ElderNews You Can Use (4-24-10)

ElderNews is a semi-weekly round up of links around the web that touch on topics of aging, death/dying and health care.

• Cognitive stimulation therapy helping dementia patients in the UK.    In the facility where I work, the recreation department has a daily structured program in place that is very similar to this concept for our more severely cognitively impaired residents.  I can tell you the program  does seem to aid in reducing agitation and some other dementia-related behaviors.  It would be interesting to gauge as to whether or not CST has any effects on improving our resident’s overall cognitive capacity.
• How the Class Act is seeking to set up a Class Program to assist caregivers in managing their loved one’s care at home.  While every bit of financial assistance is a wonderful thing, I would suggest a minimum cash benefit of $100 a day for those with more skilled care needs.   It already costs around $300 per day to reside in a long term care facility, so that would still be a huge savings.
• I love the insights, tips and glimpses into the world of Alzheimer’s Speaks.  This blog is a beautiful narrative depicting the love a daughter has for her mother who has AD and resides in a nursing facility.  Her post about the “surprises” one can encounter when loving and caring for an Alzheimer’s individual is truly touching.
• Only about 30% of adults create an Advance Directive.  Doctor’s need to step it up and encourage more of their patient’s to name health care agents and outline their health care wishes before a catastrophic medical event occurs.   More importantly, Advance Directives should be drawn up before an elderly loved one is no longer able to articulate his or her wishes.
• The American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health & Aging lists tips to ensure caregivers find good long term care placement for their loved ones.

ElderNews You Can Use

ElderNews is a semi-weekly round up of links around the web that touch on topics of aging, death/dying and health care.

• Few are prepared for the heavy financial burdens of long term care. 
• Tips for planning elder care strategies and initiating discussions on end of life issues.  Remember, these conversations are best held while your loved on is still relatively healthy and able to communicate their needs and wishes to you.
• Forget Me Not Club works together to make lasting memories from ceramics class participants with dementia.
• 31 year old woman with rare form of  Alzheimer’s Disease gives birth.