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"Aging in place" is an oft-quoted ideal for seniors of all ages and stages. But it takes a lot of personal, professional, and community resources to do so. The Villages movement seeks to expand the idea by helping people "age in community".
NPR looked at the "village" movement for seniors last month in a four part series. Villages are groups of seniors living in the community who come together to offer support and companionship to each other as they "age in place". For an annual fee, Villages provide volunteers and vetted professional services like handymen, as well as sponsoring events, arranging assistance for members, and other services suited to each unique "village". CLICK HERE to read - or listen to the stories!
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"I know people who refuse to visit a family member in the nursing home. They say it’s too difficult to see Grandpa that way. They’d prefer to remember him the way he was, not the way he is now. They mention the sights and smells and it disturbs them. I understand those sentiments. But I believe it’s a mistake not to go." Here is a beautiful, personal essay on living with and loving someone with dementia. The "new thinking" on caring for people with dementia is a shift from exclusively a "tragedy" narrative to one that honors, respects, and continues to celebrate the life that the person is still living. Life's different with dementia, but it's still a life and it can still be a good life. This essay not only illustrates that this is possible, but it also shows us with personal examples how to do it. Greg Lhamon is a friend and a client and one of the best radio and media executives I know ... He's also a wonderful writer and a die-hard Cardinals baseball fan. CLICK HERE or on the link or photo below to read Greg's story...  Forbes article: "5 Long-Term Care Planning Lessons from 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'"This is a fun ... and serious read about the importance of planning ahead for extended care (long-term care) needs! The five points:
Here is the link to the full article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2017/02/14/willywonkalongtermcare/#615d033c33e0 CONTACT US for a "sales-free" initial consultation, or to request a quote for LTC insurance.And remember, a little chocolate always helps!
Another story that confuses "independent living" with long-term careThis was an interesting article about alternative retirement living up until the author started comparing it to assisted living and nursing homes. (Link to full CNBC article at the end of this post.) The only reasonable land-based analogy here is "independent living". Even mentioning assisted living, or worse nursing homes, is completely ridiculous. While a cruise ship is staffed for "medical care" that means, acute, temporary medical conditions, not long-term, custodial care. NO cruise ship will provide help for you to physically get out bed, bathe, dress, etc., the types of basic care services provided in assisted living. And NO cruise ship wants a long-term passenger with safety issues related to Alzheimer's or dementia. And if you're so poor off to be in a skilled nursing home, you probably can't even get on the ship. Here is a quote from today's CNBC article: A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that when considered over a 20-year span, "cruises were comparably priced to assisted living centers and offered a better quality of life, "though land-based assisted living can vary greatly by facility, location and needs." And here's a quote from the source article linked in the quote above (published in 2004!), that itself is quoting an article (from 2004!) in a medical journal: "Elderly people often choose assisted living facilities, nursing homes, 24 hours a day home caregivers, or family support. Living on a cruise ship might be a better choice, says Lee Lindquist, instructor of medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and a geriatrician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital." Dr. Lindquist should lose her (his?) license, hospital privileges, and teaching post. While there are indeed people with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs on cruise ships, NONE of them are living there. And who is it helping them bathe and dress and use the toilet on board? Right, spouses or other family. If someone needs the degree of care provided in assisted living, they cannot "live" on a cruise ship. MAYBE they could take a vacation, but the ship's staff sure as heck is not going to provide any direct care services. BTW, getting "long-term care" in a Holiday Inn is just as ridiculous. Follow this link to the full article on-line:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/26/ahoy-matey-more-folks-retiring-on-a-cruise-ship.html Ageing does not have to mean infirmity. A short video from the World Health Organization with beautiful images and a strong message for all of us."Step into their world". It's a key premise of improv comedy, and it's how you can effectively communicate with people who have Alzheimer's or dementia. You can't say, "No", or question the premise. You say, "Yes, and ..." Actors Karen Stobbe and her husband Mondy stumbled on a skill they have that is incredibly useful in communicating with Karen's mother who has Alzheimer's – improv. The public radio program "This American Life" recently featured the Stobbes and their use of improv to improve their lives as caregivers. My favorite excerpt:
GIVE IT A LISTEN!
Watch how a dog brings man with Alzheimer's out of his shell Thanks to Home Instead Senior Care for sharing this link in its latest newsletter. www.HomeInstead.com
An excellent infographic from PBS. How to help older loved ones today ... What should be done for your tomorrow.  Right-click on the image to save or print.
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