“Transitions” is defined this way: “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another”.
Exploring the phrase “passage from…one place to another” quickly emphasizes that when and how to make the decision to downsize a home and/or move into either assisted living or a nursing facility isn’t…or shouldn’t be…achieved in a single step. Consider the following information from Massachusetts-based 2Sisters Senior-living Consultants, as posted on their website under “frequently asked questions”:
https://2sisters-sla.com/resources/faq/
If making a decision about entering a nursing home, the following advisory will hopefully answer some questions and provide opportunities to attend seminars:
What are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when choosing a nursing home?
Emily Rogue, LNHA, CDP, CSA – Nursing Home Specialist:
#1. Choosing a nursing home based on location alone.
Certainly, it’s beneficial to find a facility close to your support system, whether that means your adult children, friends, or community, so they can visit and be involved in your care. But that’s only one factor. Other important things to consider are therapy outcomes, inspection scores, and staffing ratios. Going to a nursing home is a big decision; the quality of care offered matters a great deal.
#2. Choosing a nursing home based on recent renovations.
It is tempting to choose the facility with the fancy new lobby chandelier and perfectly manicured front lawn. But even if a facility seems old and outdated, it is not necessarily a reflection of poor care — some nursing homes invest in important care factors, such as paying their staff higher wages. Pay attention to cleanliness (do the hallways and rooms appear clean and uncluttered?), culture (do people seem friendly and helpful?), smell (this could be an indicator of untimely care), and resident engagement (are there activities happening?).
#3. Waiting for the need to arise.
Most of the best nursing homes have wait lists. Hospital discharge can happen quickly, leaving families with little time to vet potential options. To avoid having to make a quick decision, begin familiarizing yourself with the options in your area now. Fill out a few applications and get on the wait lists for your top choices. Empower yourself to be an educated consumer and take charge of your healthcare!
Upcoming 2Sisters Events
Navigating Elder Care Without Losing Your Sanity — A Panel Discussion for Adult Children and Seniors
Thursday, January 23rd, 6:00 PM
Needham Council on Aging
300 Hillside Ave, Needham Heights, MA 02494
With Brenda Stewart, CSA, CDP, 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors; Roberta Hershorn, Realtor, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Louise Condon Realty; Maana Hickson, Esq. Rubin Hay PC; Brett Goverman, CFP, Financial Solutions Associates
Navigating Elder Care Without Losing Your Sanity — A Panel Discussion for Adult Children and Seniors
Thursday, February 6th, 6:45 PM
Sharon Community Center
219 Massapoag Ave, Sharon, MA 02067
With Brenda Stewart, CSA, CDP, 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors; Roberta Hershorn, Realtor, Louise Condon Realty, Seniors Real Estate Specialist; Linda K. Fisher, Esq. JD, MBA, LLM Taxation, Fisher Law
Navigating Elder Care Without Losing Your Sanity — A Panel Discussion for Adult Children and Seniors
Tuesday, March 10th, 6:00 PM
Dedham Library
43 Church St, Dedham, MA 02026
With Brenda Stewart, CSA, CDP, 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors; Roberta Hershorn, Realtor, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Louise Condon Realty; Maria Baler, Esq., Samuel, Sayward & Baler, LLC; Brett Goverman, CFP, Financial Solutions Associates
How Not to Choose a Nursing Home
Tuesday, March 10th, 10:00 AM
Watertown Council on Aging
31 Marshall Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Join Emily Rogue, LNHA, CDP, CSA, 2Sisters Nursing Home Specialist, as she reveals the five most common mistakes people make when choosing a nursing home and offers guidance for making wise decisions instead.
“Communication, is not a singular process, and a spouse or other significant other often has to be invited into a treatment visit to help them better understand how their own communication style or behaviors may support or limit the progress of their loved ones. …Having a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or a related diagnosis can sometimes take a toll on relationships. …If speech and hearing problems are not addressed, talking to one’s spouse, which may have been a pleasurable and emotionally fulfilling part of a couple’s relationship, may gradually disappear and become another burden associated with the disease.” –Mary Spremulli, MA, CCC-SLP
Read more here from Voice Aerobics about communication and swallowing disorders. “Licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists are eager to help people communicate effectively across the lifespan. Take advantage of their help!” Mary Spremulli
Sherri Woodbridge was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s disease over fifteen years ago.
Her column, “Journeying Through Parkinson’s Disease” appears regularly on the Parkinson’s News Today website (click here), and we often share her first-hand wisdom in our own blog updates.
Sherri can be found working in her garden, going for walks, taking pictures, or reading books to her three favorite grandkids. Taking life somewhat slower, and perhaps with guarded steps, but she’s not giving in…a warrior role model who “gets it”!
A Parkinson’s diagnosis creates a challenge to learn as much as possible from expert physicians and therapists. It also fosters emotional worry and curiosity about how to move forward with life without a clear road map to follow.
As Parkinson’s is NOT a one-size-fits-all medical condition, a natural direction most people eventually take is to search for books and articles to read, and many excellent resources are available. Quoting a description of one such book:
“The Peripatetic Pursuit of Parkinson Disease by the Parkinson’s Creative Collective provides information and inspiration to improve life with PD. The Parkinson’s Creative Collective compiled this anthology of experiences containing articles by over 100 experts on PD — the patients themselves. They speak with compassion and honesty to those newly diagnosed, as well as to those who have lived with PD for years. Personal narratives help the reader understand the emotions and remember the facts.”
From 45 reviews, one in particular stands out:
“Written as a collaborative effort by people who are dealing as PwP’s (People with Parkinson’s), (the book) had enormous credibility for me and lifted me out of my ignorance and serious depression. The one thing that I have found most supportive over the few months since I was diagnosed is not the ‘encouraging words’ and sympathy and love I have received from friends and family…. it is association, face to face, with others who have Parkinson’s, and reading about people dealing effectively and courageously with Parkinson’s. This book really does this…”
Some reviewers advise that this is a collection of inspirational, personal stories to be read in small sections and experienced slowly, and not try to understand and apply all of its wisdom too quickly. “As a person with Parkinson’s, I can relate to the stories and worries and advice given here… there’s a lot here to absorb, so don’t try to gulp it all down at once. Sip it slowly and thoughtfully.”
An online search of all libraries in our north-of-Boston area did not reveal any available copies. We are including the following link to access the book section on Amazon to read more about The Peripatetic Pursuit of Parkinson Disease and 45 positive reader reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989326608?pf_rd_p=f3acc539-5d5f-49a3-89ea-768a917d5900&pf_rd_r=N96R1V5BK7MR426DDGF5
We are proud to announce that we are among nationally recognized Parkinson’s organizations and programs in 38 states who were recently awarded 2019 community grants!
Parkinson’s Foundation community grants further the health, wellness and education of people with Parkinson’s disease across the nation. In April 2019, the Foundation distributed $1.5 million throughout 111 community-based grants that fund education and outreach programs, along with local research initiatives, that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s community. Read more to view our fellow recipients, listed state by state.
Receiving this grant enables us to partially fund our upcoming 8-week Parkinson’s percussion series with MedRhythms Music Therapy of Boston, and offer the program free of charge starting May 1st at the Danvers Community YMCA!
This honor is shared with our wonderful team of caring, creative instructors and with each participant who attends classes with an “I-will-do-as-much-as-I-can” attitude.
We’re so much more than the label “Parkinson’s sufferers” implies. Poignantly quoted on the Voice Aerobics website by organization founder and friend Mary Spremulli, now-deceased blogger Kate Kelsall – herself diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – described her feelings about being referred to in just medical diagnosis terms.
“When someone describes me only in terms of my medical diagnosis as having Parkinson’s, it doesn’t describe me as a person. The human element is overlooked, and I feel devalued. Too often, disability-related labels are used unnecessarily to describe a person. A disability is NOT the most important descriptor of any individual. Defining a person as though the disability comprises the entirety of the person often segregates and isolates the person and fails to recognize the humanness.”
“Labeling may cause others to overly focus on the visible manifestation of the disease while failing to connect to you, personally.” –Mary Spremulli, Voice Aerobics founder – Products and Programs that Support Voice Use
(https://voiceaerobicsdvd.com/parkinsons-advocacy/parkinsons-sufferers-and-other-words-we-hate-to-use/)
There’s no getting around the fact that our bodies and minds are under constant stress attacks these days. A recent article from the WebMD online website offers 14 attainable ways to help yourself create some much-needed rest for your brain.
Click here to visit the site and start practicing some of the offered tips!
Michael Braitsch, a kinesiology professor and board-licensed doctor of physical therapy, states that:
“Parkinson’s motor symptoms mimic normal aging in many ways — only they’re sped up and intensified. Because each patient experiences Parkinson’s uniquely, tailored and one-on-one routines are best. Still, he said, group programs with skilled leaders are also worthwhile, fostering consistency, motivation, performance, community, camaraderie, support and idea sharing.
“Depression and isolation starts a negative feedback loop. So, that’s where a tribe helps,” said Braitsch. …Strength in numbers means we all do better together.”
In a GREAT online post from Parkinson’s News Today, the gist of the entire article mirrors what our Parkinson’s Fitness philosophy has stated and reinforced since we began in 2013! We encourage you to click this link and read the article. You will find many similarities to what we consistently emphasize and encourage! Click below for the article:
Shoulders, backs, elbows, knees, wrists, ankles, fingers, neck, hips…any part of the body that’s jointed can make us suffer from aches and pains that we could do without! Aside from natural aging, accidents, or neurological and orthopedic conditions, what do you think many of us do on a daily basis that actually causes those aching joints?
Click here to visit a web link to check out bad habits that YOU may relate to!
Winter was “officially” ushered in with an East Coast snowfall this weekend (Dec. 9th for those of us in New England)…pretty to look at considering the upcoming holidays, but for many not experienced with snow and cold, tough to live through and with!
Television commercials are offering seasonal advice for winter skin care. Parkinson’s knows no particular season for its affects on skin. The Parkinson’s Foundation offers insights into all-year skin care and the reasons why some people experience unaccustomed changes.
Click here for lots of information that helps answer questions and offers helpful tips…and continue to drink LOTS of water!
