Mr. Smith is 69 and Mr. Jones is 79. Both men had severe flu this past winter. Mr. Jones fully recovered. Mr. Smith has not; he has never returned to where he was prior to getting the flu this past winter. The difference in outcomes is often frailty.

Many of the individuals who utilize my services are adult children who live out of town. Over time, they slowly begin to get more involved in their parents’ lives. Sometimes, an event — for example, a fall — can quickly escalate their level of involvement. Or their parents may have a slow, progressive condition they are trying to manage.

I have seen many family members and caregivers struggle with the challenges of getting a loved one to eat, specifically those individuals with late-stage dementia, as well as with the later stages of many chronic diseases. Changes in appetite often come with dementia and chronic diseases. We know if a person is not eating enough, it can lead to weight loss, loss of muscle strength, balance issues, tiredness, weakness, susceptibility to falls, infection and viruses.

By Dr. Jennifer Gazda, LCSW, NCG, CMC, CDP When Siblings Clash Over a Parent’s Care In a perfect world, families would all agree and get along with each other during stressful situations or times of transition. Unfortunately, this is not often the case and not that uncommon. Families are in a constant state of change … Continue reading When Siblings

When many people hear the term Aging Life Care management, they instinctively picture older adults, often someone with multiple medical conditions, declining mobility or cognition, or the need for long-term support. While older adults absolutely benefit from Aging Life Care management services, this narrow definition misses the bigger truth: At its core, Aging Life Care management … Continue reading Is Aging

Aging Life Care Professionals™ on Finding the How By taking a holistic, client-centered approach, Aging Life Care Professionals have the distinct advantage of finding solutions for aging adults that ensure both quality of care and optimal life for their clients. Here, Aging Life Care Association™ member Kate Granigan, MSW, LICSW, CASWCM shares that not saying “no” … Continue reading Solutions for

By Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM One of the most challenging situations many families face is not only watching their loved one struggle with change and loss as they age but their refusal of help or support. For example, when Mr. Smith had ongoing changes in his hearing, mobility and falling, his daughter and son had solutions or supports which seemed

When Slowness Isn’t the Problem in Aging Care By Amy Pierce, RN, CMC Fifteen years ago, long before I became an Aging Life Care Manager®, I was working as a nurse in a busy, insurance-driven medical practice. Like many offices, we were constantly behind schedule. The pace was fast, the pressure was real, and efficiency … Continue reading When Slowness

By Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM I had a conversation with Mr. Smith’s adult daughter, Sharon. She was upset, confused and embarrassed to even bring up a very difficult subject. Her father was diagnosed with dementia about two years ago and Sharon has witnessed the slow changes in her father. She is not prepared to handle what is now going