Monthly Archives: November 2016

Five Tips to Help Family Caregivers Balance Responsibilities

November 29, 2016Caregiving, Family MembersFamily Caregivers Month Callie Daters

November marks National Family Caregivers Month – a time to recognize the countless individuals like you who make the everyday commitment to care for a loved one. Today, an estimated 39.8 million Americans serve as caregivers for one or more of their family members.¹ Of that number, many of these individuals care for an aging adult. As a family caregiver, you are the backbone of our nation’s care system, and your dedication does not go unnoticed.

By Claudia Fine, MPH, MSW, CMC – Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Member of the Leadership Academy

When carrying out day-to-day caregiving tasks, it may be challenging for you to balance managing someone else’s life and managing your own at the same time. Here are some tips to help ease family caregiving responsibilities:

1. Set aside time to relax and participate in personal hobbies

When trying to balance work, family, caring for an aging loved one, and numerous other responsibilities, you may begin to feel as if you don’t have time to unwind. It is important that you take a bit of time out of each week to do something specifically for you. Whether it is gardening or yoga, make it a point to participate in a personal hobby. You may even find an activity that both you and your senior family member are able to enjoy together.

2. Identify a potential alternate caregiver

While you may serve as the primary caregiver to your family member, it is important that you have identified another individual who can take on the responsibility in the event that you are away. It is important that this is a person who is comfortable around your senior loved one, and vice versa. Knowing that you have this additional caregiver can help put your mind at ease if an emergency situation arises.

3. Learn more about your employer’s caregiving policies

Sometimes, the time that it takes to manage the care for a family member can conflict with your career. Fortunately, many companies are starting to understand the importance of the family caregiver role and recognize the fact that certain adjustments are necessary for family caregivers. Companies such as Deloitte have started to offer paid leave options for caregiving.

If balancing work and caregiving is becoming overwhelming, you may benefit from speaking to your manager about your company’s caregiving paid leave options.

4. Pay attention to your personal health

When you have the responsibility of caring for someone else’s health, it can be easy to stop paying attention to your own. As a caregiver, it is important that you are listening to your body and taking the proper measures to ensure that you are as healthy as possible. Be sure that you are getting routine medical examinations, exercising, and being mindful of your diet.

5. Consider seeking additional assistance

Caring for an aging adult can be demanding. If you feel as though you need additional support, it is a good idea to seek help. One great option is hiring an Aging Life Care Manager™. An Aging Life Care Manager can help you to create a holistic care plan for your family member that will ultimately help ease your stress. Some organizations that offer care management services can also provide referrals to accredited homecare and private duty nursing. Some care management organizations can even support you seamlessly when your loved one travels seasonally or permanently. Be sure to ask about the scope of services provided and coverage when your care manager is unavailable.

¹http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015-report-revised.pdf

About the Author: Claudia Fine, LCSW, MPH, CMC, CCM drives the care management model of care at SeniorBridge, a national organization that provides care management, homecare, and private duty nursing as the Chief of Professional Services. Ms. Fine has served in industry and community leadership roles throughout her 30-year career in elder care. Among them, she served as a president of the Aging Life Care Association (formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers).

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.

How Do I Know If Grandpa Needs Help? What to Look for During Holiday Visits

November 21, 2016Aging Parents, Caregiving, Family MembersHoliday visits, warning signs Callie Daters

Holidays are occasions that many of us spend with family, whether we live down the block or across the country. For those with aging parents or loved ones, these visits are an important time to take stock amidst the hustle and bustle, and to make plans.

Make the Most of Holiday Visits: What to Look for When Visiting Aging Adults

By Heather Imhoff, MSW, LMSW – Aging Life Care Association™ Member

Notable changes in an aging person’s appearance, behavior, or environment can be warning signs that his or her health, mentation, and function are changing. Make the most of your holiday visits and note any changes from your last visit. If you notice changes, dig in while you are there to further assess the situation and determine if intervention or help is needed.

Start by Making Observations

Person-centered:

Has your loved one’s hygiene changed?
Is he or she wearing clothing that is dirty, falling apart or inappropriate for the weather?
Has there been a significant weight change?
Has his or her gait changed? Are they “couch surfing” or using furniture items for support while walking through the home?
Any bruises or cuts that you can see?
Are they using mobility or other adaptive equipment properly?

Behavior:

Has mom or dad stopped going out for social engagements? Discontinued activities that were important to them?
Do they have any new friends or organizations who they have a lot of contact with? Is anyone or any organization asking for repeated or large donations or loans?
Do they seem forgetful or more repetitious in conversation?
Does he or she seem more withdrawn or sad?

Environment:

Looking at their home environment, are there areas of disrepair? Obstructed walkways? Burned out light bulbs?
Any changes in cleanliness of the home, especially in the kitchen and bathroom? Are there items piling up on counters, table tops, or spare rooms? Unopened mail?
Check the fridge to see if there are expired or spoiled food items.
Does their car have scratches or other areas of damage?

Important Conversations

If any of these questions lead to concerning answers, it is vital to start a conversation with your loved one about your observations. Try to remain open and curious, not making assumptions or judgement since issues great and small can lead to similar presentations.

Here’s an example:

Dad is wearing light summer clothing even though it seems too cold. This may be because his cognition is declining and he is not oriented to what month or season it is. Alternately, you may learn that most of his warmer sweaters have buttons and his advancing arthritis makes it difficult for him to manage these closures. Perhaps his winter clothing is stored in the attic or a high shelf that is difficult to access because of strength or balance issues. Or he may relay that he’s been very busy with his men’s group and just hasn’t gotten around to switching out his wardrobe.

It is important to understand whether your loved one is aware of the issues you’ve noticed, and if he or she sees it as a problem or not. What are her thoughts, has she attempted to address the situation? What are the barriers that he or she has encountered to resolving the problem.

It can be difficult for someone with a lifetime of independence to admit that they need assistance. Many of these red flag issues are highly personal in nature, so depending on the circumstances and the personality of the older person, these topics may need to be approached gently and with compassion.

Preferences and Health Care Wishes

Also consider talking about what is important to your loved one. What gives them a good quality of life? And a vitally important question: What are their health care wishes? People fall all over the spectrum when it comes to thinking about, talking about, and making legal documents specifying their health care wishes. Wherever your loved one falls on this spectrum, it is important to check-in regularly or in some cases, for the first time about their thoughts and preferences about medical care, where they want to live, and what they want their lives to look like.

If dad has already prepared legal documents designating health care decision-making agents and even some advance directives about treatment options, does he still feel the same? Do the appropriate people and organizations have copies of these documents? If this conversation has never been broached, test the waters. See if this is a topic your loved one avoids or welcomes.

The observations made and conversations that take place during holiday visits are most often starting points rather than final conclusions. Most of these topics are on-going and evolving as your loved one continues to age. There are resources available in all states to help navigate elder support services and having as clear a picture as possible about what your loved one is struggling with will help target these resources.

A good starting point is your community Area Agency on Aging offices or connect with an Aging Life Care Professional™ in the area who can offer assistance. Most importantly, enjoy your time together celebrating and giving thanks!

About the author: Heather Imhoff has eight years of experience as an Aging Life Care Professional in both publicly and privately funded sectors. She is currently a care manager at EGIS Care & Support in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Follow Heather on Twitter at @egis_care or email her at heather.egisnm@aol.com.

Turkey with a Side of Sibling Conflict

November 18, 2016Aging Parents, Family Members, Sibling Relationshipcaring for mom and dad, holidays, sibling conflict, Thanksgiving Callie Daters

The fight over the last piece of pumpkin pie may not be the only struggle this Thanksgiving. As families gather around the table, many will have the difficult conversations of how to care for mom or dad. These conversations can be emotionally charged and test sibling bonds.

How to Overcome & Manage Sibling Conflict with Aging Parents

by Debra D. Feldman, MSW, LCSW, CMC, Aging Life Care Association Member

It is hard enough to get past your emotions when caring for your parents while trying to make the “right” decisions on their behalf. It becomes more difficult when there is conflict among the adult siblings. How does a family overcome sibling conflict when caring for aging parents?

Communication is Key

When a crisis hits, siblings should come together and hold a meeting in a neutral location, a place everyone feels welcome. This meeting is most productive when siblings can find common ground in the love they feel for their parent(s) and in their collective desire to provide the best care. The siblings should prepare an agenda for the meeting and each sibling should be encouraged to share his/her opinions.

Remove Expectations

It is important to realize that some family members might not participate, and that all family members may not be able to take on an equal role in caregiving responsibilities. Each sibling needs to identify what he/she can do to help and then a plan of care can be developed incorporating each family member’s availability. Avoid bringing up past sibling conflicts. Instead, focus the conversation on the situation at hand. It will likely take more than one meeting to come to a complete resolution.

Bring in a Facilitator

When there is tension, an outside, third-party facilitator may be needed to facilitate a family meeting. This provides for a neutral, objective and less emotional opinion. The facilitator can help make sure all siblings are heard during the meeting and can help develop an appropriate care plan that includes input of all parties.

This objective participant can be a member of the clergy, a social worker, or another professional who specializes in the field of aging such as an Aging Life Care Professional™. An Aging Life Care Professional – also known as a geriatric care manager – has specific expertise in the care of older adults. This expert is able to provide education and resources, as well as outline the various care options available to the family. In the end, the Aging Life Care Professional can help the family develop and implement an appropriate and affordable plan of care.

Plan Ahead

Having a conversation between parents and adult children well in advance of a crisis can help avoid or reduce sibling conflict. When parents are healthy, they should talk to their children about their wishes regarding their future health care. The conversation should include areas of concern such as organ donation, kidney dialysis, artificial nutrition and hydration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of artificial ventilators. The talk should also include discussion regarding their living environment as well as their wishes concerning their funerals. All of this information should be put in writing at the time of that talk.

Parents should also discuss with their children how they plan to finance their long-term care. Additionally, legal documents such as a Power of Attorney for Health Care and for Property should be executed with an elder law attorney and the identified representatives should be notified of their roles. This information should be shared with all children to avoid conflict.

When parents share their wishes ahead of time, adult children don’t have to make these health care choices blindly. Instead, the children have a written guide, provided by their parents, that takes the guesswork out of caregiving and end-of-life decision-making.

To find an Aging Life Care Professional to work with in your area, use this Find an Aging Life Care Expert tool.

About the author: Debra Feldman has 27 years of experience in Aging Life Care Management and is the owner of Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Email Debra at feldman.debra@comcast.net and visit her website at ddfcaremanagement.com.

Understanding the Stages of Dementia

November 17, 2016Alzheimer's, DementiaAging Life Care Professional, Alzheimers, caregiving, dementia Callie Daters

Understanding the Stages of Dementia Can Help You Provide Better Care

by Heather Imhoff, MSW, LMSW, Aging Life Care Association™ Member

Dementia is a progressive and often times, heart-breaking disease. Though every individual is different, there are three primary stages of dementia, each with its own unique set of symptoms. Different care strategies for each stage allow for a reduction in frustration and needless suffering for the caregiver as well as for the individual with dementia.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

In the early or mild stages of dementia, cognitive deficits start to become apparent to close family and friends. The person generally has more difficulty with remembering names, finding words, and concentrating. He/She may get lost while in unfamiliar settings, or have increasing difficulty performing demanding work. Social interaction generally decreases. The person may start withdrawing from situations that have become challenging. Denial of the problem by the individual with MCI is not uncommon.

In this stage, it is helpful to assist the person in creating systems to help compensate for memory impairment. This might include utilizing calendars or planners, or offering to accompany the person to appointments.

dementia, Alzheimer's, memory loss — According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.

Moderate Dementia

As dementia progresses to the moderate stage, the individual generally exhibits more noticeable deficits in short term memory and loss of memory for significant details such as his/her own phone number or address. He or she may have difficulty recalling details such as the name of the company he/she worked for, where he/she went to school, and the names of some family members.

Repetitious questions and/or development of anxiety are common. Complex tasks including using appliances, computers, or phones can become increasingly difficult, and highly stimulating situations (lunch in a busy deli, sporting events, etc.) can be overwhelming. People with moderate dementia are typically still able to manage personal care tasks including bathing, using the bathroom, and dressing, though they may need limited assistance, such as choosing clothing that is weather-appropriate.

Routines should be modified to help the individual cope with his/her changing cognitive abilities. Consider small gatherings of people in quiet, familiar settings, or investigating adult day centers to meet the person’s social needs. The individual might also need regular support from others for cueing and direction to complete tasks successfully. Consider safety measures including disconnecting stoves, offering alternative transportation options, and supervision if the person is prone to wandering.

Severe Dementia

By the late stages of dementia, the person usually needs reminders or hands-on assistance with most areas of daily living. He or she is largely unaware of events happening around him/her and may forget the faces of close family members (spouse, children). Verbal abilities generally change and diminish. Challenging behaviors, especially with unfamiliar tasks or in unfamiliar settings, are common.

An individual with severe dementia will need support at all times. If living at home, family members or paid caregivers can offer this support. Alternatively, there are memory-specific residential care facilities that can provide the specialized care the person needs. A predictable routine is vitally important as the person’s abilities to cope with new situations are limited. Further, efforts to reorient the person are usually ineffective and can cause more anxiety and confusion. Using music, photographs, movies, etc. from the distant past can be comforting to the person and help caregivers to connect.

Strategies for Caregiving During any Stage of Dementia

Caring for someone with dementia at any stage can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Having patience and compassion for the person and yourself as a caregiver will help alleviate distress and maximize your ability to cope with changes as the dementia progresses.

If you suspect you or a loved one may have dementia, consult with a professional right away. Early intervention and diagnosis allows for the person to receive the maximum benefit to possible treatments, as well as to plan for future care. An Aging Life Care Professional™ can help you build the right team of medical, financial, legal and care providers to manage the journey. Find an Aging Life Care™ Expert neareast you at aginglifecare.org.

Hospice and Palliative Care – Is there a Difference?

November 15, 2016Uncategorizedhospice care, palliative care Callie Daters

Know Your Options! is the theme of this year’s National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care is an important step in knowing your options when faced with a serious illness. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offer an online, interactive decision tool to help guide you or a loved one in making healthcare choices.

Understanding the Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care

by Melissa L. Johnson, RN, BSN, MHA, CHPN, CCM – Aging Life Care Association™ Member

Palliative care and hospice care are both specialized healthcare models that focus on palliation or relief of symptoms associated with serious, debilitating illnesses. Such symptoms may include pain, difficulty breathing, nausea or the need for additional emotional support. Palliative care and hospice care focus on improving one’s quality of life. Palliative care is a component of hospice care while hospice care may not be a component of palliative care. In other words, hospice care comprises of palliative care to treat symptoms while palliative care stands alone as a care model. Hospice and Palliative care were once thought of as a service for just the elderly and while the majority of hospice patients are older, about 20% are under the age of 65 (American Hospice Foundation).

Palliative Care

Palliative care, while focusing on symptom management, also allows for aggressive treatment. For example, an individual with cancer may choose palliative care for relief of pain and nausea, as well as undergo chemotherapy and radiation. With palliative care, an individual has access to needed resources throughout the process and can make informed decisions about their care. The synergetic relationship between symptom management and aggressive treatment often yields better results than aggressive treatment alone. If aggressive treatment is no longer feasible or desired, the transition to hospice care may be practical.

Hospice Care

Hospice is a model of care that focuses on the end of life where aggressive treatments are no longer indicated or desired. Hospice care focuses on palliation of symptoms to allow terminally ill individuals to live the rest of their lives to the fullest extent possible. Hospice goes beyond a medical model where all aspects of the end of life experience are considered: physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual. A team of specially trained professionals collaborate with the patient and the family to address end of life issues and goals for care.

Does Hospice Speed Up The Dying Process?

While it is believed by some that hospice is “giving up,” research indicates that individuals receiving hospice care may live longer than those who do not receive hospice care. A study published by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (March 2007) found that Medicare beneficiaries with either congestive heart failure or certain types of cancer lived, on average, 29 days longer than those who did not receive hospice services (NHPCO, 2010). Another common misconception about hospice care is terminally ill individuals are given medications, such as morphine, that contribute to a hastened death. While medications like morphine are initiated, the dosage prescribed is at the lowest quantity needed to provide comfort. “Start low and go slow” is the motto hospices operate by when prescribing medications.

The Death Experience

Death can be a beautiful and peaceful experience. I have many special memories of my time as a hospice nurse, but there is one that stands out. I was called out to a patient’s house on Christmas night. It was pitch dark and I was in the middle of nowhere. I knew I was approaching the home because there were many people standing outside. I walked into this small home with about 50 people inside; barely able to get in the house to the patient. I saw an elderly gentleman who was nearing the end. I talked to his wife about what had occurred that led to the call. As she explained the decline, I could hear family members arguing in the background. Some family members thought the patient needed to go to the hospital while others stated there is nothing more that can be done and it is his wish to be comfortable.

I did my assessment and told the family that the patient was probably minutes from death. I am not sure what came over the family, but they all surrounded the patient’s bed and started to sing, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The patient’s breathing became shallow and slow. As they sang the last line, “which nobody can deny,” the patient took a long, deep breath, let it out and left this earth.

Immediately after, various wind chimes could be heard. The wife stated, “He always loved wind chimes.” A death that I imaged to be difficult was one of the most beautiful deaths I can recall. The family will forever have that memory of their loved one’s death; one that was peaceful, calm and brought the family together.

Aging Life Care Association™

When facing a serious illness, Aging Life Care Experts prove to be beneficial as they are able to be a part of your journey throughout the process. An Aging Life Care Expert provides assessment and monitoring, advocacy, education, resources, problem-solving, and support while you make difficult decisions. An Aging Life Care Expert is also a resource to the family, while providing support and communication. To find an Aging Life Care Expert in your area,visit aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Melissa Johnson has been an Aging Life Care Expert in Phoenix, Arizona since 2012. Melissa specializes in Dementia care and Hospice and Palliative Care. She invites you to connect with her by visiting her blog or following Melissa on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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.

Help for Long-Distance Caregivers

November 11, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, CaregivingExperts in Aging Well, long-distance caregiving Callie Daters

Hiring an Aging Life Care Professional™ when you need help caring for aging parents is really no different from hiring an attorney for legal needs or a CPA for preparing taxes. Aging Life Care Professionals guide you through the often complicated maze of long-term care. From determining optimal housing to managing chronic health care issues, the expertise of an Aging Life Care Professional ensures quality care and an optimal life for clients, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.

Aging Life Care™… There’s a Professional for That

Aging Life Care Professionals can provide caregiver support, alleviate stress through meeting individualized needs, and offer information about local services. They can recommend the most appropriate, available, and cost-effective services that will support the older adult and the family.

Aging Life Care Professionals monitor and evaluate services and make adjustments as needs change. They can perform important services to physicians by monitoring medical treatment compliance issues, help with medications, and assuring that scheduled appointments are kept.

For long-distance caregivers, Aging Life Care Professionals can provide the ongoing supervision and communication link so often needed to avoid frequent and costly trips.

You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if the person you are caring for:

has multiple medical or psychological issues
is unable to live safely in their current environment
is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy
is confused about their own financial and/or legal situation
has limited or no family support

Or if your family:

has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services
is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions
has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with the individual’s chronic care needs and does not live close by
is at odds regarding care decisions
needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia

Below are two real-life situations that are examples of how Aging Life Care Professionals can help:

Long-Distance Caregiving

Mr. Smith lived in Los Angeles while his parents resided in Philadelphia. Every third week, he traveled home to care for his aging parents. He would catch the “Red Eye” on Thursday night and handle doctor’s visits, cleaning, laundry, medication management, and all his parents’ needs. After two years, he was exhausted. Hiring an Aging Life Care Professional transformed his parents’ quality of care and his own life. His own physical problems dissipated, and he felt a reduction of stress which was life saving. His parents reported a better quality of life and became less stressed themselves knowing they had a local person to help with the small issues of aging as well as the major problems of an illness.

Resistant to Help

Robert and Ann lived in a once-beautiful condo in an affluent neighborhood. Ann’s increasing memory loss and paranoia made her loudly object to any kind of help at home, even a cleaning service. For over a year, Ann had refused to bathe, wash or cut her hair, or take much-needed medications. Her husband Robert, a retired scientist, was physically frail but mentally alert. He rarely interfered with Ann’s decisions or activities because he could not tolerate her angry tirades. He also refused his adult children’s attempts to place Ann in an assisted living facility. The family watched hopelessly as their parents continued to live in squalor and self-neglect.

The Aging Life Care Professional was introduced to the parents in the son’s home. Her assessment was that Ann urgently needed placement in an assisted care for memory-impaired individuals. After gradually gaining Robert’s trust, she was able to persuade him to agree to the move. The Aging Life Care Professional guided the family in selecting a high-quality community and successfully coordinated the move for Ann.

Finding an Aging Life Care Professional

The Aging Life Care Association’s website, aginglifecare.org offers a user-friendly search engine, allowing you to locate an Aging Life Care Professional in your area. The listing is updated on a daily basis.

Aging Life Care Professionals™…The Experts in Aging Well

November 10, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Caregivingcaregiving, Experts in Aging Well Callie Daters

Overwhelmed by the choices and decisions involved with caring for an aging loved one? Hit with an emergency and don’t know where to start? Or do you want to plan for your own senior years and make your own decisions? No matter your individual situation or preferences, Aging Life Care Professionals™ offer a client-centered approach to guide families to actions and decisions that ensure quality of care and optimal life.

What is Aging Life Care?

Aging Life Care™, also known as geriatric care management, is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. 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

The Experts in Aging Well

The expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals can be summarized into 8 knowledge areas. Let’s take a closer look:

Health and Disability. From physical problems to mental health and dementia-related problems, Aging Life Care™ Managers interact with the health care system effectively and frequently. Aging Life Care Professionals attend doctor appointments and facilitate communication between doctor, client, and family. These professionals help determine types of services – including home health and hospice – that are right for a client and assist in engaging and monitoring those services.

Financial. Services may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with a client’s accountant or Power of Attorney. Aging Life Care Professionals provide information on Federal and state entitlements, connecting families to local programs when appropriate. They also help clients and families with insurance concerns, claims, and applications.

Housing. Aging Life Care Professionals help families and clients evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options.

Families. Aging Life Care Professionals help families adjust, cope and problem-solve around long-distance and in-home caregiving, addressing care concerns, internal conflicts and differences of opinion about long-term care planning.

Local Resources. Aging Life Care Professionals know the local resources in their communities like the back of their hands and know how services are accessed.

Advocacy. Aging Life Care Professionals are strong and effective advocates for clients and their families, promoting the client’s wishes with health care and other providers, ensuring that client’s needs are being adequately addressed.

Legal. Aging Life Care Professionals refer to legal experts, like elder law attorneys, estate planners, and Powers of Attorney. Some Aging Life Care Professionals provide expert opinion for courts in determining level of care and establishing client needs.

Crisis Intervention. Aging Life Care Professionals offer crisis intervention when it is needed, helping clients navigate through emergency departments and hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, and ensuring that adequate care is available to the client. For families that live at a distance, this can be a much-needed 24/7 emergency contact.

A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.

The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address these broad range of issues in a care plan that is tailored for the individual. Monitoring by the Aging Life Care Professional ensures that as circumstances change, the care plan is modified to fit the needs and resources.

With expertise in these areas, Aging Life Care Professionals become the “coach” and families or clients the “team captain.” Search for an expert near you.

Supporting Family Caregivers

November 4, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Caregiving, Family Memberscaregiver burnout, National Family Caregivers Month Callie Daters

A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health calls family and unpaid caregivers the “invisible workforce” of the health care system. Published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, the study examined how caregivers’ involvement in older adults’ health care activities relates to caregiving responsibilities, supportive services use, and caregiving-related effects.

Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help You Avoid the Pitfalls of Caregiving

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

Unpaid family and friends who assist older people with disabilities by coordinating doctor appointments and managing medications are significantly more likely to experience emotional, physical, and financial difficulties than caregivers who don’t provide this type of support, the research finds.

Such caregivers are also three times more likely to be less productive at work due to distraction and/or fatigue, a phenomenon called “presenteeism,” as well as outright absenteeism. Researchers say this shows that there is a significant – and often unrecognized – cost borne by employers.

Aging Life Care Professionals have put together several resources for family caregivers to help avoid these pitfalls of caregiving identified in this study.

Caregiving is difficult and exhausting work. If you don’t take time to set limits on what you can do and when, and create balance in your life, you may begin to suffer from a condition called “burnout.” When it comes to caring for an aging loved one, some people cope better than others. But everyone’s flame is at risk for flickering out if they aren’t careful.

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to take another step forward you may be experiencing burnout. Take this quiz to find out if your flame is about to fizzle.

Are You Burned Out From Caregiving?
	True, this describes my situation most of the time.	False, this isn’t the case in my situation.
1. I feel emotionally drained because of my caregiving duties.
2. I’ve developed a negative attitude.
3. I feel stressed out more often than not.
4. I have more medical problems as a result of being a caregiver.
5. I feel more depressed and/or anxious than before I became a caregiver.
6. I’m not successful as a caregiver.
7. I have trouble sleeping at night.
8. I feel all alone—no one helps me.
9. I have trouble making time for myself and taking a break.
10. I feel trapped in my caregiver role.
11. I feel hopeless and as if there is no help for my situation.
12. I’ve become angry & frustrated and sometimes take my anger & frustration out on the person I care for.

The more items you answered “TRUE” to in the Burnout Quiz, the higher the likelihood that you are experiencing burnout! Even if you responded “TRUE” to just one question, you will benefit from additional help in your care-taking responsibilities.

To learn more about caregiver burnout and how to find the help you need to manage the stress, download this white paper from the Aging Life Care Association™.

More resources from the Aging Life Care Association

Six Hidden Costs to Caring for An Aging Parent: Caregiving for an aging loved one isn’t all doom and gloom. The rewards of caregiving are real, but so are the hidden costs.

Is it OK to Lie to Your Aging Parent? From our earliest days we are taught never to lie, especially never to our mother or father. However, a survey of Aging Life Care™ experts reveals that telling a “fiblet” can actually be therapeutic when telling painful truths to aging parents with a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

Six Steps to Living Well While Caring for Aging Parents by Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC : A reminder may be in order that equilibrium is the key to living well as we divide our time among the needs of our parents, children, partners, jobs, and ourselves. The pull to care, or over care, often knocks that balance of its feet. Download a copy of this eBook and discover six steps that will help bring balance back to your life as a caregiver.

Planning for the Care You Need at Home by Phyllis Mensh Brostoff, CISW, CMC: This e-book covers some of the aspects of getting care when the time comes, how to get that help, and how your family can arrange for help when you might not be able to make some decisions for yourself. It shares stories to demonstrate and bring to life these issues.

An expert like an Aging Life Care Professional™ who has both compassion and years of experience can help you develop a workable self-care plan and find the support you need. Find your very own Aging Life Care™ expert at aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Jullie Gray has more than 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 a Past President of the Aging Life Care Association. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter @JullieGray, or email her at jgray@agingwisdom.com. Aging Wisdom has a presence on Facebook – we invite you to like our page.

What Aging Parents Want Their Children to Remember

November 2, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Family Membersadult children, caregiving, family Callie Daters

The caregiving role reversal for aging parents and adult children is never easy. As an Aging Life Care™ Specialist, I have watched this transition happen in a variety of scenarios all with a different set of circumstances. But through it all, there is a common message that parents want their adult children to know – don’t forget the person your mother or father was before they needed care.

5 Things You Need to Know About Your Aging Parents

By Miriam Zucker, LMSW, C-ASWCM – Aging Life Care Association™ Member

If your family roles are shifting, take these observations and strategies into consideration:

1. SEE YOUR PARENT IN THEIR PAST ROLE

Your mother or father had a profession…proudly served their country during a war…were little league coaches…won awards for their paintings…led Girl Scout troops…volunteered…played the organ at the church…lived through the Great Depression. They have lost many of these roles, often without their consent. Sometimes this makes them angry and depressed. Guess who gets the brunt?

2. WALK IN YOUR PARENT’S SHOES

Three years ago the wheels they knew were on their car. Now those wheels are on a wheelchair, which they may not even be able to maneuver by themselves.

3. DON’T TALK IN FRONT OF YOUR PARENTS

Do not assume your parents can’t hear or don’t understand what you are saying about them. If you don’t want them to hear something, step into another room. How terrifying would it be for any of us to hear unpleasant news, understand it, and not be able to reply?

4. REMOVE PRONOUNS WHEN YOU SPEAK OF YOUR PARENTS

Repeatedly, seniors are referred to as “he” or “she”. Your mother is sitting across from the doctor while you and the doctor talk as though she is not there. Have you ever heard of an illness that makes people invisible? When an older adult is in the presence of others, using nouns and proper nouns give your parent the respect and dignity they deserve.

5. IF YOUR PARENT DOESN’T THINK SHE HAS A PROBLEM OR IF HE KNOWS HE HAS A PROBLEM AND DOESN’T WANT TO CHANGE:

It becomes your problem to figure out how YOU are going to deal with it. If a parent is not compelled to change, time will bring a solution — unfortunately, often triggered by a catastrophic event.

If you need help or advice about caring for an aging parent, connect with an Aging Life Care Professional™. You can find an expert at aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Miriam Zucker, LMSW, C-ASWCM is an Aging Life Care Specialist™. She is the founder of Directions in Aging, based in Westchester County, New York.