January, 2012 Newsletter
Published January 4, 2012 | 
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.
Associating Alzheimer’s
Credit: Flickr.com/Vince Alongi
Throughout the day, you may forget little things, like where you left your car keys or glasses, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s normal to forget these things from time to time. And, as you age, small declines and changes in your memory are considered normal too. It is only when these declines and changes are significant that there may be reason to be concerned.
But how do you know when your memory loss is normal, or a sign of something more serious, like Alzheimer’s disease?
Normal age-related changes are slow, gradual, and most importantly, occasional. It is okay to forget something like paying a monthly bill or misplacing an item, as long as it happens every once in a while. Similarly, it’s okay to forget things like today’s date, or the proper word in a conversation, as long as it is infrequent. With normal age-related memory loss, items like these will often be remembered later in the day, or the next day.
In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease is more than just misplacing your glasses and finding them on your head later. With Alzheimer’s, there is no “remembering later.” Abnormal and serious memory loss means that when you misplace an item, you are unable to retrace your steps to determine where you lost the item in the first place.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that in 2011, over 5.4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease. What’s more, they estimate that 1 in 8 American’s over the age of 65, and nearly half the population aged 85 or older, has Alzheimer’s.
In light of these numbers, they have put together a list of the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Memory Loss Disrupts Daily Life: Forgets recently learned information, including important dates or events; asks for the same information over and over again; relies on memory aids (reminder notes, electronic devices) or family members for items they used to handle on their own.
2. Challenges with Planning / Problem Solving: Has difficulty following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills; has difficulty concentrating and takes much longer to do things they did before.
3.Difficulties with Familiar Tasks: Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure like driving to a familiar location, or remembering the rules to a favorite game.
4. Time / Place Confusion: Loses track of dates, seasons, and time. May have trouble understanding something if it’s not happening immediately. Forgets where they are, and how they got there.
5. Difficulties Understanding Visual Images & Spatial Relationships: Vision problems, including difficulties with reading, judging distance, or determining color and contrast.
6. New Difficulties with Speaking / Writing: Difficulties joining or following a conversation; stopping in the middle of the conversation and forgetting how to continue; repetition of words; having problems finding the right word; calling items by the wrong name.
7. Difficulties Retracing Steps: Inability to retrace steps after misplacing an item. Frequently accusing others of stealing items the individual misplaced.
8. Decreased / Poor Judgment: Changes in judgment when it comes to money (such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers), difficulties with grooming; difficulties determining the need to bathe / groom.
9. Social Withdrawal: Withdrawal from social activities and hobbies; inability to keep up with and follow a favorite sport or complete a favorite hobby.
10. Changes in Mood / Personality: Drastic changes in mood or personality; becoming increasingly confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious; becomes easily upset at home, at work, or with family and friends.
Of course, these are the typical signs and individual changes and warning signs may vary. If you or someone you know is experiencing changes in memory, mood and behavior, please consult with your physician as soon as possible.
Tip of the Month
When you go to the hospital may not be considered admitted for treatment until the doctor writes the order admitting you, even if you are receiving services such as labs, x-rays, or surgery. Even an overnight stay at the hospital can still be classified as outpatient for observation until the admittance order is written. Hospital physicians can perform observation services as an outpatient service to decide whether or not the individual needs to be admitted.
The problem is observation services can have far reaching insurance ramification, and drastically affect how much you pay out of pocket for hospital services, particularly if you are on Medicare. If you are in the hospital for more than a few hours, ask your doctor or hospital staff whether you are classified as inpatient treatment or outpatient observation.
Did You Know?
That you can request the exam committee see the alleged incapacitated person in the location they are found. You may also request that each committee member see the individual separately.
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.
- 1/19/2012 What is Guardianship / Care Management Presentation / training for Comfort Keeper’s Caregivers
- 1/28/12 Lake Mary Shred-a-Thon Sponsor – Lake Mary Senior Center
- 2/02/12 Presentation for Chai Steppers at the JCC Rosen Campus
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
Hi Theresa,
Your point regarding a patient being admitted or under observation is very important to understand. We did not discover a client was in the hospital under observation status until we tried to transfer her to a Rehab Center. The insurance company would not pay for Rehab as she was never “Admitted” to the hospital. It is important to understand everything that is happening to your client is every situation but more so in a hospital.
Brenda,
Thanks for your comment. You are absolutely correct, observation vs. admittance is a VERY IMPORTANT thing to understand as it drastically impacts how items are billed, and what services and care your client receives out of the hospital (as you unfortunately experienced). We recommend that you ask, ask, ask and then ask some more when it comes to the admittance status of your clients.