Monthly Archives: March 2016

Bill Thomas disrupt dementia

Disrupt Dementia: Special Webinar with Dr. Bill Thomas

“What we need is a radical reinterpretation of longevity that makes elders (and their needs) central to our collective pursuit of happiness and well-being.” – Dr. Bill Thomas. You are invited to join ALCA for a webinar event with Special Guest Bill Thomas who will speak on disrupting stereotypes regarding dementia and The Age of Disruption Tour. The webinar is free  and will last approximately 40 minutes including Q&A.

Special ALCA Event: Disrupt Dementia – a FREE Webinar Featuring Dr. Bill Thomas

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

12:00 pm ET, 11:00 am CT, 10:00 am MT, 9:00 am PT

 

Bill Thomas disrupt dementia webinar
Disrupt Dementia – Special ALCA Webinar with Dr. Bill Thomas

Dr. Bill Thomas has built a reputation as one the most eclectic and creative thinkers working in the field of medicine. Author, entrepreneur, musician, teacher, farmer, and physician, Dr. Thomas’ wide-ranging work explores the terrain of human aging. Named by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top ten Americans shaping aging, Dr. Thomas is internationally known for his health care system innovations. He is the founder of the a global non-profit (The Eden Alternative) and creator of The Green House Project, radical new approaches to reform long-term care. Dr. Thomas also developed the Senior ER model of care and is now working to transform the acute care services provided to elders.

Join ALCA for this FREE webinar event. Dr. Thomas will speak on disrupting stereotypes regarding dementia and The Age of Disruption Tour. The Tour invites people living with dementia and those who care about them to experience a new vision of intergenerational engagement and help re-imagine the way society thinks about and treats people living with forgetfulness.

To register for this special event webinar, visit the ALCA Calendar of Events page here. The webinar is free and will last approximately 40 minutes including Q&A.

Special thank you to Windward Life Care (formerly Elder Care Guides) for sponsoring this event.


This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

living at home longer

Are You Prepared to Age in Place?

Do you want to grow old in your home or age in place as it is now commonly referred? This free eBook was written to help you and your family plan for the care you may need to successfully age in place. Download your copy today and start a conversation with an Aging Life Care Professional™.

 

Planning for the Care You Need at Home – a Free eBook from the Aging Life Care Association™

by Phyllis Mensh Brostoff, CISW, CMC – Aging Life Care Professional™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

 

While it seems the number and variety of senior housing options has increased — nursing homes, assisted living facilities, continuous care retirement communities (or Life Plan Community )— most people live and die in their own homes.

The Centers for Disease Control defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”

Aging in Place
Download this free eBook today

Planning for the Care You Need at Home  walks you through the various care needs and resources you may require to successfully age in place, including:

  • How to access medical care if you become homebound
  • Non-medical home care and companion services
  • Identifying community resources
  • Technology
  • End of Life Care
  • Working with Aging Life Care Managers™

With stories to bring these issues tolife, this eBook is designed to help support you in making the decisions that are right for you. Making a plan before a crisis happens ensures your wishes and desires will be known. Download your free copy today.

 

About the author:  Phyllis Mensh Brostoff, CISW, CMC, is a social worker and co-founder of Stowell Associates – a care management and home care company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin She has written numerous articles and presented seminars across the country.  More information is available at www.caremanagedhomecare.com.  Follow Phyllis on TwitterFacebook, or email her at phyllisb@caremanagedhomecare.com.


This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

 

Your Aging Parents are at Risk of Fraud during Tax Season: What you can do about it!

Tax Scams Targeting the Elderly

Being caught in tax scams can happen to anyone even though most of us think we’re too smart to get fleeced.  Unfortunately, even the most cautious person can get ripped-off.  When older adults are defrauded, the effects can be devastating.

Your Aging Parents are at Risk of Fraud during Tax Season: What you can do about it!

by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC – Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

 

One insidious fraud making the rounds during tax season involves IRS impersonators.  Swindlers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card, money order or a wire transfer. They threaten those who refuse to pay with a grand jury indictment, immediate arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.

The Treasury Inspector General, J. Russell George warns, “As the tax filing season begins, it is critical that all taxpayers continue to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees”. He described the imposters as, “aggressive and relentless.”

Aging makes us more vulnerable to being cheated

Researchers have shown that older people are especially vulnerable to being cheated. According to a study by Shelley E. Taylor, a professor of psychology at UCLA, changes in our brains as we age cause us to miss common cues that someone is untrustworthy.[1]  In another study, Larry Jacoby, professor of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, found that older adults are far more likely than the younger adults to believe and “falsely remember” misinformation as correct thus leaving them more vulnerable to getting scammed.[2]

Despite the fact that older people are at high risk of being swindled, the FBI notes they are less likely to report being defrauded than younger people because they:

  • Don’t know who to report it to
  • Are too ashamed at having been scammed
  • May not know they have been conned
  • Are concerned about losing their independence if someone finds out
What you need to know about the IRS process

If there is a problem with a person’s taxes, the IRS issues notices by mail – not by phone. The IRS will never ask for payment by phone using a prepaid debit card, money order or wire transfer. Nor will they ask for a credit card number over the phone, request personal or financial information by e-mail, text, or any social media.

Don’t become a victim

Even the most cautious person can get ripped-off so remain vigilant, regardless of your age. Protect yourself and your parents by learning common tactics used by tax scam artists. Talk to your parents about the tricks and remind them that thieves often call or contact their victim several times to evaluate their memory and openness to their ploy.  The bad guys are looking for weakness and an opportunity to strike.

You can spot IRS imposters because they will:

  • Utilize an automated robocall machine
  • Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers
  • May know the last four digits of the victim’s social security number
  • Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling
  • Aggressively demand immediate payment to avoid being criminally charged or arrested
  • Claim that hanging up the telephone will cause the immediate issuance of an arrest warrant for unpaid taxes
  • Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam
  • Call a second or third time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim

If you or your parents are contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS:

  • Hang up immediately
  • Forward scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov
  • Do not open any attachments or click on any links in those e-mails
  • If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
  • If you do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) website, www.tigta.gov, or call TIGTA at 800-366-4484.
  • You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.
The cost of being scammed is enormous for aging adults

Financial exploitation of any kind takes a heavy toll on vulnerable adults. Unlike younger people, older retired victims are not usually able to earn money to replace their losses. Seniors who are defrauded out of significant resources could risk losing their homes and may not be able to afford to buy medications or food. As a result, chronic medical conditions can become exacerbated and may lead to hospitalization from the stress of being victimized.  Some victims experience severe depression and premature death; others have to apply for state assistance programs to survive after being fleeced.  All of these factors highlight the need to report scams and financial exploitation to the authorities so they can investigate and arrest perpetrators.  Reports of tax scams also result in greater media attention and consumer education.

Aging Life Care Professionals™ – A powerful tool to combat fraud

If your parent is isolated, frail, cognitively impaired, or lives far away from you, hiring an Aging Life Care Professional may be one of the most powerful protection tools available. These professionals can deter abuse and exploitation through ongoing oversight. They will report abuse and exploitation if it occurs, make follow up calls, advocate on behalf of the older person, and make sure the victim gets emotional support as they go through the legal process. To find your own Aging Life Care Professional go to aginglifecare.org.

 

About the author:  A Fellow of the Leadership Academy, Jullie Gray has over 30 years of experience in healthcare and aging. She is a Principal at Aging Wisdom in Seattle, WA. Jullie is the President of the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and the Past President of the Aging Life Care Association. Jullie Serves on the King County Elder Abuse Council in Washington State. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter @agingwisdom, or email her at jgray@agingwisdom.com. Aging Wisdom has a presence on Facebook – we invite you to like our page.


 

[1] Walport, S. (2012) Why older adults become fraud victims more often. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/why-older-adults-become-fraud-241076

[2] Jacoby LL., et al.  (2005). Aging, Subjective Experience, and Cognitive Control: Dramatic False Remembering by Older Adults.  Journal of Experimental Psychology.  Vol. 134, No. 2, 131–148.  American Psychological Association

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

Image ID:364342877, Copyright Alexandru Miroiu

32nd Annual ALCA Conference

32nd Annual Aging Life Care Association™ Conference

Start spreading the news…Aging Life Care Professionals™ are headed to Brooklyn, NY for the 32nd Annual Aging Life Care Association Conference. High caliber programming, networking, professional growth, and the sights and sounds of New York City make for a conference experience you don’t want to miss. Register by March 11 and save $200 with the Early Bird Discount. 

 

Start Spreading the News: 32nd Annual Aging Life Care Association Conference | April 15 – 17, 2016 | Pre-Sessions April 14, 2016

by Nancy Avitabile, LMSW, CMC – Aging Life Care Association Member and 2016 Conference Chair

 

It has been 31 years since New York City hosted the first conference for Aging Life Care Professionals (then geriatric care managers). On behalf of the conference planning committee, I invite you to gather once again in the “city that never sleeps” and share in the high-caliber programming while experiencing all that the Big Apple has to offer.

Stephen Post, PhD, author of  The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ethical Issues from Diagnosis to Dying, TEDx speaker, and global presences in the science of giving and commitment to the greater good will kick-off the opening session with his Keynote, “hope and Caring for the Deeply Forgetful.” Dr. Post believes the emotional and relational wellbeing of those with dementia depends on caregivers who seek dignity and proceed humanely even with those severely affected.

Aging Life Care Annual Conference
For complete conference information or to register, download a registration brochure.

This year we once again offer our popular pre-conference sessions and interactive learning opportunities.  The April 14 pre-conference sessions include (separate registration and fee required):

Aging Life Care Essentials, Section One – Clinical & Ethical: explore ALCA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, while discussing the clinical issues that frequently arise in Aging Life Care™ practices. The 8 core knowledge areas essential for practice will also be reviewed. This will be an interactive session that uses actual case histories to explore clinical approaches to meeting client needs and resolving common ethical challenges that arise within this process.

Aging Life Care Essentials, Section Two – Sales & Marketing: further expand your abilities to reach out to other professionals who can refer business and to establish your position as their “trusted advisor”, creating a win-win situation for both parties.

Growth Strategies for Established Practices: for Aging Life Care business owners/managers who want to grow their business beyond a sole, one, or two employee company. This workshop is fast-paced and intended for those willing to roll up their sleeves to better understand the working basics of their business. Leave this workshop with a beginning draft of a strategic plan aimed and identifying the very next steps in growing your business.

Face-to-face afternoon series are back by popular demand. The Advanced Professional Roundtable, Xtreme Mentoring, and a Nonprofit Roundtable will provide attendees the opportunity to interact, network and discuss pressing business, clinical, and/or legal matters.

The conference program has been carefully curated to accommodate all levels and ALCA’s 8 core knowledge areas. Our general session speakers will focus on the latest trends in the financial exploitation of older adults, drugs, and Alzheimer’s, and interdisciplinary approaches to palliative care. Breakout sessions will address specific topics such  as paying household employees, treating the dually diagnosed, managing stressful clients, and increasing referrals. On Sunday, we conclude with three general session speakers. Dr. Gayatri Devi, a trailblazing and respected Manhattan physician, shows us how balance in our lives translates to a better experience for our patients and their families. Lucia McBee follows with “Mindfulness for Everyone,” and we end on a high note with a session on how you can put the power of the ALCA brand to work for you with the one and only Jane Cavalier.

For a complete schedule with detailed information, download the conference registration brochure. Save $200 by registering before March 11, 2016. Come back to the place it all began and join us in New York for the 32nd Annual Conference of the Aging Life Care Association.

About the author: Nancy Avitabile, LMSW, CMC currently serves as the ALCA Board of Directors Secretary-Treasurer and this year’s Annual Conference Chair. She is also a Fellow of the Leadership Academy. Nancy is owner of Urban Eldercare, LLC offering Aging Life Care services in Manhattan and Brooklyn.


This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

Aging Life Care Managers™ answer elder care questions

Finding Answers to Difficult Elder Care Needs

Today’s blog post is inspired by a quote shared in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday –  “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” When removed from the colorful illustrations and Seussical characters, this statement really stands out and “hits home” for Aging Life Care Professionals™.

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. Seuss

The long-term care journey is confusing, and as a spouse, family member, or concerned neighbor of an aging loved one you may feel overwhelmed by the role of caregiver or decision-maker.  And if you were placed in this role as a result of an emergency health crisis or due to an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, the questions and decisions grow more complicated.

Often we are “too close” to a situation or problem to see clearly. In this video, Aging Life Care Professional™  Amy O’Rourke illustrates how a holistic approach and assessment found the simple answer to a complicated elder care situation. Having a professional, third-party assessment not only resolved housing needs but also revealed possible unnecessary medical treatment.

Finding Answers to Difficult Elder Care Needs

 

Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:

  • Assessment and monitoring
  • Planning and problem-solving
  • Education and advocacy
  • Family caregiver coaching

To find an Aging Life Care Professional to help you find the answers to complicated questions, visit aginglifecare.org.


This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

Finding Answers to Difficult Elder Care Needs

Often we are “too close” to a situation or problem to see clearly. In this video, Aging Life Care Professional™ Amy O’Rourke illustrates how her holistic approach and assessment found the simple answer to a complicated elder care situation. Having a professional, third-party assessment not only resolved housing needs but also revealed possible unnecessary medical treatment. #AgingWell