Senior Living Information Blog

3 Biggest Mistakes Made When Choosing Assisted Living

Recently I have been at work on a comprehensive guide to choosing assisted living with another senior living advisor, Jackie Wargo in Scottsdale Arizona.  It has been a lot of work and we still have a lot more to get done but in the meantime we are offering a free download of part 1 which is called:  "3 Biggest mistakes adults make when choosing assisted living for their parent or a loved one"

If you would like a copy for yourself just fill out the form below.  I am going to try to also put this form on the side of the blog so it is always available!

If for some reason the form is not showing up in this actual post please look to the side of the blog or send me a message or a comment and I will personally send you the link!

 

 

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month this November, I wanted to let you know about the upcoming ways you can support the Alzheimer’s Association.
 
Casual for a Cause
We are asking supporters to go Casual for a Cause at their workplace to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s. For a week or selected day(s), employees could dress down or wear jeans in exchange for a small donation (usually $5) to the Alzheimer's Association. If you would like to participate, please complete the attached form.  Download CFAC Introduction Letter and Registration Form - 11.2010 A complete information packet and promotional support materials will be provided to you.
 
On the Border
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association. Bring in the flyer Download Ontheborderflyer on November 3, 2010 and 10% of your food & beverage purchases will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Valid at all Chicagoland area On The Border restaurants!
 
Mitzvah Medley
Hip Circle Studio in Evanston has chosen the Alzheimer's Association as the beneficiary for their November Mitzvah Medley program. On November 13th, come to Hip Circle Studio and pay what you can for one, two, or three free classes. 100% of proceeds that day will benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Please see flyer  Download Mitzvah_medley_flyer for more details, including the classes offered that day.
 
Chicago Wolves
It’s Alzheimer’s Association Night at the Chicago Wolves! Come to the Allstate arena on Saturday, November 20th at 7p.m. to see the Wolves play Houston. $3 from each ticket purchased will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association! See flyer for ticket information and more details. Download Wolves_flyer
 
Life History Books
During the months of October and November 2010, Alzheimer’s Association is partnering with Life History Books, a memoir service that conducts relaxed interviews, collects photos, and lays everything into fully-customized, archive-quality keepsake books. Buy any package through November 30, 2010 and mention the code “ALZIllinois” at any time during the interview process and 10% of the sticker price will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Illinois Chapter. This would make a great gift - holidays are just around the corner! See flyer for more details! Download LHB_flyer

Special thanks to Amanda Bogdanski|Event Specialist| Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter for providing this information.  Feel free to contact her if you have any other questions at 847-779-6952

6 New Radio Interviews to Help You and Your Aging Parent

Dale Carter, from Transition Aging Parents has announced her fall line up of interviews wiht authors and experts in senior living and caregiving.  She will be covering an array of topics that many of our readers will find helpful including helpful resources, insights to caregiving and actionable tools and strategies.

I hope that one or all of these radio interviews will be helpful to you!
 
(Archived recordings of previous interviews can be found at: http://www.transitionagingparents.com/podcasts/)

The live show show can be found at:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dalec

October 12th:  Sources of Financial Help for Your Aging Parent

Patricia Grace, founder of AgingWithGrace.com and veteran eldercare advocate, joins Dale to discuss sources of financial help for your parent.  Don't let your parent struggle needlessly when there is untapped financial help.  Tune in.  Call-in questions are welcomed.

October 19th:  Living With Purpose in a Worn Out Body

Missy Buchanan, author, speaker and inspirational force for our older adults, joins me to share how we all can reach out to the older adults in our lives, helping them to share their life's stories and wisdom. 

October 26th: Parent residing in Assisted Living?  What's My Role as a Caregiver?

So your parent is in Assisted Living.  Do you find yourself confused about how to transition from being a full-time caregiver?  Your parent needs you now more than ever. 

Kim Linder, host of The Caregiver Hour, will share how we can best advocate and care for our parent in an assisted living environment.

Nov 2nd:  Granting Dreams for Elders:  Changing the Perception of Aging

P.K. Beville, founder of Second Wind Dreams, joins us to share her organization's wonderful work of fulfilling dreams for older adults.  "Through the fulfillment of dreams and innovative educational programs, Second Wind Dreams, an international non profit, enhances quality of life for those living in eldercare communities and changes the perception aging." Join P.K. and Dale as they discuss this very important work, and she shares some amazing stories about the people and dreams they have fulfilled.

Nov 16th: Dr. Jamie Huysman  Are You at Risk for Caregiver Compassion Fatigue?

Dr. Jamie Huysman (psychologist, psychiatric social worker, and co-founder of Leeze Gibbons Memory Foundation) joins Dale to share the warning signs and elements of compassion fatigue and care provider burnout.  He'll also explore some solutions and tools in creating your own personal self-care plan.

Nov 30th: Loren Shook and Stephen Winner.  The Silverado Story - A Memory-Care Culture Where Love is Greater than Fear.

Loren Shook, Steve Winner (co-founders of The Silverado and co-authors of this soon-to-be published book (title above) will be with us to discuss the wonderful culture and care at Silverado Assisted Living communities and their new book.

Free Comfort Care Guide from the Alzheimer's Assocation

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased offer this free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-term care facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

For families, this guide will enable them to make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities.

You can download your free copy by visiting this page from the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  Special thanks to Daniel Kuhn for bringing this valuable guide to my attention so that I could share it with all my readers!

Meet the author of "The Daughter Trap" at The Clare at Water Tower

Come meet author Laurel Kennedy next week at the Clare at Water Tower.  She will read excerpts from her new book followed by questions and answers.  I have not yet read the book, but one is on its way to me, so I look forward to reviewing it later.

The Daughter Trap: Taking Care of Mom and Dad... and You is the first book to simpy say it like it is: women, more times than not, find themselves in the caretaker role - whether they're prepared for it or not.

WHEN:  Thursday, June 10th, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

WHERE: The Clare at Water Tower, 55 East Pearson, Chicago

RSVP: 312-784-8015

How to Deal with a Difficult Sibling in Decision-making for an Aging Parent

It seems that every day I have a similar conversation with friends and colleagues.  “I can’t get our family on the same page about our elderly parent.  It’s like my brother came in from another planet.”  I laughed the first time I heard that statement but realize that’s exactly how I felt about my brother!

via www.transitionagingparents.com

Another great post on Dale's Blog.  Thanks for sharing so much of your personal story Dale, it helps us all!

Are You or Someone You Know Caring For an Elderly Loved One?

A few years ago, I had the chance to meet Barbara Friesner, and Elder Care Expert and Founder of AgeWiseLiving.  A while ago, she created “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” which I recommend to any caregiver dealing with an aging parent. 

Just in time for the holidays, she is offering $100 off AND a free upgrade on shipping so that you can order today and get it in time for Christmas.  It’s a great gift so I thought I would share some information on it!  I had them send me this description because I know she could explain it better than I!

Did you know that more than 1/3 of elder caregivers had long term health problems because of elder caregiving?

In fact, researchers have found that there is a 63% increase in mortality over 4 years, compared with non-caregivers.  And the numbers are worse when there is also financial strain.

Did you know that almost all respondents reported that they paid one or more expenses in order to help the care recipient? (Food, transportation, and medications were their three most common expenses.) And these are just miscellaneous costs – not including loss of pay, pension, social security, etc.

Barbara Friesner, Elder Care Expert, Generational Coach, and former caregiver to her grandmother, and her mother, has helped hundreds of families with their Elder Care issues.

That’s why she created “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System.” And right now, Barbara is offering it at $100 off the regular price! And right now, until December 22nd, you'll also receive a free upgrade from ground to air shipping at no additional cost! To order just click on this link “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System”

If you’re a caregiver or care about someone who is, please don’t wait until these statistics are about you. Give yourself or someone you love the gift of love and order “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” at this special sale price today and get the help you need today.

”The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” is an amazingly comprehensive and information-rich resource that is guaranteed to address your most difficult questions, roadblocks, and communication breakdowns that are so typical for elder caregivers.

Because no one has time and money to waste – especially caregivers –“The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System” is a very simple step-by-step and easy to follow program.

 The System includes “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success GUIDE” which has checklists, examples . . . all kinds of information – that makes the process easy to understand and more importantly, easy to be successful. In addition, the System includes 8 CDs –6 seminars, 1 CD of all the forms in the book, and 1 CD with Barbara's rolodex of resources, plus the 3 CD boxed set of the Expert Series. That’s The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success Guide and 11 CDs.

Alzheimer's Reading Room, a great resource

Just read another short post on Bob DeMarco's fabulous blog, the Alzheimer's Reading Room.  This one was about how one of the first signs you might look for when someone has dementia that you might not think of is their feet!  Shuffling the feet could be a sign of early cognitive development.  Having worked in an assisted living community with a wonderful section just for those with dementia, I can attest to the fact that many of the residents did shuffle their feet.  It was if they were walking with out lifting their feet.

Anyway, that is just one of the many informative things I have learned or thought more about since I started following Bob on Twitter (@ALZHEIMERSread) and reading his blog.  Bob always sends out very informative tweets with links to various articles around the web and I feel like I am always learning (or finding!) something if I follow them.

Free Resource Center in Rush University Medical Center (Chicago)

The Anne Byron Waud Resource Center is located on the 4th floor of the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center. 

710 S. Paulina, Suite 438, Chicago, IL 60612

This service, offered by Rush Generations offers skilled and compassionate professionals that can support you with health, aging and caregiving concerns.

Education & Support

• ongoing education and support groups
• Benefits CheckUp - determines program eligibility in IL and nationwide
• Information on diagnosis & treatment options
• caregiving training & resources
• planning for future care needs
• community referrals and info
• physician referrals and info
• medicare and insurance information and guidance
• brochures on community resources
• books & videos on a variety of topics
• nutrition and exercise information
• complementary and alternative medicine options
• FREE computer class
• & more...

Call 800-757-0202 for more information!

Water For Elephants

Last night I stayed up until 2 am to finish this book which I started this weekend.  My mom gave it to me while I was in Florida with her and my dad to help them find an "active adult" community to retire too (which is a whole other story...)

Anyways, this book had been recommended to me by several people and now I know why.  I love to read, but I really haven't had the chance to since I started my own business two years ago.  But this is a quick and easy read and it was nice to 'escape' into a book after such a long time.

Its a story about a man who currently lives in a nursing home.  A circus comes to town and it reminds him of the time he spent in his younger years with the circus.  While that part of the story is very entertaining on its own, I really enjoyed how the author portrayed his life in the nursing home he was in.  I particularly loved the character Rosemary who is one of the characters in the novel that is obviously a CNA at the home.  She exemplifies what a true caregiver in that situation is all about and I have had the opportunity to meet many Rosemary's in my life.  People who make a difference in a bleak situation.  People who stand in for family, who care and who really want to help.

I really enjoyed the whole book especially the ending.  I hope you get a chance to pick up and read this book if you can and let me know what you thought.