Monthly Archives: April 2016

long-distance caregivers need support

Supporting Caregivers

Caregivers are America’s modern day superheroes, just as Terry Fulmer describes in a recent NextAvenue.org article. While there are resources and support systems out there to help, they are not always easy to find or accessible to all. As Fulmer points out in her article, it often takes the help of a paid Aging Life Care Professional™ (also known as a geriatric care manager) to work out the right combination of services and support.  So how can an Aging Life Care Manager™ be the Robin to your Batman?

Aging Life Care Managers™: Supporting Superhero Caregivers

At the recent Aging Life Care Association™ annual conference Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, RAAN of the John A. Harford Foundation spoke to nearly 400 Aging Life Care Professionals about national trends in aging and the impacts on the population. As Dr. Fulmer discussed in her presentation and points out in “Superheroes of Caregiving Need Better Support”,   there are more than 30 million family caregivers of older adults providing unpaid care worth $470 billion annually (AARP).

But Fulmer sees this increased need of family caregivers as part of a larger, positive picture. “Our aging population represents a powerful success story that has increased lifespans and enabled millions of people to live well into their 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond,” writes Fulmer.

Family caregivers, however, can’t bear the burden alone. “Caregiver superheroes deserve a super system that will allow them to focus on the vulnerable people they love, maintain their own health and take off the cape.”

While various support systems and resources are available, caregivers are often too entrenched in the day-to-day challenges to find the right mix of services for their loved one. Aging Life Care Professionals offer the support caregivers need to “take off the cape.”

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

If you know a superhero caregiver or if you are a superhero caregiver, you can find support from an Aging Life Care Professional. Visit the Aging Life Care Association’s Consumer Library for free resources to help you strengthen your network of support.


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.

 

32nd Annual ALCA Conference

ALCA Conference Draws Leading Experts in Aging

The fast-growing body of knowledge on Alzheimer’s Disease requires professionals in the field of aging to stay abreast not only of medical developments, but impacts of the disease on families and communities. An upcoming New York conference sets the research within the context of American lives.

Aging Life Care Association Returns to New York to Bring Latest Alzheimer’s Research to Life

 

The Aging Life Care Association Conference, being held in New York, April 15-17, 2016, will feature experts in aging speaking on the latest research and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. This event marks the return of this professional group to New York after 31 years. When they were last in New York their membership numbered about 50; today their number is close to 2,000.

The conference begins with Stephen G. Post, PhD, author of what has been called a “medical classic of the century, The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ethical Issues from Diagnosis to Dying and Director, Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics, Stony Brook University  speaking on “Hope in Caring for the Deeply Forgetful.”

Howard Fillit, MD, a geriatrician, neuroscientist, and leading expert in Alzheimer’s disease, from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, will talk about “Conquering Alzheimer’s: From Drug Discovery to Quality Care.”

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

“As Aging Life Care Professionals we work to understand the complexity and challenges of living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Our work guides clients to the actions and decisions that ensure quality of care and an optimal life for those they love,” says Aging Life Care Association™ president Dianne McGraw, LCSW, CMC. “We are here to reduce worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.

The 3-day conference – drawing nearly 400 experts in aging – also includes presentations by experts on topics that include Elder Neglect and Abuse, Medicare, Person-Centered Advance Care Planning, Frontotemporal Degeneration, Creative Arts in Care Plans, Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults, and the Neurology of Happiness. For a full schedule, 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.

Careers in Aging Week – April 3 – 9, 2016

Do you have a passion for helping aging adults and their families? Are you looking for a rewarding health and social services career? During Careers in Aging Week, take a closer look at the growing, in-demand field of Aging Life Care™ .

Be an Advocate…Be an Aging Life Care Manager™

by Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

 

Aging Life Care Professionals™, also known as Geriatric Care Managers are in demand with the Baby Boomers stepping into their retirement years at a fast pace. The increasing number of families struggling with aging-related challenges becomes an opportunity to move your career toward a private or group practice in order to meet the needs of many in need of an advocate with expertise.

This could be a career journey junction for you if your current position does not provide you with job satisfaction, or if your values and that of your employer are at a crossroad. For many of us, becoming an Aging Life Care Professional was a second career after working for years in the medical, government, or non-profit worlds. We wanted a longer term relationship with clients, and we wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

It is a profession where you can set your own hours and limit the time and energy you want to expend on your career – many solo practitioners support and collaborate with one another to facilitate time away and a balanced life.

You do need experience with older adults and educational training that supports your expertise in this field. The Aging Life Care Association™, formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, has supported professionals in this field for 30 years. All members adhere to a  Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and are provided continuing education, support, and “know how” from colleagues around the country.

As a professional in the field since 1984, I can say this career has been a highlight of my life, and never a “job.” My personal path took me from a solo practice in 1989 to a large practice of over 20 care managers and we have added other services to our menu, as many of my colleagues across the country have done as well.housing, crisis, advocacy, legal, communication, financial, health and disability

Aging Life Care Professionals are skilled in doing comprehensive assessments, writing up care plans for families, referring to solid, well-known resources, being aware of and referring clients to entitlements, as well as long-term advocacy and monitoring of older adults or younger disabled adults in any setting – from home to skilled nursing. You may have a specific interest, passion, or area of expertise that will become the focus of your practice – that special gift you bring can be what will set you apart.

You can blossom as an expert with the support you need from an organization that listens, supports, and provides learning opportunities in many formats. Join us if you want a career that matters.

ALCA is hosting its 32nd Annual Conference in Brooklyn, NY April 15 – 17, 2016. Nearly 400 Aging Life Care Professionals will meet to tackle the toughest issues related to aging today. To learn more about a career in Aging Life Care and about the Aging Life Care Association, visit aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, is the Founder and President of Eldercare Services in Walnut Creek, CA. She is also a partner of the VillagePlan. Linda is a Fellow of the Leadership Academy and past-president of the Aging Life Care Association. Linda has over 30 years experience working as a Care Manager. You can reach her at linda@EldercareAnswers.com, or connect with her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.


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.

tips to reduce falls for people with Parkinson's disease

Reduce Falls for People with Parkinson’s

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, an estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder for which there is no cure. For people living with Parkinson’s, falls are a frequent and hazardous complication because of the symptoms related to Parkinson’s –  muscular stiffness, freezing, shuffling gait, balance impairment or stooped posture. 

Be Proactive: 12 Tips to Reduce Falls for People Living with Parkinson’s Disease

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA – Aging Life Care Association™ Member

 

If you have Parkinson’s and live alone, being proactive and planning ahead can help you reduce your fall risk and maintain your independence. Gait is one of the most affected motor characteristics of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While it affects each person differently, falls are a common challenge to address. The Parkinsonian gait is characterized by small shuffling steps and a general slowness. For those living with PD, reduced stride length and walking speed are common, as well as difficulty starting, and difficulty stopping after starting. Poor balance and unstable posture can also lead to increased falls. It is important to always report these to your physician.

There are several things you can do to be proactive around the house in an attempt to reduce falls for people living with Parkinson’s disease:

1. Before you start a movement, get your balance. If necessary, hold on to something until you feel steady, and then start forward motion.

2. Consider physical therapy programs. You can learn exercises to help maintain balance and movement.

3. Find a community support group. You can share success strategies with others diagnosed with PD.

4. Recognize that at some point a piece of mobility equipment may be necessary to help keep you safe. With all the choices on the market, you can find something that fits your lifestyle.

5. Arrange furniture to create a clear walking path. You can place furniture in strategic places to provide a place to hold onto if you lose your balance.

6. Remove throw rugs and narrow carpet runners. These can create an edge that may cause you to trip or catch your foot.

7. Pay attention to your footwear. Socks may be too slippery but heavy soles may catch or make it harder to lift your foot. See a specialist to get the right pair of shoes.

8. Have grab bars or secure rails placed in strategic places. These allow for increased balance and something to safely grab for support. Use a professional to properly install them.

9. Make sure you have adequate lighting, especially at night.

10. Keep the products you use on a routine basis between eye and waist level. You don’t want to have to bend down or reach up to get an item. There is no need to create unnecessary risk.

11. Place reflective tape on steps. This helps with depth perception.

12. Consider an emergency alert button. If you do have a fall, these aids provide you with a way to call for help. Do not assume you can get to a phone.

The PD symptoms that can impact your gait can progress over time. Be in tune to changes that you experience and put safety measures in place before you need them. Create a safety net in your environment to enable you to remain as independent as possible. If you are in need of specific recommendations for your home, find a certified aging-in-place specialist, Parkinson’s specialty clinic, or an Aging Life Care Manager™ who can help you assess your home environment and provide you with additional feedback and resources.

About the author:  Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA is the CEO of Aging Outreach Services in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Amy also serves as the President of the Southeast Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association. She can be reached at amyn@agingoutreachservices.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.