Here are a few things you can work on:
1. Have her go to a doctor and get a complete physical and mental health evaluation to see if she is capable of taking care of herself, and talk to the doctor directly to discuss their findings and have them make recommendations.
2. Hire a Geriatric Care Specialist (also called Aging Life Care Specialist) in…[Read more]

Two common strategies that are recommended to work with dementia are validation and redirection. An example of validation is when your Dad is waiting for your mom. You could start with validating that he is missing his wife, and ask him to tell you some things he likes about her. If you can get him to start talking about her, he might start…[Read more]

Caregiver support groups could be very helpful to you – look for one in your area, local hospitals or seniors center might post information about them. An online resource is National Caregiver Alliance, https://www.caregiver.org/.

Other places to look for help are:
• Family members or friends who will listen without judgment
• Your churc…[Read more]

Medicaid is a federal program, administered individually by each state, that provides medical benefits for seniors and others with low-income and few assets. In every state, Medicaid pays the cost of care in a nursing facility for someone eligible for the program. There’s no Medicaid rule that requires a state Medicaid program to pay for assisted…[Read more]

There might be a way that your mother will still qualify for Medicaid coverage even though her income is above the Medicaid income guidelines in your state. You need to contact your State Medical Assistance Office to see if they can find a way to help you – there are several ways you may still qualify for Medicaid coverage. Such as:
1. If you are…[Read more]

You do need to research home care agencies to find one that has good quality home care and meets your needs. Interview the agency to find out whether the services you need are included, staff training and expertise, and your medical coverage of the needed services. Check with your doctor, social worker, or hospital discharge planner about home…[Read more]

The frontal lobes of the brain are significantly impacted in Alzheimer’s disease as well as other dementia’s. The frontal lobes serve as our filter between thought and action. When this part of the brain is damaged, then reactions to thoughts as well as environmental cues and frustrations are affected. Repetition and obsessing about certain a…[Read more]

Sundowner’s Syndrome is the name given to a dementia-related condition that causes symptoms of agitation and confusion after sundown, when the sun starts to set. These symptoms appear in people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. About 1 of 5 people with dementia or Alzheimer’s gets Sundowner’s symptoms. Some people…[Read more]

There are many types of rubber mats you can buy to put by his bed to prevent falls.
Here is a link to one website that offers different types of rugs: The rug needs to be non-slip and non-skip.
http://www.easierliving.com/all-products/fall-management/floor-mats

I have also seen similar rugs on Amazon.com – Look for rubber mats that are n…[Read more]

Many older people lose track of time and become anxious and confused when they don’t remember what time it is or if it is day or night. Clocks help reduce anxiety about the time of day and will be a reminder for your Dad to get up, eat, or watch his favorite TV show, but you need one that he can easily see. You might need clocks in multiple r…[Read more]