After all, seniors have a life to lead with places to go, things to do, and people to see. Thankfully, various organizations are setting up new initiatives to make it easier for seniors and their companions to go out. Keep on reading to find out more about this issue and what options you have for yourself as a senior or for your senior loved one.

The Senior Predicament When It Comes to Transportation

When you look around you, you will notice that many elderly Americans must depend on other people for their transport needs, especially at night when visual clarity is compromised. With the senior population steadily climbing, the number of people who need help will also increase. What will happen to all the baby boomers who can no longer drive due to health issues?

Imagine, losing your license to drive is a major setback as it impedes your movement. For those who want to continue living an active and independent life, that is impossible to do if you cannot drive.

Besides, you cannot always depend on other people even if they are willing. Apart from not wanting to abuse their kindness, depending on them puts you at the mercy of their schedules.

Sadly, poor public transportation in some cities may make the problem worse. Even those cities that provide trolleys, buses, or trains offer limited schedules. Hence, it may not work with your schedule, wasting time or making things complicated and inconvenient.

Remember, not being able to drive can affect mental health. Seniors who do not feel free to move around when they want to can feel depressed. At the same time, it can affect their self-esteem and confidence levels when they cannot meet their peers or do what they like.

On top of that, the inability to drive also adversely impacts physical health. Feelings of incapacity and helplessness can lead to the following physical ailments:

• Unexplained aches
• Aggravated body pains
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Less energy and motivation
• Issue with sleep

Fortunately, municipalities, special services, non-profit groups, and technology via ride-sharing apps fill this huge gap. For those of you who are mobility-impaired, you will find comfort in these senior transport options. Let’s discuss them further below.

Learn About Mobility Management Services

Maybe it is your first-time hearing about this kind of services. They are generally provided to seniors by non-profit organizations. These groups support you by:

• Educating the public about senior transport options
• Establishing a critical partnership with different transport services
• Promoting easy, efficient, and seamless access to elderly transportation options

As you can see, these services are to help communities by offering options to get your loved one around town. They do not merely provide one type of transportation. Instead, mobility management services go above and beyond by compiling a broad range of transport services to make life easy for seniors and their families.

This is critical because it gives seniors the power to make decisions about how they move around. Most seniors and their families do not know about this. With access to this service, seniors no longer need to feel helpless and isolated because of their situation.

Keep in mind, even if you offer to drive your senior around town, you will not always be available. In case your loved one has a spontaneous plan or an urgent need to mobilize, you may not always be around to help. With this option, you can also feel at ease because you know your senior family member will always have help even if you are not there.

A List of Affordable Senior Transport Options

With limited pension and no active income from work, seniors do not have a lot of money to spend on transportation. You will find several options for transport that mobility management services recommend for seniors. Here are the most well-known services offered today:

Give Private Riding Services a Try

Private driving service like Care.Com offers an affordable individualized experience for people who need assistance, especially seniors. This means your beloved elderly can go back to doing errands based on their schedule instead of suffering unforgiving public transport timetables. Furthermore, this private service works best for people with special needs that a public bus or train cannot accommodate.

Checking the official company website will show a list of fully vetted private drivers in your area, including:

• Name of drive
• Experience
• Cost
• Client reviews

Do take the time to read the reviews to find the best person to take care of your beloved senior. This is a great option if you are not around to take your elderly loved one from the nursing home, to the doctor. These personalized services are comfortable, but most of all, they are also cost-efficient for occasional trips. However, for regular activities that your senior attends, you may find other cheaper, more suitable options.

Book Senior Transport with Ride-Sharing Apps

Thanks to technology, you can grab your smartphone and book a ride for your senior anytime. Download a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft to get started. This option requires you to be tech-savvy, so seniors who have a hard time with smartphones or tablets may need assistance.

Technology should not deter any senior from leveraging the popular apps. Go ahead and ask your techie kids or grandchildren to download, install, and set up the app details. Once the app is up and running, it is easy to understand and use. You only need to provide a payment method via credit card or PayPal, your home address, and the address destination.

The app automatically calculates the rate of the service upon booking. There are no hidden fees or charges. Even the driver’s name, description, and car model will be stated, along with the estimated pick-up time.

1. Enjoy More Cost Savings

To enjoy more cost savings, try Lyft Line or UberPool, which allows carpooling. This means you split the tab with fellow riders going on a similar route. This option is more pocket-friendly, which is a good option for seniors on a budget.

Take note; the transaction is all done online, so there is no exchange of cash. However, you can give a tip if you feel like the service is exemplary. To go home, do the same in reverse order, and make your home address the destination and your current location the pick-up point.

2. Try Lyft With GrandPad

In 2017, Lyft partnered with GrandPad. This means the owner of a senior-friendly tablet can easily book rides. Their companions can also order the rides for them. It is easy since the GrandPad is pre-installed with locations that the senior frequently travels to.

This convenient option minimizes confusion. It even assures that caregivers will not make any mistakes should they book on behalf of the senior. This provides a seamless booking and riding experience for those in the twilight of their years.

3. Consider Uber Assist

Those seniors who need extra help must try UberASSIST. This assures a trained driver will come to help. They can do the following:

• Help should the senior need help getting in and out of the vehicle.
• They can also accommodate walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs.
• The specialty UberWAV also provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles, though availability is highly limited depending on the area.

4. Ridesharing with a Heart

Because seniors have limited transport options and income, these apps have been working with partners to offer discounted rides with the city and non-profit support. For example, Uber has developed partnerships with senior groups, senior advocate organizations, non-profits, and municipalities to assure affordability.

Similarly, Lyft has partnered with senior housing communities. They offer their services even if the seniors do not have their own smart device or credit card. Residents can conveniently book appointments to various destinations. The charges are billed to their monthly fees instead.

Apart from Uber and Lyft, some companies are emerging to serve older people. For example, Silver Ride in San Francisco is an app that supports the elderly by providing comfy, clean vehicles with trained drivers who can help. The vehicles can accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. The company hopes to expand to nearby cities and all over the country soon.

Take the Bus and Paratransit Services

In bustling cities, you will find public transport. For instance, San Diego offers buses, rails, and shuttles. However, this service is only suitable for your older adult who can still mentally and physically remember a complex transport system, including routes, times, and fees.

Those who need more specialize help can try the American with Disabilities Act or ADA paratransit services. This is an affordable alternative that offers curb-to-curb pickup. It means your senior can conveniently travel to the same areas that other public vehicles go to.

Noteworthy, to avail of this ADA paratransit service, you need to apply the senior first to the registry. After certification, that’s the only time seniors or caregivers booking on their behalf can enjoy the service.

Enjoy Contracted Transport

Usually, seniors who are part of senior groups or assisted living communities may enjoy services offered by the group. This is a worthy option as the rates are often lower than the private transport option. With this, you will have a longer list of options to address your seniors’ transportation needs.

For best results, ask your organization ahead of time. This way, you can book an affordable ride for yourself or your senior loved one. Having the chance to freely move around will certainly improve their disposition, alleviating their sadness and stress.

Work with RideFACT

If you and your senior loved one reside in the San Diego County area, you are in luck. FACT (Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation), a comprehensive organization for seniors and caregivers, created RideFACT. Since FACT is committed to giving safe, timely, and efficient transport, they came up with this solution.

You can count on RideFACT as it was curated specifically for individuals who cannot enjoy the senior transport services listed above. When it is not possible for any senior to access another mobility option, FACT will offer their own service, the RideFACT.

It is an affordable curb-to-curb transport service that covers all counties in San Diego. This convenient option is available on weekdays from 7 am to 8 pm. The best part, the cost of the fare starts at only $2.50 for short rides, with the caregiver or senior companion riding free of charge.

For additional information, FACT is a non-profit organization headquartered in Oceanside. They were assigned by the SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) to act as the CTSA (Consolidated Transportation Service Agency) for all the counties in San Diego. They strive hard to offer reliable transport services to resident, so entrusting them with your beloved senior should not be a problem. You can find out more information about this group here.

The Final Wrap Up

Remember that aging is an inevitable part of life, so you must treat your senior relative with compassion. If you do not want your elderly loved ones to suffer depression, you cannot keep them isolated at home. Though they may have lost their ability to drive, it does not mean they have to stay grounded.

With various senior transport options, your senior and the assigned caregiver can readily go around town with ease. Seniors with mobility issues or those suffering from dementia need special care. If you need help, get in touch with our team at the Lakeside Manor. We offer a clean facility and loving community where your elderly loved one will feel right at home. Give us a call if you have questions or schedule a free facility tour to see how everyone in our community spends their day.

The post Senior Transportation Options appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Hence, you must prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead. Whether you’re a family member or a professional caregiver, you must keep in mind that an elderly with dementia needs patience. It is difficult for someone with dementia to think, remember, and communicate with others. They may even forget to care for themselves. Elderly folks suffering from dementia can be moody and cranky. In the worst-cases, it can even change the personality of your once sweet senior. How can you handle this situation when you’re not a trained medical professional?

Remember, the right attitude is critical for successful care. Learning more about the diagnosis can help you understand your elderly loved one. It also allows you to set realistic expectations and retain control as the caregiver. When you know what pitfalls and challenges to expect, you can plan ahead and take the sting out of your new responsibilities. Furthermore, the right mind frame assures you to retain a more positive attitude despite this harsh prognosis. Here are some vital things you must consider when caring for an elderly loved one with dementia.

Do Work On Communication Skills to Foster Better Interactions

Keep in mind, communicating with a person with dementia takes effort. But it is something that you can readily learn. With proper communication, you can make caregiving less stressful. Furthermore, you can anticipate a better relationship. Expressing yourself properly will help manage any difficult behavior or attitudes that you may encounter. Try the following techniques:

1. Establish a positive mood

More than words, your body language can convey your inner thoughts and feelings. Hence, strive hard to establish a positive mood to ensure a good interaction. Your tone of voice and facial expressions must always be pleasant, cordial, and respectful.

2. Work on getting the right attention

Before you speak, make sure you have the person’s undivided attention. Turn off all distractions like the TV, radio, or computer. Address the person by name and remind them of your relationship. Maintain eye contact to get them to concentrate on your words.

3. Give a clear, succinct message

Remember to speak slowly and use simple words. Be mindful of your tone because it can hurt their feelings. If your elderly loved one doesn’t understand, patiently repeat or rephrase your words. Break everything down into a series of manageable instructions.

4. Listen not only with your ears

When dealing with dementia, you must be patient in waiting for a reply. Sometimes, you must use more than your ears to listen. Look at body cues and overall demeanor. Help supply words when they are grappling for it. Listen with your heart to comprehend their emotions.

5. Respond with love

An elderly loved one with dementia feels insecure. They often feel anxious, confused, and scared. Often, they can mix up facts and remember the wrong things. As such, you need to be patient in explaining. Speak in a soothing tone and use gentle words. Hold their hand, touch them, and pat their back. Offering kindness and love will go a long way.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help and Seek Support

Whether you need to take care of someone in your family or doing so as your profession, never be afraid to seek a helping hand and ask for support. Support groups and organizations can help family members and professionals tremendously. With your group, you can vent your frustrations without any judgment. Since everyone is going through the same thing, you can share coping tips and tricks with one another. A group is a good place to find resources about dementia. Other pro caregivers can also give you their professional insight to apply in caring for your elderly loved one.

Furthermore, professionals should never feel ashamed to ask a colleague for support. Everyone in the healthcare profession understands that caring for someone with dementia is difficult. Hence, there will be moments that even professionals need a friendly ear. Someone to talk to can help unburden you from the stress you feel.

Do Exhibit Compassion and Empathy

Quality care always springs from a compassionate heart that empathizes with the plight of a sick person. This mantra holds true for every human relationship, but it becomes even more important for those who care for people with dementia. To illustrate, a person with dementia can get confused about the time of day, where they live, and who their family members are. This situation is truly heartbreaking!

Thus, it would help to put yourself in the person’s shoes. How would you want to be treated if you ever find yourself not knowing who you are and feeling disoriented about your new assisted-living community? Actively empathizing with the senior in your care can help you become more conscientious of your actions. After all, everyone will eventually enter the twilight of their years. When you experience this season of life, you certainly want everyone to care for and respect you, even if you suffer from dementia.

Don’t Believe the Myth that Dementia is Only Memory Loss

It is an understatement to say that dementia is merely memory loss. However, memory loss is one of the symptoms of dementia. Some dementia cases, such as Pick’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, exhibit personality changes. Remember, the brain has different lobes, so the symptoms that manifest can vary depending on the location affected by the disease.

Noteworthy, memory loss is often the most obvious symptom that exhibits the person is suffering a neurological decline. Sadly, this can lead to many other issues, such as combative behavior and terrible mood swings. To illustrate, it is highly likely that a lady-like grandma will start cussing like a veteran sailor in rough seas. It is normal for dementia patients to experience delusions and even hallucinations. In some cases, an elderly person can even begin to think that his family members plot something evil against him.

In the advanced stage of most kinds of dementia, the patient may be non-functioning. As a result, you will find them unable to dress themselves, brush their teeth, or even eat. Incontinence may also be a problem. When the self-care abilities are gone, you may need a permanent caregiver all the time or consider seeking a dementia facility for help. Dementia patients who lose their ability to communicate and identify people or things can end up getting lost. It is truly heart-wrenching to see someone who was once so lively become unresponsive. Thus, seeking professional help is crucial when they can no longer live independently.

Do Set Realistic Expectations

Though it is vital to stay positive, you must also be realistic about the disease. Though it may sound harsh, the sad reality is that dementia is often an irreversible and progressive disorder. In fact, prepare for things to get worse over time. There is no known cure for this disease, so manage your expectations and plan accordingly. What you can do is to ensure that the person in your care is always comfortable and safe. You can try the following:

• GPS tracking apps
• Digital clocks with reminders
• Communication aids
• Home monitoring devices
• Security cameras
• Home care bots
• Medication management tools

Remember, most professionals share that dementia patients often have good days and bad days. For best results, always try to prolong the good days by ensuring your elderly loved one is not agitated or stressed. Providing a relaxed environment without excessive stimuli can help them stay calm. Feeding them a healthy diet that maintains their blood pressure and sugar levels will ensure better days ahead.

Don’t Forcefully Correct or Be Mean About Troublesome Behavior

Personality and behavioral changes are the biggest challenges when caring for a loved one with dementia. Most become irritable when they cannot remember things or do what they like. Some become combative when you restrict their movements for their own safety. Sadly, they no longer have the mental faculties to process that what you are doing is for their own good.

In cases like this, you must once again be patient, compassionate, and understanding. Don’t take things personally and strive to maintain a good attitude. To help you out, consider the following:

1. Change how you respond

Remember, you cannot correct nor change a person with dementia. It is an incurable disease. When you attempt to modify their behavior and attitude, you will most likely fail. Most of all, they will resist. Hence, it is better to change how you respond because you still have control over your behavior and reasoning.

2. Check with the primary care provider

Sometimes, when the behavior becomes too much, you need to consult their doctor. It could be an underlying medical issue. Your elderly loved one could be in pain. It could also be a side effect of a medicine. Seek the doctor’s advice to help you sort things out.

3. Consider the various triggers

Often, how a person with dementia reacts is based on a trigger. Sometimes, it could be something as simple as the weather. It could also be what they ate that day or the noise they heard that got them overstimulated. Be more observant in assessing their disruptive patterns. Through proper evaluation, you can find triggers and avoid them.

4. Understand the reason behind it

Since people with dementia cannot eloquently express what they want or need, they can act out. Sometimes, this manifests through erratic behavior, such as throwing out all the clothes from the closet. When this happens, understand the reason behind the behavior. What could your elderly loved one be trying to do or express? Try the best you can to accommodate them.

Do Everything to Prevent Wandering and Avoid Getting Lost

It is often common for people with dementia to wander around. They walk aimlessly even if they have no clue how to return. This could be a potential and serious problem that you have to consider. With poor memory, they can get lost permanently. To help you manage this behavior, consider the following:

• Include regular exercise to prevent restlessness and boredom.
• Consider installing smart locks that they cannot open but are accessible to others.
• Put a barrier on the main entryway, like a curtain to camouflage the door.
• Add child-lock covers on doorknobs to prevent accidents.
• Install security cameras to keep watch over your elderly loved ones.
• Sew name, contact number, and address labels on clothes.
• Inform neighbors about this problem so they can help keep watch.

Do Make Concrete Plans for the Future

When caring for someone with dementia, change is an inevitable part of the course. Remember this detail, so you won’t get used to a routine or status quo. As this disease is progressive, you must prepare for when you need to bring your loved one to a professional memory care facility with a residential option. As such, you need to check your finances and scout your area for a good nursing home. You must face the fact that care needs will increase as your elderly family member’s condition deteriorates. Thus, you must eventually transition your loved one into a reputable adult-living community.

If you need help, you can get in touch with us at Lakeside Manor. Our team understands that it is difficult to pick a care facility for your loved one. After all, you want quality care you can trust, as well as a good team that your beloved family member is comfortable with. Don’t hesitate to call and ask us any questions if you need additional information. We also invite you to tour our community to see how we spend our days with our lovely seniors.

The post Caring for Someone With Dementia appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

But perhaps, this craft is more appreciated during the twilight years of old age as nostalgic feelings set in. In this fast-paced, digital world where everything is instant, there’s something more poignant about a handcrafted, artisanal piece you make with your own hands.

In fact, it is common for every family to have an heirloom piece, like a sweater knitted by grandma or a blanket crocheted by her loving fingers. As people age, mobility becomes impaired, but thankfully, crafting is one of those few hobbies that our beloved seniors can continue to cultivate and participate in. Beyond the feelings of nostalgia, it can help pass the time and offer so many health benefits for people who are advanced in their years.

The Perks of Engaging in Crafting for Seniors

Though crafting is surely not on your elderly loved ones’ prescribed list of maintenance medications, it is an activity that can benefit their health. Studies show that the act of creating something fostered by the imagination does seniors a whole world of good. Many advantages are inextricably linked with each other. Look at the following health benefits of crafting below:

• Boost cognitive ability as the imagination gets stimulated.
• Offers pain relief in arthritic fingers and joints.
• Reduces stress as the mind is productive and occupied.
• Strengthens the immune system as seniors feel happy and not depressed.
• Promotes a decrease in blood pressure because of good vibes.
• Amplifies their coordination and motor skills.

Clearly, crafting is something we should ask our seniors to do whether we watch them at home or when we visit them in their nursing facilities. Apart from positively influencing seniors’ health, crafting can also improve the mood and health of the caregivers. Above all, crafting is an activity that seniors and caregivers can enjoy together.

Top 6 Crafting Projects for the Elderly

When you research, you will realize that there are so many crafts to do with your loved one whether they reside alone, with you, or in an adult community. The sky’s not the limit with a robust imagination. With each activity promoting wellness benefits, we should encourage our seniors to partake in crafts by providing the materials.

However, you must remember eye problems or arthritis can inhibit your loved ones’ movements. Hence, you need to be there to offer support in case they need help. If you are on the lookout for crafting projects to keep your senior busy, look at the following tested ones below:

1.    Inspire Nimble Fingers to Knit and Crochet

When you encourage your seniors to pick up yarn for their knitting and crocheting projects, you improve their mood. One study shows that 81% of people agree to feel happy after they knit. Additionally, those who feel depressed elevate their mood when they engage their fingers with knitting needles or crochet hooks. Apart from that, both hobbies improve cognitive function in seniors while enhancing finger coordination and agility.

You can expect an improvement in visual-spatial assessment and hand-eye rhythm as the seniors focus on each stroke while doing their projects. Sadly, both elements decrease as people age. If not cultivated, these skills will continue to decline. Thankfully, you can improve through knitting and crocheting. Remember, most seniors already know how to do these activities. And if they need a refresher course or a crash intro course, you can find many tutorials online or books to help them learn.

The key to success is starting with simple projects so they feel more inspired to continue until they finish something. Besides, it is not the project’s scale but the skills they hone as they do it that matters. Whether you ask grams or gramps to knit a bonnet, crochet a coaster, or make a blanket, they will all garner the same health and wellness benefits.

2.    Promote the Fine Art of Decoupage

This crafting project’s beauty is it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Hence, it is perfectly suitable for any age, possessing various levels of crafting skills. Decoupage allows you to turn an ordinary thing into something extraordinary. For example, you can turn a normal bottle into an artwork by pasting various cutouts onto its body. You can use your homemade cornstarch glue or try store-bought adhesives.

Noteworthy, many decoupage artisans use the concept of upcycling in their projects. This means using materials like gift wrapping papers, cardboard boxes, or even plastic containers to make stunning projects. This crafting idea is also helpful for mother earth as it allows everyone to reuse and recycle materials into stunning artworks.

Because decoupage requires cutting, pasting, and designing, it will exercise our elderly loved ones’ fine motor skills. You may also see an improvement in dexterity. After all, your senior is tasked to rip tiny pieces of paper with fingers or via scissors. This repetitive action stimulates both the muscles and brain to work in synchrony. More than that, focusing on a project assures that your senior can forget about problems. Pasting the colorful and vibrant papers stimulate happy feelings in the brain and improves cognition.

3.    Encourage Painting a Masterpiece

If a two-year-old can finger paint, so can the seniors in our lives. The beauty of painting is that it allows self-expression. There is no right or wrong way to get things done. You can choose from many different styles of painting from classic watercolor to modern cubism. You can vary the materials by using traditional paper, painting on rocks, or designing a plate. You can let your creative juices flow and try different media such as watercolor, acrylic, pastel, watercolor pencils, and more. If dementia is an issue, buy non-toxic materials.

To keep your seniors excited:

1. Involve them in planning.
2. Ask them what painting style they would like to mimic.
3. Bring them along with you when you choose color palettes and buy the materials.

It will make them more motivated to bring out their inner Leonardo Da Vinci. Best of all, you can bring them out of their nursing home for an outing in the park to paint scenery from what they see. If your seniors don’t feel like painting something from scratch, add a splash of the rainbow into their lives by buying adult coloring books with mandalas and other intricate patterns.

Studies say that painting is a top stress reducer. Making repeated, gentle strokes with a paintbrush has the power to calm the mind. Researchers say that doing these repetitive movements urge the brain to release serotonin. This hormone calms the mind and boosts happy feelings. If your senior is feeling depressed, picking up a paintbrush will turn that frown into a smile.

Moreover, the act of picking colors and designing patterns also promotes focus. By encouraging this crafting activity, you will help your beloved seniors to practice mindfulness. When they are intentional and conscious of their surroundings, they tend to forget aches and pain. At the same time, stimulating the mind can improve their memory.

4.    Go Down Memory Lane with Scrapbook Making

In a world full of digital pictures, you can help your seniors relive the glory days of their youth with scrapbooking. Print important photographs, collect memorabilia, pick quotes, and arrange stickers to make their traditional scrapbooks. This fun activity will jolt memories of their happy past. This nostalgic activity can remind them of the wonderful blessings and milestones in their lives.

Though it may seem like pasting stuff on albums, do not underestimate this craft. It is touted for decreasing anxiety. That’s not surprising at all because working with old pictures and memorabilia spark memory sensors that remind seniors of good times. It will certainly foster a strong sense of identity by reminding them of the things they once loved and enjoyed.

This activity can even improve our beloved seniors’ self-esteem as they are reminded that a lot of people love them. Through this newfound confidence, they become more adept at handling stressful situations. Additionally, happy feelings assure better immunity which protects against heart disease and other illnesses.

Remember, scrapbooking is a craft that your seniors can enjoy by their lonesome or with other people. In fact, why not set up a scrapbooking date where they can share stickers, papers, and embellishments. Doing it with others, promote socialization, encourage communication, and foster camaraderie. Help them out by providing sturdy scrapbooks, adhesives, and other decorative materials.

Encourage the seniors to think of a theme, or you can challenge them by providing one. After all, this crafting idea is also a form of self-expression so remind your beloved seniors to unleash their creative juices. You can also tie it up with another crafting project such as digital photography by printing the pictures they took and then make an album out of them.

Make Fashionable and Functional Jewelry

No one needs a degree from the Gemological Institute of America to create fancy accessories. Buy materials for your seniors and encourage them to make bead bracelets, fun necklaces, and even earrings. Simple bead jewelry making can be done easily by everyone. All you need are simple and affordable materials from a craft shop.

Though the finished products look amazing, there are limited skills required for putting bead pieces together. Males and females will surely enjoy this fun activity as they can make one for themselves or their loved ones as gifts. Jewelry making stimulates the imagination as they develop their own designs with various bead textures, patterns, and colors.

Even seniors who have diminished fine motor skills can ask someone to piece the jewelry on their behalf. In the end, it can still be considered as their own work of art. The creative process of conceptualizing the design improves cognitive function and prompts positive neurological responses. As this activity keeps seniors occupied, you can count on it to lower their anxiety, stress, and depression levels. Since they need to focus on little beads, it fosters focus and promotes mindfulness which exercises their mental health.

6.    Promote Stitching Treasures that Last

Though some shy away from making sewing projects because needles are tiny, you can still consider this project if your beloved senior shows interest. Make sure you do the projects in a well-lit area to avoid accidents. Whether stitching with a machine or doing it by hand, doing these handmade crafts will boost your seniors’ confidence level. It makes them feel good to create something functional for themselves or their loved ones. You can encourage them to make the following:

• Throw Pillows: Make personalized covers for their sofa or as gifts. They can attach trims like tassels or lace edges.
• Dish Cloth: This is super easy to make and often need single stitching to complete the project. Best of all, it is functional as everyone dries their dishes daily.
• Memory Quilt: If your senior is up for a challenge, repurpose old shirts, baby blankets, dresses, and uniforms into a memory quilt. This blanket provides both warmth and a touch of sentimentality.
• Wall Art: You can also buy materials for cross stitching or other embroidery patterns. When the project is done, have this framed to be hung on the wall.

Final Wrap Up

As you can see, there are many fun ways to keep your seniors busy with crafting projects that keep their hands occupied, their minds focused, and their creativity flourish. Crafting activities improve their fine motor skills, alleviate stress, boost the mood, and pave the way for social interactions. If you need suggestions, get in touch with our Lakeside Manor team to help you plan activities.

Remember, making crafts does not only foster creativity, but it also stimulates the brain, which improves cognitive and memory function. Even seniors with physical limitations can find joy in crafting. With affordable supplies and a touch of imagination, anyone can get started with their crafting project.

The post The Best Crafts for the Elderly appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

If cost is the number one reason why you’re thinking twice about potentially seeking assisted living care for your senior parents, it’s worth taking the time to review your options in-depth. You may be able to secure tax relief for your parents’ medical expenses.

In this article, we’ll talk more about the medical expenses of your older parents and how it can factor in your taxes. Re-examine how viable assisted living is as an option for your parents after developing a deeper understanding of how much it may cost.

Defining Assisted Living

Before we get into the conditions you must meet to deduct assisted living expenses from your taxes, it helps to first define what it is.

Per MedlinePlus, assisted living facilities help residents with their daily routines. As people get older, they may not do the same set of tasks they handled with no issue before. Tasks such as performing basic hygiene, cleaning around their home, and remembering to take their medication may become tougher due to their current condition.

Assisted living facilities can also vary in terms of what services they offer. Some offer a wider range of services compared to others.

Another way to think of assisted living facilities is they serve as an option for senior citizens who need more care but want to continue enjoying some form of independence. It’s a great compromise option for parents and their children who may not always see eye to eye about long-term care options.

The bottom line is that assisted living makes sense for a lot of people. For others, it may even be a necessity.

The good news for senior citizens and their relatives is that assisted living remains a reasonable option from a financial perspective. The availability of tax relief only serves to make it an even better option to consider.

The Conditions That Determine if Assisted Living Can Become Tax Deductible

Different medical expenses can be tax deductible. And yes, even the medical expenses that do not directly affect your health may become deductible depending on certain conditions.

The IRS has laid out the guidelines pertaining to tax deductible medical expenses. Let’s take a closer look at those guidelines and find out how they may affect the final cost of securing assisted living for your older parents.

Assisted Living for a Qualifying Relative

Obviously, your own medical expenses are tax deductible and the same for your spouse and children. You can also subtract the medical expenses of qualifying relatives from the final amount of taxes you need to pay.

Qualifying relatives include your siblings and their children. Your stepsiblings may also be qualifying relatives. A person who lived with you throughout the year may be a qualifying relative if the relationship you two shared did not violate any local laws.

The IRS also considers in-laws to be qualifying relatives.

Your parents can also be qualifying relatives for tax purposes. Notably, the siblings of your parents are similarly regarded, and the same for your grandparents. You can also list your stepmother or stepfather as your qualifying relatives to secure an assisted living deduction.

Assisted Living for a Chronically Ill Qualifying Relative

The payments you make to an assisted living facility don’t automatically become tax deductible simply because they are related to a qualifying relative’s medical expenses. The IRS notes that you must meet additional conditions before the expenses become tax deductible.

To find out if the expenses can be deductible, you first need to ask if they are covering someone who is chronically ill.

How can you check if your relative qualifies as chronically ill? The agency also lays out definitions for that.

According to the agency, they consider a person chronically ill if a licensed healthcare professional finds they are incapable of performing at least two daily activities without assistance from someone else for a period of at least 90 days. The person in question may no longer perform those activities due to some loss in capacity.

To eliminate confusion, the activities the IRS is referring to are bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.

They consider the person chronically ill if they need plenty of supervision because their current mental state could be a genuine risk to their health.

Older individuals with dementia may have trouble watching over themselves because they get confused and disoriented easily. Increased supervision may be needed to prevent the person in question from getting into an accident of some kind.

It’s a good idea to get your loved one checked by a doctor before you plan to check them into an assisted living facility. Apart from learning about their status, going to the doctor also fulfills one of the IRS’ conditions. The agency notes that a person must be deemed chronically ill within the previous 12 months by a licensed healthcare professional if you wish to secure the assisted living deduction.

Assisted Living Is Prescribed by a Licensed Healthcare Professional

You can still deduct the expenses from your relative’s stay in an assisted living facility even if they were not chronically ill. That is the case if their doctor prescribed a stint in an assisted living facility as part of their recovery plan.

Doctors won’t always prescribe a stay in an assisted living facility, but that may be necessary given new health issues your relative is currently dealing with. Your relative may have been injured recently and be why they are struggling to perform certain daily activities.

The Percentage of Your Income That Goes to Assisted Living Payments

You can start deducting medical expenses from your overall tax payments if they meet a certain threshold related to your income. To be more specific, the IRS says that “only the part of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income” qualifies as tax deductible.

That deductible can prove to be a huge help come tax season. Every little bit helps when it comes to funding care for your older relatives, so having that deductible there makes a huge difference.

How to Calculate the Tax Deductible from Your Assisted Living Expenses

Calculating taxes can be a tricky chore, and we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to leave that task up to an accountant. However, if you need to find out how much your medical expenses, including the assisted living, will be immediately, you must handle the math on your own.

The good news is that the calculations here are not complicated.

You can start by solving your qualified assisted living expenses first. Check to see if the assisted living expenses you incurred qualify as tax deductible per the conditions we’ve already talked about. Remember that it must comprise more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income to qualify.

After determining the living expenses, you can now make additions. You want to add the cost of the assisted living stay to your other qualifying medical expenses. Note that number for now.

Next, you determine what is 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Write that number down as well.

At this point, you can take the number indicating your qualifying medical expenses and subtract that from the other number that you got after calculating for 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. The final answer you eventually come up with is your medical expense deduction.

Remember to account only for the expenses for the year. You may accidentally throw your calculations off by including the expenses that are well-beyond the right tax year.

What Are Other Tax Deductible Medical Expenses?

A stay in an assisted living facility is not the only tax deductible medical expense. You may also secure some tax relief for other essential products and services that your older relatives need.

Let’s check out some of the other notable tax deductible medical expenses below.

Medicine and Drug Expenses

People often pay significant amounts of money to obtain the different forms of medication they need. If your older relative has a variety of chronic conditions, getting all the forms of medication they require can get expensive in a hurry.

Writing off some of your purchases may help, though. The IRS allows you to write off purchases of drugs and medicines that were prescribed by a doctor.

Insulin can also be a write-off even without a prescription, but that’s the only one that qualifies in that way. Every other medicine or drug you buy, a doctor must prescribe it before you can include it among your medical expenses for the year.

Dental Expenses

You can deduct expenses that go towards addressing the dental care of your older relative. Specific dental expenses that qualify as tax deductible are the ones that either alleviate or prevent dental diseases.

Dentures, fillings, and even X-rays count as deductible expenses. You can deduct teeth cleaning done by a dentist too.

Eye Treatment Expenses

Eye problems are common among the older members of the population. Your older relative may even be dealing with them now.

Eye treatment can be expensive, but you should know that certain forms of it are tax deductible.

You can write off the expenses that went towards paying for new glasses or contact lenses. Surgical procedures are covered too.

Hearing Aid Expenses

Developing hearing issues is one of the common signs of aging. Hearing aids can help address the problems stemming from that aging-related concern.

You can get deductions for new hearing aids that you purchase for your older loved ones. Apart from the hearing aids themselves, you can also write off expenses related to maintaining, repairing, or purchasing batteries for them.

Wheelchair Expenses

Some older individuals need to use a wheelchair to get around due to persistent conditions that have taken away their mobility. Count the cost of that wheelchair as another medical expense that you can write off. Aside from the wheelchair purchase, you can deduct the money you put into maintaining the wheelchair from the taxes you pay.

Chiropractor Expenses

Chiropractic care can be helpful in situations where older people are dealing with strains and joint discomfort. The techniques used by chiropractors excel at relieving pressure on certain parts of the body. By alleviating that pressure, the patient can find comfort from their nagging pain while also seeing their range of movement improve.

Older adults may find the relief they’ve long been seeking following a visit to the chiropractor. Keep in mind that you can also write off that visit in your taxes.

Diagnostic Device Expenses

To monitor chronic conditions, some folks may opt to buy test kits. Blood sugar test kits are probably among the ones most used by senior citizens. Feel free to purchase one of those test kits to keep track of your relative’s disease easier.

Are you worried about the cost of checking your older relative into an assisted living facility? That’s an understandable concern. Remember that assisted living becomes more affordable after you write it off as a tax deductible.

Contact us at Lakeside Manor if you want your loved one to stay in an affordable yet dependable assisted living facility. Feel free to get in touch with us or drop by our facility to learn more about our services.

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Why Is This Happening?

Should you be dealing with this scenario, know that you are not alone. We’ve noticed these odd changes in the behavior of our elderly loved ones struggling with dementia as well. What is it about sundown that makes it akin to a “witching hour” for elderly folks who grapple with some form of delirium? It seems the setting sun triggers a barrage of issues that brings discomfort and unrest.

Because we wanted to understand our elderly, we discovered that this drastic behavioral shift at sunset is dubbed as the sundown syndrome, which others call sundowners syndrome. Indeed, its name speaks volumes and perfectly describes the condition. When the sun goes down, our seniors with dementia issues get into a terrible mood.

Medical practitioners and scientists cannot say specifically what causes this syndrome. However, they do note that you can provide relief for your elderly loved ones by ensuring they avoid possible triggers. Through this, you can help them prevent shifting their mood at sundown. After all, radical mood shifts also take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. When we are armed with the proper information, we can steer our elderly loved ones in the right direction and help them manage the sundown symptoms in a better way.  We can also alert their trusted caregivers about what to expect and what to do.

The Definition of Sundown Syndrome

Unfortunately, there is no clear cut definition for this syndrome. Apart from sundowners syndrome, others also refer to this as sundowning. This sundown syndrome is generally characterized by the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the late after afternoon, early evening, or even at night when the sun has set. Some also note that this can also appear in the early morning before the sun rises.

These sundown symptoms include a range of behavior like aggressiveness, increased confusion, relentless restlessness, palpable anxiety, and prolonged agitation when the day transitions into the night. It’s quite ironic how these dark behaviors crop up when daylight ceases to exist.

Noteworthy, this sundown syndrome primarily affects those with Alzheimer’s disease or some other dementia. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that sundown syndrome will afflict one out of five people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, this syndrome usually doesn’t influence those ordinary seniors with normal cognitive function. However, it can manifest when a normal senior recovers from illness or surgery in the hospital. Symptoms are also most likely to crop up when seniors are suddenly in an unfamiliar environment.

If you believe that the senior in your life is suffering from this, you must speak with your senior’s primary care physician to map out a plan of action. Should your elderly live in an assisted living community, you must also speak with a facility representative to find the best treatment and care protocols for your elderly loved one. You need a skilled facility with understanding caregivers that know what to do when your senior is suffering from memory loss and cognitive problems.

Common Behavior or Symptoms to Expect

The symptoms and behavior manifested depend on the individual. Although there may be a list of possible issues to watch out for, what may appear in your loved one could be several signs. For example, your loved one can exhibit only one symptom, while a friend living in the same nursing home facility could exhibit several behavioral issues happening all at the same time.

Discover the early warning red flags of sundowning syndrome

It is easy to make a mistake when figuring out this problem. Why? Because in the beginning, sundowning symptoms are subtle. In fact, they are so low key that you can easily overlook them.

Furthermore, at the start, the occurrence of behavioral issues is quite inconsistent. For instance, there may be one day when your elderly adult cries for no reason. The next day, it could be your senior feeling angry out of the blue.

Since the signs are trivial and vary, it is so easy for us to chalk it up to our seniors being moody, impatient, and irritable. It may take a while before you notice a observe a set pattern in their unruly behavior.

The typical signs that repetitively show up after sundown

If you are curious about the concrete signs of sundowning, look at this list. Your senior may experience several in one go, or your elderly can also exhibit one symptom consistently:

• Take note of rapid mood shifts
• Observe anxious behavior
• Watch out for sudden anger
• Incessant crying and depression happens
• Your senior paces around nonstop
• Any little trigger agitates your loved one
• Sudden onset of unexplained fear, worrying
• Feelings of restlessness occur
• Your elderly becomes unreasonably stubborn
• There is sudden shadowing or following around caregivers
• Asking repetitive questions while interrupting the answers

Severe or extreme symptoms to watch out for

Though most people with dementia grapple with ordinary symptoms, for some elderly people, these instances could be more severe. At times, it becomes debilitating because the senior could end up harming others. The worst-case scenario is also self-harm. Take note of severe symptoms that you should watch out for:

• Unbelievable hallucinations that could lead to untoward decisions
• A habit of hiding stuff, including important personal effects
• Strong sense of paranoia that could cause doubt towards others
• Scary, violent acts that harm caregivers or themselves
• Running away and wandering around that could result in accidents and getting lost.

The Triggers of Sundown Syndrome

Many people wonder if this syndrome is temporary because it would be frightening if it persists all the time, all day long. The good news is sundowning is temporary because it only occurs during a specific time frame. As mentioned earlier, it mostly happens in the later afternoon at sunset or in the evening. But later, everything passes.

Noteworthy, it can also be normal for healthy seniors to act strangely after recovering from surgery or spending time in the hospital. Surgery involves anesthesia, which could temporarily alter their mindset. Similarly, a long-term stay in the hospital can be depressing. Consequently, it results in irritability and irrational behavior. That being said, this is also fleeting and merely event-related. It will pass as soon as the senior transfers to a different environment.

However, you must pay attention if you notice that patterns of irrational behavior become consistent when the sun finally sets. This signifies that your beloved senior may be developing sundown syndrome. As such, speak with your elderly loved one’s primary care physician to arrest the problem. Your doctor may note the common triggers of this disease, which are the following:

Frenetic pace at the end of the day

If your senior is extremely busy with a flurry of activities towards the end of the day, the stress and sudden adrenaline may lead to confusion and anxiety. To prevent any untoward outcomes, it would be best to slowly wind down, so there is no abrupt stop or lingering over excitement.

Over exhaustion

When older people get too tired, it can lead to crankiness and irritability. Over fatigue disrupts their system, so they feel ill at ease. At the same time, the lack of activities after dinner means they don’t have anywhere to vent their feelings. When they’re too tired and lack the proper time to calm down, it can result in irrational behavior.

Insufficient light

When the sun sets, it is normal for the light quality to become inferior. As the world plunges into darkness at sundown, the environment may also bring dark, negative emotions. Additionally, the elderly already have vision problems, so the low light quality makes it even harder for them to see clearly. Hence, it can lead to irritability.

Onset of hormonal imbalance

Some studies say that a hormonal disruption occurs in an older adult’s biological clock. This imbalance happens between waking and sleeping hours as the cognitive function tries to adjust between two polar events. With aging, the body may not be as agile or able to cope well, so this is considered a principal cause of sundown syndrome.

Seasonal depression

In areas where there is heavy winter, Seasonal Affective Disorder also commonly sets in. The reason for this is the nights are longer and the days are shorter. Because of the dark environment, it amplifies the symptoms of sundown syndrome.

Tips to Manage Sundown Syndrome

There is no specific blanket treatment that works for every single senior. However, there are several remedies you can try. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the following tips have been successful in minimizing sundowning symptoms. Look at them below:

Set up a schedule

You must set up a schedule for your elderly loved one. This means establishing a routine, which provides seniors a sense of comfort. When they know what to expect during the day, they feel safer. At this age, you must minimize surprises to avoid anxiety, confusion, and fear. When you draft the plan, make time for meals and regular activities the senior enjoys. It would be best to limit activities to no more than two major events in a day. Remember, seniors have less energy and need rest. Anything more than that could overwhelm them.

Encourage a healthy diet

Jot down notes to see if certain food items trigger unwanted behavior. It would be best to avoid caffeinated beverages or too sugary drinks late in the afternoon. This results in excess stimulation, which may disrupt their nighttime rest. Moreover, discourage alcohol to prevent agitation and confusion.

Minimize excessive noise

It would help reduce the volume emanating from devices like the TV, iPad, radio, etc., especially in the late afternoon. It would also help to avoid late visits to avoid overstimulation. Reserve the highly excitable activities for the morning. When the sun is about to set, it would be more beneficial to play calming music.

Consider light therapy

Try using full-spectrum lights as these gadgets can minimize the adverse effects of sundown syndrome. In the morning, make sure to open all windows to let natural light come in. The sun is calming and healing for the soul. As the sun sets, make sure the area is well-lit. The illumination helps seniors see better, and it provides positive feelings. Consider adding nightlights to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety in case your senior needs a bathroom break at night.

Medications to Calm Sundown Syndrome

Today, there is not much data on the efficacy of pharmaceutical medicine in easing sundown syndrome. When symptoms are linked with sleep disorders or depression, your senior’s primary doctor may recommend medication. That being said, it is advisable to talk about contraindications and side effects. After all, some pharma drugs are known to cause headaches, nausea, confusion, and dizziness. Sadly, this can lead to falls, which will be harmful to seniors with brittle bones.

Remember to be patient in handling your loved ones when they exhibit sundowning syndrome. They are not doing this on purpose to annoy you. Extend your patience and remain calm so you can help them out. If the behaviors become too much to deal with, seek help, and ask your doctor for advice. You can also explore additional care options, like help from an assisted living community.

Call For Help To Ensure Security and Comfort

Sundown syndrome is one of the things your older loved one may grapple with during their twilight years. Be supportive in helping them conquer this health setback. If you cannot be there all the time because of work commitments, you can entrust them with a reputable assisted living facility like Lakeside Manor. The caring staff will ensure the security and comfort of your elderly loved ones.

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We got to know them growing up as these gentle, loving, and caring people. To see them suddenly become more aggressive, unruly, and even borderline abusive can be heartbreaking. It’s a challenging transformation to deal with for sure, but there are ways to make that task more manageable.

In this article, we’ll talk about the things you can do to better cope during situations where your elderly relatives are misbehaving. We’ll also discuss the different reasons why they exhibit such behavior and highlight some examples too.

The Possible Causes of Bad Behavior in Elderly Individuals

Before you can attempt to reach out and reconnect with your misbehaving relatives, you first need to understand where they’re coming from.

Putting yourself in their shoes to understand how they feel is next to impossible. Even so, we can take what we know about aging and its impact on people and use that information to deepen our knowledge. We can use what we understand about aging to gain some insight into why the behavior of an older loved one has changed.

Loss of Independence

Part of growing into a mature individual is becoming independent. After years of relying on our parents and relatives for food, shelter, and other living expenses, we can work on our own and sustain ourselves.

Plenty of people value that independence. They love the fact that they are in complete control of their own lives.

When you reach a certain age, though, you may wind up having to give up that independence. Whether it’s due to health problems or an inability to earn money due to old age, you may find yourself having to rely heavily on others again.

Many people don’t like being in that situation. As a result, they may lash out, disobey, and rebel even if they know it’s detrimental to them. It’s a plight that many of us still cannot wrap our heads around, but one that is profoundly frustrating for older individuals.

Deterioration of Physical Capabilities Due to Illness or Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of people over the age of sixty-five suffer from falls every year. Furthermore, about three million annually are taken to emergency rooms across the country to get their fall-related injuries treated.

Weakened lower bodies, poor eyesight, and struggles with coordination all combine to make older people more prone to falls. For younger individuals, falls are mostly no big deal. If you’re older, however, even a fall in your living room can lead to broken bones and other serious injuries that can leave you bedridden.

Certain illnesses also have a way of impacting the body that can leave senior citizens struggling to move.

No longer moving on their own is another likely source of frustration and anger. Being stuck in bed could cause them to lash out in negative ways.

Depression Due to the Loss of Friends and/or Family Members

Many of us tend to envision depression as a condition that keeps people wallowing in misery while they stay under the covers. It’s true that for many people that’s how their depression seeps out, but that is not the case for all.

You may find people who become angrier as they spiral deeper into depression. A previously mild-mannered and kind individual may grow resentful and often become irate due to their condition.

Older people can exhibit signs of depression in that way as well. They could be behaving badly because they are depressed.

As for the reason why they’re depressed, it could relate to them losing their friends and family members. Dealing with the loss of so many loved ones is never going to be easy. You can quickly find yourself mired in the pits of despair because so many people you love dearly are now gone.

Processing that grief is not easy. Some may sob quietly, but others may let their anger take over.

The Onset of Dementia

Dementia is a condition often associated with old age. We still don’t know everything about dementia, but we are aware of the changes it can bring about in people.

The condition is known for having a significant impact on a person’s mind. It can cause memory problems, disorientation, and general struggles with reasoning and critical thinking.

The Mayo Clinic also notes that dementia can cause psychological changes. People who have dementia are known to display symptoms of anxiety, depression, and paranoia. They also tend to become agitated more easily and display inappropriate behavior more often.

If you’ve noticed a sudden change in your older loved one’s behavior, don’t hesitate to take them to a doctor. Their new personality may not be the manifestation of a foul mood. It could be indicative of a long-term condition.

A General Sense of Distress

One more possible explanation for why your loved one is suddenly displaying difficult behavior could be due to a general sense of distress. They may be worried about their health, about their loved ones, and about their status in general.

Experiencing that distress can be incredibly difficult. They may try to cope any way they can, even if that means displaying bad behavior.

The Examples of Difficult Behavior Elderly Individuals May Exhibit

Bad behavior in seniors can take on many forms. You can get caught off guard if you’re not aware of them beforehand. Included in this section are ways in which elderly individuals often misbehave.

Yelling

It’s shocking to see your older relatives yelling and lashing out at the people around them, but it can happen. They may struggle to express their anger and frustration through physical actions, but they can verbalize it clearly through yelling.

Fits of Rage

If you’re older loved one is still moving around on their own, their outbursts of bad behavior may involve them going into a fit of rage. They may start throwing things around the place or cause a ruckus in other ways.

Physical and/or Verbal Abuse

Difficult behavior can also become more targeted. Some older individuals may exhibit abusive behavior as a last-ditch effort to rebel against their current reality.

Having to deal with so many complicated and sorrowful emotions all at once can lead to a person taking out their anger on whoever’s nearby. You or a caretaker could be the person on the receiving end of that abusive behavior.

Excessive Clinginess

The manifestation of bad behavior in some older individuals is that they become clingy. They always want you around and demand all your time, even while knowing that you have other important matters to handle. You can understand why they cling to you so dearly, but at the same time, it’s not good for you or them.

Disobedience

There are times when an older person misbehaving can have a real impact on their wellbeing. They may refuse to shower, eat their meals, or even take their medicine.

That behavior is obviously concerning. You must act right away if you want to save them from doing lasting harm to their health.

Delusional Behavior

Hallucinating and becoming paranoid are unfortunate symptoms of diseases that are related to aging. Seeing your older loved one suffer from hallucinations and paranoia is genuinely heartbreaking. You must learn how to deal with their behavior properly if you want to help them out.

How to Deal with the Difficult Behavior Exhibited by Your Older Relatives

Even if you do understand why your older relative is misbehaving, it’s still not something you should tolerate. Tolerating the bad behavior could lead to more serious problems down the line for both you and your older loved ones.

Included in this section are the different ways to cope with the difficult behavior exhibited by older relatives.

Talk to Your Older Relative

It all must start with communication. You won’t understand how to help your older relative unless you talk to them first.

Reach out to your loved one. Tell them that you’re here to listen to their problems. Let them know that they can confide in you and that you’ll do everything you can to help them out.

You’ll be amazed at how effective simple communication can be in these situations.

If you’re loved one has been diagnosed with a condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, communicating with them will be tougher. Still, there are ways to get them to communicate if you put in the effort to bridge the gap between the two of you.

Once you know the specific reason why they have been acting out, it will be easier for you to react and provide an appropriate response.

Acknowledge Their Concerns

This may seem counterintuitive at first. If your relative is suffering from paranoia or delusions, one would think that acknowledging what they’re saying could lead to their condition getting worse.

What we fail to understand, though, that to them, those are not delusions. They may look and feel real to them due to their condition.

By dismissing what they’re saying, all you’re doing is giving them a reason to distrust you. That’s the last thing you want.

Instead, acknowledge their concerns, say that you understand, and present them with a way to handle the problem. Since you’re acknowledging and listening to their concerns, they are more likely to welcome the help you’re offering.

You should also try to acknowledge their feelings. Don’t dismiss their grievances right away, even if they may seem minor at first.

Allow your loved ones to voice their feelings of fear, abandonment, and other negative emotions. They may be suffering from depression at the moment. You may never find that out until you take the time to listen to what they have to say.

When they do open up, make sure you’re there for them. Comfort them and let them lean on you for a while.

Give Them Opportunities to Make Decisions

The loss of independence can be tough for some senior citizens. Imagine for a second if you had to cede the decisions in your life suddenly. You probably wouldn’t be too keen on that either.

Leaving your elderly loved one to their own devices is not advisable, but you can still involve them in making some decisions.

It can be small decisions. Ask them what they would like to eat today and deliver that meal. You can also ask about what activities they would like to take part in.

Give them some semblance of control over their lives again, and they will surely appreciate it.

Also, seek their feedback regarding some more important decisions. For example, if you’re planning on moving them to a new assisted living facility, you can ask them where they would like to stay.

Take a Break

The difficult behavior can wear on you too. You may find yourself feeling exhausted every day because you’re trying to keep up with their demands.

Don’t allow that to continue.

You must watch out for yourself. Ask a family member or a professional caregiver to help now and then. Doing so will also discourage the excessive clinginess that your older relative may be exhibiting.

Seek Professional Help

Unfortunately, there are times when you cannot do enough to help your older relative. This is especially true if the reason why they’re misbehaving is due to a condition of some kind.

Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help.

Approach a doctor and seek help from professional caregivers. They are the ones who can handle the situation, and they can also tell you how to deal with your relative’s behavior moving forward.

Dealing with the difficult displays of behavior coming from your older loved ones can be incredibly taxing. Know that you don’t have to do things on your own.

Partner with us at Lakeside Manor if you’re looking for an assisted living facility that can care for your elderly relative. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

The post How to Deal with Difficult Behavior appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

For starters, there is no guarantee that your older relative will agree to the move. They are more likely to decline if they have grown attached to their current living arrangements.

Sometimes though, you still need to make those difficult decisions. Please feel free to continue with this article to learn more about making the transition from assisted living to memory care facilities.

How Do Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities Differ from One Another?

To determine what kind of care your loved one needs, you must first learn about the capabilities of the available options. They are not all the same, and you may find that a particular facility is better suited to take care of your family member.

Assisted Living Facilities

Starting with assisted living facilities, these establishments focus on helping residents keep up their regular routines.  As we get older, some of the chores we’ve been doing seemingly forever become harder to complete. Cleaning may start to take a huge toll on your body, and bathing may become more troublesome, given how slippery everything is.

The staff members at assisted living facilities can help residents with those daily tasks. They can also assist residents who need help eating or moving around.

Assisted living facilities also give their residents opportunities to join several activities. Those activities help the residents enjoy their time at the facility more and to create a more tightly-knit community.

When it comes to the living quarters themselves, residents usually have their own rooms. Open areas are also available, and residents can spend time in one of them if they so desire.

Notably, the staff members at assisted living facilities allow the residents to be independent, according to MedlinePlus. Residents are usually free to go about their day in whichever way they choose, although they will receive reminders about meals and medication.

Speaking of medication, assisted living facilities don’t focus on providing medical care to residents. They will monitor a resident’s intake of medication and offer reminders to take them on time, but that’s about it.

You will need to seek out a different type of establishment if you wish to secure more comprehensive medical care for your loved one.

Also, assisted living facilities provide round-the-clock supervision over their residents to ensure that they are always safe. However, the residents still receive the chance to manage their schedules on how they see fit.

Memory Care Facilities

Memory care and assisted living facilities are remarkably similar. The two offer assistance for daily tasks, handle meals, and provide 24-hour monitoring.

Where memory care facilities differ is in the way they approach monitoring. It’s an aspect of care they take more seriously because doing so is a necessity.

Among the more troubling symptoms of dementia are confusion and disorientation. People diagnosed with that condition are more likely to get lost and/or forget where they were going. They also tend to wander away from their place of residence, only realizing they have strayed too far.

Understanding how susceptible people with dementia are to getting lost, memory care facilities put more safeguards in place to keep them safe. Staff members at memory care facilities pay closer attention to residents and keep closer tabs on them. They may also ask residents to participate in more structured activities so that they are engaged better.

Residents of memory care facilities don’t experience the same level of independence as those in assisted living facilities do. Unfortunately, that’s a necessary change to ensure their safety.

According to AARP, memory care facilities also have more security measures in place compared to assisted living facilities. They often feature doors monitored by alarms, and their outdoor spaces are enclosed. Residents are also often required to wear monitoring bracelets.

With those additional security measures in place, you can feel more at ease knowing that your relatives are always safe.

When Should You Move Your Loved One from an Assisted Living to a Memory Care Facility?

The decision to transition from an assisted living facility to a memory care facility is not an easy one to make. As much as possible, we want to give our older relatives the chance to live as independently as they can.

Still, there comes a time when your loved one needs the type of supervision and security only a memory care facility can provide. To better determine when that time has arrived, it helps to ask yourself the questions listed below.

Is Your Loved One Being Monitored Adequately?

You need to prioritize your loved one’s safety. That always must be the first thing on your mind whenever you’re deciding which facility to choose.

If you’ve heard from the staff at the assisted living facility that your loved one has tended to wander off more recently, alarm bells should start ringing in your head. Look around the facility and see if they have the security measures in place to monitor your loved one diligently.

Since they need to strike a balance between giving their residents some measure of independence while simultaneously monitoring them, it may not register right away that your relative could be wandering off accidentally. If you want them monitored better, looking for a memory care facility is the right move.

Has Your Loved One’s Condition Worsened?

Dementia is not a stagnant condition. Over time, it can worsen, and its effects on your family member may become more pronounced.

Activities they could handle on their own not too long ago may prove too complex due to their deteriorating condition. Even something as important as eating may slip their mind due to their dementia.

A person affected that significantly by dementia requires more diligent and attentive care. Assisted living facilities can offer more than adequate care for people dealing with the early symptoms of dementia. However, they may not be accommodating residents displaying more advanced symptoms.

Continuing to let them stay at a facility that may not be well-equipped to deal with their condition is risky. It’s best to move them to a memory care facility to manage their condition the best way possible.

Are the Staff Members Adequately Trained?

One of the more unfortunate symptoms of dementia is erratic behavior. Someone affected by that condition may lash out at times or suddenly become aggressive. Dealing with residents who exhibit those symptoms is not easy.

Staff members must be experienced in handling those situations to prevent any unfortunate incidents from taking place. You’re more likely to find staff members with extensive training at memory care facilities.

It’s easier to entrust your loved one to a memory care facility since you know their workers are fully capable of handling situations that may arise.

Are the Activities Offered Helpful to Your Loved One?

There is still no known cure for dementia, but there are ways to manage the symptoms. One such approach involves keeping the minds of those with dementia consistently engaged.

Assisted living facilities present their residents with various activities, but not all of them focus on mental stimulation. The greater emphasis placed on those mentally beneficial activities offered by memory care facilities is a real plus for people with dementia.

Considering the long-term benefits of mental stimulation in the fight against dementia, it’s not a bad idea to move your loved one to a memory care facility sooner rather than later.

How Should You Handle the Move from an Assisted Living Facility to a Memory Care Facility?

It’s difficult to predict how your loved one will react after telling them your plan to move them to a new facility. Some may agree with the move with no complaints while others may strongly dislike the idea and decide that they want to stay put.

Obviously, you’d prefer it if your loved one was open to the move. They may reject the idea at first but following the tips below should better communicate to them why the transition is necessary and why it will ultimately be good for them.

Include Your Loved One in the Decision-Making Process

Probably the most important thing you can do as you plan the move to a new memory care facility is to first consult your relative. Don’t spring your plan on them like a surprise. Inform them ahead of time of what you have in mind and ask for their feedback.

They may disapprove of the move initially, but that’s why communicating ahead of time is so important. By taking this step, you can tell them why you think the move will ultimately be more helpful and ask why they disapprove.

You can also take this opportunity to talk about the new facility. Discuss its features, services, and how they can help. Once you’re able to tell your loved one the benefits, they may become more amenable to it.

It’s also worth taking their suggestions regarding which facility they want to stay in. They may have a reason for wanting to stay in a facility and accommodating them will make the transition smoother.

Be Honest About How Their Living Situation Will Change

The more intensive monitoring conducted by memory care facilities could rub your loved one the wrong way. They may start to think that the staff members at the new facility dislike or distrust them, hence the increased monitoring.

Misunderstandings like that can happen easily if you don’t talk to your relative beforehand.

Prior to the move, make sure that you give your loved one a clear idea of how their living situation will change. Talk to them about the new security features that will be in place and how the staff members will approach them.

Your loved one won’t grow frustrated over changes they didn’t anticipate. Instead, they can adjust better because they already have a good grasp of what’s going to happen thanks to you.

Try to Make Their New Home as Familiar as Possible

Moving to a new home is intimidating. Interacting with all the unfamiliar faces and places can be overwhelming for your elderly relative.

To help them get settled faster, try to make their new home feel like their old one. Take their possessions from their room at the assisted living facility and move them to the memory care facility.

You can even transfer an old couch or chair they’ve been using. Doing so may help them relax better at the new place.

It’s also worth checking if someone from your loved one’s old facility is currently working at the memory care facility. Having a familiar face on the premises can help your loved one get used to their new home faster.

Maintain Contact with Your Loved One and Visit Whenever Possible

Nothing can replace family.

The best way to make the move to a memory care facility easier on your relative is to assure him/her that you’ll still be around no matter what. During the first few days after the move, make a point of spending time with your loved one. Join them in walking around the facility so they can interact with the other residents and staff members.

In the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, remember to check in regularly with your relative. Regular phone calls can work wonders at lifting the spirits of our elderly loved ones.

The most important thing here is to let your loved one know that they are not alone even if they’re in a new facility. You can do that by staying in touch.

Moving to a memory care facility is a big change. It can be tough for your loved one to adjust to right away. Regardless, that kind of move becomes necessary if their safety starts becoming a bigger issue.

Hopefully, the information included in this article will help as you prepare for your loved one’s move to a new facility.

Still Unsure What to Do?

We at Lakeside Manor are ready to serve anyone in need of diligent everyday care. Contact us today to learn more about our facilities and services. Together, we can help ensure that your loved one’s golden years will be full of joyful experiences.

The post When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

Being fearful of a condition that affects the mind is understandable, but we cannot afford to be overwhelmed by that sense of dread. To tackle it capably and give our loved ones the support they need, we must better recognize what we are dealing with.

This article will focus on all facets of vascular dementia. Please read on to find out more about how it affects the human mind. We’ll also talk about how to recognize that condition as well as the steps we can take to prevent it.

What Is Vascular Dementia?

To start, let’s first talk about what vascular dementia is.

Vascular dementia affects a person’s ability to think. According to the Mayo Clinic, it impacts a person’s ability to make plans, develop reasoning, and render judgment. It can even affect a person’s memory.

The reason why the brain’s capacity deteriorates in that manner is due to brain damage. That damage is the result of the brain receiving inadequate blood flow. There are several potential explanations for why the blood flow to the brain gets disrupted, and we’ll get into those later in the article.

For now, let’s first address a question about vascular dementia that’s likely on your mind.

How Do Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease Differ from One Another?

It’s important to note that dementia and vascular dementia are not the same things. Vascular dementia is a more specific form of dementia, often distinguishable by how people develop it.

Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are easier to compare. While professionals can trace the onset of vascular dementia back to poor blood flow to or within the brain, the main causes of Alzheimer’s Disease are tougher to pin down.

There’s also a big difference between how common the conditions are. According to VeryWell Health, estimates suggest that around 10 percent of all people with dementia in the United States are affected by the vascular kind. The numbers are clearer when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease because an estimated 5 million Americans are currently dealing with the condition.

Risk factors are quite similar between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Chronic ailments that affect the heart and blood are major risk factors for vascular dementia, and the same goes for Alzheimer’s Disease. Age and genetics are also known risk factors for both conditions.

As for the symptoms, there is a significant amount of overlap between the two conditions. The only real difference is that the symptoms of vascular dementia may appear suddenly due to a recent health episode. In people with Alzheimer’s Disease, the emergence of symptoms may take place over a longer time.

What Are the Causes of Vascular Dementia?

The main reason why people suffer a cognitive decline and develop vascular dementia is due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. Similar to other internal organs, the brain needs the oxygen and nutrients found in the blood to function properly. Without proper nourishment, your brain cells will wither away and eventually perish.

There are different possible explanations for why not enough blood is making it to your brain. We’ve highlighted them below.

Stroke

A stroke takes place when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off. There are three types of strokes people may experience.

The first is known as an ischemic stroke, and it happens whenever blood flow within an artery leading to the brain is interrupted by a clot or some other form of blockage. Ischemic strokes account for 80 percent of all strokes, according to The Internet Stroke Center.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery leading to the brain suddenly ruptures. If the rupture leads to blood releasing into the brain, professionals regard the incident as intracerebral hemorrhage.

Vascular dementia can be a side effect of all three types of strokes.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis takes place over a long period of time. If you have this condition, your arteries will continue to get narrower due to plaque buildup. The condition can progress to the point where your blood will have a harder time passing through your arteries.

The longer that condition remains unaddressed, the harder it will be for your brain to receive the nutrients it needs. Both your body and your mind will suffer the ill effects of atherosclerosis, and eventually, vascular dementia.

Accidents

An accident can cause all kinds of damage to your body. Even the arteries leading to your brain are susceptible.

If those arteries get damaged because of an accident, you may suffer from a hemorrhage and the different complications they can cause. Among those complications is vascular dementia.

What Are the Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia?

How at risk you are for vascular dementia depends on a wide variety of factors. These include factors you can control and those you cannot.

High Blood Pressure

Having high blood pressure takes a great toll on your body. In this case, the cause of concern is related to how much stress your blood vessels, such as your arteries, will have to endure.

The continuously high blood pressure can gradually wear down your arteries to the point where they are no longer functioning as intended. Once the arteries leading to your brain get worn down, you become more susceptible to vascular dementia.

High Cholesterol Levels

We talked earlier about how atherosclerosis is among the main causes of vascular dementia. We also touched on the fact that atherosclerosis is often because of plaque buildup along your arteries.

Among those substances that may accumulate inside your arteries is cholesterol. To be more specific, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is what puts you at risk for vascular dementia.

Diabetes

Individuals who have diabetes have high glucose levels. That’s problematic because the glucose can be damaging, especially to your different blood vessels. As your blood vessels continue to sustain damage from the glucose, the odds of you developing vascular dementia increase.

Smoking

Many people know that smoking is bad for the lungs, but what many fail to understand is that it can be damaging beyond that. Other parts of your body are also adversely affected by your smoking habit, including your blood vessels.

The damage that a smoking habit can inflict upon your blood vessels can be severe, and it could be why you start to suffer from vascular dementia.

Lack of Exercise

You need to keep your arteries healthy if you want to give yourself the best chance of avoiding vascular dementia. Exercise helps with that.

According to this article from Harvard Health, exercising more boosts the nitric oxide production of your endothelial cells, which is a good thing. That nitric oxide plays an essential role inside your body as it maintains the slipperiness of the arteries while also relaxing their smooth muscle cells.

Nitric oxide helps promote better blood flow throughout your body by accomplishing those two things. Your brain will receive a steady supply of the nutrients it needs, thanks to that.

Aging

One of the inescapable truths of life is that the body weakens as it ages. You cannot reverse that. Even your arteries will weaken due to the wear and tear brought about by aging, and that can potentially lead to vascular dementia.

Atrial Fibrillation

Unlike the other risk factors mentioned in this section, atrial fibrillation is something you can potentially prevent or something out of your control. Atrial fibrillation is otherwise known as an irregular heart rate that tends to be on the faster side.

The abnormal rhythm of your heart can spell trouble because it can lead to the formation of blood clots.

It’s possible for atrial fibrillation to be caused by high blood pressure, lung disease, or even a mistake made during an earlier surgical procedure you had. However, your genetics can also play a role here as abnormal heart valves and congenital heart defects are known causes of atrial fibrillation.

What Are the Symptoms of Vascular Dementia?

Many of the symptoms linked to vascular dementia affect the mind. The people who have this condition may have a difficult time analyzing situations, concentrating, and making plans. Someone with vascular dementia may also become unable to come up with a decision in a timely manner.

It’s not only a person’s ability to think critically that is impacted by vascular dementia. Their mood may also become more unstable because of their condition. They may become more prone to agitation and/or experience bouts of depression more often.

Recalling memories is yet another frequent source of frustration for people affected by vascular dementia. It is also not unusual for people with this condition to lose interest quickly.

There are also physical manifestations of vascular dementia that are important to look out for. If you have a loved one affected by this condition, monitor how they walk closely because it may become unsteady. Weakness affecting one side of the body is another symptom to keep close tabs on.

How Can You Prevent Vascular Dementia?

Given how difficult it can be to live with the symptoms of vascular dementia, preventing the condition in the first place would be the ideal course of action. There is no secret to preventing vascular dementia. The best way to avoid it is to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Start with your diet.

Evaluate what you eat regularly and see if your favorite foods may lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. If that is the case, then it’s time for you to eliminate or at least minimize your consumption of those foods.

Replace them with more nourishing foods such as whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and berries. Every now and then, enjoying a bite of dark chocolate is acceptable as it can contribute to improved blood flow.

As always, remember to eat in moderation.

This is also a good time for you to adopt an exercise plan. Give your body a fighting chance against dementia by training it regularly.

You don’t need to take on a rigorous training program. Anything that gets you moving regularly for a good chunk of the day will be beneficial. Going on runs or walks around your neighborhood still counts as exercise.

Needless to say, you should also drop your smoking habit if you haven’t already. Nothing good can come from a smoking habit, and your body will thank you for dropping it.

How Is Vascular Dementia Treated?

Currently, there is no known cure for vascular dementia. Does that mean that you cannot help your loved ones who already have this condition? That is not the case.

The key here is to address the symptoms.

According to the University of California, San Francisco, forms of medication to treat memory problems, depression, and anxiety can also be given to patients with vascular dementia. Those medications can help with managing the symptoms.

Exercising also remains beneficial even to those who have already have vascular dementia. Regular exercise should help slow down the deterioration of the arteries and potentially prevent the presenting symptoms from getting worse.

You can also enlist the help of assisted living facilities to take better care of your loved one who has vascular dementia. Along with keeping a watchful eye on your older loved ones, the facilities will also ensure that they take their medication on time and encourage them to participate in various activities.

Vascular dementia must be taken seriously. Failing to do so can severely affect the quality of life that your loved one enjoys.

We at Lakeside Manor will help all our residents maintain a good quality of life regardless of the conditions they are dealing with. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you and your family members.

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You’ve likely heard of the term at some point and have a general idea of what it is, but it’s a subject worth exploring in greater detail. Learning more about powers of attorney now can save you and your loved ones from potentially nightmarish situations in the future.

We’ll devote much of this article to discussing durable power of attorney, but let’s start by first recapping what power of attorney is in the first place.

Understanding the Power of Attorney

Power of attorney is a topic we’ve discussed previously but in case you missed that, let’s take the time to learn more about this legal term.

As its name suggests, the power of attorney is a legal power that you give to a different person or persons that enables them to act on your behalf. Once you give someone power of attorney, they become your agent or attorney-in-fact while you assume the role of being their principal.

A legal document outlines the terms of the power of attorney you’re giving to another party. This document will indicate which actions a specific agent can perform on your behalf.  Whoever you designate as your agent will likely be required to present the document every time you execute an action, according to the American Bar Association.

You often use a POA as a safeguard against potential accidents. They ensure that the decisions involving you or your estate will continue to follow your best interests, even if you can’t make them yourself.

Furthermore, POAs are also sought after because they are highly useful in business. Instead of you having to personally travel from one place to another to complete business deals and other transactions, your empowered agent can do that for you.

POAs also differ in terms of type.

First, you have what is known as a general power of attorney. An individual granted a general power of attorney can make all decisions for you if they are deemed eligible by the law.

In contrast, a limited power of attorney is more restrictive. Someone granted an LPOA can make decisions regarding one of your bank accounts, but not all of them. You can also specify the exact matters they can decide for you.

If you desire, you can also restrict a limited power of attorney by designating a period of effectiveness for it.

POAs also vary from one another in terms of their longevity. In many cases, a power of attorney will stop being effective if the principal is incapacitated. They regard the POA in that scenario as a non-durable power.

On the opposite side, you have what are known as durable powers of attorney.

Defining Durable Power of Attorney

The durable power of attorney can remain effective for a long period of time. That power will remain usable even if the principal has become incapacitated in some way.

DPOAs are essential for several reasons.

First, designating someone to be your attorney-in-fact with DPOA matters because it makes an otherwise difficult situation more manageable.

Imagine a scenario where you are incapacitated, thus leading to your finances effectively becoming inaccessible. If you didn’t give someone DPOA ahead of time, your loved ones will have a harder time getting your finances in order.

LegalZoom notes that your loved ones will likely need to go to court first and have you declared incompetent before they can start taking control of your finances. That’s a process that can take plenty of time and effort, and it can stress out your family members even more.

DPOA also matters because it gives you greater control over what kind of treatment you receive later in life. By giving DPOA to a trusted loved one, you can be sure that someone who has your best interests in mind makes the medical decisions for you.

What Are the Different Types of DPOAs?

There are two main types of DPOAs.

The first is known as a healthcare DPOA. The person or persons granted the DPOA are legally obligated to make medical decisions for the currently incapacitated principal.

A healthcare DPOA is relied upon whenever the principal is unable to make those medical decisions. Whoever you chose to hold the healthcare DPOA will also be the person who talks to the doctors and other medical professionals on your behalf.

You can indicate in your healthcare DPOA that you want to be admitted into an assisted living facility if you are ever incapacitated, and your agent will carry that out.

An important thing to note about a DPOA is that it’s not a living will. The attorney-in-fact you named in the DPOA document cannot make decisions regarding your end-of-life care because that’s what the living will is for. Your family members and your doctors will make that kind of decision together.

The other type of DPOA is known as a financial durable power of attorney. By giving someone financial DPOA, you authorize them to make decisions regarding your assets. They can control your different accounts, sign checks on your behalf, and handle other essential matters related to your finances.

You must be thorough when crafting the financial DPOA document so that the agent will know exactly how to use your assets.

To protect against your financial DPOA abusing their power, the law regards them as a fiduciary, according to the Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law. This is an important thing to note because someone designated as a fiduciary is legally bound to act in your best interests.

If your financial agent starts to sign off on transactions that are not beneficial to you or in ways that go against what you have outlined in the DPOA document, the law can punish them following the laws in your area.

How Should You Approach Crafting Your DPOAs?

Naming someone to hold either your healthcare or financial DPOA is not a matter to be taken lightly. It’s one of the most important decisions of your life, and you must be sure that you’re handing the reins over to people who are responsible.

It’s obvious that you should pick the people who you trust the most as your agent or agents. There are no limitations placed on who you can name as your agent. You can name a family member, a friend, or even an acquaintance as your agent in the DPOA document.

That’s one part of the process.

Next, you need to craft the documents themselves.

You have the option here of combining your healthcare and financial directives into one document, but Investopedia advises against doing that. Your broker should only be concerned about your financial affairs while your doctors should only know about your medical status. The best way to keep those matters independent of one another is by creating separate DPOA documents.

Feel free to name the same agent so that decisions can be made faster.

When Will the Durable Power of Attorney Start to Take Effect?

You, as the principal, will determine when the durable power of attorney becomes usable.

One option is to have the DPOA take effect right away. This is a move worth considering if you want someone completing financial transactions for you.

Most healthcare DPOAs only become effective after you’ve become incapacitated.

When Will the Durable Power of Attorney Expire?

Though a DPOA will not expire even if the principal is incapacitated, there are still different ways it may be rendered ineffective.

Similar to other POAs, a durable power of attorney will expire as soon as the principal passes away. This applies to all kinds of POAs, by the way.

As the principal, you can also set a kind of limit on the effectiveness of the DPOA. If you indicated in the document that the DPOA will only last for a specific amount of time, then that will be honored.

The courts can also step in and invalidate a durable power of attorney. It’s unlikely that the court will decide to take a closer look at a DPOA document on its own. A third party must petition the court to strip power of attorney from a previously chosen agent.

If the court agrees with the third party and revokes power of attorney from the designated agent, the alternate agent will then take over the responsibilities. Sometimes, there may be no alternate agent named in the document. With no alternate agent, the court will name a legal guardian who will handle the principal’s affairs.

The durable power of attorney may also expire if the agent originally named is no longer capable of handling his/her tasks.

A DPOA can similarly expire if the previously named agent was the former spouse of the principal. You can cite the divorce as the reason the spouse should no longer serve as the agent.

Tips to Remember When Crafting a DPOA Document

Working on your DPOA document early on is a wise move. That will make it easier for you to identify the right candidates to name as agents. You should also write down more comprehensive guidelines for your agent or agents to follow.

To get started on crafting your DPOA document, you will first need to secure a template. You can find these templates online, but you should be careful about obtaining your document that way. Some templates may not be up to date regarding the laws in your state, and that can prove problematic down the line.

As much as possible, you should approach an attorney for assistance when creating your DPOA document.

Be as specific as you can when creating the document. Doing so will enable your agent or agents to execute your desired actions with greater ease.

Some states may require you to have the DPOA document notarized and/or filed. Check the laws in your state to ensure that the document is legally binding.

Some states will require you to record the creation of the DPOA document. Once again, refer to the laws in your area to find out what you need to do.

You should also make a habit out of regularly checking your DPOA document. Consult with your attorney from time to time and see if the information contained in the document is still to your liking.

Tips to Remember if You Are Executing a DPOA Document

As the person entrusted with a durable power of attorney, you need to keep certain things in mind to fulfill your obligations well.

The main thing to remember is to have the DPOA document on hand. You won’t be able to invoke the powers of the document without it being present. It also must be the certified copy that you bring along and not a photocopy.

Before affixing your signature to any document you’re filling out as the principal’s agent, you should take a moment to ask if there is any specific format you need to follow. You won’t be violating any rules if you fail to follow the right format, but they may not execute the orders until you sign correctly. Remember to indicate that you’re signing as the agent of the principal.

Carefully considering the terms of your durable power of attorney will help ensure that you receive proper medical attention even if your health declines. We at Lakeside Manor also specialize in providing the highest level of care to all the patients entrusted to us. Find out more about our services and facilities by contacting us today.

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You probably have a general idea of what power of attorney is all about and why you may need it in the future. This article will elaborate on the topic further and clear up some common misconceptions.

In addition to better defining the POA, you can also refer to this article as you seek to learn more about possibly overriding that legal document. You’ll also find out more about why that move may even become necessary in the first place.

What Is Power of Attorney?

Let’s turn to the American Bar Association for assistance in defining this legal term.

As they noted, this legal tool provides “one or more persons the power to act on your behalf as your agent.” Agent is the term to name the person on the receiving end of the power of attorney. Sometimes, though, the person or persons in question may also be the attorney-in-fact.

Meanwhile, the person who is giving that power they regard as the principal.

The principal will be the one to decide when the POA will take effect. As the principal, you can decide to make the power valid right away, or you could indicate that it will only become effective after certain conditions are met.

You can also decide how long the effectiveness of this particular power will last. Principals can opt to only make the power valid for a limited amount of time, or they could decide to have it take effect permanently.

What Are the Types of Power of Attorney?

There are two main types of power of attorney.

The first is known as the general power of attorney.

When granting this kind of power, you are giving someone the ability to make all decisions on your behalf as long as the law deems the moves legal. Someone with this authority can make financial and health-related decisions for you, so be careful when deciding who should have it.

The other type is known as the limited power of attorney.

In contrast to the general POA, a limited POA may only apply after meeting certain conditions. If you’re trying to get your finances in order, but want to avoid having a single person responsible, you can give multiple parties limited POAs, so they handle separate accounts.

You can classify a limited POA into subtypes.

Springing Powers

You can classify the limited POA you are giving to a person as a springing power and effectively exercise control over which actions they can perform and when they can execute them.

According to Investopedia, springing powers only start to take effect once a specific event has taken place. You can list a different condition if you prefer, but more often than not, the principal will indicate that the springing powers should only go into effect once they have become mentally incapacitated or if they have passed away.

Patients who suffer from progressive mental ailments may benefit from giving a trusted party springing powers. For example, a person with advanced dementia may no longer make reasonable decisions about their care or their assets. In that scenario, the agent with the springing powers can step in and make the right calls.

To further guide that person, the principal may create a will to follow.

Durable and Non-Durable Powers

POAs do not last forever. They often lose effectiveness once the principal becomes incapacitated in some way or if the principal dies.

POAs that work that way are non-durable.

If you want your agent to continue making decisions on your behalf even after you die or become incapacitated, you will want to give him/her durable power of attorney.

Why Do You Need Durable Power of Attorney?

Even as we do our best to watch over our health and stay in great shape, the reality is that we do not have complete control over how our bodies age. You may develop an illness that severely affects your mental capabilities, thus rendering you unable to make important decisions.

By providing someone you know with a durable POA, you can rest knowing that your wishes will continue even if you can no longer make any decisions.

You can grant someone durable POA over your finances, meaning the individual in question will be the one in charge of how to use your money. The person given the durable POA remains legally bound to follow your directives so he/she cannot take all the money unless that is what you specified.

Durable POA can also grant a person the power to make decisions regarding your long-term care. If it’s your wish to be admitted to an assisted living facility, the agent must follow that instruction.

Why You Should Consider Granting Power of Attorney to a Separate Party

As you can see, a person given POA takes on plenty of responsibility but also obtains plenty of authority. Giving that kind of power to someone should not be taken lightly since it can be exploited and abused.

Even so, one can argue that giving someone POA while you still have a sound mind is a smart move.

We know how unpredictable life can be.

Granting POA to someone makes it possible for you to prepare for the worst. By outlining your wishes clearly and choosing the right person to receive the POA, you can effectively ensure that they will handle your affairs in the manner you prefer.

Another reason to give power of attorney to someone is that the alternative can seem troublesome in comparison.

Going back to the American Bar Association, they note that assigning guardians to individuals who become incapable of handling their own affairs is common. A guardian will effectively serve as the person who makes decisions for you.

To be clear, having a guardian is not always a bad thing. However, this is still a choice most folks would like to avoid because they don’t have a direct say in who they pick.

Handing someone POA is not a move you necessarily have to make only later in life. You can also use this legal instrument to make doing business more convenient.  If you’re running a business with branches all over the country and there are certain decisions you want to leave to subordinates, you can give them power of attorney.

How Is Power of Attorney Abused?

We hinted at it earlier, but the unfortunate truth is people can abuse POA.

An important thing to point out about POAs is that they are typically not monitored closely by a third party or a court. This quality of a POA makes it easy to exploit for the agent.

Abusive agents may decide to no longer follow the wishes of the individuals. Instead of executing the plan provided by their principals, the agent may opt to make financial decisions that benefit themselves.

They may even sign off on decisions that no longer keep your health in mind.

The Different Ways a Power of Attorney Can Expire

Generally speaking, POAs will expire at some point.

You can take over control when this happens by revoking the power of attorney yourself. Principals can also decide to configure a power of attorney in such a way that it will expire once they become incapacitated or die.

If you want to set a time limit on how long someone can wield power of attorney on your behalf, you can include a termination date into the document.

The court can also look at a POA document and decide to invalidate it. In cases where a spouse is the agent, the POA may become invalid if the agent and principal are divorced.

The POA may also become invalidated if the agent named is no longer capable of executing the wishes of the principal.

How to Override Power of Attorney

Unless you explicitly mentioned a termination date for the document, there’s a chance that the person you gave power to will use it for a long time. In a case where abuse is already taking place, having someone hold on that power is not ideal.

Before deciding whether to override the power of attorney, you need to know a few things.

First, you must know this is not going to be an easy ordeal. You could end up in a long, legal battle.

Next, you must also take the time to pick out the right lawyer to work with. Preferably, you should hire a lawyer who is an expert in elder and disability law.

Another thing to note here is that the POA can be invalidated by more than one person and in more than one way.

The People Who Can Override the Power of Attorney

The methods of vetoing the POA are directly linked to certain individuals. Let’s take a closer look at who they are.

The Principal

By far, the easiest way to quash the POA handed to an agent is to have the principal rescind it. The only real catch is that the principal must still be of sound mind when making this decision.

If the principal agrees to remove POA from an agent, he/she can do so verbally or fill out a revocation form, according to Legal Templates.

The Agent

Now things can start to get a bit tricky.

In the event that a principal is no longer of sound mind or refuses to rescind POA from an agent, you will need to approach the agent yourself. You can ask him/her to step down from the role.

If the agent does indeed step down, then the alternate agent named in the document will take his/her place. The court may get involved if there is no alternate agent designated by the principal. The court will appoint a guardian who will handle the principal’s affairs.

A Third Party

Try picturing this scenario: Your grandfather’s agent is misusing his savings, and he cannot do anything about it. You already approached the agent and asked him to step down from the role, but to no one’s surprise, he is not eager to let go of your grandfather’s money.

Clearly, nothing will change if that situation continues. You will need to act if you want to salvage what remains of your grandfather’s savings.

To do that, you will need to petition the court to revoke the power of attorney from your grandfather’s current agent and name a guardian, instead. That is easier said than done, of course.

You will first need to prove that the agent is no longer acting in the best interests of the principal. On top of that, you also must show the court that the wishes your grandfather originally authored should no longer be valid because of the new developments.

Removing power of attorney from the agent your grandfather originally named is not going to be easy, and it could take a while before the court decides. The best thing you can do here is to partner with the right lawyer. From there, he/she can gather evidence and present a compelling case to the judge.

Before deciding to move forward with those legal actions, you must know that the cost of pursuing this case can be high. Set aside a large sum of money if you want to see this case to the end.

Make sure to evaluate your options carefully before deciding to give anyone power of attorney. This decision could affect the quality of life you enjoy as a senior citizen.

We at Lakeside Manor are also dedicated to improving the quality of life of our residents. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can care for you.

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