Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Nursing Home Staff

REcently Abbey Therapeutics and Retirement Concepts had some kind of difference, which somehow led to the letting go of staff at three care facilities.

It is not generally known that staffing for nursing homes in BC is not based on an equal playing field, even for those receiving funding from the government. Different facilities receive different amounts of money for residents. There is also a different formula for those using contracted services and those using Health Employees Unions services. This means that residents are not getting the same access all over the province.

Combine this with funding going to profits, non profits, and Health Authority owned facilities and what do you get? Well, profits have to come from somewhere. And Health authority facilities have less structure to care for than non connected, non profits. So............... again, residents get the shaft.

For a starter--ALL residences should be funded at the same level for the same services they provide.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Financial Abuse of Seniors

This from a note from a client of mine re his relative:

"when I showed up just before lunch today, she was in the middle of a harrangue from a woman from one of those charities that have been sucking her dry for all these years. It sounded like my aunt was trying to get a word in edgewise but wasn't having much luck. I decided to pick up the other phone and the first words I hear are, '...but Mrs. --, the children need....' "

Lucky for my client, her money is being handled by a power of attorney, not by her.

This is a prime example of the risk seniors are at from "legitimate" charities. Legitimate? Maybe. Ethical? Not at all.

In July, 2008, I wrote about this in my newsletter, Elder Voice. Here is the link:

http://www.diamondgeriatrics.com/newsletter/newsletter-July08.html

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Friday, October 16, 2009

Residential Care Beds

Fraser Health authority is cutting back on the number of temporary beds they bought in various facilities. that means, of course those people in those beds will get priority in the regular beds. that means, that the people waiting on transfer lists,will have to wait even longer.

Does it mean that the number of additional beds that the Liberals promised is now going down?

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Heat and Hydration

We all know that the elderly are especially prone to dehydration, and with the heat, this is even more of a concern. The advice we normally hear or give is "drink plenty of liquids."

However, remember that hydration can also be accomplished through foods like a yogourt, apple sauce, jellos, etc. These can be diluted with water, juice, a little meal replacement such as Boost or Ensure. The idea is that sometimes people do not like to drink additional fluids, but will take them in other forms.

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009

HBO Series on Alzheimers

The following is from the Gilbert Guide Newsletter. If you don't subscribe to it, you might want to start.

New Light on Alzheimer’s Disease
INSIDER TIP: Caregivers can find new perspectives on the Alzheimer’s condition and treatment with an HBO-original documentary miniseries that is available to everyone.

Beginning May 10th, HBO will broadcast a new miniseries based on the accounts of those with Alzheimer’s disease and those whose lives are touched by their condition. The 4-part miniseries is the cornerstone in an overall effort to raise awareness and increase public understanding of the disease that will also involve a public awareness campaign and book. HBO is ensuring that the series can be viewed by all—even if a person does not have HBO. Cox Communications for digital cable subscribers can find it On-Demand for free. Portions of each show will appear on YouTube, iTunes, MySpace and Facebook —and the entire series will be available on HBO.com in installments beginning May 8. The series is also available for purchase. Each episode will approach Alzheimer’s disease from a different perspective:

The Memory Loss Tapes. This introductory episode presents the stories of several people with Alzheimer’s, shedding light on the disease by showing it through the unique perspective of the person living with the disease.
Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? Hosted by Maria Shriver and based on her book, What’s Happening to Grandpa?, this segment aims to help children and teens to cope with Alzheimer’s disease in their families and understand how it can affect their loved ones.
Caregivers. This segment presents five stories of caregivers working with seniors in various stages of the disease.
Momentum in Science. This two-part installment is the hopeful core of the series, spotlighting various clinics and laboratories to showcase the latest advances and research in Alzheimer’s treatment and the search for a cure.
The material for the miniseries is drawn from recent research, personal accounts of the disease, and a new HBO-commissioned Alzheimer’s Survey inspecting the impact of Alzheimer’s disease in America.

Refresher: HBO’s new documentary series offers new insight on Alzheimer’s disease for today’s caregivers and future generations.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Re: Prescriptions for those 80 and older are 5 times norm

Below is a copy of an email I sent to the Vancouver Sun letters page, following their article on Seniors and medication use:

To the Editor:

The issue of medications and Seniors is greater than just the number who are hospitalized due to adverse reactions from multiple medications. For one, complicated medication regimes make it less likely that medications will be taken as prescribed . This is especially true for Seniors who have some cognitive impairment. They miss doses or take too many, leading to toxicity, delirium, falls, and other dangers. Many older people will cut down on medications because of the costs, they do not know about Fair Pharma-care or that they can ask for generic equivalents. Sometimes people do not understand why they are taking medications and so will stop, or stop when they feel better. Also, people will take supplements, vitamins, or other over the counter medications and not tell their physicians; not realizing that their can be serious interactions with the prescribed medications. Some things that can help:

1. Always review with a pharmacist all medications being taken and diagnoses.
2. Always ask about, and be aware of potential side effects.
3. Keep a list of medications and diagnoses, bring it when you go to a specialist, and make sure your family doctor knows about all medications you have been prescribed.
4.. If someone is having trouble remembering to take pills, medications can be bubble packed and labeled. There are also medication dispensing machines, some with verbal reminders to take medications.
5. Family members should monitor that medications are being taken correctly by reviewing with elderly relatives and actually looking at the medications.
6. There are several online websites that can be used so that consumers can see for themselves potential side effects.
7. If there are concerns about memory impairment and home functioning, have an assessment. Talk to your local health authority, hire a professional Care Manager or home support help who can help people manage at home.

Peter Silin, MSW, RSW

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Amica at Arbutus Manor

I had a tour of Amica at Arbutus Manor yesterday. I was very pleasantly impressed with the outlook of Andy Walker, the General Manager and the atmosphere at the Residence. I very much had a feeling that it was not just a job, but the caring came from the heart. They are doing some renovations and the completed areas are bright and calming, and there are some very nice public spaces and gardens.They have a good selection of exercise equipment, and a large room where they do exercises. Now, if they would only invite me to lunch or dinner, I could tell you how the food was.....