As spring blooms around us, we're excited to share updates on our programs and services exemplified through stories of our client’s journeys, informative helpful health information and expert tips on navigating life’s challenges. We have a collection of content to inform and inspire you!
Here are the main topics covered:
Greetings from Joan Harris: May is Aging Life Care month
Most people do not know that our professional title is: Aging Life Care Professionals and in order to be certified by our National Association we must not only pass an exam, but also have many years of specific experience in this field as well as credentials in Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy to name a few. The bar is high. The Aging Life Care Association supports our work, provides phenomenal educational and leadership growth opportunities for us, and most importantly, binds us to a professional code of ethics and standards of practice. Annual education is required to continue to be a nationally certified professional.
Who are Aging Life Care Professionals? We are private consultants who are the only professionals that solely work for the older adult, no matter who hires us. We can never benefit from any referrals that we make. We are objective outside expert advocates, care coordinators, and planners who focus on supporting our clients to their goals. Most importantly, we are partners with our clients and their families, through the long and often difficult journey through the end of life. We used to be called Geriatric Care Managers. I have been a “Care Manager” for 18 years and could not be more proud and grateful to be part of a community of 1700 peers nationwide. We all bring to this work our own unique experience and training.
In the month of May we celebrate our profession, our community of excellence, the joy and honor of providing the services and support that our clients need in order to live their best life.
Symphony's Highlight - by Joan Harris, LSW, MBA, CMC
At a crossroad: retirement community or staying home? Tom and Elizabeth’s journey:
One of our newest programs, the Roadmap to Your Best Retirement Life, offers a transformative plan that provides peace of mind to older adults helping them design a tailored and informed blueprint of options that meet their unique retirement goals.
Tom and Elizabeth were doing well living in their large long-time home in a lovely rural town in Central Massachusetts. Tom was involved in local town committees and a non-profit organization which allowed him to use his many years as a corporate executive to help others in his community. Elizabeth enjoyed getting together with friends, exercising and gardening. She also was engaged in programs and activities in their town. Although Tom and Elizabeth did not have family close by that they could rely on, they were happy with their quality of life. So why did they reach out to Joan Harris, Aging Life Care Professional to evaluate their options and put together a plan for them?
Elizabeth had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 5 years ago and although she could still walk and care for herself, this diagnosis created many health and functional challenges they were managing as best as they could. Their large home was not handicap accessible for when her mobility worsened and they worried about what would happen if Tom became ill. How would Elizabeth manage without his assistance? Tom and Elizabeth had started to explore retirement communities but found themselves feeling overwhelmed and stuck. They did not know what they were looking at and how the continuums of care of multi-level communities would truly meet their personal needs and goals. They wanted to “Age in Place” in their home, but were unsure how to evaluate what services and home modifications would be appropriate and at what cost.
Symphony Care Management’s Roadmap to Your Best Retirement Life program is a robust consultation service that Joan Harris has developed over the years to support older adults who need and want a tailored plan to meet their long-term unique needs. That puts the right services and supports in place to prevent the pitfalls that can lead to crisis.
For Tom and Elizabeth, the first step was to collect information about their health, medical providers, income, geographic preferences, and leisure activities. Tom and Elizabeth then completed a visioning exercise Joan assigned them designed specifically to assist in drilling down more deeply into what was most important to them for their later older years.
After an extensive home visit assessment, they received a written Roadmap with specific recommendations for Highway #1: Aging at Home with the high-quality providers of services they would need to age in place, contact information and pricing as well as the reasons behind each recommendation and education for the differences between different types of providers. There are numerous types of services, many of which our clients are unaware of. The report included Aging in Place certified Home Modification companies, vetted Senior Move Managers as well as a well thought out emergency backup plan if either Tom or Elizabeth became ill. In addition, the plan included education and advice about emergency documents and advance directives.
Tom and Elizabeth received Highway #2 Retirement Community Recommendations that outlined two communities that would give them the quality of life they sought and provide the flexible continuum of services to allow them to be together with the highest standard of quality in independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing levels of care. This, with pricing and an education around the type of agreement they would be entering into were all part of this consultation. Tom and Elizabeth were then able to bring this information to their financial advisor to support their decision making.
After Tom and Elizabeth had some time to read through and digest their Roadmap, a follow up Zoom call was scheduled to review the Roadmap, answer their questions, and see what additional information, support, or action items they wanted assistance with beyond the Roadmap. It was very reassuring to them knowing that Joan and her team of Aging Life Care Managers could be utilized at any time in the future if their needs changed.
For Tom and Elizabeth, the Roadmap program gave them the tools they needed to remain in their home, the knowledge to understand their options when and if they decided to move, and peace of mind knowing they had a backup plan with an expert Care Management Team to reach out to.
It is never too early to plan for all older adults. By building knowledge and partnerships will steer your older years to your best quality of life.
Also, click here to explore what this program has to offer and how it can benefit you.
Helpful Resources
Join our new Book Club: "Memory Matters" for people caring for their loved one with dementia
Symphony Care Management’s Memory Matters Book Club:
Are you a caregiver for a loved one with dementia? Join Julia Nickrosz, Dementia Specialist/Care Manager and Joan Harris, Founder of Symphony Care Management for this informative and interactive series. We will read, discuss, and learn together from personal published stories, up to date science-based research and shared experiences.
The goal of this Book Club is to bring people together who want to increase their education and understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative diagnoses and more deeply explore the effects of these states on individuals, families, and caregivers.
We will assign excerpts from various literature sources related to dementia, and caregiving.
When: 2 sessions, June 19 & July 10. Space limited.
Where: One Wingate Way - 235 Gould St, Needham, MA, 02494
Free of Charge!
Health Tips and Resources
Brain Health: Our dementia specialty care - case spotlight - Jane and her daughter, Susan
At Symphony Care Management, our commitment to holistic support ensures personalized care for clients and their families. When Jane's Alzheimer's symptoms became unmanageable, we swiftly arranged skilled companions and tailored interventions to ensure her safety and engagement. Our Dementia Specialist provided ongoing coaching, environmental solutions, and advocacy, adapting care as Jane’s needs evolved. This proactive approach gave Jane's family peace of mind and prepared them for a seamless transition to memory care.
Interested in learning about our proactive approach to dementia care? Check out our blog post for Jane's full story!
What is osteoporosis?
May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month!
By Lizzy Carr, RN, CMC
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens your bones and makes you more
susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. Weakened bones may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.
Who is at Risk?
People commonly think that you are only at risk for Osteoporosis due to not getting enough calcium from your diet. There are more factors at play however.
People assigned female at birth (AFAB), especially people AFAB in post menopause.
People with a family history (if someone in your biological family has osteoporosis).
People who are naturally thin or who have “smaller frames.” People with thinner statures often have less natural bone mass, so any losses can affect them more.
People who smoke or use tobacco products. (Cleveland clinic: 4443 Osteoporosis).
About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for fractures. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Your healthcare provider will tell you if you have medical conditions or are on medications that put you at higher risk.
How to determine if you are at risk or have Osteoporosis?
Consult with your healthcare provider to order a bone density test for proper diagnosis. This test is an X-ray type test that measures the mass, density, and mineral makeup of your bones. It is a simple outpatient test that is not invasive at all.
The Cleveland Clinic article adds: “Even though osteoporosis doesn’t directly cause symptoms, you might notice a few changes in your body that can mean your bones are losing strength or density.” These warning signs of osteoporosis can include:
Losing an inch or more of your height.
Changes in your natural posture (stooping or bending forward more).
Shortness of breath (if disks in your spine are compressed enough to reduce your lung capacity).
Lower back pain (pain in your lumbar spine).
What are the Treatment Options?
There are many medication treatments to help slow down bone loss and strengthen existing bone mass. They can be taken in oral (pill) form or by injection. Regular weight bearing exercise like walking, proper diet as well as prescribed and over the counter vitamins and supplements are also helpful preventative and treatment measures. What works best for you is determined by you and your doctor.
Note: Care Managers play an important role in assisting our clients with Osteoporosis to reduce their fall risk both in their home and when out. We coordinate physical and occupational therapy to strengthen, and recommend many services and supports to assist our clients to live their best life safely.
Sources:
More News
Congratulations to Jean Clements, SCM's Practice Manager on her certification completion🎉
Congratulations to our Practice Manager, Jean Clements who has completed her certification as a Dementia Engagement Specialist with Inspire Care, Inc. This interactive training developed skills, problem-solving ability and creativity to work with clients who are living with dementia.
We are excited to have Jean provide high level engagement, joy and purpose with our clients who are on their journey of Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias.
We hope you found this content both helpful and engaging. Stay tuned for more valuable updates and resources to enhance your quality of life.
Wishing you a wonderful end of May!🌷
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