Help for the working, care-giving mother

A new poll, commissioned by Workplace Options© in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association®, shows that more than one in seven American workers (15 percent) are active or former caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Among those, fewer than half (47 percent) were able to maintain employment while providing care.

The national poll [http://www.workplaceoptions.com/pdf/polls/AlzheimersSurveyResults.pdf] also provides updated information regarding the strain that caregiving puts on individuals and families from an emotional and financial perspective including:

• 69 percent of caregivers said that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia strained their family finances.
• 90 percent characterized their caregiving as emotionally stressful.

According to additional statistics, 62 percent of caregivers for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are women. Caregiving by itself is a difficult task but between balancing family, career and now, more often, their parents, the average caregiver can begin to feel overwhelmed and be unsure of where to turn.

In the last few years, a new generation of caregiver has emerged, creating the “Sandwich Generation”. This term is coined by those who are caring for aging parents and young children (under the age of 18) at the same time. For this caregiver, the challenges require more balance between work and family time. The 2012 report, “Women and Alzheimer’s disease; The Caregiver’s Crisis” [http://www.wmmsurveys.com/ALZ_report.pdf], identified one-third of all caregivers fitting into this category.

To honor working mothers and other caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association provides many resources to help assist them. Please visit www.alz.org/care to learn more.

Comment Period Opens for U.S. Alzheimer’s Plan

From the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) via ALFA.  Welcome Home is a member of WALA.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an initial framework for a national plan addressing Alzheimer’s disease. The framework tackles the problem from different angles and is open for comment through February 8, 2012.

The draft framework was created based on input from the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which is comprised of over 20 representatives from federal agencies and organizations outside the Federal Government. The framework seeks to address five goals:

• Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025.
• Optimize Care Quality and Efficiency.
• Expand Patient and Family Support.
• Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement.
• Track Progress and Drive Improvement.

The plan takes a multi-faceted approach to each goal. For example, in order to enhance care quality and efficiency, the agency outlines a plan to build a larger workforce of long term care providers and others who care for those with Alzheimer’s as well as implement policies that allow for easy transitions between hospitals and long term care settings. The plan asserts a commitment to advancing research but also to maintaining dignity, safety, and other rights for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Many other departments, agencies, and organizations will be collaborating with HHS in the coming years to implement the plan, when finalized.

Read the full document: “Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease” and submit your comments about the plan to HHS at NAPA@hhs.gov.

Thomas Landing team walks to find an end to Alzheimer’s

What an honor to walk with so many people committed to find and end to Alzheimer’s on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

The walk started at 9:30am on a beautiful, sunny day.  Walkers of all ages helped raise over $31,000.00 from the Rice Lake area. There were many different ways money was raised such as raffle tickets towards vacations and savings bonds, rummage sales and carnivals or just plain asking for a donation. There even was a football raffled off with all the Green Bay Super Bowl Champions signatures on it.

I would like to thank all the staff and family members who participate in the walk. I especially would like to thank Gloria  Widiker, Thomas Landing’s Memory Care Coordinator , for being our team leader to help us get organized and raise our share of the money. One of our residents was at the walk and helped direct traffic so people would know where to register.  Also thank you Vera L.

With support from everyone we can find a way to end Alzheimer’s Disease.

PS: There is still time to donate to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  The Legends at Heritage Place team will be participating in their event on September 24th, along Lake George in St. Cloud, MN.  Their donation page can be found along the right hand side of this blog, or by following this link.

Sue Jutz, Director of Resident Services - Thomas Landing

What we’ll be watching this weekend

This morning I came across a blog post over at CNN that mentioned a television special hosted by Larry King.  It’s called “Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Edpidmic”.  It was air on May 1st at 7pm Central.

On Sunday May 1^st, CNN will air the first Larry King special, premiering at 8pm ET/PT and will be titled “Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic.” It’s being called the disease of the 21^st century as an estimated 5.4 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It is the sixth-leading cause of death across all ages in the United States, but many Americans still do not know much about this illness. The one-hour special will look into Alzheimer’s disease, who gets it and why, the race to find effective treatments and a possible cure.

 

King will be joined by people who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease and will include interviews with former First Lady Laura Bush and California’s former First Lady and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver; actors Seth Rogen, and  Angie Dickinson; TV host Leeza Gibbons; football star Terrell Owens and  son of President Ronald Reagan, Ron Reagan. Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta will explain what Alzheimer’s is and how this disease affects the human brain.

Tons of stuff going on!

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who came out to see me speak with a good friend of mine at the Assisted Living Federation of America conference and expo last week in Orlando.  I was incredibly nervous, but I calmed once I saw a few familiar faces out there.  A quick thanks to my friend Traci for inviting me along to speak at such an awesome event!

Also, thank you to everyone who tuned in for our most recent Welcome Home LIVE web-broadcast!  It was great to see so many people engaged in great discussion.

I just wanted to take a quick minute and update all

Fighting Ageism in America

ALFA Short Film Competition winner - "Mind the Gap"

We recently returned from the Assisted Living Federation of America conference and there was a common theme we would like to share.

In today’s society, there seems to be a lot of “ageism” out there.  Ageism is defined as discrimination against people on the grounds of age; specifically, discrimination against the elderly.  This year, ALFA held a film competition that could help fight ageism in America.  If you click here, you can watch the short film that won the competition.

Then just yesterday, I came across this awesome story on MSNBC.com of a gentleman, who dreamed at a younger age, of crossing the Atlantic ocean in a raft.  At 85 years old, he set out with three of his friends to build the raft and set sail on the 2,800 mile journey.

Senior Living Professionals Gather at ALFA’s Conference & Expo

Welcome Home joined with 2,000 conference attendees this week to celebrate senior living’s efforts to fight ageism in America. Following a motivational speech by leadership guru, Steve Farber, attendees visited with exhibitors. All attendees later enjoyed the ALFA Hero Awards Lunch, concurrent sessions and an all attendee reception hosted by Mark Ohlendorf, new ALFA chairman.

The conference began with a presentation of the Best of the Best Awards, honoring programs, services, and products that advance operational excellence and serve as the gold standard in senior living. Steve Farber followed with an inspiring general session on leadership. He encouraged leaders to push themselves out of their comfort zone. “If the only reason you can think of not to do something is that you’re scared to,” said Farber “then that is a good reason to do it.”

The excitement continued with the ALFA Hero Awards Ceremony, which honored five extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond their job requirements and make a difference in the lives of seniors every day. The ceremony was emotional for many of the attendees, as they were reminded of the great work people across the country do every day. The day also included two blocks of concurrent sessions in the afternoon, and a Chairman’s Networking Reception in the evening open to all attendees.

*View the ALFA Hero Award Videos at http://www.alfa.org/alfa/2011_Hero_Award_Recipients.asp?SnID=1247596608 and Award Luncheon pictures.

*You may also view all ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo photos online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/assisted_living/collections/72157626440504898/.

Today, attendees heard from MSNBC’s Morning Joe anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski as they discussed the politics of aging in America and best selling author Jeff Jarvis explains how to better relate to your customers via the internet and social media.

Our own Roman Bloemke presented to a full house with two distinguished speakers. Traci Bild of Bild and Company and Jayne Sallerson of Emeritus Senior Living.

We are here for one more day, but we have to take a moment to thank the ALFA staff for everything they’ve done to put on a conference that is dedicated to Assisted Living professionals. This has been another outstanding conference so along with the other 2,000 attendees, we thank you for your hard work!

To learn more about the efforts of ALFA, visit them online at ALFA.org.
To learn more about Welcome Home visit us on the web at wtohdevelopment.com.

Aging Parents: 5 warning signs of health problems

Recently, I had a chance meeting with one of our families outside of the work environment and we got to talking about a variety of things.  One of the points of conversation that was most interesting is the process that families go through when looking for a senior living community for their parent(s).  More times than people realize, decisions to make a move in to an assisted living community are based out of necessity.  We all talk a lot about services and amentities or features of our properties that seperate us from everyone else, but that isn’t what’s really important, and something they probably won’t remember when they get home to make their decision.

As providers, we have to remember that when someone reaches out to our communities, that we take in to consideration all of the emotions that this family member is going through.  Many times, as family members, we go out to visit our parents over the weekend and realize that something isn’t quite right and begin our search/fact finding mission.  This is very difficult time for families.  Imagine for a moment that you are out for a normal visit to your parents and realize that my parents are getting older.  Sometimes it can feel as though it happened overnight.  In those instances, families that are coming to visit us are in an emotional state.  It’s incredibly important to realize the stress they are going through.  They have called your community, or walked in the door to have us help them solutions and answers.

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Moderates Assisted Living Discussion

On March 16, the U.S. Senate Aging Committee held a roundtable discussion entitled, “Assisted Living at the Dawn of America’s ‘Age Wave’: What Have States Achieved and How is the Federal Role Evolving?” The discussion included a wide range of stakeholder representatives from state and federal agencies, providers, and advocates, who examined various issues relating to assisted living. Officials from several states described the regulations they have in place to protect the interests of assisted living residents, and there was no consensus on any greater federal regulatory role. Much of the discussion focused on the use of Medicaid waivers and a variety of sources of capital to create affordable assisted living.

Welcome Home staff head to WALA’s Spring Conference

Team members from Welcome Home head out today for what looks to be a great week at the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association’s Spring Conference.  Topics will include: Leadership, Regulations; Family Care; Clinical; Operations; Human Relations; and Marketing will be covered.

Each year, we participate in state association conferences in the states in which we operate.  This helps us gain a better understanding on the issues affecting residents who call our communities home.  These conferences are a valuable tool that offer timely education in issues at the state level, and on issues affecting providers, families and residents.

WALA is Wisconsin’s premier assisted living association.  They promote a standard of quality care, and provide valuable member services to organizations providing assisted living services to older adults.  More information can be found at Wisconsin Assisted Living Association website.