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Dancing with Parkinson's, curing Alzheimer's, connecting healthcare and Hilarity for Charity made October a busy month as researchers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and comedians join forces to improve the lives of others. New families continue to reach out to Circle of Life Partners for guidance, inspiring us by their resilience. Finding the right resources is always a challenge; this month I've highlighted a few you may want to consider. You may also enjoy my recent article about what immigrants teach us about aging in place.
Keep well and in touch,
Janet
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Safety & Mobility
Forty percent of hospitalizations are caused by falls, so home safety is a priority for your loved ones. Mobility is equally important. Many communities have services like those offered by friends Linda and Bill Bohmbach of Home Healthsmith™ in Rhode Island.
If you want to help low-income seniors remain in their homes, consider supporting the non-profit Rebuilding Together. Watch this video to learn more.
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 Who's Driving Tonight?
While the driverless cars championed by Google may soon be in our driveways, most seniors rely on family, friends and neighbors or services through their local Council on Aging. The Independent Transportation Network offers another solution providing door-to-door transportation in many communities across America. Click here to find a location near you. Volunteers bank their own driving hours to be drawn down in the future when they need to stop driving themselves. |
Moving at any age is a challenge, but moving Mom or Grandpa from a home filled with a lifetime of memories is uniquely difficult. The National Association of Senior Movers
whose empathy and skills can ease the transition for all. Healthy boomers have discovered senior movers as a fabulous resource for their own mid-life moves, a trend sure to continue.
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 Housing Assistance
Are you looking for help sorting through housing choices? Some families use professional care managers who know intimately each of the local communities; their code of ethics does not allow them to accept referral fees from the communities they recommend. A different service is offered by organizations like friends Alyson Powers at 2Sisters or David Robinson of Always Best Care; they help families select a community free of charge and they are compensated by the community upon its selection. A third approach is one offered by A Place for Mom. They work with families free of charge but receive referral fees from each of the communities they recommend whether or not the senior moves in. All three approaches are used successfully by families to find the right community for themselves or a loved one.
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And, the Final Word
Brace yourself. Atul Gawande's new book, Being Mortal, will bring the topic of end-of-life conversations into your news feed for a while. Like the Conversation Project and 5 Wishes, Dr. Gawande tackles a difficult topic with insight and compassion. At the risk of ending on a serious note, you may want to read my living will here. My children call me Maxine.
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