Senior Life
Ask Jennifer...
 

Jennifer Meagher RN is a Geriatric Care Manager and Registered Nurse. She had a 21 year nursing career at Genesee Hospital, she was the primary instructor for a local Home Health Aide training program and for the last 10 years, Jennifer has been a Geriatric Care Manager, and is owner of Senior Life, a Geriatric Care Manager firm. She is a member of Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly and is called upon by local attorneys as an expert in Geriatric cases.

Jennifer knows what you are going through. She was primary care giver for her own mother who suffered with Alzheimer’s for 12 long years.

www.SeniorLifeGCM.com

Ask Jennifer your geriatric care questions and she will respond and possibly post your answer here on www.News10NBC.com.

Click here to ask Jennifer your question

Dear Jennifer,

My mom just moved into assisted living. I’m worried something will happen to her expensive jewelry, and she insists on wearing it. If I try to take it away, we’ll end up in a big fight.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Ted

Dear Ted,

1. Maintain an insurance policy on items of high value.

2. Have the associated experts label eye glasses, dentures, hearing aides and expensive diamonds (jewelers can label microscopically)

3. Photograph all items for insurance claims and/or to help the staff in an all out search.

4. If the older adult is confused and misplacing items, consider switching out the real jewelry for look-alikes.

5. Senior communities are not responsible for lost or stolen valuables.

Our Two Cents: Response Times for Call Bells

Author: Jennifer Meagher
Owner, Senior Life Geriatric Care Management

Most hospitals and nursing homes will agree their goal is to respond to call bells in 5-10 minutes, and that there are occasions when “waits” will be up to 20 minutes - all of which is too long if you need to use the bathroom NOW. Here are some ways you can help yourself.

1. Call for assistance to the bathroom EVEN IF YOU DON”T FEEL AN URGE:

- When you wake in the “wee” hours of the night. (Then  you won’t feel a stressing urge in the morning.)

- As soon as you wake in the morning. (Staff shift change is 7 - 8 a.m.)

- Between 10:00 and 11:00 ( Staff will start their lunch breaks soon after this.)

- Before 3 p.m. (Staff shift change)

- Before 5 p.m. (Staff dinners)

- Before 11 p.m. (Staff shift change)

2. When an aide or nurse is in your room, ask for everything you might need for the next two hours.

3. Keep a bag of essentials near you at all times.

4 .If you are having a medical emergency, yell out, and use your emergency pull if it is in reach.
More of Our Two Cents