Parents of children with behavioral challenges may be familiar with two experts in the field of collaborative problem solving: Dr. J. Stuart Ablon (Director of Think:Kids) and Dr. Ross Greene (Founding Director of Lives in the Balance). In this post, we’ll explore how the collaborative problem solving techniques and “Plan B” approach recommended for children could also be used productively by adult children interacting with parents suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's.
Read MoreIts seems that many approaches to child care can be applied productively to other vulnerable populations, such as individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Yet, it seems like multi-generational, "cross-pollination" of best practices hasn’t occurred widely. The I-PASS study at Boston Children's Hospital focuses on family-centered hospital rounding processes. If family-centered communications can reduce medical errors for children, why not for older patients too?
Read MoreWith measles outbreaks in the United States growing by the day, you may be wondering if your elderly parent is in danger. In this blog post, we’ll explore which vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend for people ages 65 and older.
Read MoreMental health care seems to be afterthought or downright ignored in our healthcare system. Yet, mental health services and expertise are essential components in a care plan for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Caregivers often find themselves at a loss, trying to identify the mental health services that their family members need….
Read MoreWhen an elderly parent is hospitalized, whether planned or unplanned, it's a stressful time for caregivers. Add hospital delirium to the mix and things can get overwhelming fast. Fortunately, awareness about delirium is on the rise in the medical community and there are things that both clinicians and families can do to reduce the likelihood of delirium developing.
Read MoreIn 2017, more than 60% of all American health care institutions and 40% to 50% of all American hospitals utilized some form of telehealth. Telehealth isn't just for the younger, tech-savvy generations, however. New services have the potential to simplify healthcare for seniors and their caregivers
Read MoreCaring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia can sometimes feel like a 24/7 job. Adult social day programs are a great resource for individuals with memory issues and caregivers alike. This post discusses some pros and cons of these programs.
Read MoreCaring for an elderly parent often feels similar to parenting. It can be a lot of routine appointments and tasks to ensure that your family member is safe, healthy, and cared for. But, what happens when you encounter critical situations where you just don't know where to turn? It might be beneficial to hire a geriatric care manager. In this post, we’ll explore when and why you might use this type of resource.
Read MoreMany elderly insist that they "never want to go to a nursing home." Although adult children can do their very best to keep parents at home, it's still possible that a skilled nursing facility may be the best alternative for providing the level of care that is needed. This week, I’m offering five recommendations if you need to research skilled nursing facilities.
Read MoreAs your family members grow older, their health may deteriorate to a degree that it's no longer safe or practical for them to live at home, even with in-home care. For most people, 24x7 private care is not an affordable alternative. In this post, I'll be discussing memory care facilities and eight things you may want to keep in mind as you explore this care alternative.
Read MorePerhaps your elderly parent needs to move to assisted living or they’ve decided to downsize. Now you’re faced with what I call “the great house clean out.” The prospect can be daunting. It took me a year to clean out and prepare my parents’ home to sell. This post has ten tips from my experience…
Read MoreJennifer Martin, management consultant and healthcare strategist, recently shared her family’s experiences with hospice with me. We’re devoting two posts to hospice to cover the range of experiences more thoroughly. In this second post, we’ll focus on Jennifer’s mother-in-law’s and sister-in-law’s experiences with hospice in a skilled nursing setting and at home, respectively.
Read MoreJennifer Martin, management consultant and healthcare strategist, recently shared her family’s experiences with hospice with me. Even in end of life situations, she found that navigating the hospice landscape may be challenging depending on each patient’s unique situation. In this post, we’ll focus on Jennifer’s Mom’s experience in a hospice facility and provide four takeaways for caregivers, plus a note for well-meaning visitors .
Read MoreIn the United States, cars and driving are an integral part of our culture of personal independence. So, what happens when your elderly parent shows signs that they might not be safe behind the wheel? The “car conversation” is often a difficult one which stirs up feelings of defensiveness, frustration, and anxiety for all involved. In this post, we’ll offer thoughts on when and how to broach this sensitive topic.
Read MorePalliative care teams in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical centers can help patients clarify their goals around quality of life and then align those to treatment options. Many seniors and their caregivers are unaware that these resources exist. This post explores what palliative care is, its benefits, and recommendations for engaging with palliative care specialists.
Read MoreOne of the challenging aspects of senior caregiving is that every situation is unique. Caregiving Case Study posts give readers insight into how different families have approached eldercare and the lessons they’ve learned. I recently interviewed Mary Anglade, CEO and Founder of sparqGEN Marketing, about her caregiving experiences with her dad.
Read MoreIf your parent has been hospitalized, rehab may be the next step on the horizon. Caregivers can serve as better advocates when they understand the differences between acute and sub-acute rehab facilities. Medicare Accountable Care Organizations can also smooth the path from hospital to rehab.
Read MoreIn many communities around the United States, “aging in place villages” are springing up. These membership based organizations help seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible. I recently interviewed Carol Donohue, the Website and Software Chair of Bay to Sound Neighbors. She explained what aging in place villages are, how Bay to Sound Neighbors works, and how people can find villages in their area.
Read MoreNo in-home care strategy is complete without plans for handling doctor’s appointments and medication management. This post touches on issues like communicating with physicians (both in-person and online) and prescription management options ranging from family-filled pill cassettes to multi-dose packaging services.
Read MoreFood and nutrition are important considerations when your elderly parent is living at home. This can be a challenge, however — especially if your parents don’t drive. This post explores meal options for your in-home care strategy.
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