Education

If you’re free on Thursday, December 9th, the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is seeking volunteers to help them collect donations at their Charity Drive at Union Station. We’ll be there from 7:30am to 6pm, so if you could help for a few hours, please let Amanda know!

Amanda Bogdanski|Event Specialist| Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter| 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800| Chicago, IL 60631|847-779-6952|773-444-0930 | amanda.bogdanski (at) alz.org

In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month this November, I wanted to let you know about the upcoming ways you can support the Alzheimer’s Association.Casual for a CauseWe are asking supporters to go Casual for a Cause at their workplace to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s. For a week or selected day(s), employees could dress down or wear jeans in exchange for a small donation (usually $5) to the Alzheimer's Association. If you would like to participate, please complete the attached form. Download CFAC Introduction Letter and Registration Form - 11.2010 A complete information packet and promotional support materials will be provided to you.On the BorderOn the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association. Bring in the flyer Download Ontheborderflyer on November 3, 2010 and 10% of your food & beverage purchases will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Valid at all Chicagoland area On The Border restaurants!Mitzvah MedleyHip Circle Studio in Evanston has chosen the Alzheimer's Association as the beneficiary for their November Mitzvah Medley program. On November 13th, come to Hip Circle Studio and pay what you can for one, two, or three free classes. 100% of proceeds that day will benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Please see flyer Download Mitzvah_medley_flyer for more details, including the classes offered that day.Chicago WolvesIt’s Alzheimer’s Association Night at the Chicago Wolves! Come to the Allstate arena on Saturday, November 20th at 7p.m. to see the Wolves play Houston. $3 from each ticket purchased will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association! See flyer for ticket information and more details. Download Wolves_flyerLife History BooksDuring the months of October and November 2010, Alzheimer’s Association is partnering with Life History Books, a memoir service that conducts relaxed interviews, collects photos, and lays everything into fully-customized, archive-quality keepsake books. Buy any package through November 30, 2010 and mention the code “ALZIllinois” at any time during the interview process and 10% of the sticker price will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Illinois Chapter. This would make a great gift - holidays are just around the corner! See flyer for more details! Download LHB_flyerSpecial thanks to Amanda Bogdanski|Event Specialist| Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter for providing this information. Feel free to contact her if you have any other questions at 847-779-6952

Dale Carter, from Transition Aging Parents has announced her fall line up of interviews wiht authors and experts in senior living and caregiving.  She will be covering an array of topics that many of our readers will find helpful including helpful resources, insights to caregiving and actionable tools and strategies.

I hope that one or all of these radio interviews will be helpful to you!
 
(Archived recordings of previous interviews can be found at: https://www.transitionagingparents.com/podcasts/)

The live show show can be found at:  https://www.blogtalkradio.com/dalec

October 12th:  Sources of Financial Help for Your Aging Parent

Patricia Grace, founder of AgingWithGrace.com and veteran eldercare advocate, joins Dale to discuss sources of financial help for your parent.  Don't let your parent struggle needlessly when there is untapped financial help.  Tune in.  Call-in questions are welcomed.

October 19th:  Living With Purpose in a Worn Out Body

Missy Buchanan, author, speaker and inspirational force for our older adults, joins me to share how we all can reach out to the older adults in our lives, helping them to share their life's stories and wisdom. 

October 26th: Parent residing in assisted living?  What's My Role as a Caregiver?

So your parent is in Assisted Living.  Do you find yourself confused about how to transition from being a full-time caregiver?  Your parent needs you now more than ever. 

Kim Linder, host of The Caregiver Hour, will share how we can best advocate and care for our parent in an assisted living environment.

Nov 2nd:  Granting Dreams for Elders:  Changing the Perception of Aging

P.K. Beville, founder of Second Wind Dreams, joins us to share her organization's wonderful work of fulfilling dreams for older adults.  "Through the fulfillment of dreams and innovative educational programs, Second Wind Dreams, an international non profit, enhances quality of life for those living in eldercare communities and changes the perception aging." Join P.K. and Dale as they discuss this very important work, and she shares some amazing stories about the people and dreams they have fulfilled.

Nov 16th: Dr. Jamie Huysman  Are You at Risk for Caregiver Compassion Fatigue?

Dr. Jamie Huysman (psychologist, psychiatric social worker, and co-founder of Leeze Gibbons Memory Foundation) joins Dale to share the warning signs and elements of compassion fatigue and care provider burnout.  He'll also explore some solutions and tools in creating your own personal self-care plan.

Nov 30th: Loren Shook and Stephen Winner.  The Silverado Story - A Memory-Care Culture Where Love is Greater than Fear.

Loren Shook, Steve Winner (co-founders of The Silverado and co-authors of this soon-to-be published book (title above) will be with us to discuss the wonderful culture and care at Silverado assisted living communities and their new book.

 
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
 
Hosted at Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
            355 N Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60607
 
Free Seminar

 Presenter:
 Sheila Segal, MFT, Peer Counseling Program Director,
                      WISE and Healthy Aging, Santa Monica, CA



Reservations are required.  Register for this free seminar online or call 312.455.1000
 
Seminar Schedule:

Morning Session:
Professionals will explore the development of brain fitness programming to help the elderly maintain and improve their cognitive abilities.
 
Lunch Break
 
Afternoon Session:
Seminar participants will welcome 25 elders and will be interactive, sharing positive experiences in improving brain health as well as confronting obstacles to learning something new.  There will be an exploration of how these new skills might be utilized to improve quality of life.
 

Free Training - Free Massages - Free Food and More!

Date:  Thursday, October 14, 2010

Time:  10 a.m. to 5 pm.

(Open House format)

Location:  Downtown Chicago (near El train and Bus stops)

11 East Adams Street at State Street, 2nd Floor

Classrooms of the Illinois School of Health Careers

WORKSHOPS:  Receive a "Certificate of Attendance"

Workshops lead by Health School Instructors/R.N.'s

Transfering Skills

Coping with Attachment and Grief

Communicating with Mentally Challenged Patients

Get Hired! Seminar

Caregiverlist Training Tools

Educational Opportunities

Learn more and RSVP:
https://www.caregiverlist.com/CareForTheCaregiverDay.aspx

(RSVP Suggested but not Required)

Caregiverlist has also partnered with the leader in online training,
aQuire Training Solutions to provide a specially designed 10 hour
training program which matches the training requirements for
non-medical caregivers in the state of Illinois.  Just send us an
e-mail if you would like to review for free.  The cost is $50 per
month for unlimited tests with secure password access provided to each
individual caregiver.

E-mail for a free Webinar:  erin@caregiverlist.com

This past Labor Day, our very own Kerry Quirin participated in her second half marathon in Oak Brook, IL. Personally, I can barely take my dog for a walk without needing a few breaks along the way so I am very impressed. In fact, this is the second one she has run in. Back in 2008 she participated in a race in Arizona. Running in heat. Wow.Great job Kerry! I know that she is planning on running in another one soon. Here she is a few months before the event stocking up on some carbs for the energy she knew she would need for the race.Sweet people love sweets right? Look at that 'grocery cart' full of cotton candy. If you want to know where you can feast on that, send me a message!In addition to practicing and running for the half marathon, Kerry helped over 25 families find assisted living, memory care or independent living in the western suburbs of Chicago. Kerry has been an advisor with Senior Living Experts for 4 years now and I personally would like to clone her so we could help even more families!Kerry and her husband Mark (who is turning 40 very soon!) live with their three beautiful children in Downer's Grove, IL where Kerry is also active in the PTA.

Sept 11, 2010 - We had a new location - in lovely Lincoln Park - but our old familiar friend, the rain joined us even though we did not invite it!Once again, the rain did not stop thousands of people from showing up to show their support and to raise some money! So far the walk has raised $564,281.00!! Over half a million dollars!I have included a few photos from the event. I want to give the award for the best Memory Walk Team name to Team Edward below! Wonder if they are vampires? Vampires like rainy days don't they? At least that was one of my take-aways from reading the Twilight Series... anyhow...Next we have a photo of Paula Levy from AP Lifeline and I dancing with a brain - from Marbles, the Brain Store. See, you can have fun in the rain if you set your mind to it!This is a photo of Rachelle Blough and I - Rachelle runs one of the BEST memory programs in the area at Lexington. I used to work with her at Sunrise and I think she is so outrageously good at what she does. Amazing person! Nice taste in hats as well.This is a photo of Melissa Trinidad from St. Joseph's Village in Chicago. Next to her is Susan Scatchell from A-Abiding Care. She had the big job of helping to organize the event. As a person who held that job on the memory walk committee for several years - I can tell you it is quite a responsibility. I think she did an excellent job - organized so many side events to raise money, I could hardly keep up. Great work Susan!And at this point, I was soaked. This was just before the walk started and I had already been there helping to set up since around 6am. I have no idea who this is. But he's cute and I can't imagine having to dry that outfit...Let me know if you have any other fun pictures to share with everyone and I will post them!! Thank you to everyone who came out and participated... See you next year!

On this day, educational programs are being held in dozens of countries to raise awareness about the growing challenge of this disease. The Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to bring together professional and family caregivers to learn about recent advances in science and care.September 21, 2010Check-in 8:00 a.m.Program 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Location:Elk Grove Park DistrictGarden Terrace Room1000 Wellington AveElk Grove Village, ILPhone:847.933.2413Cost:$45 for Professionals$25 Family MembersGroup rates are availableCEUs provided by Oakton Community College and Alexian BrosPresenters:Concetta Forchetti M.D. Ph.D.Jeannine Forrest, RN, PhDMary Ellen Geist, Author and Family CaregiverDr. Concetta Forchetti, both a researcher and clinician, will provide an update on current trends in biomedical research including diagnosis, treatment, and population studies examining risk reduction. Dr. Jeannine Forrest, who manages a research project involving palliative care for people with advanced dementia, will describe best practices and the findings of her current study. Finally, Mary Ellen Geist, author of an acclaimed memoir about caring for her father with Alzheimer’s disease, will talk about her personal journey of caregiving and the power of music and song to connect with those with Alzheimer’s disease.I have had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Forchetti speak. She really knows how to explain the disease with great ease.

This is a summary of the Proposed Changes to Medicaid Eligibility - by Janna Dutton, of Dutton & Casey, P.C. a firm that specializes in Elderlaw. I thought it was important to share with my readers as I get many questions about Medicaid that I am not qualified to answer. So here is some general information and remember to always consult an attorney regarding this!The Illinois Department of Health and Family Services has released a series of proposed regulations which it will be publishing in the Illinois Register on August 13, 2010. These regulations, in part, implement the federal Deficit Reduction Act provisions passed in February of 2006. For those in the Chicagoland area that are interested, there will be a 45-day public comment period as well as public hearings scheduled for September 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Room 500.The proposed regulations contain numerous and significant changes to eligibility for Medicaid coverage of long term care services. To say they are lengthy would be quite an understatement, so below are some of the most notable changes: 1. Five Year Look-BackAs of the date of implementation of the proposed regulations, applicants for Medicaid coverage of long term care (skilled nursing, supportive living, and the community care and in-home services programs) will be required to account for and document all financial transactions occurring during the five years prior to the date of application, or February 6, 2006, whichever is later.2. Retroactive Application of More Punitive Transfer Penalty RulesThe Department is proposing to apply new punitive penalty rules to transfers of assets which have occurred since February 8, 2006. As of the date of the implementation of the new rules, transfers of assets for less than fair market value, meaning gifts, will result in the applicant being ineligible for Medicaid coverage for a certain time period. This time period does not begin until the month the person is eligible for Medicaid, meaning in need of long term care services and having an approved Medicaid application (but for the imposed penalty period). The penalty period is calculated by dividing the total uncompensated value of assets transferred by the average monthly cost of long term care services at the private rate in the community in which the person's nursing home is located at the time of application. The result is the transfer penalty period of ineligibility in number of months, days, and portion of a day. For example, if a person makes gifts to grandchildren of a total of $65,000 in June of 2006, and then applies for Medicaid on or before May of 2011, assuming an average private rate of $4000, they will be deemed to be ineligible for Medicaid for a period of approximately 16 months and 7.5 days beginning with the month that their Medicaid application for nursing home care is approved.In addition, the Department will no longer allow a penalty period to be reduced by a partial return of the funds gifted. In order to reduce a penalty period, the entire amount transferred during the five year look-back period will need to be returned.3. Spouses Must Disclose Separate AssetsHistorically, the State has allowed spouses of nursing home residents applying for Medicaid to refuse to disclose their separate assets without affecting the Medicaid eligibility of nursing home residents. The proposed regulations will no longer allow spouses to refuse to disclose their separate assets. If they do, the only way the nursing home Medicaid applicant (or community spouse) will be allowed to receive Medicaid benefits is if they assign their support rights to the State of Illinois to allow the State to take legal action against the non-disclosing spouse, or, if they can prove that it is an undue hardship.4. Exempt Homestead Property Limited to $500,000 of EquityUnder the proposed rules, a person is not eligible for long term care coverage of the person's equity in homestead property exceeds $500,000. The federal law allows equity of up to $750,000.5. Strict Limitations on AnnuitiesAt application and upon redetermination, a Medicaid applicant/recipient and community spouse must disclose any interest either or both may have in any annuity or similar financial instrument. The disclosure must include a statement that the State of Illinois becomes the remainder beneficiary to the extent of Medicaid paid out. Failure to make this disclosure may result in denial or termination of Medicaid coverage.The purchase of an annuity which does not name the State as a remainder beneficiary will be considered a penalized transfer of assets.

Understanding Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's and Safety is a two-program DVD packed with 50 minutes of practical advice for caregivers and people with dementia. This DVD was developed under the guidance of Alzheimer's Association experts and features tips from caregivers and people with dementia.

One DVD gives you two educational programs:

"Understanding Alzheimer's: An Introductory Guide" provides guidelines on diagnosis and treatment, as well as tips for everyday life with dementia. Topics covered in detail are: Getting a Diagnosis, What to Expect and How to Cope.

"Alzheimer's and Safety: A Guide to Planning and Preparation" outlines safety issues and helps with planning and preparation. This guide details what changes may be presented due to dementia, how to make your home safe, how to travel safely, medications and staying safe, wandering and driving.

Cost of the DVD is $24.95 and can be purchased by at the Alzheimer's Association Website here!

I know that I benefited by watching many of these types of videos when I first started working in this field.  Has anyone else had any experiences, positive or negative with these types of films?

The Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Illinois Chapter will be rockin at the annual Memory Rock concert on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Joe's Sports Bar from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.Co-chair Steven Monroe had this to say about this great event, “Memory Rock is in its fourth year and has become the annual end of summer event. This event really offers young adults an inexpensive way to help fight a disease that has affected their families, grandparents and parents. Attendance has increased each year - in no small part because it’s a great venue to hear Dr. Bombay (whose other performances cost more to attend). Ultimately, it’s proven to be a wonderful fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, as well as “fun-raiser” for people that attend each year.”Memory Rock is a third party event chaired by Steve Monroe and Richard Klein. The entry fee is $30, of which the Alzheimer’s Association receives $15. This year Memory Rock will be emceed by Comcast SportsNet's Sarah Kustok and live music is provided by Dr. Bombay. You may purchase tickets online or at the door. Click here for more information.

Just found out about this important resource and thought I would share it with you!

United Hospital Fund's Next Step in Care has published a Family Caregiver's Guide to Hospice and Palliative Care

This guide answers a number of important questions when making the decision to transition to hospice or palliative care. It also provides a nice side-by-side comparison of Hospice vs.. Palliative care.  It is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian.

To view the guide in English, visit: https://www.nextstepincare.org/uploads/File/Guides/Hospice/hospice.pdf


For all other languages, visit: https://www.nextstepincare.org/left_top_menu/Caregiver_Home/Hospice

Covenant Home of Chicago,Swedish Covenant Hospital and Galter LifeCenter, are presenting anevening of helpful information and tips on the joys and challenges ofcaregiving for a loved one.

Topics include:

- Self help tips

- Guided imagery and other stress relievers

- The impact of caregiving

- Tools to use with your loved one

- Massage demonstrations

-  Respite care options and other available programs

Where?

Covenant Home of Chicago: 2720 W Foster Avenue Chicago, IL 60625

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 6:30 P.M.

Please RSVP to (773) 506-6900

Ifanyone else knows of some great resources/tips for caregivers like thisin the area, please let us know.  I know many people find themextremely helpful, how about you?

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleasedoffer this free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide forFamilies of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-termcare facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and relateddementias, particularly care issues related to the late and finalstages.For families, this guidewill enable them to make informed choices about a variety of medicaldecisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living innursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of carefacilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed atobtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handychecklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff membersof care facilities.You can download your free copy by visiting this page from the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Special thanks to Daniel Kuhn for bringing this valuable guide to my attention so that I could share it with all my readers!

This is a great article I found online. I love this summary of the survey: "A resounding majority believed they are now better off. Most said they would make the same choice again, and practically everyone would recommend it to their friends."

AGREED!!

Here is the link to the article!

Increasing numbers of older Americans are seeking out the security and comfort of a continuing-care retirement community. But a new report from the federal Government Accountability Office warns that such assurances often come at a steep price and "considerable risk."

via online.wsj.com

Great informative article from the Wall Street Journal about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC's).

A must read for anyone considering this option instead of a pure rental situation. You need to look at this not just as senior living, but as a financial investment.

We work with quite a few great CCRC's here in the Chicagoland area and can help if you have any questions about one!

Today I am featuring the second part of Barbara's interview on assisted living with Laurene HartmanBarbara Friesner – Do all assisted living communities provide for someone with dementia?Laurene Hartman – By and large, the answer to thatquestion is yes. Most assisted living providers do have separateneighborhoods where they care for more moderate to advanced residentswith cognitive issues. At Sunrise, we believe it’s not enough thatsomeone with cognitive, or more severe cognitive issues is in a secure,safe setting. We believe it’s also how they’re treated, it’s how webest manage their situations, and how we educate the families to reallybe able to get the most out of their love one in this very tryingjourney. So it’s a real, real strong presence in our community.BF – And I think that’s something Sunrise does particularlywell – that it’s a place where someone with cognitive issues is livingand not just a place where they’re “warehoused”. I think its importantthat when you’re going to look at a community, you look at theReminiscence area – whether you think you could possibly need it foryour loved one or not.LH – You really want an environment that will bringthe individual back to life, because there are so many things that allof these people contributed to life and they enjoyed doing and youknow, we want to bring those things back to life. We want to breathelife back into those families and their loved ones, and you know again,live versus exist.BF – You mentioned the different levels of care. Whatpoint would they need the higher level of care and what do the levelsconsist of?LH – The different levels go from medicationmanagement up to and including total activity of daily livingassistance. We can feed that resident, brush their teeth, comb theirhair, pick their clothing – we can provide total Activities of DailyLiving (ADL) care. Same thing in Reminiscence area. We can care formost residents till end of life. However, that’s not necessarily truefor all assisted living communities so that’s extremely important tocheck out before your loved one checks in.Also . . . Someone that has a true skill need would then have to gointo a nursing environment and that might include someone on aventilator, has a feeding tube, needs continuous intravenous therapy.Those are circumstances that require a skilled nurse 24-hours a day,and we in the state of New Jersey, in so far as assisted living’s go,are not licensed to care for that type of resident.However, some of those circumstances are temporary. Someone mightneed a feeding tube temporarily because of a surgical procedure. Theywould recover, go to rehab, and return to their home at Sunrise, orwhatever provider. So again, if some of those things were permanent,they would require a skilled nursing environment. Remember, a nursing home is a medical model, assisted living is a social model, and that’s really the definition.BF – Whether because of health or finances, is there apoint when a resident can’t stay in an assisted living any more, and ifso, then what?LH – We do everything in our power so they don’thave to move – as I’m sure, do most communities. If that’s notpossible, the administrators, my executive director, and more oftenmyself, we will help families find the appropriate environment. Justlike when they started their journey for finding an assisted living, ithas to be the right fit, and we want to give families choices. Soagain, I am a big part of that process with my families, I have strongrelationships in the community with all of my colleagues and all of theproviders since I’ve been at that community almost nine years.Again, it’s important to find the right community. That means thecommunity that will meet their needs for as long as your loved one isthere and people who will find the right environment based on the needsof a particular resident should the community no longer be able toaccommodate them.

This is a reprint of an article written by Barbara E. Friesner, The Country’s Leading Generational Coach from AgeWiseLivingBarbara is also the creator of "The Ultimate Caregivers Success System" which I have recommended to many caregivers.In this interview Barbara interviews Laurene Hartman, is the Director of Community Relations at Sunrise Senior Living in East Brunswick, New JerseyI wanted to share this article, because it is so in line with the questions we answer everyday. Please enjoy and let me know your thoughts!Barbara Friesner: What is an assisted living community and what services does an assisted living community provide?Laurene Hartman:assisted living is a worry-freelifestyle with supportive services for the residents and their familiesas well. Assisted living communities provide meals, activities andlevels of care. Services vary greatly and depend on the type ofresident each community will accept. A vast amount of services andamenities are provided based solely on the individual needs of eachresident. I most assisted living communities, residents can totallyindependent; they can have their vehicle, they can travel. Familiesreally have to do diligence before considering an environment for theirloved one. Some might require one to be completely ambulatory – theymight need to be able to transfer from a bed to a chair. At Sunrisecommunities, residents can live in the community until the end of lifebecause we also offer Hospice care. It is definitely not“one-size-fits-all. It really represents the individuality of eachresident.BF: What are the requirements for admission?LH: It depends on the community. For some, therequirements for admission are really basic: no age requirement andthe financial ability to private pay for two years meaning thatresidents moving in do have to have the resources for at least a 2-yeartime frame.There again, families need to really be proactive in asking thosequestions as part of the process of a family visiting a community, butevery assisted living has their own criteria for their financial needs.Once in, it is strictly a month-to-month rental and residents arebilled monthly, and they can leave at any time with proper notice basedon their reasons for departing the community.BF: What are some ways residents can pay?LH: Some people have long-term care insurance whichassists them with their own personal finances. Families should alsocheck out the Veterans Pension and Disability benefit that is anentitlement to veterans and their spouses. (For information on the VA Special Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit, go to https://agewiseliving.com/2009-09-24-VeteransPension.htm or the 9/24/09 newsletter on the Newsletter page on my website www.AgeWiseLiving.com.)BF: What are some other requirements?LH: Once the decision is made on the community,there needs to be an assessment which is done through our health carecoordinator in speaking to the family and the potential resident aboutall of the things that we might need to provide for that resident.BF: Does someone actually go to their home and do an assessment?LH: We can go to their home, we can go to asub-acute private discharge, it can be done in our own community; wewill do whatever it takes to make it convenient for that family memberand the potential resident.BF: Does the assessment tool assess mental and physical abilities?LH: Yes, it includes both mental and physicalabilities because again, if someone’s memory is at a certain pointwhere there might be a wandering risk, or again, recognition of familyis no longer there with that particular situation, then of course, wewould know again, with that assessment tool, where that resident wouldbest be served; where their quality of life would be best, whether itsin the assisted living neighborhood of the community, or theReminiscence neighborhood of the community. And of course the needs ofthat particular resident would translate into the levels of care thatwe provide based on the degree and severity of their needs. Do theyneed total assistance? Do they need minimal assist? Do they only wantassistance with a shower once a week? Things of that nature. Do theyhave continence issues that we need to address? Do they need to betoileted because they’re not ambulatory? So again, that tool tells usevery nuisance of that resident to create that individual service planthat’s designed specifically for them.BF: In addition to the assessment, what else do they need to do?LH: Then the family needs a physician’s reportcompleted by their primary, a clean TB test, and to be free ofcommunicable disease, (different states have different requirements sobe sure to ask the community), and a resident profile that the familymust provide. The resident profile – basically a biography about theresident so that way we can create and generate a service plan based ontheir spiritual needs, their physical needs, how to approach them . . .all those things based on their particular circumstances.Watch for next week’s newsletter when we will look at accommodationsfor those with memory impairment, different levels of care, and whathappens if a resident’s situation changes and they can’t stay in thecommunity.If you think an Assisted Living Community is the perfect choice for your parent, I urge you not to wait for a crisis to develop.Tomorrow we will feature part 2 of this interview!

I refer my residents to therapeutic activities every day. I consider them a vital adjunct to my work as a psychologist. Here's why:

via ltlmagazine.com

This article comes from Long Term Living Magazine and was written by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD - a psychologist who consults with long term care facilities... I thought it was worth sharing.

The main points:

Therapeutic recreation reverses the downward spiral of depression.

Structured days are happier days. 

Activities are more vital when all time is leisure time.

Therapeutic recreation allows residents to continue or create new identities.

Activities foster socialization with peers.

Life needs purpose.

Apart from medical care, therapeutic recreation is the best reason to be in a nursing home.

Wish I could ride a bike that far.. what a great idea...

Alzheimer’s disease steals the future from millions of Americans. It robs spouses of their companions and children of their parents and grandparents; it erodes the health and financial resources of caregivers. For years, we’ve called on Congress to do something about this devastating disease. Yet funding levels for Alzheimer research remain flat and our nation still lacks a national plan to confront this looming epidemic.

The time has come to make our voices heard. Today we are launching the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Ride, a cross-country journey to collect 50,000 signatures asking Congress to make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority. Will you join us?

Sign the petition to make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority.

This summer, Alzheimer researchers are cycling with the Alzheimer’s Association in the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Ride, a journey from coast to capital to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and collect signatures for the petition.

The Ride begins in San Francisco on Saturday, July 17 and will culminate in Washington, D.C. on World Alzheimer’s Day (Sept. 21), where your signatures will be presented to Congress. Follow the Ride’s progress and sign the petition at www.alz.org/breakthroughride.

Whether you’re a scientist riding your bike cross-country, someone living with or affected by the disease, or a concerned citizen who wants to be part of the movement to end Alzheimer’s, you can make a difference today by signing the petition. Together, we can make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority.

Sincerely,

Harry Johns
President and CEO

Alzheimer's Association