Marion Somers - Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marions 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One

An Addicus Nonfiction Book

Copyright 2006 by Marion Somers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information, write Addicus Books, Inc., P.O. Box 45327, Omaha, Nebraska 68145.

ISBN 10: 1-886039-80-1

ISBN 13: 9781886039803

Cover design by Peri Poloni

Typography by Linda Dageforde

This book is not intended to serve as a substitute for a physician. Nor is it the authors intention to give medical advice contrary to that of an attending physician.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Somers, Marion, 1940

Elder care made easier : Doctor Marions 10 steps give you hope in a time of crisis / by Marion Somers.

p. cm.

An Addicus Nonfiction Book.

Includes index.

ISBN 1-886039-80-1 (alk. Paper)

1. Older peopleCare. 2. Frail elderlyCare. 3. Caregivers. I. Title.

HV1451.S64 2006

649.80846dc22

2006003144

Addicus Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 45327

Omaha, Nebraska 68145

www.AddicusBooks.com

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Craig M. Caryl, a man with big ideas who always carries them through to completion

T o Craig Forrest, who was a constant sounding board throughout the writing process, thank you for helping me probe deeper to access the most vital stories and information, and for simplifying things so that the material is easier for the reader to understand and utilize.

To Kesiah E. Scully, a friend with deep devotion to my growth as a creative person. Thank you for faithfully reading everything Ive ever written. To Carol McKenna, who tirelessly typed and edited this book until she had almost memorized its contents.

To Vinai Komain-Eg, Edgar (Eddie) Dobson, and Sherri Ann Griffith, who copied, collated, and stapled many pages before this book could be completed. My love and gratitude go out to my family, both in the United States and in Toronto, Canada, who have supported my writing efforts.

Finally, I wish to heartily embrace all of the elderly who have come into my life and blessed me in countless ways. You have shown me how to live each day fully and how to stay in the now of each moment. You have taught me to count my blessings on a daily basis. I have accumulated many memories and stories and good times in your company. I now try to enjoy life and meet each occasion with the openness, humility, and humor that so many of you have shown me.

M any refer to our era as the aging of America. Its true that our elders represent a significant and growing segment of the population. More families are faced with the challenges of caring for an elderly relative or friend than ever before. This is a role reversal in many cases. The parent or elder relative requires care and the adult child becomes the caregiver. The caregiver must make choices for the elder that affect not only the parent but often the entire family. Theres a tremendous need for information about health care and financial, housing, and legal issues, to name just a few. Elder care issues are constantly changing, and people need guidance on how to facilitate access to the many benefits available. It can be a daunting task to make these decisions, and it can make a caregiver feel overwhelmed.

A recurring question I hear as an attorney and as an advocate for seniors is whether there is a guide book or road map to help caregivers navigate this confusing elder care maze. doctor Marion has provided just such a book. Elder Care Made Easier is an invaluable elder care resource that also provides a healthy dose of hope in doctor Marions trademark warm manner. For many caregivers, this is a new journey, one filled with uncertainty and obstacles. Its often the first time in their lives that theyve had to care for an aging relative or friend. Elder Care Made Easier provides the tools to help caregivers make educated and thoughtful decisions as they face the many challenges ahead.

As a practicing elder law attorney for more than 20 years, Ive had the privilege of meeting thousands of people who struggle to care for their elderly relatives and friends in the most dignified and compassionate manner. The good news is that due to advances in modern medicine, seniors are living longer. But the bad news is that many seniors are outliving their resources. Theyre unable to pay for the items necessary to maintain the quality of life theyve enjoyed in the past. Caregivers are left with the task of finding alternative ways to provide for their care and comfort. Elder Care Made Easier is filled with guidance that will improve the quality of an elders life as well as the life of the caregiver.

Many families embark on this journey of caring for an aging relative unaware of how to pay for the cost of long-term care. They have no plan of action for the future and are faced with decisions theyre unprepared to make. In her book, doctor Marion outlines specific solutions and options that families can explore when considering how to provide for care. Elder Care Made Easier provides a wealth of information and resources to assist a caregiver in overcoming the many barriers that exist. After reading this book, caregivers will have a frame of reference to guide the many choices theyll need to consider. This book also provides comfort and support. And very important, it also validates feelings and helps caregivers move forward with a workable plan in place for the future.

Seniors and their caregivers need to recognize the need for advance long-term planning and organization. This book provides guidance in an efficient, easy-to-understand manner. The 10 steps format answers most elder care questions and points caregivers in the right direction so that they will feel less besieged. doctor Marions book also includes several templates to organize information pertaining to a seniors health, legal situation, finances, and lifestyle. The Sample Skill Inventory is especially useful for caregivers as they try to better understand exactly what kind of mental, physical, and psychological shape their elder loved one is in.

The need for doctor Marions book is also great due to a change in our political climate. Our federal, state, and local governments are under increasing fiscal constraints, and health care is the single fastest-growing component of many government budgets. Even though seniors represent a growing political presence, there is enormous pressure to cut costs for their care. Congress recently passed legislation that will have a dramatic effect on seniors ability to access government benefits for long-term care. More changes are sure to follow at the state and local levels. Access to prescription drug plans and long-term care insurance continues to cause concern among our elders. Many dont understand the options available, so the need for guidance in these areas has never been greater. Fortunately, doctor Marion provides a comprehensive resource section thats filled with links to information that will keep both caregivers and the elderly current.

Society is finally recognizing that we must honor our elders. The wisdom and guidance that they provide to subsequent generations is priceless. As doctor Marion observes, They have earned their wrinkles. I have known doctor Marion for many years, and she continues to be an inspirational and powerful voice for our elderly population. In her book she also shows us how to preserve and appreciate their wisdom. Every person who takes on the role of caregiver should read