What to Do When Elderly Parents Refuse to Eat

April is National Parkinsons Awareness Montha time to elevate understanding around a condition that affects nearly one million Americans and countless families. Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts movement, coordination, and mood, often creating daily challenges for both those diagnosed and their care partners. At Premier Care Management of Florida, we meet those challenges head-on with a specialized service model known as the Parkinsons Disease Coach Approach.Introducing the Parkinsons Disease Coach Approach Our Parkinsons Disease Coach Approach is a personalized, client-centered model designed to empower individuals and families living with Parkinsons. Delivered by Certified Premier Care Managers, this program provides expert coaching, care coordination, and proactive planning to reduce crisis events and improve quality of lifeespecially during times of transition, like hospitalization, rehab stays, or returning home.A Holistic and Compassionate Support System What sets our approach apart is its focus on the whole person. We begin with a comprehensive Parkinsons assessment that includes motor and non-motor symptom evaluation, medication review, cognitive screening, and functional analysis. We then conduct a full home safety assessment, identifying fall risks, recommending adaptive equipment, and improving medication routines. Everything is tailored to each clients unique needs, values, and goals.Advocacy When It Matters Most Parkinsons medications must be taken on a precise schedule to remain effective, especially during hospitalization. Our care managers advocate directly with hospital staff to ensure proper medication timing and prevent the use of contraindicated drugs. We also coordinate smooth discharge plans, ensuring continuity of care whether clients are transitioning to rehab, returning home, or considering long-term care options.Emotional Support and Family Coaching Living with Parkinsons can bring changes in mood, behavior, and family dynamics. Thats why our program also includes emotional support for both clients and caregivers, coaching calls to guide decision-making, and education around topics like freezing episodes, fall prevention, and disease progression. Families gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind knowing theyre not facing this alone.Connected, Collaborative, and Client-Driven We work closely with neurologists, primary care providers, therapists, and other specialists to make sure everyone involved in your care is on the same page. From managing appointments and insurance details to connecting families with trusted local resources, our team ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.Who Benefits from This Program? Our Parkinsons Disease Coach Approach is ideal for individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinsons, those transitioning between care settings, families overwhelmed by coordination responsibilities, or clients facing cognitive or behavioral changes in later stages of the disease. Its also a lifeline for individuals who dont have a local advocate during hospital stays or complex medical decisions. At Premier Care Management of Florida, we are honored to walk alongside Sarasotas seniors and families impacted by Parkinsons. With expert advocacy, education, and support, our Coach Approach helps clients preserve their independence and live with confidence at every stage.To learn more or schedule a free consultation, contact us today. Were here to be your partner in this journey. Serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and surrounding communities 941-400-2387  www.PremierCMFL.com

By Faith Protsman, MD, Regional Medical Director, VITAS HealthcareTwo recent studies highlight how sepsis impact often extends well beyond the acute event that led to a patients hospitalization. The studies emphasize two particular points that should inform physicians and clinicians as they consider referring these patients to specialized care: Medicare patient data gathered between 2012-2017 shows that sepsis patients face considerably poorer health outcomes following hospital discharge when compared to non-sepsis patients, including elevated risk for death and increased use of advanced healthcare services. Sepsis survivors exhibit strong indicators of persistent inflammation and immunosuppression for up to a year after hospital discharge, increasing their risk of readmission or death. Both studies indicate a significantly elevated risk of death among sepsis patients after they have been discharged and ostensibly cured. Of course, sepsis patientsparticularly those of the Medicare cohort, who are largely of advanced agerarely leave the hospital in better condition than they entered.The Yende study, in particular, shows that neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to sepsis can continue long after the patient survives a septic episode. For patients with advanced or chronic diseasesas was the case with nearly 78% of participants in the studythese biomarkers are associated with decline.Post-sepsis Discharge: A Critical JunctureIn many cases, these individuals life expectancies upon discharge will be less than six months. This is a critical juncture: While comfort-focused hospice care could provide an ideal source of support for the eligible patient, their family, and their caregiver(s), most sepsis patients are simply sent home without even a discussion about palliative end-of-life care and its benefits.Frankly, such an oversight is a disservice to everyone involved. The sepsis patient is left with physical and/or cognitive dysfunction, often without significant options for symptom management. Their partner or family will either need to assume caregiving duties or turn to costly private services. And the physician and hospital staff will likely see the patient again following another acute event, a readmission that impacts performance scores, strains resources, and unnecessarily fills beds.By no means do I intend to lay the blame for these unfortunate circumstances on physicians. Timely hospice referrals require ongoing education about end-of-life care, and open, ongoing communication between hospice providers and referral sources.More Help: How to Talk About Hospice Care >Those of us in hospice are working hard to bridge the gap, but even as our healthcare system transitions to a value-based model, the mentality of fee-for-service still permeates our nations acute-care facilities, and many hospitalists see a discharge home as a success.Hospice: A New Way Of Judging SuccessIn hospice, we judge our successes on the patients quality of life and the fulfillment of their goals and wishes near lifes end. Usually, that means going home with 24/7 support from an interdisciplinary hospice team. Whether home is a traditional residence, an assisted living facility, or nursing home, the hospice team will assist caregivers (and/or facility staff) with direct clinical care and education, integrative services, bereavement support, and delivery of medication, equipment, and supplies.In other cases, improving quality of life means remaining in a general inpatient setting with hospice support, taking the burden off hospital staff until the patient is able to transition home or until the patient dies. Hospice offers complex modalities in any setting, so patients who would otherwise be confined to an ICU can usually return home to be among loved ones.With support from hospice, a sepsis patient and their family are more likely to report higher satisfaction of care and greater quality of life. The patients emotional and spiritual needs can be met alongside their physical needs, thanks to care from chaplains, social workers, music and massage therapists, and other integrative specialists. Finally, the patient is more likely to die at home, surrounded by loved ones, rather than in the hospital.Because sepsis is most common in patients with advanced or chronic diseases that indicate hospice eligibility, acute incidences of sepsis should always trigger a hospice eligibility assessment. We owe it to our patients, their loved ones, and our colleagues in healthcare, all of whom can benefit from the support that timely end-of-life care offers. 

As life evolves, so do our needs at home. For seniors, navigating daily life in a cluttered or disorganized space can be overwhelming and even unsafe. Creating a home environment that is both functional and nurturing is an act of love and respect. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we specialize in transforming homes into spaces that prioritize comfort, safety, and joy. With thoughtful adjustments and a touch of care, senior home organization becomes a gateway to easier living and peace of mind.The Impact of Thoughtful Home Organization on SeniorsA well-organized home offers far more than convenience. It promotes safety, independence, and emotional well-being, ensuring seniors feel confident and comfortable in their surroundings.Why Senior Home Organization Matters:Enhances SafetyReducing clutter and organizing essentials minimizes risks like trips and falls, which are common in senior households.Boosts IndependenceAn organized home allows seniors to find and access what they need without assistance, fostering a sense of autonomy.Reduces StressA tidy, harmonious space alleviates feelings of overwhelm and creates a calming atmosphere.Preserves MemoriesThoughtfully arranging sentimental items honors cherished memories while maintaining an orderly space.Practical Considerations:Conduct a home walkthrough to identify problem areas that need decluttering or reorganizing.Include seniors in the decision-making process to ensure the space aligns with their preferences and habits.Focus on high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms where safety and accessibility are paramount.Tips for Senior Home Organization with Love and CareCreating a senior-friendly home doesnt require drastic changes. With a compassionate approach and practical strategies, even small adjustments can make a big difference.Tips for Organizing with Love:Declutter with CompassionWork alongside the senior to sort through belongings. Encourage them to share stories about sentimental items, and help them decide what to keep, donate, or discard.Prioritize AccessibilityArrange frequently used items at waist level to avoid bending or reaching. Use open shelving or labeled containers for easy access.Incorporate Safety FeaturesAdd non-slip mats in bathrooms, secure loose rugs, and ensure lighting is bright and consistent throughout the home.Create Functional ZonesDesignate specific areas for activities like reading, crafting, or relaxing. Keep supplies for each activity neatly organized within reach.Use Simple SystemsImplement straightforward organizational tools such as color-coded bins or daily planners to keep track of medications, appointments, and important documents.A Loving Touch:Personalize the space with photos, favorite colors, and cozy elements like soft throws or pillows.Display sentimental items in a way thats both organized and meaningful, such as a memory shelf or photo collage.Organizing a seniors home is about more than tidinessits about creating a space that supports their well-being and celebrates their life. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we approach every project with empathy and a commitment to making daily living easier for seniors and their families. By combining practical solutions with a heartfelt touch, we turn homes into havens where seniors can thrive. Lets make 2025 a year of love, care, and beautifully organized spaces for the ones who matter most.