|
ElderCare
News, Press Releases & Media
24-HOUR ALZHEIMER'S CARE CRISIS LINE 800-209-4342
ElderCare at
Home Becomes First Charter Member
West Palm Beach, Florida – April 22, 2008 – ElderCare at Home recently became the first Charter Member in the State of Florida for the ElderCare Matters Alliance®. The issues of aging are unique and widespread. Families may need support from one professional on tax issues, another on estate planning or other legal issues, and another to address healthcare problems or housing options. ElderCare Matters® was designed to provide families with access to experts in all areas of ElderCare. Members of the National ElderCare Matters® Alliance are some of America's best and brightest professionals with long and successful careers working with seniors and their families.
"We are very excited to bring our client's the opportunity to
take advantage of the many resources that will now be available to
them through the ElderCare Matters Alliance.
Our network of
professionals will help families plan for and deal with the many
issues of aging. We offer families across America access to the very
best Attorney's, CPA's, Financial Planners, Senior Real Estate
Specialists, Long Term Care Insurance Specialists, and other
ElderCare Experts", said Elayne Forgie, President of ElderCare
at Home. For more information, on ElderCare Matters, please
visit
www.ElderCareMatters.com
or
call ElderCare at Home at 800-209-4342.
One Million Live with Parkinson’s Yet General Public Remains Uninformed As Parkinson’s Awareness Month Arrives, Education is Key West Palm Beach, Florida – April 3, 2008 – According to the National Parkinson Foundation, after Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Yet while so many continue to suffer, most Americans remain uninformed about the disease and the many people it touches, often associating Parkinson’s only with celebrities who live openly with the disease (Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali, to name a few). The ElderCare Resource Center urges people to take time this April (Parkinson’s Awareness Month) to learn more about this difficult disease. Quick Facts About Parkinson’s:
- Rest tremor of a limb (shaking with the limb at
rest) - Rigidity (stiffness, increased resistance to passive movement) of the limbs or trunk - Poor balance (postural instability) The ElderCare Resource Center has joined forces with a national movement this April to educate the public. Part of our mission is assisting those who might fare better through increased knowledge of the symptoms and challenges of Parkinson’s. The ElderCare Resource Center urges one to seek medical attention if a change in a loved one’s behavior is noticed. Diagnosing Parkinson’s involves a battery of tests, some that rule out several other conditions mimicking Parkinson’s symptoms. People who receive the proper treatment in a timely manner often experience improvement in their overall medical condition and will realize a better quality of life in the long run. What are some Parkinson’s warning signs?
Friends or family members may be the first to notice changes:
How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?
Is there treatment?
Parkinson’s Hope provides suggestions for a “Parkinson’s friendly” home: In the bedroom, avoid space heaters and include:
In the bathroom, utilize:
In the kitchen, clean spills immediately and employ:
In the office, avoid extension cords and make use of:
In the garage, minimize clutter and incorporate:
Outside, repair pavement cracks, pick up tools/hose, install extra lighting and consider:
WebMD reports five stages of Parkinson’s disease: Stage 1: During this initial phase of the disease, a patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms may inconvenience the day-to-day tasks the patient would otherwise complete with ease. Typically these symptoms will include the presence of tremors or experiencing shaking in one of the limbs. Also during Stage 1, friends and family can usually detect changes in the Parkinson's patient including poor posture, loss of balance, and abnormal facial expressions. Stage 2: In the second stage of Parkinson's disease, the patient’s symptoms are bilateral, affecting both limbs and both sides of the body. The patient usually encounters problems walking or maintaining balance. The inability to complete normal physical tasks becomes more apparent. Stage 3: Stage 3 symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be rather severe and include the inability to walk straight or to stand. There is a noticeable slowing of physical movements in Stage 3. Stage 4: This stage of the disease is accompanied by severe symptoms of Parkinson’s. Walking may still occur, but it is often limited and rigidity and bradykinesia are often visible. During this stage, most patients are unable to complete day-to-day tasks, and usually cannot live on their own. The tremors or shakiness that take over during the earlier stages, however, may lessen or become non-existent for unknown reasons during this time. Stage 5: The last or final stage of Parkinson’s disease usually takes over the patient’s physical movements. The patient is usually unable to take care of him or herself and may not be able to stand or walk during this stage. A patient at Stage 5 usually requires constant one-on-one nursing care. THERE ARE OPTIONS. Many people with loved ones suffering from Parkinson’s are unaware of the options available to them—like in-home care. People have choices when it comes to Parkinson’s care. Loved ones can remain safe, active, and comfortable—even aging in place, at home. However, the first step is in diagnosing the disease and getting necessary medical assistance if warranted. Finding Support
About The ElderCare Resource Center The ElderCare Resource Center is an Alzheimer's/dementia specific geriatric care management firm. We are highly specialized and experienced working closely with memory impaired patients, their families, caregivers, and members of their health care team. Our goal is to keep our patient's in the place they most want to be... their own home... Further information can be found on http://www.eldercareresourcecenter.com *****
October 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 31, 2007 ElderCare Resource Center & Palm Beach Neurological Center to Co-host National Memory Screening Day WHAT: Individuals concerned about memory loss can take
advantage of free memory screenings as part of National Memory
Screening Day, an annual event presented by the Alzheimer’s
Foundation of America (AFA) to promote early detection of
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Palm Beach Neurological Center RSVP FOR APPOINTMENT TIME: 561-694-1010 or 561-471-122 WHO: Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned
about memory loss or experiencing
warning signs
of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in
them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of
Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. Screenings also are
appropriate for anyone who does not have a concern right now, but who
wants to establish a base line score for comparison in the future. ¨ An estimated five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and with the aging baby boomers, the incidence is expected to triple by mid-century. ¨ The Alzheimer's Foundation of America holds National Memory Screening Day each November during National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. Hundreds of sites across the country are offering memory screenings on November 13 and can be found at www.nationalmemoryscreening.org. ¨ The face-to-face screening takes place in a private setting; only the individual being tested and the clinician are present. ¨ A screening consists of a series of questions and/or tasks designed to test memory, language skills, thinking ability, and other intellectual functions. ¨ The person who administers the screening will review the results with you, and suggest whether you should follow up with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional for more extensive testing. ¨ Results of the memory screenings are confidential. Typically, you will receive the screening results to bring to your healthcare professional or, with your permission, the clinician at the screening will send the results to your physician. ¨ An early and proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other memory impairment can improve the patient’s quality of life and provide the patient with the opportunity to plan for the future. ¨ Information packets containing essential information will be provided to all participates. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a nonprofit organization focused on care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their families. For information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org. For more information on any of the above and how we can help you, please contact: ElderCare Resource Center at 561-471-3122 or 800-209-4342 or visit our website www.ElderCareResourceCenter.com
June 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 12, 2007 Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Awards Excellence in Dementia Care Specialist Status to Elayne Forgie Elayne Forgie of ElderCare Resource Center, Inc. and AlzheimersTraining.com recently became one of just three Excellence in Care Specialists for Palm Beach County. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is calling upon experienced professionals in the field of dementia care to conduct the Excellence in Care Dementia Program of Distinction in their local communities. According to Elayne Forgie, “The ElderCare Resource Center has always been a strong advocate for the highest level of standards and guidelines for Assisted Living facilities, Nursing Homes, Adult Day Care Centers and home care agencies that provide care to Alzheimer’s patients or those suffering from other forms of memory impairment. We have spent hundreds of hours researching, evaluating, participating, and serving on numerous committees and advisory boards in an attempt to raise the bar and ensure that dementia care settings and providers meet the optimal needs of their patients/residents”. “We strongly support the development of nationwide standards and fully endorse the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) Excellence in Care™ Program of Distinction”. We believe that that this distinction establishes a new benchmark for dementia care and will be widely recognized, respected and sought out by families as they attempt to select care providers and care settings for their loved ones”. xxx As the number of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continues to rise, geriatric care mangers, elder law attorneys, financial advisors, physicians and other professionals that work with families during the placement or selection process, will be remiss in not recommending just those facilities and/or organizations that have strived for and achieved this national level of standards. AlzheimersTraining.com provides the training, guidance, support and the expertise necessary for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day care centers that intend to seek a national recognition. For more information on how AlzheimersTraining.com can assist you in meeting the goals of your facility or agency, as well as additional information on the Excellence in Care™ Dementia Care Program of Distinction, please contact us at: 561-966-5850
May 2007 Medicare Home Health Care and Alzheimer's Disease: Lack of Coverage Forces Other Options
November 2006 West Palm Beach, Florida The ElderCare Resource Center has become the first AFA C.A.R.E.S. site in the state of Florida for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA). C.A.R.E.S. is an acronym for Care and Resource Education Services. The ElderCare Resource Center will operate AFA C.A.R.E.S. sites from their West Palm Beach and Stuart offices enabling hundreds of families to reach out and receive support, care and guidance from local experts, as well as vital information and educational materials developed by AFA and other local, state and national resources. "We are so pleased to have the opportunity to bring these resources to South Florida. As an Alzheimer's/dementia specific organization, we truly believe in AFA's focus - "together for care...in addition to cure", said Elayne Forgie, President of The ElderCare Resource Center. Elayne states that each site will provide C.A.R.E.S. kits for families as well as the opportunity to meet with a geriatric care manager for a complimentary assessment, support, recommendations and guidance. The ElderCare Resource Center offers a 24-Hour Alzheimer's Crisis Line in addition to comprehensive and affordable geriatric care management services. For more information visit www.ElderCareResourceCenter.com or www.ElderCareatHome.org. Elayne Forgie, CMC, CDP,
President www.ElderCareatHome.org
24-HOUR ALZHEIMER'S
CARE CRISIS LINE
ElderCare Resource Center
Florida:
Palm Beach, Broward,
Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee & Indian River Counties
561-471-3122
West Palm Beach
561-367-9676
Deerfield/Boca
Raton/Delray Beach
Copyright © 2001-2008 ElderCare Resource Center, Inc.
All rights
reserved. |
