Today’s Boomers

Wandering is one of the most frightening symptoms of advancing dementia, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates it will happen to nearly 60 percent of AD patients.

Technology has vowed to provide us with advanced methods that will help you find a lost Alzheimer’s patients by employing a sophisticated GPS device like the portable one I use in my car or on for those weekend bike trips.

The cost was approximately $224.00 and I have found no independent research to show which manufacturer actually works best so I suggest you take the time to investigate the one that best suits your needs. The Center for Aging Services Technologies, a coalition of government, universities and high-tech companies also supports these devices. However, the accuracy of any GPS depends solely on satellites to power the navigation system.

However, there are some “James Bond 007″ improvements under way to establish a much stronger signal to prevent any interruption from buildings and to search remote locations.

As you already know, Assisting Living Facilities utilize radio frequency “tags” to locate AD patients. They sound off a signal from a sensor attached to a door whenever the barrier is broken. But, patients have escaped by simply walking between individuals to cancel out the radio frequency.

New systems being investigated may require a cell phone, or hard- to-remove jewelry; another company plans to implant affordable sneakers with a GPS chip to track missing children. Therefore, the one that is right for your family depends on your financial circumstances.

Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., meanwhile encourages you to enroll your loved one in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return program because it’s $20 a year, provides a well managed hot line which faxes photos and descriptions to the police and there’s a sturdy stainless steel tag that gives your phone number.

Personally, I wouldn’t be without my GPS for navigation purposes so eventually the prices should go down.

MLECA recommends you employ a rescue backup plan today.

For more information, call Main Line Elder Care Associates at 610-2667 or visit us online at www.mainlineeldercare.com.

Let MLECA help you find the right solution to your problem, email us at info@mainlineeldercare.com

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President and CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., writes articles regarding elder issues which appear in her blog and newsletters. She has appeared as an expert on TV and radio to discuss the problems facing employee caregivers, healthcare management needs, care plans and many other subjects involving the elderly or disabled. She is a graduate of John Marshall Law School, a certified Arbitrator and Mediator. She co-founded MLECA with Brenda M. Hanna, BS, RNFA and dedicated to serving clients in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties.

MLECA is the recipient of the CitiCorp’s Boost Award for 2007.

Member, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. 

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Remember the highly publicized elder abuse case and allegations that a woman was forced to sleep on a urine smelling sofa while subsisting on a diet of pureed peas and oatmeal.

Well, I was sad to learn that the woman had died on Monday and wanted my readers to learn some very interesting facts about her remarkable life which was posted on the net today.

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NEW YORK - Brooke Astor, the civic leader, philanthropist and high society fixture who gave away nearly $200 million to support New York City’s great cultural institutions and a host of humbler projects, died Monday. She was 105. She recently was the center of a highly publicized legal dispute over her care, died of pneumonia at Holly Hill, her Westchester County estate in Briarcliff Manor, family lawyer Kenneth Warner said.

“Brooke was truly a remarkable woman and an irreplaceable friend,” longtime family friend David Rockefeller said. “She was the leading lady of New York in every sense of the word.”

Although a legendary figure in New York City and feted with a famous gala on her 100th birthday in March 2002, Astor was mostly interested in putting the fortune that husband Vincent Astor left to use helping others.

Her efforts won her a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 1998.

“Money is like manure, it should be spread around,” was her oft-quoted motto. There has been a lot to spread in the family ever since Vincent Astor’s great-great-grandfather, John Jacob Astor, made a fortune in fur trading and New York real estate.

Astor was born Brooke Russell in March 30, 1902, when Theodore Roosevelt was president, the U.S. had only 45 states and the Wright brothers had yet to make their first flight.

She was the only child of John H. Russell, a career Marine officer who rose to become commandant of the Corps from 1934 to 1936. She was fluent in Chinese after having spending her childhood in China and many other places, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hawaii and Panama.

“I grew up feeling that the most important thing in life was to have good manners and to enhance the lives of others,” Brooke Astor said in a 1992 interview with The Associated Press.

Astor wrote four books: “Patchwork Child,” a 1962 autobiography; “The Bluebird is at Home,” 1965, a novel; the autobiographical “Footprints,” 1980; and “The Last Blossom on the Plum Tree,” 1986, a period novel.

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She will be remembered by this author, Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President/CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc.

For more information, call Main Line Elder Care Associates at 610-2667 or visit us online at www.mainlineeldercare.com.

Let MLECA help you find the right solution to your problem, email us at info@mainlineeldercare.com

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President and CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., writes articles regarding elder issues which appear in her blog and newsletters. She has appeared as an expert on TV and radio to discuss the problems facing employee caregivers, healthcare management needs, care plans and many other subjects involving the elderly or disabled. She is a graduate of John Marshall Law School, a certified Arbitrator and Mediator. She co-founded MLECA with Brenda M. Hanna, BS, RNFA and dedicated to serving clients in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties.

MLECA is the recipient of the CitiCorp’s Boost Award for 2007.

Member, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. 

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Main Line Elder Care Associates provide a one-time consultation or ongoing care management.

RN Care Managers work with older people and their families to promote independence and provide a safe and supportive living environment.

MLECA Associates provide an invaluable source of support and assistance in times of crisis or day-to-day living.

Assessments

Geriatric Care Managers meet with elders, their families and other concerned parties to assess the safety, care needs and emotional well-being of the elder.

MLECA employs a state-of-the-art program that was specifically designed to enhance quality of life.

Based on that state-of-art assessment, a comprehensive Plan of Care is developed: 

Research appropriate housing

Recommend homecare services

Identify relevant community resources

Assess mental health needs

MLECA ongoing care management begins once the Plan of Care has been implemented.

Our RN Care Managers find, interview and manage home care services.

MLECA placement services follow through on housing applications to moving. Our Associates help with the move and make connections for you to enjoy community resources. MLECA accompanies the elder to medical appointments and report back to family members or concerned parties regarding their well-being. The assessments include geriatric psychiatry evaluations, in-home safety evaluations, education and counseling.

MLECA monitors the ongoing appropriateness of the care plan but never charges you for another assessment. Our Care Managers employ specialized care management for Parkinson’s disease, alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Our care managers are available for additional programming for caregivers, including in-service trainings, support groups, lectures and consultations to assisted living facilities, rehabs and nursing home and dementia units. 

MLECA works with Employee Assistance Programs to help bridge the employment gap and relieve some of the stress from employee-caregivers.

MLECA assists Wealth Management teams with their fudiciary duties when working with the elderly since aging brings a change of pace and many “new challengs.” We understands that good care and loving support makes all the difference.

MLECA navigates corporations and individuals thru this journey.

To learn more about MLECA services and fee structure call 610-688-2667 or visit us at www.mainlineeldercare.com