Check out “The Other Talk,” which was written to help children of aging parents face all the decisions that they will make in an organized and complete manner.

This free book can help children talk with their aging parents about future plans for their care.

agingredefined.org

Today we qualified for hospice.  We had to drop hospice three months ago when we  moved into a special care assisted living facility (SCALF).  Since we saw my mother’s doctor last week, I asked for an order to be reassessed.  Odyssey Hospice came out and did an extensive interview with me and momma,  gave me an overview of their services and we filled out paperwork.  By the end of the assessment, I was given the news that we were approved.  This means that they will provide support and care for my mother by means of medications, pullups and bed pads, and 24/7 nursing care and all medical equipment related to the terminal illness. She will have a consistent CNA coming 3 days a week to bathe her. I can call on their social worker, enjoy spiritual care and can consult them for medical advice without leaving our facility. Having hospice is like having a safety net.  Maybe you qualify for hospice and just don’t know it.  Look into it.

I talked to a friend today who had a bad experience with a nursing home.  Her disabled mother was turned in the bed improperly by the CNA on duty who ignored her mother’s instructions.  As a result, her mother’s arm was broken.  A trip to the doctor to have her arm set and all the pain, suffering, and  expense involved caused my friend to consult a lawyer.  I asked her if she had called the ombudsman who is available to arbitrate any dispute she might have with the nursing home.  She said she had seen the ombudsman’s picture posted in the facility and would make a call.  If you have a dispute with assisted living or a nursing home, call Ivy Walker.    

I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Julie McGee lately and she is a game changer.  She knows her field of expertise and wields a powerful sword.  Yet, she carries herself with grace and has a calm presence.  You’d never know that she has a resume 4 pages long full of impressive accomplishments.

Julie has been diligently working for the betterment of Mobile residents since 1979.  Housed in the GM&O building downtown, she currently reigns as Area Agency on Aging Director for the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.Under her leadership for the last 16 years, she has required excellence from her staff, which recently earned them an award given by the National Council on Aging to only three projects in the nation.  The benefits of this award will help the elderly and disabled of Alabama to achieve more economic security, move out of poverty, and be able to successfully remain in their own homes and live independently. This is just one of the many accomplishments that her local organization has achieved.

I’m writing this because Julie took the time to listen to a caregiver (me) who saw an unmet need in the community, organized a meeting of professionals in the dementia field to address that need and invited me along as well.  As a result, we have formed the Alzheimer and Dementia Coalition of South Alabama and created a helpline as a community resource for Alzheimer and dementia information.  What a privilege to come along and see how she gets things done.  You are the first to get a gold star, Julie McGee.  Thanks for making a difference.

Dick Perl, 40 year veteran in Funeral Service and well sought after speaker in the industry,  shares his thoughts and experiences about the cremation process.  Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery Education Services Department offers a free C.D. that is a recorded exchange between Mr. Perl and Uncle Henry on the radio show “Speak to the Expert.”

IVIG Stops Alzheimer’s in its Tracks!

AARP caregiver website – Good Stuff

Call for local resources

This thoughtful blog makes for good reading and relating.

My Demented Mother