Elite Home Services, LLC's Blog

SIGNS THAT HOME CARE IS NEEDED

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:15:35 +0000

Many of us have experienced how our loved ones who have always taken care of themselves and others may fiercely deny that they need home care, but the following are some signs that some home care may be indicated:
Neglected hygiene
Balance and mobility problems
Confusion, forgetfulness or uncharacteristic poor judgment
An empty refrigerator or pantry
Unexplained bruises, burns or other injuries
Health problems
Inability to independently follow doctor’s instructions

The question of how to coax a loved one to get the care they need and deserve is sometimes tricky. Does anyone wish to share some successful techniques, thought or experiences in this regard? Thanks

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER 2011 UPDATE

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:43:25 +0000

In a November 2011 letter – the Alzheimer’s Association New York City Chapter reported that in the past year –
It enrolled 1,803 additional New Yorker in their life saving MedicALert – Safe Return Program for wanderers – building the New York registry to over 16,200 – the largest in the country
It responded to 8,428 calls to their 24-hour Helpline
It awarded $2.6 million in grants to 15 talented scientist who work in NYC laboratories.
New Yorker City dwellers are fortunate to have such a diligent and active chapter

FREE ONE HOUR WEBINAR ON HOME CARE FOR LOVED ONES WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:18:46 +0000

In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Private Duty Homecare Association have teamed up to prepare an hour long webinar exploring options that families have to keep loved ones safe and secure in the home post diagnosis. When Alzheimer’s grasp requires additional care, enabling a loved one continue to live at home means helping to make him or her feel more secure, as well as assisting to sustain a sense of independence.

The webinar features Aging & Alzheimer’s experts Jane Priest and Merrily Orsini MSSW who will cover the following issues:
• Warning signs of needing additional help in the home
• How to approach specialized needs of Alzheimer’s care
• Signs of caregiver stress
• Respite care options for the home
• Caregiving resources

Webinar Specifics:
When: November 15, 2011 at 7pm Eastern

How: Insert this address in your web browser https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/627588866

NEWS FLASH: NEW MEDICAID EMERGENCY REGULATIONS IN NY

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:31:42 +0000

I recently received a letter from eldercare attorney Ronald Fatoullah that New York State has recently issued emergency regulations that “drastically change the way Medicaid will recover against estates.” He says that the change in the law means that as of September 8, 2011, Medicaid may recover from the estates of all individuals who transferred a home subject to a life estate. Other changes impact assets held in revocable trusts and annuities. Bottom line anyone who effectuated a medicaid plan involving life estates, revocable trust and/or annuities better check with your attorney to see how these changes impact them.

CALLING SENIOR FASHIONISTAS

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:11:26 +0000

Passing along to my followers a fashion blog for seniors that was referenced in the Ask Teri column of the Wall Street Journal. To locate the blog, google advanced-stye.blogspot.com. The blog contains some great candid pictures of seniors who dress with style. The site’s tag line is: Proof from the wise and silver haired set that person style advances with age.

From the blog, there is a link to preorder on Amazon a book on senior style called Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen. Ari says: “I roam the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks. Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to its fullest.” The book is scheduled to come out April 17, 2012.

Update On Alzheimer’s Disease: Free Lecture November 9

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:45:00 +0000

Are you trying to keep up on the latest findings about Alzheimers? Perhaps you might want to check out this free event on November 9, 2011 sponsored by Jewish Home Lifecare. I have copies and pasted their invite into this blog.
the Jewish 14th Annual Stein Lecture Presents Latest Findings on Alzheimer’s

Dr. Evelyn Granieri is Keynote Speaker
Nutritional supplements. Special diets. Exercise. Brain Games. All have been touted as ways to stave off the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s.
What does the latest science say?
On Wednesday, November 9, Jewish Home Lifecare is pleased to present an update on the recent National Institute for Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Evelyn Granieri, Co-Chief, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Aging, New York Presbyterian, will be the keynote speaker in the 14th Annual Stein Lecture to be held at Jewish Home Lifecare’s Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Westchester.
• Wednesday, November 9 4:30 – 7:00 PM
• Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare & Rehabilitation Tisch Auditorium / Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Pavilion, 845 Palmer Avenue, Mamaroneck, New York
• Free, with RSVP, 914-864-5166. Continuing education credits are available
In her lecture, “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline,” Dr. Evelyn Granieri will provide an update on the NIH report update on the recent National Institute for Health (NIH) Consensus Conference, on which she served as a panel member.
Dr. Granieri MD, MPH, MSEd is a fellowship trained geriatrician. She is the co-chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Aging at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the recipient of the Dennis Jahnigen Award, the highest teaching award given in geriatrics. She serves as Chair of the Education Committee of the American Geriatrics Society, and is on the Board of the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Academic Societies.
The Annual Stein Lecture on Alzheimer’s disease is sponsored by the Marion Stein Endowment Fund for Specialized Training, Services and Programs for residents with Alzheimer’s disease. The Endowment Fund was established with a major gift from the late Mrs. Alfred Slaner as a tribute to the late Marion Stein, an esteemed Sarah Neuman Trustee.
In addition to an annual lecture, the Fund provides for staff training, creation of an Alzheimer’s disease library and resource center, support groups for staff and families, as well as therapeutic recreation programs tailored to the specific needs of residents in Sarah Neuman’s Special Care Unit.
At this year’s Stein Lecture Series, Jewish Home Lifecare’s Sarah Neuman Center will recognize key healthcare community partners during a special ceremony following the lecture. Working hand-in-hand with these medical colleagues makes it possible to provide state-of-the-art care to elders and develop new ways to reach those in need. Jewish Home will honor Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence Hospital Center, Sound Shore Medical Center, Westmed Medical Group, While Plains Hospital and Westchester County Medical Society.

14th Annual Stein Lecture Presents Latest Findings on Alzheimer’s

What’s New, What Works and …What Doesn’t
Wednesday November 9th, 2011 @ 4:30 PM
Sarah Neuman Center
845 Palmer Ave
Mamaroneck, New York 10543
Presented By: Dr. Evelyn C. Granieri, Co-Chief
Division of Geriatric Medicine and Aging
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
and participant
2010 NIH Consensus Panel on
“The Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease”
CME Credits Available
GOAL:
To familiarize the participant with seminal principles and updates in care of persons with
Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
1. Name one change in the NIH guidelines for diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Name 3 factors that have not been shown to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
3. List 3 nonpharmacologic strategies for care of persons with dementia
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and
Policies of the Medical Society of the State on New York (MSSNY) through the joint sponsorship of
the Westchester Academy of Medicine and The Sarah Neuman Center. The Westchester Academy
of Medicine is accredited by the MSSNY to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Westchester Academy of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the
extent of their participation in the activity.
The Westchester Academy of Medicine adheres to ACCME Standards for Commercial
Support SM of continuing medical education. All speakers participating in Continuing Medical
Education activities are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent
conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentations.

BROCHURES ON DISASTER PREPARATION FOR SENIORS

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:44:03 +0000

New York City experienced a minor earthquake and a Hurricane Irene scare all in short succession in the summer 2011. It seems we almost forgot how vulnerable we all are to natural disasters so used to we have become to focusing on man made disasters such as terrorism. We are all vulnerable and seniors are especially so. There are a number of sites with disaster preparation brochures targeted specifically to seniors.
The Red Cross has sponsored a brochure by seniors for seniors. It was written by a group of seniors who suffered through a two week power shortage as a result of an ice storm in Rochester. The Red Cross brochure can be downloaded at download at the following site: http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/Fast%20Facts/Disaster_Preparedness_for_Srs-English.revised_7-09.pdf
Another helpful site containing a helpful downloadable brochure is found at http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/older_americans.pdf.
In addition, the Home Care Association of New York State also has an excellent planning brochure available at http://www.homecareprepare.org/files/Patient-Family_Plan-2008.pdf. This brochure has spaces that can be filled out by the family with specific information to be followed by homecare workers in the home.
SO JUST IN CASE – you might want to take a look at these brochures and do some advanced planning.

A Plethora of Free Materials on Diabetes

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:20:41 +0000

The National Diabetes Education Program in partnership with the National Institute of Health and about 200 other public and private organizations have put together a very impressive and informative website containing free downloadable brochures on diabetes. There are about seventy brochures readily available. A small sample of the available titles include: Small Steps, Big Rewards, Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, Guiding Principles for Diabetes Care, and Tasty Recipes for People with Diabetes and Their Families. The site has brochures in a variety of languages besides English, including Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. The website is http://ndep.nih.gov

I KNOW WHAT I LIKE – ART AND ALZHEIMER”S DISEASE

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:10:13 +0000

The results of a randomized controlled trial report in 2007 with the provocative title, “I Know What I Like” demonstrated the consistency of aesthetic preferences in Alzheimer’s patients. The report authors concluded that patient’s with Alzheimer’s disease responded to art, as indicated by consistency of preference, in a consistent fashion as do unmpaired individuals. The fact that a work was unfamiliar and could not be remembered did not impact this consistency.

For more information about arts programming for persons with dementia you can contact the New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800 272-3900.

MUSIC BRINGS PLEASURE TO THOSE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

admin — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:35:37 +0000

Even though people with dementia may not recall the name of a song or remember why they know it, they convey a sense of “knowing” through their responses of increased attentions, positive affect and reduced agitaion. This positive effect of music is the official word from Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, Executive Director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function at Beth Abraham Family of Health as reported in the New York Chapter of the Alzhiemer’s Association New York Chapter’s Winter 2011 magazine. In a demonstration project, Dr. Tomaino has shown that using IPods to create individualized music selectons can bring improvements in mood even for people with advanced dementia. The positive effect results whether the songs are listened to alone or along with others. Along these lines, you can create a personalized radio station on Pandora radio that might also be helpful. If anyone has any successes in this area – please let us all know.