Before you quit your job
It may be true: Your aging relative needs more and more care. You know you are the best person for the job. But it’s too much to do on top of your own work. Think twice before exiting the workforce, however. There are some stiff financial consequences. For example, if you are midcareer, you are…
Read MoreIs it Alzheimer’s disease?
When your father struggles to remember a grandchild’s name, should you be concerned? Older adults typically have some memory loss. People with Alzheimer’s disease, however, experience very specific changes in their thinking that go beyond the normal forgetfulness of aging. You might consider a dementia evaluation if your loved one has begun having difficulty with…
Read More“I don’t need help!” – Part 1
It’s a common refrain and the bane of many family members: Your loved one is having trouble, yet he or she refuses outside help. This can put your relative at risk. But if the worst happens and things go south, it also ends up making more work for you. Doubly frustrating when you know it…
Read MoreThe habit of happiness
Happiness is in our nature. We are born with the ability to be happy. And then life happens. Our life experiences affect our attitude about happiness. They influence how much we believe we deserve happiness or convince us we don’t deserve it. Especially in stressful situations like caregiving, feelings of happiness can be rare! A…
Read MoreUsing long-term care insurance
Your relative may have bought long-term care insurance to cover the expense of care when help is needed. Activating the policy takes some lead time. It’s wise to learn all the steps and definitions so you can be strategic with your timing. Types of care covered Read the policy and see what kinds of care…
Read MoreTravel tips when your loved one is disabled
It’s difficult to know what to anticipate when traveling with a family member who has trouble getting around. Here are tips from experienced, disabled travelers to reduce your road-trip stress this summer. If your travel includes hotel lodging: Talk directly with the hotel. Many hotel chains have a centralized reservation system. Get a direct, on-site…
Read MoreAccessible National Parks
If the person you care for has trouble getting around, you can still go on a family vacation. Many of our national parks have special accessibility programs. Our parks are our treasures, and park staff are working to ensure that all Americans have access. To find a park with accessibility services, go to the National…
Read MoreSusy Elder Murphy: Reflections on 25 Years
My life has been greatly enriched by the many clients that I have been honored to provide care management support to over the years.
Read MoreOpioids & Caring for Older Adults
The Opioid Epidemic was proclaimed a crisis in 2017, and this year we are working hard to learn how to best approach our clients and loved ones when it comes to opioid use. Pain management is a huge issue when it comes to getting older, and the line between treating pain and addiction is very,…
Read MoreThanks to Jennifer Sherwood for 10 Wonderful Years!
Jennifer started her journey with DLEA in January 2008. This is her DLEA story… I first heard about DLEA from a close friend from nursing school, and we had also worked together early in our nursing careers. When she went to work at DLEA she told me about her work there and I was really intrigued. I had been working as an independent care manager for 4 years when I explored joining DLEA…
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