Alzheimer's Disease: Meet Rick Phelps of Memory People

Meet Rick Phelps.

Rick worked 24+ years in law enforcement and as an EMT in Coshocton County, Ohio. He is a husband, father and grandfather. In June of 2010 at the age of 57, Rick was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Of all the people who have Alzheimer's disease, just about 5 percent develop symptoms before the age of 65, sometimes as early as their 30s.

Alzheimer’s Disease is stomping onto the radar of public health organizations, home health agencies, and hospitals. In 2012, Alzheimer’s disease became the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It’s estimated that Alzheimer's will cost the nation $203 billion in the year 2013. This number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050.

When Rick was given this devastating diagnosis, he saw the need for action. Using a platform that millions were already familiar with, Facebook, he created a group called Memory People. This Alzheimer's and dementia support group invites patients, caregivers, advocates and family members to share their journey, find comfort and understanding, and receive support. That was in November of 2010. Memory People is now approaching their 5,000th member.

In 2012 he co-wrote the song "While I Still Can" with his long time friend, Dan Mitchell. "While I Still Can" was written as a tribute to all those affected by dementia as it describes the love and loss that has come into his life since his diagnosis. Rick has also released a book, his story, under the same title, which takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride as he describes the years following his diagnosis. Rick has become a strong advocate for Alzheimer's Awareness, and he continues to change lives, one person at a time.

This Monday, December 2nd of 2013, I will have the pleasure of speaking with two of Rick's assistants: Mrs. Leeanne Chames and Mrs. Michele DeSocio. We will be discussing stories behind Alzheimer's Disease, available resources, and means of raising awareness of early onset Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's, and various types of Dementia. Meet us Monday, at 4pmPT/7pmET at #Nurseup. 

If you or a loved one have been touched by Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we encourage you to join us. 

Caregivers: 10 Gifts to Give Yourself This Holiday Season

The demands of caregiving can be overwhelming, especially if you feel you have little control over the situation or you’re in over your head. As the season for gift giving quickly approaches, take the time this year to give these ten gifts to yourself. They will not only make for a more enjoyable Holiday Season, but may also rejuvenate you into the New Year.

1. Take time for you
Take at least 30 minutes a day to do what you enjoy. Be it reading a book, go for a walk, or just sit in the tub, setting aside 30 minutes to decompress will do wonders. 

2. Start a Journal 
A journal is often a great way to release pent up emotions and clear swirling thoughts. This journal can be in the form of a public blog, a notebook "for-you-eyes-only". Whichever you prefer, the important thing is that you are able to relinquish some burden onto paper. Abraham Lincoln often did this; writing down his frustrations with another individual in the form of a letter and never sending them. 

3. Indulge in one of life's simple pleasures
Do you enjoy fresh cut flowers? Purchase or cut some. Do you enjoy the sound of rain or the crackling of a fireplace? Search for it on YouTube. These simple pleasures can give you a smile or allow you to let out a sigh, they are much worth it. 

4. Join a community group of caregivers either online or in person
Caregiver communities are not only a way to get you out of the house, but they also get you moving, provide a social outlet, and reduce feelings of isolation. Online groups offer the convince of touching base with people from all around the world with similar interests or problems on your own time, through email, websites, message boards, and social media. To start, join me each Monday at 4pmPT/7pmPT on Twitter at #Nurseup.  

5. Play a song from your youth
Just last night I heard the song, "Wind Beneath my Wings" by Bette Midler. To my husbands surprise, and my own, I couldn't stop myself from moving and singing along to all the lyrics. These songs not only bring back memories, but bring an uncanny joy.  

6. As for help or say "yes" when someone offers to help
Asking or accepting help is far from a sign of weakness, rather it's the sign of balance. Allowing for others to step in will create a tight-knit community of support for you and your loved on. If it takes a village to raise a child, how many does it take to care for an aging loved one?  

7. Visit with friends. 
If it is difficult to leave the house, invite friends over to visit with you over coffee, tea, or dinner. It’s important that you interact with others.

8.  Set up a regular check-in. 
Ask a family member, friend, or volunteer from your church or senior center to call you on a set basis (every day, weekly, or how ever often you'd like). This person can help you spread status updates and coordinate with other family members.

9. Find the silver lining. 
Think about the ways caregiving has made you stronger or how it’s brought you closer to person you’re taking care of or to other family members. Think about how caregiving allows you to give back and show your love. This can be used with other areas too. Make it a practice to make it a conscious decision to see the glass half full. 

10. Field-trip 
Some people find that enjoying nature and outdoor activities is very rejuvenating, or they stimulate their senses by visiting a museum, attending a concert, or taking a cooking class. What works for you? Invite friends or join a tour guide. These "field-trips" may be a nice monthly treat. 

A Cry for Help

I received permission to share this story of a friend who is currently going through a family crisis. Names have been changed to protect their identity. Here is her recollection of what happened:

I was getting ready for bed at 11:30pm when my phone rang. The name on the screen was my Uncle Bill. We had become close over the years since his wife passed, however we still only talked maybe 2-3 times a month. For him to be calling this late was unusual. I picked up-"Emily? Emily, can you hear me?"

This wasn't my name, but I could hear that something was different in his voice and there were a lot of voices and rumbling in the background. I chose to tell the truth; "No Uncle Bill, this-"

Either he wasn't interested or he was distracted, and he cut me off mid sentence; "Well tell ya what Emily, I may have drank too much er somethin' but they're takin' me in the ambulance now. I think I fell...or...right fellows?" The noise in the background become clear as a man said, "Yes sir, we're taking you to the hospital." My uncle came back on the line, his words sliding together, "Yeah, they're takin' me somewhere....I'm fine."

This was not fine. I asked to speak to the paramedic, who updated me on the events of the evening. A breathalyzer revealed levels greater than .2, three times the legal limit. One the way to his car, my uncle slipped on ice and hit the back of his head. "You may want to come over and sign his papers. He can't legally sign anything," explained the paramedic.

And so, at midnight on a Tuesday evening I was sitting in the hospital next to my Uncle. He was upset at first that "they" called his niece, not remembering much of that evening, but glad that someone was there to take him home after he was cleared from the doctors. A miracle if you ask me, considering that he hit his head on pavement.

That evening was more than just an unusual chapter in the relationship of my Uncle Bill and I.  This is why I came to Leah Korkis for guidance.

 
If your loved one is displaying unusual behavior or has an incident like the one above, it is a monstrous red flag regarding their emotional and mental well-being. Be sure to speak to a professional and/or a doctor on what you can do to keep this family member safe from harm and into the right hands. 

What would you do in this situation? Have you ever been in a similar situation? 

Holiday Season Tips for Caregivers

For most of us, the holiday season is a wonderful time to share the joys of family life and friendship. However for many older adults the holidays can be highly stressful, confusing, or even depressing if their emotional, mental, or physical needs are not taken into account.

If you have older friends and family members with underlying health conditions, you can help them enjoy the holiday season more by following these simple tips:

1. Stroll down memory lane. 

Holidays provoke memories, which can be especially powerful in the later years of life. “Leading authorities have observed that memory and ‘life review’ are important parts of the aging process,” says Barry Lebowitz, Ph.D., deputy director of UCSD’s Stein Institute for Research on Aging. “Older people whose memories are impaired may have difficulty remembering recent events, but they are often able to share stories and observations from the past. These shared memories are important for the young as well—children enjoy hearing about how it was ‘when your parents were your age…’.” He suggests using picture albums, family videos and music, even theme songs from old radio or TV programs, to help stimulate memories and encourage older seniors to share their stories and experiences.

2. Eliminate obstacles. 

If a holiday get-together is held in the home of an older person with memory impairment or behavioral problems, don’t rearrange the furniture. This could be a source of confusion and anxiety. If the gathering is in a place unfamiliar to an older person, remove slippery throw rugs and other items that could present barriers to someone with balance problems or who has difficulty walking.

3. Reach out. 

Being together with loved ones is especially important at holiday times.  “Older adults are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Whether a senior lives alone or is being cared for by others, the potential for self-neglect or abuse is there,” says Mosqueda, chair of the UC Irvine Department of Family Medicine, and director of geriatrics and the Center of Excellence in Elder Abuse and Neglect. “It is more likely to become an issue if you fail to recognize warning signs early, so use your time wisely with loved ones this holiday season.”

4. Be diet conscious.

With age comes diet restrictions that may influence what or how we eat. Whether it's kidney disease, heart failure, loss of appetite, or simply a difficult chewing, these need to be taking into consideration during food preparation. Here you'll find recipes and pointers to adhere to various diet restrictions.   

5. Keep the spirits high.

Ultimately, the holidays are about being around those you love and care about. Do you best to form new memories with your loved ones by managing stress and focusing on the joy of being together. Tis the season to be jolly! 




Join us! Monday, November 25th at 7pm ET/4pm PT, for a TweetChat at #Nurseup to talk more about preparations for the holiday season. 

The Bright Side of Obamacare: Understanding Obamacare for those 55+

Obamacare has gotten a lot of flack in the news lately due to the fumble of Healthcare.gov. 

Nevertheless, the more I looked into the services it will actually cover for those 55+, the more I found the bright side:

1. Free Preventive Services: 
Preventative screenings, like cholesterol levels and diabetes screenings, help catch problems early while they are most easily treatable and less costly. In the past, deductibles and coinsurance kept many on Medicare from taking advantage of these potentially lifesaving services. For example, in 2008, 17% of women over age 65 hadn't received a mammogram for two years and one-third hadn't gotten a cholesterol screening. A free services, means little to no excuse for not getting these screenings.


2. Free Wellness Exams: Obamacare provides a free annual wellness exam, where you can meet with your doctor and create a personalized prevention plan to improve your health. In the first 7 months of 2012, 1.6 million seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare took advantage of this new benefit. This wellness exam goes hand in hand with preventive screening, and can catch things much sooner while they are easily treatable.

3. Managing Multiple Medications— The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists reported that last year, 65-69 year-olds took an average of 14 prescriptions a year, while 80-84 year olds took an average of 18 prescriptions. Taking multiple medications can result in adverse drug reactions, cumulative side effects, and is estimated to cause 28% of senior hospitalizations and 32,000 hip fractures each year. Under Obamacare, all Part D plans must offer medication therapy management services to seniors most likely to experience problems.Obamacare began eliminating the donut hole in 2011 and will completely end the gap in coverage by 2020. Already, seniors and people with disabilities have saved $4.1 billion (an average of $768 for every person who enters the donut hole) because of this change – and seniors are expected to save between $3,000 and $16,000 in drug costs through 2021 depending on the number of prescriptions they take. 

4. Help for Low-Income Seniors— Over 9 million low-income seniors and people with disabilities are covered byMedicare and Medicaid. Obamacare provides additional assistance to them, for example, eliminating Part D Prescription Drug cost-sharing for those receiving home- and community-based care (low-income nursing home residents were already protected under the law). Low-income seniors living with multiple chronic conditions will get new help through health homes designed to help them coordinate their care, and there will be additional long-term care options available to help them stay in their homes. A new Federal Coordinated Health Care Office is already working to help low-income seniors obtain all their eligible benefits – including new preventive services and wellness exams. 

5. Eliminating Overpayments to and Improving Medicare Advantage plans— Private insurers argued that they would be able to provide the same benefits as traditional Medicare at less cost. Once they were allowed into Medicare, however, the results proved quite different. Instead of costing less, private Medicare Advantage plans cost more than traditional Medicare. In 2009, the year before Obamacare was enacted, it was estimated that Medicare paid Medicare Advantage plans $14 billion more ($1,000 more for each person they enrolled) than if care had been provided through traditional Medicare – and about one-sixth (16.7%) of total payments went to profits and administration. Even seniors who didn't enroll in  plans paid more as a result because Part B premiums are based on total Medicare costs, which include those over-payments. Since Obamacare was enacted in 2010, Medicare Advantage premiums have dropped by 16% while enrollment is up by 17%. 

When it hits home

They say, “Practice makes perfect.”

As a nurse, it’s my job to connect with older adults and their families. I read and hear their stories all day. I've been trained to "speak doctor" and understand the weight of the conversation down to the numbers. My professional career is all about aging – the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Nothing could have prepared me for being a caregiver. 

I’ve written before about my grandfather and the day both our lives changed. At the end of the story though, our lives did go back to normal--a new normal. Physically, he rebounded. Time in an assisted living with daily physical therapy brought back most of his strength. We were all looking forward to having him back home when...

I walked into my grandmother’s hospital room. She was there after she fell backwards onto the concrete sidewalk while fixing the garden. As I leaned over to give her a hug, she yelled, “Don't you touch me! I saw you kissing that other man. What are you going to tell John!?”

Her hallucinations only increased as she sat in an empty room speaking with her "visitors".  I'd walk in quietly, not to interrupt, and shortly after get blamed for "scaring away friends". As she slept, my eyes would darn between her heart monitor, to her, to the number on the IV pump, back to her. The two roles inside me, all nurse yet all granddaughter, drove both into over drive.    

I fought to catch my breath and hold back the tears, all the while trying to keep a smile on face for Grandma. Why wasn’t I prepared for this? I knew what to expect. I knew how to handle this. Yet the thousands of stories, the countless talks with the doctors, and all my research and training, could have never prepared me for the emotions of actually being a caregiver.

Today,  I applaud you caregivers as a nurse and I empathize with you as a caregiver. Our journey may differ greatly, but now when I look into the eyes of another caregiver to teach them about their "new normal", I allow them to look into my eyes. With just a glance, those who have been there, know. The dreaded call, the late night in the emergency room, the torture of waiting for that result or that doctor, that shred of hope that still holds on.

Fellow caregivers and healthcare workers, I'd like to invite you personally to join me Monday nights on twitter. I'll be hosting a TweetChat at #Nurseup at 4pm PST or 7pm EST. Topics will center around caregiving and available resources.

Our first meeting, Monday November 18th, will cover challenges of being a caregiver and helpful resources. I would like to partner with you to bring to light the true role of a caregiver and put the best resources into the right hands.

Looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story. 

Geriatric Care Managers....Who and What?

Many of my boomer friends are currently empty nesters, or at least their kids are grown, and they are now considering how this phase of life will look for them...Will they travel more?...Will they change careers?...Will they spend more time with grandchildren?...Will they get more involved with hobbies or worthy volunteer work?

Suddenly out of the blue, they get a call saying their parent has fallen, or has been hospitalized and needs someone to help them. One of my boomer couple friends had left to go on a much anticipated, and meticulously planned extended trip to Europe, when she received a call that both her parents had fallen ill and were hospitalized. Both parents were in their eighty's and had medical issues, but nothing major going on prior to this call. So you will understand that she was in shock, confused, guilt ridden, fearful and many other emotions all at once. This situation plays out many times over in this ever increasing aging population. 

"The “Baby Boomers” (those born between 1946 and 1964) started turning 65 in 2011, and that number of older people will increase dramatically during the 2010–2030 period. The older population in 2030 is projected to be twice as large as their counterparts in 2000, growing from 35 million to 72 million, representing nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population." Click here for details.

Because of my years as a geriatric care manager and managing the care of my own parents and grandparents, I knew the steps and solutions for these type situations...whereas my friends and most others do not. Many of them have never heard the of term "geriatric care manager". 

Who are Geriatric Care Managers (GCM)?

Geriatric Care Managers are health and human service specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families that are caring for older relatives. The Geriatric Care Manager is educated, and experienced in any of several fields related to care management including, but not limited to, nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.

Typically speaking an individual with:

• An advanced degree in a field related to care management, i.e. counseling, nursing, mental health, social work, psychology or gerontology,

• Engaged in the direct practice of services to the elderly and their families; and has two years of supervised experience in the field of gerontology following the completion of the degree

• Many have additional certifications from National Professional Certifying Boards.


What Do Geriatric Care Managers Do?

Geriatric care management is a holistic client-centered approach to caring for older adults  facing ongoing health challenges. Geriatric care manager's expertise provides answers and options at a time of uncertainty for families. Activities of a GCM could include:

• Assessment and monitoring

• Planning and problem-solving

• Education and advocacy

• Family caregiver coaching

Geriatric Care Managers assists clients in reaching their maximum functional potential, while focusing on the individual’s independence and considering their safety and security as well. In addition, the GCM has extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources. For more specific details: click here.

Like many other geriatric specialists, you may not be able to find a professional certified geriatric care manager in your geographical area or in your parent's area. In addition, most all GCM services are private pay. Medicare does not reimburse for the services. In some instances Long Term Care Insurance will cover some of the cost. Average professional fees for a certified geriatric care manager range from $90.00 to $200.00/hour, varying across the US, and based on the different types services offered.

It is important to remember that a GCM does not provide hands on care. The service can be defined as coordination of care, monitoring of care, or care consultation.

It definitely takes a team to adequately provide for our aging population as their needs change. No one should attempt to walk this journey alone. There is help in many areas of care, points of access, and support groups.

Rhonda Caudell founded Endless Legacy after years of family care giving and serving families as a nurse geriatric care manager. Her life journey brought her to her passion of improving family relationships and communication through elderly parent care coaching. Showing families how to create a long term care process and plan that their kids and the generations to come will want to repeat is her expertise. She works with families throughout the United States. You can reach her at EndlessLegacy.com or via email at Rhonda@EndlessLeagacy.com.

A Terminal Diagnosis Does Not Terminate Living: Tips for Injecting Living into Dying

When my father began our phone conversation with the words, "Are you sitting down?" I knew the news to follow would not be good; but I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would tell me my 73-year-old mother was terminally ill with metastatic lung cancer. I had not even begun to prepare myself for the day I would lose either one of my parents. A lucky gene pool had caused me to believe confidently that both would live well into their nineties. No such luck.

Every day a daughter or son somewhere, or a sister or brother or parent, gets the news that a cherished loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal disease. The shock, accompanied by a ferocious sense of foreboding and a powerful dose of premature grieving, can be overwhelming and paralyzing. Yet we need not be consumed by the depths of despair; and for the ones we love and will lose, it is vital that we climb out of the depths as quickly as possible so they won't fall in themselves. 

Two days after getting my father's call, I suddenly had a moment of clarity and an epiphany: my mother's life was going to end sooner than we expected or wanted, but it hadn't ended yet. So I committed myself to helping my mother live, and live joyfully, until I found myself in the position of helping her die.

If you receive the dreaded call, what can you do?

How can you inject living into dying?

How can you let the sunshine break through the menacing cloud overhead?

1. First, reel yourself in from that place of anticipatory grief to which the diagnosis catapulted you. No one has died yet, so stop grieving a loss that hasn't occurred. Rather than anticipating death, we can choose to embrace and enjoy life. The story of my mother's life was still being written, and so there was no need to allow our minds to fast-forward to the story's ending. We were intent upon writing quite a few more chapters.

2. Realize that while there is nothing you can do to keep your parent or loved one from dying, there is much you can do to help him or her keep living. For us, tomorrow was a day to look forward to because of the possibilities and happiness it could bring, rather than a day to dread because it would bring us one day closer to death. Make what time remains a period filled with purpose and passion.

3. Stay in the moment. Don't focus on what lies ahead. It is possible, and good, to crowd out thoughts about dying by injecting acts of living. You can keep thoughts of what's to come at bay by being intentional about savoring every aspect of what you are experiencing while you are experiencing it. And shouldn't every one of us do this every day anyway, whether we know our days are numbered or not? 

4. Don't expect miracles, but don't stop believing in what is possible. While the disease will eventually render certain things impossible, focus on all that is still possible. Even though we were subconsciously or privately aware that we might be celebrating certain holidays or milestones together for the last time, we chose to look forward to what came next. And rather than focusing on last times, we opted to find things we could do or enjoy for the first time. For example: a first mother-daughter side-by-side mani-pedi. Unforgettably wonderful!

5. Don't stop planning. My mother and I did not use a calendar to cross off, with relief, days that had been survived. Rather, we used the calendar to record, with anticipation, plans that were being made—appointments, outings, get-togethers, trips—for next week, next month, and even next summer.

6. Have fun. Make fun. Be happy! It is OK to laugh while hearts are breaking; in fact, it's critical. Laughter is good medicine. So laugh—with abandon. Take pictures. Lots of them. We filled two photo albums. Who would ever have imagined how much my mother would do, where she would go, whom she would meet, and how many people she would touch after her diagnosis? Who could ever believe how happy she was that last year? The photos provide evidence...and also many wonderful reminders of life, love, and laughter.

7. Help your parent or loved one retain things that matter most to someone facing death: routines, relationships, a sense of self, and, above all, a sense of dignity. Keeping a calendar, carrying a pocketbook, getting dressed, getting together with friends, shopping for holiday gifts, making the grocery list—little routines like these inject a semblance of normalcy into an existence that feels anything but normal or routine, especially as disease takes its toll. And remember that we feel good when we look good. My mother was never without lipstick or earrings on the days I was with her; we kept our nails polished and we shopped for new clothes for the coming season. Why not?!

8. Gently nudge, but don't push. There will be days, and there will come a point, when certain things just aren't possible or when your parent simply won't feel physically (or mentally) up for what you think she might want to do and enjoy. Although I was intent on helping her find joy in every day, I did not want my mother to be afraid to say "I can't" or "I don't want to." I didn't want her ever to feel as though she was disappointing me or anyone in the family if she succumbed to her fatigue or anything else she struggled to overcome.

9. Allow as much opportunity for your loved one to be doing rather than always being done for or done to. A dying person needs and deserves to be treated and valued as a human being, as a person rather than a patient. The notion of being helpless and a burden to loved ones is as demoralizing and demotivating as anything can be. Whether folding some laundry or putting the tape on Christmas presents that I was wrapping or opening the mail or looking up a phone number or wheeling herself to the refrigerator to pull out a yogurt for herself, it was important for my mother to feel she was still "good for something" and still the lady of the house—her house, even when it seemed overtaken by caregivers.

10. Welcome hospice as a companion and guide on the journey of life as the journey comes to an end. Hospice staff and volunteers are angels on earth. Thanks to them, when we reached the final destination we all—my mother and those she was leaving behind—experienced peace and gratitude we had not imagined possible at such a sorrowful time in our lives.

My mother lived, fully and joyfully, for a year and one day from her diagnosis.

A diagnosis of "terminal" cancer does not terminate living. In reality, each of us has already received a terminal diagnosis; we just don't know how close we are to the finish line. Without denying the reality that someone we love is going to be leaving the party sooner than we expected or want, it is possible to suppress that reality and go about the business of enjoying the party while it lasts. And it might last much longer than you expect. Or it might not, but it can still be a lot of fun.

By: Linda Campanella. When All That’s Left of Me Is Love, Linda Campanella’s first book, was published in August 2011 (Tate Publishing & Enterprises), and it is an inspiring story of love and loss, family and faith, hope and hospice, grief and gratitude. Written very soon after her terminally ill mother’s death in 2009, the memoir takes readers on an intimate and emotional journey from day of diagnosis through moment of death and into the few months of Linda’s being a motherless daughter. The memoir has earned numerous awards that include being named a 2013 National Indie Excellence Book Awards finalist, a first-place winner as best memoir in the 2012 ReaderViews literary awards program, and a 2012 Nautilus Silver Award winner; the Nautilus book awards “are given to print books of exceptional merit that make a literary and heartfelt contribution to spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, green values, responsible leadership and positive social change.” More information about Linda and her moving memoir can be found at When All That’s Left of Me is Love and on Facebook. The book is available for purchase on amazon.com and bn.com.

Twitter Talk on Burnout

Join Leah Korkis, Founder of Healthy Now and Later, 
and Andrew Lopez on Twitter!

Sunday November 10th, at 6pm PST at #NurseUp we will be discussing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress disorder. 

In case you missed this tweetchat, here are the transcripts to our conversation.

As of 2012, just over a quarter of all adults within the United States are caregivers for their elder parents, costing an average of 3 trillion dollars a years in lost wages, pensions, and social security as a result of their tardiness, absenteeism, or leaving the workforce all together. This is because 1 in 6 caregivers in America hold full-time or part-time employment. Given the aging population and increase in the need for caregivers, an understanding of the risk of compassion fatigue among nurses and other healthcare professionals who care for elderly relatives is particularly urgent. 

Work Resources for Caregiving Employee

As Baby Boomers begin to turn 65 , more and more businesses are facing the challenge of supporting employees who are caregivers for aging parents or relatives. This new employee role can easily become a problem if businesses don't heed to the warning signs.  

According to the MetLife Caregiver Cost Study, absenteeism by employees because of elder care responsibilities cost businesses within the US over $3.4 billion each year. This same report points out that it costs nearly $3 billion annually for US companies to replace employees who quit because of their many responsibilities as an elder caregiver. 

Obviously, this sends up some major red flags to companies. Employees taking care of their aging parents will have an impact on their attendance but also their productivity. These include costs associated with crisis in care, workday interruptions, supervisory time, unpaid leave, and reducing hours from full-time to part time. 

A business can not afford to let experienced employees quit when their caregiving responsibilities become too burdensome.  Skilled, trained and mature employees are an asset. It's difficult to replace the judgment, relationships, market savvy and wisdom which many of these caregiver employees bring. Not to mention, the costs of training a replacement could easily be more than any costs of accommodating existing employees. 

There are several ways a company can help their caregiving employees:

1.   Reach out. 
Try and understand what they are going through. These employees are going to take care of their loved ones whether their company and their supervisor are aware of it or not. Try and partner with them to make them successful both at home and at work. 

2.   Unite
Hold seminars or lunch gatherings where people can come and share the demands they are going through as caregivers. Invite everyone because there will be many who know that it is coming up for them and will want to learn all they can to prepare for what is ahead. By making open discussion of elderly care issues part of the discussion at work, these employees will feel that you truly want them to succeed. The local Area Agency on Aging, health system, and long term care insurance companies may even be good sources for guest speakers.

3. Brainstorm
Speak with other management about how they support their employed caregivers. Dig deeper to offer more paid time off, allow a few work-from-home days a month, or make deals with respite care and elder day care agencies in your area to offer discounts to these employees. Brainstorm out of the ordinary resources to offer these employees so they can focus on work while they are their. A satisfied employee is an employee who will not only work harder, but also represent your business well in words and in action.  

In the long run, partnering with caregivers in the workplace just makes good business sense.

Brain Fitness Puzzles For Those With Alzheimer’s and Dementia

It's a common question: 

Do puzzles help those with Alzheimer’s and dementia?

Karen Miller, owner/developer of Memory Jogging Puzzles, responds: 

"It all depends upon the puzzle."

There are many important factors to consider when deciding if a puzzle is beneficial for those with Alzheimers or dementia.

I feel until you have spent time with Alzheimer and dementia patients, you don’t realize how important small details are, the ones we take for granted.

My mother was always working on large puzzles and didn’t have any problems picking up those tiny, thin cardboard pieces and finding the right place to put them. She could move around and stretch across the cardboard table to fetch any piece she wanted. But, after her stroke and being paralyzed on her right side, things were different. She could not move at all on her right side and couldn’t lean across the table to pick up a puzzle piece.

She was a little shaky doing things with her left hand and unable to voice how she felt made it more frustrating.

My father was her caregiver and I remember like it was yesterday, dad bringing home a small childs puzzle with baby chick theme.

Mom didn’t put it together, she just cried. Later we discovered she was embarrassed and felt humiliated because it was a child’s puzzle and she was not a child.

Her disabilities made it difficult to find activities she could do without becoming frustrated. Her frustrations were embedded in my memory and her needs became my model for memory jogging puzzles and memory exercise card games.

One size puzzle does NOT meet everyone’s needs.

There are several large piece puzzles on the market. I have heard, some of these puzzle pieces are too large, making it difficult for elderly to handle. And, the completed puzzle is too big, making it difficult for people to find, reach and put in place puzzle pieces.

If your loved one has disabilities, the best puzzle size is one that keeps puzzle and puzzle pieces visible and within reach. Large chunky pieces are great for those with arthritis, shaky or large hands, giving them substance to feel and hang on to.

Beneficial Puzzles

Puzzles that are beneficial do not frustrate the individual. Puzzles with too many pieces are frustrating to elderly, seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. If the puzzle has too many pieces, most likely it will not be completed during activity time. Many think this isn’t a problem, I’ve observed this scene and it is a problem. Especially when there are different levels of individuals putting the puzzle together. In order to have a good feeling of accomplishment the puzzle should be completed.

Many times individuals are brought up to the tables in a wheelchair to work on large puzzles. They have limitations; this is not a fun activity. They are given a few pieces to work with, 99% of the time their pieces don’t fit any other piece near them. They sit there, knowing they should find the spot where the pieces go and they can’t. They get frustrated and want to leave. This is frustrating to me.

It is best if you can work one-on-one.

You must choose a puzzle you feel the individual can complete. It is better to have a puzzle with fewer pieces; one they can complete, rather than one more difficult; they can’t do and become frustrated. Yes, you should help them occasionally, but if you are doing the entire puzzle, you are getting the brain exercise not them. You need a puzzle with fewer pieces even then you may need to assist them.

Some websites offer only 12 piece puzzles, I’m sorry but a 12 piece puzzle is too difficult for those in the middle stages of dementia. Some even struggle with a 6 piece.

For many seniors with dementia it has been a long time since they have put a puzzle together. Be patient with them, assist them if needed and most will recall what they are supposed to do and enjoy the moment.

When looking for a puzzle for your loved one, ask yourself if the puzzle meets these needs.

• Is the puzzle age appropriate? This will help your loved one keep their dignity.

• Will the theme capture their attention? It has to capture their attention to motivate them to participate in putting the puzzle together.

• Is the puzzle too large with many small pieces? If so you may want to choose another one. Large puzzles with many pieces, most likely will be frustrating and the person will give up trying. You may see tears rather than a smile.

• Are the pieces large and easy to hang on to? If puzzle pieces are too small or too thin, those with arthritis, shaky or large hands may have difficulty picking the pieces up.

• Does the puzzle have storytelling theme or is it an object? Storytelling themes stimulate memories, emotions and conversations better than objects.

• Is puzzle small with few pieces? Completion builds self-esteem, confidence and stimulates a good feeling of success.

Choose a puzzle you feel the individual will enjoy putting together easily without frustration.

Trivia: Adult puzzles emerged around 1900. In 1908, puzzles were a full-blown craze in the United States. In 2008, Memory Jogging Puzzles developed the first age appropriate wooden puzzle with storytelling themes, designed specifically to meet needs of elderly and Alzheimer patients. http://memoryjoggingpuzzles.com

©2013 Karen Miller, owner/developer of Memory Jogging Puzzles

Resource Photo - Photobucket