Chicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence – Since 1991 • care management solutionsChicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence

Spring Tips for the Holiday Caregiver
We all know that that Spring in the Midwest isn’t on a straight line from Winter toward Summer, but...
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March 28, 2023
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How (NOT) to Worry, Stress or Be Anxious
It’s not so much whether you’ll have worries, be stressed or feel anxious…it’s how you’ll manage your worries, your...
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March 21, 2023
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Scammer v. 23.1
Call it Ocean’s 65+…instead of Ocean’s 8 or Ocean’s 11…but it doesn’t have a caste of Hollywood stars, and...
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March 7, 2023
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Another Side to the Story
It was just a year ago that Bruce Willis’ family disclosed that the actor would be retiring from acting...
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February 27, 2023
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Ain’t No Sunshine…
…When She’s Gone.” Or how about, “You are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine?” or “Here Comes the Sun?” or...
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February 21, 2023
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How to Say ‘NO’ to Dementia
It was about two and a half months ago that we posted about the diagnostics telling Chris Hemsworth he...
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February 14, 2023
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Long COVID’s Long List of Symptoms
The COVID pandemic is not yet done with us in the United States, and the story certainly is different...
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February 7, 2023
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A Defensive Game Plan for Dementia Outbursts
It’s not just about forgetting or being confused. If you have a loved one with dementia, it is also...
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January 31, 2023
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To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
No, this isn’t a refresher course on Shakespeare and the famous Hamlet soliloquy. (Spoiler Alert – Hamlet was ranting...
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January 2, 2023
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A Viral Trifecta?
To get to the question in the email first, the Spanish flu of 1918 did not get its start...
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December 13, 2022
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In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

You, or your older loved one, have a consistent pain in your hip, and you finally get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon…a hip specialist, no less. …or have had shortness of breath and your primary care provider recommends you be checked out by a cardiologist. …have a generalized fever for a number of days, you’ve lost your appetite and you have general body ache and sinus congestion. After the COVID test, there may be a referral to an infectious disease specialist. Even the doctors sometimes complain about how “over-specialized” medicine has become. When did you last get a referral to a specialist who focuses on…well, lots of your body’s functions and their health? They are calling it lifestyle medicine, and it has a lot to offer almost everyone. One practitioner describes this emerging specialty: “it's the use of evidence-based lifestyle and therapeutic interventions to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic diseases.” (click here) What is the focus of “lifestyle medicine?” For those of you who are accustomed to a trip to your older loved one’s doctor as a lengthy review of existing prescriptions…and often getting one more added when leaving their provider’s office, this new specialty may seem a bit radical. But it’s radical in the right direction. The five pillars of lifestyle medicine include:
- A whole food diet with nutrition built around predominantly plant-based healthy foods;
- Sufficient quantity and quality sleep on a regular basis;
- Stress management…primarily achieved through eliminating the stressors that many of us take for granted as part of 21^st century living;
- Healthy relationships – get rid of that old idea about keeping friends close and enemies closer…just keep healthy friends;
- Avoid toxic substances like tobacco, excess alcohol consumption and such.
Do you see the real difference with this “new specialty?” It puts control back within the individual and works to avoid undue prescribing or tolerating unhealthy habits. And it’s guaranteed to improve cardiovascular function and minimize bone and joint issues. The key, however, lies within a patient who implements the changes. And this method has been largely “on the books” in medicine for years, but it’s been neglected…perhaps because too many patients are inclined to ignore, for instance, the first and second line treatments for heart issues…diet and exercise. If you are a caregiver to an older loved one, help them to this “new cure” perhaps by “being the change” yourself. Charlotte Bishop is a Caregiver Coach, an Aging Life Care Advisor, a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
It is not just because of the housing collapse that many seniors have decided to stay in their existing homes instead of moving into a senior community in recent years. It also is because it is easier to make home changes to keep up with the needs of older adults who wish to "age in place." In this two-part series, I am going to take you on a walking tour of an older adult's home with an eye to how to make life a bit easier and safer. If you are a caregiver to an older adult or someone else with special needs, think of it as a checklist room by room.

Front Door. Don't think of those few steps that lead up to the front door as a stairway; think of them as barriers to entry and exit. Recall from an earlier post that osteoarthritis becomes increasingly common with age, and what used to be four easy steps can now become a big challenge. Then, add an armful of groceries or a dark night when things are not as easy to see clearly, and you have an accident waiting to happen. Consider as alternatives either a no-step rehab to the entry way or a long ramp; I say long ramp, because it is important to keep the grade modest to accommodate a wheelchair, a walker, crutches or a cane. And get rid of the threshold - that strip of wood or molding that rises up between the outer wall of a house and the inner wall.

Garage Entry. For the older adult who still drives or is a passenger to someone who drives, getting from the garage to the house can be as daunting as those stairs in front of the house. Consider a hydraulic garage lift, especially if someone requires a wheelchair to get about.

Halls and Floors. Once in the home, turn on the light. Especially at night an older adult will find the abrupt transition from the bright porch light to the dark interior will make it hard for one's eyes to adjust, an invitation for trip or fall. For ease of use consider also replacing old light switches with rocker switches that are much easier for older, less facile hand to manipulate. Then, look at the floor surface as a potential obstacle. Throw rugs are just waiting for an older adult with unsure footing, and a fall is the outcome. Of if the carpet has been aging with the resident in an older home, there may be edges coming loose or seams that may trip the older adult who treads there. For any longer corridors or internal stairways, also consider hand rails for both walls. These rails can be the first line of defense for an older adult prone to slipping or tripping.

In the next installment, I will continue with a room by room walk through as you consider how best to refit your older loved one's home. I'll also add a web site that is full of useful resources for anyone looking to make it easier for older adults to remain at home and independent.
Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com.
As a caregiver for an older adult you cannot prevent a medical emergency, but you can prepare for one. Even if you are a distance caregiver, you will find that you can have your elderly parent help in preparing an "emergency kit" just in case. As a provider of geriatric care management services, I help families with whom I work to customize their preparations to the particular health needs of the loved ones. For starters, both a caregiver and an older adult should have what I refer to as the "grab and go list." Should there be an emergency, both of you should have a list which may include the following information or photocopies of important documents:
- identification like a social security card, passport or drivers license
- health insurance cards, both Medicare and any secondary carrier
- recent medical summaries or immunization records
- a list of current records or prescriptions
- a list of important contacts with phone numbers
- veterinary records if your loved one has a pet
- wills, advanced directives or powers of attorney
Because the emergency may not be medical, but instead may be a natural disaster, it is a good idea to have the grab and go kit in a waterproof container and/or fireproof safe. For the same reason, if you are a distance caregiver, it is a good idea to also have on hand the names and phone numbers of neighbors or friends who could be called to check on your loved one. If you have not met these individuals, use your next trip to see your loved one as an opportunity to also introduce yourself to these friends or neighbors. It will make any later, long distance communication a lot easier. Again, thinking about a natural disaster, help your loved one devise a home escape plan should they have to leave home quickly. And have at least two escape plans should the reason for escape be the sort of disaster that can damage the structure of a home, like a tornado, hurricane or earthquake. Help your loved one also to have a plan for sheltering in place for emergencies like a tornado or hurricane. Especially in the case of the latter, you should also have a set aside cache of fresh water, dry goods, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, whistle and crowbar in the event the emergency lasts for more than a day. For more details about specific responses to natural disasters, go to the FEMA web resource (http://www.ready.gov/). For more advice on preparing for - and facing - medical emergencies, this is a good resource (http://emergency.tufts.edu/guide/medical-emergency/). Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families. We provide geriatric care management services to those in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com.
LifeWorks Erie is the provider of relevant, contemporary programs, services and lifelong learning opportunities that engage the 50+ individuals who are interested in staying active mentally and physically and want to lead healthy, vibrant lives.
Who We Serve

We serve as a trusted filter and adviser to older adults and their families regarding choices which enable living well, maintaining independence and access to complimentary services throughout the changing needs of aging. Through our programs and services, LifeWorks Erie encourages optimal aging by offering opportunities for wellness in all of its dimensions: intellectual, emotional, mental, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Learn More At: www.lifeworkserie.org
Program and Service Areas

Lifelong Learning
Regardless of age, but particularly during the aging process, stimulates curiosity, exploration, and new experiences that in turn decreases the incidence of various diseases and promotes health and well-being.

Non-Medical Services & Programs
Including the New Horizon Music Project, Return to Work Counseling, Oral History Collection, Creative Aging, Café Service, Computer Usage, and many other services as describe on our website.

Prevention & Health Management
Members of our staff are certified in Chronic Disease Self Management, Reiki, Therapeutic Yoga, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, and Arthritis Fitness. Our staff includes a Recreational Therapist, Nurses, and a Certified Fitness Instructor. LifeWorks Erie offers health screenings, counseling and education, and flu and other vaccinations to the community.
Creative Care Management proudly supports Lifework Erie's work, especially as it relates to elder care services.
As we prepare for more holiday cheer even after Thanksgiving, we truly understand how caring for a person with Alzheimer’s takes special attention and patience, especially when stress is already in abundance. For instance, preparing a meal for your loved one may often be a challenge. Depending on the stage of Alzheimer’s, your loved one might have mood swings or lose their appetite. Therefore, it is important to develop a good practice for making mealtimes easier, not just for Thanksgiving or any other holiday, but for everyday eating.

In addition to the tips mentioned in a previous entry about accommodating dementia during the holidays, you may also want to follow these suggestions for making mealtime a smoother experience for both the Alzheimer’s patient and those who care for them.
1. Be sure to check with a doctor about your loved one if they aren’t eating or have lost their appetite. There might be factors, such as other health complications or medications, which could cause a disinterest in eating. Remember too that certain stages of dementia may cause a degeneration of the sense of taste and smell, which can also decrease appetite.
2. You may want to help your loved one by reminding them to eat, as it is common for people with Alzheimer’s to forget to do so. Also, it is often necessary to guide your loved one through preparing their food (cutting the food into small pieces if needed) and making sure they know how to heat and use appliances properly.
3. People with Alzheimer’s have a difficult time utilizing their senses and applying judgment to everyday tasks. It might be helpful to ensure that table setting colors create a large enough contrast between items. For instance, the plates should contrast in color from the table cloth. This ultimately prevents confusion for your loved one. Using only solid colors helps as well.
4. Try to limit distractions by keeping a schedule and eating at the same time every day, turning off televisions and phones during meal time, and maybe keeping a designated spot for your loved one to sit at the table.
Serving foods that are easy to eat, such as finger foods that are not messy or sticky, help as well. In addition, asking your loved one about what would make eating a more comfortable experience can ease some of the stress that may come at mealtime. Find these tips and more at Mayoclinic and StrengthforCaring.com.

Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Case Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com.