comingle the two groups.
•Visit facilities during lunch to see how residents interact with staff and others. Also, is the food fresh and the right temperature?
•Does there seem to be adequate staffing?
•Is the kitchen clean and pantry well-stocked?
•Does the overall atmosphere seem pleasant? Cleanliness is essential!
•Are patients “parked” at nursing stations or in front of televisions with little or no interaction?
•Are pets allowed? Sometimes keeping a pet helps aged person adjust more quickly!
•Do residents appear to be clean, groomed and odor-free?
•Does the staff treat each other with respect?
•Meet the clinical director (not just the marketing person) and ask questions
•Make sure you understand levels of care available and what determines when your parent moves from one level of care to another (and the difference in cost!)
•What occurs in a medical emergency? Will you be the first to be called after 9-1-1?
•Talk to residents. Engage them about the care they receive and the activities they enjoy (or not).
•Ask for references—other families with parents there. They can get permission to give names.
•Ask to take home information on admission criteria and house rules
•Take the time to review materials and ask questions
Use your professional Geriatric Nurse Care Manager’s expertise
•Work with your Geriatric Nurse Care Manager every step of the process for her professional and practical input. She will know available facilities and will help you assess which residential community will best meet your parents’ needs as well as desires for a certain lifestyle as they age.
How to hire a Geriatric Care Manager:
October 5, 2009
We found this article from www.Bestassistedliving.com.
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1. Does your geriatric care manager have the right credentials?
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has strict requirements for membership. Members must have a Masters degree in a relevant field like nursing or social work, supervised experience, and certain accreditations. Members of this association are usually a good bet. Care For Life’S Founder Mary Peters Is A Certified Care Manager And Member Of NAPGCM.
2. Get referrals.
Asking for referrals from nurse professionals, therapists, rehab practitioners, attorneys, friends, and geriatricians is always a good idea – you can learn a lot from other people’s experiences.
3. Look for relevant skills
If your elder has a lot of medical issues you might want to find a care manager with a nursing background. But if there are social issues, a social worker background might be more useful. [Care For Life Has Two Nurses On Staff To Oversee Our Caregiving.]
3. A consultation or an assessment
Most geriatric care managers charge by the hour or by the project. You could begin by arranging a consultation to help you get started evaluating the care needed for your elder.
From there a geriatric care giver might provide you with a more detailed assessment. That will give you a baseline to see if the elder’s current facility is the right place for him or her, plus a care plan for your elder. If a move is recommended, they can help you find a qualified facility that suits your loved one.
4. Nurse Care Manager as your elder’s advocate
All elders need an advocate acting on their behalf. The care manager can be especially useful as an interface between the assisted living facility and family members. For example, is your loved one getting the right help with daily tasks, preferred recreation, and medical issues. So if you can’t be there to oversee these mattes, the geriatric care manager can provide a valuable resource to help improve your elder’s quality of life and care.
5. Flexible service as you need it
Some families use geriatric care managers to manage extra care help. For example, the elder might need help getting to meals, dressing, or bathing. Or they just might be lonely and need someone to visit with them. [Care For Life Has Screened, Trained And Compassionate Caregivers On Staff.]
For further reference:
New York Times article: “When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert“