New Prediction: 80% of assisted living will be Memory Care. Are we ready?

http://www.alfa.org/News/3038/Evolution-of-Assisted-Living-Marked-by-Great-Recessions-Impact

Add this to your bucket list!

Okay, a bucket list is supposed to be fun. Something that happens once in a lifetime. Something you know you want to accomplish or need to get done. Long-term care planning & end-of-life decision-making may not be fun, but it will help you prepare for your future and feel less anxious, helping encourage you to really conquer that bucket list! As reported by ABC news, according to a 2012 survey by the California Healthcare Assocation, 60% of people say it is extremely important  to not burden family members with end-of-life care. However, only half of those people communicate their wishes or take action to ensure their wishes are known. If we all added this to our bucket list, we might really accomplish something great for our future!
Here's a few tips for getting a Crucial Conversation added to your bucket list:

1. Schedule a meeting! Bring together your most trusted and responsible family members to discuss your plan to make a plan.
2. Make a list of action items, goals, desires, and wishes.
3. Complete Advance Directives & Legal Documents.
4. Share important documents with your loved ones, your legal counsel (if appropriate), and your health care team.
5. Communicate your wishes to your loves ones and review all documents. They can only help carry out your wishes if you tell them ahead of time!
6. Now that you've completed your plan, Go live your life and Have Fun!

Contact Eagleview West for more help-We have an easy 7-Step process for long-term care planning & decision-making which includes all the steps above & more. Call 752-5821 or go to www.EagleviewWest.com to learn more.
 

Text me when my mother forgets to take her pill

There are so many new tech products for helping make our lives easier, more organized, and potentially safer. The opportunities are endless. From applications for quick response in a time of an emergency to the beeping pill bottle lids, there is a constant flow of new devices and assistive aids coming to market on an almost daily basis. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on insurance companies push to bring new things to market which assist with compliance in medication management. It's not just hospitals racing to improve their bottom line by implementing more aggressive quality control and improving standards of care. Health insurers will be judged by their members' ability to adhere to their  medication treatment plan with the number & timing of refills being evaluated. The tech market has included automatic dispensers, pill botttle lids which alarm when it is time for a dose, and text messaging being sent to a responsible party if a medication has not been taken. It's not just the younger generations getting used to the chirping, beeping, buzzing and honking of devices that tell us something important is happening. It turns out we're all connected in some way and the smartphone in my pocket may be just what my mother needs to take her pills.

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.