Education

I just found out about this event that is going on this Thursday.  I usually like to give more notice, but it was too good not to post, even at this late date.

The event is called "Helping Families Make Tough Decisions" and the speaker is Dan Kuhn who is a MSW and a LCSW with the Alzheimer's Association.  He speaks and numerous events around Chicagoland on the topics of aging.

This program will address approaches that family members and caregivers take when its time to handle critical decisions such as driving a car, bringing help into the home, assuming control of the loved one's finances, moving to a care facility, and choosing end-of-life options.  Tools and strategies will be offered to enable families to make the best decisions possible and approaching the older adults in positive ways.

When: Thursday, February 15, 2007
Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Performing Arts Center at the Garlands, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington, il

Call 847-852-3500 to register.

Photo by furkanfdemir from Pexels

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I received this notice today and wanted to share it with anyone who can help!Help Make Alzheimer's the American Express Members ProjectThanks to hundreds of American Express cardholders who are champions for our cause, the Alzheimer's Association has been chosen as one of the top 50 projects in The Members Project, a new initiative from American Express that will award up to $5 million to a project selected by American Express cardholders.Now is your chance to put your VOICE into action again: Vote from now until July 15 to make sure the Cure for Alzheimer’s Project is selected as one of the top 25 projects!TAKE ACTION!All you have to do to cast your vote is visit www.membersproject.com. Users who have already registered can search for CURE for ALZHEIMERS or Project ID 01909.You’ll be directed to the project details page, where you can click “Vote For This Project" at the top of the page. That’s all there is to it!If you haven’t already registered, have your American Express card number ready and go to www.membersproject.com. From there, you’ll be asked a series of questions, and after completing them you’ll be able to vote.Spread the word to make sure we advance to the next round: Forward this blog link to your family, friends and colleagues and ask them to help move the cause forward today by registering and voting for our project.Someone new develops this disease every 72 seconds in the United States alone. A few clicks of your mouse can help us move closer to a world without Alzheimer’s — vote today!

A new study highlights the effects of Alzheimer’s on family life, further defining the disease and outlining new guidelines for dementia care in the Lincoln Park area.Researchers continuously study the impact and subtleties of aging, including Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately one-in-ten people have Alzheimer’s, which equates to around five-and-a-half million people living with this disease in the US alone. The symptoms and evolution of Alzheimer’s can be a painful one, warranting the treatment of seasoned professionals in the field of dementia. It helps that loved ones and caregivers in the greater Chicago area can reach out online for reviews, rankings, and recommendations when it comes to dementia care.

A new study highlights the effects of Alzheimer’s on Family life:

It is not surprising that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can put a strain on the family unit; around 40% of dementia caregivers report feeling undervalued and under-appreciated. While 70% of the population worry about becoming a burden on their families in old age, only around 24% of people have made solid financial plans in the event of dementia, or other progressive illness later in life. The stress of caring for someone with dementia can tear a family apart.From diagnosis to dementia care, Alzheimer’s affects loved ones and the entire family unit in many ways:

Family roles

When your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, roles within the family change. Those afflicted may feel excluded from plans or conversations, and they may experience a loss of independence. Many individuals that require dementia care may worry about being a burden on their family as they become more dependent on others. These role changes can lead to withdrawal, confusion, isolation, and resentment- all which can erode the family unit if not addressed through open communication channels.

Emotions

There are waxing and waning emotions surrounding the deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease, both with the patient and the caregivers. Family caregivers may feel guilt, anger and a sense of loss and mourning when coming to terms with their loved one’s diagnosis, and while providing day-to-day dementia care while watching the illness progress:

• Guilt is common among families of those with Alzheimer’s. Guilt related to impatience, not providing better care, or for transitioning loved ones to residential care facilities are some examples. Spouses may feel a sense of guilt for not holding up past commitments to provide care through ‘sickness and health.’
• Anger often comes from frustration and it is easy to become frustrated when providing dementia care. Caregivers may feel angry with others for not helping out more, angry with resources for not stepping up to the plate, angry with their loved one for problematic behaviors, and simply angry that they are being put in the position of caregiver. Those with Alzheimer’s may become frustrated by the confusion and symptoms of the disease, which may manifest in angry outbursts.
• Grief is a natural reaction to loss. With dementia, you lose the person that you once knew as the disease progresses. Those with Alzheimer’s and their partners may grieve a future that is now unlikely.

Responsibilities

Nearly 15-million Americans provide unpaid dementia care to someone they love, which shifts responsibilities in many family units. While caregiving is demanding work that requires attention to self-care, anger and resentment can fester leaving many in the family feeling disenfranchised and estranged. It is not always easy for siblings to provide dementia care for each other, or for parents to accept assistance from their children.

Living situations

There is no universal solution to determining the best living situation for a loved one with dementia. The different stages of the disease and variances in progression may point to the most suitable care options for an individual. Some individuals may be able to live at home longer due to a broad network of support; others may merit residential treatment facilities for safety and security. Whatever the disease brings, be sure to discuss options with family and caregivers. Have conversations about this before the disease has time to rob your loved one of the ability to make informed decisions. This open communication is the kindest thing that anyone can do now, for the loved ones they leave behind later.

Dementia care in the Lincoln Park Area:

While the terms ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s’ are often used interchangeably, dementia is defined as an individual that is not able to function on their own due to a lasting mental impairment that affects attention, memory, and ability to reason. Thankfully, there is help available for families living with Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors, therapists, clinicians, case managers, nurses, and caregivers can provide the support network needed to survive the toll of dementia care.Don’t try to take on Alzheimer’s on your own; reach out and review the online information provided by Senior Living Experts to find professionals in your area that can help. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease has a significant impact on caregivers, loved ones, and families. Garner support from professionals and practitioners in your area.

Your thyroid is a type of comptroller in the body, a gland that influences other cells, tissues, and organ function. Respite care in the Schaumburg area offers tips to recognize thyroid disease, which can be prevalent among seniors. January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month and it is the perfect time to see your provider to determine if you are at risk of a thyroid problem. More than 30-million people in this country have a thyroid disorder, but less than half seek medical diagnoses or treatment. It is estimated that thyroid disease is more prevalent than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Do yourself- or someone you love- a favor and have your thyroid tested. Don’t have a provider? Reach out to  Senior Living Experts for comprehensive information pertaining to practitioners and physicians in the area.

What does your thyroid do?

The thyroid is a gland at the base of your neck that acts as a type of comptroller for systems, organs, and cells in the body. The thyroid produces hormones that have an influence on other bodily function, including your heart, brain, and kidney. For this reason, it is integral to have a thyroid gland that is producing the right amounts of hormones to function. Too much production of thyroid hormones is problematic and called hyperthyroidism, while too little production of hormones is hypothyroidism. Both have distinct impacts on your body and can cause varied medical issues.

Thyroid disease impacts the elderly

Hypothyroidism is a condition that mainly impacts women, around four-times more often, generally among women aged 35-60. Hypothyroidism is often a result of Hashimoto’s disease. Hyperthyroidism is frequently caused by Graves Disease and is found in approximately seven-times as many women than men. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to thyroid problems, often following a viral infection of some sort. Older individuals may neglect to report symptoms to their provider or feel that it is part of the normal aging process. In actuality, treatment can improve the way that the individual feels and enhance the overall quality of life for many with thyroid issues.

Respite care in the Schaumburg area offers tips to recognize thyroid disease:

The symptoms of a thyroid issue can look like a lot of different issues, so identifying a problem can be challenging. This ambiguity may be the reason that so many people struggling with thyroid problems go undiagnosed and untreated. The best way to rule out issues is to have your thyroid tested by your provider. Some of the common symptoms of thyroid issues include fatigue, weight-loss or gain, moodiness, and anxiety. Thyroid disease can affect anyone, but women are five times more likely than men to be at risk, and this risk increases with age. Some other signs that something is going on with your thyroid include:

• Constipation.
• Increased vulnerability to cold temperatures.
• Slow heart-rate.
• Muscle cramping.
• Difficulty with hearing.
• More severe menstrual cycles for women; impotence for men.
• Tingling in the extremities.

If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor for a thyroid test and to rule out other medical conditions. A faulty thyroid gland could compromise the overall function of your body’s organs- which includes serious medical compromise and disease.

Your prognosis is good with treatment

Worried about your thyroid? Put your mind at ease with a visit to your doctor. Actually, the prognoses are very good, and treatment is effective when identified and assessed. Many thyroid issues are often treated successfully with medications, though hyperthyroidism and an overactive thyroid may warrant surgery, with the goal of removing part of your thyroid. Typically following treatment, patients can resume their regular lifestyle and activities without restrictions.  The all-important first-step is to have your provider perform a thyroid test for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Talk to your provider about a thyroid test

Don’t be nervous about your thyroid test; these are typically done in your doctor’s office, involving a series of simple blood-draws. Often testing includes a TSH test, which measures the thyroid-stimulating hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and that contributes to the thyroid’s function. When you go to your provider for your test, make sure to provide an accurate medical history and convey the symptoms that you have been experiencing- no matter how insignificant they may seem.Don’t let another day go by wondering if you- or someone you love- has a thyroid issue. Reach out to your practitioner, caregiver, or doctor to schedule thyroid tests to rule-out and diagnose the problem. Don’t have a provider?  Senior Living Experts can help; this user-friendly resource will point patients in the direction of a practitioner to assess, diagnose, and treat a potential problem with your thyroid, which may prevent more-complicated medical issues later on. Thyroid issue-symptoms are difficult to live with and can erode your quality of life; stop suffering and get tested at the first sign of symptoms, or at your next medical appointment.

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending a conference in California.  Turned out to be very nice, and not just because I got to escape the snow and the cold of Chicago.  I also got to meet a bunch of neat people from all over the country who love seniors and happen to work in the senior living industry like me.

One of the speakers told us about a man named David Solie, who has written a book called "How To Say It To Seniors."  We learned a lot about his views on how to communicate with our parents about tough choices, especially when it comes to senior living.

One thing we learned is that seniors don't want to give up control.  They are losing control of so many things right now and when we bring up losing control over the one thing they may still have control of (their home) the answer is going to be NO!

We also learned about building a legacy with the seniors.  I love doing this when I meet new seniors.  But often times we forget to do this with the seniors in our family. 

I really enjoyed listening to his CD and I just recently visited his website.  He has a great article on their called "Communicating Tough Choices to Aging Parents" that I thought all of us would find extremely helpful.

Once you read that you may want to visit some of his other articles and tips on closing the communication gap.  Enjoy!

As you settle in your new community, your old habits will change. You now have a new walking path and the exercise machine from back home won't be around. In order for an individual to remain active, they need to exercise. This is even more important as we age since the muscles and joints start to weaken. To help them stay in shape and remain active at the retirement community that your family placed you in with the help of Senior Living Experts, some form of exercise is required. Of course, as we age, we can no longer perform exercise that we once could. In fact, many find the process itself tedious and difficult since our body isn't as agile as it used to be, mostly in the cold Chicago winters. However, some form of exercise must be done so your muscles and joints don't deteriorate. Which is where chair exercises come in. There is no need for heavy weights or even a caregiver to help you with the exercises. All that is needed is a chair and the following exercises:

Seated Chest Press

3 sets of 10 repetitions A major benefit of the chest press is that it works for three major groups at the same time, your chests, triceps, and shoulders. To perform this exercise you will need a resistance band and a chair:1. Tie the resistance band to the chair. You want to tie it directly behind where you will sit on the chair so when you sit, the band will be at shoulder length to you. Make sure it is securely tied so it doesn't move.2. Sit on the chair, make sure you are far back in it so your back is against the backrest.3. Grab the resistance band, making sure it is at shoulder length and push it forward using your chest and arms. Make sure to keep your abs and legs stable as you do this.4. Bring the band back in towards the chest and repeat.

Seated Knee-Crunch

3 sets of 10 repetitions The core is involved in your everyday activity so you want to make sure you perform exercises that strengthen it. To perform the seated knee-crunch you need to:1. Sit on the chair towards the edge of the chair with your back slightly leaning back with your chest out. Make sure to tighten your back and stomach and place both hands on the side of the chair for stability.2. Raise your legs and lift your knees as far up towards your chest as possible.3. Lower your knees back to the starting position and repeat.

Modified Plank

Planks are another form of exercise that targets the core. To perform a modified plank you need to:1. Stand up facing the chair.2. Place your hands on the seat of the chair with your elbows slightly bent. Now move your feet back until you are positioned diagonally to the chair. You will be in a push-up position with the chair. Make sure to keep your core and back tight and hold yourself in this position for 30 seconds.3. Rest for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

Tummy Twist

3 sets of 10 repetitions The tummy twist is the final exercise on our list that targets your overall core. To perform the tummy twist you will need a medicine ball and need to:1. Grab the medicine ball and sit comfortably on the chair. You may want to sit at the edge so you have plenty of room to move your arms left and right while you have the medicine ball in between your hands.2. Lift the ball so it rests in your hand at your lower chest and upper abs. Rotate the ball keeping your core tight with your arms to the left and right slowly. One rep is one rotation from left to right.3. Repeat for 10 repetitions.

Chair Squats

3 sets of 10 repetitions Legs are a major part of mobility and therefore there is a need for you to keep them in shape. Chair squats are a simple exercise that you can do to target the legs.1. You can start off by sitting on the chair.2. Place both hands in front of your body, make sure your feet are positioned so they point outward and push up using your hips and upper legs until you are standing.3. Sit back down and repeat.

Knee Extensions

3 sets of 10 repetitions You want to make sure your knees remain agile as you age. Knee problems aren’t just painful but can lead to other serious injuries. So make sure to perform knee extensions to keep your knees mobile.1. Sit on the chair and lean back against the backrest.2. Keep your core tight and have your chest out. Lift the lower part of one of your legs, making sure to start from it being at a 90-degree angle from the floor. Raise it until it is parallel to the floor.3. Lower the leg and do the same with the other. Do 10 repetitions with each leg.

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 10 repetitions The calves are an important yet neglected part of the legs. You want to make sure you exercise and target them as they help your legs stay in shape to walk. Seated calf raises are a simple exercise you can do:

1. Sit comfortably on the chair with your legs relaxed. Make sure your feet rest on the ground.
2. With your toes and the front heel slowly raise your legs up. As you do this, make sure that the toes are planted firmly and never leave the ground. You should use your calves as the main source to lift your leg. Do this until you notice your calves have tightened up.
3. Slowly bring your back heel down but don’t touch the ground, right as you are about to touch the ground with your back heel, raise your legs up again.
4. Repeat for 10 repetitions.

It is important that you keep your body active as you age. It may be difficult to lift weights but there are other exercises you can do to ensure your muscles and joints remain active so they don’t cause you pain or get injured.

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This is a short case study about one of our advisors (Kerry) helping a son and a mom who were both moving to Chicago from out of state.  (Names of the clients have been changed of course!)

"John called me one day in the early summer looking for help in finding senior living in the Chicago area. He was relocating back to Chicago from New Jersey and wanted his mom to move out to Chicago as well. She was currently living in a beautiful assisted living near him.  John had very little time to a find a new home for himself and his mom.

We took a day and visited five assisted living communities from the north up to Buffalo Grove and to the south, in the Glen Ellyn area. John decided on a community that day and needed to go back to New Jersey to let his mom look over the brochures and pictures we had collected for her.

It took a few more months to get his own move and mom's move all lined up.

But on November 9th, 2007, John's mom moved into a  beautiful senior living community and John is settled in as well. Our service helped someone who was not in touch with what Chicago had to offer as far as senior living. He also had very limited time. We were able to narrow down his search and tailor our visits to only the communities that would be a good fit for his mom."

The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages $5,531 a year, according to the nation's first in-depth study of such expenses, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends each year on health care and entertainment combined. In November 2007, National Alliance for Caregiving released its study "The Evercare Study of Family Caregivers - What They Spend, What They Sacrifice."The Evercare/NAC study found that as many as 17 million people, or 51 percent of the 34 million that a 2004 NAC/AARP survey found care for a loved one 50 years or older, are spending on average more than 10 percent of their annual income on caregiving expenses. The Evercare/NAC Study also showed that the most common expenses were household goods, food, and meals. One-third of the respondents said that they have dipped into their own savings to help with care.Keep in mind that I am pretty sure that this study is estimating the cost when the family is providing the actual care. The cost of hiring a caregiver is probably going to be *in addition* to the above expense because you will still have to pay for household goods, food, etc. A private duty caregiver from a reputable agency (not someone who is paid under the table that you have to manage) costs around $15-$25 and hour in the Chicago area. For a live in (who does get to sleep) the range can be $180-$250 a day and up depending on the care needed!

Personal Cost of Caregiving

A note I received from the Caregiver Exchange has this to say about the cost of caregiving in the US:

Evercare and the National Alliance for Caregiving released "Evercare/ NAC Study of Caregivers - What They Spend, What They Sacrifice," the first study to take an in-depth look at the personal financial costs of family caregiving. 

The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages $5,531 a year, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends each year on health care and entertainment combined.

The Evercare/NAC survey found that as many as 17 million people or 51% of the 34 million that a 2004 NAC/AARP survey found care for a loved one 50 years or older are spending on average more than 10 percent of their annual income on caregiving expenses. 

The Evercare/NAC Study also showed that the most common expenses were household goods, food and meals.  One-third of the respondents said that they have dipped into their own savings to help with care.  The full study is available at www.caregiving.org.

The Chicago Department of Senior Services (formerly the Chicago Department on Aging - they change their name Jan 1....) and the Salvation Army are hosting monthly TELE-SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERSIf you can’t leave your home to participate in a support group, you canstill get the support and encouragement you need just by picking upyour phone.1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY of EVERY MONTH7:00pm to 8:00pmstep 1: DIAL: 1-866-212-0875step 2: Enter Passcode: 932974#step 3: share your name with the groupJoin them every month to get information and share information about caring for your older family members or friends. Get and give the help you deserve by joining us this month.

Last night I stayed up until 2 am to finish this book which I started this weekend. My mom gave it to me while I was in Florida with her and my dad to help them find an "active adult" community to retire too (which is a whole other story...)Anyways, this book had been recommended to me by several people and now I know why. I love to read, but I really haven't had the chance to since I started my own business two years ago. But this is a quick and easy read and it was nice to 'escape' into a book after such a long time.Its a story about a man who currently lives in a nursing home. A circus comes to town and it reminds him of the time he spent in his younger years with the circus. While that part of the story is very entertaining on its own, I really enjoyed how the author portrayed his life in the nursing home he was in. I particularly loved the character Rosemary who is one of the characters in the novel that is obviously a CNA at the home. She exemplifies what a true caregiver in that situation is all about and I have had the opportunity to meet many Rosemary's in my life. People who make a difference in a bleak situation. People who stand in for family, who care and who really want to help.I really enjoyed the whole book especially the ending. I hope you get a chance to pick up and read this book if you can and let me know what you thought.

This past weekend I went to Florida. For some reason the temperature just kept dropping, as if I had brought the Chicago cold with me.My parents just retired two weeks ago. They have lived just south of Buffalo NY all of their lives and have decided to leave the snow behind for some sunshine.They investigated a few places on the Internet over the past year and had the opportunity to see a few in Florida earlier. My mom was totally against the idea until they started visiting them.I met them down there and got to see what they had been looking at. I have to tell you we have nothing like these places in Illinois. I often get requests, but without the sunshine, I just don't think we can compete. As much as I would like them to be near me, I don't think I hold a candle to year round golf... and they would still have snow to deal with though I am sure it would be shoveled for them.Everyone kept asking me if the places we looked at were filled with OLD people. My parents are young, only 60 & 63. My view of old people is very skewed. You are not old until you hit about 90 in my mind. But I was still surprised to see a lot of people my parents age.I am really excited for this next chapter in their lives and really feel that it will add years to their lives. I can't wait to find out which community they finally decide on. And I also can't wait to spend next Christmas in the sunshine instead of a blizzard.

Know Before you Go..

Last night I attended a seminar on retirement planning. Besides being the youngest person there by about 40 years... I picked up a few bits of information on Continuum of Care Retirement Communities also known as CCRCs. 

On one hand they seem perfect because they have independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing and usually make a promise to continue to take care of you even if your money runs out. This of course is after you pass a medical and financial application.  And if you don't qualify, you will be turned down.

However, I think its important to note - and I took this away from the class- that before you even go look at places to live (senior communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, retirement - whatever...) be sure you know what you are working with.

Here is what you should know as a minimum before you tour ANY community.

1. What are your total assets? Value of home and investments
2. What is your total available income?  In addition to your social security and pension if you have one, what would be your yearly income off investments and dividends should you choose not to reinvest them?  Some buildings will take this number into account on the financial application.  And not just the expensive places, affordable housing as well..
3. What is it costing you now?  It will seem really expensive if you compare the monthly to your mortgage or rent.  But you have to add the following to your monthly living expense to get a better comparison.  For instance - your real estate/property taxes, your utilities, housekeeping, lawn care, maintenance, groceries, eating out, home owners insurance, any in home care you may currently be receiving.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that you will still have the expenses of your doctor and hospital visits, your Medicare and any supplemental insurance as well as your prescriptions.  The only time this would be taken care of is if you were on Medicaid, which as we know is the health insurance for those with absolutely no money.

I can't stress how important it is to know those numbers above before you look.  You do not have time to waste looking at places that you cannot afford financially.  In my business it helps me narrow down those choices for families and save time and frustration.

When Retirement Community Living is the Right Choice..

Aging Parent Solutions

“I’m not ready.” If you are an adult child with aging parents who needto make a lifestyle change because of declining health, maybe you’vealready heard those four little protest words “But, I’m not ready”followed by… “for that kind of lifestyle.” Or, “But, I’m not ready – Idon’t like change. I don’t want to make a move, or alter anything that Iam doing!”

Helping our parents make choices about where they want to live out thelast chapters of their lives doesn’t have to be a tug of war. After all,freedom of choice is the granddaddy of all freedoms – followed closelyby, freedom to live where we want to live; freedom of speech; andfreedom to live our lives unconditionally with those we love.

The freedom to move, or to stay put in our own homes becomes compromisedfor any of us when our own health and physical capabilities decline withage. There are 22.4 million Americans receiving some form of assistedcare in their homes. Today’s elderly face tough choices as the homewhere they have lived for 60 years becomes unmanageable with maintenanceissues, or if the physical layout with stairs and multi-level livingareas present safety issues and challenges to mobility.

Find out what’s really going on.

Why all the resistance? It’s called fear and frustration. Whether we aresending our kids off to kindergarten or college, they have reservationsabout what life will be like ‘away.’ Will they make new friends? Willthey learn the schedule? What if the food is awful?
Our elderly parents may be harboring the same fears – coupled with therealization that they are stuck in a body that has physical limitations.Their physical body is not cooperating with their intentions. It is thesingle reason that they can’t get up the stairs, and why they verballyrepeat their needs a dozen times. “I need to be at the doctor’s officeat 2:00pm.” “Will you be here at 1:30?” But what’s driving that fear, isnot only the chipping away of physical capabilities, but also the threatof losing the freedom of choice.

What is their biggest fear about retirement living?

Tune into the fact that your mom and dad have a mental picture on theirback burner. This snapshot is subliminally telling them that this newresidence may be the last place that they will live – or the last stop.On the surface, they will participate in the retirement community’s openhouse, the educational seminars and the tours. But underneath it all,they still hesitate.


In some cases an elderly individual who is ‘testing the waters’ aboutmoving to a retirement community will hunt for any excuse to not make itwork. At GlynnDevins, (www.glynndevins.com) a full-service marketingagency for retired senior living communities, Director of PublicRelations, Randy Eilts has observed many potential retirement communityresidents looking for an out. “Some individuals are operating from thebrass ring of denial. They’ll become more nitpicky about amenities inthe community. Or, they’ll say it’s too expensive, or that thetransportation isn’t adequate.” Eilts added, “For others, the idea ofmoving after living in one place for 40 years is overwhelming.”

Knowing they are not alone

If an aging parent has reservations about making the transition to acontinuing care retirement community, the best way to calm their fearsis to share the orientation with others. When like-minded people seekinformation together, many of their fears are alleviated because of‘power of the group.’ “There is self validation,” according to Eilts.“They know that others are making these decisions, too. Their peers arein the same situation.”

Lisa Sneddon, Senior Living Experts,www.SeniorLivingExperts.com ,
has encountered both resistance from individuals contemplating a move toretirement living, as well as many positive success stories. “I reassurethem that most everyone I work with says the same thing. I also let themknow that these same people often tell me after they move in that they‘should have done this years ago.’"

Going to the source

At a recent resident forum at Las Ventanas, a continuing care retirementcommunity (CCRC) nestled in the Las Vegas valley of Summerlin, (www.lasventanas-lifecare.com)residents didn’t hold back in chronicling the added independence theyindividually gained by moving to Las Vegas’ only continuing carecommunity. “This move made my kids ‘worry-free’. I know I’m not a burdento them, and they know that the simple things, like shopping andmaintenance are taken care of,” said one resident about her decision tomove with her husband. Another couple said that the decision was theirsalone. “We basically told our kids to ‘butt out!’ This is what we wantedto do.” Another resident was adamant, “Do it now! What are you waitingfor?”

Socialization, security and safety are added benefits of retirementcommunity living. Marilyn Witney, whose elderly parents moved into TheHeritage of DesPaines, (Illinois) (www.theheritage-desplaines.com) morethan a dozen years ago gained her own sense of relief about her parents’future. “As their health became more of an issue, this move made so muchsense. Now that my mother is gone, I don’t worry about my dad keepingactive or going to social activities, especially in the winter. There isso much for him to do right there, and so many friends.”

At Senior Living Experts, Lisa Sneddon works with prospects to evaluatetheir care needs, budgets and geographical preferences. “When I ammeeting with people whose budget does allow them to actually afford it,I try to point out the costs of remaining in their home. Many of theretirement communities provide work sheets to help seniors see that itis costing them a lot more than they think to stay at home,” Sneddonsaid.

“If they currently own but are not paying a mortgage, they are stillpaying property taxes and utilities, association fees, and home ownersinsurance. They are also having to pay for repairs on the home which canget expensive if they need to replace siding or a roof or even a hotwater tank!”

Sneddon also encourages her clients to factor in the cost of day-to-dayhousehold upkeep. “They may be paying people to clean, mow the lawn,shovel the driveway and provide transportation. They have to still payfor groceries as well - where meals are usually included in the cost ofretirement living.”

Give ‘em what they want!

There are very few ‘old folks’ homes as they were known in past decades.The new continuing care communities offer internet access, full wellnessfacilities, swimming pools, intergenerational programs, and a host ofdynamic amenities. With lifecare communities, residents will be caredfor at every stage of their lives. One 62 year-old woman who had justmoved into a continuing care community in Illinois saw this transitionas one of her best decision about her future. “I don’t want to have tomove later on when my health declines.”
From a financial standpoint, many CCRCs, like Las Ventanas, offer a 90percent refundable entrance free. The refund is made when the residentdecides to leave, or it can be paid to their estate. In most cases,there is no mandatory length of stay.


When it works

Whenever possible, involve your elderly relative in the decision to moveor stay. If the venue is unsafe, you have to take action immediately.Start the conversation, and then do the homework. Any one of the finecontinuing care communities in your area will act as a willing resourcefor information, and answer your questions. Yes, even if you live inPoughkeepsie, and your mom lives in Las Vegas, call for help. If yourparent lives out of town, call the Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116 orgo to www.eldercare.gov .

For long distance case management of your parent, contact a case managerin your parent’s area. The beauty of bringing in this valuable resourceis that you will have a professional making the assessment of yourparent, and then the manager can help coordinate and build in the layersthat fit your parent’s needs To hire a case manager to assess yourparent’s situation long-distance, visit the National Association ofGeriatric Care Managers, www.caremanager.com . 520-881-8008.

Sneddon offers lifestyle advice to her clients. “This kind of livingallows them to do just that, live... not constantly work at keeping uptheir house or staying isolated. It allows them to do things they mightnot have a chance to do if they stayed at home, such as making newfriends or participating in a new activity. It helps they feel moreactive, more involved in the community, more in control of their life,with the peace of mind that care is there if needed. “

She encourages both the parent and their adult children to step up andtake action. “Who wants to sit at home alone wondering what is going tohappen if they fall? Sometimes you have to bring out the "what-ifs" tohelp them see the whole picture.”

Ready or not, it is never too early to make smart choices about sensibleretirement community living.

Last week one of my friends emailed this Wall Street Journal Article to me.  I am not sure if the link to the actual article will work - I think you need to subscribe to the WSJ in order to read it (unless its emailed to you).  If you would like to read the full article, email me and I will email you the link you can use to read it.

For those of you who can read it I made the following comments on their health blog:

The most telling sentence of this entire article was "under federal rules, it's still easier for nursing homes to get reimbursed for giving patients extra pills than it is for hiring extra staff."  WOW.   

Extra staff and additional staff training is going to be required to help get the patients off the meds.   With a shortage of caregivers and an increase in those that will develop dementia coming and the obvious power the drug companies have - what is going to happen to the baby boomers?

The article also noted that "Medicaid in 2005 spent $5.4 billion on atypical antipsychotic medicines -- more than it spent on any other class of drugs, including antibiotics, AIDS drugs or medicines to treat high blood pressure."  I believe we need to spend some of that money on finding a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia instead.   

One guy commented that because of resentment toward nursing homes doctors may stop these drugs and we will see an increase in falls, hip fractures and hospitializations.  While that is true - isn't this also a QUALITY OF LIFE  question?   See my next post for a personal story on this very question.

This post is my real life story related to the last post about medications in nursing homes.When I worked in an assisted living building we had a lovely little lady in our dementia area. She loved ballet. It was what the past 80+ years of her life had been devoted to. Even though she started to become more frail, she still wanted to dance (or more correctly - TEACH us to dance because she told us we were all horrid - she thought we were actual ballerinas). I loved to go upstairs and dance with her. But she started to fall more. And more. Her niece was informed by (a doctor??) that she would be better off in a nursing home. I was outraged.. how could them prevent a fall any more than we could - they don't give more attention to the patients, they don't have more staffing??After she was moved out I decided to go visit her at her new nursing home for one last dance. Unfortunately when I got there she was so drugged up she had no idea I was even talking to her. She was in a wheelchair with a "tray" attached to it - both to catch her drool and to prevent her from getting out of the chair and dancing.Don't you think that this woman who devoted all of her life to dance would have rather fallen to her death while dancing then just fading away in an over medicated stupor? I think so.

Someone who read my blog - blogged about one of my posts on their site!  I went to check it out and I really enjoyed many of the articles on there - very helpful stuff so check it out.

They had used part of one of my posts to start talking about when to look for senior living - basically they said plan now, not later which we all know.  Course we know that about our health, money, living wills, advance directives, etc... and we just don't do them. 

They are NECESSARY - especially the wills and advance directives.  Planning for senior care or housing is a wonderful compliment to the planning so that you are making the decision, not a doctor  or an uniformed niece (like in my last post!!)

Maybe this brings about the idea of the best new years resolution you could give yourself and your family.  Get your paperwork in order.  Make your life decisions now - you can always update and change them!  If you vow to do it then I will vow to do it as well! 

Many of us resolve to exercise more in the new year. How about exercising your brain? This is a fun "game" to play (at work?) that will help keep your brain sharp in the new year and beyond. And you don't have to bundle up and walk or drive to the gym! Exercise Your Brain Game from the Alzheimer's Association.

Found this blog post online about 10 "new" trends in senior housing. I found the article very exciting since senior living is what I do all day.I have already seen "catered living" in some of the buildings that I work with and that is working out well because it prevents the need to make another move when you already have a familiarity with the building and friends there. Some concerns though are that its not licensed...I am really looking forward to seeing some "green" construction on new or existing senior buildings in the area. I have not seen that yet - I would also like to see more wellness/organic living going on inside some of the nursing and assisted living buildings. It would come at a great cost but if the seniors could be eating "better" food and breathing cleaner air, wouldn't that help extend their stay? Therefore, the communities should be able to make back the extra cost. And if they are buying in bulk, its gotta be cheaper than what it cost me to go to Whole Foods!

My friend Mark just sent me this note and I thought I would pass it along...As you likely know, the Illinois legislature recently passed a transit funding bill that includes free rides for seniors on the CTA and RTA.Any senior (65 and older) wishing to ride for free is required to enroll by no later than March 17th!Seniors can enroll by calling the Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966 or by going online at www.illinois.gov/transit.I just wanted to make sure that everybody is aware of this information so that those entitled can take advantage of this senior benefit.