It is no wonder eldercare consulting and geriatric care management became a specialized field on its own. The decisions to be made in managing our parents’ care can be complex.
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COVID-19 adds a new dimension to our concerns. We are finding retirement communities are more likely to become hotspots. However, the amount of risk depends on the facility and the safety precautions they have put in place.

The Covid-19 virus and social distancing present special challenges to aging adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other types of dementia, and their families. Their need for engaging social contact, love, and a sense of security is more important now than ever before. The most important steps to minimizing the feeling of isolation is staying in touch, being calm and reaffirming you are there and love them.

During this challenging time, we know that you have great concern for the welfare of your loved ones. We want to reassure you that we are focused on delivering safe, proactive, and compassionate care that overlooks no detail in the effort to ensure our clients’ safety and comfort.

If your elderly family member becomes unable to speak for him or herself, the advance health care directive allows them to name someone to act as their “agent." Eventually, that assigned person will become their “medical power of attorney.” This person holds a great amount of power, making the selection process very important for the benefit of your elderly family member. But just how is this person chosen to be their decision maker? Here are three pointers to help you and your elderly family member make the right decision.

Elders are favorite targets for scam artists.  The most common fraud scams against elders include prizes and sweepstakes. This is where the elder is told they’ve “won” but must first send in money to cover the taxes or other associated fees. Sadly, some will oblige to the requirements because they sound so realistic. 

“Life after eighty rarely ends suddenly and unexpectedly in our sleep,” states Dr. Dennis McCullough, in his book My Mother, Your Mother. Instead, caring for an aging relative is more commonly a journey of many years. As a geriatrician and care provider to his late mother, Dr. McCullough knows this terrain well.