Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

First aid for seizures

Epilepsy Action (click for more information)

 

 

Sure You’re Not a Caregiver Now, But …

Excerpt from: AARP (click for full article)

 

Thirty-somethings and forty-somethings, I’m here to tell you: it will happen, it will surprise you, you will be upset. No matter how much you think you’re ready, you’re not. Don’t kid yourself that you are. I’m not trying to be Debby Downer. Be assured there are things you (or you and your sibs) can do now:

1.) Talk to your parents about their wishes.

2.) Have a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D and be ready when Plans A through C won’t happen according to plan.

3.) Know your parent(s) doctors, insurance information, Social Security number, allergies and medications.

4.) If you live far away from your parents/loved ones, have a credit card that’s used just for emergency travel.

5.) Find out your employer’s rules for family leave and get to know these four letters: FMLA, which stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act.

And finally for you:  Buy a long-term care insurance policy NOW. My parents had no such option when they were our age as this insurance is relatively new. Any policy they could buy now wouldn’t be worth it due to their age and premium cost. Before I turned 41, I purchased a policy that’s $656 a year and covers me for $675,000 of care. DO IT!

Last Will and Embezzlement

Excerpt from: Terra Nova Films (click for more information)

 

"Of all the illegal and illicit enterprises in the world, elder exploitation is among the safest and most profitable.  It's a criminal's dream..." - from the DVD

Financial elder abuse can happen to anyone...anywhere...anytime.  These facts lay the groundwork for this riveting film as it exposes the global problem of financial elder abuse and its growing impact on a rapidly-aging population.  It identifies why many older adults become vulnerable, tactics perpetrators use to gain trust, and what families and professionals can do to help protect loved ones and older adults in their care from financial abuse.

It also documents two hard-to-forget stories of exploitation:

• Producer Pamela S. K. Glasner shares how her parents' life savings were embezzled by a man who insinuated himself into their lives, and her attempts to set things right.
• Hollywood icon, Mickey Rooney, tells how he lost millions of dollars through a trusted family member.

A must-see resource for seniors, baby boomers, their adult children, caregivers and service providers in all disciplines and walks of life.

 This is a Single-site license item - each organization/location must purchase its own copy.

Exclusively distributed by Terra Nova Films.

Release date 2012

How to Reduce the Risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases

Excerpt from: WhatDisability.com (click for full article)

 

Many genetic and environmental risks lead to contracting Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, but early recognition and natural preventative measures have been shown to delay and even halt their progression.

 

The following are 6 tips to reduce the risks:

1) Decrease (or eliminate) NSAIDs

2) Eliminate gluten consumption

3) Decrease copper intake

4) Increase dietary cysteine

5) Increase zinc consumption

6) Increase dietary anti-oxidants