Living Wills: Don’t Make Your Loved Ones Guess What You Would Have Wanted

I was in college when my grandfather passed away.  He was sick off and on for many years.  In our family, no one wanted to talk about end of life issues or dying.  It wasn’t a comfortable conversation.  Unfortunately, when my grandfather became very sick and went into the hospital for the last time, he did not have a Living Will to address his end of life wishes.  My grandfather ended up on a ventilator and eventually the doctors asked my grandmother what my grandfather would have wanted.  Did he want aggressive treatment and to most likely be on a ventilator the rest of his life or would he want to be allowed to die in peace?  My grandmother had no idea because it was not a topic my grandfather ever talked about.

I remember the stress this decision placed on my grandmother.  She was afraid of making the wrong choice; she was concerned her children would not support her choice; she was afraid to choose.  The doctors wanted an answer, so my grandmother went home from the hospital and vowed to come back in the morning with an answer.  Fortunately for my grandmother, she never had to tell anyone what she decided.  My grandfather passed away in the wee hours of the morning before my grandmother returned.  I think it was a blessing that she did not have to choose.

Years later, my grandmother said it was the hardest choice she ever had to make.  To this day, I still don’t know what she decided.  What I do know is that after my grandfather’s funeral, my grandmother met with their attorney and had a Living Will drafted.  She told her children that she did not want them to have to go through the same thing that she did when my grandfather was ill.

-Heather Frenette, RN,MSN, CMC
Professional Care Manager in Arizona

Is it Normal Aging or Dementia?

Caring for Elder with Dementia | Living with Dementia | Dementia Care

Arizona, Tempe, Sun City, Gold Canyon, Scottsdale, AZ

Mom can’t remember where her keys are.  Dad got lost driving to the grocery store.  Children often hear these comments about their parents or grandparents and wonder, is it normal aging or dementia?  As we age, it is common to have what many refer to as “Senior Moments”.  These moments can include occasional word-finding difficulties or forgetfulness.  The biggest difference is that dementia causes impairment in social functioning and independent living.  Normal aging does not.  Independent living describes the ability to shop alone, manage finances, perform basic household duties and perform personal care tasks.  Another difference is that with normal aging, the person is usually more concerned about alleged forgetfulness than are close family members.  With dementia, the opposite is true.

Some of the common symptoms to watch for with dementia include:

• Getting lost in familiar places
• Forgetfulness or recent events
• Changes in hygiene
• Changes in language ability
• Repetitive questioning
• Socially inappropriate behaviors
• Changes in dietary habits
• Decreased organization skills
• Personality changes

If you suspect that a loved one is having changes that are related to dementia, it is important to have an evaluation by a medical professional.  Early intervention can slow the decline of the disease.  It may also be beneficial to consult a Geriatric Care Manager to assist in developing a plan of care to address the current needs and plan for the future.

Providing for Alzheimer's Patients in Arizona

Alzheimer's Care Plan | Elderly Care Givers | In-home Elder Care
Arizona, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, AZ

Senior Care Expert, Heather Frenette discusses how to provide those suffering from Alzheimer's the best quality of life possible.

Stimulate activity and Independence...

The goal of a quality Alzheimer's care plan is simple:

• Every Alzheimer's or Dementia afflicted individual deserves the opportunity to age with dignity and enjoy quality of life for as long as possible.
• Educate family members and friends on the impact of Alzheimer's and Dementia to surrounding loved ones and their environment.
• Encourage and assist family members in coping with the sometimes severe challenges of the disease.
•  Choose qualified Care Givers specializing in Alzheimer's and Dementia specific care. They understand how to manage behaviors and are well versed in the latest care techniques.
•  Consult a professional Care Manger in order to utilize all available resource effectively.

To schedule an in-home care needs assessment and learn how to help your loved one enjoy the best quality of life possible, call us today!

Desert Care Management provides professional care planning and resources to help families deal with the stress of Alzheimer's disease.  Visit our website at: www.desertcaremanagement.com or… Call us today - (480) 804-7200

Seven Ways to Plan for the Cost of Caring for a loved one with Dementia

Elderly Care | Professional Care Manager | Caring for Parents with Dementia 
Arizona, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, AZ

The cost of caring for loved ones with dementia will double in less than 30 years due to the increasing number of people developing the disease. According to a RAND Corporation study, the average individual cost to pay for care, including lost wages for a family member, is about $41,000 per year. With some living with Alzheimer’s for 20 years before death, that’s over $800,000 worth of care, privately purchased and given by a family member.

These individuals will overwhelm the medical systems and the government programs. Once diagnosed, it is smart to plan proactively before the dementia really gets bad. The study points out that the baby boom generation is not prepared for this massive growth in needed services and families are not prepared for the real cost of caring for a family member with a dementia.

Professional Care Managers, with a care plan, can help the family budget and plan for the cost and burden of care. Families that learn to share the care, give care with training, attend support groups, and have a care manager as a 'elder coach', are able to care longer for their loved ones and without placing them in a long-term care facility.

Here are seven ways a Professional Care Manager can help families early in the disease process plan for cost as well as burden:

1. Review available resources. Look at total resources available for care and plan how and when to spend those resources. In some areas, it is best to save some resources to pay for the early months in skilled care before Medicaid starts. 

2. Determine who will provide the care. Look at family and friends who have committed to assist with the care and plan a system of sharing the care that doesn’t burnout or burden the primary caregiver. 

3. Utilize community resources. Help the family use community resources such as respite programs and “free systems of companion care” before having to spend dollars on home care. 

4. Educate families. Teach families on how to communicate in order to reduce stress, adverse behaviors and preserve dignity of the individuals with dementia. 
5. 
Modify Homes. Teach families how to retrofit their homes for safety and recommend technology to guard against wandering. 

6. Systemize the medical needs. Set up systems of medication and medical care attention that secure the best level of care. 
7. 
Enable legal and entitlement advice. See that families have legal advice that will allow them to apply for government benefits. Educate the family on all the entitlements and benefits available – they can differ from community to community.

The bottom line is that a Professional Care Manager can often reduce the necessary expenditures and stress by preventing or delaying events such as hospitalizations from occurring. To learn more about a Care Manager and available care plans visit our site at www.desertcaremanagement.com

The best source for Health Care Events in the Phoenix Metro Area

Professional Health Care Events | Health Care Industry Networking
Arizona, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, AZ

At Desert Care Management, we understand that collaboration and communication with our peers in the health care industry is vital to our continued growth and success.  We strive to meet the needs of the geriatric and mental health population with information about proactive care planning, elder care coaching and care evaluations with the DCM Professional Events Calendar. Our Calendar is all inclusive and is constantly updated with listings of local networking, educational, and fundraising events in the health care field.

Visit our calendar to attend an event or to learn more about a topic.

As always, we thank you for your support and attention!

Caring for aging adults can be challenging…

Care Managers can help with you aging loved ones

AZ, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Arizona

It might be time for a professional care manager if you are feeling overwhelmed with caring for an aging or disabled loved one. Meeting with a professional Care Manager will help you define and achieve care goals for your loved one. Your Care Manager will conduct an in-depth assessment to determine the unique needs of the care recipient and create a care plan that works best for your situation.

Care Managers maintain relationships with the local resources you need to effectively care for aging parents or loved ones. They work one-on-one with family members to implement your care plan and make sure you are taking advantage of all available resources including any available state and federal programs. Hiring a care manager reduces stress and ensures you make the most of your care services budget. A care manager's goal is to help families provide the best quality of life possible for families facing adult care challenges. Care Managers usually specialize in geriatric care as well as care for those with disabilities.

Care Managers are often referred by:

- Elder law attorneys

- Bank trust or fiduciary officers

- Probate Judges seeking objective assessment

- Physicians and other health care providers

- Financial planners and accountants

- Long-term care insurance providers

- Community-based organizations

Find a professional care manager in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale Arizona. 

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