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

Too Good to Be True
With over 300 clinical trials on vaccines for COVID19, it perhaps is not a surprise that at least two...
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December 1, 2020
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Every 44 Seconds
That was on November 19th this year…the pace of COVID-19 deaths in the United States…one every 44 seconds, or...
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November 24, 2020
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The Other Global Health Crisis
Wearing a face mask is the new front line of defense against the spread of the war on COVID-19,...
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November 17, 2020
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You’re Bringing What for Thanksgiving?
Remember Thanksgiving just a year ago? It was that family gathering when you prepared the turkey and someone brought...
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November 10, 2020
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Connecting the Dots Means Early Detection in Dementia
One of the other casualties of this extended quarantine is the cognitive consequences of less social interaction and less...
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October 27, 2020
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Online Shoppers Beware
We all think that we could never get scammed, right? We all think that only other people can be...
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October 20, 2020
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If You Can’t See Something…
If you see something, say something. We have all heard this about everything from neighborhood watch programs to announcements...
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October 13, 2020
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One More Sign of COVID?
I have written about Alzheimer’s disease…a lot, its warning signs and caregiving probably more than any other topic. Even...
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October 6, 2020
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None of the Above…
While everyone is awaiting the next vaccine to prevent COVID-19 or help in the treatment of the condition among...
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September 29, 2020
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COVID’s Other Deadly Toll
During this pandemic, over 13,000 more Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients have died than expected from these cognitive disorders,...
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September 22, 2020
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In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

One of the most common health issues that seniors deal with is depression. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, the prevalence of depression among the elderly is 1 to 5 percent overall. Yet, it is not a “normal” part of aging; the incidence of depression increases to 11.5% of the hospitalized elderly and 13.5% of older individuals receiving home care. As a caregiver, I get calls from caregivers and clients who are dealing with not just sadness, but real depression. While some of these older adults will respond to anti-depressants, it is perhaps even more important to address what may really be just situational depression. As a geriatric care manager, I am not a diagnostician and I cannot prescribe medications, but I can prescribe some changes in activities that can help the situational sadness that a lot of seniors may experience.

Seniors – along with the rest of us - have bad days and good days, and some of the bad day part can begin to accumulate like mud on our shoes. All of us can get caught up in the bad days and what has happened that was bad, and we subsequently miss also seeing the good that typically is part of every day. There is a new movement in psychology that some people are calling “gratitude journaling” or “three good things,” and it can work as well for elders as it does for the rest of us. It goes like this. Have your elder keep a journal. Every night before going to bed, they should be instructed to write down at least three good things that happened that day. It may have been as easy as someone said something special when they said goodbye, or it was nice walking the dog, or anything that was just uplifting…a thank you or a courtesy. You might try this yourself first, and see how you feel after a week of writing down the “three good things.” It makes it easier to convince someone else to try something if you already have seen it work, but even if it leaves you neutral, it can still work for the elder in your care.

The experts on this “happiness psychology” tell us that it also can be as simple as exercising regularly, or it may be the experience of gratitude from someone. Because the sources of happiness probably are different for everyone, the experts suggest trying a number of different things to see what clicks. One expert suggests that as much as 40% of our personal happiness is under our personal control. Another 50% is genetic, and only about 10%, they suggest, is about our life circumstances. It is not about good looks or loads of money, and there are a lot of philosophical sayings about that.

A lot of good science speaks to the fact that if we do something, it begins to reform our attitudes. So encourage the elder in your care to write down the three good things each day. It may not only be soothing, but it may excite them to get up tomorrow to see what good is in store. So, it becomes not about what has happened that has been good; it is about setting the stage for what will be even better tomorrow.

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 throughout metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to Charlotte Bishop., geriatric care manager Chicago, geriatric care Chicago
I heard a reporter talk about cases of post-traumatic stress disorder growing during this pandemic and quarantine. I admit that I initially scoffed at the idea that our pandemic house arrest could be at all like the front line experiences of a veteran of war, but this week I looked up the definition of PTSD. Without getting overly clinical, PTSD involves:
- Mental and emotional stress as a result of psychological shock,
- Disturbance of normal sleep patterns, and
- Dulled responses to others and the outside world.
As with so many conditions, there are degrees of stress, so I would like you all to take your stress and the stress of others in your orbits seriously and work to dial it back. Stress in the body pushes your sympathetic nervous system to a state of “high alert.” This high alert affects your ability to sleep, your disposition and even your blood pressure. So, take your foot off the pedal with your own calming methods or try one of these that are available online:
- The Anxiety Toolkit – provides a range of relaxation techniques in a downloadable app, motivational messages and even a change to “ask an expert” any questions you may have.
- UCLA also offers applications with a “mindfulness meditations” application as well as weekly podcasts.
- A division of the American Psychological Association, covers a range of apps for stressed or traumatized individuals as well as those simply looking to enhance their own mental and physical wellness.
- Twenty Minutes and one second - is all this downloadable audio file takes to work with your breathing to relax you. It is greatly helped by a background sound, so headphones or ear buds are recommended.
Relieving stress is not a one and done, so allow yourself to experiment with what works best for you. We all will get through this with a bit more wellness. Please email (info@creativecaremanagement.com) me with any questions on any of these…as well as how to take the next steps which is your plan. Do yourself a favor…don’t wait. 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. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
The prescription for aging well starts with the opposite advice that you may have heard. You may have heard people advise you to "not sweat the details." Well, that is good figurative advice, but when it comes to being active the best literal advice is to absolutely break a sweat...often. Daily, vigorous exercise is one of the best medicines you can take. That said, don't start any new exercise regimen without first consulting your provider. And the added caveat, take a close look at your provider before you consider asking them for this advise. You really do not want to ask the provider who never sets foot on the running path, dips a toe into the lap pool or lifts anything heavier that a pencil about getting into shape. So, if you are a caregiver to an older loved one...or if you are a caregiver approaching the "golden years" yourself, get a prescription for fitness. Admittedly, everyone starts this process from a different place. Some may already be marathon runners, so the prescription is all about more of the same...or cross-training. If you are not up for 26.2 miles of hard work and endorphins, then a much more modest start would be in order. No matter where you start, your fitness prescription may be just the ticket for avoiding cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or type 2 diabetes. Consider aerobic exercise to be the first line of preventive medicine for all of these conditions associated with weight or physical decompensation. Sound too good to be true? The scientific evidence supports the merits of cardiovascular fitness. Dutch researchers studying nearly 3,500 patients for more than four decades found that people who were overweight at age forty lived, on average, three years less than their more fit counterparts. Truly obese individuals had a life span fully six to seven years less than others. In a Dallas University study of men in their early 50's, researchers found that just six months into a weekly exercise regimen of about 4-5 hours a week, these fifty+ year olds had cardiovascular fitness more like what one would find in twenty-somethings. If you are convinced, then start now...even if you start small. Just because those fifty+ year old men got into the shape of twenty+ year olds does not mean they did the same exercises or ran as fast or as far as twenty year olds. Beyond a certain age, we are all looking at our persona records as historic - not future - events. But, don't think of getting old as giving up anything...think of it as gearing up and tuning up! 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@cr eativecaremanagement.com.
He said that if he ever were to commit suicide, he would do it in the bathtub in order to avoid leaving a mess. It caused some gasps and discomfort at the family gathering, but his wife changed the subject. You can probably guess the rest. He had been lethargic for some time when one day when his wife was out of the house he did exactly what he had said he would do. True story about a friend of one of our team's parents shared with me. Last week I talked about the warning signs of depression and to be on the lookout during this season. And this same vigilance holds true for suicide as well, because more older adults commit suicide than younger adults. The rates of suicide are anywhere from 10 percent to 35 percent higher for 65 to 85+ year-olds than for the average American which is about 14 suicides per 100,000. There are about 47,000 successful suicides each year out of 1.3 million attempts. Just as you need to know the warning signs for depression, it is important to know what to look for in suicidal older loved ones:
1. No surprise, being depressed tops the list.
2. Talking about dying or “when I am no longer around” should be triggers.
3. Talking about having the means like a lethal weapon is what therapists call part of “suicidal ideation.”
4. Negative changes in appearance or self-care are warnings.
5. Changes in mood for the worse or increasing social isolation are tells.
6. Giving away important possessions also are a kind of preparatory warning.
The list actually does go on, but you can see the basic issues that you will not want to be looking back on and saying “Why didn’t I do anything?” So, what can you do? Some people may believe that talking about it will make it happen or make matters worse. Raising the subject will not make it happen. Well, you do have to be tactful about what you say, but showing a suicidal loved one that you care enough to ask is huge. You also should show them that you get that it is a big deal for them…do not say, “Oh, I know how you feel.” You don’t. You can ask them if they have thought about suicide before. You also can help them to find help through on-line or local resources of professionals. Spend some time and remember to empathize; don’t sympathize. The latter will sound like you are talking down to them instead of with them. And appreciate that a person can move beyond these thoughts and feelings with help. I offered an on-line resource last week for depression. Here are a few useful sites that can help you have the language and perspective to effectively communicate with someone who would benefit from a caring loved one’s conversation: The Notre Dame Counseling Page The Mayo Clinic’s Help Site The UC Santa Cruz Psychological Services Page 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. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
Creative Care Management invites you to browse our FREE downloadable white paper resources – offering both personal and professional geriatric solutions for those who care for the elderly or people with special needs.

Caregiver Advice on Bad MedicineMany are unaware of the massive scope of the pharmaceutical market and all the ways in which seniors are taking more and more unnecessary drugs because of it. We discuss how caregivers can look out for signs that their loved one’s medication is over prescribed and how to spot warning signs.Get This White Paper

Caregiver Counsel on First Aid for the CaregiverIt is no secret that caregiving can be an everyday challenge, especially when managing a full time job and other family responsibilities. Discover tips about how caregivers can limit stress, boost energy, and stay positive in our latest white paper.Get This White Paper

Caregiver Counsel on Caregiving & the New NormalStatistically, more and more people will become caregivers to an older adult in their lifetime. Becoming a caregiver can be sudden and overwhelming as it is. We offer senior care options for preparing and reacting to different obstacles you may encounter.Get This White Paper

Caregiver Counsel on Taking the Old Out of AgingNo one argues that loss, isolation, or medical ailments may represent genuine setbacks as a person ages, but depression is a significant step beyond just feeling down or blue. Learn how to recognize symptoms of depression and how to be happy even at 100 years old.Get This White Paper

Caregiver Counsel on Senior Living OptionsFinding the best living options for your loved one can be tough. Whether it is picking the right senior living community or making your current family home safer, we help you to prepare for a productive conversation with your loved one about these transitions.Get This White Paper

A Caregiver's Guide Toward a Healthier Senior HeartHeart complications and disease are common issues that older loved ones face. Discover easy and practical ways to give you or the senior in your orbit a healthier heart.Get This White Paper

A Caregiver's Guide for Changes & AgingCoping with change can be difficult. It often involves tough decisions and conversations with the person you care for. Discover strategies to help you and your loved one feel more comfortable with transition.Get This White Paper

A Caregiver's Guide for the HolidaysHoliday stress is tough for everyone but especially for caregivers. Find out how to care for both yourself and your loved ones while managing these hectic seasonal times with friends and family.Get This White Paper

Roadmap to Alzheimer's Learn what to expect when you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's. Inside find tips for detecting dementia, how to best communicate with a loved one with Alzheimer's, and more.Get This White Paper

Making Home Safer Make sure your loved one can navigate daily activities as safely and independently as possible. Read about how to secure the most hazardous areas of the home and what action steps you can take to ensure your loved one is living comfortably too.Get This White Paper

Caring For the Caregiver Learn how to be as good for yourself as you are for your loved one. Are you becoming impatient with your loved one? Are you missing work or finding yourself easily irritated? If so, this white paper can help.Get This White Paper
As November (National Alzheimer’s Awareness month) is winding down and we continue to see efforts to educate people about this disease, it is easy to lose sight of why it is so important to build awareness year round. For some, it may seem like people are generally aware of the damage Alzheimer’s can cause, the fight for a cure, and the advancements for treatment that could be made. However, there are many things people may not know about the disease and assumptions that could be debunked by those who experience Alzheimer’s in their daily lives.
1. Most cases of Alzheimer’s aren’t detected until its late stages – meaning people usually either don’t spot the symptoms or they ignore them to be a sign of old age. In some cases, people feel like Alzheimer’s cannot be treated so they bypass medical assistance all together.
2. There are treatments for Alzheimer’s – in that you can delay its progression significantly. Medical advancements have helped patients live longer when they maintain healthy habits and keep careful track of their condition.
3. Certain practices earlier in life can increase a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease, such as not eating right or not getting enough exercise.
4. In some cases, people who have experienced Alzheimer’s – sufferers, their families and friends - are afraid to talk about the disease. Sufferers may feel they might be treated differently.
Of course, there are more reasons to educate people about Alzheimer’s and participate National Alzheimer’s Awareness month. There are also even more reasons to continue after November is over - as often and as much as possible – for families, sufferers, and caregivers.

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.