Answers For Elders Radio Network

Bob Le Roy, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Washington State Chapter, talks about Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. The conference's theme in 2019 is resilience. Anyone who's been a caregiver knows you have to be resilient. The association's philosophy is about honoring and celebrating lives, providing tools and resources so people can continue to be part of the community, remain at home longer, and connect caregivers to many others going on the same journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. G. Allen Power joins Suzanne to talk more about Alzheimer's and dementia. At the time of this recording in 2019, he had just spoken at a recent Discovery Conference on Alzheimer's. His books ''Dementia Beyond Drugs'' (2010), ''Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care'' (2016), and ''Dementia Beyond Disease: Enhancing Well-Being'' (2016) repositioned care and support methodology for people living with dementia.Dr. Power is a board-certified internist and geriatrician and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, New York. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Power has practiced medicine for 25 years, the last 18 of which have been in long-term care and rehabilitation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. G. Allen Power joins Suzanne to talk more about Alzheimer's and dementia. At the time of this recording in 2019, he had just spoken at a recent Discovery Conference on Alzheimer's. His books ''Dementia Beyond Drugs'' (2010), ''Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care'' (2016), and ''Dementia Beyond Disease: Enhancing Well-Being'' (2016) repositioned care and support methodology for people living with dementia.Dr. Power is a board-certified internist and geriatrician and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, New York. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Power has practiced medicine for 25 years, the last 18 of which have been in long-term care and rehabilitation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to have those difficult family conversations. Every single day she has these types of conversations with families. She suggests keeping an attitude of love in your heart and to try hard when discussing changes to be gentle and use affirmations, letting your loved ones be part of the decision-making. What often happens is we get to a point of frustration and anger, which gets in the way of the conversation. She encourages having a trusted third-party expert come with you. Suddenly the conversations come with a bit more credibility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Stults is the founder of the Care Conference at Shoreline Community Church. The 2019 conference takes place March 7 to provide education and support for caregivers. She invites not only older people who are already caregiving but people who foresee a time when they could become caregivers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Stults is the author of “Reaching Beyond the Rail: The Blood, Sweat and Tears of Caring for Mom and Dad” and founder of Compelled by Compassion. It is a challenge to care for an ailing or aging parent, and there are similar overwhelming things that we all walk through. With so many things to learn, she brings encouragement and tools to help caregivers. She's seen families pull together and others separate from the family dynamics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen DePiro is vice president and clinical director of The Smile Store, which helps seniors with dental care. They provide dentures, partials, implant alternatives, and manufacture their own products and have clinics to support them. They provide a very needed service in Puget Sound. Many times, financing is more competitive than anywhere else. In many cases, for about a cup of coffee you can afford good oral care to minimize out of pocket expenses. Insurance will usually cover 50-80% of the therapy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rather than being an ostrich, or compromising your family’s quality of life, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests a new perspective: consider that if your parents were to move somewhere else, they would have a next chapter in their lives, and our goal is for it to be highest quality. Gather information, have the courage, and start the conversations. There's so much resistance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen DePiro is vice president and clinical director of The Smile Store, which helps seniors with dental care. They provide dentures, partials, implant alternatives, and manufacture their own products and have clinics to support them. Dentures and implants have come a long way and are more affordable. Lots of patients worry about prices, but their prices are posted online. They also have specials for veterans. Offer finances, take all insurance plans, it's worth coming in for a consult.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz Diehl with Canaway and former NBA Seattle Supersonics center James Donaldson join Suzanne to talk about the benefits of CBD as it relates to senior health and wellness. Liz is the founder of Total Wellness Solutions. She is also a certified CBD physiology and health specialist who provides education and a premier product line. Contact Liz at 503-209-4997 or email [email protected]. James Donaldson joined the health and wellness field with an outpatient physical therapy clinic that worked with athletes, but also seniors at assisted living homes in the Seattle area. Liz says, "Probably the first education piece that James and I do is just simply share with people that we have a hemp plant and we have a marijuana plant. They are two separate plants. A lot of people are still thinking that hemp is part of marijuana, and it's not, we're talking two separate things here... They really say that CBD brings our body into homeostasis. And an interesting fact is the first place that we actually experience CBD as human beings is that mothers produce it in their breast milk. So it's kind of fascinating that our bodies are meant to receive CBD." Liz Diehl on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) Total Wellness Solutions on Facebook James Donaldson's website and his book "Celebrating Your Gift of Life" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can adult children be better in communicating with their parent, even when they are resistant? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggests learning about active listening, and trying not be reactive. Read body language, intonation, make sure they feel heard. Don't argue back, but be empowering. And if you're frustrated or exhausted, don't have a conversation at that time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We want to do right by our loved ones, but this is also the time when families are coming together for holidays. Many of us may not have been around our elders for a while. What sorts of things are warning signs: what are serious things to think about and what are things that might not be an issue? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements points out one thing that's subtle is looking at the strength of their body. When they get up from a chair, do they need to use their arms? When they sit down, do they plop down or still have their core strength?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Jacobsen is a Dementia care coach with CarePartners Living who helps families learn to communicate more effectively with those afflicted with dementia. She helps people find what capacities remain with a senior afflicted by dementia, to find connections where they can still be made. We rely on sound so much, but brain changes often affect language first, and sometimes their vision range lessens. Jacobsen describes how to optimize the five senses — sound, sight, touch, smell and taste — to improve communication.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of the year when we talk about connecting with seniors. Our life in America is so fast and families are dispersed across our wonderful nation. We often don't live in the communities that we grew up in, so our village of the family needs to step up for our seniors. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements thinks the general populace would be surprised to learn how many people have no one who visits them, no one they feel who pays attention to them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you help a senior family member adjust, whether it's a move to assisted living or adjust to home care? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says the approach and knowledge is key. Imagine: someone new comes into their home – they may be a shower aide – so we're talking about some modesty issues and huge trust issues, there could be some communication issues, and the feeling of vulnerability our loved one has. Empower your family members, let them know it's still their home, and they're still in the driver's seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements tells caregivers: know that you're doing your best. When you've gotten feedback from family or friends, take it as objectively as you can and not as a jab at you, because you're there and listening to push-back from seniors who want to stay independent along with family members' observations. Stand up tall for all you do. But we do get caught into our routine and sometimes get blinded to other things. At this time of year, accept the gift of another perspective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn D’Amelio is the director of business development for With A Little Help, a locally-owned home care company. They provide home care services, solve transportation issues, and much more. They are at 2021 Minor Ave E suite A, Seattle, WA 98102. Call (206) 352-7399 or visit withalittlehelp.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Frank Brazik, a retired PFC in the U.S. Army. He joined when he was 18, training at Fort Knox. He traveled to Korea in a troop ship in 1951.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Bob Winkler, who was born on August 5, 1929. In October 1946, he joined the Army Air Corps., now the Air Force. He served in England and Germany, retiring from the Air Force in 1953. He spent 46 years in Germany, where he sold life insurance to the military and met his wife. His four daughters were born in Germany.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Eleanor "Jimmie" Shapiro, who was born in Boston and went to Sergeant College at Boston University, becoming a physical therapist. She married Sumner, who went to the Naval Academy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about families and finding peace. One of the things we forget about fun — how do we have fun with mom and dad? Taking off the caregiver hat — and the responsibilities of having everything in place, and the logistics of getting together — and just enjoying your time with them. Take a deep breath and breathe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident David Ross, a retired lieutenant commander in the navy. He joined in the spring of 1943.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a Live from Seattle Special featuring the 12 Days of Goodness with Joe Tafoya, Suzanne Newman, Chuck Olmstead, and Daphne Davis with Pinnacle Senior Placements. We are having a conversation about the need around the holidays to visit seniors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a Live from Seattle Special featuring the 12 Days of Goodness with Joe Tafoya, Suzanne Newman, Chuck Olmstead and Daphne Davis with Pinnacle Senior Placements. It gives a spotlight on honoring our seniors and making sure they are not forgotten.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Burton Bender, a first sergeant in the U.S. Army when he retired. He was born in 1933 and remembers buying war stamps. He graduated high school in 1952, then went to the University of Wisconsin and was state champ in swimming, before being drafted into the army.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Gaswint, Owner of Katie Marie's Adult Day Care Home in Marysville, WA, talks about adult day care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lianna Marie is the author of Everything You Need To Know About Parkinson's Disease and Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson's Disease. Her mother was diagnosed 30 years ago, back when books on the topic were written for doctors, rather than patients and caregivers. There are different types of Parkinson's, every case is different, and there are other neuro-degenerative diseases similar to Parkinson's.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nichole Smith from CarePartners Living: We in the senior living industry think of ourselves as co-petitors, not competitors, and we meet on purpose to know all of the services out...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan Dale with CarePartners Living: Families that come to us are very overwhelmed, don’t know where to start or what’s the process, especially when they come in for the holidays.

Chef/Owner Deborah Peterson at Vineyard Catering in Woodinville, Washington talks about holiday meal preparation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Thanksgiving, and families are coming together. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements meets with families all the time and there's never a bad time. Families often call to tell her that they've seen a change in their senior loved one, or about a crisis, but it doesn't have to be about that. You can call at any time, and she generally gets together to meet your loved ones in a home, asking questions about where their loved ones are in their journey. Her job is to help people retain their independence — be part of the process, have a voice, and not be dictated to — and still have quality life with the safety and the peace of mind for the family and the loved ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even without the dynamics of our family members aging in place, or having some cognition challenges, even without that the holidays can be stressful. Expectations are all different. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements says it's important when approaching the holidays that everyone's heart is in the right place, with good intentions. Let go of hidden agendas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens after your loved one has been placed into a senior living environment? Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements does consistent follow-ups up to 90 days after you loved one has chosen a new environment. Sometimes it's just a conversation, but often it's a face-to-face visit to make sure everything is going well. An advisor should be preparing you for what's coming down the road.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Ron Brockman, who retired as a captain from the U.S. Navy and was also a U.S. Marine. He was born in Kodiak, Alaska in December 1940. He went to the University of Alaska for a semester, then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. in 1959. The day he graduated from boot camp, he received a nomination letter for the Naval Academy. On his first leave as a marine, he bought a book on how to prepare for the exams and passed it, and joined the class of 1964 Naval Academy. He is also a doctor of osteopathic medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Leonard LeDuc, a U.S. Army veteran. He grew up in a farm town in Kansas. He worked on the assembly of missile silos. His older brother was doing well in the service, so he joined the Army in 1962.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident George Osborn, who was born in Seattle in 1939 and went to West Seattle High School. He recalls President Roosevelt having died during his 6th birthday party. He was drafted by the United States Army in March 1962, did basic training at Fort Ord in California, and served in Korea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Newman interviews Mike Flood, Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Community Outreach, about Salute to Service Month. The Seahawks will be raising money for The Mission Continues through sales of military-themed Seahawks merchandise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident David Martin, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer E7. He was born and raised in northeast Iowa, graduating in 1955, then joined the Navy and was trained in California, then started his service in Alaska. He eventually retired to Olympia, Oregon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Bill North, a retired Sergeant Major with the U.S. Army. He was born on a farm in Oklahoma in 1932. He joined the National Guard in Fort Sill when he was 16, becoming a cannoneer. The battalion was mobilized for the Korean War, trained by the U.S. Army, shipped out to Japan and finally to Korea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Alzheimer's and in all stages of Dementia, conversation is based on the moment. We've all been taught to be real and truthful, not to lie. But Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements suggeststhat white lies are okay at this stage, because they keep someone calm. It's important because their reality is their reality. It's more of staying in the moment with them – the little details don't matter when their reality is what they believe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Gil Conforti, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army. He was born in 1935 in Massachusetts. His father passed away when he was in high school, so he went to work to help support the family. After his 17th birthday, he joined the National Guard. He enjoyed his work, and in 1955 he enlisted in the regular army. He spent 16 months in Korea near the demarkation line, earning promotions to staff seargant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owner Vanessa Carr with Care at Home Seattle says don't wait for care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Roberta "Bobbie" Quarm, a wife of a retired United States Army serviceman who served for 24 years and was injured in Vietnam. She was born in Cincinnati and lived in Philadelphia during high school, graduating in 1955. She joined the USO and Red Cross. She met her husband of 51 years at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where they married. They were stationed three times at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking away the mystery, Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements explains what families can expect with an advisor. She starts as an information post for our families, as an educator. Pinnacle Senior Placements doesn't charge families for our services as advisors. She's paid like a realtor. She works with every community of care in the state of Washington. She's totally transparent, regardless of whether she has a contract with them or not, she works with them. Her motivation is to take away some of the stress of making very big decisions for our loved ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you are working with a professional, you need to be heard and valued, not put into a box. It's also a relationship with the entire family. There are services to help you and walk alongside you. Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements recommends having an advisor you feel from your gut has your best interests in mind.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Fall Prevention month, be a watchdog for your senior loved one. Tracy Marcom at Cascade In-Home Care asks: What is a family's role to check in with their loved ones? Some are hands-off, and may not realize how their love ones are declining. If Mom or Dad don't live nearby, they can put on a good front because they don't want to burden their children. Have a service that can come in, even in the beginning, as an in-home care agency before you really need it, is a peace of mind both to your loved one and your family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Fall Prevention month, Regional Business Development Manager Tracy Marcom at Cascade In-Home Care suggests acting as a watchdog for your senior loved one. Some of the things we notice in the house are throw rugs on top of carpet, which is a huge tripping risk. Also, a rug in the bathroom should have a rubber bottom so it doesn't lift up and cause a hazard. In-Home Care agencies are able to do non-medical in-home care, but we have a home health license, and we can do fall-and-risk assessments, wheelchair certification and have a nurse on duty. We can provide that fourth or fifth day of would care, but we wouldn't do occupational therapy or physical therapy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Olmstead interviews Patriot’s Landing resident Kent Troy, U.S. Army West Point graduate, former protocol officer at JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Washington. He was born in Roswell, New Mexico.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy Myerson has written a book called Elder Care Assistance: A Practical Guide Covering Health, Financial and Legal Considerations, which is a practical guide for everyone. This discussion centers around making sure to find out what your loved ones want, so that you can handle their wishes in case they are in a condition where they can't tell you themselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy Myerson has written a book called Elder Care Assistance: A Practical Guide Covering Health, Financial and Legal Considerations, which is a practical guide for everyone. Something could happen to us or our spouses at any moment, and people need to be able to pick up where we left off, know where different assets are, and understand the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.