Chicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence – Since 1991 • senior care servicesChicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence

To B or Not to B12?
I have written a lot about dementia over the years as well as other issues that can mimic the...
Read more
May 11, 2021
0
0
Three Milion More Victims…
We see the numbers on a daily basis. How many have died from COVID, to date, we all probably...
Read more
April 27, 2021
0
8
Not Just Spring…
We’ve heard of Spring Training for those who follow baseball teams like the CUBS or the SOX, and we...
Read more
April 13, 2021
0
0
Three Steps to the Now Normal
Yes, it has been a long year, maybe in part because it has been more than a year of...
Read more
April 6, 2021
0
0
Diseases that Mimic Dementia…But Are Treatable-part 3
As you can tell from now a third installment about other medical conditions that can mimic dementia, it’s not...
Read more
March 22, 2021
0
0
Can I Have A Hug?
I doubt there is anyone who does not have something that they have not been able to do during...
Read more
March 4, 2021
0
0
A Game Where Everyone Wins
Pick your metaphor. If you want your knife to slice easier, you sharpen it. If you want to improve...
Read more
March 2, 2021
0
0
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,...
Read more
February 16, 2021
0
0
What Tony Bennett Can Teach Us
Tony Bennet has arguably been one of those “one in a million” kind of musical talents, but sadly he...
Read more
February 9, 2021
0
0
Scamming as a Superspreader
We have all seen the advertisements for the on-line services that will help you find your ancestry by taking...
Read more
February 2, 2021
0
0

In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

Over the years I have devoted a lot of space to talking about what a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) does. And that is because we as a profession have a long way to go before people know what we do as clearly as they know what a doctor, lawyer or accountant do. In this post, I am going to give two examples of when to call a Geriatric Care Manager, because unfortunately we often get the call later than we could. The call comes after a family crisis instead of before a crisis when we could have been the professionals who help avoid the crisis. Here are two examples of when... The Big Fall. After age 65 approximately one in three older adults will take a fall, not just a stumble or a trip, but a fall where they hit the ground hard. Beyond the age of 80 the chances increase to fifty percent. As geriatric care managers, we certainly can be part of the team who helps your older loved one recover, rehabilitate and get safely back on their feet. Much of that process will be in the hand the medical providers who may repair the broken hip, arm or other bone. And the physical therapists will do a wonderful job of helping to rehabilitate your loved one back to full or nearly full recovery. What a GCM can help with is putting together the lifestyle recovery plan with the family. We assess not just the individual, but also the home in which they live. We help the family to get everything for the recovering loved one that they perhaps used to do for themselves. We also help to make home a safer place for getting about, eliminating further fall hazards and helping everyone to navigate the path to recovery. But, what if the family had called when they first noticed that their loved one's gait had eroded from a stride to a shuffle, and what if the GCM had received the call to come by your loved one's home and help make it safer for getting about and avoid the fall? Dementia. Older adults fear losing their mental capacity more than they fear dying itself. As geriatric care managers we can certainly be called upon to counsel the family in how to manage a crisis once your older loved one has actually wandered away from home and given everyone the big scare. We can give family members by coaching in how to deflect instead of confront a confused older loved one during conversation. And much more. But we can be more effective if we get the call before your loved one has walked aimlessly into the night. We can help the family to make your loved one's home safer against "breaking out" just as you would want security from burglars breaking in. There are also ways to sharpen mental acuity at the first signs of confusion through social engagement and other intellectually challenging therapies. Working toward social engagement in meaningful ways is a high priority. The list is longer than just these two crises to which GCMs respond. How is your older loved one's driving? How safe is home from fires? How safe is your older loved one from scam artists? Is your older loved one getting the best medical care and support for a chronic medical condition? and much more. I would be remiss if I did not also add where you can find a professional Geriatric Care Manager. There are a lot of people who offer services to "help older people," but many lack training or certification. The best place to find a GCM is at the professional association's web site. Click on the button that says: "Find a Care Manager" to locate a professional near you. 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.
Associate Care Manager Gregory is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Medicare Counselor, whose work focuses on helping aging adults and folks with limited independence by providing resources and support to help them discover and lead their best life. Gregory has been a part of CCM, Inc. for over a decade. – Charlotte Lots of folks are worried about the future of Medicare and Medicaid. In February, the Senate passed the CHRONIC Care Act which is called “Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care” in full, and is specifically designed to promote improved assistance to the millions of older adults with multiple medical issues. It expands care at the same level of funding and seeks to assist those whose chronic illnesses are not efficiently managed by the hospital model. As adults age, some health concerns can be resolved with treatment, but some, like dementia, emphysema, heart and kidney diseases, and arthritis, are permanent conditions that need a great deal of medical attention. For these conditions, though, hospitalization is not the best way to provide care. Still, many patients with chronic conditions find themselves in multiple, unnecessary office and hospital visits due to the current treatment climate. This legislation, which also seeks to end the lack of coordination between Medicare and Medicaid, will be a boon to folks living with chronic conditions, especially those whose chronic illnesses are auto-immune, as one of the primary objectives of the bill is to reduce hospital visits and provide more in-home care. What does the bill say it will do? What improvements can Medicaid or Medicare Advantage beneficiaries expect? The bill:
- Expands coverage for “non-medical” services and equipment– Funds are now freed for more in-home care for patients who need service, but do not need skilled nursing, and more funds are available for Durable Medical Equipment (grab bars, wheel chair ramps, etc) for the chronically ill.
- Expands telehealth coverage– Medicare Advantage members will have more access to telephonic health management and digital services where before barriers made these services more difficult to receive. This includes telehealth services for stroke no matter the geographic location of the call.
- Includes Telehealth with In-Home Dialysis– Kidney patients already on in-home dialysis will find it a great convenience to be able to use telehealth as a clinic visit.
- Frees Acountable Care Organizations (ACOs)– These organizations will be free to assign chronic status and utlilze their resources to provide care at a greater rate of their own discretion.
The bill, which will provide better care at the same level of funding, eliminate unnecessary hospital visits/stays for chronic patients, while drastically reducing cost of care provided, looks to be a win-win situation which will positively impact many aging adults. If you or someone you love is dealing with chronic illness and on Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage plan, your life just got a little easier, and your care just got a little better. Reach out to us at Creative Care Management or your providers and find out how this change in care model can best benefit your situation. 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.
Barbara Bush, wife and mother to presidents, has taught us another lesson this past week, and it is about how she chose to die. She taught us that palliative care and hospice care are different concepts, but she also taught us about the importance of an end of life plan. Let me start with the first. Let me clarify that hospice care is reserved for patients who will face an end to treatment and wish to be comfortable. Palliative care is simply the “comfort care” we saw requested for Ms. Bush, but it can be for any patient about to embark on a difficult or painful treatment regimen. We deal with a lot of families of older loved ones who are faced with difficult diagnoses. If the diagnosis has a treatment option that may prove difficult or painful, doctors may suggest palliative care. And that is when some family members may freak out just a bit… not an exaggeration. Yes, they may freak out because there is an association between palliative care and end of life, or hospice care. So what we saw for the former first lady was a care plan that included anything she needed to simply die comfortably, hospice care, but they did refer to it as comfort care. Ms. Bush was able to make her own decision at the point when a choice needed to be made, but so many people will not get that chance. This is also why it is important for families to have a discussion about the “what if scenarios” that families may face. What if there is no hope for recovery? What if the patient will not regain consciousness to make a decision about how to cope with a potentially painful end of life? As an Aging Life Care professional, we talk about the importance of a care plan. A key element of a comprehensive care plan will be what to do if. ….If mom cannot make the choice for ending treatment…If dad’s dementia precludes dad’s own decision for comfort care. We were told in Ms. Bush’s eulogies that she ended life pretty much on her terms. I would encourage us all in this country to make plans with family members that will assure the same level of comfort…that we should all end life on our own terms. If you have not already, it may be time to speak with your older loved one about what “their terms” are. You and they will be very gratified that you were sufficiently bold to start the conversation. 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.
We all have heard of coaches exhorting their players to work together by saying “there is no ‘I’ in team.” Let me share what I’ve learned from another coach ata business coaching seminar recently. The coach was very clear in stating that unless you make something a priority, unless you consistently work on it, you will not be successful. This, from a coach who had neglected herself for years, but with the realization that her health and her body needed to be a priority, she was able to not only shed over fifty pounds, but also found her hours working on the business were more productive. The hours spent in physically working her body gave her a much clearer mental grasp of her business priorities and the energy to execute. She had learned that taking care of herself was a huge part of taking care of her business. In our personal and professional experiences, those caregivers who take better care of themselves, whether that is a physical workout, a book club, a long walk or a conversation with a dear friend, also take better care of their loved ones who are their care receivers. In effect, they put the ‘I’ back in caregiver. So starting out with first things first: Who should attend to the caregivers? Clearly, part of the answer is the caregivers themselves. There are external supports that can be as basic as just giving a break to what some have characterized as “the 36 hour day” (book of the same name, authored by Nancy Mace and Dr. Peter Rabins) that many caregivers live. But this taking a break for the caregiver has become so central to care planning that it has gained a name. Residential and other facilities that care for older loved ones call it “respite care.” It is not just taking care of the older loved one; it is giving the caregiver to that older loved one a break from the day to day stressors and responsibilities of active caregiving. Too many caregivers feel guilty if they are not there for mom or dad or for a failing spouse 24/7. We encourage all caregivers to watch for their own burnout symptoms as a caregiver can only be as good for the loved ones who depend on them as they are for themselves. Stress is inevitable; burnout is self-inflicted. Do you see the signs? Are you missing hours or days of work? Are you not able to track and pay all your bills…are you getting late notices? Are you not exercising enough? Instead, are you consuming a lot of unhealthy junk…sweets, fast foods, alcohol? Are you having nightmares or disturbing dreams? Are you feeling lethargic or maybe even depressed? Are you angered by minor issues, or are you impatient with your family or friends? Have you simply “let yourself go?” If you can answer any of these questions with a “yes,” you need to know that you would benefit from a break. There are resources and support systems that can help. Family, friends, volunteers, and care managers are all helpful. Getting your own support system or taking time out doesn’t mean you are unsuccessful, not being a good daughter or son, or losing a battle, but it does mean you are getting through a very difficult and emotionally-charged time in your life. In virtually every community there are resources available to provide respite care. These will be independent or continual care facilities who offer day care for older adults while the adult caregiver/child is at work. Some offer care for periods that may range from days to weeks or even a month or more. If you are a caregiver, check into one of these local resources as a help in getting you through your week or maybe just a test case to see what difference this kind of help can make for both you as the caregiver and your older loved one. To address or prevent burnout, consider:
1. Becoming educated about your loved one’s medical condition in order to be as effective as you can be.
2. Recognizing that you are not superman or superwoman; set some limits on what you and others can expect from you.
3. Not beating yourself up about feeling angry, afraid or even resentful; instead find ways to vent.Feelings are just feelings, no matter how strong they may be. Defusing their energy defuses their power and helps you to be more balanced.
4. Talking to someone, especially to a therapist or counselor or clergy member…even trusted friends as a principal way to vent.
5. Lifting smart. As a caregiver, be smart about not hurting your back when lifting, pushing and pulling; keep yourself in shape and use an assistive belt around your care receiver if your physician recommends it.
Appreciate that caregiving is a job, and that all jobs allow one to “punch out” from work as well as take vacations and breaks. Give yourself permission to take a respite from caregiving. Illinois has an agency that offers support, the Illinois Agency on Aging. Their mission is “to serve and advocate for older Illinoisans and their caregivers.” Put yourself back on your list of “things” to do. 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.
My mom died on March 9th with dementia. During the 4 years as her caregiver, I really valued your emails. I learned so much from reading them and tips made my life better.
A satisfied client
Help is just a click away..(click here)
Check out Charlotte's Video Posts for answers...

Dementia? What now?

Is mom's home safe?

What Med is that?

Dad's been abused?

My folks are broke?

Mom's ripped off?

Call for a FREE Introductory conversation with Charlotte: 855 / 455 – 5118 ext511

We help your family navigate your older loved one’s health and life options so that you have a safe and effective plan. We provide support, resources and solutions for your peace of mind.

Shouldn't your solution have a Happy Ending?

Check out Charlotte's keyword searchable blog nearly 1,000 POSTS

Title

Title

Title

Title

Title

Title

Download a Free...

Download a Free...

Download a Free...

SHE WROTE THE BOOK:

A family crisis doesn't make an appointment. Therefore, you've got to be ready when it shows up. In excess of 8 million Americans have some form of dementia, As a caregiver to a loved one with dementia, it can wear you down, stress you, worry you and make you sad. It may create a financial hardship for you or your loved one. It can become your other full-time job. And it can burn you out! This book focuses on what we know that can be your lifesaver to ease your pain and help you find the best way to address your problems. It also will help you to care for you, the caregiver. There is no "one size fits all" plan, but we think you will find parts of your plan in the case studies we share in this short book. The key to peace of mind is to have a plan, even if you have to make adjustments along the way. Let us be your companion and guide as you navigate this challenging time…

Get your copy 20% off retail (click here)

Call for a FREE introductory conversation with Charlotte:

855 / 455 – 5118 ext511

Or email: info@creativecaremanagement.com