Changes in Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Your loved one has dementia and has been doing okay at home with care several times a week. In the last week it’s been noticed that mom has forgotten to take her medications, her appetite is decreased and she’s now rolling around the house in a wheelchair. While these separately may not appear significant, together they indicate [...]
Stop Small Health Indicators Before They Become Major Issues
We don’t often pay attention to the little things that happen with us because we don’t see them as anything major. Sometimes we miss them entirely because we’re not observant of our own bodies. However it’s these little things that quickly become major health issues if we don’t pay attention and take action. A change [...]
Memory Loss? It’s Time for Education and a Plan
You’ve been diagnosed with short term memory loss but have difficulty believing the diagnosis. How can you be forgetting things when you’ve always had a rock solid memory? Anyone telling you that you’re forgetful is obviously wrong. Let’s say it’s not you, but your loved one who is diagnosed. Do you find yourself constantly correcting [...]
Preserving Dignity in Caregiving Relationships
What is dignity? Is it self respect? Is it the way one presents or carries him or herself? When we’re talking about caregiving or needing care, dignity involves self respect. It’s acknowledging that everyone deserves a sense of decency and unlimited kindness when they need care. At what time in our life, other than when [...]
Govt Capped Residencies in 1997 Now We Don’t Have Enough Physicians
In its great wisdom the U.S. government capped the number of medical residencies in a 1997 law to contain costs. Each new resident costs the government $100,000 per student or $9.1 billion to teaching hospitals. It takes 8-10 years of schooling, residency and training to develop a primary care physician. Healthcare reform adds 30 million [...]
Your Interest or the Best Interest of Your Parent?
Making decisions about the care of others brings up emotional and personal challenges. When your loved one needs more care than can be provided at home or in an assisted living how do you decide on the next level of care, a nursing home? What’s most important? Is it a location that makes it convenient for [...]
Nursing Homes Aren’t Ideal
No one ever says, “I can’t wait until I can move into a nursing home.” This just doesn’t happen. Yet because of health and circumstances for some individuals it becomes a need. When health issues can’t be managed at home or in an assisted living or by family members it may be time to consider [...]
The Millennial Generation
Today on my radio program we’ll be talking about generational differences. Interestingly enough there are comparisions between the Millennials, age 18-29, and the greatest generation. Not in morals, values or military service but commonalities in the belief that family should care for their own. This is perhaps apparent because many 18-29 year olds are unemployed [...]
Putting Loved Ones in Nursing Homes
Making the right decision sometimes means making a hard decision. Have you ever had to place a family member in a nursing home because you knew it was the right decision? You probably agonized over the action for weeks, maybe even months, but the situation wasn’t improving — instead it was worsening by the day. [...]
World War II Veterans Walking Encyclopedias
I often have the honor of visiting with World War II veterans still living. We’re losing them by the hundreds daily. I meet a man who survived the Omaha Beach landing who said the movie, Saving Private Ryan, comes close to the truth of what really happened. I met another man who was there when the flag raised [...]
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