Chicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence – Since 1991 • family caregiversChicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence

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...
Read more
February 14, 2023
0
0
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...
Read more
February 7, 2023
0
0
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
No, this isn’t a refresher course on Shakespeare and the famous Hamlet soliloquy. (Spoiler Alert – Hamlet was ranting...
Read more
January 2, 2023
0
0
Saying “No” May be the Right Answer
Saying “yes” when someone asks you to do something can be like eating candy. It feels right or good...
Read more
November 15, 2022
0
0
Doing Your Homework on Medicare Coverage
If you or an older loved one are at that age in the magical transition – otherwise known as...
Read more
November 8, 2022
0
0
Become a Dementia Detective by “Talking the Talk”
Today we have a guest Post from Christina Padilla, a speech-language pathologist and Certified Dementia Practitioner living and working...
Read more
September 27, 2022
0
0
The Will To Do the Right Thing
This whole idea to write up a legal document to give surviving loved ones clarity about how to take...
Read more
August 9, 2022
0
0
Why Mister Rogers Was Right
Mr. Rogers Told You…but were you listening? And it wasn’t just once that he shared the message; it was...
Read more
August 2, 2022
0
0
Looking Out for Your Older Parent 24/7
There will come a time for everyone with an aging parent that the question will arise, “Is it still...
Read more
July 11, 2022
0
0
A Good Habit Missing for Most Older Adults
Even among those older adults who dodged COVID, “gymnesia” may be a lingering effect. Please let me explain… What...
Read more
May 24, 2022
0
0

In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

As we age, our bodies give us feedback we’re not used to. Activities that never required a second thought suddenly take some planning. Sometimes it’s hard to know if a new pain or sensation is something that we should worry about, or just a natural part of the aging process. We’ve compiled a list for you. If you or someone you love experiences any symptoms on this list, take them seriously and consult a physician immediately.
1. Confusion/Speech Difficulty. Call 911. These two symptoms are the most common manifestations of stroke. As the difficulty recovering from stroke depends heavily on the speed of attention to the event, it is wise to take this very seriously. Other reasons to suspect stroke include numbness, weakness, paralysis on one side of the body, or further difficulty with balance.
2. Vision Issues. Blurry, double vision? This is also a potential warning of stroke. Additionally, if you experience pain in your eyes, you should seek urgent treatment.
3. Chest Pain. This is a big one. If you have pain that lasts longer than a minute or two, it’s no time to wait. Treating a cardio event in the early stages is key.
4. Shortness of Breath. Any sudden difficulty catching your breath for longer than a few seconds should be your cue to get to the emergency room.
5. Stomach Pain. If it’s sudden, intense, and lasts longer than 30 minutes, a visit to urgent care is called for. Unresolved pain needs dealt with, and abdominal pain could need special attention. Don’t take the risk.
6. High Fever. If an adult has a fever that has reached 104 degrees, they need to be seen by a physician. The same is true for a newborn (up to 3 months) with a fever that reaches 100.4F. Excessive fevers need to be brought down. Let the professionals help.
7. Unusual Vomiting. When abdominal pain is unrelieved after vomiting, or if there is blood in the vomit, the situation needs caution and monitoring. If the unusual vomiting is accompanied by a high fever and lasts more than a few hours, children should be seen immediately. Adults should be seen if the episode lasts longer than a day.
8. Seizures. If seizures are part of your medical history, follow your doctor’s orders for managing; however, if seizures increase in occurrence, this is call to revisit your care plan. A first-time seizure requires immediate attention, as does a seizure experienced by anyone who lives with diabetes, or who is pregnant.
9. Head Injury. Take even a head bump seriously if you have a lingering headache. Head injuries can cause seizure, difficulty with speech, and confusion. Loss of sensation, strength, and coordination are also key indicators that any issues with head injury should be taken seriously.
If your symptom is something not listed above, be seen sooner than later. Aging happens differently to everyone, and health is high priority. Finally, trust your instincts. If something feels “off”, check it out. You’re right that it probably is nothing, but it’s much better to know than to worry. Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Advisor, 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.
If you are a caregiver to an older, qualified loved one who has not yet applied for Medicare, then December 7 is looming large for both of you. Or if you are a caregiver whose deadline is not this year, but is next year, then it is time for a crash course in what Medicare covers and what parts do what for your older loved one. You can refer to the basics as the ABCs, but you also need to add a D. The rest gets easier. Medicare Part A very simply is the part of the federally-sponsored plan that covers hospitalization for those enrolled. For all those over age 65, this is the longstanding part of the coverage that has no premium to be paid and covers what Medicare will pay to providers for inpatient stays. This is the easiest part, because you will not find too many hospital providers who do not accept Medicare's inpatient coverage. These outsiders are pretty much just military or VA hospitals along with the Shriners' Children's Hospitals. Medicare Part B covers generally the doctors' billings and outpatient care for those who are age-qualified and have enrolled, and it costs about $104.90 a month to enroll. But - and this is a critical but - the providers in these settings have to "accept Medicare assignment." In large part, because Medicare has such strong negotiating power, not every provider wants to accept what they will pay for services. These doctors and others who most likely will be holdouts on Medicare assignment typically are psychiatrists or some specialties. With some exceptions, the Mayo Clinics will not accept Medicare patients, so it is important that you help your older loved one check to be sure the providers they use are on the list. You can do this by going to WWW.medicare.gov and clicking on "Find doctors and other health professionals." Medicare Part C was originally called Medicare Advantage. It is available through private insurance carriers who create panels of physicians in Independent Practice Organizations or Preferred Provider Organizations and more to cover what Part B does not cover. They also will charge a premium. There is an alternative sometimes referred to as Medigap, and you will want to check out which offers the best coverage and access to the providers your older loved one will want. Medicare Part D is an optional plan that offers prescription drug coverage which none of the first three offer. Your loved one will have to "opt in" to this plan as offered by private insurers. Some of this will be changing under Affordable Care Act, so stay tuned for changes that will help to close what often is referred to as the "donut hole," the part that the covered person must pay after the initial coverage is exhausted and before the next threshold of coverage kicks in. So that is your crash course in getting your older loved one enrolled in Medicare, but you need to be alert to some potential landmines along the path: • Just because your loved one's doctors or hospitals are in the covered network this year does not mean they will be in the network next year; • Not every carrier's prescription coverage will be the same - be alert to language about coinsurance versus copays, step therapy and prior authorization, all of which will impact the out of pocket costs of medicines; • Make sure that when your loved one is hospitalized that it is an "inpatient stay" (covered) and not "observation" (not covered); • Know the rules on how you can appeal decisions on coverage. Charlotte Bishop is 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. Please email your questions to info@creativecaremanagement.com.
We all have seen the news stories in which older adults who are in a senior residential facility or dependent upon caregivers who come to their homes are intimidated by the people charged with their care. It can be physical abuse, emotional abuse, abuse by neglect or theft of the older residents' valuables and money. But we do not often think of identity theft as an abuse targeting older adults. If you are a caregiver to an older loved one, you need to be a vigilant advocate and be prepared to report any suspicious behavior. How can identity theft pose a threat to an older adult? Because someone has to look the part to get away with that, right? A growing number of cases nationwide suggest that older adults are perhaps even more likely as targets of identity theft than other younger people, and the reason very simply is that the person using a credit card in any number of transactions will rarely be asked for photo identification as they use the card. Even so, there are just too many "faceless transactions" for photo identification to pose any kind of barrier to abuse. Filling the tank at a service station or making a purchase on-line or purchasing by phone order are just a few examples. But why target seniors? Well, that is where the money is. By the time one retires, the house typically is paid off and they have accumulated their nest egg for the "golden years." And seniors are not likely to be making those big purchases for which a credit check is necessary, so they are not vigilantly tracking their credit scores nor is a lender. They may also not be using their credit card daily, so if it goes misses from a purse or wallet, it may be days before the loss is discovered. There also are more interactive scams that can defraud seniors. There are fake phone solicitations by what seem to be worthy charities or the call from someone posing as a grandchild or other family member with an urgent need while in another town. There are investments for which they may be "prequalified" with rates that will always be above what the older investor is earning from bonds or other safer investments. And who has not had an opportunity to help retrieve prize or inheritance money from someone in western Africa? As a caregiver, how can you help protect your older loved one?
1. Warn your loved one to the possibility of this kind of abuse.
2. Be alert to caregivers in your loved one's home and limit their access.
3. Suggest a credit card statement audit by a money manager who can spot fraud.
4. If your loved one is already having difficulty keeping up with bills, step in to help organize their finances and give everything due scrutiny.
5. If not you, personally, there are daily money managers who can fill this role (check the top listing on our resource page). Charlotte Bishop is 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. Please email your questions to info@creativecaremanagement.com.
Anyone who has raised children in the 21^st century can probably remember helping their young ones learn how to stay safe while out of the house, and later while driving the car and in between while surfing the internet. If you also have an older loved one, you may now have to work with mom or dad to be alert to the new scams targeting the unsuspecting who have internet access. It is not just a matter of helping your older loved one install current anti-viral and anti-malware software. The new scammers are taking advantage of the perfect storm of technology, trust and assets.
Today more than three in five adults over age 65 have access to the internet, and nearly four of every five have a cell phone. According to Microsoft there is a new consumer scam taking advantage of these technologies and the trust of their owners to dupe an estimated 3.3 million individuals – many of them 65 years and older – of an estimated $1.5 billion. It starts with their phone when an alleged representative of Microsoft or Windows calls advising of a virus detected on their equipment. The consultant directs them to log on and go to a support web site that will double-check their computers for the trouble. Once logged on to the site, malware is installed that can hijack any personal or financial information your trusting loved one may have on their computer. But be aware that Microsoft does not make outbound calls. Or it may be just the phone alone that gives the bad guys access to your older loved one. Ask your loved one if they have received any calls where no one was on the line when they picked up. If so, they may be part of an automated system that is accumulating a data base of people who can be targeted for later scams. If your older loved one does not yet have caller ID, have it installed. Or the number one fraud presently taking advantage of people’s phone access poses as a representative of the IRS. This may be the one phone call everyone dreads, but the simple fact is that the IRS does not make outbound phone calls. That said, when an unknown caller invokes the name of the IRS and then proceeds to make demands, most people – elders included – can become very intimidated. Let your older loved one know about this, and if they ever receive a call like this or from any of a number of agencies or federal offices, simply look up the number of the nearest office by that name and call them yourself. Again, the IRS – or any other predator - does not call you; you need to call them. Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Professional and 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. Please email your questions to info@creativecaremanagement.com.
There is a lot of news about the "older market" or other stories featuring someone who has reached the landmark age of 100 years and more. In my geriatric management experience, while working with elder adults and their families, all of what I see in the news is just snapshots of people at a certain age. What I have found is that who a person is at 80 or 90 is really a product of experiences that preceded the present. A long term study of aging by the Harvard Study of Adult Development followed a cohort of Harvard sophomores along with a group of young men in Greater Boston since the 1930s. My title stretches their findings a bit, because of course no one lives forever, but the study did offer some great insights into living long and living well:
1. Get rid of the cigarettes. The Harvard Study showed that men who did not smoke clearly out-lived those who were smokers. Other research continues to show that giving up smoking is a positive influence on health and longevity at almost any age.
2. Practice competent coping. It is not about the hand that life dealt these study subjects; it is about how they played the hand they were dealt. People who adapted to the events of life overall have lived longer than those who did not.
3. Waistline leads the lifeline. The researchers found that those subjects who maintained a "healthy waistline" and weight fared better than their obese counterparts. It is not about being stick thin, but it is about avoiding the other extreme.
4. Regular exercise contributes. Any kind of regular exercise improved both the physical and mental health of the men the study followed. Exercise also likely contributed to that healthy waistline and positive attitude.
5. Be mentally engaged. It starts with pursuing an educational degree, but those who lived longer also always seemed to have something they were excited to explore whether it was keeping a journal or studying a new subject. Intellectual activity seemed as important as physical activity.
6. Make and keep friends. That also includes the person one marries. The researchers found that those who were the most socially engaged also tended to live longer.
I have not talked about how old one's parents lived or one's cholesterol. These factors did contribute to longevity, but the researchers noted that they contributed less than expected. Even stress in a study subject's life was not a negative predictor of longevity as much as how the subjects coped with the stress. Charlotte Bishop is certified in geriatric management and founder of Creative Case Management, led by professionals who are advocates, resources, counselors and friends to elder adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com.