I had an exchange with a dear acquaintance who is caring for an older adult recently and she shared a sentiment from an author named Shawn Anchor I found very interesting and potentially useful.

The conversation was born from a dialogue we had about the rigors we each face as we navigate life and caring for others. Her loved one has had issue after issue in the past 18 months and it has affected quality of life and meant the partial loss of independence. In a situation like that, it is very easy to feel burdened and down. In fact, that (for most) is arguably the easiest path to take. However, she recounted that the journey has had an unexpected result…a bond that is new with more depth than they’d ever experienced before. A side affect that points towards joy and contentment vs. misery.

Shawn Anchor writes: “Joy is something you can experience even when life is not pleasurable. Even in the midst of a long run, when your legs are burning, you can still feel joy.” Embarking on a long journey with a loved one can be the same. Caring for someone is taxing and very hard work. There are so many dynamics that come into play. However, the journey can also be rewarding and one that draws the parties closer together in ways much more visceral than those we feel in day-to-day exchanges.

As I come across families navigating their care journeys I am going to try and keep that sentiment top-of-mind. It offers a glimmer of sunlight in what otherwise might seem like a bleak landscape.

Adam

With the opioid epidemic across America and alcohol intake by our college student population perpetually high, it is easy to not think about substance abuse as a condition frequently affects older adults. The truth is, however, substance abuse is not reserved solely for our younger citizens. Seniors face a variety of health problems than can lead to opioid use and/or self-medication through alcohol. Veterans in particular have an unusually high rate of abuse and that percentage is on the rise.

I recently came across Help.org http:www.help.org/about-us/, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to wellness and education regarding substance abuse. After reading about them and what they do, it occurred to me that they face a challenge not unlike those of us in the senior space. Like aging, substance abuse is something that starts slow (in many cases) and progresses. Over time you become dependent and abuse takes over your life. Similarly getting old is not something that happens overnight. You live your life and before you know it your kids are grown and pop-up ads for senior discounts start being a part of your Internet browsing experience!

Aging and dependence share another eventuality. Both are things one would rather not address. Who wants to admit they have a drug or alcohol problem? Who wants to admit they are getting old and losing their independence? I speak to groups of adult children and older adults frequently and use the phrase “don’t wait!” What I mean by that is, be proactive to address your aging (or any challenge you face) and you will thank yourself later.

So, if you struggle with addiction (or getting old) take the step and seek out assistance that can make the journey easier to live with. You can call on Caring Companions of Atlanta to help with your aging care planning…and help.org should substance abuse be part of your life. It is truly a step you will thank yourself down the road!

Thanks Help.org for caring and trying to “do the right thing!”

Adam

With the ongoing advancements in medicine there tends to be a belief that hospitals with their technology and the doctors they employ can fix just about anything. To be sure, it is quite astonishing what medicine can do to diagnose and heal patients. We should all be thankful for that! However, the truth is, hospitals are not as sterile and healing as some think…especially to older adult

According to Every Day Health, approximately 1 in 25 hospital patients get an infection during care. And, those infections can be ones resistant to treatment. This is a problem for anyone but especially so for older adults with multiple diagnoses.

We came a cross a video that comes from Culture Change Network of Georgia we wanted to share. It speaks to why hospitals and older adults don’t necessarily equal positive outcomes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2AphPvpnHQ&feature=youtu.be

If you every have any questions or need help navigating care, please don’t hesitate to call us. Lynn Ross, our Geriatric Care Coordinator and our network of care managers and healthcare advocates can greatly increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Adam

Lynn Ross our Geriatric Care Coordinator is an invaluable asset to our clients and their families! Lynn often speaks to the dangers of falls and she knows her stuff after 10-plus years at the Emory Brain Health and Movement Disorders Center. Words of wisdom from Lynn…

Which do you think costs more…practicing good fall prevention measures and not taking a tumble or ignoring what is going on and ending up in the emergency room? Most people we ask this question readily answer “a trip to the ER.” And they are right.

So, why is it so many people opt not to be proactive in fall prevention?  The reasons are many and varied. “It won’t happen to me.” “I’m always careful. “Canes and walkers make you look old.” “I am not even a fall risk!”  Do any of these sound familiar? Resistance is universal…and admitting one is a fall risk acknowledges decreasing independence.

According to the CDC, millions of older people—those 65 and over—fall each year:

• One out of five falls causes a severe injury such as broken bones or a head injury
• Emergency departments treat three million older adults for fall injuries every year
• Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture
• In Georgia, statistics from 2007 – 2016 showed that there were between 59 to 68 deaths/100,000 from falls
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• In 2015, the total medical costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion; Medicare and Medicaid shared more than 75% of these charges

Do I have your attention? The truth is, avoiding falls is not expensive and need not be the beginning of the end. Consider the following:

• Ask your doctor to review all your medications to make sure none might interact and create dizziness; this INCLUDES over the counter drugs as well
• Engage an occupational therapist (OT) and have them assess your environment for risks. Tell them what you have trouble doing and what you want to do safely; many will do this for a flat fee and leave you with all their recommendations

Actually make modifications to your space per the OT’s suggestions. These may include removing throw rugs and tables and installing handrails and grab bars. Also, it is crucial to wear proper footwear and use a cane or walker as directed (better to be safe than sorry!)

• Get physical therapy! Strengthening vital muscles can make mobility MUCH easier and increase stability.

An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure. In this case, an ounce of prevention equals 10,000 pounds of treatment, a ton of money, and, most importantly, the anguish of a bad fall!

So, it is actually (almost always) much less expensive to prevent a fall than to be treated for one.  There is an enormous physical and emotional toll on the person taking the fall, but also on their loved ones. It may be inconvenient to use that walker or embarrassing to install grab bars. Still, it is better than ending up in the hospital and fielding never-ending bills and possibly face the prospect of never getting home again.  I think so… Lynn