Home Care for the 21st Century

Better Communications, Better Service, Better Quality of Life

Carefully approaching a delicate subject

At a recent Hospice Conference in Portland, ME, Dr. Ira Byock told us about his unusual request for a Father's Day Gift.

He received the heath care directives of his two daughters. I couldn't help but think that if a gerontologist is doing that in his family, we all should be.

Yes, I still consider doctors to be authorities, on some subjects, while doing my homework on the internet before my visits. As a doctor, how does he urge patients to complete directives?

At the time of their first visit, a health care directive form is included in the patient's paperwork to be completed. "We do this for all of our patients", he explains to them. It's a matter-of-fact statement and it tends to work.

Here are some definitions of advance directives for you:

A living will (health care declaration or health care directive) lists the treatments and life-sustaining measures you want and don't want. Included are: Mechanical Ventilation, nutrition or hydration administering, dialysis, and organ donation. Contact a local medical school if you would like to donate your body.

A health care Power of Attorney is a document that designates an individual to make medical decisions for you in case you're unable to do so.

A DNR is a request to not have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. You can add a DNR to your file at your doctor's office. We recommend that you keep one at home, on top of the refridgerator, where it can be easily accessed.

I recommend ordering "Five Wishes" from http://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes.php, published by Aging with Dignity. It can also be completed online. Not only does it ask similar questions (as above) but it includes such topics as "Do you want a memorial service?" "How would you like to be remembered?" I am liking mine, very much.

Don't wait until the next holiday that you celebrate. Add "Order this form" to your to-do list. Doing this will be a comfort to your family and a gift to yourself.

Posted by: Karen Banning Created on: Mon 27 January 2014 10:47 Last modified: Mon 27 January 2014 11:40

This article was posted in The Whole Elder and tagged with elder care, health care directives, living will, power of attorney, wills

Virtual Dementia?

I spent half of Jaws under my seat and have not watched horror movies since. This seems like one. I can't see, my feet hurt and there is constant noise. This is just like that party last week.

The four of us from Caring Companion Home Care are starting a "virtual dementia tour" at Atria in Kennebunk,. ME.The form asks: Do you feel confused, anxious, disoriented? I don't know what is going to happen. Maybe anxious.

We each put plastic soles with spikes face up in our shoes. Next are yellow goggles and big gloves. Lastly, ear buds playing constant noise- I keep trying to hear what the people are saying but it is a jangle of ...well, noise. Susan leads me into an apartment, promising not to leave me and asks me to do four tasks. I immediately forget number four.

1- Find and put on the white sweater. I head for the bedroom, walking slowly and hunched over because I can't see my feet. My co-worker (at least I THINK it is Maggie) is folding clothes on the white bedspread. That wasn't on my list - or was it? The sweater is not there but here it is in the white closet.

2- Write three sentences in a letter to your family and put it in the envelope. Is the paper in the bedroom? No. Kitchen, no. Score! Living room. I can't see if my pen is writing and jeesh, I can't feel the paper to rip off the pad. These people are mean and I now hate envelopes.

3- Set the table for four. They didn't get me this time. Only 2 mats are out. But, dang. Paper plates. How many are here? Plates and mugs, not so bad. I can't feel the weight of the plasticware.

I hear Maggie asking questions. "She won't answer you!" I yell. I can hardly hear myself. Can she hear me? She is counting out her tasks and says "water". That's it! My fourth thing. I feel around for the clear plastic cup.

Yay, I win. What do I win? Awareness of fear, frustration, disorientation and wanting help, feet that still tingle and thankfulness that I do not have dementia.

Susan gives us therapy...er...talks to us about the experience. We talk about color contrast and keeping items where they belong. It's hard for dementia patients to see white on white which is why it's a good idea to use colored plates so they can see their food. It's good to greet someone from the front, waving hello, saying their name aloud and extending your hand. I can see that these steps will help to orient someone.

An hour later, we have put the episode behind us. Because we can. I am so glad I can.

Posted by: Karen Banning Created on: Tue 17 December 2013 17:26 Last modified: Wed 18 December 2013 08:22

This article was posted in Local Resources, Your Stories, Alzheimer's and Dementia and tagged with elders, dementia, elder care, Alzheimer's, rehabilitation

Thank you!

We sincerely appreciate our caregivers and we thank them often. The work they do, their devotion and our work have brought tenderness into my life. I often tell my coworkers that my job has changed me. I am not making that up, anticipating my next raise!

Back in the dark ages, I found socializing to be awkward, embarrassment-inducing and

Home Care for the 21st Century

Better Communications, Better Service, Better Quality of Life

Referring to a senior adult as a “patient” emphasizes a medical relationship with an assumption of illness. Illness care focuses on what is wrong. Wellness, in contrast, focuses on what is still possible, rather than what is lost.

Dad's lost? There's an app for that!

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