Thursday, July 26, 2012
Visit to Mill Lake
Every One should have a Mill Lake. A Walden Pond of sorts it changed who I am today. The small town near the lake had a very small paper and so the official kicker of the 6th grade team, the laundromat's special, who's cow won the state fair and the 4th of July parade were major features.
I remember the Huckleberry Finn feel to the summer days. We had no phone - and those who had one had a party line - "a great opportunity to actually have asked people if their toilet was running and then tell them to catch it"! Lazy days with nothing to do gave way to board games and teasing the kids at the lake. Learning how to sew, how to catch rabbits, skipping stones, and creating games.
No Television meant we had to talk, we had to share, and we had time to help with the canning, the picking and the yard work. My Grandmother had a wringer washer and that is how I learned to wash clothes.
We never had air conditioning and we had tan, lithe bodies that ran rather than walked because every day was an adventure in the woods surrounding the lake. We hurried to get our chores done - each of us assigned a list from the youngest to the oldest - so we could rush to the lake. Laying out as if we were 16 - reading books -diving and learning to flip in the water.
Today when my day gets long I call to mind Mill Lake and spend a moment revisiting those days.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
INDIANA CONTINUITY OF CARE STATE CONFERENCE HAS TERRIFIC LINE UP
Continuity of Care is having their State Conference this year at the Ritz Charles in Carmel Indiana. It will have a host of great speakers and offers CU's for those who need them. It's theme MOVING TOWARDS TOMORROW - With Solutions for the Changing Healthcare Industry is a vital approach to a constantly changing healthcare world. Come join us and don't miss out on the early registration - go to indianacontinuityofcare@gmail.com for complete information and
speaker line ups. Have a wonderful day - and remember Elder Moves, Inc. is there to help with all your transitional needs and offers Care Management.
Mary Ann Yates
President
Elder Moves, Inc.
Chairperson - State Convention Indiana Continuity of Care
Friday, August 19, 2011
CONCERT TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED AT THE STATE FAIR GROUNDS BROUGHT TO MIND ONE OF MY HEROS. It was in the 1960's Jaime was a young red headed man, tall and big for his age. I thought his head alone was the size of a basketball from where I stood at 11 years old. It was followed by a build most weight lifting twenty somethings would die for today, naturally large, impressive, a stand out in a crowd. He had a booming laugh and a constant need to create trouble. One time, just for fun he turned Mrs. Crahan's Volkswagen upside down. He didn't dent it and he had every intention of placing it back in an upright position.
Another time, he took our Volkswagen and road it through the aisles at Haag Drugstore on 56th and Illinois - Jaime was one of those - and my Mom and Dad felt compelled to help him. They took Jaime into their home and considered him my fifth brother. My father decided getting Jaime a job would keep him out of trouble. He talked the priest at St. Thomas Aquinas into allowing Jaime to work on the construction sight when the church was putting an addition on and Jaime went to work. He was young somewhere between 15 and 17 but he loved working there. I can remember how proud he was that he bought his own parents a refrigerator for Christmas.
It was during this time that the Coliseum in Indianapolis had an explosion.
Jaime had always been an ambulance and fire truck chaser and was one of the first to know what was happening. He snuck in and saw that people were pinned down by large pieces of cement and he knew what he had to do. Jaime went to St. Thomas and broke in - he jumped on the backhoe he had just learned to drive (license ? - who knows) and drove it to the coliseum where he spent hours lifting concrete off of victims - saving countless lives.
From that tragedy, after high school, Jaime went on to be a Green Beret. He never spoke to me about that time but one tale was that he was the lead person to try to evacuate innocent people before the fight....After three Vietnam Tours - Jaime became a steelworker and as he was working in downtown Indianapolis a fire broke out and threatened the then Indiana National Bank Tower. Jim scaled the drain pipe with the fire hoses and saved the building....
He later went on to be asked by then President Clinton to head the relief program in Mexico for the American People during the earthquake.
The now in existence American Emergency Relief Task Force which is stationed in Indianapolis was part of his brotherhood from those days.
They needed supplies and Jaime tapped those St. Thomas boys and raised money for the task force. My parents often received little blurps from Jaime with a newspaper article and mention of his name....his life was an inspiration. He was never a "wealthy" man, but he was rich. Jaime died young - cancer- I have often thought from Agent Orange - but we will never know. I do know though that his lesson lives on. I tell my three sons often this tale. I do it to guide them in what is right.
At his funeral the Task Force Came in groves and they also brought "Big Jim" the fire truck named in his honor.
My heart goes out to those who recently suffered another tragedy. My hope is that out of such a horrible event something inspirational will be visited.
Another time, he took our Volkswagen and road it through the aisles at Haag Drugstore on 56th and Illinois - Jaime was one of those - and my Mom and Dad felt compelled to help him. They took Jaime into their home and considered him my fifth brother. My father decided getting Jaime a job would keep him out of trouble. He talked the priest at St. Thomas Aquinas into allowing Jaime to work on the construction sight when the church was putting an addition on and Jaime went to work. He was young somewhere between 15 and 17 but he loved working there. I can remember how proud he was that he bought his own parents a refrigerator for Christmas.
It was during this time that the Coliseum in Indianapolis had an explosion.
Jaime had always been an ambulance and fire truck chaser and was one of the first to know what was happening. He snuck in and saw that people were pinned down by large pieces of cement and he knew what he had to do. Jaime went to St. Thomas and broke in - he jumped on the backhoe he had just learned to drive (license ? - who knows) and drove it to the coliseum where he spent hours lifting concrete off of victims - saving countless lives.
From that tragedy, after high school, Jaime went on to be a Green Beret. He never spoke to me about that time but one tale was that he was the lead person to try to evacuate innocent people before the fight....After three Vietnam Tours - Jaime became a steelworker and as he was working in downtown Indianapolis a fire broke out and threatened the then Indiana National Bank Tower. Jim scaled the drain pipe with the fire hoses and saved the building....
He later went on to be asked by then President Clinton to head the relief program in Mexico for the American People during the earthquake.
The now in existence American Emergency Relief Task Force which is stationed in Indianapolis was part of his brotherhood from those days.
They needed supplies and Jaime tapped those St. Thomas boys and raised money for the task force. My parents often received little blurps from Jaime with a newspaper article and mention of his name....his life was an inspiration. He was never a "wealthy" man, but he was rich. Jaime died young - cancer- I have often thought from Agent Orange - but we will never know. I do know though that his lesson lives on. I tell my three sons often this tale. I do it to guide them in what is right.
At his funeral the Task Force Came in groves and they also brought "Big Jim" the fire truck named in his honor.
My heart goes out to those who recently suffered another tragedy. My hope is that out of such a horrible event something inspirational will be visited.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Website for Elder Moves, Inc
Excitement is what I am feeling today as we have launched our new website. Thanks to a team of experts Kyle Flatly and Jim Crahan - I feel we have a truly substantial website which will keep you in tune with the Elderly, Seniors, Aging in Place or what the Boomer Generation will be confronted with. We are hoping that you will not only use the site for information about Elder Moves, Inc. but also as an interactive tool to ask questions about the senior lifestyle issues, seek information and respond to our thoughts and ideas regarding Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Adult Daycares, Senior/Elder Services we want you to have the answer.
We are interlinked between our web page, blogspot, facebook, Linkedin and to our e-mail. You can write suggestions about what you think we should explore - what changes in your opinion should happen in the above 55 service world and where we might help.
In return we will attempt to keep you up to date with new and innovated ideas and with resources at your finger tips or a phone call away. Please join us in exploring the Retirement Communities, Assisted Living and a new generation full of new needs for similar circumstances.
We are interlinked between our web page, blogspot, facebook, Linkedin and to our e-mail. You can write suggestions about what you think we should explore - what changes in your opinion should happen in the above 55 service world and where we might help.
In return we will attempt to keep you up to date with new and innovated ideas and with resources at your finger tips or a phone call away. Please join us in exploring the Retirement Communities, Assisted Living and a new generation full of new needs for similar circumstances.
Friday, April 1, 2011
RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES AND ASSISTED LIVING
Elder Moves, Inc. is often asked what is the difference between a Retirement Community and Assisted Living. What services can we expect? Retirement Communities can encompass a wealth of services. They often start with Independent Living - basically a protected environment with meals, activities,some transportation and specific number of cleanings per month.
The activities are centered around interests of the majority of the residents and can range from card games, movies, to visits to the symphony, travel options, exercise and more.
Assisted Living offers additional individualized services based on the client's needs. Many Assisted Livings offer Seniors a rating system and charge based on that system. The rating system guides the facility towards what level of care is required to meet the client's needs. For example: A client may only need stand by assistance when bathing; Other clients may need complete assistance and also may need to be helped to the dining room.
The more care required the higher the fee.
The activities are centered around interests of the majority of the residents and can range from card games, movies, to visits to the symphony, travel options, exercise and more.
Assisted Living offers additional individualized services based on the client's needs. Many Assisted Livings offer Seniors a rating system and charge based on that system. The rating system guides the facility towards what level of care is required to meet the client's needs. For example: A client may only need stand by assistance when bathing; Other clients may need complete assistance and also may need to be helped to the dining room.
The more care required the higher the fee.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Winter Worries for Older Parents
Our concerns for the elderly become more real with winter. In taking care of our loved ones we worry about maintaining their independence, their rights to make their own decisions and try to balance that with our fears that we are needed more or won’t be there for them when we should be. Inclimate weather adds to those fears both for their physical safety and for our ability to assist them quickly.
Combinations of help are placed together and we attempt to rely on the neighbors, meals on wheels, a service we may hire, their church or many other inventive approaches. Are our fears well founded?
Many of the disabilities confronting an elderly person limit their communication to us or leave us not trusting what they say. They may have forgotten to eat, forgotten to take their medications, confuse night from day or left the stove on or off. If they are confused on that level then they are generally confused on whether they should wear a coat and if it is early in the morning or night. So incidents of standing out waiting for the church van at 12 pm occur. We must be cautious at this point of what is happening for in our zealous approach to protect them we can over protect
their rights and under protect their being.
When should I take additional steps for my loved one even though they may oppose additional assistance?
Some of the signs of additional needs that alert us are as follows:
Answering questions with agreement
Never being specific - example: Mom when did you eat? Mom says – there is plenty in the house. What did you have for lunch and repetitively you hear leftovers.
Weight loss that supports the fact that your parent is not eating
Cleanliness
Wearing of the same clothes
Missing Doctor appointments
Confusion with names
Repetition of events
Does this mean that a parent must move. Each situation has to be individually evaluated. Involvement of family is a key element. Whether you can afford to hire help for the home and if the person is requiring more help than can be reasonably afforded. Is my loved one an endangerment to themselves or others?
The first step is to have a physician evaluate the person. This will guide you in your decision making process. You may then hire a geriatric professional to come in and assist with placing together services that are appropriate for the care of your loved one. You may find you need less or more help. Their objections should be considered but you must first consider their care. Though this may be a trying time, it is also an opportunity to give back to those who have given so much to you.
Combinations of help are placed together and we attempt to rely on the neighbors, meals on wheels, a service we may hire, their church or many other inventive approaches. Are our fears well founded?
Many of the disabilities confronting an elderly person limit their communication to us or leave us not trusting what they say. They may have forgotten to eat, forgotten to take their medications, confuse night from day or left the stove on or off. If they are confused on that level then they are generally confused on whether they should wear a coat and if it is early in the morning or night. So incidents of standing out waiting for the church van at 12 pm occur. We must be cautious at this point of what is happening for in our zealous approach to protect them we can over protect
their rights and under protect their being.
When should I take additional steps for my loved one even though they may oppose additional assistance?
Some of the signs of additional needs that alert us are as follows:
Answering questions with agreement
Never being specific - example: Mom when did you eat? Mom says – there is plenty in the house. What did you have for lunch and repetitively you hear leftovers.
Weight loss that supports the fact that your parent is not eating
Cleanliness
Wearing of the same clothes
Missing Doctor appointments
Confusion with names
Repetition of events
Does this mean that a parent must move. Each situation has to be individually evaluated. Involvement of family is a key element. Whether you can afford to hire help for the home and if the person is requiring more help than can be reasonably afforded. Is my loved one an endangerment to themselves or others?
The first step is to have a physician evaluate the person. This will guide you in your decision making process. You may then hire a geriatric professional to come in and assist with placing together services that are appropriate for the care of your loved one. You may find you need less or more help. Their objections should be considered but you must first consider their care. Though this may be a trying time, it is also an opportunity to give back to those who have given so much to you.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Upcoming changes in Indiana
The healthcare industry is forever changing. Most of the time - it plods through the administrative processes and actually changes for the better with time. Currently we are seeing trends to step back and return to patient care. This is happening with challenges through Doctor owned hospitals, Physicians who make home visits, and a need to actually touch another person with care and to be of service.
As the healthcare industry moves in those directions we are receiving directives which will make it more difficult to address the needs of those who do not have money. Those who rely on the system.
For years nursing homes and retirement centers have been receiving monies for beds not used. This sounds ridiculous doesn't it? What a waste - why pay for something to just sit there? Yet, the reality is that by reserving beds for medicare/medicaid options it has created immediacy for placement for those who do not have money.
If the current projections of the baby boomers numbers are correct and boomers live to need those services, the for profit beds will fill and there will be no beds available for medicare and medicaid. Now this may not affect you but my observations (unproven and without scientific study) is that the baby boomer generation is not prepared for this. They may not the ability to be for profit.
The other concern is whether clients who are currently in a medicare or medicaid bed but need a short stay in the hospital, may come out of the hospital to having lost their facility's medicaid/care bed. Facilities may hold those beds or may not and this will be dictated by their financial needs.
An option to change this to a positive approach - what a sales pitch for a facility. They could guarantee bed holds for short periods of time to sell their clients on using their facility. Keep your eyes peeled - we do not know where all all will lead.
As the healthcare industry moves in those directions we are receiving directives which will make it more difficult to address the needs of those who do not have money. Those who rely on the system.
For years nursing homes and retirement centers have been receiving monies for beds not used. This sounds ridiculous doesn't it? What a waste - why pay for something to just sit there? Yet, the reality is that by reserving beds for medicare/medicaid options it has created immediacy for placement for those who do not have money.
If the current projections of the baby boomers numbers are correct and boomers live to need those services, the for profit beds will fill and there will be no beds available for medicare and medicaid. Now this may not affect you but my observations (unproven and without scientific study) is that the baby boomer generation is not prepared for this. They may not the ability to be for profit.
The other concern is whether clients who are currently in a medicare or medicaid bed but need a short stay in the hospital, may come out of the hospital to having lost their facility's medicaid/care bed. Facilities may hold those beds or may not and this will be dictated by their financial needs.
An option to change this to a positive approach - what a sales pitch for a facility. They could guarantee bed holds for short periods of time to sell their clients on using their facility. Keep your eyes peeled - we do not know where all all will lead.
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