Nonprofits And Programs For Seniors

I am honored and proud to be a member of the Board of Directors for two nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of seniors and their loved ones. ARTZ Philadelphia and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern New Jersey (JFCS) are the nonprofits. Each nonprofit offers complimentary programs for older adults and those living with dementia. ARTZ Philadelphia is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and well-being of people with dementia and their care partners through joyful interactions around arts and culture. Their evidence-based programs connect people with dementia and those they love with artists, cultural organizations, and each other. They help [...]

2024-03-08T10:56:15-05:00October 2, 2023|

The Value of Planning Before a Senior Healthcare Crisis

Recently, Tina Kane, one of our elder care coordinators, and I were invited to speak on the Givnish Spotlight hour on WWDB 860 AM. The show is led by representatives of the Life Celebrations family of funeral homes, a group that advocates for preneed burial and funeral planning. The reason for our invitation to join a few weeks ago was to discuss the value of planning as we age. Simple in concept, complex in execution.   If there's a list of things we dislike or avoid talking about, I imagine death and dying would be near the top. Not far [...]

2024-03-08T11:11:49-05:00February 3, 2023|

Recognizing Changes in Loved Ones Over the Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for families to come together to celebrate the holidays, including with our elderly loved ones. In many instances, this time of year is the first time you may see an aging parent, grandparent, or other relatives after months apart, or even perhaps from the last holiday season. Below are some common age-related changes in loved ones to be mindful of when visiting. Significant weight gain or loss Changes in mobility or balance Fluctuations in mood or behaviors Poor memory or increased confusion It is important to address changes in loved ones such as those listed above early [...]

2024-03-08T11:16:22-05:00December 23, 2022|

A Discussion on Aging with a Nine-Year-Old

Sometimes it’s just easier for others to explain. On a recent Sunday, instead of dropping my 9-year-old daughter, Addison, at the Synagogue for her Sunday School class, I dropped her at the Horsham Center for Jewish Life for a field trip. Walking in, Addison asked if I had ever been to the building—I explained that I have many clients who live or have lived in this building. As a follow-up, Addison asked why I have so many clients that live there. In the two minutes before her field trip began, I did my best to summarize what elder care is, [...]

2024-03-08T11:16:38-05:00December 16, 2022|

Aging Parents with Special Needs Adults

Planning to Replace the Irreplaceable Parent For aging parents with children who are special needs adults, planning ahead is an important step in seamlessly transitioning care. We spend a good part of our day helping families navigate the long-term care system to secure care for a senior. Many families do not realize that we also assist in planning for the families of seniors. Most parents of children with disabilities are aware of the necessity to plan financially for their child. However, they may not have considered living and care arrangements for their child, regardless of the child’s age. Some families [...]

2022-11-29T19:26:55-05:00December 9, 2022|

Solo Agers: Identifying Support Care, Asset, and Legal Support

A recent New York Times article detailed an increasing cohort of solo agers—those over 50 aging alone—and the physical, financial, and psychological effects of doing so. In 1960, less than 15% of households had a single occupant; that figure is nearly 30% today. Almost twice as many Americans over the age of 50 live alone today than in the year 2000. The research on this is clear: Seniors living alone have poorer physical and mental health and shorter life spans. In fact, research shows that loneliness is as damaging to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Because solo agers [...]

2024-03-08T11:17:13-05:00December 2, 2022|

The Life Care Plan: A Complex and Confusing Puzzle

Navigating a successful life care plan is much like a puzzle. Every step must be correct to progress and complete the plan. I love puzzles. Crosswords, sudoku, cryptograms, almost any puzzle. My friends and family poke fun at me for casually glancing at a puzzle on the NY Times iPhone app when I should be engaged otherwise (like at dinner or at my daughters’ soccer games). Regardless of my penchant for puzzles at inopportune times, my wife, Stefanie, recently gave me The Puzzler by A.J. Jacobs. The book follows Jacobs’ “quest to solve the most baffling puzzles ever, from crosswords [...]

2024-03-08T11:21:57-05:00October 14, 2022|

How To Find A High-Quality Home Healthcare Provider

There are many factors to consider when choosing a home healthcare provider. Home health services include Skilled Nursing, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Therapy, Medical Social Services, and Home Health Aide. Choosing a high-quality home healthcare provider that is recognized for excellent care can help increase your likelihood of recovering faster and staying healthy at home. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports on home health quality measures on the Care Compare website. The website is a tool to help consumers choose a home healthcare provider. It's designed to be an easy-to-access, convenient, official source of information about provider quality [...]

2024-03-08T11:24:43-05:00August 30, 2022|

You’ll Be in My Heart

Written by Stephanie Fisch, Director of Public Relations and Community Education. I recently attended a concert benefitting Penn Memory Center for continued dementia research at the Newtown Theatre with Jerry, Donna, and Kathleen, where the Phil Collins tribute band, Hello I Must Be Going put on a stellar performance. Betsy Szamboti and the team at Artis Senior Living of Yardley organized a very successful event, and I found it inspiring to be in a room full of people working toward a common goal to end Alzheimer’s for future generations. We value our partnerships with both Artis Senior Living of Yardley [...]

2024-03-08T11:25:36-05:00August 19, 2022|

Home Care Plays a Pivotal Role in the Healthcare Continuum

The home care industry is a sector of the healthcare continuum poised for continuous growth due to many factors but largely driven by a burgeoning aging population seeking to “age in place.” People seeking care at home are usually doing so for the first time, unaware of the scope of services, cost, insurance coverage, and the interaction of home care providers with others in the healthcare continuum. This article identifies those critical interactions. Home Healthcare Providers Medical home healthcare providers offer nursing, therapies, and other clinical sub-specialties. These services are covered (with limits) by Medicare and other health insurance. Home [...]

2024-03-08T11:25:51-05:00August 16, 2022|
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