Sometimes, the last person a senior wants advice from is his or her own child. After all, a senior loved one is the person who may have changed your diaper. The role reversal that occurs as a senior ages can be psychologically painful for him/her as the child now takes…
When I started in the senior industry over 15 years ago, “independent living” at a senior living community meant that the senior could take care of him or herself. He or she might require some assistance with meal preparation and housekeeping; however, the senior had to be able to ambulate…
There is always danger involved with the choice of hiring a non-licensed caregiver. This time, a disaster occurred right in my own backyard. The choice to hire a private caregiver directly instead of through an agency may have cost a North Riverside man his independence. Charlie Matuska, who is 79…
In my opinion, Medicare Advantage plans were never a smart purchase. That’s because many people don’t understand they are not a Medicare product. They are programs that are underwritten by private insurers. The claims are adjudicated by the private insurer as well. Upon purchasing a “Medicare Advantage” plan, the insured…
During a recent presentation to a group of independent seniors, a gentleman asked me if there were any rating systems available for Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Here are the some resources that I find helpful: If you are looking into the financial strength of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC),…
The recent CBS investigative report regarding the cases of alleged neglect at a national assisted living chain held no surprises for me. I began my career in the elder care industry fifteen years ago when assisted living provided only “stand by,” assistance with activities of daily living (ADLS = bathing,…
As the former Admissions Director of a retirement community that offered independent living, assisted living, and intermediate nursing care, I often had to convince the senior that it was time for him/her to move. Some of the seniors (and their children) knew that it was time to move. Other seniors…
I was sad to read that the search for victims who perished in a Quebec retirement community fire had ended. At least twenty eight seniors were killed when the wood-framed building caught fire and was destroyed in less than an hour. In the fifteen years that I have been involved…
My client whom I will call “Marie” for the purposes of this story, was a 71 year old woman who had serious respiratory issues. Until recently, Marie lived at home with her mother. They had spent their entire lives together. A sudden illness caused Marie’s mother to be hospitalized and…
And old saying observes that “Beauty is only skin deep,” but I believe both beauty and better health begin inside and out. Here’s one example why. I serve as a Geriatric Care Manager for a woman in her late 80s who has no family. Although I regret to take her…