While studies show that most seniors are healthy and function at high levels, it is inevitable that as we grow older, issues will surface related to our independence.
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A person’s care often requires a multi-disciplinary approach that encompasses many aspects of life such as healthcare, activities of daily living, transportation, finances, social, and emotional well being
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To ensure the highest quality of life for the longest time possible, it is crucial that seniors, people with special needs and their loved ones begin a dialogue to discuss the topic of health, aging, and disability.
This process needs to focus on the person’s hopes and desires, short and long term goals, and their abilities and needs; while at the same time establishing a spectrum of resources that will address the person's evolving needs
What a Care Plan May Include
A plan may include anything that you would like it to, based on the person’s unique abilities and needs.
Here are some suggestions:
• Who will care for me, and when?
• What kind of care is needed, and when?
• How will expenses be paid?
• Who will make what decisions and be responsible for what specific duties?
• Who will handle bills?
• Who will help with transportation?
• Who will help with meals?
• Who will help with the activities of daily living (e.g. eating, dressing)?
• What is our plan for an emergency?
• Who are back-up caregivers?
• Where are important financial, legal and medical documents stored?
• Does everyone who may need them have access to them?
When putting together a plan, research available alternatives and options, then work with both a professional and family members to make decisions.
Keep in mind that certified case managers are professionals trained to help individuals and families develop advanced care plans.
AN ADVANCED CARE PLAN MAY BE CREATED IN FOUR (4) STAGES
Stage 1 - Evaluate the Situation
• What challenges or problems are you having?
• What kind of help do you need or want?
• What are the specific symptoms of your illness?
• What are the problems and benefits of your current living situation?
• What sorts of problems are likely to arise in the future?
• Rank the challenges that you are facing in order of importance or difficulty: transportation, personal care, meals, bill paying, etc.
Stage 2 - Research
Find out as much information as you can about your unique situation. To help guide you, find local, regional, and national groups devoted to aging, eldercare, disabilities, and specific medical conditions and illnesses.
Talk to doctors, therapists, and certified case managers to get information and suggestions.
Find out what kind of help is available in your community - meals on wheels, senior centers, support groups, transportation services or hospice services.
Stage 3 - Analyze
After you have gathered all the available information, sit down with a professional and family members review your options.
Look at all of the options and weigh their pros, cons, benefits and costs.
Usually, there is no perfect solution; rather, it will be a matter of choosing what works best from the options available.
Stage 4 - Decide
In conjunction with all the others involved, make decisions and act on them. Go through your list of challenges to be solved, and decide what can be done to alleviate or solve them.
Although everyone might not agree with all the decisions, it’s important that you work together, with everyone’s input, to come up with feasible solutions.
Based on my experience over the years, I find that it’s important to note that fundamental changes to a person's physical and mental abilities is a normal part of aging, but disease is not.
All too often, a person is forced to suffer unnecessary pain and discomfort, because their doctor or loved one, has chalked their aches and pains, incontinence, confusion, or depression up to "normal" aging; when many of these problems could be reversed or at least medically controlled.
A good rule of thumb is to rule out what it isn’t - before assuming what it is.
Two case examples I’d like to share include:
• An 86 year old woman who was diagnosed with dementia, when in fact she had a urinary tract infection.
• A 35 year old man who was given a diagnosis of depression when in fact the person was suffering from hypothyroidism.
The Caregiver Resource Center
The Caregiver Resource Center assists seniors, people with special needs and their families in planning for and implementing ways to allow for the greatest degree of independence, safety and quality of life.
We are available 7 days a week by appointment, and 24/7 for emergencies. All of our services are individually designed to meet the unique needs of the client and their family.
For more information, or to request an initial consultation, please contact:
Linda Ziac, LPC, LADC, BCPC, CEAP, CCM, CDP
The Caregiver Resource Center
Greenwich, CT
The information in this article is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient provider relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your health care provider for an appointment, before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
To learn more about health and mental topics and to become a more educated self advocate, please subscribe to this blog or visit us at www.CaregiverResourceCenter.com
