YOUR STORY COUNTS. Everyone's story is unique and carries possibility for others, whether a close friend or a stranger. Do you have a situation that changed you? Did you learn something profound and life-changing through personal experience? Is there some wisdom you have that someone like you should not be without? Create your own Silver Page, share your story and reach out to people just like you.
Tina Spillman > Watching My Parents Care for a Loved One
My Story
As my grandparents were aging I watched my parents make some of the hardest decisions of their lives. The only choices that were known where we were living was Nursing Homes. Even though your loved one may be receiving hot meals, laundry services, even some in-house activities, you really don't know how they are being "treated" on a day to day basis. It's scary not to be able to get to know the staff or even the owners of those facilities on a personal level. This is a difficult time in anyones life to see their family members needing more than you can give them yourself at home.
You have to do your research, impromptu visits, talk to the people in the community, medical staff that you trust and by all means start searching BEFORE the time comes when you need the facilities. I am so glad to know that there are now places that have facilities that are more welcoming and becomes part of your family. Life is too short and memories are too precious to not put the effort into finding the right place for our family members who need that extra care.
My Story
My mother lived alone when I started noticing some small but alarming situations. One night while visiting I found 2 of her heart pills on the floor in kitchen - she didn't know anything about it. Another night I found a microwave dinner that had been sitting in the microwave for at least a couple of days. She just laughed it off and so did I until I noticed mold on several items in her refrigerator. I was heart broken and scared but didn't know how to approach such a sensitive issue with mom. Unfortunately, these small issues started getting bigger and within the year she was really needing help. By this time she had lost strength the ability to help with any decisions and I was exhausted trying to hold her life and mine together. I had always heard of other people "putting mom in a home" but never thought it would happen to us. I thought something drastic like a broken hip would be the alarm bell for a different lifestyle but in our case it was the little things that added up over time and it snuck up on me.
Talk to your loved one and find out how they feel about retirement living while they are still independent and can help you plan for the future in case it doens't go as planned. If I had done this I would have had the peace of mind to know what her thoughts and feelings were and she may not have felt as threatened. Having a plan would have taken off pressure and stress and I probably would have moved her somewhere sooner - to her betterment and mine.
My Story
Look out! Here comes the Silver Tsunami—a massive wave of baby boomers reaching senior age.
“All systems in society are going to be impacted by this age group,” said Linda Ross, Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association in Dallas.
She encourages the aging population to start preparing early for their later stages in life—especially now that the economy is uncertain.
“Don’t wait too long to get long-term care insurance,” Ross said, “Get it in your fifties, before you develop a health condition that can exclude you or make it too expensive.”
Ross also suggests that seniors share their future care wishes with family members while they are still able, because long life increases the risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“The massive statistics about how many people are going to have dementia are staggering,” Ross said. “One out of every eight people will have it by the age 65. By 85, it increases to one out of two.”
So how does one prevent Alzheimer’s? According to Ross, you can do everything right and still get the disease, but certain behaviors will improve your quality of life and “keep you younger:”
1. Keep moving! Exercise is the only true fountain of youth.
2. Watch your numbers: weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.
3. Maintain social interaction, because isolation is a killer.
“We all hope that sooner, rather than later, we will achieve a world without Alzheimer’s,” Ross said. “That is the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Until then, she suggests that baby boomers, the Silver Tsunami, prepare themselves for the best quality of life for their future—because the waves are rolling in!
*Linda Ross is Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas. For more information, visit www.alz.org/greaterdallas
My Story
Linda Ross has been a social worker for thirty years. She says she’s “worked her way across the life cycles.” First, she helped young children, but now Ross has fallen in love with the aging population.
As Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association in Dallas, she is part of a network that seeks a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Until that happens, Ross is an advocate for caregivers who wish to provide their loved ones with the best possible situation.
“Much of my work is done with family members,” Ross said. “I encourage everyone with an aging adult to talk about future care plans—especially in the case of an early diagnosis.”
She sees many caregivers struggling to maintain someone at home “because they think Mom or Dad wouldn’t want otherwise.” However, early discussions might have revealed different wishes. Ross bases this on her work experience and her personal experience.
“My mom was a role model,” Ross said. “She didn’t have Alzheimer’s, but she had health problems. She insisted that we have conversations about the future, and had it lined out so that when the time came, we knew what Mom wanted.”
Ross admitted that it was still tough, but she had a direction.
“It takes away the guilt,” she explained. “Those patients who are mentally able will often tell their families at what point they want to be placed in a care center, like when they start falling, or can’t get out of bed, or are a danger to themselves.”
For patients who are beyond making decisions, Ross recommends that caregivers contact the state or national Alzheimer’s Association for assistance at 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org. A 24/7 health line is available for live discussions about education, medical conditions, safety-return programs, etc.
*Linda Ross is Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas. For more information, visit www.alz.org/greaterdallas
Linda Ross > Selecting an Alzheimer's Care Facility
My Story
For Linda Ross, putting her mother in an assisted living home was tough, but it opened the door to a new career with senior citizens.
“Being my mother’s caregiver inspired me to go into the field of aging adults,” Ross said, “Visiting the center, I realized how much I enjoyed older people.”
Now, Ross is the Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association in Dallas. She is responsible for providing families with information and assistance in caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
“Supervising people with dementia is very specific,” Ross said. “Training is needed in all senior centers. With the number of baby boomers coming into their senior years, the need is going to be critical.”
Ross recommends families of Alzheimer’s patients pay careful attention to the care centers they select.
1. Look for a center where all staff is trained to deal with dementia patients. Ask about their training. It is critical for safety.
2. Read any state evaluations to see if there are issues of mishandling.
3. Talk to families of other patients to find out how their loved ones have been treated.
4. Visit the center at different times of the day and on different days of the week.
5. Look for warning signs, like bugs, bad smells, or call buttons going off without any response.
“Use all your senses to gather information about the quality of a place,” Ross said. People don’t always trust their instincts when they should.”
Hopefully, families will find the best situation for their loved ones. And who knows? Maybe the experience will inspire more people, like Linda Ross, to enter the rewarding field of aging adults.
*Linda Ross is the Interim Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas. For more information about their services, visit www.alz.org/greaterdallas
My Story
My grandmother fell a few weeks back and we have been faced with the issue of having her stay home alone. She is not ready to have help and we are worried about her falling again.
Research the different types of facilities and in home assistance before you actually need the help. It takes the emotion out of the decsion process and helps you to make a more educated decision when the time comes for assistance.
SPOTLIGHT SILVER STORY
"Selecting A Senior Center"
Nancy Martin Executive Director Mineral Wells Senior Center
