Clare Colamaria, Founder of A Senior’s Choice will be a guest Sunday Dec. 11th on Weekend Today-News Channel 13 at 8:45am to discuss how A Senior’s Choice assists families through the navigation of long term care planning, preventing a crisis by creating a pro active plan and finding the proper resources to meet your aging loved ones needs. Don’t miss it!!! or call today 518-424-2527 ask for Clare.
Blog
Elder Care Options At Home
Oct
5
2011
In-home care has come a long way in recent years. Seniors living at home are able to hold on to the feeling of independence while having the help they need with every day life. Being in familiar surroundings can be therapeutic in so many ways. Often the caregivers are family members at first, but before long, a new level of help may be needed. If your loved one needs or soon will need extra help, what are your options?
Does your loved one need assistance at home?
The leaves are falling
Oct
2
2011
The leaves are falling, the wind is howling, the air has a bone chilling dampness – are your aging loved ones safe in their environment? Stop by and bring them some cider or fresh baked pumpkin bread and take a peek at their surroundings.
- Is their driveway and walkways clear from wet slippery leaves?
- Is water collecting on slippery surfaces?
- Are their hand railings and are they securely installed?
- When was their furnace last serviced?
- Are their windows easy to open and close?
- Do they use or need a cane or walker – something to think about?
- Are their sweaters, jackets and throws in a convenient place?
- Open up their frig – is there any foul odors, check expiration dates.
Keeping your loved ones safe brings comfort and warms hearts! Happy Autumn!!!
Senior Services In Albany
Sep
9
2011
Do you know someone or are you someone who needs help with a senior loved one or is that senior loved one you?
No matter what part of the equation you are in, each one of us is faced with worries, fears, anxieties and stresses. I would probably have to say we are all a bit overwhelmed or perhaps you are not sure where to begin. Let us show you how we can help guide you…
To learn more about how we can assist you and your loved ones, go to our new website at www.aseniorschoiceonline.com
Alzheimers,Dementia,Parkinsons and our elders
Jun
30
2011
It’s a tough line to tow when you start to see the red flags and symptoms of Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other related deseases while spending time with your loved one. Should I approach the topic? How do I approach the topic? And when is the right time to open the conversation up with your loved one?
Well, it’s seems most of us wait until those red flags turn into red flashing strobe lights with sirens! Now you feel pressed for coming up with alternative life changing choices. You are now in Crisis Mode! You are now faced with making quick decisions and adding enormous amounts of stresses to your own life. OK, let’s rewind.
You’re visiting with your loved one, you notice their forgetfulness window has narrowed and they are repeating themselves several times within the hour or they are becoming easily agitated over what they previously did not give a second thought to. Now is the time to calmly and unconfrontationally say; I think it’s time for your annual visit to Dr. GP, let me go ahead and give them a call and see when we can get you in there, I’ll try and set it up for late morning so that after, we can go out for lunch and have a little fun time together. Leave it at that, no need to explain your thoughts. Keep it simple!
When you set up the appointment, make sure you either ask to speak with your loved ones doctor or a nurse so that they are well aware of your concerns and the reason for the appointment. Also,discuss with them beforehand that you feel they may want to suggest a referral for a neurologist for further examination of your loved ones progression. Your main objective is to get a accurate diagnosis, to enable your loved one to receive proper treatment and track the progression from a reasonable starting point. These few simple steps you take before the flashing red strobe lights with sirens appear, will make the inevitable transitions of everyone’s lives smoother and easier to manage.
For more assistance with resources and information pertaining to these topics and more, go to www.aseniorschoiceonline.com or call 518-424-2527.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Happen…
Jun
3
2011
So often I don’t hear from families until they are in Crisis Mode! I relate to that action, that is exactly why I started A Senior’s Choice!
When my family was faced with the illness of our father who had been hospitalized, we were told he could not return home this time. It was up to us, his children, to find a bed for him in a nursing home, we were stund, frozen… “Now what!” we thought, where do we go from here? Where do we start? Why are we even having to deal with this? Never did we think we would end up in this situation, but here we were, with this new issue thrown in our laps!
So, first thought is; Poor Dad, he doesn’t deserve this… How could we have allowed this to happen to our father? Well, the answer is simple now that I have had 4 years to research the options and resources that are and were available to our loved ones. Again! DO NOT WAIT FOR A CRISIS TO HAPPEN…MAKE A PLAN!
When I meet with families to discuss a course of action, I often ask them if they have a financial advisor they meet with, and if so, don’t they usually discuss with you where you see yourself 6 months down the road, a year down the road, 3 years down the road… etc. Well, I ask you the same questions except I ask where do you see your loved one and what role will you be playing in regards to the care and safety of your loved one. The number one concern for most families of elders is their safety. Are they living alone? Do they need to climb stairs in order to go to bed or do laundry? Are they eating well and taking their medications properly if at all, without being reminded? Those are just a few questions we need to ask ourselves as their main caregivers. If you answer these questions with doubt and uncertainty, then it’s definitely time to ask for assistance and figure out a course of action. One that best meets the needs of your loved one and yours as well.
Unfortunately my family did not have anyone asking to help us set up a plan or connect us to the proper resources and that is why our father spent the last four years of his life in a nursing home, not the quality of life we ever wished for him nor did he deserve. Had I known then what I know now things could have been different for all of us and I will gladly share with you what I have learned.
More to come…
If you would like immediate answers to questions you may have, please contact us immediately at: www.aseniorschoiceonline.com or 518-424-2527 ask for Clare