By Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC When a parent or spouse can no longer do what they did yesterday, it becomes another transition for the primary caregiver and for the extended family. These transitions catch us off guard and an overwhelming sense of loss and grief is experienced by the primary care provider.  They often don’t label this as a

By Miriam Zucker, LMSW, ACSW, C-ASWCM As Aging Life Care Professionals®, when we are asked to assist with securing placement in a nursing home, there are many questions we ask beyond the physical and cognitive conditions that are prompting the move. Primary among those questions is: what was mom or dad’s occupation? Those families who have parents in their mid-eighties

The Most Surprising Secret to Aging Well: Social Engagement by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC Ask anyone for their top advice about living a long, healthy life and you’ll probably hear tips about the importance of eating well, stopping smoking, exercising and getting regular medical checkups. Don’t throw those good habits out the window, but it may come as a

Aging Life Care Professionals® across the country celebrated National Aging Life Care™ Month by providing seminars, webinars, special events, open houses, and other educational activities for the public. Many took to social media to share Aging Life Care stories via selfies and videos. Each week, ALCA asked members to share something from their world as Aging Life Care Professionals. During

By Lisa Mayfield, MA, LMHC, GMHS, CMC May is Aging Life Care™ Month, which has me thinking about how supporting an aging parent can feel so daunting. We see it every day in our work as Aging Life Care Professionals®. Time consuming. Caring for an aging parent takes so much time: multiple phone calls a day (sometimes within an hour!),

By:  Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Aging Life Care Professional April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. When an individual is diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it can be all consuming and take over as the focus of life. However, with some excellent coaching, it is easy to see that the diagnosis is only part of who the individual is, it is not

Navigating the Overwhelming Options of Long-Term Care by Nicole Amico Kane, MSW, LICSW, CMC We are an aging nation.  Since 2011, baby boomers have been turning 65 at an average rate of 10,000 per day.  This will continue until 2030.  And we are living longer.  Fortunately, we are also healthier and more active than past generations. However, according to the

by Frances Mir MSN, RN, CMC Planning for long-term care as one continues to age can become a process that requires research, pre-planning, and financial overview. The good news is that there are opportunities for seeking a range of services and working collaboratively with professionals who can assist with the steps of long-term care planning. This article will focus on

Miriam Zucker, LMSW, ACSW, C-ASWCM Many of life’s events involve food. From the grandest of celebrations to the smallest of gatherings, there is always a place for food. As an Aging Life Care Professional®, I recall a wonderful get together this care manager had organized to celebrate a client’s birthday, her ninetieth… I thought.  She so enjoyed her birthday cake.