My grandmother lives alone in a rural town in Montana. She is home most of the time and the telephone is her lifeline to her family and friends who live across the US. She has eight grandchildren. She is slightly hard of hearing. The setting is just right for a stranger to take advantage of … Continue reading »
Downsizing to Community Living- what to bring and what to let go.
Deciding what to bring to a new home can be confusing and overwhelming. Most of the time, the move to a care community means downsizing in every way. Square footage, closet space, and outdoor living is greatly decreased compared to living at home. So what things are important to bring to your new home? What … Continue reading »
The Top 10 Questions To Ask When Evaluating Scooters for Seniors
There is a lot of marketing material out there (online AND in radio/TV/print) telling us about scooters for seniors, and how easy it is to acquire one. The fact is that scooters for seniors ARE easy to get your hands on… especially if you have $800-$2,900 to spend today! Given that we’ve had great feedback … Continue reading »
Surviving a Parent’s Trip to the Hospital & Beyond: What to know before you go
Let’s say that you find your mom on the floor in her bathroom at home (yes a nightmare, but it does happen). She complains of hip pain and has been there for a few hours. You make the call and a few hours later she has been admitted to the hospital with a hip fracture. Now … Continue reading »
Caregiving – Keeping a Watchful Eye Out For Elder Abuse
An article appearing in today’s Oregonian prompted me to write a short post about elder abuse. The article is titled “Pair plead guilty to identity theft“. It’s a story about two would-be-caregivers that charged up a time share, a boat, and two vehicles on an unsuspecting 84 year old’s bank accounts (unauthorized, of course). The story is buried in the … Continue reading »
How to Choose a Referral and Placement Service
The elder care industry has seen an explosion in Referral and Placement Services over the last decade. Anywhere you have a plethora of housing options for seniors, you will find one or several referral agencies eager to assist you and your family to find the right fit. That’s where the similarities end. Some agencies will … Continue reading »
What is In Home Care?
In Home Care is designed to support those who do not desire or need to leave their homes, but do require assistance with one or more of their daily activities. Care in the home can take on a variety of shapes and sizes and can incorporate family, friends, and professional assistance. I think most people, … Continue reading »
Adult Care Homes- Personal Care Homes- Board & Care… What’s the Difference
As it turns out, there are many differences, AND as many similarities. These homes are single family residences that are licensed to provide care services for frail seniors and adults. In some cases, the homes do not have to be licensed at all. The number of residents per home ranges from 1-6, depending on the … Continue reading »
I Found the Perfect Place for Mom and Dad- Now What?
You have most likely just navigated some very important decisions regarding the care of your loved one. You now have several additional decisions to make about their new home and lifestyle changes. This following suggestions are designed to help you “organize” your thoughts and help you plan for the next steps. Is there a home … Continue reading »
Have You Been Told Your Loved One Needs a Guardianship?
We often receive calls from potential clients who have been told that their loved one needs the assistance of a legal guardian. In the most common situation, the person has been living independently, but is showing signs of dementia, and has been doing things that put themselves or others at risk of harm. Examples include … Continue reading »
