Living Well Blog

Costs for Adapting a Home for Senior Living, Disabilities or an Illness

January 9th, 2012 by Doris Bersing

By Marc Mendelhson, Sageing in Place

Statistics show that most people would do almost anything reasonable to avoid moving from the comfort of their home yet in many cases their homes are not adapted to accommodate their current and changing needs. The question arises as to what is necessary and the associated costs to make the modifications to enable an individual to continue living safely and as independently as possible in their homes. Read more

Bringing Health Care Home

December 5th, 2011 by Doris Bersing

Jesse Lefkowitz, NY Times

An article on the New York Time state that “…patients who are treated at home by a doctor and nursing staff who know them intimately and can be available 24/7 are happier and healthier. This kind of care decreases the infections, mistakes and delirium, which, especially among the elderly, are the attendants of hospital care. And it is far more efficient. According to a 2002 study, for the patients treated by the Veterans Affairs’ Home Based Primary Care program, the number of days spent in hospitals and nursing homes was cut by 62 percent and 88 percent, respectively, and total health care costs dropped 24 percent… The fact that this care is possible at home means that the role of hospitals must change. Acutely ill patients who need operating rooms or intensive care will still be brought to hospitals. But they should be quickly discharged to the care of the doctors and nurses who know them best”
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Signs of Alzheimer’s may become evident during the holidays

November 28th, 2011 by Doris Bersing

Holidays such as Thanksgiving are a time when family and friends come together to spend time together and to share memories. However, the holiday season is also a time that can raise questions about whether aging family members are experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to know what is normal aging and what isn’t. The Alzheimer’s association emphasizes the difference between normal aging and early signs of Alzheimer’s. Read more.

A Shoe for Wanderers: technology for people with Dementia

October 21st, 2011 by Doris Bersing

The New York Times published an article Friday October 14th 2011 about “an ideal technology for people with dementia who wander.” The article was written by Paula Span, author of “When the Time Comes: Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions.” This technology was developed by GTX Corp, Los Angeles, CA.

Please click on the following link to read the New York Times article: A Shoe for Wanderers

Dangers of Common Painkillers: There’s mounting evidence that regular use is risky for older people

October 17th, 2011 by Doris Bersing

A recent article on AARP states that “…Most of us don’t think twice about taking a nonprescription pain reliever to ease a headache or soreness that might follow a game of tennis, but there is growing evidence that commonly used painkillers such as Advil can trigger heart attacks or strokes in some people.” Read the article and read about some drug free alternatives to pain management.

Alzheimer’s Behavior Management: Tips for Managing Common Symptoms and Problems

October 17th, 2011 by Doris Bersing

Problem behavior is often a way the Alzheimer’s patient tries to communicate with others. As a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, it can be extremely worrying and upsetting to experience the behavior problems associated with mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Patients may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral problems that can threaten their own or other people’s safety, including wandering, aggressiveness, hallucinations, or sleeping and eating. Learn some tips.

Essential Checklist for Good Dementia Care

September 30th, 2011 by Doris Bersing

Marguerite Manteau-Rao, LCSW, ATR, Mindful living advocate, Memory care consultant, published on the Huffington Post The Essential Checklist for Good Dementia Care. She shares the work of Jane Verity’s about the 5 universal needs to be an essential framework for good care of people with Dementia. These unmet emotional needs are:

  1. To be needed and useful
  2. To have opportunity to care
  3. To love and be loved
  4. To have self-esteem boosted
  5. To have the power to choose

Read the article