Considering a Pet as a Companion
Animals are well-known for their calming affects, and as you might imagine, those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia—just like the rest of us—can benefit immensely from having a dog, cat, or other animal as a companion. Some nursing homes and assisted living facilities have even incorporated pets into their environments [...]
Managing “Sundowning”
As the day wears on into the afternoon and early evening, those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia often show increased amounts of confusion. This escalation in confusion as the day wears on has been referred to as “sundowning,” and while the exact cause of the phenomenon is unknown, caregivers and [...]
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 [...]
Whether or Not to Impart News of a Diagnosis
Due to their ages, loved ones in their “golden years” oftentimes have very few family members or friends remaining in their lives. In fact, caregivers of these loved ones often find themselves coming to the realization that they are the only remaining family their loved ones have. Such a realization [...]
Visiting Your Loved One
You may wonder what is the best approach for visiting your loved one who you’ve recently placed in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Such consideration is very important, as your loved one’s experience during the initial few days can play a major role in determining how well he [...]
When Adult Day Care is Not Enough
If managing your loved one in the evening becomes overwhelming and neither of you can find a moment’s respite, then you should know that you have multiple options. For one, instead moving your loved one to a nursing home, you can simply “package” your services by hiring an at-home care [...]
Medicaid and Assisted Living Facilities: Some Concerns
Many family members of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will want to make sure they spend plenty of time researching assisted living facilities before settling one a place for their loved one. Perhaps one of the last things you’ll want to do your loved one who really enjoys [...]
Family Councils: Staying Organized
Family members and friends of nursing home residents often pull together to form organizations known as family councils. Family councils, very simply, are organizations put together by and for family and friends of nursing home residents. These organizations typically consist of half a dozen or more individuals who meet on [...]