Comments for Caring for Aging Parents http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com A Thoughtful Guide for Adult Children Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:48:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Keep Your Parents Safe In Their Home by Mark Ford http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/keep-your-parents-safe-in-rheir-home/#comment-44 Mark Ford Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:48:38 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=169#comment-44 Enjoyed this article, its provides alot of food for thought. I recently designed an Elderly Alert System for SAFTE, for such purposes, specifically, it monitors for activity to stop, and then Alarm out. (ie, something is wrong). I'm now looking to add a pendant to the system as well. Would enjoy hearing what others feel is important to keeping their parents or loved ones safe and feeling secure, as this particular design project is dear to my heart. (actually designed this unit after going thru a multi-year downward health spiral with my mom) I understand completely the need and would welcome feedback on how I can make the SAFTE unit even better. Regards, Mark Enjoyed this article, its provides alot of food for thought. I recently designed an Elderly Alert System for SAFTE, for such purposes, specifically, it monitors for activity to stop, and then Alarm out. (ie, something is wrong). I’m now looking to add a pendant to the system as well. Would enjoy hearing what others feel is important to keeping their parents or loved ones safe and feeling secure, as this particular design project is dear to my heart. (actually designed this unit after going thru a multi-year downward health spiral with my mom)

I understand completely the need and would welcome feedback on how I can make the SAFTE unit even better.

Regards,
Mark

]]> Comment on VA Program pays for Mom and Dad’s Long Term Care by Veteran’s Administration (VA) Pays For Some Of Our Parent’s Senior Care « OurParents http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/va-program-pays-for-mom-and-dads-long-term-care/#comment-37 Veteran’s Administration (VA) Pays For Some Of Our Parent’s Senior Care « OurParents Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:25:36 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=152#comment-37 [...] Click here For the full article by Bob Mauterstock. [...] [...] Click here For the full article by Bob Mauterstock. [...]

]]> Comment on Moving Mom to Assisted Living by Gia Serafino http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/moving-mom-to-assisted-living/#comment-33 Gia Serafino Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:27:00 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-33 Hi Bob. First question: Is the UTI (urinary tract infection) cleared completely? Often, patients with UTI commonly shows signs of confusion almost as if in a state of dementia. Make sure the right tests have been administered. Some antibiotics may not effectively treat the strain if a. not an appropraite dosage was prescribed b. patient requires a longer course of treatment c. the antibiotic prescibed does not have the proper bacterial strain coverage to do the job. d. sometimes they get another UTI right after being treated, reason unknown. Second question? Have her meds been reviewed by her prescribing physician(s)? Multiple meds can cause side affects impairing memory, increasing confusion, and decreasing balance and awareness. Lastly, if she truely is exhibiting signs/symptoms of dementia then moving her may or may not be tough. Once I gather more information, I will do my best to provide you with some ideas. Also, I can recommend ALFs (assisted living facilities) in the area that are better than others. Gia Hi Bob.

First question: Is the UTI (urinary tract infection) cleared completely? Often, patients with UTI commonly shows signs of confusion almost as if in a state of dementia. Make sure the right tests have been administered. Some antibiotics may not effectively treat the strain if a. not an appropraite dosage was prescribed b. patient requires a longer course of treatment c. the antibiotic prescibed does not have the proper bacterial strain coverage to do the job.
d. sometimes they get another UTI right after being treated, reason unknown.

Second question? Have her meds been reviewed by her prescribing physician(s)? Multiple meds can cause side affects impairing memory, increasing confusion, and decreasing balance and awareness.

Lastly, if she truely is exhibiting signs/symptoms of dementia then moving her may or may not be tough. Once I gather more information, I will do my best to provide you with some ideas. Also, I can recommend ALFs (assisted living facilities) in the area that are better than others.

Gia

]]> Comment on Government Programs-Part One by jackiewalker1 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/government-programs-part-one/#comment-22 jackiewalker1 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:41:20 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=16#comment-22 Great Post! Jackie Walker of Comfort Keepers Home Care in St Louis MO www.comfortkeepers.com/caregivers/141/ Great Post!

Jackie Walker of Comfort Keepers Home Care in St Louis MO

http://www.comfortkeepers.com/caregivers/141/

]]> Comment on Caregiver = Angel by CYNTHIA http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/caregiver-angel/#comment-17 CYNTHIA Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:54:12 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-17 FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY BE IN MY SAME SITUATION WELL I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU. I DID CONTACT THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND THEY WILL APROVE ME FOR THE BENIFITS FOR TAKING CARE OF MY MOM IN MY HOME ON A 24/7 BASIS. I DO WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION AS IT WILL HELP A LOT. IT WILL TAKE ME A MONTH TO GET THE BENIFITS BUT AT LEAST I SEE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. IF EVER I CAN BE OF HELP TO ANYONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW,. E-MAIL ME AT CINDY7752@AOL.COM AND I WILL DO ALL I CAN TO HELP. THANKS AGAIN AND GOD BLESS YOU AND OUR TROOPS,. CYNTHIA FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY BE IN MY SAME SITUATION WELL I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU. I DID CONTACT THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND THEY WILL APROVE ME FOR THE BENIFITS FOR TAKING CARE OF MY MOM IN MY HOME ON A 24/7 BASIS. I DO WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION AS IT WILL HELP A LOT. IT WILL TAKE ME A MONTH TO GET THE BENIFITS BUT AT LEAST I SEE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. IF EVER I CAN BE OF HELP TO ANYONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW,. E-MAIL ME AT CINDY7752@AOL.COM AND I WILL DO ALL I CAN TO HELP.
THANKS AGAIN AND GOD BLESS YOU AND OUR TROOPS,.
CYNTHIA

]]> Comment on Caregiver = Angel by CYNTHIA http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/caregiver-angel/#comment-16 CYNTHIA Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:04:39 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-16 i truly thank you so much for the information on this matter. The call will be made tommorrow and I will let you know what the outcome is because it may help someone else in my same position. I did not know any other way to find out the information I needed and it is truly a blessing. Have a great day and God Bless You . Thanks Again Cynthia Holloway 113 Frost Road Rogersville, Tn. 37857 i truly thank you so much for the information on this matter. The call will be made tommorrow and I will let you know what the outcome is because it may help someone else in my same position. I did not know any other way to find out the information I needed and it is truly a blessing. Have a great day and God Bless You .
Thanks Again
Cynthia Holloway
113 Frost Road
Rogersville, Tn. 37857

]]> Comment on Caregiver = Angel by rmauterstock http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/caregiver-angel/#comment-15 rmauterstock Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:46:18 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-15 Cynthia, If your father was on active duty for at least 90 days during a war, your mother can apply for a Veteran's Aid and Attendance benefit worth approximately $900 per month. You need to contact the Veteran's Administration office in your area or call the National Care Planning Council (800-989-8137) and they will refer you to someone in your state who can help you. I know your job is a very difficult one and one you never expected would happen. Many women like you find themselves caught in the same role. God bless you. You are truly an angel. Cynthia,

If your father was on active duty for at least 90 days during a war, your mother can apply for a Veteran’s Aid and Attendance benefit worth approximately $900 per month. You need to contact the Veteran’s Administration office in your area or call the National Care Planning Council (800-989-8137) and they will refer you to someone in your state who can help you. I know your job is a very difficult one and one you never expected would happen. Many women like you find themselves caught in the same role. God bless you. You are truly an angel.

]]> Comment on Caregiver = Angel by CYNTHIA http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/caregiver-angel/#comment-14 CYNTHIA Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:47:02 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-14 iI HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MY MOTHER FOR GOING ON 15 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE NOT HAD ONE DOLLAR GIVEN TO ME OR ANY PROGRAM MENTIONED TO ME AS TO WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE SOMETHING EXTRA TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT I HAVE NOT GOTTEN BY NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE MY MOM TO GO TO WORK SOMEWHERE AND MAKE THE MONEY NEEDED TO GET BY. IF THERE IS A PROGRAM OUT THERE I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE KNOWLEDGE TO GET SOME KIND OF MONEY TO ALEVEATE MY FINANCIAL BURDENS. MOM DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN A NURSING HOME AND SHE IS THE WIDOW OF A WAR VETERAN. WE LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND MOM HAS LIVED IN OUR HOME HERE FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE TO PROVIDE CONSTANT CARE FOR HER ROUND THE CLOCK. MY HUSBAND IS ALSO IN BAD SHAPE AND I CARE FOR HIM AS WELL. HE TOO WAS IN THE MILITARY AND THEN WENT ON TO BE A DIESEL MACHANIC AND RETIRED AND NOW IN BAD SHAPE TOO . IT HAS BEEN HARD ON BOTH OF US " MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF" BUT FOR ME TAKING CARE OF THEM BOTH IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON ME. IF YOU CAN HELP OR KNOW OF SOME ORGANIZATION THAT CAN PROVIDE ME WITH SOME KIND OF FUNDS PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR IT. THANKS SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS CYNTHIA HOLLOWAY 113 FROST ROAD ROGERSVILLE TN. 37857 iI HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MY MOTHER FOR GOING ON 15 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE NOT HAD ONE DOLLAR GIVEN TO ME OR ANY PROGRAM MENTIONED TO ME AS TO WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE SOMETHING EXTRA TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT I HAVE NOT GOTTEN BY NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE MY MOM TO GO TO WORK SOMEWHERE AND MAKE THE MONEY NEEDED TO GET BY. IF THERE IS A PROGRAM OUT THERE I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE KNOWLEDGE TO GET SOME KIND OF MONEY TO ALEVEATE MY FINANCIAL BURDENS. MOM DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN A NURSING HOME AND SHE IS THE WIDOW OF A WAR VETERAN. WE LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND MOM HAS LIVED IN OUR HOME HERE FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND I HAVE TO PROVIDE CONSTANT CARE FOR HER ROUND THE CLOCK. MY HUSBAND IS ALSO IN BAD SHAPE AND I CARE FOR HIM AS WELL. HE TOO WAS IN THE MILITARY AND THEN WENT ON TO BE A DIESEL MACHANIC AND RETIRED AND NOW IN BAD SHAPE TOO . IT HAS BEEN HARD ON BOTH OF US ” MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF” BUT FOR ME TAKING CARE OF THEM BOTH IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON ME. IF YOU CAN HELP OR KNOW OF SOME ORGANIZATION THAT CAN PROVIDE ME WITH SOME KIND OF FUNDS PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR IT.
THANKS SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS
CYNTHIA HOLLOWAY
113 FROST ROAD
ROGERSVILLE TN. 37857

]]> Comment on Protect your parents from fraud by rmauterstock http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/protect-your-parents-from-fraud/#comment-13 rmauterstock Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:07:40 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-13 Bill, I appreciate the information you provided on your mother's experience. I am constantly amazed at the money which is spent sending mailings to my 88 year old mom asking her for a donation to all kinds of causes. Now they are sending her gifts in advance to make her feel guilty if she doesn't make a donation. Bob Bill,

I appreciate the information you provided on your mother’s experience. I am constantly amazed at the money which is spent sending mailings to my 88 year old mom asking her for a donation to all kinds of causes. Now they are sending her gifts in advance to make her feel guilty if she doesn’t make a donation.

Bob

]]> Comment on Protect your parents from fraud by Bill Grote http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/protect-your-parents-from-fraud/#comment-12 Bill Grote Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:15:10 +0000 http://parentcareplanning.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-12 Thank you for posting this informative information. I unfortunately, remember how my aging mom got suckered into a major remodel in a trailer that would have cost many times what the mobile home was worth. Most states have clauses that allow people to back out of them within a time period. I called the salesman's boss and explained that my mom decided to change her mind and that if he didn't let her back out of the contract, we'd do everything in our power to publicize the scruples of their company. We got her out of the contract, for which she, a child in the Great Depression, was grateful. It's just amazing what glib, fast-talking salesmen can sweet-talk older people into doing. I think that the checklist you have listed above is excellent. If I hadn't been checking in on Mom once a week, I would have never found out about her signing the contract, and work would have begun. -- Bill Grote Boomer Books Thank you for posting this informative information. I unfortunately, remember how my aging mom got suckered into a major remodel in a trailer that would have cost many times what the mobile home was worth.

Most states have clauses that allow people to back out of them within a time period.

I called the salesman’s boss and explained that my mom decided to change her mind and that if he didn’t let her back out of the contract, we’d do everything in our power to publicize the scruples of their company.

We got her out of the contract, for which she, a child in the Great Depression, was grateful.

It’s just amazing what glib, fast-talking salesmen can sweet-talk older people into doing.

I think that the checklist you have listed above is excellent. If I hadn’t been checking in on Mom once a week, I would have never found out about her signing the contract, and work would have begun.

– Bill Grote
Boomer Books

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