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Not Just Spring…
We’ve heard of Spring Training for those who follow baseball teams like the CUBS or the SOX, and we...
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April 13, 2021
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Can I Have A Hug?
I doubt there is anyone who does not have something that they have not been able to do during...
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March 4, 2021
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No Vaccine for the Other Plague
You’re fortunate that you haven’t contracted COVID, and you may even have received your first dose of a vaccine,...
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February 16, 2021
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Hold Your Friends Close and Stangers Closer
Miss your friends, your older loved ones and those summer get togethers in the backyard? We can get together...
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August 11, 2020
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Distance Caregiving Through a Wall
I’ve written numerous times about distance caregiving, and one of the observations I have offered is that distance is...
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May 19, 2020
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Mittens Before the Frost
I was asked today about the “mitten test.” It was one of our colleagues who had remembered something I...
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September 18, 2018
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A House is Not a Home (Part 3)
At CCM, home and safety are as important to us as to you, so it’s no surprise that it’s...
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June 18, 2017
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A House is not a Home (Unless You’re There)
At CCM, home and safety are as important to us as to you, so it’s no surprise that it’s...
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June 5, 2017
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In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

Everybody eventually learns to accommodate the “empty nest” that inevitably follows the busy days of child-rearing and child-launching. And then – maybe after a rather substantial wait – there is, once again, the prospect of more little ones in the house. This time, however, they are grandchildren, and as much as everyone who raises kids knows how not to drop a baby, the world has changed. It translates into a new kind of child-proofing different from a generation ago. This is advice for seniors who may be hosts to little ones for the first time in a lot of years.

1.    First, it is important to start with an open mind. It is too easy to slip into a mindset of “what was good enough for my kids,” but times have changed and so has safety. So, some of the old toys may still be considered safe, but the old car seat, play pen or infant swing may not be just outdated; they may be dangerous. Defer to the new mom and dad for advice on what will still work and what needs to be replaced by the next new thing. This approach is also politically helpful in empowering the new mom and dad.

2.    Remember also that when you raised your own children, you may not have had any of the chronic conditions you now have. And you also would not have the medications associated with those conditions, so develop a plan to store medications safely and out of reach of kids. While you may not want the nuisance of those safety bottles, you really need to be certain that medications that will be attractive nuisances to little ones on the prowl are locked up. This is especially true if one of the older grandparents uses the “day of the week” pill reminders that often are stored in the kitchen as a reminder for prescription schedules.

3.    For an add layer of safety, go to the source. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a twelve-step approach to fully kid-proofing your home, and a number of their recommendations like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors which are great safety measures for everyone. They have a downloadable two page brochure to walk you through the steps (click here for brochure).

4.    This last one is making the grandparents house safe from what the toddlers or young children will bring with them. Falls among seniors are often caused by the unexpected, and there is nothing so unexpected as the little dolls, cars or a myriad of other items that you will buy for the kids or that they will bring with them. Make it a habit of picking up after play time, because you may not see the little hazard on the floor…especially after sunset.

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. Read more about Our Story and Charlotte's mission.
Everybody forgets something! There is a heightened awareness - even fear - of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia especially as we all advance in years, but simple forgetfulness does not inevitably lead to a dementia. And if you are a caregiver, the older adult in your orbit may be very self-conscious or worried at having misplaced the car keys. Or maybe it is blanking on a favorite author or the name of a friend that they happen upon on the store. No one of these events means that dementia of any sort is encroaching on their faculties, but sometimes it is not enough to reassure an older adult that it is not what they fear. It can be helpful, however, to take specific actions that are known to help keep one's brain healthy and sharp.

            Let me share five helpful tips from a well-regarded neurologist named Dr. Majid Fotuhi. You may have seen him on Dr. Oz, if you follow the program. Some say Dr. Fotuhi's advice can even prevent Alzheimer's; you be the judge. At the very least, these steps can help to strengthen the brain of virtually anyone who puts in the effort.

1.    Cross-Train: Anyone who exercises routinely knows that it is important to trade off the activities of your work out; they call it cross-training. Try changing which hand you use to comb your hair or take a different route to the store or use a soup spoon with your non-dominant hand. It is not easy, but it challenges your brain to learn something new, and as the brain adjusts to this shift it rises to the challenge by using areas of the brain that may have been under-utilized before.

2.    Relax: Stress is not just bad for your cardiovascular system; it is harmful to the brain because it releases a stress hormone called cortisol. So, several times each day, go to a quiet, darkened room and practice deep, slow breathing. Change out of clothing that may be restrictive and remove your shoes to signal your brain you are serious about relaxing. Do this for seven minutes.

3.    Mnemonicize Something: Okay, so the real word is simply "mnemonic. Challenge your brain to remember five spices from a recipe by making a word out them: Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Tarragon, Sage. See how long you can make the word or use the first letters to make a silly sentence.

4.    Increase Blood Flow: If your doctor says you are sufficiently healthy, walk up and down the stairs a few times, do ten push-ups, or do twenty sit-ups. All of these will raise your heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain, and that will grow new brain cells.

5.      Infuse DHA: There is a nutritional supplement called docosahexaenoic acid which is an omega-3 fatty acid which just happens to make up a large part of your brain matter. You can get it from fish that come from colder sea water, and it also can be purchased in your drug store or health food store. It has been shown to promote a healthier, even younger brain.

If you want to learn more about any of this, Please check out Dr. Oz's web site.

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.
You may recall that I have recommended limiting your news consumption, because it really does add to our stressed feelings? Well, it also can give us a “wrong perspective” on our own family and what should be done to protect our older loved ones during this COVID-19 crisis. Translated, that means simply that we can be informed globally, but we need to respond locally (click here for what is going on in your locale). You have seen that most governors have plans for relaxing the quarantine that are tailored to specific regions with in the states. If you have an older loved one receiving care from a home care or home health agency or you currently are looking for in-home care, here are some tips on what to look for in caregivers for your older loved one. To be reassured that they will give the best care to your loved one, it’s time to up your game with:
1. Ask what extra precautions the agency is taking. The agency probably has posted on-line what they are now doing during a time of COVID, but you need to also ask about the actual caregivers to your older loved one…health screenings, protective equipment, sanitation, etc.
2. Ask what is needed right now and what can wait. You may have seen that hospitals have postponed all “nonessential procedures.” Well, you should do the same for your loved one. To fully benefit from social distancing, it may be important to cut back on all nonessential services or interpersonal activities.
3. Ask about technology. A lot of what has been face to face or person to person can be supplemented or replaced by health apps, phone calls, email or ZOOM meetings. Even doctor’s visits are embracing telemedicine.
4. Ask also about your own care plan which may be picking up a fair bit of what an agency had done on behalf of your loved one. For your overall plan:
  - Be sure to have a list of your loved one’s medications and schedules,
  - Make sure your loved one has at least a 30 day supply of meds,
  - Facial tissues and toilet paper should be stocked as well as groceries and other items used around the house,
  - Compile a contact list in case of emergencies – all providers, family, etc.,
  - Have a fallback to the caregiver for your loved one if the caregiver becomes ill, and
  - Monitor all of this, even if at distance. Better to be overstocked than run out.
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.
If you are a caregiver to an older loved one, chances are that you know if they are type 1 or type 2 diabetics. Type 1 individuals have been diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes where the pancreas no longer functions. Type 2 have been diagnosed with diabetes and been prescribed diet, exercise, oral medications or insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. But there is another number that you need to know that will help you to identify another category, the pre-diabetic. Nearly 11 million adults over age 65 in American are either diabetic or pre-diabetic; that is more than one in four 65+ year olds. Being undiagnosed can be a bigger deal than the diagnosed type, because the pre-diabetic is not managing their glucose levels. And if they are not managing their blood sugar levels, they are at risk for cardiovascular issues, loss of limbs owing to poor circulation, kidney disease or failure and blindness. If you are a caregiver to an older adult who is not diagnosed with diabetes, don't be complacent. Use this short checklist to see if real medical attention might be in order. For the following questions, give yourself a "1" if you can answer yes or "0" if you answer no:
1. Is your loved one age 40 or older__;
2. Is your loved one age 50 or older__; or
3. Is your loved one age 60 or older__...answer yes or no to each of the age questions.
4. Is your loved one a male__
5. Does your loved one have a family history of diabetes__
6. Is your loved one overweight__;
7. Is your loved one obese__;
8. Is your loved on extremely obese__...answer yes or no to each of these.
Now, subtract 1 if you answer yes to this:
1. Is your loved one physically active?__
Do the math. If your total is 4 or more, your older loved one is at risk for undiagnosed or pre-diabetes. If the score is 5 or greater, your older loved one is at a high risk for full-blown diabetes. Your first step should be to clarify your ratings by going to the American Diabetes Association web site with a somewhat more detailed checklist to confirm what these few questions are highlighting for your older loved one: http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/ Next, if your numbers tell the same story I strongly encourage you to get your older loved one to a health care provider to be properly tested. If their diabetes is confirmed, your loved one's provider will prescribe an appropriate regimen that likely will include, diet, exercise and perhaps oral medication. But also help your loved one to begin a serious rethinking of their "health style." If you look at the list of questions, no one can control their age, gender or family history. But the sum total of the "worst case" for each of these will not in the absence of other factors put your loved one in a risk category. But if one or both of their weight or their exercise routine are not in place, they will be at risk. As your loved one reviews his or her health style and they speak with their provider about appropriate steps to rectify their situation, you may also see an added benefit. They may ask you to come along to work out with them or to also share in a dietary shift toward healthy. So, the benefit is there for you, the caregiver, and for your care receiver. 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.
It was the extended family that took care of the children as well as mom and dad as they aged during much of the last century. Today life is both different and complicated. The family has changed in numerous ways to challenge the old models of caregiving. Everyone lives anywhere but “here,” the rates of divorce approach 50%; intimacy lasts well into older loved ones lives and non-traditional families have earned their rights. Consider:
1. Who takes care of mom or dad when they are divorced. Appreciate that when one of your parents cannot be there for the other once they are divorced. That may mean that your role as a son or daughter caregiver may come into play earlier than otherwise would be the case. Be alert to home safety issues as well as how well mom or dad ambulate, how fresh the food in the fridge is and either attend doctors’ visits with them or engage the services of a care manager to help with any of these.
2. Will residential care options be welcoming for gay families. New options to accommodate all lifestyles are becoming available every day, but be aware of old biases that can persist. If the care you need does not accommodate the individuals you are or your gay parents are, then take your business elsewhere. Consider the places that have been welcoming for your younger needs will have connections to similarly welcoming places for aging needs. Many cities have devoted directories of such vetted services. In Chicago, it’s the Pink Pages for the LGBT community.
3. How do we address intimacy among older adults as they age? Remember the “awkward conversation” you may have had with mom or dad as you were coming of age? Well, now it’s your turn to be the intimacy advocate for your older loved one. You may have to ask the tough questions of their caregivers or the facilities to which they move once they leave their homes. Today’s 80 may be yesterday’s 60 in more ways than you had considered, so be prepared.
4. Distance caregiving is the stress of anyone with older parents and a family, or job, or a life of their own. Based on our experience, distance caregivers need to focus on the things that can be done at distance. Arrange for what can be delivered by a third party, like meals; help by becoming a signer on mom or dad’s account to help pay bills and balance the check book; or find a local care manager who can be your eyes and ears when you can’t be around. And keep in touch with neighbors and friends.
I will be coming back to these themes in future postings, but I also strongly encourage you to attend a caregivers’ forum addressing these issues this Thursday, November 19 at St. Matthew’s in Evanston, Illinois. It will be an ecumenical program in the main Parlor at 7 p.m. CST. Enlarge the map on this page or go to: http://stmatthewsevanston.org/. Two of CCM’s staff will be co-hosting the event. Bring your questions…and contact us if you need help with respite care because you are caring for an older loved one and need that help to get to the event! 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.
Free White Paper: How to Avoid 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. We also discuss other warning signs people should look out for when buying prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Inside "Caregiver Advice about Bad Medicine"

Learn about polypharmacy and how to protect elder loved ones from it.

Discover the potential danger of some over the counter drugs

Dive into many of the ways in which some drugs do not cooperate well with food.
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