A Change In Paradigm: Parenting Your Elderly Parents

Parenting Your Elderly Parents is something many of us have to deal with at some point in life, as they age and become frailer. Making decisions on your parent’s behalf is often accompanied by challenges and frustrations. Other family members may not be on the same page when you decide to step in and take your father’s…

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Informed Touring: Become Your Loved One’s Best Advocate

Problem Often, I answer phone calls from children who fear they will place their loved one in an unfit Adult Family Home. As a result, these seniors do not receive proper care or housing. Seniors suffer because their children, and loved ones, are too afraid of making the wrong decision. While proceeding cautiously is important,…

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Monitoring Care To Ensure Safety

The Problem All long-term care facilities serve an important purpose in the elderly care ecosystem. Unfortunately, some care facilities offer inconsistent care. As a result elderly folks may develop problems associated with poor care. Such as weight loss, complications due to poor medication management, dehydration, malnutrition, pressure ulcers and even injuries and bruises. If these…

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Avoid Crisis and Plan Your Loved One’s Relocation

The Problem Frequently, serious accidents and illnesses cause elderly folks to relocate to care facilities. These accidents and illness result from improper care and supervision. As elderly folks mental and physical capabilities decline their ability and willingness to communicate and fully understand, their care needs often decline as well. Moreover, loved ones often feel a…

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Reduce Cognitive Impairment With Coconut Oil

The Problem Autism, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s are all neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases occur when neurons – or nerve cells – progressively lose their structure, function or die altogether. Without properly functioning neurons one’s body becomes unable to send proper signals throughout the nervous system. As a geriatric nurse specializing in geriatrics,…

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As Needed or Scheduled Care?

The Problem Many folks do not understand the difference between “as needed care” and “scheduled care.” As a result, people secure improper care for themselves or their loved one. Improper care often results in injury, malnourishment, depression and overall health decline. This story from COMO News highlights a common problem in larger assisted-living institutions. As a geriatric…

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Memory Care Units for Seniors With Dementia

I’m often asked, “what’s the difference between a memory care unit, and dementia care that is provided in an adult family home?” Other families are weary of institutions and wonder if they should consider, or avoid, institutional memory care units as offered by assisted living facilities. This article defines memory care and addresses critical differences between settings,…

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For Senior Care, Smaller is Better

When I worked in nursing homes, I routinely cared for 8-to-14 residents, and even more during the frequent staff shortages, which by the way are still common today. I’ve learned that one thing just about everyone dreads as they age is the possibility of ending up in a nursing home. Sharing a room with strangers,…

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Senior Housing vs. Senior Care – what’s the difference?

Senior Housing vs. Senior Care – what’s the difference? Far too many seniors who need “senior care end up in “senior housing,” only to have their care bill run up through the roof, and after after followed by being asked to move to a “more appropriate care setting” due to needing more “care“.Don’t be one of them!…

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What is Hospice Care?

Hospice programs are designed to provide end-of-life care management if you have a life-threatening illness. In general, you can qualify for hospice care services if your doctor feels your life expectancy is less than 6 months, or if your disease is uncurable and your symptoms are worsening. Why would you want you want hospice care…

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