Anger: Managing Your Emotions
Emotions may run high during times of change. This is especially true for those of us who have taken on greater responsibilities than we did previously due to a major life change. For instance, those individuals who, for one reason or another, have considered serving as a primary caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease will likely experience many strong emotions as their lives change due to their loved one’s diagnosis and potential move-in.
One such emotion is anger. Feelings of anger, frustration, and resentment can crop-up for caregivers rather easily during this time of change, as not only must they attempt to handle challenging situations with their loved one (which often don’t go as anticipated), they must also cope with the fact that their time—and especially any “free” time—is not their own. For instance, instead of enjoying a leisurely afternoon stroll by the pond, each afternoon, or attending a favorite exercise class, a caregiver may find him or herself driving a loved one to the clinic, the pharmacy, or a support group. As such, despite their love for their family member with Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers often feel frustrated, angry, and resentful for the fact that life has changed in a way that seems to have created stress that wasn’t once there.
Keep in mind that if a major life change has your emotions running high that you’re not alone. Millions of people in the US and other parts of the world are in the same boat as you, so you’re sure to find resources to help you through this period of adjustment. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that these emotions are normal responses to stressful situations. That said, try to be patient with yourself as you adjust to your new circumstances, and try your best to find an outlet for your emotions that doesn’t cause your family members or other loved ones any distress.
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LinkedInAbuse and Neglect: Properly Assessing a Situation
Certainly, we’d all like to think that those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities receive the care they need. We’d loathe suspect that personnel or even other residents might put a loved one’s safety or general well being at risk. Unfortunately, though, elder abuse—whether in the form of outright intentional abuse or simply neglect—does exist. The National Center for Elder Abuse published The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study in 1996 that indicates some half a million incidences of elder abuse occur in the US each year. Given this decade and a half old data, and given the number of baby boomers now reaching the age of 65 or older, one might easily start to wonder whether the number of elder abuse incidences has increased since 1996.
Despite any potential trend toward increasing incidence of elder abuse, one should not immediately jump to the conclusion that personnel at your loved one’s assisted living facility aren’t providing your loved one with proper care. An accusation such as this carries consequences with it, and making such a claim can negatively impact any existing relationship you and your loved one have with these personnel. While you may suspect an abusive situation, you should take pains to investigate before you inadvertently sour the relationship you have with the staff at an assisted living facility—after all, moving to a new facility can be stressful for both you and your loved one.
One way of ensuring you haven’t misperceived a situation or ensuring you don’t make any false accusations is to discuss your concerns with a qualified Ohio elder law attorney. By speaking with an elder law attorney, you give yourself a chance to familiarize yourself, through the experience of a professional, with some of the common signs of elder abuse. If you suspect your loved one has become victim to an abusive situation, then you should schedule an appointment with an elder law attorney right away.
Medication Concerns
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, then you’ll likely have many concerns about both what—and when—medication is right for you. As you’re most likely already aware, cognitive capabilities decline as Alzheimer’s disease develops. The loss of cognitive ability results from the deterioration of both brain cells and the connections between them. Sadly, current medications cannot prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, so those who’ve been diagnosed cannot expect—at this time—to see improvement in their conditions.
However, this is not to say that you shouldn’t consider taking medications for your condition. Physicians commonly prescribe both cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for those with Alzheimer’s disease, as these medications treat many symptoms including memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking or reasoning. Physicians also commonly prescribe other sorts of medications to curb the emotional outbursts experienced by those in the later stages of the disease. That said, though, those who consider taking any antipsychotic medications should make sure they weigh the pros with the cons. Many of the adverse reactions of these medications can result in a new set of conditions that carry significant health risks including, sedation, tremors, and other movement problems.
While your loved one’s physician has the experience needed to provide answers to questions you may have concerning medications, you may find yourself in need of advice from other professionals. If, for instance, you or your loved one feel that your physician’s treatment plan has had significant adverse effects on you or your loved one’s health, then you may need to seek the advice of an Ohio elder law attorney.
Plans for Effective Treatment by 2025
While one media outlet after another reports on the latest news concerning Alzheimer’s research—and while much of that research might even suggest that effective treatment for the disease remains within the medical community’s grasp—unfortunately, a “cure” for Alzheimer’s disease does not yet exist. Despite the frustrations of millions, who must wait patiently for the next bit of good news from medical researchers, hope remains for those diagnosed with the disease and their caregivers.
Evidence of this hope (that researchers will soon find a way treat or even prevent the disease) finds expression through the recent announcements made by the US Government. To explain, according to a recent CBS feature—as well as other sources—as of January of this year, the federal government announced plans to assist in the development of an effective treatment for the disease by 2025. While officials say the current plan doesn’t include any form of funding, advisors have reportedly estimated the cost of treating individuals at over one trillion dollars.
Even though effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease may not be available for many years, those with loved one’s suffering from the disease should know they have options for alleviating symptoms. Caregivers can find the medical assistance they need for loved one’s by discussing concerns with a physician. Furthermore, to reduce stress levels associated with other factors, such as finances or living circumstances caregivers may want to schedule an appointment with a qualified elder law attorney. An Ohio elder law attorney can help caregivers address the myriad issues that tend to cause both caregivers and their loved ones stress that may lead to extreme agitation and upset.
Agitation – Paying Attention to Non-Verbal Cues
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then you’re well aware that both your loved one have difficult journey ahead. One challenge you’ll face as your loved one begins showing symptoms of the later stages of Alzheimer’s diseases is the challenge of identifying those non-verbal cues that help you know when your loved one’s experiencing agitation and pain. These cues can be familiar gestures that you easily recognize or they can be unintelligible noises and even nonverbal movements that you’ll need to incorporate into your pain-recognition vocabulary.
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine provides resources for those who wish to improve in their ability to identify agitation and pain in their loved ones. An article from their summer of 2008 publication provides a list of nonverbal cues identified as common pain behaviors in cognitively impaired adults. Such behaviors include specific facial movements such as rapid eye blinking, a look of fright, or a slight frown or grimace. Bodily cues include a rigid stance or a sudden change in gait, pacing, rocking, or fidgeting. Other behaviors that indicate pain include verbal cues such as sighs, moaning, or asking for help. Finally, changes in routine, changes in sleep patterns, or even changes in eating habits can all indicate agitation and pain.
By paying attention to these non-verbal cues, you can help reduce the amount of pain experienced by your loved one. Consequently, you make a tremendous difference in both you and your loved one’s quality of life.
Longer Life Spans = Unexpected Financial Needs
For years now, the CDC, as well as other institutions that publish studies on health, have produced study after study that indicate Americans are living longer than they did in the past. In fact, recently, Senior Journal featured an article citing CDC statistics that suggests those born in 2009 have an average life expectancy of approximately 78 years. With so many people maintaining and improving their health and with so many people living longer, one might think that seniors of today have fewer problems to worry about than those who from a generation or two ago.
Unfortunately, though as life spans have increased, so have expenses, and many seniors now find themselves in the position of needing to do some creative financing. This is especially true in the uncertain economic climate of the past decade wherein many people have, sadly, watched their retirement funds and other investments disappear—sometimes overnight.
The good news here is that despite the economic turmoil you or a loved one may faced in the past, options for financing these unexpected and blessed years of life do exists. For instance, if you and your spouse own your own home free and clear, then may have the option of a reverse mortgage. With a reverse mortgage, you and your spouse convert a portion of the equity in your home to cash while maintaining the benefit of remaining in your home. To find out whether or not you qualify for a reverse mortgage or other types of benefits, you should reach out to Ohio elder law attorney. A qualified elder law attorney can assess your particular situation and determine if a reverse mortgage or another option will best suit you.
Long-Term Planning – Cracking the Code
In Protect Your Family! We’ve Cracked the Code on Long-Term Care Planning, Paul J. Stano and ten leading elder law attorneys shed light on up-to-date issues concerning seniors, their families, and their communities. Information shared in this collaborative book, co-authored written by legal experts from across the nation, addresses many exigent issues concerning elder care including effective long-term planning, in general, and specifically, reverse mortgages.
Paul J. Stano, one of the contributing authors of Protect Your Family!, expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his ideas in this recent book. He states, “it is such an honor to be published with so many other accomplished elder law attorneys.” For two decades now, Paul J. Stano and his team of professionals have provided legal assistance to seniors and their family members as they put together both Estate and Life Care Plans.
He and his team of elder law attorneys in Ohio have plenty of experience addressing issues that affect seniors. Indeed, his name may sound familiar, as father, Jerome P. Stano co-sponsored the Homestead Exemption Act, served as an Ohio state senator, and served as well as the Chairman of the Nursing Home Commission.
That said, if you have concerns related to long-term care planning, then you should reach-out to Paul and his team of professionals as soon as possible. He and his associates have the talent, experience, and expertise to look out for you and your loved one’s interests. To schedule an appointment, call (440) 888-6448.
Keeping a Sense of Humor
One common experience of caregivers is that they often feel they’ve lost their senses of humor. The seriousness of their loved ones’ conditions, coupled with the stresses of providing constant care, can wear caregivers down so dull that they feel incapable of levity or experiencing laughter. Indeed, even a quick look at some the less than rosy situations and the facts they face on a daily basis can seem to provide justification for holding such attitudes.
However, such an attitude should be avoided as much as possible, as both you and your loved one likely have limited time together. As such, it’s important to remember to spend it in ways that bring as much joy and happiness into your lives as possible. While you obviously don’t want to ignore reality or pretend feeling happy when you’re obviously not—such behavior can be extremely counterproductive, you do want to make sure you keep a sense of humor about you and remember what those things that make you and your loved one laugh.
Whether you laugh at stand-up comics from a DVD you’ve rented or whether funny jokes that you’ve collected from the internet, you’ll quickly recognize the value of humor, as you and your loved one lose yourself for a moment or two over something humorous. Truly, remembering how to laugh and remember how to share that laughter with a loved one can do much for improving the lives of those of us who’ve been affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Getting Family Members To Help
If you’re part of the “sandwich generation,” or the generation with children at home and a elder parent in need of care, then you probably spend each day wearing several hats. This is doubly true if you spend your day working, and your evenings caring for both your children and parents. Consequently, many people in the sandwich generation find themselves frustrated when they have brothers, sisters, and other family members—seemingly, with fewer responsibilities—who refuse to provide help. Unfortunately, the best advice for you here may be to simply let those feelings of frustration go.
If you persist in beating yourself up about your so called “failure” to solicit the help of another family member, then not only will you heap frustrations on an already trying situation, you will more than likely just invite distress into the lives of those for whom you’re trying to provide care. In the midst of all the errands, meal preparations, carpooling, and trips to the doctor, you’ve got to make sure you ease up enough to take care of yourself. You may find that you’re better off once you’ve given up the ghost of soliciting the help of a family member, and doing so may allow you to explore options that you may have not considered previously, such as “adopting,” so to speak, someone to be apart of your family—a close friend, for instance—to help with a few items around the house.
It may be, however, that you have a family member who’s not only refusing to offer support, but also interfering with your ability to provide your loved one with proper care.
For instance, you may have a family member who you feel treats your loved one in a manner that you find abusive and whose presence creates anxiety and confusion. If you find yourself in such a situation, then should speak with an Ohio elder law attorney as soon as possible.
Alzheimer’s Disease in Conjunction with Other Illnesses
Sometimes a tough situation becomes even tougher, which is often the case when you receive news that a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease has developed another life-threatening medical condition. In some cases, an aging love one—who’s been coping with the progressing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease—suddenly learns that he or she has cancer. If you or your loved one find yourself in such a situation, then the best thing you can do is learn as much information you can from the physician about the specific cancer before making any treatment decisions. Should you make an uninformed decision and move forward with an aggressive approach or an invasive procedure, you run the risk of inadvertently causing your loved one increased pain, suffering, and confusion.
Depending on your loved one’s condition and his or her prognosis, you may want to consider having the physician order hospice services. While such a decision can be an extremely difficult to make, it is completely understandable, as hospice services will ensure your loved one spends as much of his or her time in a comfortable, pain-free environment. Furthermore, the hospice service will work with you and the rest of your family to help them both understand and cope with your loved one’s condition.
As you consider hospice services for your loved one, you may also want to consider how to set your loved one’s affairs in order, so he or she—as well as the rest of your family—can set those worries aside. Perhaps the best way to do this is by contacting an Ohio elder law attorney. An Ohio elder law attorney has the experience and skills that can ensure you’ve done everything possible to put you and the rest of your family at ease.