agingcaremanagement

DAYS FILLED WITH PURPOSE

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:34:47 GMT

Being Safe isn’t the same as Feeling Alive

Loneliness

Even when someone is well cared for, connection and joy can quietly fade.
Loneliness rarely announces itself—it settles into long days, fewer conversations, and a shrinking world.

Joy Focused Experiences

Thoughtful Engagement provides one-to-one life enrichment activities to individuals who are socially disconnected, wherever they call home.
By learning who someone has been - their stories, passions, accomplishments, and defining moments - we transform personal history into meaningful, joy-focused experiences that honor identity and purpose.
Visits become moments of purpose, identity and human connection - not just time filled.
Over time, isolation softens, families feel reassured, and life begins to feel fuller again.

Engagement in Action

Instead of quilting alone at home, Mary explored a quilting museum with her Thoughtful Engagement Specialist—surrounded by inspiration, history, and shared conversation.

Instead of staying home on a dark, cold evening, Pat bundled up and enjoyed the holiday lights and boat parade from the comfort of the car—warm, safe, and smiling.

It's OK to FIght

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:05:05 GMT

It is your choice whether you fight for life, not anyone else's

April is Healthcare Decisions month and I wanted to share some recent experiences revolving around a trend that is developing in elder patient care. My clients who are in the hospital or in a skilled nursing facility are being told soon after being admitted that there is no more that can be done to help them and they should enter hospice care. I am a proponent of hospice care and know the amazing support it offers families. That said, I also believe everyone has the right to have their healthcare decisions honored, so if a patient and their family want to continue to fight they should be given every opportunity.

Ms. C is a client of mine who has ongoing illnesses. Recently, she has had to go to the hospital for an infection, which has made her much weaker. One morning, when I went to check on her, she had not been eating, was barely talking, and was very confused when she spoke. The doctor came in and said that she was declining and probably would not get better. When we asked if there were stronger medications or other interventions, he did not offer any solutions. The options he gave were to go to rehab where he did not think she would succeed, or go home on hospice. The family decided to go to the rehab and talk to the doctor there instead of asking for a second opinion at the hospital. The doctor in the rehab had a different perspective and started stronger medications that helped Ms. C improve only a few days later.

On the fourth night she got sicker again and when I went to visit in the morning she was having trouble breathing. My client's status was “Full Code”, which means there is a doctor’s order stating that the staff has to do everything possible to save her, including calling 911. However, Ms. C’s nurse said that she was too weak and said she would not call 911! Thankfully, because I know the law, we were able to get in touch with the family and they called 911. It is against the law to go directly against a doctor’s order and while the nurse had a different opinion, she did not have the right to override what the client, family, and doctor had said. We decided that Ms. C should go back to the hospital through the ER where she received great interventions. She got much better and is currently at home with caregivers.

Ms. E is another client and had a similar experience in a different hospital. The hospital labeled her ‘Hospice Appropriate Only’ a day or two into her stay but the family wasn’t ready to give up fighting. Despite that, no new treatments were offered. Ms. E has an Advance Directive stating she wanted all measures taken to save her life. I was hired to step in, ask questions and push for options. With added support, she’s now improving at home.

In both cases, age seemed to influence the level of care offered. Legally, each person has the right to choose how much medical intervention they want. At Aging Care Management, we’ll continue to fight for those who want to fight for their lives—regardless of age.

Helping with Falls

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 19:50:40 GMT

Preventing Falls

Family members often call us when their parents or loved ones are experiencing frequent falls. They have usually tried several solutions but don’t seem to be able to get to the level of safety they want. My ongoing recommendation is always to look at your priorities, including safety, dignity, and happiness.

Last year, we started working with Sandy. She had several falls within a few months, and her brother called us about his concerns. When working with our clients, we always ask about medical issues first. We took Sandy to her primary care physician to rule out any underlying medical problem causing dizziness or a lack of balance. We asked her doctor to look into medication side effects or to see if she needed to be tested for some infection that had not been detected. The doctor decided that she was getting dizzy because of shallow breathing and ordered Oxygen. While at the doctor’s office, we asked if physical therapy might be a good addition to ongoing strengthening to help prevent future falls, and he agreed that it was needed. Once Sandy got back home, she was set up with her Oxygen. When her new physical therapist arrived, they encouraged her to change from a cane to a walker. We ordered her a fall alert pendant; since these changes have been made, she has not had another fall.

Since we start with a comprehensive assessment at home for most of our clients, we often find simple fixes to reduce the risk of falls: removing area rugs, moving end tables and lamp cords out of the way, and identifying areas to add grab bars for steadiness. So often, something as simple as a night light was not being used, so we immediately added it. My favorite “fix” is a nonslip mat next to the bed. Our team member, LeAnne, has it listed as one of our favorite things. She has used this with clients to give them better traction when they are getting out of bed.

https://www.agingcaremanagement.com/favorite-things.

We always recommend fall detection technology with two-way communication. I have yet to meet one older adult in 30 years who has had their phone when they fell. A phone is not a fall prevention solution.

If you are helping someone who has had two or more falls in the last year and one with an injury, we can help you take the next steps to make them safer.

Helping with Long Term Care Insurance

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:20:20 GMT

Qualifying for your Long Term Care Insurance

Families often call us for guidance on their Long Term Care Insurance. It can be difficult to navigate the claims process not knowing if your loved one is qualified to receive benefits. Here's one story:

Mrs. Thompson called asking for help in starting a claim for her husband not knowing whether or not they would be covered. We met for a consultation and were able to determine that although her husband is basically ambulatory, his dementia has progressed and is unable to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL's). ADL's include bathing, dressing, eating, transferring and toileting. When reviewing the policy we found they would need to pay for caregivers out of pocket for 60 days before insurance would start to reimburse the cost. We encouraged the Thompsons to start a claim by calling their insurance company and requesting a comprehensive assessment, including ADLs. We then connected them with a local caregiver company to initiate their services. This company would also be able to submit receipts to show the 60 days of payment, satisfying the terms of their policy for the elimination period. We accompanied the Thompsons during their assessment to ensure that all of their care needs were being recognized. The assessor did not initially see the need for his assistance with bathing and toileting until we asked Mrs. Thompson to role play their process in the bathroom and how much help she was giving. Thankfully, we had a great nurse who agreed with our assessment regarding Mr. Thompson's ADL needs. We also raised safety concerns regarding ambulation because his gait was unsteady, requiring a caregiver to be present to assist in case of a fall. The assessment came back 30 days later and they were approved for 24/7 caregiving and their policy is reimbursing for all their care costs.

Long-Term Care Insurance policies can be challenging to understand regarding what qualifies for care and reimbursement and it is essential for our clients to receive the long-term care insurance benefits they deserve. If you have questions about your long-term care insurance policy or are wondering if your loved one is being reimbursed for the number of hours required for their safety, please give us a call. We would be happy to meet with you to review to review your policy and set up an assessment with one of our experts.

Helping with the Home

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 14:53:12 GMT

Securing Your Home During a Rehab or Assisted Living Stay

We often work with clients who have to temporarily leave their homes to stay in a rehab or assisted living facility. Sometimes, deciding whether the move will be permanent is still in process, leaving a loved one's home empty while the family chooses the next steps. There are many safety risks to leaving a house empty and unattended.

Below is a list of things to consider while the house is empty.

Inform your neighbors so they can look out for any suspicious activity
Empty out the refrigerator
Empty trash from the whole house
Take the trash to the curb
Ask someone to pick up the mail and move trash cans back to the house
Install a door handle with a code lock so that people can enter without a key
Close the blinds and curtains
Install a remote temperature control so that you can monitor climate control from your phone
Install cameras and/or a security system
Put on a water sensor next to the hot water heater, washers and sinks
Schedule lawn maintenance
Unplug Kitchen appliances (For example, Keurig or coffee machine)
Cancel your delivery subscriptions

If you live out of town and only have a few days to help transition your family member out of their home, we can help with everything on the list. Let us be your “boots on the ground” so you can focus on the care and recovery of your loved one.

You don't have to struggle to do this on your own; we can help you take the next steps.

The Sandwich Generation

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:41:00 GMT

Sandwich Generation and Care Decisions

You may have heard the term "Sandwich Generation." It describes those of us who have older parents and younger children we still care for. We support both parents and children, juggling our children's needs and the eldercare needs. This can cause potential emotional strain from feeling pulled in multiple directions. We are "sandwiched" between both sets of family members with needs. It often leads to reduced work hours, strained relationships, and very little personal time.

The sandwich of care happened to me twice this summer.

My daughter had her move-in day for college. If you have experienced this, you know it's a stressful ordeal, and you are trying your best to make a positive transition. We got up early to ensure we were on time for our assigned time slot. We then had to wait in a long line of other families to pick up keys, a parking pass, and directions to the unloading area. Once we reached the unloading area, we had to get in line for a cart to unload all of her stuff. After 5 loads, we had everything in her room and were able to unpack and put the room together. By the time we left, her room was put together, and she was ready to say goodbye. Even though she was only half an hour away, leaving was still emotional. We were so excited for her to have a great college dorm experience but also sad not to have her at home anymore.

On that same day, my mother-in-law, who lives in an apartment in our home, was in the hospital, and we were in contact with the case managers about discharge plans. Although I do this for a living, speaking with my sister-in-law and the hospital professionals was stressful between picking up the key, finding parking, and taking loads to the room. And, of course, I did not want to make these calls in front of my daughter, who wanted my undivided attention.

My son also moved into his first post-college apartment a few weeks later. It just happened to be on the same day that my mother-in-law went back to the hospital with some critical issues. Again, I was sandwiched between advocating for my mother-in-law by reading the lab results on the online portal, explaining the results to my husband, and staying in touch with the hospitalist to determine the next medical intervention. I could not be in two places at one time, so I felt the pull of needing to give attention to my older and younger family members at the same time.

If you are simultaneously caring for your aging parents and your own children, our care managers can help. We will start with a consultation to listen to your concerns and make expert recommendations on how we can take things off your plate. You don't have to struggle to do this on your own, we can help you take the next steps.

Helping With Safety Decisions

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:07:18 GMT

Helping With A Safety Decision

I recently received a call from Justin who was in crisis at the Emergency Room He was at the hospital with his parents again after his elderly mother had fallen for the sixth time since this year. For the past two years, Justin had tried to persuade them to accept a professional in-home caregiver. But on more than one occasion, after having everything set up, his parents would cancel at the last minute. He was worried that his mom might fall again and that she would need to go to a rehab facility, leaving his father home alone, who was showing signs of dementia. He was at his wit's end.

I asked him if he felt that his role in his parents' lives had changed from child to caregiver. He agreed. When in the child role, he was more likely to make decisions that made his parents happy. If he was in a caregiver role, his parents' health and safety were his top priorities.

When you know deep down that your parent(s) can no longer safely stay in their home don't let demands and resistance influence your better judgment. Rather than waiting for a late-night phone call about a broken hip, medication overdose, or car accident, take proactive steps now.

The first step is to focus on dignity and respect for their self-determination. You have not become the parent, and they have not become the child. They are adults with protected civil rights to make their own decisions. Continue to try to collaborate with your parent(s) and find solutions that everyone can live with.

If you are unsure of the best options, our care managers can help. We will conduct a consultation to listen to everyone's concerns and make expert recommendations on solutions. Once a decision is made, we will help you with every step of the transition process, whether it be in-home care or a move to a facility.

Helping With Vacations

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 13:17:24 GMT

Helping With Vacations

It's summer and you may have a vacation planned, but what happens if your aging parents have a health crisis? I recently worked with Sally Ponder. She has been caring for her aging parents for several years. Her father recently passed, so she is more involved with her mother's daily needs. She fills their medication containers every week. She goes to doctor's appointments with them, and she is the main person who cares for them in case of an Emergency. Months ago she planned for a trip to Europe in June.

Last week her mom fell and broke her hip. Her mother went to the hospital, had surgery, and is now in rehab. Sally thought for sure she needed to cancel her trip, but then a friend told her to give Aging Care Management a call. We met with Sally and her mother for an assessment. We were brought up to speed on the progress of her therapy, the medications that have changed, and her predicted date of discharge. At this point, they are still unsure whether she will need caregivers to assist her with dressing and bathing when she goes home.

They hired one of our Care Managers to:

Stay in touch with the nurse and therapists at the rehab.
Check-in on her every other day to make sure she is getting what she needs (showers, snacks, etc)
Coordinate caregivers to go home with her if needed.
Manage her medications when she returns home.
Communicate with the caregivers daily to make sure her needs are being met.
Take her to the follow-up doctor's appointments.

At this point, Sally is in Europe enjoying her vacation, and we are acting as the "Daughter For Hire" in her place. We text on a daily basis to answer any concerns she may have and to give her updates on her mom's care.

If you know of someone who is worried that they may not be able to go on vacation due to family issues we can help. Aging Care Management, we can step in and be your family's advocate and coordinator so that you can feel confident about going on vacation.

April 16 Is National Healthcare Decisions Day

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:54:06 GMT

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day

One document we recommend for all of our clients is the Advance Directive for Healthcare. In both Georgia and Tennessee, the Advance Directive for Health Care enables you to designate someone to speak on your behalf concerning your medical care if you are unable or unwilling to communicate your own preferences. Here are some of the key functions it serves.

You can appoint an agent as your Health Care Power of Attorney through the Advance Directive. This chosen person can make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to do so or if you prefer not to make such decisions.

The Advance Directive fulfills the function of a Living Will, enabling you to communicate your treatment preferences to your agents. These agents are expected to consider this guidance when making decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. It's crucial to understand that while your agents are guided by your written preferences and their understanding of your values, they are not strictly bound by them. If you are unsure how to talk about it The Conversation Project has great ideas. https://theconversationproject.org/

The Advance Directive allows you to specify your burial preferences, including whether you prefer burial or cremation. If you choose cremation, the Advance Directive acts as a cremation release, requiring only your healthcare agent to authorize your cremation after your passing. Since cremation is irreversible, it cannot proceed without agreement from your family members or explicit permission granted to your agent in this document. This is particularly useful if you have a hard-to-reach family member, such as an uncle living in a "van down by the river", as making your decision in this document ensures that your wishes are clearly understood.

It allows you to appoint a guardian, and if a guardianship case is initiated for you, the court is expected to appoint your selected agent as your Guardian.

Here are some important things to remember about an Advance Directive:

To create an Advance Directive, you must be a fully competent adult with the capacity to make the decision.

You don’t need an attorney or a notary to complete this document, only two witness signatures.

It remains valid after death, allowing your agent to access medical records if necessary.

To download a copy of the Advance Directive for your Georgia or Tennessee click on the link below :

Call us if you have questions about healthcare decisions or the Advance Directive for Healthcare. We are here to assist in clarifying the document and the choices it offers.

Helping with Assisted Living

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:04:32 GMT

Helping with Assisted Living

Our team frequently assists families to help their loved ones move into an Assisted Living Facility in their area. This process can be stressful when trying to determine which facility will meet the needs of their loved ones. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from families is,"How do we know what level of care they will need?"

Each facility determines the level of care for incoming residents differently. Often, the Director of Nursing from the facility will conduct their own assessment to determine if the individual's needs can be met at the facility of interest. If the level of care or medical needs of the potential resident is too high then a nursing home may be the only option.

Some facilities offer "all-inclusive" care within the monthly price, assisting your loved one regardless of changes in needs from day to day. Other facilities offer " levels of care " where additional assistance or services might lead to a potential monthly rate increase or a transfer to a skilled nursing facility or rehab.

Aging Care Management has helped numerous families with our comprehensive assessment to better understand what level of care is appropriate and what facilities can provide the appropriate services. We not only review the functional status but also the best location, reputation, monthly budget, and long-term options for financing. We often work with local placement companies who partner with these facilities consistently and know the longevity of the staff and their community reputation.

Knowing the level of care your loved one requires before exploring Assisted Living Facilities best equips you to know the best options of care and services for your elderly loved one to maintain the highest quality of life possible.

Call us if you have questions about the level of care your loved one needs and about Nursing Homes or Assisted Living in your area that may be a good fit.

Helping With The Holidays

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:54:06 GMT

Helping With The Holidays

Our team has been making holiday plans for our clients who have family out of town. Most of our clients will see family for a short visit, but they won’t have a lot going on in the weeks leading up to Christmas. During this holiday season, we are working to be sensitive to the fact that there may be pressure for people to be involved in and find joy in celebrations. Despite the expectation of a cheerful and merry time, many seniors experience heightened feelings of isolation and discontent during this period. Aging brings inevitable losses. Many older adults have friends with health issues or friends and family that have passed away. Some of our older clients have no friends that are still living. Most seniors have diminishing energy and mobility which can lead to a loss of the ability to engage in holiday activities.

We are working with our client's caregivers , facilities, and families to bring meaningful moments. To foster a sense of love and inclusion for your aging loved one this holiday season, please take a look at the following suggestions.

Remember, the focus is on creating moments of connection and enjoyment in good company.

Help them add festive touches to their home or room in the long-term care facility.

2. Ask about "the olden days" and memories of the Christmas holidays when they were younger.

3. Sing holiday songs together.
4. Do a Christmas Moviethon.
5. Write and send Holiday Cards together.
6. Bring traditional baked goods or treats.
7. Look at family photos or watch family videos

If you know of an older adult at home alone during the holidays, Aging Care Management can help coordinate caregivers and activities to make the season meaningful.

Helping With In-Home Caregivers

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:36:19 GMT

Helping with In-Home Caregivers

Jennifer hired us to help with her grandmother. She had hired some private pay caregivers that her friends had used in the past. Her grandmother is in her 90s and needs help around the clock. She had already decided on their pay rates and schedule but did not know where to go from there. Since the caregivers seemed kind and competent and her grandmother liked them she assumed everything would go smoothly. Since Jennifer lives out of town, she hired us to implement our "Assisted Living at Home" program. Our team came in to give training to each caregiver so that they understood the standard of care expected. We implemented our detailed notebook with emergency information, tracking of all medications given, and daily care notes. We visited weekly to get feedback from the caregivers on any concerns they had.

Several months into the process, one of the caregivers was having issues and needed to be fired. We met with the caregiver and coordinated the final pay for her work. The caregiver did not respond well and by the time she left, 15 minutes later, her demeanor had escalated and she left angry. There was no risk to our client because we walked her to her car at the end. We were able to speak with the team of caregivers individually to update them on the situation and make sure she was not allowed to return. Jennifer was grateful that she did not have to deal with the drama or fear of retribution for the decision.

Some of the issues we see consistently with private-pay caregivers are requests for a raise, overtime, and paid time off. There are often issues of performance such as laundry not getting done, or the grooming not being done well. Sometimes the loved one gets better and does not need as much care, but most caregivers will make a case to get as much work as they can, even if the family sees a need to decrease hours. When these issues come up the family is often hesitant to bring them up for fear of "retribution" to their loved one. Hiring the Aging Care Management team puts a layer of oversight so that the family does not have to fear retribution if issues arise.

Whether you use private in-home caregivers or have hired a company, below are just a few ways that Aging Care Management implements our "Assisted Living at Home" program to ensure the quality of care and to relieve the family of the stress of oversight.

Caregivers must have a background check and an application reviewed by the family for approval. Coaching with the family to discuss payment options, Holiday pay, and expectations with independent contractors. A central notebook is kept with Allergies, Medications, Diagnoses, Doctors, and emergency contacts. Daily written notes are kept for each shift to record behaviors, toileting, eating, and any concerns. Medications are recorded daily with amounts given with times and amounts given. An initial training with written expectations is given to each caregiver to ensure quality of care. Weekly contact with each caregiver is done to ensure continued quality service, to build a relationship of trust, and to hear concerns. If you know of someone who has caregivers working with their loved ones Aging Care Management can be a vital part of the care team to ensure the highest quality of care.

Finding an In-Home Caregiver

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:01:27 GMT

Entrusting your parent's care in the hands of a stranger can cause immense anxiety. It is hard to know which home care companies are the best and whom to trust. Doing an internet search and reading reviews is not enough. A care management company is often the best route because of their ability to locate vetted caregivers based on your custom needs.

Starting the caregiver search

I recently had the privilege of helping Sally and her mother, Ms. Brown. Sally called asking for help to find caregivers for her mother. Sally's mother has dementia, is 94 years old, and lives alone. Her dementia is starting to progress, she has forgotten to take her medications, and is falling more often. Ms. Brown has called on her neighbors to help, but doesn't realize what a burden it puts on them. Sally and her brothers have been doing the best they can to help but she lives out of town and has to travel two hours to see her mom every week . Her brother lives in town, but travels for work.

The comprehensive assessment

Sally asked me to do a comprehensive assessment to help see how much help her mom might need. During this assessment, I did a home safety check and a review of Ms. Brown's medication. I asked her about her meals and checked on the food in the refrigerator to see if it matched. We discussed her grooming and bathing habits. Since Ms. Brown's clothes were wrinkled and her hair was messy, I was concerned that her perspective of her self-care was distorted by her dementia. She had a walker near her chair, but when she got up she did not use it and I had to bring it to her since she was unsteady on her feet. Sally reached out to her Mom's financial planner to make sure her income is streamlined, so we can discuss the budget for her care. They had updated their legal documents, but had not shared their Advance Directive for Healthcare with Ms. Brown's doctors or hospital.

Making headway

Sally and I met after the assessment to review my report and recommendations. We made an initial plan for her to interview caregivers to stay with her mom several days a week. We discussed what the next steps will be when her need for care increases. In the meantime, she has asked me to be available to be at the hospital in case of an emergency.

If you know of someone whose loved one lives at home alone we can help them with a comprehensive assessment to know where to start. Navigating this time in your loved one's life can be very complicated and you need experts who can present you with the best options and protect your family.

Let us help you take the next steps. visit www.agingcaremanagement.com to get started.

Making Independent Living a Sustainable Success

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:51:52 GMT

The majority of older Americans wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but aren't made aware of the available resources to ensure a safe, long-term living situation.

An in-home evaluation

I recently had the privilege of working with a couple who wanted to ensure they could stay in their home long-term. As a member of the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC), I am aware that an overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but lack awareness of home and community-based services that make independent living possible.

I reviewed home safety, cognitive and functional status, daily living challenges, legal documents, current diagnosis, medications, and physicians. We discussed the preferred Home Health, Home Care, Short Term Rehabilitation Facility, and Hospice so they would know who to call if they need help.

Ensuring safety within the home

They signed a HIPPA release form and I now have access to their Physician-Patient Portals, so that I am current with their medical details and will be able to speak to professionals on their behalf in case of emergency. I was gratified to complete my comprehensive assessment and deliver a plan of care that will allow them to achieve their goal of staying in their home long term.

Are your loved ones wanting to stay put? Reach out to me to reinstate your confidence in their decision.

Coping during a medical crisis with mom

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:52:55 GMT

When it comes to that first medical crisis with an aging parent, it is almost always unexpected and you are often unprepared for it. There are many services to provide support during this chaotic time but how do you know where to start?

The day of the stroke

A dear friend Christy called me last month in the middle of a crisis. Her Mother had a stroke and the doctors said she could no longer live at home. Her Mother has mild dementia and she realized she simply was not safe living alone. Christy dropped everything she was doing and had driven to her Mother's home out of state to help. She was exhausted, stressed, sad, and did not know where to begin...so she called me.

Coordinating the resources

In a matter of hours I was able to find options for assisted living near her, find a mover that would go out of state, and coordinate with her doctor to complete paperwork, write prescriptions, and schedule the TB test needed for admissions to assisted living . Christy was busy choosing what furniture and clothing to bring along with coordinating an open house for her Mother's friends to say goodbye but found it hard to make plans and watch her mother at the same time. I helped her coordinate a local home care agency that could come for four hours a day to help give her support while she had so many details to manage.

A clean slate
Christy's Mother now lives in an assisted living near her and is safe, eating three meals a day, getting her medications managed, getting out of her room, and engaging in life.

Learn more about care management at www.agingcaremanagement.com and get in touch with Jeanie.

How to make the most of your finances

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:41:59 GMT

Making a move to skilled care doesn't have to drain your life's savings (or at least that was the case for Clyde's family).

Clyde was sitting in the neurologist's office for a routine visit. He gave the doctor an update on his wife Maggie's medical condition. The doctor recommended he give Aging Care Management a call. I was able to help in more ways than one...

A family meeting

I met with Clyde, his adult children, and their spouses in his home. We reviewed Maggie's diagnosis, medications, behaviors, and mobility issues also working through the monthly budget and reviewing their legal documents. They were already utilizing in-home care and an adult day program, but Clyde was still overwhelmed and there was not enough money in the budget to do more. I referred them to a gerontologist and attended the visit with them via FaceTime. A gerontologist is a physician that specializes in medical issues for older adults.

Making the decision to move to 24/7 care

During the visit it became clear that Maggie had advanced dementia and that taking her medications or drinking enough water on hot days was becoming more challenging. That coupled with toileting and bathing challenges created an unsustainable situation. Clyde decided to pursue a room in a skilled nursing facility so that Maggie could receive 24-hour supervision and medical oversight.

After evaluating their combined income we concluded it was below the Medicaid limits so the family would not have to pay out of pocket for Maggie’s moving to the nursing home and would even be able to keep her income to help him afford to stay at home.

How we help

Caring for a spouse with dementia at home can make you angry, sad, exhausted, and overwhelmed. We walk with you through all the ups and downs, evaluate your situation, and make a plan to bring relief to your family and the best possible care for your loved one. Explore your care options and what clients (like Clyde) are saying.

Learn more about care management at www.agingcaremanagement.com and get in touch with Jeanie.

Making a move closer to family

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:37:31 GMT

It can be hard to live alone as a new widow and often the best option is to move closer to adult children. Having an impartial advocate during the process can make all the difference in getting what you want most.

What are my options?

I recently had the privilege of helping Paul and his mother Lucy. Lucy lives in a Continuous Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that she shared with her husband until he recently passed. Lucy is ready to make a change and wants to live closer to her three adult children who all live within 3 hours of each other. Since Lucy lives out of town I spoke with her on the phone and listened to her concerns. After about an hour I helped her summarize what she needs and wants and we created a list of priorities. #1. She wants to live near a church in her denomination. She has always been involved in her churches and wants to continue to keep that as a significant part of her life. #2. She wants to live in a community with a pool. Lucy keeps healthy with water aerobics and wants to have access to a pool within walking distance. #3. She wants to live near her children. If she can live in a location where no one has to travel more than 2 hours to see her then she will feel that they can help her in a time of emergency. #4. She would like a room on the ground floor. #5. She would like an extra room so that her TV does not have to be in the living room.

Making the calls

After doing some research and reaching out to some facilities that fit her needs, we set up several phone calls to look over my recommendations. We looked at websites for each Assisted Living community, reviewed her priorities, and looked at the floor plans. We narrowed it down to three communities and scheduled phone calls with each community so that Lucy could ask specific questions.

One of the advantages of working with an Aging Life Care Manager while looking for a community is that we listen to your priorities and help explain what is realistic and what is unavailable. Instead of making the community fit your needs we help compare which one fit's your needs/wants the best. We are also able to help with the "insider" language and help coach you through what questions to ask. When Lucy said, "When I call and ask for the prices, they won't tell me", I knew I was going to be able to help.

If you know of someone who is looking for an Assisted Living community, we can help. Navigating this time in your loved one's life can be very complicated and you need experts who can present you with the best options and protect your family. Let us help you take the next steps. Visit www.agingcaremanagement.com to get started.

Too many balls in the air...

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:30:41 GMT

Managing the moving pieces of your parents care can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone.

It started with a doctor's appointment

I recently had the privilege of helping Tamika and her father George, who lives in assisted living . Tamika did not have time to take her father to a doctor's appointment that week, she was busy preparing for a long vacation out of the country. As we started talking I began to understand how much time it was taking for her to keep up with all 10 of her father's doctors, not including the audiologist, optometrist, and the office to keep his CPAP up to date. She loves her father and wants to be there for him but the majority of their time together is spent on medical issues. I explained to her that I could help coordinate and drive her father to his appointments. I could also help keep track of all his medications, when they need to be refilled and when he needs a follow-up appointment for the new prescription. Like most older adults, her father spends a lot of his time thinking about his medical condition and how he can address his needs. He reaches out daily/weekly to ask her for help with all of the medical details that he is concerned about.

Medical Coordination

Tamika decided to hire Aging Care Management to help with the medical coordination. I emailed her a medical release of information which she signed and returned. She texted me all of George's doctors and I faxed each of them the HIPPA form so that the doctors could talk to us while she was out of the country.

With our help, Tamika will be able to spend more time with her father going out to eat, watching a ball game, or sharing a glass of iced tea with her father instead of focusing on the medical issues. It will be a welcome change for Tamika to get back to being a daughter and helping her father enjoy life instead of being his medical manager. She is looking forward to bringing more meaningful moments and cheerful memories to his life.

How we help

If you know of someone who is spending hours each week managing their parent's medications, medical issues, and doctor's appointments we can help. Navigating this time in your loved one's life can be very complicated and you need experts who can advocate for them so that you can get back to being a son/daughter.

Learn more about care management at www.agingcaremanagement.com and get in touch with Jeanie.

Medication Issues

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:19:28 GMT

I recently had the privilege of helping Kathy and her grandmother, Joy. Kathy contacted me a couple of months ago for an assessment and to see if her grandmother was appropriate for assisted living . I met with Joy and her son David in her home. We reviewed her legal and financial status. We talked about her diagnosis and medications. I learned that her dementia was pretty far progressed and that she was struggling to walk safely or to remember to eat or drink. She did choose to move to a smaller personal care home for the lower staffing ratios and more concierge care.

Step One: Review the Medications

I scheduled an appointment with a Geriatric Specialist to make sure that the medications were appropriate for her age. (She is 99). After a thorough assessment of medical, cognitive, and functional status the doctor decided to make some significant changes. She was on two blood pressure medications and because of her advanced age and the fact that she weighs under 100 pounds he did not feel that it was necessary for her to stay on both medications. In fact, he took her completely off of one of her blood pressure medications and prescribed her blood pressure to be taken daily. If her blood pressure dropped below a certain point she was not to be given any blood pressure medication that day. She had been on very strong medication for sleep that had a side effect of agitation. Since she was already on a dementia drug to help her stay asleep and to help manage the agitation he stopped the sleep medication and prescribed the much healthier option of Melatonin instead. Kathy had been very concerned that her grandmother was on too many medications because Joy was so much more sedate than she had been at home. Since Joy had been on anti-anxiety medication for agitation, the doctor prescribed for her to slowly wean off of it to help her become more alert and to help prevent a fall.

We were so thankful for the doctor's expertise and focused attention to help decrease Joy's medication.

Yikes... the medications don't match!

BUT... the orders were not given to the assisted living so they did not know about the changes. The changes that had been sent to the pharmacy on the doctor's computer while we were in the appointment were not received. I had not been worried because I saw the doctor send the changes to the correct pharmacy, but since I always follow up with the families I serve, I called the assisted living and left a message to confirm that all of the changes had been implemented. The nurse had not received the changes and when she called the pharmacy they had not received the changes either. SO... three days later Joy was still taking the very strong sleeping pill, the same amount of anti-anxiety pills that put her at risk for falls, and both of the blood pressure medications. It took more than two days and several phone calls and visits to get the orders communicated to the personal care home and to the pharmacy.

No-one ever double checks

The sad thing is, this is not uncommon. Many families leave a doctor's office with medication changes that are never implemented because somewhere along the line there is a lack of communication. As an Aging Life Care Manager, I help families ensure that these very important changes are not missed.

If you know of someone who has had recent medication changes we can help them with a comprehensive assessment and medication review to ensure the medications prescribed are the ones being taken. Navigating this time in your loved one's life can be very complicated and you need experts who can present you with the best options and protect your family.

Let us help you take the next steps. visit www.agingcaremanagement.com to get started.

Is it still safe for my mom to live at home?

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:09:41 GMT

When you see a decline in your parent's functioning it's often hard to decide if it is still safe for them to continue to live at home. Having experts assess the situation can help.

Issue of guardianship

I recently had the privilege of helping Kelley and her mother. Kelley contacted me because someone had submitted a petition for Guardianship for her mother. Kelley lives in the same city and sees her mother often. Kelley loves and is committed to her mother's care and well-being. When her case went before a judge she won and took over all decision-making related to her mother's care.

Safety in the home.

The underlying issue of her case was whether it was safe for her mother to continue to live at home by herself. When her mother's memory started to decline Kelley hired caregivers 4 hours a day to make sure she had medication management, and help with bathing and meal preparation. When she realized that her mother needed more supervision during the day and before bed, she increased the hours of caregivers to 10 hours a day. Kelley installed cameras and motion detectors. Through the increased caregiver's attention and her own, she became aware that her mother had sundowners and that she was more active between dinner and midnight. One of Kelley's best ideas was to have the caregiver take her mother on a 30 to 90-minute-long walk before bed. It was the perfect solution and helped her mother get tired enough to stay asleep through the night.

The gray area between safety and dignity

I have helped hundreds of families as they traveled the road from home to assisted living/memory care and I can tell you that it is rarely black and white. It is rare to see a family desperate enough and worried enough about safety to use EMS and/or law enforcement, to remove a family member from the house. There is so much gray area between someone being in a "safer" situation and someone actually being in danger. A normal part of the challenge is that the parent wants to stay at home, and would probably be happier at home with caregivers, but 24/7 caregivers are very expensive and most seniors don't like having someone in their home all day and night. More often than not there is a moment when the family decides it is ultimately safer to move their loved one to assisted living/memory care.

If you are not sure if your loved one is still safe to live at home we can help with a comprehensive assessment. Navigating this time in your loved one's life can be very complicated and you need experts who can assess the situation.

The Cost of Care

vyates@customerswhostick.com (Vanessa Yates) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:56:00 GMT

Do you know what the options are if your senior parent has a fall and can not care for themselves anymore? Read below to learn the different care options and what they cost.

The fall that changed it all...

I was recently working with Mr. Ryan and his father Joe. Joe lived at home and had a history of falls, but had gotten weaker and had fallen several times in a two-week span. After the last fall, he was admitted to the hospital. Due to being cold and on the floor for too many hours while waiting for help to arrive his cognition was altered and he was very weak. He had a cell phone that he used in the past when he had fallen but he could not reach it, and I can tell you that 90% of the time my clients do not have their cell phones within reach when they fall.

After a few days in the hospital, it was apparent that this fall had weakened him mentally and physically and that he was going to need care.

How much will the care cost?
It was unclear in the first week if he would need ongoing care 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. He would be discharged to a rehab facility that Medicare would cover for the first 20 days at 100%. If he got strong enough he would only need care part-time. I met with the family to review the options for long-term care and what the cost would be.

Caregivers 24/7 at $25 an hour would cost $18,000 a month and $216,000 a year.

Assisted Living would cost $4,000-$8,000 a month and $48,000-$96,000 a year.

Assisted living would offer 24/7 oversight, meals, transportation, and care for his activities of daily living.

Independent Living would cost $3,000-$5,000 a month and $36,000-$96,000 per year. This would offer meals, transportation, and an emergency call button, but no hands-on care.

The Long Term Care Insurance Process

Joe had planned ahead and bought long-term care insurance. Once he was discharged from rehab he moved into Assisted Living which will be paid for by his long-term care insurance. Aging Care Management has helped him with his long-term care insurance claim. After reviewing the policy we learned he has a 100-day elimination period and the company will need detailed records of his hospital, rehab , and assisted living stay, along with his medical records to start the claim. Since Mr. Ryan is busy with a full-time job we are able to take the task of gathering the needed records, turning them into the company, and following up to make sure he is on track to receive his benefits on day 101.

If you are facing the decision of choosing what type of care would work best for your family we can help explain your options and make a plan. Call us for a free phone call to see if we can help you. 706-756-5625

Support for Caregivers

chatt-clientservices@wehco.com (Master Account) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:38:08 GMT

Visiting a loved one daily is a unique challenge for caregivers, and often unrealistic. Read below to see how we were able relieve one family of a daily trip.

The daily phone call.

Vanessa called us earlier this summer because she was worried about her mom, Pam. Her mother had been calling her every morning with anxiety, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. Pam had recently recovered from COVID so they took her to the hospital and doctor to see if there were lingering health issues. They came to the conclusion that she was having anxiety attacks. Vanessa was stressed and tired because she had been going every morning to make sure her mom was ok. Vanessa did not know what to do next and asked us to come for a comprehensive assessment to see if her mom had care needs she was missing and if there were ideas we might have to help.

Assessing needs .

Pam has a diagnosis of dementia and during our assessment, she had moments of confusion and memory loss. Her medications were not organized and it was hard to tell if she was remembering to take the correct amount of pills. There was food in the house but since she had been losing weight they were worried that she was not eating well. After her bout with COVID several months ago she did physical therapy through home health, but that had ended so she did not have a plan to keep up her strength.

Support for the caregiver.

Our team met with them and came up with several solutions. We recommended that she get a caregiver in the mornings for company, to help with medications, and to get her day started with a good breakfast. We recommended a personal trainer for continued strengthening. We planned to visit twice a week for emotional support, expert oversight, and troubleshooting.

The top two goals were:

1) For Pam to feel less stressed in the mornings and

2) To relieve Vanessa from the obligation of visiting daily.

With the new plan of care, Pam is not feeling daily anxiety and is not calling her daughter every morning for help. Vanessa is now visiting 2-3 times a week instead of daily and has time to visit with her grandchildren and go out of town with her husband.

If you are exhausted by daily trips to care for your aging loved one we would love to help with a consultation to assess the current and future care needs. 706-756-5625

Long Distance Caregiving

chatt-clientservices@wehco.com (Master Account) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:38:08 GMT

Knowing how to help when you don't live in the same city as your parents is a challenge. Read below to see how we were able to help one family with the medical advocacy needed.

Getting started with basic resources

I was recently contacted by Susan and her sister Kay who were interested in our services for their mother Betty who was living in an Assisted Living. Susan and Kay asked for help with overall family support, advocacy with doctors, local resources, and financial resources because they do not live in the same city as their mom and have a hard time getting to her when there is a medical need. Although Betty is very independent they wanted someone on her care team that could attend doctor appointments, visits to the ER, and advocate for their mother in regard to her care.

An immediate need.

Shortly after beginning services, Betty experienced a fall, resulting in an arm fracture and a visit to the ER. I was able to successfully advocate for admission to an in-patient rehab stay prior to returning to Assisted Living. Most Assisted Living Facilities have a threshold for the level of care their staff can provide to their residents due to state regulations. With her extensive injuries, Betty was presented with the challenge of needing to move to a different facility because of the need for total care and assistance at the time of injury.

Boots on the ground advocacy.

During Betty’s rehab stay, she continued to experience an increase of confusion which prompted me to request that the physician take a closer look at all of her medications and diagnosis. After drawing labs, it was found that Betty’s potassium was extremely low. The physician then wrote an order for Betty to receive potassium tablets daily, and her confusion has drastically decreased as her strength and confidence have continued to return.

Betty has successfully completed rehab, her medications are being managed more effectively, and Susan and Kay have the support they need. With family working full-time jobs and living numerous states away, we are able to take the task of overseeing their mother's care while remaining in constant contact with them about her status and needs.

Bailey is the team member who shared this and is an amazing care manager who can help you navigate care from afar. If we can help with a distant family member please reach out. and let us help you take the next steps. 706-756-5625

A Safe Travel Companion for a Senior

chatt-clientservices@wehco.com (Master Account) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:38:08 GMT

If you need your parents to move closer to you but are not sure they are safe to travel on their own we can help. Learn about how we helped Sue.

Anxiety over safe transportation

I recently had the privilege of traveling with a retired PanAm flight attendant, Sue. She was living in an assisted living in Florida. Her son, Ron, had recently moved so he decided it was time for her to move to an assisted living closer to him. As he was planning the details of the move he realized he was going to be busy renting a Uhaul and driving her furniture to her new home but he did not have someone to travel with his mother to her new home. His wife works full time in a new job and could not take time off yet. Medical transportation was going to be $5,000 for her to travel in a cold, medical ambulance by herself. Ron was stuck and anxious and did not know who to contact.

Planning the trip with a Care Manager

Thankfully, we both were sponsoring the same Walk to End Alzheimer's and a friend of mine introduced us. He told me about his situation and I told him that he had come to the right place, Aging Care Management could help!

Over the next few days, we planned flights, hotels, and taxis. When it came time for me to fly to Florida to pick Sue up we felt confident that the trip would go smoothly. Although her Alzheimer's was at the point where she told the same story every 20 minutes, she was the sweetest travel companion. I enjoyed hearing her share with the airport staff about her history of working for PanAm and the story of how she had to lose weight between flights because she had gained 5 pounds. We arrived in Georgia and she is now happily settled in her new home and gets to visit with her favorite pet daily.

Finding a trusted resource to be a travel companion for your loved one can be stressful. Let us help you take the next steps.

agingcaremanagement

DAYS FILLED WITH PURPOSE

It's OK to FIght

It is your choice whether you fight for life, not anyone else's

Helping with Falls

Preventing Falls

Helping with Long Term Care Insurance

Qualifying for your Long Term Care Insurance

Helping with the Home

Securing Your Home During a Rehab or Assisted Living Stay

The Sandwich Generation

Sandwich Generation and Care Decisions

Helping With Safety Decisions

Helping With A Safety Decision

Helping With Vacations

Helping With Vacations

April 16 Is National Healthcare Decisions Day

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day

Helping with Assisted Living

Helping with Assisted Living

Helping With The Holidays

Helping With The Holidays

Helping With In-Home Caregivers

Helping with In-Home Caregivers

Finding an In-Home Caregiver

Starting the caregiver search

The comprehensive assessment

Making headway

Making Independent Living a Sustainable Success

The majority of older Americans wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but aren't made aware of the available resources to ensure a safe, long-term living situation.

An in-home evaluation

Ensuring safety within the home

Coping during a medical crisis with mom

When it comes to that first medical crisis with an aging parent, it is almost always unexpected and you are often unprepared for it. There are many services to provide support during this chaotic time but how do you know where to start?

Coordinating the resources

A clean slate Christy's Mother now lives in an assisted living near her and is safe, eating three meals a day, getting her medications managed, getting out of her room, and engaging in life.

How to make the most of your finances

Making a move to skilled care doesn't have to drain your life's savings (or at least that was the case for Clyde's family).

A family meeting

Making the decision to move to 24/7 care

How we help

Making a move closer to family

It can be hard to live alone as a new widow and often the best option is to move closer to adult children. Having an impartial advocate during the process can make all the difference in getting what you want most.

What are my options?

Making the calls

Too many balls in the air...

It started with a doctor's appointment

Medical Coordination

How we help

Medication Issues

Step One: Review the Medications

Yikes... the medications don't match!

No-one ever double checks

Is it still safe for my mom to live at home?

When you see a decline in your parent's functioning it's often hard to decide if it is still safe for them to continue to live at home. Having experts assess the situation can help.

Issue of guardianship

Safety in the home.

The gray area between safety and dignity

The Cost of Care

The fall that changed it all...

The Long Term Care Insurance Process

Support for Caregivers

The daily phone call.

Assessing needs .

Support for the caregiver.

Long Distance Caregiving

Knowing how to help when you don't live in the same city as your parents is a challenge. Read below to see how we were able to help one family with the medical advocacy needed.

Getting started with basic resources

An immediate need.

Boots on the ground advocacy.

A Safe Travel Companion for a Senior

Anxiety over safe transportation

Planning the trip with a Care Manager

A clean slate
Christy's Mother now lives in an assisted living near her and is safe, eating three meals a day, getting her medications managed, getting out of her room, and engaging in life.