The Parent Care Solution

11/23/2015

Today is a very shocking and sad day for me personally and for all of us at Parent Care. Dr. Kevin Skipper passed away Thursday night after what was supposed to be a simple knee replacement operation. He will be laid to rest today at 1:00 pm EST. Please send his family and loved ones tons of energy and prayers to help them cope with this tragic episode in their lives. Kevin was a great friend to me and to Dan and I know that he is up in heaven with Dan hugging and laughing. God bless you Kevin and thank you for believing in me and standing by my side! Tell Dan I said hi and I miss him every day.

01/28/2015

Be sure to make time to get out there today and enjoy keeping your brain and body active. Life is short... Think young! http://vimeo.com/97204620

Find out how keeping active is important for brain health.

10/27/2014

Another great update in the world of technology for the elderly but not without some potential drawbacks.

http://www.itworld.com/article/2835074/robotics/smart-walkers-lead-the-way-for-japanese-eldercare-robots.html

Japan has an enormous challenge going forward with their aging population. One of the many issues they are facing is the lack of quality caregivers to handle their huge numbers (40%) of elderly so there is significant pressure on the Japanese government to create alternative resources similar to those in this article. Interesting concept but I'm not sure how I feel about using robots, I guess I'm a bit skeptical because I've seen too many children drop their parents off at a care facility and not come back until Christmas or Thanksgiving. With the use of a robot perhaps they wouldn't have to come back at all. They could have an "ap" for holiday experiences you could select from your smartphone...one could have their robot sing a yuletide carol after building an open fire, baking Christmas Cookies and wrapping presents. Interesting...

Pay close attention to the issues Japan is dealing with now because we are not far behind.

If you're growing old in Japan, chances are you'll have some form of robotic help in the future.

09/29/2014

My mother passed away last Sunday. It was a very long and painful 10 years of her life. I'm so grateful for the days I spent with her for those 10 years. Eventually she forgot who I was but that never stopped me from loving her and letting her know that I did! Her disease took away who she was but thank goodness she had 12 children and a great husband who did remember! Below is what I presented at her eulogy. My dad wrote it during her illness. It's an incredible reminder to caregivers that the time you spend and pain you suffer each day is not being wasted. I hope it is of comfort to any of you who may be presently suffering through this tough time in your life...and those of you who already have.
It Must Be Love
Norma is saying to me in the middle of our dinnertime, "Where is everyone". I look up startled and after a pause I answer as I have many times before," we are all alone in the house this evening". This same question is repeated again and I have learned to answer it as if given to me for the first time. I have always enjoyed Norma's company at suppertime and I was lost in a time lapse of what would have been normal activity in our past relationship. It seemed at the moment, of just sharing meal together time, as we had done in our normal everyday life style of the past. Before being pulled back to reality, I drift back in memories to the many years she served the family so well.
I have been able to keep a positive attitude in my caregiving efforts, which appears to have convinced Norma of her feeling secure in my caregiving for her. This responsibility however has made me aware of my lack of the skills required for her care. I have read as much professional literature as I can find, to give Norma the best care that I am capable. With this information, I find myself more secure, when I make caregiving decisions for her. It is a heart-rendering venture I have accepted, but with the additional knowledge I find it easier to get through the trying days that inevitably come. Yes things are getting done, and I find I have more confidence with the help given me in caregiving instruction guides.
I have found that it is love that gives me the drive to learn more of how to do the job I seem not to be qualified for. I am finding the truth; that love is a given not a purchase, nor is it forced upon, or coerced. With this attitude I work to keep Norma's confidence, which seems to free her from some of the confusion in what is happening to her. I can only imagine the mixed emotions taking place in her loss, to express her thoughts.
I have pledged my caregiving to the person I have pledged my love. Attitude gives me a head start as a successful caregiver and it is also a pick-me-up when the road gets bumpy. There is no greater rejuvenation than the memories of relationship. Self sacrifice, and conquered fears will overcome the crosses that are given to us in the daily live or let live situations. There are occurrences that will inevitably be given to me, but they can be countered by reaching into the reserves of our good time memories. Faith, Hope and Charity; these are the pedestals and foundation that my future caregiver success will be built on. Every day I work for the Faith of a brighter day, a hope in the future of cure, and of course
Charity is strength along with perseverance.
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09/09/2014

This video proves why it is so important to pre-plan your future! The more you research your options now, the less heartache and stress will be had later.

> https://screen.yahoo.com/new-york-times/five-star-nursing-homes-140122014.html?vp=1

In 2011, Ken Chandler brought his elderly mother to a nursing home that had Medicare’s seal of approval, a five-star rating. After a series of troubling events there, Mr. Chandler now feels misled.

04/17/2014

This is a great video that explains http://laughingsquid.com/an-explanation-of-what-takes-place-in-the-brain-with-the-onset-of-alzheimers-disease/ Alzheimer's Disease incredibly well. If you know someone who has it, I'd recommend you watch this. It can help you understand what is happening to them and what the future holds. Not very promising…unfortunately.

In this Ted-Ed lesson beautifully animated by Chris Boyle, educator Ivan Seah Yu Jun explains what takes place in the brain with the onset of Alzheimer's Disease and what can be done to help slow t...

04/01/2014

Great article about the decision whether to place your loved one who has Alzheimer's in a facility. This is a very difficult and guilt-ridden decision. Many people only look at the short-term and forget about the big picture. There are a lot of variables involved. Be sure you understand the disease, its progression and what all the alternatives are that are best for ALL involved.

It's easy to stand on the sidelines and point fingers at those who are in the front lines in the middle of the battle helping facilitate the decisions. Before you lift your finger, look inside yourself. What are you doing to help? Have you really taken all the challenges into consideration and do you understand what lies ahead? If not, and you aren't helping with anything other than your criticism than keep your fingers where they belong. Pointed at yourself.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marie-marley/alzheimers-caregivers_b_4970106.html

The caregiver may have promised his or her loved one many years before to never put them in any kind of facility for any reason. Breaking that promise would be extraordinarily difficult....

02/28/2014

This is a great video by a guy you'd never expect to see testifying at a senate meeting. Unless he was perhaps promoting the legalization of ma*****na. Take a quick look. I think you'll like it.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/27/5453488/seth-rogen-senate-testimony-alzheimers-research

Even Seth Rogen acknowledges that most of us would expect his top political cause to be the legalization of ma*****na. While giving testimony at a Senate hearing yesterday, Rogen took plenty of...