Care Management Blog

Learning that a loved one has received a dementia diagnosis is hard. Perhaps even more so if you live far away but are responsible for their care. In this situation, you’ll need an on-the-ground team of people who live near your relative to support them and you. In the early stages of dementia, it’s important…

A diagnosis of anemia means the body is low in hemoglobin. This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body. Anemia is common in older adults but often goes undiagnosed. If your aging loved one seems unusually tired, weak, or just “not themselves,” it’s worth investigating if anemia is part…

Hospice is a service that offers specialized care for individuals nearing the end of life. But it is not just for the last few days. In fact, Medicare pays for months of in-depth services to patients and their families. For instance: Hospice offers these services and more. Its goal is to support the patient and…

If your aging loved one has travel plans coming up, be aware that older bodies are more vulnerable to the stresses of travel. Begin with a pretrip appointment with the doctor. Suggest a meeting with the physician four to eight weeks ahead of the vacation. Ask the doctor to assess overall health for travel. Heart…

Veterans Day parades come and go. A more lasting option for honoring the veteran in your life is to record an audio memoir of their life and service. Whether your loved one saw combat or served in peacetime, every veteran has a story to tell. Many would love to share their experiences. An audio memoir…

Recovery from a heart attack takes time. First there are the physical and emotional reactions to deal with. A big part of recovery, however, is embracing lifestyle changes to keep the heart as healthy as possible and prevent a recurrence. It takes dedication to change old habits. But the effort is much less than what…

During Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, anyone with a Medicare drug plan, also known as “Part D,” can change their plan. That makes it a good time to double check your loved one’s coverage, even if they’ve been satisfied. Plans change every year. Medications may be dropped. Pharmacies shift in and…

Imagine if your aging loved one could make a call, get medication reminders, or check the weather without lifting a finger. Maybe even chat with a device that responds to them. Today’s digital assistant devices make all this possible, giving your family member more independence. But while these “smart” helpers can do a lot, they…

All healing begins with an accurate diagnosis, yet errors are common. So common that most of us are likely to experience at least one diagnostic error in our lifetime. How we describe symptoms to the doctor can go a long way in helping them make an accurate diagnosis. For family caregivers, this means preparing with…