Thursday, February 27, 2014

Watch Seth Rogen's Senate Testimony For Alzheimer's Awareness


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/seth-rogen-promotes-alzheimer-awareness-article-1.1703206

It is nice to see Mr.Rogen use his fame and personal experience to bring desperately needed attention  AND FUNDING to this tragic disease. Kudos.






Monday, February 24, 2014

The Truman Show


'What if everything you knew to be true turned out to be a lie?'

Such was the question that the movie The Truman Show posed. In the film, the main character lives in a completely fabricated reality. Everything from the relationships he shares to the experiences he has are elaborately scripted and engineered products intended to please a watching television audience. Truman's entire life is lived inside the bubble of a giant dome which houses his "town." His friends, his family, even his wife are all actors, paid to play their part. Ultimately, this ruse is revealed to be nothing more than a cruel ploy to produce a television show. But what if the intentions behind a hoax were more honorable?

In the Netherlands, they have sought to answer that question.

In 2009, Hogeweyk, or Dementiaville as it has become known, opened its doors in the town of Weesp in the Netherlands. A first of its kind Alzheimer's housing concept, Dementiaville creates a world that closely resembles reality but keeps Alzheimer's and dementia patients safe. From the outside, Dementiaville looks like an ordinary town. There are shops, streets, salons, and even restaurants all designed to fabricate a normal life experience. Yet it is a fully enclosed and secure environment for the residents inside.

The living quarters within the village are designed to cater and feel completely normal to persons coming from a wide range of backgrounds. Each apartment is meticulously decorated in specific genres and is occupied by 6-8 persons including plainclothes caretakers who pass as normal residents of the village. A person of means would live in an upscale or "Goois" genre apartment thus making the transition from their authentic lives more amenable. When the resident of that apartment began to need assistance in certain areas of daily life, one of their roommates would be willing to lend a hand. Little would the resident know that their assistance would actually be coming from a qualified caregiver posing as a roommate in order to stave off any appearance of an abnormal existence.



The statistics regarding Alzheimer's and dementia are as staggering as they are tragic. While there are occasionally reports of some new wanderdrug or miracle cure on the horizon, reality for families currently dealing with this tragedy is that there is very little that can be done. Hogeweyk changes that reality. Families are now free to consider a whole new world of possibilities for the people they care most about. It may be a completely fabricated existence but to the residents of Dementiaville, it is home.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Reality of Discrimination

http://blog.aimvic.com.au/2012/08/06/leon-gettler-age-discrimination/

Recently, there has been considerable hub-ub in the media about age discrimination. According to a recent article on MSN Money, job hunters over the age of 55 report having a difficult time landing a job. On average, older job hunters reported spending 47 weeks looking for employment before finally landing a gig.

Federal laws protecting anyone north of 40 yrs against discrimination have been on the books since 1967. In spite of our well intentioned efforts, discrimination against older adults continues to thrive in this country.

Can we have a grown up conversation about discrimination? A real conversation where everyone puts on their big-boy(girl) pants and agrees not to throw a temper tantrum if they don't like what they read?

Discrimination exists.
-What?!
-How dare you!
-Of all the...!
-I am taking my toys and going home!

Phew. Now that we are rid of those people we may continue.

I openly discriminate. I discriminate in my daily life. Last night I was approaching the check out lines at Super Target. One checker was clearly superior to the other options. One checker had multiple piercings and tattoos. One checker was a female. One checker was African-American. One checker was older. One checker looked to have been a member of some sort of Bieber-cult. I surmised my options and discriminated. It would serve no purpose to tell you which lane I chose nor which checker was working my selected lane. After all, you have undoubtedly exercised the same tactics of discrimination and fully understand the scene I am describing.

While it may be unpopular to admit, I discriminate as a business owner as well. I discriminate against the tardy, the slovenly, the inarticulate, the way-too-casual-for-a-job-interview, the resumees that havint bin pruufred and the Dutch.



Of course I realize that sort of discrimination is not the issue at hand. Age discrimination according the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 only refers to the discrimination of persons older than 40. Could it be that in senior care, as in life, that sort of discrimination is a really good thing?

DISCRIMINATION- [dih-skrim-uh-ney-shuh n]
noun
1. the act or instance of making a distinction
2. the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person belongs rather than on inidividual merit.
3. the power of making fine distinctions

Scene: A young lady walks into my office and wants to become a caregiver. I greet her upon arrival and proceed to conduct an interview. Through the interview it becomes abundantly clear that she has never worked with seniors, has little if any relevant experience and is unable to cook anything more advanced than Ramen noodles. Say it any way you want in order to make it more politically correct, she is just too young to be a caregiver.

In fairness, there are those younger persons who have wisdom beyond their years and go on to make phenomenal caregivers. (My wife jokes that I have been an 76 yr old man since my 19th birthday.)

Scene: An older man walks into my office and wants to become a caregiver. I greet him upon arrival and proceed to conduct an interview. He was a caregiver for his late wife for many years prior to her passing. He is a war veteran with a passion for history and volunteers at his local food pantry three times a week. Say it any way you want in order to make it politically correct, his age helps to make him a prime candidate.

In both instances, I have exercised discrimination. If I were hiring computer programmers for the latest social media gizmo the outcomes would likely be reversed and I could potentially find myself in the cross-hairs of the EEOC. But why? Why do we claim discrimination when it does us wrong and never admit when it serves us well?



At Home Instead Senior Care- Chapel Hill, we are proud to say that we practice discrimination. We actively seek mature CAREGivers who know what it is to grow older and have a passion for people struggling to maintain their independence. We are in desperate need of family members who, older or younger than 40yrs, have seen the difference that a great CAREGiver can make. We know the impact that we are able to make if we exercise discrimination. Additionally, we know the cost of turning a blind eye to the red flags which present themselves during our screening process. If I were in need of in-home care in Chapel Hill for a family member or loved one, I would expect nothing less.



Friday, February 14, 2014

Love Lost or Love Completed?

http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Deep_Impact/gallery/Deep-Impact-movie-07/

Tennyson once quipped that "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

Isn't that sweet. Meh.

Lost love is never easy to cope with and trite, poetic words do little to console the lonely on Valentine's Day.

When most of us think about love lost we think of tragic circumstances or events which separate soulmates. We hope that one day the stars will align, the gods will shine on us, fate will lend an ear, and we will be reunited 'cause it feels so good.

Admittedly, love cut short is tragic. But what about love that runs it's course?

For a senior who has spent their entire life loving and serving one person, is the end of that relationship any less tragic? 

As is so often the case, my mind is drawn to an obscure scene from a not-at-all classic movie, Deep Impact. At one point in the movie, the astronauts who are about to sacrifice themselves in order to save the world are saying good bye to their loved ones down below. The elder astronaut, Spurgeon Tanner, is a widower and has no one to whom to issue his farewell.  Regarding his deceased wife, he opines to a fellow astronaut : "You're a married man; you know what it's like. Every marriage has it's[sic] good years and bad years. We ended on a really great year."

Commander Tanner expresses an emotion that I believe many seniors feel when they remember their lost love: gratitude. Gratitude for the years of laughter. Gratitude for the years that they stood together through impossible times. Gratitude for joy. Gratitude for the heartbreak made a little less painful by the person by their side. 'Tis better methinks.

Sadly, many seniors are denied the privilege of reflection by the people closest to them. We mistakenly assume that the remorse we feel about lost love is common to them. We project our own feelings that "It would be too painful for her to discuss" or that "Talking about Mom is just too hard and would only upset him." We are wrong to make those assumptions. The sting of loss cannot possibly overtake the sea of treasured moments a senior and their spouse spent a lifetime accumulating. In avoiding those often tender topics, we deny the seniors in our lives the simple joy of reminiscing.

Reject the temptation to think of 'love lost' when considering the seniors in your life this Valentine's Day. It is better to think of theirs as 'love completed.' Chances are the senior in your life has an amazing love story that they would love to tell. Giving them that opportunity could be the greatest gift you could give them today and every day moving forward.




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Quick Tips for Power Outage Preparedness


The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Sadly, the repeated overreactions of local school districts and meteorologists have created a 'Chicken Little' attitude among most residents of Triangle. I admit to rolling my eyes when my wife suggested we purchase extra flashlight batteries last night...until I took a long look at the forecast.

There is no point in avoiding the conversation or hoping that the weather prognosticators are wrong. It is going to be a nasty storm. The latest forecasts for the Triangle area have snow totals reaching upwards of 10 inches and ice predictions anywhere from 3-5 inches. Bear in mind that half an inch of ice is enough to down trees and power lines. By tomorrow morning, the sky may have indeed fallen.

The talk must now necessarily turn to preparation. Here is short list of simple things you can do to get ready for the upcoming storm.

  • Batteries- Flashlights and battery operated lanterns are a far safer option than candles when the power goes out. Plan to have at least one if not two extra sets of batteries on hand so that you can continue to function in the dark. 
  • Blankets- Go ahead and throw an extra blanket on the foot of the bed tonight. If the power goes out while you are in bed, this will keep you from having to fumble around in the dark for an extra comforter when your feet get cold. But you put that flashlight on your bedside table right?
  • Watch your water- During longer power outages, water purification systems may not be working properly. It is good idea to grab a few  gallons of water in advance. If you are unsure about the safety of your water, boiling it for one minute should kill most dangerous bacteria. Better safe than dysentery.
  • Grills are for yards- While it may be tempting to bring your gas grill into your living room to cook food during a power outage, this is a bad idea. It is a really bad idea.
  • Cash- If the power is out it would be a good idea to have some cash on hand. ATM's are hard to operate when they are unplugged.
  • Food- Think about what would be easiest to eat without power. Canned foods and non-perishables are seemingly obvious choices but have you ever tried cold Spaghettios? Yuck. A summer sausage, crackers and some cheese would be a better selection. Any kind of energy bars are also good things to have on hand when the lights go out.
  • Phone- Go ahead and charge your cell phone now. Clear off any currently running apps to preserve battery life. This may be your only way to get updates. I have a charger in my car which I will plan to use if need be.
Take a moment to check in on the senior in your life during these next few hours or days. They are often the most vulnerable members of our community during extreme weather situations. Make sure that they are taking the appropriate precautions just in case Chicken Little is right this time:)

For more resources to keep a senior safe visit: www.caregiverstress.com

Monday, February 10, 2014

Coffee At McDonald's


Today at lunch, I sat next to a group of men in their eighties. They were a fascinating bunch to behold; white hair (for those who still had it), hunched shoulders, loud voices, and a lot of repeating yourself to be heard. These men were not strangers. The relationships that I observed were 50-60 yrs in the making.

The make-up of their group looked not unlike the men I call my friends.

-The Quiet Man spent more time looking at his Hot-n-Sour soup than carrying on like some of the others.
-The Sporty Gentleman was fresh in from some sort of rigorous activity.
-The Comedian told story after story in pursuit of a laugh.
-The Spectator never said much but paid close attention to each member of the party.
-The Day Dreamer was moderately engaged but yet somewhere else in his thoughts.
-The Encourager took time to attempt to involve every man at the table in the more salient points of the conversation.

I saw what I hope will one day be.

It reminded me of a similar group in Woodward, Oklahoma that my grandfather was a part of. Each morning they would meet, 'come hell or high water', at the local McDonald's for coffee and a biscuit. I am privileged to say that I was able to attend one or two of those meetings with my grandfather and was struck by the cameraderie I encountered. While the men were certainly gracious to me, it was clear that I was an outsider. I hadn't paid my dues. These men had walked with each other through marriages and divorces, births and deaths, peacetime and war, victories and defeats. Theirs was a bond forged over time and rooted in a deep commitment to each other.

Looking at the men today and remembering my grandfather's group , it struck me that gatherings of men like that have existed since time began. Knights of the round table, hunters sitting around a fire after a hunt, disciples sharing a meal and listening to their master speak. We were created to live in community.

But like all relationships, communities gradually disappear without an intentional focus. For a senior, isolation can be a deadly thing. The moment when a senior begins to feel that they are alone and have nothing left to offer the world can be the beginning of the end. Doctors have even created a diagnosis for this condition: "Failure to Thrive." At Home Instead Senior Care, senior isolation is an enemy we fiercely battle. We encourage our clients to reengage with the communities they may have lost touch with over the years or perhaps to engage with an entirely new community. Unfortunately, groups like the one I saw today are dwindling. Our increasingly transient society no longer allows for bonds like theirs to develop. We move. We move to be closer to our kids, to our grandkids, to avoid harsh winters, to take advantage of a job opportunity.

And with each move we leave things behind.

I am supremely grateful for the community of men I am surrounded by. I pray that we will be together long enough to know the same level of friendship as the group at McDonald's in Woodward, OK or at The Red Lotus in Chapel Hill, NC.

For more information and resources about this and other senior issues visit:

http://www.homeinstead.com/106/resources/Pages/SeniorCareResources.aspx

Monday, February 3, 2014

Hi Tech Doodads And Sharks With Laser Beams


Technology is an amazing thing. Every time I hear about a new gizmo or gadget I can't help but wonder "What's next?"

On some level, I resent technology. There have been unimaginable advancements made but with each new tool or shortcut it seems that we lose something as well. Take Facebook for instance; it is an amazing thing that, within seconds of his birth, I am able to share pictures of my newborn son with  family in Texas. Yet along the superhighway of connectivity there have been some casualties. How long has it been since you have sat down to hand-write a letter? I would guess it's been a while.

GPS Navigational systems in our cars and on our phones always have us a few short clicks away from turn-by-turn directions to anywhere our cars will take us. Unfortunately, that level of techno-dependecy has left many people unable to find their way around their own neighborhoods. My dad seemingly knew every back road and shortcut in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Knowledge he likely acquired through innumerable wrong turns over the years. Nevertheless, the knowledge was his. Few people possess that knowledge now. In truth, I often nod my head in ignorance when someone attempts to tell me where they live or work. "I'll just google it."

In senior care there have similarly been wonderful advancements through the last several years. As the option for a senior to live out their golden years at home has become an increasing reality, so too have the different ways to make that a more feasible choice. XBox 360, the same video game technology which thrills teenagers and perpetual college students, now offers families a way to monitor the movement and relative stability of their parents from a distance. When an aging parent's gait changes or becomes unstable a sensor detects the change and alerts the appropriate family member. Similarly, there are special shoes with which you may now outfit your senior. These "mechatronic" shoes will monitor the gait pattern of a senior and let a family member know when they become less nimble.

But Stephen, these all seem like really good things.

Yes, yes, dear reader. But allow me a moment to paint a slightly fuller picture of the hazardous space into which this new fangled technology will be thrown.

A short time ago, I visited with a client and her daughter who had acquired some of this exciting new monitoring technology. My visit was prompted by concerns that several of the caregivers had voiced about a rickety wheeled chair at the kitchen table which they believe posed a serious safety threat. I discussed the many different ways that a chair of that nature could easily slide out from under a senior who was increasingly unsteady on her feet. I further suggested the removal of the radio which sat atop the kitchen table in front of said chair. I have nothing against radios. However, at issue was the radio's extension cord which needed to be stepped over in order to sit in the rickety wheeled chair. I was assured that the extension cord would not be an issue because it had been neatly tucked under the curled up front corner of the area rug which bordered that section of the kitchen. It was as if I was watching a sadistic game of senior twister. Right hand table. Left foot throw rug. Right foot extension cord. I fear that my face may have betrayed me when I inquired as to whether or not the Koi pond in the backyard had also been stocked full of sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. 

No amount of technology can overcome the presence of household hazards. A poorly lit hallway or stairwell will still be a major safety concern even if fancy monitoring toys are installed. The toys will not keep your parent(s) safe. The toys will only more readily alert you of their faltering.

Our journey with each new client always begins with a home safety inspection. We will take the time to walk through the home with a client and/or family member to point out the things which we have historically seen to be hazards. We look for things like: wheeled chairs, extension cords, throw rugs, and piranha-infested koi ponds. Only after we have worked with a family to remove the hazards can we really even pretend to add things which claim to make a senior more safe at home.