Even early in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease the vocal filter may falter or even disappear. Recently after a church service had dispersed, an old friend of Ellie’s came up to her. She told Ellie that a mutual friend of theirs had passed away just yesterday. Ellie replied without hesitation, “Well she is dead, I don’t need to go to the funeral.” In...

Importance of Sticking with a Routine or Schedule

Ellie had a relative visit from out of town this completely disrupted her routine. The guest expected Ellie to go, go, go as she remembered from her younger days. After her departure, Ellie was confused, acted increasingly agitated and had trouble sleeping at night. This behavior continued for the following...

Ellie had always been the type of person that always kept herself busy. Maybe she would tend her African violets, sew a quilt, read a book, go to church, or attend her grandchildren’s many sports activities and musical performances. Her daughters began to notice a bit of apathy early in the disease process. Ellie was always the type to do for others she h...

CNN discusses information from a report from a Roundtable Sponsored by United Hospital Fund and the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation. It discussed the confusion around why older adults turn down home health care and home care.

 Families are often in denial of the disease. Ellie’s sister is coming to town and wants her to accompany her to their High School reunion. Sarah has nicely mentioned to her Aunt that Ellie is not interested in the reunion. Sarah explained that because of her condition her Mom would not be familiar with the location it’s being held at, leading to confusio...

In the 2018 proposed PPS rule for home health that was published in the Federal Register on July 28, CMS proposes to adopt several data elements that assess cognitive impairment, behavioral signs and symptoms and mental status (Depressed mood). The Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation ACT (IMPACT ACT) requires CMS to develop, implement, and m...

Ellie had a fall 3 years ago in the bathroom at her families’ lake house, resulting in her fracturing the shoulder of her dominate hand. She has not felt comfortable bathing independently since the fall, due to her fear of falling. Her daughter had worked with a wonderful personal care aide years ago named Lauren. Sarah was lucky enough to get Lauren to h...

STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH SOMEONE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE – PART 1

Keep it Simple-it’s the rule when communicating with a loved one with memory loss. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Easy as 1-2-3

Say the individual’s name and identify yourself to him or her even if you are a family member this includes everyone - adult children, grandchildren and eve...

http://www .cvent.com/events/2017-se4a-conference-registration/event-summary-d815c7e859ec429981f829cd90907d79.aspx

A Caregiver’s Guide to Wandering – A Family and Community Dementia Tool Presenters: Kurt Boerner, President, McGruff Safe Kids, Wayzata, MN Amy Craven, PT,MS,DPT. of C & V Senior Care Specialists, Inc. Education and planning are at the heart o...

Today Ellie received a call at 9am. Assuming it is Charles, a friend she goes to the senior center with she answers the call.

“Hi, do you know who this is?” The voice on the other end says.

Ellie Responds “no.”

“This is me your grandson, don’t you recognize my voice? Maybe not, I was in a car accident and broke my nose and I probably sound funny.”

Ellie respo...