Ask a Care Manager
Dear GCM,
My father seems to be getting forgetful. He asks me the same question over and over. I tell him, “Dad I just answered that question’ and he acts like he never heard it before. Do you think he is putting on just to annoy me? I know he has a good memory because he can remember things from forty years ago. Is this just a part of growing old?
~ Signed, Tired of repeating myself
Dear Tired,
Good question and one that forms the basis for all future care planning. Dad needs to be assessed for cognitive impairment. The GCM will do a memory test right in the home then follow up for medical care to determine if it is reversible vs. non reversible impairment such as Alzheimer’s dementia. If it does turn out to be Alzheimer’s I would recommend that you read The 36 Hour Day by Mace and Rabin, to help you understand and cope with your dad’s memory impairment. Your GCM will put together a dementia care plan tailored to your dads needs.
Dear GCM,
My mother is 85 years old and used to be quite active and fun loving. Lately she has been having accidents and wetting herself at times during the day. So now due to her incontinence she is embarrassed and doesn’t want to go out anymore for fear she will have an accident. Her attitude is ‘what do you expect I had 4 children and this is the price women pay’. Her doctor’s solution is to get adult diapers but she refuses to wear them. Can you help us?
~ Signed, Feeling hopeless
Dear Hopeless,
Incontinence is a common condition yet is not normal. The GCM will sit down and have a confidential, heart to heart discussion with mom about ways to cope with this situation. The GCM will also consult with her physician to rule out medical causes. There are many ways to cope without embarrassment and increase the quality of life using products on the market. Mom will feel more hopeful learning about what her choices are.
Dear GCM,
Mom has had several falls recently so I got her a lifeline lanyard. The good news is the paramedics come and pick her up. The bad news is she is still falling. Is there any else I can do?
~ Signed, Worried daughter
Dear Worried daughter,
A full assessment to uncover the underlying cause of these falls is indicated. When and where is she falling? Are their safety issues around her home such as scatter rugs or no grab bars in her bathroom. How about a through look at her medication management? What does her primary care physician say? The good news is that fall prevention is high up in a care manager’s bag of tricks
