CEU-Navigating the Eldercare Continuum
January 29, 2010 at 2:00 pm | In Pat Linard, PR | Leave a CommentTags: CEU, Eldercare
Sophia Heftler, RN, CMC, CALA will be presenting a 2.0 CEU course entitled Navigating The Eldercare Continuum at CareOne of Teaneck, 544 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, New Jersey from 5:30 to 7:30PM on Tuesday, February 23. A hot dinner will also be served. This course, which offers credits for RN’s, LPN’s, Certified Assisted Living Administrators and Licensed Nursing Home Administrators, covers the importance of eldercare planning, including the legal and financial aspects in putting together a plan, housing options for seniors, medical management options, and the role a geriatric care manager can play in the planning process. To sign-up, call (201) 862-3300, ext. 8511 or email Orna Zak at OZak@Care-One.com.
Medications and the Elderly.. in the day in the week of Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County
January 28, 2010 at 9:23 pm | In Lori Habersaat, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: Aging, Medication
I recently worked with a Geriatrician who also held a pharmacological degree and shared some vital information that I am grateful for. The information was based around the topic of discussion about a client of mine that I had brought to him for a medical evaluation. His very brief but profound statement regarding the use of medications and the elderly was the following- “Less medication is better”. I for one agree with this statement based on numerous published literature and my own nursing experiences both in patients in an ICU setting as well as working with Elderly at home.
Numerous issues contribute to this conclusion including the aging organs (kidneys and liver) ability to metabolize the medication and rid the body of it as well as the individual’s hydration and mobility status to name a few. How frequently have we as nurses and Care Managers seen the adverse outcome of medication changes unknowingly?
As a Geriatric Care Manager this is a vital component to our Client’s Care Management along with evaluating drug interactions and remembering that even with adverse effects identified as infrequent they may and can occur more frequently with some specific medications and the elderly. More on this topic is to come.
That Time of Year
January 19, 2010 at 8:38 pm | In Sophia Heftler, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: HMO, Medicare
The phones have been ringing off the hook as many of our older adults are trying to decide whether they should be thinking about changing from a Medicare HMO to traditional Medicare Part B with or without supplemental insurance, with or without Medicare Part D, and which one?
Our care managers are always happy to help with these important decisions, but we always encourage these callers to take advantage of the services available by the Federal government to provide the information necessary to make the choice that is appropriate for you.
There are professionals available that can help guide you through all your questions and concerns. You can reach these professionals by dialing 1 (877) 452-5898. They will help you choose from among the 12 Medi-gap policies available.
The medicare website at www.medicare.gov and provides a wealth of information regarding plans and choices.
But, for those of you who decide you would prefer to work with a professional, our care managers at Distinctive Care are certainly available to help you weigh your choices. We all have a Certified Senior Advisor available to assist you.
We can be reached at (201) 857-5283 and have offices throughout Bergen County, in Ridgewood, Tenafly and Dumont.
Distinctive Care Offers CEU’s for Nurses, CALA’s and LNHA’s
January 15, 2010 at 7:48 am | In Pat Linard, PR | Leave a CommentTags: CALA, CEU, LNHA, RN
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management recently received accreditation to offer continuing education units for nurses, certified assisted living administrators and licensed nursing home administrators in Bergen and Rockland Counties. The courses are either 1.5 or 2.0 credits and the topics include Navigating the Elder Care Continuum which covers the importance of eldercare planning and The Turning Point, which evaluates housing options and how to make the decision regarding nursing home placement. Other topics offered are The Elderly, Depression and Suicide; The Fears, Angst of Incontinence in the Elderly; and Exercise and Physical Fitness in the Elderly. Social work credits have been applied for these courses and Distinctive Care hopes to offer these credits in the second quarter of 2010. Courses are taught by the nurses/geriatric care managers at Distinctive Care in Ridgewood, NJ. These courses are available for presentation in any facility where the courses might be of benefit to those who are caring for the elderly. Call Pat Linard at (201) 857-5283 for more information or to schedule a course.
“Maximizing Your Memory” Seminar
January 4, 2010 at 10:00 am | In Pat Linard, PR | Leave a CommentTags: alzheimer's, care manager, Dementia, Memory
One of our Care Managers, Lori Habersaat, will be presenting a free seminar entitled Maximizing Your Memory to the Mall Walkers of Paramus Park Mall, one of Bergen County’s fine malls in Paramus, NJ, on Wednesday, January 27 at 8am. The Mall Walkers meet for a walk on a regaular basis around 7am and then get together for coffee and a talk. Lori will be talking about your memory and how it works. Find out what is normal and what is not. She will talk about Alzheimer’s and other memory related dementias. Learn some ways to improve your memory and much more. Meet in the Food Court if you would like to attend; all are welcome. Come early for a memory preserving walk!
Quality of Life Decisions-in the Week of the life of a Geriatric Care Manager…….
January 4, 2010 at 9:20 am | In Lori Habersaat, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: GCM, Weekly
This past week I made my usual visits to my clients and all seemed to be status quo. Except for when I visited R. R had progressed to his maximum level following a stroke this past summer. Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy were ready to discharge him. R was doing well in many ways and was beginning to resume some of his more enjoyable activities; a Christmas Party at his office and lunch with some business friends and family.
The beginning of the New Year presented an opportunity for conversation about what R wanted to do about his frequent visits to the Emergency Room. R continued to have seizures that were thought to be due to his stroke and were being managed on a twice daily dosage of Kepra. The frequency and the duration of these seizures were lessoning yet his family continued to call 911 and bring him to the Emergency Room. Seldom was there anything more than a brief examination by the ED MD and then a call to R’s Neurologist with an adjustment to his Kepra dosage. R expressed frustration as his most recent visit to the ED this past weekend was being described by him to me. He emphasized that it was the 5th time in 5 months with his right hand in full extension exaggerating the number 5! We talked about his option of not going to the Emergency Room for seizures that resolved more quickly and what that might mean. I suggested that he discuss this with his children and then with his Neurologist.
We then at R’s request began to discuss options to continuing Physical and Occupational Therapy at home. R could continue privately or could continue to work with the program that had been designed for him with his Caregiver from a schedule that was logged and tracked. R was actively participating in decisions about his care. He was considering what made sense to him based on personal choices of comfort and stress experienced. He clearly did not want to deal with the winter weather participating at outpatient physical therapy sessions. He also did not see the need for more in home instruction when he clearly had a prescribed regimen that he participated in daily.
The goal was to keep R and his wife at home together as long as possible. That goal was being realized and R was ultimately in control of attaining this. He was managing his situation with the coordination of care from our services with the support and input from his family. R had been in control of his life until his stroke and now he was back in control with quality of life choices that were being made by him.
Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group Continues
December 31, 2009 at 10:00 am | In Pat Linard, PR | Leave a CommentTags: alzheimer's, Caregiver's, Support, support group
Distinctive Care of Ridgewood, NJ continues to offer a support group for Bergen and Rockland County residents. The Alzheimer’s Caregivers support group continues on the first Monday of each month at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey, NJ. In addition to discussion and support, the guest speakers from 2009 included Brian Keane, elder law attorney from Hartman & Winnicki and Amy Matthews from The Alzheimer’s Association; they provided much needed guidance. A guest speaker covering relaxation techniques will be featured in the first quarter of 2010. Mark your calendars for meetings on January 4, February 8 and March 1. Call Barbara at (201) 857-5283 if you would like to attend or want further information.
After the Holiday Visit
December 29, 2009 at 10:37 am | In Sophia Heftler, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: Aging, Changes, Holidays, Parents
One of the things that has been a constant for me since opening Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management in Bergen County is that after the holiday visists our phones are much busier as adult children have noticed significant changes in their parents and are concerned about what to do
Should this year’s holiday visit open your eyes to current and potential problems or negative changes in your parent’s physical or emotional state, it’s time to put a plan of action in place. First, have a heart-to-heart conversation with your elderly loved one about their present circumstances, concerns and the measures they’d like taken to make things better. Introduce the idea of a health assessment appointment with their primary care physician. Would they feel more at ease if a home health aide visited a couple times a week? Maybe they have legal questions and would greatly benefit from an appointment with an attorney. Or they may need help with housecleaning or bill paying. While you may want to keep things light during the holiday season, do take this opportunity to collect all necessary information now to avoid frustration and confusion in the event of a crisis down the road. Pay a visit to the local Council on Aging or Town Hall for resources and services available in your parent’s community. And get a copy of the local telephone book to take home with you – it will come in handy as you and your loved one create a “go to” list of services over time. This list should include friends, neighbors, clergy, local professionals and all others who your family member has regular contact with. In fact, if you haven’t already, take the time to visit with those friends and neighbors and make sure you have their addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail information and make a point to provide them with your contact information as well. Now is the time to begin compiling a to-do list to be implemented over a period of future visits. Medical information should include your loved one’s health conditions, prescriptions and their doctor’s names and contact numbers. A financial list should contain property ownership and debts, income and expenses, and bank account and credit card information. You should also have access to all of your parent(s) vital documents that could include their will, power of attorney, birth certificate, social security number, insurance policies, deed to their home, and driver’s license. And remember to give your loved ones the power and permission to be in control of their own lives – as much as is reasonable. The more systems you have in place the more your loved one will be kept independent and safe in their own home,.
Should you require assistance with this or any other matters related to the care of your older adult loved-one feel free to contact me in one of our offices located in Ridgewood, Dumont and Tenafly by calling (201) 857-5283
Getting to know ____a week in the life of a Geriatric Care Manager
December 15, 2009 at 10:00 am | In Lori Habersaat, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: GCM, Weekly
As a Geriatric Care Manager I often reflect on my visits to my clients at the end of the week. I am quite fond of all of them. There are one or two who seem to dominate my thoughts at one time more than another and A is on my mind this week. She is a wonderful 94 year old who has led an adventurous life and now feels tired and saddened by her aging. Her family is present via photos, phone calls, and occassional visits for lunch at her home. A is very quiet about her feelings, however she nods her head at me when I identify what is visible to me. She is always receptive to my visit but does not want the assistance of our geriatric counseler. “I used to talk to someone years ago, but I did not find them helpful”. In spite of this A states “I know that I am very lucky to be living in my home and have such a wonderf ul family”. I concur verbally and by nodding my head. We smile and I wonder what A was like as a young woman. How quickly time passes and steals youth away. For A I imagine a beautiful blonde haired aristocratic demeanor with a sterness yet a softness in dealing with others. I imagine that she knew how to get things done and probably did just that. I will make a point to ask A more about herself, her life, and who she was. Last week I told A that she was special and meant it. I suspected that she does not think this about herself anymore. It is important to me that I make certain that she knows it to be true once again.
Caregiver Stress and the Holidays
December 14, 2009 at 10:00 am | In Sophia Heftler, GCM | Leave a CommentTags: Caregiver, Holidays, Stress
As we all know as joyous as the holiday season is it’s also stressful under the best of circumstances. It can be even more stressful for those of us who are caregivers as well. As a caregiver myself I have become acutely aware of how the change in routine can effect our loved ones and how our unrealistic expectations of what it takes to make our holidays “perfect” can stress us out.
I wanted to share with you some of the plans I have implemented this year to make my holiday more joyful and less stressful. Hopefully some of these tips will help you as well, even if you are not a caregiver!
As many of you know, I lost my mother this year, almost 9 months ago. One of the things that I’ve done since before Thanksgiving is to acknowledge my feelings. I have given myself permission to feel sadness and grief and not forcing myself to be happy just because it’s the holidays. In allowing myself to acknowledge these feelings I have found that I’ve been able to find the real meaning of the holidays and spending time with my family; especially my father, who I am the primary caregiver for.
I am trying to be more realistic about the fact that the holidays do not have to be perfect and that they clearly will not be how they were last year. I have decided that it’s okay that things change and that this year we will be making some new traditions while cherishing my memories of the traditions my mother created. There is no such thing as “perfect” and I can’t expect the holidays to be like they are in the movies – I don’t have a production crew assisting me!
I know that when I get stressed out I invariably get depressed so I am going to be kind to myself this year. If things feel overwhelming with my father, I will ask my brother for help. If I need to take a nap after work, I will do so without guilt. I will also say “no” to the things I cannot do or choose not to do. I will not overbook myself because if I do I will not have time or energy to enjoy the joys this season presents us with.
As far as the overbooking goes, this year I am planning ahead. I have set aside specific days for holiday shopping, visiting with friends and planning my Christmas Eve menu and shopping list so that I am not scrambling at the last minute. I am going to have help on Christmas Eve so that all the work is not up to me.
I have made a committment to myself to accept my family members for who they are despite the fact that more times than most they do not live up to all my expectations. I will remind myself that others may be experiencing holiday stress and feeling depressed.
I am currently on a weight-loss program and I am not going to let the holidays become a “free-for-all” because I know that this will only lead to stress, guilt and frustration. I will stick to the healthy habits I have been developing and have booked time for myself to get physical activity and also will try to stick to my usual bedtime because if I don’t get enough sleep I begin to get depressed. I will also be sure to remember to do my light therapy to counteract the effects of our shorter, less sunny winter days.
My fifteen minutes…this is going to be an important part of my Christmas Eve. Since I will be hosting Christmas Eve this year I am going to take 15 minutes before my guests are expected to arrive to take a breather…to spend 15 minutes alone and without distraction in my bedroom listening to soothing music, clearing my mind and focusing on my breathing to help me restore my inner calm. I have also scheduled a 15 minute break to do the same thing after dinner while my enlisted help is cleaning up.
Professional help is something I am lucky enough to already have in place, but for those of you who do not, if you find yourself feeling persistently sad, anxious, unable to sleep, irritable or hopeless and palgued by physical complaints or unable to face routine chores that persist for a while, please talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and remember to take good care of yourself!
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
