For most seniors, your home is your largest asset filled with memories beyond measurable worth. Your main concern is having the well-being to remain in your home with dignity and safety. Three important elements of well-being are your independence, safety and financial security. Studies show that more than 90% of seniors have the desire to remain in their home as long as possible. But as you age, your chances of that actually happening decreases with every passing year.
The most important factor for senior’s living at home is maintaining independence through the ability to perform daily activities. Such activities would include washing, dressing, cooking, transportation, taking medication, housecleaning, etc. The most common activity that seniors over the age of 75 are unable to perform is housecleaning… a chore that requires physical activity at a time, when in most cases, the body is requiring rest. The key to maintaining independence is accepting your lifestyle needs are going to change and plan ahead.
Part of planning ahead is making changes within the home to ensure a safe environment. Falls are the second leading cause of hospitalizations, and the majority of those slips, trips and stumbles are within the home. A few tips for a safer home are:
1. Remove throw rugs
2. Ensure there is adequate lighting
3. Wear proper footwear according to flooring
4. De-clutter the pathways and stairways
5. Keep a close eye on the pet at your feet
A large determinant of feeling safe in the home is having someone close by when help is needed. Keep an open dialogue with your neighbors and ask them to check in on you. This also helps you avoid social isolation which increases dramatically as people age.
Lastly, it all comes down to MONEY. Whether you have it or not! And since it does not grow on trees, you need to look after what you have. It is important to know there are financial programs that assist seniors in remaining in their home. These programs include property tax deferrals, reverse mortgages and Home Independence Program for Seniors (H.I.P.S.). While all of these programs may not be ideal for everyone, they have been developed to assist seniors with aging in place.
Headlines would have us believe that everyone is trying to defraud you, but in most cases, financial fraud is committed against seniors by family members. Despite this, you need to be wary of people you hire to work on your home. It is important to check references, don’t be afraid to ask questions and if you feel the pressure tactics, just say ‘no’. After all, it is your hard-earned money.
For seniors living at home, your main focus for independence, safety and financial issues is being proactive and planning ahead. One of the certainties in life is change, and if you try to avoid it the person making the important decisions in your life may not be you.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Home Adaptations for Seniors Indendence
I have been asked by a number of our senior clients to discuss the Home Independence Program for Seniors in more detail since it compliments the Canadian governments' Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence Program. So here it is...
H.I.P.S. is a program exclusive to Silver Lining Transitions that assists seniors in remaining in their home longer and safer. Our team pre-qualifies their senior clients in obtaining a $3,500.00 forgivable loan for home adaptations. As long as the recipient remains in their home for at least 6 months, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation program will not request the loan to be paid back. Therefore, if an individual is over the age of 65, and earns less than $37,500/year (amount may change depending on the town and province of the home), they will qualify for funding.
Silver Lining Transitions assists in the paper work and the assessment required for qualifying. Our team of professionals will make adaptations in every room of the house and on the property for safety purposes.
Adaptations include:
1. non-slip floors,
2. senior friendly kitchens and bathrooms ie. lever type faucets and doors, lowering
counters and cabinets, handrails and walk in showers
3. adding or lowering rails and shelves in closets
4. increase lighting in all areas in the house
5. senior friendly windows and doors
6. lowering electrical outlets and light switches
7. etc.
The list of alterations is very extensive, but we have found that most home alterations include the above-noted.
Preventing the first fall is paramount for seniors who desire to remain in their home. H.I.P.S. is a program that assists in accomplishing those desires.
For more information, please visit silverliningtransitions.ca
H.I.P.S. is a program exclusive to Silver Lining Transitions that assists seniors in remaining in their home longer and safer. Our team pre-qualifies their senior clients in obtaining a $3,500.00 forgivable loan for home adaptations. As long as the recipient remains in their home for at least 6 months, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation program will not request the loan to be paid back. Therefore, if an individual is over the age of 65, and earns less than $37,500/year (amount may change depending on the town and province of the home), they will qualify for funding.
Silver Lining Transitions assists in the paper work and the assessment required for qualifying. Our team of professionals will make adaptations in every room of the house and on the property for safety purposes.
Adaptations include:
1. non-slip floors,
2. senior friendly kitchens and bathrooms ie. lever type faucets and doors, lowering
counters and cabinets, handrails and walk in showers
3. adding or lowering rails and shelves in closets
4. increase lighting in all areas in the house
5. senior friendly windows and doors
6. lowering electrical outlets and light switches
7. etc.
The list of alterations is very extensive, but we have found that most home alterations include the above-noted.
Preventing the first fall is paramount for seniors who desire to remain in their home. H.I.P.S. is a program that assists in accomplishing those desires.
For more information, please visit silverliningtransitions.ca
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Hospital to Home Transitions
Peace of Mind Transitioning from Hospital to Home
It is important to focus on the physical, psychological and spiritual foundations that an aging adult possesses to successfully recover when transitioning from hospital to home. Preparing for the physical element is crucial to providing safety and peace of mind once the front door to their home is opened. Home adaptations will certainly equip a house and personal support from a caregiver will assist the discharged patient with their changing lifestyle needs. The Home Independence Program for Senior’s is a service that provides such needed assistance. Once safety has been developed in the home, understanding the psychological demands will provide a basis for controlling ones emotional stresses. An aging adult must take control over their body and its ailments instead of the reverse. To accomplish this, it takes a positive attitude and a determined will to provide strength for a full recovery of an illness or accident. To cement the physical and psychological stressors, the senior’s spiritual foundation plays a role in a positive transition from hospital to home. Although some may argue they have done well in life without a faith, I would respond that faith is compatible with inner peace and provides that much needed rest during a time of pain and suffering. What is unique for each patient returning home from their hospital stay is their ability and response time to recover from their medical condition. Once the safety net of professionals is reduced dramatically when a senior leaves the hospital, they are ultimately left with the people who love them, others who care, and learned or innate abilities to live longer, safer and independent.
Debra Munro
Elder Planning Counselor
It is important to focus on the physical, psychological and spiritual foundations that an aging adult possesses to successfully recover when transitioning from hospital to home. Preparing for the physical element is crucial to providing safety and peace of mind once the front door to their home is opened. Home adaptations will certainly equip a house and personal support from a caregiver will assist the discharged patient with their changing lifestyle needs. The Home Independence Program for Senior’s is a service that provides such needed assistance. Once safety has been developed in the home, understanding the psychological demands will provide a basis for controlling ones emotional stresses. An aging adult must take control over their body and its ailments instead of the reverse. To accomplish this, it takes a positive attitude and a determined will to provide strength for a full recovery of an illness or accident. To cement the physical and psychological stressors, the senior’s spiritual foundation plays a role in a positive transition from hospital to home. Although some may argue they have done well in life without a faith, I would respond that faith is compatible with inner peace and provides that much needed rest during a time of pain and suffering. What is unique for each patient returning home from their hospital stay is their ability and response time to recover from their medical condition. Once the safety net of professionals is reduced dramatically when a senior leaves the hospital, they are ultimately left with the people who love them, others who care, and learned or innate abilities to live longer, safer and independent.
Debra Munro
Elder Planning Counselor
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Positive Attitude with Cancer
So here we wait at my mom’s final chemotherapy treatment and it has been an ordeal I would not want to go through again. (However, we have enjoyed befriending extraordinary people.) Having said that, I know full well the probability of eventually having cancer is extremely high with every woman in my family genealogy having it. You hear it from everyone, “I didn’t realize how many people had cancer until I was in it. It’s astonishing.” The numbers will only be growing in the next decade. Cancer is a growing epidemic that will affect the lives of millions of people.
I suggest having a positive attitude makes a positive difference. But then you questions how that could be? How can anyone be positive with such a killer diagnosis? Is it the result of chemotherapy causing exhaustion that consumes one’s body and makes it painful (metaphorically) to think about their situation? Just watching and listening to my mom’s positive attitude has had both of us questioning whether she has truly accepted the reality of her cancer. But we both know she has. And her strength comes from her faith in God, her confidence in the medical team and believing that living a healthy lifestyle accelerates the healing process. She’s a survivor… always has been… always will be.
I know she is ready to start enjoying her life, even though she still has five weeks of radiation and begins a full year of herceptin every three weeks. But she is discussing a trip back home this summer and including her family in the plans. She’s also looking forward to putting her arms around her grandchildren who have been kept at bay because of their little germ-carrying bodies. (As it was, after every treatment she has come down with a terrible cold in the second week). But most importantly, she is looking forward to just getting out of the house and taking her two sheltie dogs, Tori and Kola, for long walks. It has been a long winter but the spring is looking fine.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Dementia Will Take Startling Toll as Baby Boomers Age
As a member of the Alzheimer Society and an Elder Planning Counselor, this is an eye-opening article that will take a toll on long-term care facilities, our health system and the caregivers for those suffering from dementia.
Dementia will take startling toll as baby boomers age – a recent study…an article by Canwest News Service from Jan. 5, 2010
A new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada says the country urgently needs a strategy to minimize the impact of the baby boomers' march toward dementia.
The study, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society suggests that 1.1 million Canadians will have Alzheimer's disease, or a related dementia, by 2038.
If not mitigated, dementia's prevalence will create a tenfold increase in the demand for long-term care beds and cost the Canadian economy a staggering $97 billion annually, the study found.
It also suggests the amount of time Canadians spend caring for parents and spouses with dementia will triple in the next three decades, to 756 million hours a year.
“If we do nothing, dementia will have a crippling effect on Canadian families, our health-care system and economy,” said Richard Nakoneczny, president of the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
About 500,000 Canadians are now living with dementia, a progressive disease that first attacks memory and then harms other brain functions. The disease eventually robs its victims of their personality and independence.
It is the leading cause of disability among seniors and already is responsible for about $8 billion annually in direct health-care costs.
The Rising Tide study is based on the work of RiskAnalytica, a Toronto consulting firm that specializes in risk management and analysis. It is part of a two-year research project sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Pfizer Canada and Rx&D.
The Alzheimer Society hopes the project will offer a foundation for a national plan on dementia.
The report, being released Monday, says there are currently no cross-Canada standards for the care of dementia patients. What's more, it says, doctors and nurses receive limited training in the prevention, identification and diagnosis of the disease.
Some provinces, including Ontario, have a strategic plan in place to manage the approaching wave, but politicians continue to underestimate the problem, an Alzheimer Society of Canada spokesman said.
“People don't realize the challenge they're facing,” said David Harvey, a society executive. “Governments are looking to solve health-system issues, but they haven't identified dementia as the underlying cause of so many of them.”
Health-care officials are struggling to deal with overcrowded hospitals. But some of that overcrowding, Harvey contends, results from the system's inability to deliver health-care to dementia patients at home.
Other countries have already taken action to mitigate the impact of dementia.
The United Kingdom, France, Norway and the Netherlands have all developed national plans that focus on early diagnosis, specialized home care, research and prevention.
The Rising Tide study suggests that promoting an increase in physical activity among people over 65 would significantly reduce the number of people diagnosed with dementia. Exercise has been shown to promote brain health.
It also suggests that assigning a case manager to co-ordinate the home-based care of dementia patients would significantly reduce the strain on individual caregivers and lessen the demand for long-term care beds.
Age is the primary risk factor for dementia. The risk of developing the disease doubles every five years after the age of 65.
With the first of Canada's 10 million baby boomers about to turn 65, an enormous number of people will be at increased risk in the coming decades. It means that, if unchecked, about 257,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with dementia every year by 2038, or about one every two minutes, the study said.
Caring for them will be an enormous challenge
Based on growth trends, Canada is expected to have about 690,000 long-term care beds by 2038. But that still leaves a projected shortfall of 157,000 beds, according to the study.
Part of that shortfall will be alleviated by the fact that more people will be living at home with the disease. But that will place an increased burden on both family care givers and home-care agencies.
Harvey said caregivers need education and support, including the ability to drop out of the Canada Pension Plan for several years without a financial penalty.
“If we do this right,” he said, “we've already built the last long-term care bed we should need in Ontario.”
The Rising Tide study recommends that a national strategy include new investment in research; education and support for family caregivers; more focus on prevention; and incentives to increase the number of geriatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and advanced practice nurses in Canada.
Dementia will take startling toll as baby boomers age – a recent study…an article by Canwest News Service from Jan. 5, 2010
A new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada says the country urgently needs a strategy to minimize the impact of the baby boomers' march toward dementia.
The study, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society suggests that 1.1 million Canadians will have Alzheimer's disease, or a related dementia, by 2038.
If not mitigated, dementia's prevalence will create a tenfold increase in the demand for long-term care beds and cost the Canadian economy a staggering $97 billion annually, the study found.
It also suggests the amount of time Canadians spend caring for parents and spouses with dementia will triple in the next three decades, to 756 million hours a year.
“If we do nothing, dementia will have a crippling effect on Canadian families, our health-care system and economy,” said Richard Nakoneczny, president of the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
About 500,000 Canadians are now living with dementia, a progressive disease that first attacks memory and then harms other brain functions. The disease eventually robs its victims of their personality and independence.
It is the leading cause of disability among seniors and already is responsible for about $8 billion annually in direct health-care costs.
The Rising Tide study is based on the work of RiskAnalytica, a Toronto consulting firm that specializes in risk management and analysis. It is part of a two-year research project sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Pfizer Canada and Rx&D.
The Alzheimer Society hopes the project will offer a foundation for a national plan on dementia.
The report, being released Monday, says there are currently no cross-Canada standards for the care of dementia patients. What's more, it says, doctors and nurses receive limited training in the prevention, identification and diagnosis of the disease.
Some provinces, including Ontario, have a strategic plan in place to manage the approaching wave, but politicians continue to underestimate the problem, an Alzheimer Society of Canada spokesman said.
“People don't realize the challenge they're facing,” said David Harvey, a society executive. “Governments are looking to solve health-system issues, but they haven't identified dementia as the underlying cause of so many of them.”
Health-care officials are struggling to deal with overcrowded hospitals. But some of that overcrowding, Harvey contends, results from the system's inability to deliver health-care to dementia patients at home.
Other countries have already taken action to mitigate the impact of dementia.
The United Kingdom, France, Norway and the Netherlands have all developed national plans that focus on early diagnosis, specialized home care, research and prevention.
The Rising Tide study suggests that promoting an increase in physical activity among people over 65 would significantly reduce the number of people diagnosed with dementia. Exercise has been shown to promote brain health.
It also suggests that assigning a case manager to co-ordinate the home-based care of dementia patients would significantly reduce the strain on individual caregivers and lessen the demand for long-term care beds.
Age is the primary risk factor for dementia. The risk of developing the disease doubles every five years after the age of 65.
With the first of Canada's 10 million baby boomers about to turn 65, an enormous number of people will be at increased risk in the coming decades. It means that, if unchecked, about 257,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with dementia every year by 2038, or about one every two minutes, the study said.
Caring for them will be an enormous challenge
Based on growth trends, Canada is expected to have about 690,000 long-term care beds by 2038. But that still leaves a projected shortfall of 157,000 beds, according to the study.
Part of that shortfall will be alleviated by the fact that more people will be living at home with the disease. But that will place an increased burden on both family care givers and home-care agencies.
Harvey said caregivers need education and support, including the ability to drop out of the Canada Pension Plan for several years without a financial penalty.
“If we do this right,” he said, “we've already built the last long-term care bed we should need in Ontario.”
The Rising Tide study recommends that a national strategy include new investment in research; education and support for family caregivers; more focus on prevention; and incentives to increase the number of geriatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and advanced practice nurses in Canada.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Know the Medical factors of Your Aging Parent.
It is amazing the number of times I have gone somewhere with my parents and have been asked by either the new seniors residence administrator, pharmacist, nurse, family doctor, specialist, surgeon, friend or family member for a list of medications and their dosage. I must admit, the first few times I was caught off guard and ill-prepared for the request. Being an adult that takes her multi-vitamin every day did not prepare me for the "10 plus" different types of medications required for multiple ailments. So I have since had the pharmacist produced a list and keep it available for any future requirement. Having Power of Attorney for Personal Care for both parents, it is imperative that I keep these lists close by in case of emergencies.
Knowing medical and surgical history is also of great importance. With my mother's recent breast cancer surgery and the removal of the lymph nodes under her left arm, I am very much aware that even taking her blood pressure or withdrawing blood from the left arm could cause long term damage. Also knowing that she had a minor heart attack prior to her hip surgery makes me fully aware of the pre-surgery requirements for any future operation. If it isn't one thing, it is always something else.
So my humble advice for what it is worth... know and understand the medical factors of your aging parent. It could end up being very important to both of you.
Knowing medical and surgical history is also of great importance. With my mother's recent breast cancer surgery and the removal of the lymph nodes under her left arm, I am very much aware that even taking her blood pressure or withdrawing blood from the left arm could cause long term damage. Also knowing that she had a minor heart attack prior to her hip surgery makes me fully aware of the pre-surgery requirements for any future operation. If it isn't one thing, it is always something else.
So my humble advice for what it is worth... know and understand the medical factors of your aging parent. It could end up being very important to both of you.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence
Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence... what does it mean? Well, here is the short of it. HASI is a government program that offers low-income seniors, who are having difficulties performing daily activities, an opportunity to remain safe and independent in their home.
The program offers financial assistance up to $3,500.00 for minor home adaptations.
For example;
1. installation of railings, lighting and non-slip floors for safety,
2. modifications in the kitchen and bathroom to improve physical activities, and
3. outfit organizers in closets and drawers for improved accessability.
There are qualifications for the HASI program that include the following:
1. must be over 65 years of age
2. own/rent and reside in the home
3. difficulty with daily living activities
4. income less than $37,500 / year
The application process is time-consuming and difficult for many seniors, but well worth the time and energy it takes to move forward. There are many benefits to being proactive and creating safety in your home, but preventing the first accident is most important.
Silver Lining Transitions will assist with the process to ensure peace of mind and recommend complete solutions to remain safe and independent at home.
Debra, Partner
Silver Lining Transitions
Helping Seniors and Their Families Move Forward
The program offers financial assistance up to $3,500.00 for minor home adaptations.
For example;
1. installation of railings, lighting and non-slip floors for safety,
2. modifications in the kitchen and bathroom to improve physical activities, and
3. outfit organizers in closets and drawers for improved accessability.
There are qualifications for the HASI program that include the following:
1. must be over 65 years of age
2. own/rent and reside in the home
3. difficulty with daily living activities
4. income less than $37,500 / year
The application process is time-consuming and difficult for many seniors, but well worth the time and energy it takes to move forward. There are many benefits to being proactive and creating safety in your home, but preventing the first accident is most important.
Silver Lining Transitions will assist with the process to ensure peace of mind and recommend complete solutions to remain safe and independent at home.
Debra, Partner
Silver Lining Transitions
Helping Seniors and Their Families Move Forward
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Elder Abuse
Our company is a member of ONPEA - Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and we are too often informed of abusive circumstances with our clients. Abuse is a violation of one’s rights as a human being and it should not be tolerated. Here is an important planning checklist taken from the Ontario Government website for seniors who are being abuse.
Planning Checklist
It is important to protect your personal documents and think about what to do in case of an emergency. You may want to consider putting together an emergency kit that would include:
• Emergency phone numbers written out and stored in a safe place
• Emergency money (for a taxi, hotel etc). This should include quarters for phone calls or a phone card.
• Extra clothing
• A list of medications, name and phone number of pharmacy and at least three days worth of medications.
• Glasses, hearing aides and other assistive devices such as cane, walker, wheelchair.
• A safe place to go in the event of an emergency (in and outside the house).
• Escape route from the house.
• Copies of relevant documents including:
• Identification (i.e. birth certificate)
• Marriage certificate or record of commonlaw relationship
• Notice of assessment from most recent income tax return
• Cheque books and credit cards
• Lease, rental agreement, or house deed
• Bankbook and recent statements
• Health card
• Social Insurance Number
• Passport
• House, car, and safety deposit box keys
• Immigration Papers
For more information on elder abuse contact www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/seniors/index.html
or call toll-free 1-888-910-1999 (in Ontario).
Planning Checklist
It is important to protect your personal documents and think about what to do in case of an emergency. You may want to consider putting together an emergency kit that would include:
• Emergency phone numbers written out and stored in a safe place
• Emergency money (for a taxi, hotel etc). This should include quarters for phone calls or a phone card.
• Extra clothing
• A list of medications, name and phone number of pharmacy and at least three days worth of medications.
• Glasses, hearing aides and other assistive devices such as cane, walker, wheelchair.
• A safe place to go in the event of an emergency (in and outside the house).
• Escape route from the house.
• Copies of relevant documents including:
• Identification (i.e. birth certificate)
• Marriage certificate or record of commonlaw relationship
• Notice of assessment from most recent income tax return
• Cheque books and credit cards
• Lease, rental agreement, or house deed
• Bankbook and recent statements
• Health card
• Social Insurance Number
• Passport
• House, car, and safety deposit box keys
• Immigration Papers
For more information on elder abuse contact www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/seniors/index.html
or call toll-free 1-888-910-1999 (in Ontario).
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Moving Without the Other Half
I have come across some interesting cases while in my profession of helping seniors and their families move forward, and this is just one case that truly makes me wonder how people's minds work. I will keep the names of my clients confidential for their privacy.
I was recently called to a home where it was evident that the aging husband was requiring greater medical assistance than his wife could provide. She was still a young at heart, beautifully energetic, delightful lady. He on the other hand was quickly deteriorating in mind and body. It was very difficult to hear how life had drastically changed for both of them. The time had finally come to discuss a senior's residence for them. As I retrieved my paperwork and began discussing 'their' options, I was quickly interupted and corrected by the sweet little lady sitting in the lounge chair. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere... he is. I'm very happy where I am. My friends are close by, our kids are in the neighborhood. All my activities are in the area. I just can't take care of him anymore." As she pointed to her husband, I was in disbelief. I apologized for the assumption and for probably the first time in my life, was speechless for the next 10 seconds. Well, what do you say to something like that??? They may as well have told me they were divorcing. The next words out of my mouth were not the most intelligent as I said, "And how long have you been married?" He finally spoke up and said "54 years" and went back into his slumber.
At the end of the day, she held true to her word and remained in the family home without her spouse. And in her words, "My life is finally back to normal".
I was recently called to a home where it was evident that the aging husband was requiring greater medical assistance than his wife could provide. She was still a young at heart, beautifully energetic, delightful lady. He on the other hand was quickly deteriorating in mind and body. It was very difficult to hear how life had drastically changed for both of them. The time had finally come to discuss a senior's residence for them. As I retrieved my paperwork and began discussing 'their' options, I was quickly interupted and corrected by the sweet little lady sitting in the lounge chair. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere... he is. I'm very happy where I am. My friends are close by, our kids are in the neighborhood. All my activities are in the area. I just can't take care of him anymore." As she pointed to her husband, I was in disbelief. I apologized for the assumption and for probably the first time in my life, was speechless for the next 10 seconds. Well, what do you say to something like that??? They may as well have told me they were divorcing. The next words out of my mouth were not the most intelligent as I said, "And how long have you been married?" He finally spoke up and said "54 years" and went back into his slumber.
At the end of the day, she held true to her word and remained in the family home without her spouse. And in her words, "My life is finally back to normal".
Monday, February 1, 2010
Telemarketers Target Seniors
There comes a time when one has to sit down and have a heart to heart with their aging parent. I am lucky there is still a few years to go for that conversation with my mom, but I highly recommend it for some people sooner rather than later. I recently had an evening with a friend who discussed her fathers situation with me. He lives in a Seniors Residence, and is still quite independent. However, is living with a form of dementia. I'm being vague in this area because the doctors are still assessing his condition. This sweet man received a telephone call from a telemarketer selling cruises and you know where I am going with this... yes, he purchased by credit card, a non-refundable ticket in the amount of $2,000 for a cruise. How he was going to get there was his responsibility.
His family discovered the purchase a month later when his statement came in and questioned his purchase, which of course, he had no recollection of. After numerous lengthy calls with the telemarketing company, they relented to calling the credit card company. Months later they received results.
I can only imagine how many seniors this same scenario happens to and the worst part of it is when there is no one available to offer assistance or watch their back. I do know that in many cases, as would be mine, many people who would rather take the loss than let anyone know they had been duped. It's a no-win situation for many people.
His family discovered the purchase a month later when his statement came in and questioned his purchase, which of course, he had no recollection of. After numerous lengthy calls with the telemarketing company, they relented to calling the credit card company. Months later they received results.
I can only imagine how many seniors this same scenario happens to and the worst part of it is when there is no one available to offer assistance or watch their back. I do know that in many cases, as would be mine, many people who would rather take the loss than let anyone know they had been duped. It's a no-win situation for many people.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Battle With Cancer
I just got word today that a friend of mine lost his dad to cancer. (Jerry, my heart breaks for you because I know the loving bond you had with your dad.) Of course, this hits me like a ton of bricks with my mom and friend Jacqui both going through breast cancer. Cancer is FRIGHTENING and although it has only been recently that I have had to deal with it personally, I hate it and wish the word wasn't in our vocabulary. Yesterday I was at Royal Victoria Hospital with my mom going through her second round of chemo. We received good news earlier that day that her $12,000.00 medication would be covered... thank you to whomever stamped her paper with 'APPROVED'. But then we got word that her hemoglobin count is extremely low and she would require a blood transfusion and now weekly blood tests. And there is the step back. I have to admit my mom has always been an incredibly strong woman, but her God-given strength through this whole ordeal has been admirable and inspirational. Every person who has been diagnosed with cancer should be honored for their battle, whether they have won or lost. Honor someone today.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Seniors Residence - Team Players
I know it has been a while since my last blog, but time flies when you are inundated with"to do's" from every angle. My father was finally discharged from the hospital, looking worse than ever, but each test lead to the same conclusion - nothing else could be done for him at this time. Returning him to his new home, Clock Tower Inn Seniors Residence, lifted the weights off my shoulders. This is a place my father truly calls 'home'. The gracious and caring staff; the great food, the convenient location and the comradary has resurrected this once somber man.
I can honestly say the staff has proven their capabilities and compassion over and over again. They never miss a step and genuinly care about the well being of the residents.
As the saying goes, ' the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach', and the chefs at Clock Tower are wonderful cooks. I have never seen an older adult put on so much weight in such little time as my father has. But he eats plenty and enjoys the meals. What more can one say??
Being on Main Street definitely has its benefits for a blind man. It only takes minutes to stroll to Ferry Lake and any quaint stores one would need at his age. But most importantly, his new found friends bring joy and laughter to his days in darkness.
This seniors residence has removed the stressors involved with caring for an aging parent and provides me precious time for my children and a career I have a passion for. Thank You Clock Tower.
For a side note: Please pray for the people in Haiti and if called to help, in any way, please do.
I can honestly say the staff has proven their capabilities and compassion over and over again. They never miss a step and genuinly care about the well being of the residents.
As the saying goes, ' the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach', and the chefs at Clock Tower are wonderful cooks. I have never seen an older adult put on so much weight in such little time as my father has. But he eats plenty and enjoys the meals. What more can one say??
Being on Main Street definitely has its benefits for a blind man. It only takes minutes to stroll to Ferry Lake and any quaint stores one would need at his age. But most importantly, his new found friends bring joy and laughter to his days in darkness.
This seniors residence has removed the stressors involved with caring for an aging parent and provides me precious time for my children and a career I have a passion for. Thank You Clock Tower.
For a side note: Please pray for the people in Haiti and if called to help, in any way, please do.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Do Your Homework
Over the past few months I have had numerous discussions with specialists, surgeons, nurses, administrators, etc. as a result of both parents having medical treatment in hospitals.
As I reflect back on the savvy and professional medical team, I now realize the overwhelming, abundance of information delivered both verbally and book form were just pieces of instructions to a complicated cure for my mom's cancer. It is a classis case of a senior relying on, or having the expectation that professionals will give educated, proper and sound advise. Each medical professional has their area of specialty and as a metaphor, if you will, although each player was playing the same game for the same team, if the captain (being my mom) cannot put the pieces together after each player (the medical team) plays their position perfectly, it makes for an interesting game.
What I have learned over the years in a profession that helps seniors and their families move forward, is we have to take ownership of our life and what happens from one day to the next. So don't be lulled into the sense that you are expected to just understand, do your own homework and ask questions. It is, after all, your life.
As I reflect back on the savvy and professional medical team, I now realize the overwhelming, abundance of information delivered both verbally and book form were just pieces of instructions to a complicated cure for my mom's cancer. It is a classis case of a senior relying on, or having the expectation that professionals will give educated, proper and sound advise. Each medical professional has their area of specialty and as a metaphor, if you will, although each player was playing the same game for the same team, if the captain (being my mom) cannot put the pieces together after each player (the medical team) plays their position perfectly, it makes for an interesting game.
What I have learned over the years in a profession that helps seniors and their families move forward, is we have to take ownership of our life and what happens from one day to the next. So don't be lulled into the sense that you are expected to just understand, do your own homework and ask questions. It is, after all, your life.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Hospitals
I have to admit I am getting more and more sceptical each day of our hospitals. I just got off the phone with my dad's nurse and she tells me his IV was removed and they were unable to reinsert it. They even called in two intravenous nurses, both failed. Now he has to wait for further testing on his heart until Monday. Which again baffles me. After a conversation I had with my dad the other day, he has refused heart surgery. I completely understand that decision. He is an 80 year old blind man with diabetes, heart problems and the list goes on... so why the testing??? He has already said 'no' to surgery. More money wasted. Just prescribe another medication to add to his shoe box of pills.
I had my hair cut last night and my hair dresser is in a situation with the same hospital. This time they have a complaint in with an ER nurse who horribly treated her 80 year old father. Degraded and embarassed him to a point where he is afraid and very anxious to go home.
But the craziest story involves my mom and her mastectomy in October. She pre-admitted herself the day before surgery only to admit herself once again the following day (another waste of time). More tests had to be conducted and she ended up in a hallway and forgotten for over 1 hour, which of course made her late for her surgery time. On her way to the operating room, she and the surgeon had a conversation regarding her surgery. The surgeon requested to speak with us and was unable to, even though we had been given a pager by the hospital when we registered. The volunteers refused to use it because mom wasn't ready to be discharged and that was the only time they were allowed to use it. WHAT!!!! That is crazy. If a surgeon wants to speak with me, PAGE ME! Seems simple to me. When we finally saw my mom, the nurse couldn't even tell us if my mom had a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Of course, that was the last straw and my sister blew her top. I was there to applaud her.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. So sit back, laugh instead of cry, and hope noone dies.
I had my hair cut last night and my hair dresser is in a situation with the same hospital. This time they have a complaint in with an ER nurse who horribly treated her 80 year old father. Degraded and embarassed him to a point where he is afraid and very anxious to go home.
But the craziest story involves my mom and her mastectomy in October. She pre-admitted herself the day before surgery only to admit herself once again the following day (another waste of time). More tests had to be conducted and she ended up in a hallway and forgotten for over 1 hour, which of course made her late for her surgery time. On her way to the operating room, she and the surgeon had a conversation regarding her surgery. The surgeon requested to speak with us and was unable to, even though we had been given a pager by the hospital when we registered. The volunteers refused to use it because mom wasn't ready to be discharged and that was the only time they were allowed to use it. WHAT!!!! That is crazy. If a surgeon wants to speak with me, PAGE ME! Seems simple to me. When we finally saw my mom, the nurse couldn't even tell us if my mom had a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Of course, that was the last straw and my sister blew her top. I was there to applaud her.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. So sit back, laugh instead of cry, and hope noone dies.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Family Matters
I must share with you how my holidays included both a merry Christmas and not so happy new year. It all started in September when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was informed that after her surgery, chemo and radiation would begin in the new year. If that wasn't enough, my father was admitted into the hospital following a heart attack just before the new year. With both parents in and out of two different hospitals, I could not imagine how a senior would cope without family close by.As most of you already know, it is very difficult to speculate the side effects one faces with chemo. I'm a planner and would rather put days aside to be with my mom should she require my help. But she is an independent, positive thinker with a strong faith in God and would prefer to believe she can do it on her own with God providing strength. She is also of a generation that has great difficulty asking for help, yet has no problem letting you know her troubles and waits to see if you will offer support. I have to admit that makes me feel less important when situations unfold in such a manner. So here I am sitting in a field of cancer patients and I pray survivors, waiting for treatment and my mom's response to it. (And yes, she is sitting beside me reading everything I type which of course brings great discussions following every sentence. I love you mom.)
And then there is my dad. Lying in a hospital bed in another town, blind and in isolation, and waiting for another batch of test results to come back from the labs. Of course, choosing to be with my mom instead of my father is a no-brainer since she was the one who raised me from the age of 6. But I do feel empathy for my father who truly has no one but me.
Running back and forth to the hospital for him has already included picking up his clothes from home because he was transported by ambulance in pyjamas, getting edible food from home because he is not fond of hospital food, picking up an electric shaver because he can't shave with a regular shaver being on blood thinners, and the latest, bringing in a radio for background noise. No answer yet as to when he will be discharged, but my guess would be in a week.
So here is where one needs to sit back and say, "If it were me...?" and fill in the blanks. Answering that question may appear impossible for some seniors who are alone or estranged by their family. This may be the time to adopt a family or have a heart to heart conversation with friends or neighbors. There will be a time and a place where you will require help and this is where I say 'family matters'. Those seniors who have family available to help are privileged and truly blessed.
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