Alzheimer's Care

Wednesday 31 October 2012

SAGA 2012 Symposium Seniors and Their Caretakers


"2012 Symposium" on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm

Learn about the latest resources for Seniors and those who care for them. Join us for an interactive educational opportunity featuring industry experts, Keynote addresses by Karen and Senator John McComish and Billy Thrall of CityServe Arizona, continental breakfast, lunch, vendor exhibits and raffle prizes.
Karen & Senator John McComish  "30 Years of Caregiving: Still Married After All These Years."  Guest Host: Kelly L. Madison, President of the Meningitis Foundation of America

Register Online No Charge.

Heather Frenette, RN, MSN, CMC of Desert Care Management will be presenting.

Location: Pecos Community Center 17010 S. 48th Street

Monday 10 September 2012

Stuck in the middle, caring for parents in Arizona


Baby Boomers find themselves caring for two generations
Arizona, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, AZ

More and more Arizona adults are finding themselves in the 'sandwich generation' in which they are caring for their parents as well as raising their children. They are often stressed meeting the conflicting needs of multiple family members. The AARP estimates there are 66 million Americans caring for children, spouses and their parents.

We found an article, written by Connie Cone Sexton, about a woman, Lisa Kulkarni, who finds herself in this very situation. She struggles to find time to work, care for her children and watch over her live-in mother.

Click here to read her story and learn how other Baby Boomers are adapting to their changing world.

For more information about a care needs assessment and care management contact Desert Care Management.

Friday 10 August 2012

Understanding Dementia Care: Successful Interaction Strategies - Phoenix




Join us for a special seminar worth up to three (3) continuing education credit hours on understanding dementia care, Successful Interaction Strategies for Health Care Providers, presented by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA. Teepa is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience working as a dementia care and dementia education specialist.

This session is designed to provide health care professionals with knowledge, skills, and strategies for providing help to people with dementia. The methods presented recognize losses and use retained abilities to promote optimal care and positive outcomes in interactions. Emphasis will be placed on helping learners to approach people with dementia safely and consistently, provide verbal support and responses that reduce distress, and improve social engagement. It will also focus on developing behaviors and habits that promote well-being and reduce the risk of negative interactions with people who have a dementing illness. The session will be very interactive with the goal of providing knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will change how the person with dementia is viewed and how care is offered.

Click here to learn more about why Desert Care Management will be attending this seminar.

Friday 3 August 2012

Is forgetting to take your pills a thing of the past?


Don't forget to take your medication ever again
Peoria, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Sun City, AZ

Have you ever had a moment when you can't remember if you had taken your medication? Well, those days may be a thing of the past. The FDA has approved a Smart Pill that can track your medicine intake. A tiny silicon-based chip, place in the pill, containing trace amounts of magnesium and copper can be detected by a skin patch and then relay information to a smartphone. 

To read more about Proteus Digital Health's new chip-embedded pills click here

How much does it cost to care for my parents?

Elder Care Costs in Arizona
Phoenix, Glendale, Gilbert, Apache Junction, AZ

According to an article posted by npr, adults have been providing an increasing percentage of financial assistance to their parents in recent years. They have put together a chart to reveal the average costs and rates paid for various types of adult care around the country, according to the MetLife 2011 Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs.

Click here to view the chart

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Gourmet Cooking Series



Gourmet Cooking Series with Chef Brad Lange
Join the fun as Chef Brad Lange presents an enlightening series of cooking demonstrations that will take you from summer into fall. Follow along with Chef Brad at your own interactive station, and then enjoy the tasty fruits of your labor. You’ll receive copies of the recipes to add to your collection at home. It promises to be an entertaining event, but space is limited. Reserve your station today! 





Thursday, July 26 • 4 to 5 p.m. • Kobe Beef Sliders 
Thursday, August 30 • 4 to 5 p.m. • Shrimp and Jalapeno Pasta 
Thursday, September 27 • 4 to 5 p.m. • Frittata with 
Marinated Salad 


Park Regency Chandler Brookdale Senior Living
2555 North Price Road, Chandler, Arizona 85224

Complimentary admission, food and refreshments 
For reservations or more information, contact Sheri King at shking@brookdaleliving.com. 


Click here to download pdf of this event

Wednesday 25 July 2012

10 Reasons You Can Afford A Geriatric Care Manager

The Top Ten Reasons Why You Can Afford A Geriatric Care Manager by Phyllis Brostoff




10. We can do in 2 hours what it would take you 2 weeks to do.

9. We know how to get around that "I'm saving for a rainy day" syndrome, when your folks are drowning in their problems.

8. We're much cheaper than the cost of plane fare if you have to fly into town when your parents say "everything is fine" but you know it isn't.

7. We can give you the scoop on which nursing home is really right for your parents.

6. We can make your parents hear what you have said over and over again, but they refuse to listen to them, you are still a child.

5. We can tell your annoying siblings to shut up, but graciously.

4. We've helped hundreds of families a lot worse than yours.

3. Your dad can't push our buttons.

2. Next time you want to hang up on your mother, you can tell her to call us.

1. We're available 24/7, so you don't have to be.

Contact Desert Care Management for details.

Original list by Cathy Cress

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Arizona Coalition for Assisted Living Conference


Assisted Living Conference, August 2, 2012

Dear Business Affiliates,

The Arizona Coalition for Assisted Living strives to strengthen the industry profile through legislation, education and by supporting superior business practices.  We ask that you align yourselves with a destiny of success by taking an active part in supporting those who promote and support you!  An educational conference is scheduled for August 2, 2012, 10am to 3pm at Noah's in Chandler.  Attached is the Sponsor Exhibitor package.


I have attached our education agenda for this years conference. As you can see, we are focusing on the successful management and operation of assisted living business this year. Our speakers are all experts in their field and you won't want to miss what they have to offer.

For your home owners and managers who who have not made it into our membership roster, time is running out! Renewal is FREE for care homes till the end of 2012. Attached is the membership form.  Hurry to complete and send back!

The Conference is FREE to All Owners, Managers & Staff Serving the Assisted Living Industry!

Keep in mind, a little staycation at the Sheraton may be what you need!  Indulge in the luxurious features this resort has to offer.  The information is attached for the reservation.  YOU DESERVE IT!!!

We are looking forward to seeing you at the August 2012 conference.

Questions:
Conference Coordinator
Rachelle Haviland
602.316.6114


Please select any form below to view or to print out:

2012 AZCAL Conference Flyer
AZCAL Membership Application
2012 AZCAL Sponsor Agreement
2012 AZCAL Conference Sponsor Exhibitor Package
2012 AZCAL Conference Educators

Contact Desert Care Management

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Caring for Elderly Parents in Arizona


Working Adults Juggling Caregiving Responsibilities
Arizona, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, AZ


If you are one of the nearly 10 million Americans that serve as a caregiver;  here is an interesting article to read:

More than 1/3 of elderly caregivers leave the workforce or cut back their hours to attend to their parents losing more than $300,000 in wages and reduced Social Security and benefits.

Under the new Family and Medical Leave Act, companies with 50 or more employees must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually to employees caring for a family member, including a parent, with serious health conditions.

To read the entire article click here

Wednesday 13 June 2012

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Work Elder Abuse Awareness Day Even June 15th, 2012
Arizona, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, AZ

Article taken from www.aaaphx.org

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event Sponsored by Area Agency on Aging, Region One and Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (MEAPA®) Phoenix, AZ (June 4, 2012) -  Mark your calendars!  The Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (MEAPA®) announces the 7th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2012. Show the world you care about ending abuse and neglect by wearing something purple on this day.

Join us as our community makes a proclamation declaring June 15, 2012 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and holds a half-day event to raise awareness of elder abuse. The first Awareness Day in 2006 involved organizations and government offices worldwide. The day recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Area Agency on Aging, Region One, governmental organization, educational institutions, religious groups, professionals in the field of aging, as well as older persons themselves will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons in Maricopa County. The goal is to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Unfortunately, no community or state is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis. Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) are vital for informing people about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.


All communities, neighborhoods and organizations interested in working to help bring recognition and ultimately an end to elder abuse and neglect are urged to take part in the 7th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2012. Event will take place at the Boys Scouts of America located at 2969 North Greenfield Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016 from 8:30am-12:30pm.  Raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect is a challenge and no effort is too small.


Click here to view and print flyer

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Help in Caring for Aging Parents


The stress of caring for elderly or disabled loved ones in Arizona can be overwelhming. It is important to take care of yourself too! It is surprising how many of us tend to lose our own health and well being when we begin to focus on caregiving to a loved one. There are three simple tips to maintaining personal health when taking on the added stress of caring for another...

1) DIET, EXERCISE, SLEEP... Continue exercising and maintain a healthy and consistent diet. Make sure to take time for some physical activity and don't skip meals no matter how busy you are. Get plenty of sleep. Don't be afraid to ask family and friends for help... the burden of caregiving is too much for one person to handle.

2) PERSONAL HEALTH... Make sure to maintain your regular health regimen. Continue seeing your doctor regularly as the added stress of caregiving can strain your own personal health. Maintain your medication and supplements as needed.

3) CARE MANAGEMENT... Consider hiring a professional Care Manager to help guide you through the many resources available to make your caregiving job easier. You'll be surprised at how much help is available to you regarding assisted living, in-home care, companionship services etc. in Arizona, Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert AZ.

Monday 14 May 2012

New Arizona funding will be restoring help for mentally ill


Mentally Ill Arizonans receives long needed funding
Arizona, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, AZ

Azcentral.com has written an article stating that Arizona has opened the door for funding that was previously revoked two years ago for serious mental illnesses. A new budget in place starting July, 1 will restore housing, counseling and other services to people with serious mental illnesses who don't qualify for Medicaid. 

To read the entire article at azcental.com click here.

Monday 23 April 2012

Understanding Agitated Behavior

Caregivers for Alzheimer's Patients | Dementia Care | Care Managers
Arizona, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, AZ

When dealing with those suffering with the memory loss and confusion of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, we tend to forget patients’ limited ability to communicate. In many instances, the frustration felt by their inability to express their feelings correctly causes them to become very agitated, angry or even violent. Agitation, frustration, and anger can often times become patients’ sole coping mechanism or mode of expression.

As caregivers, it is up to us to identify the events or situations that tend to “trigger” stress and agitation. It is equally important to identify instances where the agitation is sudden and seems to have no trigger at all. Here are a few tips to help reduce stress for your loved ones.


Chaos – It is important to adjust the environment immediately surrounding your loved one. Visual chaos like stark shadows from windows, light fixtures, or household clutter can be agitating to patients. Lots of mirrors, shiny objects or even bright colors can also cause stress. Loud or repetitive noises are also key triggers to agitation. Make sure to focus on creating a calm environment.

Overcompensating – Most of us tend to overcompensate for the memory loss of our loved ones. It is important to remember that an increase in the frequency of reminders, repeating, questioning or quizzing will most often not help the situation. It is more important to be patient and understanding with them. What is really happening is not necessarily important for them to know. If they don’t recognize their surroundings… it’s okay to pretend your visiting friends and simply “play along.”


Routine – Consistency in environment and daily routine are key in reducing stress for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients. Make sure to refrain from excessive holiday decorating and other noticeable changes around their living spaces. Daily activities and meal times should remain as consistent as possible. Even though visitors can be a welcome change and sometimes trigger old memories that make for some of the better moments… too many visitors can be overwhelming and cause significant stress.


Fatigue – If your loved one tends to get agitated late in the day, it could be a sign they are not getting enough rest. Try to have consistent rest times during the day and make sure the “rest” environment differs from the “sleep” environment. For example, let them rest in an easy-chair vs. climbing into bed under the covers. If they are waking up in the middle of the night confused more often… they may not be getting enough rest during the daytime.

Medication – When trying to medicate Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, it is necessary to experiment with drug variations, different dosage and combinations in order to find what works best for each individual. Make sure to take careful notes and pay close attention to behavior changes as they relate to medication adjustments.  Each involved party that has regular interaction with the patient (family members, caregivers, medical professionals, etc.) should take their own notes as patients may behave differently around different people.  After long enough period has passed (generally a couple weeks), parties should compare notes and seek any noticeable trends/changes. Many times, agitation can be the result of these changes.

Care Management – Care Management is a service offered to patients and their families that allows for experienced medical professionals to regularly assess the client and their situation and determine the continually evolving needs of the patient.  Care Managers are knowledgeable about the many different service options and vendors available in the client’s area to meet their needs and ensure follow through on the whole process.  Hiring a professional Care Manager is the best way to make sure your loved one has all of the best resources to ensure the best possible quality of life. There is a whole world of help available to you and your loved ones, a qualified Care Manager in Arizona can help guide you through every step of the way.

Thursday 22 March 2012

Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's...

Caring for Elderly | Alzheimer's | Dementia
Arizona, Gilbert, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, AZ

There truly is nothing more heartbreaking than the day you realize it wont be long before one of your loved ones doesn't recognize you. How does one really prepare for such a moment...?

When you realize that caring for a loved one suffering with Dementia or Alzheimer's is going to require help... please consult with a professional care manager first. An experienced care manager in Arizona will be able to save you time, money and heartache by connecting you with trusted local resources. You are not alone... there are abundant resources available to help you plan for the future care of your elderly loved ones.

Here is a good article on Caring for aging loved ones: click here

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Elderly Drivers Balance Independence and Safety

Elderly Driving | Elderly Independence
AZ, Gilbert, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Arizona

We recently found this great article about elderly drivers maintaining independence:

Having to deal with and adjust to change is a scary and difficult ordeal, especially after you have done something for 45 years or so – like driving in Arizona. As we age, we must realize that changes in our bodies can affect our driving ability and we may need to consider care management or a care plan.

Growing older means that our coordination is not as sharp and the ability to be flexible is limited; also our strength in general is reduced.

Aging does not mean that elderly drivers automatically loss their ability to drive; but some modification might be necessary. These tips for elderly drivers will help them remain safe on the road and keep elderly drivers independent longer:

To read the entire article click here

Thursday 8 March 2012

Rising Cost of Elder Care in Arizona...

Elder Care Expenses | Affording Cost of Parents | Elder Care Management
Arizona, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, AZ

With Medicare and Medicaid constantly changing their coverage, more and more families are struggling to provide adult or elder care for their aging or disabled loved ones in Arizona. Planning for the future is imperative for all families with aging parents or relatives.

Make sure to consult a qualified Care Manager in Arizona before trying to take on the weight of this responsibility yourself. An experienced Care Manager will guide you through the care planning process and share valuable resources with you and your family so you can make the best decisions for the care recipient. Your aging loved ones deserve the best possible "quality of life" available.

Here is a great article on Elder Care Expenses.

Thursday 1 March 2012

Are Your Elderly Parents Eating Well...?

Nutrition for Elderly | Elderly Health Issues | Senior Health
Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Arizona

A relatively large portion of the population in Arizona are seniors. This means that many Arizona families are involved in caring for aging parents or loved ones. Sometimes we don't pick up on the signs of poor eating habits in our elderly loved ones. We recently read a great article about nutrition for seniors and wanted to share it...

Eating well is important at any age. But health issues and physical limitations sometimes make it difficult for seniors, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, to get the nutrients they need for a balanced diet. Poor nutrition and malnutrition occur in 15 to 50 percent of the elderly population. - Read Entire Article Here

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Is Mom getting enough sleep?

Sleeping Problems for Elderly | Mom Sleeping Less | Older People with Insomnia
Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, AZ, Arizona

Aging and Sleep

More than half of men and women over the age of 65 complain of at least one sleep problem. Many older people experience insomnia and other sleep difficulties on a regular basis.

As we get older, our sleep patterns change. In general, older people sleep less, experience more fragmented sleep, and spend less time in stages 3 & 4 and REM sleep (for example, deep sleep and dream sleep) than younger people. However, regardless of your age, good restorative sleep is essential to physical health and emotional well-being.

What Causes Sleep Problems in Older People?

Several factors may contribute to the inability to sleep well as we get older. Some common causes include:

To read the entire article on WebMD click here

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Quality of Life...


This is more than a buzz word or phrase for a professional care manager. Providing the best possible care and living arrangements for the elderly or disabled is the mission of any Care  Manager or Care Giver. Depending on the situation, the phrase "Quality of Life" can have a very different meanings to different people. A recent study conducted by researches at the San Francisco VA Medical indicates that for disabled elderly people, quality living is closely tied to two factors: a sense of dignity and a sense of control.

"Control" to elders means a sense of autonomy in their activities and daily living. Because of disability, not all of them are able do to all activities on their own, but they want to feel they have some say in how those activities progress throughout the day” said lead author Jennifer King, MD

The two factors were singled out as important by members of all ethnic groups in the study, which was based on a series of qualitative interviews with 62 disabled elders. The ethnic groups represented included white, African American, Latino and Chinese American.

When asked to rate the quality of their own lives on a five-point scale that ranged from “excellent” to “poor,” 87 percent of the elders responded “fair to very good,” which was in the middle of the scale.



Wednesday 1 February 2012

Caring for the Elderly & Disabled, Arizona

Protecting yourself from your own family members…?

Yes, it’s true, sometimes as parents begin to age, family members start to take advantage of them… and each other.  You’d be surprised to learn how often family relationships implode as they try to take on the added responsibility of caring for aging parents or loved ones.

The elderly parents are not the only ones at risk either. It is essential to secure the assistance of a professional care manager before the situation gets out of control. A care manager can provide you with the tools and resources necessary to ensure the best possible quality of life for the care recipient as well as supporting family members.

Risk for family members…It may sound simple to take on the added responsibility of caring for an aging loved one, but you can get overwhelmed quickly. In some cases, caring for the elderly in Arizona is more than a full-time job and can jeopardize your individual health and well-being. It is easy for a seeming “easy” care situation to completely take over your life if you aren’t careful.

The added stress can also begin to dip into your pocketbook as well. Most adult children feel a responsibility to their parents and loved ones and find it difficult to ask for financial help. Before you know it, your gas bills will double, you’ll be buying their groceries and hiring babysitters for your own children so you can care for your parents. Sometimes it makes sense for the family members to quit their job and have the parents hire them as a caregiver in order to offset the financial burden.

Risk for the elderly care recipient…The elderly are prime targets for would-be scammers and charlatans, with the disabled and those suffering from Alzheimer’s especially vulnerable to fraud. It is important to protect your aging loved one from financial loss at the hands of these unscrupulous people. Surprisingly, many of these situations involve family members, close friends or even the family pastor on occasion. Your care manager can suggest ways to protect your family’s assets and preserve available funds for sustaining the lifestyle of the one needing care and attention.

Pay close attention to their bills and checkbook for suspicious expenses. Be careful when someone suddenly seems to show an uncharacteristic amount of attention to your elderly loved one. They may be up to something! Sometimes poor decision-making shows up first in spending habits, so make sure to pay attention to the warning signs.

For a family facing an inevitable elder care situation, the most mutually beneficial decision they can make is to hire a professional Care Manager to guide them as they make critical decisions while they plan and prepare for the future of their loved ones.