CMS has published a bulletin listing resources that specifically work with State Medicaid agencies to support the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as their aging caregivers. Here are links to these resources: How State Agencies Can Anticipate…
Make a Memory Book for Persons With Dementia
If you are a care giver for or a family member of someone with dementia, consider making a custom memory book to improve quality of life. A memory book is described as a “collection of photos, letters, printouts, and other…
Camilla McRory Oral History
At the request of The Perkins School For The Blind, Camilla McRory provides an oral history of her family in this interview with The Perkins School For The Blind. Camilla is the great-great grand daughter of Samuel Gridley Howe, The…
Beware of this Senior Care Referral Company
When researching senior care, a Place For Mom will undoubtedly appear in your search. It is one of the largest online advisory services for senior living. They claim to recommend facilities that provide “exemplary care and support to aging loved…
CMS Home Health Benefit Brochure
This brochure contains helpful information regarding Medicare home health benefits as well as a breakdown on your home health coverage rights. As explained by CMS, home health can include “skilled nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language therapy services, home…
Providing Care-Giver Relief
A Montgomery County program titled “Moco Respite” allows primary care givers of senior citizens and family members with disabilities to take a small break from their daily duties. While this program does not serve as a permanent substitute for ongoing…
How to Avoid Government Scammers
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has reported an increase in government imposter scammer calls, specifically targeting older adults. These callers claim to be from government agencies, such as Medicare or Social Security, but are in reality seeking to steal…
Stop Social Security-related scams
From the Social Security Administration: “Recognize the four basic signs of a scam: Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of…
How TLC Makes You Sick
Caring for loved ones can be as challenging as it is rewarding. The physical, mental, and emotional toll on caregivers is more extreme than caregivers generally expect. This 30 May 2004 Newsweek article “How TLC Makes You Sick” outlines the…
The Care-Giver’s Self-Care Reality Check
It is necessary: To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness, even though it may feel like it. In the long run, it will give me the strength that my loved one needs in a caretaker.…