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Our newsletter is filled with information on some of the wonderful programs and services we offer to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairment.
As always, our team is here to help ~ whenever you are ready to reach-out!
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Keeping Aging Loved Ones Independent with Geriatric Care Management
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What is Geriatric Care Management?
Care management brings together the patient, the primary care provider, specialty
providers, and the patient's family and caregivers. It assists in the coordination of care
for the best possible outcomes for the patient. Care management particularly benefits
those patients with chronic or complex conditions who see multiple providers and
require diagnostic or laboratory services in addition to medications.
Geriatric care management is the process of planning and coordinating care of the
elderly and others with physical and/or mental impairments to meet their long-term care
needs, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence for as long as
possible.
What is the goal of Care Management?
The goal of care management is to assist clients in regaining optimum health and
improved or sustained functional capability, in the right settings and in a cost-effective
manner.
Who are Care Managers?
A Geriatric Care Manager, usually a licensed nurse, social worker who someone who
specializes in geriatrics, is a sort of "professional relative" who can help you and your
family to identify needs and find ways to meet your needs. These specially trained
professionals can help find resources to make your daily life easier.
Here are some examples of what a Care Manager may do:
- Coordinate and attend medical appointments and serve as a liaison for family members.
- Assist with Medications.
- Oversee and coordinate care in the home.
- Provide client advocacy
- Information and Education for client and family
- Assist with obtaining state or federal assistance
- Assistance with bill paying and home management services
- Crisis intervention, Stabilization and Prevention Services
- Assistance with Placement
- Linking clients to community services and other resources
- Home safety and fall prevention assistance
Geriatric Care Management offers a solution for long distance caregivers such as
adult children who reside elsewhere and are unable to offer the hands-on
assistance their loved ones need.
For more information, contact The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center and speak with a Care Manager today and see if Care Management can benefit you and your
loved ones.
Call us today at (561) 588-4545 to learn more about
Care Management or to get started right away!
With warmest regards,
Dawn Epstein
Executive Director
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Best Oils for Optimal Brain Health
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To help calm the over-stimulated brain, chamomile, frankincense, lavender and vetiver are popular essential oils.
To use them, simply:
- Add 4-6 drops of your favorite calming oil(s) in a water diffuser during the night to help get a better night's sleep.
- Apply calming oils over specific trigger points on your body such as behind the knees, temples, and the wrists throughout the day. Always remember to dilute with a carrier oil to prevent burning or skin sensitization!
- Use an inhaler or wear an aromatherapy necklace with your favorite calming oils.
Oils That Can Help with Dementia
According to research, traditional uses for essential oils include a wide variety of applications and blends to help dementia and Alzheimer's patients. Here are some key takeaways:
- One study uncovered that use of lavender increased sleep patterns in dementia patients who were in residential care.
- In another trial, geranium, lavender and mandarin oils mixed with an almond oil base were applied to the skin of 39 patients that resulted in contentment, increased alertness, and sleeping at night; as well as reduced levels of agitation, wandering and withdrawal.
- In a recent trial of dementia patients, the use of several essential oils including ylang ylang, patchouli, peppermint, rosemary and others produced a significant decrease in disturbed behavior in the majority of patients. Fascinating, this led to a reduction in prescribed conventional medicines, thereby delivering cost savings.
- A blend of lavender, marjoram, patchouli and vetiver applied as a cream was shown to significantly increase the mental state of dementia patients.
Results of placebo-controlled clinical trials using Melissa (lemon balm) and lavender for the treatment of advanced dementia have shown that:
- Lavender and lemon balm aromatherapy increased communication and functional abilities, as well as decreased difficult behavior.
- Lavender aromatherapy and massage significantly reduced frequency of excessive motor behavior.
- Lavender aromatherapy can significantly reduce agitated behavior.
- Lemon balm lotion applied to the face and arms is highly associated with significant reductions measured on an agitation inventory and social withdrawal, together with an increase in constructive activities.
To piece this all together, always remember that many of these techniques are not fully tested, however they show much promise. Listen to your body and be aware of changes in your loved ones if you're a caregiver.
Essential oils are powerful natural therapies
do wonders. Enjoy the experience!
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Ways to Be a Healthier Caregiver
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Understand what's going on early
Symptoms of Alzheimer's may appear gradually. It can be easy to explain away changing or unusual behavior when a loved one seems physically healthy. Instead, consult a doctor when you see changes in memory.
Become an educated caregiver
As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills may be necessary. The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center offers training programs and
Coaching for Caregivers to help you better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer's disease.
Take care of yourself
Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you stay healthy will help you to be a better caregiver.
Manage your stress levels
Stress can cause physical problems (stomach irritation, high blood pressure) and changes in behavior (irritability, change in appetite). Note your symptoms. Use relaxation techniques that work for you, and talk to your doctor.
Give yourself credit, not guilt
Know that the care you provide does make a difference and you are doing the best you can. You may feel guilty because you can't do more, but individual care needs changes as the Alzheimer's progresses. You can't promise how care will be delivered, but you can make sure that the person with Alzheimer's is well cared for and safe.
Know what community resources are available
Contact the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. The staff can help you find resources in your community! Live-in care,
geriatric care management, and respite care are just a few of the services that can help you manage daily tasks.
For more ways to become a healthier caregiver,
follow our blog
or tons of valuable information.
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When Your Loved One Doesn't Need a Nurse, But Could Use a Friend
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In support of our mission to meet the needs of the caregivers we serve, our
Comforting Companions
provide consistent, in-home care services tailored to meet your loved ones needs; while giving you
and your family peace of mind, knowing in your absence, they are safe and well cared for.
Each employee is trained to provide individualized companion care and support, while interacting and engaging your loved one in the most meaningful ways possible.
Making Moments Matter Activities: While engaging your loved one in every day activities, and concentrating on their current abilities and strengths, our Companions can help cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment in the life of the person you love.
Light Housekeeping:
Your Comforting Companion
™
can perform a wide variety of common household tasks. Their assistance can help your loved one continue to live at home, safely and as independently as possible.
Nutritious Meal Preparation:
Helping your loved one maintain a well-balanced, healthy diet is important. From grocery shopping to hot, nutritious meal preparation, our Companions can help with creative menu planning; nutritious meal preparation and more.
Respite Break:
Taking a break from the demands of full-time caregiving gives you a chance to recharge, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Our Companions can provide you with a healthy respite break, on a
regularly scheduled basis or just when you need it
most.
Transportation:
Our companions can provide your loved one with incidental transportation services to appointments; shopping; and to other special events.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today by calling (561) 588-4545!
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Smart Ideas to Keep Your Loved One with
Memory Loss Independent
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| Click on the Image to Play the Video |
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Signs That It's Time for a Break for Caregiving
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Stress and burnout are the most common problems for those who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Take stock of your stress level by asking yourself whether you're experiencing any of the following emotional and physical symptoms. For an even better reality check, have your partner or other loved one answer the questions for you to see what someone close to you thinks.
There's no formula for defining your stress level, but if your yes answers outnumber your no answers, or if just two or three of the categories seem to apply to you, consider taking steps to ease your situation.
Here are the symptoms that suggest you need a break!
Submit Your Questions to info@alzpb.org
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Support Us When Shopping on Amazon
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A
mazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Alzheimer's Care Resource Center
whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support, but we certainly hope that you will support the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center.
If you have questions or would like more
i
nformation,
contact the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center,
f
eel free to
call us at (561) 588-4545. Thank you!!
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10 Requests from a Dementia Journeyer
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For more great posts like this, follow the
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| Become a Comforting Companion |
Would you like a rewarding job as a caregiver where you can make a difference in someone's life? Do you know someone who enjoys working with the elderly?
We are currently looking for caring, kind, dependable and personable individuals who desire to provide non-medical, in-home care to the elderly. Tasks typically include:
- Companionship and conversation
- Meal preparation and planning
- Light housekeeping
- General assistance
If you're a warm, enthusiastic and compassionate person with a heart for working with seniors, then the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center could be perfect for you. We offer competitive pay and a personally rewarding work environment where you can truly feel good about what you are doing.
Call Today to Learn How to Get Started! (561) 588-4545
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July 2020 Calendar of Events
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About Us
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The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization,
is the only non-profit organization in Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and St. Lucie county focused strictly on meeting the needs of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers. We are so excited that we can bring these wonderful programs and services to the community and further our mission of helping caregivers to relax, renew and reach-out to help meet their own unique self-care needs.
You can reach us at
(561) 588-4545
or
Sincerely,
Alzheimer's Care Resource Center |
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