Answers For Elders Radio Network

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to plan ahead when a senior loved one only has a few years worth of assets. There will be compromises, depending on estate values. When you know when and what drives them, you can be prepared for compromises. That comes from working with someone who knows how to project costs outward while honoring today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses the cost of elder care if family members stay home to care for a senior loved one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about finances for senior care. Appropriate, quality, loving care can be found. The elephant in the room: How much do things cost?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements builds relationships to understand the heart of what's happening at your family. She also sees the emotional highs and lows behind the logical decisions, and it's totally normal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn Creasy from Foundation House at Northgate talks about knowing your costs when paying for long-term care and understanding what your budget can cover. Many people don't know what their budget is and what they're paying for currently before moving into a community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie talks about finding meaning when you've been diagnosed with an illness like Parkinson's.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warm Beach Senior Community provides post acute and rehabilitative care following hospitalization. Scott Ernst says they fulfill the need for skilled nursing and rehab for therapies — on hips, knees, joints, legs — to get a person back to the quality of life to resume their regular lives. Scott Ernst describes various aspects of care, including physical, occupational and speech/language therapies, pain management, and wound care. The Warm Beach Senior Community is located in Stanwood, Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn Creasy at Foundation House at Northgate describes the types of retirement living. Some people can be well off in their own home if they're social and healthy, but others may want to look at other options, if they're lonely and their chores aren't getting done. When it feels too much to mow the lawn and cook, it may be time to consider downsizing and settle affairs, and find a community that respects that. In the 5-10 years before people are ready to move, Foundation House acts as an information resource.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janet Smith, an elder law attorney with the Northwest Elder Law Group, spoke at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. Elder law is an umbrella term for law practices that focus on seniors, persons with disabilities, persons planning for long-term care, and their families. Traditionally the practice areas are estate planning — preparing documents such as powers or attorney and wills — probate, planning for long-term care costs and protection of vulnerable adults, and that can include guardianship, and getting restraining orders dealing with, sometimes, fractured families, and mediation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie talks about inspirational people with Parkinson's. We talk about having hope, and looking up to people who are going through the same things. Michael J. Fox, of course, but also Jimmy Choi from American Ninja Warrior, who was diagnosed when he was 27. Jim Morris, the inspiration for the sports movie The Rookie, developed a form of Parkinson's due to sports concussions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie talks about gratitude. Why is it important and how is it possible? Studies suggest a sense of gratitude is connected to health. Grateful people sleep better and it reduces stress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie talks about depression as it pertains to Parkinson's. Research today shows that it is a symptom rather a response to the illness. Up to 50% of people with Parkinson's are suffering from clinical depression, from the chemical imbalances triggered by the disease.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Mayfield, founder and geriatric care manager of Aging Wisdom, talks about facing family dynamics and conflicts. Even in families where all have tight relationships, an aging parent can bring out conflicts. Challenging and subtle symptoms of dementia mean that our loved ones lose insight in the ways that the disease is affecting them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living recommends many things to families, including support groups and resource room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memory Care is a living environment for those with symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. Kelley Smith describes CarePartners Living cottages. Activities need to be set up differently for those needing memory care. The smaller the environment, the better, to ensure a better quality of life and feeling needed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assisted living means that you have a care plan, physicians orders, and a care team set up to help you with activities of daily living throughout your stay in a community. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living describes this aspect of senior living.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing is a daunting aspect for senior living. Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about the differences between retirement living and independent assisted living.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about making that first call, when people are afraid of interfering. The courage to open the door of conversation resolves unfounded fears. It's about a loved one's life, and a loved one's life is not done if they have to leave their home, if they choose to ask for more support. Life is just taking a new perspective, a new chapter, just as when they got married, had children, when the children left the nest, and when they retired.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses the lifestyle of senior loved ones when senior housing is being considered. The reality is that if their loved ones move into retirement living, some hobbies and interests are hard to pursue without a garage or yard. We consider how to maintain those interests in a fulfilling way, or discover if they might try some new hobbies they've been curious about. The goal is to keep their world as big as possible, while still being safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how she got started in the career of senior placement 20 years ago. Chuck Olmstead fills in for Suzanne Newman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about planning for senior care and the need for the caregivers to think about themselves and their own minds. Caregivers statistically can harm own health if they don't maintain a good life balance, particularly if the caregiver is the spouse of the senior loved one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn Creasy at Foundation House at Northgate tells us how people make the first step towards retirement living. Every community has a different feeling and amenities, and it has to be right for each person. A lot of times, a family member tries to help, but there are also many senior consultants that can provide advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie asks “How do we find happiness?” A large part of happiness is under our control. We have to choose to be happy. Not to say that life will be joyful every day with Parkinson's, but let's define what happiness would look like – is it having a productive life, staying connected with my loved ones, stay in my job longer?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie says Hope and faith are different: The majority of people have a faith in something higher than themselves. It played a huge role for my mother's battle with Parkinson's. The disease can be so overwhelming, but a lot of people point to faith as a means of rescue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Parkinson's Path, Lianna Marie says that hope is a key part of everything, fighting illnesses or even difficulties in life. We developed an initial "H.O.P.E. test" to assess attitudes and feelings about Hopefulness, Optimism, Practicing acceptance, and Enlisting the help of others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D'Amelio from With A Little Help talks about making sure your senior loved one’s home supports them so that they are better able to age in place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D'Amelio from With A Little Help talks about what qualities make a senior loved one a great candidate for aging in place. For instance, can they function at home by themselves, drive, go grocery shopping, cook their own meals?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living talks about the end of the caregiving journey, after your loved one has passed, to find a new purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements raises the question: How do you assess mom and dad for the next step? There's a step of care, home health, brought in if mom or dad have had a stroke or surgery, a temporary service. This can be a confusing topic. In-home care and home health are two different things. In-home care does not require a prescription or an order from a doctor, while home health does. Home health does not do custodial care. Home heath comes after a hospital stay and falls under a medical umbrella and medicare pays for it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains how to introduce care into the home. How do you bridge that step? It could be as simple as getting a housekeeper, or hiring someone to do the yard work. There are built-in cultural thought-processes for each generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains that as our bodies age naturally, we tend to focus more on survival-type thinking: “Who's coming over today?” “Did I take my medicines?” “When can I get my gutters cleaned?” and other types of chores. Our brain becomes more occupied with those things rather than regular living. Our goal as we age is to continue living to our fullest, and having things to look forward to. The notion of the “bucket list” is to keep in mind that there are still things you want to do in life. Do you really want to focus your thoughts on cleaning out your refrigerator, or how about thinking instead about taking that watercolor class you always wanted, or challenging yourself to conquering some fear you've had.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements discusses how to talk about best supporting their loved ones, whether it's additional care in the home or a move. How do you talk about these sensitive subjects. Don't wait to ask questions – don't wait to gather information. People are afraid: you do your loved ones a disservice if you don't learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn Creasy provides an overview of Foundation House at Northgate, a not-for-profit independent living and assisted living community with 104 units established 22 years ago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D'Amelio talks about CarePartners Living partnerships such as With A Little Help. She is the VP of Washington State Homecare Association, which is setting a benchmark for the quality of care that your loved ones receive. They also provide education that our legislators need. With a Little Help is a good resource, so if they don't move you, they have relationships with those who would. She also cochairs the Blooming With The Bloomers conference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An expert familiar with all of the specialized needs of aging transitions in life can make those transitions so much easier. Senior real estate specialist Cheryl Darlington joins Suzanne to talk about the transition to senior living. Cheryl works for HomeSmart Ion Real Estate in Edmonds, Washington. At the time of this interview, Cheryl worked for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate out of Lynwood, Washington. She can be reached at 206-755-7147. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D'Amelio talks about CarePartners Living partnerships such as With A Little Help. It's helpful to have a partner during the transition from in-home care to a community, after living in their home for 50 years. It takes time to process that, but typically it becomes a crisis. There's confusion between home health and home care. Home health is occupational and physical therapy, visiting nurse covered by Medicare. Home care includes meal care, transportation, help with dressing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deborah Myers from We Speak Medicare helps seniors with medicare navigation and selecting healthcare supplemental programs. She’s organized the Spring into Health Fair taking place on April 14, 2019 in Puyallup at the Puyallup Seventh-day Adventist Church. The event provides health screenings from multiple entities. It’s free to enter and most services there are also free. Some services may have a minor charge, such as vaccinations. Talks about healthy living and disease prevention will go all day. Deborah can be reached at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie says that hope is crucial for those diagnosed with Parkinson's. Having hope can be more important than medication or medical procedures. Simply having hope makes your brain release endorphins that fight pain, an asset for Parkinson's, so we can physically change by changing our mindset. And there has also been an explosion of treatments in the last decade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie describes her family experiences with Parkinson's following the diagnosis of the disease. Her mother's diagnosis was confirmed at 49 years old, when Lianna Marie was in her teens. Her mother had an arresting tremor, and the doctors assessed it as "the better kind" of Parkinson's, and she was able to work another 10-15 years. Diagnosis for everyone is different.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie describes her personal experiences with Parkinson's, her mother having lived with the disease for 30 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference, was sponsored by Aegis Living. Kathy Stewart, VP of Nursing for Aegis Living, talks about warning signs when it's time to get help for dementia or Alzheimer's.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Clark, VP of Growth Strategies for Aegis Living, discusses the programs and foundations of Aegis living. They operate 13 senior living communities in the Seattle area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Jacobsen talks about family caregivers. Once you have a family member in medical care, the family member’s role is to help the medical team understand the person they’re caring...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Living provides advice on how to go through the process with aging loved ones. The role reversal in caring for a loved one needs to preserve your loved ones' dignity. You need to preserve your role as the son or daughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D'Amelio discusses the four stages of the caregiver's journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to be observant about life changes with our senior loved ones. There may be a time when you see clues in body language or other areas that your loved ones need help, but they don't know how to ask. Let's say you visit every other month and you see the mail is now piled up, or there's now stale food in the fridge, or they're holding walls and furniture while walking around the house. Those types of clues can indicate that their life patterns have changed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about helping our senior loved ones with Aging in Place. How do we support our Mom and Dad in their home? One thing is to contact the appropriate department at your county for free community services and resources. It isn't tied to Medicaid, it's your tax dollars at work. To keep seniors active and stimulated, some library services can be delivered, and lots of events happen at senior centers, even line dancing, to help keep them active rather than isolated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about the biggest thing she's been running into, which is people becoming paralyzed by their own fears, lack of knowledge or their perceptions of their responsibilities or expectations. As fearful as it is to deal with dignity and grace with issues of aging with our parents, people need to take action. When we get to this point where we think we should call somebody, but are in the thick of day-to-day life, we let the days slip by, then lay awake at night with worries about our loved ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan Prescott, founder of Wise Caregiving, spoke at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. There are more than 300,000 unpaid family caregivers in Washington. Without peer support or knowledge, they carry the weight of caregiving on their shoulders. He has faith in their ability to do it, they just need help to connect with their inner wisdom. Contemplative traditions: using awareness as a way of interacting in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Smith, VP of sales and marketing at CarePartners Senior Living, talks at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. CarePartners operates seven dementia-dedicated senior care facilities in Washington. Sometimes intervention happens too soon — it has to be the right marriage of timing and where seniors are in their journey. The facilities, the Cottages, are four little cottages within a little village. There are certain core things people know, even if they can't describe it: they know when they are being micromanaged and treated like children, so we make them feel needed. The smaller the environment, the better they do, giving them a sense of community and freedom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.