A Great Time to Be A Caregiver

"The Great Recession," as it's now dubbed, has affected all of us in one way or another. The healthcare industry, especially home care, is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. Employment statistics show the caregiving profession grew 26% from 1996 to 2006, thanks to aging baby boomers and the 85+ group, which is the fastest growing segment of the population. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, caregiving is the second fastest growing occupation in the country, and is projected to grow by 51% between 2006 and 2016. This is due to a multitude of factors, which primarily include the ability to treat and manage many health conditions at home with the help of a professionally trained aide, and elders increasing desire to remain in their homes where they can keep control and independance in their lives.

Caregivers provide a greatly needed relief to family caregivers, a consistant source of companionship to elders, and expert skills assisting with activities of daily living, all combined with a warm, friendly touch. These factors and more make staying at home the most appealing option to elders, vs. relocating to an assisted or skilled nursing facility. These labor statistics further prove that not only is professional caregiving an honored occupation, it is in great need and promises to be a wise career choice for years to come.

You can read more about professional caregiving and the nations employment outlook in the March issue of Caring Magazine.

Quality of Life Programs

Elder Care Guides is happy to promote two special programs created for people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's Disease. These wonderful programs were developed by the University of California, San Diego's Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in collaboration with Elder Care Guides, Senior Life Assistance, The San Diego Museum of Art, Mingei International Museum, Timken Museum of Art and the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

The Out and About Program is a series of eight weekly outings, including lunches, that offer opportunities for socialization, learning and a feeling of independence for those with early stage Alzheimer's. The groups have various meet-up spots throughout San Diego county. They offer a variety of experiences for example; touring a museum, attending IMAX movies or even visiting the Chula Vista Nature Center.
All outings have a docent who knows how to conduct the group by providing information in an informative yet understandable way . The camaraderie that develops among the participants is probably the most beneficial aspect of these outings, knowing that they can share some of their fears and concerns in a safe and welcoming environment.
For the participant's safety, Outing Coordinators drive the them to all destinations. There is a cost which covers all entrance fees, lunches and mileage.

Another Quality of Life Program is called Memories at the Museums. This program allows the person with Alzheimer's and an accompanying family member or friend to tour one of four participating museums in Balboa Park and then discuss their experiences. This stimulates both the visual and verbal abilities of the of the participants and allows for cultural expressions.
Memories at the Museum is on the second Friday of each month from 2:00-3:00. Admission and tours are free of charge but registration is required.

For more information on either of these Quality Programs please call Lisa Snyder at the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at (858)622-5800.

The Power of Purpose

The February issue of HR Magazine hit the nail on the head with Haley Rushing's article, "Managing with the Power of Purpose." The central theme of the article suggests that a successful career and a successful business begin with a sense of purpose for what the employees are doing. Yes, the goal of any business is to make money. However, unless the employee working for that business believes in what they are doing, and are inspired by the goals and objectives of the business, the profit will not come.

Elder Care Guides is proud of our mission statement, which centers on bringing purpose to our clients and employees:

We better the lives of elders in San Diego County living with functional impairments by providing professional care management services that center on the goals of the individual, and foster within the elder a lifelong sense of purpose. We believe that:

• by cultivating every client’s unique sense of purpose, we help them develop a meaningful elderhood with a high quality of life.
• by identifying and reinforcing the strengths of our clients, we promote the development of healthy relationships of interdependence amongst the elder, their family, and other supports.
• our employees are fundamental to our success, and their full engagement enhances the services we provide.
• professional caregivers who are employed by an agency and work as a team with a geriatric care manager deliver the best outcomes for our clients.
• the standards and ethics of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers provide a solid foundation for our clinical and business practices.

Defining a company culture begins with the company's purpose. Key questions the Rushing article posed include:

• Why does the organization exist?
• What difference is the organization making in people's lives?
• What do the employees strive for, and do their goals match the organizations goals?

Employees are an organization's most important clients. Guiding employees to define their own sense of purpose, then showing them how their desires align with the companies mission and vision is the central component of a successful business. Master that connection, and the revenue will follow.

Elder Abuse and Insurance Fraud

Elder abuse comes in many forms and is often accomplished by individuals who ingratiate themselves with their victims. As in any business there are trustworthy professionals and there are those who scam the public. Many elderly have savings that they wish to safely invest for their future needs but they can be swayed by those they trust to give over their savings for investment purposes created by their "friendly" insurance agent. There is an article that was brought to my attention, written by Elizabeth Furnari, Deputy District Attorney - Insurance Fraud Division of the San Diego District Attorney's Office. She points out that being aware of the different types of insurance and annuity scams is the first step in protecting yourself. http://www.sdcda.org/files/conartists.pdf . Also the The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has created a "Senior Insurance Bill of Rights" which provides a list of precautions to take when purchasing any type of insurance policy and the regulations that protect those rights. http://www.insurance.ca.gov.
There is so much information being provided for the protection of the general public but so many times it is ignored or missed altogether. We at Elder Care Guides try to provide this forum as another way to share information and in doing so we can enlighten and hopefully protect someone from becoming a victim.

Working with Registered Dietitians

Many people think of registered dietitians as individuals who work only in school or hospital settings. Did you know that a dietitian can help you improve your overall nutrition; maintain, gain or lose weight; or manage the symptoms of a chronic illness like irritable bowel syndrome or kidney disease? Since many older adults suffer from nutrition problems, including unhealthy weight gain or loss, dietitians are a valuable resource for our clients and their families.

A registered dietitian (RD) is an individual who has at minimum earned a bachelor's degree with coursework that has been approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Specific areas of study include: food and nutrition sciences; sociology; biochemistry; and physiology. An RD student must also complete an approved practice program at a health care facility, community agency or food service company. To become a registered dietitian, one must also pass an examination and seek continuing education credits. According to the ADA, over 50% of Registered Dietitians hold advanced degrees. They may also earn specialized certification in areas such as pediatric nutrition or diabetic care.

What is the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian? Different states have varying requirements regarding who can call themselves a "nutritionist," however, the "RD" credential is a legally protected title that can only be used by practitioners who are authorized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

I recently became aware of the benefits of working with registered dietitians through personal experience as well as with one of my clients. I worked with an RD to obtain and analyze lab results that revealed vitamin deficiencies; determine my Body Mass Index (a reliable indicator of body fat); and create a meal plan to help me reach my nutrition goals. I referred one of my clients to an RD to help address gastrointestinal symptoms including constipation, gas and upset stomach. The dietitian recommended specific foods, as well as nutritional supplements and digestive enzymes to help ease my client's symptoms. She has also provided ongoing education and support to my client and her care team.

To find a registered dietitian near you, and to read more about nutrition and disease prevention, you can go to the website of the American Dietetic Association.

Elder Abuse and Insurance

Elder abuse comes in many forms and is often accomplished by individuals who ingratiate themselves with their victims. As in any business there are trustworthy professionals and there are those who scam the public.

Many elderly have savings that they wish to safely invest for their future needs but they can be swayed by those they trust to give over their savings for investment purposes created by their "friendly" insurance agent.

There is an article that was brought to my attention, written by Elizabeth Furnari, Deputy District Attorney - Insurance Fraud Division of the San Diego District Attorney's Office. She points out that being aware of the different types of insurance and annuity scams is the first step in protecting yourself. http://www.sdcda.org/files/conartists.pdf. Also the The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has created a "Senior Insurance Bill of Rights" which provides a list of precautions to take when purchasing any type of insurance policy and the regulations that protect those rights. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/

There is so much information being provided for the protection of the general public but so many times it is ignored or missed altogether. We at Elder Care Guides try to provide this forum as another way to share information and in doing so we can enlighten and hopefully protect someone from becoming a victim.

Elder Care: An Employee Benefit

Until recently, day care for children and personal illness have been the major recognized reasons employees need to take excessive time off from work. But what about elder care? Here comes that word again, the sandwich generation, where adults are not only caring for their young children, but their aging parents as well. Being pulled in many different directions affects employees health and well-being, which has a negative impact on productivity, motivation, and health care costs to an organization. Additionally, employees who provide elder care contribute to work interruptions, and unpaid leave. Experts estimate 60% of Americans providing care for someone 50 or older are employed.

Federal law mandates a leave to care for an ill family member, known as the Family Medical Leave Act, and employers are now looking at elder care benefits as a retention tool, in preparation for economic recovery and the accompanying employee turnover expected over the next few years. Many companies have employee assistance programs, which now include more elder care friendly options, such as help with legal and financial issues related to elder care, medical decision support, and even geriatric care management assistance.

Other retention strategies that encompass elder care are those more commonly thought of for child care, but make the transition easily. These strategies include flexible scheduling, paid personal leave days, telecommuting, and job sharing. So, if you find yourself struggling to balance work and elder care, suggest some of these options to your employer, and stress the benefits to the business they will bring. If your employer values retention and high employee morale, these options should be strongly considered.