Category: Care Management

Care Management, Goal Setting, Healthy Living, Legacy Living, Self-Care

Aromatherapy – What are the benefits?

Aromatherapy – What does it mean to use aromatherapy as part of self-care? On a basic level there are smells that remind you of things. Your brain registers the memory with a scent. I have a distinct “home” smell. There is a specific smell when I have gone to a spa. When I smell it, I am reminded of relaxation and comfort. Our mind registers the smell information into our brain and helps connect it to certain sensations.
Research has shown that certain essential oils will help certain portions of our brain and body.

Dr Brent Bauer from the Mayo Clinc says,

Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants — is limited.

However, some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits, including:

  • Relief from anxiety and depression
  • Improved quality of life, particularly for people with chronic health conditions
  • Improved sleep

Smaller studies suggest that aromatherapy with lavender oil may help:

  • Reduce pain for people with osteoarthritis of the knee
  • Improve quality of life for people with dementia
  • Reduce pain for people with kidney stones

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically extracted from various parts of plants and then distilled.

The highly concentrated oils may be inhaled directly or indirectly or applied to the skin through massage, lotions or bath salts. Some essential oil manufacturers have oils that can be taken internally, but research on the safety and efficacy of this method is extremely limited.

Aromatherapy is thought to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions.

Many essential oils have been shown to be safe when used as directed. However, essential oils used in aromatherapy aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Risk of allergies – When oils are applied to the skin, side effects may include allergic reactions, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. In addition, further research is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and how the oils might affect women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, as well as how the oils might interact with medications and other treatments.

Care Management, Healthy Living, Legacy Living, Top Lists, Uncategorized

Why Do We Want to Free Britney?

What has caused a huge stir among social media to “free Britney?” In 2007 Britney Spears was issued a conservatorship with her father, Jamie Spears. Since that time Britney has had reportedly no say in how she spends her funds.

Since her estate was put under this conservatorship she has reporteldy earned $600 million dollars with her music and concerts. She is unable to spend any of her money without permission from that conservatorship.

In 2019, her father stepped down from managing issuing temporary control to a new individual by the name of Jody Montgomery. Britney Spears attorney is currently petitioning for Jody to continue to manage her conservatorship.

The whole thing had me ready to protest on her behalf. While much of Britney’s medical condition and overall issues is confidential and private the conversation that this stimulates is very much essential. If you were going to have someone else gain full control of every decision you made who would you appoint?

This is an important question because it takes you full circle to aging adults across the land that end up with cognitive changes that prevent them from making their own decisions. Without the head shaving and the $600 million, you become BRITNEY.

  1. Who should decide where you live?
  2. Who decides how you spend/save/use your money?
  3. What would you want them to know before you end up in a crisis that perhaps make you lose your voice. (Remind you of a certain Royal interview???)

Britney, Whether you are getting a voice or not you are teaching the rest of us to find ours. XO – CayCare.

Care Management, Goal Setting, Legacy Living, Placement

Let’s Make Our Own Luck in Long Term Care

Let’s Make Our Own Luck

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you woke up and your world was turned upside down by a loved one needing care? No, you didn’t because that would be a nightmare, right? I live in a world where people never anticipate needing care and yet they need it every single day. They think it is the end of living. I am here to guide you to the truth.

When I was a young adult I had the privilege of being an actor. I don’t have many movies behind my belt but the few I do have lingered. My children asked to see one of them for the first time today. It got me to thinking about life, memories and what it all means. Everyone wants to make their own destiny, don’t they? No one wants their future job or spouse picked by someone else. We don’t want to be told where to live or to what we enjoy.

Yet every single day I see people who have procrastinated the choice that will make or break their family. Why do we do it? Why do we leave these burdens for others to pick up? Like a hoarder who gets overwhelmed by their piles of stuff, we are left frozen, debilitated.

So, let’s start this month by stop hoping the end will be as good as the beginning. Stop hoping it all turns out and wishes and unicorns will fill the final years of our lives with greatness. Let’s start making our luck. Let’s plan where we go, how we are cared for and how it will all be paid for. Let’s start this month as the month by having a real plan about how the final years start. We spend much effort on how they begin.

How do you make your luck concerning the “after retirement stage” of your life?

  • Investments – See a financial advisor and get your money planned for fun and care.
  • Long-Term Care -Care Plan – Register for an upcoming Long-Term Care – Care Plan Creation Session
  • Attend a Pre-Planner’s Seminar – Go to our website to sign up for the next one. (If you are our of the area watch for webinars.) CayCare.com/preplanner
  • Pay for long-term care insurance to pay for care and save money
  • Get your legal documents in order – See an elder law attorney to write up your will and other legal documents.
  • Talk to your family – Do not leave them in the dark! When you were deciding what college to go to or profession to take up you went to those you trusted and discussed. Do this with your loved ones. Do NOT leave them in the dark.

Lisa Doyle is a registered nurse, educator, and geriatric care manager who has worked for over 15 years in helping seniors find long term care solutions. She takes empowerment and education to the next level and ensures her whole team does the same. A CayCare advisor can help you make your best care solution and plan today. Before Lisa worked in geriatrics she was a home health and hospice nurse and worked with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. She is the mother of 3 beautiful and active children.

(C) Copywritten Material Created by Lisa Doyle. Lisa is the author and no portion of this article can be copied without express written permission from the creator.

 

 

Care Management, Healthy Living, Uncategorized

Top 3 Ways to Reconnect with Parents After 80

Top 3 Ways to Reconnect with Parents After 80

I am very blessed to have a close relationship with my parents my whole life. As they aged our relationship changed but was still so much of a blessing. What I found is that the need of my parents hasn’t changed even though I am a parent myself. There are things that my parents can only give me that no one else is able. Whenever I feel sick I want my dad to rub my tummy. When I want to celebrate they are still the first I want to call.

Now I realize that not everyone has the same relationship I have had with my parents. However, one thing I am aware is that many feel a shift with their parents at age 80. The parent begins to need the child. In my case my mother’s need came in the form of feeling lost without her spouse after his death. Suddenly things she had always handled as a “we” were difficult. We first navigated those things together. Many of the things my father had managed or decisions they would make were out of my wheelhouse. We would decide together what was best for her now and then what would they have done together. This happened dozens of times.

Then my mother had to navigate life on her own. As she navigated this new life as a single woman in her late 70’s I navigated ways to help her and reconnect with her in a special way. I share these special ways with you right now.

  1. Fold your parents into traditions. I am a mother with children in elementary but most adults that have parents over 80 have families that are grown and have their own grandchildren. Meaning that the parents are not as integrated in the special things in their life. While you are disconnecting from your parents, your parent’s world is becoming smaller. They are worrying more about doctor’s appointments. Aches and pains concern them more than staying active and engaged. Additionally, vision and hearing are beginning to limit their ability to stay connected with peers in the same way. An easy way to help parents and reconnect is to blend the senior parents into your special traditions. My mother comes over on Christmas Eve and stays the night so she can watch our children open their presents. We have family movie night and at least once a month she is invited to attend. She has shared these traditions allow her to have things to look forward to and that keeps her feeling relevant and involved.
  2. Call your parents for no reason. Many families find that with all of this technology they simply do not take the time to call someone “just because”. Yet the just because calls are awesome. If you really want to give a special meaning and connection do this call on a set day of the week. And do not make the call about you. Ask you parent(s) how things are going. Find out what they may need help with and if there are things you can help solve. Telling a parent about your own struggles is also huge. Let them lend you sage advice.
  3. Plan a special time together that includes your parents at least annually. My parents were always involved in one weekend getaway a year. When my father died my mother became involved in our Spring Break tradition. My parents would talk about looking forward to this special event all year long. When my father died my mother said planning for that trip helped keep her positive. The time will benefit your family as well as your parents. I often have my mother get asked questions about her childhood from my children so that the heritage she comes from can be passed down to them to appreciate.

Whether you were close to your parents or not these 3 simple things will help you stay connected or reconnect with your parents.

Lisa Doyle is a Registered Nurse who has worked in geriatrics most of her career. She works as a care manager and placement navigator in Washington state. Helping families navigate the world of long-term care. She provides support and family mediation when a family is unsure what to do next. She founded CayCare in 2005. Lisa has worked with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and dementia. She has worked closely with clients who have Multiple Sclerosis, Strokes and Parkinson’s as well. To learn more about what Lisa and CayCare does go to www.caycare.com

There are also specialty courses available online for planning ahead before seeing an elder law attorney. She also teaches facilities how to best work with seniors and their families. To purchase one of her courses, go to www.caycare.com/ondemand

Care Management, Goal Setting, Healthy Living, Uncategorized

Top New Year’s Resolution for the Senior in Your Life 2020

Top Resolutions for Seniors in 2020

Once you get to a certain age New Year’s Resolutions just seem silly. However, I would challenge you that once you get older resolutions should really have more meaning. I mean, once you are “old enough to know” you should be able to resolve with the best of them right? A good resolution should help make life easier, healthier and more fulfilling. What senior doesn’t need that. So I propose to all of you seniors out there to get your resolve on with the rest of these young ones.

Now that I have thrown down this challenge what should you resolve to do? I mean, losing weight may have been a resolution you have given up long ago. However, you only have one life, one body and why not just start eating healthy now? Eating healthy is not just so you look good but feel good as well.

  1. Resolve to eat healthy. To use food as fuel. To learn what your body needs and needs to avoid. To educate yourself on what you need to avoid. To better understand the health of eating rather then the comfort of it.
  2. Resolve to drink enough fluids. As we age not getting enough fluids can cause issues that affect your overall health. Keeping up on hydration not only helps prevent infections but keeps our cells younger and healthier.
  3. Resolve to smile more. Research has shown that a smile affects your mental health and those around you in a positive manner. Your resolution helps others while helping you. The world just needs more happy people. Resolve to be one of them. Your mood will improve even when a smile or laugh isn’t genuine. Fake it until you make it is genuine in this case.
  4. Resolve to spend time with someone less fortunate than you. Let’s face it people need people. By resolving to spend time with someone less fortunate you are benefiting yourself and someone else. Loneliness is a thing. This happens more and more as we age and our world gets smaller and smaller. Resolving to find someone to spend time with you are focusing on others.

No matter your age these resolutions would benefit.

Lisa Doyle is a Registered Nurse who has worked in geriatrics most of her career. She works as a care manager and placement navigator in Washington state. Helping families navigate the world of long term care. She provides support and family mediation when a family is unsure what to do next. She founded CayCare in 2005. Lisa has worked with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and dementia. She has worked closely with clients who have Multiple Sclerosis, Strokes and Parkinson’s as well. To learn more about what Lisa and CayCare does go to www.caycare.com

There are also specialty courses available online for planning ahead before seeing an elder law attorney. She also teaches facilities how to best work with seniors and their families. To purchase one of her courses go to www.caycare.com/ondemand