A Move Manager is a professional who assists older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation. Move managers provide a multi-faceted approach: from space planning to getting resettled post-move. With backgrounds in social work, health care, and project management, move managers share a profound commitment to connecting with people and a desire to perform meaningful work.Count on a Move Manager to:Declutter, sort and organize items you want to keep, sell or donateConduct and manage online auctions and estate salesDisperse items for donation, or share them with family and friendsCreate space plans to envision how your furniture fits in your new homeSchedule and manage professional moversPack, move, and unpack in your new place!Editors Note: Article submitted by Amy Fisk, Co-Owner & Chief Executive De-Stressor at We Move Your Mom, specializing in eliminating the stress of moving for seniors and their families, with an added real estate component to integrate and sequence the events of downsizing, moving and selling your home. Tele: 720-340-1056 email: amy@movermavens.com.

When it comes to correcting common bone and joint problems, todays leading-edge options can mean greater function, faster for patients.1. Knee and Hip:Partial or total joint replacement can make life more comfortable for people experiencing disability due to arthritis and other adult orthopedic problems. Hip and knee replacement surgeries may be performed traditionally or using minimally invasive procedures, given the individuals needs and preferences. In either case, a portion of the problem joint is removed and an artificial joint (prosthesis) attached using cement or a special material that permits the remaining bone to attach to the new joint. 2. SpineMajor advances have been made in treatment of lumbar (back) and cervical (neck) spine problems. One is the X-Stop spacer to relieve the pain of lumbar spinal stenosis. Implanted during a minimally invasive procedure, the X-Stop lifts the vertebra off the pinched nerve causing the pain. No screws or other hardware are required, and no fusion is needed. 3. ShoulderThe rotator cuff is the muscle-and-tendon network at the top of the upper arm bone that allows the arm to rotate. When it is torn either through a traumatic incident or decades of wear and tear surgery is often the best solution. Arthroscopic repair is performed through small incisions using a fiberoptic scope, instruments about the size of a pencil and a video monitor. Mini-open repair enables surgeons to perform a complete rotator cuff surgery through a tiny incision just 4 to 6 cm long. Open surgical repair may be necessary in complex tears or if reconstruction is necessary. 4. Wrist and handCarpal tunnel syndrome refers to a persistent numbness or tingling sensation in ones thumb, index and middle fingers, and half the ring finger. It starts when the median nerve becomes compressed where it transitions from the forearm into the hand. Treatment generally begins conservatively, with physical therapy, splinting, medications and cortisone injections. Should surgery be required, two outpatient procedures one an open incision through the palm, the other an endoscopic procedure very close to the wrist creases. In both, the objective is to release the transversal carpal ligament.Ed Note: by Deborah Rue, RN, BS, Avista Joint and Spine Care Center CoordinatorTO LEARN MOREFree, informational sessions on joint pain management, joint replacement and advanced spine procedures are held regularly at Avista Adventist Hospital. To learn more, call 303-673-1000 or visit avistahospital.org.

Statistically, people are getting less sleep than ever. With cell phones disrupting our light cycles, stress from 2020, and unhealthy diets, tossing and turning seems to be status quo for many people. But the importance of sleep cant be understated. Not only is sleep imperative to feeling rested, but its also crucial in the support of our immune system and even weight gain. And those factors are incredibly important in 2021. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to getting enough zs at night.Weight Gain and Sleep LossBelieve it or not, short sleep duration is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity. This is believed to be caused by multiple factors, including hormones and motivation to work out. So, if youre trying to lose weight, its important that you get the sleep you need.Concentration and ProductivitySleep is critical for brain function. More sleep means improved cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance. So, if youre not feeling your sharpest, try to get some rest before tackling the more challenging tasks on your list.Immune Function and Mental HealthDuring a pandemic, sleep is more important than ever. One study found that those who slept less than 7 hours were almost 3 times more likely to develop a cold compared to those who slept 8 hours or more. Similarly, its estimated that 90% of people suffering from depression have poor sleeping habits, as well. Quite simply, better sleep is better for your overall health.Tips for Better Sleep HabitsNow that you know some of the major effects sleep can have on our lives, here are some things you can do to improve your rest quality.Find a Routine-Try to follow a nightly bed schedule and stick to it so your body can adjust.Dont Nap Late-If you nap too late in the day, chances are your eyes will be wide open at night.Avoid Screens-When youre in bed try to avoid looking at your phone, laptop, tablet or TV. The artificial light can disrupt our normal sleep patterns.Exercise-Try to move your body and sweat during the day, so your body has a reason to relax and sink into your mattress.Avoid Caffeine-As the day winds down, try to avoid that afternoon cup of coffee so it doesnt keep you up all night.

Its a startling fact: Twenty percent of the more than two million Medicare recipients who are sent home from the hospital, are readmitted within a month often with more severe health complications, according to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Ive seen many families go through this. While its not uncommon for older adults to continue to their healing in a rehabilitation facility for a time after a hospital stay, they often return home before they are fully recovered. They arent quite ready or strong enough to manage the range of complicated care needs they have during recovery. This leaves families scrambling trying to manage multiple medications, wound care, mobility issues, and household chores, while their loved ones recover. During this time, between hospital discharge and full recovery, older adults are more vulnerable and at higher risk for falls, medication mix-ups, infections, and other complications that can lead to rehospitalization and even death. But with some solid planning and the support of a coordinated care team including professional caregivers, family caregivers, discharge planners, and home health nurses and other care specialists, you can minimize the dangers for your loved one and make an easier transition home, says Sara Russell, RN, a senior care specialist and a caregiver trainer and educator.A smooth transition from hospital to home is essential, particularly for older adults with chronic conditions and complex care needs, according to a review in the American Journal of Nursing. It can ease stress, support healing, and recovery, and make everyone more comfortable. Thats a big reason many families choose to work with our qualified caregivers as they move their loved one home from the hospital. Our caregivers are trained through the Home Care 100 Advanced Caregiver Training Program in safe transfers, medication reminders, meal preparation, and other specific and complex care needs often required by patients after a hospital or rehab stay. We regularly drive and accompany our clients to medical appointments and can take detailed notes of the meeting for family members who cannot attend. This ensures that your loved makes their follow up visits which are key to recovery. Could a professional caregiver be helpful to your loved ones recovery? Its something worth considering as part of the discharge planning process.How to Plan for Hospital DischargeDischarge planning might begin soon after your loved one is admitted to the hospital. Hospital planners will sit down with you, your loved one, and other family members to begin talking about the kind of care that youll need to provide at home as your family member continues to heal. Theyll discuss things like follow-up care, home health care, which includes visits from a registered nurse or physical therapist to check on the patient, pain and wound care management strategies, and any home modifications that will be needed such as bringing a hospital bed, installing grab bars, picking up area rugs to support the senior. At this point, many families decide to hire a professional caregiver to help them manage the long-list of complicated care requirements older adults often have when they first arrive home from the hospital or rehab facility. Our caregivers can provide short-term support while your family member recovers. Then, as he becomes stronger and more independent, we can reduce or eliminate those care hours altogether to accommodate his changing needs. What else should you talk with discharge planners about? Ask about mobility support, so you know how to help your loved one transfer from bed to bathroom or chairs without risking injury to the both of you. And, medications, prescription schedules, potential side effects, follow-up appointments, and anything else that will influence your loved ones recovery and health. The answers to these and other questions will help you put things in place ahead of time to make the transition home less stressful for everyone.Questions to Ask Discharge Planners of Hospital Social Workers:When will my loved one be discharged home?How will he be transported there?Will he be able to get and out of the car on his own?What problems should I expect?Who do I call during the day and after hours if problems or concerns arise?How will care and treatment continue after discharge?Will home health providers nurses, therapists, etc. be coming to the house to provide care?What medications will he be on and what are some side effects can we expect from the medication?Will we need any medical equipment at home such as a walker, hospital bed, commode, oxygen tank?How will I get that equipment and who will install it in the home?Will my loved one need help bathing, dressing, eating, drinking, showering, toileting or with any other tasks of daily living?Is there any special care or treatment I need to learn how to deliver such as providing wound care, insulin shots, or other care?These are key questions I suggest families ask when meeting with doctors and hospital discharge planners. Feel free to print out our handy checklist of these and other questions to ask your discharge planner.Transitioning Home:In most cases, some modifications of the home should be completed even before your loved one is released. And this is another way a professional caregiver can help. We work with families to help prepare the home for easy access and will set up the patients room to fit their preferences and abilities. Well make sure the things he most needs and enjoys eyeglasses, hearing aids, phones, newspapers, television remotes are in close proximity. Moving key objects closer is another risk reduction strategy used to prevent seniors from reaching and potentially falling out of the bed or chair. Think of us as your safety net here to help your loved one avoid hospital readmission by making the transition home easier, safer, and a whole lot less stressful for you and your family. When you do arrive home, youre loved one will probably begin working with home health providers like nurses, therapists, and dieticians. Those visits will begin almost right away. You can also expect to have a number of follow up appointments at therapy and medical offices. You and your loved one will need to decide how he will get there and what kind of help youll need to move safely in and out of the car.Our caregivers often transport clients to medical appointments and regularly work in collaboration with home health providers. A professional caregiver can serve as a bridge between family members, medical providers, therapists, and pharmacists, Russell says. And, also help you establish a supportive daily routine that aids recovery and eases stress and helps your loved one avoid complications.