Preferred Lifestyle Services

1. What is the most important step I can take to help me survive as an Alzheimer’s (AD) caregiver? Education, Education, Education. It is impossible to overestimate the benefits of professional guidance for AD caregivers. The fastest road to maintaining your health and your family’s quality of life is to seek help from professionals who are experts in AD behavior and family needs. Begin your education now: • What is Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? AD is a progressive, incurable, neurological disease and the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Current treatment options offer hope for slowing the progression of the disease; there are no known cures. • Stay alert for Ageism: The assumption that dementia + old age = Alzheimer’s may prevent treatment for the more than 50 treatable or reversible illnesses that exhibit dementia symptoms. • Insist on Thorough Testing: Nothing is more important than an early, accurate diagnosis which is only available from thorough testing by a Boa

Dear Eldercare 911, I changed so much in the years I spent caring for my father. It’s not just that I’m older. That doesn’t thrill me, but I can handle it. My problem is I no longer know who I am—or even who I was. I was devastated and had no enthusiasm for anything for almost a year after Pop died. I’ve never experienced pain like that. I finally got grief counseling and it helped me work through my feelings. I had no idea death could be so complicated. Last week I timidly called an old friend and had lunch with her. It had been years since we spent time together and we were both looking forward to our reunion. It was awful. I know nothing of her ‘normal’ world of shopping, restaurants, and lunches with friends. I haven’t been to the movies in years (I don’t know one show from the other) and my vacation isn’t ‘all set.’ All I know is diapers, doctors, medicines, wheelchairs, and hospitals. When I returned home I realized that my house still ‘smells’ like sickness.

Wealth is Not a Barrier to Abuse and Exploitation—it's an invitation If you believe your parent or client is insulated from Abuse and Exploitation,, think again. Studies estimate that more than 2.5 million older people each year are injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection, with 90% of the abuse committed by a perpetrator known to the elderly victim. If you find those estimates horrifying, you'll find reality even more chilling: • For every 1 case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reported to authorities, about five more go unreported. 2 • In the year 2000, estimates put the overall reporting of financial exploitation at only 1 in 25 cases, suggesting that there may be at least 5 million financial abuse victims each year. 3 The numbers are certainly higher today. • Data of domestic elder abuse suggests that only 1 in 14 incidents excluding (excluding self neglect) come to the attention of authorities.

Now what…? “I can’t believe I’m actually deserting Mom, but I can’t take the stress anymore. No matter how many times I say, ‘Mom, I’ll do that’ or ‘Mom, I’ll take that over’ she says, ’I don’t need help.’’ Yesterday I said, “I know you’re sick and in pain.” She yelled back, ‘so what? I’m not an infant! I can do things for myself. It’s your constant interference that’s making me sick.’ She threw me out and told me to not come back until I changed my attitude. Attitude change? I’m 53, not 12! It’s too toxic; whatever happens, she’s on her own.” My vote: I’m with Mom on this one. I’ve always thought “Why do parents refuse help?” is the wrong question. New attitude: We might be more s