Debra Levy Quoted in The Washington Post

I want to share with you that I was quoted in a Washington Post column by Petula Dvorak, which appeared on the front page of the August 16, 2011 Metro section. It followed a tragic article about a retired White House professional who evidently suffered from mental illness and died of heat exposure after years of self-neglect. Despite persistent calls to the D.C. government from long-distance family members and a concerned neighbor, no one intervened.

It's not clear that a professional geriatric care manager could have made a difference, but I wish that we had had a chance to try. I'm sure I'm not alone in believing that this death could have been prevented, and that we need to be persistent in seeking help for people in similar circumstances. In many of the cases we see, there are family members involved, but they still may be struggling to provide care to mentally impaired relatives in very challenging situations. We need to let them know that support is available, and help them understand when and how they should intervene with their loved ones at risk.

Further information about available help for seniors at risk can be found on the website of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Debra Levy Eldercare Associates, LLC

11120 New Hampshire AvenuewSuite 505wSilver Spring MD 20904