Important Advice from Agape Senior's Director of Dementia Programs

In other blogs we have talked about how dementia is not a disease but a diagnosis. If you get a diagnosis of dementia: ask what disease, medication, or infection might be causing it. Now that you have a diagnosis of dementia it does not mean you can’t continue to care for yourself depending on what is causing the dementia. Choosing a good geriatric physician that specializes in memory care is a great place to start.

Some of the other items you will want to consider are:

What to do when driving capacities are diminished: How will you know? Pick someone now to ride with you and check your driving habits at least once a month. You may not know if it is safe or unsafe to drive due to diminished memory. It is difficult to give up driving but the person with dementia puts themselves at risk as well as others. You may be able to live with yourself being hurt but if you hurt someone else it is hard for the person with dementia and both families

Have an open discussion about medical decisions: It is a difficult discussion to have, but a good one, with someone you want to make decisions for you if you should become incapacitated. For Example: Would you like a feeding tube or not?

Also discuss special requests: Talk about any request that you may have. Even simple needs, like cream rubbed on your arms.

Identify someone to handle financial requirements: If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s or a like dementia the ability to handle financial affairs becomes difficult quickly. Families will find junk mail in with the bills, there may be many magazine subscriptions that appear because the person with dementia cannot tell which is a real bill or an ad for a magazine.

Make sure all the legal bases are covered: While a person with Alzheimer’s or similar dementia can still answer questions and make decisions, a health care power of attorney should be selected and paper work completed. It is also advisable to have financial power of attorney documentation completed at this time. These forms cannot be used by the recognized power of attorney until the person with Alzheimer’s or like dementia is no longer able to make decisions for themselves. You can find this paperwork and additional information on line. If everything is not filled out correctly it will be costly. It is best to locate an Elder law attorney to help with filling this paperwork out.

Adelle Stanley

803-730-1220

Director of Dementia Programs

Agape Senior Services

Of all the things in life that matter, Family, Friends and Faith are the most important. Treasure these and you will always be rich.

South Carolina Senior Care CEO Finds Better Way

     

    "I saw terrible things: people neglected by their families, living in bug-infested homes, suffering from poor care," he said. "I told my wife, 'There's got to be a better way.' That's what inspired me to get into this business."

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Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Call us at 800 - 411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia
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West Columbia Assisted Living Welcomes Artist Resident

Agape Senior of West Columbia has many ways of welcoming our new residents. Among the many ways, we offer our new residents the opportunity to host welcome parties. These parties are a wonderful way for friends and families to get to see their loved ones’ new home. Today, we rolled out the red carpet for one of our newest residents and talented artist, Ms. Sara Gray. Ms. Gray is an accomplished artist and has had many of her pieces displayed in several galleries throughout the state. Ms. Gray had many guests and thoroughly enjoyed showing off her beautifully decorated apartment. The walls in Ms. Gray’s apartment look much like an art gallery – with all of her still lifes and landscapes beautifully displayed. Ms. Gray was resident of Agape several years ago and we are very thankful for her return.

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia.

Ask Agape for senior solutions

South Carolina Agape Senior CEO Scott Middleton Provides Sound Advice

Scott Middleton, CEO of Agape Senior, writes in his new book “Parent Talk” about the multiple challenges families face dealing with aging parents. The book is now available for purchase through Amazon.com and AskAgape.com. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Agape Foundation. In the introduction Scott talks about one of the major issues confronting our senior adults today, “isolation,” Scott writes:

The truth is our quality of life can suffer dramatically
if we attempt to live in complete isolation. But in the
case of a declining senior adult, especially when the
spouse is no longer living, the lack of interaction with
others poses one of the greatest and most debilitating
threats to their well-being — isolation. The lack of
adequate socialization is the silent enemy of an aging
senior that too many “caretakers” fail to understand
or consider.

Scott’s point is clearly illustrated below in this excerpt from a testimonial that was written about the dramatic improvement a daughter saw in her mother after she was introduced into a social setting at Agape Senior Harbison.

The daughter explains how her mother would refuse to get dressed and usually stayed in her gown all day. She would skip breakfast and just pick at lunch and dinner. She would sit and rock, staring into space and rarely attempting to walk. She would not brush her teeth, bathe or groom herself. She was always difficult about taking her medication. She became weak and unable to walk without assistance and she talked every day about it being her last day.

The daughter goes on to explain the dramatic improvement she saw within five weeks of moving her mom to assisted living. Her mom was now getting up, getting dressed, and going to breakfast. She now eats everything on her plate at every meal. She gets involved with the various activities that are offered daily at the facility, uses her walker to get around, takes her medications when they are given, and does not mention that it is her last day. The daughter said she even asked her to bring her blush and lipstick to her. She has regained strength and has gained eight pounds.

The above results are not uncommon. Caretakers at assisted living facilities often witness dramatic improvement in new residents when they are introduced back into a social setting. The combination of scheduled nutritious meals, proper dosage of prescribed medication, and the stimulation of the social setting all contribute to help the residents to have a positive outlook.

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Call us at 800-411- 2427