Silver Planet™ Help Your Parents Age in Place.

In the halls of the nation’s businesses, the hushed whispers once reserved for gossip and Monday morning quarterbacking now echo the despair that stressed-out women are feeling in their role as caregivers. While a growing percentage of today’s caregivers are men, the role is still largely filled by women. Male management does not have the tools to adequately discuss and remedy what could be considered the new “female problem” in the workplace.

With the first of the baby boomer generation turning 60, the “silver tsunami” is upon us, and working caregivers are being faced with the added responsibility of caring for aging parents or other loved ones. What was once referred to as the “sandwich generation” is now becoming the “club sandwich generation.” Those in the 35–55 age group are sandwiched between caring for their own families and assuming the responsibility of caring for aging parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles—all while working full time.

Move over “aging in place” and make room for “polypharmacy,” the newest buzz phrase in the senior services industry. Polypharmacy generally refers to the use of multiple medications by a patient, often when they are not clinically warranted. Many seniors have multiple physicians who might not be aware of all the medications each patient is taking. When a new prescription is written without that knowledge, harmful drug interactions or changes in effectiveness could occur.

The veterans of our country are entitled to health benefit programs from the federal government. However, few take advantage of the Non-Service Connected Improved Pension Benefit, commonly referred to as the Aid and Attendance benefits program. The program’s purpose is to assist veterans, as well as their spouses or widows, with paying their out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Veteran Affairs (VA) considers the program one of the department’s most underutilized offerings. Here’s why: most veterans do not know about it or how to apply.

Often, an Aging with Grace eldercare specialist will be asked, “If I sign the monthly agreement for my parents’ assisted living community, will I be responsible if they run out of money?” The answer is no. Debt is nontransferable from your parents to you, even if you are the person designated with power of attorney. The exception would be if you co-signed a bank loan, auto loan, or something similar that would list you as co-debtor.

If you don’t think you can dance into your 80s—or if you can and would like to see some impressive moves—get a load of this grandma dancing the salsa.

Don’t be fooled by the beginning. As for more information about this 80-something or her partner, an Internet search provided no clues. Just sit back and enjoy!

[video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkHvRCp3z5A]

By Rita Files
Aging with Grace Blog

As a fan of the show ER from the very first episode, I was of course glued to the TV for the finale. If you were one of the many who tuned in for the last episode, you were more than likely touched by the scene between the elderly couple who had known each other since first grade. The tenderness of the scene where the husband asks the emergency room doctor to do something, to do more, brought tears to my eyes.

During these tough economic times, more and more stressed caregivers are gravitating to the Web for help and guidance. With the plethora of “free” Internet referral, placement, and resource directories for families in search of eldercare products, home care services, and assisted living facilities, it is important to know exactly how these businesses make their money and how it might affect you and your loved one in the end.

Just as music can take us back to different times in our lives, so can words.

Last week, I walked into my favorite nail salon to get a mani/pedi, and sitting there waiting was an elderly woman and her middle-aged daughter. I’m guessing that the woman was mid-80s and the daughter late 50s or early 60s. As I was “soaking,” I overheard the mom say to the daughter, “When we leave here, I want to go to Macy’s and get a housecoat.”

Throughout the years of working in the eldercare industry, I have had the good fortune to meet a handful of people who have positively impacted my life on both a personal and professional level. The lessons I learned from them have changed my view on my own “golden” years and the true meaning of the quality of life.