| |
Main
Date: 07 Dec 2006 16:52:27
From: Twittering One
Subject: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
>From Medical News Today
As millions of us pack our bags and prepare for holiday visits to
elderly relatives, the Institute on Aging reminds families also to
prepare to be alert for signs of elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect
during these visits. Many families are spread out across the continent
and the holidays are often the only time of year that we are able to
spend time with elderly loved ones. It is imperative that families take
time during these homecomings to evaluate the living situations of
their elders.
"The best way to see how things are going is to observe and then sit
down with the person and simply ask," says Dr. David Werdegar,
Executive Director of the Institute. "Is the person able to prepare
meals, walk up and down stairs, pay their bills, take their
medications? How connected are they to others? Changes in mental and
physical ability can occur quickly during later life. You can't make
assumptions that what worked two years ago is still working today."
"In terms of elder abuse, says Mary Twomey of the IOA's Elder Abuse
Prevention program, "people need to be on the watch for signs of
financial abuse such as unexplained spending patterns, missing pension
or Social Security checks, the presence of a 'new best friend,' or mail
piling up." It is also prudent to check to see if elders are current in
paying bills. Do they talk about winning the "Canadian" lottery,
getting another mortgage, letting sales people into the house? "Elderly
people are preyed on by unscrupulous people eager to strip their homes
of equity or their bank accounts of their life savings" says Twomey. If
you think that the elder is no longer able to oversee their own
finances, make sure a responsible, trustworthy person is assisting in
financial matters. "We often find that families are so grateful for the
local neighbor or relative who is helping out the elder that there
isn't really a careful evaluation of that person's motives or
abilities."
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, almost 90% of all
elder abuse is committed by relatives, most by adult children and
spouses. Red flags to watch out for include: a caregiver who has issues
with alcohol or drug abuse, mental health problems, or is financially
dependent on the senior. Says Twomey, "Spousal abuse is another issue
that nobody wants to look at, but it is real and older women need to
know that help is available."
Visitors should be aware of signs of self-neglect which may be caused
by memory loss, alcohol abuse, or depression. Depression may show
itself through marked changes in appetite, change in sleep patterns, or
crying for no apparent reason. Other symptoms may include withdrawal
from others, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes
in behavior, or neglect of personal appearance. Visitors can also
listen for verbal signals of hopelessness like comments of sadness and
despair, or talking about "the end."
Says Werdegar: "These are not easy conversations to have with your
elderly loved ones, but they are critically important. Don't let your
denial become an obstacle. Agencies such as ours can be helpful in
figuring how to talk to parents, or in finding out what resources are
available in the community."
Further information is available at:
http://www.ioaging.org
http://www.elderabusecenter.org
http://www.eldercarelocator.org
http://www.ncall.us/
The non-profit Institute on Aging is a leader in innovative services
for seniors. Since its inception over 20 years ago as a
first-of-its-kind program in geriatrics and adult day health care, the
IOA continues to pioneer programs, research, and education to assist
older adults to live independently in the community. The IOA's award
winning programs have earned it a national reputation for excellence in
senior services. Our new headquarters in San Francisco will combine
senior housing and services in an exciting new model designed to
maximize independence and dignity.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=57111
|
|
| |
Date: 07 Dec 2006 20:02:23
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
O, if only I could do as well as I thank ~ !
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 03:09:56
From: \Jan Drew\
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Twittering One" <mournenwould@aol.com > wrote in message
news:1165539147.727888.188810@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
>>From Medical News Today
>
> As millions of us pack our bags and prepare for holiday visits to
> elderly relatives, the Institute on Aging reminds families also to
> prepare to be alert for signs of elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect
> during these visits. Many families are spread out across the continent
> and the holidays are often the only time of year that we are able to
> spend time with elderly loved ones. It is imperative that families take
> time during these homecomings to evaluate the living situations of
> their elders.
>
> "The best way to see how things are going is to observe and then sit
> down with the person and simply ask," says Dr. David Werdegar,
> Executive Director of the Institute. "Is the person able to prepare
> meals, walk up and down stairs, pay their bills, take their
> medications? How connected are they to others? Changes in mental and
> physical ability can occur quickly during later life. You can't make
> assumptions that what worked two years ago is still working today."
>
> "In terms of elder abuse, says Mary Twomey of the IOA's Elder Abuse
> Prevention program, "people need to be on the watch for signs of
> financial abuse such as unexplained spending patterns, missing pension
> or Social Security checks, the presence of a 'new best friend,' or mail
> piling up." It is also prudent to check to see if elders are current in
> paying bills. Do they talk about winning the "Canadian" lottery,
> getting another mortgage, letting sales people into the house? "Elderly
> people are preyed on by unscrupulous people eager to strip their homes
> of equity or their bank accounts of their life savings" says Twomey. If
> you think that the elder is no longer able to oversee their own
> finances, make sure a responsible, trustworthy person is assisting in
> financial matters. "We often find that families are so grateful for the
> local neighbor or relative who is helping out the elder that there
> isn't really a careful evaluation of that person's motives or
> abilities."
>
> According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, almost 90% of all
> elder abuse is committed by relatives, most by adult children and
> spouses. Red flags to watch out for include: a caregiver who has issues
> with alcohol or drug abuse, mental health problems, or is financially
> dependent on the senior. Says Twomey, "Spousal abuse is another issue
> that nobody wants to look at, but it is real and older women need to
> know that help is available."
>
> Visitors should be aware of signs of self-neglect which may be caused
> by memory loss, alcohol abuse, or depression. Depression may show
> itself through marked changes in appetite, change in sleep patterns, or
> crying for no apparent reason. Other symptoms may include withdrawal
> from others, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes
> in behavior, or neglect of personal appearance. Visitors can also
> listen for verbal signals of hopelessness like comments of sadness and
> despair, or talking about "the end."
>
> Says Werdegar: "These are not easy conversations to have with your
> elderly loved ones, but they are critically important. Don't let your
> denial become an obstacle. Agencies such as ours can be helpful in
> figuring how to talk to parents, or in finding out what resources are
> available in the community."
>
> Further information is available at:
>
> http://www.ioaging.org
>
> http://www.elderabusecenter.org
>
> http://www.eldercarelocator.org
>
> http://www.ncall.us/
>
> The non-profit Institute on Aging is a leader in innovative services
> for seniors. Since its inception over 20 years ago as a
> first-of-its-kind program in geriatrics and adult day health care, the
> IOA continues to pioneer programs, research, and education to assist
> older adults to live independently in the community. The IOA's award
> winning programs have earned it a national reputation for excellence in
> senior services. Our new headquarters in San Francisco will combine
> senior housing and services in an exciting new model designed to
> maximize independence and dignity.
>
> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=57111
>
Nice of you to always be thanking of others, blessed lady.
God Bless.
Jan
|
| |
Date: 07 Dec 2006 22:49:59
From: Michelle Steiner
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
In article <1165539147.727888.188810@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.com >,
"Twittering One" <mournenwould@aol.com > wrote:
> Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
But what about us who are Elderly Loved Ones?
--
Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 19:37:08
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Caps, come here, sit with me ~
O, steady my raging sea.
If happiness be known, you're my dearest heart,
In life, as well as Art,
O, Capsicum, my light, my candle's spark ~ !
Caps, come here, our hearts so agree ~
O, steady my raging sea,
Caps, make mad love with me ~ !"
~ Twittering
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 19:14:16
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"If shadow's witness, wits who light the dark."
~ Capsicum
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 17:49:21
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Foreshadower of star light, dearest heart,
Shadows of bright wits of lives who live as Art."
~ Mum
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 16:04:19
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
Tips For The Elderly Enduring Visits of Loved Ones
During The Holidays ~
1. Hide the good Sherry.
2. Read up on your state's Involuntary Commitment Laws & Your Rights.
3. Bury the hatchet. Dig up the cell phone, to call your friends from
the shower.
4. Borrow some cans for your pantry. Lose the can opener.
5. Explain that your TV broke a long time ago. NPR radio is nicer.
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 15:46:43
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in.
Got locked out. Now, they won't let me back in ~ !"
~ Edward Gorey
"Just knock noisily 3 times;
Say something nice that rhymes."
~ Dr. AE
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 15:30:30
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"... as a doornail,
Go read today's mail.
But take a gander through yonder door,
Where Edward paces, to and fro, ov'r the floor."
~ Folly
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 15:15:47
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"So says the message of the clattering cup;
Speak your lines, Yorick. Prompt him, hurry up."
~ Folly
"Whereupon Yorick turned around and said,
'Heart once cracked, twice born. Is Edward really dead ~ ?'"
~ Fobby
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 14:57:55
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Edward's gone ~ ?"
~ Yorick
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 14:47:04
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"A woman not made for heavy thinking,
but should always decorate scene like blossom of plum."
~ Charlie Chan
"Foreshadower of nothing, dearest heart,
But the dim wish of lives to drift apart."
~ James Merrill
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 14:19:46
From: Al Bundy
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
Twittering One wrote:
> "Whereupon the cup went dead,
> And since then ~ no response, hard as we've tried ..."
> ~ James Merrill
"A woman not made for heavy thinking, but should always decorate scene
like blossom of plum."
Charlie Chan
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 12:26:54
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"Whereupon the cup went dead,
And since then ~ no response, hard as we've tried ..."
~ James Merrill
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 12:16:33
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
"I'd rather skip this part, but courage ~
What we dream up must be lived down, I think.
I went to my ex-shrink
With the whole story, right through the miscarriage
Of plans ..."
~ James Merrill,
"Ephraim"
[29]
"You found him ~ !"
~ Mum
"Finally."
~ Twittering
"But Edward's gone."
~ Folly
|
| |
Date: 08 Dec 2006 12:05:22
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
But what about us who are Elderly Loved Ones?
~ Michelle Steiner
Do you need tips for surviving
The Visitation ~ ?
|
| |
Date: 09 Dec 2006 10:17:06
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: Tips For Visiting Elderly Loved Ones During The Holidays
|
Tips For The Elderly Enduring Visits of Loved Ones
During The Holidays
~ From Theodore Storey
6. Trade in that Risperdal prescription for Ritalin.
7. Peruse a holiday issue of Martha Stewart's "Living," looking
for "Cozy Holiday Tips Just for Two." (who needs a crowd?).
8. Play lots of Opera; kids hate it.
9. For gift ideas, drop hints that Medicare does not pay for Viagra.
10. Tell the loved ones that your Bridge Club meets the day after the
holiday dinner (hide your bus ticket to Atlantic City!).
~ * ~
|
|
