SeniorCare Organizational Systems, L.L.C.

I am sure you have all heard the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child”, right? Well, when I the same applies to senior care. When thrust into the role of family caregiver, you often start building your community. Your community starts with your loved one, yourself and any other family members. You may include the doctor, nurse, neighbors and friends. It may get extended to include professionals, such as social workers, hospital discharge planners, attorneys, insurance agents, financial planners…and the list goes on. Sometimes, you just need that community and resource support to help you navigate the journey. SOS wants to be a part of your community. We have experienced Certified Senior Advisors that can help you and your loved one. Give us a call at 877.767.8008.

Just reading the title of this blog may have made some people anxious…This is a hot button issue that many families have to deal with at one time or another. The biggest questions seems to be, “When do my parents need to stop driving?”. I want to take a bit of time to discuss factors that should be considered when faced with this issue. Personally, I do not think age alone is a reason someone should stop driving, or DMV should “take away” their license. I do however, think that vision, cognitive ability, judgment, reasoning, physical strength and abilities are all areas to assess. The senior’s Primary Physician is a good place to start when looking at concerns. Many vision limitations can affect someone’s ability to see well enough to use the car mirrors, see street lights or signs. Some people with certain medical conditions causing decreased sensation in their feet, may be of concern when relying on them to push the gas/brake pedals. Seniors with any type of Dementia, may be experiencing a variety of cognitive issues that could affect their safety while driving. There are so many areas to look at when concern arises about a seniors driving ability. There are many agencies that offer senior safe driving “refresher” classes. If you are just so concerned that you think “someone should do something about it”, there is a form  that can be completed and sent to DMV. This will trigger a letter being sent to their doctor for more information and often results in the senior getting called in for a driving exam. One last point, driving is a very important forms of independence, and I just want to encourage people to treat the issue with respect and empathy for their loved one.

Download DMV Form (REQUEST FOR DRIVER REEXAMINATION) here 

Have you or a loved one been hospitalized in an acute care hospital, rehab hospital or skilled nursing facility? If so, you have been involved in the process of planning your discharge. Many people I have spoken with through the years, don't feel like they have much of a say in the discharge planning process when in a hospital. They seem to think the discharge planner (either social worker or nurse) arbitrarily makes decisions for you. That is not, or should not be, the case. As an experienced discharge planner, I know the entire plan is driven by the resident/patient/client's desires and available support and resources. Without their initial input and discussion of their wishes, there is no plan to work towards. Depending on what type of facility you are being discharged from, the plan may address issues from home health nursing care, ongoing physical therapy, meal planning options, medication management, transportation, assistance with personal care or finances, and many other topics. We know that sometimes patients feel like they get lost in the shuffle, and SOS is here to help. That is exactly why our Aftercare Planning services were started. We know that most of the services in place post-discharge are short term. SOS is here to help when questions come up in the long term. You can read more about our services here http://www.seniorsos.com/aftercare-services and call us if you need help!

As I was in the park this afternoon, watching all the children play, I was reminded of “Senior Playgrounds” that I recently read about on Twitter. I came home to do some research so I could share it with our readers. Senior Playgrounds are popular in Japan, Germany, Canada and England. They often include exercise equipment such as a stationary bike, cross-trainer, a sit-up bench, and other equipment designed to help older adults improve balance, flexibility and muscle tone. This is a great idea for active seniors who can’t afford a gym, and are able to be physically active. They also provide a place to meet other seniors and get some fresh air. Everything I read, seemed to indicate there is political and cultural controversy about this, and they are not yet available in the United States. I personally, thought it was a very interesting idea.

Dementia...a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously-unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Through my years of experience working in skilled nursing facilities, in home care agencies and in private case management settings, I have worked with many people with a Dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis. No two situations are the same and the disease never follows the same path in any two people. It can be heartbreaking for the seniors that are diagnosed, especially if they are diagnosed in the early stages, and can often be a difficult adjustment for the family. It is so hard when a loved one begins to change away from their "normal" self. I was reminded this week that Fresno is rich with resources to help with testing, diagnosing, treating, educating and monitoring folks with any type of Dementia. If you or a loved one are experiencing memory changes, or feel something just 'isn't right', please seek a medical evaluation. There are so many benefits of early diagnosis and treatment.