Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Caregivers Resources hundreds of links

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Caregivers Resources

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Guardian vs. Conservator: What’s the Difference? - Robert J. Kulas, P.A.

Guardian vs. Conservator: What’s the Difference? - Robert J. Kulas, P.A.





Quoted for your discussion from web site of Robert J. Kulas, Attorney, East Lake Professional Center, 2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952, Phone: (772) 398-0720

information@kulaslaw.com

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Guardian vs. Conservator: What’s the Difference?

Sep 8, 2010



When it comes to estate planning, the terms “guardian” and “conservator” tend to come up often. There’s sometimes confusion about what a guardian does as opposed to what a conservator does. The two roles are similar but distinct.



A guardian is a court-appointed fiduciary who is responsible for ensuring that the personal, day-to-day needs of a child or incapacitated adult are taken care of. The person whose well-being the guardian is responsible for is called a “ward”. In the case of a child, often the guardian is the primary caregiver, living with the child and fulfilling a parental role. This is not always the case with an incapacitated adult. The guardian of an incapacitated adult is usually in charge of making sure that the ward gets adequate medical treatment and that the ward’s caregivers are doing an adequate job of meeting his or her personal needs.



A conservator, or guardian of the property, on the other hand, is a court-appointed fiduciary who is responsible for managing the financial affairs of a child or an incapacitated adult. The conservator takes care of real estate, manages bank accounts, and handles investments. His or her duties can range from paying bills to buying and selling stocks and bonds to managing rental property on behalf of the ward.



The main benefit of having a guardian or conservator is that the fiduciary is subject to court oversight in fulfilling his or her duties. The disadvantages to this arrangement include that, because of court involvement, guardianship or conservatorship can be an expensive and time-consuming process, and that it is a public process.
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Thursday, August 19, 2010

THE Caregivers Resource Links

Retirees NewsBasket: {back to top} THE Caregivers Resource Links
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Non-Emergency Government 311 Phone Services

311 Telephone Services

Non-Emergency Government 311 Service has been approved by the US Government as a 3-digit dedicated phone number to reach important government services from any location and at any time.

Simply dial 311 from any telephone and you will reach various non-emergency services thru out the nation.

311 is a simple, easy-to-remember telephone number which connects citizens with specially-trained city customer service representatives. They are ready to help you with your City service requests

Since 311 is a relatively new service not all localities offer 311 service at this time, especially lesser populated areas. However, its use is rapidly gaining momentum as more and more local agencies are offering it.

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Things To Look for in a Retirement Home

5 Things to Look for in a Retirement Home
good article on www.smartmoney.com
"Continuing care retirement communities are probably the best prepared to deal with healthcare issues that arise as one gets further on in their golden years. This type of community hosts independent living quarters, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. That way, if a resident's health deteriorates, he or she could get the proper treatment without changing facilities. 'There will come a day when [a patient] will need [in-house, health] services,' says Holohan. 'You don't want...to change homes three or four times.'"
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Thursday, August 5, 2010

What's new on BarbaraMcVicker.com? | Blog

http://nxy.in/kk7v1
As you can see, they've gone through a pretty major transition here! In case you're wondering where all the changes are, here is a brief summary:

Blog: As you can see here, Barbara now has a blog where she'll be posting great advice and eldercare news!

Expanded Resources: More online resources and recommended books!

Media & Press: A thorough compiling of all of Barbara's articles, TV appearances, and more!

Online Documents: If you're hosting Barbara for an event, or you'd just like to learn more about her, we now have an online press room and collection of event documents.


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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’ By CRAIG REAVES

Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’ - The New Old Age Blog - NYTimes.com
Paying for the ‘Institutionalized Spouse’
By CRAIG REAVES
Craig Reaves.Craig Reaves.

Craig Reaves, past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, practices in Kansas City, Mo., and on occasion fields questions from New Old Age readers. You may submit your question to newoldage@nytimes.com. Please limit your inquiries to general legal issues; Mr. Reaves can’t offer personal legal advice.
Q.

What happens when one half of a married couple is retired and in need of expensive nursing home care while a younger spouse is still working and earning income? Are there options for protecting any of the income or accumulated wealth (such as retirement accounts) of the younger spouse? Or does it all have to go to pay for the care of the one who’s ill?


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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Massachusetts, Elder home care programs have been cut

MetroWest feels pinch of local aid cuts - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News
Elder home care programs have been cut by $21.7 million over the last three fiscal years, a 14 percent cut when adjusted for inflation that results in approximately 2,500 fewer frail elders receiving community-based long-term care services that allow them to stay in their homes. There are now more than 2,700 elders each month on a waiting list for home care, the policy center report says.

Copyright 2010 The MetroWest Daily News. Some rights reserved


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Monday, July 5, 2010

Lotsa Helping Hands A service of Alzheimer's Association

Lotsa Helping Hands - Coordination Service
Lotsa Helping Hands is a private, web-based caregiving coordination service that allows family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to create a community and assist with the daily tasks that become a challenge when caring for an aging loved one or during long-term caregiving.

Alzheimer's Association Each community includes an intuitive group calendar for scheduling tasks such as coverage or transportation to medical appointments, a platform for securely sharing vital medical, financial, and legal information with designated family members, and customizable sections for posting photos, well wishes, blogs, journals, and messages.

Now, when someone asks “what can I do to help?” the answer is “give me your name and email address” – the system takes over and allows people to sign up and start helping.


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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Fell On Floor and Can't Get Up, how to help

About Human Kinetics
Human Kinetics, mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of our diverse customers.
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So you or your caring partner fell and is having trouble getting back up.

Here is an edited excerpt from Health Professionals’ Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson’s Disease
found on http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/assisted-floor-transfer-techniques-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease


"Assisted floor transfer techniques for patients with Parkinson's Disease
By Miriam P. Boelen, PT"

"Assisted Floor Transfer Techniques"

When the caregiver helps the patient up from the floor, both must be kept safe. If this is not possible, additional help such as a medical alert system may be needed. If possible, the gait belt should be snug for better leverage.

Transfers should be coordinated between the patient and caregiver to ensure simultaneous maximal effort and to minimize strain on both. The caregiver can accomplish this by giving instructions such as “On the count of three try rolling onto your hands and knees” or “On the count of three try to stand up.” Because of Parkinsonian symptoms, the patient may not initiate movement at the count of three.

The caregiver should be advised of this possibility so that she or he can delay giving assistance until the patient starts. Coordination of effort will avoid placing excessive strain on the caregiver. Caregivers should be encouraged to use optimal lifting body mechanics. .....

* Assisted side lying to hands-and-knees position. The optimal hand placement of the caregiver is to position one hand under the bottom hip and the other hand under the gait belt. The caregiver pulls up on the patient’s hips as if turning a big wheel (figure 11.6, a and b). The caregiver should flex the knees to facilitate lifting with the legs rather than the back.





* Assisted prone to hands and knees. If the patient has strong arms, the caregiver (with proper body mechanics) can straddle the patient, grab the gait belt, and lean back while pulling up on the belt. At the same time the patient pushes with the arms (figure 11.7). As the patient walks her or his hands backward, the caregiver walks backward and guides the hips into the all-fours position.


* Assisted half kneeling to standing. The caregiver stands on the side of the patient that requires greater support. This positioning allows the patient to assist with his or her strongest side, which reduces difficulties in general. The caregiver places one hand on the gait belt and the other arm under the patient’s axilla (figure 11.8).

What to Do After a Fall

Patients often want to get up from the floor immediately after a fall. This desire may be due to the embarrassment of falling or their concern about their ability to get up. Sometimes patients do not think about the fact that after they have fallen, they cannot fall any farther and should be in no hurry to get up. Bystanders occasionally offer a helping hand, but their help may cause greater destabilization or irritate an already arthritic joint. Educating the patient about how to guide bystanders will help minimize these problems. Here are some general guidelines about what to tell your patient:

1. Do not try to get up right away.

2. Before attempting to get up, mentally note whether any areas feel injured. If you suspect injury, seek medical attention.

3. Attempt to relax for a moment before getting up.
.....

5. Before attempting to get up, someone should bring a chair close to you if needed so that you can use it for support to get up.

6. An additional chair could be placed behind you if you have difficulty turning. After you are standing, you can sit on the chair without having to turn.

This is an brief excerpt from Health Professionals’ Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson’s Disease. found on http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/assisted-floor-transfer-techniques-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease





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A gait belt is a device used to transfer people from one position to another or from one thing to another. For example you would use a gait belt to move a patient from a standing position to a wheelchair. The gait belt is customarily made out of cotton webbing and a durable metal buckle on one end. The gait belt is worn around a patient's waist. The purpose for this is to put less strain on the back of the care giver and to provide support for the patient
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Points to Remember: More than one caregiver may be needed. Belts with padded handles are easier to grip and increase security and control. Always transfer to resident's strongest side. Use good body mechanics and a rocking and pulling motion rather than lifting when using a belt. Belts may not be suitable for ambulation of heavy residents or residents with recent abdominal or back surgery, abdominal aneurysm, etc. Should not be used for lifting residents. Ensure belt is securely fastened and cannot be easily undone by the resident during transfer. Ensure a layer of clothing is between residents' skin and the belt to avoid abrasion. Keep resident as close as possible to caregiver during transfer. Lower bedrails, remove arms and foot rests from chairs, and other items that may obstruct the transfer
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

It takes two to tango: email version

It takes two to tango: email version - Knowledge Jolt with Jack
Putting the little elves to work.For people who watch the "personal effectiveness" discussion space, one of the favorite topics is that of dealing with email, usually with a strong focus on one person: ideas like Inbox Zero or methods for processing mail. But there is a bigger issue with email in this person is not the only player: she sends and receives emails from many others, and it is their behavior that affect her just as much as her own actions.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Living Will

The Living WillA Guide To Health Care Decision Making
This copyrighted material may be freely reproduced and distributed (intact with no changes) for personal use only.

Introduction

Through advances in medical technology, some patients who formerly would have died can now be kept alive by artificial means. Sometimes a patient may desire such treatment because it is a temporary measure potentially leading to the restoration of health. At other times, such treatment may be undesirable because it may only prolong the process of dying rather than restore the patient to an acceptable quality of life. In any case, each person is seen, under the law, as having the personal right to decide whether to institute, continue or terminate such treatment. As long as a patient is mentally competent, he or she can be consulted about desired treatment. When a patient has lost the capacity to communicate, however, the situation is different.

Although New York has no statute on the question, there are state and federal court decisions that have established the right of an incompetent or comatose patient to have his or her wishes respected, as long as those wishes are known. New York law requires clear and convincing evidence of what the patient would want. Of all the various acceptable forms of evidence, a health care declaration (often called a "Living Will") can be the best. It simply documents a person's wishes concerning treatment when those wishes can no longer be personally communicated. Even in New York, such a document is recognized if it is clear, specific and unequivocal.

The following guide will help you prepare such a document if you have wishes you want respected. You should realize that if you do not express your views, treatment to maintain your life, by whatever means available, will probably be provided once you are no longer able to communicate, even if family members object. Therefore, if there are conditions under which you would not want treatment, it is important that you communicate your wishes while you are able to do so. In addition, because it is important that your wishes be documented in the most effective way possible, it is recommended that you consult your attorney in regard to the preparation of a health care declaration.


Prepared by: Jack P. Freer, M.D.
Elizabeth G. Clark, Esq.
Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear
Attorneys At Law COPYRIGHT © 1994 Jack P. Freer, M.D. & Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear


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Better Care of the Dying

ABCD-CARING - Americans for Better Care of the Dying - Main Page
Every dying person needs to be able to count on excellent care. Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD) aims to improve end-of-life care


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Caring Conversations Workbook, published by the Center for Practical Bioethics

About MidBio
Midwest Bioethics Center was a community-based ethics center, founded in 1984 by a physician, an attorney, and a philosopher. Dedicated to its mission to integrate ethical considerations into healthcare decision-making throughout communities, the Center offered workshops and educational programs for professionals and lay people alike, assisted healthcare providers throughout the country in grappling with ethical issues in clinical work, and assisted administrators in integrating ethics into the organizational structure. MBC was a membership organization for both consumers and professionals.

MBC facilitated four different ethics consortia which met to study ethical issues and prepare policy guidelines.


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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Age Strong! Live Long! May is Older Americans Month

http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx

Older Americans Month Archive
May is Older Americans Month
History of Older Americans Month

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthdays. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing, however. In April of 1963, President John F. Kennedy's meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens served as a prelude to designating May as "Senior Citizens Month."

Thanks to President Jimmy Carter's 1980 designation, what was once called Senior Citizens Month, is now called "Older Americans Month," and has become a tradition.

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities.

Past Older Americans Month Themes

* 1978 - Older Americans and the Family
* 1984 - Health: Make it Last a Lifetime
* 1985 - Help Yourself to Independence
* 1986 - Plan on Living the Rest of Your Life
* 1992 - Community Action Begins with You: Help Older Americans Help Themselves
* 1993 - No theme selected (proclamation signed on May 25, 1993)
* 1994 - Aging: An Experience of a Lifetime
* 1995 - Aging: Generations of Experience
* 1996 - Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity
* 1997 - Caregiving: Compassion in Action
* 1998 - Living Longer, Growing Stronger in America
* 1999 - Honor the Past, Imagine the Future: Towards a Society for All Ages
* 2000 - In the New Century. . . . The Future is Aging
* 2001 - The Many Faces of Aging
* 2002 - America: "A Community for all Ages"
* 2003 - What We Do Makes A Difference.”
* 2004 - Aging Well, Living Well
* 2005 - Celebrate Long-term Living
* 2006 - Choices For Independence
* 2007 - Making Choices for a Healthier Future
* 2008 - Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities
* 2009 - Living Today for a Better Tomorrow
* 2010 - Age Strong! Live Long!


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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The number of unpaid family caregivers in the United States now tops 65 million

The Secret Caregivers
The Secret Caregivers

By Gail Sheehy, May & June 2010

Men care for their loved ones more often than we know. Why do they hide it? Inside their silent burdens and bittersweet rewards

The number of unpaid family caregivers in the United States now tops 65 million, involving more than three in ten households, according to "Caregiving in the U.S. 2009," a report conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) in collaboration with AARP, and funded by the MetLife Foundation. Despite a common stereotype that caregiving is women's work, one third of American caregivers are men, the report reveals.


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Caregiving in the U.S. 2009

Caregiving in the U.S. 2009
By: National Alliance for Caregiving in Collaboration with AARP; Funded by The MetLife Foundation | December 2009


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Monday, May 3, 2010

How to make a visit to the physician easier for AD patient.

Pleasantries Adult Day Services - Marlboro, Massachusetts - Alternative Alzheimer’s care
Tammy Pozerycki
Owner & Director
Writes in a Pleasantries A.D.S. newsletter:
It is important that your loved one with Alzheimer's disease have regular visits to his or her physician. These visits should address all medical and behavioral issues which may be related to Alzheimer's disease. In order to experience a productive appointment with the physician, try the following suggestions:

* Choose a "good" time of day for the appointment time (most likely morning will be best.)

* Bring along an activity that your loved one enjoys (books, sorting activity, coloring, etc) as well as a snack and water. This will prepare you for an unexpected wait time.

* Bring a list of all medication including over-the-counter. Create a list of questions in preparation of the minimal time available with the doctor.

* Depending on your situation, it may be helpful to bring someone else with you, such as a close friend or family member.

* Discuss what you can expect for the future and advance directives.

* It is good to take notes as there will be much discussed in a short amount of time.

* Be open and honest. If you are not happy or satisfied with the physician, make he or she aware of your concerns. Switching physicians can be confusing to your loved one and possibly detrimental in the longrun. If discussed, the issues may be resolved.


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