New Unit at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Provides
Personalized, Specialty Care for Houston Seniors Active seniors 65+ may benefit from the new Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital designed to help older patients get back on their feet more quickly after a hospitalization.
What is the ACE Unit?
The ACE unit cares for normally active older adults ages 65+ who become ill and need shortterm care. Conditions managed on the unit include pneumonia, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Patients admitted to the ACE unit should be able to actively participate in their care and communicate their health care goals. Patients are cared for by a team of hospitalists, nurses, case managers, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians and pharmacists, specially trained to care for seniors. Hospitalists consult specialists within the hospital.
To learn more about the ACE unit at Memorial Hermann Southwest, visit
memorialhermann.org/southwest
What types of care and services are provided?
When a patient is admitted to the unit, the team creates a customized plan of care to help the patient recover and return home as quickly as possible. Besides mobility activities, each patient meets with pharmacists, physical therapists and dietitians to learn about fall prevention, medication management, nutrition, wellness and ways to stay healthy and active after leaving the hospital. When it’s time for the patient to go home, the team’s case managers and social workers help connect the patient and their family to community resources while the team’s hospitalists follow up with the patient’s primary care physician. Memorial Hermann Southwest has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System participant and is committed to the “4Ms” of age-friendly care: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility.
NOT ALL SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES ARE CREATED EQUALLY...
Let the Pros Help You Find the Perfect Match. ASSISTED LIVING, MEMORY CARE, INDEPENDENT LIVING & PERSONAL CARE HOMES
Rely on the BEST in the business to provide you with the BEST options at no cost to you. www.AssistedLivingPros.net 832-934-PROS (7767) info@AssistedLivingPros.net
OUR SERVICES TO FAMILIES ARE FREE!
For Formore moreinformation informationcontact contact For Formore moreinformation informationcontact contact Casey CaseyMosley Mosleyatat(832) (832)431-1777 431-1777 Casey CaseyMosley Mosleyat at(832) (832)431-1777 431-1777
For more information contact Casey Mosley at (832) 431-1777
WHERE WHEREWE WECARE CARELIKE LIKEFAMILY FAMILY WHERE WHERE WE WE CARE LIKE FAMILY FAMILY WHERE WECARE CARE LIKE LIKE FAMILY
For more information contact Casey Mosley at (832) 431-1777
Looking Lookingfor forlong-term long-termor orpost-acute post-acutecare? care?Momentum MomentumSkilled SkilledServices Servicescan can Looking Looking for for long-term long-term or or post-acute post-acute care? care? Momentum Momentum Skilled Skilled Services Services can can help help you you in in your your time time of of need. need. We We operate operate skilled skilled nursing nursing facilities facilities in in the the Looking for long-term or post-acute care? Momentum Skilled Services can help helpyou youininyour yourtime timeofofneed. need.We Weoperate operateskilled skillednursing nursingfacilities facilitiesininthe the helpHouston you in your timeWhether of need. We operate skilled nursing facilities in the oror Greater Greater Houston area. area. Whether you’re you’re in inHumble, Humble, Baytown, Baytown, Cypress Cypress Greater Greater Houston Houston area. area. Whether Whether you’re you’re in in Humble, Humble, Baytown, Baytown, Cypress Cypress or or Greater Houston area. Whether you’re in Humble, Baytown, Cypress or Houston, Houston, we wehave have aaaafacility facility for foryou. you. Houston, Houston, we we have have facility facility for for you. you.
WHERE WE CARE LIKE FAMILY
Houston, we have a facility for you. Looking for long-term or post-acute care? Momentum Skilled Services can help you in your time of need. We operate skilled nursing facilities in the Greater Houston area. Whether you’re in Humble, Baytown, Cypress or Houston, we have a facility for you.
S C A N
F O R
A
SC A CA A F O O RR S SC N NN F SS CC AA NN FFF O OO R RR
T O U R
AA TTTOOO U R UR R AA TT OO U UU RR
West Houston
Fall Creek
RollingBrook
Cypress Creek
West Houston
Fall Creek
RollingBrook
Cypress Creek
West WestHouston Houston West West Houston Houston
Fall FallCreek Creek Fall Fall Creek Creek
RollingBrook RollingBrook RollingBrook RollingBrook
Cypress CypressCreek Creek Cypress Cypress Creek Creek
ERLY CAR LD
E
2021
EN
TIF
DH
AG
C ER
IE
C. IN
2020
CY
AW E
WE SPECIALIZE IN HOME CARE
O M E CA R E
WE EXCEL IN DEMENTIA CARE
We provide customized care using a Montessori and holistic approach because you deserve the best quality of life. And, our COVID-19 procedures are designed to ensure your safety. Personalized Care Light Housekeeping | Meal Preparation | Grooming/Bathing/Dressing Customized Activities/Hobbies | Hospital/Rehab to Home Companion Care (in-home/facility/appointments) | Errands/Grocery Shopping
Call us today for a FREE assessment! • PERSONAL CARE • COMPANION CARE • RESPITE CARE • DEMENTIA CARE/TESTING
281-306-6615
PlatinumSeniorCareSolutions.com
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
4 \\ SRGTEXAS.COM
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?”
• The Post Caregiver Tasks (see pg. 152)
LATE PHASE FINDING BALANCE “I’m needing to recharge but there’s not enough time.”
• Overcoming the Overload: Coping with Caregiving Curveballs (see pg. 82)
FINAL PLANNING “How do I make sure they’re taken care of and their wishes are met?”
• Understanding Hospice (see pg. 144)
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. 111)
• Home Care versus Home Health Care (see pg. 72)
IDENTIFYING YOUR ROLE “I’m not sure if I’m doing enough.”
• Caregiving Confessions: The Truth Behind Our Thoughts and Emotions (see pg. 22)
MID PHASE
PLANNING AND PREPARING
• ADLs, IADLs, and Aging: Assessing Daily Living Skills (see pg. 30)
EARLY PHASE
• Getting Connected With Help (see pg. 26) • Do you Need Power of Attorney? (see pg. 48)
5 \\ SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
DETECTING CHANGES “Is this part of normal aging?”
“What’s causing these changes, and what can I do?”
CONTENTS \\
GENERAL INFO \\ 4
The Caregiving Journey
10
Our Legacy
11
The Senior Resource Guide Team
EARLY PHASE \\
28
THE PLAN
28
16
THE ROLE
6 \\ SRGTEXAS.COM
16
The Power of Accepting Help: Why Family Caregivers Refuse It and How to Ease Into It
22
Caregiving Confessions: The Truth Behind Our Thoughts and Emotions
26
Get Connected
Why it’s Essential to Research Senior Living Facilities
30 ADLs, IADLs, and Aging: Assessing Daily Living Skills 33
Assisted Living Pros (see also pg. 1)
34
Creating a Care Plan
36
What Level of Care is Right
38
What’s an Adult Day Center
52
40 Ombudsmen are Here to Help
42
CONVERSATIONS
INITIAL MEDICAL CARE
52
Understanding Medicare: Parts, Plans and Meeting Your Needs
57
Legacy Community Health (see also back cover)
58
WellMed
60
Doctor’s Appointments: Your Role as the Caregiver
LEGAL + FINANCIAL
62
Mobile Care
48
65
Get a Better Understanding of Your Loved One’s Prescriptions
42
44
Mastering Dementia Communication: Strategies for Meaningful Phone Calls The Road Ahead: Tips for Starting the Conversation About Aging Care Arrangements
48
Do You Need Power of Attorney?
50 Shielding Vulnerable Seniors from Financial Scams
68
DAILY CARE
68
How to Choose a Home Care Company
72
Home Care VS Home Health Care
74
Home Care Comparison Chart
76
How to Handle Abuse Accusations
7 \\ SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
MID PHASE \\
CONTENTS \\
82
94
82
MEMORY + DEMENTIA
SELF CARE
85
Overcoming the Overload: Coping with Caregiving Curveballs Platinum Senior Care (see also pg. 3)
88
Zesty Zen Zone Recipe
89
10-Minute Energizing Breakfast Recipe
90
DIET + WELLNESS
94
Memory Loss and Seniors: How to Handle Not Being Recognized
100 Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Tips for Building a Meaningful Relationship 102 Beyond Dementia: Other Reasons for Memory Loss in Seniors
90 Easy Ways to Schedule Daily Movement
106
93
NEW STEPS
Sneaky Superfood Sweetness
106 Care Transitions
8 \\ SRGTEXAS.COM
108 Stay One Step Ahead: Key Questions to Ask When Your Loved One Experiences a Fall 111
Questions to Ask During Hospital Discharge
113 Memorial Hermann Southwest (see also inside front cover) 114 How to Encourage a Loved One to Consider Senior Living 117 How Can a Senior Living Community Help You Live Your Best Life?
119
SENIOR LIVING
119 Anthology of Tanglewood (see also inside back cover)
128 Senior Living Communities 132 Assisted Living Made Simple: What You Need to Know 137 Questions to Ask When Considering Skilled Care 139 Momentum Skilled Services (see also pg. 2) 140 What’s Skilled Care and Where Do I Start? 142 How to Identify the Right Memory Care Options
120 Age-Proof Your Home: How to Make it Safe and Accessible for Seniors 126 Types of Residential Care for Seniors
144 Understanding Hospice
152 The Post Caregiver Tasks
148 Hospice Options
158 Celebrating Important Dates After Losing a Loved One
150 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Program
9 \\ SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
LATE PHASE \\