Alzheimer's Care Resource Center
October 2013 
In This Issue
Connect With Us
Don't Be Spooked by Planning for Long-Term Care
Lottery Pumpkin Tree Raffle
Fall Prevention
Moving Mom and Dad
Caregiver Support Groups
Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's Sold Here
A Few Words from our Clients
October Events Calendar
Caregiver Cottage Programs
Connect With Us!
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Greetings!

Our newsletter is filled with information on some of the wonderful services we offer to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairment.  

This month we will be bringing you some great tips via our Monday Mojo and Wednesday Workshops!  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don't miss a thing! And remember to check-out our Events Calendar.
 
As always, our team is here, whenever you are ready to relax, renew and reach-out!
Have a wonderful day!
Don't Be Spooked by Planning for Long-Term Care
No one wants to think about a time when they might need long-term care. Planning ahead for this possibility often gets put off. Most people learn about long-term care when they or a loved one is already in need of care. Once a healthcare crisis occurs, options are often limited, especially if one was not prepared for the occurrence. Planning ahead allows you to have more control over your future.

Planning ahead also helps you to understand what service options are available in your community, what special conditions may apply for receiving services i.e. age or other eligibility criteria, what services cost, and what payment options- public or private- apply. Having this information helps ensure you will have a range of options when you need long-term care, and makes it more likely that you will have more choices and control over where and how you receive services.

Long-Term Care: Why Planning is So Important

Planning ahead is important because the cost of long-term care services often exceeds what the average person can pay from income and other resources. By planning ahead, you may be able to save your assets and income for uses other than long-term care, including preserving the quality of life for your spouse or other loved ones. With planning, there is a greater likelihood of being able to leave an estate to your heirs, because you are less likely to use up your financial resources paying for care.

Planning ahead also means less emotional and financial stress on you and your family. It can provide a way to involve your family in decisions without depending on them to bear the entire burden alone.

Finally, for many people, one of the most important advantages of planning ahead is to ensure greater independence should you need care. Your choices for receiving care outside of a facility and being able to stay at home or receive services in the community for as long as possible are greater if you have planned ahead.

About 70% of people over the age of 65 require some form of care and the likelihood of needing care increases as you age. Call the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center today to speak with a Geriatric Care Manager!

(561) 588-4545
(855) 476-7600
Lottery Pumpkin Tree Raffle
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Fall Prevention

Fall prevention may not seem like a lively topic, but it's important and should be discussed. As you get older, physical changes and health conditions - and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions - make falls more likely. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Still, the fear of falling doesn't need to rule your life. Instead, consider six simple fall-prevention strategies.

 

1. Speak with your Doctor

You should begin your fall prevention by making an appointment with your doctor.

  

2. Keep Yourself Moving

Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. With your doctor's OK, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi - a gentle exercise that involves slow and graceful dance-like movements. Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

 3. Wear the Correct Shoes

Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. So can walking in your socks. Instead:

  • Have your feet measured each time you buy shoes, since foot size can change.
  • Buy properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles.
  • Avoid shoes with extra-thick soles.
  • Choose lace-up shoes instead of slip-ons, and keep the laces tied. 
4. Remove Hazards in the Home

Evaluate the things around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with hazards. To make your home safer:

  • Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
  • Remove loose rugs from your home.
  • Repair loose, wooden floorboards and carpeting right away.
  • Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food.
  • Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower.
5. Lighting Up Your Living Space

Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Also:

  • Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways.
  • Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.
  • Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages.
6. Use Assistive Devices

Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices can help, too. For example:

  • Hand rails for both sides of stairways
  • A raised toilet seat or one with armrests
  • Grab bars for the shower or tub

 

 To learn more about fall prevention, visit our website at www.AlzheimersCareResourceCenter.org or call us at (561) 588-4545

for a free in-home assessment.

 

Moving Mom and Dad
Watch as Kortney discusses a few simple tips and tricks on "Moving Mon and Dad".
Moving Mom and Dad
Caregiver Support Groups

Caring for someone that has Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other cognitive impairment is hard. Our support groups are attended by caregivers who are struggling with all kinds of different challenges and emotions.

 

Our West Palm Beach area Alzheimer's caregiver support groups are different! Our caregivers are able to come together and share in a warm, relaxed and nurturing environment. 

 

Caregiver Support Group- Every Tuesday 10am-12pm

Call (561) 588-4545 to Register for the Caregiver Support Group

 

We also offer a monthly telephone support group for all Alzheimer's caregivers who are either unable to attend in person, or live out of State.

 

Please check out our Calendar of Events to find a support group or Caregiver Cottage Program that interests you, or call us to register at 561-588-4545!
  
Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's Sold Here

The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center has been teaching Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Education to family caregivers since February of 2003. Our Alzheimer's Caregiver DVD Series provides education, tips and techniques for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's, dementia or other memory impairment.

 

Whether you are looking for information on managing difficult behaviors or struggling with communicating with the Alzheimer's patient, you will find an educational DVD that will help and that you can watch in the comfort of your own home.

 

We have recently expanded the Alzheimer's / dementia specific educational services we offer to include topics that are important to caregivers and families suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairments.

 
Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's, Shop Here! 
 
 
A Few Words from our Clients
Dear Alzheimer's Care Resource Center,
 
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful care you provided to my father and mother during the past year. I can't speak highly enough of your dedication, expertise, responsiveness and compassion in dealing with our family.At every hurdle, every medical emergency, every bump in the road, you were there doing what you do best.If there are Angels on Earth, Maria R. undoubtedly has her wings. She took excellent care of both my parents in their time of need and always went the extra mile to make sure they were comfortable and had their needs met. She did this with compassion and love and my parents felt immediately at ease with her and thought of her as more family than employee.

I will ways be grateful to you for helping our family when we couldn't be there and offering respite even when we were.  As a health care professional who is well aware off all the difficulties inherent in our field, I would wholeheartedly recommend your services to anyone who is looking for compassionate, gentle and expert care.


Sincerely, 


D. McKinney, MD

 

Read more testimonials here!
October Events Calendar
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About Us
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The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center is the only non-profit organization in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin county focused strictly on meeting the needs of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers. We are so excited that we can bring these wonderful programs and services to the community and further our mission of helping caregivers to relax, renew and reach-out to help meet their own unique self-care needs. 
 
 
You can reach us at 561-588-4545 or visit our website at www.AlzheimersCareResourceCenter.org

  

Sincerely,

 

Alzheimer's Care Resource Center