It's My Turn To Care

The spiritual life is an essential part of our human experience. But suffering from dementia can make going to church a difficult and confusing experience.

So how can you help your loved one continue in their faith during periods of cognitive decline?

In this episode, we discuss why it’s important to let others know about your loved one’s diagnosis and how to stay connected to the faith community even when suffering from dementia. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• How to find God in your loved one’s dementia experience (5:36)
• Why unknowingly churches harm those with dementia and how those relationships can be restored (7:55)
• How to endure that dementia doesn’t cost your loved one their church connections (8:59)
• Why musical worship can provide a powerful spiritual experience for dementia sufferers (11:59)
• 4 ways to support the faith practice of dementia patients and enrich their lives (16:26)
• Why telling people to call if they need anything is unhelpful (and how to provide support instead) what you can do instead to provide needed support (23:44)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

These are some of the most uncertain times we’ve ever seen. For your aging loved one the situation is probably very frightening. How can you be sure that you’re getting the most up to date and accurate information to properly care for them?

In this episode, Tarrant County Commission Gary Fickes discusses community initiatives designed to help seniors and tips to keep your loved one healthy and safe during these difficult times. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• Tips for safeguarding your loved one’s health when they have to be out in the community (14:53)
• Symptoms that mean you should get your medical condition tested and exactly where to go (15:56)
• An update on vaccine progress and how your family can get it when they are ready (19:29)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/.

Between the stress of the times we’re living in and the natural progression of aging, it can be hard to determine if your loved one is showing signs of a more serious condition like Alzheimer’s Disease.

You must educate yourself on recognizing what to look for so that you can get the appropriate treatment as necessary.

In this episode, Cognitive Decline expert Alex Namath discusses the 10 must-know warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease and steps to take to slow cognitive decline.

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• A common vitamin deficiency that can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms and how to treat it (3:25)
• Why relying on sticky notes is a dire warning sign of cognitive decline (4:17)
• The surprising reason long-term memory issues aren’t a cause for concern (and what you should be looking for instead) (7:08)
• The “Broken Picture” exercise to strengthen the brain and fight off memory issues (10:43)
• Why finishing your loved one’s sentences when they seem to be stuck looking for a word could be accelerating cognitive problems (11:19)
• The disturbing reason TV preachers love Alzheimer’s patients (14:14)
• A social danger as devastating to your loved one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (16:42)
• Why you can easily miss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s in those closest to you and how to fix this today (19:32)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all medical care. Every situation is different and requires a different level of treatment. However, it can be confusing to sift through all the options to figure out what is best for your loved one.

Facilities and insurance companies all have their own interests in the care your loved one receives. So how can you tell what is the best solution?

In this episode, Hospital Administrator and Social Worker Becky Wiggins discusses the difference between in-patient rehab and skilled nursing care and how you can get insurance to cover the treatment that is needed (rather than what’s cheapest).

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• Measurable Medical standards that indicate your loved one may need to be in a rehab hospital (4:32)
• The 2 defining factors that distinguish in-patient rehab from skilled nursing and how to tell which is right for your loved one (6:13)
• Common misconceptions about what insurance will pay for and where you can get straight answers (10:53)
• How rehab hospitals can convince insurance companies to cover things you can’t and how to start the process (11:14)
• Why you’ll benefit from attending a rehab presentation no matter how good your loved one’s health is right now (15:56)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

Your loved one’s lifestyle plays a huge role in maintaining cognitive function. This includes everything from the foods they eat to the activities they participate in.

By encouraging them to practice healthy habits and mentally stimulating activities, you are increasing the quality of their years, but possibly the quantity as well.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of social interaction and a variety of ways to keep your loved one’s brain healthy and functioning well so they can enjoy life. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• Why the Community Approach is the single most important way to maintain your loved one’s mental sharpness (2:01) 
• How to recognize harmful interactions so you can remove your loved one from the situation (3:35)
• The how a heart-healthy diet also keeps your brain working like a well-oiled machine (5:15)
• Why exercise is essential to long-term brain health (9:47)
• The surprising reason that writing can fend off Alzheimers and dementia (16:18)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

Many seniors are counting on government programs to help with medical expenses in retirement. But these programs are in terrible financial shape. This makes the right insurance a vital part of your loved one’s financial plan.

But the insurance world can be extremely confusing without the right help.

In this episode, financial advisor Tena Burrell discusses why partial insurance coverage may be the right choice for you, how to get benefits from a long-term care policy that has been canceled, and how life insurance benefits can be used without dying.  

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• How to get benefits from your loved one’s long term care policy even if they dropped it because it was unaffordable (3:56)
• Why your loved one cannot rely on Medicaid and how to properly prepare for unexpected medical expenses (11:39)
• The one document you must have to ensure your family member’s finances are secure (6:57)
• How putting a joint bank account can cost you everything you have (7:58)
• Why it’s in everyone’s best interest to track every penny of financial assistance you give a loved one (14:48)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

Planning for your loved one’s care is a challenge. When you add financial planning to the mix, it can get overwhelming. If you try to do it alone, you could create a financial catastrophe.

So what kind of help do you need and who should you get it from? Family? A professional?

In this episode, financial advisor Tena Burrell discusses why you should always divide planning duties, how to find the right professional for your situation, and when you should first discuss financial plans with your loved one. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• How to break the devastating cycle of “hair on fire” planning and get your finances in order (2:19)
• Why it’s a terrible idea to have more than one child share financial planning duties for their parents (7:01)
• Essential estate planning documents that ensure your loved one maintains the lifestyle they worked so hard to achieve (5:59)
• Why “one and done” planning decisions can destroy family relationships (13:05)
• How financial professionals can help you avoid awkward conversations about money in the most stressful situations (15:53)
• Why paying for outside planning help can save your loved one thousands of dollars (20:11)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

Understanding basic Medicare options is not enough to ensure proper coverage for your loved one. There are limited windows to make decisions in. Miss a window and your family member may have to go without insurance for a period of time. 

And choosing the wrong plan could lead to thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses for prescription medications. Getting the details right is critical to securing the health and well-being of your family member.

With so many moving parts, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional in the industry. 

In this episode, independent insurance broker Jack Townsend discusses how to navigate the various enrollment windows and pick the right plan based on your loved one’s unique circumstances. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• Why getting the Medicare calendar wrong can leave your loved one without health insurance when they need it most (2:28)
• How to enroll your family member in Medicare even when they missed the enrollment period (2:56)
• What you have to know about changing plans when your loved one’s Medicare no longer covers their needs (5:35)
• Why “Part D” may be the most important Medicare choice you make and save you thousands of dollars (7:53)
• The surprising reason that your loved one’s current plan could be worthless to them next year (10:56)
• Why brand loyalty could destroy your loved one’s health (16:11)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

As your loved one ages, regular insurance companies shy away from what they view as a higher risk. When they reach the age of 65, Medicare becomes the foundation of the health care plan.

But there are so many options. Some provided by the government, some by private health insurance companies. What is the right choice for your family member?

In this episode, independent insurance broker Jack Townsend shares what you need to know to ensure your loved one continues to get the best possible medical care as they age. 

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• Simple signs you need to talk with a professional about medicare to protect your loved one’s health (3:13)
• Why conventional Medicare may not be the best option for your loved one and how to find a plan tailored to their needs (8:00)
• The truth about Medicare reimbursement rates and how to protect your family from financial catastrophe (8:31)
• Why understanding the letters A, B, C, and D can save you from devastating financial loss due to health issues (13:27)
• Why understanding the 2 primary Medicare options is crucial to ensuring your loved one has proper medical care as they age (14:04)
• How to avoid being stuck in a foreign country with no medical coverage (15:57)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/. 

There is no one-size-fits-all family care situation. Every case has unique challenges and opportunities.

But despite the wide variety of circumstances, I’ve noticed 10 tips that will help you provide the best care possible for your loved one.

In this episode, I discuss the 10 tips and how to get the best care experience for your family’s individual needs.

Here Are The Show Highlights:

• The essential legal documents you must have to protect your family from medical and financial harm (4:22)
• How to take advantage of little-known financial resources available to help you safeguard your personal assets (8:31)
• How to prevent cognitive decline in your family member (11:27)
• The counterintuitive reason why your loved one is not the most important person you’re caring for (12:42)
• Easily avoidable mistakes that destroy the health of family caregivers (and how to avoid them yourself) (13:50)

For daily 5-minute mind exercises, head over and like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcafortworth/

You can also find additional support and resources by calling Home Care Assistance at 817-349-7599 or visit our websites https://www.homecareassistancefortworth.com/ and https://itsmyturntocare.com/.