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Geriatric Care Management Blog

By Charlotte Bishop on 2/4/2011 10:19 AM
February is American Heart Month.  Despite the fact that we hear a lot of news about cancer, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America today, accounting for just a bit over one-third of all deaths in the most recent reporting year.  To raise awareness and encourage better “heart health” each year since 1963 the American Heart Association along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes for Health and some other government agencies compile the latest statistics on heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is important to me as a geriatric care manager (GCM), because it disproportionately targets older adults.  In 2007 – the most current year for which we have data – 251.2 of every 100,000 Americans died of cardiovascular...
By Charlotte Bishop on 12/15/2010 9:37 AM
I have talked in some of the recent blogs about when decision-making may transfer to another person from an individual whose own faculties may be failing.  Such is the case with powers of attorney as well as guardianships.  There also are decisions which need to be facilitated by a caregiver, but we need to know the difference between deciding for the older loved one or individual with special needs versus facilitating their own good decision.

In my role as a GCM I had a conversation with one of my clients recently about her car.  She is an 84-year old woman who has been living on her own since her husband died about six years ago.  Her husband had surrendered driving responsibilities to her some several years before his demise, and it was his initiative and his choice.

Recently, she asked me what I thought about her giving up driving.  The fact that she brought it up suggested to me that there may have been a precipitating event...
By Charlotte Bishop on 10/13/2010 11:15 AM

This is the first of my blog series on the challenges faced by those who help elders or others with special needs.  We have heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child.  In my experience as a Geriatric Care Manager, I have found that it takes a village to care for our elders and others with special needs as well.

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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