Awareness during the month of May focuses on older adults and those that care for them. Professional care management is the process of planning and coordinating the care of the elderly and disabled to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

A care manager is an aging specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. They are trained and experienced in, but not limited to nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. In addition, the care manager is an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs, including helping those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsons, or dementia.

When you are considering whether you need the services of a care manager, you should evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, or skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care by yourself.

Consider these questions:  

• Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming larger and more complex than you can comfortably manage?
• Are other demands and responsibilities now so great that you are not able to provide the desired level of supervision and attention to your loved one’s problems?

To learn more, visit www.caremanager.org and find a care manager in your area.

Change is a part of life. How do you know when to make changes? At some point, our own aging requires that we prepare for another stage of life. The normal physical decline of aging coupled with disease conditions require planning to ensure our choices. Decisions made during a crisis are often not the same decisions we would make if planning ahead.

Should I stay in my home or move to a senior residence?

That’s hard to say. If you have vision or mobility problems, your home could become very dangerous. Depending on where you live, getting to and from medical appointments and shopping could become difficult.

Safety is the primary concern. Certain modifications to the home can improve safety and allow you to age in place. If you live with a spouse and one or both of you remain healthy, you may be able to cover for each other. What if one of you is in poor health and has vision, hearing or mobility problems? Would moving to another location be easier for you in the long run?

What happens if the spouse acting as the caregiver becomes sick or dies? Will there be another family member or friend available to help? If the answer is “no,” moving now rather than later may be in your BEST interest.

When should I make these changes?

Each person’s situation is different. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with dementia and are in the early stages, it’s time to make these decisions NOW.

If you have aging diseases like macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe osteoarthritis, progression of these diseases could prevent you from gaining entry to housing areas of your choice.

Senior independent living requires that you are able to pass certain functional tests. Remaining in an independent living situation is much less rigorous. Many of the same functional tests are required for assisted living and must be applied for to those with early and middle stage dementia.

When I decide to make a change, what are my options?

Whether staying at home or making another transition, care managers can coordinate a plan and make the transition smoother. 

Modify
1) Modify home environment to safely age in place.

2) Purchase services privately.

Downsize
1) Garden home (one level)

2) Senior housing with support services
      a. Independent living (Apartments/Studios)
      b. Assisted living

3) Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
      a. Independent Housing (Apartment/Studio/Homes)
      b. Assisted Living
      c. Nursing Home

Long-distance caregiving takes many forms. Many caregivers act as information coordinators by helping older adults understand the health care system and insurance. Approximately 7 million adults are long-distance caregivers, caring for aging parents who live an hour or more away.

More and more older people are living alone far from their families. When you live many miles away from your loved one, the separation can complicate caregiving. Concerns about safety, nutrition, and health can be overwhelming.

Following these 5 simple tips can ease the burden and potential guilt of living away from your aging loved one.

• Seek help from people in the community. Build a list of contacts such as the next door neighbor, the primary doctor, and local church.
  
• Search for local resources to help you coordinate care. Geriatric care managers specialize in assessing and monitoring the needs of older adults.
  
• Create a list of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, along with dosing instructions. Keep it updated for emergency situations.
  
• When you visit, check the home for possible hazards and safety concerns. Clearing out clutter that can cause a fall or adding grab bars to the bathroom can lower the risk of accidents.
  
• Find out if your parent has an advance directive stating his or her health care treatment preferences. Elder-law attorneys help older clients with legal documents for healthcare, legal, and financial decisions.

Many older adults want to remain in their own homes and community. Few long-distance caregivers are able to spend as much time with their loved one as they would like. By using your time efficiently and asking for help, your aging loved one can remain independent for as long as possible.