Category Archives: Guest Writer

A Preventable Disaster Saddened and Frustrated Me

Aging in Place, Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Brenda Shorkend, Costs of Aging, Dementia, Family Members, Financial, Guest Writer

“Living with a Visionary” is a beautifully written essay by John Matthias, Professor Emeritus and writer, published in the New Yorker on February 1, 2021. It starts out as one of the most touching descriptions of living with a person with dementia that I have ever read. His wife, Diana, had Lewy Body Dementia and … Continue reading A Preventable Disaster Saddened and Frustrated Me →

Racial Bias in Requesting Caregivers: How to rise above this problem!

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Care Managers, Caregiving, Dementia, Diversity, Equality, Geriatricians, Guest Writer, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Mental Health

“My father will not tolerate a ____________ (fill-in-the-blank) caregiver.  Can you promise me a ____________ one?” Having run a home care business for over 30 years I have heard this request many times over to my disbelief and sadness that an adult would not just want the best trained, most experienced, and kind caregiver for … Continue reading Racial Bias in Requesting Caregivers: How to rise above this problem! →

Dad Had a Stroke… Now What?

Aging Life Care Professionals, Care Managers, Care Recipients, Caregiving, Family Members, Guest Writer, Jennifer Beach,

Mr. Smith is 79 years old. A week ago, he had a stroke while home alone. Thankfully, his youngest son arrived minutes later and got Mr. Smith admitted to the hospital. After a week, the hospital discharge planner contacted Mr. Smith’s oldest son, Paul, who is listed as his healthcare POA (Power of Attorney). The … Continue reading Dad Had a Stroke… Now What? →

Tips on Mask-wearing for People With Dementia

Aging Parents, Alzheimer's, American Society on Aging, Care Managers, Caregiving, COVID-19, Dementia, Guest Writer, mask-wearing, Mental Health, ,

Although the temptation is strong now that vaccines are gaining distribution to become more relaxed about COVID-19 prevention, we cannot afford to let down our guards and stop masking up. In the United States, the CDC recommends anyone older than age 2 wear a mask, but there are many who are resistant to wearing one, … Continue reading Tips on Mask-wearing for People With Dementia →

Crisis Management and Beyond: Social Workers in Aging Life Care

Aging Life Care Professionals, COVID-19, Guest Writer, Social Work, Susan Valoff,

With March as Social Work Month, we love highlighting our Aging Life Care Professionals(r) with this background. Here is a piece from member Susan Valoff. Originally appearing last year at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, we can see how social workers still are offering a unique level of care one … Continue reading Crisis Management and Beyond: Social Workers in Aging Life Care →

Financially Helping Clients Fund Their Care Needs: Real Life Examples

Aging in Place, Aging Parents, Costs of Aging, Financial, Financial Managers, Guest Writer, Lisa Rehburg, Retirement, Retirement

Aging Life Care Professionals(r) are called upon to assist clients with resources to handle their particular situations, including evaluating the financial resources necessary to help clients ensure quality care and an optimal life.  Did you know that 500,000 seniors a year will walk away from their life insurance policies?  This happens because they no longer … Continue reading Financially Helping Clients Fund Their Care Needs: Real Life Examples →

On Dementia: Care, Community and Creativity

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Guest Writer, Keri Pollock, Mental Health

Conversations of hope, joy, and better ways to care for and support individuals living with dementia and their care partners More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease and over 15 million family members, friends and volunteers serve as care partners, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias do not … Continue reading On Dementia: Care, Community and Creativity →

Black and Brown Aging Life Care Managers® Changing The World, One Client at a Time

Accessibility, Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Care Managers, Caregiving, Diversity, Family Members, Guest Writer, Inclusion, Kizzy Chambers,

For over 400 years, black and brown communities have experienced systemic racism and intergenerational trauma (Gibbs et al., 2020). In 2020 and 2021, we continued to experience these traumatizing events portrayed through violence, dehumanization, and oppression. The disparities among black and brown communities have been marginalized and minimized by many for so long that some … Continue reading Black and Brown Aging Life Care Managers® Changing The World, One Client at a Time →

Sex, Money, & Your Parents: Conversations you never wanted to have

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Caregiving, Costs of Aging, Family Members, Financial, Financial Managers, Guest Writer, Jennifer Beach, Retirement,

Annie and her two siblings have been helping their elderly parents in a growing number of ways over the past several years. Assisting with the care and upkeep of the family home, making needed grocery runs, preparing meals, attending occasional medical appointments, and in general — ensuring things are going OK.  Their mom was diagnosed … Continue reading Sex, Money, & Your Parents: Conversations you never wanted to have →

A Portable Living Solution & Protection – For The Ones You Love

Aging in Place, Aging Parents, Aging Well, Caregiving, Family Members, Guest Writer, Making a Move, RJ Adler, Social Isolation, ,

  Bob and his father, John, in front of the newly delivered Wheel Pad! Brattleboro, VT What does a family do about an aging parent who lives far away on his own? This dilemma faced Bob and his wife Jennifer Jacobs. Bob’s father, John, had always been independent. Once a professor of Histology at the … Continue reading A Portable Living Solution & Protection – For The Ones You Love →