Working with an Aging Life Care Professional- What to ExpectBob and Kathy Smith (not their real names) are in their 90s and live independently in their own home. Their 2 children live in other states and have busy lives of their own. Kathy is beginning to show early signs of dementia and Bob doesnt get around as easily as he once did. They would like to remain in their home but understand they may eventually need someone to assist them in their home. Their children live too far away to provide the help they may eventually need. Bob and Kathy know that there are resources available to assist them. But like so many of their senior friends, they do not know how to access it. What should they do?Care Management or as it is now known, Aging Life Care, is the field of healthcare that provides a single point of contact to guide seniors to the resources their situation may require. Aging Life Care Professionals are particularly helpful when adult children live away from their parents and are not readily available to assist their parents. Aging Life Care Professionals help identify areas of risk or needs and with input from the seniors, their children or any other designated representative, create an action plan with appropriate response directions in place.The goal of Aging Life Care management is to be proactive and put a plan in place so that when a crisis does occur, they can readily access the pre-determined care partners. In this example, Bob and Kathy might need a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) installed in their home to respond to a medical emergency. Additionally, a private duty caregiver might be appropriate to assist when one or both needs assistance with personal care, transportation or even light housekeeping. A life care professional will ensure that legal planning is done proactively. The clients might not be able to make important legal decisions, and this plan eliminates difficult decisions being made by family members at a high time of stress. Aging Life Care Professionals also coordinate care between the multiple facets of healthcare delivery such as home health, physicians, hospice and senior living facilities.Bob and Kathy hire an Aging Care Life Professional- Pam. Pam, after discussions with Bob and Kathy, has had a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) installed in the house. A few days later, Bob falls and requires hospitalization which leaves Kathy home by herself. As designated by the care plan, Pam immediately secured a private duty caregiver to assist Kathy at home. As a result of this proactive approach, Bob and Kathys legal documents are in place giving their daughter the right to make preplanned decisions on their behalf. Kathy doesnt have to worry about finances or making health decisions for Bob. In the hospital, Bob can rest assured Kathy is in good hands. His children are aware of the situation and can make their plans accordingly.In todays hectic and sometimes complicated world, seniors and their families can count on Aging Life Care. They become an invaluable partner for families dealing with long-distance caregiving as well as local families looking for a health care partner. Peace of mind, how do you put a price on that?Brenda Lyle is a certified Aging Life Care Manager as well as a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has owned an Aging Life Care Management practice since 2016, with the goal of offering affordable care management. She may be reached via email at brendalyle2015@gmail.com or 630-229-2089.

For more information on the author Paul Andrews - ERA Advantage Reality Inc., CLICK HERE.FSBO (pronounced fizz-bo), or For Sale By Owner, is a way of selling your home without the use of a professional real estate agent or broker. The idea behind FSBO is that by selling your home yourself, you save the approximate 6% that would be the agents commission.6% may not sound like a lot, but it can add up, especially on more expensive homes. But before you run off and decide to sell your home FSBO, you must remember that to get a savings like that, there must be a cost. So whats the catch? Selling FSBO is hard. A lot harder.Only about 10% of sellers that decide to do FSBO are successful at it. And not all of them end up saving themselves money. FSBO sellers often end up accepting a lower price for their home than they would with an agent.There are of course other issues as well. Can you afford to make selling your home your full-time job? Because for a lot of FSBO sellers, thats exactly what it is. Do you have the time and capital to spend on the marketing, advertising, inspections, paperwork, phone calls, showings, and problems that come up when any home is sold?Selling with a professional agent also has other advantages. An agent can get your home listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and other popular websites where not only homebuyers but also other agents can easily find it. Professional real estate agents also have an extensive network that allows them to more easily find a buyer.So before you decide to sell your home yourself, thoughtfully consider just how much time and effort you can spare for selling your home, as well as how important it is that your home sell sooner rather than later.

Social isolation is a serious problem with older adults that is expected to increase.There are many reasons we become isolated as we age, including loss of a loved one; health challenges like low vision, hearing impairment, limited mobility; and external barriers such as lack of transportation.Dr. Elise Reinhard discusses why your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a good person to tell about feelings of isolation and loneliness.Why should I tell my PCP if I feel isolated?Dr. Reinhard: Isolation is an issue affecting your emotional, mental and even physical health. Studies have shown that socially isolated older adults are at greater risk for depression, unrecognized memory problems, malnutrition, poor health, and medical emergencies.Patients have told me they consider these feelings a normal part of aging that can't be changed. The good news is that things can be done to help.How can my PCP help?Dr. Reinhard: Talking to anyone about these feelings is the first step in affecting change, but your doctor may have some suggestions to improve emotional and physical issues contributing to your isolation.A PCP is trained to support all aspects of your life: physical, mental, and emotional. You dont need to have a physical symptom to bring up feelings of isolation or loneliness with your doctor.How can I talk to my doctor about isolation and loneliness?Dr. Reinhard: Many people have difficulty talking about their feelings. Letting your doctor know that this is an issue you are dealing with ahead of time is a great way to start the conversation. I suggest sending your doctor an email or letter before your appointment. If you have feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, or loneliness talk to your doctor to see how they can help.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Elise Reinhard, MD.Dr. Reinhard is a geriatrician with Boulder Medical Center. Learn more at bouldermedicalcenter.com/blue or call 303-440-3001 for an appointment.