Best Care for Geriatric Dogs
So how old is old? And is the one human year equals 7 dog years classic actually accurate? The reality is dogs are thought to be seniors at different ages depending on size and breed. Enormous breed dogs are usually considered senior at age 6 or seven years while many little breeds reach senior standing in their teen years. Usually dogs that are 7 years or older should be thought about for geriatric monitoring and a consultation with your vet is in order.
Signs of an Old Dog
As your dog ages, there are a few things you’ll start to observe.
Slowing Down
Hearing Loss
Clouded or Bluish Eyes
Muscle Atrophy
Following are suggestions of more serious problems. If you notice any of these signs you need to take your dog into the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Arthritic agony
Bad dog breath or Bleeding Gums
Unexpected Blindness, Hearing Impairment, Head tilt / Staggering
Change in Weight or Appetite
Change in Urine Output or Thirst
Cognitive Dysfunction
Alopecia / Itchy Skin
What can you do to keep your senior dog comfortable?
Keeping up with regular vet visits is significant during your dog’s senior years. And there are tons of things you can do at home to help them be more comfy.
Rest is crucial for older dogs. Try a soft comfy orthopedic bed.
To avoid extra muscle and joint strain, try using raised food and water dishes.
Joint supplements can help maintain healthier joints.
Senior dogs can easily become frightened or scared of serious noises, kids, crowds or other animals. Take care to avoid exposing your senior dog to intense circumstances. And you might need to think about using a relaxing supplement or relaxing aid during certain stressful times.
To ease digestion problems, try making the switch to a holistic grain free dog food and enzymes and probiotics.
Generally older dogs aren’t as active, so relax when it comes to the time period of exercise and play.
As your dog ages it is really important to grasp the results of age on their vitality. You will need to adjust some of your care and habits as time rolls by. And stay watchful for early signs of more significant problems. Most of all stay up on regular trips to your vet. For a great selection of geriatric dog supplies go to KVSupply.com.
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Geriatric Care Management a Viable Career Option for Private Duty Home Care Industry
Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) March 30, 2010
An estimated 46 million Americans – or one in five adults – provide unpaid care to a loved one valued at a staggering $ 306 billion each year. With experts predicting that healthcare will generate three million new jobs between 2006 and 2016, there is a growing need for professionals capable of coordinating care for the nation’s booming elder population.
Linda Fodrini-Johnson, president of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), recently spoke about opportunities in geriatric care management at the National Private Duty Association’s (NPDA) 8th Annual Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. Geriatric care management is a field that private duty homecare providers (which include home health aides, companion care and case management) are finding to be an increasingly viable career option.
“With the influx of the Baby Boom population, we’re moving into a new era of healthcare,” said Fodrini-Johnson. “Consumers will need an expert around to help them navigate the maze of public and private sector programs, lighten the burden on caregivers and protect the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Professional geriatric care managers have been educated in various fields of human services — social work, psychology, nursing, gerontology — and trained to assess, plan, coordinate, monitor and provide services for the elderly and their families. Serving as guide and advocate, they assist with all aspects of chronic care, from assessment of an aging parent’s needs to addressing the changing life needs of a family affected by chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease or other types of dementia. Private duty home care agencies, on the other hand, provide home care aides, companion care, homemaker services or nursing services in the client’s home or place of residence. The cost for private duty home care is typically covered through long-term care insurance benefits, out-of-pocket, or other types of savings arrangements.
Fodrini-Johnson said private duty homecare agencies could benefit from having a professional geriatric care manager on staff. (More about integrating geriatric care management into the private duty homecare agency.)
“The GCM adds a professional component to any private duty homecare agency and it makes the business more attractive to consumers,” she said. “In addition, professional geriatric care managers can help assess new clients to ensure they’re not a risk. It’s really a win-win and it adds value and diversification to the agency.”
Visit here for more information about elder care careers in the geriatric care management industry or the NAPGCM’s new membership categories.
ABOUT NAPGCM
Based in Tucson, AZ, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) was formed in 1985 to advance dignified care for older adults and their families. Geriatric Care Managers are professionals who have extensive training and experience working with older people, people with disabilities and families who need assistance with caregiving issues. They assist older adults who wish to remain in their homes, or can help families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. The practice of geriatric care management and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad. For more information please visit http://www.caremanager.org.
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The Value Of Geriatric Care Management Services
Also known as Geriatric Care, Elder Care or Aging Care Managers, a Geriatric Care Manager Specialist represents a growing trend to help full time, employed family caregivers provide care for loved ones living close by or needing long-distance care. Care managers are also particularly useful in helping caregivers at home find the right services and cope with their burden. Let’s look at a hypothetical example to see how valuable care managers can be.
Mary is caring for her husband at home. Because of diabetes her husband has severe neuropathy in his legs and feet and it is difficult for him to walk. He also has diabetic retinopathy and cannot see very well. Mary has difficulty getting her husband out of bed, bathed and dressed. She relies on her son who lives nearby to help her manage her husband’s care.
On the advice of a friend Mary is told about a care manager, Susan, who helped the friend’s family cope with the care of a loved one. The cost of an initial assessment and care plan from the care manager is 0.00. Mary thinks she has the situation under control and 0.00 for someone from the outside to come in and tell her how to deal with her situation seems ridiculous.
One day Mary is trying to lift her husband and injures her back severely. She is bedridden and cannot care for her husband. Her son, who works full-time, now has two parents to care for. On the advice of the same friend he decides to bring in Susan and pay her fee himself.
Susan does a thorough assessment of the family’s needs. She arranges for Mary’s doctor to order Medicare home care during Mary’s recovery. Therapists come in and help Mary with exercises and advice on lifting. Susan advertises for and finds a private individual who is willing to live in the home for a period of time to help Mary with her recovery and watch over her husband. Susan makes sure the new caregiver is reliable and honest and that taxes are paid for the employment.
Susan enlists the support of the local area agency on aging and makes sure all services available are provided for the family. Susan also calls a meeting with Mary’s family and explains to them the care needs and how they need to commit to help with those needs. Susan makes arrangements to purchase medical equipment for lifting, moving and easier use of the bathroom facilities. Medicare will pay much of this cost.
Susan suggests using a geriatric care Physician she works closely with to help Mary in the care of her husband. The geriatrician meets with Mary and her husband and spends a great deal of time explaining the proper treatment and care of elderly with diabetes. He rearranges medications and puts Mary’s husband on a new insulin regimen to better control his blood sugar. The geriatric Physician feels that Mary’s husband has a chance of improving his health with proper treatment. If her husband adheres to the care plan, he may end up having a better quality of life for his remaining years.
With the help of the care manager, Mary’s life and future has been significantly improved.
Dan Fisher RN, BSN
www.adhomehealthsolutions.com
Connecticut Care Planning Council Advisory Board
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Geriatric Care Management – Helping the Sandwich Generation Care for Mom
Geriatric care managers (GCM) are professionals, typically registered nurses or social workers, who specialize in aging issues. They offer their knowledge of elder issues and the local community to compassionately help families quickly pinpoint problems, prioritize needs, and offer solutions. GCMs provide assistance in finding resources, making decisions, and managing stress. GCMs also offer family mediation, communication with physicians and other medical providers, and crisis management. Geriatric care managers usually have great knowledge of the local elder care community and can steer families towards the best resources. They save time and money for the family.
In Susan’s case, the GCM was able to take a huge burden from her shoulders. After the initial screening, the GCM met with Susan and made a plan that included daily in-home help, regular visits from the GCM for ongoing assessment, medication management, practical suggestions to deal with the memory loss(including proactive safety measures), and regular detailed communication with Susan. The GCM was able to candidly point out areas in which Grace needed help, and Grace slowly began to trust the GCM. Susan also hired the GCM to accompany her mother to doctor’s visits and medical appointments so that her mother would have an educated advocate to ask questions and express concerns to the medical providers. Trust was built between Grace and the GCM, and at the appropriate time the geriatric care manager persuaded Grace that she needed to choose either a live-in caregiver or an assisted living. After exploring the options thoroughly with Susan and her care manager, Grace was able to choose and accept a live in caregiver. Grace was able to stay home with this help, living an active and happy life. Susan was able to focus on her children, assured that her mom was receiving great care. Susan and Grace both noticed that their time together was less stressful because the GCM was taking care of details that had earlier caused friction between them.
I would recommend the National Assosication of Geriatric Care Managers website to learn more about caring for your aging loved one, and for help in finding a reputable geriatric care manager. You should look for care managers who are credentialed and have local references with whom you can speak. It is also beneficial if the care manager has been active in the local senior community so that she has extensive knowledge of the local resources, as the resources will vary from city to city. Don’t be afraid to check with the credentialing agencies to make sure the geriatric care manager is in good standing and current with their membership and license.
http://www.choicesinseniorcare.com
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Geriatric Care Managers: The Eyes and Ears For Caring Children Who Live Afar
When your elderly parents live far away, who will be your eyes and ears? Who will educate you about the confusing elder care system? Younger folks have never had to learn about Medicaid, Medicare, Long Term Care Insurance, etc. More foreign yet is the unspoken politics of doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and home health care companies. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what is best, but sometimes these opinions conflict. The doctor wants to send the patient home. The hospital social worker is arranging for nursing home or assisted living facilities to do an assessment for possible placement or rehabilitation. Your parents may be rejecting the idea of hiring a home health aide. Who will be your parents’ unbiased advocate? Even if concerned children rush to their parents’ hospital bedside, how will they know all of their options and most importantly, what these options will cost? Geriatric Care Managers are professional elder care consultants hired by families to represent their interests and only their interests. A legitimate Care Manager takes no referral fees from any company or facility to whom they make a referral. They are paid by the patient to have an unbiased interest in seeing that the patient’s needs are met.
It is common today for people to leave the family home town and retire in resort areas like Florida and Arizona. The problem comes ten to twenty years later. The now aged parents have needs, but their children are living far away. The first time the kids hop a plane to respond to a family emergency, it is no problem. When the problems escalate and that child is now taking significant time away from work and family to assist their parents, the situation can become critical. As a Care Manager I have met many couples whose marriages are strained by caregiver duties. Not only are their marriages strained, their wallets are strained. Most are unaware of financial programs which may help offset expensive health care costs. When costly services are needed, families need to know what a reasonable amount to pay is. Children who care enough to help their elderly parents often find it is not easy. Depression Era parents sometimes distrust their children when it comes to financial and medical decision making. They either think of them like an eleven year old or have negative opinions about the way their children have spent money in the past. Either way, the concerned children can be dismayed to find that their parents will listen to the advice of a stranger rather than the advice of their own family. Care Managers can be that concerned outsider whose expert advice will be heeded.
A Classic Example:
Rose and Morris were married nearly sixty years and their mindset was shaped by the Great Depression. In their day, it was inappropriate to tell their children how much they earned or saved. When Rose entered a nursing home, Morris was uncomfortable with his daughter’s attempts to get involved in the financial discussions. Once he learned that Rose would have to stay in the nursing home, he knew that he would need help applying for Medicaid. Once his daughter found a Geriatric Care Manager who seemed to “know her stuff” he let his new team help him. The Care Manager and the daughter worked together to gather all the financial documents. They worked within the Medicaid guidelines to shelter a little money and apply for his Veteran Benefits. Because of the extra financial assistance, Morris was able to maintain his standard of living. The Care Manager thoroughly assessed their medical, social, financial, insurance and housing needs, and was able to help Rose and Morris maximize their finances to provide the best possible quality of life for both of them. Their daughter was able to return to New York and sleep well at night knowing she had a Care Manager to be her partner in the care of her parents. The Care Manager visited Morris and Rose regularly and gave their daughter informative updates. When problems arose, the Care Manager responded quickly and appropriately. Their daughter was able to spend her visits creating special memories with them instead of flying down for crisis after crisis. When Rose and Morris finally passed away, their daughter was left with fond memories and comforted by the knowledge that she helped her parents make informed decisions so they could live their final years in comfort, with dignity and on their own terms.
Geriatric Care Managers and Elder Health Care Professionals Committed To Providing Care Management, Guardianship, and Long Term Care Planning. Also can call toll free at V.I.P. Care management, inc. 1-877-588-5158
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Geriatric EMR
Geriatrics is one of the better known specializations in medicine since it caters to a large percent of the population. However, some still ask, why it is still necessary for a specific geriatric emr while adult medicine is almost identical with the field.
More or less, that question can be answered simply: geriatrics is way different from adult medicine as the former deals with the elderly, who are more prone to diseases and illnesses due to the state of their bodies. So, given the target patients, geriatrics should really be more specific and specialized because it deals with a rather more special crowd with more needs and demands.
With a good geriatric EMR, patients and health providers are better guaranteed to have a more organized way of recording pertinent details. Being designed to have updates and special features for better recording the common illnesses the elderly get, such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s to name a few, this particular electronic program will surely be a great help for most health institutions and experts involved in the area.
Aside from everything mentioned earlier, the right geriatric EMR also offers a lot of handy features that can help in better management of information and patient details. Aside from allowing access even while offline, it will also let users run multiple programs simultaneously, in case there is a need to check and use other programs while recording the patient’s updates.
Just remember a thing or two first before actually purchasing geriatric EMR software: always ask for a demo. By checking out the basic workings of the software you plan to get, you can have a better look around and see which one has the friendliest interface so you can have an easier time using it in the future. Save time and effort by actually having a good look before paying for it and avoid the need of going through the hassle of returning products and asking for refunds. For more information visit to our site at http://www.acrendo.com
Stephen Janssen began as medical professor who’s also known in writing different articles pertaining mainly to Health Services.
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Basic Things to Know about Geriatric EMRs
Geriatrics is one of the better known specializations in medicine since it caters to a large percent of the population. However, some still ask, why it is still necessary for a specific geriatric emr while adult medicine is almost identical with the field.
More or less, that question can be answered simply: geriatrics is way different from adult medicine as the former deals with the elderly, who are more prone to diseases and illnesses due to the state of their bodies. So, given the target patients, geriatrics should really be more specific and specialized because it deals with a rather more special crowd with more needs and demands.
With a good geriatric EMR, patients and health providers are better guaranteed to have a more organized way of recording pertinent details. Being designed to have updates and special features for better recording the common illnesses the elderly get, such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s to name a few, this particular electronic program will surely be a great help for most health institutions and experts involved in the area.
Aside from everything mentioned earlier, the right geriatric EMR also offers a lot of handy features that can help in better management of information and patient details. Aside from allowing access even while offline, it will also let users run multiple programs simultaneously, in case there is a need to check and use other programs while recording the patient’s updates.
Just remember a thing or two first before actually purchasing geriatric EMR software: always ask for a demo. By checking out the basic workings of the software you plan to get, you can have a better look around and see which one has the friendliest interface so you can have an easier time using it in the future. Save time and effort by actually having a good look before paying for it and avoid the need of going through the hassle of returning products and asking for refunds. For more information visit to our site at http://www.acrendo.com
Stephen Janssen began as medical professor who’s also known in writing different articles pertaining mainly to Health Services. Having been in the industry for more than two decades, he has gained reputation and even works as a consultant to Public Health Service patients.
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Geriatric Specific EMR
The use of electronic medical record software is slowly changing the face of the medical filling and document management system. Leaving behind the traditional paper-based recording and filing system has been the goal of many western researchers and health care specialists thus a computer-based system out-surfaced.
Acrendo medical Software is among the leading providers of electronic medical record software which can be applied to different areas of specialization in the field of medicine. One of the areas to which electronic medical record has set a reputation of advancement and efficiency is the geriatrics.
Geriatric specific electronic medical record is designed specifically to address the varying contents of geriatric as well as its specific workflow. What’s good about electronic medical record is that flexibility that allows healthcare institutions can make easy modifications to the templates and programs to fit-in to their preferred workflow.
Among the issues concerning the use of the electronic medical record system is the confidentiality when it comes to the patient’s case and other pertinent personal information. This is actually not a problem when the electronic medical record system has been chosen. Information loaded to the electronic medical record system can surely be handled properly and comprehensively without giving away the duty of protecting the patient and the practice.
Geriatric specific electronic medical record is carefully designed to provide gerontologists with patient data management in the most detailed manner. It is within the nature of the Geriatric to be mostly involved with specific concerns vital to the care of the patient that has to be addressed meticulously thus using electronic medical record system is just the perfect match. Most of the illnesses Geriatrics is concerned of require the current treatment results and statistical data for gerontologists to be able to design a treatment plan that would incorporate recent findings. Ailments like Nutrition deficiency, Alzheimer’s disease and Diabetes are examples of this. Since Geriatrics is a field that must be up to date, the need for various periodical and research journals can be necessitated by the situation and by using the electronic medical record software this can easily be done and can be readily made available for retrieval anytime. In addition to this, Medication Information and Interaction data can also be incorporated with the electronic medical record software specific for Geriatrics.
The use of electronic medical record is not just limited to storing data and information; the system can also handle billing related tasks and information. Indeed billing and coding procedures are made more efficient for the area of Geriatrics.
In terms of management, the system provided for by the electronic medical record can best serve health care institutions by providing the details and accurate point of care values. Also managing appointments can be more organized with electronic medical record system. If the electronic medical record software is designed to specialize in specific areas in the field of medicine all applications needed will be well-fitting the needs of the said area. In fact electronic medical record system can even manage tracking of patient transfer and clinic visits from site to faculty can be done. For more information visit to our site at http://www.acrendo.com
Stephen Janssen began as medical professor who’s also known in writing different articles pertaining mainly to Health Services. Having been in the industry for more than two decades, he has gained reputation and even works as a consultant to Public Health Service patients.
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Geriatric Psychology : Psychological Functioning of the Elderly
Geriatric psychology is a field of study that focuses on psychological processes and mental disorders in people of advanced age. Geriatric psychologists assist in helping elderly people who are suffering from mental disorders and other disabilities. They act as both counselors and scientists trying to solve the enigma that is the aged brain.
This division of psychology analyzes the brain functioning of older people and focuses on how the brain changes over time, which may be related to psychological dysfunction later in life. This field of psychology is also referred to as the psychology of aging. Geriatric psychologists are mostly interested in researching the brain functions and behavior of people who are 65 and older.
Old age is commonly accompanied by a decline in cognitive functioning. However, studies show that if elderly people stay active through exercise and mental stimulation it will help decrease cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are two psychological disorders that primarily develop in people that are older.
Cognitive decline in the elderly can lead to depression and anxiety as people try to cope with the changes associated with old age. A support system of friends, family members and caregivers can help with self-esteem and optimism. So can geriatric psychologists by providing therapy and support to elderly patients.
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry is the largest organization of its kind that researches all aspects of this field. The organization publishes a journal called The American Journal of Geriatric Psychology, which updates people with news and recent study findings. The goal of this organization is to eliminate the stigma associated with mental disorders in the elderly.
Geriatric psychology is growing in popularity due to the fact that people are increasingly living longer lives. The psychological processes in older people are currently being researched at universities across the country. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Dementia are a common concern and current treatments are being revised and new treatments being developed. Quality mental health care is being given to elderly people who are concerned with cognitive decline as well as depression and anxiety. Developing countries also have a need for this type of psychology. Prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in the elderly is common all over the globe.
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Find Geriatric Massage Programs in the United States and Canada. Geriatric massage, also known as Massotherapy, is a holistic massage therapy that treats the whole person, not just condition, in older patients. Geriatric massage differs from other massage techniques, as it utilizes altered standard techniques suited to the physical conditions in older populations. This specific massage modality benefits older persons in many ways; for example, geriatric massage therapy can help the aging with:
Stress Relief and RelaxationBetter CirculationOverall bodily function improvementImproved skinAlleviate DepressionIncrease self-esteemIncrease mobilityPain ReliefImprove MemoryIncrease Vitality
Furthermore, geriatric massage helps reduce high blood pressure, is effective in relieving lymphedema, and diabetic neuropathy. Geriatric massage also helps stroke patients, circulatory disease and patients suffering from Parkinson’s, MS, Alzheimer’s, Sleep disorders, emphysema, joint replacement, amputation, arthritis, bursitis, and even tendonitis.
Aspiring massage therapists who choose to pursue a career working in nursing homes, home healthcare or in hospitals find that a number of massage therapy schools offer geriatric massage classes as part of the general curriculum in advanced courses, continuing education, or as electives. These courses of study entail about 500 training hours, and permit graduates to become Nationally certified to practice. To keep skills current, it is critical that professional massage therapists continue education; especially when working with patients with special healthcare needs.
Whether you’re seeking geriatric massage therapy, or if you would like to work with senior citizens, it is a generally a good idea to check with local massage therapy institutes and schools to find the appropriate training and/or therapists.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding geriatric massage programs, let professional education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.
Geriatric Massage
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Drexel Hill Time
AES Seniors
