My annual charitable event!

Memory screening and health fair set at Sykes’ - Daily Inter Lake: Local/Montana

How to pay for long-term care-an option for future care, the inevitable.

Tips for Traveling with Disease or Disability

Being diagnosed with an illness or having a disability does not have to mean travel is out of the question. With a few tips and a little research, your travel experience can be with less worry and more enjoyment.
Here's a few tips:

• Carry your contact information for your physician, case manager, primary contact person and/or caregivers (even if your caregiver is travelling with you). For those with memory impairment, it's imperative to have identifying  information with the person in case of any unforeseen separation.
• Your medications: Have a list of all medications with their scheduled routine and what they are for. Arrange medications in a travel pill box organizer for the duration of the trip. If you are going to be away from your residence for longer than 30 days, you may be able to have your medications waiting for you at your final destination. This works well for national pharmacies that have locations throughout the U.S. 
• If travelling by air: Carry all medications in carry-on luggage, including liquids or gels. If you have any liquids or gels, the most simple way to get through security without delay is to only take the amount allowed by TSA. Since 3oz doesn't go very far, you are able to take along your liquid and/or gel medication but it might delay your transit through security. Best advice: Put all liquid/gel medication together in a plastic zip-closure bag. Ideally, the original bottles or containers will be used with the labels clearly visible. Have your doctor write a note stating medical necessity and provide this at the time you are declaring your liquids to security.
• Medical equipment can often be rented from an equipment company or borrowed from a loan closet at your destination. Some calling ahead to the local state agency on aging or medical equipment store will help guide you to availability and costs. If taking your equipment along, such as wheelchairs or walkers, make sure to label each item with your contact information in case they get misplaced.
• Oxygen can be arranged ahead of time to be waiting for you at your final destination. This takes some coordination but allows the person to travel with only a portable device. Remember to call the airline you are travelling with to find out which devices are approved for airline travel. This must be done several weeks in advance.
• Do a little research if you are traveling with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. There are a lot of tips out there from caregivers who have found ways to be creative and get the most out of their trip. For example, having portable puck-style lights can be helpful for nighttime use and bathroom safety: Use them to guide the path to the bathroom. Stick to routines and take frequent breaks.

Travel may be just what is needed for a break from the ordinary!

Eagleview West helps caregivers and patients who are relocating or traveling. Door-to-door service is provided through coordination & collaboration. www.EagleviewWest.com

Technology for Aging includes everything from wheelchairs to the more "techy" devices such as body-worn fall detection devices and interactive monitoring systems. Choosing the right technology can be overwhelming. Performing research about the desired item is essential to making appropriate and cost-effective choices. Techonology can make life easier and safer and keep us all connected.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today unveiled the first-ever "National Plan To Address Alzheimer's Disease," as mandated by the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA).

This is a huge step for our nation especially with our changing demographics and need for evidenced-based standards.

You can learn more by clicking here

The comprehensive plan calls for the prevention and effective treatment of Alzheimer's disease by 2025 and lays out strategies related to awareness and education, clinical care standards, long-term care and supportive services for family caregivers, and up-to-date training of healthcare professionals.

It is no surprise the most common theme which came out of the 30th annual Montana Gerontology Society conference is...the need for better planning! The theme was wrapped around baby boomers-trends, alternatives, & expectations.
We had a wonderful keynote speaker Elaine Sanchez from Salem, Oregon. She brought the stage to life through her story telling about her late mother's caregiving. She shared caregiver survival tips that I have already begun to incorporate into my practice. You can learn more and purchase her book by going to: www.ElaineKSanchez.com

Next on the agenda: Project Baby Boomers! Just arrived in Bozeman, Montana for the annual conference of the Montana Gerontology Society. This 30th annual conference is geared for members and colleagues to share their expertise in the field of aging. The conference title is "Project Baby Boomers: Trends, Alternatives, & Expectations." Feels like we've been talking about the baby boomers for a decade already! Most of us know the trends-70 million people age 65 and older, people living longer with chronic conditions and disability-but what about expectations? Health care professionals agree the expectations are high. The alternatives are more elusive-the delivery of services, the costs, end-of-life care, self-responsibility and enhanced care planning. Stay tuned for feedback from the 2012 MGS conference!

Take the Long-Term Care poll

Are you worried about long-term care?
Should you be? What's all the fuss, anyway?
Take the poll & tell Eagleview West what your concerns are, if any, about long-term care!
(See the blog site to enter your answers.)
www.eagleviewwest.blogspot.com