ELDER TALK: Power of Attorney issues

courtesy Agingcare.com:  http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/How-to-get-Power-of-Attorney-ready-before-aging-parents-get-sick-134109.htm?page=print

When Family Doesn't Have POA the Results Can Be Devastating

Carolyn Rosenblatt

I'm sure Myrtle (not her real name) didn't mean it. She didn't mean to create a monster. She wanted her lawyer, Sharon, to be the agent for healthcare, together with her out-of-state son. She was worried that her daughters would want her to get more treatment than she cared to get. But they never talked about it. The rational conversation never took place. Myrtle was uncomfortable with it, so she just skipped that part of her responsibilities.
Myrtle got sick and had to go to a nursing home as time passed. Her son, Reggie, never visited. It was just too much bother for him. Instead, he hired a care manager. Sounds like a good idea, usually. But this particular care manager was more interested in collecting her monthly fee than checking on Myrtle, to really find out if she was safe in that nursing home. 
Myrtle had two daughters who lived nearby, and were close to the nursing home. They visited often. Sharon (the lawyer) didn't want them to know what was going on with their mother. She was convinced that Myrtle's daughters would "interfere" and ask for care their mother didn't want, so she made sure they couldn't ask for anything for their mom.
She gave orders to the staff at the nursing home that they were not to talk to either of Myrtle's daughters, ever. The daughters visited often, hoping that Sharon wouldn't stop them from seeing their mom, which she could have done. Between the two of them, they saw their mom nearly every day for six years. No nurse could ever tell them how mom was doing, because of Sharon. They were forbidden to ask anything of the doctor in charge.
Mom, under the "care" of the lax and indifferent care manager, developed a pressure ulcer, stage 4, the worst possible stage, with bone showing through the open sore, while the care manager was supposed to be checking on her and being sure Myrtle was taken care of properly. Sharon took no responsibility. It made her daughters sick. They reported it to authorities. They complained to the state. As long as the power of attorney was the lawyer, no one would act.
The daughters fought back. They hired their own lawyer and tried to have a conservatorship imposed by the court. Their lawyer was inexperienced, Sharon knew what to do, and it didn't go well. The daughters lost. Now, Sharon turned on the daughters with a vengeance.
She became a monster. She did everything she could to keep the daughters from getting information from any doctor, nurse, or even hospice when hospice was called in near the end of Myrtle's life. Sharon forbade the daughters from talking to anyone to find out if their mother was dying, and how much time she had left. She seemed to enjoy her power and control, and liked that the daughters were forced to call her, the Almighty Sharon, and not a doctor or nurse, to find out if mom had a week or a month or a day to live.
And Sharon didn't visit Myrtle to keep up with the information the daughters wanted. She was "too busy." She said she didn't believe Myrtle was really dying because she'd been through this before, and Myrtle rallied that time, and lived on.
You could almost hear Sharon laughing about it, gloating, and enjoying the daughters' frustration and distress.
"They have no rights as daughters," Sharon almost shouted, when asked why this was so. She smugly and viciously used the power of attorney to get back at the daughters for questioning her authority. It was an ugly nightmare for the daughters. All this was done in the name of Sharon doing what their mother wanted, according to Sharon. She used her legal authority to abuse the children of her client. And there was nothing they could do to stop her. She was the power of attorney.
Was there anything more these daughters could have done to at least be able to find out if their mother was dying? No, not with Sharon in charge. She was hateful, and it was perfectly legal.
Sharon forced the daughters to go through her for any reports on their mother's declining condition. Never mind that she seldom talked to the doctor and didn't know. Sharon didn't care. She got to have control over a lot of people and she was thrilled by this.
Getting POA before a parent gets sick
What can all the rest of us learn from the daughters' nightmare?
The lesson here is to take the time to have an honest conversation with adult children about appointing a power of attorney before you lose your ability to make decisions. Disease,dementia, strokes or anything else can cause you to become incompetent.
Be open and honest. Don't be afraid of hurting your kids' feelings. Talk about all of it. If you go outside the family to appoint anyone as your agent for healthcare, be sure it is a compassionate person who will work with, and not against your family.
Myrtle didn't do that. She then became incompetent as time passed. No one could change the power of attorney after that. Her choice to use a lawyer was an unfortunate one, because this particular lawyer knew just how to twist the law for revenge. Sharon was an angry, maladjusted person. Be careful whom you trust. This was a terrible choice of power of attorney!
Although the facts have been changed somewhat to protect the persons in this story, the essence of it is a real fact situation with real people and real horror and pain for two sisters whose mother was dying in a nursing home. The lawyer was clearly abusing her authority out of ego, and perhaps rage and hatred. She made victims out of everyone.
Most lawyers can be counted on to do the right thing. This was an unusual case, as the lawyer refused to consider anyone else's point of view. Sharon was asked to go to mediation to try to resolve the fight with the daughters. She scoffed, and almost laughed at the idea. She was right, they were wrong, and there was nothing to mediate, in her mind.
This was a tragedy that could have been avoided. Myrtle could have met with her kids and discussed that she didn't want care if she was dying, and asked them to all cooperate. The daughters would have respected that. They loved her. Instead, she lived her last days with daughters who suffered from being kept in the dark about her dying. It was grief on top of grief, and they will never forget the horror.

CAREGIVER STRESS

courtesy:  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.cfm

What is a caregiver?

A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need. Usually, the person receiving care has a condition such as dementia, cancer, or brain injury and needs help with basic daily tasks. Caregivers help with many things such as:

• Grocery shopping
• House cleaning
• Cooking
• Shopping
• Paying bills
• Giving medicine
• Bathing
• Using the toilet
• Dressing
• Eating

People who are not paid to provide care are known as informal caregivers or family caregivers. The most common type of informal caregiving relationship is an adult child caring for an elderly parent. Other types of caregiving relationships include:

• Adults caring for other relatives, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles
• Spouses caring for elderly husbands or wives
• Middle-aged parents caring for severely disabled adult children
• Adults caring for friends and neighbors
• Children caring for a disabled parent or elderly grandparent

Who are our nation's caregivers?

Most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. During any given year, there are more than 44 million Americans (21% of the adult population) who provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person 18 years or older. Altogether, informal caregivers provide 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States.

• Sixty-one percent of caregivers are women.
• Most caregivers are middle-aged.
• Thirteen percent of caregivers are aged 65 years and older.
• Fifty-nine percent of informal caregivers have jobs in addition to caring for another person. Because of time spent caregiving, more than half of employed women caregivers have made changes at work, such as going in late, leaving early, or working fewer hours.

What is caregiver stress?

Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. It can take many forms. For instance, you may feel:

• Frustrated and angry taking care of someone with dementia who often wanders away or becomes easily upset
• Guilty because you think that you should be able to provide better care, despite all the other things that you have to do
• Lonely because all the time you spend caregiving has hurt your social life
• Exhausted when you go to bed at night

Caregiver stress appears to affect women more than men. About 75 percent of caregivers who report feeling very strained emotionally, physically, or financially are women.
Although caregiving can be challenging, it is important to note that it can also have its rewards. It can give you a feeling of giving back to a loved one. It can also make you feel needed and can lead to a stronger relationship with the person receiving care. About half of caregivers report that:

• They appreciate life more as a result of their caregiving experience
• Caregiving has made them feel good about themselves

Can caregiver stress affect my health?

Although most caregivers are in good health, it is not uncommon for caregivers to have serious health problems. Research shows that caregivers:

• Are more likely to be have symptoms of depression or anxiety
• Are more likely to have a long-term medical problem, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis
• Have higher levels of stress hormones
• Spend more days sick with an infectious disease
• Have a weaker immune response to the influenza, or flu, vaccine
• Have slower wound healing
• Have higher levels of obesity
• May be at higher risk for mental decline, including problems with memory and paying attention

One research study found that elderly people who felt stressed while taking care of their disabled spouses were 63 percent more likely to die within four years than caregivers who were not feeling stressed.
Part of the reason that caregivers often have health problems is that they are less likely to take good care of themselves. For instance, women caregivers, compared with women who are not caregivers, are less likely to:

• Get needed medical care
• Fill a prescription because of the cost
• Get a mammogram

Also, caregivers report that, compared with the time before they became caregivers, they are less likely to:

• Get enough sleep
• Cook healthy meals
• Get enough physical activity

How can I tell if caregiving is putting too much stress on me?

Caregiving may be putting too much stress on you if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Gaining or losing a lot of weight
• Feeling tired most of the time
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Becoming easily irritated or angered
• Feeling constantly worried
• Often feeling sad
• Frequent headaches, bodily pain, or other physical problems
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs

Talk to a counselor, psychologist, or other mental health professional right away if your stress leads you to physically or emotionally harm the person you are caring for.

What can I do to prevent or relieve stress?

To begin with, never dismiss your feelings as "just stress." Caregiver stress can lead to serious health problems and you should take steps to reduce it as much as you can.
Research shows that people who take an active, problem-solving approach to caregiving issues are less likely to feel stressed than those who react by worrying or feeling helpless. For instance, someone with dementia may ask the same question over and over again, such as, "Where is Mary?" A positive way of dealing with this would be to say, "Mary is not here right now," and then distract the person. You could say, "Let's start getting lunch ready," or involve the person in simple tasks, such as folding laundry.
Some hospitals offer classes that can teach you how to care for someone with the disease that your loved one is facing. To find these classes, ask your doctor, contact an organization that focuses on this disease, or call your local Area Agency on Aging (see below). Other good sources of caregiving information include:

• Doctors and nurses
• Library books
• Websites of disease-specific organizations

Here are some more tips for reducing stress:

• Find out about caregiving resources in your community (see below).
• Ask for and accept help. Be prepared with a mental list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what she would like to do. For instance, one person might be happy to take the person you care for on a walk a couple times a week. Someone else might be glad to pick up some groceries for you.
• If you need financial help taking care of a relative, don't be afraid to ask family members to contribute their fair share.
• Say "no" to requests that are draining, such as hosting holiday meals.
• Don't feel guilty that you are not a "perfect" caregiver. Just as there is no "perfect parent," there is no such thing as a "perfect caregiver." You're doing the best you can.
• Identify what you can and cannot change. You may not be able to change someone else's behavior, but you can change the way that you react to it.
• Set realistic goals. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time.
• Prioritize, make lists, and establish a daily routine.
• Stay in touch with family and friends.
• Join a support group for caregivers in your situation, such as caring for someone with dementia. Besides being a great way to make new friends, you can also pick up some caregiving tips from others who are facing the same problems you are.
• Make time each week to do something that you want to do, such as go to a movie.
• Try to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
• See your doctor for a checkup. Tell her that you are a caregiver and tell her about any symptoms of depression or sickness you may be having.
• Try to keep your sense of humor.

If you work outside the home and are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking a break from your job. Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for relatives. Ask your human resources office about options for unpaid leave.

What caregiving services can I find in my community?

Caregiving services include:

• Transportation
• Meal delivery
• Home health care services (such as nursing or physical therapy)
• Non-medical home care services (such as housekeeping, cooking, or companionship)
• Home modification (changes to the home that make it easier for your loved one to perform basic daily tasks, such as bathing, using the toilet, and moving around)
• Legal and financial counseling

What can I do if I need a break?

Taking some time off from caregiving can reduce stress. "Respite care" provides substitute caregiving to give the regular caregiver a much-needed break. Below are the various types of respite services that are available:

• In-home respite. In this type of service, someone comes to your home to provide care. The type of care can range from simple companionship to nursing services.
• Adult day-care centers. Many adult day-care centers are located in churches or community centers. Some day-care centers provide care for both elderly adults and young children. During the day, the two groups meet for several hours to share in activities such as reading stories. This type of contact seems to benefit both young and old.
• Short-term nursing homes. If your loved one needs occasional nursing care and you must leave town for a couple weeks, some nursing homes will care for your loved one while you are gone.
• Day hospitals. Some hospitals provide medical care to patients during the day and then at night, the patient returns home.

What devices can I buy that will help me provide care?

There are devices that you can buy that can help you make sure that your loved one is safe. Below are some examples:

• Emergency response systems involve a button on a necklace, bracelet, or belt that your loved one wears. If she has an emergency and you are not home, she presses the button to alert a monitoring center. The center then alerts medical personnel and you. These systems are intended for people who can press the button and do not have dementia.
• An intercom system allows you to hear your loved one from another area of your home.
• A Webcam is a video camera that allows you to see your loved one from another area of your home.
• Mobility monitors use a small transmitter to help keep track of people with dementia. When your loved one wearing a transmitter strapped to her ankle or wrist passes out of a set range, the transmitter alerts you that your loved one is wandering away.

Also, researchers are developing technologies to allow doctors and nurses to examine and treat patients from locations different than the patient's. This new field is called telemedicine. It uses a communication system, like the Internet or two-way television, to collect medical information and provide instructions to the caregiver and patient. Telemedicine will be most useful in rural areas where few doctors are available. Some states already have limited telemedicine programs in operation.

How do I find out about caregiving services in my community?

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn about caregiving services where you live. AAAs are usually listed in the city or county government sections of the telephone directory under "Aging" or "Health and Human Services." The National Eldercare Locator, a service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can also help you find your local AAA.
You might also want to consult with an eldercare specialist, a professional who specializes in aging-related issues. An eldercare specialist assists older adults and their family members by assessing their needs and identifying the best services and devices available to meet those needs. To find an eldercare specialist in your area, ask your doctor or local AAA.


How will I pay for home health care and other caregiving services?
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies will cover some of the costs of home health care. Other costs you will have to pay for yourself.
The costs of home care depends on what services you use. Non-medical workers like housekeepers are much less expensive than nurses or physical therapists. Also, some home care agencies are less expensive than others.
To find out if you are eligible for Medicare home health care services, read the free publication Medicare and Home Health Care (Publication No. CMS-10969), available at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10969.pdf. You can also call your Regional Home Health Intermediary. To find the phone number, go to the Contacts Database of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/contacts. You can also call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
To qualify for Medicaid, you must have a low income and few other assets. To find out if you qualify for Medicaid, call your State Medical Assistance Office. To find the phone number, go to the Contacts Database of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/contacts. You can also call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
Besides Medicare and Medicaid, there is another federal program, called the National Family Caregiver Support Program, that helps states provide services for family caregivers. To be eligible for the program, a caregiver must:

• Care for an adult aged 60 years and older, or
• Care for a person of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder
• Be a grandparent or relative 55 years of age or older who is the primary caregiver of a child under the age of 18, or
• Be a grandparent or relative 55 years of age or older providing care to an adult, aged 18 to 59 years, with a disability

Each state offers different amounts and types of services. These include:

• Information about available services
• Help accessing support services
• Individual counseling and organization of support groups
• Caregiver training
• Respite care
• Supplemental services, supplies, and equipment, such as home modifications, emergency response systems, nutritional supplements, incontinence supplies, etc.

To access services under the National Family Caregiver Support Program, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

More information on caregiver stress

For more information about caregiver stress, call womenshealth.gov at 800-994-9662 (TDD: 888-220-5446) or contact the following organizations:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  Phone: 800-633-4227
• Eldercare Locator, Administration on Aging, HHS
  Phone: 800-677-1116
• Family Caregiver Alliance
  Phone: 800-445-8106
• National Alliance for Caregiving
  
• National Family Caregivers Association
  Phone: 800-896-3650
• The National Respite Locator Service
  Phone: 919-490-5577

ELDER CARE TALK: Stress

courtesy:  http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/caregiverstress.htm?p=1


Why Being a Caregiver is Hard on Your Health

Part I: Helping with Money and Medication Is More Stressful than Physical Care

From Sharon O'Brien, former About.com Guide

In a study of the effects of stress on caregivers' health, researchers at the University of Arkansas found a surprising link between the type of assistance caregivers provide and the amount of stress they report. "It came as no surprise to us that caregivers are under stress," said Barbara Shadden, director of the program in communication disorders, and co-director of the University of Arkansas (UA) Office for Studies on Aging along with fellow researcher Ro DiBrezzo, director of the UA Human Performance Lab. "What we did find striking is that not all forms of caregiving cause the same amount of stress." Causes and Effects of Caregiver Stress
The results of the study have shed new light on the causes of caregiver stress, as well as the kind of support caregivers need to help them cope. Approximately 45 million people in the United States devote a large portion of their lives to elder care or caregiving for someone who with a disability. Combine that with the demands of jobs, children and marriage, and the product is a tailor-made recipe for stress. Money and Meds Most Stressful
The researchers determined that caregivers who provided more assistance with tasks such as managing money and medications reported more stress than caregivers who were involved primarily in assisting with physical needs. "We believe the reason for this is because these responsibilities are related to the loved one's cognitive function," Shadden explained. "To watch someone, particularly a parent, lose cognitive abilities so that they cannot do the 'thinking' tasks that they used to, is very hard on the caregiver emotionally—and often is actually more stressful than assisting with the more physically demanding tasks such as bathing or cleaning." Gender Differences
The study found that female caregivers tended to provide more assistance with basic physical needs, while male caregivers were more likely to help with activities such as managing finances. However, both men and women caregivers reported that dealing with a care recipient's cognitive and emotional difficulties is harder than dealing with physical challenges. Caregivers Report Lower Overall Health Ratings
All forms of caregiving take both physical and emotional tolls on caregivers. According to their study, Shadden and DiBrezzo found that caregivers reported lower ratings of overall health, higher levels of stress, and lower overall health satisfaction than non-caregivers. Chronic stress has also been linked to several major illnesses—including heart disease and cancer. The Emotional Impact on Caregivers
The emotional impact of caregiving can be just as strong. Shadden and DiBrezzo found that many caregivers are subject to feelings of increased sadness, irritability, fatigue and guilt. These feelings, if left unaddressed, can lead to chronic depression. So what are the best solutions for helping caregivers cope with stress?

'Monsanto Protection Act': 5 Terrifying Things To Know About The HR 933 Provision

'Monsanto Protection Act': 5 Terrifying Things To Know About The HR 933 Provision

Late Stage and End-of-life Care: Caregiving in the Final Stages of Life

KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - NYC set to pass sick days plan, seen as key step

I would like to see thissick leave act be a nation wide thing.  I also think it should be illegal to terminate a person's employment if they have a documented illness and they work in health care of the food industry.



KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - NYC set to pass sick days plan, seen as key step

Interesting , but I don't think this is the only offender

ELDER CARE TALK: Caregiver duties

courtesy:  http://www.elder-one-stop.com/caregiver-duties.html

Caregiver Duties

Elderly caregiver duties vary, depending on needs


Check out this elder care information.
So what comes to mind when you think of elder caregivers? Senior home care? Elderly long-term care in assisted living facilities or a nursing home? Or you? Caregiving is one of the growing elderly issues, and all of these scenarios are common today. The elderly caregiver, therefore, certainly could be you. Or partially you. In my case, it was first partially me and then fully me. And that made a huge difference.

It is very possible that at some point you will need part-time or full-time caregiving from the outside, such as elderly home care, either for yourself or a loved one. So it's important to understand a good elderly caregiver description. I definitely needed to know this for myself, and also in the event that I would need additional help in caring for my dad. But what could I expect regarding duties a caregiver would provide?

Clarification of your needs vs. elderly caregiver duties that are available is crucial before proceeding with obtaining senior care, either from an outside senior service, or in an elderly long-term care facility. This is especially true if progressing elderly problems or illnesses are involved, particularly dementia (see our dementia overview). Our family had to really assess the needs of our Dad before we made decisions as to what I could and could not handle.

The best approach is to first thoroughly know what you're dealing with and then begin making a plan for your care of elderly. to help with fundamentals of caregiving.
It is vital to assess the needs of your loved one realistically in order to provide the necessary care, and to ensure that you are not over-extending yourself beyond your limits. Don't pretend you can handle something if you have a feeling in the back of your mind that maybe you can't.
Many caregiver duties are very personal to the patient, as with my father, and you should discuss with your loved one whether they have a preference or need for a male or female attendant. Any safety issues should also be discussed. Needless to say, an attitude that is caring and respectful should always be maintained by the caregiver toward the patient and any elderly problems.

These are common caregiver duties that may need to be performed by either you and/or an outside person(s).

• Grooming assistance – Brushing teeth, washing, shaving, fingernail and toenail care, etc. (Most of this I did handle with Dad, but eventually had someone come in for this toe and fingernail care).
• Assisting with dressing -- Can be 15 minutes in morning and/or evening.
• Shampoo and bathing – Assistance getting in the shower or bath. Help with actual bathing. The caregiver is usually present the entire time, not leaving the patient alone. Number of times per week should be discussed.
• Transferring - Examples: from chair, toilet, bed, into vehicle.
• Toileting - Different types of assistance may be needed. Especially important is dryness and cleanliness - for comfort and hygiene (for prevention of bacteria spreading). Discuss full details with the prospective caregiver.



• Medication – All medication assistance must be administered with strict adherence to doctors’ orders. No changes should be made without family and doctor approval. However, help can be as simple as assuring medication is taken, to preparation, to actual administration.
• Meal preparation and serving – Which meals and how many times per week. A nutritious menu must be discussed and approved, consistent with the patient’s dietary requirements.
• Mail and newspaper – Brought in daily. Decisions should be made regarding who will read and deal with the mail if the patient has vision or cognitive impairment.
• Housekeeping – Caregiver duties can include cleaning, making beds, doing dishes, laundry, ironing as needed, cleaning kitchen and bathroom, and especially maintaining sanitation, which includes regular garbage removal.
• Transportation – To and from appointments, stores, entertainment, adult day care.
• Errands and shopping – The patient may be able to go out with escort assistance, or errands may need to be done by the caregiver.


• Ambulation assistance – Whether the patient is able to walk or is confined to a wheelchair, it is important to exercise regularly. The doctor may have given guidelines for exercise, so discuss the type of walking or exercise needed and how frequently.
• Management of symptoms – If the patient suffers from an illness that causes pain, rashes, lesions, swelling, breathing difficulties, etc., the doctor’s recommendations for procedures must be discussed.
• Therapy – Either occupational or physical. This may be part of elderly home care, or the patient may go to an outside physical therapy facility. Some continuous care campuses have physical therapy on site.
• Emergency service – Important contact information is needed for both a senior home care service or elderly long-term care facility. Make sure you have an emergency contact sheet hanging on the refrigerator that lists the family contact, any serious elderly problems, primary care doctor, any specialists, hospital, pharmacy, etc. Discuss with the senior home care service whether the caregiver will administer CPR before or after dialing 911.
• Medical care – Caregiver duties provided by an RN or LPN, (or else staff in the facility) depending on the circumstances and as recommended by a doctor.
• Hospice care – Hospice care is usually in duration of 6 months or less, to keep patient physically and emotionally comfortable during transition period.
• Short-term respite care – a senior home care service can come in to give the family caregiver a break.
• Communicating – Both progress and any issues should be communicated by a healthcare service with the family.
• Companionship – Assisting with attendance at social events, escorting to adult day care, or the caregiver provides social activities such as reading aloud to the patient, playing games or doing crafts and hobbies.
  ....And if you need activity ideas

-- see about our books, below.
Activities Books

Are you looking for lots of ideas for activities and games? Well we have a couple of excellent Kindle books for you!

"201 Fun Senior Activities" -- If you need a comprehensive book with loads of activities, that can also help with your caregiver duties, then this is the perfect Kindle book for you! (Kindle books can also be easily be read on your PC without an actual Kindle device.) This book contains lots of new ideas, as well as neatly organized activities from our web site -- so you don't have to search all over. It's sectioned into handy categories, such as General Activities, Activities for Men, Fun Food Activities, Holiday Activities, Outdoor Activities, Dementia Activities, and much more! Just go to our Kindle page at:
201 Fun! Senior Activities

"71 Fun Games for Seniors" -- Caregiver duties can involve a little entertainment. Want some great game ideas? Whether for the whole family, games to do alone, or ideas for activity directors, this Kindle book has load of games! Something for everyone and for just about every occasion. It contains lots of new games, plus many of those mentioned on our web site -- all nicely organized so you don't have to hunt all over. We have Holiday Games, Party Games, Mind Games, Dementia Games, Outdoor Games, and much more. It is thorough! (And you can read a Kindle book on your PC with a free download, without a Kindle device). So check it out on our Kindle page at:
71 Fun Games for Seniors

"Fun Party Themes for Seniors" -- I have a ton of parties in this book. Since major holiday parties are usually well-planned already by most folks, I don't go into those as much. What I do offer is all kinds of other unique themes for any time of year, outdoors or indoors, large groups or small. And to fit just about any budget. Many parties can be modified to work into other holidays as well. Plus, I include decorating ideas and actual projects, and many recipes (many are right from my Dad's famous recipe box).
Fun Party Themes for Seniors


The list above includes a lot of caregiver duties! My Dad did have many issues that took special care. But he was ambulatory and could also do his own grooming, eating, etc. It is a list to pay attention to so you don't take on more than you can handle and get burned out. Which can happen sooner than one thinks.