We all know that caring for our aging parents and  loved ones can take a hugeemotional and physical toll on our well-being. I’ve written about it often. So recently, when I was introduced to a "systematic approach" to help those who want to age at home, I was interested. A visit to this Massachusetts-based company showed me that integrated care can be successfully applied to our present-day healthcare system. What I found is that personal care managers can be brought to a patient with little or no stress to the patient or family. That the endless searching for answers can stop. That it is …

Life is stressful, and family caregiving can make it more so. Adult caregivers who have started a new job, or are raising children or caring for their own spouse can soon become overwhelmed when elderly family members need help. Often, the primary family caregiver wants or needs more help from siblings, but isn’t getting it. On top of the stress of aging parents, the dynamics of family relationships often thrusts one sibling into the role of primary caregiver for an aging parent. In turn, this creates an “anything you can do I can do better” tug of war between brothers and sisters who should …

Often, we forget that good communication is important, especially with our doctors. If you are planning to maintain good health while aging in place, here are some tips for a smoother ride. To get the most out of our doctor visits we must ask questions, provide the necessary information and be educated about our own health. This will make it much easier for our healthcare providers to give us the best possible care. I realize it isn’t always easy to establish and maintain a good rapport with our care providers. It takes time and effort on our part, as well as our doctor’s. Ideally, we or our …

It’s a difficult situation for all concerned when adults appear unable to care for themselves and Adult Protective Services (APS) is called in, however let’s consider the alternatives and varying situations. While we’re considering "I’m fine and good for the constitutional right to do whatever you want with your adult aging situation," however I would suggest that some people are not cognizant enough to make that choice when the time actually arrives and being "forced" to live in a nursing home is better than starving somewhere unbeknownst to anyone.  In addition and unfortunately, the …

Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about what I'll be looking for in an older living situation. Like many, my hope is to enjoy living in my own home with caregiver support when and if I may need it, but what might I want from an assisted living facility and/or retirement community? Does it exist? I would be looking for a living situation that allows me to remain very socially involved, with educational opportunities, a place that offers car or bus service to the movies, ski resorts, shopping and so forth. I would want to be smack in the middle of a complex that offered all these …

Can we age, live and work after 65? Can a working retirement scenario be enjoyable for seniors? Is there a true balance that can be achieved? Why do people suggest that retirement is the "end-all" to a life well lived? Must it be all about the money when we decide to retire?Questions, questions and more questions. How about some answers please?Retirement, in my opinion, should not be the ultimate goal in life. Hey, I’m all for sleeping, eating, waking up when I want, ‘lolly-gagging’ around with my hobbies, reading, taking time to see the grandkids, play golf and travel, but have our …

Having seen first hand pill bottles galore in the cabinets of many seniors the question has to be asked, are they (seniors) being over-medicated? The stories abound in community centers, assisted living, nursing homes and in the homes of those seniors still living at home, of seniors taking an excess of 25 pills a day - what are all the medications for?Are all these pills needed and necessary? What is their purpose? Is there duplication? Does each of the prescribing doctors know what other medications the senior is taking?There can be an enormous lack of communication between specialists (…

As soon as we notice memory problems, especially with our aging parents, we fearfully wonder: “Could it be Alzheimer’s?” Let’s get clear on what Alzheimer’s is and isn’t.Dementia is the deterioration of our cognitive abilities. There are many causes for dementia, and it can be progressive or stable. It targets the mental functions of the brain, like memory, orientation, problem solving and attention. Unlike Alzheimer’s, dementia is not a disease and it has a variety of causes.Dementia is caused by various diseases or conditions with symptoms that may include changes in personality, mood and …

Many may ask, “Is the process of getting information any better in 2011 than it was 15 to 25 years ago?” Some would answer a resounding no, others would say maybe and still others would say yes. I think the jury is still out, and, honestly, information gathering and giving could always be better. For instance: what happens when seniors are clueless to the options available to them? I realize this seems an unlikely scenario in 2011 because of the Internet, yet marketing senior services to the senior population directly is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright difficult. Let’s take web-…

Forty-six years ago, in 1965, Congress made an effort to bring challenges faced by seniors to the forefront. This prompted the delivery of what is known as the Older American Act (OAA). The act promises to: “To provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons through grants to the States for community planning and services and for training, through research, development or training project grants, and to establish within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare an operating agency to be designated as the ‘Administration on Aging.'” The development…

Federal health officials have failed in their efforts to police the emergence of phantom pharmacies, fly-by-night storefront operations that bilk millions of dollars in false Medicare bills then vanish with the cash. See CNN Money for more. No permits are needed. There is no store or pharmacy as we know them. There are no medicines on the shelves, no employees, no ‘real’ in-store customers.  And yet, these fake pharmacies produce huge bills for medication, defrauding Medicare of millions of US dollars per year. Incredible, but true.   How is this accomplished?  Thieves, crooks, fraudsters use…

I was moved by an article in Saturday’s Boston Globe; Galvin Moves to Protect Elders’ Interests and thought that Patch readers might benefit from knowing more about this ‘invisible-silent crime’ against elders.  Knowing that Secretary of State William Galvin took a first step towards rectifying the growing ‘financial abuse against seniors’ with a proposal he submitted to the Massachusetts Legislature, a bill that would bar people with power of attorney from enriching themselves or otherwise abusing their authority, was satisfying to say the least.  Better still is knowing that the legislation…

Several weeks ago I wrote a column in relation to some proposed changes to Healthcare in America and my thoughts regarding those changes. Low and behold others must have felt the same. I think we should all take another long hard look at this ‘healthcare proposal’ of Paul Ryan’s and all others that are presented and then we must be prepared to voice our approval or dislike - loudly!I have said it before, the Boomers have a strong influence and lately with the mortgage fraud and financial manipulation of securitized investments, many of our contemporaries have seen their retirement funds …

All types of marketing (some useful – some not) is out there for the “50 + generation… wellness programs, personal trainers, age-friendly cities, “green exercise”…anything and everything to accommodate a healthier older market.In this regard Baby Boomers are the first to experience ‘this love’ from advertisers and business’. In the 1930’s the average life expectancy was 63…today, many Boomers are expected to see 80…lifetimes have gotten longer, and the physical aging process has slowed down, so it makes sense that there is a proliferation of services and products to support Boomer needs. That…

The disputes may start quietly, but they can and do brew into hot and heated arguments and believe it or not they have split families apart. Take for example: Mom left a pot boiling on the stove again…you are fearful she’ll burn the house down. Dad is getting forgetful and isn’t paying his monthly bills. You, and your siblings live far away and through neighbors find out that the heat and electricity were turned off.  Dad’s got more scrapes and scratches on his car than the grandkids do on their knees…you want him to STOP driving. As adult children you are concerned and decide amongst …

It’s imperative that we take responsibility for our senior ‘living situation’.  If you don’t want others making this decision for you…be pro-active.  With a little advanced planning it is possible to stay in your home even with Alzheimers as there are many additional support services available. Having been regarded as competent, intelligent and able throughout my life I would hate to be relegated to only being allowed to make decisions as to what color to wear, where to place my furniture or where to keep photos and mementos…wouldn’t you?Adult children should not have to shoulder the burden …

The ‘Federal Health Care Spending’ game is on. Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has a plan for balancing the budget and it includes deep cuts in federal health care, i.e., Medicare, the government health plan for the elderly and disabled. If Medicare and Medicaid stays as is, 25-45 year olds will see their taxes raised and seniors will not like the restrictions forced on their medical choices…political nightmares. Boomers will drive the costs of care sky high for whoever pays, government or private insurers. I don't believe politicians will solve these systemic problems without …

During my kids hectic teenage years I often loss site of my parents ‘aging needs.’ I wish I had been more available, more observant, more everything, but it just wasn’t possible since they lived a fair distance from me.  ‘Beating’ yourself up over a lack of parental oversight isn’t productive so I would like to share some ‘aging signs and tips’ that might be of help. Some of these ‘signals’ may be noticeable to you, however if your parents do not live close it might be important to contact a friend or two of theirs so that you stay abreast of a possible problem before a crises ensues. Being …

It dawned on me, albeit reluctantly, that I am perilously close to being classified ‘a senior’, hence my pursuit of information; i.e. ‘senior stuff’…the importance of which is far greater to me today. Several years ago I was clueless to the ramifications of getting older or the havoc the same could reek in regards to the ‘quality of life’.  AARP has been issuing me a ‘join’ card for several years (possibly 10), which I avoid, as if to do so would miraculously keep me ‘age stationary’. But I digress… Currently on my ‘be informed and educate others’ list is to advocate and encourage baby-…