Through our blogs, we are going to be sharing the stories of our clients in the Rochester, New York, community. There are many challenges to face with aging parents and grandparents but every challenge has a solution. We would love to help you find your solutions.
Laurie Miraglia, RN, CCM: Making a Difference for Over 20 Years
How are you able to help clients facing complex medical issues? “I utilize my skills and experience as a nurse to help families navigate the complex medical system. I know how to review records, navigate insurance, manage appointments (both scheduling and accompanying), and work as a liaison with medical and mental health practitioners, making sure everyone is informed and communication is thorough. Additionally, I make home visits, check on follow-up care after leaving hospital care, coordinate in-home care aides, and help with transportation needs.”
Getting Care Relieves Stress
Mabel had always been a very independent woman, but as she got older her health began to decline. She was determined to stay in her own home and take care of herself, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to do so. So when her daughter suggested hiring a care manager, Mabel was hesitant but gave it a try.
Healthy Food Options and Strategies
Eating right can help combat a range of age-related health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It’s important for seniors to take control of their health and make informed decisions about the nutrition needed to stay healthy while aging.
The Heart Attack
When an elderly loved one suffers a heart attack, it’s can be difficult to know what to do next. Recovering from a heart attack is different for everyone, and it can take weeks or months to return to normal. Learn how we worked with Frank and his family to bounce back after his incident.
Take Care of Yourself
Caring for an aging loved one can be both physically and emotionally demanding. It can be difficult for family caregivers to maintain their own health and well-being, which can eventually lead to burnout.
Nanna Meets An Aging Life Care Manager®
For most families, the holidays bring opportunities for togetherness, laughter, and memories. But for those with family members experiencing changes caused by Alzheimer’s or other dementias, holiday events and family occasions may seem intimidating and challenging. The good news is, there are adjustments that can be made to make the holidays enjoyable and low-stress for everyone involved.
Tips For Dealing with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s or Dementia over the Holidays
Dementias bring many changes, and this can make holiday traditions and events harder to plan and carry out for families navigating these challenges. But with the right planning and a few adaptations, this can still be a happy and joyous time for your aging loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
Having a Long-Term Plan in Place
We all experience changes as we age. These changes may impact your health, independence, finances, safety and more. Having a plan in place before something happens can ensure that your needs and wishes are known in the future.
Make Fall Prevention Your Focus This Fall!
Aging can cause a multitude of changes. Some may be positive, like you’ve retired and have more free time to spend with friends and family or to explore hobbies. However, changes in health, vision, and mobility can all contribute to struggles with aging and can lead to an increased risk of falls for seniors.
Learning to Decorate Cakes
Many older adults struggle with finding their identity in their later years, and finding pastimes that they are passionate about can be a great opportunity to fill their time, socialize, relieve stress, and build a stronger sense of purpose.
Advance Care Planning
Though it may be difficult to think about, serious injury or illness could leave us incapacitated at any moment. Advance care planning is a process that makes your wishes known for healthcare decisions, should you be unable to speak for yourself.
What to Expect From the Stages of Alzheimer’s Progression
While some decline in abilities is normal as we age, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive disease, where the symptoms gradually worsen over time. Everyone does not experience the same symptoms and the disease will progress differently for each individual, however there is a similar trajectory most people follow through the progression of the disease, which is broken down into seven stages.
Benefits of Using an Aging Life Care Manager
Care managers work with families to coordinate, plan, educate and provide advocacy and support for their aging or disabled loved ones. Dealing with the needs of your aging relatives can be difficult, stressful, and often challenging because it is usually a new and scary experience. Aging Life Care Managers, also called Geriatric Care Managers or Elder Care Managers, work with clients and families by coordinating care to help meet their needs.
Stress and Older Adults
We all face stress in life. Some stress is ok, it’s a natural physical and mental reaction to the experiences we go through. However, if your stress levels continue for an extended period, it can have harmful effects on your overall health. For seniors, stress has the potential to be devastating.
How the Spring Inspires Us to Start Over Fresh
Spring is nature’s restart: plants sprout up from seed through the once frozen soil, and what once was dark and grey, is now bright and popping with more and more color and life. Even as we age, we never stop blooming and growing, so it’s important to feed our minds and souls with new beginnings and fresh pursuits.