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

Your Older Loved One’s Greatest Health Risk?
As our loved ones grow older, we probably are more acutely protective of their health and well-being, especially if...
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September 14, 2021
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Nursing Homes Still a Risk for COVID-19?
It has been a tough pandemic for everyone, but it has been especially difficult for residents of nursing homes...
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August 31, 2021
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Get Smart!
Would you look for advice from an investment counselor who simply promised a lower rate of loss on your...
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August 24, 2021
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Everyone’s Cognitive Decline?
Not everyone has the genes to put them at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Not everyone has a lifestyle that...
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August 17, 2021
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Your Flight to Nowhere is Boarding
You have probably put off a vacation or most any travel for more than a year with the threat...
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August 10, 2021
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New Friends During Quarantine, But At a Cost
The Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine are receding in our collective rearview mirrors, but there are some lasting and devastating...
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July 13, 2021
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The Side Effects Physicians Don’t Talk About
You all have heard about the side effects of FDA-approved medications that make their sales pitches on your television. ...
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June 29, 2021
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If the Alzheimer’s Drug Doesn’t Work … part 2
In last week’s post, Steve Steiber, Ph.D. of our Team explained the new Alzheimer’s therapy, aducanumab, and what’s going...
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June 22, 2021
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Breaking News for Alzheimer’s … part 1
The big splash on the medical news this past week gratifyingly was not COVID-19, but instead an approval of...
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June 15, 2021
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Music in the Key of ‘Z’
I am not saying that music is not helpful in your digestion or in your love life, but a...
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June 8, 2021
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In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

Raise your hand if you are a caregiver and have never misplaced your car keys. Raise your hand if you are a caregiver and have never been concerned that the forgetfulness of an older loved one might be a sign of Alzheimer’s or some other form of cognitive impairment. I am thinking that we went from no hands up to nearly all hands raised. But the practical fact is that for those of you with care receivers of a certain age it is common that there will be keys misplaced or names forgotten and more. Yet, that is not necessarily an indication of anything organically wrong with your loved one’s memory. So, how does one know? Here are some warning signs according to the experts: 1. Experts talk about the differences between “retrieval” and “storage” problems in memory. Forgetting someone’s name is retrieval and it is not a warning sign of Alzheimer’s. Forgetting that you know the person at all, however, is a storage problem, and it can be a sign of a more serious brain issue. Or misplacing the keys is a retrieval issue, but forgetting what the keys are supposed to do is a storage problem that should prompt closer attention. 2. There also is a difference between losing the car keys and losing the ability to do something that always came pretty naturally. Misplacing the keys, according to the experts, can happen to just about anyone, but forgetting how to start the car and put it in gear can be cause for concern. Or the loved one who was always good at math forgetting how to multiply also may be concerning. 3. Just plain confusion with normal daily activities also is a potential sign, according to the scientists who study these things. If your loved one gets confused on the way back to your table from the restroom while dining out, that may be cause for concern. You should also look for smaller signs as basic as their stride. If their steps begin to more resemble a shuffle this may be a sign of a more fundamental uncertainty…or the unexplained fall likewise can be a precursor of cognitive decline. 4. Finally, look for what may be as subtle as changes in personality. The loved one who used to be the animated conversationalist, but who now is more subdued may be responding to their own confusion in trying to follow what everyone is saying. Agitation in a person who was once a cheery individual also can be a sign of changing mental abilities. Against all of these potential warning signs, be careful about a hasty judgment. A change in mental acuity that is rapid in its onset is better classified as a delirium – not dementia. These episodes can arise from urinary tract or other infections, dehydration or even some hormonal imbalances. Certain medications like steroids or combinations of medications can precipitate short term mental imbalances. Caregivers should be alert to these, but not jump to the wrong conclusions. And beware of your loved one’s healthcare provider who prescribes any of the Alzheimer’s agents for “organic dementia” or “delirium” or anything short of a definitive Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. So, raise your awareness before you raise your hand. 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.
In the meantime, we invite you to download the below featured FREE white paper - offering both personal and professional advice for those who care for the elderly or people with special needs. Make sure to come back and visit us for more great FREE resources.

Caregiver Advice on Bad Medicine Many 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. Download
You can imagine that I follow a lot of clinical news feeds, and I keep files. I have files for dementia, files for residential living options and yes, I have a file for research that gives us insights into how people who live longer got there. There is no one secret to living longer, but there are some things that people who live longer do that can help us all: • An 80 year-long study that tracked people and their mental habits found that people who are more thoughtful and “plan-ful” live longer. • Multiple studies have consistently shown that people who have more friends or are more socially-active live longer. (They probably also have more fun…) • But choose your friends carefully, because their habits rub off…do your friends work out or do they smoke, do they make good food choices or eat junk? • In the “friends” vein, people who are married or have been married (divorced or widowed) live longer than those who have stayed single. • Napping is good for you; those who nap regularly have a 37% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. • That extends to your overnight sleep also; people who get less than 5 hours of sleep a night are simply less healthy…if you snooze, you WIN. • Eat more fiber and fruits and vegetables; the end result is a much reduced risk for obesity … especially the belly fat that is the greatest risk. • Regular exercise to the tune of at least two and a half hours a week helps fend off heart disease, depression and some kinds of cancer. • If you drink alcohol – one drink a day for women and one to two for men; moderation reduces the risk of heart disease more than even than those who don’t drink at all. • Be chill – people who don’t carry a grudge or who are not always crabby or who are less stressed have lower rates of heart disease as well as other health issues. • Have a purpose in your life – you will live longer and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These are the big issues to use as your guide to a longer life. As you read them, you may find that many of them make for a happier life as well. That probably is not a coincidence! Live well. 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.
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.
The most common question I hear after "What is a geriatric care manager?" is, "When do I know that we need a GCM?" It may actually be more accurate to frame the question as 'When would my family benefit from a care manager working with us?" And that is when I usually respond with a question of my own, "What is it that encouraged you to reach out to me now?" Usually there is an event or a culmination of events which encourage a person to look for a solution to a problem, an answer to a question or just plain help. Here are five of the common circumstances people with whom I speak talk about:
1. There has been a sudden event in your older loved one's health, and you are wrestling with what to do. This can be a stroke, a heart attack, a fall or just the most recent trip to the hospital with a condition that has been worsening. It represents one of those forks in the road where it seems that keeping on with the way things were will not be adequate, and the caregivers need to know their alternatives. GCMs have answers.
2. The caregiver in your family seems to be approaching "burn out." Caregiving usually falls to one of the adult children in a family, typically the daughter or the one who lives closest to mom or dad. This lead caregiver wants to do all they can, but there may not be enough hours in the day, and the guilt about not delivering may keep them from asking for help until you see the signs: fatigue, forgetful ness, irritability, depression or other signs they are overwhelmed. GCMs help the older loved one, to be sure, but they also are there for the caregiver.
3. It may be clear that something needs to be done on behalf of your older loved one, but the family does not know or cannot agree on what to do. A GCM has answers, because this is what they do. Think of a GCM as a "wedding planner" for getting older. A GCM does not bake cakes or cater meals, etc., but they can lead you to the best professionals who do. A GCM also can be a helpful mediator to help get everyone back on the same page for mom or dad.
4. If your older loved one does not seem to be getting the benefit from their care providers or they seem anxious around the care attendants, follow your instincts. A GCM can spot elder abuse and respond with the advocacy necessary to assure your older loved one's safety and well-being.
5. Your older loved one may just be confused, but it may also be signs of a more serious deterioration of their faculties. A GCM will help by finding a diagnostician to assess your older loved one's capabilities. A GCM also will help to assess if your loved one would benefit from social activity, better nutrition, exercise, etc.
These are just a handful of the kinds of first conversations I often have with those who reach out to us. You will find much more on the web site for the national association who accredits us as geriatric care managers. If you are a caregiver to an older loved one and you have questions, visit: CareManager.org 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 know the New Year is approaching when we start seeing the use of “lists” everywhere. You’ll probably see an increase of “Top 10” lists for 2012, shopping lists, To-Do lists, and a list of resolutions for the next year. Now is a great time to think about making a resolution list for yourself if you’re caring for a loved one. You might ask yourself what aspects of caregiving has been a big struggle this year or things you’d like to see happen in the coming year. Here are some resolutions we’ve come up with in hopes that 2013 is a good year for caregivers and their families.
- Take time out. Try to make it a goal not to let stress overwhelm you. If necessary, remind yourself to take breaks – whether it is for 5 minutes to breathe, or a day or two in order to rejuvenate.
- Treat yourself. It is easy to forget to give yourself a break while you’re caring for someone else. Allow yourself to do something you enjoy every day or at least every week next year.
- Have a positive outlook. You may find that a simple change in mindset would be a great resolution.
- Get support. To make the upcoming year better, joining a caregiving support group in your area or other support groups may be beneficial. You can find many communities for various caregiving subjects in our resource tools page.
- Journal. Writing your thoughts and frustrations down on a regular basis may help you process and synthesize the everyday difficulties that my come with caregiving.
- Educate yourself. You never know what you might gain from simply seeking out information. Learning as much as you can about your loved one’s condition may help you be better prepared for any unexpected struggles.
- Organize your life. A goal to organize records, papers, and keep logs of appointments may be a cathartic thing to consider.
- Care plan for yourself. Caregivers often don’t have time or are so focused on their loved one to consider care plans for themselves. Be strategic and tactical; think about mortgage, finances, insurance and your health.
Perhaps a good resolution overall would be to evaluate the quality of life for you and your loved one over the course of the year with the help of a third party. You may find that a GCM, a cleric or health professional can consult with you and your family to help find effective ways to live life while caring for a loved one.

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.