by Teresa Dunbar | May 11, 2020 | Aging Dad, Aging Grandparent, Aging Mom, Aging Parent, Anticipatory Grief, Caregiver, Elderly Care, Northern Virginia, Quarantine, Washington DC
Jane cares for her husband Jim who is in the end stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Some days she feels as if she cannot be any sadder. This is not her husband as he used to be. His abilities keep changing over time. He requires more and more care. She feels guilty when...
by Megan Descutner | Mar 1, 2020 | Aging Dad, Aging Parent, Care Services, Elderly Care, In-Home Services, Long Term Care Insurance
George, age 84, lived by himself in an apartment. As his care manager, I was concerned about him and so were his daughters, who lived out of state. He had diabetes and COPD, had become more frail, and was having trouble taking care of himself. During my weekly visits...
by Megan Descutner | Feb 1, 2020 | Aging Dad, Aging Grandparent, Aging Mom, Aging Parent, Alzheimer's, Caregiver, Dementia, Elderly Care, Northern Virginia, Visiting Parents, Washington DC
Every family has its own unique history, rules, and secrets. In my experience, conflict can easily erupt when families are in crisis or transition. This was the case with Janice and her siblings when their father, Ed, could no longer live alone.Janice had hired me as...
by Megan Descutner | Jan 13, 2020 | Aging Dad, Aging Grandparent, Aging Mom, Aging Parent, Elderly Care, Healthcare Management, Medication Management, Northern Virginia, Washington DC
Gina was worried; it seemed that every time her mother complained of a new ache or pain to her doctors, she was prescribed another medication. Yet the more drugs she took, the worse she felt. It got to the point where Gina’s mother was taking at least 10 pills a...
by Megan Descutner | Jan 9, 2020 | Aging Dad, Aging Grandparent
Ron was a retired police officer who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He lived with his son Dave and daughter-in-law Carol, in an in-law apartment attached to their house. Although Ron’s symptoms were mild and he still participated...
by Megan Descutner | Dec 19, 2019 | Aging Dad, Aging Grandparent, Aging Mom, Aging Parent, Alzheimer's, Caregiver, Dementia, Elderly Care, Holidays, Northern Virginia, Visiting Parents, Washington DC
How do you know if your mom has dementia?The holidays are here and shopping, baking, checking our lists, and spending time with family become a priority. If you are like me, my list includes checking on how mom is doing. She seems a little more forgetful and I have...
