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Glen Campbell’s Battle with Alzheimer is over – The following article was written previously

04/222 Comments

Glen Campbell moved to an Alzheimer’s Care facility

as dementia worsens

Glen Campbell has recently been moved to a Care home since he is no longer well enough to live at home. Campbell has had Alzheimer’s for several years. He kept right on singing and included a farewell tour before he finally became too ill to remember the words to his songs.  He stopped his career over three years ago, and recenlty the Grammy-winning singer, 78, has moved into a facility, PEOPLE MAGAZINE has confirmed. 


“He was moved to an Alzhemier’s facility last week,” says a family friend. “I’m not sure what the permanent plan is for him yet. We’ll know more next week.” 

The “Rhinestone Cowboy” crooner first opened up about having Alzheimer’s to PEOPLE in an exclusive 2011 interview. 

Campbell and his fourth wife, Kim Woolen, decided to go public with the news because Campbell hoped to embark on a final farewell live tour. The couple wanted his fans to be aware of his condition in case he forgot lyrics or flubbed a song during the performances. 

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glenn-CD

As most of us know Alzheimer’s diagnosed 3 years ago had surely begun many years earlier in Glen’s lifetime.  I don’t want anyone to think from this article that Alzheimer’s has such a brief time span before it takes away so much from those who have it. Dementia is in progress for many many years before most folks are diagnosed and it can be many more before they need a care home, if at all. Many stay home under the care of family if possible.

Still this is a sad time for Glen’s fans and all those who love his music. We will report any new updates as they are available.

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: Alzheimer's, care facility, Glen Campbell, Nursing Home

Things to know while Easing the Transition to Elder Care

03/064 Comments

Nursing-Care2Things to Know While Easing the Transition to Elder Care           

Easing the transition to Elder Care for a loved one can be daunting. Getting old is inevitable. Some elderly people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This is the progressive decline of cognitive function such as language, behavior, judgement, emotions and our ability to function with complex tasks. Once this disease progresses with an aging loved one, there is often need to assist them in their everyday lives.

However difficult it may be, placing your loved one in an elder care facility may be the best thing that you can do for them. This is especially true if their needs require medical professionals .  A few other reasons an elderly loved one may be better off in assisted living are the following:

  • Health issues for the elderly person or for other family members – stress and health conditions can take its toll if you’re a caregiver.
  • Behavioral changes and adjusting may become a problem. The ill and elderly may tend to be irritable, aggressive, sensitive, and slow. This can test a caregivers patience and understanding.
  • In assisted living or nursing home, proper medical care can be provided quickly.
  • In your own home, time and work may be compromised. Difficulties arise when you have few or no volunteers to help with an aging loved one while you are away at work.
  • However harsh it may sound, during current financial times, many find it difficult to leave their job to care full-time for a loved one.
  •  Caring for an aging loved one at home, especially suffering from dementia, will be 24/7 and near impossible without support from family or friends.

Before transitioning your aging loved one into an elderly facility, seek advice from your family and the family doctor.

Transitioning is not easy for your aging loved one nor for all in the family; and whatever additional services are needed, should be already accessible or prepared.

Part of the easy transition should include making a list of the needed care before going into the facility such as:

  • Diet
  • Daily or routine activities
  • Medical needs
  • Hobbies or recreational activities
  • Visitations from families and friends
  • Other special provisions

The change of environment may cause stress to your aging loved one because there will be new faces and different surroundings than they are used to. People suffering from dementia can become easily confused and frightened.

The best way to encourage them to accept this transition is by exposing them gradually into the new home, and to fill their new room with old and familiar items to make them feel comfortable.

Another suggestion might be to have a member of the family stay or visit often as your loved one tries to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Having support from a loved one while they adapt to the new surroundings can mean a lot and allows a more easy transition to the new place.

Some elder facilities offer a “buddy system” that would allow a family member to stay there until their resident becomes familiar with their new home.

And other facilities prefer that family postpone any visitation for several days to a week. Sometimes the elder person will adapt to the home more quickly if they don’t have a loved one nearby.

Be Prepared. Chose a home that listens to your feelings. Keep communication easy and open for everyone involved in the transition and the move will go fine.

Author: Jesse Waugh is a veteran writer with over 8 years of writing and proofreading experience. Jesse has a solid understanding of content marketing and can deliver high-quality, targeted contents for any topics or niche of interest that includes health, health aged care, respite care and more.

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A few “comforts” to help your loved one ease into Assisted Care

Non Skid/Slip Socks – Hospital Socks – Slipper Socks for Women and MenCheck PriceSleepwear – Cotton Open Back Adaptive Clothes Nursing Home Nightgown – Assorted Prints LGECheck PriceRibbon Trimmed Open Back Adaptive Nursing Home Nightgown – Blue Stream LGECheck PriceMens Adaptive Snap Open Back Nursing Home Nightgown – Navy LGECheck PriceHome-X Memory Foam Slippers. Navy Blue (Extra Large – Men’s 10½-11½)Check PriceWomen’s Brookstone Comfort SlippersCheck PriceTowelSelections Terry Kimono Bathrobe – Terry Cloth Bath Robe for Women and Men, 100% Turkish Cotton, Made in Turkey (Red, S/M)Check PriceTowelSelections Terry Cloth Bathrobe – Shawl Collar Terry Robe for Women and Men, 100% Turkish Cotton, Made in Turkey (White,S/M)Check Price

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Filed Under: Care Tips, Common Questions, LATE STAGE Tagged With: assisted living, Ease transition to elder care, elder care, Nursing Home

Elder Care Decisions and Nursing Home Guilt

01/2817 Comments

nursing-care

Elder Care Decisions and Nursing Home Guilt

Elder Care Decisions are difficult to make, especially when you must find a nursing home.

Deciding how to best care for an aging loved one is a choice often fraught with emotion and stress.

Taking care of an elder requires dedicated amounts of time, energy, and patience. If we have children, extra space in the home is often a non-existent commodity.

If we have to work two jobs to make ends meet, spare time is a distant memory. Despite the financial and physical reasons to struggle with making an elder care decision, the biggest battle is usually an emotional one.

The guilt that often follows the decision to place an ill loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility can be overwhelming. Feelings of inadequacy, failure, and anxiety can also contribute negatively to the experience.

We worry about their health and if they are being properly cared for. We blame ourselves for not being able to accept the vast amount of responsibility that comes with caring for an elder. We could drive ourselves crazy obsessing over the choice—however, there are a few things to consider that may help soothe the soul.

• Do your homework

Prior to placing your loved one into a care facility, check out nursing homes with the best reviews. Reading what other people have to say about a specific location will allow you to get a feel for the staff, food, care, etc. This way, if something makes you uncomfortable, you and your loved one can explore other options.

• Remain involved

Keep in touch with the facility staff as well as your loved one. Listen to what they say and observe how other patients are treated. Check your elder for bed sores, dehydration, and other signs of abuse when you visit. If anything seems to be wrong, contact your local Department of Public Health here.

• Forgive yourself

The decision to put your loved one in a care facility was not easy, but caring for them yourself was likely no longer possible. Remember that they love you too, and just as you want an unsurpassed quality of life for them—they would want the same for you. The decision was made according to what best fit the needs of all parties involved.

Nursing-Care2

Deciding how to best care for an aging loved one is never easy. However, if you consider all options and find the one that is best, based upon the circumstances, there is no need to feel guilt. Be proud that you care enough for your loved one(s) to put them in the most capable hands possible.

Madison-HillMadison Hill is a freelance writer with the most beautiful daughters in the world.
When she’s not ruling (yes, totally ruling) the Bingo! scene, you can find her scrapbooking and caring for her mother. Google +

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Filed Under: Care Tips, LATE STAGE, The Caregiver Tagged With: Caregiver Guilt, caregiver remorse, Caring, Nursing Home, stress

Residential Care for the Elderly and Funding Options Available

01/162 Comments

Residential Care for the Elderly – Funding Options

While living at home is still a possibility for many elderly people, others find that it becomes more difficult to remain independent as they grow older.

A residential care home facility can be a good way for older people to get the services they need in one place. There are even homes that provide nurses who can look after residents with complex or advanced medical conditions. In addition, they can benefit greatly from being around other elderly residents and having a social community with which to interact on a daily basis.

Funding a home when you can no longer live lone

However, residential care is not fully funded in most cases. People who choose residential care either for themselves or their loved ones will have to think about how to fund their stay in a residential care facility.

Working with Your Local Authority

If you are considering moving into a resident care facility but you are concerned as to how you will finance the process, then you can contact your local authority for advice. Most people will be expected to contribute to their care costs either through their savings, income, or any assets that they may have. Many local authorities utilize a means test in order to assess your costs as well as the value of your property and assets.

Typically, (for the UK) the first £14,250 of your assets and savings are not counted towards the assessment of your means. If you have assets with a value between £14,250 and £23,250, then your local authority will help subsidise the costs of your care.

If you have any assets above £23,250, then you will be responsible for funding your own care. In addition, the Government has recently handed down legislation dictating that caps will placed on the monetary amount of care that they will cover. There will be a lifetime cap of £75,000 on care costs, and an additional cap of £12,000 per year for hotel (“room and board”) costs.

In the US, some local authorities participate in schedules where your residential care costs are deferred and are paid out of your estate when you die. If you have a significant amount of assets and no heirs, this may be a good choice for you if you qualify for the program. You may also qualify to have some of your nursing care costs covered on the NHS or Medicare, though this will not provide for your room and board.

Making Residential Care a Part of a Retirement Savings Plan, or Asking for Help from Loved Ones

While a pension might provide enough money to cover some of your basic costs, it will not be enough to pay for the costs of a residential home or care facility. By making additional savings a part of your retirement plan, you can provide for yourself or a loved one who needs residential care when they are elderly. Increasing your pension contributions while you are still working can go a long way towards covering costs. In addition, you may be able to receive some financial help from your loved ones. The benefits of professional residential care often outweigh the costs.

care-funding

Funding Your Residential Care – A Smart Choice for the Future
Entering a residential care facility is not a decision to be taken lightly. Funding your care can be done through use of your assets and help from your local authority. Don’t leave arranging your finances until it is too late.

Author: Ryan Hughes writes about Health and Aging.

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Stages of Senior CareHOME CARE HOW TOTransforming Palliative CareInsider’s Guide to Better Nursing Home Care

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Filed Under: Care Tips, LATE STAGE Tagged With: elder care, Financial Assistance, Funding Options, late stage, Nursing Home

Alzheimer’s Moments : Memories from a Caregiver’s Diary : Book Review

03/173 Comments

Alzheimer’s Moments
Alzheimers-Moments

I was excited to read this book, especially since the caregiver was of the male persuasion. Secretly, I’ve harbored the view that women are better caregivers than men. Well, at least until a couple years ago.

When COPD shortened my breath and demanded a hospital stay, Hubby became my caregiver. And, surprisingly, I’ve had few complaints. However, had I known this gentler side of hubby 30 years ago I would have demanded more help with our four children. Better that he kept it a secret back then, I’m thinking.

While reading “Alzheimer’s Moments: Memories from a Caregiver’s Diary” I came to believe that Gavin Dougherty is a caregiver’s caregiver. After their Mom’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Gavin and his brother Dan determined to take care of their widowed mother at home where she’d resided for more than 50 years. Dan lived near Mother Dear in up-state New York, while California was home for Gavin. A wonderful decision made for a woman with no daughters but two sons with her very best interest at heart!

The brothers affectionately referred to their mother as “Mother Dear” and as I read their story I came to think of her the same way and will refer to her by that name as well.

With the decision made, Dan looked after Mother Dear during the early stages of Alzheimer’s while she could still live alone and take care of herself. Once the brothers took the car away, there were few mishaps worse than a little forgetfulness. Mother Dear was happy and safe in her own home for several years. 

Overtime, Mother Dear forgot more than words. She forgot appointments, confusing dates and times and places and things. She forgot words, what they meant and how to use them. She forgot buttons, on the remote control for television or VCR. 

When she could no longer dial the phone, or call for help in case of an emergency or accident, the brothers knew it was time for a Primary Caregiver–Fulltime. The flexibility of Gavin’s job allowed for the long move from California to New York and he settled into the family home as Mother Dear’s Primary Caregiver.

Frustration reigns during the next stage (the middle stage) of Alzheimer’s, for Mother Dear and Caregiver Gavin. Mother Dear can remember that she once taped her favorite soap operas, but no longer knows how to work the VCR. She can remember that she use to make phone calls, but can no longer remember how to dial the phone. Similar experiences occur with the stove and toaster and most mechanical devices. For the person with Alzheimer’s, it’s more than frustrating because they remember the things they use to do but can no longer do them.

I must admit, Gavin fared better than I did during this very frustrating stage of Alzheimer’s. My mom and I would argue and argue, until I finally learned to agree at all cost because it didn’t really matter in the long run. Mom would forget anything I said within 2 minutes. This frustration only diminishes when they finally ‘forget that they are forgetting.’ 

With a laid-back, loving personality, Gavin stays calm during most crisis. Of course he minimizes his caregiver skills as,  “Male caregivers are different, they can allow mess and confusion and worry about it later.” Definitely the way to deal with Alzheimer’s behaviors. 

Gavin had a good understanding of the disease and himself.  “Knowing my own personality, I’ve trained myself to see the bright side of any situation. This helps to cope as a caregiver. Instead of something being overwhelming, embarrassing, and sad it could just as easily be viewed as interesting, endearing, and humorous. I was lucky that Mother Dear was never abusive or nasty,” he says.

I also agree with Gavin’s assertion about arguments with Mother Dear. “Pick your Battles,” he says, “should be the motto of every caregiver.” 

If you have a loved-one, relative or friend with Alzheimer’s, this book will take you through every Stage of Alzheimer’s and every Level of Dementia. The last section of the book is Gavin’s quest to find a good home for his mother when home-care is no longer sufficient. You’ll learn why and when constant-care may become necessary; the questions to ask, the choices to make. You can create a checklist of must-do’s while watching Gavin search for Assisted living, Memory Care, and finally a Nursing Home.

Gavin finds an excellent Assisted Living Home for Mother Dear and watches her flourish amid good friends and wonderful staff. The antics of some residents will make you laugh out loud as memory-loss evaporates long taught manners.

You’ll have moments of happy laughter and tears of immense sorrow as you follow Gavin and Mother Dear through the long descent into Alzheimer’s. It was a pleasure to read and share their journey and— to refine my position on men as caregivers. They can be Wonderful Caregivers! 

Gavin-DoughertyGavin Dougherty has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Siena and is a marketing consultant. With 25 years of experience writing and designing marketing communications materials, he began keeping a journal to document the daily ups and downs of caring for his mother who was affected by dementia. That diary, in large part, became Alzheimer’s Moments. You can follow at:

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Alzheimer’s Moments: Memories From A Caregiver’s Diary

You can follow Gavin’s story and view photos at his Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/alzheimersmoments

Gavin’s Blog reports the latest update for his mother and more:
http://www.alzheimersmoments.com/

 

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Filed Under: Books Reviewed, Recommended Reading Tagged With: assisted living, caregiver, home care, memory care, Nursing Home, son

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