Eldercare Success

The stress from caregiving can wreak havoc on one’s entire body.  Yet our brains and mental abilities often end up suffering the most.  While in caregiving mode, some of us end up with overload. We feel like our brains are in a total fog.  We question whether we’re the ones with dementia or suffering from early-stage Alzheimer’s.  Fortunately, that’s probably not the case. 

In this episode, Matt DiMaio, the Memory Maestro, gives us some easy ways to reduce stress, have some fun, and remember anything and everything we want.  You won’t have to hunt through the 50 sticky notes you’ve posted on the fridge after learning how to use his techniques. 

In this episode we discuss how to:

• Turn your brain into your BEST service tool
• Leverage the ways your brain works naturally
• Use the tone of your voice to remember things
• Create an easy mental remembering filing system
• Have fun and reduce stress too.

You'll also learn about the three causes of what Matt calls “Forgetory.” Knowing this will help you in nearly every situation where you need to remember important things. That alone could make a huge difference in your life, the lives of your family, and those you care for.

Guest: Matt DiMaio, The Memory Meister, is a .world renowned authority on how to increase your ability to remember nearly anything. He's known for teaching powerful mental strategies, tactics, and techniques to BE SMARTER-FASTER. Learn everything and anything faster and easier than you ever dreamed possible. You can learn more about Matt through his YouTube channel where he explains simple ways to double your brain power in half the time. You can reach Matt through his websites An Incredible Memory, and Start Remembering. He's the author of three incredibly useful memory books, which are also available on Amazon.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

How do you identify a problem doctor or facility before they become a problem for you?

We all put more effort, time, and research into buying a car than into selecting medical care for our parents, and ourselves.  Why do that?  

In this episode, I share easy ways to find out if the doctor, rehab, or care facility you select for your parents is competent, qualified, and honest about what they do.

That “care home” may look like a luxury resort, but how do you research and dig out their hidden secrets?  The answers are in plain sight -- if you know where, and how to look.

BONUS: Here's an extra tip sheet with details on how to dig deeper and investigate medical providers online before you make any decision to have them cut into you with a scalpel. Click here, for that bonus tip sheet.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

Part two: Holding everyone at the facility(ies), including you, accountable (Part #2)

Here, in part two, we dive into more ways to avoid falling into the traps that Long Term Care homes, nursing homes, rehab facilities, in-home aide agencies, and hospitals use to protect themselves from your or your parents’ outrage. Are your folks one of what they consider their “golden meal tickets,” or corporate profit “cash cows?”  This doesn’t mean they are going to get the best care. 

 Learn whether you’re getting the right care for your parents, and avoid those things these facilities often do that wind up shortening their lives or outright killing them (and your wallets) in the process.  Finally, we discuss ways to be a better advocate for your parent’s care.  It takes more than just walking in and loudly squawking. 

There’s a lot more here. Tune in for more insider tips on how to raise the quality of care your parents can get in our health and aging care facilities.

 Guest: Lauren Ellerman, JD, Partner, Frith & Ellerman, PC. Lauren's practice is focused on Medical Malpractice, Non-Compete litigation, and Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect. She helps clients in a range of civil litigation matters, including medical malpractice, and business litigation. She was recognized as one of the youngest Super Lawyers in Medical Malpractice for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2020 she was named the BEST Lawyer in America in Roanoke for Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, and the first female to receive the nomination.

She is the co-author of  How to Beat Your Virginia Non-Compete. Lauren and her husband, Whit, are very active in the Roanoke Valley: opening a restaurant, The River and Rail; starting a non-profit Turn the Page, Inc., attending Second Presbyterian Church; spending time with their daughter, and dogs; and, camping as much as work will allow.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

Elder Law and Care Home Mishaps. Who’s on your side to help, are they able, and will they help?  You might be surprised by the answers. 

After listening to these next two episodes (part 1 and part 2), you will gain a new, more empowered understanding of your parent’s care facility and what they’re legally allowed to do, or not do for them.  In addition, you’ll learn how to get better care for them and understand where you have the power to make a difference. 

First off, here is where most of us get caught off guard when we think our folks are safer in these facilities:

You visit your parents in their new care home residents and notice things aren’t what you thought they’d be or were at first.  Everything was great early on and the staff seemed friendly and welcomed you with each visit. Then… little things started to happen or pile up:

• Their room smells bad like a used urinal.
• Their bed is soiled, even though the sheets and bathroom towels should have been changed on Monday (it’s now Wednesday) – per the marketing and agreement documents.
• Mom appears depressed, sits in her darkened room, and rarely ventures out to walk and visit other residents.  You notice she’s being charged meals to be delivered to her room, but they’re only piling up in the mini-fridge.
• Dad’s not eating like he used to and is rapidly dropping weight. 
• The staff doesn’t notice or tell you.
• One of them took a fall and it took hours (or longer) for someone to discover they’d been on the floor trying to get help.
• Mom enjoys bantering with a tablemate during mealtimes. Staff misinterprets this and now wants to move her to a memory wing.  You refuse to approve. Her tablemate is swept off to memory care instead.
• Dad’s has an unexplained gash on his leg, which is now infected. The staff nurse has no record of the incident or gash, so it’s not her concern, so you’re told.

You take a firm stance and it’s time for a “serious” conversation with the facility’s management.  Nothing changes (a laughable moment for those who know better about the industry).  Trips to the ER increase because Management says their needed. The monthly bill increases by another $5k because management says mom needs more oversight. The quality of that oversight is ultimately a lot less than what you expected, based on cost, and the list goes on. 

This is when you decide it’s time to get legal counsel.  This is where you learn exactly what happens in many care facilities, and the difference between a care home/facility, Rehab Facility, Nursing Home, and in-home care agency.

Tune into Part One and learn how to take more control where you can.

Guest: Lauren Ellerman, JD, Partner, Frith & Ellerman, PC. Lauren's practice is focused on Medical Malpractice, Non-Compete litigation, and Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect. She helps clients in a range of civil litigation matters, including medical malpractice, and business litigation. She was recognized as one of the youngest Super Lawyers in Medical Malpractice for the Commonwealth of Virginia., and in 2020 she was named the BEST Lawyer in America in Roanoke for Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, and the first female to receive the nomination.

She is the co-author of  How to Beat Your Virginia Non-Compete. Lauren and her husband, Whit, are very active in the Roanoke Valley: opening a restaurant, The River and Rail; starting a non-profit Turn the Page, Inc., attending Second Presbyterian Church; spending time with their daughter, dogs; and, camping as much as work will allow.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

When caring for your parents, how do you make the right decisions for them when they can’t?  Some of us go into paralysis mode, some panic, and others decide based on what choices they feel are best for their folks.  But what’s a good way to weigh the options available? Do you use facts, desires, and what seems right, or face the realities of life – yours and theirs? A lot of factors come into play.

In this episode, you'll learn a “how to” exercise that will help you tackle these big decisions a little easier. This method can also be a tool to balance out the needs of everyone involved in the outcome: yours, your family’s, and your parents' too. 

If you want to reach out, you can contact me on Instagram, or on FaceBook at CareManity.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

What is a Long-Term Care or Nursing Home Care Resident Ombudsman?

Who do they serve? 

How can they help you, if your mom or dad reside in a facility where they’re NOT getting the proper care needed? 

Knowing how to get help from an independent outside authority can give you the support you may need or help with deciding what to do if you’re concerned about their safety.

With over 15,000 nursing homes in the US and nearly 66,000 long-term care facilities, the demand for care workers in these places is huge. However, at times, many lack the support they need to care for your patients properly and safely. 

Each state has an ombudsman program that works to help those of us who have aging parents residing in some type of care or nursing home.  Why we try our best to help our parents, sometimes an Ombudsman can be the key to making the necessary changes so that your parents, and others, stay safe and keep their care assured.   

Why?  Because Ombudsmen:

• Often know the facilities and management better than you
• Have a higher level of clout with state and local legislators
• Know the state licensing guidelines for nursing homes
• Can help you know who to contact and what to say to get your voice heard at a higher level

Information about The National Ombudsman Resource Center: Here you can also learn how to become a volunteer ombudsman in your state through the organization. 

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is the overseeing body for the National Ombudsman Resource Center.  Your parents, as residents of a care facility, can join The National Consumer Voice membership for free. You as a family member are also encouraged to join. 

The National Consumer Voice’s primary role is recommending policy and procedures for care facilities through government legislation and leading organizations like the Center for Medicare and Medicaid, among others. 

Every family should know about this organization. An Ombudsman can be a powerful tool to help you make sure your parents are well cared for, happy, healthy, and remain safe. 

Guest: Carol Scott, Manager, LTC Ombudsman Program & Policy for the National Ombudsman Resource Center. Carol is a healthcare leader with more than 32 years of advocacy experience at both the national and state levels. She provides technical assistance to state and local ombudsmen across the country; analyzes Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) program and policy information; conducts training for new State Ombudsmen; hosts webinars for local representatives; shares information/resources related to volunteer management; and works on special projects related to NORC program and operations.

In her previous position, she served as the Field Operations Manager for the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign, where she was responsible for guiding and supporting stakeholder coalitions in all 50 states for the purpose of making nursing homes better places to live, work and visit.

For 23 years, Carol was the Ombudsman for the state of Missouri and was responsible for protecting vulnerable elders in nursing homes and assisted living. In addition, she has served as the legislative liaison for the Division of Aging and a budget analyst for the Medicaid Program for the state of Missouri.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

Top 10 Ways To Reduce The Burden Of Being Cared For:

It can be tough to avoid becoming emotionally involved in and impacted by an aging parent’s needs. But, what about when YOU become that aging parent? Well, there are things you can do, now, to reduce the likelihood of becoming that caregiving ball-and-chain around your kids’ necks.

Here are 10 ways to start setting things up so that you and those who may help care for you, get on the right path from the start.

Identify who can and will take responsibility:  Among all the details mentioned in the show, this means determining which child(ren) can take responsibility to lead oversight of your personal, financial, legal, and healthcare decisions when needed.

Create a contingency plan: Who will take over if something happens to your medical and financial POA, Executor, or Trustee.  Your life and that of your children may change – for the better or worse – after they’ve agreed to accept responsibility to oversee your care.  Keep aware of their situations and keep conversations open should you have any concerns.  If a spouse will be involved in helping them, consider bringing them into the discussion as well.  The life of a spouse or partner is also impacted, in some way, when it’s time for your child to step into the role they’ve agreed to accept.

Have all legal, financial, and military documents complete, secured, available, and reviewed every few years.  If you haven’t already established a Will or Trust and all the other necessary fiduciary and care oversight legal documents, do so now.  Keep them where they will be safe and available when needed.

Know if, when, and who to hire to support your adult children who will care for you. Overseeing your care will likely have an impact on their career, personal time, relationships, emotional strength, and even financial standing. 

Write out and share your end-of-life extension care wishes. Let those in charge of your care know what you want as far as life-extending care. This will help your family make the right decisions for you when you can’t. This may wind up being a huge gift to them, if and when that time comes.

If that’s your desire, start setting up your home/living environment so that it will be safe for you to stay there later on.  Look about for what will get in the way, and what you don’t really need anymore. Steps now can become mountains later. Slippery areas need handrails. Reduce clutter: things you were planning to give away when you pass, could be given to them now to enjoy. If something doesn’t give you joy every time you look at it, why hold onto it?

Establish a contingency plan should you not have the financial means to care for yourself later. You’ll need to discuss this issue with trusted family members and those who can advise you on financial and legal matters. This will include how to convert what you have, into assets that can cover care costs, to extend how long you can remain in your home (or a care facility), safely.

If you plan to move into a long-term care facility, research and know exactly how they work. Do extensive research, now, on what’s out there. You’ll need to understand who can care for you so that you’re safe and happy for the rest of your days.  This includes the cost of care should you need to move into any of their more advanced care units including assisted living, memory care, nursing care, or rehabilitation care.  What are the associated costs and how will you be cared for?  Ask what happens should they exhaust your financial capability.

Plan and pay for your funeral and celebration of life now. You can shop and pay for your funeral and memorial on a payment plan, if necessary. Caring for your remains does not have to cost an arm or leg! There are ways to set up your final resting costs where they may not exceed $2,000. 

Get comfortable with having strangers in your home (personal care).  Finally, know that you will eventually need help with personal care.  This includes meal preparation, maintaining your living environment, as well as your own body, dressing, mobility, and transportation.  These are important but often difficult aspects to manage on your own as you age.  Help those you love but learn to accept that you’ll need help in the future. 

There’s a lot more to the points written out here.  However, these will give you, your family, your attorney, financial advisors, and even doctors, help to get you set for a better road ahead.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

Listen in to this important show. If you’re a Veteran or caring for one, the US government has a ton of benefits available to help you.  Listen in as my guests from the US Veteran’s Administration share information on some incredibly valuable benefits, that you may not know of, that are available to you, your mom, dad, or spouse. 

Here are a few examples:

• Additional pension and financial support (based on need and
• service)
• Respite care for caregivers of a veteran for up to 20 days per year
• Free burial in a Federal Military cemetery and financial support if buried in a private cemetery
• In-home care services
• Nursing home and rehab care
• Some financial support for private care facility living
• Special veteran-directed care
• Medical care equipment including incontinent supplies, medical beds, walkers, hearing aids, and more!
• Prescription medications
• Special hospice care program
• Home health aides and a homemaker support program
• A fiduciary program if your family member is unable to manage their own bills and financial situation
• And much more!

Links and phone numbers:

• Veteran Benefits Administration
• VA Pension Benefits and how to apply for them
• Elderly benefits for Veterans
• Geriatric and Extended Care support for Veterans
• Support for caregivers of Veterans
• Free help filling out VA Claim Forms: call 1-800-827-1000
• Veteran Crisis Hotline: Dial 988 then press the number 1 when the phone is answered.

Guests:

Kevin J. Friel: Kevin was appointed as Deputy Director of the Pension and Fiduciary Service on June 24, 2018. The Pension and Fiduciary Service Staff is responsible for oversite and administering the pension, dependency and indemnity compensation, and fiduciary programs to include the development of policy and procedures, performance of quality reviews, creation of required training, and development of processing system functional requirements. In 2021, the pension program paid over $3.7B to over 334,000 beneficiaries composed of both Veterans and their survivors, and the fiduciary program provided benefit protection to over 121,000 beneficiaries whose disabilities limited their ability to manage their VA benefits, which exceeded $2.9B. Additionally, Pension and Fiduciary Service provides oversight and administration of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, providing over $7.7B in DIC benefits to over 460,000 eligible survivors.

Dr. Scotte R. Hartronft, MD, MBA, CPE, FACP, FACHE: Dr. Hartronft is a Board Certified Senior Physician Executive with experience in large, complex integrated health systems and has had a professional presence at the national, regional, and local levels. He is the Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care a the Veteran Administration Central Office, Department of Veterans Affairs. There he serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Operations, Under Secretary for Health, and the overall Veterans Health Administration on issues regarding policy, operations, oversight, and quality of care for aging and chronically ill Veteran patients of all ages.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

How do you prepare for a natural disaster emergency if you’re caring for an older person?

Natural, weather-related, and other disasters happen -- they're often difficult to avoid.  Yet, you can prepare, in advance, so that you and your loved ones stay safer.  In this episode, I review how you can make sure that your parents are safe in their own home, in a care facility, and even in a hospital, during a weather-related disaster.

First, and foremost, if you’re told to evacuate, listen carefully to what local authorities advise.  Evacuate to where they recommend you go based on the needs of the person you’re caring for.  It’s important to note that first responders may not be able to get to you, when and after a disaster strikes, especially if conditions would place their own lives in danger, or if roads are blocked.

Below is a list of points to review in each living environment:

In a care facility:  Questions to ask and confirm:

• Does the facility have adequate generator backup equipment, and when was it last serviced and tested? If it needed repair, how were the issues addressed?  When?
• How many staff members and hands-on aides, and medical staff will be on-site during a weather event?
• What are the facility’s evacuation plans?

Know where the facility is in an evacuation map zone.  You can check this on the town, county, or state maps.  Each should have an emergency update page during times of natural disaster.  

Where will your loved one be evacuated?  Know the location yourself, even if you're not physically there with them.

Is there enough support to do this safely for everyone?                                 

Although staff members may be required to work through a storm, many will want to go home to care for their own families. Who can blame them?

Ask if you can volunteer to help if they’re short-staffed.

If evacuated, what medical support will they have on hand at the evacuation location?

• Consider:

Spending the night at the facility with your loved one, in their room.

Sleeping in their room on a couch, chair, or floor if necessary. 

Bring extra blankets, pillows, and a sleeping bag, and hunker down for the duration of the storm.

Bringing your own kids along for the adventure if they’re able to stay calm.

Staying if needed, until you are confident that things are back as they were before the emergency.

In Hospitals:

• Ask who are the key people in charge of the floor where your parent is located.
• Ask about their emergency backup system.  The floor staff may not know the answer, yet it’s worth asking who does know. 
• Book to read: Five Days at Memorial
• Understand that the ability to save a life at an older age will not be the hospital’s primary focus in an emergency.  In this situation, it will be up to you to get the help your loved one needs.  Be firm, or aware of what will happen next, if care is not provided.
• Stay in your loved one’s hospital room with them during the emergency period.  You should be safe there. In addition, they will have you at their side if, and when needed. 

At Home: Where your parents or loved one resides.

• Prepare as far in advance as you can. This may sound obvious, yet you’d be surprised by how many wait until the last minute.
• Be there with them if you can.  If not, tell your aides to bring their family to mom and dad’s home. 
• Get a backup generator and stabilized fuel. Learn how to operate it safely! Test it in advance to see if it works.
• Make sure all outdoor items are brought indoors or securely tied down so they don’t become a danger in a high wind situation.
• Fill tubs with water for flushing, cleaning etc. Add a cap full or two of BLEACH – to standing water in a bathtub or large buckets. This water should only be used for washing and cleaning.  NOT for drinking!
• Tape or block windows with cardboard or wood panels.
• Move beds or any furniture where your loved one regularly sits, away from windows. 
• Make sure enough drinking water is in the house. At least five or more days of drinking water for everyone if power outages are expected.
• Make sure all prescription medications are filled

Clothing: 

• Have enough clean clothes available for everyone. 
• Incontinent Supplies:  Have enough for one week.  Make sure they’re stored in a dry location.
• Bathing:  Use, or get bath wipes
• Flashlights and other battery-operated lights
• Gait belt: Make sure you have a way to help with transfers in the dark .

Sleeping: 

• If possible, sleep in the same room with your loved ones so they’re less anxious.
• Keep bed rails (we used baby rails as they're softer and more gentle should they be knocked against) to help deter falling accidents.
• Bedside commode, if necessary, again to help with reducing fall accidents.  I love this particular model.  

Food:

• Have enough meal items in the house that don’t require cooking.  Canned items that can be opened with a hand/manual can opener, are also good to have on hand. 
• Anything that doesn’t require cooking, blending, etc.  You can also get “cookable” MREs.
• Here’s a more healthy MRE option.

Entertainment:

• Have some good books available that you can read with a flashlight, in the evenings. 
• Enjoy games you can all do to keep calm.  Jinga stacking is fun, or checkers – keep it simple.
• Storytelling:  Be creative and make up your own stories that one person starts and the others finish.  Ask someone to be the scribe so you have a way to record your storytelling adventures.

Community Emergency Notes:

• Know emergency evacuation procedures
• Know your evacuation routes.  You can get this information from your town or county website BEFORE an emergency situation erupts.
• Know where your local EMT and Firehouse stations are located should you need to go there directly for help. 
• Learn/refresh your basic first aid skills.
• Sign up for a course through the American Red Cross .

Evacuate if told to do so!

• Don’t wait!!!
• Go to the shelter that’s dedicated to seniors or seniors with pets.

Important documents:

• Have all important medical and legal documents ready to go with you and your loved one, if told to evacuate.
• Have a Go Bag set and ready to go with you.  For more information on Go Bags and other emergency support get the BOOK How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies. Step-by-Step Before, During, After! 
• Bring a few bank checks or cash with you. When WIFI is down you may not be able to use credit cards or pay apps.

Most importantly, stay calm and follow directions provided by local emergency authorities!

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.

Watching one’s spouse or other loved one suffer from dementia may be one of the toughest things ever. In this episode, we listen to how a social worker and home health aides recommended that their client's husband move out of their primary home in order to ease the anxiety and anger of his afflicted wife. While this was emotionally difficult, he wanted to be supportive and make sure his wife received the best possible care. 

So, he moved out and into their country home.  Now he misses the love of his life and wonders if he’s made a big mistake. 

Listen in to an alternative solution that was created and offered to him to make things better for everyone. 

Such a move might work for someone you love, too.

Resource links to help you and others are:

• GlobalRose
• Bouquet Subscription
• 3D Cards: FreshCut Paper, and LovePop
• A blanket with your personal photos printed on the front
• A custom love song, created just for her or him
• Send a Love Note in a Bottle
• or a What I Love About You book
• Or, create your own Love Story book

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.