The Expertise of SeniorBridge's Susan Fleischer in Helping Families Navigate Elder Care is Featured on eCare Diary

eCare Diary - September 1, 2011 - Excerpt:

Families Navigate Elder Care is Featured on eCare Diary

eCare Diary's "Expert Answers" series features advice from SeniorBridge's Susan Fleischer, LCSW, MSSW, ACSW, CMC, CSW-G, CSWM, CMFSW, about when to solicit help from a geriatric care manager. Susan is an Executive Director at SeniorBridge as well as president of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

An excerpt from the article is below.
Families should be aware of warning signs that suggest their loved one may need help - Some of those warnings signs might be:

  •     Changes in mood: From happy to sadness, anger or suspiciousness
  •     Changes in appearance: Dirty or unchanged clothing, body odor
  •     Changes is physical status: Weight loss, incontinence, falls
  •     Changes in health status. New diagnoses of a chronic disease, anytime someone is hospitalized over the age of 75, sometimes even 65
  •     Changes in social status: Impairment of a spouse ; loss of a spouse or other significant person; conflict with friends or family; isolation
  •     Changes in ability to manage: Trouble paying bills of handling mail, losing things, getting lost in familiar surroundings, forgetting appointments
  •     Non-adherence to medications prescribed or adverse events related to taking medications incorrectly

A geriatric care manager is a good place to start because they can assess your situation and link you to the right resources, and ultimately partner with you to coordinate them. Many people feel that they ought to do it themselves.

Although it's likely that no one knows your mom better than you, you don't need to do it all. Through this kind of partnership you can extend yourself while remaining in control of your parents' care.

You can always get a free consultation from SeniorBridge, which has services nationwide. You can call 1-866-506-1212 or email contactus@SeniorBridge.com.

To read more of Susan's expert answers click here.
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