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Expat Life: Caregiver Hacks When You Live Abroad

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expat life as a caregiver

The reasons individuals and families choose (or are chosen for) an expat life are varied, as are their experiences. But, the expat life comes with certain commonalities. One of these is being separated from “home” and most of your family. This can be especially challenging (and guilt-ridden) when your parents or other loved ones have health issues. I shared a little insight from my personal expat life (and tips to be prepared) in the last post and today I’ll share some useful “caregiver hacks” for those living an expat life (and all long-distance caregivers) while trying to make sure things are okay back home for older family members.

Long-Distance Caregiver Hacks

Messaging Apps

What’s App, WeChat or even Facebook messenger can be quite useful when you’re living abroad to keep in communication with loved ones back home. These apps generally use small amounts of data (or you can limit usage to wifi) and provide an easy way to send quick messages to check in. For expats like myself in China, WeChat is ubiquitous and I asked my parents and some friends to add it to their phones so we can chat easily. With WeChat and many of these apps, you can do more than simple texting. We send pictures, video, “walkie talkie” (voice) messages and can even do a VOIP phone call within the app.

VOIP/Video Calling

I highly recommend Skype, though there are other options and iOS users may be able to primarily use Facetime. However, Skype is great for the expat life for a couple reasons: you can get a dedicated phone number and you can get packages (or buy credit) to call phones. I have a $2.99/month package for unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada. It’s handy for me to call my bank, tax/financial professionals, etc. and can be great if you are helping coordinate care for a loved one to call doctors and more (and to call loved ones who don’t use Skype or Facetime).

I purchased a U.S. phone number on Skype also and pay a nominal fee for it. I ported my old cell phone number years ago to a Google Voice number and I can go into Google Voice and forward that to my Skype # or any other U.S. # (for example, when I return to the U.S. I have a local SIM card and therefore no one has to learn a new phone number to reach me). While this may sound a bit complicated, it is very easy to set up and makes things seamless. Google Voice allows you to get voicemail (which they’ll transcribe and send via email) and text messages.

With this setup, I am never out of reach no matter where I’m traveling (unless I’m asleep due to the time difference). Skype and Facetime are also great because being able to do video calls provides a feeling of closeness (and a useful visual check) you can’t get with just voice.

Being Organized On The Go

When you start off in the expat life, you’ll need to get yourself organized and it’s easy to extend this to working with aging parents to make sure they’ve done the same. Use our document locator list (adapted from the Foreign Service Worker Family Liaison office) to get together your (and your parents’) vital documents. Store these in a secure file and make copies of documents that might be needed by others. For example, we store copies with my in-laws and have the most important documents that we would potentially need with us as well. We keep our advance directives and documents we regularly need for visas, etc. but if we need something else they can scan and send it (or FedEx it if need be).

Store the documents and information you might need access to in secure cloud storage. Even simply having a copy of the basic info (doctors’ contact information and advance directives) on your phone or computer is useful (but please backup and ensure that passwords, financial info., etc. are stored securely).

Medical Record Portals

First, an electronic medical records/care system can be very useful if there are active medical needs (or even to be prepared with a full history and information should there be an emergency…pulling all that together on the spot is no fun). There are a lot of options available. Our EasyLiving/Aging Wisely team has used several systems over the years as they’ve evolved and we’re currently using ClearCare.

Second, most doctors’ offices now offer electronic patient portals, where patients can get their test results, message the doctor and more. Even if your loved one doesn’t want to use it, you can be permitted access if they allow. This can be a lifesaver when trying to help out from a distance.

Care Managers

Of course, I couldn’t leave out the value of care managers when you are caregiving from a distance. You can set up a phone/Skype consultation with a care manager in your parents’ area for help preparing and identifying critical issues. The care manager can carry out tasks so you don’t have to fill every visit with tasks, losing precious quality time with loved ones. You can also hire the care manager to check in regularly, attend doctor’s appointments and be on call for emergencies…all especially useful if there are no local family members.

Travel Tips

  1. Plan longer visits. Jet lag is part of the expat life, but that alone makes it worth spending longer times when feasible (and with expensive flights or companies providing limited paid home visits, it’s best to take advantage of the time when you can). Don’t rush the time with your family members, as you will surely have tasks to complete along with observing how things are going and spending some much-needed time together.
  2. Try to get airline status (if possible, picking one primary airline and looking into which credit card and partner programs are worthwhile). When living overseas, having a preferred status makes travel a lot easier. I’ve never been to the level of getting business class upgrades on the overseas flights, but I do get to join the priority line, bring more luggage for free…and the reality is that the service level is better when you need help. I’ve never done it, but it is probably worth it to join programs like Global Entry as well (or check out the brand new Mobile Passport app, rolling out in various U.S. airports). There are other beneficial programs like the APEC business traveler card.
  3. When you need help from the airlines or travel companies, social media can be a useful tool. I’m not suggesting going on to Twitter to blast them, but many times the people charged with social media are more responsive than the general customer service staff, as they have the public image in mind. I’ve had good success reaching out (particularly via Twitter) when I’m running into difficulties.

Contact us for help with long-distance caregiving concerns. Our care management team is highly experienced helping caregivers all over the world and we’d love to share our insights and resources with you!

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Preparing for Emergencies as a Long Distance Caregiver

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long distance caregiver skype call

My Personal Story as a Long Distance Caregiver

Our team works with long-distance caregivers every day, so we have been through all kinds of situations that families needed to face from far away…from a middle-of-the-night hospitalization to the parent who is found lost on the highway. Even having worked with many families over the years, my personal experience as an expat caregiver really drove home the points we often shared with caregivers. I was living in Spain when my Mom broke the news that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor that required immediate surgery.

Shock, tears, fear, and a frenzy of planning followed. Within a few hours I had to deal with changing flights on less-than-sympathetic airlines, figuring out if I could even make it prior to the surgery and how to rearrange various plans. Within a short space of time, my world (well, our world) was turned upside down and I found myself back home spending nights in the hospital while still adjusting to the time change. Fast forward a few years and thankfully (and mostly thanks to the great doctors at Johns Hopkins) my Mom is doing well, but living in China we’re even further away from our parents. I meet many expats who travel home frequently to take care of tasks for aging loved ones or do daily Skype calls to check up on things. Even those not actively involved in caregiving, like myself, can’t ignore the reality that we are far away from loved ones who might need us any time.

Long Distance Caregiver Tips and Resources

As a long-distance caregiver, you face special challenges. Not seeing your loved one on a regular basis can make it easy to miss things.  There’s added guilt at not being there and worries about what is happening. But, one of the most difficult things may be dealing with emergencies. There’s a feeling of panic when the phone rings at an odd time and the incredibly stressful reality of quickly arranging a trip when you just need to be there as soon as possible.

You can’t control emergencies, but there are some things you can do to better prepare, whether you’re caregiving now or may be called upon to do so in the future.

  • Know local resources. Who would you call when you get “the call” and what resources can help now? Reading blogs like Aging Wisely’s can help you be attuned to things that might help. You can do a little research through the local Area Agency on Aging and providers, and a consultation with a professional can help you understand which resources you might wish to access.
  • Establish a support system, especially people who can help in a crisis and be there until you can get there. I’m lucky to have a brother who lives near my parents, but neighbors, friends and trusted professionals can help too. If you are actively caregiving for parents who need help (whether they live at home or in a care facility), consider services like on-call geriatric care managers (for example, our team offers an annual plan which gives you access to our on-call care managers should an emergency occur, meaning your loved one doesn’t have to be alone in the E.R.).
  • Check in regularly. Some emergencies can actually be avoided by spotting signs that things are changing. Regular phone calls (or better yet, Skype or Facetime) are useful but also plan sufficient time when you visit to spend time together and observe things. Check out our Warning Signs handout.
  • You have to be even more prepared and organized when you’re living far away. Expats tend to be good at this. We had to figure out international health insurance, coordinate housing and schools in a foreign country, organize our records, deal with taxes long-distance and more. We need to use those skills to help our parents (P.S., It’s a good way to spark the conversation too–“I did it, let’s do it for you”). Organize medical records and advance directives, and store them securely online for easy access. Make sure someone local knows where/how to access them. Put all the important contacts into your system/phone. Use an online system to communicate with other family members. (We use a great system at Aging Wisely called ClearCare and each client gets his/her own “Family Room”. My family has also used Caring Bridge for keeping friends and family up-to-date on the person’s health journey.)
  • Don’t forget actual disaster preparedness. Check out our recent Disaster Preparedness post and our library of resources at EasyLiving. Go through a disaster checklist process on one of your visits.
  • Create a crisis plan. You might not know what will happen when, but you can work with your support system to create a plan for what to do if a crisis occurs. This goes back to who can get there immediately, as well as how you communicate with each other. Know who to contact at the airlines if you need to take an urgent flight (I’ve found certain airlines are much better than others and they tend to respond well on social media when you’re having trouble getting a good response with customer service). It’s easy to find information online even in the moment of crisis, but if you have a few things thought out ahead of time you can save the added stress.

This is just an overview to get you started, but stay tuned for more “long distance caregiver hacks”…resources and ideas that our team has found to be truly helpful. If you’re not already, sign up for our newsletter or join us on Facebook for the latest!

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Heat Stroke Symptoms and Preparing for Extreme Temps

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elderly and extreme weather

Elderly people are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures. As we head into summer, it is vital for caregivers to know heat stroke symptoms and ways to help loved ones stay cool and safe. Extreme winter temperatures might not be on our minds now, but winter weather also affects many elders and we provide some all-year-round preparation tips.

Heat Stroke Symptoms

Older people are vulnerable to heat-related illness since it is harder for an older adult’s body to regulate temperature. Additionally, chronic medical conditions and medications can make some older adults even more susceptible.

heat stroke symptoms

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and can cause death or permanent disability if not treated immediately. Caregivers should know heat stroke symptoms to monitor for such symptoms in order to seek emergency medical attention. Heat stroke symptoms include:

  • Red, hot, and dry skin (changes in sweating, i.e. no sweating)
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Altered mental state (confusion, disorientation and even seizures and unconsciouness)
  • Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)

The more mild form of heat-related illness is heat exhaustion, which often develops after being in high temperatures for several days and/or not getting enough fluids and proper balance of fluids and electrolytes. Spotting these symptoms and intervening can prevent a dangerous situation from worsening:

  • Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, exhaustion, dizziness, headache, nausea/vomiting, fainting
  • Skin may be cool and moist and the person’s pulse rate is often fast and weak, while their breathing is shallow and rapid

Dehydration is also a common problem in the elderly at all times of year, but especially when temperatures are high. Signs of dehydration in elders may include: confusion, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, sunken eyes and lack of skin elasticity, inability to produce sweat or tears, low urine output (and dark urine color), constipation, and low blood pressure. Adequate bodily fluid is essential for many of the body’s functions and dehydration is one of the top 10 reasons for Medicare hospital admissions.

Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

Avoid a high level of activity (especially outdoors) in the heat of the day. See our caregiver team’s ideas for great indoor activities and places you can go to enjoy an air-conditioned environment and have some fun. Take a nap or spending quite time resting in the afternoon.

Stay well hydrated. Keep water by your side at all times (caregivers can help by encouraging drinking, monitoring intake and refilling the water). Add fruit, try sparkling water, and various beverages for those who don’t like plain water (try to avoid too many caffeinated beverages which have a diuretic effect and excessive sugary drinks). Fruit and vegetables with a high water content can contribute to your fluid intake as well.

Make sure air conditioning units are maintained to avoid having problems during the heat. Schedule a “checkup” before the season and change filters regularly. Use fans to circulate the air or help if A/C is out. For those who don’t have air conditioning, visit air-conditioned venues during the day (the mall, movies, a coffee shop or library). Check on your loved one’s home throughout the summer, and especially during heat waves, to make sure the A/C is working, temperatures are at a reasonable level and they are not experiencing any problems. For those who do not have central air-conditioning, you might consider a portable/window unit or even a respite stay at a retirement community with A/C if a heat wave is predicted.

Be very careful about the sun; stay in the shade when outdoors, wear sunscreen, and get your skin checked by a dermatologist (read up on our summer sun prevention and warning signs).

Check in on your loved ones. Call or visit every few hours during extreme weather; help get them to air conditioning when needed; hire services to provide support (lawn and outdoor maintenance so Mom or Dad won’t be tempted to do those chores in the heat and/or caregivers to help with chores, monitoring and healthy diet/fluids).

Extreme Cold

The other extreme can be just as dangerous for elders. Older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were young. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature gets very low. For an elder, a body temperature colder than 95 degrees Farenheit can cause health problems such as cardiac issues, kidney problems, liver damage, and more.

The CDC offers a great guide to preparing for cold weather. Help your loved one with the preparation steps and check in, no matter if it’s extreme heat, cold or other weather events.

Our team is here to help! Need advice on health and safety for your older loved one? Need an assessment or caregivers to help with tasks? Call us at 727-447-5845 or contact Aging Wisely online.

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Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults

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disaster preparedness

Elders and those with special needs (chronic disease, mobility issues, disability, dementia) are especially vulnerable during emergencies. Death and injuries are common in this group during extreme heat waves, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and snow storms.

In statistics from a typhoon in the Philippines, one out of three people who died were over the age of 60 (even though they represented less than 1/10 of the population). During Hurricane Katrina, more than 70% of those who died were elderly.

Why do elders suffer disproportionately during emergencies?

  • Difficulty getting out of harm’s way: 42% of Americans 65+ have a mobility/functional issue that could make dealing with an emergency difficult.
  • Reluctance to evacuate: due to a feeling of safety at home, worries about exposing vulnerability (therefore someone might make them move away from home), complacency due to not experiencing problems in the past, or lack of knowledge of options. Surviving past disasters is no predictor of what will happen in the future (emergencies vary, as does the person’s current ability to manage).
  • Chronic conditions can quickly worsen. About 75% of Americans 65+ have 2 or more conditions and take several medications. Without access to medication and assistance (and with added stress, heat/cold, etc.), conditions which are normally well-managed can quickly become severe.
  • Survival often depends on self-preserving when cut off from support networks (for potentially long periods). When electricity is out from various disasters, elders may be stuck in high rises with no elevator. It may be impossible to get supplies or services for a few days to a few weeks.

Tips for Better Disaster Preparedness:

  1. Understand potential threats. What types of natural disasters and weather would be expected in your area? Assess your location and the scope and severity of threats. Don’t become complacent because you have not had a problem before.
  2. Locate resources. Read your county/city’s information about natural disasters, shelters and assistance. Follow our Aging Wisely blog or sign up for our newsletter for expert tips and special help.
  3. Assess your readiness to respond to/self-preserve in a likely emergency.Could your chronic conditions become a problem? How well can you do with no support services? Will you become ill in the heat or cold, or without electricity and hot water?
  4. Assess and prepare your home. You might need to make structural improvements (roof repairs for storms, wind-resistant windows, securing doors) and do preparations like cleaning out gutters, trimming trees and removing debris. Backup power options such as generators and battery packs/power banks can be useful as losing power is quite common in many emergencies. Check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Clear clutter and fall hazards. Know your home’s risk level (flood zone/location, age/security, mobile homes) to determine whether sheltering in place is feasible (and, in what conditions).
  5. Get a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio (a NOAA weather radio is ideal).
  6. Assess your support network. How can friends, neighbors and family help? What support services do you rely on and will they be available during an emergency? Can you seek shelter with a friend or loved one who may live in a safer area or be able to help you?
  7. Determine evacuation (or alternative stay) options. Emergency shelters are designed as a last resort, but you should be registered with your county/city should you need them. If you plan to evacuate to a safer area, consider issues like traffic and road safety (and your access to resources away from home). Respite stays in an assisted living or nursing facility can be a wise plan as they have to prepare for such emergencies for their residents and offer a level of comfort and support you cannot get at a shelter. Having others around can also be comforting.
  8. Prepare supplies. You can access our hurricane supply checklist (which applies to many types of disasters). The Red Cross offers a basic emergency kit list (you can also buy first aid kits and supplies through them), though we’d recommend preparing two-week supplies when sheltering in place, as services and supplies can be delayed for days-weeks. There are various emergency kits you can buy online (but you’ll need to add personal items, like your food, water, medications, etc.). If you have a pet, check out EasyLiving’s pet prep checklist.
  9. Make a communication plan. Have a cell phone with chargers (extra batteries, power banks and car chargers are useful when electricity is scarce) and your contacts programmed into it. Decide how you will communicate vital information (and relatives should coordinate plans to check in).
  10. Prepare important documents. Put your insurance papers, a list of contacts, medical history/medication list, advance directives, home documents and key account information into a waterproof container that you can access easily and take with you when evacuating.

If you need help assessing your situation and preparing, contact Aging Wisely at 727-447-5845. Our team can help with comprehensive disaster planning, as well as advice and resources. Follow us on Facebook for the latest news and tips.

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Hoarding Disorder: Home Shopping and an Unsafe Environment

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home shopping packaged delivery to woman with hoarding disorder

Hoarding Disorder Case Background

A family expressed concerns over their mother, who had become increasingly isolated and confused. She fed her “needs” by buying throughout the night on QVC. During a home visit, we observed hundreds of unopened yellow QVC bags and the contents of many additional QVC purchases strewn across the home. There were pathways going between doors and several rooms, with large stacks of items (5 feet+) along the paths. Two bedrooms were closed off; the doors would only open a few inches due to floor-to-ceiling contents stacked from wall-to-wall. The floor of the master bedroom was covered with items, and only a tiny portion of the bed was available for sleeping. The client had several cats who were using the few open spaces as litter boxes.

How did this case of hoarding disorder get referred for help?

The family came to town to visit when the client’s sister died. Her sister also had hoarding disorder and had purchased hundreds of items from QVC. Her body was found in her home amidst the clutter and it took firefighters six hours to remove her body from the home because stacks of items had to be removed first. The family was distressed by their Mom’s living situation, especially in light of her sister’s death. They asked the client’s financial planner for a referral to get some help.

What problems was the hoarding disorder causing?

The client’s problems were numerous:  isolation, loneliness, confusion, and depression. She was suffering from malnutrition, and bruises and broken bones from falling in the home. Her environment had become increasingly unsafe. The family was suffering from fear, anger, frustration and overwhelming stress.

As is common in cases of hoarding disorder, the client would not see a professional and did not feel she had a problem. She rationalized each and every purchase. She could not allow any item to be moved, none of the empty bags could be tossed (She would say, “I might need the packing slip inside to return it.”). Any attempts to move items or declutter caused her great distress.

Initially, her family felt that cleaning up would be sufficient. Later, they began to understand the nature of the hoarding disorder and her depression and dementia. In cases of hoarding disorder, simply cleaning and decluttering typically won’t resolve the problem long-term. The client had only one friend, a financial planner, who did not “see a problem” and reinforced client’s right to live as she chose.

Hoarding Disorder Case Approach

An initial meeting was set up by the family via the referral from the financial planner, with the thought that an assessment was needed to identify services that could allow the client to remain in her home.

The care manager did a full assessment on the client and home environment, with a review of medical records and discussion with primary care physician. The care manager showed photos of the house to the physician, who had initially stated there were no concerns, no dementia, and no hoarding disorder. Once the physician saw the photos and discussed the situation with the client, he gave a diagnosis, started medication, and recommended that the client should not remain in the home.

During this process, the care manager took the client to her physician for a routine exam. He discovered she had an infection from one of her cats and she was hospitalized for treatment. During her stay at a rehabilitation facility after the hospitalization, the care manager helped the family to set up an independent living apartment for her. This provided an opportunity for cleaning out the home (the family arranged to change the locks and items were packed up for donation, sale, etc.).

Fortunately, the client was successful in the apartment for a few years. The care manager helped to arrange for the shopping channels to be blocked from her TV, and outgoing long-distance calls blocked on her phone. Her Power of Attorney helped manage the situation and safeguard her credit cards. The POA paid the bills and provided limited funds for spending money, to halt excessive purchasing.  

What were the biggest challenges in this hoarding disorder case?

The biggest challenge was the client’s dementia. While not severe, it was enough to keep her from moving forward with any treatment. She was also easily manipulated, and her one friend became overly involved in her situation. He took her to an attorney to appoint a new Power of Attorney (DPOA) and Healthcare Surrogate (HCS).

Once the new DPOA/HCS was in place, her friend hired a new company to oversee things and she became estranged from her family.  The new arrangement only worked out for a few months, and then the friend began overseeing everything personally. He eventually moved her to an assisted living facility, where she died following a fall. Unfortunately, the client never reconciled with her family.

What lessons can we learn about hoarding disorder from this case?

Patience, patience, patience! Family members need to understand that hoarding disorder is not about “the stuff.” It is about control and feelings. If there is no dementia present, there is potential for therapy and support to move a person along. It is a long, slow process, and therefore can be quite expensive.  

It is important to have planning documents in place (DPOA and HCS).  The DPOA/family can help situations of hoarding disorder by restricting access to credit cards and cash available for purchases. But, as this case shows, those documents can be changed. Hoarding disorder can be very persistent and many clients will undo the efforts.

If there is dementia present, the likelihood of any successful resolution in the home is minimal.  If dementia is present and the person is at risk due to safety issues in the home, it may be necessary (and quickest) to contact Department of Children and Families (DCF). If they find the client is in danger, they can get the client out of the home and into a supervised, restricted setting.  If safety is not an issue, and if the person is eccentric but not demented, there is little that one can do.  People have a right to make bad decisions, and families may have to wait until the situation becomes worse.

Help for Hoarding Disorder

Contact Aging Wisely online or at 727-447-5845 to discuss how our team can help you if you are concerned about a loved one’s hoarding.

For more information and hoarding resources, check out these related posts:

Signs of Hoarding: How to Know if Someone is a Hoarder

Mail Hoarding and Scams

Pet/Cat Hoarding

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Cat Hoarding Case Study

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The ASPCA defines cat hoarding (or animal hoarding, in general) by three criteria:

  • possessing more than the “typical” number of companion animals
  • inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition,sanitation, shelter and veterinary care
  • being in denial of the inability to provide the care (and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and themselves)

These symptoms and the triggering factors are much the same as other types of hoarding, though the physical situation may be quite different and the harm to the animals adds an additional twist.

cat hoarding: group of cats

Cat Hoarding Case

This wealthy, elderly gentleman in Tampa was being treated for cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center. The social worker had referred him to home health for some home services while he waited for treatment. The home health agency had contacted Department of Children and Families (DCF) when they saw the condition of the home and feared for his safety; DCF had referred him to Aging Wisely care management.

The client’s home was sparsely furnished.  The house was full of cats, with dozens of litter boxes buried in cat feces. Cat feces and urine stained the floors and carpets (piles of cat feces 6-8 inches thick in parts of the living room and dining room). The client’s room was cluttered with trash, soiled clothing and old papers. The plumbing was not working in the bathroom which he continued to use, so the bathroom was completely unsanitary and unsafe.

DCF Referral to Aging Wisely

This gentleman was scheduled for surgery at Moffitt, but needed a stable place to go to recuperate.  He had no family or friends. The social worker was not aware of his home situation. The home health agency pulled out when they saw the home situation and contacted DCF. He did not have dementia and DCF was not equipped to deal with him. His assurances that he would clean up his house allowed him several chances. There was food in the refrigerator, the cats were fed and had water. Cat hoarding (or other animal hoarding) is never an easy situation, and it is not clear why animal control was never called.

The client had to agree to assistance from an agency to avoid being removed from his home by DCF. He was referred to Aging Wisely. Care manager Julie Scott shares more about her work on this case.

What approach was used for this case?

The referral started with a home evaluation, during which I quickly determined the scope of the problems. I contacted the Moffitt social worker to get him admitted to the hospital. I then pulled in a company that specializes in this type of work, to do the initial cleaning. I engaged a home health company to clean the kitchen, restock the pantry and refrigerator, and to work with the cleaning company on the organizational tasks.

What happened with this case of cat hoarding?

The biggest challenge is that we were really limited in fixing this up in a “short intervention”. There was going to be no ongoing care management/oversight once he returned home. We were able to resolve the immediate problems: getting the client admitted and quickly getting house cleaned, plumbing fixed and purchasing a new bed and some furnishings. The client returned home after surgery with home health and private caregivers coming in 2-3 times a week to cook, clean, and declutter. Unfortunately, the client eventually had to move from his home to a skilled nursing facility. The cats were taken to a local shelter.

What are the important take-away lessons from this case?

Cat hoarding/animal hoarding is a nightmare. Not only is the person at risk, but so are the animals. The relationship between the client and their animals is distorted, with the overall neglect that these animals are actually experiencing despite the meaning they hold to the person.  It becomes difficult to focus on the needs of the person because the animal neglect is overwhelming. While this man thought he was giving these animals good food and access to water (and he was), he was not able to keep up with the litter boxes, or their shots/veterinary care.  He would bring in a stray, a cat would have kittens, and the cycle would repeat.  He loved these cats; he had no family or friends.

When loneliness starts, the opportunity for intervention needs to be acted on as soon as possible. Though healthcare professionals are subject to mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect, this case shows just how widely that can be interpreted (and therefore ignored) and how cat hoarding and other types of hoarding can manage to stay hidden or not addressed for so many years.

Resources for cat hoarding cases:

Animal control/advocacy: Visit Pinellas County animal services and Hillsborough County, for information in the Tampa Bay area. The SPCA of Tampa Bay takes reports of animal cruelty and receives animal surrenders.

Cleaning companies: Look for companies that specialize in hoarding or crime scene cleanups (if you can’t find them online, funeral homes and local police may be able to give you a resource). Spaulding Decon is one of the companies we have used in Tampa, with multiple locations.

Home health agencies/caregivers: In these cases, someone is often needed to help with organizational tasks, working with the cleaning company and doing follow up after the “big clean”. Also, of equal importance, having ongoing support is going to be vital to ensuring continued upkeep and supervision. Regular caregivers in the home can also reduce the loneliness and troubleshoot as problems arise.

Aging Wisely’s care management team is here to help you and your family with hoarding situations or home safety concerns. If you have concerns about a situation, we highly recommend you reach out to us sooner than later. Just talking to one of our advocates can be quite a relief and get your pointed in the right direction for help. Call us any time at 727-447-5845.

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Hoarding Help Case Study: Mailing Lists and Scams

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hoarding mail

*Image courtesy of scottchan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We will be sharing three cases of hoarding that our care management team have helped with over the years. If you are concerned about someone who is hoarding, we hope that seeing these case examples and the care plan, challenges, outcomes and our team’s related advice will help you. Our team is just a phone call or email away if you need help for hoarding.

Hoarding can take many forms (check out our post on signs/what distinguishes a hoarder). Our first example is a specific type of hoarding and may be a little different than cases you have heard of or seen.

Hoarding Scenario

The client was an attractive, bubbly and social elderly woman who lived alone in a condo. Her family lived out of state and seldom visited, though they did talk to her on the phone almost daily. This client was the victim of multiple email and sweepstakes scams. She was also on every mailing list imaginable, and her mail box was overstuffed daily. As she wanted to read, respond, and write checks to help causes or win prizes, her home was full of mail/paperwork clutter to an extreme degree. Aside from the many thousands of pieces of mail everywhere, the home itself was clean and tidy.

Common signs distinguishing this behavior as hoarding include the inability to throw items away, difficulty organizing, severe anxiety about throwing anything away (in this case, a compulsive need to look through and respond to everything) and distress over the mail. She was quite social, but she would not let her many friends into the house.

Impairments/Problems from the Hoarding Behavior

In terms of functional impairment, not only was the mail and paperwork overtaking the home but the behavior was resulting in financial problems. Stacks, bags, boxes, piles and drawers full of mail were everywhere.  As she worked through a little at time, she would toss the envelopes to the floor, creating a slipping hazard.  She would eventually gather these up and recycle some. She would bounce checks because she would continue to write checks for the sweepstakes, the charity solicitations, etc. Even when she knew she had no money left, she would continue to write the checks. Family members were constantly being asked to send money for food, which would go towards one or two meals, and then go to feed her habit.

How did the client or family come to seek help for the hoarding?

The client’s son came down to help find paperwork for her CPA to do her taxes and found the house full of papers. Though they were aware she had been having money problems, as with many hoarders, she hid the problem as much as she could and they didn’t understand the full extent of the issue until they saw the home. The son took care of getting what was needed for the CPA but had to return home. He sought help from home and was referred to Aging Wisely.

First Approach to the Hoarding Problem

As with all hoarding cases, a careful and gentle approach is necessary. If a professional doesn’t understand hoarding, he/she will often fail at the first approach (it’s not an easy problem to tackle even for seasoned professionals, but knowing how to approach someone who is highly anxious about their items and deeply distressed is vital to getting anywhere with solutions).

In this case, a home visit was conducted as a possibility of getting a “housekeeper” in to help with “tidying”. The care manager used her experience with hoarding to gently work with the client toward solutions that would not overwhelm her. In this case, she would not agree to any other outside party to come in but would allow the care manager subsequent visits to help sort through the papers. The process began with client and care manager going through the mail piece-by-piece, but as the care manager built rapport and reduced the client’s anxiety, she permitted a more general “sorting” and recycling of many of the papers. It was essential that the care manager create a calming presence and discreetly handle the items chosen for recycling to minimize the anxiety-producing cues.

Case Challenges

Time was the biggest challenge in this case because so much work was needed, and there was not much money to fund care management assistance. In other cases, we have been able to bring in partners and/or get a client medical/psychological help but in this case only the gentlest approach would work and the client refused outside help.

The care manager made attempts to take the client off mailing lists, but the volume of mail (and continually being added to more lists) was staggering. The volume of papers was being reduced slightly, but more and more were being delivered. In other cases, the care manager has been able to convince the client to permit a change of address to redirect mail, but this client refused.

Outcome of Mail Hoarding Case

Unfortunately, the client was arrested for writing a bad check one weekend and spent the weekend in jail (due to her age, she was placed in the medical unit). Once released, she returned home and the care manager recommended a move closer to her family (and away from the overwhelming home environment). The client moved to an assisted living facility near her daughter, where the family could check in regularly and handled her paperwork for her.

Advice/Take-Away Lessons

It is important to evaluate changes in behavior (either new or increased) sooner rather than later.  This can be very difficult for family members and it is easy to find yourself justifying, condoning, placating, etc. as your loved one denies the behavior and even hides the extent of it.  Unfortunately, this often results in the problem becoming out-of-control and difficult to solve. As soon as you see it, you should attempt to bring in professionals to deal with the underlying issues. Hoarding is not about the stuff, it is about control, and the person’s feelings (real or imagined).

When there are functional signs (in this case, even if the family may not have seen the home safety dangers, but the financial problems were a strong sign of an increased problem), seek an experienced professional to do an evaluation and make recommendations. Someone experienced with hoarding can usually find a way to access the environment and make progress towards solutions (it may be slow progress, but the earlier that intervention starts the less urgent it will be).

Stay tuned for next week’s hoarding case studies, where we will discuss animal hoarding, online/phone shopping, and severe home safety/cleanliness issues and the resources and techniques our care managers used in helping these clients and families deal with hoarding.

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS

Thanks to care manager Julie Scott for providing information on her work on this case. To read more about Julie’s extensive experience with professional care management and her specializations, click here for her complete bio.

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How Do I Know if Mom is a Hoarder?

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hoarder signs

The signs of being a hoarder aren’t always as obvious as the pictures above. Older loved ones often accumulate many belongings over a lifetime. What makes someone a hoarder: when does the normal accumulation of belongings cross into potentially detrimental hoarding behavior? How can you identify if your parent is a hoarder or if you’re being overly concerned?

What Distinguishes a Hoarder

Hoarding is the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value (Anxiety and Depression Association of America).

Someone who hoards shows the following symptoms, which help to distinguish a hoarder from someone who simply has too many belongings:

  • Inability to throw away items
  • Severe anxiety about discarding items or shown when attempting to discard them
  • Great difficulty organizing items
  • Indecision (about what to keep or where to put possessions–may say things like, “I’m trying to decide which room would be best for these papers” when the papers have been in the hallway for many years)
  • Distress (the possessions are often not a pleasure for the person but cause embarrassment or anxiety)
  • Protectiveness of the items: suspicion of other people touching them
  • Obsessive thoughts and actions: irrational fears of running out of/needing items, checking obsessively on the items whereabouts or counting
  • Functional impairments: problems experienced due to the hoarding behavior such as compromised living space and home safety, health hazards, financial and relationship problems and isolation

As you can see, there are some key differences between a hoarder and a collector (or someone whose possessions have accumulated due to physical, financial, or other barriers to getting rid of them). A collector will take pride in items and often display them in an organized fashion.

Though a collector may spend a great deal of time collecting and finding information about what he/she collects, this behavior doesn’t cause functional life problems. The behavior of a collector tends to cause pleasure, where for a hoarder the possessions cause distress and anxiety. Despite this, the hoarder most often doesn’t see the behavior as a problem.

Research about Hoarding

Hoarding was first defined as a mental disorder in the 5th edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 2013. It has been associated with Obessive Compulsive Disorder, though its features are a bit distinctive (such as the lack of awareness/acknowledging the problem, whereas OCD patients typically identify a problem but cannot stop the behavior). Hoarding doesn’t seem to stem from the same neurological mechanisms as OCD or respond to the same medications. Research professionals believe there may be a few different types of disorders at play in hoarders (some combined with OCD or as a part of OCD behavior, while “pure hoarding” is an independent disorder). Hoarding is more common in people with other issues such as depression, anxiety and ADHD. A hoarder has often experienced a major life stressor, such as death of a loved one or divorce, and difficulty coping.

Signs of hoarding behavior may show up in childhood, but its symptoms are usually worst in later life as the hoarder has had time to accumulate possessions. Many times we see cases where the hoarding was somewhat hidden (or known only to close family, who had little success dealing with it) until the person becomes ill, experiences falls/gets hurt or needs eldercare services to come into the home.

Help for the Hoarder

Dealing with a hoarder can be very frustrating and overwhelming. We will share more in our next post about resources and how our team has helped hoarders and their families. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone (727-447-5845) to find out more about help for the hoarder.

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Blaze a Trail to Wellness

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blaze a trail to wellness

As we lead up to Older Americans month with the theme of “Blaze a Trail”, we’re here to share additional resources and tips around the Older American Month tips sheets. Today’s topic, “wellness”, is one near and dear to us, and we have loads of great information for you!

Wellness Inspiration and Getting Started

First, for some inspiration, check out these amazingly fit older adults and learn how some of the myths you believe about aging and wellness are probably not true! Wellness is definitely possible in your later years, and it’s never too late to get started. It is even possible to challenge yourself with workouts like Crossfit. Weight lifting and building core strength can greatly improve quality of life and functionality for older adults.

But, as the OAM tip sheet recommends, pace yourself and check with your doctor about news fitness routines. Don’t think of wellness as chore, but think about things you might enjoy adding to your life. Did you love to go dancing when you were younger? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would it be fun to socialize with a group and meet new friends through exercise class or a walking group?

Check out our local fitness ideas, including lots of fun groups/classes and free ways to stay fit. Joining up with a partner or buddies can help keep you on track, with the added bonus of socialization for mental and intellectual wellness.

Nutrition for Wellness

Staying active is important, but so is healthy eating. Check out our great resources on healthy eating and longevity and commit to making one small change today! Consider trying “meatless Monday” (or one day/week or meal each day with no meat), adding one additional serving of vegetables to your daily diet or cutting back on sugary drinks. Here are some great resources for eating wellness:

Healthy Food for a Long, Healthy Life, including the world’s 100 healthiest foods and easy ways to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your diet

EasyLiving’s Aging and Nutrition, including tips for healthy eating on a budget

Engage for Wellness

Staying engaged (socially and intellectually) is important for brain health and overall well-being. Consider volunteering or try learning something new.

Here’s the Older Americans Month Tip Sheet on Civic Engagement for some ideas. Our team loves helping clients continue all the activities they enjoy (or trying new ones!). Contact us for a wellness assessment and recommendations or for help with senior transportation, meal preparation, senior concierge services and more.

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Don’t forget to “like us” on Facebook…we’ll be highlighting amazing seniors blazing trails in all walks of life along with wellness tips and inspiration all month and beyond!

 

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Florida Medicaid Application Filing Workshop

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Florida Medicaid application workshop seminar

Join us to learn more about filing a Florida Medicaid application for long term care benefits! Our expert, long-time elder law attorney and advocate, Linda Chamberlain, has filed thousands of Florida Medicaid applications for clients and she’s here to take some of the mystery out of this process for you! Make plans to join us on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 1:00-2:30. RSVP to reserve your seat, as they’re limited to the 1st 20 attendees.

What will you learn in the Florida Medicaid application workshop?

  • What long term care services does Florida Medicaid cover? What are the programs and options for care?
  • Who qualifies for long term care assistance under Florida Medicaid?
  • How to file a Florida Medicaid application for long term care services
  • What documents are required when filing a Florida Medicaid application?

This workshop specifically covers long term care services under Florida Medicaid, not other types of Medicaid programs. Please contact us if you need resources about other Medicaid programs or are not sure about what types of services or programs you might need. Our seasoned elder and disability advocacy team can help you find all the right resources!

*Informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You should contact an attorney for advice on specific legal problems.

Click below for the event flier with all the details:

Filing a Florida Medicaid Application workshop flier

RSVP for the Florida Medicaid application workshop by calling 727-447-5845 or emailing lashford(at)agingwisely.com.

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Older Americans Month 2016: Blaze A Trail

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Older Americans Month logo

 

Blazing a Trail to Older Americans Month

Our Aging Wisely team has been privileged to work with many amazing older adults. We see all the value of their history and wisdom, as well as the varied ways they contribute to society today. Older adults have long made great contributions to society with important roles in politics, the arts, business, science and more. This year’s theme, “Blaze a Trail,” emphasizes the ways older adults are reinventing themselves through new work and passions, engaging their communities, and positively impacting lives of people of all ages.

While we celebrate and support older adults year-round, we will use the time leading up to Older Americans Month to focus on some special older adults blazing trails in our community and world. We will also highlight the importance of advocacy and planning for aging issues and share specific tips and resources on the various “Blazing a Trail” topics highlighted in the OAM tips sheets (reinvention, securing your finances, wellness, civic engagement).

History of Older Americans Month

A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” which later became “Older Americans Month”.

The annual observance, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, offers the opportunity to learn about, support, and celebrate our nation’s older citizens. Every President since Kennedy has issued a proclamation asking that the entire nation pay tribute to older persons in their communities.

Older Americans Blazing a Trail

We’ll be sharing more stories of older adults who play a big part in society today and don’t let age keep them from pursuing excellence. We welcome your suggestions/comments! Here’s some inspiration to kick us off:

Check out a few of our favorite ultra-fit seniors, 97 year-old-yoga instructor Tao Porchon-Lynch, marathoner Harriette Thompson, and bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard.

Just a few famous examples of older adults’ contributions to society:

Laura Ingalls Wilder published her 1st book at age 64 and completed the series at age 76.

Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence when he was 70.

“Grandma” Moses inspired many with her paintings, after picking up the paintbrush for the first time at age 76.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg, 83-year old Supreme Court Justice, took her seat at age 60 as the 2nd woman Justice.

Join us on Facebook to share your inspiring stories during Older Americans Month and to get our latest updates.

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Florida Home Health: How To Choose

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Florida home health choices

When an elderly loved one needs help at home, there are several options for Florida home health. Medicare covers intermittent, skilled care at home but most seniors (and others facing disability or chronic illness) will need some additional home care support at some point. It can be difficult to wade through the Florida home health options, so our experts are here to help!

What are my options for Florida home health care?

Privately Hiring an Individual Caregiver

We generally don’t recommend this option for several reasons. Read “The Unasked Questions When Hiring a Home Caregiver” for more detail. One of our favorite celebs, Betty White, is being sued by her caregiver, a cautionary tale about the problems that can arise when you are acting as the employer. Taxes are another important issue, as the state of Florida notes: “If you employ an independent health care professional, you should ask them who will be responsible to pay household employment taxes, income withholding taxes, and unemployment taxes. If he or she does not pay these taxes, you may be required to pay them.”

Additionally, we’ve talked to a number of families over the years who had a caregiver get injured on the job. Without worker’s compensation insurance, this can be a costly problem. Other concerns include caregiver oversight and management, handling backup care, what happens in disaster situations (e.g. Florida hurricanes) and when additional care is needed.

Agencies Regulated by Florida (see this chart for a side-by-side comparison):

  • Home Health Agency (HHA): Florida home health agencies, both Medicare-certified and non-medical, are regulated by strict guidelines by the state. Agencies must take steps such as developing care plans, documenting client’s advance directives, providing detailed disaster plans approved by the state, quality assurance and handling the normal duties of an employer (taxes, managing hours worked and insurance). Staff is required to have training in Alzheimer’s/dementia and agencies must carry liability and malpractice insurance.
  • Nursing Registry (NR): A registry matches health care professionals like home health aides, CNAs and nurses with clients. The healthcare professionals are independent contractors, not employees of the registry. If you choose to use a nurse registry, make sure to ask about/consider insurance coverage, backup care and supervision. Different agencies may offer more extensive services than others, or you may need to create a plan for handling these issues.
  • Homemaker/Companion (HCS): This is another type of agency for Florida home health services, which is only permitted to provide non “hands on” care such as errands, transportation, and household help. These services are also often provided by the 1st two types of agencies.

How can we decide which Florida home health choice is best for us?

  • Think about the client’s current and future needs. For example, a homemaker/companion agency might seem fine for now, but almost all clients needing these services require some hands-on assistance at some point (even if temporarily after a hospitalization of when ill). Do you want to have to go through the hiring process over again or bring in two agencies to get the job done?
  • Do family members live locally? What kind of help can they (or others) offer? If family members live nearby and can assist with oversight and employment, some of the less formal options may be feasible. If all family members are long-distance or no one has the time to handle all the tasks involved (or fly down at a moment’s notice), you would benefit from a home health agency with great HR management or hiring a care manager to manage the situation. Don’t underestimate what is involved in managing eldercare needs.
  • Assess true costs. Is saving money on the per hour cost going to save money overall? Consider employment taxes, insurance needs, and opportunity costs (i.e. if a family member will handle oversight and employer duties, what time, and therefore opportunities–including quality time with your loved one, does this cost?).
  • Weigh risks in light of the client’s situation.  It is important that all parties understand the potential risks to a client’s assets (for example, if facing a lawsuit like Betty White, or costs from an on-the-job injury or fraud/theft with little recourse) and how different scenarios may play out.
  • Work out a budget and assessment of options. Our care managers can provide a personalized assessment, advising of pitfalls you might not have considered. You may decide to run some risks or deal with an occasional problem for a significant cost savings, or the care manager may be able to help you save in other ways or tap into benefits programs. There are often unique ways to set up a plan to better meet your loved one’s needs while not compromising quality.
  • Consider all available resources. We’ve had clients in the past who owned a company or made other arrangements to manage employees. There may also be family members who are willing to take on certain roles. You may have professional advisers or a care manager who can assist with specific needs. Tap into programs or resources to stretch your budget or reduce the level of care needed.
  • Beyond just which type of Florida home health provider you choose, it is important to research and feel comfortable with who you’re hiring. Ask for references and/or QA survey results, find out more about their process and policies, understand fees in detail, and make sure you are comfortable with the management and direct care providers.

Want the best experts to guide you in this process? Contact our team today (727-447-5845) to find out how we can help make your eldercare journey easier.

You might also be interested in “Concerns about Hired Caregivers“. If you run into trouble with a caregiver, this guide will help you know your options and where to turn for help.

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LTC in Florida

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LTC, or long-term care, is something more and more people understand they need to plan for in their retirement, insurance, and health planning. However, very few really understand what LTC is or how to approach planning for it. We’ll share some key LTC facts and Florida LTC costs and let you know about a great workshop coming up where you can learn from one of our area’s foremost LTC experts.

What is LTC?

Long term care is the type of care many people need for some period of time as they age. It is not acute medical care (i.e. surgery and immediate after-care or treatment for an injury or illness) but the type of “custodial care” that includes help with getting around, safety support and assistance with ADLs and iADLs.

Long term care isn’t a place (i.e. a nursing home) but can be provided at home, in day time settings (adult day care/programs), at an Assisted Living Facility (ALF), nursing home and sometimes in other settings. It can be provided by family members, and families do provide millions of dollars worth of unpaid care each year. However, many people will also need paid assistance at some point and the costs (as you can see below) can be quite staggering if you have to pay “out of pocket” (from your income and savings).

What does LTC in Florida cost?

Here is some general data from Genworth’s 2015 survey of long term care costs. Join Linda Chamberlain for our upcoming LTC workshop to learn more specifics about budgets, options and resources to pay for LTC.

Home health aide costs for Florida LTC (in-home care)

Florida LTC home health aide costs

Florida ALF costs

florida LTC ALF rates

Nursing home costs in Florida for LTC

Florida LTC nursing facility costs for 2015

To understand more about the various options for long-term care and the true costs involved, we encourage you to attend our upcoming LTC workshop. Linda Chamberlain, Aging Wisely founder and Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, has worked in LTC and Medicaid planning for 25 years. She will share valuable information and planning tips, as well as answering your questions.

Want to understand what Medicare covers? Confused about Medicaid v. Medicare? Considering buying LTC insurance or worried about how you’ll cover costs from your retirement savings? Want to understand why planning is worthwhile and how you can maximize your choice as you age? This workshop is for you!

How to Pay for Long Term Care

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

1:00-2:30 PM

1180 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 700, Clearwater, FL 33756

Click here for the LTC workshop flier and RSVP to hold your seat today (space is limited!). You can call us at 727-447-5845 for reservations or questions.

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Healthy Food for a Long, Active Life

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preparing healthy food

You want to know the secrets to a long, healthy life? They aren’t as mysterious as some marketers would have you believe. There is no magic pill or drastic diet or exercise program that guarantees a long life. Researchers have studied “blue zones” where people are known to live long, active lives and have found the commonalities among these people. Healthy food is one of the biggest components of their longevity. This month, we are focusing on healthy food made simple: tasty recipes, resources for quick but healthy food, and ideas to add variety to your diet while including more healthy food.

Baby Boomers have the longest life expectancy of any generation thus far, yet higher levels of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, obesity and disability than the generation that came before them. Healthy food can reduce the health risks associated with these issues, for a long and HEALTHY life.

Healthy Food=Sexy Diet

Variety is actually one of the keys to getting healthy food in your diet. Anything can be okay in moderation…the key is to have varied, healthy food as the bulk of your “fuel”. Healthy food doesn’t need to be boring and tasteless. It can be varied and delicious, and will definitely give you added energy and vitality. Enjoy your food, try new things and feel better…simple recipe for longevity, but not always so easy to implement (which is why we’re here with help).

Plant-based foods should make up the bulk of your diet, according to the best health and medical researchers. At a Johns Hopkins’ women’s conference last year, several physicians reiterated a plant-based diet as the key to healthy aging.

How can you add more variety while enjoying your meals?

  • Add veggies into your meal and slightly decrease the size of animal protein, or go vegetarian one or two days/week. Taste a variety of veggies and try different preparation methods.
  • Add veggies to foods you already like and experiment with styles of food you like (Indian vegetarian curry, veggie sushi, spicy Mexican dishes with healthy beans, comfort foods revised with added vegetables or lower calorie/fat options).
  • Try something new. Pick a new recipe, grab a new fruit or veggie at the store; check out this A-Z of veggies.
  • Cook extra, so you have less work and more healthy choices on hand.
  • Check out these easy tips for sneaking more fruits and vegetables into your diet, including prep ahead Meatless Mondy recipes, seasonal guides and on-the-go options.

As We Get Older We Need More “Bang Per Bite”

Nutrition needs increase as we get older, while caloric needs decrease. Therefore, we need nutrient-dense foods (to get the most “bang per bite) to fuel our bodies for energy and wellness. Healthy food isn’t just about keeping weight down; healthy food keeps us well and helps us recover. Medications can affect nutrition: statins increase the need for Coenzyme Q10 and acid-blocking meds reduce absorption of B12 (lack of which is associated with dementia risk).

The tips above are great for getting more nutrient dense foods. Temptation is all around us today, but so are options. Even the gas station or convenience store has healthy options (hidden among many very unhealthy ones) so you can grab something pretty healthy on-the-go. On a recent trip, I picked up the following snack at Walgreens: a “protein pack” (nuts, cheese and lean turkey) and a banana. At the airport, I was able to grab a pack containing two types of sliced apple and a small thing of cheese and crackers. They also had delicious yogurt, Kind bars and several types of salads. The truth: I felt better and I’d rather eat a nice meal or get myself a treat I’ll enjoy, rather than something unhealthy but pretty tasteless from a convenience store or airport.

  • Eat lean foods with high levels of nutrients. Here’s a great list of “the world’s 100 healthiest foods“. This is great because not only are they healthy, but readily available and pretty affordable.
  • Consume more fiber. You will feel fuller and fiber can help with weight control and of course, digestion.
  • Cut sodium. Herbs can be used to flavor foods and reduce the need for salt. Processed foods are the worst culprit, though, so having convenient fresh foods available is your best weapon.

Here are some additional tips from EasyLiving about eating a varied diet and doing it on a budget.

Sign up for our Aging Wisely newsletter for the latest tips. Join us on Facebook for additional resources and to share your story/tips.

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Benefits of Crossfit and Challenging Workouts: Fitness Over 50

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benefits of crossfit

Can Seniors Crossfit?

A common misconception is that certain types of exercise are appropriate only for certain age groups and that when we get older, it’s time to take it easy. Well, older adults today are breaking the mold and doing amazing things with fitness over 50 (and 60, 70, 80!). Obviously, at any age if you have medical conditions, you need to check with your doctor before starting a fitness routine. But, there is no fitness routine that should be inaccessible to any age group. Just check out these inspirational older adults who are proving you can gain ultimate fitness over 50 and beyond: “Fit at 102”, Video: Seniors Using the Crossfit Method, and Crossfit Grandma’s Video Diary After Losing 79 Lbs.

What is Crossfit?

Crossfit™ is a strength and conditioning program which is designed for overall fitness (versus a specialized program). CrossFit is focused on “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement” and brings in various types of exercise. There are many Crossfit gyms across the country and there are also competitions held for Crossfit athletes.

Fitness Over 50: Research

“Exercise is almost always good for people of any age,” says Chhanda Dutta, PhD, chief of the Clinical Gerontology Branch at the National Institute on Aging, stated on WebMD. Some older people will worry that they might fall/hurt themselves if they exercise when in fact exercise has been shown to prevent falls: it can prevent bone loss, make you you stronger, improve balance, boost your memory and mood, and ease symptoms of many chronic conditions associated with aging.

Unfortunately, according to the National Institute on Aging, just over half of adults 65+ are inactive and only 11% of people 85 and over engage in any regular exercise. Evidence shows that most could work out safely, especially if shown how.

Maria Fiatarone Singh, who’s been studying strength exercise in older adults at the University of Sydney for many years concludes, “If I had to do only one thing for the frail older person, it would clearly be weightlifting exercises.” She has done studies with frail elderly in nursing homes and post-hip fracture patients showing the benefits of relatively intense strength training. Even if Crossfit isn’t for you, the concept of incorporating strength training and a well-rounded fitness routine should be part of most older adults’ lifestyles.

Benefits of Crossfit for Older Adults (Even if you don’t Crossfit!)

Here’s a great post from one older adult who saw many benefits of Crossfit in her daily life. She noticed obvious improvement in balance and strength: being able to regain balance if she trips over something, climbing stairs and opening jars with ease. Little things that can become harder with age (and lack of fitness) like getting up and down from chairs and the toilet or in and out of the car suddenly became easy. Her endurance for all kinds of activities improved. We often accept the aches, pains and limitations of an aging body as part of getting older but her story shows how some challenging exercise can really turn that around. The strength training benefits of Crossfit style workouts can be perfect for reversing muscle mass and strength.

Crossfit and other exercises that challenge the body can also give you a new sense of confidence. The group nature of Crossfit can make it more fun and inspiring.

Another one of the benefits of Crossfit for older adults is the increase in core strength. This helps you maintain balance and more easily handle a stumble or trip.

The benefits of Crossfit for fitness over 50 can apply to other types of routines. The important point is to build strength and endurance, especially to make up for the muscle loss that comes with aging, and to enhance balance. Fitness classes or working out with a personal trainer can motivate you and ensure you benefit and stay safe. We have a whole host of fitness ideas for you!

What’s your fitness over 50 secret? Have you experienced the benefits of Crossfit or started a new routine later in life and found success? Come over to our Facebook page to share more!

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Payment Concerns
Not sure how you are going to pay for elder care?


Is the Time Right?
Find out if its time to seek help for your loved one.


Aging in Place
How to keep a loved one safe at home, and when it may be time to consider assisted living.




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Mission Statement

Our goal is to enable every individual we work with to live the most fulfilling life possible, with utmost dignity, focusing on their physical, mental, spiritual, family and financial wellbeing.