November, 2011 Newsletter
Published November 2, 2011 | 
Chronicles of a Professional Guardian
Serving the community as a Professional Guardian for over 20 years, I’ve had to discover unique solutions to difficult problems. I’ve decided it’s time to give back, and share some of my knowledge. It is my hope that this information can help others provide better services and care to our elderly and disabled population.
How to Remove Your Client’s Shoes (Or Anything Else They Can’t Have)
Image Credit: nkzs / stock.xchng
Working to serve and protect the elderly and disabled population, Guardians have to regularly make difficult decisions regarding the safety of their clients.
Sometimes these decisions are easy, such as the decision to move a client from a facility when they are receiving substandard care. Other times, the decision can be downright difficult, particularly when it involves something the client doesn’t want to do in the first place, like giving up something they have loved for years.
We once had a client who loved high heeled shoes. For her, these shoes were a part of who she was and how she presented herself to the world. She simply could not imagine wearing any other kind of shoe.
One day during a podiatry appointment, the podiatrist informed us that due to fall risks our client would no longer be able to wear high heels. Judging by our client’s reaction, you would have thought that we told her we had to remove her foot (and maybe to her it felt this way).
After the appointment, a small battle ensued – the battle to remove the high heeled shoes. For a while, it truly was a battle, because no matter what we tried, the client always found a way to get her hands on the shoes she loved the most.
We tried removing all the shoes from her room. She convinced her caregiver to take her out to buy more. Once we got the caregiver to understand the issue with heels, and the client realized she didn’t have this ally any more, she found other ways to buy them, like during facility outings. She even tried to reason with us, “these aren’t heels, they’re platforms. That’s different.”
In the end we were able to switch the client to flats, and help protect her from fall risks, but it was not easy. It took every trick in the book, and then some, to finally get the change to stick.
Here are the four big lessons we learned from this client, and many others, about making a big change easier for all involved.
1. Is the change really in your client’s best interest?
When removing potentially harmful items from the client, the first thing you should assess is whether or not the change is really in the client’s best interest.
If you are removing something because of a known and eminent danger, such as with an increased fall risk with high heeled shoes, you are probably acting in the best interest of the client.
However, if you are removing something because of your own beliefs, you may not be acting with the client’s best interest in mind. A good example of this is with clients who smoke.
Yes, it has been proven that smoking poses long-term health risks. However, if your client has smoked a pack a day since they were 15, and you’re making your client quit because you don’t like that they smoke, are you really acting with the client’s best interest in mind? What would your client choose if they were still able to make these decisions on their own?
2. Try to Explain the Situation
Regardless of the client’s mental or legal status, it is important to remember that your client is a person with their own needs, wants, and desires. It is common, human decency to have a conversation with the client and explain why the change is necessary, particularly when they are able to have a conversation such as this.
A conversation also allows you to gauge the client’s reaction about the change, and could give you some important insight into how difficult the change will be for the client. You may find that the issue is a hot button that causes them to react every time it’s mentioned, or you may find that they readily accept what is happening. Every client is different, and as such, every reaction is different.
3. Create Reminders
Removing something your client loves and has always used (like high heels) can be a daunting and difficult task, particularly for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. Creating signs and reminders can be a good way to help clients remember what they cannot have, and why.
Signs are helpful for clients who mostly accept the change, and can act as a gentle reminder, guiding them to what they should be doing.
However, signs can be problematic for those clients who are angry and upset about the change. Use your best judgment when determining if signs and reminders will be helpful to your client.
Signs should be straight forward and to the point. A sign with too much writing or unnecessary information can confuse the client. Keep it simple!
4. Get the Support Circle Involved
One of the most important aspects to ensuring a smooth transition is to make sure that everyone in the client’s support circle is aware of the change. The client’s support circle includes their caregivers, facility staff, physical therapists, family, friends, and anyone else who spends time with the client.
It is important to inform people within the support circle of the change, what it involves, why the decision was made, and how the client feels about it. Giving them this last bit of information can be particularly helpful when the change is a hot button for the client.
When the client’s support circle is in the know, the transition becomes smoother because they are aware of the potential issues the change could cause. It also helps people know how to react when the client brings this issue up.
For many clients, guardianship often brings big changes into their lives, changes they may not be prepared for. Charged with their care, it is our responsibility as Guardians, and as elder professionals, to help make these changes as painless as possible when we can. It is our hope that these tips can help make the change a little easier for someone out there.
What about you? What steps do you take to make big changes easier on your clients? Is there a trick we didn’t mention that you’ve found works well for you?
On a side note, this story was inspired by a wonderful client of ours (G.G.) who passed away in early October. We had the honor of knowing and caring for her for over five years. Despite the challenges, she taught us a lot. She will be missed.
Tip of the Month
New rules with Wachovia will require that you must list the Estate as a beneficiary in order for the IRA to payout to the Estate after the individual passes away.
Due to Wachovia’s rules, if there are no beneficiaries listed on the IRA, the IRA custodian can designate one, and it doesn’t have to be the Estate. This can cause big issues in cases where the IRA custodian is not the Personal Representative of the Estate and designates the funds to a person other than the Estate.
Wachovia isn’t the only bank with these rules. The information about IRA payouts can be found in the disclosure paperwork.
However, it is generally wise to make sure that your beneficiaries are listed properly and are up-to-date on any account or policy with a payout. You should do this every couple of years, or after a major life change such as divorce or death of a spouse.
Did You Know?
An estimated 55 million Social Security recipients will receive a 3.6 percent increase in benefits starting December, 2011 (payable January, 2012). This is the first increase since 2009, and is a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This increase is estimated to help one in five U.S. residents.
Click hear to read more about this increase from SSA.
Click here to read the Associated Press article about this increase.
Upcoming Events
As active members of the community, you can often find us around town speaking and educating professionals and the public on Guardianship, and caring for the elderly and disabled. Here’s where we’ll be next.
- 11/09/11 Access Charter School along with Florida Bank of Commerce – Presentation to Autistic Parents
- 11/12/11 Central Florida Paralegal Association – Presentation about Guardianship
- 12/09/11 Senior’s Intervention Group Seniors Christmas Banquet – Sponsor for Event
If you would like Theresa Barton to speak at one of your events, contact us at 407.786.6033. Don’t delay, call today as her schedule fills up quickly!
Do What You’re Great At and Love — Let Us Handle the Rest!
Guardian Care Management & Benefits Services, Inc. provides:
- Professional Guardianship Services
- Private Case Management
- Benefits Consulting & Medicaid Applications
- Full Guardianship Support Services
We can help, call us today!
407.786.6033
