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Geriatric Care Management Blog

By Charlotte Bishop on 1/6/2011 4:54 PM
One of my clients recommended a web resource recently, and I am so impressed by it that I am passing it on to you.  So often in the process of caring for an elder or other person with special needs we come up against medical language that can be difficult for someone who is not a trained professional to grasp.  We can always look up a word in the dictionary, for sure, but the specific way words are used when speaking of geriatric and related issues can be rather esoteric.  So, when I can across the glossary of terms offered at the Silverado web site, I just had to pass it along.  Please check out: Silverado Glossary.  You will get a quick grasp of the differences between amyloid and aneurysm or between dementia and delirium.  It also offers really helpful suggestions on the early warning signs of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s and more.

The same site also is a wonderful compilation of other web resources that can be very helpful for the caregiver trying...
By Charlotte Bishop on 12/30/2010 12:24 PM
I have been hearing that the web resources I have been offering in my postings have been informative and helpful.  I am regularly reminded that one of my principal roles as a geriatric care manager is to be a resource directing people to others.  And that those “others” are not just health care providers.  In keeping with that notion, I have compiled some web resources here that may prove useful for elders and others with special needs who may also be on limited budgets. These are just a few of the sites that you may find .useful, but may not always pop up in a web search engine when you are looking for answers to your elder law questions:

AARP has a program called Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE).  You may wish to join AARP – if you have not already – to get full access to this program, but it has much to offer individuals who wish to understand their rights as well as how to get legal paperwork for an elderly family member or loved one in order: Legal Council for the Elderly.

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By Charlotte Bishop on 11/29/2010 9:39 AM
One of my geriatric care clients, an 80-year old widow who lives in an independent living center, came to me with what she felt to be an embarrassing story.  Since it is about fraud, I offer it now during a season when we all may feel the spirit of giving and we also can be duped by thieves. 

My client received a telephone call from “her favorite grandson.”  At least that is how the caller introduced himself and my client inadvertently gave in to the urge to guess the caller’s name as her eldest of five grandsons.  She readily admits she has no favorites, but she gave in to what seemed to be a tease from her grandson, a fully grown young man with a family of his own.  Her “grandson” then proceeded to relate a story of a bit of partying with coworkers on a business trip to Canada that resulted in his incarceration.  He desperately needed $3,000 for bail.  He wished to avoid informing his wife or parents until he could return to relate the unfortunate events in person.  My client agreed to this conspiracy...
By Charlotte Bishop on 10/27/2010 9:47 AM

Medicine today is full of miracles.  But Aging Well magazine (Jan/Feb, 2009) reports that although the over 65 set in America constitute only about 13% of the population they account for about 30% of all prescriptions filled.  Their share of over the counter (OTC) drugs is estimated to be closer to 40%-50% of all retail meds sold.  The report goes on to say that nearly two in five hospitalizations each year are a result of medication issues associated with elders.  The elderly are fully half of all prescription drug-related deaths annually.

Recent Comments

re:
love it! very interesting topics, I hope the incoming comments and suggestion are equally positive. Thanks for sharing information that is actually helpful.

allinfouneed
www.tulleeho.org
Re: A Radio Talk with Aging Info Radio
I have read this post. Really it is so nice.
Re: A Radio Talk with Aging Info Radio
I heard all the answers. I did not know those answers. Thanks for providing answers.
Re: Four Tips for the Accidental Caregiver
Great article Charlotte - I am always heartened at how neighbors and acquaintances will step forward to assist a senior in need. Sometimes it is because the senior has outlived their family members - sometimes there are other reasons. In any event, these situations are really unique, and they require some planning to handle thoughtfully. A geriatric care manager can be a really important piece of that puzzle. You have provided some really good suggestions in this article. Keep up the good work.
I would really love to guest post on your blog.`
This kind of post is very rare.. its so hard to seek a post like this. very informative and the contents are very Obvious and Concise .I will look more of your post
Re: Two More Ways to Make Elders' Homes Safer
Nice article Charlotte - really solid suggestions. I just can't figure out why I'm accumulating so much stuff already!
Re: Caregiving to Older Workers
Nice article Charlotte. This is really becoming an important issue.
Re: Four Steps for "The Talk" About Giving Up the Car Keys
This is the conversation I have been dreading for the longest time. My dream was to have a driver in place before this actually happened, but at this point I don't know. My mom has never been the best of drivers to begin with, but still manages to function well enough and as of this writing is still fully functional. Whether that lasts another week, a year or a few years is out of my control, but when it happens, I will have to deal with it just as you suggested. I expect it to be a huge fight and really would not have it any other way.

My biggest fear really isn't for my mom's safety as it it for everyone else's. My grandfather drove until he was in his 80's and one day drove his car through his next door neighbor's living room. Obviously, that was it. (I have every intention of getting the keys from her before it gets to that point.)

Here is another thing to consider: My mom's car is bought and paid for, so my thinking is that when the time comes, there should be enough sale value left on it to pay for a driver for a certain amount of time. I have no idea what that costs, but this article lit the fire and I intend to find out.

Keep these posts coming, I am sure I am not much different than a lot of your readers in that even though I know I shouldn't, when it comes to my mom, I would like to live in a state of denial as long as possible. It gets harder and harder as she slowly watches her friends die around her and starts to question her own mortality.

Re: Alzheimer's Related Medical Conditions
This is the information that I've been looking for. I'm really glad that you posted it. Thanks for sharing this one!
re:
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Joseph
www.joeydavila.com
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