FAQ

Some seniors have difficulty dealing with financial matters and unwittingly become involved in scams. Others become victims of a family member who is unemployed or has a substance abuse problem. Financial abuse and scams are serious concerns as they deprive seniors of hard-earned assets and savings that they are rarely able to recover from financially if they have limited incomes. Read more here:

Today’s world is challenging, particularly as we age. It has become so challenging that we have set aside a day, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, to acknowledge and educate people on the importance of ensuring the rights of the elderly within our communities to live out their lives free from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Sadly, the elderly are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. All too often, they need to be protected from biological, psychological, societal, and financial abuses from within and many times outside of their immediate family situations. Here are some tips to take.

Caregiving takes a lot of energy and a lot of love, not to mention time and patience. There are days when it can feel as though all one does is talk to yet another doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider, and then there are the days when all one hears are complaints. As a caregiver to an elderly person in your life, the fact is that you make a huge difference at a time when help is much-needed. Caregiving can help us see what really matters in life. It has rewards that surprise us. These rewards allow us to say thank you to everyone in our own life that has helped us along the way. Learn more.

Seniors are a particularly vulnerable segment of our society in Nevada and throughout the country. Seniors are in need of emotional stability and a solid social network of friends and caregivers to avoid these types of dramatic scenarios. The first step towards a happy and fulfilling golden age is emotional well-being from which an enriching and healthier lifestyle can emerge. Here are six things that you can provide your senior loved one to improve their emotional well-being.

Growing old carries with it the fear of declining health and neurological diseases, and the one that tends to come up the most is Alzheimer’s disease. It is essential to diagnose the disease at its earliest stage since this can help treat and mitigate the problems. Read more about Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia compared to age-related changes.

As if growing old wasn’t hard enough as it is, scams and crimes against the elderly have become rampant. A particularly odious and disturbing scam that has been plaguing the elderly is the so-called “grandparent scam.” The sad truth is that it works. Scammers have absconded with more than 300 million dollars in 2017, achieving the most success with the 70+ age group. Learn how this “Grandparent Scam” is happening and how you can protect your loved one or yourself.

Family and friends tend to be the last ones to notice things concerning their loved ones, not because they don’t care, but out of a lack of objectivity. This is why a professional geriatric care manager may be more perceptive in this situation. The benefits of a healthy social network for the elderly are myriad, and scientifically proven. They include longevity, lower risks of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and lower blood pressure. Learn what to look for and tips with helping with social interaction.

There are many causes of falls amongst older generations. They can be bundled into two main categories: Internal and External Causes. Most falls are a combination of both causes. A shuffling gait due to loss of muscle strength and loss of coordination may not cause a fall on its own. Add a poorly attached carpet, however, and you end up with a nasty fall that a younger person may have avoided. You can read more here about causes of falls in the elderly and how to help prevent them.

Yes, there are many different types of Dementia, and physical ailments than can mimic Dementia symptoms.  Urinary Tract Infections, along with other infections can cause confusion and behavior changes in our Geriatric population, and can often be mistaken as Dementia.  Mixed medications may also contribute to “Altered Mental Status” (AMS) and mistaken as Dementia as well.

A good Aging Life Care Expert will work with your physician to rule out all the physical ailments that can contribute to AMS and then explore specific testing to determine if the correct diagnosis is Dementia or Atypical Dementia.

Atypical Dementias can include Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Lewy Body Dementia and are being diagnosed more and more in a much younger population.  This is a challenging situation as most Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities are not set up for a younger population and full services may be lacking.   Your Aging Life Care Expert can guide you to the appropriate resources to help guide you in locating resources to fit your specific situation.

The good news is YES!  The Northern Nevada area has several specialists and organizations that specialize in treating persons with Dementia.  Specialized Care Management has personally vetted these professionals or organizations.  We would provide you referrals to these local Specialists to ensure you are paired with the best available provider, for your specific situation.

There are also several excellent community resources available that we view as Trusted Partners.  We work closely with these organizations to pair you with the community partner that will be the most benefit for your loved one.

Your highly skilled Geriatric Care Manager has received professional training in many areas of working with Dementia clients.  We value several different organizations’ instructions, although our favorite is the Teepa Snow method (http://teepasnow.com).   Teepa’s Gems, make it easier to determine the current stage of Dementia and then apply specific techniques to provide a calming reassurance to our Dementia clients.  When our clients are calm and feel reassured, they usually are much more willing to cooperate, even if they are currently unable to understand exactly what is going on.

Removing “triggers” that cause increased anxiety or agitation is another Specialized Care Management technique that we find effective.   Your Professional Care Manager has incredible observation skills and can usually identify these “triggers” which may appear normal to caregivers or family members.

If your loved one is facing a terminal illness or is opting for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status in combination with one or more life-threatening illnesses, it may be time to consider Hospice or Palliative Care.  Hospice offers a comfort-based approach to treatment as an alternative to traditional medicinal care and is intended to increase the quality of a person’s life when traditional medicine is no longer effective or relevant.

There are many types of meal services, many of which deliver pre-made meals or frozen meals and groceries to the doorstep. Aging Life Care Experts can help you find local resources that will suit your parents’ needs.

If you suspect your loved one is at risk to themselves or others while driving, it may be best to schedule a driving evaluation.  This can be challenging if your loved one is unaware or in denial of the risk, or if they are resistant to giving up driving privileges.  Talk to your local DMV, AARP, or AAA about driving evaluations in your area, and don’t forget that Aging Life Care Experts are experienced and ready to help you and your loved one have a smooth transition.

The last 50 years have seen a gradual shift away from nursing home care, towards home care and community living arrangements. These arrangements provide different levels of in-home care, from independent living, to assisted living, to complete care. Estimates of the number of people using nursing facilities, alternative residential care places, or in-home care services are projected to increase from 15 million in 2000, to 27 million in 2050. Read more about how long-term services are evolving here.

Caregivers of aging family members often must deal with increasingly unusual, unruly, and embarrassing behavior from an aging family member or care recipient. These behaviors can range from the mild, like refusing to bathe, to personality changes, temper tantrums, and hallucinations. Sometimes, the acting out is an extension of the way the person has always acted. Sometimes though, the behaviors indicate a serious new health issue like depression, a urinary tract infection (UTI), or dementia. Learn more about how to manage difficult behavior in your elderly loved ones.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document created to grant another individual the authority to act on behalf of the person granting the POA. This authority may extend to legal, financial, or medical decision-making. Any decisions made under a POA are binding. POA’s vary widely in scope. They may grant authority over certain decisions, but not others. Some may allow for a single-specific action. Some may grant decision-making authority over certain affairs of a perfectly competent individual. Read here about what Power of Attorney is, and what it means for your elderly loved one.

Care Managers, also called Geriatric Care Managers, Aging Life Care Experts, or Eldercare Managers, can help to relieve the pressure on family members who may be feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities thrust upon them as the condition of a disabled or senior loved one deteriorates over time. They can help navigate care options and protocols, as they are experienced in these matters, whereas a family member may be entering this space for the first time.Learn more about what an Elder Care Manager can do for you.

Typically, parents of children with disabilities are forced to be extremely meticulous in regard to medical planning for their children. Between meeting with several different doctors and managing complicated medication schedules, parents have to be on top of things, knowing exactly what their child needs in any situation. Find out more about how parents of children with disabilities need to start long-term planning.

With dementia being an unfortunate likelihood for up to one in three people, any end-of-life care documentation that a person puts together should unquestionably include provisions for managing dementia. People in the autumn or winter years of their lives are often advised to put together an “Advance Directive” (AD) with the help of their doctors and attorneys. This documentation relates to specifics of their medical care, wishes, and acceptable interventions, should they become incapacitated. Learn more about preparing for Dementia here.

No-one can guarantee a totally painless death. Hospice Care can provide your loved one with round-the-clock care and will do whatever they can to help give them a pain free life, all in the comfort of their own home. Read here to see a story about Hospice Care, and how it can affect your loved one late in their life.

Even the heartiest among us can feel a little beaten down by ferocious Winter weather events. Not only can driving or walking conditions become exceptionally perilous, but power outages can create potentially life-threatening emergencies. For the more vulnerable of us, such as the elderly or disabled, this is particularly complicated. Find out some tips on how to keep your loved ones safe during harsh Winter weather.

Unlike a traditional mortgage, where the amount you owe decreases with each payment, a reverse mortgage allows you to borrow money using your home as the guarantee for the loan. A reverse mortgage increases with each monthly payment you receive. A reverse mortgage is paid once the borrowers no longer live in the home. Once you have obtained a reverse mortgage, you are still responsible for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance as well as maintaining the good condition of your home. Learn more about what a reverse mortgage is here.

As the amount of debt burden carried by seniors increased over the years, and the value of their investments plummeted, it has led to growing insecurity with regard to food, housing, and healthcare costs. This troubling trend has led to many seniors being forced to relocate to sub-par care facilities, simply by necessity, instead of a senior care facilitywhere all their needs are being met. Learn how to avoid your elderly loved ones taking on more debt.

Glaucoma has been dubbed the “sneak thief of sight.” Outside the examination room, symptoms are essentially non-existent until vision is lost. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), 2.7 million people in the US currently suffer from glaucoma. That number is expected to rise to 4.2 million by 2030. Read here to find out more about the dangers of Glaucoma.

Moving an elderly parent or relative into a care facility can be one of the toughest family-related decisions a person can face. A conclusive decision on when the appropriate time has come to move an aging parent out of the home can be elusive for a variety of reasons. By understanding and acknowledging the human flaws that sometime lead to elders remaining in less-than-safe conditions, we’re better able to meet their needs and create a safe living environment for them. Find out some signs that it might be time to move your parent into a care facility.

Keeping a safe environment and minimizing risks and hazards is critical to an elderly loved one’s well-being and longevity. Assessing the specific needs of our loved ones may yield other issues to contend with, or you may find that there are not many safety concerns to be addressed but being informed is the first step to ensuring their safety. Read here about tips you can use to keep your elderly loved one’s home safe.

The holidays can be a stressful time for those with even the most rock-solid constitution. We arrange trips and visits with family members who we don’t otherwise get to spend time with during other times of the year. Despite our best intentions, however, this can add up to a major overload that can be exhausting for our beloved elders. Some seniors can also experience holiday depression, which can complicate things emotionally. Fortunately, there are a few things we can keep in mind to mitigate the stress imposed on our beloved seniors.

Don’t wait for an unexpected accident to cause a crisis in your or your loved one’s home. Learn how to decrease the risks of living at home independently as you age and how to meet care needs before they lead to a dramatic change in your home routine. Read here to find out how.

Taking on the role of Caregiver to your loved one can be challenging and exhausting work.  Many adult children find themselves sandwiched between meeting the needs of their children and their parents.  While this can be very rewarding, it also leaves very little time for self-care and stress can become overwhelming. Learn how you can avoid burnout here.

Dr. Thomas mused on a way to provide the kind of care that he believed his patients deserved. He searched for an alternative to both the nursing home and the institutional setting. Inspiration came in the form of a garden. He became an ardent crusader for the idea of providing seniors with a garden-like setting that would liberate them from the antiquated and oppressive institutionalization that had become the care industry. From that simple garden grew “The Eden Alternative”, a reinterpretation of the environment that seniors live in, providing a closer link to nature, and breaking away from the rigid boundaries of the institutional setting.

If researchers are to be believed, an added focus on spirituality can also help maintain and even improve one’s physical and mental health.By helping alleviate many stress-related health issues, spirituality improved the overall health profile of its adherents. Learn more here.

In a holistic approach, caregivers unite to help make their residents’ wellness a priority. First, they focus on measuring all aspects that may affect the life experience of a particular resident. These factors to be considered include the physical, environmental, emotional, social, and spiritual. By treating the individual in their entirety, holistic wellness ensures that seniors lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives than ever before. Read more in this article.

Focus on strengths & interests when planning the trip. Make an itinerary ahead of time & plan ahead with intentional down time. Take time for breaks, enlist help if necessary. Remember to bring necessary medications & equipment. Keep an ID card and important medical information on each person. Contact your local private Aging Life Care Expert for more information.

Medicare guidelines specify that your loved one may qualify for rehab if they had a 3-day inpatient hospital stay, compared to outpatient status under observation. A private Aging Life Care Expert can help you advocate for your loved one & ensure they get rehab when they need it.

An Aging Life Care Expert can help you save valuable time & money by walking you through your options & helping you make informed decisions. They will help you make plans to fit your loved one’s finances, quirky personalities, complicated care needs, and personal goals/wishes. Good planning can minimize crisis & damage control later on while protecting the health of your loved one.

You may notice physical changes in sleep patterns, weight, balance, appearances, and hygiene. A change in social routines (especially a decrease in activities) or change in daily care routines like housekeeping, driving, errands, or meal prep may indicate a decline. You also might notice medications out of place or inability to manage the home environment as they were before. If you notice these changes, have a discussion with your family & their medical providers. Your local Aging Life Care Expert can help.