My Care Advisors

Mindful Aging: Keeping Your Brain Sharp

Did you know? Our brains get much of their power from 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, that control reading, remembering, deciding, moving and other activities that involve thinking and planning. 
Cognitive health, or the ability to think clearly, learn, and remember, is essential to performing everyday activities. It is crucial to keep one’s brain sharp to live fully, especially as one ages. 
Brain health is of utmost importance for older adults because it directly affects one’s overall well-being, quality of life, and independence. With age, the brain undergoes changes that can impact cognitive functions, memory, and emotional well-being. Taking steps to improve brain or cognitive function can greatly increase quality of life and significantly impact an individual’s ability to engage in activities. 
 
Tune in for insights about brain health, how it is impacted by age, and tips for supporting it. Learn about the following:
What is meant by brain health
How can brain health be impacted, especially as one ages (e.g., age-related, injury, dementia, etc.)
A brief overview of recent Alzheimer’s disease prevention studies and the brain health connection (e.g., heart-head connection, etc.)
Tips to help keep one’s brain sharp at any age
Helpful resources for older adults to help maintain and improve brain health
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Having ‘The Talk’: How Siblings Can Navigate Assisted Living Conversations

In the journey of discussing assisted living options with aging parents or loved ones, the involvement of siblings or family caregivers can significantly influence the process. 
These conversations are often marked by complex emotions, differing viewpoints, and the challenge of making decisions that prioritize the well-being and wishes of the aging loved one.
Being proactive about understanding how additional support will significantly improve a loved one’s quality of life can help establish a path to decisions that are focused on the success of the aging adult.
 
Gain insights about assisted living conversations, including ways to approach care options with siblings, caregivers and older adults. Tune in to learn about the following:
Navigating sibling or family caregiver conversations if an aging parent or loved one needs extra support
Suggested “Dos and Don'ts” when discussing senior care options
Helpful resources to help navigate care options
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Dispelling Assisted Living Myths

Assisted living is part of a continuum of long-term care services that provides a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care support services. 
If you or a family member are experiencing mixed feelings about the concept of assisted living, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Numerous myths and misunderstandings surround the idea of life in an assisted living community.
When selecting the right community to meet one’s needs, it's crucial to distinguish between reality and fiction. Listen in to this episode as we explore: 
Common misconceptions and frequently asked questions regarding assisted living
Typical services offered to older adults residing in an assisted living community
Tips for determining the right assisted living community to meet the needs of the older adult
Questions to ask a Senior Care Advisor or healthcare professional to help make informed decisions about available care options
Helpful resources for older adults and caregivers to access when selecting an assisted living community
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Therapy Solutions No Matter the Location

For older adults recovering from an injury, surgery or illness, there are various therapy services that can support them throughout the process in order to ensure the best health outcomes.
Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Speech/Language Pathology professionals provide services that can help older adults feel better, achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life. 
 
Learn about the differences between each therapy service and how they can support the health goals of older adults and the overall caregiving journey, through the following insights:
The differences between Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech/Language Pathology services
Typical reasons or conditions for why therapy services are prescribed
Frequently asked questions about therapy services
Questions to ask when selecting a provider or contracted therapy services at an assisted living community
Helpful resources for older adults and caregivers to learn more about therapy services
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Easing the Transition to Assisted Living

Moving out of the family home and into an assisted living community may not be the easiest of transitions. For older adults who've spent decades living at the same address, relocating can be difficult and stressful. However, there are ways for loved ones to help minimize the stress of the move. 
By approaching the transition to assisted living with empathy, effective communication, and support, family members and caregivers can help ease the process and ensure the older adult's well-being and comfort during this important life change. 
 
Tune in for insights on how to support a loved one during this time, and learn about the following:
Steps to prepare for the transition to Assisted Living (e.g., documents needed, pre-move tour to see living space, amenities, etc.)
Considerations to help personalize the new living space (e.g., meaningful items from their previous home, furniture that can be moved, etc.)
Tips on intake paperwork (e.g., who signs, what decisions will you need to make, paying for care, etc.)
Guidance on moving day transitions (e.g., set up the room ahead of time, etc.)
Tips to ease the emotional transition to the new community once a loved one has moved (e.g., participation in activities, communication with family and friends, etc.)
Recommended resources for caregivers and family to support a loved one best while moving to a new community 
Additional considerations if the person moving has dementia
 
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

When is the Right Time to Consider Assisted Living?

Life can change in a moment, and determining when to move from home or independent living to an assisted living community can be overwhelming. This difficult situation may be lessened by starting the conversation early and often talking about what’s coming down the road for an aging loved one. 
For older adults and their family members and caregivers, being proactive about understanding care changes and additional support will significantly improve their quality of life. An essential first step is having conversations about care wishes and spotting the signs that more support from an assisted living community may be needed.
 
Tune in for insights about assisted living, including signs that your loved one may need more help and how to start the conversation. Hear about the following:
Changes Paula has seen in healthcare in her experience as a Certified Senior Advisor®, especially with seniors
A real-life example of an urgent situation faced by caregivers where an abrupt change of condition that occurred made it unsafe for their older adult to live independently at home
Early signs that it may be time to consider additional care support
Tips for caregivers to proactively start the conversation regarding care and senior living options to meet the care needs of their loved one
Tips and resources on what information is needed to prepare for this journey
Resources and individuals who may be able to help jumpstart and support care wishes
Considerations for determining whether assisted living is an appropriate option to meet care needs as well as financial considerations
Helpful resources for older adults and caregivers to access when selecting an assisted living community
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Three Decades of Family Caregiving Support

When faced with the decision of placing a loved one in assisted living or a similar community and needing assistance to find the right care solution, would you prefer a cold, impersonal phone call or a warm in-person meeting? 
For our 30th episode, we celebrate CarePatrol’s 30th year of supporting older adults and their family members to navigate care solutions. Founded in 1993 by a social worker after observing the personal trauma experienced by a family whose loved one had been placed in the wrong type of facility, CarePatrol became the pioneer organization whose core values are dedicated to being a comprehensive personal service and valuable resource for families during the placement of a loved one. 
Listen in as we explore:
How the mission and unique approach of CarePatrol has helped build a strong foundation of ‘giving seniors and their families a less stressful and easier way to find safer senior care choices’ for more than 30 years
The important roles of local Senior Care Advisors and Certified Senior Advisors (CSA)® in supporting older adults navigate senior care options
Considerations when selecting the right support to navigate senior care options
How CarePatrol’s systems, tools and process improvements and people improvements help support older adults and their caregivers 
Insight into the future for senior care options and the support needed to help navigate the complexities of care
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Navigating Family Disagreements when Caring for an Aging Parent

Many issues and stress can happen among adult siblings when caring for a parent or older loved one, especially when facing an urgent health situation, providing caregiving or determining the support needed. Also, sometimes when siblings come together to make important decisions, tough situations can make it even more difficult to come to a consensus. Having proactive conversations may help to address or even avoid sibling and family member disagreements.
 
Listen in as we explore:
The common reasons or situations where sibling conflict over the care of an aging parent or loved one can occur and how to proactively address potential conflict
Tips to start the conversation with siblings or family members about the care needs of their loved one
Recommended professionals who may be able to help siblings navigate the care needs of their aging parent or loved one to proactively address family conflicts
Additional resources to support families throughout a loved one’s care journey
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

Jumpstart to Downsizing

Downsizing or moving from a home filled with possessions from the past 20, 30 or 40 years can be emotionally difficult. Having a plan and clear path can help keep the memories and make the transition just a little easier.
 
Listen in as we connect with Matt Paxton, a downsizing and cleaning expert, speaker, author, radio personality, and host of the 2-time Emmy nominated television show "Legacy List with Matt Paxton." Topics include:
Matt’s journey to helping individuals and families find the upside to downsizing
Biggest misconceptions when it comes to the disposition of or decluttering of items
Top questions raised by individuals going through the downsizing/decluttering process
Tips to jumpstart downsizing efforts, especially for older adults
Suggestions for how to start the conversation with family members, including older adults, about downsizing
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.

The Importance of Estate Planning

Did you know that the majority of adults believe estate planning is important? However, only one-third have actually created one.
Estate plan documents help guide your family members and loved ones to understand and carry out care and end-of-life wishes. Most importantly, they help reduce the family burden and stress that may be caused during a time of crisis.
Listen in as we explore what is an estate plan and the steps to take to ensure your estate and care wishes are documented. Topics include:
What is an estate plan, and why is it important to have in place, especially for older adults
Documents that make up a basic estate plan 
When estate plan documents are especially important and when they may not apply 
Other documents/legal issues that are important to consider
Estate Planning myths
How to start the conversation with your older loved ones
Considerations when hiring an attorney and the typical process 
To view resources, show notes and access more My Care Advisors episodes, visit mycareadvisors.com. We are grateful to be your guide.