Choosing a caregiver can be a lot trickier than you may think. In my practice, as a geriatric psychologist, I run into all kinds of abusive situations. Elder abuse isn't just physical. Senior financial abuse is on the rise and often goes undetected until it's too late. Here's just one of the many examples.
Anna is a private caregiver for 89 year old, Grace. She lives with Grace in her private home. She helps her to bathe, cleans the home, prepares dinner, goes to the market, and runs errands with Grace in Grace's car. Grace has become very dependent on Anna, and the family has peace of mind. Grace as well as her adult children just love Anna, she is regarded as an angel! The daughter, June, lives within 20 miles of her mother, and Bill the son, lives on the other coast. Both are successful, busy and very grateful for Anna. It was not until Bill and June discussed making some changes in Grace's trust and investments that they found the crime. Small amounts of money were taken out of Grace's banking account, which over time amounted to a very large sum. This provoked the family to investigate further into Grace's estate and personal belongings. Unfortunately, diamond rings, family heirlooms, and other valuables were also missing. Graces's credit card was used to purchase small items with a signature which was not authentic. Anna had made herself very familiar with Grace.
How did they find Anna? Anna's name was given to the family by a dear friend who has employed a caregiver for their parent. This seemed to be an adequate reference. Anna is a cousin of this "other" caregiver. Anna had a presence about her that appeared confident and honest. She was trusted like a family member because she was concerned about Grace's every need. She was very protective of Grace's money...at least they thought.
History of this caregiver: Anna is in this country without a work permit. There is no record of her work history, no criminal background check. Grace's checkbook, credit cards and access to Grace's bank deposit box were all made available to Anna. When June and Bill finally realized what was going on and confronted Anna, she was nowhere to be found. They never heard from her again.
How could Bill and June have prevented this crime? Find a reputable agency that specializes in geriatric care. Often times geriatric physicians have recommendations. Investigate the company, ask them to give you referrals of others they have cared for. Read and call the references of the caregiver. Do a criminal background check. (A reputable company will have them on file for all caregivers.) Read the contract from the agency carefully. Have the bills sent to the adult children and verify validity. Most importantly, do not give the caregiver the opportunity to steal. Lock up all valuables, go through statements, verify purchases or inconsistencies. This will take much of the stress out of dealing with a stranger in the home of your loved one.
Ginny Taylor PhD http://elsanaditaylor.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ginny_Taylor
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
When is it time to move mom out of the house?
When Is It Time:
Scenarios:
Couple living alone, one is ill, or both are ill. One has dementia, the other has no cognitive loss, or both have dementia.
An individual is either a widow, single or divorced, retired, physical illness, or dementia, or both.
The couple or individual may have adult children who live near by, or the children live on the east coast, or in another country, or there are no children. There are no family members available.
The individual or couple have a caregiver, who is hired to work so many hours a day, or so many days out of the week. There are no caregivers at night.
The individual or couple own their own condo, it is on the 2nd floor.
The individual or couple continue to drive their own automobile. Their hearing is poor, reflexes are slow, and one have dementia, mild.
The individual or couple are cooking their own meals, responsible for their own medication, one or both are confused.
Indicators:
Safety: falling, wandering from home, confused with appliances, unable to call for help, living gas on on the stove, not recognizing an unsafe situation, stairs, driving, fire (what to do)
Personal Care: unable to prepare meals, shopping, driving safely,
showering, eating, changing soiled clothes, cleaning clothes, confused
with medications, incontinent, not sleeping, not getting out of bed
3. Behavioral Changes: wandering, pacing, rummaging, hoarding,
isolating, withdrawn, paranoid, crying, spending money
Financial Problems: confused with checking account, confused with bank accounts, money missing, not paying bills
Spouse and Family: spouse is aging, unhealthy, unable to cope, increased burden, depression, stress, isolated
Medically Compromised: Insulin dependent, CVA, seizures, multiple medications, brain tumors, not ambulatory
Options for Living:
Caregiver in the home
Board and Care: 6 beds
Residential: Independent living, Assisted living, Secured
Scenarios:
Couple living alone, one is ill, or both are ill. One has dementia, the other has no cognitive loss, or both have dementia.
An individual is either a widow, single or divorced, retired, physical illness, or dementia, or both.
The couple or individual may have adult children who live near by, or the children live on the east coast, or in another country, or there are no children. There are no family members available.
The individual or couple have a caregiver, who is hired to work so many hours a day, or so many days out of the week. There are no caregivers at night.
The individual or couple own their own condo, it is on the 2nd floor.
The individual or couple continue to drive their own automobile. Their hearing is poor, reflexes are slow, and one have dementia, mild.
The individual or couple are cooking their own meals, responsible for their own medication, one or both are confused.
Indicators:
Safety: falling, wandering from home, confused with appliances, unable to call for help, living gas on on the stove, not recognizing an unsafe situation, stairs, driving, fire (what to do)
Personal Care: unable to prepare meals, shopping, driving safely,
showering, eating, changing soiled clothes, cleaning clothes, confused
with medications, incontinent, not sleeping, not getting out of bed
3. Behavioral Changes: wandering, pacing, rummaging, hoarding,
isolating, withdrawn, paranoid, crying, spending money
Financial Problems: confused with checking account, confused with bank accounts, money missing, not paying bills
Spouse and Family: spouse is aging, unhealthy, unable to cope, increased burden, depression, stress, isolated
Medically Compromised: Insulin dependent, CVA, seizures, multiple medications, brain tumors, not ambulatory
Options for Living:
Caregiver in the home
Board and Care: 6 beds
Residential: Independent living, Assisted living, Secured
Caregiver vs Care Manager
What is the difference between a care manager (case manager) and a caregiver?
This is a good question, many times the two are confused. A care manager and a case manager perform the same functions. Some companies prefer using “care” versus “case”. A care manager is a professional who manages and assists the older adult and their families with caring for the needs of that older individual. The services of the care manager are some of the following: an assessment, identifies problems, and potential problems, provides intervention, and acts as a liaison for families who are not available.
A care giver is a skilled individual who provides “hands-on-care” to the older adult. There services might included the following: preparing meals, bathing, house cleaning, driving, and shopping. Some care managers of licensed nurses, licensed social workers, or individuals with experience. Caregivers are not licensed, nor trained to provide professional care. Elsanadi & Taylor’s care managers of licensed, trained professionals with years of experience in the field of geriatric care.
Why Elsanadi & Taylor Professional Concierges as your care managers:
Each case is evaluated by our care manager along with Dr. Elsanadi, and/or Dr. Taylor. Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, and Nurse Practitioner.
The doctors, and care managers are present for the conference with each family to discuss the assessment.
Our care managers of either nurses or social workers who have extensive experience in the field of geriatrics.
Care managers work within a “team” construct. Care managers consult with each other, along with Dr. Elsanadi, Dr. Taylor and any other physician or professional service that is involved.
This is a good question, many times the two are confused. A care manager and a case manager perform the same functions. Some companies prefer using “care” versus “case”. A care manager is a professional who manages and assists the older adult and their families with caring for the needs of that older individual. The services of the care manager are some of the following: an assessment, identifies problems, and potential problems, provides intervention, and acts as a liaison for families who are not available.
A care giver is a skilled individual who provides “hands-on-care” to the older adult. There services might included the following: preparing meals, bathing, house cleaning, driving, and shopping. Some care managers of licensed nurses, licensed social workers, or individuals with experience. Caregivers are not licensed, nor trained to provide professional care. Elsanadi & Taylor’s care managers of licensed, trained professionals with years of experience in the field of geriatric care.
Why Elsanadi & Taylor Professional Concierges as your care managers:
Each case is evaluated by our care manager along with Dr. Elsanadi, and/or Dr. Taylor. Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, and Nurse Practitioner.
The doctors, and care managers are present for the conference with each family to discuss the assessment.
Our care managers of either nurses or social workers who have extensive experience in the field of geriatrics.
Care managers work within a “team” construct. Care managers consult with each other, along with Dr. Elsanadi, Dr. Taylor and any other physician or professional service that is involved.
Monday, February 2, 2009
New Beginings
Welcome to Elsanadi and Taylor, a professional care management and care giving company.
Who we are?
We are a team of professionals from various disciplines; Geriatric Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Nurse Practitioner, Social Workers, Gerontologists who are dedicated to helping seniors age gracefully.
Why a blog?
We are committed to provide quality information to enable those in the community to provide for a higher quality of life for seniors. This blog is intended to inform, answer and to facilitate addressing concerns that effect our aging seniors.
Who can use this blog?
Anyone who is providing care to a senior, whether you are professional in the community i.e. doctor, nurse, social worker, caregiver or if you are personally caring for a family member. We want to be able to assist you and share from our knowledge of how to effectively address concerns of our seniors today.
Thank you for being a part of our efforts.
Sincerely,
Steve Canto
Elsanadi & Taylor, Managing Partner
Who we are?
We are a team of professionals from various disciplines; Geriatric Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Nurse Practitioner, Social Workers, Gerontologists who are dedicated to helping seniors age gracefully.
Why a blog?
We are committed to provide quality information to enable those in the community to provide for a higher quality of life for seniors. This blog is intended to inform, answer and to facilitate addressing concerns that effect our aging seniors.
Who can use this blog?
Anyone who is providing care to a senior, whether you are professional in the community i.e. doctor, nurse, social worker, caregiver or if you are personally caring for a family member. We want to be able to assist you and share from our knowledge of how to effectively address concerns of our seniors today.
Thank you for being a part of our efforts.
Sincerely,
Steve Canto
Elsanadi & Taylor, Managing Partner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)