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As the decision-maker for an elder,
are you suffering from:
• Guilt • Confusion • Stress • Anxiety
• Anger • Denial • Depression • Shame
• Paranoia • Loss • Change • Projection
• Cognitive Dissonance • Fear • Conflict
• Resistance • Morbid Thoughts • Burnout |
Of Course You Are, You’re Human!
Unfortunately, growing old in the American culture can be toxic. We hold youth & aesthetics as higher values than wisdom and experience. So much so, that we fail to see aging as a process and tend to view it as an event. While we try to run from those gray hairs and wrinkles, as to not be devalued among our cohorts, we are also turning a deaf ear to the complications that lie ahead. As a result, what should be easily prepared for, becomes an instant crisis. Ultimately, the quality of life of the elder & their loved ones is in jeopardy, sometimes destroyed. |
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If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you know the repetitive spiel the flight attendants rattle off before hitting the skies.....”in case of sudden loss of cabin pressure....” They instruct those with small children to first place the oxygen mask on themselves so that they can attend to the needs of their children without risk of passing out. I love to use this analogy with loved ones & caregivers. The same principle applies to elder care; You are only as good of a caregiver as you are educated & healthy.
EDUCATION IS THE PANACEA.
A simple definition of disappointment is:Expectations not being met. Thus, if you have unreasonable
expectations, or have no idea what to expect, you will mire yourself in a constant state of crisis, flux & despair. My job is to fill in the blanks of what you should know to be successful in granting your loved one a quality of life they deserve, & after their journey is over, give you the peace of mind that you performed due diligence. Your secondary gain is that when you are facing your own mortailty, you will understand what the journey will be like, and so it goes, from one generation to the next, a positive paradigm, & it starts here! |
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| The Long Term Care Continuum should come with a map and a trail guide. |
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Our jargon-laden, multi-faceted, overlapping, state-specific regulated system with ambiguous parameters & highly competitive nature, sets us up for failure, it’s a wonder how loved ones even survive this portion of the journey. I break down each facet of long term care in understandable terms with no bias. I present you with a coherent, logical, path of progression through the continuum, based on my coprehensive geriatric assessment which takes into account, physical, emotional, psycho-social & budgetary factors.
Hot Topics for families typically are: • Dementia/Cognitive decline • What is the right fit for us: Familial Care, Out-sourced in-home care, Retirement Living, Assisted Living, Dementia Care, Adult Day Care, Skilled Nursing or Hospice? • How to Choose the correct physician • Minimizing pharmaceutical intervention
• How to get the most of LTC environments • How to manage anxiety/agitation/depression |
Starting difficult conversations requires the right tools! |
The process of aging and all the trappings that come with it tend to be more challenging than anticipated. The key is to understand how to manage the issues before they arise. However, intuition alone, is not enough, you need proven tools to assist you. |
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I guide families through the more difficult situations, including, but not limited to: |
• Tackling dysfunctional family dynamics
• Communicating with your LTC provider
• Getting the car keys from Mom and or Dad
• Convincing a frail spouse caregiver to let go
• Exploring Validation Therapy with Dementia
• The signs of risk to health and safety
• Tackling dignity issues with Incontinence
• Effective communication with physicians
• Importance of becoming a durable power
• How to breech the subject of Hospice
• Making sure to get an Advanced Directive
• Serious implications of wandering
• What physicians don’t have time to tell you
• How to recognize isolation/depression
• The perils of waiting too long for help
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This is where
I come in. |
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