SENIOR
RESOURCE guide your
DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS
The 3 steps to take immediately after
HAVING THE CONVERSATION
When dad disagrees on mom’s care
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO
aging care
�OpusCare We can't change the destination, but we can affect
the journey.
We provide our patients and their families excellence in Hospice & Palliative Care services with a unique, innovative and compassionate care plan where dignity, comfort, and quality of care are our priorities.
TEAMWORK Our interdisciplinary team includes doctors, APRN, nurses, CNA, chaplains, case managers, social workers, bereavement counselors, volunteers, and more.
CARE CONTINUUM Each patient's case is different. A personalized plan of care is created to fit the specific needs of the patient and family, wherever the patient considers home (hospital, home, ALF, nursing home, etc.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL OR VISIT
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San Antonio, TX 78230
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The Valley IOI E. Expressway 83, Suite 200 McAllen, TC 7850l
SENIOR LIVING
with Style
Call today to schedule a free lunch and a tour of our beautiful community! Franklin Park® Sonterra 18323 Sonterra Place San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 404-1441
Franklin Park® Alamo Heights 230 W. Sunset Road San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 829-5955
Lic.# 147405
Lic.# 148688
Independent Living Assisted Living
Franklin Park® TPC Parkway 21802 Encino Commons San Antonio, TX 78259 (210) 462-1004 Independent Living Assisted Living - Memory Care
Independent Living Assisted Living - Memory Care
Franklin Park® Boerne 18 Old San Antonio Road Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 816-5150
Assisted Living - Memory Care Lic.# 147707
Lic.# 146061
Learn more about us at... franklinpark.org
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EXPERIENCE THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT DIFFERENCE Not-for-profit providers of aging services offer a commitment to quality that stems from a mission of service and a history of compassion
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HIRING ALL OVER THE STATE
leadingagetexas.org/directory
careers.leadingagetexas.org/jobseekers
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(512) 467-2242
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the
CAREGIVING journey Rosalynn Carter says there are only four kinds of people in the world:
• Those who have been caregivers
• Those who are currently caregivers • Those who will be caregivers • Those who will need caregivers
C
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aregiving has a way of creeping up on us. As family, friends and neighbors, we all want to be there for our loved ones when they need us. Very few of us see ourselves as a “caregiver,” and most of the time we haven’t had any training on how to be a caregiver, or an understanding of the depth the role requires. For the majority, it takes a “trigger event” such as a fall, hospital admittance or diagnosis of a health condition before there’s full realization of the situation and what plans/actions need to take place. The Senior Resource Guide is designed and geared towards the unique needs of the modern caregiver. We’re here to help take the guesswork out of this challenging role by providing support and knowledge-based information at your fingertips when you need it—both in print and online. As you journey through different stages in your caregiving quest, our hope is that you’ll be able to use the Guide to help create space for flexibility and make well-informed decisions. At the end of the day, feeling good about your care and efforts, as well as seeing your caregiving experience as a positive expansion and transformation, will help you and your loved one live more fully. In the words of our Founder, here’s to your quest!
TRANSITION AND REFLECTION “What do I do now that they’re no longer here? How can I honor my journey? How have I grown?”
LATE PHASE FINDING BALANCE “I’m needing to recharge but there’s not enough time.”
• 5 Vital Tips to Help Deal with Caregiver Stress (see pg. 82)
FINAL PLANNING “How do I make sure they’re taken care of and their wishes are met?”
• Understanding Hospice (see pg. 114)
SHIFTING PRIORITIES “I know this is what’s going on and need to give it attention.”
INCREASING DEMANDS “This is getting bigger and needs more of my attention.”
MAJOR TRIGGER EVENTS “What are our next steps now that this event has happened?”
• Questions to Ask During Hospital Discharge (see pg. 102)
• Home Care versus Home Health Care (see pg. 70)
IDENTIFYING YOUR ROLE “I’m needed to help out.”
• Caregiving Expectations (see pg. 14)
MID PHASE
PLANNING AND PREPARING
• Signs Not to Ignore: Dementia versus Normal Aging (see pg. 96)
EARLY PHASE
• Getting Connected with Help (see pg. 26) • 5 Must-Have Legal Documents (see pg. 52)
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DETECTING CHANGES “Is this part of normal aging?”
“This is not normal aging, what is it and what can I do?”
CONTENTS \\
GENERAL INFO \\ 4
The Caregiving Journey
10
Our Legacy
11
The Senior Resource Guide Team
EARLY PHASE \\
14
THE ROLE
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14
Caregiving Expectations
28
THE PLAN
28
Creating a Care Plan
20 Overcoming Guilt with Senior Care Decisions
30 What Level of Care is Right
22
Navigating Family Conflicts
32
24
Finding Time Away from Your Care Role
Why it’s Essential to Research Senior Living Facilities
35
Spectrum Retirement Communities (see also back cover)
36
What to do When Your Parents Need Different Levels of Care
26
Get Connected
40 What’s an Adult Day Center? 42
48
Ombudsmen are Here to Help
44
CONVERSATIONS
44
46
Having the Conversation: When Dad Disagrees on Mom’s Care How to Talk with Your Parents About Their End-of-Life Wishes
How to Talk with Your Siblings About Caregiver Responsibilities
52
LEGAL + FINANCIAL
52
Five Must-Have Legal Documents
54
Paying for Long-Term Care
56
INITIAL MEDICAL CARE
56
Understanding Medicare: Parts, Plans and Meeting Your Needs
60
A Guide to Medication Obstacles
62
Mobile Care
64
68
When Do You Need to Consider In-Home Care?
64
How to Handle Resistance to Bathing, Eating & Medications
70
Home Care versus Home Health Care
67
CarePatrol (see also pg. 3)
74
Theft Accusations from a Senior: Real or Not
DAILY CARE
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MID PHASE \\
CONTENTS \\
MID PHASE \\
78
SELF CARE
78
5-Minute Comfort: Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Recipe
80 Meaningful Minutes for Caregivers 82
Five Vital Tips to Help Deal with Caregiver Stress
90
MEMORY + DEMENTIA
90 Getting a Dementia Diagnosis
86
93
Tips for Effective Alzheimer’s Communication
86
Changes in a Senior’s Appetite: What’s Normal?
96
Signs Not to Ignore: Dementia versus Normal Aging
88
Special Diet-Friendly Soup Recipe
100
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DIET + WELLNESS
NEW STEPS
100 Care Transitions 102 Questions to Ask During Hospital Discharge
104
107 Senior Living Communities
104 Types of Residential Care for Seniors
109 Franklin Park Senior Living (see also pg. 1)
SENIOR LIVING
110 Questions to Ask When Looking for an Assisted Living Facility 112 Questions to Ask When Considering Skilled Care
LATE PHASE \\ 114 Understanding Hospice
122 Steps to Take After the Passing of a Loved One
119 OpusCare of Texas (see also inside front cover)
124 Preparing & Presenting a Eulogy 126 7 Items to Consider When Planning a Celebration of Life
See you online srgtexas.com
Visit srgtexas.com to enhance your caregiving journey even further. Access this edition’s extended content + additional helpful articles, local caregiver events, support groups, and our online directory of senior care services in your area.
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120 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Program